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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More great CQN craic…..look I’ve created CQN highlights for you!
malarkey
14:25 on 21 August, 2014
Scott Brown used to get stick for running about chasing the ball down like a mad yin when we lost it…
but apparently that is now team strategy under Deila ;p
———
Malarkey
Shooorly the key difference is….
Running about LIKE maddie – good
A maddie just running aboot – baaaad!
Yon coaching badges that the Onnies have done give them Tim Jedi powers to tell the difference!
HH jamesgang
So it would seem that the Wagaso signing has not gone through. Why is that not news?
Jeg …er.. Delia Smith
At at 15.43
Hiya,Pally?
Pleased tae Meet ye…
Yes, Ah RATE Big Virgil,Tae.. as.. NO… INDISPENSABLE !
So?
Like Ah said.. Virgil,is No Indispensable..
Therefore..
He is Very Much …For Sale.. at the Right Price.
Celtic, are in the business of Making Money.
Nae Money.. Nae Biziness..
n.. Nae Bizness?
Nae Celtic..
An Where whit Wid Awe us Celtic Fans .. robbed o’ oor Treasure of a Pleasure… Dae then?
Na.
lik Ah say..n Say n an Say…. Again n Again.
“It’s AWE aboot the MONEY.. Honey!”
Sentimentality, is Fine fur Adolescents.. In the Springtime of thur Life..
But. fur.. Thirty Nine Year Olds.. Like..well.. Kojo ( Whit?,,ed)
Pragmatism, rules the Day.. Mince n Totties.. Beats.. Quiche.. Anytime!(Whits THAT Goatta Dae wi it?…ed)( Nuttin’.. Ah jis Happen tae Luv.. Mince n Totties!)
Nice chatting, Pally.
Kojo
Still Laughin’
Geordie Munro
Has it anything to do with their hit single “More than a Woman”?
Either that or their 4 nicknames as Pooch, Chubby, Butch and Tiny.
Frank Maloney is 3 of those
I know the feeling, I just suffer from lazyitis…………..A very fat old priest relation once told me (prior to dyslexia being understood) that as a student he got mixed up with a sedentary/seminary lifestyle, hence…….
Anyway, RWE, thought that you might like to know that the reason behind Chris Bonington’s climb was to raise awareness of MND but you probably know that already……..
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
Sftb,
Yer some man.
More than a wumin was the answer.
Cyber hawf of your choice.
geordie munro
16:03 on 21 August, 2014
The Brazilian centre forward who played last night for Maribor…..
The tenuous link between him and Frank Maloney is????
——
They both have cousins in Letterkenny. FACT!
;-)
HH jamesgang
Was I the only one who hesitated when Callum scored last night?
Watching the replay I can see why…
Callum thought his colleagues’ muted response to his goal meant it might not have stood – I think that anyway.
He looks questioningly around and seemed unsure..
3 second delay for me before leaping out from behind the couch to do the dance of the champions…
DontBotherDancing CSC
SFTB
:)))))))))))
TheBarcaMole
More embarrassment for me I’m afraid.
I saw the pic and the headline on the BBC but hadn’t read it…so I was completely unaware that he climbed for MND…
Should have known there would be some greater significance from you :o)
HH
EWO
……..He’s on his way to Leeds.
Deal done. Details all day Tuesday.
HH
RWE
Noticed that too, delayed my celebrations for a couple of seconds. Got into that habit after just about every goal we scored against that mob
HH
Bada Bing
I don’t think the castigation of Celtic players after a couple of bad games is anything new to be honest. Even Larsson at times was criticised if he went more than two games without scoring a goal.
That doesn’t mean that I don’t agree with you because actually I do.
I rate Mulgrew in Scottish domestic football, I think his touch and range of passing is an asset that has been in evidence for a couple of years now. I do think that any level above that is a step too far for Charlie, primarily because of his lack of pace but also because he tends to slow play down at times when a higher tempo is required. Having said that I actually thought that he did quite well last night and I’m quite astonished that there are Celtic supporters calling for him to be discarded.
Izzy is a conundrum for me.
I always questioned his defensive abilities even in his first season when everyone in Scottish football was raving about him. His strength and pace frequently got him out of holes that were often of his own making. His poor positioning came to the fore in the game away at Inverness where we practically gave up the championship. He was responsible for at least 2 out of the 3 goals that night.
The following season he broke his leg up at Pittodrie and subsequently he was out for months.
