Negatives out of the way first: we’re not good enough, this is a low achievement by a Celtic team who have reached a group stage. There’s no disputing that, but amid the predictable ‘Throw them all overboard’ reaction, I know I’m not the only one who is not panicking right now.
When I heard we were playing three wingers (Forrest, Mackay-Steven, McGregor) I anticipated a thrashing. Gordon Strachan would often drop all his craft players for the more industrial types in European football, with good reason.
As it turned out, we had the majority of the chances, and all the better ones, as we spent most of the second half pushing for a winner.
No arguments with Leigh Griffiths assessment immediately after the game, that was his worst performance in a Celtic shirt. Nor is there dispute in Ronny Deila’s retort that he’s scored plenty for us before and will continue to do so. Even the greats have days like that, including the Swede.
The midfield formation was fluid throughout the game. Tom Rogic initially played as a defensive mid, before moving in front of Stuart Armstrong (who moved everywhere) and Callum McGregor. The defensive mid role Rogic played isn’t one carried out by either Nir Bitton or Scott Brown. We’ve not had anyone in this role since the departure of Victor Wanyama (still pining) and it remains a large gap in the offering.
Lesson: we need a defensive mid. The deep lying playmaker + box-to-box player isn’t robust enough in Europe.
Callum McGregor carried possibly the lowest expectations of everyone in a Celtic shirt but he put in an excellent shift. His goal was outstanding, losing possession immediately before Ajax equalised took the shine off things a bit, but it was still a strong performance.
Do you know the last time McGregor started a game? October 2014. Under those circumstances that was a remarkable performance.
General consensus is that the defence played well. Kieran Tierney is as good a left back as we’ve had in years. Had he not gone off with an injury the result might have been different.
Jozo Simunovic is clearly out best central defender. I know I’m not setting the bar too high with that statement, but he’s a move in the right direction. He’s also young, still working on his fitness, and will continue to progress.
A week ago Celtic Underground’s Harry Brady suggested Dedryck Boyata plays better alongside Simunovic than without him. Dedryck still has a long way to go but the evidence suggests partnered with a game-reader like Jozo has helped him. Let’s see where he is at the end of the season.
And Craig Gordon? He could have stopped both Ajax goals. That’s not to say he was to blame for either, he wasn’t, but these were the kind of stops he was making in last season’s Europa League.
Ronny is 18 months into the job and has contributed to the situation we find ourselves in (tactical mistakes in both Molde games), but this is not the time to lurch off plan. We’re not good enough largely because we’ve recruited too few players since 2012 who have improved the team.
We need to continue to develop players like Tierney and we need to recruit better. Get this right in January, and again in the summer, and we will be vastly better. The alternative is likely to be to pick up a best from the SPFL pool, or someone from the English circuit who cannot get a better paid gig. And then it would take until November 2017 before we could assess them properly.
Return of the Bampots
Tonight, for one night onlyt, Phil Mac Giolla Bháin, John Fallon and myself are in the Hibs Club, Carfin, for a Q&A in aid of Mary’s Meals, with Phil Agnew hosting. The event starts at 7:30, £5 entry, can pay at the door.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
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I don’t understand the protection being offered to Ronny on this blog and by some who contribute.
John Collins confirmed what I suspected yesterday with his comments that we almost beat Ajax. As though Ajax have any given right to come to Celtic Park and win. I wonder if John has watched Celtics proud home record in Europe being eaten away and compared that to Lennon, Strachan and MON and said our record now is really what Celtic can achieve. What is Ronny to think when he has such an influence beside him?
I would guess that nearly beating Ajax doesn’t feature in anyone’s conditions for a bonus. Even his comment that Tierney played like a £5m full back tells you he is already thinking about his transfer value than his ongoing value as part of a team.
The assessment of McGregor is dumbfounding considering his lack of ball control and misplaced passing.
Shocking state of affairs when people swallow this propaganda and settle for the excitement of Inverness.
We should be treating Europe as our league. We play enough games between Ruropean league football and Internationals to justify an argument that the domestic league is a training ground for our young talent.
