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Midfield must change, we have options available

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

There is a decent possibility that Celtic’s apparent malaise over the six games since the win at Fir Park has something to do with opposition teams closing space our midfielders used to so much effect against Newco at the start of February.

That game was such a platform for our midfield to demonstrate their ability to find and exploit space.  Sure, form slips, but opponents watch and learn.  Consequentially, Celtic must continue to change the script.

Through this period, Callum McGregor has continued to dominate his area as teams fall deeper, but the two more advanced midfielders, paired from Matt O’Riley, Tom Rogic and Reo Hatate, have been denied the acres available to them against Newco and Motherwell.

We cycled through Rogic-Hatate, O’Riley-Hatate and O’Riley-Rogic combinations during this period, to little effect.  The latter combo looked the least effective, but that was against Bodo/Glimt, by far the better opponents.

Meanwhile, Yosuke Ideguchi waits in the dugout.  We don’t know enough about Yosuke to make a proper judgement.  He made his debut as a late substitute against Hibs in January before being injured at Alloa on his next outing.  His only subsequent game time was again as a late sub against Raith.

When played, Yosuke has filled the deep-lying role.  Nir Bitton can play here too.  I cannot offer any great recommendation for either player, but I would like to see Callum McGregor higher up the field against St Mirren tomorrow, with Yosuke or Nir behind him.

For all the disappointments in Norway last week, Celtic improved when Callum came on to play in front of Bitton.  When he steps into the final third, he brings a presence no one else in the squad has.  I’m not going to tell you this should be a regular gig for him, but we need to change this area of the park for tomorrow and Sunday.  We have options, let’s use them.

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  3. bigrailroadblues on

    Ticket purchased. At last. See you all at cqn corner. Haven’t been to Celtic Park for years. COYBIG!!!!

  4. !!Bada Bing!! on

    PC- stick around mate,the multi posters need to stop getting fed on here,and Politicos can post on the previous thread…..

  5. setting free the bears for Res. 12 & Oscar Knox on

    An Dun

     

     

    I don’t think James Forrest would set himself up as any sort of legal guru (neither am I) so I can’t say his take is very accurate. Despite his pronounced reluctance to comment, and it is a difficult area, he has commented before on this issue on CQN and today’s take is a wee bit different from what he professed before, when he acknowledged that Celtic were constrained from admitting any guilt.

     

     

    Most of us want Celtic to settle but it takes two parties to settle. I think Celtic have always wanted an out of court settlement with no admission of guilt or legal responsibility. If the amount was enough it would probably satisfy the victim’s lawyers but a) would Celtic be allowed to do this by either their insurers or shareholders ?and b) would the victim’s accept just the money and apology without an admission of guilt?

     

     

    James makes the assertion without adding any reasoning to his argument. It is, therefore, impossible, to know if he has any grounds. I have not seen (as yet) any Celtic bloggers arguing similarly but I will have a look around.

  7. Saint Stivs on

    Talking of Aaron Ramsey,

     

     

    now desrcribed as the worlfd first work from home football player

  8. Greenpinata on

    Guys,

     

     

    A few weeks ago there was a massive feel good factor. Why: Because we convincingly beat the huns.

     

    Did we achieve more than the same three points if we beat St Mirren tomorrow night ?

     

     

    No, of course not.

     

     

    So why the euphoria? Why the clamour for tickets. One of the biggest crowds ever in the rebuilt stadium.

     

     

    We all know the answer. Deep down the vast majority of us take enormous pleasure in beating the huns.

     

     

    Our faithful clubs in Australia will have members that will have the same feelings .

     

    Grandparents who would love to reminisce with grandchildren who have long heard the stories but never shared the experience.

     

     

    Would it be selfish to deny them what we experience regularly in Scotland ???

     

     

    To reiterate, if there’s no demand it will not happen.

     

     

    HH, the journey continues down under.

  9. bournesouprecipe on

    Hart

     

     

    Ralston CCV Starfelt Juranovic

     

     

    MacGregor

     

     

    O’Riley…Hatate

     

     

    Abada …..Maeda……Jota

     

     

    Gucci to come on from the bench, instead of Bitton. James Forrest hasn’t played well since injury but I’m not writing him off even as an impact sub. Another parked bus to be negotiated and opposing teams dying in ditches, for their point.

  10. sceptical citizen on

    AN DÚN on 1ST MARCH 2022 5:30 PM

     

    ________________________________________

     

    The Rangers died.

     

    The liars said –

     

    “Naw, Rangers didny die, the company was liquidated, not the club!”

     

    Celtic boys club issue.

     

    The liars said –

     

    “Naw, CBC urny a part of Celtic FC.”

     

    The old firm.

     

    When watching msm news, if your daft enough, remember to factor in, [crisis actors]!!!! 👍

  11. bigrailroadblues on

    I’m in FS5 row 3 tomorrow. I shall be roaring encouragement to the team, never criticism. See you there AT.

  15. setting free the bears for Res. 12 & Oscar Knox on

    An Dun

     

     

    First search on the Court Case suggests there were some bizarre speculations being made by the victims QC.

     

     

    This summary from Celtic Star site records an allegation that arson attacks on Peter Lawell’s house possibly came from Celtic fans, ash asked for permission for a pro-bono lawyer to act on behalf of the victims , with his anonymity preserved??? this is suggesting that Celtic fans would cause harm to a lawyer who promotes this case, even as the lawyer arguing the point is named clearly himself??

     

     

    Wonder if it’s Donald Findlay?

