Oh’s first last night was a classic six-yard box striker’s goal. He got a marginal touch on the ball, enough to divert it around a defender and into the net. His second demonstrated more of his abilities, as he outpaced his marker to collect a through ball before finishing below David Marshall.
Let’s remind ourselves. Oh is a 22-year-old athlete, strong and skilful, who puts the ball in the net when he gets a chance. It is our job to mature him into a great player. Successful clubs in our peer group do this all the time.
There is a theory that if Celtic get an early goal, they can settle into a format which allows them to relax. There is a counter theory, which I prefer, that after Celtic score early, their opponents are denied the luxury of being able to defend without thoughts of attacking.
Hibs knew from the third minute they would need to score in order to take anything from the game. Their late consolation was deserved, as they should have scored twice earlier – and I’m not counting a worrying few seconds as we struggled to clear a corner kick.
Did the new central midfield mix of Tomoki Iwata, Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley work? We got the result but without controlling for other variables (the early goal, for example) we will not know for sure. It is certainly how I would start at Kilmarnock on Sunday.
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Hola amigos.
Hail Hail
Happy Friday eve all!
P67
“It is certainly how I would start at Kilmarnock on Sunday.”
Agree, and I’d keep Oh in too and I’d have Rocky or Lager ahead of Phillips if we don’t want to risk CCV on that horrendous carpet at Killie.
QB
P67
Who is our peer group?
HH
“AN TEARMANN on 7TH DECEMBER 2023 12:07 PM
We differ,no worries,”
That will never catch on ;)
“Atmosphere- songs of Celtic, Ireland and St Patrick … I want noise and song backing Celtic for full game, I can have the craic with them around me when that drum is beating for Celtic. Its not just now, and if the huns wont get any tickets for 30th Dec it would be embarrassin”
I’d love that too – minus the ra nonsense – but with or without the GB I always hear the away fans at points (I sit in 410 opposite them with the GB between us) and don’t consider it embarrassing if my fellow fans who took the time to attend want to chat amongst themselves whilst watching a game of football.
Out of interest, and pardon my ignorance, what “songs of St Patrick” would suit? Given my first son was born on this day I feel I should know these!
QB
AT @ 12:12
Great question.
This list does not go down far enough to include us and show our “peers” if we are going by monetary measurements: https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/10-valuable-clubs-outside-top-5-leagues-ajax-porto
Good three points and plenty of encouraging aspects in the performance.
Reassuring to see that Brendan seems to know what he is doing and doesn’t panic after a couple of sub-par performances and ditch the formation that has been working for us for 2 1/2 years.
Some nice, effective combination plays in the wide areas.
Midfield also looked better. Good to see a left-footer on the left – gives a better crossing option, particularly with Palma being less two-footed than Jota. And yet another goal for MOR. Can see him getting into the high teens by the end of the season. Iwata looks like he could be a player.
Oh looking more confident, which is not only good for the player himself but might be a wee bit of a spur for Kyogo if he knows he has genuine competition for his place.
And still got Abada to come back – watch us really start to fly!
Defence still not entirely convincing. Scales needs to improve his awareness – has a tendency to allow an opponent to drift past him on his blind side.
Would definitely keep Oh in for Sunday. If nothing else but for defending set pieces. McInnes is a pretty limited coach but is highly effective in this aspect of the game and let’s face it, it’s not our strong point!
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL
Agree about Scales , he is inclined to lose his man at times which can be a problem if he’s up against a quick forward like Hibs’ Yuan . Much as I like Scales , I think we will see an upgrade in time , whether that’s Lagerbielke or Nawrocki remains to be seen . As for Phillips , at the Hibs goal and a couple of other occasions , it looked like Brendan had sent Harry Kewell up into the stand to find anybody over 6’3″.
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL on 7TH DECEMBER 2023 12:37 PM
Scales needs to improve his awareness – has a tendency to allow an opponent to drift past him on his blind side.
100% agree. Added to that. He is way to ponderous in possession. This is a major cause of our problems breaking teams down.
I think Nat Phillips is only on loan till the end of this month,watched him last night to my mind he isn’t a defender.
Hopefully CCV is not injured and Philips got a run out ahead of Sunday as CCV was never going to play in this game.
CCV will be a miss for sure as when I watch Philips unhappy memories of Shane Duffy flood my head. The fact Philips is preferred over the other two CHs we paid good money for says a lot.
HOT SMOKED on 7TH DECEMBER 2023 11:03 AM
`GARYGILLESPIESHAMSTRING on 7TH DECEMBER 2023 10:51 AM
74 consecutive league games without conceding a penalty.`
……………..
I can ALMOST beat that…
I have went nearly 68 YEARS……Without buying a round in a Pub !
LOL.
HH
Quadbhoy
Hail Glorious St Patrick for a start :-)
Tho according to respected senior posters (PCS i think)that too had its add ons
‘Ra nonsense’ you making a distinction with modrin ra – troubles 66-94 and currently the biggest party in republic and the protestant state for a protesrant peepil?
And the good ol ra of 1916 whose songs were sung liberally up until state terror labelled those showin support as terrorists?
