Bump in the road
Yesterday those at Ibrox witnessed Rangers win the Champions League .
Well they certainly effing celebrated like they did !
Ok the bad news first ,,,
We were soundly beaten by a hungrier team that wanted it more
We seen 2 of our back 4 usual defenders injured in one half alone
We seen a template of how to play against us for the rest of the league to follow
The good news ,,,
These things happen , and people who play the champions generally raise their game
There are squad resources plus a cash surplus to address squad gaps
I doubt we will play that badly again and targeted players may well leave soon
If I were to coach the game the very first thing I would tell my charges is that if you won every game you wouldn’t be here nor would I as that would be boring .
Other teams are there to take points off you . We dropped 8 points in total in the league this month , that alone shows we not the high and mighty champions some think we are .
As far as I am concerned the phrase “ even a broken clock is right twice a day “ is very apt in that we will lose to every team in the league at some stage . Doesnt matter who they are , we are gonna lip up to them at some stage .
And thats why I see yesterday as water off a ducks back ,,, it was coming , its that simple .
The manager who delivers trebles eventually lost a game where he doesnt want to lose a game, and a team crumbled in the face of an extremely partizan crowd and a more fired up opponent .
Wont be the last time that happens I can guarantee you .
And then the opponents,,,, it was basically a cup final for them .
After having an average to poor December the bears were starting to question their new Messiah ,, so a blind man should have been able to see he would go all in for this one,,,
Knowing the crowd and the MiB was with him , and our own team has glaring problems ,, this game was an obvious one to highlight and target as a potential win .
And he did just that , but instead of just relying on emerging victorious in a battle , he also gave them a game plan .
When Craig or Boyata was in possession they were pressed quickly and all close out balls were squeezed . We soon seen it was the correct decision as both showed they are not very good at close ball control and consistently succumbed to pressure.
Shows Stevie has a wee bit of craft up above , at least.
When the team doesnt turn up really theres no point in picking individuals to focus on at all .
The starting team selection though leaves the gaffer wide open to pot shots .
It was strange , especially the Calmac at left back one , which many seem to lay particular blame for defeat at .
He has been great in the middle , better than the captain , and it was a call we probably wont see again tbh . The fact we had left backs available and still played him theres suggests tactics gone wrong , and theres no point in an inquest ,,,, unless it happens again .
And then with 2 injuries forced upon you you only have one single shot at a change of tactics , and yet almost everyone is gash ,, theres a rock and a hard place !
It was just a bad day all round at the office ,, and we should all be aware that they happen ,, and our bhoys have delivered a lot so lets not go hard on them .
THis upcoming break may well be a Godsend for our lads , and they do look like they could use it. And the window opens so some reinforcements will arrive and we hear that usually lifts the camp .
The window became that little bit more important with that defeat , and our frailties lying exposed for the world to see . Successful teams are built from the back , and depending on where you are sitting we need anywhere from 1 or 5 of our rear five replaced .
MIdfield looks fine , but trading some in would be nice . Olly and Sinky would top most lists of potential outs.
And upfront ,, at least 2 in surely and already we are strongly linked with a Psg youngster with a famous dad .
Brendan and the squad are crying out for a bit a help ,,, and I have no doubt we will see some movement on that front . The neutral may well be enjoying this season but the Plc should easily see the wisdom in being ruthless by loosening the purse strings and attempting to blow away any hope from those teams around us .
Post match Brendan was diplomatic as usual saying the better team won while Stevie claimed it was one for the fans , which will go down well in certain sections no doubt .
The bookies certainly arent fooled though and the Hoops remain 1 / 4 favs for the 8th title in a row . And with more money than ever in the coffers you would be mad to bet against us being champs again , and I certainly wouldnt .
If December was a busy football month , then we should aim to have a busy off field January .
We all know just two or three quality additions will shut up any pretenders to the throne ,, and will see us over the line , especially if one of them can hit the back of the net .
The players had their big month , Peter now has his .
