Celtic were not back to their brilliant best last night but two very fine goals and denying Partick Thistle any resemblance of a chance was more than satisfactory. Importantly, last night was the last onerous fixture Celtic players have the middle of February. There are no European or international fixtures until then, so our players will play the same amount of football as others in the league.
Partick were as poor at team as we have seen this season but it took an exceptional piece of play from Stuart Armstrong to open them up. Stuart and Tom Rogic both have the ability to win games from the edge of the area, an underappreciated resource.
The promise of Marvin Compper is that he is a fast central defender, good in the air and, more importantly, can receive and make a pass. The role of central defenders has changed beyond recognition since the days of Bobo Balde. They are now more playmaker than stopper. Celtic’s entire system of play depends on central defenders who can find space with passes out of defence.
There will be no resale value from Marvin, but at £1m he is an investment we can afford to write-off over the next two years.
Welcome to Celtic, Marvin.
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— CQN Magazine (@CQNMagazine) December 20, 2017
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Hot Smoked
With the time difference, Sunday games are often early, and I used to sometimes have to skip mass to watch the bhoys play … but ‘God is a Celtic fan,’ I told myself, ‘He’ll understand. He’s probably skipping mass to watch the game as well!’
Now, instead of watching the bhoys on Sunday mornings, I help out at a food kitchen, serving breakfasts to the homeless … when I think the Big Guy might be pissed off that I am not watching the bhoys, I like to think of Brother Walfrid nudging the Big Guy and and saying ‘Hey Big Yin, its okay …. remember why we started this club in the first place’….
:)
I have said it before concerning Boyatta.No one else in the Celtic team has to make as many passes.Last night was verging on the ridiculous.The number of times,players could have passed the ball themselves,or carried it forward,but decided to give it back to the big fella was IMHO,nothing more than passing the buck.If he has to make 100 passes,and 98 are good,but two go awry,this is not a reason to berate him.He gets no great help from the midfield,apart from Broony,on many occasions.Ajer last night,near the end gave them a mouthful for putting him in a situation where no one moved to receive a pass from him.Had to dribble his way out.
One thing I like about the boy is,he never hides.Always shows for his team mates.
MurdochAuldAndHay –
Very sorry to hear your news, Stephen. But as others have said (more eloquently than what I could) with the right, positive attitude you WILL win this battle.
SOUKOS
I agree. It’s hard enough to tear kids away from modern life and get them to come to the football. Freezing cold December night,have some Happy Christmas harassment,that’ll work.
Bliddy ridiculous behaviour. Whoever sanctioned it needs a boot in the Santa sack.
MIKEINTORONTO
With rationalising and downright excuse-making like that,you made a wise career choice(!)
Jist empty the park awe the gither, insteed ae leavin it hauf empty!
Only empty seats will set you free.
Yeez’ll git it waan day…….waan day yeez wull.
Guid luck! HH
….oot.
Zzzzzzzzzzzz
BIG PACKY on 21ST DECEMBER 2017 6:35 PM
sorry. boyatta far to often passes sideways or back only rarely ventures forward. would love him to look at some old clips of bobby murdoch defending and passing the ball. now ill get called an auld ghuy from the past but thats how i see it hh.
Comparing Murdoch with Boyatta,!!!!!!!!!!!!.Apart from the ridiculous thought,one is a CH,and one was a midfielder.In this Celtic team,the amount of square passes,is equally shared by all the back 4.
VFR @ 7.17pm
Really nice post to read.
The Celtic FC Foundation just work away doing good in every possible direction.
Can’t praise them highly enough.
HH
TURKEYBHOY
I agree the emphasis is to often on the centre backs.
The midfield Broony excepted seem reluctant to take responsibility.Armstrong shouldered a little last night.
Our system lacks fluidity to bring ball out with ease.
We also take to many touches which suggest reaction to receiving pass rather than anticipation of next move.
Also players seem mindful of giving possession away so often take easiest rather than best pass.
The occasional long ball would stretch opponents and give midfield more room.
Last night KT looked more like his old self rather than the one of this season who seemed more cautious and reluctant to advance play.
Anyone who claims rangers were demoted or relegated is either incredibly naive or lying, there are no other options
Murdoch Auld And Hay
Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Fatima, Pray for you and all your family at this very trying time
Oh and with Connaire 12 in you’re corner, you have a great Mhan praying for you
Tought choice on Saturday as to which game to watch.Killie v Huns,or Madrid v Barca.
Could be BTs lowest ever audience.
BMCUWP …
Football used to be my refuge from the lies and BS of my profession …. sadly, now it often seems to be the other way ’round.
:)
there’s gotta be something about compper that would warrant a purchase in Jan – at his age there must be enough footage of him for the scouts to know what he’s about – a decent signing in that position will bring us to another level and give broonie and sa support not ot mention cg
MAH
God give you and your closest family the strength to overcome your diagnosis.
MURDOCHAULDANDHAY
Thoughts with you at this time, I’m sure you will get through this and I hope you have a great Christmas.
Celtic Passing
My problem isn’t so much that we keep possession with square passing along the back 4, the annoying thing is most of the passes are predictable. Anderlecht at Celtic park won possession quite a few times because it was obvious who the next pass was going to. Very few of the defenders and defensive midfield pass in any direction other than the one they are facing. Ajer, to me is the exception.
Tickets purchased:
Brechin City £15
Zenit £35
“Internet Charge” £ 3
At 6% those internet charges must pull in a few quid to cover the clubs internet costs.
