There was much to love in yesterday’s win at St Johnstone, so many lessons played out, it was a clear opportunity to learn a bit about the game.
On Tuesday last week, before Leigh Griffiths had kicked a competitive ball this season, I wrote, “Leigh is one of the most natural goal scorers we have seen at Celtic this century. He has natural pace, confidence and an attitude that will not easily be subverted”, and that his campaign “could start as early as Thursday, if we need a goal late in the game.”
In July, after he was left at home while the squad travelled to France, I wrote, “My money is on him scoring the goal that seals the 10.” He is that good a striker you can hang yourself out there and know he will perform.
The header was a dream; watch how he arced his back before thundering the ball inches inside the post. It was an exceptional finish, from an exceptional goal scorer. If you think he is the only player in the squad with baggage, you were not watching carefully enough yesterday, but he has the talent that could be the difference between first and second in the league, and he wants to be here.
I don’t think I have seen a player play on after being scythed in two, as Patryk Klimala was yesterday. Mark him up as another with talent, who wants to be here. Tom Rogic did his part too, but how consequential was Scott Brown’s arrival?
Without Brown on the field, Kristopher Ajer would not have been advanced enough to do a jink on the edge of the St Johnstone area, making space for Hatem Elhamed’s cross. Nor would Shane Duffy be as high up the field to play a short pass to Klimala on the edge of the area.
After the game, Neil Lennon spoke about those throwing stats at his captain, you can see he’s been affected. Suggestions that the manager does not see what tens of thousands of fans see is ludicrous. Stats are a great tool, but they need to be interpreted correctly; some of the best defenders hardly ever touch the ball or tackle, but they can still control a game, while some captains impose a gameplan. Neither attribute shows up well on the stats.
Maybe see you later.
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Rubicon.
I thinks it’s down to Leeds not playing against packed defences. Admittedly St Johnstone pressed us high for a while but reverted to numbers behind the ball as soon as the press hadn’t worked.
I was racking the old brain cells trying to remember a similar goal to Polish Pats.
I know there are a few,
Theb someone earlier mentioned Frank McGarvey ……….. and viola on 9 minutes if you dont watch the whole thing, but it is a treat for remembering the noise of the jungle
maybe Franks best ever performance. With special mentions for Provan and Danny for my top 4 Jobo picks
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Attendance 18,000
Celtic, in a rich vein of form and playing in their change strip of green with white diamonds, absolutely demolished a decent St Mirren side at Parkhead.
Star of the show was ex Saints star Frank McGarvey who fired a sensational hat trick past Scotland goalkeeper Billy Thomson.
Roy Aitken had headed Celts into an early lead before McGarvey took hold of proceedings. He robbed Alex Beckett in the Saints penalty area and fired past Thomson but better was to come. On the stroke of half time he gathered a ball 30 yards out and beat Beckett before centre half Fulton attempted to tackle him, he lost his balance but deftly kept control and then unleashed a glorious powerful drive into the top corner from 25 yards.
The Celtic crowd went into raptures and were still cheeering as the referee blew for half time with McGarvey given his own personal ovation and it is said that McGarvey was actually physically sick with the excitement in the dressing room.
In the second half Nicholas scored early on and received a bad injury from Fulton in the process and had to be carried off, with George McCluskey replacing him. McGarvey completed his hat trick after that after another defensive error and McCluskey added two late goals amidst a downpour of rain, from great work by McGrain firstly and then Tommy Burns.
Celtic’s day was rounded off when MacLeod came on as a substitute, his first appearance after a long absence through injury.
The fans cheered loudly at time up as Hearts victory over Rangers at Tynecastle was announced on the loudspeaker.
Saints persevered to the end and had fine efforts at goal from Weir, Stark and Bone but goalkeeper Bonner and a bit of bad luck prevented a consolation goal.
Teams
Celtic: Bonner, McGrain, Reid, Sullivan, McAdam, Aitken, Provan, Conroy (MacLeod), McGarvey, Burns, Nicholas (McCluskey).
St Mirren: Thomson, Beckett (McAveety), Young, Fulton, McCormack, Stark, Abercrombie, Weir, Bone, McDougall (Logan), Speirs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq3DmrTr5J0
I hope this break rejuvenates the attitude as much as the legs of out squad.
The dip in form of quite a few players is concerning. Further, there appears to be a general attitude issue amongst the first team.
