Celtic always had the look of winners last night, but until Odsonne Edouard pounced on the rebound from Ryan Christie’s shot, the outcome was in the balance. We are going to face a lot of packed defences like that this season, though fortunately or not, that could be the last we see of them in the Europa League.
Christie was back to his best. I know his stats are far from impressive and he is criticised (by others) for his decision making, but I spent almost three years during Brendan Rodgers time wanting someone to mix it up. Take shots that would force the keeper to work or a defender to block, or play the low percentage pass that we all know is going to miss most of the time, but will result in loose balls in dangerous areas.
Those poor stats are a consequence of randomness, which is something we loved in Frank McGarvey, but that was before the stats came along to both inform and confuse. Stats are all about interpretation, which is the real lesson of Michael Lewis’ Moneyball for those who never read the book, or those who did, but didn’t understand it.
I tried most of the second half to figure out what changes Neil Lennon made at halftime that freed up Jeremie Frimpong. During the first half, he was so well shackled, I considered the Sarajevo left back as a possible recruit. At the break, the suggestion was made to me, maybe he is better as an impact player?
Sarajevo certainly opened up at the break, which may have helped, but Jeremie was back at his impactful self during the second period. Credit also to Greg Taylor, who had his best game in a Celtic shirt.
I’m still pretty gutted about not being in the Champions League and at the manner of our exit, but Pot 1 seed in the Europa is an important place to land. Last week we spoke about how it was to our advantage that all domestic rivals also reach the group stage. We didn’t want them having a week to plan games against St Mirren etc., while we traverse the Continent. Not this season.
That kind of left hemisphere thinking was nowhere to be found once kick offs were underway last night. You can’t fake this stuff, it is just not possible to subvert the tribal instinct (which is why nationalism is so potent, and why Celtic is my only identity). But, in a crisp and sunny autumnal morning, logic is back on top. No one will get an easy pass to the title this season, including Celtic.
Uefa’s methods of seeding have never been perfect, this is not tennis, but those pots are full of variance. I’m hoping to avoid sides from the big nations. Farewell, Copenhagen, Basel, Sporting, Rosenborg, Legia (sorry, Zbyszek) and yes, even Galatasaray. Strong sides are out of Europe, the potential to join them was real.
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Gene
Boli broke UK law.travel law and
atop iirc he decided to fly oot the weekend after the first quarantine list were announced.
i think he got fined for that.4k or so.
one selfish individual! i am sure you will agree.
Celtic punishment came from that(boli’s)
indiscretion.the nations(uk) law was broken.
it could have been a lot worse for our club imo.
hope your good.😊
read yest the ‘national league’ are seeking £10m to cover no fans allowed and other losses due to covid.will try dig it out
hh
Great game.
Impressed by Leeds. They will win a lot more games than they lose, for sure. Smashing game!
Tontine…I remember a lot of what you posted. I especially remember the photo of Dick Beattie, taken from behind the goal, of him standing in the rain, up to his ankles in clabber.
AN TEARMANN
Still think that SFA/SPL took chance to punish Celtic.
Lennon – We have a strong squad for the challenges ahead. If we don’t add in this window I’ll be happy.
Gerrard – I’ve told the board what I need, we want to improve if we want to accomplish our objectives.
This is what Rogers said before the club let him down with signing policy – this approach will lose us the chance of 10 in a row. A record none of us will ever see in our lifetime and likely celtic football club will ever get in its lifetime.
The board of directors MUST seize this opportunity and provide the signings needed now to improve the side.
despite the generation of utter dominance, its seems strange to say, that if the board fail to speculate and take a little financial risk, it would seem like a failure.
10 in a row would kill them off for another 5 years – time to bury them Celtic – Time to show our superiority. Sign our target players and/or sign one of their top targets.
I think Leeds will be bottom 4 once the euphoria dies 😉
I hope I that’s the right spelling 😂
When Brendan Rogers was our manager,who was the defender I’ve forgot his name ,we got on loan from Leicester,did he not play left back for us,Surely Lenny should at least be asking Leicester about another loan for the same player
Ron Bacardi 7.53.
no tricks are missed with that lot!
:-)
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from twtrr.t.remember Harry Hood
https://twitter.com/helenahood25/status/1312276507167948801?s=19
hh
Wee Bobby Colins – glad you’re on. Can you
Remind me of the film recommended by your movie maker wife. Tried scrolling back and just getting annoyed with myself. (Serious question) Ta much
benkovic
Uncle @7.06
Sunderland chairman got talking to Harry Cavan Irish fa bigwig, in USA and asked Cavan to help in the lifting of the ban on JC.Cavan said if Sunderland came to Windsor park and played Linfield in a friendly,that would improve the situation……….and it did!
TB2-why would you want a defender who plays LB but you can’t remember his name play for us 🤔
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 3RD OCTOBER 2020 6:52 PM
The ringleader, a fellow Scotsman and former professional footballer sold his story and his taped evidence incriminated himself, Dick and eight other players.
*FU I deliberately left out the ring leader’s name as he’s no longer with us, he also was a minor league player including the Highlands And League of Ireland except for one season with Everton, he can be found easy on the net under the “1964 British football match-fixing scandal”
As for the story about Johnny Crossan, I never posted that elsewhere, JC was a player I followed as a lad when he was with Sparta, couldnae figure out why an Irish bhoy would play for a Dutch side when their fitba at the time was deemed Mickey Moose.
