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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Jmcormick 7.59……
Exactly, my love of Celtic isn’t judged on winning or losing, Ronny or not Ronny, keep drinking fine wine, keep the 5Ks going and more importantly HailHail
TGM and GFTB cheers. We are now in a fight for the soul of our club. HH
Owen,
No need to quote anything. It’s simply my interpretation of what you are saying, know your place Celtic and expect nothing, Celtic supporters who are confident expectant should change their demeanour to grateful that they were allowed to pay over the odd for the fare on offer.
If we shouldn’t be demanding better results then that goes two ways, prices need to be set at the level of expectation we are asked to adopt, charge us premiership prices and of course we will demand premiership quality it’s no our fault they can’t get a better deal off the telly it’s theirs.
GORDON64
We are what make Celtic great….Celtic fans.
We will prevail.
Hail Hail
HH
I think it is wrong to criticise fellow Celtic supporters when they are not on the blog to defend themselves.Come on Bhoys we are Celtic supporters lets show we are the best supporters in the World by adding fairness to our name. H.H.
you should try Thatchers Katy or Westons organic, both a bit more expensive but kick like a mule going downhill and mellow the thought process. Both available at Asda and Morrisons.
Gerryfaethebrig
Indeed, at some point we will have a drink to that.
The Celtic Board; the parasites that made it.
The Celtic supporters; the faithful that didn’t.
Saudia Arabia; the ISIS that made it.
Donny Toadily; the ROSLA that didn’t.
Canamalar
So, if I am reading your post correctly, you are saying I didn’t say the things you accused me of.
However you are interpreting the things I actually said to mean the things you want to believe! Or have I interpreted what you actually said to mean something completely differently from what you meant to say
JFH,
Zero hour, the best supporters in the world would probably have an issue with that so lets no bother pretending to be anything other than allowing evil to prevail while we look the other way.
Owen,
I’m readin your argument and it’s to me quite obvious that any Celtic supporter with any expectation of winning is in the wrong and being arrogant.
Is that not what you are saying ?
CANALAMAR. Surely if there is evil on the blog,bloggers should man up and deal with it face to face not when the poster is absent. H,H,
TGM Agree. It is us that makes Celtic great not the nondescript board members who are sucking the lifeblood out of our club. They do not pay for STs or make the sacrifices we have to make to support our club. As a club we are now teetering on the brink. But hey ho all will be well when the bigotry is back.
Canamalar
You accused me of advocating mediocrity.
I asked for evidence of this charge.
You could not provide evidence to back up your accusations so you then “interpreted” my beliefs.
I made fun of your “interpretations”.
Yet I am the one being arrogant.
I have no problem with criticism of me or my posts on factual grounds, but when you have to rely on made up arguments then I call time on wasting my breath.
JFH,
My reference was you claiming to have heard from employees that they were happy with zero hour contracts, then tell us you don’t know enough about it, then try and lecture anyone about being the best supporters in the world.
When the simple reason you don’t know enough about it is you don’t want to know, don’t care and as long as you don’t have to face it like many here, couldn’t give a monkeys how it affects people, except when providing food to the food banks to show the world what a charitable person you can be.
Owen,
You accused any Celtic supporter who expect to win anything of being arrogant, no one accused you of being arrogant because you are only ever humble and thankful for what you get.
GORDON64
One of my first conscious memories as a human being….was seeing Bobby Lennox at Celtic Park.
I’m still in awe 46 years later.
We are Celtic.
They will never take that from us.
HH
In response to some posts last week which were critical of The Celtic Trust I pointed out that we had a meeting planned for Tuesday 24th November and if those in attendance were in agreement then I would post the points discussed on CQN.
I should highlight that most posts were balanced and considered and even if critical of our recent actions at the AGM and subsequent statement, there wasn’t the absolute vitriol, ignorance and lack of objectivity which was displayed by TD67.
————–
* The Report posted on the CT site on Sunday night was part 1 of the AGM Report with part 2 to follow. This is in line with past annual reports.
* There was then a lengthy discussion on the AGM and subsequent statements from Celtic and Ian Bankier’s posts on eTims and the CSA site.
* There are several points arising from comments made at the AGM by Mr Bankier and online, in the aftermath, that the Trust will be seeking clarification on. It wouldn’t be right for me to highlight these at the moment as Celtic should have the right to reply first without these being discussed on a public forum.
* The Living Wage. There was widespread ‘disappointment’ at Mr Bankier’s comments that paying the LW was not in the interests of the club although it was recognised that at least the club had admitted that they aren’t paying it despite bloggers claiming that they were. It was also confirmed that paying the LW would cost the club around £2,000 per week. Those employees who began receiving the LW on July 1st are now 40p/hour below the National LW pay rate. In excess of 400 match day staff have yet to receive the LW.