Julien- obviously his form has dipped to the extent that he has been dropped
Forrest- pre-injury, he was nowhere near the heights of parts of the last couple of seasons
Eddy- we know he isn’t playing his best
Christie- I thought he was poor yesterday and hasn’t been great this season
All four of the above are Lenny 1st picks.
As regards the other players, I think some of them have also dipped, particularly Elhamed. Ajer seems to have hit a developmental wall or at least stalled in his progress.
There should be no need for motivation this season- albeit the absence of fans does make it more difficult.
On the upside, Polish Paddy is coming into form, Ajeti has hit the ground running and Frimpong continues to impress. I think Moi is really trying and he could be very important. Callum has been consistent. Turnbull wasn’t great at all yesterday but he’s young and will hopefully come good.
So, the mid-term report is a mixed bag despite being (subject to game in hand) top of the table. We don’t have room to slip up in view of the fact that Sevco seem to beat all of the rest.
SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 5TH OCTOBER 2020 12:26
SAINT STIVS on 5TH OCTOBER 2020 12:36 PM
Boys I get that – I thought Paul67 was suggesting one of our player was not happy ???
Maybe I read wrong !!
67ECW
I dont think Ntcham or Christie would be missed, the latters use of the ball at corners set pieces and often his passes are woeful for a professional footballer, Ntcham I do not know what his position is or what he does other than go side to side, Ayer is not a left sided defender but he is good at taking the ball from defence, if two are going it would be the first 2, incidentally Christie looked impassive when Leigh scored, get him out of the club.
BigBhoy, Think he did give him a yellow but you are correct, it should have been a red.
Regarding the baggage quote by Paul67, I assume he is referring to Christie who apparently did not celebrate the late goals.
MAJESTIC HARTSON on 5TH OCTOBER 2020 12:33 PM
I think the new 5 sub rule might be a league winner for us this season.
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I had initially thought the opposite – that it would be a leveler, allowing teams that we pass to death to bring on fresh defensive bodies when we have tired them out – so negating our fitness advantage.
However – I think you might well be right. We have more players on the bench who have different characteristics and can change things.
HH
BGFC
Rubicon
That is how Marcelo Bielsa sets up his teams to play, no matter how the opposition play or who they are. It is all about Leeds United dominating, and to hell with the opposition. I have watched everyone of their games this season. They are my second team. Praying Bielsa wins the EPL.
Saint Stivs
I was one of the 18,000 at that Saint Mirren match. Remember it well, especially Frank McGarvey’s performance that day. Soup Herb display. 👍
CorkCelt
I didn’t know that Christie did not celebrate. I have noticed that he is clearly playing for himself this season and he has finally been dropped. I feared the worse when his dad Charlie was in the press saying he was good enough for the EPL. Since then his form has suffered and he has become “greedy”. Shooting when others are in better positions.
I think we can manage well without him. If anyone like Burnley wants him then we should take the money.
We signed him in 2015 left him with ICT and then loaned him to Aberdeen. I bet we have paid the bulk of his wages in these 5 seasons. He owes Celtic and its a shame he feels a grudge and doesn’t celebrate when we score important goals. This causes resentment in the squad.
DESSYBHOY
If you watch BADABINGS Unique Angle clip on previous page, Christie is the only player who does not go over to congratulate Griff. From other angles ( not in the clip ), he turns away in apparent disgust when Griff scores. This is baffling behaviour. Surely he is not so selfish that he wished that he was the scorer? ( he was in a good position behind Griff ). I must say I am baffled by his attitude. As my gran used to say, “He had his wee pouty face on.”
DEXTER T
I agree with a lot of that although I thought Moi was poor yesterday.
Iniquitousiv
Get rid , he will live to regret what he is doing.
What time does the transfer window close in Scotland?
One slight moment view of Christie going out of picture when Griff scores and he does appear to be clenching his fist in a fist pump celebraty manner.
Who knows, maybe he was sad that it might be his last game in a Celtic shirt, or annoyance with himslef that he didnt start the game.
I don’t know why Ryan has become the object of such scorn. Several players seemed to just be so relieved that a goal had gone in that they kept their emotions in. Poor Polish Paddy had virtually nobody go to him and only gradually some did. Are we start a whole conspiracy theory about that too?
My little theory for what it is worth is that the good teams are suffering more from the lack of fans. I think there were a few very strange scores in English games lately. Lennie made that claim about Celtic and I think that the top players need to be on edge to really up their game – just a thought.
