Cameron Carter-Vickers was rested for the second half against Hibs due to a tight hamstring. Were we not two goals ahead, he might well have played on, but there was no point taking chances. The same argument holds for Kilmarnock on Sunday.
Nat Phillips is more than capable of stepping into the defensive leadership role. He is a competent and experienced professional who has played at levels none of the Kilmarnock side will ever reach. Brendan Rodgers comments last week about Gustaf Lagerbielke and Maik Nawrocki were more nuanced that the reported headlines. The manager made the point that neither player have had an opening with Cameron and Liam Scales having established a solid pairing. We have five fit central defenders; our top man has a tightness which could turn into an injury, but four are in pristine condition.
Whatever the perceived levels of Gustaf and Maik, they are is not a reason to leave them in the stands. Celtic are a club which needs to take promising players from other environments and develops them into great talents. This is the path we must follow, we cannot turn into a club which wastes players.
No risks with Cameron on Sunday, please. There is lots for him to do before the bells toll.
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Another dig at the manager? Tension with ‘the model’?
oops
If Nawrocki and Lagerbielke are not doing enough in training, no manager, of any worth, will put them in a match day squad. I don’t think you go from not making the squad to starting at rugby park. Phillips looked poor against Hibs.
I think we need CCV on Sunday. Unfortunately the squad still isn’t in the place we want it to be in order to protect some players. Needs must.
BACK TO BASICS – GLASS HALF FULL @ 11:32 AM
Interesting comments re Brendan and Mikey.
During (and after) the Stein era it was often reported that one of Jock’s great strengths was his understanding of each player’s psyche.
These reports were often distilled down to the overly simplistic
“he knew who needed an arm around the shoulder and who needed a kick up the backside”
Mikey has underachieved.
One good half of football seven months before his contract expires can’t mask that.
As far as I am concerned, Brendan can manage that underachievement any way he sees fit.
Yes definitely…
The whole saga confused me, having watched the game on Celtic TV PPV and seeing BR’s interview where no such thing was mentioned I’d wondered where it came from.
Now as it keeps rearing it’s head, though I’d check out what the fuss is about.
Soon found it
BBC Headline…
Celtic’s Mikey Johnston ‘needs to do more’ – Rodgers
So checked out what was said in the BBC text, they summerise his views of Wednesday’s new starters.
“On Mikey Johnston: “Mikey needs to do more. That’s the reality. He has big talent. When you start the game, we need more impact for him. He’s not young, he’s 24. At some point, you have to grab the bull by the horns. If any player wants to be a starter here, you have to show that personality.”
More digging found the interview, basically BR was asked about the new starters by the BBC on his post match interview; he was very, very complimentary on Oh, was complimentary on Iwata and this was his views on Mikey…
BR: “Mikey needs to do more. That’s the reality. He has big talent. When you start the game, we need more impact for him. But that’s something we can see hopefully, over the course of time.
BBC: With Mikey, is that a confidence thing, I think that maybe people look at him and think he’s not young, he’s 24,
BR: No he’s not young, he’s 24. At some point, you have to grab the bull by the horns and you’ve got to be aggressive. And sometimes you know, it can be easier coming off the bench, you can show your qualities, but if any player wants to be a starter here, you have to show that personality.”
He’s been really good in training and he’s earned his start, so hopefully if he gets more starts, he can show more of his qualities.
Now with the BBC headline and BBC text, maybe fholk are getting hit up ’cause the BBC overegged the pudding. To show our manager in a poor light again.
However I’m with you B2B, he knows Mikey well and it would be unfair for the lhad to go off in the New Year without a clear understanding of what’s required.
Hail Hail
Not sure Nat Philips performed against Hibs like the player you described Paul67 in your article. When he came on he was ponderous and lost his footing a couple of times, and the player he was marking, hopefully he is better suited to the old carpet in Rugby Park
Someone described Phillips performance on Wednesday as ‘bambie on ice’ can’t disagree….
