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Physically light Celtic

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

Celtic responded to consecutive league defeats last month in decisive fashion, with authoritative wins against Livingston, Dundee, Newco, St Mirren and Buckie Thistle.  The record books will show another win on Saturday against Ross County, but the champions lacked even modest authority.

After their capitulation at home to Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup a week earlier, I assumed Ross County had “chucked it” and would bring minimum resistance to Celtic Park.  There’s a reason I don’t bet.  Refreshingly, County pressed Celtic throughout and were denied a point by the width of the crossbar and an added time save by Joe Hart.

After taking the lead in the opening minute through a fortuitous Alistair Johnston deflection, the champions should have finished the game off in some style, but by halftime it was clear a spark was missing.  By then, County keeper George Wickens had a few of us reading his bio (on loan from Fulham).  He had not only saved a Luis Palma penalty, he did so twice, after an encroaching defender cleared the first rebound before Luis could latch onto it.

Palma and Alexandro Bernabei were involved in the move which led to the goal, but as the opening half closed, both looked short of confidence; Alexandro has surely been pondering his place at the club in recent weeks, Palma with penalties on his mind.

The midfield pairing of Matt O’Riley and Paulo Bernardo, which has been so important in Celtic’s winning run, failed to cope with the game.  Maybe Matt’s week, full of distraction, didn’t help, maybe the Celtic Park pitch, which has was in its worst condition in years, interrupted their quick passing game.  It was certainly a day for an industrial, as opposed to cultural, midfield.

Palma and Liel Abada were replaced during the second half by Nicolas Kuhn and Mikey Johnston.  I worried for the debutant, it is always easier to introduce players to a team that is playing well, instead of hoping a new face will turn the tide.  As it was, the changes made little difference.

As we left the ground it struck me how physically light we were.  There was not a bruiser in any midfield or forward position.  In defence, Cameron Carter-Vickers has width, but Alexandro Bernabei is almost adolescent-looking.  On a wintery pitch, these things are noticeable.

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  7. Bhoyjoebelfast on

    ●Asked this one before the game on Saturday●

     

    Glasgow born,first player to appear in the final of the European Cup for two different English clubs.

  13. bigrailroadblues on

    Bhoyjoebelfast 7.22

     

    His other uncle drinks in the Queens Park Cafe.

     

    Stuart Gray RIP.

  21. bigrailroadblues on

    Jackiemac 7.35

     

    I should have asked for that instead of a flippant remark. Apologies.

  22. fourstonecoppi on

    Bologna have shown an interest in Rocco Vata this month, raising the prospect of a part-exchange amid Celtic’s interest in Van Hooijdonk,

  25. Parkheadcumsalford on

    Eddie Gray once said on Granada TV that he would have given his left arm to play for Celtic. Sheer class. His son, God rest him, realised his dream. I would hav3 loved to have seen Eddie in a Celtic jersey. Great player.

  27. Turkeybhoy on

    This place.With a midfield of Calmac,Hatate,O Riley,Bernardo,now we need,”A big strong lump”.

     

    Aw,is that right,Aye,to replace who?.

     

    “Celtic need a 5 year plan”

     

    I would have thought the plan was obvious.To win as many Trophies as possible.I would think,that 13 out of the last 15,would be a fantastic target for any plan,no club,would’nt and no other set of fans either,and having an excellent Bank balance,and having quite an expensive squad of players to boot,would be classed as an excellent plan.

     

    “We need to sign a proven striker”

     

    Yes,there will be scores of proven strikers,just itching to come and not be guaranteed a starting spot,for around £30 grand a week tops.Shankland and Miovski,need not apply.Do not fit the CQN quality standard.

     

    “We have been lightweight for far to long”

     

    I refer to my previous answer on Trophies won.A big bruiser,signed before Thursday.

     

    I am sure that would give our Referees,and VAR professionals,plenty of time to organize a knees up for the weekend.Celebrate in advance.

     

    This place.

