We’ve Had Better Days!

Morning,all.

Well, we’ve had better days. We went into that game yesterday knowing that a victory would send our opponents into meltdown. We didn’t come close to it. Knowing how our opponents would set up against us,how they would press us throughout, that they would target our captain. We did nothing to prevent their gameplan ticking along very nicely thank you for the entire game. Knowing how close they had come to beating us in the last three games away from Celtic Park, and doing nothing whatsoever to prevent them actually achieving their holy grail. 

To call it a shocking display doesn’t even come close to how bad we were. Not kidding, there isn’t a single positive that we can take from yesterday. Not even the coin-throwing incident at the end of the game, cos that’s just huns doing as huns do. It wouldn’t matter what the scoreline was, and it probably only happened then because it was our first corner at that pocket of the ground, with Engels a standing target. Though there were a few of our players guilty of standing around at other times during the game. 

All day long, we resorted to the easy and predictable pass. All day long, the opposition were primed to intercept it, moving to cut off the next out ball, swarming us at every opportunity. Barely at all did we look for the long ball over the midfield to cut them out of the play and bring in our pacy wingers to take on their makeshift defence. Mind you,those wingers with so many goals and assists between them this season were bloody awful all day. Did either of them beat their fullback once in the entire game? Or attempt to take them on the outside instead of cutting in? Ffs, Maeda was up against a left-footed right back in Yilmaz and didn’t even try that simple party trick. I mention Maeda not to single him out, but as an example of what went wrong. And in truth, it all went wrong. All day. 

Ach, I could go on. I won’t. You all watched it, and I’d only be prolonging the agony for you all by refreshing your memories. But our players and manager have to learn from this that there is no room for complacency. Not in these games, not ever. Not even with a fourteen point lead, now reduced to eleven. Some of us are old enough to remember leads of that size and more being thrown away in the past, and I’d rather not go through that again. 

We move on to Sunday, a home match against St Mirren. While I want us to learn from today’s very hard lesson, we can’t afford to dwell on it or to let it define and destroy our season and all the good work we’ve put in up until now. Let’s get our side back on track, back on song. The hard work starts now, hot on the heels of an outstanding 2024. There’s a treble up for grabs along with continued participation in Europe. A lot to be happy about and a lot to be hopeful for, and we need to remember that. We are feeling the pain at the moment, but we have a helluva lot to be happy about!

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Above article by BMCUWP

191 Comments
Auldheid
January 3, 2025 6:04 pm

Frodshambhoy

 January 3, 2025 6:00 pm
Bringing KT back is a big risk because of his injury problems.
To me it’s a risk worth taking. The potential upside is greater than the possible downside
===============
Stats on appearances were published on LQB about a week ago. It is a lot better than the perception he is so injury prone he rarely plays.

I’ll try and find it.

big packy
January 3, 2025 6:07 pm

BIG AUDIO DYNAMITE 👍👍❤❤

Big Audio Dynamite
January 3, 2025 6:07 pm

BP

Kinda how i feel about the KT thing.

I’m sure he won’t starve on his Celtic wages 😳

All the sharp suited dudes will get it all sorted for him to come home.

16 roads
January 3, 2025 6:09 pm

They’re lucky I’m not Dermot Desmond.

Both of them would have been dismissed without notice, immediately after yesterday’s debacle.

Bada Bing
January 3, 2025 6:14 pm

Auldheid- we’re on the same page,thanks for your replies, hope you’re well

Fan
January 3, 2025 6:15 pm

At least KT has the drive and spirit we sadly lacked yesterday.
KT was good in BR’s first coaching stint but only in first two seasons.
By Brendan’s 3 season he was a shell of player we once had.
Injuries,coaching directives and being overplayed all played a part in his declining form.
I posted about this on another blog and took pelters.
So on one game against a bottom half team I noted his stats just to see if my judgement was harsh.
He made about 15 backwards passes 22 sideways an 7 forward passes the swashbuckling full back never attempted a forward run or cross that was his trademark under Ronnie D.
He had been Brodgered into low risk possession football.
He is now older and hopefully ready to bring experience to an area we have issues with so I am hoping to see the player Ronnie D nurtured.
Good luck to the BHOY he may be just what’s needed.

Auldheid
January 3, 2025 6:23 pm

Bada Bing

 January 3, 2025 2:36 pm
https://youtu.be/bU0XWiFyKhU?si=KF9opQVkroYTBQLc
The Overlap with Martin O’Neill

===========
I watched it and MoN explains the signings he made to turn around domination in 2000.

