Lille 2 – 2 Celtic
Morning,all.
Wow,I certainly didn’t see that coming! Well,the two goals we scored anyway. NL lined us up as expected and we flattered to deceive against opponents who looked far better than us. We chased our tails for much of the first quarter of the game,and Scott Bain had to be on his toes a few times.
Toes being the operative word,as he saved more often with his feet than by more orthodox means!
Yet,as we approached the half hour mark,it was Celtic who went in front. And frankly it was a goal which would have graced any occasion,and certainly put a smile on this supporter’s face. A flick inside from Ajeti and Mo raced off for goal. Twentyfive yards out and with nothing else on,he just thought-betcha I can curl it into the keeper’s bottom right from here.
Absolutely terrific goal,and the first thing I thought was that I wish he would do it more often!
Well,give it a couple of minutes and he did! This time it was Frimpers-much improved from recent displays-who fed it to him around the edge of the area to make it two. There was a shade of offside about it,IMO,was Ajeti possibly interfering from the goalie’s perspective,but all’s well that ends well.
Sadly,it didn’t. Another couple of minutes saw Bain performing miracles for us and even saving a penalty. I’m not his agent,honestly,but every time I’ve seen the lad he has not let us down. He certainly looks more confident in himself than our expensive import. Heyho,not my call. And two up at half time,certainly not to be sneezed at.
The second half was a different story. I don’t think we got a shot away during that time,and when their right back sneaked in at the far post to get a goal,you could tell that they weren’t settling for it as a consolation. The HOOOOOOPS threw everything at the ball as they manned the ramparts,but I think we all knew that we could only pray for the final whistle to arrive in time.
Of course,it didn’t. A scrappy bit of bagatelle saw the ball fall kindly,and off we went at the end two goals each. Much like Sunday,a draw that felt like a defeat,given that both were from a winning position. The difference from Sunday is that this was far superior competition,and a worthwhile adversary. We can take a bit of pride from last night,even if the overall performance was about effort and commitment rather than style and grace. That wasn’t,for me,a team who don’t care-as has been suggested elsewhere-nor a team who can’t be bothered because of personal issues with our manager.
Last night they gave us 100%. While nobody should be happy with surrendering a two goal lead,I’m proud of our players last night. It’s as much as I asked for last Thursday,and maybe a bit more. Let’s hope they can give me what I asked for on Sunday too.
Above article by BMCUWP
Bain was pissed when the goals went in maybe the defense will improve with some vocal guidance from the keeper
I don’t care how much we pay for a player , if someone is playing better than that player , that player keeps his position , its called competition in all places in the team
Credit where it’s due it was a great team effort
BMCUWPs,
Thanks for the match report, didn’t see the match and reading the comments after the game was just confusing.
So nice to see it put in a bit of context.
We had a good team last season, we strenghtened during the transfer window, so why have we been so poor? Whatever is going wrong will only be rectified by 100% effort – so it’s great reading there is a will!!
————————————————————————-
Some great leads on the blog this week but haven’t been able to catch up – will do that today.
Hail Hail
I never saw the match due to work but it sounded like a game of two halves. A draw against a team top of Ligue 1 is a good result. I’d imagine all of our detractors (who are many) were sitting waiting for us to be battered so they could crank up the Lennon Out headlines and how we are in crisis, get it round yeez. We’re getting all of our players back though losing Ajer was a blow. Interesting times ahead.
A decent result overall, although we could have won it perhaps if Elyounoussi had taken the shot in the 2nd half instead of delaying a fraction too long. I thought there were many good performances throughout the team and maybe Bain could have saved the goal at his near post, but it wasn’t to be. That does not reflect badly on him as he played very well, especially the (non) penalty save. Subs might have been made slightly earlier to shore up the defence, but on the whole more encouraging across the piece. Should provide a confidence boost for Sunday hopefully, and provide a platform to push on 🤞🍀
HH
Chalmersbhoy- from last night….I would have taken Ntcham off after about 65 minutes, and put Turnbull or Soro on,as we were losing the midfield at that point IMO,but not many were hoping for anything last night, a lot of positives, Duffy was better in the second half, he will settle down fine.
