Surprised? Well, yes. This was a no-contest early-on in Maribor last week. Even though Celtic didn’t come home with the win, the chances, balance of possession and play, were well in their favour. A defeat last night was never out of the question, but it was the nature of the defeat that was most concerning. We were second best in defence, midfield and attack.
Pre-match, Ronny told us he expected Maribor to sit in and counter-attack. They didn’t, forcing Celtic into disarray. We were fortunate to go in level at halftime; I was screaming out for a tactical change from 20 minutes in.
Kris Commons proved his value. From the moment he arrived, we had an out-ball for the first time in the night, but it was not enough.
Celtic tried to qualify for the Champions League without a target man, or a striker able to play the kind of football Ronny Deila requires to play his kind of football. Stokes, Griffiths, Pukki and Balde are not an appropriate Champions League strike force, by some distance.
We have plenty of midfielders who are happy to pass and run but no one with the composure to hold the ball. Brown, Forrest and Tonev were all missing, but none will occupy the holding roles given to Kayal and Mulgrew last night. Or to Wanyama two years ago.
The defensive collapse since last season is unfathomable. Virgil van Dijk was clearly a class above, whether in defence or attack, and Mikal Lustig was also assured – it is perhaps no coincidence that we lost the goal moments after he was replaced, but Efe Ambrose and Emilio Izaguirre have returned from the World Cup in alarmingly poor form.
This is where we are. We knew this at the end of last season, perhaps Neil Lennon did too. Ronny Deila has a significant rebuilding job on his hands.
Will we make a significant moves forward this week? This season? The Europa League isn’t the cash-cow of the premier tournament, and it carries none of the glamour, but it is a competition we need to be ready for. Perhaps more importantly, qualification planning for next season’s Champions League starts now.
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My friends in Celtic,
Let me state categorically I do not want to play “Rangers / Sevco” again. I do not think we should have to, but if the circumstance comes to fruition and I can go to Parkhead I will.
I am an unconditional Celtic supporter. In an ideal scenario I would like us to move lock, stock and barrel to the English leagues.
I do however think we have lost a level of intensity from our domestic game in both atmosphere and playing under pressure that the now extinct Glasgow derby’s brought.
HH.
PS : I welcome the theory that HMRC with their appeal want to establish that if the EBT,s were not contrary to tax laws then they were indeed loans, and as such BDO will then go after the recipients. Sweet dreams.
The No.13 Shorts
09:04 on 28 August, 2014
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Arghh, so much sense at this time in the morning. This won’t go down well with the knee jerks!
Morning dudes
Has Tonev been sent back to Villa
Love
The No.13 Shorts @ 09.04 hrs.
Touché.
HH.
The No.13 Shorts
09:04 on 28 August, 2014
Aaaaaw, bless.
A day on and I think we should take a deep breath ,relax and be calm.
At this time we are really better out of the CL . We were comprehensivly beaten by Legia.
We only just lost a tight game with Maribor. But if we’d have got through there would always have been the stigma of our Legia defeat hanging over us.
Lets now get behind the team -club and give the manager time (till new year) to get things right. We will have some interesting Europa League games against testing opposition to look forward to. Onwards and upwards with Ronny Deilas green and white army!
.
Kit..
Jeezo about 14 Months ago.. Ha
Is that Not when I was Driving up the East Coast with 3 Sheila’s and was trying to come Visit You..
Jeezo I have a Way with Words but that’s a. Cracker for a Upcoming Host..【ツ】
Hooper.. I did Not really take Notice when he handed in his Notice as His Euro Stats were as good as they are Now with.. Errrm.. Norwich..??? Non excitant..
But Sammi left in May.. Not just a Striker/Prolific CL Goalscorer but a Experienced CL campaigner who could have helped Young MacGregor et al over the Line..
Summa
Greenpinata
09:05 on 28 August, 2014
The loans were made by a trust, not the plc, so bdo won’t be going after anything.
I am now a lot calmer and clear headed after Tuesday,s pathetic performance.
I think we should give the club and Ronny a bit of time to bring in the calibre of player needed to compete outside the goldfish bowl of Scotland.
I very much doubt Ronny has the nous or experience for this level of football. To me he was a typical Celtic miserly option.
But I want to be proved wrong. I want Ronny to prove that he is worthy of the hype he has received both on here and from Celtic FC.
Give him till the seasons end.
I am not enamoured by lawell or the clubs signing policy but perhaps it could be about to change.
I will give the club space.
I want Celtic to play entertaining, pressure football. We have not done that under Ronny, actually we have been abject (bar the 6-1), but he is only at the club a few months.
The malaise was already there under Neil lennon. many performances under him were poor as well.
