It was Brugge who showed the way in our Champions League game in November last year. They pressed Celtic in the middle third which was enough to inhibit our ability to progress the ball into advanced areas. Other managers watched.
Five weeks later, Phillippe Clement copied these tactics in a 3-0 win over Celtic at Ibrox. Barry Ferguson followed this up in March, winning at Celtic Park, then again in a draw at Ibrox. Already-eliminated Young Boys came to Celtic Park, went man-for-man in the middle and lost to a late own-goal.
We watched the same show in the Scottish Cup Final in May: 120 minutes of midfield suffocation before a penalty loss to weaker opposition. It was no different over 210 painful minutes against Kairat. Yesterday’s failure to land a glove on the most nervous defenders in Scottish football follows a well-established pattern. Russell Martin changed every tactic he has used in Glasgow and reverted to the play we all know succeeds against Celtic.
Games with against lesser sides and without Kyogo, Jota and Kuhn have floundered in the middle of the park. We seem to be focussed on adding attacking options today. This is necessary but attacking players are blunt if you cannot break a soft press in the middle of the park.
We got draws at Ibrox, against Kairat and in the Cup Final because we can defend well – Liam Scales was well worth his Man of the Match accolade. That will probably be enough to win the league while Newco beat themselves and the Hearts project is too new. But we are at a tactical cul-de-sac. Chris Davies did more than put the cones out.
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Hahaha whenever you’re next in town mate. :)
As to Lawwell, that was the most recognisable, predictable, disaster in the recent history of the club.
To appoint him chairman sent the direst single to the fans as to where we were heading. Not only were there historic trust issues but it brought home to use again how small-minded the thinking inside Celtic is; if you’re not in somebody’s wee black book already you’re not worth a phone call.
The limits this place on us are obvious. If we’d hired the best person for the job of CEO we wouldn’t be here. If we’d looked for a chairman capable of helping shape our strategic goals over a five to ten year period we would be better off … internal appointments, the Friends of the Man, the whole clubs stinks of cronyism and nepotism and that’s the unspoken part of any campaign … and one that should now be put front and centre where it belongs.
It’s not enough to get rid of certain people. We cannot allow a system to exist whereby they are simply replaced from the same limited, shallow talent pool. If we do permit that we’d shift Nicholson only to find that the next CEO would be Chris McKay and that Nicholson himself would be coming back as chairman one day. Unless Mark Lawwell gets it instead.
What a mess of a football club we are. Get ready for a horrible boring season and one where we handed the batton right back to them. It’s happening despite calls for the board not to fall asleep at the wheel. Our team is flat , let’s be honest – our manager has lost focus and our board either don’t give a fk or are incompetent,
stebhoy on 1st September 2025 4:21 pm
moisy17 – the way to beat a low block is width and hitting the by lines and crossing. Shooting from 18-20 yards, 1-2’s off the striker. Against Almaty , both matches, we played entirely in front of them (other than extra time when legs tired – AND we should have brought on Yamada). Exactly same against Aberdeen in final – We are EASY to play against , we’ve been sussed out. Massive change needed and it aint happening!
_______________________________________________________
But you said balls over top my friend.
Agree that all of these can work but they require a level of ability, quick, skilful, clever players – these players may cost an extra few pounds and sadly thats were it breaks down…
It’s 5pm on deadline day and our Board can’t even produce a rumour, never mind an actual signing.
Never have the Emperors been so naked.
Going back to our “horseshoe around the back 4” playing style……
I’m sure a lot of posters on here played football back in the day……I played left wing or cf between ages 12-18.
There was never the amount of back passes during a game like you see today…
The main thing I remember though is…if the midfield weren’t making themselves available for a pass from defence…the defender holding the ball would soon let them know in no uncertain terms….ditto if the forwards weren’t making runs or making themselves available for a pass….the middy holding the ball would soon let them know…
Again…if midfielders or forwards weren’t getting service from those behind them…they’d soon let them know. I saw many arguments throughout games about lack of passing options or lack of service from team mates..
Watching Celtic just now all I see are apathetic players who have accepted the “horseshoe” and make no complaints….seemingly just happy to watch the ball being recycled….Our Captain should be bollocking those around him not just pointing the finger…
TBB
If the execs don’t act because a minority shareholder (Desmond) directs them thus, then governance is sunk too. His job as a non-exec is to look after *our* interests as shareholders, not his own in isolation. He’s supposed to hold the execs to account, not tell them what and what not to do.