Déjà vu
I like Neil Lennon BUT…………a line very often used by the SMSM when the bold one coached us.
Now been taken over by you know who…I like Ronny BUT…………..
NEVER thought I’d see Tims being led into the woods by Huns, BUT it is happening before my eyes, even the CT are in on it.
Hers my personal opinion
And ignoring our very poor scouting, and boards lack of ambition, whilst awaiting some low life mob coming into our league
It’s a better management team, we could possibly have been many millions better off
An experienced manager would have had us qualify for last 2 Champions league competitions, may not have done much in this, but with an extra £30m we would hopefully been able to sign better players than some of the dross up front we have been signing – would need new scouts mind.
Our downsizing in having Ronny in charge of the team, is reducing our crowds, and drastically reducing our chances against any level of European opposition
Ajax were decent, most certainly better than Molde or Malmo etc, but we could still have beaten them, if our players had more belief in the management team, that’s my view
Celtic invest in a better standard manager and quickly, and we will turn this decline around quickly.
Seen someone post a Brendan Rogers ( who does have an excellent coaching reputation) or Nigel Pearson, either would be better than the Amatuer we have currently
A pissed off Celtic fan in what I am watching take place with my club
So for me as a start to redemption Peter, remove Ronny, and John Park if you want to start turning this around and moving Celtic away from the crash we are heading into
Kevjungle
To early for a swally, Keevens was never banned from Celtic Park, his press pass did not allow him access, he of course could have paid like the rest of us (as they all should do) so get yer facts right.
Bawsman
__________
So, it’s rubbish coz you don like it?
Tough.
Your family as well then….put more into the club than, the board do.
The story that I have outlined is my belief as to why Keevins was banned.
The other story that, Keevins said that Celtic subbed Sean Fallon’s Testimonial over in Ireland.
They did snub it!
Desmond hawked his ‘toy’ over the pond to play Real Madrid.
Snubbed.
Keevins was banned coz…Celtic’s hierarchy ‘CAN’T’ handle the truth.
The club spun a smokescreen and all the easily-kidded-brigade….fell for it.
HH
tonydonnelly67
_____________
So, the facts are….would you pay to get into your work?
It’s nothing to do with the board right now, the board are backing the manager, and so are supporters, how many? Haven’t a clue or care either, we have a coach, so no more names please on who should be coach, we have one, try and get that ffs, every day it’s the same Sh… It’s not happening, OK were out of Europe and your all happy, and I told you so, and the board this the board that, any chance of letting us supporters who are backing the club no matter what get on with it, have your day by all means, but ffs take some time aff, you’ll never be happy, the CT will never be happy, but we are, and that’s what peshes you off more than anything, you should try it, it’s great.
Cowiebhoy,
The declining standard of football on display at Celtic park and obvious affect this is having on attendances will make the upsurge in Old Firm fans uptake when/if their planned return look like we needed them.
TD67
Is it fear of losing your boardroom pass that means you refuse to see the reality ?
We are very poor, and getting worse with every window.
Hope it’s worth it.
KEVJUNGLE on 28TH NOVEMBER 2015 10:57 AM
tonydonnelly67
_____________
So, the facts are….would you pay to get into your work?
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/some-perspective/comment-page-19/#comment-2727456
No, the facts are we don’t employ him, let his employers pay.
Good Luck Celtic Supporters
….bed time…..
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
bjmac on 28th November 2015 9:49 am
Thanks mate.hh
Very quiet at Carfin last night .
However , it’s always good to be in the company of good Celtic men .
