Steps to repair the defence

494

Very pleased we appear to be on the verge of signing a central defender, especially one who at 24 (Erik Sviatchenko), should be very much in his prime. The previous two seasons each brought excellent defensive performance records but things fell apart from the very start of this season – way before Virgil van Dijk left.

The reasons for the are varied. Jason Denayer left to be replaced by Dedryck Boyata. Dedryck is more settled now but he was well short of Jason’s standards early on. Still is. We have also regressed in the full back positions. Emilio Izaguirre’s decline has been gradual but clear. 18-year-old Kieran Tierney makes fewer mistakes and (I think) poses a greater physical challenge.

Then we have Mikael Lustig. Mikael has always been a favourite of mine; as recently as September I regarded him as our best defender, but I think he’s been well off his best for most of the season. He has been regularly caught in the wrong position and his distribution is often a possession-losing lump upfield.

Craig Gordon would be first to admit his form is nowhere near where it was last season, when he almost single-handedly was responsible for us reaching the Europa League knockout stage. The questions for Craig are what’s going wrong and can it be fixed?

Think back to the latter days of Artur Boruc’s time at Celtic. Artur has gone from having Bayern Munich scouts at Celtic Park to watch him to a guy we sold without fuss as a backup for Fiorentina for £1.2m. Whatever it was he had, had gone. I thought he was finished. Six years later he’s at something approaching his best at Bournemouth.

Craig Gordon has the best part of 4 years on Artur. He has time to get back on form.

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  1. I post but a handful of times a year, I read the blog daily and am saddened to see it’s rapid decline.

     

    Noticed respect coming to the fore tonight, this should be highlighted during the day when the respect is at an all time low thanks to TD67.

  2. mike in toronto on

    eddie …

     

     

    have to agree. I can be critical of KC’s contribution sometimes, but even I have to admit that goal was special. Very few players with the talent to pull that off …

  3. TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels on

    BCW

     

     

    We both were. .. I’m a stubborn git at times.

  4. TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels on

    Bada

     

     

     

    If the taxi that picks jamesy up is driven by Charles Charnley – maybe the wee man might realise he’s throwing away a fantastic opportunity at celtic

  5. TBJ-I think his ship has sailed,can’t remember another player who has had so many chances to establish himself. Injuries have added to his inconsistency,time to move on for player and club IMO HH

  6. TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels on

    Bada

     

     

    I reckon his confidence is low – maybe the injury history worries him

     

     

    Not worth a new contract imho

     

     

    Wee gms needs to get his finger out or he will follow him out the door

  7. Mohammed Elyanoussi of Molde

     

    Place of birth: Al-Hoceima Morocco

     

    Age: 21

     

    Height: 1,78 m

     

    Nationality: Norway Norway

     

    Position: Striker – Left Wing

     

    Foot: right

     

    Current club: Molde FKMolde FK

     

    In the team since: Mar 15, 2014

     

    Contract until: 31.12.2017

     

    Detailed position

     

    Main position: Left Wing

     

    Side position: Right Wing / Attacking Midfield

  8. Re James Forrest

     

    From Lenny’s mouth to the son of a very good CQN poster.

     

    James Forrest doesn’t have injuries, he has conditions.

     

    As I wasn’t party to the discussion I have no idea what he ment, but he sure does seem to have problems.

  9. Some good posts tonight.

     

     

    Googybhoy

     

     

    Good to see you back.

     

     

     

    TBJ

     

     

    Good on ye grumpy. :-)

     

     

    Hopefully see many of you on Saturday joining up for the Celtic Trust. I’ll be close to CQN corner for those looking for me.

  10. MURDOCHAULDANDHAY & WEE OSCAR on 17TH JANUARY 2016 11:44 PM

     

     

    This made me laugh McCall & his big telly on sportscene

     

     

    https://twitter.com/huddleboard/status/688863511947116545

     

    —————————–

     

    PMSL! Is it the football or the weather he’s presenting??

     

     

    Have to say that I thought that whole segment was cringeworthy. To quote some other Celtic site, “Set perineums to clench…” :-)

  11. TheyFoughtTheLawwell on

    Late to the party, however, still funny.

     

    Cabbage-Patch McCall…. “Let me pause this.” As it’s already paused by a back room techy…….priceless :)

  12. THEYFOUGHTTHELAWWELL on 18TH JANUARY 2016 12:03 AM

     

     

    Late to the party, however, still funny.

     

     

    Cabbage-Patch McCall…. “Let me pause this.” As it’s already paused by a back room techy…….priceless :)

     

    —————————————

     

    Clocked that myself – comedy gold!

  13. CultsBhoy can not relate to Celtic Board ambitions on or off the park on

    McCall it was a cringer …. Wasn’t funny just uncomfortable

  14. TheOriginalSadiesBhoy on

    Posted this on page 2 of blog earlier today:

     

     

    Hamiltontim

     

     

     

    Just been reading back over last blog and saw your comments regarding the Minx’s Bhoy being put off a bus on Friday night along with a large number of young Celts despite him informing Police that he had no money, shelter or operational phone. This beggars belief in such cold weather and these kids so far from home.

