Since Dinamo Kiev inflected Celtic’s first home defeat in European competition, on what was our first European game after winning the European Cup four months earlier, last night’s shocker to Sparta Prague was our 36th and worst home reversal in Europe.
Three years ago PSG scored five, but, unlike Sparta, they did not hit the woodwork on two other occasions, and they are PSG. Last season Cluj also scored four, winning by a single goal, but by any measure, across 58 years of home European ties, that is without shadow of a doubt, the low point. We are now the team fans all over Europe point to and laugh, all the money, yet Cluj, Copenhagen, Ferenvcaros, Sparta.
What has gone wrong?
It is not the formation. Without changing to three at the back, I don’t think we would have won the league last season. This season, we tried four, then three, then four, then both defensive lines at different times of games, but the formation is not the problem. It is possible to defend, control games and create chances with either line-up. And as we have seen, a change in formation does not make a slow or clumsy defender fast and assured. If only it were as simple as Scott Brown’s advancing years, or injuries and absentees; they are red herrings, this malaise is more serious.
Post-match, Callum McGregor and Neil Lennon spoke well. The player admitted to humiliation, the manager walked that fine line of showing contained anger, but he was clear: a lack of application from the players was to blame. What a thought to ponder.
I am fond of many in our squad; they have delivered success beyond my wildest imagination. I am fond of the manager too, for the same reason – results are all, and his filled the well some time ago. If I thought sacking the manager would safely resolve matters, I would tell you so.
It is Neil’s responsibility to put the players on the field in the correct frame of mind to compete at their best every time. He is failing in this, his criticism last night is self-directed, but sacking him right now would be a Gambler’s Play. It might work, it might result in carnage, anyone convinced they know how it would play out, underestimates the complexity of the question.
What I know for sure is that we stand at an historic precipice and no one is coping. We need to reframe the challenge ahead, if we do not, the season will play out as you now fear. Together, we have a great opportunity to record magnificent achievements, a fourth consecutive treble, 10 and all the glory that comes with it, but all you see are demands weighing everyone down.
This responsibility lies on Neil Lennon and the players because they are winners. They have the Scottish Government hammering them while punching for Newco, they have 10,000 critics weighing-in online (which they read and are not helped by). These are the wages of success, lesser mortals have six critics, let this fuel their engine.
After the game, Chris Sutton insisted Europe was still important to Celtic. Chris, you don’t live in the towns of Lanarkshire. Europe has gone this season; we need to reframe this too. Our three remaining Europa weeks are an opportunity to develop the squad and rest weary legs, while Newco will have at least five competitive Europa games. We must now think of this as an advantage; make the most of it.
We know how to win leagues and trophies. We were on our knees at New Year but while others “bottled it” and we got on with the business of winning. There are no white, saltire or union flags here, only green league title flags. To the manager, coaches and players, what a privilege this challenge is.
Relive some of the better days that took us here in Celtic: Treble Treble, by Alex Gordon, a 100 page full colour booklet on how the Invincible, Double and Treble Trebles were won. Our stock is available here for £5 each (retail £9.95).
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Deniabhoy, agree with your comments but worth stating that the players have also not had the benefit of the 12th man trying to lift them when things are going against them. Support/Confidence is everything for top sportsmen.
NORRIE – True; whoever is signing cheques clearly has an eye for a flutter.
Yet many like me believed that – on paper – we recruited very well for our charge at the 10 plus the quaddie. Neil seems to have been backed well by his patron and seemed delighted w the higher profile buys and loans.
Mibby tell our players the game is played on grass, not paper ?
MM – how about aw these double donuts china!
St Tams, agreed, but cant let folk use them a stick either. (a manky stick with a shyte on the end of it at that)
ECW67
Love yer thinkin’ …………..
I hope they are busy and in that I do trust but please, please don’t mention the words “Keane and Roy” i terms of Celtic management………….
Mr K is a millionaire, not a manager and certainly not of Our Great Club…………….
Scoddland would have a ball demonising Roy at our expense but would finish him off quicker than they will with Neil.
I’ve no clue…..