Airdrieonians visit after the break is the first of 4 home games in a row ,, I couldnt think of a better run to help some new bhoys settle in and find their rhythm .
Please help us out but giving us an article sentinelcelts@gmail.com
Mahe. Sorry mate. Shite! Total unadulterated shite.
How about “The pool” eh 5-1.
Mags, in the absence of your article I was forced to post that.
But outta curiousity which bit is crap 😉
Makeshift team succumbs to very fired up home team with mib and fans to help shocker?
On an off day one of the teams that can beat us did,,big deal.
Key players out , and about to recharge plus reinforce . Don’t tell me you’re actually worried about losing the title ?
Mags , just sat down to watch now the rug rats in bed ,,, don’t tell me the score pls
MAHE
I think you have been too diplomatic about our performance today. We controlled the game for the first ten or twelve minutes,then I went up for the round.
I barely saw Celtic kick a ball for the next 80-odd minutes. It was rank,only Craig Gordon and Callum McGregor came close to pass marks today.
I’d normally give everyone a starting point of 4/10 just for wearing that famous jersey. There were at least four who were lucky to get nil today,and another couple who came close to it. Our whole line-up was wrong,literally from back to front.
In fairness,I couldn’t have foreseen such shocking performances from so many players,and neither could Brendan,the two forced substitutions wrecked any chance of radically changing things,but that overall performance stunk the place out.
Utterly appalling.
1-0
Majoc,,,aye I know I’m being very diplomatic above. No point throwing a hissyfit. We were rank . Have not been playing well. Need a striker. Still top of the league and all that can be fixed .
That bunch from today won’t beat us over a campaign. We won’t play that bad again either .
This break is well needed , and so are the recruits it will bring and then 3 nice home games to bed em in. I see der hun crumbling in the long run if anythung. After all , Stevie has never won a title.
Can I just say two things:
Firstly, the Ibrox game was a carbon-copy of the Hibs away game, which was a carbon-copy of the Kilmarnock away game, which was a carbon-copy of the Hearts away game – very worrying.
A high press and a fully committed team of journeymen can regularly neuter Celtic – this also happened in draws at St Mirren, Livingstone and Motherwell (second-half)
That’s seven times this season, so not a ‘flash in the pan’, rather becoming the norm in away fixtures.We can turn it round, but it needs attention.
Secondly, the picture of a smiling Leigh Griffiths back at Easter Road, back in Edinburgh, back in his comfort-zone, convinces me that there will be no way back for him at Celtic.
The club had to make all the right noises about concern for his welfare at the time- however I believe his ills are self-inflicted – that he is feckless and has let the club and fans down when they needed him most.
The guy picks up the best part of £1m/year and knew that with Moussa leaving at the last-minute, that he needed to step up to the mark, especially after signing a new long-term deal.
The club will in due course cancel his contract on the grounds that he is unable/unwilling to fulfil its terms – I.e. train & play. He will then be free to sign for Hibs in Edinburgh, which is where his heart and lifestyle lies.
Not so good morning Bhoys
Still hurting from that performance yesterday
And as highlighted by Gold, this is NOT the first time this season
Away form has been atrocious
Also agree with Gold on comment regarding our Edinburgh based Centre Forward – I did not expect to see him out and about at football
Back to yesterday
I would give pass marks to only 3 players, Anthony Ralston for his courage and commitment when he came on, Calum McGregor for any semblance of form, and Ryan Christie at least put himself about and showed effort, forget the goalie, done what is expected with shots on target, but he pulls teams on top of us constantly with horrendous distribution, Boyata was poor at Aberdeen and this continued yesterday,
I have been a huge fan of Lustig, Brown, NtCham and Sinclair – not yesterday, woeful. I am not a fan of James Forrest, yesterday showed why, finally young Michael, your day will come young fhella
Radical change required, which means our board ( yes you Peter) and Management team to pull together, and head in same direction, we should be forging ahead, not letting others in the SPFL with much less resources catch up
Could you be a bit less specific , Mags.
🙂
There is convincing evidence that Leigh is not well.
