Substantial base for Celtic to build

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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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  1. Liam Donnelly was a youth at Celtic and from memory he has released after off field issues.

     

     

    Yesterday he should have had a red card and Killie subbed him to avoid a Red card

     

     

    A man with a grudge

  2. 4.20 for a pie.

     

     

    3.70 for a fanta.

     

     

    prices are so high i bought food at the cinema and sneaked that in

  3. St Stivs

     

     

    maybe that’s the plan to reduce the massive queue’s and make the meagre quantity of pies last a few minutes longer.

     

     

    I personally gave up on the pie thing a few years ago, too stressful. Only 90 mins; never have food at the intermission at the theatre, for example.

  4. CONEYBHOY on 5TH AUGUST 2024 1:37 PM

     

    “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.”

     

     

    He did say that but I disagree – he constantly talked about “taking care of the ball” – Reo in particular got this comment a few times post match for daring to try a few through balls. Mixed messages, or just a lie to cover his own Bahookey I am not sure but there was a definite change of approach/style last season to my eye. FWIW I think its a better approach in European games against better opponents, but in SPFL I think the more swashbuckling, shackles off approach is the way to go.

     

     

    Under Ange and also yesterday, we did try more risky balls and when we lost possession we quickly pressed well to get it back – indeed our first goal was an example of a good press following a turnover when trying risky intricate quick 1-2s I think.

     

     

    QB

  5. Weebobbycollins on

    I have just seen a photograph where Liam Donnelly is applauding the Celtic players whereas Kennedy has his hands on his hips.

     

    Anyway, does it really matter? We do what we do and we do it really well…

  6. Thats more like it Celtic. Fast, entertaining, attacking and exciting football.

     

    IMaybe Brendan wont admit it but our style has noticably changed.

     

    4-0 flattered Kilmarnock.

     

     

    HH, the journey commenced in turbo gear that even a mountain lion couldn’t catch us.

  7. Bhoyjoebelfast on

    WBC @1:57

     

    I did see kennedy,as you say hands on hips.It was my son that told me about donnelly….phone later.Anyhow a good start…4 goals 3 points.

  8. Daley Thompson scratched his balls during the Team GB anthem in 80s – Daily Mail went mental!

  9. On the park all good, however I must agree with Saint Stivs. There is no way to dress this uo, our fans are being ripped off. Poor food if there is any and ridiculous pricing.

     

     

    Still no hot water, no paper towels at half time, floor pealing and the Windows in the food court are absolutely bogging.

     

    Do we really have all these millions in the bank ?

     

     

    Couldn’t check the Wi fi as this silly c@nt left his phone in the taxi on Saturday. ( Nice Uber driver handed it back in last night.

     

     

    Oh and the Drover still gives out free sausage rolls. Thats how you treat supporters.

     

     

    HH.

  10. Scaniel

     

     

    There was a curious story behind Joe McLaughlin’s Celtic career that never was. At the time the word on the street – which street I can’t tell ‐ was that Joe’s transfer was a done deal. The Morton manager, Benny Rooney, was a friend of Big Billy’s and the deal would go through on oiled wheels. Again. the word on the street was that Desmond White wanted rid of Billy and, at the last minute, he stepped in to veto the transfer and sicken Billy. Am inclined to believe there’s some substance to this version. It typifies the way that that Celtic Board could treat some of greatest Celts.

  11. Earlier last year we used wee Kyogo dropping off and Matt making the 3rd man run. More variety of this tactic yesterday straighter balls into midfield for Reo and Matt , takes the pressure of Calum and stops other teams stifling us just by marking Calum.

     

     

    Still need other option when the weather and pitches turn , Adam or similar

     

     

    HH

  12. Weebobbycollins on

    Greenpinata…Organise!

     

    Get all the disgruntled fans you can and make a peaceful protest. Tell the administrators you don’t want poor quality, ridiculously priced food, bogging windows. Demand hot water, paper towels, proper wi-fi, a striker and a left-back…

     

    Make your voices heard. And if that doesn’t work then make it a little less peaceful…

     

    You know it makes sense…

  13. Weebobbycollins on 5th August 2024 2:33 pm

     

    Greenpinata- Organise.

     

     

    Like a snack party, we could all chip in. 🍰

  14. bigrailroadblues on

    Good afternoon all from the Victoria Bar. A rather dreich day in old Glasgow Town. Hibs up next, hope we play like yesterday. 👍

  15. Back to Basics - Glass Half Full on

    Personally I’m indifferent to guards of honour.

     

     

    Feels indulgent and irrelevant to me.

     

     

    Onfield Liam Donnelly is a nasty piece of work.

     

     

    If refs did their job properly he would have been red carded in each of our last three games against them.

     

     

    Tried to crock Hatate late last year and only got a yellow.

     

     

    Doesn’t show up against R2ngers ever.

  16. Good to be back home and ‘in the swing’ with my three ‘old’ pals at Celtic Park. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day with the team providing great entertainment. The togetherness and enthusiasm of the squad and management yesterday was palpable.

