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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SFTB at 3.56pm – spot on my friend.
How anyone can justify what the 2 Rankers players done is beyond belief.
People are dying of this horrible virus ffs, what if they had contracted it and infected 1 of their family and it’s another spreading frenzy if they were positive and the Regulations are there to DETER.
In fact 1 of my mates wife got out of hospital yesterday with it.
Mrs David66 has just finished self isolating and thank got she never got any symptoms,.
HH
D :)
@Phil….Think he could cause a lot of trouble..Sneaky type..
DRAMBOWIECELT
Nothing more certain!
I bet James McLean enjoyed today – not so much a win but not getting booed (and not in a pantomime villain way) by the crowd for not wearing a poppy.
Freedom of expression CSC
I understand that sky has made sure they have simulated booing for the minutes silence at Motherwell tomorrow. It will be interlaced with shouts of COYBIG. Well they wouldn’t want to miss an opportunity to put the boot in.
@Gene ..good point mate..he seems to take it in his stride anyway.
H.H
Trump’s trumped
DRAMBOWIECELT
Went to a Stoke game the other year and witnessed the abuse he was getting from his own fans the vast majority of whom weren’t wearing one.
An article in the local paper explaining his view.
https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/james-mcclean-poppy-stoke-city-2290356
Aye mate a true Narcissist….
H.H
I understand that sky has made sure they have simulated booing for the minutes silence at Motherwell tomorrow. It will be interlaced with shouts of COYBIG. Well they wouldn’t want to miss an opportunity to put the boot in.
—
i think they also have some coughing just to reinforce the authenticity
however the green brigade are putting a ghettoblaster outside the south stand to prove the noise was coming from outside so we shouldnt get fined for it
On the news there, as President Joe is passing through the media, a voice calls out
Mr Biden, a word for the BBC
Joe smiles and says, “I’m Irish!
@lets…go kiss lynch arse?? no?
I posted the other day I was researching mine and my wife’s family trees
However
2 parents
4 grandparents
8 great grandparents
16 great great grandparents etc.
Times two – not to mention siblings
Think I’ve underestimated the task. 😯
@lets…go kiss lynch arse?? no?
—
ehh?
On the news there, as President Joe is passing through the media, a voice calls out
Mr Biden, a word for the BBC
Joe smiles and says, “I’m Irish!
—
i wonder if he will share the same solidarity for the Palestinians that the Irish do or will he continue to fund Israel to arm themselves with nuclear weapons and support their genocidal policies?
Eh What?read back ..
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was also quick off the mark to send his message of congratulations.
He wrote: “Congratulations to Joe Biden on his election as President of the United States of America.
“He ran a campaign on the values that we in the United Kingdom share – decency, integrity, compassion and strength.
—
sorry Sir Keir
but the uk voted boris johnston in as prime minister
so looks like we dont share values of decency integrity compassion and strength
The German government are advising their population to stock up with sausage and cheese. This is called the Wurst Käse scenario.
🤭
Eh What?read back ..
—
life’s too short
Fox News anchor 2 minutes ago,’ this apparent result….’
lol i started me giggling
H.H
FOR Huddle lol
https://twitter.com/dawnhfoster/status/1325143366984749056?s=24
President Biden tells the BBC he’s Irish….
LETS ALL………………..
OK, who did you want to win then?
100% behind Neil Lennon
Too many trophies as a player
Too many trophies as a manager
Mistakes ??? Many both payer and manager …
Maybe these Europe(a) mistakes might catch up with him … like the Europe(a) league section he won last season .. I still think the players … are the ones who are letting us down … again, until Neil stops collecting trophies he has my undying support :-)
Blind Faith ?
Neil Lennon has brought me a million more times than bad times …
He does deserve criticism … but I find it hard to criticise a person who has brought me so many great Celtic times
Neil Francis CSC … gutted about how this season is going… but total confidence in Neil delivering trophies 🏆… it’s what he has brought us since joining in the …. year 2000……
That will be Biden on the FF banned list
GFTB
Trouble maker!!
;-)
LETS ALL………………..
OK, who did you want to win then?
—
Biden obviously
but in america it’s always the lesser of 2 evils
LET’S ALL………….
I’m glad you cleared that up.
Philbhoy 7.33pm
Only on CQN :-)
Gutted about Thursday … we seem to take one step forward then run backwards …. BUT … we have been so bad we are only that defeat at Celtic park behind Rangers … got a feeling some Celtic fans are running scared of Stevie Gee … the master tactician (defend your goal) …
As for “trouble maker” me & you could sing that with Olly Murs … ma C just said the two of us are “troublemakers”
GFTB
I know, but I like us to win every game easily.
:-)
I’m more Irish than Joe Biden – his great great grandfather was Irish
I’ve got 2 great grandfathers who were Irish.
And I’m an unrepentant republican ( in a no monarchy sense of the word )
God bless America
and 2 great grandmothers
Phil Bhoy 5.34
Also went to Milan ,5 ina Ford Zephyr one driver ,enjoyed going but not coming back , though we we Welcomed everywhere .
Not a hundred miles from Bo’ness/Linlithgow HH
FANADPATRIOT
I lived in Carmyle then. Less than half an hours walk from CP.
Agree the trip out was better, but we had a great time coming home too.
As you say we were well received everywhere we went.
Will we get the chance again….?
Phil Bhoy
I think Celtic will ,but will I well time may be running out on that one ,but I have good genes so let’s hope HH
FANADPATRIOT
Fingers crossed!!