:)
I’ve no clue…………….. as to who might be an appropriate replacement for Neil and the management team but I hope that those currently in power do.
HH
HOT SMOKED on 7TH NOVEMBER 2020 9:16 AM
Five in Polynesian Islands with first Russian teamaker (7).
Anyone?
……….
Samovar
SPIKEYSAULDMAN – fair and valid point. Some have speculated that we have suffered more than most due to the size of our support and that the players were accustomed to it. And, without question, it has helped countless times to drive the team on, lift them etc.
On the other hand, the lack of fans does not explain fitness levels, baffling team selection, tactics, timing of substitutions, lack of cohesion etc.
These guys should be used to bursting a gut day in, day out at training in front of no public. They shouldn’t suddenly down tools on match day because their is no one there to support them or become a shambles when faced with Europa league opponents with little pedigree.
I guess we’ll never know what might have happened since August if Covid didn’t exist. But if we had still got humbled in the CL and Europa games and lost to newco then Lenny, in my view, would no longer be here.
Cheers
Allardyce is the biggest hun to be mentioned on these pages since the daughter of Ayrshire.
WG
Quadro
Yes, the zero figures are confirmation that our three month lockdown
was the correct decision.
Daniel Michael Andrews took all the flak that the press, money monsters
and the gullibles could throw at him but was proved correct despite some
blunders.
Plus he’s got a lovely young daughter called Grace, so I’m biased.
H.H. Mick
That moment when you post a crossword answer then find out that you’re 2 pages & 3 hours late.
Grateful for another day CSC
CORNELIUS
Got the Islands and the 5, where is the Russian tea maker?
H.H. Mick
Gene
Never in a million years was Henrik booed, except by Huns.
HH
Melbourne Mick
since you have successfully come out of 3 months lockdown with zero figures,
can you tell me or point me in the direction of what you were and werent allowed to do during those 3 months
travel? shopping? work? schools?
whatever the rules were it looks like a model we should be following then if it was a success
Celtic supporters tune in tomorrow for the latest high noon and despite being thrashed by a depleted Sparta side, we’ll expect to despatch Motherwell because that’s a normal, not new. Nil points loss is imperative if Celtic are to begin cobbling together a semblance of SPL normality, granular analysis of how Celtic failed in every position on the pitch, with huge gaping holes in the return of the sieve, is truly shut down button stuff.
Neil still has to find the formula with his assembled cast, he has to make his own fate, avoid icebergs on Thursdays, and he’s either shuffling his deck for team selection or rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, depending on which section of the empty stadium you sit. Levels of opposition see Celtic see-saw, in and out of Champions League, Europa League or just SP hell, a ‘malaise’ which some saw start up in pre-season France, yet we’re by no means outsiders for success.
Only a cause, could be sitting one game away from an unprecedented quadruple treble, and yet have a demented support, spitting nails into their devices. Not liking what you see, a recurring team, or a recurring theme of watching Celtic is now a feature of this semi blocked season. We see Celtic through the square window and it’s not the same for any Celtic supporter, Celtic and virtual don’t go.
You can’t get to Celtic Park whether you’re from Donegal or Dalmarnock we’re all not in it together, no Celtic Way, no pre-amble, no hugs, no hand shakes, no Glen Daly, no Hoopy, no pie, no Bovril, no no hot water, no weedy aromies, no after match queue at the Kerrydale, no rain dodging search for a pint, no point in getting out of the bed. When things aren’t going right there’s a chance the crowd can have an influence especially a Celtic crowd, but at the moment we’re all reduced to slinging internet arrows, or reading chainsaw responses to alleged incompetency or unsuitability.
Neil Lennon remains a consequence of Brendan Rodgers premature departure ( maybe he saw the icebergs?) some Celtic supporters haven’t reconciled the appointment once you do that, you’ll be able to study the assembled players, the titles, trophies, form and results to date, and make your decisions, its seems the Celtic support can’t sing even when we’re winning.
Custodians of a cause come and go, supporters stay.
HWGTIAR
GENE on 7TH NOVEMBER 2020 11:13 AM
Dbhoy
No where have I been over the top in criticising Neil – as I said he is part of the problem as well as the solution. Legend status doesn’t make one immune from criticism although I agree some is well over the top.