For a club who had Michael Davitt as its first patron and many involved in the process of irish liberation my view is we are on shaky ground distinguishing with good and bad ra,those in 1916 were viewed with the same language that we view the ra today.
Language originating in a state whose policies gave rise to the genocide known as An Gorta Mor which inspired the good Brother to start our club.
And ps i dont like tbe bolt ons either,said so direct to Celtic fans currently banned,cooper,kitman,roamin gloamin
They do Celtic no favours,they distort and secrarianize a club open to all and irish history.
The atmosphere isnae there at moment,i prefer Celtic noise always,a beating Celtic drum as background to the banter.
Nae harm in disagreeing Quadbhoy,tbat is our energy,Celtic fans agree on one thing,who they support,after that it differs and thank god for that,if you want to see what happens with uniform opinion look to Sir Hunner of Pence and the mullyins of eunuchs who will be editing history for the rest of time
HH
Benjamin Zephaniah Rip
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/benjamin-zephaniah-dead-poetry-racism-birmingham-b2460061.html
HH
A long overdue vote of confidence in Tomoki. in playing the pivot role from the start. He has eyes at the back of his head and can read the play better from a defensive perspective. I guess Brendan didn’t want to disrupt the GK – CHs -Pivot at the start of the season, good time now to change his hand forced with injuries particularly with Reo.
On Liam his performances will start to level off , happens to everyone.
From last night you can see that our two centre halves who finished the game are at best back up , Iwata can play pivot ,and I’m afraid saw nothing in the young Australian lhad to make me think whoever scouted the lhad should be summoned to the office for a chat.
how a team that plays with 1 man up front and 10 men behind the ball can cause our back 4 to go into panic mode and lose composure when attacked by a loan striker and a single pass through our midfield is concerning. .
RC
When CCV was removed our lack of pace through the middle was obvious , equally when Hibs subbed Boyle our back line multiple times forced the play up to the half line , so perhaps they don’t think they are as slow as they look !
Iwata was excellent, calm,composed,2 footed,and not scared to get physical ,he let the other midfielders breathe,McGregor and O’Riley played with much more freedom of late,big Oh still a bit raw at times,but great attitude, 2nd goal was a real strikers finish.The subs this season have made an impact when required, these 2 have earned a starting place due to that.
Melvin Udall
Great prediction,just hit the post !
Paul67’s disappointment with the performance of our midfield last night is palpable. Didn’t quite fit with the narrative we were subjected to earlier in the week. Cannot bring himself to credit Brendan with getting the balance of the midfield, right, on the night. You say Hatate we Iwati sort of thing. This is what I want to see more of, getting something out of the players we have available. Fit and available to play. The Rugby is a whole different scenario of course, trying to play football on a washed up carpet that has been hung over the back rope and beaten to within an inch of its’ life. Good enough for the SFA and the SPL but nowhere near good enough for me…..and Bobby McGhee.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lU5IX_UKEjM&pp=ygUSYmVuamFtaW4gemVwaGFuaWFo
“AN TEARMANN on 7TH DECEMBER 2023 1:00 PM
Hail Glorious St Patrick for a start :-)”
I’ll add that to my list of must listen to, thanks.
“‘Ra nonsense’ you making a distinction with modrin ra – troubles 66-94 and currently the biggest party in republic and the protestant state for a protesrant peepil? And the good ol ra of 1916 whose songs were sung liberally up until state terror labelled those showin support as terrorists?”
I only make a distinction between football teams and armed forces.
One I like, one I don’t regardless of their country of origin.
When I’m at the football I like songs about the former not the later.
Ireland and Scotland are both part of Celtic. The “ra” (whatever that means to anyone) is not imo.
“And ps i dont like tbe bolt ons either,said so direct to Celtic fans currently banned,cooper,kitman,roamin gloamin
They do Celtic no favours,they distort and secrarianize a club open to all”
Agree.
“The atmosphere isnae there at moment,i prefer Celtic noise always,a beating Celtic drum as background to the banter.”
I like a bit of Celtic (football) noise too.
Too old (and sober) to be starting it myself these days tho ;)
“Nae harm in disagreeing Quadbhoy,tbat is our energy,Celtic fans agree on one thing,who they support,after that it differs and thank god for that,if you want to see what happens with uniform opinion look to Sir Hunner of Pence and the mullyins of eunuchs who will be editing history for the rest of time”
I’ll add that to my reading/google list also.
HH
QB
How anyone thinks they can write off any player after watching for 45 minutes or so astounds me.
The same folk writing off Oh and Iwata and Larson and McGregor and many more.
Also not all will be good signings. Nottingham Forrest have signed over 100 players since the new owners came in 3 years ago ? And they are not in bargain basement territory. If anyone wanted an easy life in players recruitment it would not be at a club like ours.
BURNLEY78
Young Australian bhoy , unfortunately the game passed him by , and he unfortunately didn’t track back and lost the Hibs left back in the build up to the goal.
He may come good but I’d be very surprised.
Re the other players you mentioned from day 1 in my book they looked like good players. On Henrik remember him in the World Cup playing really and was amazed when he signed for us. Best to trust your own eyes and instincts.
