We learned so much yesterday. For a start, Falkirk are the real deal. They were unable to withstand the Celtic big guns but for 70 minutes of this match they competed at a better standard than any of our previous opponents this season.
It was also refreshing to play a team who were not intent on timewasting at every goal kick and who insisted on playing out from the back. The Premiership will be more competitive if they replace bottom club, Hearts.
Two goals yesterday on top of a peach against Slovan means Adam Idah is on fire right now. Think back five weeks, though, when he lumbered around the park on his first game back against St Mirren. Adam needed match fitness before he could shine.
Auston Trusty has made two starts this season, both for Sheffield United last month. His lumbering around Celtic Park yesterday reminded me of Adam’s at St Mirren. Auston made 28 starts in the EPL last season, a league with no hiding places. He will improve.
Nicolas Kuhn picked up the Man of the Match award for his 30-minute cameo, during which he scored two and assisted with two. Earlier in the game, you got the feeling the crowd would have been happy to give the award jointly to Greg Taylor and Liam Scales, as a token of appreciation for two players, whose absences were very evident.
The semi-final draw was not kind, pitching the top two clubs in the country against each other. We will face Aberdeen twice in two weeks, first in the league, then in the semi. Both games are in Glasgow, which is very welcome.
Celtic will have fatigue from European games during this period, while Aberdeen will enjoy more rest and time for proper training sessions. We will know more about the balance of power in Scotland after these encounters.
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Aye, right ye are Monday.
You can’t all be still in bed surely?
It would indeed be more than slightly knee jerk to come to judgement on Trusty and Valle. More time and more experience is certainly required.
There are others though who came in yesterday and demonstrated they’re not all that better than Falkirk. I suggest these lads get moved on and replaced, sooner rather than later.
‘Mornin Aipple
Aipple
Johnny’s here!
In Adam Idah’s case we knew what he was bringing to the Party, even @ lastminute.com
Mentioned yesterday that his goal against Falkirk was almost identical to the disallowed version agin Hearts the previous week. Could have been three goals in three games in three tournaments in a week. Not far away.
idah has a lot going for him, not least he has footballing nous, he is paying attention to what else is going on, as per the Scottish Cup final and against Bratislava during the week. Great signing.
With Kuhn now showing us what a quality player he is and the addition of Engels complementing what we already had at the club, we are starting to look like a very capable team. As always the CL is the only competition where we can really gauge progress and the next 3 games look to be our toughest fixtures. If we can pick up 3 or 4 points from these games then people will start to take us seriously again.
Fess19 on 23rd September 2024 11:55 am
TIMBHOY
If you have Android system using Duck Duck Go or Brave as search engine you can download an app
LiveNet tv version4.8 I have used it for years on phone and Samsung tabletwith no problem just last night to watch the game.
Cost? Zilch
Contents: Premier, sky sports, Be in sports, Euro Sport etc etc and movies.
Never had any trouble
HH
Fess19 on 23rd September 2024 11:58 am
TIMBHOY
Do not use Google as they do not like LiveNet tv
Morning all,
Really enjoyed the game at the w/e though I had to just watch on tele due to life getting in the way of Celtic. Was great to watch a team not just try to spoil/hack/time waste for 90+ minutes. They will be a good addition to the league next year should they make it, hopefully in place of Killie.
First half I thought we were too tentative but not outplayed as I’ve read despite several players being ‘off it’, including Idah up until his first goal. Both Falkirk goals seemed to have (soft) fouls – Valle being dragged into the box to prevent him following up his own defensive header / closing down the shot; 2nd he seemed to get caught by a flailing arm though I’ve not watched back so may be way off here. Either way hopefully he has learnt a bit from this with regards the Scottish game and officiating as he looked good in moments and we will need more of the squad as the season goes on.
Fair play to BR for going with as many changes as he did and getting away with it. I thought at the start (and half time) that it was maybe too many changes but we got 2 good results – players rested and won a game so good decision and will hopefully help as the season goes on.
