From the moment the team was announced, and we knew Ange was giving many from the second 11 a game, a positive result was always a tall ask. Still, the manager’s immediate objective was served: several fringe players experienced a thorough examination.
Yuki Kobayashi was caught in the headlights. His passing was erratic, he was behind the defensive line at the first goal and was outmuscled when allowing his opponent a header at the second. I have heard the same verdict on him repeatedly since full time.
The player is 22 years old. There is a reason he is at Celtic which was not evident on Saturday. He is not here because of his aerial dominance, or composure under pressure, but be clear, there are reasons, he was not randomly plucked from the other side of the globe.
When I was young and Jock Stein was doing his thing, Celtic fans believed their club knew how to develop young talent, whereas I repeatedly heard, “Rangers ruin young players.” This was almost certainly true, what else would explain two clubs fishing from much the same pond returning such dramatically different catches?
Success with a 22-year-old footballer, is not always finding the finished article (Virgil van Dijk was 21 when he arrived at Celtic and is a clear exception), it is more often how to build on the resources the player already has and turn him into the finished article.
If we throw a young player into an environment which they are clearly unprepared for, then dispose of him, we will ruin more talent than will survive to enhance the club’s reputation as an attractive destination.
Yuki is not ready for the physical side of the game, which might be something we can work on. We can certainly work on his composure. He has another four games this season then a summer to do upper body work. I have seen nothing to suggest he is a future star, but you and I really need to work on how we view player development.
On the result. If we sell Carter-Vickers, Kyogo, Johnston, Taylor and Maeda – and we sign no one – next season is going to be nip and tuck.
Also, on the Ibrox Third Goalkeeper Rule. If a defender’s hand or arm is on the ground when it collides with the ball inside the penalty box, no penalty is awarded. If the ball hits the outstretched hand of a falling defender inside the box, a penalty should be awarded. While he was falling and before he landed, Connor Goldson’s outstretched hand collided with the ball inside his penalty box. The referee – and more importantly VAR – declined to award a penalty, in clear contravention of the rules.
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BURNLEY, the man paid to be in charge certainly WAS in charge when he would have given the go-ahead for CCV to finish the season early and get the knee op. Focusing fully on next season when the big man will be most needed, at home and in Europe, is the epitome of good management
https://www.67hailhail.com/celtic-youth/celtic-sign-up-rated-youth-talent-after-reported-premier-league-interest/
BURNLEY78
I know we can’t win every game and yes Ange has brought an attacking style, fans pointing out about a bit of pragmatism shouldn’t be sneered at.
Fans not taking as much fun out of the game the way you and others do doesn’t mean they’re not delighted with our success that’s their way.
ANGE could be going for his second treble in his two years only for a miss by CCV against the huns to put a slight dent in an amazing run of games.
Here’s hoping we get the treble and push on for another crack at Europe which I have no expectations but will enjoy all the same………
And yes I will critisze as per 🤣❤️👍
Tom McLaughlin on 16th May 2023 9:10 am
AN DUN
Ralston and Bernabie barely played a game since then. If we can’t give these lads some game time with a 9 point lead in our pockets then for me it’s fairly clear that the gaffer doesn’t rate them.
I didn’t see the game on Saturday due to family commitments but I’m pretty sure Ralston and Barnebei both started.
Maybe you were watching another game
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Maybe you don’t know the meaning of the word “barely’.
Is AJ expected to be fit before the final?
Nothing different about Ange’s signings he’s done very well in the plus verse minus transfer world. The market we’re in determines the quality of player and when you pay £1.5M for a young defender, the chances he’s a Maldini are slim.
Every Celtic manager including Jock Stein signed players that never made it at Celtic, and moved on. So long as there is little or no money to compete with SKY football Celtic will remain firmly in the diamond in the midden market.
The J – League has revitalised Scottish football not just Celtic and we’re lucky to have a foot in the door. Lucky to have two centre backs of the quality we have, the tricky part is to have stars willing to be on the bench.
Few clubs have more than two great CB’s as partners . Few clubs have a daisy chain of brilliant full backs all sitting waiting on a game.
As ever CSC
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