Agree with most of the article apart from Nat Phillips.
Reminds me of an off form Shane Duffy.
Can’t play Nawrocki on that pitch as he has not played a game on grass since his injury. Too big a risk for me.
I know Phillips was an emergency signing due to injuries in defence but he’ll be gone in a couple months.
He isn’t much of a player so no loss.
Welsh performed better when he got his chance, he’s fit now right? Or is he not doing it in training?
Another dig at the manager..sad to be attacking celtic’s most important employee.
Brendan has made it clear he needs quality ; wasting money on projects has been taken to a new level with citys tea boy.
we need an experienced Head of Recruitment ideally working for a Director of Football (neither of whom are Peter Lawwell family members).
Nothing changes until the parasites leave the club….worse than the Kellys & Whites.
Hmmm ……… that CCV hamstring.
Only Brendan knows what is best, with games coming thick and fast, including against those chasing closest, it sounds like CCV won’t be risked on deep plastic, that’s earmarked but overdue to be ripped up.
Nat Phillips won’t be a popular understudy even for this one game, as he was for emergency injury cover only, not surprisingly having seen him play.
One of Nawrocki/Lagerbielke the guts of £9M in summer would play, were it not for extra caution and that cup exit.
This is where Brendan earns his big bucks.
“….worse than the Kellys & Whites.”
Far to broad an indictment, European Cup winners (1), Finalists (1), semi-finalists (2), Quarter-Finalists (4), ECWC semi-finalists (2), First 9 in a Row, Brought Jock Stein to the club, wish on the playing side we were still “worse”, por cierto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY7KNtF5KjE&list=RDJY7KNtF5KjE&start_radio=1
In honour of Shane
Por cierto
I take your point but
Hard to compare different eras.
Limited professionalism was just emerging back then.
German Bundesliga was only just in place in the late 60s. Holland amateur until then also. England was nothing like the powerhouse or is and TV revenue was sweetie money.
Despite 3-1 and 4-1 wins and remaining top of the league in a transition season we have the usual conspiracy victims on whinging and looking for bogeymen and folk to blame.
Bournesouprecipe
Spot on. This is where Brendan earns his money. He is more capable than the multiple experts on here.
If he plays Phillips it’s for a reason. My memory is he was the guy who helped shut the door v Athletico at home. It was Tilio who lost his man the other night and not Phillips. Brendan sees him each and every day.
Like Oh and Tomaki the other CB talents (both are full internationals at young age) will develop with time.
Latchford
Who is having a go at the manager exactly ?
Not P67 from what I read.
It’s an interesting lead, think now most of us are invested in Celtic’s player development plan, the need to develop players like Liel Abada or Matt O’Riley into professional athletes that compete in a European environment is clear.
We wouldn’t be buying Matt this transfer window if the progress made was within an EPL Club.
Yet surely buying in youngsters and developing them is not a strategy on it’s own.
What about Celtic youngsters from the “academy”, do they not get a chance?
Also the Manager asked for a mix with experienced players, established players are key to any team, especially this Celtic side who lost six of Ange’s first team in this year’s windows.
Brendan Rodgers comments last week about Gustaf Lagerbielke and Maik Nawrocki were more nuanced that the reported headlines”
Firstly, I’d be well wary of reported headlines
Secondly, if we are on the politics/agenda strategy that seems to permeate through Celtic PLC, then it’s not surprising our Manager is nuanced.
I’d go further…
Watch your back Brendan, the knives maybe aren’t out yet but they are certainly being sharpened.
Hail Hail
For me Brendan’s choice will be made by looking at how Killie line up.
If Killie’s front player(s) lack the pace/trickery of Hibs front 3 and he anticipates more of an anti-football, play for set piece game plan from Killie then Phillips should suffice and might suit this type of game, despite his limitations.
Personally I’d play Lager regardless as he has not done a lot wrong for me and I rate him higher than Phillips and maybe even Scales.
