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So many lessons played out against St Johnstone

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

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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  7. david17 on

    This has been a decent window, some good signings and quite a bit of deadwood trimmed off. I have no doubt we will come strong in the new year but looking at the next 10 matches or so its a big challenge. The next game is monumental, a big chance to go 5 points clear nett and really unsettle their apple cart. I know its early days but if we turn them over a week on Saturday i don’t think they have the mentality to recover 5 points over 38 games.

  14. weebobbycollins on

    Scaniel…did you manage to watch the film? Heard a lady review it on 5 live today. Wife suggests it’s the talk of the documentary steamie…😊

  18. celtic dawn on

    Anybody got a complete list of the ins and outs for this window. Ive had a go but prob missed a few

     

     

    IN

     

    Ajeti

     

    Duffy

     

    Turnbull

     

    Elyyanoussi

     

    Barkas

     

     

    OUT

     

    Gordon

     

    Simovic

     

    Aichison

     

    Schved

     

    Kouassi

  23. embramike on

    Celtic delighted to sign Uruguayan internationalist, Diego Laxalt

     

    By: Paul Cuddihy on 05 Oct, 2020 21:20

     

     

    CELTIC Football Club are delighted to announce that Uruguayan internationalist, Diego Laxalt, has joined the club on loan from AC Milan until the end of the season

     

    The 27-year-old left-sided player, who has been capped 24 times by his country, has been with the Italian giants since joining from Genoa in 2018, where he had been a team-mate of Olivier Ntcham.

     

    Diego becomes the latest signing for Neil Lennon’s squad during this transfer window, joining Vasilis Barkas, Albian Ajeti, David Turnbull and fellow loan signings, Shane Duffy and Moi Elyounoussi at the Scottish champions.

  25. NorrieM on

    Out

     

    Fraser foster & Arzani – loans expired

     

    Gordon

     

    Hayes

     

    Miller

     

    Aitchison

     

     

    Sold

     

    Kouassi

     

     

    Loaned out

     

    Bayo

     

    Shved

     

    Bolingoli

     

    Hendry

     

    Afolabi

     

    Kerr

     

    Robertson

     

    And several other youth players

  26. TinyTim on

    The EFL deadline for transfers within England is the 16th of October.

     

    This is bad news for Celtic when trying to get the unwanted players from the EPL.

     

     

    TT

  29. Gene on

    Philbhoy

     

    Despite the weather we’ve had a great day – highlight being our 2 young grandsons visiting this evening- the first time they’ve been in the house since March – we’re not in an extended lockdown area -;so no rules broken.

     

    Just enjoying a glas or 4 of bubbly

  31. Scaniel on

    WEEBOBBYCOLLINS at 9:12. Yes, watched it and was mightily impressed, fascinating really.

     

    Have recommended it to my daughter, but as it’s her birthday today and today she has also started a new job working with Jon S Baird she’ll be up to cloud 9. Actually, just found out she’s on the phone to her Mother just now getting all the gossip. Think she’s just glad to be back to work after such a long shutdown.

     

    Thanks for recommending.

  36. CaddingtonCommon on

    Re Ryan Christie.

     

    I only know of Ryan through a family member.

     

    Ryan has stated “it’s a dream come true “ when signing for Celtic.

     

     

    Hail Hail

     

    Stay Safe

  37. DeniaBhoy on

    A genuinely surprising summer transfer window closes. Well done Celtic, a very good team and squad is in place. Over to the coaching staff now and the psychologists.

     

    Here we go . . .

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