=============
I think DD may be challengeable under Company Law see
https://sentinelcelts.com/2021/06/08/directors-responsibilities-and-remedies/
That needs legal advice, that needs funding and a means of getting that at £1per member a month via a Not For Profit Membership Service is set out at
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ueh2IEHoSQk97H99mu2w4-VQpf7B483w/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107947982974245186134&rtpof=true&sd=true
The spreadsheet is just the vehicle for expressing the idea but the model also contains a link to an idea for a portal for harvesting views across the Celtic Blogosphere. If I win the lottery …
The CST newcomers elect at tomorrows CST AGM speak of a Membership Scheme but it has to go wider than shareholders and provide a service Members expect.
The thing about a spreadsheet is it lets various assumptions to be tested so anyone familiar with Excel can download and play about with the assumptions.
Auldheid:
Critically important to have that issue looked at in detail and clarified.
This is why blaming Desmond alone is just plain wrong.
Other people allow it when they could put a stop to it.
If those on the board are there to serve his interests they’re not serving ours.
Needs urgent shareholder examination, and actioned if necessary.
On football( because I do take an interest) I think Gordon Strachan said it right on the lines of.
The team with players who tackle hardest , run fastest and jump highest, wins.
I think Kaity proved him right over the two legs and whilst I’m not advocating a return of WGS who did win 3iar, I would like to see his philosophy being part of the criteria for player recruitment not resale value.
Its like what happened to McDonalds that started in the business of selling hamburgers but ended up making bigger profits in the more profitable real estate business.
Have Celtic became a player trading operation at the expense of the football operation?.
Auldheid:
In a word, yes. And a lot of our fans appear comfortable with that.
Comments I love to see on twitter right now.
At last, the fans are waking up to this lot because it’s been going on for far too long. I know fans will be looking across the city, and I’ll guarantee you they’ll be saying they’re winning nothing; they’re rotten, but at least their board is backing him, spending money, and giving him a chance because that boy from Aberdeen will score goals.
Our board are putting the league title in jeopardy and to leave it until the last day is a sackable offence.
If you think we’re winning this league with that squad you have another thing coming.
This comment 👍
Every Celtic fan not working tomorrow should be standing at the gates waiting for the charlatans to turn up for the AGM. An absolute disgrace what they have let happen to the club
BRRB earlier. Lol.
Lots of anger and frustration on show today.
Understandable I suppose.
No empowerment, no control.
Frustration often follows.
Turns to rage in some.
When rage comes in, reason goes out the door.
Bets are off, any tactic can be justified.
A few feel so strongly, HCTS being cancelled.
As is their right.
I enjoy the experience of going to watch Celtic.
It’s in our blood and it’s a good thing.
I enjoyed the experience of going to watch Celtic even when they were doing badly (5th in the league stuff).
I enjoyed the experience of going to watch Celtic before any one of Dermot Desmond, Brendan Rodgers, Peter Lawwell or Michael Nicholson were involved and … God willing … will be able to do so after their tenures end.
Not one of them will take that enjoyment away from me.
Regardless of how the transfer window ends, I’ll wake up tomorrow glad to be a Celtic fan.
James Forrest on 1st September 2025 5:09 pm
Auldheid:
Critically important to have that issue looked at in detail and clarified.
This is why blaming Desmond alone is just plain wrong.
Other people allow it when they could put a stop to it.
If those on the board are there to serve his interests they’re not serving ours.
Needs urgent shareholder examination, and actioned if necessary.
=============
Which is why I advocate the CST taking the lead this time on getting legal advice.
I say this time as I had pledges of £20K from Res12 shareholders for that legal route purpose rejected on misrepresented grounds by CST and I can back that up, but it serves no purpose as it is just a lesson to learn from and use.
Talking about The Emperor’s new clothes any 76 year old person still wearing skinny jeans needs to have a word with themselves.🫢
so are we now rushing about in B&M Bargains trying to find something that they don’t want and dying to get rid of.
Auldheid:
Mate, if you were to start a GoFundMe with that explicit purpose I’d throw my donation in on the first day.
Something to remember if there’s resistance to the idea.
EKBhoy @ 4:39 pm, The Battered Bunnet @ 4:42 pm,
Excellent stuff and interesting reading your valuable insights.