Nothing more specific than that.
Hope he doesn`t read your ” take ” on his situation.
We lost a game yesterday.
We haven`t lost a domestic tournament since Brendan arrived.
KTF
As Jock said……Its just the same two points when we play Rangers.
Macjay,
We have now lost away to Hearts, Hibs, Kilmarnock and Sevco and drawn with Livi, Motherwell and St Mirren. Yesterday may have only been one game, but taken in sum, we have been consistently very poor away from home.
Unless we remedy the errors of the last two transfer windows, the league may very well be lost.
I agree with Gold.
LG is and always has been unprofessional. He may have issue and i hope he receives help for those issues, but so have many other professionals (Lennon has previously spoken about depression) and they have conducted themselves in a far more professional manner.
Hi Macjay,
It seems to me that he has had ongoing issues for the best part of a year – from a player who was almost an ever-present, to someone with a baffling catalogue of missed appearances and time-outs. Is this due to genuine issues, or, a lifestyle affecting his ability to do his job? We simply don’t know.
I have yet to see/hear any convincing evidence on what ails him. Celtic are bound by a duty of care to keep things vague, however I am sure the club will have been astonished seeing him at Easter Road yesterday, when he was deemed so “unwell” that he needed a complete break away from football.
The full story will emerge in time, meanwhile I stick to my opinion that we will not see him in a Celtic jersey again. This makes me sad because a fit and motivated Leigh Griffiths would be an asset to the squad and there is no doubt we have missed that for the last year.
There is a not so subtle power battle going on amongst the higher echelons at Celtic like their is at most companies over the purse strings.
Quite simply by the end of the January window we will know whether our plc baulk at the thought of a treble treble or wholeheartedly desire it.
It is still very much a possibility with or without money being spent. Ensured European development and future profits depend on it. It’s unthinkable that we The Old Firm will not be in a position for an invite to whatever pish they come up with next to extract more money from UEFA. It’s a fine balance that has to be addressed here.
I think the Deila v Rodgers years will eventually be described and explained away fully in terms of where the plc hierarchy were with regards the great betrayal and the continuity myth and the next era of European football.
I think they’ll miss the bus.
I agree with all you say and we could again sweep the boards this year. However it is the insipidity of our performances that leaves me totally perplexed. How can we be so good and so bad in alternate matches? Scintillating at times against Kilmarnock, Motherwell & Dundee at Celtic Park and unable to compete at Easter Road & Ibrox.
Yesterday we were non-existent at full-back, error prone at centre-back, uncompetitive in midfield, woeful on the flanks, with a young inexperienced wide-player totally lost up front – as I said earlier, a carbon-copy of Easter Road, a week earlier.
Gerrard and his coaches seen how Hibs unsettled us and used the exact same tactics, with exactly the same effect and result.
I don’t expect us to win every match, but I do expect us to compete – on seven occasions domestically and four in Europe we simply have not turned up. I wonder what the answer is – I suspect that we cannot play against a high-press and we need to have a game played to suit us.
It is almost like some top racehorses, those who like to lead and dominate a race – they can look brilliant and win some top prizes – however when they are challenged for the lead early on and are forced out of their stride, they can succumb to some very mediocre opposition on occasion.
Nice to see you on board Norrie, always appreciate your input elsewhere. Agree with most of what you say, especially Craig Gordon. I felt yesterday we started well then the fannying aboot at the back started. It gave them the impetus they needed to get the hoards on side and spooked us. It’s a familiar movie we’ve seen too often. Brendan is asking players to do things they just can’t and it’s costing us games. I also asked for ages what has happened to our high press? When we do this teams can’t live with us but when we lay back and invite pressure on to our back four it’s panic stations. I’m confused by how we are playing and I think the players are too. Also can we play the same team twice in a row please. It seems the players don’t know who is going to play alongside them from game to game. It’s not working. We’ve got no rhythm or tempo to our play and it’s bringing poor results.