I would happily ban many of the current so called journalists in Scotland
Unfortunately there is also many current Celtic employees I would also ban, including at least 1 director, who goes by the guise of club chairman
Mullet & Co
I am also not a fan of Calum McGregor, points to a lot wrong with our club, 22 year old having come through our youth, and still lacks discipline and control as you point out – I read Thurs was his first start since Oct 2014, in that time as a squad player he will have earned in excess of £800k, if his £14k per week salary is to be believed, not as much as that other imposter Boerrigter who we were warned not to sign mind
theres 2 examples of where spending our money on better quality would give a greater return on investment
Hail Hail
I am just a Celtic supporter I know nothing about the politics of Celtic which many on the blog talk about.However,I cannot see for the life of me why the Board would not be interested in the performance of the team on the park ? surely the better we do on the park the more income the club and the board receive it makes no sense to run the team down as this would reduce income. I think we are going through a transitional period and it takes time to change any large organisition and it is never painless.I genuinely believe Ronny is doing a good job in difficult circumstances and given another season we will see the benefits.H.H.
proudbhoy
Board room pass, lol, the old C T spin, nooooo, just to remind you because as usual you’ve got it wrong, I was a Guest,, I’v a feeling you think it’s a big deal? It’s not they are all ordinary Celtic Supporters just like me, more money than me of course, and good for them, bottom line they’r just Tims.
TD67
I can assure you I am far from happy at watching us be turfed out of Europe,
In my view a decent Manager would have had us qualifying for next round, even with our current squad
And also Yes I want to see us breeding our own players giving them a chance ?
Wh made the decision to sign Tyler Blackett ? Instead f giving one our win a chance ? Or Saidy Janko instead of Fisher etc
Something not right with our club, which you are choosing to ignore
Anyone in the vicinity of Stenhousemuir fancy providing an up to date weather REPORT please?
Jobo
I am about 6 miles away,
Heavy and I mean heavy rain, a wee bit blustery
But
Mild for this time of the year :-)
Cowiebhoy –
fancy being an EKFC fan for the day? I’m on the half time pies….
stenny= sounds just like the cote d’azure
As predicted for 2 years Lawwells downsizing while maximising his compensation package would lead Celtic on a downward spiral that is irreversible. His appointment of a restructuring specialist to FD hints towards more cost cutting.
There is a malaise over Celtic brought on by Lawwell which will not lift until Lawwell is going.
Martin O’Neill talked of life in the slow lane. Even he could not have envisaged where Lawwell has taken us too.
Ronny is Lawwells puppet and will be kept in situ until the crowds hit 25k level which isn’t too far away.
We should have been a strong vibrant club with CL qualification for the last 2 seasons and a proper manager with his own coaching team. Today there is apathy….tomorrow there will be nothing.
Lawwell has destroyed the Celtic we know and love. It will never be the same again.
I wish we could just write him a cheque for £10M to match what he has siphoned off so far and he would walk away and let us start again.
Why has he done this to the Hopes and Dreams of the Celtic support. It must be more than lining his pockets. That’s the part I struggle to answer.
Tony
Ronny is awaiting his fate………the result just hasn’t happened as yet.
JOBOBALDIE. The weather at Stenhousemuir is very wet and windy. H.H.
Cowie, The only bright spot re Blackett, is that he is not signed. He is a Loanee, hopefully he can be sent back at Christmas, but worse case scenario he will be gone at the end of the season and so will Derk.
I too couldn’t understand the farming out of Fisher but I did like the little I saw of Janko. I think he got injured but like Allan has been fit for a few weeks but hasn’t been getting into the squad.
It seems its harder to get dropped from Celtic then to get into the squad. With the exception of the rotation of Izzy & Tierney, Deila seems too stick fairly rigidly with the same players.
I don’t want a Tinkerman but I would love to see some of the fringe players getting a chance.
Bailey has a good pedigree, Gordon not at his best, give Bailly a go. Lustig not at his best, give Janko a go, Same for Allan, McGregor, Cole, Stokes & Nesbitt.
Cowiebhoy
That’s another point that’s never been clarified. Why have we loaned out players Henderson, Fisher, O’Connell and brought/bought in other prospects Armstrong, Janko, Blackett (respectively). The drain on the club’s finances is obvious, but “why” is the question ?
Peterlatchford…,
Lawwell is only delivering the KPI’s DD is pulling all the strings, zero hour contracts for low paid is a disgrace that should be enforced on the board and players no one else.
Jobo
You want a lift?