My take on the Brendan Rodgers thing is simple, this time last season until Christmas was a great time to watch Celtic, the players were playing one system, that system was designed to garner points in the new re-vamped UCL.
We were part of an awesome competition and deserved to be.
If that meant we had 90% possession and 1000 passes against domestic opposition, then, no, not the most exciting domestic football, but Scottish domestic football is often crap!
We scored lots of goals from players all over the park, we had a great defensive record.
If we strengthened in January and had some clever player trading this window we would be in an excellent position to be part of that great competition once again.
I wasn’t only watching Celtic, many of the games were of interest to us, many an incredible calibre of football, it’s the most football I’ve watched in years.
Now, can we afford the calibre of football to maintain that level – well the accounts say yes, but we have to be savvy.
Develop footballers, like Matt and Liam, get experience in like Kasper and Kieran it can be done.
In the last two years we have had to change the GK department which we did a great job of imo and not for a King’s ransome either.
It takes talent, football talent, at all levels though, that means Executive and Board level.
Hail Hail
BSR at 5.20
🤣 🤣 🤣
Fofana from Chelsea now the desperate call…..
Since his £10million move to Chelsea from Molde in 2023, the striker has made four senior appearances for the Blues, racking up just 113 minutes of football.
Sutton1888 on 1st September 2025 5:17 pm
Every Celtic fan not working tomorrow should be standing at the gates waiting for the charlatans to turn up for the AGM. An absolute disgrace what they have let happen to the club
==========
The AGM I referred to is the CST’s
The Celtic Trust AGM is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 7:00 PM at Grace’s in Glasgow, with members being urged to attend. This information was confirmed by the Celtic Trust (@TheCelticTrust) on Twitter and reported on Facebook by A Celtic State of Mind.
Details:
Date: September 2, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Grace’s, Glasgow
The Celtic Trust AGM is on 2nd September 2025 at Grace’s …
16 Aug 2025 — The Celtic Trust AGM is on 2nd September 2025 at Grace’s. The Trust now holds 160k Celtic shares valued at £300k, all p…
I have just realised that what I called The CST as in Celtic Supporters Trust is wrong after all these years.
It is the Celtic Trust because it does nor represent supporters which is a structural problem that needs addressed.
Feck it last transfer day or not here is what I think is required that I put to the CT in December 2020.
Hopefully revisited later in the week.
The Future of the CST. Thoughts.
The following are some thoughts for CST to consider to help make Celtic more accountable to their support based on experience of pursuing Resolution 12.
Suggest CST change name from CST to the Registered Name: Celtic Supporters’ Society Limited Company Number: IP29147R so that it is clear CST is open to supporters and shareholders alike.
Give supporters without shares a reason to join more than buying shares to enable CST to speak for them .
Make use of technology and harness social media to identify representational issues, seeks views and act on them after gaining consensus.
Revisit the CST Constitution to see if it needs changing to reflect what in effect would be a re branding and whatever aims , objectives and roles the rebranded organisation take on.
Expand the new organisation to cover many thousands of Celtic supporters, ST Holders, Celtic TV subscribers, etc to give them added authority when raising issues with The Board.
Give each member a membership card with a membership number.
Be prepared to use the financial investment supporters make in Celtic to challenge what is in the Company’s interest where resistance is being met by The Board with no good reason.
Make the Celtic Board more accountable and transparent as a result.
Use subscriptions to fund share purchases, set up legal cost fund (you need lawyers to argue your case with Celtic/SPFL/SFA Lawyers) and pay someone to administer /manage the expanded membership.
Reshape web site to capture emerging issues, keep track of them and keep membership up to date on issues
Invite contributions from Celtic supporters that align with organisations aims for publishing on the web site.
Allow for a much expanded AGM and look at how it might be set up, perhaps using same technology as the Open Meeting on Zoom.
Encourage volunteers with specific expertise to join sub committees to cover separate issues where particular knowledge is needed.
Set agendas and invite Celtic to attend rather than be invited to meetings in small groups and encourage two way dialogue with Celtic as a prerequisite for restoring trust.
Disabuse The Celtic Board of any notion the Celtic support are not capable of rational engagement.
Res 12 Lessons.
Much bigger support baseline needed.
Celtic use the lack of such to ignore pursuing issues
Legal fund absolute necessary to establish shareholder rights and Director responsibilities and challenge legal reasons used to obstruct progress.
