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You are at:»»Murdoch, Christie, Gordon and Boruc, Show me the way

Murdoch, Christie, Gordon and Boruc, Show me the way

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

I grew up hearing stories about Bobby Murdoch’s ability to play the game in four dimensions. He could play a pass forward into space, across the field, at the right height, and arriving at the necessary moment, when that area would look completely different than it did when Bobby made his move.

That ball from Ryan Christie for the first goal last night fired a childhood recollection. Ryan took the ball on his chest while looking to his left. He volleyed a pass in the opposite direction into unmanned territory. It ended Alloa’s remarkable resistance.  We still haven’t seen enough to know what level of player we have in Ryan, but there are reasons for encouragement.

James Forrest still had a lot to do but his shot was the first accomplished effort from Celtic after (literally) dozens of poorly composed attempts. The Alloa keeper deserved the plaudits, but he didn’t actually make a wonder save all night. He was repeatedly in the right place to do the right thing, we didn’t stretch him.

We dropped points at Inverness due to a truly inspired goalkeeper performance, and a remarkable attraction for the woodwork, but last night’s misfiring was all down to a lack of composure. Kilmarnock may reap a reaction on Saturday.

It’s hard being a keeper. Craig Gordon was caught off his line when Greig Spence got a millisecond of freedom in the first half. Spence fired off a remarkable shot which forced Craig into a diving block. It was as good as save as was made by either keeper all night, but what possessed Craig to go walkabout later, when Kolo Toure was on-hand to shepherd the striker wide is a mystery.

Decision-making like this has nothing to do with core goalkeeping skills. You can drill handling, reactions and starting positions all week, but if there’s a rush of blood on match day, or worse, panic, you’re going to lose a lot of goals.

We’ve seen this movie before. Artur Boruc was, by his own admission, the best goalkeeper in Europe in 2008. By 2010 we did well to get £1m for him, as he made his way to the Fiorentina bench. At 30, Boruc was all over the place. The superstar status had evaporated and few were sorry to see him move on.

Six years later he still has enormous potential for the haphazard, but he’s playing a lot of FA Premier League football on merit. He got his head straight and the rest followed. I’ve no idea what the issues are with Craig Gordon but if Artur can get himself sorted, Craig can too. He’s overcome greater odds already.

The same source of my Bobby Murdoch stories last night referred to Ryan Christie as Tony Christie.  It’s a generational thing.  Show me the way…..

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  1. sipsini on

    Happy birthday to Mrs TALLYBHOY X

     

     

    Catch up with you at the hootenanny mate, I’ll fill you in where my bhoy is going in Italy to meet and stay with his girlfriends parents on November. HH

  2. butsybhoy on

    JIMMYNOTPAUL on 23RD SEPTEMBER 2016 12:15 PM

     

     

    Keep up the fight Tam

     

    And a Big Hail Hail to yourself

     

     

    KTF

  3. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    TALLYBHOY 1205

     

     

    Knew you’d understand why I posted the artist,the particular choon was too good too pass up!

     

     

    Just arrived at Euston,train leaves in just over an hour. Shoooorly even I canny screw up from here(!)

     

     

    JIMMYNOTPAUL

     

     

    Jee-zoh,mate. I’m always grateful for my health. You’re dealing wi yours wi some fortitude. I pray your strength never leaves you

     

     

    HH.

     

     

    ELDIEGOBHOY

     

     

    I expect you’re in The Beatson right now. Like JIMMYNOTPAUL and HEBCELT,you’re three hard,hard men.

     

     

    Keep giving it back,fellas. You know we all have your back.

  4. Jimmynotpaul on

    Butsybhoy.

     

    Thanks my friend.

     

    S.MCK told me he enjoyed your company after the 5.1 game, said it was a great laugh.

     

    Hail Hail

  7. Bhoyjoebelfast on

    Semi final draw: Would like Morton in final a wee score to even.As I said in earlier post they never had any obstacles placed in their way as they cheated the system aided and abetted by people in high places.Scotlands establishment club will always be in our midst,they will always have a friendly media at hand.So whoever comes to play us,in whatever guise the job at hand is to crush them.

  9. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    ROYCROPPIE

     

     

    Mid 30s at Ibrox. Back when RM was still a decent site-aye,it was for a while-they had a huge argument about it. Not about whether it happened,but the justification for it.

  12. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Nap the day

     

     

    4.10 Newmarket – Treasoury Notes

     

     

    Best of luck to all

     

     

    Cheers GFTB

  14. fin 15 on

    A very good day and good luck to all, especially our talented bhoys.

     

     

    Newmarket: 4.10

     

     

    Knight Owl

  33. TheBarcaMole on

    Like Mr Kit Cat at Market Rasen but sentiment is winning over, so the hopeful punt for today is…

     

    BRONZE ANGEL 4:10 Newmarket

     

     

    Good Luck.

     

     

    Regards & Hail Hail

     

    TBM

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