     

     

    Who knows what the remainder of the transfer window will bring, however one thing is certain, whoever/whenever we add it will be from a position of strength. On yesterday’s evidence the midfield of Reo, Callum and Matt is now an ‘a la carte’ menu, with each contributing their own individual skills within a near-perfect unit.

     

     

    I would love to see Matt stay for another season as he has now, during his time with us, developed into the complete midfield player. He suits us down to the ground and will be very difficult to replace; but when the BIG money opportunity presents itself most players (and agents) can’t resist it – understandable of course as due to unforeseen circumstances it may not come round again.

     

     

    Kilmarnock never believed they could get a result and offered only token opposition – that would be the only caveat added to an appreciation of our exciting performance.

     

     

    Persuading Brendan to return to Celtic Park post-Ange was a masterstroke – the benefits have been/are being/ will be reaped.

  17. Big phill clem ont is here for 10 in a row.

     

     

    Quite funny threads today on thems website

     

     

    Lots very very unhappy and posting Hampden tickets on seatsub.

     

     

    Not expecting to be at kyiv.

     

     

    Actually scared of motherwell.

     

     

    They hate Brendan.

     

     

    And even a few ,…… I won’t be back for a rebuild. What has he done in the last season.

     

     

    As to Celtic being weaker they don’t see it at all

  18. glendalystonsils on

    I can only hope the arrogance of top English clubs causes them to undervalue Matt because of our pishy league . With more and more of them sniffing around , I think that might be our only chance of keeping him this season .

  19. !!Bada Bing!! on

    GlenD- not many better clubs than Brighton in the transfer market, a well run club with professionals in charge of transfers

  20. The new format of the CL may well work in our favour.

     

     

    As very often , the crafty continentals have sussed us out by the time the return leg comes about. Thinking back last year Feyenoord missed a sack load of chances against us at Parkhead … for me the new format will promote a more attacking outlook and we may be able to catch a number of teams on the break.

     

     

    HH

  21. Really enjoyed that result yesterday and the flashes of world class football when Matt was on the ball and when we had a 3rd man running. There were a few lulls in play as Killie came to kill the game and not be adventurous. Every time a Celtic player advanced with the balll, he was met by A killie player leaving their 9 man low block. It was like watching chess until a deflection or lay back led to some broken play and our goals.

     

     

    I don’t know if we will be a better squad than last year but, so far, we are clearly more entertaining than las seasons early stages. I remember clearly wondering If we’d got a humbled Brendan back instead of the braggart we had before. We are more expansive than last year in both pre-season and in our first competitive game.

     

     

    But it is early days yet and we won’t know our team identity until a few months have gone. Repeats of the agricultural tackling of Liam Donnelly and others will see us with an injury list that will hamper us.

     

     

    Just as well that the predictions of our rarely seen pre-match visitors predicting doom and gloom, will soon require adjustment as I expect there will be another 3 warm bodies, at least who have yet to arrive.

     

     

    I don’t know why so few take enjoyment from our team but find them embarrassing and a disgrace. We are watching the most victorious version of Celtic ever in our lives. I understand concerns about the Board, transfer activity and timing, and especially adjusting to the growing chasm we face in Europe but I cannot accept us turning into a version of 90’s rangers fanbase that takes no joy or sense of achievement in domestic victory but only gets it up for European competition with all the heartbreak it brings.

     

     

    It’s a form of wallowing in misery. Life is too short for that.

     

     

    Mon the Celts!

  22. Chris Davies will be a top manager.

     

     

    Birmingham is wrong choice but he won’t fail.

     

     

    The way he dealt with Gerard when up here was quality. It shows the steel of the guy to back up his ability.

     

     

    Delighted Sadler is stepping up and has done a great job under the radar since January. So under the radar no one even mentions the guy. The results speak for themselves since he arrived. Apart from being totally cheated at Tynecastle.

     

     

    Anyone not recognizing the value in BR having a good assistant manager is not paying attention.

  23. SFTB

     

     

    Not sure if the folks on whinging and moaning like 1990s rangers supporters really weren’t 1990 rangers supporters.

     

     

    Their arrogance and ignorance fed Murray’s ego and drove him to his excesses. And their ultimate demise. Many of those on here would have us be similarly reckless as they have zero accountability.

  24. glendalystonsils on

    !!BADA BING!! on 5TH AUGUST 2024 4:36 PM

     

    Agree re Brighton . A lot to admire in the way they’re run .

  25. BURNLEY78 @ 4:49 PM,

     

     

    “So under the radar no one even mentions the guy.”

     

     

    I do…

     

     

    It was interesting at the beginning of last season when Matt O’Riley said Brendan wanted more goals from him…

     

     

    Ange

     

     

    Matt 3 goals 12 assists

     

     

    Brendan

     

     

    Matt 18 goals 13 assists

     

     

    We really have struck gold with our manager…

     

     

    Hail Hail

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