Space inside the box when you have the ball at your feet is at premium and whatever you have, closes quickly. The ancient part of our brains kicks in at this point. We become alert to the dangers of the shrinking space.
This reaction is biologically evidenced. The associated rush of adrenaline flushes the muscles with energy but it also obscures peripheral vision. You will know this yourself if you’ve been in possession of a football for as much as a second with defenders closing a loop around you. This is why, from the stands, we can often see a pass, but the player in possession fires off a shot that is easily blocked.
Watch Odsonne Edouard before he passes to Ryan Christie for the equaliser. Running towards goal with the ball, he has to fight against all of these biological factors to suppress the urge to panic into a premature shot.
His presence in the box induces the same adrenaline rush in the Lazio defenders’ brains and limbs: they focus on Odsonne, but the Celtic striker is winning the fight against nature. He maintains enough peripheral vision to spot the slenderest gap at 90 degrees to his right. Ryan Christie is in space and while all others panic, Odsonne pings a pass into Ryan’s path.
You can give players all the benefits sports science allows, train them until they are built like supermen, but the game is played in the mind. That ability to defy the natural instinct and control your body is where greatness lives.
I was troubled at halftime. Celtic did not deserve to be behind but Lazio scored an excellent goal and were clearly a very good team, while Cluj were ahead in Rennes, the result we did not want. The opening 15 minutes of the second half were controlled by the visitors, with Celtic unable to hold possession.
We needed energy from somewhere and Ryan Christie stepped forward. He covers 20 yards with great speed and regularity. His run to the corner around the hour, which created our first chance of the second half, looked like he was propelled forward in a pinball machine. His sprint forward, drop back, then repeat action, change the flow of the game.
It is not just Celtic who seldom score from corner kicks, such goals are the Hen’s Teeth of the modern game. Defenders mark the main threats, while others attack the space most likely to produce a goal. With the inevitable numerical defensive overload and set plays video analysed to within an inch of indecency, corners are the football equivalent of a Brexit deadlock.
But still, when Scott Brown’s shot from outside the box was deflected wide with two minutes remaining, we could dream. Christopher Jullien is as commanding in the air as any Celtic player since Bobo Balde. His sheer upper body bulk make a challenge from lesser mortals futile. His leap and glancing header inside the far post were like a great cruise liner gracefully launching down the slip. We were going to win this, or so we thought.
Fraser Forster had already made an incredible block with the score at 1-1, but in the final minute of added time, his leap to stop the unstoppable volley from Cataldi was the best save I have ever seen.
Crowds react to great save with cheers, or applause on lesser occasions. This save was met with an audible gasp. Shock from the ancient part of our brains was articulated an instant before the subsequent joy, not to mention respect. We were not to be denied.
When Hatem Elhamed went down injured inside the last 10 minutes, Moritz Bauer, a straight replacement at right back, was told to get stripped, but Neil Lennon quickly changed his mind. Instead, there was an Israeli shuffle, with Nir Bitton replacing Elhamed. Celtic went to a back three and two minutes later, Neil replaced Boli Bolingoli with Jonny Hayes. Coming so late in the game, Lazio had no time to react; Celtic were setup to control the middle of the park.
Goodness. In the dying minutes of a game against the top seed with the score at 1-1, we change tactical formation, going three at the back against two strikers. You have to hand it to Neil Lennon. Without this change, Scott Brown is nowhere near the Lazio box to be able to latch onto a loose ball and shoot to secure the corner that produced the winning goal.
It was an absolute masterstroke. Well done, boss.
For most of us, our days are full of small joys and trials. Spontaneous, shared, exhilaration is in rare supply. But, here we are.
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As Doc posted the other night after the Lazio game … better words than I could type but I think he meant
We all might have a different Celtic
No better or worse than any other Celtic fan
Hail Hail
GFTB,
That is not the point.
I Know the Big Man is in control, its his Story, Incredible so it is, He is gonnae Judge anyway at the end of the day.
GFTB
You obviously do, going by the number of your posts on the issue. It is right, moral and ethical. Integrity and justice must prevail.
HH
GFTB
How’ many fans do you know who don’t care about the cheating that denied us championships.
BT 9.16pm
The fans / supporters I know don’t even care about Res 12… they want a Hun entity and I can assure you they don’t want a Hun team fae Ibrox to disappear … how busy is the Parkville when we play the Huns ??? If they are a new team why is the “big hall” ticket only ? Do you think they are a new entity ? There are plenty of people who don’t
Friesdorfor 9.09pm
I am 100% behind the resolutioners (sic) but am hopefully wise enough to realise Celtic might want the status quo until Celtic fans don’t attend games the PLC will be a PLC … do they want to harm their own business by taking down their biggest rival (money wise) I still think most Celtic fans want a Hun team to beat … it might come back and bite us on the bahookie but I think it’s a risk our “bored” will take when the team is still collecting trophies
GFTB
Alan was in his Grandas house wearing the old Rangers Tap.
