Shakhter Karagandy covered 5k more ground than Celtic last night, 500m per outfield player. That’s 5.5m per minute, per player, or an extra meter every 10 seconds or so. That kind of advantage means that when the ball breaks loose in and around the danger area, the more active team are in space – which happened at both goals.
Conversely, when Celtic were in advanced positions Shakhter players were there in numbers. The difference was not caused by exceptional exertion by Shakhter, in their match with Maribor last night, Viktoria Plzen covered 11k more than Celtic, or a clear 2 meters every 10 seconds per outfield player.
Despite enjoying the vast majority of possession the Celtic players were lacking in movement and ideas. Being short of ideas is one thing but lack of movement is altogether unacceptable. We have to prepare fitness levels ahead of the second leg meticulously; Inverness on Saturday is only relevant for those who need game time ahead of Wednesday.
The Mouhokolo-van Dijk novice partnership was a surprise; a lot of faith was shown in players few of us know much about. Could we have held Kelvin for another few weeks? Would it have been less of a risk to play Ambrose and/or Mulgrew in defence? Yes to both, I suspect.
We learned Georgios is not a striker in 2009. He is one of our most effective players when away from home but not as a striker. Anthony Stokes is a striker but his style is just as unsuited to the formation we played last night as Georgios’. We seemed to pick a team to combat Shakhter’s strengths which didn’t play to our own.
I’m not convinced signing a player one week before an important game is an ideal preparation but taking the money early for Hooper, weeks before Amido Balde (or anyone else) has settled and considered a viable starter, is a calculated risk which is now in sharp focus.
We should also show some respect to Shakhter. The club are miles out of their depth at this stage of European football but they left with all the credit. After the game, manager Kumykov played down his chances, “we are not the favourites”. He’s a clever man who knows what he is doing.
It is possible Celtic will play as badly next week but it’s more likely that we will put on a vastly better performance. Between now and then we have plenty of opportunity to wallow in an embarrassing defeat, so knock yourself out, but I’ll hold fire until the tie is decided, which I expect to be in Celtic’s favour. Bring it on.
You got to love European football.
Penalty kick practice, please……
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tom mclaughlin
02:14 on 22 August, 2013
We may all be feeling down just now and there are obviously divisions in the support, but come 7:45 next Wednesday, we will all be together, in the stadium, in the pubs and in our armchairs all over the world, in some cases in the middle of the night and early morning, shoulder to shoulder and cheering on our Bhoys to a momentous battle. Together we will carry our heroes over the finishing line and into the Champions League group stages.
I can’t wait.
We may be down, but we are certainly not out.
Hail Hail
…………………………………..
Well said, Tom. I agree totally.
Here’s a thought – would Kevin Doyle have made a difference the other night?
The current squad should have done the job on Tuesday.
They shouldn’t be hiding behind Hoopers shadow.
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
09:25 on
22 August, 2013
Broad church? Just as well.
KevJungle
I’m a spokesman for no-one but myself but, on reading other posts, I can tell a lot don’t agree with you.
Now, are you going to keep making the same point day after day after day after day after day….?
IanBhoy929
09:54 on 22 August, 2013
Now that the dust has all but settled after Tuesday’s debacle, one word stands out, posted yesterday , JOURNEYMEN. Afraid that’s what this Celtic team consist of now. Shame.
_______________________________________________________________________
That is the state of affairs because – the Celtic fans accept it.
As soon as you fill-in yer SB renewal form – your voting for the cotinuation of this policy or condoning it. Sad but true I’m afraid.
HH
Snake Plissken
10:00 on
22 August, 2013
He would certainly have given the focal point required up front when playing a lone striker and would also have given us the effort and workrate we lacked.
cotinuation=continuation
bliddy gremlins
Blindlemonchitlin 09:04
Is it really you?
What’s got into you?
Have all the hairy rock people gone to Ibiza or Millport or somewhere and you find yourself at a loose end?
I like the new Blindlemon.
No Bobby Does It Petta
09:32 on
22 August, 2013
It would seem the Kazaks are playing the crowd next week, and not the players.
Huge expectation on the twelfth man to secure victory. Worryingly, some of the players seem reliant upon it.
I doubt it will be a full house. No champions league music, no floodlights, no away fans and less than prestigious opposition. And no GB?
Add in a little desperation and nerves, and the twelfth man may be a little quiet.
An early goal is absolutely crucial.
—————————————————————————————————————-
Bobby, whilst I would agree that the team should not be basing their strategy around the home support, I think you got some things wrong. There will be Champion’s League music as there has been at all of these play offs, and , as it is a 7.45pm kick off it is safe to assume there will be floodlights. Full House and GB ? You may be right about the lack of but we’ll see I suppose.
MArti
Headtheball says sign and promote the petition for wee Oscar and others
10:02 on 22 August, 2013
______________________
I’ll keep making it until we get to the point were – you’ll say – “By Jeezus – thon daftie KevJungle’s been right enough awe this time.” :)
HH
Ex Hibs chairman….Harry Swann.
newradbhoy
09:51 on
22 August, 2013
G.G.
George Graham.
Snake Plissken
10:00 on
22 August, 2013
Here’s a thought – would Kevin Doyle have made a difference the other night?