     

     

    https://thecelticstar.com/judge-exercises-discretion-to-grant-application-in-celtic-boys-club-sexual-abuse-case/

  16. Back to Basics - Glass Half Full on

    SFTB @ 5:03pm.

     

     

    Terrific post.

     

     

    Respect.

     

     

    To this part ….

     

     

    “My biggest worry is that the victims lose their case because the legal separation argument is legally, a strong one (there have been many Boys team with Celtic in their name, playing in Celtic strips, without any formal ties to the club)”

     

     

    ———-

     

     

    Yip. That plus the length of time it takes for these poor guys to lose the case (as you allude to) means they’ll likely be strung along for many years.

     

     

    Insult added to injury stuff.

     

     

    Ideally for me, Celtic find a way to “voluntarily financially support” this group after legal proceedings end.

  18. ernie lynch on

    TINYTIM on 1ST MARCH 2022 4:58 PM

     

     

     

    Grim.

     

     

    I suspect the insurers will be paying the damages, not Celtic. And if this case is any indication of the court’s current thinking on damages it could be a substantial amount

     

     

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-60377109#:~:text=A%20man%20who%20was%20abused,Falkland%20in%201980%20and%2081.

     

     

    And while people may wish to have their day in court, if the insurers want to settle, it will settle.

  20. sceptical citizen on

    BACK TO BASICS – GLASS HALF FULL on 1ST MARCH 2022 6:29 PM

     

    _________________

     

    Why don’t Celtic PLC say that our wee hero Fergus McCann was gushingly celebrated during his time for….

     

    Putting a lid on the Celtic boys club abuse issue??

     

    So how / why has this disgusting issue managed to stain the image of Celtic, again??

  23. Saint Stivs on

    just one night could yon fella just give us peace, just one night would be a start.

  25. sceptical citizen on

    When Celtic fans prefer the comforting lies of the media then there is no hope.

  29. An Tearmann on

    BIGRAILROADBLUES on 1ST MARCH 2022 5:56 PM

     

    Ticket purchased. At last. See you all at cqn corner. Haven’t been to Celtic Park for years. COYBIG!!!!

     

     

    Thats good ma mhan be good to see you.will be there bout 7.15-30.

     

     

    BRRB is coming home :-)))

     

     

    HH

  30. bigrailroadblues on

    AT, never thought of it that way. Maybe I’ll be offered a season ticket next year. See you tomorrow D, hope I’m not a jinx.🙄

  31. Uncle Jimmy on

    SFTB

     

     

    Can I thank you for your most considered piece at 5;03. I am not expert or informed enough to post much regarding the CBC court case. I’m sure it will be reported elsewhere, though I’ll not be indulging in any saturation coverage.

     

    Yours is a measured, thoughtful post and many would do well to be equally circumspect.

  32. yorkbhoy on

    MARSPAPA

     

     

    The game in AUSTRALIA will give the much maligned SYDNEYTIM a chance to vent his frustrations at wee Jamsie close up .😊☘️🟩⬜🟨…

     

     

    BOGNORBHOY on 1ST MARCH 2022 3:24 PM

     

    On naw I hope wee James is carrying a knock 😜😜😁

     

     

    I hope he scores a hat-trick in the first 5 minutes and SydneyTim has to graciously applaud for a few seconds

  33. Saint Stivs on

    Will the Aus Bhoys just be happy to see thier team on their soil.

     

     

    Will there be more handsome tims than the others.

     

     

    I await MelBourne Jimmy and JIMMYMACCOZ to give us their view, they will be up soon

  34. marspapa on

    YORKBHOY

     

     

    If that were to happen i’m sure even SYDNEY TIM would give credit where its due .😊

     

     

    In other news JOHN KENNY may get game time tomorrow , does anyone have any info on what type of player he is , style , pace etc…..

  35. Greenpinata on

    Will Christopher Jullien make the bench ?

     

     

    Not a dig, not looking for an argument, just interested if a very expensive and prized asset can assist our run in.

     

    The last I heard from Ange is that he was fit and available for selection.

     

     

    HH.

  37. bognorbhoy on

    YORKBHOY on 1ST MARCH 2022 7:14 PM

     

    MARSPAPA

     

     

     

    The game in AUSTRALIA will give the much maligned SYDNEYTIM a chance to vent his frustrations at wee Jamsie close up .😊☘️🟩⬜🟨…

     

     

    BOGNORBHOY on 1ST MARCH 2022 3:24 PM

     

     

    On naw I hope wee James is carrying a knock 😜😜😁

     

     

    I hope he scores a hat-trick in the first 5 minutes and SydneyTim has to graciously applaud for a few seconds

     

     

    —————

     

     

    Aye that would be funny , then 5 minutes later James misplaces a pass or doesn’t beat his man and put in a stunning cross , Sydney Tim would be like #@### ##, ya wee ####

     

    ###£ 😜😜😁😁💚💚

  38. An Dún on

    SFTB @6:29

     

     

    Thanks for your insight mate. It’s a puzzling take on things from James.

  40. tonyrome on

    bigrailroadblues on 1st March 2022 6:17 pm

     

     

    I’m in FS5 row 3 tomorrow. I shall be roaring encouragement to the team, never criticism. See you there AT.

     

     

    ————————————————————————————————

     

     

    Hope you enjoy the game tomorrow J.

     

     

    I take you survived dry February.

     

     

    KEEP THE FAITH

  42. bankiebhoy1 on

    TB

     

     

    Cheers. It would sicken me if we indulged this notion abroad.

     

    It’s bad enough that we are stuck with that horrible mob here but we should have nothing to do with exporting their brand of hate and bigotry abroad.

     

     

    HH

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