Before this Europa League group got underway the trips to Istanbul and Amsterdam looked daunting. Those games produced two credible draws, but things went wildly wrong elsewhere.
Our goal last night was a peach. Dedryck Boyata split the Fenerbahce defence to open up space for Mikael Lustig to cross for Kris Commons, who peeled off his marker to create the space to head home. Unfortunately only one point was collected as we lost another Keystone Cops goal.
Craig Gordon seems to be struck by a lack of conviction this season. His was not the only failing at our repeated corner kick fiascos but letting a ball trickle through his legs as he appeared caught in two minds is indicative of a player who is doubting himself.
You know Kris Commons scores and creates huge goals for Celtic, we’ve discussed it often enough here. Despite his veteran status and apparent ill-fitting to our system he remains by far our most effective player.
For Ronny, it didn’t go wrong in Europe this season against Fenerbahce or Ajax (I’m absolving him of blame for Efe’s error or a last minute breakaway goal at Celtic Park), it went wrong home and away to Molde and Malmo. We appeared to underestimate both. Did the manager have something to prove against fellow Norwegian managers?
Celtic dominated possession stats in all four games against Molde and Malmo but the Scandinavians exploited the acres of space which simply didn’t exist in our games against Ajax, Fenerbahce or Qarabag, for that matter. Ajax, Fenerbahce and Qarabag got the respect they deserved, not so Molde and Malmo.
The failure is, of course, more complicated than that. Jozo missed the bulk of the campaign, while Dedryck is only just beginning to look like a footballer (lovely pass for the goal last night). Scott Allan looks promising, but we’ve not seen enough of him either due to injury.
Curiously, Ronny’s big 2015 No. 1 striker target, Nadir, looks less like a Ronny Deila player than anyone we’ve bought in years. Knowing we were interested in him, I watched his performances against Celtic last season, and made the same observation at the time.
What happens if your keeper’s form falls off a cliff, one of your new defenders doesn’t settle quickly, two other new players miss months through injury, and your new striker doesn’t morph into a different player? You finish bottom of the Europa League group.
Celtic must now consider their strategy for January. Successive transfer windows have left us weaker, not stronger. Identify the reasons, remediate and we can build on the away performances which bookended this Europa League campaign.
Check out the CQNBookstore. There’s 15 great Celtic books and 10 DVDs, you’ll love them.
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I see rod stewart has been spouting the club party line about sevco
Eddie
Ronny would have had the treble in his first season, had it not been for brother MacLean and blatant cheating. Mr Deila is smart. He knows what he is up against in this country.
He is the manager of Celtic. He has my 100% support because of that.
Hail Hail
yeah rod they were relegated which is untrue Scottish football has been destroyed with out them dear oh dear.
Weet weet,
Another belter from last night…
Nothing has changed since the red. Ronny must change something. You’d think now it’s 11 v 10 celtic will up it??
Subs happen.. Game changes…
Then the bold sutty tells us it was the red that changed the game
Wtf!!??
next rod stewart will be going to ibrox to as he has always been a sevco fan
Delaneys Dunky on 11th December 2015 8:52 pm
Correct.
If we are talking about learning curves, then learning about Scotlands…….er…….’traditions’ and cultural history
must quite a shock to a foreigner like Ronny.
It would be hard enough just getting to grips with the football side of things.
Danso
Remember my Rangers supporting childhood friends going on about Rod the Prod when he appeared at Ibrox in a Rangers strip wi Greig their captain.
not surprised delaney
GlenDaly
We are a cultchur like nane other in Auld Scotia!
the new sean connery maybe?
What the heck is going on here ….!!!!!????
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/the-phantom-of-the-sevco-soap-opera/#more-7114
Danso
Connery in reverse!
At least Rod saw the light. I love a convert. :)
TET
When you said 1595 for the Coto de Imaz, did you mean 159.95 Euros or !5.95 Euros?
JJ
Stewart is and always has been a fudd.
Auldheid on 11th December 2015 8:36 pm
dessybhoy on 11th December 2015 8:23 pm A big problem with all our midfield players is they are not great at winning tackles and getting the ball back. –
===============
Fix this and we fix a lot.
to CQN, Anybody come to mind
– ———–
Doesn’t quite fit the profile of young player, but someone like Scott Parker could do a job for a couple of years.
Wins the ball, doesn’t waste it. Wouldn’t be bombing forward in Europe leaving us exposed.