==
Yes to the bank balance as we would be paying his rather inflated wages. IMO he wouldn’t bring anything to the squad that the players that Lenny had sitting on the bench offer already.
The current squad is good enough to qualify. They must know that they have put themselves in a hole – and that they are the only ones who can dig themselves back out of it – with our help of course.
An early goal, the crowd behind the team and it’s game on.
KevJungle
09:58 on
22 August, 2013
Kev-J Dived in from top rail with swimming trunks on
CultsBhoy loves being 1st forever & ever
Just sell everyone then?
We will go through. Where is the faith that Celtic supporters have always had???
This team we are playing got a result. They will be out of their depth at Paradise. We will smash them in the first half.
LB
C 1st
I hadn’t had my toast, I’m calmer now.
Green Lantern (((((0)))))
09:41 on
Ach, you’re the only one that bit. I was pleased with myself. :-)
a stor mo chroi
08:09 on 22 August, 2013
EKBhoy:
It is my opinion Zaluska is a good as Forster, the criticism you level against Zaluska last time he got a run, I could easily level against Forster every game he plays, but I won’t.
————–
Football’s a great sport – we are watching the same game , totally opposite conclusions – I trust Neil on this one though , Zaluska only does well when he steps in because he knows he us just stepping in . Utrecht my friend.
HH
A Stor Mo Chroi
09:55 on
22 August, 2013
Intrigued by the question,pal.
For me ,Celtic is it`s own best advertisement.
Our people,our attitudes,our sense of inclusion and ” fair go.”
That`s why I feel comfortable in Oz.
Hope I haven`t missed the point.
Some folk have been mentioning the comeback games v’s Sporting Lisbon 1983
and Cologne 1992 – I was at both those games – in the Jungle – I think that the Jungle had seating at the Cologne game or maybe I’m mixed-up(yeez awe knew that, right?)
Point i’m trying to make is – the Cellic team on both those occasions were ‘ROARED’ on by the Jungle. Who will do that now that there’s no GB ?
That state of affairs btw, is a feckin disgrace, imo.
HH
KevJungle
10:14
Kev, I nominate you.
Just kidding.
KevJungle thanks for your response,I agree totally with your first sentence but this is not reflected in your posts. You are entirely entitled to be critical of the board,players and management but once in while could you not find something positive to say. Come up with some realistic changes you would like to see and post them you might be surprised at the response.Hail Hail Hebcelt
The lad from Switzerland has a truly awefull goal scoring record
If we have indeed put a bid in it shows that we have not learned our lesson Money down drain on non scoring strikers
KevJungle,
There’s no way I’ll be saying that and giving in to a constant bombardment of negativity. We get enough from your friends in the MSM. Thanks.
thomthethim for Oscar OK
10:07 on
22 August, 2013
Ex Hibs chairman….Harry Swann.
Did he not,amazingly,support us?
Hope your pal,Clatach(?)got my message about Steamboats.
lionroars67
10:10 on 22 August, 2013
_____________________
Heh, heh :)
Hail Hail
kevjungle
You are in a minority of one if you see any good coming out of Celtic being eliminated next week. I will be angry if it happens. I will round on the culprits (as I see them if it happens) if we are defeated but in no way will I see it as a good thing. I think you should question yourself and ask if you are really a Celtic supporter at all or just someone whose connection to Celtic is determined by his loathing for the Board or as you would have it ‘the Board’.
Headtheball says sign and promote the petition for wee Oscar and others
10:17 on 22 August, 2013
_____________________
Ok, ok.
I’m not trying to be negative – just trying to sign-post were you and others might be heading for a shafting. imo
Is that a bad thing to do ?
I know what yer saying so – I know when I’m not wanted :(
So – Off oot – take care.
Or as you would have it ‘the bored’. Auto correction is annoying.
Just on one of our striking targets, Pukki, my Donegal mate who has played a lot of soccer over in Finland and live there had this to say about him : “Pukki is no an out and out goal scorer, big strong and skillful….”
That would beg the question, why were we even looking at him ?
Marti
Seems to me there is only one way forward here.
Stop buying season tickets, sell all the players, buy a striker, goalie, midfielder, centre half. We’ve got to oust the board, put in a true Celtic man like Hugh Keevins. Need to get murdo sainted, buy daily records. We need to lose the game next week, we need to wave goodbye to Fraser Forster. We need to look at the first team squad and think journeymen. We need to go to the carpark, phone the hotline after phoning Clyde. We need to hope that Fraser Forster takes Scott broon with him. We need to find a leader, we need to be lead. We need to stop being ostrich sheep that follow leaders with our heads in the sand, except the new leaders who are true Celtic men. All before the end of next week.
Green Lantern
Torromerde. Word of the year. I’ll be using that a lot in future. Still laughing at it. Brilliant!
KevJungle
10:21 on
22 August, 2013
Read your initial post.
Not trying to be negative?
Well,mate,you`re not succeeding.
Put your Tim hat on again.
Gonnae?
ST
Innocent Emeghara canny get a game for his own team, so he’s out on loan.
He is also a 5′ 7″ striker.
Sounds like exactly what we need.
The honest mistake loves being first
Sounds fair enough to me.
Jimbo67 supporting Oscar Knox
Seems like we are looking at pace. In Europe and in a big league – aye great – in Scotland, against packed deep defenses? Pointless!