MURDOCHAULDANDHAY on 21ST DECEMBER 2017 12:55 PM
One of my all time CQN favourites. EVER!
Love and prayers and hugs my Fhriend!
HH jamesgang
pre zombie time, oldco were banned from purchasing players – not too long ago – we didn’t buy anybody at that time either – anybody remember why they got the ban ?
Marspspa
29th. Gotcha big mhan. You make me smile every time we meet. There can be no greater attribute than that me thinks!
HH jamesgang
MurdochAuldandHay
Gutted hearing that news buddy. Heart goes out to you S.
Big decision tomorrow and no matter what you will always have a voice on hear.
You are one of the most gentle and kind men I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.
Keep your chin up buddy.
Thoughts and prayers with you and your family.
I thought I had your number but must have lost it changing phones at some point.
Take care of yourself and allow yourself to be a wee bit selfish for a while.
MWD
MAH
Sorry to hear of your illness my brother also suffered from throat cancer. He made a full recovery and is now back to his normal argumentative self. Get well soon.
TURKEYBHOY (FROM LAST BLOG)
Re giving the lassie Mc Queen wan so would I.
Wan oot o ten that is.
KEEP THE FAITH
Can anyone enlighten me to the hassle given to young bhoys at last nights game, second time I’ve seen it mentioned
Yorkbhoy …
IN the past, I have mentioned some of the studies on which teams ran the most during the Euros… and, for me, some of the results were quite surprising …
I watch Celtic and my impression is that, when we get the ball, the players bomb forward (often leaving the CB’s with no one to pass to), and then ‘assume the position’ around the 18 yard box, at which point, the movement often stops …
whereas my sense is that many of the european teams play a more fluid game throughout … more running into psace and passing into space .. but I dont know for certain if my impression is accurate… do these teams actually run more? are their runs more strategic?
I haven’t seen studies which compare, for example, how many km’s the average Celtic player covers in a SPL game versus , for example, how much the average bayern player runs in a bundesliga game.
I know there technology exists which can map a players movment during a game, but I dont know how much it is used at Celtic …. it could be quite instructive…
If anyone knows, I would be interested in hearing…
MIKEINTORONTO 2047
Aye,yer not wrong.
Turkey Bhoy
You might tune in to El Classico but the wide world of Bears, all 500 million strong will only have eyes for the Ayrshire Huns versus the Zombies!
Back in the real world, does anyone know why Madrid and Barca are playing so early?
HH
MIT
8.14 That’s what we are all about. Proud of you.
Hi Bhoys
If these reports regarding our young supporters are true it’s a disgrace that a club that claims such a bond with it’s supporters are treating them or indeed any of our supporters in such a manner.
Whatever the issue is that created this scenario it MUST be made clear by the club to ALL it’s supporters. You can’t just seperate a child from their parent in a public place. You can only create a hostile situation by doing so. Thus running the risk of escalating the situation.
This could create safety concerns in and around the stadium and also problems for the stewards as well. I can only see this as a massive own goal by the club for poor no very poor treatment of our and support. As someone posted earlier the P.R. at the club is pathetic.
KEEP THE FAITH
prestonpans bhoys
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/15787252.Celtic_fans_hit_out_at_club_about__over_zealous_stewarding__at_Partick_Thistle_game/
SOUKOUS
Agree the way the club is treating young supporters is crap.
In The Evening Times article it looked like Sarah Blake’s 3 sons were at the game and were similarily messed about.
Croppybhoy 9.25.
I believe it’s to try and increase their share of the Asian Market.
Hail Hail
..
The promise of Marvin Compper is that he is a fast central defender, good in the air and, more importantly, can receive and make a pass. The role of central defenders has changed beyond recognition since the days of Bobo Balde. They are now more playmaker than stopper. Celtic’s entire system of play depends on central defenders who can find space with passes out of defence.
We should have Moved Sammi to a SamMaldini Central role instead of letting him leave for Free..
His Defensive ‘Headers Won’ Stats must have been twice as Good as Caldwell’s and We all know His Passings Stats we’re Hampered by ‘Skippys’.. @rse being Onside but his Feet Offside..
Do the Logarithmos..
Summa of DisciplesOfThePlaymakerProphetSamarasCSC
Ps.. Merry Christmas Ya F@ckers..
Croppybhoy- hope you are well amigo, El Clasico KO is for Asian market, prime time TV
MIT
Interesting view.. I do think it’s difficult to run into space when there are 21 players in one half of the field (that happened a few times last night) and you can run without losing a marker. I’m not sure if it’s a lack of movement by the midfield or just not enough space but it annoys me when a Celtic player has 20-30 yards of space in front of them and they pass it to a player tightly marked who then passes it back and the back to CG.
There was a game a couple of seasons ago at Tynecastle where Efe got the ball in his own half and ran up the field with it, the Hearts players stuck with the players they were marking until someone had to try and take him on. This left players unmarked and we scored 7. I think Ajer has the ability to do this… not every time but often enough for the opposition to be wary.
Soukous,
Now That’s outrageous, even if the bhoys are passing on their books how much money are we talking about being lost. Would have thought the £30m from the CL would easily compensate.
Good post by you at the top of the page btw
Liam Henderson, going to Italian side Bari ,on a week’s trial,good luck,for what it’s worth,I think Liam’s face doesn’t fit , simple as,