* There was agreement that Mr Bankier should seriously consider his position as Chairman of Celtic.
* Updates on FAC issues.
* Updates on Celtic supporter issues.
* It was decided that in light of the Celtic Foundation holding a collection at the Hamilton game on Saturday 5th December that the CT recruitment drive would be moved to a later date so that the Foundation would have a clear run on the day.
The meeting concluded with a rendition of The Internationale whilst the red flag was hoisted :-)
I must have missed the statement from Celtic criticising Police Scotland for its failure to protect to Celtic fans on Thursday night. They must have been too busy sending out emails to the press saying what a bunch of racists our supporters are. How did we get to this ?
Canamalar
Again please quote from any post I have submitted accusing anyone of being arrogant.
The hun like arrogance of expecting to win every game? No that is not me or how I support Celtic.
Why don’t you choose to ignore my posts and I agree to ignore you.
JFH
Maybes you should direct your comments to TD67, as he is the one you are referring to, he has no problem slagging off posters while they are absent from the blog.
And you never did answer my question from earlier.
HH
CANAMALAR. My word that debate was a few hours ago and I am meant to tie in your post of a few minutes ago with that.Now apparently the subject has moved on to posters having a go at other posters who are not on line at the moment to defend themselves now for me that is not how decent folk operate decent folk would wait until the person was online to address it. You have in your last post made many assumptions about me a person who you dont know but if that is how you think I am thats up to you. H.H.
Ps Chairman Mao then agreed the date of the next meeting.
Gordon64
I also failed to catch the statement from the Gallowgate business association, the licensed vintners association or the red cross so why should Celtic lead the way?
HT
Good stuff.
Those that use ignorance as a ploy, will always be defeated by sound reason.
Keep up the good work.
HH
Mags 8.12pm
Do you like Celtic ?
Not the board or any other excuse for a dig, I have only been on here for for around 11 months, but I have yet to read a post about our team…….. Maybe I am just stupid and have missed all your football posts, take care and Hail Hail….. My love of Celtic is unconditionally, although way bottom of all my love priorities !
HT It is absolutely shocking that you need to defend the great work the Celtic Trust does on a Celtic blog. Keep up the good work amigo. HH
In Amsterdam Celtic very quickly criticised supporter who were attacked by the local police and distanced themselves from the travelling support who caused trouble, now were the supporter inside any stadium when the police assaults took place ?
The least they could do is condemn the Celtic supporters for drinking in bars and being victims again, I mean they are the guardians of the club after all, behave yourselves, that’s a helpful message, no ?
GORDON64
See my earlier posts regarding this . Absolutely shocking nothing said by Celtic regarding these attacks quick to issue statements when we are perceived to be in the wrong. I would class myself as a happy clapper and stick up for the board now beginning to change my mind. But according to some what happens outside of the ground is nothing to do with the club.
JOE FILIPPIS HAIRCUT on 28TH NOVEMBER 2015 8:08 PM
I think it is wrong to criticise fellow Celtic supporters when they are not on the blog to defend themselves.Come on Bhoys we are Celtic supporters lets show we are the best supporters in the World by adding fairness to our name. H.H.
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/some-perspective/comment-page-27/#comments
———————–
I completely agree but I haven’t noticed you posting this before when I’ve been on the receiving end Joe. You only need to look at today’s posts to see what I’m talking about.
THE EXILED TIM Two wrongs dont make a right fella or it makes us exactly the same as the person you are moaning about.What is the question you asked that I did not reply to ? H.H.
Hamilton Tim
I don’t care if you and the Celtic Trust are bent on world domination. My big sister says that you are alright. :-D
If CQN in any way reflects divisions amongst the wider support and disillusionment with the BOARD, Celtic is in very deep shit.
Ah,
Which is the harder of three options to contemplate at the mo :-
Work
X-Factor
CQN
One interpretation of hard is :- addictive and damaging to health.
Decisions, decisions.
HH to all Celtic Bhoys and Ghirls.
Owen if you can’t see it why should I bother explaining it.
HAMILTONTIM. Fella anytime I have read your posts I think you have been able to defend yourself and put across your point of view without my input. H.H.
Owen
She’s a diamond, the very best, but clearly not a great judge of character :-)
Gerryfaethebrig
Yes
And
Good for you!
You need to make the distinction between Celtic and its custodians
Many Celtic supporters have this conceptual difficulty