As regards leigh, can we all please be more compassionate. Does anyone think this man is choosing to go and watch football rather then play. He is very ill and if he had a serious physical illness we would not look to blame him for the reason as to why he got it. Seeking to blame leigh for mental illness is beneath us.
Leigh Griffiths is ill. Like everyone else here I don’t know the specifics.
His condition has deteriorated over recent months and despite that we had no Plan B.
I suspect that’s why Rodgers uncharacteristically tried to block Moussa’s 11th hour transfer.
As for cancelling his contract that would depend on it’s terms and in the modern world probably require a sizeable payoff.
When Brendan was it Liverpool his team had the poorest defensive record since Shankly. Our tactics work well at home. The Dundee game was a typical example. When pressed we struggle. Paradoxically there was light at the end of the tunnel when Brown wasn’t playing and we looked to be moving the ball quicker.
Last November we drew 1-1 with Motherwell away. The same thing happened this season. There has been a clear decline in our form going back to last season.
Where does the blame lie?
Lack of investment.
Continued failures in recruitment.
Failures tactically.
Concern about the Boards motives/competence.
The failure to conduct any meaningful review of the game’s administration.
Poor referring and indications of bias.
A tired and demotivated squad, who have consistently delivered silverware despite warning signs.
The structure of the game means we lose our better players to bigger leagues.
A failure to see beyond the shackle of the Old Firm, which is easy money for all involved and makes for lazy football
Unfortunately the support have bought into the domination mantra and unwittingly settled for mediocrity.
Celtic orientated blogs who have failed to ask pertinent questions of Board policy.
In summary we have been pulled into a false sense of security and the average supporter seems to have expected Celtic to dominate.That was never going to happen in Scotland. The failure to address the toxicity in Scottish football and the fervor to put the Balance Sheet first has came back to haunt us.
The fact that we could lose Boyatta, Bencovich is on loan. We have no experienced strikers at the club is symptomatic of deep rooted difficulties.Its a mess.
January is a difficult window, clubs don’t like to lose better players mid season. Players often take time to settle. There are no guarantees that any player will immediately settle. Typically you buy now with next season in mind. We are now approaching a must buy scenerio and the blame for that lies with whoever is responsible for recruitment and the negotiations.
It’s unfortunate that the people who are primarily responsible for this are also responsible for our policy on Sevco, the continuity myth and the apparent ongoing shortcomings in the game.
HH
Just as an aside mahe, that article is clearly written by a man who does not have to face up to the hun mob in the next few days, weeks, months. Happy clappy nonsense my chief happy clapper dad would not dare to write. I am actually questioning if you watched the game.
I agree we did not have a plan b for griffiths despite Brendan saying it has been something that he inherited from when Ronny was in charge. Yet another failing in the summer window. To decide that a team that would be playing 40 games before the next window could survive with a 19 year old rookie and a man who was unwell was sheer folly or parsimony. Either way someone has mucked up and should be held to account.
Can’t stop, so much to do, just wanted to say about The Griff, Brendan said the other week that he inherited the problems, so when he said that his off field problems will have been know to the club for over two years minimum.
A couple of tons of firewood to stack, laters.
Some very good posts today, keep it up 😉
Yesterday was appalling, right through the team. Some of it was down solely to the players, some to very odd decisions by the boss.
Let’s start with the players. Craig is a fantastic shot stopper, and kept us in the game on several occasions, but oh my God, his distribution. He is so one dimensional when the ball is at his feet. Short hospital pass or punt out of play. He almost gifted them a 2nd with a shocking pass to Boyata. Time to give Bain a run.
Why was Callum played at left back? We stifled our most creative player and handed them the midfield.
Now this really pains me to say it, but Broony has had his best days in the hoops, and is now on the downward slope. With him in the team we play sideways and backwards. When he was injured, Callum got the team moving forward at pace and no one could live with us. Brendan is paid to make hard decisions, and the one to leave Broony out will be the hardest he will make at our club, but it has to happen. Faffing around in midfield will cost us dear in the 2nd half of the season.