I must admit to feeling a lot more optimistic about things after last night’s game. Not so much that we clicked in any meaningful way,there were still quite a few hangovers from the past fortnight or so,but more with how we worked for each other. Hopefully we can wave October a far from fond farewell and step back up to the plate on Sunday.
Have we got our belief back? Time will tell,but a good run of domestic victories over the next nine and a half weeks will certainly have us cheering more enthusiastically than at any time this season so far. I’m happy to temper my optimism with realism,of course. But the longest journey starts with but a single step.
Bada,
I echo your thoughts re replacing Ntcham. I am not sure why this guy is not in good enough condition to play 90 minutes. Is it possible he has put too much muscle on and it’s affected his mobility and stamina. He wasn’t the only one who looked knackered though. We need to look at our training and if players are getting tired after 65 minutes, replace them then have an in depth look as to why so many players can’t last the pace and take so long to get up to speed ie griffiths and Ajeti.
https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/1322086122089029633?s=08
Diego Laxalt
Bada,
Thanks for the tweet.
Laxalt was superb last night and has been since he arrived. How come this guy, who has not played first team football regularly for months is fitter than our players? Wait till Christmas time. By that time he’ll look
Like he’s towing a caravan. This is a real problem.
BADABING,ATHINGOFBEAUTY
Laxalt has been a revelation for us since he joined. Very impressive indeed. Can’t wait for him to start picking up a few win bonuses!
Morning all,
1st off a big thanks to those who welcomed me to the blog. Sorry i didnt reply earlier but had more uni work than I thought I did.
Terrific 1st half from Celtic and Moi in particular. Bain looked commanding apart from when he dropped the baw. Christie looks like he’s trying too hard. He should start practising his dead ball deliveries. Ajer was great until his injury.
The 2nd half was concerning. Slack passing, tired legs and clumsy tackles. If players aren’t fully fit then that’s unforgivable. N’tcham looked dead on his feet just before he was subbed.
Laxalt looks like he could be a hero for us and I thought CalMac was superb too. Ajeti worked hard and had some nice touches but it wasn’t to be for him.
Overall, it feels like a bad result given that we were 2 up but before the game I think we’d all have taken a performance and a point.
Sacre Blue mon amies.
The Celts almost waltzed into France and did the Roman special, came saw and conquered.
That ball Bain nearly had a blooper on, Barkas wouldn’t have came for. He won’t make that blooper again this season and it should serve to focus him.
To feel hard done by not winning a Euro away tie is progress.
Happy Friday folks
Hail Hail
Afternoon All,
HH
Afternoon Calton.
My match report.
Being disappointed after a European away tie used to be a dream you know (takes seat by fire, crosses legs and fills pipe while staring into the distance) but yet it just happened again.
That is a sign of progress mark my word.
Lenny is attempting one if the oldest tricks in the book, playing his starting eleven into form. I’m a show up or bench guy, he has clearly selected what he feels will work and is giving them an extended run together. Certainly looks that way.
Putting Bain into that starting eleven was one big call, and it’s those big calls that make or break managers.
Despite that blooper which hit the bar, I think he done more than enough to keep the jersey. Barkas would never have came for that flop (which will focus Bain and is out of the way now) which kinda shows the difference. I’ve still no idea what I will get from the Greek, no such issues with the local.
He should keep his place screw yermans pricetag.
The rest of the gang performed admirably in my humble opinion.
May I please state for the record my admiration for Diego Laxalt grows by the minute. He knows how to position his body for maximum effect and knows how you receive the ball determines the next play.
He’s clearly a quality player and 9 million or so is the benchmark for real quality now. Instead of a couple of that level we should aim to have a team of them them a squad.
Onto the game itself and a few things were put to bed.
We are now playing a back four, stronger on paper than the three that failed us, and also showing the manager can be flexible.
Good.