SAINT STIVS
Said that earlier, and he was back in our 6 yard box desperately
clearing a last second attack from SJ.
So who knows?
H.H. Mick
Harry Wilson on loan???
Harry Wilson sounds like a charachter from the old Victor comic.
SIEMPRE CELTIC (FORMERLY TRADITIONALIST88) on 5TH OCTOBER 2020 1:40 PM
Harry Wilson on loan???
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Very good player but thought he was EPL-bound?
Would sicken the Sevconians with their merseyside connections…
BIG WAVY on 5TH OCTOBER 2020 1:41 PM
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Move to Burnley fell through apparently. Likely to be other interest in him. But don’t think EFL clubs in any position to be making moves,
HH
I do think Christie has frustrated lately, but I wouldn’t want him to leave. He brings a real burst of pace, effort and enthusiasm when he is on the park – sometimes the only one with these characteristics.
Had a great wee example yesterday – bringing the ball out of defence down our left wing, pursued by two St J players, nice footwork to cut back inside and play the ball across into our center midfield. Really skillful – good pace and energy.
I hope he stays and buckles down.
That said – if he does leave, then to Hell and Damnation with him. I’ll condemn and curse him to the high-Heavens as I do (at least initially) with most who choose other pastures over Celtic.
I do get over being spurned after a while, in most cases – I can just about watch KT now for instance :-))
HH
BGFC
Can see a wee problem for Der Huns sugar daddy,as car sales are reported to be the worst this century.
Every little helps,as the saying goes.
Lastly would be great,but when I see him in the Hoops I will be delighted.Not until.
BGFC
Takes me a whiley longer, still won’t watch Dalglish vids.
8-)))))
H.H. Mick
Christie is a real curates egg.
His energy, chance creation and goals scored are invaluable to us and would need replaced.
His headless chicken routine, selfishness and reliance on shooting from distance bloody irritiating.
You tend to get both Ryans in every game.
HH
Can see a wee problem for Der Huns sugar daddy,as car sales are reported to be the worst this century.
Every little helps,as the saying goes.
Laxsalt would be great,but when I see him in the Hoops I will be delighted.Not until.
If Harry Wilson signs, just remember that it will not affect the pound in your pocket.
MELBOURNE MICK on 5TH OCTOBER 2020 1:48 PM
BGFC
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I take it the same as getting dumped by a burd :-))))
“We’ll still be friends…” – Wull we? Aye ????
HH
BGFC
did the merseyside connections play a gig in the old burns howff way back in the day
SIEMPRE CELTIC (FORMERLY TRADITIONALIST88) on 5TH OCTOBER 2020 1:40 PM
Harry Wilson on loan???
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Move would have to include Barbara Castle as well. She brought the brains.
Anything else would be Ernie without Eric or Rod Hull without emu.
Someone mentioned yesterday that RC didn’t celebrate the goal, so I took the bait and did the whole pause and rewind thing to see. He does celebrate, not wildly, he clenched his fists and walked back as did ME. I’m not a fan of over celebrating a goal, someone needs to keep a calm head so we don’t concede right after.
Anyway , maybe he can’t stand LG . It’s nonsense when any player or coach says everyone gets on
St Stivs 12:58
Thanks for posting that link – a very enjoyable 20 minutes.
I loved that Celtic side and was a big fan of George McCluskey in particular.
GUYFAWKESAFOREVERHERO
You Laboured over that post
8-))
H.H. Mick
BIG WAVY on 5TH OCTOBER 2020 12:25 PM
As yo8u may be aware, I’m not a huge fan of our manager but at least he had the sense to make the substitutions he did….
Huns selling SPFL rights to Star Sports 1 in India !!!!!!!!!!,.Just HTF,is that possible.Came out of nowhere.Serious questions have to be asked here.Who knew about it.Who OK it.Why was it not disclosed until deal done.
Until now we have all been told that we cannot sell games ,that is the domain of the SPFL.What has changed?
SS- I remember McGarvey’s goal, it was right on HT,and he got a standing ovation going up the tunnel.
If Harry Wilson signs will he be wearing his Gannex coat?
Just watched the ‘official’ highlights of yesterday’s game, they come on right after the ‘unique angle’ ones posted here. Interestingly the stonewall penalty when Duffy’s shirt was pulled when trying to jump to header the ball in the St. Johnstone penalty area? Well, that’s not included, so it never happened.
Nothing to see here Timmy!