Wee Mikey up front was left chasing shadows. No service, no input. The only time we started to look dangerous was when Eddy came on and Callum had some freedom to move up.
Jamesy needs competition. His best form has been when someone might keep him out of the team, the likes of Roberts or Arzani. Now that he’s almost guaranteed a game, we get what we’ve seen too often recently, and that’s not enough.
Seems teams have got us sussed. They are now pressing us high up the pitch, and we seem to have forgotten that this only works if they have fast defenders covering the gaps left by the press. We never play long, so the press is successful. Biter bitten.
Sevco deserved their win yesterday. They were prepared to take chances going forward, prepared to lose the ball, and fight to get it back.
Now, the officials. We all thought they were going to be the reason we would have a tough game. Well, they played their part. Morelos should have walked for any of at least 3 incidents, all seen by Beaton and all ignored. Every foul in a dangerous area went to them, any we got was in an area where we couldn’t do any damage. The offside decision, replays showed it was marginal, and this was only clear on freeze frame. In real time Callum looked in line, which is what the assistant saw. If the assistant can’t be certain that the attacker is offside, he is supposed to give the benefit of the doubt to the attacking team. In this instance, he guessed, and got lucky when the replay showed Callum’s upper body slightly ahead of the defender. Would it have concerned him if the replay had shown Callum was onside? Nope.
Lastly, the board can’t escape criticism. If you don’t improve your team when you’re ahead, don’t be surprised if others catch up. We’ve been playing the same way for the last season and a half, same players, no freshness. Is the board surprised to see that other teams have worked out how to play us?
This is not a big window for us now, it is massive. The board need to give the manager the players to give our opponents something new to try to cope with. We need players who can hit the ground running.
The winter break has come just at the right time.
hi bhoys, completely baffled at calmac playing full back, but Brendan picks the team, but what irks me the most is been beaten by a team of journeymen who have a rookie manager and no money, message to peter for feck sake spend some money in the transfer window.hh.
Atob,
We appear to have similar difficulties in a number of key areas.
Centre-half is a concern for obvious reasons.
Left and right back…concerns over Lustig and over demands on Kieron.
Craig Gordon is a fine shot stopper but struggles with the preferred build up from the back. Bain is relatively untested and hopefully, he’ll continue to develop.
Without going on it just seems we have failed to note the warning signs and have prioritised other projects and simply neglected team development.
Your guess is as good as mine regarding where the culpability lies but we’ve seen this before.
sol hi pal good post, id also love to see the board back the manager but we have been there that many times before, ffs if I won the lottery id buy a striker and a decent full back for the club, but unfortunately ive just checked my numbers, but seriously if peter does not loosen the purse strings and this new club overtake us, our forefathers will never forgive us.hh.
Join the discussion…the problem is, who we spend the money on.
brendan does not have a great track record, imo.
TIMHORTON
I strongly suspect that the players signed since Brendan arrived are far from his first picks. Having said that,he would be better to simply refuse to take the dross that he usually ends up with.
As it is,the fact that so few of those signings are given much of a run in the team suggests that he didn’t want them,and won’t play them-if they are foisted on him,the club are just wasting money.
SOLKITTS
I said before the off that Eddy should have played from the start. Run the hun defence ragged for an hour,bring on Michael Johnston to finish them off. By the time Eddy got on,we were already out of it.
That’s no reflection on MJ,by the way. It’s a bloody huge reflection on the chancers who were meant to be providing him with opportunities.
A Thing of Beauty ,,,
Ive already took more than enough flak over that piece , but honestly I aint no clapper !
To be honest I am not the right person to write about the team , and I actually dont that much , as I watch few games . When its pointed out that yesterday was another bad away day the crux of my argument can seem very hollow , that its a blip , when its another blip actually so thats a trend . I do think it will be seen as a bump at the end of the season when we have that title again though .
There is no doubt we are no hitting the heights of Brendans first season ,,, the reasons for this depend on who you ask . But I just cant see that bunch from yesterday having enough to beat us , nor Killie , over the long run . If youre still top and havent hit top gear with reinforcements to come after a nice relaxing break then you are in a good spot and a defeat shouldnt be a crisis .
