Football is all about the creation and utilisation of space. The first thing Leigh Griffiths did to create the goal last night was leave space in the box for him to exploit. If Leigh occupied the traditional centre forward position, there would have been no space for him to leave his marker and the goal would not have happened. This is a striking example of football intelligence.
Until that moment, Celtic were disarmingly impotent. Too often this season we have been dependent on opponents making a defensive mistake, and, if like St Mirren they don’t, we look laboured.
It was difficult to assess Filip Benkovic against St Mirren on Friday, he was never pressed and was skinned once, but you could see what all the fuss was about last night. The Croat looks the real deal: fast, good in the air and comfortable on the ball. He will take more responsibility in the weeks to come.
Celtic improved when Brendan Rodgers abandoned his initial plan on 57 mins, replacing Tom Rogic and Forrest with Scott Sinclair and Mikey Johnston. Almost immediately, Callum McGregor burst into newly available space (my word of the day) in the box. From then on Rosenborg were under pressure. The entire stadium knew the game was there to be won, we just needed our chief goal-scorer on the field.
When managers break transfer records for a player they are keen to play him, but leaving Odsonne alone inside the box isn’t working. We have options for Rugby Park on Sunday, but our treble goes on the line at the League Cup quarter-final at McDiarmid on Wednesday. We need to be ready for it.
I’m nine days from the Great Scottish Run half marathon, which I’m totally unprepared for. The ‘Why did I say I’d do this?’ thought has occurred, but you know why. If you and I cannot do our best for the Celtic FC Foundation, we are missing a whole lot of what it means to be Celtic.
The Foundation means we can connect right back to that hall in Calton in November 1887, when Bro Walfrid said, “Let’s form a football team to help feed the poor.” This is where we came from and, if you and I have any say in the matter, it remains a central part of where we are going.
If you can help sponsor me for the Foundation, please do so here.
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Lustig made the team of the week.
https://twitter.com/europaleague/status/1043086396750225409?s=21
Bada
Which Hun had the Fake strip and why only one player wearing one?
JJ
Tontine
Villarreal v Valencia on Sunday is Villarreal’s biggest game of the season. They thought that their third choice team could have beaten Scotland’s Shame last night. Maybe they should have played their second 11.
Celtic/Villarreal Submari CSC
HOT SMOKED on 21ST SEPTEMBER 2018 5:28 PM
Bada
Which Hun had the Fake strip and why only one player wearing one?
JJ
A photo doing the rounds, front row, right at the end, different strip from the rest, Jimmy Bellend might have got it in Turkey….against the rules
BB
Maybe they realised that they were a tap short for the squad to be kitted out. A masonic call for help went out to ra peepul. Gies a fake tap and we will gie ye a ticket furra game. Sounds aboot right.
YNWA
Who would win in a spelling competition, the gullibilly’s or the gullibillies?
The sevco player wearing the fake strip was Ryan Kent. It had the diagonal stripe upside down, ;-))))
Dilligaf
Jimmy Bell is a Ryan Kent. Cockney rhyming slang. ?
FRED COLON on 21ST SEPTEMBER 2018 4:27 PM
ZIGGYDOC1 3.56 PM
Both twin lead guitar bands
__________
Ah.
That’s now for me wondering about other bands. The stones, probably. The eagles and status quo, not sure if they had two ‘leads’.
DELANEYS
and Dave King is a Lyan Kent.-))
DILLIGAFBHOY on 21ST SEPTEMBER 2018 5:46 PM
The sevco player wearing the fake strip was Ryan Kent. It had the diagonal stripe upside down, ;-))))
I was at the UEFA Briefing before the Artmedia game at CP,the UEFA Delegate inspected the strips of both teams,and actually measured the size of sponsors logo, i hope someone informs UEFA…..
Paul67 et al
Three points at home in a group match while two of your rivals are on none, you take that all September long. Whether Rosenborg can take any points away is a tough question, but I think they will do so at home, preferably not against us. As for relying on strikers, other players must contribute, as both Armstrong and Sinclair did in Brendan’s first season with us, and Forrest last. Sinclair actually may be a better bet than Odsonne in the coming weeks with the big man coming off the bench. Meantime Griff should be first choice.
DD he’s not that useful ;-))
some quite incredible posts today.
It seems that the knives are out for Brendan, Lawwell’s lackies are out in force, no matter what Lawwell is never at fault, hun like in the extreem.