     

     

     

    I can remember a case from many years ago involving the Edinburgh police which resulted in a man’s death. He had been drunk and abusive towards his wife and the Police were called. Instead of arresting the guy, the Police drove him to the opposite side of Edinburgh and dropped him off on the outskirts of the city to make his way home and to give him time to sober up. The alcohol in his blood lowered his temperature on a freezing cold night and the guy became tired, fell asleep and froze to death. There was an enquiry into the matter which established that this was a common practice among Edinburgh police when dealing with drunk and disorderly punters. Apparently none of them had the brains or common sense to realise the dangers they were placing these people in.

     

     

     

    Friday night’s situation that you described could have ended the same way for one of these kids. Somebody shoul point this out to Dundee Police authorities or whoever monitors their practices.

  15. 16 roads - Celtic über alles... on

    Hopefully now, hopefully at last – the powers that be can allow Ronny to build his own team on the park.

     

     

    No more money ball bs,no more projects or speculative gambles.

     

     

    Ronny just tell them so-called scouts to gtf – ye are the boss. Scout yer own targets – It’s you who’s neck is on the line, regardless – not the faceless incompetents that are never accountable for their failings.

     

     

    I’d also like to agree with a contribution to the blog earlier – KC strike was unbelievable, however the bullet header was my own personal favourite goal from Friday’s contest – the Croatian almost put the ball threw the back of the net, such was the power of the header. Brave as well, didn’t even look or care if the United goalie was gonna break his jaw trying to punch the ball clear.

     

     

    Let’s kick on now Celtic, let’s keep the title resting in it’s rightful place.

     

     

    The petty squabbling and the arguments are par for the course, no big deal really.

     

     

    Come what May, it’ll be extraordinary if we win the 5 on the bounce.

     

     

    What’s it gonna be like?

     

     

    Think about it.

     

     

    5.

     

     

    Best times.

     

     

    HH.

  16. 16 roads - Celtic über alles... on

    Thanks to Roy C for posting the Jinky in Beal Feirste picture – pure class.

     

     

    Also Kitalba for the Belfast Celtic shout.

     

     

    Belfast Celtic FC was formed at 88 Falls Road and named in tribute to Glasgow Celtic FC,whose example they followed,on and off the field.

     

     

    It’s a beautiful thing it is.

     

     

    Never let it go, regardless of the corruption and the cheating, and the spiteful jealousy.

     

     

    We are the CHAMPIONS – F them all.

     

     

    Goodnight and good luck to all Celtic supporters, at home and abroad.

     

     

    Slan.

     

     

    HH.

  17. Nye Bevans' rebel soldier on

    Good Morning Timland.

     

     

    Don’t know anything about our new signing

     

    and will reserve judgement until I’ve seen him

     

    play in the hoops,it is good that we are getting

     

    player’s in fairly early instead of the usual last

     

    minute scramble.

     

     

    Try and be civil on here today,too many good

     

    poster’s seem to be bailing, put off with all the

     

    bitching.

     

     

    Away tae keep the wheels of industry turning.

  18. saltires en sevilla on

    Good morning fellow Celts. My wee app thing telling me it’s -10 (-8 feels like -10) in Bohemia.

     

     

    New players coming in and set fair for 5 in a row.

     

     

    Good management of resources and paying bills on time.

     

     

    It just might catch on…

  19. TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels on

    Tet

     

     

    I was told James forrest has sciatica .

     

     

    Suffer from it myself and had occasions when I had to roll out the bed and use the door frame to help me stand up .

  20. saltires en sevilla on

    TBJ

     

     

    Suffered from that on a few occasions too – horrible, horrible pain.

     

     

    The only solution that worked for me was Ibruprofen gel onto the affected area.

     

     

    Touch wood not returned for a few years… Fingers crossed.

     

     

    HH

  21. TOSB

     

     

    My apologies I hadn’t seen your post first time around and went to bed before you posted it the second time! :-)

     

     

    It was a bad situation but thankfully there were a couple of folk who were able to go up to Dundee and collect them.

     

     

    He’s sending off emails today.

     

     

    Thanks for your concern mate.

  22. saltires en sevilla on

    62 billionaires own as much wealth as the poorest half of the World’s population.

     

     

    We know about Craigy White/Whyte and Charlie Green. Wondering, who are the other 60?

     

     

    I demand to know their names…

  23. TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels on

    Saltires

     

     

    It is literally a bummer …. it’s eased off for me as long as I exercise regularly – just a few tinges now and again

     

     

    JoBo

     

     

    Having just arrived at work on London Rd I can report the rain has washed away all snow from roads and pavements ( always smile as I approach the illuminated celtic park on my way in )

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