Ryan Christie is back to his very best. His movement, vision and assists are a significant reason Celtic have scored so freely in recent weeks. Added to the form of Callum Mcgregor, Albian Ajeti, Jeremie Frimpong and Olivier Ntcham, and Celtic have the basis of a dangerous team.
I had no complaints about Livingston’s penalty, defenders tuck their arms in when blocking inside the box and Kris Ajer could have done likewise. No complaints either about the penalty Christie claimed 40 seconds earlier; no player tucks their arms in after they are on the ground. Responding to going behind by scoring twice in six minutes is the mark of champions.
The second Livingston goal and the surrender of territory in the closing moments of the game were more troubling. There was a bit of movement on the ball but it did not get close to Vasilis Barkas’ post. It was saveable. Still, the keeper would be entitled to ask why Serrano was given so much time and space.
Having conceded an unfortunate goal that brought Livi to within another pot shot of taking a point, a team at the bottom of the league should never have got near our six yard box in the closing stages of the game. Their chance in added time would have been a goal were it not for the fact that this was clearly substitute Pignatiello’s first time attempting to header a football. So far, defensive fragilities have ‘only’ cost us Champions League qualification but the bill will grow if we continue to offer up so much space in the final third.
Friday’s article, Applying and Coping with Pressure, discussed what impact the potential of Celtic going top of the table on Saturday would have on Newco ahead of their visit to Easter Road on Sunday. Having given themselves a chance to ‘go 11 points clear of Celtic’ last month, Newco are only a point ahead having played one game more after yesterday’s draw against Hibs.
Neil Lennon and the Celtic players have seen this movie before. They know how to win leagues, uniquely so, in Scotland. Coping with reversals and exploiting opportunities is the attribute of the aforementioned champions.
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staunch pander to the lowest common denominator checklist
splashes of orange sashes on your away kit.
full tangerine goalies kits
red knee foldovers for 1st team kit
armed forces day
absailing from the roof.
a minutes silence followed by a cannon going off (ffs)
all year round poppy on the grill of the car
soldiers doing a lap of honour
parachute regiment scarves
a player who salutes
I see a theme developing
I’ll tell Mum
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DgnvOj3XUAAgVGc?format=jpg&name=900×900
Stivs….unless yer MuM is unadulterated Militarily unseen Measures…it passes me by ;-))
H.H.
I’d like to see Julienne line up beside Ajer and Duffy every game. Not sure why Neil seems to be favouring Ajer. His one big asset is his ability to break the lines of the opposition from our defense. He also has speed which comes in handy on occasion. On the negative side he can’t win headers, can’t tackle, and loses concentration which ends up in him being out of position all too often.
We can leave the heading and tackling to Julienne and Duffy and let Ajer patrol the area just in front of these two. Depending on the opposition, we can use El Hammed and/or Taylor to strengthen the back line.
We’d likely need to lose Broonie in this set-up but maybe it’s time.
THELURKINTIM on 21ST SEPTEMBER 2020 8:06 PM
Stivs….unless yer MuM is unadulterated Militarily unseen Measures…it passes me by ;-))
H.H.
————–
the daft boy saluting ……….. more like private pike
dont tell him pike.
Speaking about other players being allowed to foul our team with impunity did anyone else notice that the St.Mirren clogger Tait who tried to maim Frimpong during the week was sent off on Saturday.
Just 3 days too late.
HH
Phil.
Admition time.
A Celtic team without Scot Brown, going for 10, scares the shite out of me .
Not sure he is favouring Ajer, Duffy has only played 3 games.
Jullen played in the 1st and was injured for the last 2.
Line up in Latvia will be interesting, I reckon Jullien will play if fit.
PHILCOOL on 21ST SEPTEMBER 2020 8:13 PM
Speaking about other players being allowed to foul our team with impunity did anyone else notice that the St.Mirren clogger Tait who tried to maim Frimpong during the week was sent off on Saturday.
Just 3 days too late.
HH
Phil.