I thought that last season he was excellent, one of our most valued contributors and in addition I thought that defensively he had improved greatly.
Since the beginning of this campaign supporters have questioned his attributes both offensively and defensively. Last night he made one suicidal pass and lost the ball twice (that I can recall) when trying to take the game to Maribor. Yet some want him punted!!!
Yes there is a problem with his lack of height and astute managers will identify this as a possible weakness in any Celtic formation unless we wrack him he’s not going to grow, we need to accept that.. However, I think that Izzy is being blamed now for things that are not his fault.
VVD is composed, strong and confident on the ball. However, for me he can be extremely lazy and I think his reading of the game needs to improve greatly.
Against Murrayfield in the Legia game Izzy was blamed for a ball that went inside him and that he struggled to deal with.
Where was VVD?
I could see from the stand where the ball was going to be played, why couldn’t he?
In my opinion he’s too slow, at the moment, in anticipating how play will pan out. Despite Efe’s deficiencies he got VVD out of jail numerous times last season with his pace because VVD had misread things.
I think that he leaves big gaps between himself and the other centre half and also between himself and Izzy.
We need another left back but only because we require cover in case of injury to Izzy.
I ain’t even going to get into the fact that some people would sell Commons :-)
Been away for a few days. Did we sign the Ghanaian fella?
JJ
This tie is only at half time we done excellent to get the score draw,they had chances so did we it is 50-50 and needs to be approached as so, big crowds as Buffon told us cant score a goal and we need focus over the 90 or 120 minutes even pens to get through, I’m sure this will be drummed into the players, some of the careless passing needs to be sorted i.e square balls across the box to the opposition
Kojo,
In ma bestest Kojo speak. Ma deer, deer, deer imposter, sorry poster, slip of the quill.
Celtic ur naw only about making dough. Fur they ur awe aboot bums oan seets.
Like a steak dinner, bees knees, tippy toppy entertainment.
Happy as Larry now gotta go Joe.
HH. No offence meant & best rgds.
Auldheid
14:39 on 21 August, 2014
Malc
13:46 on
21 August, 2014
I tend to agree with you somewhat, but I am getting greedy. I want to see Celtic wipe the floor with all league opposition, and win the two domestic cups also. If we could put in a graat performance in Europe (I guess we don’t get embarassed would suffice currently) that would be an added bonus for me.
Most of all though, I want to make sure that when the newco do eventually hit the top tier, they are in no doubt whatsoever that Celtic rule the roost, and will do for a long tme to come. Maybe even forever, as young Fergus said last week.
Old man climbs old man.
Well done Chris Bonnington. Amazing at 80.
Rwe
I was the same. I think it’s cos it ‘felt’ offside as he seemed almost isolated ahead of the defenders. But there was one in the ‘right place’ and that’s all that mattered!
HH jamesgang
SFTB
Very funny.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLXTcm00xhg
Here they both are singing with a pal…
HH
Kojo, fair enough, I don’t think we disagree on much there
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-28869235
Chris Bonnington’s 80th birthday climb.
Thanks TBM
Lovely story
My mate came up with a fantastic idea if we do qualify for the CL proper and end up in a group of death.
Play a suspended player in every game and that way the most we can get beat is 3-0!!!!
Wakaso..or.. Wacko.. as Ah like tae Call Him..
oan Account o’…
The Guy Is A Leetle .. Er.. CRAZY.. ye see.
Sure, Ronny, Knows That.. Heck..
Evereebuddy KNOWS THAT!
But, Ronny,insists that He wull be Able tae Tame The Guy Doon..
Ah Hope So.
Mubarack.. Is A Grand Wee Player..n. As Player’s go, Mubarack, is wee.
Mubarack, is Small in Stature..But Big in Heart ..
But….He is Well Built.. Strong as A Gnu…Tough, Tricky..n..
Yes,Virginia..Afore ye Ask..
He kin Run Lke a Deer!.. (Which is Much Faster than a LINTY!)
Awe we ur waiting Fur is the Paper work oan Him tae Go Thru Channels.
This Could Tak , Awhile.. or .. Perhaps, Not . Tak a While..
Paper Work is So Auld Fashioned.. Ah am surprised that They Still Use It..
anyway..
Celtic, Hiv captured him.. but..
The Still Hivnae..well.. Goat Him ( Huh?..ed)
HIv Patience.. He wull be worth waitin Fur..
