The principle problem in the first half is the same Celtic have had for a year – they are unable to pass through a press. Roma are simply better at the press than Dundee, so the consequences last night were more acute. In the opening minutes, the visitors had six players in their forward third when Celtic attempted to play out from the back. It worked.
A team’s ability to play out is determined by shape and ball control. Wilfried Nancy learned lots during the opening 45+ minutes on his new side’s capacity in these areas.
Mercifully, Roma dropped the pace in the second half, however, Nancy changed several things which suggests he learned from that opening period. As you and I discussed earlier this week, Auston Trusty and Liam Scales should be moved one place to the left of where they were against Hearts and in the opening period against Roma. Trusty in the middle, Scales left and Kieran Tierney hooked for Colby Donovan. I expect a lesson has been learned and that’s the last we will see of Auston on the right of a back three.
Wilfried must be wondering what all the fuss is about Daizen Maeda. He now knows Daizen is not a striker (you and I discussed this on Tuesday). Our MVP from last season was also hooked at halftime for the return of Kelechi Iheanacho. I hadn’t hoped we would see 45 minutes from Kelechi for a few weeks yet, but from his first to last touch, you could see what a difference playing with an actual striker makes. Another lesson was learned and fitness issues aside, I doubt we will see Daizen through the middle again.
Benjamin Nygren’s goal contributions have been a big part of our story so far this season but he clearly put his boots on the wrong feet last night. The introduction of the correctly attired Paulo Bernardo improved our ball control enormously. He played deeper than Nygren. This subtle change of shape gave Callum McGregor more options and freed Reo Hatate to have a good second half. The Portuguese did very well considering he was parachuted into such an environment from the wilderness.
Improvements to shape and ball control happened sooner than expected. Napoleon, who 200 years ago conquered Rome, said, “I would rather have a lucky general than a good one.” Better still to have a general who learns fast.
Yesterday we spoke about Roma being a free hit with low expectations and the lesser game of our week. Tomorrow we will talk about the cup final, and a chance to write history.
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https://thecelticbhoys.com/italian-media-slam-celtic-man-performance-vs-as-roma
fixtures to “experiment in ”
Saturday 10th January Scottish Premiership – 1st Phase Celtic versus Dundee United kick off 15:00
Wednesday 14th January Scottish Premiership – 1st Phase Falkirk versus Celtic kick off 19:45
Saturday 17th January Scottish Cup – 4th Round Auchinleck Talbot versus Celtic Kick-off time to be confirmed
Thursday 22nd January UEFA Europa League – League Stage Bologna versus Celtic kick off 17:45
Bologna
Bologna
17:45
17:45
plays
Celtic
We shall thrash St Mirren on Sunday.
the old change management playbook ……………
assess the current state,
identify what needs changed
get buy in
roll it out.
dont stop shipping the current orders to make processes changes, make sure you know any impacts.
A few short weeks ago, P67 wrote about MoN’s desire to win. It was an all encompassing drive. MoN spoke often enough in his few weeks here about how the win was all important.
We’ve replaced MoN with a manager whose league record last season in the MLS was, 14 wins, 12 draws and 8 defeats.
How about that for an all encompassing win at any costs attitude ?
boring but true,
Wilf is doing that ambitious manager thing, my ideas work and you all need to put them in place immediately,
if they dont work instantly it is because you are rubbish not my ideas.
however ,,,,,,,,,,
————–
Core Principles & Steps
Define the Change: Clearly articulate the reason (the “why”), scope, and desired future state of the change.
Secure Leadership & Sponsorship: Strong, visible support from leaders is crucial to champion the change and motivate others.
Engage Stakeholders: Identify everyone affected, understand their perspectives, and involve them in the process.
Communicate Clearly & Often: Provide transparent, regular updates, explaining the benefits and addressing concerns.
Plan for People: Develop strategies for training, support, and managing resistance.
Implement & Monitor: Roll out the change, track progress, gather feedback, and make adjustments as needed.
