Of all the football nonsense, I hate scapegoating most. So Ryan, I’m sorry, but what on earth were you doing? We were 0-2 ahead and had created several other very good chances. Milan were nowhere, they had not mustered a cohesive attack. That foul was conceded in the perfect spot for a free kick taker; you could read the script on how momentum would switch the moment it was awarded.
Attackers are primarily there to exploit opponents weaknesses, Tom Rogic, Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Christie combined to do this and put Celtic two ahead in the San Siro. Tom came close on another occasion, Callum McGregor had a gilt-edged chance and having got himself into the perfect position, Jeremie Frimpong froze with Milan at his mercy. We could have been out of sight.
There is a team in this squad. The formation looked right. Frimpong seemed liberated from his normal wide anchor, Rogic worried defenders before tiring; in particular, I was impressed by the way the ball was accurately bulleted across the field.
Oh, and we cannot defend for buttons. I was chastised by a 16-year-old after the game for talking up the relative merits of this performance compared to Ross County. Apparently there is a rulebook for defending two goal leads away to tier one teams, you defend like Ross County and close the game out. But we don’t know how to defend like Ross County. Imagine that!
What I will say is, they fought for their manager last night, Commando Christie in particular.
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in like flint
ROLLING_STONE on 4TH DECEMBER 2020 11:42 AM
True. It could also suggest that neither Barkas or Bain are of the required standard. Wasn’t Bain third choice last year?
We’ve 48 hours to save the ten.
Phil cryptically saying “there will be changes”.
Worth reading anything into it or a pinch of salt time?
Is it not time to give Hazard a chance the boy has been around for a while and has played for NI u’21’s on numerous occasions. Barkas is a complete waste of money, time to cut our losses.
christie gives away too many pointless free kicks
far too rash at times
Pre Season the word was we would be selling, Eddie, Ajer, Christie,Ntcham.
We didn’t sell anybody, only player of note we lost was Forster and that wasn’t our fault.
We bought Ajeti, Barkas & Turnbull for circa 13 million and brought in expensive players on Loan, Elyounoussi, Duffy & Laxalt.
On paper we appeared to have done enough to win the ten, but the entire thing has blown up in our face,
In retrospection losing Forster was a disaster, in addition Brown & CalMac who carried us last year, seem to have run out of steam.
Only one of the 6 buy ins has made a mark & the confusion & disappointment has spread through the entire squad .
We have been hit with Bolingoli nonsense, 4 of our players contracting Covid, others forced to isolate, a pile of our players on International Breaks, injuries to Julien, Forrest, Griffiths & Eddie at different stages.
In other words a perfect shit storm.
The Final insult is whether we care to admit it or not the Huns have got it right this year & are currently motoring on all cylinders, their success so far is making our struggles even more apparent.
So that is where we are, we all react to adversity in different ways but one thing I do know is this period will pass and things will get better.
I thought last night there were signs of improvement, a win on Sunday if we get it will be another step forward. So just one game at a time till the January window, which is now one of the most critical windows ever.
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AN TEARMANN on 4TH DECEMBER 2020 12:24 AM
Tontine Garcia that Celtic top.jock stein signed on this day
https://twitter.com/LilZe_7/status/1334648615541731329?s=19
“We don’t know how to defend like Ross County”
Who would be to blame for that?
CORKCELT on 4TH DECEMBER 2020 12:03 PM
Ironically, could keeping our top players also have hurt us?
Lennon said after Ferencvaros that there were people here who didn’t want to be here and it would be best if they’d left. In hindsight, would has this left a sour taste in the squad and would there be more drive and harmony had the wantaways had been sold and replaced by those who want to fight for the cause?
Not blaming anybody here as we all thought the board and the manager had pulled off a coup by keeping them. Looking back, maybe Lennon was secretly hoping one or two could’ve gone.
GEEBEE1978
Phil was a busted flush years ago, his articles are now written like Horoscopes, something for everyone but not a shred of realsim. He is like the ITK guy down the pub who cant ever reveal his sources.
Talking of which, I also know the identity of his much vaunted “Rugger Guy,” to be kind, he is…low level in the world of finance….
I think there could be some merit in the 4 5 1 formation but it might not work against teams who defend in numbers then hit and score (usually) on the break !
“One game at a time” appears to be the new “Only the result matters.”….
If nothing else works, a total pig-headed unwillingness to look facts in the face will see us through.
The thought of more money being given to a regime that created this mess, and who seem oblivious to their part, should be better spent on a new coaching team. The chances of 10IAR, for those who care, diminish by the day now.
HH
BIG WAVY on 4TH DECEMBER 2020 12:10 PM
“One game at a time” appears to be the new “Only the result matters.”….
If nothing else works, a total pig-headed unwillingness to look facts in the face will see us through.
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It’s 7am here but I know a Blackadder quote when I see one, am I correct?
Parts of the performance yesterday were undoubtedly better. You dont go 2-0 in the San Siro without doing something right.
However, our structure is wrong. Our management team dont have the CV, the experience, the ability to take us forward. Too many examples of late.
Taking 1 or 2 positives from each performance whilst ignoring our general downward trajectory, will gift the huns a treble this season.
Is our best hope that the huns superior mgt team win the lot then step up to a new challenge down south?
If not, what’s the plan?
Hey football legend, results aren’t going well, so out ye go.
That’s the way to do it.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11822/12150648/patrick-vieira-nice-sack-head-coach-after-five-match-losing-run
‘So Ryan, I’m sorry, but what on earth were you doing?’
