Efe Ambrose looked a tad nervous at the start of last night’s game. He wasn’t the only one. Adam Matthews was pressed into an early return from injury, a forced change, but Celtic’s decision to deploy a more adventurous line-up than in previous encounters with Barcelona was by choice.
The result was 36% possession, heady heights compared to last season’s win and narrow defeat, but oh what a price. When Barca went 4-0 up early in the second half I suggested “This could be our record defeat”. My Dad said “Artmedia was only one more than this”. I meant THE record defeat, not the record European defeat. We were a few bounces of the ball away.
Results like this are always possible at this level if the game plan is wrong. In the minutes before kick off on Champions League nights, when the stomach knots with tension, I tell myself there is no shame in defeat, but “let’s make sure it’s not 3-0 again”. This must always be the priority. There seems to be a couple of rules:
If we defend the 18 yard line, in numbers, we have a chance of winning Champions League games, but beauty will very much be in the eye of the beholder.
If we chase vanity marks, as we did at home to Juventus and Milan, and away to Barcelona, we’ll lose heavily.
Last season’s Champions League campaign was a textbook lesson on how pot 4 teams from weak leagues should tackle the tournament. Spartak Moscow had more possession at Celtic Park than Barcelona had at the Camp Nou last night, but Celtic won both games against the Russians. There is a shout out loud lesson here.
Between now and the beginning of the next European campaign we have a great opportunity to build upon the type of football we saw in the last two domestic games. If we do this well, we can prepare for next season with a more mature model, but venues like the Camp Nou should only see our bedrock tactics for the foreseeable future.
The Celtic Graves Society are commemorating the life of Peter Scarff, who died of TB 80 years ago this week at the age of 25. Peter, a teammate of John Thomson and Jimmy McGrory, scored 54 goals in 112 games for Celtic before contracting his fatal illness at 23. A short service will be held at Peter’s grave in Kilbarchan Cemetery at 11:30 this Saturday, 14 December. You are all welcome.
There’s a Celtic shirt signed by the first team squad available for auction on ebay in aid of the Wellburn Care Home in Dundee, run by the Little Sisters of the Poor. It’s currently going for a song, so get there and fill your boots.
“The centre of Astana very much had a western feel- vibrant, affluent with a splattering of large video screens on the buildings advertising top of the range cars to luxury apartments. With skyscraper office blocks and top-end hotels with marble kerbstones, this very much is one side of Asia.
“The stadium itself looked fairly new, the shape of it reminded me of Tyncastle, thankfully we were made welcome here though!”
From a trip to Kazakhstan page 136 of the 2014 CQN Annual, available here:
Sean Fallon, Celtic’s Iron Man:
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Speaking of player recruitment, Neil had Arnautovic of Bremen lined up, fee agreed but the player didn’t want to come. He went to Stoke and is enjoying a reasonably good start to life in the EPL.
With Pukki and Boerrigter, it seems to me that these players were not Neil’s first, second or even third choices. But what can you do when the clubs want to do business but the players don’t want to sign?
Here is another question: what if none of these players (Balde included, Virgil exempt) had signed for us in the summer? Would you feel content with what we had or would we be shouting for the club to do business of any sort just to bring bodies in?
Craigwhite…..
My parents are regulars in there …excellent place
Pfayr
Always looks busy when I drive past, is it just a large restaurant or is it a bar also.
Up Like a Bird – agree – stupid stupid stupid. I hope next season if we get there we draw an English team. None of them worry me too much. Would be good to get a chance to stick it up them.
Anyways lhadies and ghents, friends in Celtic, last night was always going to happen at some point. Barca have destroyed better football teams than the one they faced last night. We were far too open.
We need to learn to match their spatial awareness even if we can’t match their technical skill and passing ability. We need to look at how they organise to win the ball back so quickly and so relentlessly and we need to learn how, once it is won back they immediately get in to positions to receive a pass and hurt the opposition.
You can’t match natural talent but you can match work rate and organisation. That we have yet to do so is a disappointment.
It struck me that the only way we will ever be at the very top of the tree again is by producing talent of our own. I don’t know how, I don’t know if it is even possible. But try we must.
I’m not too worried about last night in the grand scheme of things. I didn’t have the knot in the stomach Paul refers to – it was a dead rubber for us. In some ways we were always going to face a motivated Barca since they lost to Ajax and needed a win to ensure top slot in the group. Without Messi and Iniesta I think others saw a chance to step up as well. And they did!! The score was embarrassing but the over all effect was that Neil Lennon should now know that his team is a bit away from being able to go toe to toe with the elite. Ironically there is no way would we have played that way had we needed a point or a win.
