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The truth is always welcome

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

Last night’s result was both disappointing and embarrassing.  Considering that Bodo/Glimt were preseason and scored their third long after the affects of cramp and exhaustion took hold, it was even humiliating.  Only a remarkable turnaround will see Celtic remain in the Uefa Conference League, an outcome that would be very harsh on the comparatively underpaid and over-performing Norwegians.

When I looked at the teams left in the competition earlier this week, only Leicester and Marseille seemed out of reach.  This was a chance, I thought, to go deep into a European competition – perhaps our last and easiest chance for some time, as we hoped to compete on higher ground in the years to come.

We have both seen enough of Celtic in Europe, though, to hedge our bets.  On Wednesday, I wrote, “You and I are also full of confidence right now.  What we are missing is a test against non-Scottish opposition.  Drubbing a limp Newco gave us hope that we are watching something special.  Tomorrow night will give an indication as to whether that hope is valid.”  We have our answer.

Welcome the truth instead of living deluded.  It should fortify us for the challenges ahead, better to know, than to rock up at Easter Road next week with an unbalanced and porous midfield.  Or to think that the world has been put to right during two transfer windows.

Cameron Carter-Vickers was head and shoulders above everyone on the field.  He operated at a level Bodo/Glimt were unable to reach.  Similarly, Carl Starfelt and Joe Hart did not put a foot wrong.  Our full backs and wingers on both sides were bossed out of the contest.

Callum McGregor has seen this movie before and covered every inch of the park in a vain attempt to prevent a sequel.  Did anyone think Tom Rogic and Matt O’Riley would be an effective midfield pairing?  Apart from Ange, of course.  Daizen Maeda scored with a peach of a header but spent much of the game isolated.  I hope Reo Hatate was carrying an impediment that made his exclusion from the starting line-up necessary.  Any other reason would be inexplicable.

And for the record, Ange, no, we did not control the game.  That ability lay with the men in yellow, who played exactly how they wanted.

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  5. iljasb on

    SPIDEY101 on 18TH FEBRUARY 2022 7:30 PM

     

     

    An excellent analysis SPIDEY. That’s what we need, not just shrugging off our defeats in Europe. European performances should define us, not SPFL performances. I like Ange but I think he is rarely properly prepared for European matches. I’m not asking him to abandon attacking football, just asking him to play to suit the circumstances by adding some steel in midfield.

  9. petec on

    https://www.youtube.com/

     

     

     

    Wow Wow Wow, Everywhere we Go.

     

     

    Now about the Vaccine Passports?

     

     

    More specifically for Next Seasons Tickets?

     

     

    Paul67 may be jibber jabber’n against the Scottish Government……… Will the unthinkable be happening?

     

     

    As the SNP Leader is extending the Emergency Powers when the Pandemic is crumbling……Will a Persons Health status be required (hmmmmmm) to get a ST?

  12. iljasb on

    Apparently this is what Ange said in an interview in The Herald: [my comments in square brackets]

     

    “It wasn’t so much about our performance, [was that an acceptable performance Ange]? it is about what happened in the two boxes [not in the midfield Ange?]. They were super clinical, we weren’t [Ange, their third goal couldn’t be described as super clinical – not the usual way to describe a heavily deflected shot. And the second was a surprise long-range effort.] When that happens in football you pay the price because goals are like gold dust in our game. They are the hardest thing to do … To be fair to us, we have scored a lot of goals this season. We are usually really good in that area [I don’t think so. We have had good results against wee teams in Scotland and in an unusual game against sevco but we usually win by low scores.] on Thursday night we weren’t.”

     

     

    If goals are like “gold dust” as Ange says then clearly it is no surprise that we as well as many/most teams fail to convert so many opportunities. Hence you also need to concentrate on defending.

     

     

    Ange’s comments if taken at face value don’t bode well for the rematch.

     

     

    Opposition teams have defenders and a goalkeeper for a reason – to keep goals from being scored. “Shots on target” covers a lot of possibilities. Is a difficult chance or a sitter? You can’t rely on taking “all chances” or even 50%, you have to stop the opposition scoring too.