We all said the same about Bitton after the Hibs game. Same scenario – Celtic in control but somehow contrive to let the opposition in to the game.
Like our defending, we see the same mistakes over and over again.
AIPPLE,
You are absolutely correct. Good ole General Melchett….
HH
THE BLOGGER FORMERLY KNOWN AS GM on 4TH DECEMBER 2020 12:18 PM
Arguably some players are trying too hard. Ryan’s a big symptom of that with shooting from everywhere, Callum running all over the pitch and the outcome are rashness and then blowing out of their arses at 60 minutes. The pattern of rushing out like this, going 2-0 up (think Lille too) and then fragility, lack of structure, etc kicks in and the team expects to get pegged back.
Those moments when you take the extra touch and make thr right decision seem alien to us. These players know they are under extreme pressure. That’s their reaction. Not universal I may add as Eddie too often has just gallicly shrugged as a reaction wanting to be anywhere but on the pitch for us.
A blinkin mess….and I wonder if ‘firing them up’ is even what they need.
HH
Three key areas you would expect a good manager and coaching staff to make a positive impact on:
1. Improve performance of players who have obvious weaknesses (fitness, tactical, positional, confidence etc.)
2. Improve team with key signings that are either better than what is already there or that has been sold.
3. Provide regular opportunities for the best players from the development squad to give them necessary experience to transition into full team. Don’t just leave them on the bench every game.
Lenny and staff are failing on all three measures as far as I can see.
Have to say Paul
Agree, the shape of the team looked better last night
With Jeremy on the right and Ryan on left of midfield, better balance
Unfortunately the player behind Jeremy is giving me huge concerns
Yes we could have done better in middle of defence
But
3 of last nights goals all originated from the right back position
Not for the first, 2nd or 3 time this season with Elhamed at right back
A real concern if we want to look at where the danger is coming from
First goal, Ryan’s rash challenge, all due to Calum losing out twice inside 2 seconds.
The next draw or defeat in the league is far too late in the day, ineptitude from top to bottom.
We don’t have any game management either on field or from the dugout.
It seems we can raise our game ( I know humour me) for better teams but have no strategy or urgency against the teams we’d expect to beat, trouble is they’re now beating us too.
For those of you, left, that still think he’s the man for the job then I hope you’re right and if you are I’ll be first in line to be told I told you so.
Wasn’t the right appointment at the time still isn’t.
There is a team in there alright but not under the management of Neil Lennon and Co. It’s long overdue and no amount of spinning positives from a 2-4 defeat is going to change the fact he should have been replaced a long time ago. He won’t turn this around, we are delaying the inevitable by holding on to him and I fear it will be too late when he does get replaced.
So..Sevco 4 away games before Glasgow Derby, IF they loose one and we win at Ibrox..should Neil still go?
Who was the manager in 2012 when we beat Barcelona by defending like Ross County?
His name escapes me, but he set up a team that was very difficult to play through.
Maybe our current manager should talk to him about how to defend.
NOTTHEBUS:
What a ridiculous question that is.
Yes, Lennon should go, absolutely, Lennon should be gone already.
Our goalkeepers may not be that good, but in front of that defence playing both together will not help!!!!!!!!!!!!
As for those clambering for Forster to return, get it, he did not want to come back.
Better with one volunteer than 10 conscripts.
Good stuff going forward and lots of desire.
SCHUMMI
Garcia lorca/tontiñe/stivs
As you say Garcia note the collar
https://thecelticstar.com/auction-update-celtic-shamrock-shirt-sells-for-12500-oot-the-door/
https://twitter.com/LilZe_7/status/1334648615541731329?s=19
HH Celts
:-)
Garcia Lorca…
From last evening, the Shamrock strip.
Thank you, always great to have your contributions, it was before my time but never seen a white collar, didn’t know it was an away kit, for the first team.
Hope Gordon and the family are doing well in these these uncertain times.
Hail Hail
Tontine – above
“There is a team in this squad but defending for buttons”
You mean there’s half a team in this squad. The other half is a sieve/ colander, call it what you may. Unfortunately, this management team will never find the ways and means to ever put it right. Never.
Albeit there were a few positives in an attacking sense but you just know we will ship goals soon after we go in front.
Christie is like one of the apprentices who plays in our 5’s after work and wants to hurt his gaffer when he’s on the ball. Absolutely wreckless player. I couldn’t praise him after giving away that stupid foul.
Frimpong I’m afraid is too lightweight and hasn’t got the killer touch or final ball.
Elhamed is no bad going forward but couldn’t tackle a fish supper.
My Greek pal on signing Barkas said we’ve got some keeper there. I was asking him last night if he had a twin brother and we got the wrong one. Took me back to the Alan Rough days. Just keech!
Having said all that, I wouldn’t give up on the 10 if there was a professional coaching team in place now. But that’s not going to happen
AN TEARMANN @ 12:37 PM,
Apologies, didn’t see your post, will read back.
Hail Hail
Any news on James Forrest’s return?
Huge miss for us.
HH
Chairbhoy
It was good Celtic chat.see my post above your own.Hope all is safe down your way and keep those welcome views of yours coming:-)
hh
Dbhoy
And Mikey Johnson
Once again let down by a lack of defensive organisation and structure. Whether the team are playing for Lennon or not we are being let down by the lack of coaching and organisation. We have been underperforming for months now. We need to change the manager as soon as possible to give us any chance of winning the league.
Nine Dundee Utd players having to self Isolate for 14 days. Guess who they are playing within that period🤔?