————-
It is my big concern for the kid, the better he gets the more he will be a target, like keiran, he is tough and robust the wee fella, but some of the thuggery has been career threatening.
the conveyor belt of assualts to keiren will be repeated.
TheLurkinTim
Indeed
He peddled a story about having “pre-Alzheimer’s”
He was released early from prison based on evidence provided by consulting a forensic pathologist and s neurologist.
Alive and well to this day too
Saint Stivs.
I don’t think many are advocating dropping Brooney,
I reckon the general consensus is maybe a bit of rotation, resting Brooney for some games or maybe subbing him depending on state of play.
Brooney is still the heartbeat of the team and will play a huge part this season.
PHILCOOL,
I saw that. In fact, I thought his “tackle” on Frimpong was a lot worse than the one he was sent off for.
If you watch a game without the simulated crowd noises you can see how a bounce game atmosphere can affect teams.
SAINT STIVS on 21ST SEPTEMBER 2020 8:16 PM
It is my big concern for the kid, the better he gets the more he will be a target, like keiran, he is tough and robust the wee fella, but some of the thuggery has been career threatening.
_______________
Absolutely spot on. The cumulative number of really bad fouls on KT after he had played the ball was appalling. The thugs knew they’d get a free hit. I can’t remember a single yellow card being brandished. It’s now a case of deja vu with Frimpong.
Regarding Ajer’s lack of heading ability. I noticed an incident in the second half on Saturday about 5 yards in front of our penalty box on the left hand side. There was a high ball which shoul have been Ajer’s all day long. He was nearer to it than his opponent and was taller than his opponent. Ajer’s delayed in going for it and they both ended up challenging at the same time. Neither won the ball cleanly but it should never have been an issue. He needs to be taken aside and intensive work done with him on developing his heading ability.
When I was at college I was lucky to have been taught by Peter Rice who at that time was also head of the SFA Coaching School at Inverclyde. He coached the Scotland Under 18 Professional Youth Team. According to him there were three stages in teaching a player to head a ball:
1) No opposition. Balls are played to the player in the air and he heads them unopposed until he is comfortable doing so. Keeping his eye on the ball and guiding the ball with his head.
2) Passive opposition. An opponent stands in front of the player heading the ball but does not move or challenge for the ball. Balls are placed over the head of the passive opponent while your player heads them away. Again this is done until the player’s confidence grows and he becomes used to the presence of an opponent.
3) Active opposition. As it suggests. High balls are played to your player while the opponent challenges him for the ball. This has to be regularly worked on at set pieces or defending high balls from open play.
It doesn’t look to me as if anyone has ever spent time with Ajer going through this process. Duffy on the other hand ………….
🐏
Panorama episode on secret British banking just finished.
Bit thin but not a bad job by Richard Bilton.
(Suspect the BBC legal team pruned the content before broadcast).
Mentions for the usual suspects – British banks, UK Conservative party, Chelsea, Brexit Party.
Sevco are amateurs by comparison.
TOSB…if it’s the same Peter Rice, he was my coach at Holy Cross…62-63.
TOSB – If you watch the penalty, he did the same thing. The initial ball should have been won in the air. He then got caught ball watching and his man got in behind him.
Just cos her voice is wonderful, Into the Wild.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6n5FvOV5YQ
Oh and eff the huns
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 21ST SEPTEMBER 2020 8:53 PM
TOSB…if it’s the same Peter Rice, he was my coach at Holy Cross…62-63.
…………..
Yes. The same guy..
b2b 8.47
is there a link to it at all mate?
hh
TOSB – ND?
I’ve been awake for more than 24hrs…it’s been a blast…thank you for putting up with me…y’all take care ;-)) As Dena says….play nice…
HWGTIAR
KTF
H.H.
JINKYREDSTAR on 21ST SEPTEMBER 2020 9:02 PM
TOSB – ND?
……………..
Yes. Did you go to ND too?
An Tearmann – actually don’t know.
Might get it on iPlayer?
St.Stivs
indeed
Parkhead
I prefer to use the word “maim”
As that is what it is,just like the tackle on Christie,the ball used as an excuse to viciously lash out at him.