Remember when Henrik returned with Barcelona – even the king of kings was roundly booed.
———————-
Nowhere did I say your criticism was OTT, neither did I sat/assert his status as a Celtic legend made him immune from criticism.
Slightly confused by your reply, no offence intended.
HH
sat= state
LETS ALL
Travel was restricted to 5klms, schools shut, work from home if poss,
shopping restricted to one person masks on at all times, $1500 fine
if non compliance,1 hour exercise outside daily.
Very tough but so far it’s worked, but massive hit to the economy, but
again, billions being put into construction and road, rail, and infrastructure
projects, our kids will be in debt for ever k sera sera.
H.H. Mick
JACK MURPHY on 7TH NOVEMBER 2020 9:53 AM
…………..
So YOU and ” ONENIGHTINLISBON” Agree with the No1 Chump that I wont call by name…. that Neil Lennon is Peters Puppet ?
Feckin Shocking…. and NONE of you have any Respect for a great Celtic Man ?
The THREE of you should stick to the Huns site…..You will ALL be welcomed with Open Arms by the Hun Scum.
……….
” BUGGER…?”
ALLARDYCE ?…………Your having a Feckin laugh…arent you ?
Henrik wasnt ” Roundly Booed” as has been suggested…ERNIE called it correct when he Posted that Henrik was booed just like a Panto Villan…BIG Difference.
When Henrik scored against us, there was a sense of everyone looking at each other and nodding in agreement that ” We all just KNEW that was going to happen”.
HH
jack murphy- are you a hun?
buggerlugs – are you a hun?
thats 2 of the top of my head
hh
Lazio facing expulsion from the league, for knowingly playing Covid positive players………trying desperately to think of a Klub, who have had absolutely no positive Covid 19 cases?
BIG JIMMY/AN TEARMANN
ONENIGHTINLISBON will haunt him for the rest of his hun life.
The other two? same..same.
H.H. Mick
Some sleekitry aboooooooot……………
Aye.
Track and trace proves effective in finding Ernie at home….
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08xgwss
Dan….btw it’s a wee joke Ernie, although I do hear that you have been known to swim with the sturgeons and leeches!(sic)
Melbourne Mick
thanks for the info
yes, tough measures indeed
but decisive measures with the specific intent of stopping the virus in its tracks
unfortunately our governments are only playing politics with trying to stop the virus with their half arsed measures and are burying their heads in the sand until a vaccine comes along which could be a while
a bit like celtic fans waiting on a hun implosion to help us win the league
so unfortunately here the governments arent putting measures in place to stop the virus
but we still have the pain of a destroyed economy
the worst of both worlds
all for political expediency
Ajeti and griff must start on sun
and still the hard of thinking negate from their thinking that Boli broke UNITED KINGDOM law.
The UNITED KINGDOM law broken was that Boli did not quarantine on coming back to the UNITED KINGDOM.
Boli by his silence,(and that of our compliant meeja 3days) insured the club did not know of his travels.he played endangering his team mates and opponents by breaking UNITED KINGDOM law
the labour party of capatilisty tyoey socialisty
and unionisty people seem to fall into downtrodden victim here.
no olayer at Ubend fc broke such law.
but it serves the diarrhoetic thinking
of Sur Keevs nooo nooo meeja friendly husk.
on here
hh
and eddy from bench at some point
BANKIEBHOY1 on 7TH NOVEMBER 2020 11:47 AM
I hear you RK not my choice but DD had a go before !!!
Eddie Howe for me but thats a dream
Hail Hail
67ECW
Today’s competition.
If the answer is allerdyce….
The question must be ?
back4
Bitton Welsh Elhamed Taylor
Mid4
Turnbull Soro Ntcham Laxalt
ERNIE LYNCH…
The squad are regularly tested for Covid. None were infected. There was no risk. Sturgeon made it clear games were not to be played. That was against Celtic’s wishes. The postponment has proved to be a handicap. A punishment.
