Newco won 3-0, hit the woodwork twice, had an incredible 24 shots on goal and 9 on target. Their stand-in goalkeeper’s only job of the day was the parry a shot from Reo Hatate that was hit into the ground.
Before we get into what went wrong, let’s put some boundaries on it. Cameron Carter-Vickers was outstanding. Kasper Schmeichel was faultless throughout. None of the forwards contributed anything to the game against a defence who scarcely knew each other, but Celtic so seldom got the ball into advanced areas, we need to conclude the substantive issue lies elsewhere.
Just as in the League Cup Final, and in the Champions League against Brugge and Dinamo Zagreb, Celtic were allowed plenty of the ball. In the 12 games since beating Leipzig, we have had at least 60% possession, which is both remarkable and informative, considering the battering we took yesterday.
We have been figured out. Allow Celtic possession in their own half, man-mark in the middle of the park and press when they approach halfway. Get the ball forward early and if Carter-Vickers cannot shut you down, you are in with a chance.
Brugge, Zagreb, Newco (twice), Dundee United clearly understood this. The 0-2 win at Kilmarnock and the 3-0 over Hibs were bizarre results against weaker teams who played the same tactics as Newco. Comfortable home wins over Ross County, Motherwell and St Johnstone flattered Celtic. The wins over Hearts (1-4) and Aberdeen (0-1) I’ll leave open to interpretation.
Newco’s first goal yesterday came from the same source as their second at Hampden (intercepting a Liam Scales pass). Their second yesterday and third at Hampden came from corners – the only two goals Newco have scored from corners in over 200 attempts. Their third goal yesterday was a copy of their opener at Hampden – anticipate a pass, break quickly and score with the second ball. They can successfully replicate plays against us.
It is all about the system.
Man-for-man, yesterday’s full strength Celtic are significantly stronger than Newco’s makeshift lineup. The system is making good players look bad. Watch great teams. 99% of what they do looks easy, because it is easy. It is easy because their system ensures that players in possession have a low risk/reward ratio when choosing a pass. We have substantial evidence that Celtic players’ risk/reward ratio is high. In possession, teammates offer few safe options.
This has two consequences:
1. We face a high volume of dangerous turnovers against better teams.
2. We find it difficult to progress the ball to the front line against almost everyone.
“Individual errors”, “lack of composure”, “poor passing” can happen in any game. When these things are persistent, as they now are at Celtic, and does not reflect players recent ability, the issue is systemic. “It is all about the system.”
On Tuesday I wrote that Brendan is a “master tactician” as he got the job done on tight occasions last year. His system has been exposed repeatedly over the last two months and needs urgent revision. Best of luck to those who want to have a chat to him about it.
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Chairbhoy …I completely agree ..those cheats are a particular breed of coward and Hagi is merely the latest…quite frankly they are refereed differently as Hibs will find out tomo …they kick with impunity and dive and harass refs continously playing the victim card and this has gone on from day one.I had the misfortune of watching footage of their games at Ibrox against us in the 80’s and it’s shocking esp Polaris John McDonald ….vermin
I would love independent FIFA refs to take a look at how they are managed in game and the levels of roughhouse agricultural tackling they routinely get away with …remember winking Bhugerra ? 🤔
Christie outstanding for Bournemouth
CARPE DIEM 63…
Yes exactly, we are expecting a Celtic team to go to Ibrox and to be prepared and deal with these tactics.
But why?
It’s cheating, and they wouldn’t get away with it in Europe.
Hail Hail
HOT SMOKED on 4TH JANUARY 2025 2:48 PM
Judging by many ( majority?) posts on here since Thursday`s defeat, the sense of entitlement we attributed to Sevco fans also applies to us.
=========================================
I don’t know about the majority . The Sevco type of entitlement ranges from ‘we are entitled to everything going our way’ to ‘we are entitled to decide who officiates our games ‘ and all points in between . It is endemic in them ….. Board , coaching staff , players , fans . The lot .