     

     

    Ange is getting carried away with himself. His philosophy? Just score more than the opposition. Really? Everyone knows that, but most take seriously the notion of preventing the other team from scoring,. apparently either Ange doesn’t or just thinks it’s not worth talking about. Either way I think thinking fans will get tired of this failure to do the obvious. Of course it will always be a two-horse race in Scotland but I don’t want to be regularly disappointed, embarrassed even, in Europe – not a CL team, not a EL team and now not a Conference League team. I like Ange but he needs to take his blinkers off. It’s not that he’s been asked to change his philosophy, he’s simply being asked to do better in keeping the opposition out because of the fact that you can’t guarantee you’ll convert more chances than the opposition, especially in Europe. The idea is to win and defending well is part of that.

  21. Greenpinata on

    Great reading/ watching stranded Norwegians getting a lift to the game with the Preston Emerald.

     

     

    Our hospitality got a mega shot in the arm . A fiver a pint felt like a belated Christmas present for the thirsty punters.

     

     

    Another reminder to GCC about our value to the economy..

     

     

    HH.

  22. Big Jimmy on

    AN TEARMANN on 18TH FEBRUARY 2022 10:13 PM

     

    ………..

     

    As you like Bryan Ferry, you WIIL probably know the answer to the following question ?

     

    LOL…

     

    Bryan used to DATE the Texan Model ” JERRY HALL”. She ” Binned” Bryan for Mick Jagger, who she later Married.

     

    WHY did she do that ?

     

    ANSWER…IF She had Married Bryan…Her Name would have been ” JERRY FERRY” !

     

    LOL.

     

    I hope that you are well mate, and let me know if you will be in my local on 4th March for a wee Bevvy ?

     

    HH

  23. Moisey17 on

    A great read back with loads of points both in praise of Ange and the team and pointing out our flaws.

     

    In general we have got to be delighted where we are given what we looked like in June – that is unarguable however the flashes of great and thrilling play has whetted our appetite for more.

     

    When games like Thursday come along we get a bit irritated and the “he’ll never do” chat starts – if this is you think back to June for some perspective.

     

    Having said that there is no doubt the Achilles Heel of AP – he appears all about attack and how we play with little concern about opposing team, how they play, players to be aware of etc. Generally this is I think a poor outlook but generally we get away with it domestically however not in Euro Comps. There is a touch of arrogance about “it’s all about our football” that doesn’t sit to well with me – ok if your Man City but not Celtic sadly.

     

    Thursday was a great example of a team that we super well coached to play us – they were efficient and effective without being great individuals because they watched us and set up to play accordingly. That is quality analysis and quality coaching and is how you punch above your weight – if we go out and learn that lesson it will be disappointing but worth it.

  24. David66 on

    Good morning troops from a snowy Garngad

     

     

    I think we will bounce back with a 6 – 1 win manana. Dunno the odds but I am going to pop into a bookies today (as I dont like on line betting) and have a wee punt.

     

     

    Dundee is the perfect game at the right time after Thursday for us they are in turmoil.

     

     

    Big Jimmy I will be there on the 4th :) :) looking forward to it.

     

     

    May the 4th be with you.

     

     

    Hail Hail

     

     

    D :)

  25. David66 on

    Moisey17 – Good post.

     

     

    I think Ange will know now there are 1 or 2 in our 1st team squad that are not good enough for him.

     

     

    He has inherited these players and not had enough transfer windows to change things.

     

     

    As you say look where we were last season, although it is only Neil L that has fell on his sword for that debacle, the board should have and still should follow.

     

     

    Anyway back to the playing side, Ange really only has had 1 window when you think of it.

     

     

    D :)

  26. Big Jimmy on

    DAVID66 on 19TH FEBRUARY 2022 7:53 AM

     

    Good morning troops from a snowy Garngad

     

     

     

     

     

     

    I think we will bounce back with a 6 – 1 win manana. Dunno the odds but I am going to pop into a bookies today (as I dont like on line betting) and have a wee punt.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Dundee is the perfect game at the right time after Thursday for us they are in turmoil.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Big Jimmy I will be there on the 4th :) :) looking forward to it.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    May the 4th be with you.

     

    ………

     

    I STILL havent been out ANYWHERE, but I am hoping for a few Pints on Monday after I finally get to the Post Office.

     

     

    MY Online Bookie has Celtic to WIN by ” CORRECT SCORE”…of Celtic – 6 v Dundee – 1 @ Odds of 40/1.

