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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Fact is our elected ‘fishals of whatever colour should care about sectarianism and silence or no’ carin’ aint an option……………….and we’ve got no evidence that the Plaid Proddie Parody Party …….. :)))))))))
* Toys / Pram*
………………..care one bit about us and ours.
My “politics” are Green – Green and White.
HH
BANKIEBHOY1
The HOOPY party, where do I sign 8-))
Night night all.
H.H Mick
I think it’s understadable that a Scottish nationalist of her age and from her background might have an ingrained and unconcious bias towards a football club that is a quintessentially Scottish institution rather than one regarded by many as being more Irish than Scottish
—
i just dont think thats the case
she has been in politics and leadership a long time and that accusation has never been levelled at her before.
i suspect it would have shown up long before now
i reckon she doesnt care either way
as for her advisers tho – who knows
Ernie….”Quintessentially British” is the phrase you are scraping yer mind’s barrel for…Aye NS would really identify with that.
Dan
LETS ALL DO THE HUDDLE on 7TH NOVEMBER 2020 2:00 PM
Particularly when she appears to have no interest whatsoever in football. This is just stuff that has always gone on in the background to her, and which she’s never devoted any thought to. So her views, such as they are, have been formed by a sort of osmosis, fed by her background and upbringing. Does’t mean she’s a rabid hun, just that there will be a hierarchy of respect and prestige somewhere in her outlook which she probably isn’t aware of.
LETS ALL DO THE HUDDLE on 7TH NOVEMBER 2020 2:12 PM
Not “could be ” actual.
To be precise Irvine,as to advisors,how about Christine ( Lets even things up ) Graham.
Your still entitled to your opinion of course.
MM – it’s all about opinions 👍 I think the time for change was when we went out of the CL. Neil has had several chances since then to rectify things but it is not happening and I cannot see any sign of real improvement. Same mistakes over and over again.
When he said yesterday that the culture has to change and quick, well that to me is an acknowledgment that he and the players are well out of sync.
HH from Denia.
now alex salmond on the other hand…
IMWANDAN on 7TH NOVEMBER 2020 2:21 PM
Throughout Sturgeon’s formative years the huns formed the bulk of the Scotland support. They were the established club in Scotland. The quintessetially Scottish club. This was before Souness. You’re maybe too young to know this. You’re maybe too old to remember it. Or you may just be deluded.
Ernie
“Particularly when she appears to have no interest whatsoever in football. This is just stuff that has always gone on in the background to her, and which she’s never devoted any thought to. So her views, such as they are, have been formed by a sort of osmosis, fed by her background and upbringing. Does’t mean she’s a rabid hun, just that there will be a hierarchy of respect and prestige somewhere in her outlook which she probably isn’t aware of.”
NOT ONE FACT IN THERE IS THERE….just opinion, to which you are perfectly entitled. But it’s based on what? Reading tarot cards, listening to mystic meg or sitting in a corner with your computer and thinking ‘Now how can I throw another stone into the pool, create a lot of waves and have a laugh?’ ?
Yer a naughty man…in fact I don’t even think you hold those opinions really.
Dan
donald
https://twitter.com/MartynMcL/status/1325038630684020736?s=19
:-)
hh
IMWANDAN on 7TH NOVEMBER 2020 2:27 PM
There’s nothing in what I’ve said that is not entirely reasonable and fair.
Sturgeon has subconcious biases.
If she hasn’t, then she’s the first human to have achieved that state.
Maybe that’s how the cult members think of her.
NORRIEM
We need a complete clean out top to bottom.
SD was used to playing in a back four with structure and tactics.
Comes to us and its playground stuff.
It’s not acceptable but i have no answers. New coach yes…but same players cant defend or tackle.
We laughed at “rangers”now i don’t think any player in our team would get in there team.IMO
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 state/assert his status as a Celtic legend made him immune from criticism.
Slightly confused by your reply, no offence intended.
HH
………………this also me……….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNC3OciAF3w
GJohnsonCSC
“Sturgeon has subconcious biases.
If she hasn’t, then she’s the first human to have achieved that state.”
—
we need to do an online module in work once a year to stop us having such biases
i might send nicola a link to it then just to be sure
With regards our beloved CELTIC, one has to question the desire and motivation of our board surely. You must ask also, how far do they want/wish us to go and what is the height of their ambition.
Do they want to be a huge fish in a tiny pool and beat everyone and win everything, looks like it to me sadly.
Yeah, we’ll appoint Lenny, after all he is Celtic and the fans will love that. Hate him or love him Brendan was a real professional manager, not perfect, but he was certainly pretty smart and ambitious. Of course we will never know the true circumstances surrounding his departure but as sure as eggs is eggs, he did not have the full control of the running of the football matters at the club. He iS one of us, no doubt and had he been given what he deemed the control, then I’m certain he would still be here.
I really don’t know , nor ever will, the thinking of the board but one thing for sure is, we, the supporters HAVE the power, time to use it methinks.
Schummi
Ernie, we all have subconscious biases… but the whole point of them being subconscious to the individual is that they are essentially invisible to the outside world.
You have decided that with no specific facts, you can see into her soul and ‘judge’ her.
As for your deluded comments in relation to Scotland etc…
I went to all the Scotland games from 66 onwards…..including Wembley 67 (I climbed in). And so did thousand of fans from all over the world. So many allegiances, so many emotions and every single one of us wanting one outcome. We rarely witnessed our dreams being fulfilled….but what a journey at times.