Imo Griff Tom Rogic and KC Must All Start in Perth..We are a better Team When they Play..St Johnstone Are Bang in Form..Looks like a Difficult Game.but with aberdeen playing hearts somethings gotta give
3 pts would be great…
TBJ
A relation of mine was reading the `paper as his wife and Mother-in-Law were wondering what the name ` Fanny` was short for.
They asked Joe, ” What is another name for Fanny? ‘
Joe, without looking away from the `paper, replied, ” Fud.”
JJ
What should the team be for Perth?
?
Lustig Boyata Simunovic Tierney
Forrest Bitton Allan ? ?
Griffiths
TBJ
As subtle as a size 10 steely on the baws. Haha
JJHS … I always wondered about the scottish slang usage for that …. for the rest of the world, it means fear, uncertainty and doubt …. but in scotland….. ?!
Jungle jim
Allan shoudnt start in front of Rogic..He looked out his Depth against Fener imo, He Should only Start in Cup games Against lower Teams..And in Saying that..I Like him.He Needs Easy Games And Time..We only 4 pts clear in the League…
JUNGLE JIM HOT SMOKED on 11TH DECEMBER 2015 9:32 PM
What should the team be for Perth?
?
Lustig Boyata Simunovic Tierney
Forrest Bitton Allan ? ?
Griffiths
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/lack-of-respect-for-molde-and-malmo/comment-page-8/#comments
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I’ve also got confidence in the Bhoys, but I do think that we should start with 11 on the park. :-)
Damn! Apologies to JJHS!
In place of the two question marks, I’d throw in SA & GMS on the left side of the midfield 5, just for the craic.
HH
Great red wine this!!! :-)
What happened to the CRC Quiz night?
30 TL (£7) for a 5 litre box!
DD …. I think you just started it. Geez another question!
North Cyprus
Great green grass this! ;))
north cyprus
I’d be good with that starting 11. think there is some talent there.
I think Nir Biton is a right decent footballer but for the Spl we don’t need him (imo) would love to see Stuart Armstrong & Scott Allan getting a good run in the middle of the park, we don’t need two centre halves in the Spl never mind a holding midfielder which, again, in my opinion is what Nir is or will grow into……
JJHS
I meant it cost 15.95 euros, which is at today’s ex rate, £11.50 of your brit pounds, a serious amount for here, but it’s top, top quality, two years ago it cost 7.95 euros, and in two years time it will prob cost 21.95 euros, well worth a wee investment imo.
It’s like everything else, the rarer it is, the more it costs, thankfully I bought a fair few cases when they cost 5.95, but the ones I have been partaking in today did cost 15.95, as I didn’t buy them :-)
You amigo, the drammin mhan who would know a thing or two about the whiskey will tell you the same, the scarcer they are, see if you every venture into Stonehaven, a pub down the harbour called The Ship Inn, they have a wonderful selection of whiskey, some cost a couple of grand for a dram, that’s cos there is only a few drams left, same with the vino, nay wonder there are shysters out there making serious bobs, are you listening minty and gash, shysters one and all, me, am happy to have a few bottles for a rainy day.
HH
MiT
Who is your favourite ever Celtic player?
Clue……. DFMcG. :)))
Jungle Jim, I’d rest Tierney.
I’d love Bailly to get a start but it might be wrong to replace Gordon just after the bloomer.
So Izzy for Tierney and hopefully Griffiths for Ciftci would be my changes.
DD
I think CRC had said the 18th, but I have known to be incorrect
Question No. 2 – how far down the box have I managed to get in the last two hours? :-)
DD – that would do my throat too much damage, but would sure as hell give my liver a much-needed rest.
MiT – SA & GMS haven’t been on the park at the same time, for a while – maybe it would help them both.
HH to all.
DD … as I have previously confessed, my uncle (Jackie McGrory) played for killie, so I was a killie fan in my youth …so, by the time I matured, and realized the error of my ways, my favourite Celtic players were a bit later …. for a season, I thought Charlie Nick was going to be our greatest ever …. Paul McStay …. class …. tommy burns… a better man and Celtic we will never see … and Henrik …
looking back, if I had to pick just one …. tommy burns…. not the best footballer, but what Celtic is and should be about.
MIT
I had not been aware of it meaning fear until you educated me. I lived in England for many years and am not aware of ever having heard the word. I think it works quite well as we use it in Scotland. Kind of onomatopoeic !
BGX
I left a couple of spaces. Rogic could have one of those. Your point re Allan is valid. Maybe, for a while, we should just play him at Celtic Park where his type of skill would be most helpful.
Cyprus
Currently, some CQNers would prefer the two ?s to GMS and SA !
JJ
GFTB
The first time I have been early for anything in my life.
Early by a week is awesome!