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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Oh great the family are watching Traitors!
Celtic once bitten twice shy ,James McCarthy injury prone,Kieran Tierney same ,
” Who is Brandon”
I thought everyone knew the famous actor,Marlo Brandon.
Bring back Keiran Mc Carthy,and James Tierney.
Hibees,can be Wee Buggers at Easter Rd,on their day.Depends on the price of Pumpernickel on that particular day.
Calmac,Engels,Bernardo.Luke to come on.
Trusty,CCV,AJ,Valle.Kuhn,Kyogo,Palma
All the right notes,just not in the right order.
Ah well,only here myself,so off to watch the Currants.
I think BR may restore Trusty to the starting 11, doubt he will consider Palma for a start, the midfield is an issue for me going through Mcgregor inside his own half is way too slow, we need to push the defence up another 15 yards and make space for passes, speed in the game and no standing still. If we start slowly and deep this will be a struggle today.
ACSOM was a good listen watch from the other day link below.
https://www.youtube.com/live/yhota1svXdk?si=Qa0v8CFv-HzOJoV2
Right time for a warm shower then wrap up and pick the family up for Paradise were we will go further ahead I’ve no doubt wither it be on points or goals.
❄️🍀👍
Was RASKIN 1 booking away from a suspension. Well he got booked against CELTIC so should he get playing today. BIG PS. HE IS A DIRTY BASSA AND GETS AWAY WITH IT .SOME POOR HIBEE WILL GET IT TODAY.
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 5th January 2025 11:46 am
I think it starts the game after today.
Seems we have breathed some life back into them again. It’s all they need and we seem hell bent on giving it back to them.
Those looking hopefully at Easter Rd today should remember one thing – this is Hibs we are talking about.
The Blogger.
100%
Chairbhoy
Indeed, some of the usual online suspects haven’t coped at all well with last Thursday and need to take it out on someone. Meanwhile back at the ranch 50,000 or so will giddy up in Parkhead to cheer the team through this dreadfully ineffective period of systemic failure.
Some are busy dissing the most successful Celtic verse Rainjurz manager there’s ever been check, won the first trophy of the season check, opened a 14 point gap in the League check, improved performances immensely in the Champions League check. It’s just not good enough for some, they want butter deserve butter and can’t believe it’s not butter. Picture internecine if something else untoward happens? If we only win 3-0 will it be enough for the internet experts, or should Brendan jump ship because the Rainjurz are definitely coming.
Enjoy the match
Hail Hail
Favourite Uncle.
Re Raskin- think suspension kicks in next week
HH
Looking over the mountains of the National Park,I can at the moment,just catch a glimpse of them coming.
Alas,unlike John Wayne’s Cavalry,way too late.
Have to say though,they look a different team.The wee Igamane,looks a striker.Like everything else,might be a wee burst,who knows.
Turkeybhoy on 5th January 2025 12:37 pm
looks to me that the whole team is on something special that cant be detected. Do they still do drug testing in SCOTLAND Someone ask big BOYD he is a n expert.
Big Kwon Hyeok-kyu (the Korean Rodri) looks tidy enough against them, but more journeyman than aggressive midfield enforcer. At 1-2 the game’s not over, but the game is actually quite open.
Monna Hi-bees!
https://x.com/scotlandsky/status/1875884548589855010?s=46
Blatant cheating
Bada
Seen it on livescore updates, not even a yellow.
And another straight shin foul on Boyle by Propper gets ignored by Mr Cheaton.
Reminder that ra Scotch gemme is rigged,
The SFA referees have made their New Year Resolutions…
1. Nae mair red cairds fir ra Rangerrs
Pen Hibs!
2-2
Mon the Hibees! Got the measure of this lot. The Huns all over the place. 😂😂😂👍⚽️🏆🇮🇪
Hibs Hibsing it again ffs.
3-3
3-3
Hibs back in it
3-3.
Martin Boyle having a good game for hibs
Diomande is a dirty fecker
How long to go?
Todays team
https://x.com/CelticFC/status/1875901313294143672?s=19
HH
Scales, Hatate and Kyogo dropped, as requested by a lot of fans.
Let’s hope it has the desired impact.
3-1 to the hoops! 😃👍⚽️🇮🇪🏆🍀
Taylor stays in the team.
Jesus wept.
AN TEARMANN on 5TH JANUARY 2025 1:48 PM
I like that midfield .
“THE BLOGGER FORMERLY KNOWN AS GM on 5TH JANUARY 2025 1:51 PM
Taylor stays in the team.
Jesus wept.”
Are you happy with the other ten selections?