Whether Frimpong is a right back or not could be debated until the cows come home but ill nail my colours to the mast stating clearly I prefer him on the right of midfield with a ‘do not cross halfway line’ fullback. El Hamed with that job description would suit me fine.
But the defence was breached pretty easy again and a lot of blame must be laid at Shanes door.
Kris Ajer has impressed me no end recently, but was clearly disgusted at some of his teammates silly fouls. Wasn’t shy in letting it be know either.
He was holding everything together nicely I felt, the bhoy will go places.
I pray it’s a not a hamstring tear rather he felt it tighten for we need him. He’s our best defender imo.
But Shane has not settled at all, for whatever reason. On Sunday he didn’t show the opposition enough respect by not simply blasting that line ball into Row Z but felt I can control it and play my way out of this. Nope. Bang, goal.
I’ve heard it said he’s a backs to the wall defender so doesnae suit the Tic, yet the back to.the wall defender dosn’t make the mistakes we see. I’m not sure what’s wrong with the big lad but we don’t have to flaff about, this needs sorted now. Instruct him to blooter everything out of the park maybe.
Anyway, a good platform to build on, we play like that on Sunday we will be fine. We cannot be nullified by Derek again, twice in a week would show he has Lennys number and that would not do.
Hail Hail
Ajer’s injury couldn’t have come at a worst time. He has been the most effective defender in our sieve like backline. Duffy and Bitton as CBs – opposition teams will be rubbing their hands. If only we had a proper defensive middy in the mould of Vic or Lenny.
If Milan are interested in Ajer, a deal including Laxalt could be done,but we might have to move quickly, to me he looks better than the majority of left backs in the EPL.
Tuck Frump!
And the Proud boys. Wimps roll in packs heavily armed.
Ridin with Biden baby!!!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1_xZGoYU1eg Crock of Gold- A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan Official Trailer
Lets look up! Last night was a turning point. I’m actually feeling good about Sunday coming. 🙂
And don’t forget Sunday is All Saints Day, we have loads of connections up there!
Keir Starmer=Peter Lawwell Easier to attack your own than your enemy
Gordon,
Thanks for the trailer. I’ll certainly be watching that. What a lyricist Shane MacGowan is. I was actually listening to the Pogues today. Sometimes your singing at the top of your voice, tapping your feet and other times you are crying. None of which are good when you’re driving but Hey ho, who cares!!
Well done Kieran from Port Glasgow/. Beat Hugh Keevins 7-1 in Beat the Pundit! 🙂
Hamburg Huns equalised to make it 2-2 a minute after St Pauli scored in Hamburg derby
I did not see the game last night so I can form opinions without the distraction of evidence!
Firstly, if you threatened me with a 2 x 4, and asked me to indicate overall if that was a positive/negative experience for the team, I would easily say it was positive. Away from home, quality opposition, scored two goals……and with only one striker who did not score……all good.
Then a draw was snatched from the jaws of victory, leaving a feeling of disappointment.
What were the negatives, apart from the loss of two points? Firstly, there was that old chestnut again……inability to manage a game out to a favourable conclusion. We saw it at 3-2 to Aberdeen; we saw it against Ferencvaros; we saw it when in a favourable aggregate position against Cluj and Copenhagen. He k, we even saw versus Livingston! It all has to do with when to use subs, how to shore up the midfield, and having a team coached in transitions. Until that gets fixed, we shall have to hope for the best that the opposition miss their chances, or we get another goal. These errors were all present last night.
Secondly, why are several of our players running out of gas with 20-30 minutes of the game still to go? Is it the training, or the Tunnocks diet, or are some being asked to cover too big an area because others are not up to it?
Just as one bad game does not mean we are in a slump, one partially good onedoes not mean we have turned a corner. I hope the coach recognises that.
Have a good weekend,
Rebus
.