As a plus I thought Commons was excellent when he came on. He won a few free kicks, took the pressure off and found his team mates with the ball. We started passing a lot better when he appeared and Samaras started playing too.
Here are Europe’s best goalscorers this season with a transfer value (according to transfermarket.de) of less than €5m and an age no higher than 24.
http://www.tictactic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/goldilocks.png
TMB
Apparentlythat is not how the agreement seemed to me.
The rumour was that you wanted to be left alone to slate to your heart’s content. But then you appeared to complain about being ignored as invisible.
See how easy that sort of stuff is.
Kojo
I’m not on your bus fer sure.
We are on a journey with NFL and as long as he delivers SPFL success and entry to CL he has my vote as he learns his craft and builds his teams.
We are not perfect but we are moving forwards.
Last night I reckon NFL tried to play the way we did in the last 2 domestic games as a yardstick to see where we were. As a tactic in a game where Euro progression was not affected, I thought it quite clever and not a little courageous. Howeeeeeeevah (as you say) some of the players didn’t match-up. But, now that we know who those players are we can do something about it.
Slabhoy
HH
I also reckon it was a broadside for PL and the board – we need investment.
Rocket man
Pukki can’t score and Boeriggter doesn’t contribute
I’d prefer we gave some of kids a chance
The above are proving to be a waste of transfer fee and wages
Sevco shares being dumped late on today, followed by a sale of 125,000 @ 34p, a new all-time low!
Do we hope the “rebels” are buying them, or do we want the current board to increase their holding, and prevail at their AGM? From a lack of intelligence and analytical ability, I can’t make my mind up which scenario I look forward to the most. Still can’t wait though!
HH
nothtebus
I see there’s a Kamara at the top of that list.
Celtic and Kamara.
That’s a surname that owes us some success :-)
Craigwhite
Both ….you’ll need to book if you are going for food
setting free the bears supports Resolution 12 & Oscar Knox
The previous two never quite clicked….
David Peter Deans..
Thanks fur the Nod,pal..
Of Course, it’s a “Long Road..fur a Shoart Cut”. as Ma Blessed Auntie , used tae quip.
fur us tae Tak..
as…
We dae Hiv a Creditable, Wastage in Funds.. in using this “Shot-Gun” approach..in trying tae Uncover… Unknown Gems.. In the makin.
Howevahhhhhhh..
“It is whit is”… as They Fly guys wud Say.
Personally.. if Ah wiz Lookin fur A Capable Striker..
and .. Ah didnae Hiv Much Money..
Well. Ah wid Go A Huntin in the Hinterlands…
No .. Up the Toon.. In The Argyle Arcade..
There ur Bargains tae ber Hid..if Ye know how tae go aboot it..
And…
In Ma Opinion.. A Striker is Born.. a Striker..
Like.. well.. Jimmy McGrory.. Dixie Deans.. Wullie Wallace..
These Guys, Wid Score Goals.. Wherever they Played..
And that Includes.. when playing oan The Fifty Pitches…or .. even, at the MAUL’S MIRE!
whit Celtic need tae Dae…and . Which..
THEY ARE NO DAEIN,Lately..
is tae Go fur a Striker..who..well.. Scores a Loada Goals..
Noo naturally, if a Striker Scores a Loata Goals.. if he Plays fur a Fashionable..or Even.. and Unfashionable Well Known Team…..
Noo Adays…
Coasts a mair than a Curly Heided Wean..who kin Read n Write.. Spell…
and go fur the Messages..
Nevertheless..
Ah know that Somewhere…oot there…. in the Boonies…right Noo..
There is a Guy..
Who is Scoring fur Fun…fur his .. Boys Guild Team..
Yes.. Like Ah said..
A Striker is Born a Striker.. And He wull Score for Fun.. wherever he Plays..
Celtic, up tae Noo.. hiv no bin going fur a NATURAL STRIKER..
They did ,in the Case of .. Hooper… he wiz a Lad who failrly rattled the Riggin’
Wherever,he Played..
‘
So it wiz no Big Discovery tae Find that Hooper .. continued tae Rattle the Riggin’ wi
elan.. when he came tae us..
But,since that time.. Celtic ,hiv Brought in
Strikers..who.. are No NATURALS.. like.. McGrory, Nicholson, or.. Hooper..
And that is why Celtic, hiv failed tae Replace Hoops..
Bangura, et Al… Never were NATURAL BORN Stirkers..
Noo.. this ICELANDIC KID.. May Be …
A NATURAL STRIKER..and if he is..
And.. Ah am Inclined tae Hope tae Believe… that He is.. according, tae his Past Performances..which Ah hiv Noted..
and if He is..A Natural..