That didnae end well for the Old Rangers.
The old yins done the Hard Yards but we must Always be open and listen.
Alan is a wee Gem of a person, World Class so he is, he works shifts and offers to his Gran to help whenever he can.
Noone ever said to not wear that strip.
I love the colour Blue too
Petec 9.34pm
You’ve lost me again … not for the first time …
Blue is a beautiful colour, lovely blue sky and lovely blue water
Not sure who Alan is but I hope he is well
Neil Lennon is Beyond Remarkable….. A True Gift frae the Almighty for sure.
GFTB – Alan is my Nephew.
Going for a ly down.
Petec: Cheers. Hope you are well.
Friesdorfor 9.09pm
Apologies if I try and give my opinion on the people I speak to outside the blog … but I will quote you if that’s ok
“It is right, moral and ethical. Integrity and justice must prevai”
Am just posting on CQN, I will never attempt to be ethical, with integrity and certainly don’t care if justice prevails and not my call for it to be right… and on the moral front … again am just posting … maybe some take themselves too serious …
GFTB,
Arthur being the Great he is, he gently mocked the young Man, dinnae worry even if Newco stop 9 Dad and Alan will still be the best of Grandas and Grandkids.
Alans insistence in helping Mum as much as he can is Mega in My Tiny Mind.
God Bless ye Gerry and Everyone that is close to you.
Almore on 26th October 2019 9:51 pm
Petec: Cheers. Hope you are well.
…………………………………………………………
Trying to get to bed….. God Bless ye Almore
I’m as well as possible, I hope you Sir are Weller
Frimpong :)))
The majority rule?
So the majority of Celtic supporters are ignorant of our Board’s faults with regards to RES12, the 5 way agreement, Nimmo Smith etc. Especially the under 45s it seems.
Should they remain in ignorance? Should we try to educate them? I think we should.
But more importantly, because many are unaware does that kill the argument?
Why come on here and boast about most not caring and trying to give a half hearted impression that your on the side of the resolutioners when quite clearly you don’t give a toss?
As long as Celtic are winning trophies and have a *rangers to lord over then all is well in the world. Not your opinion of course – the majoriity’s. Who are you trying to kid?
Board Statement:
“The Board does not consider it to be in the best interests of the Company to take the steps proposed by the resolution. The Board recommends that you vote against this resolution.”
Is there any way to formally, or otherwise, ask the Celtic Board to expand on their view that it is not, “in the best interests of the Company to take the steps proposed by the resolution”?
🍀⚽️
G’night Sweetheart
Petec 9.57pm
I have posted on here before my good lady & two step daughters are Sevconians… amazing people … although Stevie Gee has gave them optimism (they aren’t the brightest as they like me as well :-)
I quite like the Thursday / Sunday stuff I think I think Celtic are better when the Huns are on our tail ….
“If” we reach the knockout stages of the Europa I can assure the league will be in the bag … it’s not the winter break it’s the rest our bhoys will get …
We live in terrific Celtic times … my only worry is for the young Celtic fans who haven’t done our apprenticeship of getting humped :-)
Jim the Tim 53 10.04pm
Funnily enough I was going to say under 50 … but I take it your under 45 was maybe aimed at my post … It is right, moral and ethical. Integrity and justice must prevail.
Not sure I used the word “ignorance” but batter in it’s easy to type and call other Celtic fans “ignorant” … in my opinion based on my view … and I think am right … very few Celtic fans care about Resolution 12 … that’s not me happy about that fact … I just think that is factual
GFTB,
I know plenty of Tims that go every home and away game who know all about Res12, and they do give a stuff about it but believe the Plc don’t care enough for it ever to see the light of day as its the Plc they blame for the greater Celtic support knowing so little about Res12, since they demanded developments be kept confidential in effect restricting publicity. If they wanted the Celtic support to know more they simply need to make a public statement through the meeja.
However, I’m no sure what your point is ?
Are you proposing that since so few know about it means they don’t care about it which is a bit silly really, no? (That’s no a dig), I mean, obviously we can’t expect people who are not aware of Res12 to care about it how can they.
But I would suggest that, to say they shouldn’t care about it or that they are right not to care about it is very short sighted.
I would also suggest that those in the know and who do care about it are shareholders.
As someone who does no go to any games, how do you know what the majority of those that travel home and away think? Or what their knowledge of RES12 is?
Is it the opinion of a few you drink with, do you consider them the majority?
Wee Billy from Govan comes home wearing a Celtic Top, his Ma grabs him & shakes the hell out of him, what the hell are you thinking about she sez. I’ve decided I’m going to be a Tim he replies. His Da just comes in, hears him and clatters him across the ear, Wee Billy roars and that brings his Granda running in, What are ye doing to the wean he sez. Then he spots the Top & gives Billy a kick in the arse.
