Out of the Champions League qualifiers at the hands of a team with a smaller budget than ours, for the second season in succession. Where did it all go wrong? Two shortcomings stand out: team planning and tactical strategy.
I’ll take the latter first. We had 60% possession last night, a remarkable figure for an away European game which was lost. We dominated possession, didn’t score a goal and conceded twice (for the fourth time in five games).
Let me take you back a few years to a Dominik Diamond TV interview with Martin O’Neill, then Leicester City manager, in 1999. O’Neill laid plain his tactical philosophy, “My teams have big guys who know how to defend, they have players who can throw dangerous balls into the box, and players who can get on the end of those balls and put them in the net”.
A year later, when Martin came to Celtic, it was like going to school as we watched the observance of these very rudimentary rules transform our club. His defenders could defend, he had wide players who could throw dangerous balls into the box, and strikers who knew where the goal was. Martin’s teams never dominated possession against a European peer, never mind a team who beat them so comfortably.
It doesn’t need to be explained that there was no team in the world who could score three times from corner kicks against the Celtic team of a decade or so back. Today, team planning has insufficiently focussed on a few fundamentals of the game: know how to defend, know how to translate possession into chances, and have a handful of players in the team who know where the goal is. This is the fittest, fastest, Celtic team I have ever seen, but we looked like busy fools last night.
Ronny Deila’s post-match comments about the team being scared was an instant reaction to the defeat, but it’s worth digging into what prompted this perception. There were actually many occasions when Celtic players showed for a pass, the Uefa possession and completed pass stats conform this, but what we never did was boss the middle of the park.
In yesterday’s blog I asked Celtic to own the park as I have had a worry about this aspect for a while. This is different from covering a lot of ground (we do that), or being able to make a pass (we do that too). We have Scott Brown (runner) and Nir Bitton (passer) in central midfield. I like both but we need extra bite in this area. Celtic’s most effective period over the last decade was when we had Wanyama and Brown central-mid. The role Wanyama fulfilled has been sacrificed for the player in the hole behind the lone striker.
Players of Wanyama’s calibre are not common, and we shouldn’t go 4-3-3 if all we have is a Kayal to fill the additional central midfield space, but Brown and Bitton are not enough in central midfield in Europe. It’s also clear that selection for the four advanced positions (the 3-1) has been so fluid since the start of the season we’re clearly not cohesive in that area of the field either.
For me, if it’s Brown and Bitton, and I think it should be, we need another Brown-Wanyama influencer. Think back to our last Champions League group to consider the prospect of playing a European game without Scott Brown. At the very least we need cover for him, but in Europe we need two in his position. Go 4-3-3.
So much for tactical strategy, what about team planning? For the third August since parting company with Gary Hooper we are hawking around for a striker. Gary’s not a panacea, so I’ll ignore him as a prospect for now, but while Leigh Griffiths has performed beyond the call of duty, we are, again, out of the Champions League without having any idea who our primary striker will be this season.
We are in a loop of mistakes, and frankly, the most likely next action is that we respond by recruiting an identikit of the many strikers who have passed through Parkhead gates in recent years. We know enough about this problem to be aware that it’s our primary challenge, yet we have been unable to overcome it.
In my State of the Club blog at the start of the season I cautioned that we’d swapped Gordon Strachan’s soft spot for recruiting from Hibs, for a desire to see stars at Dundee United. Ciftci, Mackay-Stevens and Armstrong have been our primary recruits for advanced positions in 2015. Only one won a place in the starting line-up last night, leaving us relying on players who struggled to get in the team a year (or longer) ago.
Ronny Deila may well be able to polish Dundee United players into top performers at Celtic, but we didn’t recruit the finished article. We should have known this, and should have been aware that our August cup finals would have made calls on bit-part players from recent seasons.
We will find the occasional Champions League player in Scotland, but you can’t raid a mid-table SPFL team and expect to leap to the very top table in the game. This team planning strategy always looked vulnerable and it’s proven to be.
On the money side, you know my views. Over any business period you pay what comes in, no more and no less. We’re losing to team who spend less than us, not more, and on this occasion a team who picked up a player we discarded.
On just as important matters………
The golfers among you have three days to buy a raffle ticket – for £1 only – to win a round of golf at the fantastic Aberdour Golf Course for four people! Check it out here on ebay. Money raised (by Taggsybhoy) will go to the Foundation. This important work, always needs to be done, win, lose or draw.
