Having watched previous generations of Celtic teams park the bus at Barcelona I’m not one to criticise Hamilton Accies when they do the same at Celtic Park. They put on an effective defensive performance but although the game got nervy as Celtic defended a one goal lead in the final minutes, Accies were never able to pass the ball well enough to make a genuine attempt at goal.
The only goal of the game came from a deep run by Moussa Dembele, who had dropped behind Tom Rogic, before sprinting forward to collect a pass from the Aussie. The Accies back line were concentrating on catching Leigh Griffiths offside but didn’t have the response necessary to match Dembele’s run.
It was great play from Rogic, Dembele and Griffiths, who remained in control to finish. That aside, the incredibly high standard of passing Celtic have achieved in recent weeks wasn’t matched. That’s football, it’s impossible for players, or anyone else for that matter, to perform with machine-like consistency, even John Lennon wrote the lyric, “I am a walrus”.
As well as experiencing varying levels of performance, we are now far enough into the season for teams to face Celtic with some revised plans. We play three at the back in possession, so Premiership teams push three men up when Craig Gordon has the ball, forcing the keeper to kick to the halfway line, where possession is often lost. This happened against Aberdeen, Motherwell and Accies in recent weeks.
Brendan Rodgers is miles ahead of his competition, but elements of games between now and the break will be more like chess matches than football. Not least our visit to Hamilton’s artificial surface on Christmas Eve. In the whole of 2016 only Motherwell beat Accies in consecutive games, and indication of an astonishing level of resilience by a club without the resources normally associated with senior football. Coo coo ca choo.
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Hamilton last night played the way, every visiting team will do until the end of the season,most would take a 3-0 defeat before a ball is kicked.
I would leave Rogic out for a couple of games,and play Commons.A hunskelper,and handy to have on the bench at Poundland….
An Tearmann
yes she was and was also married to Colin Baker a time lord
HH
!!BADA BING!!:
Never, ever, forget, how many referees have scored at Parkhead.
!!BADA BING!!:
Never, ever, forget, how many referees have been the visiting team’s best defender at Parkhead.
Bada,Hamilton would get football banned in many country’s, but at least they didn’t try kicking us aff the park.
Rod Stewart played the Champions League theme (probably via a ringtone from ACGR),and The Magnificent 7 before going on stage at The Hydro last night….:}}
Kitalba-correct mate.
Burgas Hoops-I thought HA did try to push men forward in the 2nd half,the worst are Motherwell….
https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbcsportscot?src=hash
goal
!!BADA BING!!:
I agree, I sentimentally, subjectively, objectively, believe, that Kris Commons deserves, has earned, his Swansong.
Apparently Chelsea, Barcelona and Bayern Munich all want to sign “Rangers” starlet Billy Gilmour.
Well, that’s some “Level” of club there.
Wouldn’t it just be absolutely FANTASTIC if the “starlet” turned down all these – ahem – “offers” and committed his future to “Rangers” on their journey “back” (sic) to the top.
Stay tuned…..
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL-Will probably end up at Coventry with Fleckendinho…
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL
I thought thats why Brendan picked McGregor last night.
Unfortunately he did not do so.
The position and system seemed to stifle his creativity.
The extra man in a forward position due to three at the back just added an extra man in an already crowded final third.
McG seemed static on the left so his passing and movement were non existent.
His movement and shooting from central areas is his strength.
***CQN Last Man Standing update***
Details of our brand new football competition in support of Shay is launched this Friday at 10pm.
Don’t worry if it is past your bedtime, as you can always scroll back.
” It’s Last man Standing, Jim, but not as we know it”
HH
CRC
The way Joe McBride, George Connelly, Bobo Balde, Shunsuke Nakamura, and others, left the club, was a carnival of shame.
Kris Commons deserves to be treated as a 2016 player, not a piece of meat.
The Hamilton coach deserves praise last night for getting his tactics right.
They were disciplined and hard working.
Donati was excellent for them.
We missed the direct play of JF and Sinclair so never really forced them to work hard or alter shape.
The time we took to advance the ball allowed them to defensively set.
Only Paddy forced them to work.
First time i felt Brendan did not find an answer to opponent and adjust.
Playing against a parked bus isn’t complicated.
You either go round it or play through the windows. We have the players to do it and we showed that against Motherwell in the last 45. You need those players to be on their toes to do it though.
The greatest threat to us losing a goal or drawing a game is wee Joe Swash at Rangers injuring one of our centre backs with his ‘direct’ style. Referee waves play on or books wee Swash meanwhile our player is down and out. Rinse and repeat for the rest of the game.