QB
Imo, it is far too early to judge those players who were getting their first start. I’ thought it was the right thing to do, as they need the change. Hopefully they might get 20 or 30 minutes in league games. It’s likely we will need to call upon some them in the course of the season.
By the bye, I actually thought Taylor had his best game for us against Bratislava. He is playing with great confidence now. I still worry about Scale’s passing. He seldom gives it to Maeda , who is often in a position to receive it. But today is not the Time to be critical.
We are playing football the Glasgow Celtic way and we can’t ask for anything better.
Change=chance.
Give guys a chance to settle in, I remember being at Easter Rd a few years ago, and a wee guy with dreadlocks gave the ball away in one of his first games……..
MNCELT – May your Monday be splendid.
BRRB – May your Monday involve a bar setting.
Really enjoyed yesterday’s game and we were certainly not outplayed in the first half. Credit to Falkirk who took their two chances well, although the first goal was decidedly dodgey due to Valle being impeded. I noticed at the end Brendan having a long conversation with their number 20 Keelan (sp?)
Adams who had a fine game until Kuhn came on, although not sure if he was responsible for any of our goals….will have to watch back.
Grandson met up with some of his football team friends from Dumfries and stayed behind to get some autographs on his shirt – got ten, including his hero, Big Kasper. BTW, what a captain and ambassador for the club is our CalMac. Never mind all the hours and minutes he puts in playing for us, the time he spends engaging with fans, young and old, is just terrific.
“We will know more about the balance of power in Scotland after these encounters.”
———————————–
The balance of power lies with Celtic as long as it wants it.
A telling weekend and a good exercise; mind you can’t foresee another like it until the early rounds of the Scottish Cup. All’s well that ends well seems an apt comment.
Very few new arrivals hit the ground running , even The King of Kings had a dodgy debut at Easter Road- we have time to drip-feed rather than splash going forward.
Abada leaves for c£10m replaced by Kuhn for c£3.5m. Matt leaves for c£30m replaced by Arne for c£11m – forget all else, that is astute business and indicative of how our club is being run, A corner has been turned, and we speed away, whilst the Ibrox club is permanently caught up in traffic of one kind, or, another.
We need to remember that the starting team had 8 changes with only Schmichael McGregor and Hatate remaining. The other players will all benefit from the exercise as will Kasper who was busier.
What we also learned was that Rodgers knew what he was doing when he made the 4 subs. They transformed our game the tempo increased and Falkirk couldn’t live with the faster pace and visibly tired. Kuhn was fantastic, Engels gained us control of midfield and Taylor and Yang immediately improved the Left side.
All in all a good exercise with our fringe getting some much needed game time, our normal starters given a rest and our 4. Subs reminding everyone of the quality we have.
Also an example to Rodgers of who he can rely on.
Hibs still don’t know how many tickets, if any ,for Poundland on Saturday, totally unacceptable
Kuhn, Engels, Idah,gives the squad more match winners
Paul67 et al
Was just reading the Profile in yesterday’s Observer business section of Jim McDonald
Outgoing President of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
BSc;MSc and PhD, Strathclyde University. Knighted for services to engineering and education. Sits on various Boards including the National Physical Laboratory. Vice Chancellor Strathclyde Univ. etc etc
Born in Govan. Asked how he relaxes “……and watching Celtic play football”
It’s the company you keep…..
Meanwhile at ibrox John Gilligan genuinely spoke of need to keep chasing Celtic.
In the very building where Struth quote of ‘welcoming the chase ‘ is prominently displayed halfway up the marble staircase.
Maybe that is what the old bigot had in mind.
Good afternoon all from Hamilton Racecourse. Time to hammer the bookies. Mibbe. 🙄
QUADBHOY/SCANIEL
Thank god I was not the only who thought Valle was impedied?/ obstructed at their first (well taken) goal.
The new guys needed a run out but some people jumped onto the “too many changes” straight away. Our manager decided to throw them into the deepend and see them swim. No use bringing them on when the game is won and no pressure. The end result justifies Brendans choices and lets everybody know what it takes to be first pick.
