Last night’s performance was a vast improvement on the horrible displays against Legia and gave us our second insight (after United) into how Ronny Deila is changing the way Celtic play football.
Key to the performance was the movement of his two Norwegians, Stefan Johansen and Jo Inge Berget, Callum McGregor and Beram Kayal. Johansen, who closed down space high up the field, pressurising defenders, played his best game for Celtic. Less said about his clearance of a Virgil van Dijk header the better.
Watching Kayal was like meeting an old friend again. The player, who in 2011 kept Victor Wanyama out of the team, has been a shadow of his former self since returning from injury two years ago. He is another player who enjoys closing space.
I’m an acknowledged cynic when it comes to even remotely hyped young players breaking through the ranks, but Callum McGregor has now delivered repeatedly. There is a long hard season ahead of him, and let’s remember, form fluctuates, but he has looked like one of the best players in the team so far. I doubt any Celtic player has opened the scoring in three consecutive European away games.
The first 35 minutes saw Maribor sit deep, which allowed Celtic to build patiently. Movement was good during this period, players in possession always had options, so we were able to switch play, force opponents to chase the ball, and penetrate with purpose.
Play was bound to change when Maribor started to close down higher up field, but Celtic reacted by playing low-percentage balls forward, which invariably resulted in possession being lost. I would like to see us look for less-ambitious passes more often.
There were several concerns, not least of all at the back. A defence which was impregnable for much of last season is now being cut open with regularity. I don’t subscribe to the view that players suddenly lose instinct and awareness over the summer, so it’s likely that a change in the midfield shape is exposing frailties in defence.
Maribor players found themselves clean through on a couple of occasions last night, echoing what happened in Warsaw and at Murrayfield. Ronny needs to find a fix.
Despite clearly being the better team, there is still a big job ahead for Celtic next week, better teams don’t always win, but a disciplined performance, no red cards, no mistakes at the back, should see us through.
Take no chances at Inverness on Saturday, make sure players are rested and fit.
[calameo code=000390171ae033f39a0c4 lang=en page=120 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
1,177 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- ...
- 31
- »
Some people call it lack of investment
Some call it downsizing
Some call it board parsimony
I call it …….. a WAR CHEST
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
neganon2
Stick it out mate, both on here and with Celtic.
Some things are worth the trouble and angst.
NEGANON2
Don’t even think about it,mate.
It’s entirely within reason to support the team yet question the board.
Yes Lennybhoy that was me. Heard we raised about £7500.
Hamiltontim
22:45 on 21 August, 2014
Aye.
HT
Kilmarnock 3-0 down at HT.
Totally agree Charlie, Stokes and Wee James were the three that stood up
To be counted that day in second half.
I also think Neil Lennon agreed and as such were his 3 teachers pets
So to speak.
ERNIE LYNCH
I thought you’d just pulled the name outa nowhere!
tinytim
You have lit the Kayal flame –
Not remotely consistent enough for me too, but if he could replicate the form of last night (when not going into the last year of his contract) then who knows.
HH
NegAnon2
That is your personal decision…
Just as it is your personal decision to see ‘Celtic continue to spiral downwards’ when over most measures against all kinds of prevailaing winds over the medium term, and in the context of the ‘imperfect market’ that is European club football, I see them spiraling upwards ! or at least holding their own….
I do appreciate that the tabloids and the MSM would have us see very different….
To achieve what we have in commercial stability and on field success with no recent domestic direct rivalry (critical in most major sports for succcessful clubs) and up against cheats and doped entities has been one thing our clubs leadership can be proud of….as can its support…
17’s beat Jags 17’s 4 nil at the Loch Inch club. Nice club and lovely pint as well!!
Neganon
Your support for our team should not be affected by anon posters on a blog.
I know you are a Tim who loves a moan, I often agree with you. Keep posting.
Ernie
How so?
He’s a colourful character to say the least!
Last season when we were due to play AC Milan away, we were travelling to an away game and he was complaining that he didn’t have enough tickets for everyone who required one.
He mentions that he wishes he had an Italian passport so that he could buy tickets from the stadium once there.
He then goes into his pocket and produces an Italian passport!!!
NegAnon2
Of course it could always be better but then again there is a glass ceiling right now which is my main beef with our board….