‘
Why..
Oor worries, wull be Over!
Yep.. Celtic,hiv failed tae use thur Heid…in this Striker Search..
And.. when ye ur oor Lookin fur Bargains
Ye need tae Screw the Bobbin…and No waste yer Dosh..oan
Guys who are no fit fur Purpose..In the First , Second..n Third PLACE!
like, MA Pal Nutsy says..
” A Bargain ,is No a Bargain.. if it is No a Bargain..In the THIRD.. PLACE!”
Maks Sense tae Me.
Kojo
That’s my last post on CQN for a while. Taking one of my frequent ‘sabbaticals’ – I’ve been evaluating things again and I have decided that the internet is using up too much of my time. I’ve reached that conclusion before and taken a break from it but always drifted back. We’ll see this time. Great things have happened as a result of this blog and more power to those of you who have turned the virtual in to the real when it comes to meeting up and all that malarkey. I’m just an onlooker when it comes to that stuff. Not that comfortable meeting people from cyber land although I don’t doubt that you are all great guys and gals and the evidence is there to suggest that is the case in spades.
And things haven’t been the same for me since Philvis stopped posting and I’d no one to bat the ball of left/right political opinion back and forward with!! I miss the crazy unicorn munching son of a gun so I do………
So Bhoys, I’ll see you in Paradise. I’ll be wearing Green and white, standing six foot tall and sporting increasingly grey hair, usually accompanied by a couple of weans, and assorted family members of all ages.
Keep it real and increase the peace.
I’m away back to the reality of my life!
Hail Hail
great link ntb and stark: I’ve got to rethink what we are about in my head,
Kojo
PS in full agreement on your striker thoughts
PFAyr: I feel the same way.
I thought when Pukki scored at Tynecastle and hit the bar against Kilmarnock we had a player he just needs time to settle. I don’t feel that way anymore. Boerrigter I thought looked the business in the 20 minutes of his debut before he got injured. I don’t believe he is the same player.
jackie mac
Its a complex questions, at time we over simplifying the whole issue to the point of ridicule by insisting we “spend the money”!
Robert T
I have had the same thoughts too.
I think you have to wade through so much knee jerk stuff that it is hard to see where the Daily Record ends and this site begins. Victim of its own success.
It might be a good time to join you in reducing the posts too.
SFTB @ 18.03
lets wipe the slate clean and let bygones be bygones mate, after all it is the season of goodwill to all men – agreed?
Afternoon all
Just back in UK and now making way north from Dover. Once again thanks to Franny and John from Gallowgate Travel for keeping the show on the road. Also not the easiest trip but we are all safe and sound.
Great to meet up with TET , Pracepta, ACGR and Old Tim as well as old man BMCUWP and Lesley. Dont know what happened at the gate – honest I wasn’t trying to lose you
Actually I pretty much do know what happened – an utter shambles as bad as I ever witnessed. I had my phone adapter confiscated but others were less fortunate. Girls had mascara and lipstick confiscated but worse asthma inhalers were taken from younger fans – male and female. As a result spent much of the first half making sure a young female fan was able to use my inhalers after she suffered a dreadful attack. The clown from Celtic Travel gave chocolate fireguards a good name.
Could not really get into the game by the time I was able to watch. We were dreadful so I decided it was better to strip to my waste. A buxom lass told me I had bigger t.ts than she did. Not quite the effect intended.
Ah well
Jimbo67 supporting Oscar Knox
Kojo ,
palomine 50 pitches a got and scabby knees tae prove it but maul’s mire,where dat????/
ps yir on fire ce soir so ye ur.
SlabBhoy
Hiya,pal.??
Pleased tae Greet ye.
Ye are entitled tae tak anither bus..as ye pit it.. So Cleverly…
Nice WAN..
n ..sure ,ye are right.. Neil ,is a Promising Kinda Guy..
Ah wid Keep Him…
Howevahhhhhhhhhhhh…
In Ma Opinion..
He wiz simply.. Wrang.. in Pittin oot such a Cockamamie Team Selection, whether
as an Experiment… or as you hiv implied, as..
a HINT tae the Celtic Movers and Shakers ..
in Telling ’em.. How the Coo ATE THE Cabbages..
Ah still, Maintain, that Neil Goat it Wrang , Wrang, Wrang..
‘
Ah,of course, respect your opinion..
You are entitled te Hiv it.. jist as Ah am entitled tae hiv Mine
Naturally…
Ah Believe that My Opinion is the Correct wan.
Kojo
eight team dropped out of the c/l and Europe all together, another 8 dropped into the eurpa cup and 16 progressed to the knockout phase. every club in it deserved to be in it because thems are the rules, just as we cannot up sticks and play in the epl.