There has certainly been some overreaction and an inability to place last Thursday in the context of the great progress we’re making, but a lame defeat to the Ibrox mob is probably the bitterest pill the average Celtic fan could be asked to swallow .
SYSTEMIC FAILURE ………
Not sure I would be that critical – unless I had a grievance with the Manager
We were all scunnered with how we played (or did not play) on Thursday
Having watched it twice I dont think its too complicated
They were galvanised by a) being at home b) looking for revenge (LC Final) c) playing for pride
We on the other hand never turned up
Sometimes you need a wake up call – we just got one
On the tactical review by Paul67 suggesting “we have been figured out” Not sure how 2 losses in all comps equates to being figured out.
The Huns at home especially when you have just stuffed them in the LC Final were always going to be up for it
In fairness to them they played for the Jersey
Paul67. As it stands we are 11 points clear in the league, we have won the LC and we have every chance of going into the next round of the CL. Brendan has something to do with that
Can we please have a wee bit of New Year Positivity
HNY
67ECW
carpe diem 63
Dont know about FIFA but if their supporters behaved at a UEFA game the way they have done in recent Celtic games they would, at best, be playing in an empty Ayebrokes.
In aul Scotia though the SPFL have appealed for witnesses to name the perps.
Witnesses? Only 50,000 o em
Mibbe their cctv cameras were not working again .
Get Aberdeen to make a statement on missile throwing?
KT on the arse bench again this evening
bournesouprecipe
Or if it involves our supporters at Celtic Park the er missal throwing….
67 European Cup Winners
I hope you are right.
Some see Thursday as a ‘one of’ poor performance and others see it as a culmination of a series of less than good performances in 10 or the previous 12 games since Leipzig.
As I say I really hope you are correct. I will also say we are lucky that they are so poor and gave so many problems as they seek to rebuild.
Hopefully 55 will be secured this season. I guess 74/5 and 86/7 and 08/9 we all seasons when we were sure at the halfway point and blew it. I am sure we won’t this season but we do need to address the issue of the past 2 months in my opinion.
inconsistency will do for Ange at spurs
In the light of the Ipox no show, getting a fit Tierney wold make sense if it doesn’t hinder the model – though that’s me sitting on the fence.
Can Paul67 ‘s model cope with -spend a bit while we got it but still keep a crisis fund?
Crying out for a ball wiinner in midfield Wanyami, Lennie Lambert, Broonie
Too many shrinking violets on Thursday
Felt sorry for Kuhn who was miserable after being assaulted .Was difficult in the toxic atmosphere, and can’t be too critical of the manager who has 90 per cent win rate against them .On the plus side, it wasn’t a gubbing, and Phil IM Jolly will remain for a few more weeks !
Kieran Tierney set for the HT Paradise Windfall versus Saints?
BSR
wouldnt have thought it if he is on the bench tonight
https://thecelticblog.com/2025/01/articles-and-features/a-lot-of-celtic-fans-need-to-calm-down-one-defeat-does-not-make-this-a-bad-team/
That awkward moment when you agree with James Forrest
aye, i know, very good article to be fai and comments are spot on.
now if i may make a little observation –
what systemic fsilures were fixed at ibrox on thurday ?
Thursdays defeat ..
Well nobody likes to lose to their big local rivals (even if those rivals don’t exist anymore) .That said it was the just a loss…it was a comprehensive defeat.Where did it come from ?..
Clement tried and failed to do the same at Parkhead in September, they pressed and closed us down and we couldn’t get the ball out of our defensive area for 10 minutes, once we broke their press we nearly scored,then did score (disallowed marginal offside) and finally scored a goal that stood..Their balloon was burst and they had no answer. It was a comfortable 3 nil win..2 recent Hampden Cup Finals had been close affairs (penalties and a 90th minute winner bringing 2 cups for Celtic) so maybe we shouldn’t have been so confident going there.They have after all only dropped 2 points at home so far and mainly win their domestic home games.
Their manager got his tactics right, his players put in fantastic performances and the early goal in front of their home fans all helped.
