Those suggesting Sunday was the worst Celtic performance of the season have short memories. The campaign was full of days like this until the emergence of Ryan Christie and halftime in the League Cup semi-final at Murrayfield.
Brendan Rodgers acknowledged he got things wrong. Three at the back works on paper when you are a few full backs down, but we simply did not know how to defend the flanks when Hibs broke with speed, which fortunately they didn’t do too often.
Every team has to compensate for absences, often with a straight choice: find a direct replacement but maintain the structural integrity of the team, or give the pack a significant shuffle in an attempt to shake things up. Celtic’s away form this term has been such that Brendan cannot by criticised for wanting to try something new, but 46 seconds into the game it was evident the players did not know what to do.
So what did we learn? Brendan will not deploy the same line-up/tactics combination again. We know already we are heavily dependent on fast-thinking-fleet-of-foot players like Ryan Christie, with Callum McGregor in the deep playmaker role. We know we need a striker to assist Odsonne carry the load – Brendan wants two. We know energy levels are low with the squad facing two games a week, pretty much since June.
Valencia beat Manchester United last week in the Champions League, so will have no fears of travelling to Celtic Park in the next round of the Europa League, but this draw is neither impossible nor the easiest possible for Celtic.
The Spanish club are 14th in La Liga, a healthy five points above relegation, but will surely be more focussed on getting their domestic results sorted than hoping for Europa glory. The teams last met in competitive action in 2001, when two home 1-0 wins saw the Uefa Cup tie go to penalty kicks, which Valencia won 5-4, with Larsson, Petrov and Valgaeren all missing for Celtic.
Valencia were also Celtic’s very first European opponents. The teams met in the 1962 Fairs Cup, Valencia winning the first leg 4-2 before the teams drew 2-2 at Celtic Park, when John Clark missed a penalty.
The games do not take place until February, but Brendan Rodgers will be encouraged his team are in with a chance. Practice penalties, please.
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Fully concur with corkcelt, John McGinn is nae dirty wee sleekit roger hunt neither is he choccy, I would liken him more with Harry Hood and Anthony Stokes, 2 players who chose Sunderland over us and yet came back tae star for the hoops. Whose tae say the young Duntocher Tim won’t in a couple of years once he’s honed his skills down in brum.
McGinn being compared to Mo Johnson is way below the belt .
Judas being Judas , set the club back for years with his deception. He joined Rangers ffs.
McGinn was still planning on coming back up the road for similar talks with Celtic after agent & clubs had agreed on transfer fee & wages.
The fly in the ointment was the agent. He went back to Steve Bruce & warned that John was a life long fan . A place on Celtics bench was still attractive to him .
Bruce then got permission to boost the wage deal, to way beyond what Celtic would or could offer. The player knew he would be straight into their first eleven.
He then had a huge decision to make.
Brendan never criticised J.McGinn at any time after he signed with Villa.
Comparisons with Le petite merde are off the scale. Grow up .
And for what it’s worth BSR is right.Sky inviting him onto the panel yesterday was intended to to dig up old dirt .
Celtic could have moved sooner. Petrie of the Hibs & dodgy handshake fraternity didn’t want to play ball. Think SFA. Think personal agendas.
I thought “super Mo” was a terrific striker … pity he had the morals of a sewer rat :-)
What a leap he had
ANGELGABRIEL on 17TH DECEMBER 2018 7:21 PM
The fly in the ointment was the agent.
Sadly most agents are flies and they just love rolling around in the ointment. If you are a player aiming to maximise your earnings , agents are wonderful. Most of the rest of us have quite a different view of them.
WEEMAN 67…
Funny stuff, brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.??☘
DD…
Are you going to the Valencia away game?
I’ll probably be going with my mates and basing in Murcia for a few days, let me know if your up for it as there should be room in the house.
Check your phone is still working.??☘☘☘☘☘
THE EXILED TIM on 17TH DECEMBER 2018 1:37 PM
I wasn’t bothered either way if we signed McGinn or not, had you put a gun to my head I would have said no as I didn’t and still don’t think he is good enough, just my opinion.
What gets me is the selective revision about the deal, Brendan and John McGinn have both said the same thing, McGinn said he had his heart set on the move, two months along the line the deal was never happening so he was professional got his head down at Hibs and in came Villa, a far cry from we did everything to sign the boy.
====================================================================
Brendan wasn`t representing Celtic in the negotiations.
McGinn wasn`t representing himself in the negotiations.
His agent was representing him and Hibernian FC.were representing themselves.
Do you think the agent benefited more financially from the Aston Villa move than he would have done from a Celtic deal ?
Do you think Hibs ” lost out ” on the deal ?
In the horserace of life , back “Self Interest ” .
You know its trying
Glendaly
Bill McMurdo informed Maurice he would have to complete a P86 returning from Nantes, as he wasn’t out of the country long enough… David Murray at least paid one tax bill to wee Lizzie :-)
Hot Smoked on 17th December 2018 5:38 pm
Is there ANYONE on here who believes he/she is influenced by the media?
————
Let’s see now.
John McGinn (who hadn’t been mentioned on here for months) appears in the media.
The very next day about 100 posts about John McGinn.
Job done…….
Gerry
yes…….and Minty vowed it would be his last-))
Probably borrowed that tae
Glendaly 7.41pm
I was at Love Street the last game of 1989, actually think Super Mo won us the Joe Miller 1989 Scottish cup final, it took us a few years to get over the wee traitor … loved him as a player but why would you join a Klub that hated your vey being …money is not everything … would rather be skint :-)
TONTINE TIM on 17TH DECEMBER 2018 7:16 PM
ANGELGABRIEL on 17TH DECEMBER 2018 7:21 PM
Both entitled to your opinions,as I raised the MJ comparison, and still believe McGinn caused us dis-ruption
as our exchange of notes,and current imbalance of playing staff, would indicate.