I want the board to be as ambitious football wise as us fans.
Over to you guys !!!
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12040/9435163/transfer-news-dinamo-zagreb-striker-duje-cop-attracting-interest
This is the guy I have been banging on about. He will be a missed opportunity.
Mullet and co – yes I have – read the CQN magazine……
If I were Celtic I would withdraw from the Europa.How can players be expected to play two games a week.It disgraceful.There are thingummy bob levels that need to be reached,glistening lollies or something.Take into account the players have to train for a couple of hours each day,levels all over the place again.
Where will it all end?.
Good morning.
As well as knowing nuthin’ aboot fitba I make no pretence to understanding the intricacies of managing a football business – so, fully qualified for the oul’ bhlog then……..!
Hugh’s piece in the Herlad reads like common sense even I can understand. As an attempt to give Celtic’s side of the story straight to the Support, I think its pretty fair.
It’s not what the Support wants or would like to hear and genuine supporters should keep the strategy under scrutiny.
Rather than dismissing it out of hand, perhaps the Club are trying to put the information we need into our own hands.
Final point, if wholesale changes were required in the executive offices, personally I certainly would not be contemplating it now,not on the eve of the return of the ranjurs group of klubs when every bit of bitter experience will be required.
HH
ernie,
As I said only a theory. But it seems that nothing is black or white in this on-going saga, and I would guess that there are many more revelations still to emerge.
I do however see this going all the way to the supreme court.
HH.
Madmitch,PFAyr and Neganon2
“Utter tripe from start to finish.”
I would be interested in specifics. It did not seem `utter tripe` to me.
JJ
” I welcome the theory that HMRC with their appeal want to establish that if the EBT,s were not contrary to tax laws then they were indeed loans, and as such BDO will then go after the recipients.”
That was always HMRC’s plan.
HMRC knew there was no way “the club” would be able to repay the taxpayers but they refused the CVA so that they could get BDO in to hunt down the individuals to recoupe the money, through civil court action if required.
Jungle Jim – let me give you one example. McDonald gives an example of a 10M striker that would then cost 20M with wages.
Noone and I mean no one has ever suggested that we spend that type pf money. But spending SOME money would be good.
Its a pathetic litany of excuses to hide the lack of ambition and desparation to get the hun back.
So our 1M a year CEO says its all too hard. Wow. He gets paid 1m a year for that.
So to repeat utter tripe from start to finish.
Some happy clappers desparately clinging onto this nonsense to justify they adoration for a failed regime.
Ernie,
Will there still be a supreme court applicable to Scotland in three weeks time.?
HH.
bankiebhoy – errr you are missing the whole point.
They want the hun back – its been the aim all along…..
With VVD seemingly off, will we be seeing a Denayer/Mulgrew central defensive partnership this weekend?
At least it removes Charlie from the midfield, where he has been awful there this season, back to his best position.
davidopoulos
08:07 on 28 August, 2014
I awoke this morning, as I do every morning, invigorated by the fact that I am a Celtic fan.
Sure, we lose matches we should win and our board seem to view buying decent players as a bad thing, but being a Celtic fan is better than…not bring a Celtic fan.
It’ll be ok…in the end.
N.B. Waking up invigorated is not a euphemism for something else that I may or may not have awoke with.
If I wake up invigorated my darling wife very quickly tells me where to go!
Morning, heading down the allotment, fair clears the head, not from a hangover I hasten to add.
Let’s get things in perspective, are we going for a bevy in September, e mail the Winkle picker if aye.
Ayrshire is Green and White
CultsBhoy
08:07 on
28 August, 2014
Has there been even the tiniest bit of contrition or admission of failure from Lawwell sines he burnt the golden ticket?
….thought not ! …Sheer arrogance!!!!
Made this very point on here last night.
Also have asked Paul twice to get PL, whose ear he has, on here to answer direct, unvetted questions.
Dlon’t hold out much hope.
ernie lynch
Your posts, in general, suggest access to a wealth of information . That makes this comment: “Aaaaaw, bless.” all the more disappointing. It makes you seem like a patronising know all.
JJ
PS ….and what comment aroused your response? Give the manager time and live up to your reputation as excellent supporters. Hardly a naive request.
Very disappointing article from Hugh McDonald in today`s Herald. Normally such a good journalist, this effort is comparable to the finest succulent lamb pieces penned by his former colleagues Jim Traynor and Ken Gallacher.
No analysis of why Celtic toil against teams from Slovenia, Poland, (despite the national side recently beating Poland), Kazakhstan etc no, its all Scottish football`s fault. We used to get forcefed this type of responsibility shirking garbage when the former Rangers were getting papped out of CL qualifiers by the likes of IFK Gothenburg.