HH
I might be in a minority but was distinctly underwhelmed by our performance last night.
Hibs were the perfect guests, trying to play football without the required ability and displaying a soft underbelly across the park.
As a result we were in control of the game without ever getting out of second gear. Iwata and Oh can both be pleased with their contributions but wouldnt go overboard with the praise. CCV and O’Reilly remain the class acts.
Hart’s weakness at set plays was again there for all to see, Scales exposed by Yuan’s ability to peel off & could have been punished by a better finisher.
The second half brought a significant drop off in tempo and quality. Unlike Sunday, the subs last night simply made us worse.
Phillip’s performance left me wondering what ‘positive influence ‘ the manager was waxing lyrical about from the training ground. Not credible to believe our 2 new CB signings are not an upgrade on what we have seen from Phillips.
Similarly Tillo looked like he should have been in with the Kano kids rather than mixing it with the first team. Surely there must be an academy kid who would benefit from a 10 minute cameo at Celtic park with the game won?
Tempo in last 30 minutes wasn’t too different from the first half at St Johnstone. Of course the game is won but little incentive for fans not to choose an early exit.
I suspect Sunday will be a slog against a Kilmarnock side well versed in the dark arts.
The feeling I got from Tilio when he came on was that he really wasn’t bothered about making an impression . He has had so little playing time , you would think he would really use any opportunity to make his mark.
I agree players shouldn’t be written off too early but initial impressions are not good .
Always been a huge fan of Iwata, great number 6, and it lets Capitano get forward for more creative stuff, great balance.
What Big Rocky has to do to get on is a mystery to me. Philllips just not at it and was wrong side for Hibs goal, schoolboy stuff really.
Can’t risk CCV on plastic this sunday, no way, so Brendan has a choice to make, let’s hope it is the correct one,eh??
Some very good stuff last night, and please, critics of Kyogo, lay off, please. As we know, form is temporary, talent permanent.
Great to be a Celt though.
KINGLuBo
SLOLEYBHOY on 7TH DECEMBER 2023 2:57 PM
I might be in a minority but was distinctly underwhelmed by our performance last night.
count me in.
Totally off subject, but I am beyond hacked off with the latest announcement. Taylor Swift has been named “person of the year”.
I mean, FFS, is that how far society has dropped. Person of the year, gimme a break, I’ve fu***ing had it, honestly.
KINGLuBO
Taylor Swift I had to Google to find out who he/she was! Never heard of her…..
Kinglubo- I’m sure you will shake it off….😑
Superbru Round 16 update
A few difficult to predict matches and only 5 matches in this game week means that scores were fairly flat but we still have a clear top 3:-
1. Bada Bing- 7 pts
2= Call me Gerry and Tirconnell- both on 6.5 pts
Congats to Big Jimmy, Aipple, Bognorbhoy & fess 19 who had sufficient faith in Celtic to predict our 4 goals scored but insufficient faith in Joe Hart & the defence keeping a clean sheet, thus arriving at a correct 4:1 prediction. Hard luck for the 6 super-optimists who had us scoring 5. There were 44 predictions for the Cousins of to beat the Sons of at Tynecastle. Some of these habitually back Sevco to lose but there were more with misplaced genuine hopes who were, yet again let down. I watched the highlights and Sevco missed many more chances than Hearts did and that’s even with keeping Dessers on the bench and Lammers only getting 2 minutes. Their front line are currently so bad that there is a fans campaign to bring back Fat Alfie, who has been freed after playing his part in relegating the once mighty Santos in Brazil for the first time in their 111 year history. Let’s hope he comes home to complete a double relegation campaign.
Anyway to this week’s barrel-scrapers:-
Out on his own with the wooden spoon, we have a top 10 performer who dropped 4 places this week:-
1. jmccormick- null pwa (0) who predicted Hearts would get a point and the Celtic game would be 0:0
2= Hopeful Hoops, chalmersbhoy and Cosy Corner Bhoy- all on 1 point
This leaves the overall picture as:-
At the top:-
1. BC Milan- 95.5 pts (first to break 100 pts???)
2. Leggy- 91 pts (Tooling up to challenge or Stooling up to fall?)
3. Billy Bhoy- 87.5 pts
We still have 5 sets of fixtures before the end of December so these 3 cannot feel safe.
we have equally consistent performers at the bottom of the pile. Excluding the non-predictors, we have:-
1. Friesdorfer- 49.5 pts
2. Cosy Corner Bhoy- 50.5 pts (rapidly deteriorating into wooden spoon contention)
3. BelmontBrian63- 51 pts
Our next deadline is Saturday 9th December when we have five 3 pm kick offs, with the main event on Sunday when we travel down to the artificial surface of Rugby Park which used to have a great surface for football back in the day. Unleash Oh Bhoy!
update provided by SFTB one of the 20% of Mac Users who have Safari as their main browser and which worked for almost 20 years on CQN until now- Oh Well! just a malcontent anyway.
I wish our Taylor was swift
EKBHOY 2.44 – 🎯
You know when you see it.
For me in recent times it’s been Bernabei and Kobyashi.
Unfortunately I’m confident to add Yang to the list.
Gene- VG
A very good evening to you all.