     

    I hope that you get s similar price with the street Bookies ?

     

    Im gonna have a wee Bet at 40/1.

     

    See you on the 4th March mate, but I will TEXT You beforehand.

     

    HH Mate.

  30. tonyrome on

    BIG JIMMY/DAVID 66

     

     

    Sorry lads I would have loved to be there on the 4th but I have a day out on the 5th with PARK ROAD 67 and our lovely ladies. I can’t do 2 days in a row anymore. As my wee mum always said “old age doesn’t come alone”. I think THE LURKIN TIM was interested he’s good company.

     

     

    Some day it will work out.

     

     

    KEEP THE FAITH

  31. Timbhoy163 on

    Ben Doak and Karamoka Dembele I know they are Young but they are very good football players same as young Joey Dawson should at least be in the dugout when Celtic are playing home or away .

  32. ziggydoc1 on

    !!BADA BING!! on 18TH FEBRUARY 2022 6:04 PM

     

    The Celts are back in domestic action this Sunday, February 20 (KO 3pm), as they take on Dundee at a packed-out Celtic Park. The match is sold-out but you can still catch all the action, anywhere in the UK & Ireland, live on StreamDigital’s pay-per…

     

    ____

     

    BADA BING,

     

     

    Does that just link you to Celtic TV or is it a separate service?

  33. corkcelt on

    Moisey, Excellent Post, I love Ange, I feel he recruited very well and like most Celts will be more than satisfied if we win the League this year,

     

    In the longer term I would want Celtic to be competitive in at least the Europa and to do that we need to box clever in European games.

     

    The attitude this is how we play, the more we play this way, the better we will get at it, will not cut it at European Level,

     

    I imagine Ange himself is on a learning curve and I expect he will adapt,

     

    At the moment I’m loving the football we are playing & really enjoying the Season, I’ll worry about European Football next year.

  34. David66 on

    Tonyrome – No problem sir.

     

     

    I have the 4th swarie, 5th night out with family, 6th Football.

     

     

    :) :)

     

     

    Lets see how I end up on Monday 7th.

     

     

    D :)

  35. big wavy on

    Fellas,

     

     

    I have an old-fashioned sprint to the airport after the game tomorrow and wondered where is the first best place to head towards where I have the best chance of getting a cab for the rest of the journey….

     

     

    Merchant City ???

     

     

    Cheers in advance….

     

     

    HH

  36. petec on

    Now don’t get me wrong but Who is doing the Lightshow/DJing lately?

     

     

    It is just Dance music.

     

     

    I was the Biggest ever cheesey quaver but Celtic Park and its light show should get the crowd going Tonto. Celtic (current&Classics) & Zombie tracks only.

     

     

    Its not working. We need a much better music Selection to go with the lightshow.

     

     

    I dinnae know about the copyright etc but Moravcik67 would Energise the crowd like Nothing on Earth.

     

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2ZKQfp7D6U&t=3s

  37. Joe Cundy on

    ZIGGYDOC1 on 19TH FEBRUARY 2022

     

     

     Does that just link you to Celtic TV or is it a separate service?

     

     

    You have to buy it on the stream ppv website but it is the Celtic TV coverage you get once purchased.

  38. vinniethedog on

    Off to see the B team today down in Galashiels…..looking forward to it……tomorrow’s team selection will be interesting……I hope Ange doesn’t go for whole scale changes a la raith rovers….scales for Taylor …Gio for maeda…..I’d maybe like a wee freshen up and stick Jota on right and maeda on left Hatate O Riley and Cal

     

    Hopefully huns have a big come down of their high …it happens sometimes!

  40. bournesouprecipe on

    Spidey @ ages ago

     

     

    Good post.

     

     

    Celtic are a single dimensional club with an attacking philosophy. A one tactic team, whose present manager promotes goals for, Ange advocates attack. In fairness he’s plugged the sieve and brought in some better players than those that spelled the end for Neil Lennon. But the philosophy is doomed in Europe just look at the record.

     

     

    The gap between Celtic and Europe is as wide as it ever was, and opened up again because we have no route to change other than hoping the goals ‘go in’ early doors. Even when they do it’s sometimes not enough see Real Betis etc.

     

     

    BR was no different, we’ve never had any other philosophy at Celtic, its easier to park a bus.

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