The Rangers minded coaches will all be setting their teams up to press Celtic in this way.
Cheers VRF800
Enjoyed those links especially the stadium questions and the media questions.
Very well done. Cheers to everyone who took part.
John Paul seems like a very good honest celt.. long may we have him .
If I may be so bold, Paul67,
John sang, “I am THE Walrus”. And as for your coo-coo-ca-choo, leave that to either Simon & Garfunkel or Alvin Stardust. John preferred “Goo goo g’joob”.
Moderators – sort him out please! ;-)
Jobo Baldie – an EXCELLENT piece of musical education there. Goo goo g’job indeed !
Reminds me of the time I once wasted a whole bus trip convincing somehow that Nazareth’s “My White Bicycle” did not contain the line – My. Wife’s. White nick-kerz
:-)
ALMORE,
I will need to speak to you about THAI TIMS SB, so will you be in the BV about 12 oclock
on Saturday ?
Cheers mate
HH
JOBO BALDIE on 14TH DECEMBER 2016 1:27 PM
If I may be so bold, Paul67,
John sang, “I am THE Walrus”. And as for your coo-coo-ca-choo, leave that to either Simon & Garfunkel or Alvin Stardust. John preferred “Goo goo g’joob”.
Moderators – sort him out please! ;-)
Ahhh,a voice of sanity.Well said that chap.
I thought on several occasions last night Brendan was instructing Callum to stay wide left to stretch the width. Well it seemed that way from my interpretation of his gesticulations.
Eurochamps67
BrendanissomewhistlerbythewayCSC
I think “Hard hats”are a great idea for Ibrox.Joze and Eric should be fitted right away,especially playing against the excellently named”Wee Joe Swash”.
Joe S(w)ash….
IMHO Kris Commons is done at Celtic. He’s not mobile enough and won’t track back/press in the way Brendan Rodgers requires.
He’s had his time and he should be given a free transfer to allow him to get a decent final contract.
KTF
John James posted an article this morning then pulled it.
Emdy on here know anything about scottish land law ?
It’s very complicated
Commons hasn’t a hope in hell of being seen in a Celtic shirt again. We should thank him for his good service in the most part but we owe him nothing.
THETIMREAPER on 14TH DECEMBER 2016 2:07 PM
Commons hasn’t a hope in hell of being seen in a Celtic shirt again. We should thank him for his good service in the most part but we owe him nothing.
93 goals from MF for 300k……? Worth a bit more IMO,and you are entitled to yours HH
Rogic could do with a couple of games out,bring Commons in,he might have opened up the HA defence a bit more than we did last night.
THETIMREAPER on 14TH DECEMBER 2016 2:05 PM
John James posted an article this morning then pulled it.
###
Too much information.
Way too much.
BURGAS HOOPS………..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLRbWLUxB2A
Rioskorrie, I actually thought Paddy Roberts was one of our better players last night and had 5 or 6 piercing runs and decent crosses which were wasted by Griff, Jozo etc. That said I don’t think any of the team played particularly well.
Ernie what was the jist of John James pulled article?
BARRYBHOY on 14TH DECEMBER 2016 2:21 PM
Ernie what was the jist of John James pulled article?
###
Sorry, it was the article he pulled? My mistake.
No idea what it was about, probably stuff about the roof. Or the water supply. Or soliciting funds.
Ah well! As the moon sets in the western sky, in my geography, may humility, humanity, and the spirit of the 5 way agreement, companion, comfort, and soothe your angst, as the moon rises in your geography, to shine bright light on the hypocrisy and the sham that endures and PLC Celtic embrace.
Which is more thought provoking Res 12 or the 5 way agreement? Which set of administrators got it more wrong? Or right? Commercial or principle? Which side of the fence do I park my hypocrisy?
Rhetorical…. Just a wee going to my kip rhetoricalisy… just to keep conscience’s ghosts away….
Yet you might begrudge Kris Commons a Swansong whilst you fornicate your principles for the sake of a win….
Remind me please,,, how does one spell HUN?
Barrybhoy – That’s ma point. With Robertinho it’s all there – in flashes. It’s the period of darkness between these flashes that bother’s me.
On the Kris Commons thing, canny seeing hi starting another game in the Hoops. However, think it would be the “right” thing if he’s named as a sub and gets to come on (even for a few minutes) to take the plaudits for his service.
Funny ole game, to think that Hibs fans may get to see Samaras/Commons later this season.