In other news I see we are linked with the Brondby striker we were linked with in the summer and at quite a cost too. If BR didn’t fancy him in the summer, what other than the urgency due to Asian Cup and lack of other options provided by the scouting team, would make him consider him for January? I’d rather take Kevin Van Veen on a 6 month loan as a backup and wait for better options in the summer.
QB
POR CIERTO on 8TH DECEMBER 2023 10:46 AM
BIG JIMMY:
Get well soon pal! Wan Flu O’er the Briggait! :)) por cierto
………….
Cheers mate.
I hope that you and the Family are all well.
I havent shaken off this bout of ” FLU”, its been tough going all week.
i’m obviously a Wimp.
LOL
HH Mate.
I think CCV wont play due to the surface on Sunday.
Quite right too as we have a league to win.
I would go for Stephen Welsh rather than Nat
Philipps at Centre Back on Sunday ,something not right with some of the players training up in Lennoxtown,the polish defender is a mystery to me ,can anyone explain to me what’s.the score with him ,
Fair enough Paul.
Although the prospect of seeing a central defence on that terrible pitch without the calming leadership of Cameron gives me a few shivers.
As for your bigger picture comment
If you change
“we cannot turn into a club which wastes players”
To
“we cannot continue to be a club which has, more than it should have, wasted players”
I’d agree more.
PS – for the tiny minority of poor souls on here who suffer dreadfully from CD ….
… you have my sympathy.
A few weeks back when it was casually observed that Brendan publicly agreed with the model …. the response of some was to parrot the infamous Mandy Rice-Davies line.
Nat Phillips is more than capable of stepping into the defensive leadership role. He is a competent and experienced professional who has played at levels none of the Kilmarnock side will ever reach.
doesn’t make him a good defender in the SPL.
Guys,
Why risk CCV on a dodgy pitch when we don’t have to. ?
The potential risk is not worth it. We have a squad for a reason. Currently Phillips is part of that squad.
If we don’t use the squad to alleviate a potential risk, then just what is the point of having such a large expensive squad ?
As a team we are playing much better team than when Kilmarnock knocked us out the league Cup. That was a dreadful performance without a real shot on goal.
Only circa 16 months ago we went to the plastic pitch and empathically won 5-0. Probably 6 or 7 of these players will feature on Sunday. Don’t be complacent, however don’t show Kilmarnock too much respect.
I am more concerned about our last CL game. We must put on a show for the fans, our pride and our reputation.
Due to pesky work I will be watching the game on TV but my ticket is going to a good home.
The fans ( some who will have paid £60 for a ticket) expect and deserve the strongest Celtic team restoring some pride by playing expansive, entertaining and winning football.
HH.
Aberdeen under Barry Robson have taken four points from Sevco this season. Glasgow based media leading the charge to have him sacked.
Who’d have thunked it CSC
Paul 67:
“Nat Phillips is more than capable of stepping into the defensive leadership role”
As this is the Pantomime season: Oh, no he`s not !!
Nat Phillips is more than capable………not words I have heard before. ……the only way he’s in the squad, is it must be part of the loan agreement
…
BURNLEY78 on 8TH DECEMBER 2023 12:51 PM
Por cierto
“I take your point ,but, Hard to compare different eras.”
Hi B,
I wasn’t comparing, just refuting a comment that was totally dismissive of their time at the club, por cierto
We must defend set pieces well against this Killie team, most of their goals this season have come via corner kicks and free kicks, teams see this as our Achilles Heel. In open play not many teams in Scotland can live with us.
As for the discussion around the Kelly/White board and the present day board, I agree that it’s a completely different era and hard to compare. What I always held against the Kelly /White board was that from 1966 – 1974 we were consistently in the top 5 in Europe by the end of the 1970’s we weren’t in the top 100, which was a disgrace. during this time they sold Macari, Hay and Dalglish. This was in the days before Bosman’s and mega TV deals with English football .