Reinforce Success: Celebrate milestones and embed new ways of working to sustain the change.
Key Distinctions
Change Management vs. Project Management: Project management delivers the technical solution (e.g., new software), while change management ensures people actually adopt and use that solution effectively.
Some good news to cling to…
Odin Thiago Holm returns to the aquad on 1st January.
Titter ye not.
Tom, the poor guy looks to have lost his career to a rare medical condition.
Tom McLaughlin on 12th December 2025 5:10 pm
Some good news to cling to…
Odin Thiago Holm returns to the aquad on 1st January.
Titter ye not.
–‐—————-
I think someone here posted an article on his injury issues and he may never recover.
Petrov and Mjallby spoke last night of the culture shock they experienced in their first few months at Celtic and how demands to win every game took time to for them to appreciate and rise to.
Nancy talks too much about his principles. I’d like for him now to talk about winning. Unlike Petrov and Johan, WN won’t have months to adjust to the demands of Celtic – not if we wanna win this league.
Tom McLaughlin on 12th December 2025 5:10 pm
Is he fit to play? I believe he has some medical condition affecting his leg muscles .
We’ll likely be settling Holm’s contract in the months ahead.
” bigrailroadblues on 12th December 2025 4:54 pm
We shall thrash St Mirren on Sunday.”
Like a rose in a toilet among some of the posts on here of late.
Good man !
Maybe ` a pint in the desert ` would be more apt for you :-))
I was not aware of Holm’s injury/illness.
Thanks to various for the heads up.
The excuses are getting longer.
This seems less like an explanation to others and more like an attempt to convince oneself.
Keep ’em coming, it is fascinating viewing.
BIGRAILROADBLUES
Got to agree. We’ll win the cup on Sunday.
I’m going 3-0.
Saint Stivs @ 5:01pm
Lol.
We could almost be talking shop here.
Don’t know Wilfried.
Never met him.
10 weeks ago I never knew he existed.
So this is a guess based on nothing more than my interpretation of what I’ve seen.
He’s going for the old Fail Fast.
Short term pain worth it in the long run stuff.
From my experience three character types deploy this approach
1. Brave but naive
2. Bullshitters
3. Those with strong belief in themselves
I’m guessing he needs to see it quick so he can start to fix it quick.
Step 1 : Wheat from chaff
Step 2: Coach the wheat
Step 3: Buy some more wheat in January
Step 4: Coach the bigger wheat
… to be just good enough to bring it home in May.
Then really go for it.
For those advocating pragmatism?
Totally get it.
Perhaps, though, he simply can’t caretake.
I mean that literally.
Perhaps he can’t do the holding pattern for six months then roll out his vision …
… because he’s never done that in his career and doesn’t know how.
We’ve got four players that can play wide left, and they are all right footed.
If he leans to the left, shoot to the right
Paleface CSC
Back to Basics – Glass Half Full on 12th December 2025 5:32 pm
the fail fast route though should have come with the executive caveat of –
you can fail but you cannot lose the next 3 games
i blame john kennedy for not staying on to keep the new manager right.
not playing the left footed centre back on the right, and easy one to work out fast.
I’m now with the Celtic “cup overfloweth” of positivity and optimism
down with realism, practicality, reasoning etc, f*** all that shit
Celtic will win the domestic treble at a canter dismantling and humiliating the opposition in every game
Book yer tickets for Istanbul E/L league final, easy peasy for the tic
End of all chat debate about tactics games managers players, Celtic football staff are all fooking brilliant
get the Friday music on get the carry oot get blootered
Even with his rare illness Thiago Holm would improve this team…
From up in the gods in section 412 it was a total calamity until Roma decided at half-time to stick not twist.
I felt sorry for the players. They had no clue what they were meant to do. Time after time there was space wide and no one up the field to run onto a pass, so no pass made. Possession football without BR’s organisation; in fact, without possession. There is no sign to me of how this transforms into the fast attacking game we saw under MON. And three at the back, watching Keiran try to mark two players at once – well we will just ship goals. It could have been 5 or 6 by HT. And I have no confidence for the final. I know it’s early but I do not see how this guy wins the league.