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Wits
IMO DD bought into CFC as he fancied that we might get an invite into the EPL
He backed MON very well initially
When it became apparent that there was to be no EPL invite the downsizing started and has continued unabated
CFC are a very minor part of his portfolio
JJ
Do you actually think Ronny will have a say in VVD being sold. He is the coach and works with players he is given.
The lawell giveth and the lawell taketh :-)
HH
CRC
Virgil will be sold. Celtic say the same thing every year. Over rated player who has presided over numerous Euro flops.
Money won’t be fully reinvested.
HT
There are some posters on here whose every post complains about Celtic. I have no doubt they want Celtic to do well so in that sense they are definitely supporters but I doubt very much I shall ever see the day when those posters` posts reflect enjoyment in supporting Celtic.
JJ
PS I am , of course, not talking of supporters who praise sometimes and complain on other occasions. Simply of that sizeable number who ALWAYS complain. Surely they do not enjoy Celtic?
Pf
That about sums it up
Pfayr.
Vvd really annoyed me with his failure to bundle over the guys holding him in the box. Both ties.
No arms raised just push them over. Before the ball comes in
Then his sudden inability to jump first.
He let us down .
WITS,
Re TCR,
Dreadful.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/im-lucky-to-be-alive-says-man-beaten-for-his-phone-31479670.html
JJ
Ronny said at the Fans Forum that if a club that VVD himself thought was of a suitably high standard came in for him he would leave.
That’s not media talk J.
Hamilton tim. Are you supprised we did not invest ? I am not. Why would peter risk his bonus The VVD money was only there to endure KPI was met if the worst happened
Our club is run only to endure he has his max bonus
My wife was going to buy me a Celtic top for Father’s Day. But I said no. Not one single dime till peter lawwell is gone
e badly need a centre half when VVD leaves. The thing is we badly need a real seasoned pro and we’ll need to pay for him. Add in an experienced forward in the same mould. If we don’t I think we’ll take a few doings in Europe and poor results in Scotland. Our team and formation are tired and things need a shake up. I would still sign AidenMcG.
A wee EL run, win the league and SC would still be a great season. Scott Allan and Janko have a good chance to shine right away and I think they will.
We need money spent on the team NOW tho and PL should make sure it’s done.
There was something badly wrong with our team last night.
Pure downer but thank god I support Celtic.
TontineT
He left uefa and went to Greece, I think, don’t think he is still there tho, but his legacy at uefa lingers on, winker.
HH
……………………………….
macjay
Still waiting for an answer, you are still bumping your gums about getting shot of Ronny, but have no answer as to what next.
There is no point in bringing in another rookie.
Any manager that has been around the block won’t entertain us cos there is no spend, and Pedro has delusions of being a DoF as well as a CEO.
Most of the scottish mangers won’t touch us for reasons obvious, Steve Clarke a perfect example.
Naw, the problem lies farther up the food chain, but your head is so far up Pedros arse, you just can’t, or won’t see it.
JJ
I do know what you mean regarding one or two posters, Neganon being most notable, but I’m sure even he enjoys being a Celt.
CAPTAIN BEEFHEART on 26TH AUGUST 2015 9:50 PM
Virgil will be sold. Celtic say the same thing every year. Over rated player who has presided over numerous Euro flops.
Money won’t be fully reinvested.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Let’s imagine the board decided to give the manager all of the VVD transfer income to strengthen the squad. Do any of us believe it would be money well spent. I wouldn’t trust the roaring fitness instructor with the price of a bus ticket. Much better for the money to stay in the bank account for his replacement. Not that that’s going to happen either but at least us shareholders will give a decent divi.
SS-Not anyone got passmarks in my book last night.HH
CRC
I am certain he will have a say but I am equally certain he won`t have the final word. Financial policy will determine that.
PF
I don`t think ANY information comes from the MSSM. I believe they peddle in rumour, speculation and distortion.
Bada,
I am a big fan of Ronny so I would give him a long time .
Goodnight all.
JJ
….PFayr supports WeeOscar on 26th August 2015 9:50 pm
Really got to go, up at 05:00, catch your response in the morning and will reply by text.