The whole video is brilliant but at 44.28 it covers MoN time at Celtic especially the difference Neil Lennon made,

Craig 76
January 3, 2025 6:25 pm

Kieran Tierney at Arsenal
19/20, 25 games played, minutes played, 1769
20/21, 38 games played, minutes played, 2927
21/22, 25 games played, minutes played, 2154
22/23, 36 games played, minutes played, 1459

At Real Sociedad
23/24, 26 games played, minutes in total 1497

And only 1 game played this season so far, 69 minutes in total

Auldheid
January 3, 2025 6:29 pm

Craig 76

 January 3, 2025 6:25 pm

Many thanks.

It suggests signing KT is not the size of injury rink folk imagined,

Auldheid
January 3, 2025 6:34 pm

Fan

 January 3, 2025 6:15 pm
At least KT has the drive and spirit we sadly lacked yesterday.
KT was good in BR’s first coaching stint but only in first two seasons.
By Brendan’s 3 season he was a shell of player we once had.
Injuries,coaching directives and being overplayed all played a part in his declining form.
I posted about this on another blog and took pelters.
So on one game against a bottom half team I noted his stats just to see if my judgement was harsh.
He made about 15 backwards passes 22 sideways an 7 forward passes the swashbuckling full back never attempted a forward run or cross that was his trademark under Ronnie D.
He had been Brodgered into low risk possession football.
He is now older and hopefully ready to bring experience to an area we have issues with so I am hoping to see the player Ronnie D nurtured.
Good luck to the BHOY he may be just what’s needed.

=============
I see KT in a different role in midfield not LB or if LB he is a better defender than GT.

He did take a less attacking role latterly which puts BR in a win win position.

Big Audio Dynamite
January 3, 2025 6:40 pm

Craig,

Interesting stats on KT.

We could be getting back a Celtic legend in his prime.

Auldheid
January 3, 2025 6:59 pm

Fan

 January 3, 2025 5:58 pm
Auldheid@4-52
I get you’re playing devils advocate and trying to be a voice of reason.
But the same could be said about all events on a football field
You say do we have players to effect change?
Who knows as BR made some quick judgement and picks from a small group.
Good teams create and deny space.
Players can be coached to be better at position they play.
Poor and snap judgement by coaches can adversely affect a players efficiency and confidence.
Only thing certain from yesterday was coach went with same system that did not work against same opponent from LC final with even less success yet made no adjustments to change pattern of game.
============
You have much more experience of coaching than I do and whilst a player can improve by coaching that coaching is to make the best of what attributes and abilities a player has.

After 20 minutes yesterday I looked to see what I would do to bring about change and could not find a player on the bench I thought would make a difference to midfield because the required natural attitude and ability is not there.

As regards changing after winning the LC Final, where Khun and Maeda turned up and Scales made a difference when he came on, what team and in what formation would you have played with the resources available in the time available between both games?

Khun and Maeda were only two of the players that won the LC that failed to turn up yesterday.

Did the way Rangers set about curbing them that did not happen in the LC Final not play its part?

I am not doubting you know more about coaching than I do but I doubt that in reality and prevailing circumstances coaching can have a near immediate effect.

I think we agree coaching can make a difference, BR has shown that I just think it would have made no difference yesterday to the selection or final result.

Changing attitude is not a quick task and it was on attitude that Rangers won by a mile.

Calum who is rightly focussed on tends to smile. I want a snarler like Neil Lennon was.

The you tube Bada highlighted is well worth watching in that respect.

https://youtu.be/bU0XWiFyKhU?si=KF9opQVkroYTBQLc

The Overlap with Martin O’Neill

Craig 76
January 3, 2025 7:16 pm

Auldheid/ B.A.D
If Brendan wants Keiran back that’s good enough for me, fingers crossed it’s sorted quickly as prolonged transfers are not good for the blog 😃

Craig 76
January 3, 2025 7:26 pm

Post
See new posts

Celtic Youth & Loan Updates
@CelticYLUpdates

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐃: Celtic have recalled 21-year-old central defender Dane Murray from his loan spell at Queen’s Park.

Murray made 20 appearances for the Spiders in the first half of the season, winning their Player of the Month award for October.

Big Audio Dynamite
January 3, 2025 7:27 pm

Craig,

There’s little doubt the left hand side of the defence is the least talented part of this team, has been for some time.

If Keiran is anything like the player that left, we could be fixing that whole problem with one signing.

Gives him a chance to play regularly too.

Will probably turn out to be the best bit of business we do this window.

Fan
January 3, 2025 7:34 pm

Auldheid
For clarity I have no coaching experience with exception of kids.
I only post what I see on field of play.