Let’s see what Brendan learns from this.
WHAT IS THE STARZ
Haven’t they suffered enough.
BSR,
The bold James has gone through the full gamut since that defeat.I enjoy his blog,but he can go from one extreme to another,forgetting as he goes.Great writer though.
Impatient to get to Celtic Park tomorrow in the anticipation that a convincing win will consign the Ibrox result to history where it now firmly belongs.
There was no systemic failure, it was a blip in our long-running systemic success.
We now look forward, the inquest has lasted long enough, let’s move on……..please HH.
I wonder how many of the people who argue that one poor transfer window is a sign of systemic failure also argue against the idea that several recent performances maybe be signs of systemic tactical failure.
Isn’t that your standard cognitive dissonance?
It is possible to both appreciate how effective a system has been, while also suggesting that it is becoming increasingly less effective. We atent in a very good place if we can’t understand that without every criticism of Brendan being shouted down and rejected out of hand.
Put simply, we were excellent all year until December. We have been far easier to stop recently, we now look easier to beat. You could take that as a personal criticism of Brendan if you wish, but to simply shout down the argument and point at our record over the last 12 months doesn’t do us any favors.
Perhaps it’s down to fatigue, perhaps it’s a team that’s been together too long, perhaps players need a move, perhaps the Summer window didn’t bring in good enough players, but for 8 games our standards have been below what we’ve seen before. That you can’t escape
How many times have the tried to close down our midfield.In the LCF,I am sure we had much better stats.You all know the saying about what Monkeys can write if you give them Typewriters long enough.That’s what happened,ran about like demented eejits as they always do,only this time,AJ,Scales,Hatate,Calmac,,Maeda,Bernardo,all decided to have a shit game.Quelle la difference,was.
This Blue meanie machine should take 6 of the Hibees tomorrow.They are so good,they should.Shouldn’t they?.
Put simply, we were excellent all year until December.
very simplostically, is it harder to play oir style of football on decemers pitches.
Celtic 40 ME,
A draw at Tannadice in a gale,a 1-0 win at Aberdeen in horrendous conditions,apart from that we have scored,2, Fours,A five,and a three,two draws in the CL,and won a Cup by out playing our opponents,( stats don’t lie ),that does not look to me that we are now easier to stop.
Sounds to me a wee bit hysterical.
Next run of results might see a few looking Sheepish.( A lot of miles south of Aberdeen ).
We were shit on the day.If we continue to be shit,different matter.
Apologies, I missed out Brugge at the end of November
SAINT STIVS on 4TH JANUARY 2025 7:29 PM
We’ve been stopped from playing our game at CP, Hamden, Ibrox and in Zagreb.
When do you think the pitches will
Improve?
Even when we win, we’re definitely no winning good enough.🤷♂️
The prawn sandwich brigade CSC
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 4TH JANUARY 2025 7:49 PM
We’re not winning though are we? Brugge, Zagreb and the Huns twice in ten games.
We’re on the back of our worst domestic performance since the COVID season. Is that not cause for concern?
CELTIC40ME @ 7:52 PM,
And now we didn’t win the League Cup…
I’m sure the whole of Europe was talking about us winning it…
Hail Hail
I don’t think changing your tactics when they stop working is a sign of lack of talent or weakness. It’s the opposite for me
We did it after Dortmund, we completely changed the way we played in Bergamo and everyone got the benefits of it. Perhaps it didn’t fit with our managers perception of how he wants to play but a point looks the same however you get it
celtic40me on 4th January 2025 7:42 pm
SAINT STIVS on 4TH JANUARY 2025 7:29 PM
We’ve been stopped from playing our game at CP, Hamden, Ibrox and in Zagreb.
When do you think the pitches will
Improve?
sprimgtime,
CHAIRBHOY on 4TH JANUARY 2025 7:57 PM
“And now we didn’t win the League Cup…”
I didn’t say that. I said we drew the game.
Is this the same James Forrest who suddenly went to CP when Ange turned up? Aye right,let’s listen….