We were four games into last season before we kept a clean sheet, and that was a dreadful 0-0 at home to St Johnstone, who rued a gilt-edged chance to leave with the win. Ross County, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock all scored against Celtic in their earlier games
There was never any chance of Kasper Schmeichel conceding on his competitive debut yesterday, as Kilmarnock struggled to impose themselves against the champions. The contrast with the anaemic start to last season could hardly be greater and was summed up by the Man of the Match contribution from Reo Hatate.
Reo was left out of our early games last season, then injured on his return, the combined effect of which was to rob Celtic of any cohesion. Yesterday he played with confidence, holding the ball even with an opponent in physical contact.
Kyogo did not get his name on the scoresheet but did everything else. His most telling contribution was a ranging first-time pass to Nicolas Kuhn, who drifted past the Kilmarnock defence before his deflected shot found the net. Outwith his goal, the German showed why he received so many plaudits on the preseason US tour.
Celtic will continue to improve in the weeks to come but that is a substantial base to build on.
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Mondays don’t seem quite as bad after a good performance by the Hoops.
⚽⚽⚽⚽
Scored 4 goals in our last 4 games.
Ps We scored from a corner!
and that f clugger goalie tried to take KF out twice – looked like a pre-match tactical decision to me – if KF gets through, go through him. Can anybody imagine the following conversation at the SPFL -‘ok guys let’s protect our exciting players so we can see great footie!’.
Agreed…
We have a great base to build on and can only get better…
The improvement in Matt O’Riley staggering, he is becoming the all round midfield dare I say it… Maestro…
Hail Hail
Three points safely in the bag; 97 to go. Some really pleasing play – big bonus to whoever found Chris Davies’s old coaching notes.
Lots to be encouraged about on the field.
Matt O’Riley winning challenges on the ground and in the air was a real eye-opener. Greg Taylor stood up to a fair bit of the physical stuff. Liam Scales excellent, we didn’t really have a weak link yesterday.
Would liked to have seen Steve Clarke, Pat Nevin and Joe McLaughlin in the hoops as discussed in the previous thread.
However I doubt their careers after playing, certainly in the case of Clarke and Nevin, would have followed the same path.
Like others I’ve been critical of Pat Nevin, perhaps he wouldn’t have been so conflicted and often ridiculous in his comments if we’d signed him.
Agree it’s a base and a promising one.
My glass is routinely half full but I’d reserve on using “substantial” at this point to describe it.
As for your intro para Pablo …. respectfully I think your memory of the 0-0 St Johnstone game is skewed.
That game was punctuated with quite a few ‘nearly moments’ for us …. symptomatic of a team trying to learn a new system but not yet clicking.
On another day it could have been 4-0.
( see what I did there?)
😉
The real question is how is Brendan doing this without Chris Davies.
Definitely playing a different style compared to last season, moving the ball quicker,better movement off the ball,well done Brendan
A pal of mine has been working on Brendan’s new home. It’s a big project as one can imagine. Brendan loves it up here, he seems at peace with himself and is really enjoying his work. This season looks like one to really look forward to. If we can somehow keep Matt and Reo we will have fantastic football to watch on a weekly basis.
League Cup campaign in similar fashion, as they take on Hibs at Celtic Park on Sunday, August 18 (Kick-off 3pm).
ON SALE INFORMATION
Tickets for the match are on sale now to Season Ticket holders only, who have until 9am on Monday, August 12 to secure their seasonal seats for the cup tie.
Tickets are available to buy online only, priced*:
Adults
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Concession
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Chairbhoy,
Feel very comfortable saying it.
I said after the American tour,this not the same team as last season.The improvement is huge.REO hardly played last season,seeing that midfield now is a dream.
Kyogo more in the game,not just striker.His blind pass to Kuhn,who has also shown his true form,was sublime.Jamesie ?What can you say?.
Someone,maybe more,is going to take a right hammering.Maybe Hibees,if they try to have a go.
Notice how physically strong Reo Hatate has become …he is seldom knocked off the ball in tackles.
Also that Vassel is no more than a battering Ram who plays the man at all times, every challenge, he buffeted Liam Scales then fell over anticipating a foul to be awarded. He is typical of what is wanted in Scottish Football where the get away with it due to poor refereeing.
Trying hard not to get carried away as it’s only one game but we looked a different animal yesterday.
A wee shout out to Greg Taylor, as usual targeted straight from the kick off and other numerous high balls into his area. He stood up to it with ease.
Including the US games and Saturday, I feel there is a Kasper effect that is adding confidence to the defence for players and fans alike.
His ability and stature is adding more than the some of it parts.
I thought the invisible man was superb yesterday. He tore a hole in their defence, the full back will need surgery after that doing. Show em yer medals Jamesie. 😁
1st prk to be found guilty of attacking a policeman in Southport last week, put a marker down- 5 years jail
Excellent yesterday. Tempo was good and we were able to unpick a 10 man defense. If we continue like this we will walk the League.