Sign of a good team is winning while not playing well.
I personally subscribe to the Gombeen man’s theory that Brendan is for the off in the close season and this has rocked the dressing room as they thought they were all in together to lift the 10 . Therefore according to commonly believed history what we are about to see is a young pliable manager come in and get a couple of his own picks and a couple of Peters sons or favourite agents picks , fix a team that needs its spine replaced , while installing a new style of play , and coping with the increased pressure whilst nearing the 10.
Thats too much too ask , and if we are gonna drop a league , it will be the year after Brendan walks in all likelihood.
I would also like to just say that its my first Christmas with a baby I didnt ever expect and life does look a bit better at the moment so perhaps that influenced the article also.
Havent met a hun in years thank the Lord , and pity those who do .
I hope things are going well this festive season for you and yours . Keep pointing out writing youre not happy with , only way to learn !
Hail Hail
Gold ,, good to see you on.
Hopefully a few weeks away from the coal face , with plenty videos to analyse , will help all involved see what is going wrong and fix it .
When faced with a high intense press in your own half I believe most coaches would instruct the midfielders to find space and for the defence to quickly dink or pass around the closing player ,,, or just bypass the defence and clear it quickly to midfield instantly .
In saying that it seems our defenders arent that comfortable with the ball at their feet and I dont think they shoud be asked to be playing out from the back. And domestic pitches are conducive to that either .
Unfortunately it seems we need a lot of things at once due to poor planning / execution ,,,
Mass player sales
Mass player recruitment
Defined style of play
New spine of team
Only time will tell just how big this window is but its one of the most defining ones I can remember . Peter must know he has got to be seen to be busy at the very least , at best deliver the players who will drive the club to the 10 . Besides he might be in a good mood next month , I believe the big bonus is due on the 1st.
Hail Hail and happy holidays
Sol Kitts ,,
“ lets start with the players “
THis is like the old chicken and egg thing . Do we blame the players who didnt show up or the manager coaches that failed to properly prepare them ?
And then would many of those players, if on this blog , not have the right to say to you “ bro I just helped deliver double trebles , and when we are shattered and dont get good reinforcements from above while watching our strikers depart , we lose the hardest domestic away game of the season and a couple others but are still top of the league , but you blame us ? “
Not saying you did blame the players ,Im just saying I dont wanna see the blame laid solely with them .
You seem to have allocated blame equally between the gaffer , the players , and the Mib in your comment above , and I think thats fair . I , for one , dont want to go down the road of he should never play for the club again etc as it was an almost total collapse all round and surely the group has earned some slack with the last 2 years so why point the finger !?
Despite the fact plenty would convince you we are a very well run club , the player pool is stuffed full of bloat and deadwood and out of the top 3 teams we are the ones in most need of surgery .
IMO the very first name out that door should be Jozo , years this fella has been on a fair wedge and yet has never cemented a spot for himself . He isnt gonna flourish with us .
Gamboa , Hayes , Ncham , Hayes , Bitton , Kouassi , Sinclair , DeVries , GRiffiths
All could easily be shipped out.
Boyata Mik and SCott could walk out !
NO matter what way you slice it and dice it , theres a big job ahead . Who will do it is a very important question . Theres a lot of factors that need taken into account .
Brendan could be for the off
Brendan could be buying the players
Brendan could be getting handed players
The PLC seem to like a nice cushion stockpiled
The players wont move as they love their pay packet
Etc Etc
Having three of our solid first teamers available to leave for free is hardly A1 business , and the rest of the spine ( keeper and striker ) one is 19 and the other is a great shot stopper but not getting better with age like many keepers and is a candidate for droppin replacing .
When Stevie G took that job many said he was nuts but I could honestly picture how they sold it to him ,, that we arent set up great at all ,, he had the best defence already , just add goals and dont lose the OF games ( and our friends in black will help ) etc etc.