If it were as simple as that, why are people made to self isolate after travel despite testing negative? Virology, immunology and infectious disease control are not our areas of expertise (some will surely suggest neither is football, but I digress) – After exposure there are risks. I’ll ask again (as you’ve ignored the question now on more than one occasion): what is the risk worth? One death? Two? A player or staff member suffering long covid or irreversible lung damage? The benefit: playing a game immediately. The cost: Damage to people’s health and further spreading the virus.
The second point, and again, I hate to labour it but no one said games ‘were not to be played’. If they had we would have forfeited games. The games were postponed. Its no more a punishment than a game being postponed for a flooded pitch is punishment. It was a public health necessity. To turn this around though – why are you seeking special treatment for Celtic?
If you are a Celtic fan it should be clear to you that both clubs have been treated differently by the SNP.
No, they have not. In one case, a player exposed to the virus was in close and frequent contact with team mates, bursting the established ‘bubble’. In the other the players got nowhere near the squad ‘bubble’, which meant the other players were not exposed. Where circumstances were the same, the action was the same – postponed games.
And the offending players have been treated differently by the SNP. Bongoli was publicly slaughtered by Sturgeon. Not a cheep about the two huns.
You may have noticed that Celtic also treated the players differently. Slaughtering Bolingoli but offering no comment on the Rangers players. That aside – you’re once again misrepresenting the situation. The government criticised the breaching of rules. And rightfully so given that the Celtic’s and Aberdeen’s cases the players exposed hundreds of people to unnecessary risk and possibly irreversible health damage or death. Second to that however, given the public outcry over the governments comments the SNP may have, somewhat naively thought the carrot approach would work better than the stick. Especially given people are kicking back on restrictions now.
If you weren’t a member of a cult you would question why that is.
It’s a shame, I haven’t offered a single insult or disrespectful comment your way – but you continually try to mischaracterise my position. And do so simply to try and win a cheap point. Sorry Ernie, you’re wrong to make this comment and it just undermines your argument.
I’ll repeat – I’m not an SNP member. I’m an SSP (Scottish Socialist Party) voter and member.
If your political colours are green and white, it might serve you well to remember the club was set up with humanitarian goals in mind and a manifesto involving protecting people from the more dangerous elements of society. In those days that was hunger, but you could easily map that to the public health crisis we’re suffering now.
We all love Celtic. We all want the best for Celtic. It would do you well to remember that. The ‘cult’ comments are poor.
/p
Remember te days when international teams were picked by ‘selectors’ and the manager was appointed to weld them into a team (take the blame really)….I think Scotland’s last man with his head on the chopping block was Andy Beattie and apart from a couple of games managed by Matt Busby the first autonomous manager was Ian McColl (followed by Jock Stein).
Anyway, Just a thought but maybe Celtic should co-opt blog writers and contributers into a prematch get the gither to pick the team, motivate the players and fill the dugout to organise substitutions, changes in formation and answering players phone messages.
They could even pick a temporary manager to take the blame.
Dan
67 ECW………….
Yes………….
In the current situation, if Neil decides to step down – from my position of fitba ignorance I’d accept a Wee Strach or Martin type holding pattern till season’s end. It is crazy and sad that simple supporters like me are contemplatin’ those scenarios – failure to achieve the Supports number one objective this season will have huge ramifications.
Of course while that’s goin’ on we’ll need to stomach sleekit hun mischief-makin here, there an’ everywhere…….. but hey-ho-ho we’ve had plenty to laff at thems abooooot.
HH.
IMWANDAN
I blame Peter Lawell.
H.H. Mick
Ah yes, the SSP. Red on the outside orange on the inside. That explains a lot.
Aye, and on that subjekt bracket Big Allardyce wi’ Big McGhee……..
*cough*
Guff
Sleekit guff.
HH
BIG JIMMY on 7TH NOVEMBER 2020 12:27 PM
The usual response when someone dares suggest Lennon is not a God.
Facts are he was offered a job knowing he would not rock the boat.
Me saying that makes me no more a “Hun” than you pal…
BANKIEBHOY1
Awe they years of laughing take there toll, my legs are as strong
as an Ox, but my stomach muscles just spasm involuntarily now
after these last glorious years.
H.H. Mick