B2B
Sounds about right and I would support that aporoach. I thinking he’s quickly realising we have a high chaff quotient.
Given the board are in “ that’ll teach them “ mode, watch out for more fun.
“Nobody truly has faith in him and importantly that will include the players.”
So, you’ve spoken to the players then? You certainly haven’t asked for my opinion. I believe the manager will get it right and the team will win the game 2-0 on Sunday
An Dun
,I do not think you know the 1st thing about how tough the league is in the States.
You printed off Nancys record last year as hard facts.What is the story behind the facts?.Did histeam have a load of injuries?.Players sold?It never affected his standing among American Sportswriters that he was a very good manager.If someone printed Arne Slots record this season so far at a club like Liverpool,leaving out the previous season,he would be called a Dud
.
This window,which our guy desperately needs,might see a few players from America,Canada,which he knows inside out,desperate to join a club like Celtic.
Could be the beginning of a new era.But hey,he lost two games since taking over,8 days ago,to league leaders and top Italian team.”Get rid of him”.Naw,you GTF.Much better plan.
I’ve had it with Engels, really have. The sizzle without the steak for me.
I want our players to have the work rate of Maeda and the skill of Hatate, that will do for me.
kingLUBO
Auchinleck Talbot fixture switch to Rugby Park
https://x.com/i/status/1999540373643763829
HH
Finally some good news, Tounetki called up by Tunisia and will be unavailable for selection for up to a month.
MOM
Wonderful watching the squirm on here.
Maybe not your intent but Paul67 attempt to deflect from the elephant in the room — utter failure of the Board. Lawwell has destroyed Celtic as predicted taking £20M out along the way as long as putting his rookie son in charge of recruitment — another £20M hit.
DD was a sharp operator — can he not see this. Maybe his light is not burning so bright. So disappointed in Ross — monumental screw up at AGM . The Desmond’s will not come with any solutions.
So we have the mute , bonus thief and other useful idiots with Paul67 cover their collective arses.
A thousand decades of the rosary couldn’t fix this shit show.
Paul67 an article on how we got here would be appreciated — you can leave out Brendan’s trebles if it makes it palatable.
Was Auchinleck able to make that decision unilaterally?
I’d be disappointed if we agreed to play at Rugby Park.
GM
I would imagine the police refused to allow them to hold in in Auchinleck
I think they sold out there hospitality real quick after opening
They wanted it at Beechwood
Evening all.
Catching up with the blog, lots of various observations being made.
Russian dolls, conspicuous by their absence.
I believe we will beat St Mirren on Sunday and hopefully throttle up from there.
Dickinson still getting a gig ?. FFS.
An Tearmann on 12th December 2025 7:13 pm
Auchinleck Talbot fixture switch to Rugby Park
https://x.com/i/status/1999540373643763829
HH
—————-
radio says police moved it.
strange for me. policing a 4000 croed versus maybe 15,000
half five kick off thought.
an away day and a unique fixture, i am going.
gb gerry lennon.
—————-
Neil Lennon will miss Dunfermline Athletic’s visit to Glasgow to face Queen’s Park on Saturday following the death of the team manager’s father.
“Everyone at Dunfermline Athletic is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Gerry Lennon,” the Scottish Championship club announced on X.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Neil and his family at this difficult time.
“Neil will be home in Northern Ireland with his family and will not be in attendance at this weekend’s fixture vs Queen’s Park.
“Assistant Manager Iain Brunskill will lead the side for this weekend’s match along with assistant coach Kevin McDonald.”
Former Celtic, Hibernian and Bolton Wanderers boss Lennon is serving a four-match touchline ban and would not have been in the dugout at the City Stadium.
Dunfermline currently lie fifth in the Championship, nine points above second-bottom Queen’s Park.