They give Billy a few minutes to learn the error of his ways, then the 3 of them come in and say I hope you learned something there.
I did sez Billy, I’ve only been a Tim 10 minutes and I hate ye Orange Bassas already.
I’ve been reading up on the Boards opinion and lack of action going forward.
Disappointed doesn’t even start to cover it.
As proud as I was of our Club on Thursday, I am so far away from that emotion tonight.
ShamedCSC
Me too Doc, scunnered is a good word.
GFTB, not quite what I was trying to express, I was simply very proud of the Club, in that moment.
I was trying to say I don’t expect to win, but hope to.
I don’t see us as having any right to anything, but expect our team to never give up.
I do however agree, we are all supporters, none better than the next.
Spiritof1988CSC
In my opinion my Go on Home Facist Bastards, go on home, was a better post🇮🇪🍀
Canamalar,
It’s shameful behaviour from our custodians.
The last time I was this disappointed in those running the Club was pre-The Bunnet.
Whenever topics like this come up – Res12 etc. Why is your first line of defence the ‘numbers game’. Nobody cares! Why are you obsessed with that ‘fact’? Does that make out board correct?
Canalamar 10.16pm
I can assure you please don’t read this the wrong way … I totally appreciate you & the other 3 who have pursued this and you are all correct … and hope you all keep at it .. cheating is cheating and you have the proof
My point is most Celtic fans (I know) are oblivious to Res 12 and these are punters who go home & away… av been slagged saying “get off the internet and get back to the games”
I realise it’s SFA but everybody else thinks it’s a Celtic v Rangers thing, is it about the SFA fining Albion Rovers for a incorrect date of birth but allowing other incorrect registrations …
Canalamar please believe me I am 100% behind Resoultion 12 but surely am allowed to say the majority of Celtic fans are either unaware or don’t care and are more interested in Celtic just winning …
Doc- ditto
Doc 10.30pm
Trust me the proud bit of being a Celtic fan was exactly how your post read
Apologies for embellishing it but my point was sort of the same :-)
That’s why I said your words were better 👍
GFTB, not a problem buddy.
Melbourne Mick
Please pass on my best wishes to Paddy and his family.
*************************************************
Big Jimmy
Take it easy man. Taking a few steps towards a healthier lifestyle, can pay big dividends.
🍀⚽️
Forster
Bauer Ajer Julienne Taylor
Brown MacGregor
Forrest Rogic Elyounoussi
Edouard
Put Taylor in instead of Bolingoli just for all the ones who said Taylor is sine die
GFTB,
Of course you are but your equating those who don’t know with those who don’t care, completely different groups, I’d suggest if more knew about it they would support it, as for those who know about it and don’t give a monkeys as long as there’s a Hun to beat. I’d label them glory hunters and will be like snaw aff a dyke when the cheating has supported the Hun back to full health and competing on and equal footing and winning trophies. Probably first mob to start squealing the board should have nailed them with Res12 when they had the chance. Glory hunters do tend to be fickle like that.
Canalamar 10.16pm
Just read that post
So why do the fans who go home and away sing more about Rangers than Resolution 12 ?
Can you answer me why that is ?
Obviously your not there either to lead the singing
Canalmar 10.51
I know as a resolutioner you might be side tracked … call me anything you won’t but you probably haven’t even posted about us beating Lazio or facing the Dandy Dons the morra even though you think you are doing good your hatred of the PlC is wasting your Celtic supporting life … but batter in each to their own
Fellow Celtic fans we live in terrific Celtic times
God night n god bless 💚
GFTB,
Can you think of a rhyme with Res12?
Something that would get the support singing?
Could it possibly be because nobody has wrote a catchy Res12 number?
They sing F*** the SFA more than they sing about the Huns, they sing more Irish Freedom songs than they sing about the Huns are you sure it’s no you that’s fixated on the Huns, I really don’t hear that much about the Huns except at Hun games.
Canalamar 11.03pm
So the Celtic fans that go to the away games are so outraged but don’t sing because nothing rhymes with 12
:-)
If there is an injustice we need to get something to rhyme with it or else we won’t sing for a number of years
It’s all about the rhyming not the cheating ??
Definitely bedtime
Aye, a bit like everyone that doesn’t know about it doesn’t care about it.
I think we can wrap it into the f*** the SFA song that I mentioned.
It’s no really something to sing about is it?
I expect they should be singing about the balance sheet using your logic. Me songs about rangers than the balance sheet or the Plc executive so does your logic apply to them too, does it mean none of the support are interested?
Going by the amount of press they get there are plenty interested, if res12 got as much press I expect it would be as high on the agenda as the balance sheet.