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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1,177 Comments- Pages:
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Who the hell is mubarak dont you mean Wakaso not even close
proudbhoy
In all honesty I thought Joe had got a tad stale in a Celtic jersey. There are a few people on here who christened him the ghost. I was happy for him to stay at the club but personally I would not have offered him a wage rise.
Johansen has been signed and bar a sluggish start to the season has looked a very able replacement. I think fans have to accept that we will not pay top dollar. The club have stated many, many times that we have a structure for wages and will stick to it.
I have no idea why people are still harping on about bringing in this player or that player.
If players want to sign witin the structure they do. If they don;t they get more money elsewhere most of the time at a club which will never achieve the highs of playing for Celtic and all that brings.
Have any of the players signed for bigger wages in the last 2 years achieved more success than they did at Celtic? I would wager that most of them were looking on in envy at the Celtic team last night and while they play league cup matches in England will be gutted watching our team trot out in the CL against the biggest clubs in Europe. Money is not everything. If you want a career with lots of money then England is the place to be. If you want to earn very good money and never work again once you finish up playing and play for a football team that will win trophies and play in Europe then Celtic is the option.
Fooballers nowadays in the main care about money, signing on fees, wages and endorsements. Few actually care about who pays them it.
The world of football is more Jerry Maguire than we would like to accept and most of the players are shouting show me the money. Celtic are only a bit part player in this!
LB
I’m one of the Scott Brown has improved believers.
I accept it’s a contentious view, maybe we should have a referendum to settle the matter.
At least Malky’s recent “qualifications” should set him up nicely for a job at UEFA and mibbes even an MBE…………….
Aye!
Speechless! didnt know Richard Dawkins was gay! seems big Malky has a friend,
felt CM had a Half-hearted attempt at an interception at the Maribor goal,better if he had been in position to prevent the gap for the pass,small criticism but I thought we played better as a team wth Kayal MOM.
whichgodisityourdeludeby?CSC
‘
‘the provisional Ireland squad’- is that better or worser than the continuity Ireland squad, the real Ireland squad or the 32 county Ireland squad?
The defence looks suspect because this is the second time the two centre half shave played together and a new goalie, pick on the obvious why don’t you, give them a chance Ffs. It was the champions league we where playing in away from home, harsh doesent even come close, just need bedded in in that’s awe.
darwinsbeautifulidea
13:23 on 21 August, 2014
I am no jaicket holder for Captain Beefheart
However where is his post does he say his dislike of Tatchell, Harvie & Fry is based on their sexuality?
IMO these three are utter hypocrites
They decry everyone they disagree with as homophobic and intolerant, while being completely intolerant themselves with everyone who disagrees with them
setting free the bears for Res. 12 & Oscar Knox but saying no to CQN racists 13:30 on 21 August, 2014
“Callum is a level-headed all rounder, whose main strength seems to be in knowing what he can and what he cannot do. The comparisons with Craig Burley, are the most apt. He is a goal scoring midfielder who does most things well but not outstandingly. I still rate James Forrest as the far superior player but James needs to remain fit enough for longer to convince others, it seems. Callum will need to be rested, for form’s sake, at stages of this season.”
I agree with all of that. He will need periods of rest. Hopefully Jamsie will be back soon too.
Callum is a natural goalscorer. The composure with his finish last night was impressive, many players would have blindly lashed the shot and may have fluffed the chance.
DBBIA
In my younger CQN days I had an obsessive Neganon2 style rant a day about how poor Scott Brown was.
He has improved immeasurably as a player and very important to our style this year.
Count me in as a believer.
DR headline for tomorrow sorted :
Anthony Stokes in the provisionals exclusive
Great performance last night. Professional, aggressive and more than they bargained for.
We’ll eat this mob alive at Celtic Park.
Now, a striker and we’ll be in good shape for a domestic treble at the very least :)
BTW … Scott Brown, I’m a believer.