Craig 76
January 3, 2025 7:46 pm

.

Craig 76
January 3, 2025 7:49 pm

Post

Celtic Youth & Loan Updates
@CelticYLUpdates

Kenny returned to Celtic first-team training today
Celtic Youth & Loan Updates
@CelticYLUpdates
·
31 Dec 2024
https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f1ee-1f1ea.svg Johnny Kenny begins training with Celtic’s first team after Thursday’s Glasgow derby.

Can he take his chance to impress Brend

big packy
January 3, 2025 7:50 pm

Any of you ghuys who post on CQN is THE EXILED TIM still posting, know he had some health problems👍👍

Billy Bhoy
January 3, 2025 7:57 pm

Like some others, I’m highly suspicious of that performance yesterday.
I’d been joking that perhaps a 3-0 defeat would be good to avoid mass pitch invasions, social unrest and possibly players being attacked.
It looks to me like someone gave my text to BR who has then used it in his pre match team talk.

Otherwise, it’s the most cowardly, gutless and timid performance any Celtic team has given in decades. 

Hatate should have been hooked after 20 woeful minutes. BRs failure to hook him for another 55 minutes is a total dereliction of duty.
If he had made 3 changes at HT it might well have made a difference but as usual he had his usual nap between 45 and 60 minutes and left it too late!

I’m consoling myself with the fact that it was a dead rubber but it still fucking ruined my day.

To be honest I’m over it already. It didn’t affect my sleep so that’s good!

Now I’m thinking it might strengthen the resolve of DD to get the big cheque book out. It would appear that we’re not nearly as good as we think we are and they are not nearly as bad as we think they are!

One other thing…

I don’t think our midfield would have been so utterly dominated if we’d started with Engels, Bernardo and McCowan. 
I think the days of Cal and Reo both starting should be coming to an end. They both lack the pace required. That was a horrible watch yesterday and those two were largely culpable.

We need to be much stronger by the end of January. KT would be a welcome addition for me.

Craig 76
January 3, 2025 8:06 pm

Here’s something to ponder

We mock the Huns at times for saying they need proper r2ngers men in the team, players that know what it means to play for the club (take your pick on which 1 they mean), with the imminent return of Tierney 🤞is this something we’ve lacked in the squad, yes we’ve got CalMac and we’ve seen in videos his passion at getting the players fired up, but do we need a few more to call on when we need that extra bit of fight like we needed on Thursday.

https://x.com/Deckyy67/status/1875213874322145566

big packy
January 3, 2025 8:10 pm

just been to kieran Tierney’s house in stepney no not alex stepney who played for Manchester utd there was a furniture van with Murphys of glenboig on it, looks like Kieran has bought one of those posh swanky houses right by garnqueen loch, that was a hovel when I was growing up, but dont tell inq4 he loved that loch😎😎😎😎😎

INIQUITOUS IV
January 3, 2025 8:14 pm

Billy Bhoy

 January 3, 2025 7:57 pm
“Like some others, I’m highly suspicious of that performance yesterday.
I’d been joking that perhaps a 3-0 defeat would be good to avoid mass pitch invasions, social unrest and possibly players being attacked.
It looks to me like someone gave my text to BR who has then used it in his pre match team talk.”
—————————————
It’s interesting that Naebalance ( nae fan of oors ) said yesterday, “It looked as if Celtic couldnae be bothered.”

In other news, Jota on the bench for Rennes away at Nice today. He has been unable to hold his place in the first team.
HH
Iniquitous IV😊

Auldbhoy67
January 3, 2025 8:16 pm

BMCUWP

Re players returning I always thought The Wall did us a pretty good turn on his return.

BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
January 3, 2025 8:22 pm

AULDBHOY67

Oh,that he did! Just a pity he restricted it to a one year loan deal.

big packy
January 3, 2025 8:34 pm

I salute harald braatbakk he scored a goal against st johnstone to help us win the league in 97/98 harald I salute you👍👍👍👍👍❤

INIQUITOUS IV
January 3, 2025 8:34 pm

Watching Valencia vs Galacticos. Lovely football from the 2 sides, with superb first touch from all players. Valencia 1-0 up after 28 minutes.
Interesting that Courtois and the Valencia keeper are both punting the ball long. What’s with this playing out from the back obsession?🤣
Unfortunately, McManaman is the commentator.

Prestonpans bhoys
January 3, 2025 8:39 pm

big packy
 January 3, 2025 7:50 pm
Any of you ghuys who post on CQN is THE EXILED TIM still posting, know he had some health problems👍

Haven’t seen him post in a good wee while BP

INIQUITOUS IV
January 3, 2025 8:40 pm

Vinicius Jr. on his game is virtually unplayable.
Both teams shooting on sight.