Your ‘deluded’ comment is typical of the emotionally stunted and imagination deprived.
But there again the things that make us human are exactly that….emotion and imagination.
You need to work on those characteristics that I think are lurking there like kidnap victims.
The world goes round on competing forces of nature and the human race evolves with reasoned discussion and ever-changing directions.
Sadly you seem stuck in the 18th Century……were your family sent up chimneys when they were 8 year old.
That probably explains it. (That’s called a wee jokey dig and funny or not is another characteristic of human existence)
Have a laugh son.
Dan
Quadro
Poor excuse 🤭
There is no way DD is not already sounding out every possibility if, eventually, push comes to mutual consent, por cierto.
`This isn’t Communist Russia…`
`Communist Russia` wasn`t Communist either .
I love all this politcal talk about the hun getting praise. Who really cares, and as if its news to anybody, have been living in a hole all your life.
Look over there everybody nothing to see. Fake news, tell us the real story! how the board have been Fundamentally downsizing my club with a master plan that is not working. The man in charge should take the blame PL.
8 years with a free hit at CL and no ambition, all about the bank balance and what a bank balance.
The bonus should have been set with qualification of CL or the CEO gets nada.
Sell big, buy small and hope for the best.
ONENIGHTINLISBON on 7TH NOVEMBER 2020 1:07 PM
……………….
SHOW me where I stated that Neil Lennon was a ” God” ??
I will have Pop at him and anyone else at Celtic FC, if I think they are getting it wrong. Neil Lennon ( in my opinion) has made several mistakes with selections, transfers, tactics etc etc…but I would NEVER sink so low as you have along with some other Feckin CHUMPS and totally disrespect the man, who has stood up for Celtic FC in the face of Injustice etc etc…and all the other facets of what the dark side throw at US…and HIM, ever since the day he first entered the door at Celtic FC.
As for ME being in some sort of Lennon ” Clique”, you couldnt be more wrong, the ONLY ” Clique” that I am in is being a Celtic supporter. If you are ever unfortunate enough to meet me in person, you will soon find out that I am my own Man, who makes his OWN mind up about matters or issues.
Some on here for the last few months have Posted that they would be happy for Tom Rogic to be sold etc, until the last few games, when Tom has delivered a few Goal assists, and those fans have suddenly went quiet…Ive ALWAYS wanted to keep Tom Rogic…..but by your FAKE/INCORRECT ” Assessment” of me, that MUST mean that I am also in a ” Rogic Clique” ?
As I said earlier, YOU and those other CHUMPS will be warmly welcomed on FF Site, as they also love to disrespect ( and worse), Neil Lennon at every opportunity.
IF Celtic draw or are beaten by ANY team, and I feel that Neil was partly to blame, I will say so..is that good enough for you , NOT that I care anyway ?
Dont bother to answer, as from now on I will simply scroll by your Hun like Posts…just like your other Hun Chump mates on here.
https://twitter.com/FenianPhantom/status/1324511619385335809?s=19
😁
hh
ernie
You don`t strike me as someone who needs any support but let me say that:
a) I really enjoy your posts ( and your acerbic style);
b) I am, in the main, in agreement with your comments.
HOT SMOKED on 7TH NOVEMBER 2020 3:09 PM
`This isn’t Communist Russia…`
`Communist Russia` wasn`t Communist either .
Correct JIM and CHINA does not have a COMMUNIST PARTY they are biggest CAPITALISTS going.
FU
We must be wrong, though, because people can think for themselves :-)
Are you still in Glasgow?
What did our starting 11 cost on Thursday and when I say cost, i mean to Celtic
ernie
You don`t strike me as someone who needs any support but let me say that:
a) I really enjoy your posts ( and your acerbic style);
b) I am, in the main, in agreement with your comments.
‐——
i suspect those 2 things go hand in hand
sounds like cult thinking to me
😆😆
Who would win in a fight between the Lennon clique and the Sturgeon clique? (plus SSP entryists just to be inclusive :-)
Crystal Palace are 2:0 up on Leeds United
Their scorers are Scott Dann and Eberechi Eze.
I suppose beating Leeds is Eze Dann
i suspect those 2 things go hand in hand`
That is a reasonable suspicion
`sounds like cult thinking to me`
Hmm…
oooft
howler by david marshall
he didnt learn that kind of goalkeeping at celtic
Things to do.
Cheerio for now.
HOT SMOKED on 7TH NOVEMBER 2020 3:21 PM
No JIM, YORK.
I live right beside the racecourse.
Come on the leather belts!
Trump is shoe in.
Anyone who tickets anti Abortion.
He’d get my vote
Daft Punk?
I found Boris Brennan quite amusing ( I hope our host feels that way too )
However I’m sure he meant Borris Becker that well known buddy of fellow German John McEnroe.
Taking footie : I’m not so sure full houses at Parkhead would help us at the moment. We can be quite critical and are known to show our displeasure. We do not wave white hankies or rubbish like that, but we do groan and head for the exits.
This changes of course for European games and games against the forces of darkness.
Where we are suffering is away games. Our support is unconditional and NFL is acutely aware of this following a career defining game at Kilmarnock.
Would we have come back from 0-3 without the fans. I doubt it.
HH to all.