Rebus Without doubt the first half last night was our best 45 mins of the season. We were well worth our 2 goal lead which could have been more with some great inter play going forward and better organisation at the back. The second half was a different proposition and a combination of losing Kris, player fatigue and Lille bringing on their big guns made it hard work however in saying that we could still have won the game. HH
REBUS67
The stamina situation is certainly becoming a problem,it’s like someone has been putting sedatives into the half time drinks. I think NL will be aware of it and will be asking the players if they have any thoughts on the subject.
As for the substitutions,we are notoriously inconsistent in this regard. The main consistency of course tends to be in the timing of them,which suggests that they aren’t being made in reaction to how the game is panning out,but rather as a pre-planned strategy.
I’m not sure that is wise,tbh.
Bmcuwp Calmac who has played more football than anyone was outstanding last night however his midfield colleagues wilted badly in the second half HH
Since about 2011 I became very interested in off-field issues regarding Scottish football. The Rangers Tax Case blog especially. Thereafter Auldheid, Res 12, 5WA agreement etc. The Celtic Board’s participation/not in all of this.
As time goes on I get weary about any resolution to all of the misdemeanors.
I notice the Scottish Football Monitor’s web site is dying. A once powerhouse of crying out the corruption in Scottish Football.
I used to feel slightly jealous of the majority Celtic fans who simply followed Celtic, the team. Took no interest in the Board.
But at least for the most part in the past decade Celtic were doing fine as a team, barring some blips.
What changed this season was different. The blips became a trend. And the root causes have become a focus. It has given us a low feeling across the board.
Barring the worst outcome I cant see our Board moving an inch. So it’s all down to our Manager, coaches and players to give us the lift we need. There’s a better chance of that than DD & PL doing anything.
JIMTHETIM53
Aye,there was a lot of reading in the period leading up to,and just after,their demise.And a lot of the issues raised at the time still haven’t been resolved.
Sadly,I have to agree with you that our beloved custodians have no intention of doing anything,and never have had. I guess we will just have to beat them on the pitch while we wait for their much-publicised financial woes to smother them again.
Of course,the Resolutioners haven’t gone away,you know…
Bobby, we live in hope!
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/30/football/jordi-gomez-omonoia-europa-league-spt-intl/index.html Surprisingly it didn’t merit a mention by the SMSM
I find NLs subs reactive,rather than proactive, we lost the midfield after about 50 minutes IMO,we should have taken Ntcham off,and put fresh legs in there,I would possibly have taken him off with Elyounoussi after about an hour,and put another 2 in the midfield, Turnbull and Soro.
I’m glad we seen a bit of Soro the other night but I was wanting him much earlier.
I think we need to dip into the transfer market again in January, another defender and striker would be nice. Keep if needed as Big Barkas won’t want to stay if dropped me believes and young Hendrson should go out get game time.
As TeT would say, quiet today 😉
Bada Closing out games has never been our forte but after Sunday and last night it’s a skill we need to learn and learn fast. I recall BR going with 3 centre backs when we were under pressure. Hh
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TLEiBJXFKiM Michael Kiwanuka-Light
Sorry guys late to the party fighting over the colour of worktops I want black the beautiful Pauline wants cream FFS
Anyway tune if the year
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=izbq7IUYja0
The story of The Jam on Sky Arts 😎
http://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-government-considering-tougher-national-measures-that-could-mean-full-lockdown-12119314
Bada Looking at the figures ill be amazed if we make it to end of the year let alone the end of the season Hh
If Kris is out can Broonie play in the Puyol role to steady the defence ?
@@ mags
Calmac is now our key man and needs the space to make the passes
i jumped the gun the other night regarding yer language .
My point of focus was on the youngsters who are tipping their toes in this fresh site..
Do’nt scare them away my fellow tim ..H,H
Been playing the Yarbirds all day…christ they were ahead of their time
clapton….paige..and the wonderful ..jeff beck
Ok jayhawk
I won’t do it again my Lisbon friend
I need to stop being so angry
I’m sorry
@ mags no sleekit body will ever take your anger away..
now give us Tune……
On the plus side if Trump wins a second term he’ll be too busy waging war with his own people to worry about invading other nations 😜