As for ” grow up ” lets keep it civil.
HH
Atlanta score after 1min … so much for Lazio being a good bet … get your cash on Ath Bilbao after my Alaves tip
DAVID17 on 17TH DECEMBER 2018 5:40 PM
What did Brendan value him at ?.
I cant remember reading anything.
I think Mc Ginn wasnt getting the money his agent wanted. I may be wrong but its old news now.
HH
There is always meltdown on here after a bad result and sometimes over enthusiastic euphoria after a good result.
Anyone remember last week after we hammered Kilmarnock???
I was at Easter Road yesterday,and yes it was very disappointing, tactics formation attitude performance all wrong. That happens in sport,a team has an off day.
Fans can be terribly fickle, one fella coming out of the ground was very irate about Rodgers having the audacity to come over to applaud the fans ( as he and the team do after every game ) ” he can GTF” “who does he think he is after that sh**e ” etc etc.
Double treble ???.
Gents,
A wee music video from a few guys based in Glasgow.
ExC44
You may believe J.McGinn “ caused us disruption “ , fair enough.
The comparison with le Petite merde is off the scale. Perspective required.
Sorry if the “grow up “offended you , I apologise. Meanwhile, the behaviour of Mo Johnson offended me then and still does now . J.McGinn signing for Aston Villa doesn’t even come close , not even remotely to what myself and most Tims thought about Johnson at the time . I still think your comparison is bonkers , but hey ho . Opinions, bellybuttons, we all have them.
And now the link!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3RT6p7iqCoM
They’re looking for some / any feedback.
Joining in the middle of a discussion…
For the record,
The Merde episode at the time left me depressed more than anything.
Basically because I didn’t think / realise someone could sink so low.
Wits.
It was the same on Twitter. What a difference a week makes , it beggars belief.
Short memories & entitlement csc
ANGELGABRIEL on 17TH DECEMBER 2018 8:06 PM
Accepted.
Thanks for reply,don’t get me wrong I am no MJ fan.
I was in France when it happened,and spent the best part of my holiday off and on the phone to my friend at home getting info to placate my son.
Good point about the bellybuttons,I’m away to check.:)
HH
anyone remember big Frank Welshman? resident comic in the Pig and Whistle at Butlins Ayr 77 ,78 ,79 8o etc ..
one of his lyrics wis braw …
“Valencia …stick your head between your legs …looky up your Barcelona”
whilst playing a whistle through his nostril!
hahahahaha
here is the basic Brexit Aria that comes closest to the tune ….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnzweZ11ULc
braw lad Big Frank ..stopped me topping a visiting magician,when I wis a jealous wee lad ….hooopy days
smiley …we are the Celtic thing …
Braw
BSR
BR didn’t go public because he was upset, he went public because he was asked, he also managed to get over the loss of John McGinn much better than the cynical Celtic supporter.
‘Peter Lawwell deserves it’ because you and others say so,? “
“Peter Lawwell deserves it because he refused to smash the Celtic wage structure “
I know which you prefer, and whether you like it or not its Daily Rainjurz.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
If you believe that Brendan went public because he was asked, fair enough, I don’t believe you actually believe that :-)
I was never bothered about the boy either way, so no cynicism here.
No, I have every right to critisise Pedro if I think he merits it, as anyone has, as you have, you just choose not to, just as I have the right to praise him when he does good for the club, and I do.
How do you know that Pedro refused to smash the wage structure ? the smsm, the daily rainjurz !!!!
No you don’t know what I prefer, you think you do, but trust me you don’t :-)
6 pages of John McGinn stuff? I’ll try again tomorrow. be nice ;-)
Alisdair, I think that very good music. Tell them to get in touch with Take The Floor at BBC Radio Scotland (Gary Innes).. They play music like that in the second hour of the show. They are easily good enough.
Peter Lawell does what his boss tells him to do … like 99% of us
I know for a fact I would love to do things different in my job but I can’t
Mon the Alaves
Alasdair …
a good track. Thanks for sharing that.
AngelG
Speaking of music, here’s a song to sooth the savage breast- what a difference a day makes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmBxVfQTuvI
Jobo
Blame that TET
I think he is the Aston Villians agent :-)
HOT SMOKED on 17TH DECEMBER 2018 5:30 PM
Bigbhoy
I believe that we cannot think for ourselves.
============================================================
So.
Who you thinking for ?
:-)
I have a free spare ticket for Wed. Drop a note here if interested. Can meet at CQN Corner before match. HH
Gerry
I didn’t start talking about him, I responded to the bullshit being posted about him :-)
TET 8.38pm
Am not complaining:-)
You have a decent point but would prefer us to post about players who want to play with us and not players who don’t :-)
Bhoyhood heroes my bahookie
Macjay 8.37pm
Reading some of my posts I probably can’t think for maself :-)
How many of Brendan’s signings have been a success, a failure ,or jury is still out?
Dembele
Toure
Sinclair
Benyu
De Vries
Bain
Hendry
Comper
Gamboa
Kouassi
Hayes
Edouard
Roberts
Ntcham
Morgan
Izziguirre
Arzani
Benkovic
Mulumbu
?
TT
MacJay
True agents can be pure winkers, but I don’t believe the boy was telling lies yesterday.
MIT .
Very soothing and great track.
I might use the link on Twitter in response to the critics ;-))
Tinytim
How many players that were there has Brendan improved ?
Every negative has a positive around the corner
James Forrest CSC