@ CELTIC40ME on 21ST SEPTEMBER 2018 2:52 PM
Not sure how PL is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t.
Seemingly the issue arising with Brendan digging in his heels over Boyata and (originally) Dembele was down to the fact that the players would be sold with no replacements forthcoming.
Armstrong and Roberts left earlier in the season and were not replaced. Had there been an efficient system of recycling player sales and purchasing new players, then I’m sure Brendan would have been more amenable to the sale of Boyata/Dembele.
However, what is the impetus from his perspective to approve the sale of first team players in the knowledge that they won’t be replaced?
Kev
Being a PLC gives anyone the opportunity to buy shares and gain control of the club – so instead of just coming on here and insulting supporters with your gullible tag – go and form a movement e.g. ‘Celts for Change’ – start buying share – if you really want the board out then’ that’s the way to do it’
punchandjudyCSC
Warning, extreme ugliness…
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u7is3mBljec/W6Tt0OgyUOI/AAAAAAAAIf8/3yU6HRBFRXsvpQVKwyz7XQ1kDXWW-VJGQCLcBGAs/s1600/twitter.jpg
https://www.facebook.com/1439067186369338/posts/2215833362026046/
The CP disco lights….
Dilligaf
You are correct. Some Ryan Kents can be useful ?
Glen Daly
Dave King is a pathological Ryan Kent. ?
Ziggy
The Greatest ever band. Mick Jones and Joe Strummer.
The work they did on White Man in Hammersmith Palais was two great guitarists competing to be the best. Magical track.
Clash City Rockers CSC
Howdy folks and hope all is well . If theres any interest in a quiz make yerself known please. Was quiet last time. Hail Hail
Adi D
Correct. Masonic bassa also.
Odsonne or Leigh????
Mahe
Last Friday night I was suffering in Paisley. Would have preferred your quiz to Saint Mirren v Celtic match. Am in thanks.
YNWA
BhoyJoe
Leigh for Sunday please.
Thanks to J McCormick for supplying my ticket for Rugby Park. Great to meet you today J.
YNWA
BHOYJOEBELFAST on 21ST SEPTEMBER 2018 6:24 PM
Odsonne or Leigh????
Both
Enjoy yourself DD and go easy on the wobbly water.
Father Jack
“some quite incredible posts today.
It seems that the knives are out for Brendan, Lawwell’s lackies are out in force, no matter what Lawwell is never at fault, hun like in the extreem.”
In order to add to the credibility…..
Did you think Brendan and the players did ok last night?
and
Do you think it is possible to criticise the team for playing failures without excusing everything on the transfer window?
and, finally,
Is it hunnish to blame Lawwell for everything and excuse the team?
Gary 67
Which one would you prefer to start on Sunday?
BhoyJoe
Naw I will be on the juice early on Sunday. Moisten the tonsils for an Ayrshire singsong.?
YNWA
What you wanted was never made clear
Behind the image was ignorance and fear
You hide behind his public machine
Still follow the same old scheme.
BHOYJOEBELFAST on 21ST SEPTEMBER 2018 6:44 PM
I want us to start both in a 433
“Until that moment, Celtic were disarmingly impotent. Too often this season we have been dependent on opponents making a defensive mistake, and, if like St Mirren they don’t, we look laboured”
At the risk of sounding like I am telling BR how to do his job …..
Pressure generates mistakes.
The sort of pressure triggered by an AUTOMATIC high press.
The kind of AUTOMATIC high press we deployed throughout the first half of Brendan’s first season.
Since then, used fitfully.
Downside to the high press is the exposure if the opposition break through it.
Given we now have a back four comprising three solid guys plus Lustig, might be a risk worth taking.
Hail hail
G67
It is an either or question that BhoyJoe posed.
Leigh for me. You?
DD
That’s like saying Boyata or Benkovic for Sunday. The answer is both, as it is for me with Griffiths and Edouard. Griffiths as striker, Édouard either off the left or in behind instead of Rogic.
One group game played and according to Thompson EBT they are well placed to through and have character in abundance, I saw about 10 minutes of the game in Spain ,Villareal were extremly wasteful of the chances they made,sevco seemed to score with 2 out of 3 made.
G67
Fair play pal. I would like to see them both start on Sunday too. Thought that BnB were magic last night, apart fae a coupla daft moments fae Dedryck in first half.
YNWA