Thank you John McGlynn and stay away from Hearts and St Johnstone positions
HH
There’s a difference between saying this player or that didn’t have a great game and… ‘this player or that is a complete duffer’.
Most comments correctly observed that a few didn’t have that great a game.
Alas, some of the players are not excelling when given a chance and not having such a great game a wee bit too often.
From Brendan’s comments, I think he wanted to give as many as he could a proper chance in a real test.
Some – Palma and Welsh – are drinking at the last chance saloon IMO. Tony R – a fave of mine – must show more of what he’d tapped into during the Ange reign.
Luckily, Yang still seems to have a bit about him in his brief cameo.
The Aberdeen games should be pretty exciting fayre.
I thought Yang played like a player prepared to go into battle for a place.
He stood up to physical challenges better and was more direct in his play.
Hope he continues to develop.
Agree with those that felt BR&Co knew Falkirk would be a tough test for our newbies and “fringe” players…
Of course, ideally you introduce Trusty or Valle or whomever into a winning side and maybe next time that happens
However, how many of these chaps a chapping at the Manager’s door saying I came here for UCL football!!?
Great… let’s see how you do against second teir Scottish opposition and we’ll see…
The litmus test for these players and a plan b on the hour that unleashes a toure de force on the tired Bairns
Really enjoyed the match I’ve got to say…
Agree Falkirk very impressive…
Difficult picking three… so I’m going with the goal scorers
So winging it’s way to SENCELPOTY@GMAIL.COM
1. Kuhn
2. Idah
3. Bernardo
Have A Grand Day
Hail Hail
I was in the too many changes camp and prefer we win the game first.
However I respect the managers right to pick his preferencs based on all the science and analytics provided too him.
Our support at the game has me in despair. The difference in mood between the corner next to falkirk really getting behind the team to the Celtic enders screaming at the players and manager for the first 20 minutes of the 2nd half well dearie me. .
Greg Taylor btw. He showed great leadership to the younger boys as soon as he came on.
Ps. Champions league team of the week. Has it ever featured two celts every before
SS,
Can you name those 2 players, please?
Parkheadcumsalford
Liam Scales and Arne Engels
I would start Idah in Dortmund ahead of Kyogo. He is much more efficient at one-on-ones and is a better all-round finisher.
Kyogo squanders far too many good chances and against better teams than Slovan Bratislava, could cost us valuable points and even Champions League progress.
Time for Brendan to be brave and weild the axe.
Aberdeen SF Saturday 2nd November 5.30ko
Tom McLaughlin on 23rd September 2024 3:45 pm
I don’t agree with your assessment of Kyogo, Tom. He may not convert every chance but his strike rate comparees with the best.
On Idah,when I saw him first at Easter Road he looked awkward and a tad ungainly. But his two penalties that night kept us in the title race. Similarly, against Motherwel it was Idah who snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. At Ibrox, his footwork secured a draw. His Cup winning goal was much better than was recognised at the time.
All in all, Idah is developing into an excellent acquisition. Right now, Kyogo remains Celtic’s best acquisition of recent years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnPPVMar3JE
team of the week.
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/20/17/89916599-0-image-a-51_1726848252785.jpg
Sinking pitch
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c14zkrddrxmt
I’m another who thinks Kyogo has to be first pick. Idah, imo, struggled until he scored. His close control was poor.
TOSB,
Many thanks.
Tom
Re Kyogo
I Disagree.
The slovan game I have now watched 3 times.
2 things
The runs kyogo makes pulls defenders apart and must be a nightmare to defend against.it leaves our midfield more options with other players Maeda and khun as well as a more aggressive midfield since Engels came in,(reo&Calmac)in support to traumatise our opponents defence
What we do when not in possession- kyogo is usually first to close down,like Maeda and khun chasing and harassing opponents.His pace doing this limits opponents playing out from the back.
Remember he scored on Wed Tom,I am a little bemused at this narrative growing around Kyogo,
But if Brendan sees differently we will support his choice am sure
HH
That’s the first I’ve seen of Sundays game, no idea why their first goal was allowed 🤫