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.
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LiviBhoy
Ha! I don’t think that would go down too well somehow.
Personally, I don’t see what the problem is with training in the wind and rain as they have to play in the wind and rain!
No doubt there are many technical things they need to work on, of which I know nothing. Ronny obviously thinks they need a dome and he’s the man who counts.
Bjm,
The fact Livibhoy isn’t putting a penny on it should tell you;)
Kidding. I’m away for a looky.
tonydonnelly67
11:00 on 22 August, 2014
What’s your opinion of Jinky?
TD67
What you wrote about Gascoigne was despicable….and hunnish.
So before you call anyone on this blog, have a good like at yourself.
No compassion…..hunnish
HH
Folly Folly
It’s a bugbear of mine. A vexing hobby horse. I’ve been on it for 3 years. Research. Meetings. Counsel papers. More besides.
My conclusion? Until one of the following occurs, there will be no satisfactory outcome:
1) BBC centrally are brought to book.
2) BBC Scotland gains fiscal autonomy.
My sense is that the latter is more likely than the former, purely because we’re being asked to vote on the matter in a short number of weeks. whatever the outcome, things will change.
Worth pointing out that STV has a role to play in terms of our national sport. Its income now exceeds that of BC Scotland for the first time, but it remains uninterested in football beyond a means to get UVs onto their website (some of which content is very good btw).
TBB
“Car tout comprendre rend très indulgent, et sentir profondément inspire une grande bontée.”
(“To understand everything makes one tolerant, and to feel deeply inspires great kindness.”)
Geordie Munro
:-)
BJM
scullybhoy
Alcoholism is a terrible curse and I firmly believe that no one chooses to be an alcoholic. Sadly, the happy go lucky stereotype influences how people view the actions of an alcoholic. BTW I am not saying we should ignore the serious things that Gazza did (I was looking straight at him when he did his flute thingy) but he was and is a very troubled human being and I know that I have said and done things that I am ashamed of.
——
No one chooses to be an alcoholic. Yes, I agree. At the same time, no one wakes up one morning, goes to the GP and is diagnosed with alcoholism. It derives from a series of personal decisions that leads a person to that stage.
My attitude isn’t shaped by ‘happy go lucky’ thoughts. It’s shaped by the fact, as adults, the decisions we make, we need to take responsibility for. I hope Gazza turns his life around, it’s his decision though.
BMCUWP
Kitty
He did tuck me up for a bet….I was using my PP account and put one on for him
At one point I put a bet on for myself ….bold Pat suggested we go halfers with my horse and his ….mine won @14/1 …his is still running
bjm68
He has his moments. I suspect this is not his tip. He has got it elsewhere but he seems fairly excited about it.
I would love to have a wee punt today but less than a week to pay day and since LB Jr came along I rarely bet now.
Good luck whatever you end up backing. It’s not been an easy week for the punters.
LB
Imagine if Celtic had signed Gazza (just let the imagination go wild here) would we be defending him from comments made by supporters of the new club?
Bobby M
One of my lurker mates said you mentioned the “Shammy”
recently were you a member?
H.H.
Hot off Twittersphere
@thaitims: Paul McStay by the Thai Tims http://t.co/N6nOjJV5hJ
Magic
HH
An Dun
11:07 on 22 August, 2014
Gascoigne’s mental health issues are more wide ranging and more complex than alcoholism.
the green man
11:05 on 22 August, 2014
TD67
What you wrote about Gascoigne was despicable….and hunnish.
So before you call anyone on this blog, have a good like at yourself.
No compassion…..hunnish
_____________________________
That’s your opinion, mine differs, he was a wrong yin,
https://twitter.com/judithralston/status/502755088101019648
For all you lovers of the weather reports, she is in Greenock tonight.
LB,
Cheers mate – I have had a wee flutter, got it at 33/1 on Bet365 !!!
So fingers crossed ;-)
BJM.
Good luck to the #9 Enigma at West Brom.
scullybhoy
11:08 on 22 August, 2014
Imagine if Celtic had signed Gazza (just let the imagination go wild here) would we be defending him from comments made by supporters of the new club?
_____________________________
Look what the MSM gone to Grithiffs Ffs , and the Hun supporters, bleeding hearts CSC
Tony Donnelly67
I haven’t given Gascoigne any helping hand as you put it, or expressed any opinion, sympathetic or otherwise, on his plight. I simply outlined some facts as to why he is the way he is.
You don’t need to be sympathetic towards someone or excuse or agree with any of their other actions to think its out of order for that person to be labelled an “alky” as you so delicately put it.
I remember a few years ago in Motherwell there was a Palestinian family who were all Rangers supporters.
The grandfather died after a long illness. As the undertaker spoke to the family about their wishes for the preparation of the body, one of the sons produced a Rangers shirt with Gascoigne printed on the back.
The family were taken aback, but he reassured them that it was his father’s dying wish to be buried in the Gaza Strip.
On train on way to meeting in Hamilton.
Reminded of illustrious CQNers as the journey unfolds.
BlantyreTim & HamiltonTim – I think it’s great you’ve both had towns named after you!