I thought that the subs did not weaken the team with Ralston getting no 4. Palma. Yang.Holm were also effective.
Kasper seemed to fit Joes gloves well and gelled well with the team. There was an excellent bit of play when Kasper passed the ball to O’Reilly who hit a 60 yard diagonal to Palma. It would have been goal of the season already.
Can’t wait for next game
6 games
5 wins – 1 draw
23 for – 9 against
11 different goalscorers
mixed bag of opposition , but all in all a great start …
Long may it continue
Up the Hoops
As the champions took to the pitch 2 kilmarnock players did not applaud the Hoops.I noticed Kennedy did not and my son told me Donnelly did not.
First half goals – 13
Second half goals – 10
A repeat of yesterday’s game on SS Football at 2pm
Every game Reo plays he is targeted for rough house treatment . I always felt previously he let it get to him and it affected his game . Yesterday was different , he stood up to it and really imposed himself on the game .
BHOYJOEBELFAST on 5TH AUGUST 2024 12:51 PM
Noticed that myself . Killie number 10 stood with his hands by his side . Putting 4 past them was decent payback though .
kuhn looks like paddy roberts.
where is he now
KELVINBHOY,BADA BING and CHAIRBHOY from last thread and Botgo67 from this
That’s all true about Clark, Nevin and McLaughlin.
Friend was with Nevin at Glasgow Caley and would have loved to come back to us at that time, especially with Choccy there.
Big Joe, however, was the most keen of the three to don the hoops. Solid centre half.
Scullybhoy
Hope you and family enjoyed your weekend and the Celtic. A pleasure to have met you. Hail Hail 👍
So, Liam Francis Peadar Donnelly did not applaud Celtic on to the park yesterday. Who cares? I certainly would never applaud R2ngers on to the pitch…
in normal supply/demand conditions the price would come dow.
a chance to let others come see us,
but our pls doesnt think that way.
————-
Tickets are available to buy online only, priced*:
Adults
£25
Concession
£17
Under 13
£12
TURKEYBHOY @ 12:26 PM,
Yes, it really is incredible how the players have developed from this time last year…
It hasn’t been a single pathway that all the players have followed.
With Reo he always had phenomenonal potential but physicality and attitude seemed awry.
Greg Taylor struggling with the change of role he flourished in under Ange.
Kyogo struggling with not getting the same service he was getting under Ange.
Etc, etc, etc…
All had development plans, all have bought in hugely to the “group” and “the plan”.
Everyone is benefiting
Thought the embrace and wee chat between Adam Sadler and Reo after the final whistle was interesting
Never seen Reo look so happy…
Hail Hail
P67
“Celtic will continue to improve in the weeks to come but that is a substantial base to build on.”
Do you think we will continue to improve if we sell Matt and/or Reo ?
Or will we go back quite a few levels then continue to improve from this lower baseline ?
FIELDOFDRAMS on 5TH AUGUST 2024 12:16 PM
“Matt O’Riley winning challenges on the ground and in the air was a real eye-opener.”
Aye, there must have been scouts watching him or something. Gone were the half hearted attempts of last season to win every challenge with deft flicks / touches. Its nice when it comes off but there are times you just need to put your body in or jump into a challenge to have any chance of winning it.
The whole team seemed to enjoy (or better endure) the battle which generally needs to be won first in order to play football in the SPFL.
QB
Celtic Diary Monday August 5: Monday Morning Sure Looks Fine
https://etims.net/?p=18712
WBC @ 1:04 and Glen D @12:57.
Just wondering why Donnelly felt the need to abstain from applauding.
Glen D; Number 10 is Kennedy,
1964 Celtic were applauded at Ibrox by Rangers players after a win in mid week against Slovan Bratislava,
SCANIEL @ 12:59 PM,
Yes, a real opportunity to get some talented Celtic bhoys into the team, and real personality, but par for the course was the mantra then….
Hail Hail
we’ve won the league again
fly the flag, fly the flag
https://www.thecelticwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-08-04-Celtic-4-0-Kilmarnock-SP-104.jpg
https://www.thecelticwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-08-04-Celtic-4-0-Kilmarnock-SP-177.jpg
The big difference from last season , for me, is the confidence to try a forward pass or high degree of difficulty one two. Stuff you do in training.
we looked scared to lose possession last season ; don’t know if it was the constantly changing CHs or injuries in midfield, or Rodgers really is a stat freak but it took the edge off us.
Yesterday (and in pre season) we are nutmegging, backheeling, 20 yard one two, flicks over the top etc. As a counterbalance, when we lose it, we are getting the press right.
Rodgers said last season that he never tried to change our style and I believe him. Injuries really do disrupt a team trying to win games.
There is always a danger in over-analysing what is a simple game but here are the stats…………………………
fantastic gallery, well done the celtic wiki
https://www.thecelticwiki.com/2024-08-04-celtic-4-0-kilmarnock-sp-pictures/