Before we get into some proper reflections on yesterday’s game, can we pay a moment’s respect to the passing of the careers of Steven Davis and Jermain Defoe, who respectively spent 15 and 20 years in professional football. I know we will all wish them the very best on their lives after football – starting today.
Without a word of a lie, when I sat down to write this, I had to go back and confirm that Glen Kamara started the game. Scott Brown has seen them come and go in his 12 years at Celtic. When any of them win against the champions, he’s often the man opponents delight at getting the better off. Kamara did just that on social media in May after the Ibrox club’s win over Celtic. You could set your watch for Scott dominating the former Dundee player. Yesterday, Kamara looked like what he is, a £50k signing who cannot cast a shadow on the Celtic captain.
On Friday we talked about the bedwetters who were worried about the challenge from Newco this season. They added a load of duds, mostly free transfers, to a squad that won nothing and they had people, who should have known better, worried about the Treble Treble winners facing them. Newco signed 10 players this summer, 10 PLAYERS!! Nine of them were not good enough to get into that pathetic starting line up. Gerrard has not signed playing assets, he’s added financial liabilities!
I don’t remember the last time we saw such a makeshift Celtic defence start a big game. Jozo Simunovic and Kris Ajer both failed late fitness tests. Hatem Elhamed missed the previous three games through injury, and had only made five appearances for Celtic, but he was patched up and played at right back. His fellow Israeli, Nir Bitton (new contract please), was asked to fill in at central defence alongside Christopher Jullien. The latter is beginning to look like a £7m euro bargain.
Newco fans thought they would rip Boli Bolingoli apart (perhaps they had CQN comments pages). Boli absolutely bossed the left flank. On several occasions, he took an extra touch under pressure, showing the kind of composure you get from someone who turns up ‘ready’, as Oldco were fond of saying. He and Christopher Jullien are yet to experience defeat at Celtic.
Defending well will get you a point, but if you want to win a game, you need to put the ball in the net. With 32 minutes gone, Celtic were well on top, but the game needed a chance. Fortunately, Newco defender Connor Goldson (soon to be found playing golf at the weekend with Davis and Defoe) was in possession to play an immaculate pass onto the toe of Mikey Johnston. Mikey took the ball from the halfway line before releasing Odsonne Edouard. From that moment, the whole of Ibrox knew the outcome. The French striker closed in on goal before slipping the ball below the keeper. We have so many match winners just waiting for an opening.
You, me and just about everyone else criticised Neil Lennon for his tactics against Cluj, but what a masterclass from the Lurgan Lion yesterday. He sent players into a hostile environment with a coolness not seen in Glasgow, since Barry White last crooned into the microphone around these parts. We dominated the game, could easily have scored more, and did not concede a chance worthy of the name.
The front four: Odsonne Edouard, James Forrest, Ryan Christie and Mikey Johnston were scintillating. Olivier Ntcham was at his incisive best when he replaced James. He linked with Odsonne and Johnny Hayes to create the clinching second goal. I have been critical of Olivier, but when he turns up, he is unplayable.
All that was left was for Jordan Jones, Ryan Jack and Alfredo Morelos to demonstrate that Steven Gerrard’s talk about improving discipline is a mirage. It is disingenuous of Gerrard to criticise Jones, but overlook Morelos stamping on Jullien, and elbowing and kicking Scott Brown, and Jack’s studs-to-the-knee lunge at Bolingoli. Referee Bobby Madden did not see Morelos’ attacks, so you would assume the SFA Compliance Officer will be involved. Surely? The tifo display, showing a Celtic fan on the ground with a figure holding a bloodied sword over him is more sinister than I can remember at any football game. Is this acceptable to Newco, never mind the SFA?
They remain loyal thugs, but now they know the reality. This is the 9-in-a-row season and there’s nothing they can do about it.
559 Comments- Pages:
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DENIABHOY
Is anyone at Ross Hall……
aye , JORDAN JONES :)))))
Is “blocking the stairs” a euphemism for battering lumps out of innocent fans? I still see flares as an assault on everyone in breathing distance and the reckless endangerment of fellow fans, basically the playthings of selfish, entitled brats.