Media are under Celtic’s thumb, many journalists briefed on Res12 evidence, none followed up because it is not in their interests, so a respected presence on Social Media required to get any message out.
Make a connection between business issues being pursued and results on the park so that there is a greater understanding of the importance of having a Board that is accountable as symptoms of poor business practice manifest themselves on the field of play.
A lot of hard work involved but easier if spread over a larger organisation with a wider resource base to call on..
What a shambles we are,no fks given by the board
that would give us a Pusey and a fana in the same team.
Now that our ten million target in Dolberg has fallen through, we’re being linked with a loan deal for Sékou Mara.
A 23 year old who has scored a total of 23 (twenty – three) career first team goals. I re-iterate, career goals.
I had what I thought were the lowest possible expectations for today (3 players, one of real quality and a couple of loanees), but they are making fools out of all of us.
Our board is handing BR a pot noodle and telling him to rustle up a steak dinner.
Auldheid – cheers.
Comprehensive as ever.
To this paragraph ….
“16 Aug 2025 — The Celtic Trust AGM is on 2nd September 2025 at Grace’s. The Trust now holds 160k Celtic shares”
… do you happen to know how many Celtic shares are in circulation?
(160k feels like a depressingly low number given credible, coherent attempts such as yours to pull an organised fan shareholder group together)
DENIABHOY
Plenty of time mate, and we’ve got Paul’s Yang article to look forward to.
It has become very clear that after the CL exit at the hands of Kairat Almaty, Celtic’s international reputation is at rock bottom. I believe if we had made the CL cut, the likes of Dolberg would have jumped at the chance to join Celtic.
Not any more. We’re a second rate European club as evidenced by the final day of the transfer window.
Fofana is a CB!
Auldheid:
You know how I felt about a membership scheme. Opposed to it for years. Would have picked it as my metaphorical ditch-to-die-in because it effectively created a two-tier fanbase. Would have been even more vehmently opposed to something run by the club, something along the lines of MyGers.
Now not only could I not muster one coherent argument against your version of it but I’d support it without equivocation and sell the Hell out of it as the most progressive step forward for the fans in my generation. Talk about an idea whose time has come.
And you know what; it would create a two-tier fanbase. Because some want to be involved in pushing issues and raising concerns and some don’t, and that’s fair enough. We shouldn’t be asking or expecting guys who only want to go on a Saturday/Sunday to do that heavy lifting.
There’s not only a case for it, but a need for it. The Trust is limited as a forum because it is only for the shareholders, and if it widens its scope it widens its power and the irony is that it gives its issues amplification and its campaigns a greater chance of success.
Let’s be blunt; the Trust is stuck in the mud, and this focus on a long-term goal which is probably unrealisable in the current conditions, is what will keep them there. A 5% shareholding is a significant thing; they’ve not even been able to carry the message to fans as to WHY it’s their goal or what good it would do.
But something like this, it sells itself. I wrote a piece on a Congress of Celtic fans a year or so back, which brought together various groups … it was big, unweildy, but it was something to build on. We’re way down the line from the discussions that were going on at that time and not one forward step has been made on anything that was being talked about, either amongst ourselves or the wider fan movement.
Total paralysis, with the results you see.
Your idea works because those who want to engage will be able to. Those who don’t, won’t.
David Fofana
At this point in time and with so much cash in hand, of which £16.5M came in for Kuhn and another £10M+ reportedly due to come in today, we could do a lot worse than test Norwich City’s resolve with a £25M offer for Josh Sargent. 6 goals in 5 games this season already.
OK, I’ll get my coat.
“Hammarby has accepted Celtic’s latest bid of 70 million kronor, including bonuses, for Sebastian Tounekti. The clubs are now in a race against time to finalize the paperwork before midnight. Tounekti has agreed with Celtic on a contract that runs for four years”
TinyTim on 1st September 2025 2:43 pm
Spot on….!
Weeron.
That was just posted on X
Brendan will get what he wants, yeah ?
Shocking that we are leaving it so late in the transfer window. Maybe we could sign an assistant manager and a set-piece specialist instead?
If no one signs then I assume we will see more of the youth team step up which may be a good thing.
PRESTONPANS BHOYS
There are 2 Fofanas at Chelsea. Celtic are interested in a loan deal for striker David Fofana.