INIQUITOUS IV
January 3, 2025 8:42 pm

Bellingham a real cheat.

big packy
January 3, 2025 8:43 pm

remember watching celic against hibs think it was 97 swede called larsson had a stinker celtic fan called chic charnley stole the show, wonder what happended to those two😎😎😎😎

big packy
January 3, 2025 8:44 pm

Prestonpans bhoys cheers for that
❤ 👍 👍

ASWGL
January 3, 2025 8:45 pm

BP Well Chic Charnley is a delivery driver with a hardware company that I use, dunno what happened to that wee useless guy with the dreadlocks

INIQUITOUS IV
January 3, 2025 8:46 pm

On 40 minutes, McManaman says, “ Valencia will cause themselves problems if they just try to hold on this lead for the next……………..( very lengthy pause as you can almost hear him working out what 90 minus 40 equals🤣 ) ………..50 minutes.”

ASWGL
January 3, 2025 8:46 pm

As an aside Chic has a season ticket for parkhead now ☘️

big packy
January 3, 2025 8:48 pm

ASWGL how are you my st augustines pal, thanks for the info👍😎❤

ASWGL
January 3, 2025 8:50 pm

BP fair to midlands here thanks, hope all is well with you wee Joan and the dugs.

big packy
January 3, 2025 8:50 pm

ASWGL hope he is ashamed of himself for scoring that goal against us😎😎😎😎

BELMONTBRIAN63
January 3, 2025 8:50 pm

Evening all.
 
 
KT, coming home, FANTASTIC.
 
 
Six months wages?
 
 
DD I suspect will cover that. After that It’s up to KT’s team.
 
 
Noticed that when Taylor was subbed yesterday he was not a happy Bhoy, maybe he knows what’s coming.
 
 
HH

big packy
January 3, 2025 8:52 pm

ASWGL cheers pal, hope all is well with you and yours👍👍👍❤❤❤

INIQUITOUS IV
January 3, 2025 8:54 pm

Constant off the ball movement, fast pace, teamwork, support, one touch passing, game intelligence, attackers running en masse at goal. Everything that was missing from our game yesterday.

big packy
January 3, 2025 8:57 pm

BELMONT BRIAN while your on, have you heard from magua lately, know you are good buddies, tell him I was asking about him👍👍👍

ASWGL
January 3, 2025 8:58 pm

BP I doubt that, actually speaking to Chic a while ago he reminded me of a game he played in, it was a Celtic select against (I think he said Perthshire) a junior football team it was a testimonial, to raise money obviously for a long serving Shire player, and the referee was (believe it or not) a huge Celtic fan.

Anyway in the game the ref awarded Celtic a penalty and the ref asked if he could take the penalty himself (something to tell his grandkids obviously) as not everyone can claim to have scored a penalty for Celtic so they agreed and he took the penalty and scored.

This however got back to the beaks at the SFA and the ref was subsequently hounded out of the game.

Same as it ever was

INIQUITOUS IV
January 3, 2025 8:59 pm

Milan probably through to Italian Cup Final. 2-1 up at Juventus after being down 1-0 at halftime, and in added time.
Incredibly nasal Dan Thomas studio commentator with Craig Burley on Real Madrid game.

big packy
January 3, 2025 9:05 pm

ASWGL as you say, same as it ever was👍

INIQUITOUS IV
January 3, 2025 9:06 pm

Valencia playing long diagonals from right hand side to Duro and Rioja giving Galacticos right back Vazquez fits, making Real Madrid turn backwards. They see a weakness and ease pressure on themselves. They are second bottom of La Liga.

Extraordinary that Johnstone did not once try to find Maeda the same way. I am sure he is instructed not to even try. This makes us predictably one dimensional.

big packy
January 3, 2025 9:13 pm

off subject ive still got my own teeth after 71 years well nearly😎😎 ive got a tooth upper jaw to the right which has been loose for a couple of weeks, this could be the night that tooth will be set free after 71 years\ god bless mr tooth you have done me proud, you were at the vojvodina game😎😎😎😎

INIQUITOUS IV
January 3, 2025 9:18 pm

Penalty to Galacticos.
Bellingham to take.
He misses!

INIQUITOUS IV
January 3, 2025 9:19 pm

One of these ridiculous hop and skip efforts, weakly hits post.

INIQUITOUS IV
January 3, 2025 9:22 pm

Mbappe 1-1
No. VAR says offsidio.😊