I want us to add a No.9 today. It will be an unnecessarily long four months, to go with only Griff/Bayo in support of Eddy.
————————–
On the Ibrox tifo, Dave King sounded the whistle in March 2015. He’s been charging the huns every day since.
The Kent move does seem strange, especially as Phil was predicting that they’d need EL money to pay the electric bills…
Unless there’s a major exit on the cards. Is there another reason why Morelos didn’t start on Sunday?
MARSPAPA – 😂
NO ONE SHOULD HAVE FLARES IN GROUND AND NOT WEE BOYS… TRAVELLING TO Sweden…. think obects were platic cups from what I saw on video.. we are heading to getting part of ground closed because of these eejits… PS I din’t mibnd any protests or chanting but flares are just stupid as they know the outcome will hrt Celtic…
Rock Tree Bhoy at 3pm
MARTIN42 on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2019 2:41 PM
I can assure everyone that the leader article is and always was and will continue to be written by PAUL 67. Martin42
______________________________________
saw those comments earlier……you have to wonder at the age of some of the posters that come on here, probably posting from the playground….
No need to wonder. I’m 56. As one who asked the question, there was no criticism included or implied in the point. Just noting that having got used to a style, there appeared to be quite a change in the tone and language in recent lead articles.
So we’ve been charged yet again by UEFA for (1) setting off of fireworks and (2) throwing of objects !
I say again we should identify the puerile clowns who cause us this grief and send them the bill for the eventual fines. Nonpayment of the bill will lead to a ban from Celtic matches until the sum is settled.
Why should the club continually have to pay for the actions of a few idiots who know what the consequences for the club are !
Over the past few weeks, Boli’s worst media critic was Sutton. Slaughtered him several times.
Maybe he’s forgotten how hard it can be to adapt to a new team.
Having traveled with Celtic away to Ajax it really does surprise me how much the coverage in the press and response from UEFA are in complete contradiction to what actually goes on.
Watching Celtic fans get attacked by police & home fans but portrayed as thugs.
TRADITIONALIST88 on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2019 3:54 PM
In the scheme of things it does sound a lot, but thats what many thought about McGinn last year.
___
Greg Taylor is no John McGinn.
BOB LOBLAW – Ditto.
Why are we not sending stewards to away grounds to monitor the supporters ?.
Still happy as Larry after Greyskull.
Great tactics I was a bit concerned about our defence beforehand and was delighted anout how they adapted to the hostile atmosphere.
The 3 subs were top notch. Was delighted for Johnny Hayes and happy with our keeper’s no nonsense clearances !
Well remember that tackle, coneybhoy from last blog. Exactly like Jones.
Anyone know the purpose of the bra-like tops that a lot of players are now wearing under their jerseys?
Deniabhoy 4.39pm
Sport science .. think it monitors heart and ground covered
DENIABHOY
Measures, heart rate, distance travelled etc.
Cheers. Thought they were all suffering from bad posture.
DENIABHOY on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2019 4:39 PM
Anyone know the purpose of the bra-like tops that a lot of players are now wearing under their jerseys?
Sevco players wearing them as they are clearly a bunch of tits.
ADI_DASSLER on2ND SEPTEMBER 2019 4:28 PM
Why are we not sending stewards to away grounds to monitor the supporters ?.
With 55 million & a 2-0 away win at Ibrox in the bank you would think….
Wetting the bed aside, I do understand the need.. error maybe not. That would be 2 less seats for rent &, going for 56 (million in the bank) out the window.
HRVATSKI JIM
Happens all the time, in every league in Europe but only under the auspices a corrupt UEFA are there
sanctions.
Take the fine, and move on
Wee Bhoys and their Toys CSC
Martin42
Thanks for that clarification, earlier.
Patience of a Saint CSC
If sevco sign Ryan Kent I am not going to be churlish and ridicule his ability like many on here.
