Anyone who has watched Celtic in recent weeks knows the impact Jeremie Frimpong has on the team. He alone has the ability to run at and past defenders, without him, Celtic are significantly easier to defend against. This has been clear from recent performances and his absence from the starting line-up against Riga was my principle concern before the game.
He did not start last night because when we go three at the back, it is Jeremie or James Forrest on the right. After the game Neil Lennon told us James has struggled with an ankle injury for a couple of weeks, leaving us with the classic ingredients for recency bias. James’ recent injury-affected form has been below the standard or Jeremie’s. But of all the occasions you could make a case to start James Forrest, European qualifiers will be the easiest. He scores and creates goals in qualifiers at a prodigious rate.
Also, watchers of Celtic in recent seasons will know that Injury is the Mother of Invention. Where would Ryan Christie be without Eboue Kouassi and Olivier Ntcham picking up first half injuries at Murrayfield? Jeremie is now likely to get a run at Hibs and Sarajevo. What happens in the middle of the park is more intriguing.
Scott Brown took a knock that will keep him under observation between now and the Hibs game. That clip on Scott’s Achilles’ gives the manager lots to consider. After Hibs, we have four hugely important games: Sarajevo, then after the international break: Newco, Aberdeen away and Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final. The roster becomes significantly trickier if we overcome Sarajevo, as we would have two Europa League games before next month’s semi-final.
I read many asking, why does Scott Brown play practically every minute of every game? It is clearly not that you have spotted something that escaped the manager’s attention, Neil Lennon does not have a blind spot that tens of thousands of Celtic fans can see through, so let’s not pretend otherwise.
You have been watching football all of your life, so you know by now that what you see on the field is only part of the story. Any team: footballers, salesmen, network engineers or shop staff, need a common culture and leadership to reach their best. What a boss gets from his or her line manager in frontline performance, in any walk of life, is not the entire contribution.
I have a friend who is also a customer. He tells me what I need to do with my staff and I tell him the same about his staff. Neither of us take the others’ advice, because I am using the resources I have to keep my team focussed on our objective and he is doing the same. I talk to him about practically every personal aspect of my life, but I don’t even go into the detail of this stuff with him, because it involves personal details about others. In very simple environments like mine and his, teams are complicated things.
I would like to see Jeremie start more games and I am really keen to see central mid re-jigged. From my seat on the couch, both are crucial to our outcomes this season. But I know there’s a ton of human dynamics in every team that outsiders are clueless about. The manager needs to keep this indoors while suffering the slings and arrows of outrageous opinion. It can be a tough gig. It is good that we have all ‘been there, done that’, when it comes to building a winning football team, so none of us exist in a fantasy that we are the true fonts of wisdom Neil Lennon really has to listen to. I mean, can you imagine thinking like that? Jeez.
Have a great weekend.
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Morning All,
Would love to see us shape up like this today…
Barkas
Elhamed Duffy Ajer Frimpong
Ntcham Mcgregor Christie
Edouard Ajeti Elyounoussi
If Julien is fit then I’d probably swap him in for Ajer.
Regardless, I reckon today is the day things ‘click’ and we see some cracking football and some great goals.
Celtic 5 – Hibs 2
.
Good morning cqn from a dry but overcast Haggerston were the internet is hit and miss.
Wherever we are or whatever we are doing today I will try and get VST working but fear the worst😥☹😥
Anywho 4-1 the good ghuys 🍀⚽️🍀⚽️🍀
Must dash
HH
D :)
MACCARGO on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2020 7:26 AM
I like that team .Could you run it past JUNGLE JIM first for approval. “HOTSMOKED”
D66- I got last game on my phone, was a better picture on 4G with wifi off.
Reports today of Burnley lining up a “big money” move for Christie.
I wonder how much they’d have to bid for Celtic to listen.
Henry Joy
Heartfelt Sumpathy to all the family on the loss of your Dhad
Let Perpetual Light Shine upon Him
And
May he rest in Peace
Henry Joy- condolences on your loss.
HENRY JOY
May your Dad rest in peace.
HENRY JOY, condolences on your loss. Missed your post last night when I popped in for a few minutes so did not comment then. Appologies.
Henry Joy on 26th September 2020 10:18 pm
Sincere condolences May He Rest In Peace
The BBC and their chums in the SMSM on fine form this morning.
HENRY JOY
Condolences on the loss of your Dad
Henry Joy! Sorry for your loss
Henry Joy
So sorry to see that your Dad has passed away. My condolences to you and your family. RIP. 🙏🏻
henry joy
Look up to the heavens later on today.
Mars is up there, Saturn and Jupiter too
But there’s a new Star outshining them all
That’s your Dad
condolencestoyouandyours
There will be a time coming up [as long as possible please] where Celtic do not win a competition in scottish football we enter.There will be a season in which we do not win the league championship.
My fear is not that scenario but the completely pathetic entitled atitude some fellow celtic fans have.
The manager the captain the chief exec and the owner will all be crucified .
You see it with Man Utd fans right now after a 15 year spell of general domestic bliss.
Me?
I will have a wee moan like everyone but will then open up a can of carbonated soft drink [I don’t drink alcohol] and toast the most incredible period of supporting celtic in my life and thank every player and coach and exec who has made it possible.
Proud to support this incredible club and for all our flaws nothing can compare to being a Celtic supporter.
Henry Joy
sorry to hear of the loss of your father
may he rest in peace.
HH
Henry Joy
Sorry so sorry about your dad.
Lost mine just over 2 years ago and one thing I can say is it gets easier.