  29. Coneybhoy on

    Bhoyjoebelfast

     

     

    i missed the quiz but a name that popped in my head (and was wrong) was Doumbe. Won a cup for us

     

     

    Re: Grays. Eddie was Leeds assistant manager when the team stayed at the same hotel i was getting married at in Dublin in 2001; pre-season tournament. Lots of Irish on the team and management and we met most of them,

     

     

    anyhoo, my mate told me that when he checked in the day before the wedding, Eddie Gray was at the front desk asking for their lunch booking the following day to be moved to the big room.

     

     

    On being informed that it was booked for a wedding, allegedly the old ‘do you know who we are?’ line and ‘can i see the manager’ request came out.

     

     

    Manager stood firm.

     

     

    I did let the team into the disco bit of my do and met O’Leary etc in the ressie bar the next night.

     

     

    O’Leary was about to tell me to Foxtrot Oscar when I approached him at the bar so my wife could meet him (Italia 90 etc). He saw yet another kilty coming up to talk football but his face totally changed when he saw the white dress behind me. Couldn’t have been more charming 😂

  33. James Forrest on

    TURKEYBHOY:

     

     

    One of the daftest posts on here in a long time. Which is saying something. Let’s take it from the top.

     

     

    “This place.With a midfield of Calmac,Hatate,O Riley,Bernardo,now we need,”A big strong lump”.

     

     

    Aw,is that right,Aye,to replace who?.”

     

     

    Are you trying to say these are the four best midfielders in world football? That there is literally nobody better out there on the planet? My answer to that is simple; to replace any one of them.

     

     

    “Celtic need a 5 year plan”

     

     

    I would have thought the plan was obvious.To win as many Trophies as possible.I would think,that 13 out of the last 15,would be a fantastic target for any plan,no club,would’nt and no other set of fans either,and having an excellent Bank balance,and having quite an expensive squad of players to boot,would be classed as an excellent plan.”

     

     

    So you don’t think an organisation with a £60-£80 million annual turnover needs an operational strategy? I thought you were in business? Don’t ever a mission statement or corporate memo. You’ll be sacked faster than you can say Jerry Maguire.

     

     

    “We need to sign a proven striker”

     

     

    Yes,there will be scores of proven strikers,just itching to come and not be guaranteed a starting spot,for around £30 grand a week tops.Shankland and Miovski,need not apply.Do not fit the CQN quality standard.”

     

     

    Any striker who we sign who DOESN’T believe he can take the starting spot isn’t worth signing. Any striker we sign who doesn’t think he can do better than Kyogo’s recent return would be a waste of money. 30K a week is still a lot of money. Maybe not to you, but if you’re telling me we can’t sign a starting striker for that … bonkers.

     

     

    “We have been lightweight for far to long”

     

     

    I refer to my previous answer on Trophies won.A big bruiser,signed before Thursday. I am sure that would give our Referees,and VAR professionals,plenty of time to organize a knees up for the weekend.Celebrate in advance.”

     

     

    So we should refrain from EVER AGAIN signing a physical player because he’ll get booked a lot by Scottish refs? Are they running the transfer policy or is the board?

     

     

    “This place …”

     

     

    Yeah, this place. I’ve lamented that myself in the last 24 hours.

  34. What is the Starz on

    Boondock Saint

     

    Obviously a hun..posting that nonsense and then signing your name as Sean…

     

    You don’t fool me !!!!!

  36. What is the Starz on

    Won’t be long before we get our regular …”this is the last time I will ever post on here” …message from James…

  37. bankiebhoy1 on

    Yet they must dander here, eh!

     

    Can’t keep away from THIS Dear Green PLACE.

     

     

     

    While it does not say it all, it says a lot

     

     

    HH CQN CSC

     

     

    :))))))))))))

  40. Greenpinata on

    BOONDOCK SAINT on 29TH JANUARY 2024 2:38 PM

     

     

    Every now and then we get a post of the highest order that restores my faith in CQN.

     

    That post will not be bettered on any Celtic forum.

     

     

    Cheers and HH.

  42. carpe diem 63 on

    Boondock Saint ….take a bow Sir …he aims ..he shoots …he scores ….Celtic is indeed our Northern Star …and true north and fundamental to our very being …a love like no other that we should never take for granted…and thank god for those who gave us the gift …a gift that we will gladly pass on to the generations to come ….Hail Hail 🍀

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