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.
417 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- »
CC @ 10.28
Three buys and three loans.
Happy with the GK and happy with AA.
Hoping that DT can show the quality that he has but with the MF malaise it will be difficult.
He still has that old fashioned idea about playing positive football through the middle.
The loans are just treading water.
We need new blood in those positions but we still need to plan for the future.
ME showed some good stuff in the EuL last season but has looked lightweight recently — not running the show in the manner that we need.
We spent over £5mill in 2019 on LBs — but neither has grown into the position and we have nobody coming through the ranks. Consequently to be bringing in a LB on loan from someone’s bench on the last day of the Transfer Window is a sign of failure rather than success.
SD — need his attitude and ego in spades but he arrived a month too late.
MADMITCH AT 10.31 wrote…
“So far this season our form suggests that we are not going to win the league unless others give it away. Some our play has been so bad that I am now checking the SPL odds.”
At 10.00pm I wrote…
“So, top of the “after 9 games league” and a quite stunning domestic league record throughout 2020 – we have now played 19, won 17 and drawn 2 (a 2-2 draw at Livingston in March and our 1-1 draw at Kilmarnock in August).”
Personally I think that even if the LT was RIFOY some folk would CF to FTFs and just push their OA regardless of the FP. But everyone’s entitled to their Os.
12 more sleeps ;-)
I should have added that we do not have another single player who is playing at that international level. None. That has to be a brilliant opportunity for our lads to learn.
Benyu was a fraudgers signing.
Expat Celt
Yes. Diego is our first ever Uruguayan player.
Our first number 93 shirt too.
This has been the best transfer window I can remember. Well done to our board.
All on Neil, the coaching staff and the players now. 🍀💚
Jobo
I am going to bed now so could you e-mail me the translations of those LT`s etc. as I won`t sleep believing they could remain a mystery for ever?
GN,all.
Mad Mitch, Loans cost us a lot of money, normally a fee & a high wage,
Regardless of whether it’s loan or purchase the fact is they are here in our squad in this crucial year.
That is all I care about, next year will take care of itself.
JOBO BALDIE on 5TH OCTOBER 2020 10:41 PM
“Personally I think that even if the LT was RIFOY some folk would CF to FTFs and just push their OA regardless of the FP. But everyone’s entitled to their Os.”
Quality Jobo!
HH
I wonder if there is an agreed fee,if Diego shapes up?
Scottish football looks set to saved from financial catastrophe after a breakthrough in talks with the Government this afternoon.
Record Sport understands the the SFA and SPFL Joint Response Group will release a statement this evening confirming that an agreement has been struck between the football authorities and Holyrood during crunch talks with sports minister Joe FitzPatrick this afternoon.
Details of the financial solution have yet to be confirmed but it’s believed FitzPatrick – who held talks over funding with the UK Government last week – has confirmed that a cash bail-out is on the way to help clubs survive without supporters.
And a new consensus has also been reached to work out a road map on how and when fans can be safely allowed to return to grounds around the country.
HS @ 10.38
Last minute winners gets you points until the elastic snaps and you stop getting last minute winners.
We have played 90 minutes of good football so far this season.
We are winning games based on individual skill and our reputation.
StJ were a stuffy side who got stuck in with some help from the MIB.
If they had some attacking quality they would — most likely — have won the game.
Something is badly wrong within the club / the squad / the dressing room.
Compare and contrast the reaction when VvD scored his last minute winner against the Sheep to the situation on Sunday.
The lack of a crowd is affecting the team but we were still flat.
If you cannot celebrate a last minute winner when will you celebrate.
Right across the patch we are sloppy and currently phoning it in.
Being reported in France we turned down two loan bids today from French teams (Bordeaux and Brest) for Ntcham.
Meanwhile Nitcham is being quoted as saying he is delighted with the Laxalt signing, a player he was with at Genoa and who he rates highly.
JB @ 10.41
Happy clappers will always clap …
It is what they do — happy with second best until reality hits home.
It will be all the more painful if you don’t see it coming.
What does “phoning it in” mean? In simple terms please, for this simpleton.
!!BADA BING!! on 5TH OCTOBER 2020 10:47 PM
I wonder if there is an agreed fee, if Diego shapes up?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was reported that Celtic were negotiating an option to buy in the deal. It would seem that those negotiations were unsuccessful, unless anyone knows different?
HH
MadMitch, the last 9 years was reality.
Nobody can say for certain how this season goes, but despite all the dire warnings we haven’t sold, Eddie, Christie, Ntcham or Christie we have added Laxalt to our other 5 additions, we have given ourselves every chance of winning the 10 in a row.
Lenny & the team will still have to perform but we have every chance of doing it.
Tontine.
No he wasn’t.
FD @ 10.56
Google is your friend.
“I couldn’t think of any other Uruguayan player who has played for Celtic, so I realise I’m the first one. I’m extremely happy about that and I’m a player who likes to leave everything on the pitch when I’m playing. I’m very happy. I love the colours and I can’t wait to wear the strip in a match.”
Diego Laxalt. Welcome to Paradise,
CC @ 11.01
I am old enough to shudder at all the 10IAR talk.