He is a good player and clearly would improve their team.
Of gerrards 10 summer signings only one started yesterday which shows just how poor his signings have really been NOT how great his current team were.
Ryan Kent would make them better…no doubt about it.
However 7 million pound and a 30 k a week wage no doubt to go with it.?
Surely this whole thing is completely unsustainable?
I am convinced that this puts them ‘all in’ on not only winning the league but perhaps champions league participation next season never mind europa league group stages.
How a football club that has been through what they have been through can be so reckless is mind blowing.
“Greg Taylor is not John Mc Ginn”.
Would that be the same Mc Ginn,when he was with Hibs,that plenty of Celtic fans were saying”Dont need him.Would only be a bench filler”.The Mc Ginn story gained legs when the PL haters latched on to it,totally ignoring the fact that PL was totally correct in telling Petrie to eff off with his £4 million price tag.Proved correct when he sold him to Villa for £1.3 million less.I digress,
Taylor has played 133 games in our league.Rated very highly by ,Stevie Clarke,so much so,he gave his cap when he took over Scotland.Young,exciting talent,not dissimilar to KTs style of play.A position,notoriously hard to fill.I would think a bargain at between £2-3 million.Unless myself and Stevie Clarke are complete tubes.I know Stevie is not.
So, with 5 hours of voting time still left, the current votes for our top 6 performers yesterday stand at 54, 30, 29, 28, 24 and 20. So, if you’ve not voted yet then your could be crucial. CQNPOTY@GMAIL.COM
Clarke gave Eamonn Brophy a cap…
So we’ve been charged yet again by UEFA for (1) setting off of fireworks and (2) throwing of objects !
The fella that threw the object, from behind ff’s goal, was pointed out, by fans to the police or security &, removed from the stadium.
Neil Lennon signings
Jullien
Connell
Bolingoli Mbombo
Elhamed
Afoliabi
Forster
Bauer
Elyounoussi
Seven Hours To Go
TURKEYBHOY on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2019 4:56 PM
I don’t rate Steve Clarke one bit.
Completely over-hyped by the scottish media and enjoy whilst it lasts because when he blows scotlands golden ticket to the Euro’s their love affair with him will be over overnight.
John McGinn will be playing his football in the championship this time next year.
He may be a decent player but he is not great.
Ryan Christie is so much better in every department of the game.
At international level McGinn has been close to shockingly average.He does not even merit a pick in the first 11 on his recent displays.
The killie boy may be a decent player but 3 million is a joke for any kilmarnock player.
He is worth half that fee.
LAZY DYNAMITE,
Ryan Kents stats would show your rating of him to be slightly over the top.6 goals,and 9 assists,in the SPFL,do not a superstar make.Hyped up by the laptop loyal to give the deluded a sense of optimism last year.His stats dont even compare favourably with the wee Hun they signed from Killie.He is in fact ,a run of the mill winger,when you compare him to our sometimes much maligned,on here,Jamesy.Even in a poor season,Sinky scored more than double the goals.£10 million is buttons down south,only Leeds sniffing,and they told Liverpool to take a hike.No more takers.A figment of the SMSM,and deluded Huns imagination.Hope they do pay it.
Greg Taylor is a symptom of our non-existent scouting department.
I hope he’s good, but he seems to be getting better the longer the transfer window goes on and the longer we go without a proper LB.
If he was the answer, why was he not bought pre-Cluj?
stop signing scottish players
TURKEYBHOY on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2019 5:05 PM
Never said he was a ‘superstar’
I said he was a ‘good player’ who improves their team.
John McGinn’s skillset appears to be condensed down to a) running around a lot b) crashing into opposition players enthusiastically and c) shooting on sight.
Never understood the attraction.
BIG WAVY on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2019 5:08 PM
Correct
I could not agree more mate
Just want to add a couple of words about yesterday
Jonny Hayes
Thats all !!!!
BOB LOBLAW on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2019 4:17 PM
Bob – Paul would have said if he had someone else write the article for him – he is a very straight up guy.