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
Toneee Donnellees green and white army
Tonnee Donnellees green and white army
Tonee Donnellees disnae care
He tells all Huns GIRFUY everywhere
And TD took himself aff fir a well deserved afternoon nap after tilting his lance at any non believers and even some believers awe day
Hail hail the legend that is Tonnee Donnelleee
Well he makes me laugh anyway
HT,
Good idea.
For our domestic games we can give up diving and just ” put the heid on them”. We will only get a two game ban.
This is where squad rotation comes into play. Simples.
HH.
HT- Thanks for reply and agree totally.VVD was excellent last night,i couldn’t see the massive improvement post Murrayfield coming.Still a way to go obviously,i can see a few players coming and going before window closes.Massive game on Tuesday,hopefully it will give RD and the bhoys confidence to play.HH
Greenpinata
If Ronny and JC decide to pack it in we’re ready made replacements :-)
Watching the 2nd half again…
The Ibrami header from the slack pass by Izzy…after about 10 minutes or so.
Kayal closes Ibrami down outside the box and when Ibrami passes out to the left, Kayal lets him run itno the box where Ibrami meets the cross for an unchallenged header on goal.
Should Kayal have gone with him or are we zonally marking? Either way the system didn’t work, as no one picked him up despite there being six defenders around him.
CoachandHorses CSC
jamesgang,
Gave me a chuckle seeing the use of the word “maddie”.
That’s the name I use for the ex-wife on my mobile…:)
Gascoigne joins Sunday League side…
…just for a minute I thought he’d signed for Newco
(Note not re-sign)
RWE
Its a 4th Division Sunday League side in Bournemouth
Same Difference
twentyfirstofmaynineteenseventynine
17:02 on
21 August, 2014
RWE
Its a 4th Division Sunday League side in Bournemouth
Same Difference
==============
That the same division as Celtic Nation? ;) Is this the huns trojan horse?
HH
setting free the bears for res. 12 & oscar knox but saying no to cqn racists
15:03 on 21 August, 2014
TOSB
I have had several corrections, earlier today from other posters, to my information in the post you quote.
In answer to your point, I would ask if Malky is entitled to gain access to Vincent Tan’s e-mails to see if they were guilty of the same thing. I was certainly not condoning Malky’s reported language and attitudes, I was just suspicious as to why it was leaked.
An earlier suggestion that Malky was offered the opportunity to turn himself in to the SFA also changes my feelings about the whole thing. A couple of unsavoury characters are playing hard ball with each other. I hope they all lose.
………………………
Sorry for not replying earlier. I wasn’t offering criticism in my post just taking you up on your quest for views. The whole affair is very unsavoury and none of them are coming out of it well. Vincent Tan is obviously a vengeful old fox and Malky not very smart. To be honest, I’m shocked that Malky holds such views in this day and age. I did suspect domething very serious though when Malky withdrew his court suit back in May and made an unreserved apology to Tan. Moody also made an unreserved apology to him on the same day. I thought that would have been enough for Vincent Tan and they would all have moved on. What Tan has now done is effectively ruined Malky’s managerial career in football. Certainly in the UK. He might be able to find work abroad but it will be hard for him. Certainly the big money earnings will be gone.
I’m not sure if zmslky would be entitled to gain access to Tan’s Emails. He was the one stupid enough to get caught. Tan has done nothing wrong (to all intents and purposes). It’s a “plague on both their houses” type of situation but a kick up the backside for those who hold racist views and use racist (Atkinson), sexist (Gray and Keys) or homophobic language that the stakes are very high and they have a lot to lose.
I’m Scott Brown
Justafan
Watched the the game in Moynihan’s, Funchal as per your recommendation. Cheers mate. Cyber pint to you.
HH
SJ
Saw a few posts referring to Izzy’s height as a problem.
Ashley Cole is widely regarded as one of the best left backs in the last 10 years. Height 1.76m.
Phillip Lahm is widely regarded as the best full back in the world right now. Height 1.70m.
Emilio Izaguirre… Height 1.77m.
Pace, tackling, awareness, passing, reading of the game and threat going forward are all attributes I would look for in a full back before height.
I agree he hasn’t had the best start to the season, maybe the complete lack of a proper break in the last 2 years has caught up with him.
KoJo, my auld buddy
You say you love mince and totties, me too but guid auld fashioned stovies are brawer than mince and made with dripping and beef sausages, well I rest my case. me’lud
Best stuff to ye
KINGLuBO