Take care
Possibly one or two more heading out on loan to join the Celts below;
Maryan Shved (Mechelen)
Vakoun Bayo (Toulouse)
Boli Bolignoli (Istanbul Basaksehir)
Jack Hendry (Oostende)
Scott Robertson (Gillingham)
Lee O’Connor (Tranmere)
Ross Doohan (Ross County)
Kerr McInroy (Dunfermine)
The top four in that list are very likely to remain in the revolving door at CP, even if they return. Scott Robertson doing very well at Gillingham, is a Celtic star of the future IMO.
Feel a bit for Greg Taylor who was signed as a full back where he played for Kilmarnock and Scotland. At Celtic, he’s suddenly thrown forward to play as a ‘wing back’ in a midfield five. Along with his new unfamiliar role and expectancy level, he’s become the new whipping bhoy.
Celtic need more in this area of the squad but aren’t likely to get the type of player required unless they’re prepared to pay a lot more than the £2M it costs for the Greg Taylors.
Supermen ‘wing backs’ mostly play in the big leagues very ordinary defenders cost millions ( Bolingoli, Bauer, Toljan Hayes ) so Celtic have to get this one right. To get the right man in, a loan deal may be the best, as this guy has to hit the ground running and be first team ready.
Getting straight into the Celtic side excludes so many, but the top players have aspirations way above Celtic’s league where even journey men and some legneds think they are good value for getting EPL money. We should sign a mere left back within the next few days. someone that can defend first and foremost especially at the back post, a full back that will play in the face of opposition and not be caught wrong side, up the park out of position.
Somebody who won’t be asked to become a wing back overnight because 3- 5 – 2 is the in formation.
Tommy Callaghan CSC
HENRY JOY
Condolences
May your Dad rest in peace
Hail Hail
BOURNESOUPRECIPE
Good post. What I’d give for a left-sided Frimpong…
HENRY JOY
Sincere condolences on your loss.
KEEP THE FAITH
lazy D
its great supporting Celtic my friend.
we have work to do.as always the case.
seasons start has been no worse than the previous 8 or 9.
the hun narrative is at full malky.
in its meeja
in its masonic halls
and in its crimplene
10 will bolt in what the hunner pence knight done to their pockled existience.
They are full of the failure narrative.
enjoy
it is at times like this i recall walking home in the hampden year after another defeat/draw
always determined to make Celtic better in the future.
HH
HENRY JOY on 26TH SEPTEMBER 2020 10:18 PM
Condolences to you , your story about your dad’s ST did bring a smile onto what must be a sad occasion
BSR
Bang on with this comment:
Feel a bit for Greg Taylor who was signed as a full back where he played for Kilmarnock and Scotland. At Celtic, he’s suddenly thrown forward to play as a ‘wing back’ in a midfield five. Along with his new unfamiliar role and expectancy level, he’s become the new whipping bhoy
AN TEARMANN on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2020 10:48 AM
I agree mate.
Even if dark clouds come towards us and even if our bitter glasgow rivals win a cup or a league.
We will still be Celtic.
I look back on the days of the early 1990s not as bad as some think.
Of course it hurt being so far off the pace but the pretty regular wins against them and the odd european miracle like cologne in 92 felt like heaven for 5 minutes.
Infact just the sight of Mcstay with the ball at his feet gave me a warm glow.
Good morning from a very sunny North Staffs
Henry Joy – condolences for the loss of your dad – may he rest in peace.
Team selection criticism might or might not ease for Neil Lennon today, depending on the outcome with James Forrest and Scott Brown both injured it makes way for others favourites in the starting eleven. Jullien could be restored after injury, Bitton and El Hamed also come into contention.
Celtic supporters hoping David Turnbull could be a straight swap for the injured captain? – but doesn’t look likely if the NFL quotes are to be believed “David’s got the whole season in front of him and he’s getting used to our style of play and training.” “People want players thrust in straight away but we’ve got to make sure we get the timing right. “ With Soro not in the midweek squad, its more likely to be another reshuffle with Christie dropping back to the five, MOI restored wide left and Ajeti up front with Eddy. Along the lines of
……………….Barkas………….
Jullien/El Hamed…. Duffy…..Ajer
Frimpong Ntcham MacGregor Taylor MOI
Ajeti Edouard
Score forecast 2-0 to the good guys.
Hail Hail
Henry Joy, Sincerest Condolences to you and yours at this time.
HENRYJOY – tough news indeed, bud. MHRIP.
Nice to hear you shared a common passion; CFC.
HENRY JOY
Candle will be lit at Clonard Monastery Belfast in memory of your Dad.
Henry joy.
May your dad rest in peace.
NL — not covering himself in glory with those comments.
Seems to me he is winding up the support just for the hell of it.
All coming down now to what changes he makes — does he pick his best pals 11 out of the players who are available or does he pick the best / most balanced team?
If we end up with 3 – 7 – 0 then we are in full pals mode.
Very sanguine about the game.
Worst result would be a horrible performance and a scrappy victory.
Things need to change — and the change needs to happen fast.
Good morning, CQN.
Some life imitating tubers for the benefit of DBBIA: https://twitter.com/AventuraObscura/status/1310137807533494272?s=20
Thank you all again for your condolences. Taking strength from heart felt wishes and a beautiful new day.
Will pass on to the rest of family ….you’ve already made my mum smile for the first time since.
Ave Ave
First time for a while we will see a game where its not 11 man defence for 90% of the game.
I hope.
Well Well.
Unlikely but Motherwell may do Celtic a Colin Favor. KissFM.
We need to take care of the Hibees.
Lets not get stung.
Massive day Today.