I don’t worry about anyone/ poll debating if we should be in it while non-champions are invited, we have more legitimacy than over half of those teams that progressed into the last 16 as we are champions
the elite attitude does my head in
Pfayr cheers for advice, give it a try sometime.
Slabhoy agree with you regards a broadside at pl and club investment, unless I’m mistaken was that not all of our summer signings started last night bar balde.
Turkeybhoy
16:39 on
12 December, 2013
Paul sais exactly what I said last night.Bad tactics.Our line up should have been 4-1-4-1.Sorry for that first line.PC playing up.
Lenny should be learning from past mistakes.He does not seem to be.This is my worry.
We went all out against Juve last season.No thought of keeping the game alive.A 0-0 draw would have done us,an away goal,who knows.
Against Milan this year,we were playing well,then went for it.Gubbed.
Ajax.the same.If you keep making the same mistakes,what is the answer.
We are stuck with a few duds now,who will take up valuable wages,and give very little return.So much for the much vaunted “Transfer policy”Only works if you replace quality,with quality.A lot of lessons to be learned ,management,and board level.
===========================
I think NL is nobody’s fool and wondered at his selection from the off.
It included 3 guys brought in in the summer who have struggled to make an impression, Pukki, Boerrigter and Biton .
These guys presumably joined to play CL football so in a nothing to lose in competition terms, but everything to gain in personal performance terms they were given a run out.
They did not impress so that tells NL and Celtic that they need to up the recruitment game. It is one thing to aspire to be a club capable of playing in Europe and quite another to be a club capable of competing in Europe.
Last season we were, this season we fell short of the necessary standard and a good whupping never did anyone any harm if they reflect on the reasons.
I reckon NL could have played it safe and got off with a 1 or 2 or 3 nil defeat, for which he may have got grudging praise for a good tactical performance for something he already knows how to set out a team to do. or criticism for lack of bravery. Either way nothing would have been learned.
I think there may have been a bit more than on field tactics at play last night with on field progress already decided..
notthebus
18:01 on 12 December, 2013
Yeah stop scouting just go on to Transfermarket. Com.
“Hello it’s Glasgow Celtic here seen your striker on the Internet. Who do we send the money to”
Adrian Durham of talk-crap radio has a long history of using his platform to dis Celtic.
Someone on here once said his partner was a hunette . Whatever he never misses a chance to put the boot in.
Googling the guy shows he is reguarded as a fellow hun by the zombies.
Any room on the blog for a self confessed happy clapper .
Already looking forward to seeing the bhoys on Sat .
hail hail
Favourite Uncle
Hiya,Palomine?
Ah am Maist… Enchanted.. tae Greet Ye!
The Maul’s Mire?
When Ah Lived in Glesca.. way back when…
The Maul’s Mire.. wiz Opposite..
HOLYROOD SCHOOL… At Aikenheid Road…
Maul’s Mire..whiz used as a Dumping Grun..
Fur the
Leavings of Slag .. Fae.. The Furnaces of …DIXON’S BLAZES..Iron Works.
n it Smelled..
No tae High Heaven.. but .. Tae Low HELL..
There wuz always an Strong Odour
o Brimstone.. from the Firey Dumpings which hid bin Transported fae the Iron Works..
A Real.. Desolate n Nasty Place..it wiz.. so it Wiz..
Noo , Ye Know..
Kojo
My CQN annual arrived today. Thanks look forward to reading it.
Here is the question: what is success for us in the CL?
Is it qualifying for the group stage?
Competing in the group stage and giving everybody we face a game home or away?
Qualifying onto the knock-out stages?
Quarters?
Semi?
Finals?
Winners?
Goatta Go..
Next week.. Ah wull be in Sun Valley..
n
No Mair Chasing the Snow Bunnies, fur Me!
Of that Ah am Done!
But.. Nevertheless..
Ah kin always..
Look at Them.
Right?
Kojo
Seeyou Guys..after the Noo Year
A Very Merry Christmas tae All.
and a very Prosperous New Yeat. Tae.
who’s laffin now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNqKNFxXn0M
mind you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ-SaqUYJZw
Rocket Man.
Good question, and one which should draw lots of different answers as we are a broad church…….etc.
I would say that for us qualification for the group stage of the CL is success – considering the league we play in,
anything beyond actual qualification for the group stages is a bonus, imo.
rocket man
18:37 on 12 December, 2013
Giving everyone a game in group stage.
SFTB/Robert Tressell
Bhoys keep on posting please this site would be a seriously depleted blog without you.
Enough good guys have left the last thing we need is both you bhoys going too.
KTF
HH