Nobody likes a bully but if I had the biscuit tin I would be going out and bullying clubs for their best players , most dont willingly trade at this time . Offer the money required and dont eff around would be my mantra this window.
As for Weah ,,, I know his da was a goodun ,, and getting bodies in is priority ,, he had a tour already and was apparently impressed so it does look a goer for a loan but at 18 years old I am hoping someone more senior comes in to help out the strikers .
Hail Hail
Hi Mahe,
Yes a big big January that will define our ambitions.
There is no doubt The Rangers will now ‘fancy their chances’ and this will lead to another influx – look for Naismith, Davis an perhaps Adam coming in, in an attempt to recreate the ‘glory day’s’.
As I said previously, it is obvious that we are not comfortable against a high-press – what puzzles me is why we don’t respond in kind – do to them what they are doing to us, at least we would be in the game. We have not been able to ‘strike a blow’ in any game of this nature since way back against Hearts, when the unbeaten run ended, and Kilmarnock last season. Seems the Anderlecht at CP was the turning-point for the majority of Scottish coaches, we had been sussed – they all went to school on that performance. Hearts (*2) Kilmarnock (*2), Hamilton ,Livingstone, Hibs (×3), St Mirren, Motherwell (*2) and now The Rangers have now all had success at home, playing that way against us – why Aberdeen, St Johnstone and Dundee have not tried it amazes me – it would complete the set.
In the last couple of weeks against Hibs and at Ibrox, one could be forgiven if thinking that these games had been ‘thrown’, such was the total lack of fight and skill on display from us during the entire ninety minutes – it could have been four at Easter Road and five yesterday, no problem.
There is a title race on, for the first time really since 2010/11 – are we up for it?
Outplayed by the better team on the day can be accepted – out thought and out fought, cannot.
Mahe I apologize wholeheartedly at my outburst last night.
After witnessing a lifetime of corruption against the great Glasgow Celtic, something I hold so dear:
to see them cheated out of so much in my life due to a corrupt entitlement mentality
to see the vanguard of Scottish bigotry get liquidated in its own pile of cheating shite
to see their arrogance go down in their own burning hubris
to see a glimmer of hope that it would all be over in 2012
to see our own custodians encourage in every way their re-genesis
to see our custodians strut around with total arrogance against their own support
to see our custodians burn the money, burn the players and burn all our managers since MON
to see this Celtic PLC manufacture a title race for money for their own bonuses when Celtic should be in orbit around them
to witness yesterday the final legitimization of their rebirth, the acceptance of their hun hubris and the corporate institutional cheating and anti Celtic thuggery as the Scottish norm was too much to bear.
And to accept it!!
I dont get it at all.
Sometimes I dont think most Celtic supporters get it at all.!
Just another nail in the coffin for me.
Sorry.
Mahe
What I like about this blog is we can disagree without rancour. I wholly agree that the players have been magnificent since Brendan arrived, but there comes a point in every walk of life where a change in direction is required to stay ahead of the chasing pack.
To me, the board allowed us to get stale by not backing Brendan in the summer. We won’t win anything just because we’ve won it before, we need to find a new way to win it again.
That means making harsh decisions on and off the park. It won’t be pretty, but it will be essential.
I’m just glad the winter break is now, the team can sort out how to cope with a high press, the board can do what’s required to put Sevco back in their place, and just as importantly the break will rob them of any momentum they may have got from yesterday.
majoc
I don’t think Eddy was fit enough to start. Twenty minutes max in a cameo role similar to Aberdeen.
Sinclair started upfront at Pittodrie, Mickey was on the bench after scoring two against Dundee. Maybe he’s too young for two big games consecutively?
Tierney isn’t match fit and clearly, no-one else was trusted or fit enough in his position. A Hobson’s Choice perhaps with McGregor?
When you honestly look around the first team pool we are running on close to empty. We get no protection from referees. Eddy was crocked against Aberdeen by McKenna. It was ‘missed’ by Bobby Madden.
As usual the best have been sold the remainder are suffering from injury or are plainly not good enough.