Given the fact that RD is turning things round and imposing his own philosophy on the team, does anyone think he’ll be able to stop Effe’s nightmare moments, especially in Europe ?
He almost cost us a second goal last night although in fairness he recovered well. I’m not trying to be negative btw, just that I think the big man doesnt seem to learn from these mistakes
Interesting article.
http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/aug/20/glazers-thrive-manchester-united-flounder-ed-woodward
I thought the team were very professional last night and unlucky not to win. I thought Gordon, Lustig, Johansen,McGregor, Kayal and Stokes played really well. Mulgrew played well and the rest average. I thought Stokes ran his socks off (something he should try more often) but McGregor really impressed, especially in a defensive role.
On another note, don’t be surprised if bad news comes out of stalag hun next tuesday. The media will be focusing on the Maribor game and I would expect the high heid yins using it as a day to bury bad news. I don’t know anything but loans are to be repaid soon accounts to be published and if last year is anything to go by then watch this space. They released their accounts the day we played Barca.
Dontbrattbakkinanger
13:38 on
21 August, 2014
It’s all about opinions, but I think it’s gooder….
Broony is always appreciated more when he is missed.
Only when he is out the team, do some people recognise we are missing the glue that holds the pieces together
Proudbhoy….
Correct mate.. Really hope mcgregor can keep improving and id gladly see us bank the 4m or whatever if he did.
We no longer judge a player on his skill etc – only on what fee we can get from him.
What have we become?
Anyone wondering why players do not indicate they want to leave a club can read this article from 442.
The secret footballer explains it in his book but the media as a whole don;t really understand the transfer process. It’s not straight forward.
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/whats-point-handing-transfer-request
LB
It would be nice if, just for once, the SPFL gave us the day off at the weekend – in the interests of Scottish fitba, obviously…
… or do Celtic need another game to help improve match fitness, sharpness, holes in the defence, etc.? I dunno…
Either way, onwards and upwards for Ronny’s tri-coloured Saltired Soldiers. Good win at the weekend, followed by qualification next Tuesday night should just about tip thems over the edge.
Ok we are all agreed Scott Brown is a more crucial player than he was say two seasons ago.
Who thinks that’s more to do with his personal improvement ?
Who thinks that’s more to do with the team’s decline in standard?
Improvement or decline?
Quick poll…
Big Wavey – whadya mean an neganon2 style rant……!!!!!!!!!!
Tim Malone Will Tell
I think we can still get 3 or 4 years out of Commons, losing pace isn’t really an issue if you don’t have any to begin with, that left foot will be lethal for years to come.
Though I do agree with people saying he doesn’t fit into the RD philosophy, I also agree we need to have options to change things up. For me, Commons, Stokes and Pukki are all second strikers in a 2 man strike force. Since that may not be the way we wish to set up in general, one if not two of them should be moved on. Cut our losses with Pukki. Definitely keep Commons. I’d probably keep Stokes around until we sign a number 9 striker worthy of the name.
There are some very short memories on here.
Kris Commons scored 30 goals
For us last season.
He is a star that loves Celtic.
He should be rewarded with anew contract extension and play out the rest of his days in the Hoops.
He is a wonderful player.
TT
Auldheid
Comparing Kris Commons to Lubo. Just shows how far we have fallen. Kris has proven to be a great acquisition and his goals last season were priceless. But for me he has at times a poor first touch and a poor pass rate. Still one of our best current players and I wouldn’t like to see him out the team to often. Especially in the SPL. But he is no Lubo Moravcick by any standards.
Let’s not over inflate the level of our current crop of players. There are some good players, some with great potential. I see signs from Saturday and last night that Ronny can pull them together into a better side than we saw under NL. But there is not a player comparable to a Lubo, a Henrick, a Sutton, a Lambert or a Hartson in our current team.
MWD says AYE
.
I See CQN Magazine (Provisional Wing) has Published the names (and Towns) of 2 Rangers supporters charged for singing songs containing offensive sectarian lyrics. at a Game in ENGLAND..