Paul67-
Given the absence of the CL £20 million income for this year – and most likely for the next season as well at the least given our transitional state – match day ticket income now becomes the essential core income stream for our club.
This being the case are you aware of any plans Celtic have to address and reverse the collapse in this income stream? We have gone from just under 55,000 season ticket holders in 2009 to 36,500 this year, a reduction in over 30% over 5 years.
We cannot afford any further drop off in ticket revenue especially when we must do without CL income. If we continue on this trajectory, 20,000 home attendances will be a reality within the next few years and we spin deeper into ever decreasing circles.
NegAnon2
07:47 on
28 August, 2014
Madmitch I couldnt agree more – just more excuses.
Who is PL trying to kid with all this?
He has already succeeded with many on here.
Neganon2
I’m delighted you have stayed in the debate – the blog is a better place for your genuine critique.
The whole point for me tho’ is I have never and probably will never accept your point that they want the ranjurs back.
While I accept yours is a real and genuine scepticism I simply don’t accept that judgement.
Keep on keepin’ on tho’.
HH
turkeybhoy – yes I know – some will worship at his feet no matter what happens.
Peter Lawell…..your time is up.
You tell lies to the supporters.
Please resign, you are a disgrace.
Stringing supporters along with fake transfer targets.
You and your bonus culture…gravy train, needs stopped.
Resign.
quonno
09:31 on 28 August, 2014
CultsBhoy
08:07 on
28 August, 2014
Has there been even the tiniest bit of contrition or admission of failure from Lawwell sines he burnt the golden ticket?
….thought not ! …Sheer arrogance!!!!
Made this very point on here last night.
Also have asked Paul twice to get PL, whose ear he has, on here to answer direct, unvetted questions.
Dlon’t hold out much hope.
—————————————————————-
I don’t see PL coming on here ever, I think it would be below him and the media would have a field day with it, might even join in…!
I would expect him to by now have come out and said something about, where we are and where we’re going. Another unlikely event.
Ayrshire is Green and White
Have busy day ahead.
However, before I go.
Bitter pill that it is, we simply have to accept that the current Celtic is a mediocre side cobbled together from the leavings of the rich, and sometimes not so rich men’s tables.
Making matters worse, the club is owned and run by men whose knowledge of balance sheets far outweighs their knowledge of team sheets.
bankiebhoy1
09:21
“perhaps the Club are trying to put the information we need into our own hands.”
Hi there, I was just thinking, instead of “trying” why don’t they just talk to the fans ? Would that not be the simplest way to communicate. The Club are not communicating with fans apart from trying to continually sell us stuff. I get 3 e-mails a day with crap offers about free postage on kits, overpriced “fashions” etc. What I would like to get instead is a staement from the club telling me what the strategy is going forward. Fans are in limbo at the minute and we need to hear from the club directly, not through the filter of the MSM. Just my thoughts.
Marti
the glorious balance sheet
09:34 on
28 August, 2014
Hugh McDonald article read like it was dictated to him by PL. The first stage of media management, next stage an interview on various media outlets tomorrow to drum home the message.
A blip, all is well, spend what we bring in, come out of transfer window stronger than we go in, backed the manager with 5 new players, earlier start to season needs to be looked at….
yada, yada, yada
spin, spin spin
He knows he can fool a lot of the people all of the time so nothing will change.
Biggest problem for Celtic at the moment is not the guys who stood outside the ground calling for Lawwell to go, or the so called mineshafters who give their views on CQN or other messageboards, it’s the (tens of?) thousands who over the past few years have quietly slipped away, stopped attending games, and who frankly aren’t missing it as much as they thought.
On the balance sheet, the biggest danger is probably the ongoing lack of ticket income in the short to medium term, rather than merely the loss of Champion’s league income this season.
MickTT
09:37 on
28 August, 2014
I don’t expect him to come on hear either.
But I would like Paul to comment on his refusal to do so if asked.
Morning Bhoys 6 million for VVD Sunderland are having a laugh it should be 10 million or we keep him.However,we should be buying not selling. H.H.
Lawwell is facing the media tomorrow,no doubt he will be arming them with a list of Murrayesque questions to ask him.
quonno
09:31 on 28 August, 2014
CultsBhoy
08:07 on
28 August, 2014
Has there been even the tiniest bit of contrition or admission of failure from Lawwell sines he burnt the golden ticket?
….thought not ! …Sheer arrogance!!!!
Made this very point on here last night.
Also have asked Paul twice to get PL, whose ear he has, on here to answer direct, unvetted questions.
Dlon’t hold out much hope.
—————————————————————-
Agreed, but ye don’t want to bite the hand that feeds you…?
I may be wrong, if so apologies.
HH