I just want to win the league this year and when that has been achieved win the year after that.
It is a monkey on our back — we are now making short term decisions that will hurt us in the long term.
I do not want to keep on winning the league if it means we fall behind in the European standings.
If we were to do well in Europe the league wold take care of itself.
Regarding the squad — we are throwing jelly at the wall and hoping some of it sticks.
As far as not getting a chance at Milan in 2019-2020, this puts it in perspective.
In 2017 Real Madrid paid 24 milllion for an 18-19 year old LB called Theo Hernandez. A youngster who was good enough to get games for them in the CL.
In 2019 Maldini flew to Ibiza to personally ask him to join Milan. Fee was 20 million.
He is considered one of the very best LBs in the world.
Life at the biggest clubs can be like that for very talented players. There are others who are just that bit better or who the manager prefers for other reasons.
I am really looking forward to seeing this guy. Here’s hoping the usual suspects give him more than 2-3 games before writing him off.
Question too difficult, or answer not known?
We have added 5 full Internationals & an under 21 International, hardly throwing jelly at the wall & retained all our key players.
I believe the Huns have gone all in this ear to stop the ten, we win this League and they will fold.
Like you I want to win this League & to continue our dominance in future years but let’s just win this League first.
Does anyone remember the centenary season ❓❓❓
At least the international break gives the bedwetters some respite
FD @ 11.13
Phone a friend ..
Ask the audience or failing that yer ma.
Take the plunge — think for yourself.
Friesdorfer
I’m on catch up and have no idea why the question was asked ( or if you are having a jab at someone else.
Usually means, going through the motions in a half assed , half hearted way.
The Onlooker
Someone asked above if Diego is on international duty this month. He is in the squad for sure. Here are the games coming up:
South America World Cup 2022 Qualifiers 9 October 2020 Uruguay -:- Chile
South America World Cup 2022 Qualifiers 13 October 2020 Ecuador -:- Uruguay
South America World Cup 2022 Qualifiers 12 November 2020 Colombia -:- Uruguay
South America World Cup 2022 Qualifiers 17 November 2020 Uruguay -:- Brazil
South America World Cup 2022 Qualifiers 25 March 2021 Argentina -:- Uruguay
South America World Cup 2022 Qualifiers 30 March 2021 Uruguay -:- Bolivia
South America World Cup 2022 Qualifiers 3 June 2021 Uruguay -:- Paraguay
I would like to thank @CelticFC for the last 13 years , thank you to all the coaching staff & the staff behind the scenes as it’s them that make it a great place to be , I have met some great people and made some amazing friends , I cannot thank you all enough.
Jack Aitchison
Good luck
I would like to thank @CelticFC for the last 13 years, thank you to all the coaching staff & the staff behind the scenes as it’s them that make it a great place to be, I have met some great people and made some amazing friends, I cannot thank you all enough.
Jack Aitchison
Good luck
A SCOTLAND-wide mini-lockdown to tackle a rise in Covid cases will start at 7pm on Friday, docs were told today.
Nicola Sturgeon confirmed an announcement on a “circuit breaker” — centred on a stay-at-home order for a fortnight or more — could come tomorrow.
BB @ 11.43
They are getting desperate now — complete shambles.
Scotland — the only country in the world that has closed down CoViD19 testing capacity.
They imbibed their own waste water in June and July when the numbers were going down.
Thought they just had to sit back and wait for nature to take its course.
Self isolation — where it all started to fall apart.
Thatcherism in miniature — need help then its DIY the state will only watch from afar.
welcome to our club Diego
https://twitter.com/CelticFC/status/1313212981866528768?s=19
hh
——————————————–
wonders if any press will gauge Celtic fans?
for their shiteswiping antics.not that youd find that hear.
:-)
https://youtu.be/z1PTlnhQhoQ
hh
Banda – who told the Docs?
Source?
Hi guys
If that referee didn’t think that Patryk,s assailant should have got at the very least a yellow card then he is most definitely not fit for purpose.
An absolutely horrific challenge which broke all the criteria including two footed, off the ground and from the the back.
Disgusted ,
Mayfair
HH
Phil.
It’s just that I’ve been with a few Docs today
MADMITCH on 5TH OCTOBER 2020 11:07 PM
It is a monkey on our back — we are now making short term decisions that will hurt us in the long term.
I do not want to keep on winning the league if it means we fall behind in the European standings.
If we were to do well in Europe the league wold take care of itself.
———————–
brilliant observations,
we got to seville final and the huns got a domestic treble,
your a football visionary
Madmitch
“Happy clappers will always clap …
It is what they do — happy with second best until reality hits home.
It will be all the more painful if you don’t see it coming.”
————————————————–
Surely, for the past 9 years we have been first best.
And if it’s Europe you are talking about theure was only one year in our history where we were first best. Surely, first best in Europe is kind of a delusional expectation on which to be basing judgement?
St Stivs – I’m with you on that – Europe is good fun and income but this year there is one ball we have to glue our eyes to and remain focused – which isn’t easy when your eyes are glued to a ball😀