Jeezo..
10 years ago it was stuff like that on FF that made CQN ‘Different’..
Very Sad that Celtic FC..after all.. might Qualify for the Champions League and that is News on CQN..
Summa
Cultsbhoy- the two can co-exist.
Look at Paul McStay- while he was developing into the complete midfielder the team was disintegrating.
I’m not suggesting our current #8 is as good as when the Maestro wore the number on his shorts but I think he does a good job, and is an excellent club captain.
Would hate to see Kris go, but suspect he doesn’t feature in the manager’s long-term plans.
Looks like Stokes has decided to stay and fight for his place. Tremendous shift last night. Seems about a stone lighter too.
Johansen is RD’s ideal player – whippet thin, fit, fast, hard worker, and tidy in possession. Suspect we will see more like him, and fewer players shaped like Kris.
Leftclick .The futures green and white.
Aye superb 15 and counting,hoping to take in the Czech game in Sept.
love watching the young team.
H.H.
I didn’t like Broonie when he was going through the motions playing with us, I know like Broonie who plays for us.
NegAnon2
You should have seen me. Constant, emotive rants of utter venom they were.
Found a good therapist and mellowed accordingly.
That’s me and not Scott Brown by the way :) He just got better.
Now I hope to change the world one conversation at a time…..
Peace and Harmony csc
neganon2
13:46 on 21 August, 2014
Big Wavey – whadya mean an neganon2 style rant……!!!!!!!!!!
_______________
I know exactly what he means ;)
Malc 13:46 on 21 August, 2014
I think Celtic need to be playing games. Another 90 minutes and six days extra sharpness is vital at this stage of the season. And a bigger pitch at Celtic Park should aid our cause along with our supporters.
You can see the progression with Celtic in every game of late. There are still issues to be resolved, especially at the back, but game time will help with that.
Cultsbhoy
I disagree… Strachan brought him in as a 21/22 year old, with a 4.5 million price tag. Expectations were high. He started off well, but for those with half decent memories, he had a family tradgidy , lost his sister…. Brown struggled as a consequence for as much as 18 months. But under Lennon as manager, Brown for me has always been the teams leader…
The goal against the then Huns, the Diouf moment / broony celebration… The guy was playing great. His good form in last 2.5 years has only been interrupted by a number of serious injuries…..
Even when we could call upon wanyama, Ledley, Kayal… I remember saying to my dad at the time, Celtic got humped off braga, and Utrecht and fell into Europa league, that we were badly missing brown at that time. Same applies to now.
Some may disagree with me…. But I’ve always rated the guy, and think his presence has always been missed when he’s endured long injury lay-offs
Summa
Is that in the magazine, twitter or FB?
MWD says AYE
Half way there … What happens next will be interesting?
If the game on Tuesday was played without emotion, without fear, without Euro baggage then it would be 3 – 0 to the good guys and nothing much to report.
However I think the second leg will be a tougher game than last night would suggest — based on second hand media reports — as they offer a threat and we are still a bit raw in the football intelligence and confidence stakes.
However we will be further down the RD road regarding fitness and tactics. Regarding Saturday I would suggest a couple of changes only — we are still playing with L plates and the team needs game time to gel.
Hopefully Tuesday will generate a big crowd.
Great chance to go if the team has focus, belief and attitude.
Had a great morning at work … Smiling away and singing Always look on the bright side of life
Man them zombies are hurting bad .. Hanging onto the possibility that we blow it against Maribor at Celtic park but fearing the worse
I dream of a BIG group with Real Madrid and maybe a French or English club too . Some big nights under the floodlights with Celtic park being broadcast all around the world again
tonydonnelly67 13:51 on 21 August, 2014
“I didn’t like Broonie when he was going through the motions playing with us, I know like Broonie who plays for us.”
I don’t think Broony was going through the motions. I think he was struggling to come to terms with his sister’s death. I reckon his work suffered because he was grieving.