Not saying that Rodgers called everything right or hasn’t made mistakes but we have been in the decline for months and hopefully, this might focus the attention on the real culprits.
Celtic are a short-term proposition for a manager. He is continually undermined given the priority at the club is the management of the numbers to trigger enhanced bonus payments and a higher share price. It’s not just risk adverse to protect the club’s stability.
They are killing the goose that laid the golden egg.
HH
Mahe,
Keep doing your thing. Your opinions are just as valid as anyone else’s.
It is all speculation anyway.
Rebus
Gold,
Good to see you back. Your historical review of away fixtures is on the money. It is a coaching issue. Too much tinkering. Was it Ranieri that acquired the nickname “Tinkerman”? We have a touch of that on board at the moment. The main thing is that we learn from it, but, sadly, that does not seem to be happening. All we needed to do was not lose that game yesterday and set up accordingly, even with depleted resources.
Rebus
Its never easy reading the blogs after a day like yesterday but it has to be done. Although we all watch the same game its good to hear all the interpretations of it, all the angles. Likewise the underlying issues at the club, the establishment’s role and even the media’s take on it (for a laugh!).
There is actually a huge amount of agreement in some respects. Team selection/formation and tactics especially. The apportion of blame is more varied.
As always the match officials were desperate, although not the primary cause of our defeat.
Fair enough. I’m quick to criticise your writing partner as I’m sure he’ll tell you!! Doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the time and effort that goes in to the blog, especially with a baby to cope with as well. Hope all is well with you all and you have a prosperous new year.
Gold,
I think LG’s issues are real and possibly chronic.what is more they are his own business and that of his employer. He is unfortunate to be in an industry that is very public in nature. He should be left alone to develop coping strategies that will work for him football may or may not be part of that, but he must do what is best for LG and his family.
Rebus
I don’t think we need to guess what the common denominator is. He’s been there through many a poor window. I hope for his sake he’s got the good sense to give Brendan exactly the players he asks for and pushes the boat out if necessary. I would not like to be the man who cost our club “the 10”. £2.3m will not be much comfort when you’re carrying that mantle.
In many ways I can understand Calmac at the back, he has slotted in there often in the past and done Ok so Brendan trusted him in the role, as it turned out he was our best player on the day so he maybes was justified in that decision.
The main reason imo that were were overran in the mid was Olly not turning up, forget all the Forrest and Sinclair, the real issue was in the middle, Broonie couldn’t cope on his own, Brendan then had the problem of players getting injured and having to be replaced, this severely ham stringed his choices imo, I am no expert by any means but Olly’s body language is shocking, it’s been the same since his mate departed for Lyon and he didn’t get his supposed move to Porto, with respect to the boy that’s not good enough and he has to be moved on, we can’t afford to have him play one decent game and a handful of crap ones.
Then the referee has to shoulder a great deal of the blame, had he done what 99% of referees worldwide would have done and red carded Morelos for his kick out at Broonie in the first few mins, it would have been a very different game, so to say the referee didn’t make a difference is bollix.
Mags, outburst all you want just don’t tell me any scores pls. It’s all good.
All you state is correct though , and the number of disallusioned is growing. I doubt it will be enough to make a difference and the farce continues , perhaps to decline in the long run as youngsters opt for the sexier and easier to stream EPL . Keep on keeping on Hail Hail
Rebus – I agree, he may be an individual who has made mistakes and everyone deserves a second chance – my opinion is that it won’t be at Celtic where I’m sure he has had a number of chances – nevertheless I wish him well and who knows he may prove me wrong.
Yep, you are right – perhaps three at the back and flood midfield with Ryan as the false nine. Why oh why did we not compete – to have someone like Halliday named MOTM is quite embarrassing.
Gold,
I think you are correct.
Rebus
Happy New year Macjay Dismay 🙂
Maybe Ntcham saw what happened to Dembele and realized it doesnt really matter what BR says to you because when the real boss wants to sell your arse your arse will be sold. So better not get any injuries for the upcoming windy shopping.
New article up,folks.