HH jamesgang
bjm68
My mate at work has £25 E/W Glen Moss 16/1 & Tiger Twenty Two 25/1.
He seems fairly confident.
LB
Robert88
10:56 on
22 August, 2014
All aside the falling out on here about Gazza,
Alcoholism isn’t an illness, it’s a conscious decision and choice that can be stopped at
any time.
————————————————————————
With respect that is utter nonsense let me assure you, addiction to alcohol is a curse when it has you in it’s grip
An Dun
11:07 on 22 August, 2014
as adults, the decisions we make, we need to take responsibility for. I hope Gazza turns his life around, it’s his decision though.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Enjoyed the debate Lhad but as they say in Russia ‘Mosgo” There are claims that alcoholism can be genetic (read up on what happened to George Best’s mum) but all I can say is that none of us really know what has gone on in someones childhood nor the effects of those experiences when mixed with the genetic make up they inherited.
Tom,
I think Jim bowen has hacked your account! ;)
Jamesgang,
Eejit;)
Tom 11.15..
In between Flouncers,Bouncers etc etc…. it really is nice to lighten the mood
cannae beat the humour .
H.H.
There is some evidence that there is a genetic component to alcoholism.
the glorious balance sheet
11:15 on 22 August, 2014
Right, so I have to understand a guy that batters my daughter, and say to my daughter, it’s not his fault hen he had a bad upbringing, you need to understand that hen, and stop coming to me for sympathy every time he batters you? You serious?
The Paul Gascoigne debate sums up all that is good and bad about CQN for me.
One the one hand we have those who are capable of sympathy and empathy, who see a fellow human being in great trouble and just wish they could help him. On the other hand we have those who cannot see past the fact that the man was once paid to wear a blue jersey.
Most people will never understand the devastating effects that mental illness and addiction can have. And they should think themselves lucky that they will never have to find out from personal experience.
Imagine being unable to control your own thoughts. Imagine being unable to face getting out of bed in the morning because your life is so bleak. Imagine feeling that getting so drunk that you cannot think or feel anything at all any more is the only way to stop the constant pain. Imagine being utterly convinced that death is the only possible solution.
Try this if you can.
Think of the pain you felt when someone very close to you died. Mix in the aftermath of the hardest break up you ever had. And then throw in the worst stress you have ever felt. If you can do all of that, multiply it by a thousand and imagine that feeling for every minute of every day for months on end. You might now be getting somewhere close to understanding what life can be like for Gazza and many others.
Yes, personal responsibility is important in the fight against addiction. It is true that an addict will never reach a stage of recovery unless they completely commit to the fight. But remember that the reason Gazza is being sectioned is that two doctors believe that he simply does not have the capacity to know what’s best for himself or to care for himself at present. It takes great strength to fight a compulsion so strong that it overcomes everything else. Gazza is nowhere near that situation right now – and I can only hope that he gets the care and support he needs to get him though it.
scullybhoy
11:19 on
22 August, 2014
You beat me to it,pal.
Badger
…………..
Admin Root
16,773 posts
Gender:Male
Location:Blaenau Ffestiniog, North Wales
Posted 20 August 2014 – 09:20 PM
Whilst this trophy carries little prestige, it is the only competition currently available domestically n professional level football that we have never won.
That does carry some gravitas for me. Coupled with the Championship/Division 1/Whatever they call it next, I believe we’d be the first club to win all the modern day professional football trophies in Scottish football
#37 kilwinning_loyal
Believe the Hype.
True Blue
13,262 posts
Gender:Male
Location:kilwinning
Posted 20 August 2014 – 09:20 PM
A PT cup is essential i want to be the first club in the country perhaps the world to win every trophy a country has to offer. Certainly of those who have more than two leagues in their set up
Hee hee hee.They are priceless.
MurdochauldandHay & Wee Oscar
Is it not a conscious choice? Does somebody put the bottle to your mouth and order you to drink? That curse could be well avoided.
TD67
I dont think you are getting it.
I know you are a celtic man, id expect better from you…seriously.
Dont hate and be as bitter as they are.
HH
G_J
great post..
I deal with people with addictions and it is great to see them becoming more self assured and stronger on a daily basis..
Every day is a challenge for people fighting addictions…
tom mclaughlin
11:15 on 22 August, 2014
Just laughed out loud in doctors waiting room, whole place things I’m mad. Cracker
jamesgang
Nearly choked on my morning donut!
LB
Much has been made on the blog over the last few days about where it is and where it’s headed , particularly re Neganon and others who might be regarded as “mineshafters” as opposed to “Happyclappers”, neither of which terms I give much heed to other than as a bit of amusement, as I believe most supporters views swings from one to the other , as mine does.
The expression of reasoned and reasonable views on Celtic ( and many other topics) are what this blog is and has been about and always should be.
The fact that there may be a leaning one way or other, from time to time, to or against the board is natural. A change in posters , frequent posters or mostly lurkere, is natural.
I don’t personally believe the blog is , generally, declining but I will say this: –
The majority of Tony Donnelly’s posts would never have made it past the moderators, and rightly so, in years gone by and that does , sadly , reflect a decline in the quality of the blog.