Found out later after we were in for him he had been sine died but allowed tae play on the continent. He was definitely a mercenary player.
Benkovic is right footed centre back
TONTINE TIM
Your earlier post about Celtic goalies was amazing.
Thanks.
Tontine Tim, these stories are brilliant, please keep them coming!
Turkeybhoy, keep posting, I honestly love any poster with enthusiasm for the team.
I must get round to posting some of my early memories of going to games, would love to hear more from others too. First game, first final, that kind of thing. I posted about my first cup final on the Celtic Star, will try and stick it on here too. Keep the Celtic stories coming!
Furgetabouthim
Turkeybhoy-gave us a bone earlier.I hope he’s right.To be fair he’s been good so far🤷♀️
Liverpool’s Salah now tests positive for Covid, joining Mane.
THE ONLOOKER on 2ND OCTOBER 2020 6:09 PM
I would encourage everyone to read the article posted by Jamesgang.
I received the link last night, read it , and am now about to reread.
It’s a 2 cup of coffee article and does not lend itself to Multi-tasking.
JAMESGANG on 2ND OCTOBER 2020 3:58 PM
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/09/k-overlooked-variable-driving-pandemic/616548/
_________
Here, by God – that is very bloody interesting!!!
HH
BGFC
TURKEYBHOY on 3RD OCTOBER 2020 3:53 PM
Ah well,tried to talk about football,but we have every medical expert in the country on now,oh,and the mad,Mad Mitch,telling the world where its going wrong in the fight against Covid.
Fek this place.
===========================
FAIRHILL BHOY
No very nice, eh?
Mind you, in TURKEYBHOY’S defence, MAD MITCH thinks he’s an expert in fitba’ inaw.
Tontine Tim
Loved your post regarding Dick Beatie. The game against Motherwell in 1959 was my first at Celtic Park and I can still remember the disappointment that what was looking to be comfortable win with ten minutes to go, finished as a draw. Even at eleven years of age and with no football spectating experience I felt that day, that our keeper had let us down.
Sadly, as the years went by I learned that he was prone to game changing mistakes
PHILBHOY-I was talking purely fitba and Turkeybhoy posted something that was about fitba
FAIRHILL BHOY
The post I posted was about fitba. or mibbe the lack of fitba.
But ” fek this place” is no very nice.
Is our game likely to be on tomorrow?
Saint Stivs @ 3:22 pm
“Tam Gemmell runs out at Ibrox in 1968. Tommy loved those high profile games. The bigger the game then better he played. Gerry McNee once claimed Celtic had 4 genuine world class players at that time and Tommy was easily one of them. Murdoch, Johnstone and Auld were the other 3.”
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Not sure if that is your opinion or Gerry McNee’s but…….
I love Bertie but Bobby Lennox has a much better claim to the 4th spot as World Class. In fact I would have him and Big Tam as joint third behind Jinky & Bobby Murdoch.
Bertie Auld has a good claim, alongside Willie Wallace, to be next on the list (If we exclude Joe McBride).
We have only once had more than one World Class footballer in any team since (McGrain & Dalglish) otherwise it has been single stars like McStay, Larsson and Virgil.
So – a hint of the Griffalo maybe tomorrow? If he’s fit, the laddie certainly likes a shot.
Seems a crowded squad at the moment from midfield onwards – but good to get gametime in the legs.
HH
BGFC
PHILBHOY-it’s no very nice.mon mate it can be a nightmare some time.
I’ve fell out with Turkeybhoy loads a times.But I tend to agree with most of what he says.Hes a tad aggressive sometimes 🤷♀️
Bedtime 😴
FAIRHILL BHOY
He’s a good ghuy and loves the ‘tic.
Most of us can be a tad , ahem, aggressive!
Except me of course!!
:-)
FAIRHILL BHOY
I’ll be right behind you!
Nite all!
Liam Henderson scored again for Lecce today 2 goals in last 2 games for the bhoy 👍
The Atlantic article is an interesting read.
Couple of really good points — root cause analysis who would have thought?
The low cost testing angle looks like padding to me.
Hopefully it shows that the techies are getting up to speed with the virus and leaving all the flu nonsense behind.
At least they are working on the lumpy nature of the outbreak.
Heavily expressive individual indoors with loads of pals and poor ventilation = carnage.
Is there a fault elsewhere in our side, or indeed a different philosophy from the team formation, that is giving rise to a few of our fan’s concern’s about, young Taylor at left back?
Taylor was part of a Killie defence, that was protected by the shape, formation, and tactic’s of former manager, Steve Clarke. Taylor’s stock started to rise during Clarke’s leadership, in a team that was viewed as, “difficult to beat” when, even the magnificent Brendan Rodger’s Celtic sides, found it difficult to break down Clarke’s side.
Clarke took his side to third in the league, which was very impressive, with Taylor playing a vital role in that, very impressive achievement. So now that Taylor has achieved his big move, is it his fault that we don’t see him in the same light as his Killie day’s? If Taylor now plays in a defensive set up, that isn’t protected by a midfield shield, then he’s obviously not going to look as protected as he, and his fellow defensive team mate’s were in his Killie day’s. Is that his fault?
Atlantic magazine — couple of scary articles regarding the divisions in the US.
Highlighting how far a powerbase in decline will push to keep its ascendency in place.
Identity to the fore over economics — I wonder if there are any lessons to learn.
Midfield
Did they play a 4-5-1