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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Good morning. Good morning we’ve talked the whole night through….
Good morning CQN from an excited Garngad
Excited to see Glasgow Celtic in about 4.5 hours. No matter the team, no matter the players, no matter the manager it is our club, the club our fathers and grandfathers taught us to love. The club that gives so much to the needy.
” Celtic Jerseys are not for second best, they dont shrink to fit inferior players” or ” I think it is important to win a match,but I think what is even more important is the manner in which you win”
Come on Celtic.
Ceeeeeeeeeeltic, Ceeeeeeeeeeltic, Ceeeeeeeeeeltic
Let’s get behind the team as they take to the park today.
HH
D :)
Wishaw Tim- sincere condolences on your loss.
You will never ever forget your mammy, that I can promise.🙏💚🙏💚
D :(
Big Jimmy – logging in does become a nightmare every now and then on this site.
It’s a shame as it would deter a lot of folk from coming on.
Obviously Paul needs the advertising revenue but shooorly there us away to sort out logging in.
D :)
WT
May your mum Ellen rest in peace, my condolences to you and your family.
WISHAW TIM on 8TH NOVEMBER 2020 5:41 AM
Sincere condolences to yourself and family.
Wishaw Tim, May your mum rest in peace.
WISHAW TIM
Condolences on the loss of your mum 💚
Wishaw Tim
Condolences on the loss of your mum.
Wishaw Tim
My condolences to you and your family.
David66 was thinking about that ystrdy.The greatest part of watching Celtic to me growing up was watching lots of goals and brilliant attacking football by brave players who who never shirked a tackle.
I would have done anything to play for Celtic absolutely anything.
Come on Celtic.Get intae this mob!!
WISHAW TIM
Terrible news mate!
I’ll say a wee prayer for you and your family.
May your Mum rest in peace.
WISHAW TIM-so sorry for your news HH
WISHAWTIM – saddened for your pain and loss.
Wishaw Tim-horrible news mate.
God bless your mum 💚
May Perpetual Light Shine Upon You – Ellen Japp
And May you Rest In Peace
Wishaw Tim, thoughts and Prayers are with all your family
🙏🙏🙏
I celebrated the loss of my own Mum, 2 years ago yesterday the 7th.
Messages on here brought great comfort, which I book marked and read through on Friday night.
Can I also please add
Thoughts and Prayers to my best mhate big Fran, and his family
Very sadly lost his Dad yesterday as well
May Perpetual Light Shine Upon You –
Bernard (Brian) Cooney
And May you Rest In Peace
🙏🙏🙏
green and white
green and white house………..
Here’s some cracking pics of Glasgow…
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-54800689
WISHAW TIM,
My condolences on the loss of your Mum. May she rest in peace.
I lost my own Dad earlier in the year and the messages of support on CQN were a great comfort.
Wishaw Tim
Condolences for the loss of your mum
RIP Ellen – May she rest in peace
Just back from church – unfortunately no Mass during lockdown.
Dbhoy
Apologies if you thought I was avoiding you – it wasn’t my intention.
Lovely nostalgic photos…….the fifth one with the 3 old guys laughing is the ‘gushet’ where Shettleston rd meets Westmuir st.
Thoughts and prayers to you all Wishaw Tim, god bless your Maw 💚💚💚
WISHAW TIM
Condolences on the sad news about your mother.
There is a light, stay strong.
RIP Ellen.
Today’s starting line up v Motherwell via @CelticFC twitter …
Bain; Frimpong, Ajer, Bitton, Laxalt, Brown, McGregor, Christie, Rogic, Elyounoussi, Ajeti
Subs: Barkas, Taylor, Duffy, ElHamed, Ntcham, Turnbull, Griffiths, Klimala, Edouard
WISHAW TIM
Lost my mum over 30 yrs ago, far too young. The pain still hurts, but, the memories get better and better. Take care, thoughts are with you and your family.
Just seen the team. Thought there would be more than 2 changes, por cierto
Ajeti and Ajer start,Duffy and Eddy benched
Not much change – Duffy benched and Moi dropped completely.
Sorry got that completely wrong – sorry Moi
GENE Moi plays! por cierto
Ooops sorry GENE, por cierto
.i
Embramike 10.47am
No need to justify via Twitter, am pretty sure the majority of CQN realise you are just giving us the team line ups and not any part of the dressing room “mole” and I for one appreciate the team as soon as it’s out … hope you don’t mind but I then forward to fellow Celtic fans that don’t read CQN or on Twitter :-) they then wonder if I am connected to the “leak”
For my own benefit
Bain; Frimpong, Ajer, Bitton, Laxalt, Brown, McGregor, Christie, Rogic, Elyounoussi, Ajeti
Subs: Barkas, Taylor, Duffy, ElHamed, Ntcham, Turnbull, Griffiths, Klimala, Edouard
Why is Broony starting? Rubbish line up.
Really thought Neil would have went with Griff & Edouard up front …
I suppose just shows exactly what I know
RS
Thought he might have rested Broonie
@GENE on 8TH NOVEMBER 2020 10:57 AM
Broonie doesn’t need rested, he needs dropped. He has been one of the wesker players in Europe and yet he continues to start and play 3 games a week in his last year. Even Messi got benched recently.