Neganon
Thanks for that evaluation of mr
Thought you knew better as well:-)
HH
CRC
neganon2
Whether I agree or not, your posts are worth reading.
I also believe they come from your deep love of the Celtic
Don’t ever give up on them, like me we would be lost without them
So in the words of Lennybhoy
Keep the Faith
Mr =me
Malarky
Brill!!!!
jc2
Agreed and I think that was why NL often played them when at times the rest of us may have thought they needed a break.
Castlebhoy
Jack dempseys show every game. Ny no1 based at Parlour. It’s up in the 100s I think. Watched beating the Sheepies 2-0 in league cup final there.
Dempseys 32nd St cover charge applies. Both had a good atmosphere and visitors were made very welcome .
HT,
Is Mr M still pulling the auld passport trick??;)
GM
He’s got mair passports than James Bond :-)
Jude
Did Josh play?
Sounded like a great wee night oot. :)
eddieinkirkmichael
Seen your message about the do at the Harps Club. I thought that would be great so checked my diary as I knew I was going / coming back to marine thing at Hamburg.
Oh bloody hell, just noticed I had booked my flight back from Hamburg on Friday and it reads……..1325-1535 Edi – Ham. Going the wrong bloody way !!!!!
Anyway, long story short. Will be at the Harps around 9 on the Friday.
Hamiltontim
23:07 on 21 August, 2014
Nothing about him would surprise me. A one off.
Taranis
See you at the Harp. As HT described, I will be the baldy wan at the bar. :)
Neganon
Getting pumped by Legia should tell us all where we are now
Some are happy with this …many are not
The condescending moral high ground taken by the board lackies is nauseating …but lacks substance
We are supposed to be pleased by winning a one horse race for the league …whilst in Europe we are now also rans
The next set of accounts will make interesting reading ….either we need to make £10 m transfer profit and qualify for the CL to wash our faces or we’re retaining cash
If we’re not retaining cash then we’ve got a real problem next season as I don’t know who we can sell to generate the transfer surplus
Evening all,
been very busy today so not had chance to post.
Was much happier last night – their goal apart.
We’ll do them next week and bring on Zadok to Celtic Park once again.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
D D
Yes played his usual steady game. Was out of action for abt 10 days with a twisted ankle.
Yes lovely pint too. Wdnt mind playing there more often!!
THE TOKEN TIM
Don’t plan to be in Glasgow on October 11.
Got a feeling you might be on a jetsetting mission somewhere!
How you doing anyway,mate? You at home for a change?
.PFayr supports WeeOscar
23:22 on 21 August, 2014
Please answer just one question. If you were in complete control of Celtic name three players you would ensure were signed before the transfer window closes.
Guys loads of people I know are doing the same soul searching. One guy I know gave up his season book this year after 30 years of going. He had two reasons. His son didn’t want to go anymore (how sad is that) and he just feels totally ripped off.
CQN has always been pro board but it’s now so extreme it’s far from the norm.
Celtic are ripping us apart from within. And many of you are cheering them on.
Every one of your fellow supporters are the people ho saved celtic. Not fergus. But you would throw them under a bus in your clamour to praise the inexplicable lack if ambition and parsimony.
I just dunno what to say any more. Your right I am like a broken record and even I have got bored with it.
Neganon2
You sir are my CQN cyber inspiration, indeed , a kindred spirit.
Stick it out , you post the truth.
Your love of Celtic could not allow otherwise.
KTF
Ernie
How do you know him?
Just another tim………..from last night.
Took your advice and hit CP ticket office upon arrival this morning.
2 tickets for Inverness in my possession.
Thanks again mate.
Teuchter
BMCUW,
doing ok thanks mate. Twins started school on Monday so all 4 kids now at school. Working from home (esp when mrs TTT is working*) is heavenly. Silence is golden and all that! :-)
Hope you are well too.
Dont tell me another Hootenanny has been planned? And yes, i’ll either be heading off to Center Parcs with the family, or else heading to a conference in Bangkok!
One of these days my good man, one of these days….
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Neganon
For what it’s worth to you my feeling is that while I’m not exactly with you on the happy/shafter spectrum I respect where you’re coming from and the difficult questions you ask.
Would be less of a place in your absence.
Night Timdom.
Won’t be this in the morning as my Mum always says!
HH jamesgang
Burghbhoy
Thanks for the Maribor ticket – Now I’m relaxed.