I definitely think the Board these days have a harder Job in balancing the books and although they are by no means perfect I think they do a reasonably good job.
HOT SMOKED on 8TH DECEMBER 2023 1:59 PM
Paul 67:
“Nat Phillips is more than capable of stepping into the defensive leadership role”
As this is the Pantomime season: Oh, no he`s not !!
Or,
“He’s behind you Liam!!!” :))
por cierto
Lagerbielke should be in this team.Regarded as outstanding in his native land,no idea what BR is on about.BR time at Leicester was haunted by bad CHs which he could not remedy,so please,no taking his ideas on who to play as gospel.Iwata a perfect example of dilly dallying putting the guy into the team.Scales,for all he has performed well,is not the answer.The refusal not to play any of our two CHs,who never put a foot wrong in their game time,instead play a loanee,is disrespectful,pig headed,and demoralising.
Not impressed,and dont get me started on what he has done to Kyogo..
TURKEYBHOY @ 2:45 PM,
Nor the great Greg Taylor..;)
Lagerbielke got sent off in an important UCL game, I’d say that was putting a foot wrong.
Also last time out at Killie, we lost one nil and he was CH that day – wasn’t great at the Killie goal now, was he?
Still, think you are right, he is a well respected young man who I’m sure will be a great asset to Celtic.
Hail Hail
Bob Kelly used to pick the team; Desmond White used to pick the attendance.
Thank Ghod the current board are far more professional.
And, of course, I know it is a totally different era.
Another thing.I really hope reports linking us with Kvistgartten for around £ 8.5 million,are bullshit.Apart from having scoring record a tad better than the two Haddies the scum bought,he is twice the price of Miovski,and half the striker.Madness.
Arauho look a clever buy,if true,but again BR saying we really dont need a keeper.Dear God.
CHAIRBHOY on 8TH DECEMBER 2023 12:10 PM
BACK TO BASICS – GLASS HALF FULL @ 11:32 AM
Interesting comments re Brendan and Mikey. During (and after) the Stein era it was often reported that one of Jock’s great strengths was his understanding of each player’s psyche. These reports were often distilled down to the overly simplistic
“he knew who needed an arm around the shoulder and who needed a kick up the backside”
*that’s the tactics I used when I got intae management and in a melting pot like this is over here you do have to be careful, and I doubt it would work today.
I also read about MON when going through an initial bad period when he was on a winless streak of keeping the phone numbers of those that abused him and calling them back when the tide had finally turned, when working in Public Works I did the same and to be perfectly fair I would often receive calls where the abuser publicly apologised to me, as my maternal granny used tae say “its nice to be nice”
Chairbhoy,
You will remember the boy was chucked into the scum game a couple of days after arriving.Clean sheet.The sending off was a travesty in Holland.He ,as you say,will go on to greater things.He should be in the team.
PARKHEADCUMSALFORD on 8TH DECEMBER 2023 3:02 PM
Bob Kelly used to pick the team; Desmond White used to pick the attendance.
*my da hated both yet it didnae stop him drinkin in Kelly’s pub at the Alexandria Fountain, ok the family had sold it and it was under a different name but him and his cronies still labelled it Kellys, and it was the same pub that a new east end of Glasgow club bought the amateur apprentice joiner tae entice him tae us.
But lets be fair here the same Bob told the authorities plus the chairman of hibs that he would rather put a Gaelic side out on the park than take down the flag of a country where most of our dna comes fae and once he gave the Big Mhan the keys tae the front door he took a huge step back, but is should be also noted that 8 of the Lisbon Lions played for the Kelly Kids which the same Jock coached.
As for Desmond White none other than Davie hay once said of him that he what he thought was the best for the club under difficult circumstances
PARKHEADCUMSALFORD
Sir Bob saw a young Celtic scarf wearing reserve keeper at the bus stop, so gave him a lift. Told Jimmy McGrory to put him in the team an hour before K.O.
What a time to be alive
Allegedly CSC