HH
Phil
Jummy Calderwood………….back?….On air……………………..
– Shortie?
His comments on the circumstances around his appointment to Dunfermline and who had apparently sanctioned the move was interesting………….Aye.
After appearing to let the kat ooot the bag….his condition was announced and he exited stage left……….
I trust his condition is improving.
alzheimers is a horrible thing to have.
That reminds me (don’t ask…my heeds all ower the place)…massive congrats to WeeBGFC…hope yer Da is describing all the Freshers week activities yer missing lol 👍🤣
H.H.
THELURKINTIM -hope you enjoyed your day out ya maddie 😁😎👍🍺🍺🍺🍺🤪
Wee man just finished first day’s studying – I’m about to force beer ang guitar practice on him – I’m sure he’ll hate me for it. 🤨
HH
BGFC
BGFC….force beer….2 words I never thawt I’d see together 🤣
H.H.
Bankiebhoy, Calderwood was meant to be Advocaat’s assistant at Ibrox, Murray had promised him the job as he knew Tango was a true berr. However , Advocaat wanted his own man.
Murray then used his influence with his major funder , Gavin Masteron ex Bank of Scotland Director and Dunfermline fan for Calderwood to get the East End Park job. The Pars chairman ; John Yorkston, never challenged this as he was very friendly with Murray. Yorkston would praise Murray in the media and liked to have the occasional pop at us. Tango won very few games against Rangers in his time as manager at Dunfermline and Aberdeen.
When the highlights of our game were shown on both episodes of Sportscene, hee haw mentioned of the kick on the knees Ryan received. In last night’s Sportscene , Thompson never asked Michael Stewart his opinion on the Hanlon Morelos incident with the retaliation and him rolling over three times. –
It’s good Greg Taylor is getting some backing as he is not being helped by the negativity surrounding him. Gordon Strachan made a good point at half time on Saturday , Greg prefers to run into a ball rather than to his feet. There is loads of room for improvement for him , granted , but it would help him , In my opinion, if we supported him. I liked Greg’s comments when he signed , I’m here to work hard and win things. No it’s a dream true etc.
Broonie taking the rap for Livi’s second goal but I agree with an earlier poster re Olivier’’ non challenge on the eventual scorer did not help.
Good night all sleep well .
I forgot to mention in my last post when Gordon Duffield Smith left his SFA job, he said it was to look after his elderly parents. The following Sunday , he was a pundit on sky’s coverage of our game at Tannadice. Again no questions asked why if he left the SFA chief executive job to look after his parents , why was he working for sky a few days later.
Definitely good night from me now.
TOSB 9.05 – yes – Late 70’s – good times
Calderwood is a hun rat.
SAINT STIVS on 21ST SEPTEMBER 2020 8:14 PM
Admition time.
A Celtic team without Scot Brown, going for 10, scares the shite out of me .
————————————————————————————————————–
Sense as always Stevie.:)
Heard Jimmy Calderwood and his partner on Shortbread
“We all know your a rangers fan Jimmy ”
2003 final game .
As we all remember
..Kilmarnock lost 4:0 but did not roll over , in fact they kicked us all over the park Shaun Maloney was crocked in first few minutes.
At Ipox Dunfermline did roll over , Chris Sutton got a suspension for saying so.
What perhaps is not remembered by all was that Jimmy Tango ( in pitch side interview ) stated that it was “fantastic to be here , for such an occassion”
That interview was given BEFORE the game had started.
I have nothing against him for being a follower of the Forces of Darkness.
However he should have been a Dunfermline manager first and Oldco supporter second.
That Sunday in May he was an Oldco supporter first and second.
He sent his team out to lie down , they brought the mattresses.
Dunfermline lost 6:1
We lost the league on Goal difference by 1 goal.
The Onlooker
The Onlooker that midweek in the Rock Bowling Club Dumbarton sash allegedly told the goatshaggers that if deidco needed goals then deidco would get goals.
Sash?
Goatshaggers?