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
hankray on 26th August 2015 6:17 pm Ruggyman…………….We kept hearing about this guy Rosenberg but I did not expect him to be such an influential player – what a presence.
*he’s a thug who widnae last 5 minutes in Scotland unless he was playing for sevco.
God in heaven.
TCR,
My stomach sank, and my heart is racing looking at those pictures of you.
Get better bud, really need you back on here.
Clogher
Thanks for that link re TCR.
God help him. He got an awful doing.
We arguably should have looked at Warburton.
He has within a couple of months totally transformed that team on a tiny budget.
15-30 shots a game and they look like they may well score double figures on week. I said last week that they were the 4th best team in Scotland, after getting the lad Zelalem (whose rep down south is every bit as high as Denayer’s was when we signed him) I’d now say they may be the 2nd.
We are toiling to fill our stadium and hawking our best player around the EPL.
The likes of Waghorn is as good as Ciftci, Travenier as good as Janko, I wonder who now holds the momentum?
No doubt I’ll be told they are a busted flush.
ST
Long time no chat I hope you’re well.
I have my gripes with PL and the Plc board, most of which I don’t express on here.
Is the board guilty of this term ‘downsizing’ ?
Yes, but I do think that you simplify things and don’t take into account financial constraints which, whether we like it or not, are genuine.
Having said that we know VVD is leaving and should have spent on the back of that.
The board are negligent in regards to this.
Warburton can’t find his way from room to room if it means opening a door.
Just cos he is a Celtic supporter doesn’t mean he gets the gig
PFAYR SUPPORTS WEEOSCAR on 26TH AUGUST 2015 9:44 PM
Wits/ Jamesgang
Rosenberg bullied our players …they’re too soft …a decent CB would have stuck one him for his carry on …can’t imagine Bobo or Mjallby letting him away with his carry on yesterday
——-
We all thought it was really cute when Griffiths subtly blocked langfield for debater to score versus Aberdeen last season.
Yet against Malmö they did it to us for at least 2 of their goals.
Gordon has been great since he joined. But for the 1st goal last night for eg he should have wiped out the cross and any team mate or opponent with it. And it hadn’t worked he should have cried foul as they did at our ‘goal’ at the end of the first half. Instead we all stood around like wee lost souls.
It’s a big bhoy’s game. Broonie tumbled Berget to the ground last night with about 20 mins to go. It was about an hour and 2 goals too late. And was as close as we came to being physical at any time in the game.
HH jamesgang
We didn’t play like pigs.we were more like rabbits!
Guernica
Now that is funny!
HH
CRC
Guernica
Sevco are good at their level
If they played an SPL team and performed as they did on Sunday they’d get stuffed
Their defence is slow and positionally inept …
Hibs , with a decent striker ,would have beat them and they’re no good
guernica
Are you not too old to be dropping acid:))
Debater = Denayer!
Bloody iphone is re correcting my correction of its auto correction!
Just finished reading back. Still gutted but can’t see much changing in the immediate future in terms of players in/out. Can’t see Ronny leaving or being sacked. Can we all agree? Stephan Johansen needs to be sidelined and players like Rogic and Allen given a chance.
Almore
Joe hanson’s headless chicken routine of late has been bad enough. Double whammy is that it keeps Armstrong out of his most useful position.
Alarm set for 4.30. Am sadly. Have to shoot (try that sometime Celtic!!!!)
Night.
HH jamesgang
Just a note for those Celts who are traveling to Celtic Park this week-end for our game.
Please support the back-packs for Malawi initiative. Haven’t we all youngun’s, somewhere, who’ve outgrown previous must haves?
Celtic forever.
We need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and thinking we can’t compete just because we dont have access to the riches of the Premiership. We have spent and wasted a fortune in recent years in comparison to many teams across Europe (some of whom have dumped us on our erse). The fact we do not have a rival to Izzy for the left back spot nor at least 1 if not 2 other forwards in along with a wily auld head in the centre of the park is shocking. There are many good with potential to be great players out there in our budget and we need to get our scouting sorted and find them.
Guernica makes a fair assessment but ends up glossing over a few of their weaknesses.
Warburton HAS put both McCoist and McCall to shame in the quick way that he has made them an offensive force on the field (they were always offensive off the field).