TBB –
Thanks for the offer but my attendance is still linked to other household events both pre and post match so still in the balance. However, if I don’t make it, charge the pie to my Nigerian account as usual. I’m assuming the game is definitely on…
If I do make it I’ll stary the pyro…
Jobo’s 50 p double today – EK (6/1) and St Mirren (16(sixteen?)1)
Tonydonnelly67
I could not agree with you more …. when I was younger (ahem) the Celtic Support largely ignored the meeja, in fact scorned them, and concentrated on supporting the team we loved ….. Nowadays the media are setting the anti-all-things Celtic agenda, and are ‘sucking-in’ some of our support But, hey ho ….we shall overcome / resist ……
I see the new club’s AGM meeja reports are all positive ….. and all the questions etc were stage-managed ….not to worry, they’re all in for a rude awakening…..
Was at the cinema last night …….would recommend BRIDGE OF SPIES (Tom Hanks) great film
Off to a Celtic Night this evening with Cowiebhoy and other CQNers (for a local charity) …. REALLY looking forward to it…!! …… Well seen the wife is in Belgium at the Davis Cup…. Hahahaha
Canalamar,
Agree on Dermot. He turns out at Ladbrokes AGM to complain about Coral M&A based on his circa 3% shareholding, yet zero interest in Celtics AGM and close to 30% shareholding.
Celtic is only a dinner conversation for Dermot and the Dublin 4 set.
That said Lawwell sets the strategy , executes and makes all decisions at Celtic bar none. The buck for the current mess is 100% the fault of Lawwell.
BCW, The possible explanations. Firstly Ronny didn’t see any of Fisher, Henderson & O’Connell getting much game time at Celtic this year. He rates them but Loans them out & monitors their progress,
Last year he got a Loan of Denayer and he was a massive success, tried to replicate that gambit with Blackett but he has been a massive failure.
I think Janko has signed a 4yr deal, I think Ronny sees him as one for the future and a longer term replacement for Lustig or at least vying with Fisher for that role.
Don’t see much wrong with all of that apart from Blackett being a dud but at least we are not stuck with him.
The huge disappointment for me is the Dundee United trio, it might change but at the moment I rank all 3 as major disappointments.
Cowiebhoy
Let’s just say, I think the club are heading in the right way, and have no concerns, you on the other have, my picture and yours are different, we have a manager young and trying new things, instant success is rare, and I see a future with this manager, you and many on here don’t, just because we don’t agree, the only thing I try is to ignore the negativity in here, but when the CT board storm troopers are on a roll, it’s hard to read without defending the club, but that’s just me, and they are what they are.
The board have no interest in football whatsoever. It’s simply a vehicle for taking money off you. Their adoption of Moneyball confirms that. There is no tea building and no football ambition whatsoever,
They hope and pray the support all turn into Tony Donnelly. Sychophantic unthinking lickspittles who love the daily record and believe what it says.
They are also hoping you all adopt your normal positions of victims when the Hun return. It’s their default.
I was laughing at this playing Dundee in the US nonsense. The board want us to be the football equivalence of the Harlem globetrotters. Hawking us around the world but essentially praying on supporters around the world. But it’s ok you will get a crap friendly on your season book to compensate you.
It’s another sign of the board arrogance and complacency and their utter contempt for us.
They remain firmly in hiding licking their lips at the return of racism.
They are corrupt.
latchford
Away and wheekle yur whokkle
Peterlatchford…,
You saying if DD told Lawwell to make CL qualification the priority without bankrupting the company or your pumped, we’d have missed the last two seasons.
No, DD pulls the strings and if he was not happy Lawwell would not be there.
A zero hour contract for board members would show us exactly who the Celtic supporters are.
NegAnon2
And you too…… Have you guys ran out of happy pills again
BIG-CUP-WINNERS on 28TH NOVEMBER 2015 11:37 AM
Tony
Ronny is awaiting his fate………the result just hasn’t happened as yet.
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/some-perspective/comment-page-19/#comment-2727485
Ronny is coaching my club right now and for what it is, he has my backing, others with a different point of view don’t back him, I get it.