They ARE highly unlikely to fail to achieve promotion this season but did they not give us a great laugh last year when they messed up (Cammy Bell just won a Fringe Comedy Award).
However, they are playing Scottish Championship level sides, most of whom would lose to English non-league teams. The surprise is not that they are looking good but that it has taken them so long to achieve competence.
They still have a core of internationalists (Miller, Wallace, Zaliukas, Shiels), some under 21 caps and some promising EPL youngsters. Only a fool would bet on a fragile Hibs team to do better over a season.
Even under McCoist and McCall, they could beat Bottom 6 SPFL clubs (though not Motherwell when it counted) so, at this time, most of us would rate them around or just below Aberdeen, hearts and, maybe Ross County. St. Johnstone or Dundee might give them a game but I’d expect them to beat more.
But Warburton is untested at any higher level and their players have yet to adjust to a move up to a “no easy games” level.
We have all seen this year’s improvement in rangers but I see no evidence that Warburton is a better bet than Ronny. Maybe when he does win something bigger than the SPFL Championship or the Petrofac Cup, I will start to worry, but they are just a distraction and a bad smell to us just now.
They are, quite literally, not in our league and should not be much in our thoughts.
Wee Johansen is a young pocket dynamo/headless chicken with lots of potential he will mature into a fantastic player. Commons is a complete hack of a player at the top level, you know the guy, that greedy glory hunter on the park that makes the rest of the team do his running while he works on his you tube clips, I bet he is king of the clique. Commons you have to go.
Hail Hail.
SAINT STIVS on 26TH AUGUST 2015 9:18 PM
PS.
The bar is set so low that people are slavering over James Forrest performances.
No goals, no assists.
I suppose he is fitter now. He can run himself into trouble faster.
=================================================================================
You are correct,this guy has been so bad we are now encouraged by a 25% contribution.
With regard to VVD,indirectly he has been a distraction to proper preparation with the will he go or stay routine,this was exactly the same with Hooper and NL when he ( Lennon ) kept holding on for Hooper to stay,losing the signing of Johnny Russell in the process.
I still do not consider Malmo as any great shakes but they were well motivated,and the Manager done his homework and had VVD obstructed as he was our main defender for corners etc.
This was the classic case of energy and organisation overcoming supposed superior skill,I thought this was what we were promised as we trudged out of Murrayfield last year.
Sorry, but an absolute shambles,with senior players now contradicting the Manager,what happened to the togetherness plus the “mind toughening ” by our Irish guru.
Anyway,we have the Celtic Way,a book by Ronny,the Stadium decked out like a Disco,reminding us of football players,and of course the failed economic exercise where we spend little to get the full pot as opposed to invest and ensure entry and a lower, but still lucrative return.
Never mind as Kevin McKenna put it on twitter ” They did not embarrass the Hoops”
That of course was tongue in cheek as our team should always wear the Hoops where possible,and not the
ridiculous garb to satisfy some Contract which will not compensate as the crowds hit 20K.
I am absolutely livid that as a Club we have allowed ourselves to be made a laughing stock, lost momentum,and played into the hands of the Press who will jump on any slip up with enthusiasm.
Really annoyed.
I switched off after 15 minutes last night. I knew what was coming.Celtic were being booted all over the park, and I was wondering if the ref was a drinking buddy of Dallas.What was concerning was the midfield not being bolstered.The gaps were enormous.Malmo didn’t need to look for space–it was all around them.At the same point in last week’s game the Malmo manager saw what was happening and changed tactics–our manager and coaches still went along with a patently failing system.
We need a midfield general, a big bastard of a centre-half, and a good holding midfielder
Oh!—and a top-class seminar on tactics,wherever in the world, for our manager and coaching staff.
LiviBhoy on 26th August 2015 7:42 pm
Ronny was wrong to slate the players publicly. Something WGS never done. Privately I bet he tore strips off them but gave the media nothing.
*after a fortuitous 1-1 tie with the Pars at home in the SC when a late Wispy goal kept us in the tournament Jock lambasted the team and without naming any players suggested that there was one who wouldn’t be playing in the replay, the press guessed that player to be Harry Hood and ran with it.
On the Wednesday night at East End Park we won 1-0, guess who scored our winner.
Ronny called it like he saw it, he’s not playing the politics game, thats for presstitutes and Commons to hide in.
Hail Hail.