SENTINELCELTS

Given the epic midweek collapse I really didn’t want to see the same team huff and puff their way through another 90 mintues so in a way I was happy changes had been forced upon us. Callum and Kasper were forced out through sickness/injury which saw Duran move central with Hassan getting his first start for his new employers, and the OX stepped in alongside Mika Baur in the middle of the park.

We knew what we were going to get from Falkirk, full energy and hunting in packs, and the Bairns started the game brightly but events quickly took a twist when with only five minutes on the clock Scott Bain had an absolute brainfart and slapped the ball to the feet of Camilo who gladly passed the ball into the empty net.

I wanted this dream start to be the catalyst for a high scoring romp, and it wasn’t just the goal giving me encouragement. John McGlynn had made what looked like a fatal tactical flaw,,,his fullbacks were standing off our wingers instead of coming out to the flank to meet them. This meant Yang and Hassan being constantly open to receive the pass and take on their direct opponent. I thought it was a crazy tactic and it later lead to our second goal when the inspace Yang fed the overlapping Tierney to lay off Camilo for his second of the day.

Two goals up at home should signal heavy pressure for the visitors as the relaxed starters and fresh subs take the game to them, instead our sieve gave up its usual prize. The leftback was non existent, the Keeper might have done better, and it wasnt the centrebacks but rather the right back who was forced all the way across to help, but ended up deflecting the ball into his own net.

Thats how the game finished, we take the win and move on but the Juggernaut feeling that was almost touchable just a few weeks has completely evaporated. This wasnt a good performance, it was a just enough display which is concerning because we need to find our rhythm sooner rather than later. In saying that we do have some positives to take home.

Duran once again proved we have signed a proper striker and to be honest I wouldn’t drop him for Hogh at the minute. Kasper would not have scored that second goal, it took a real burst of pace to get away from the last defender that the Dane just does not have.
The Ox was handy in Callums role but I personally thought Baur was the best midfielder on the park. His game intelligence shines through everytime I watch him,,always well positioned to quickly be at the heart of things, creating space to receive, not wasteful with his passing,,,he’s just a good footballer who has seamlessly slotted into life as a Celtic player. Hassan reminded me of Jota, very agile and a danger to defenders with the pace and confidence to go past a defender. He was effective in that respect but now needs to turn those attributes into assists and hopefully goals.

I believe Yang is improving under our current setup but if anything our defense is getting worse. We give up too many chances, at least a goal a game, and I can’t see Dane Murray fixing that when one of Trusty/CCV gets injured. It gets worse, KT got injured and Scales at leftback doesn’t cut the mustard so the defense will continue to be a bombscare for at least a while unless our new incoming leftback is fit enough and good enough to slot straight in.

There was no Reo in the squad with a supposed exit scuppering his involvement so this Van Der Berg deal will happen and the fee for the Japanese player should cover his much younger replacement.
Callum Osmond left the stadium in a moon boot and I’m starting to wonder if he’s an injury prone player that cannot be counted on. Colby might have left in a moonboot, instead his actual football took the brunt of a bad tackle and literally snapped in half which is a first for me.

We could really do with some positivity around the club and the obvious way to do that would entail a strong end to the transfer window.
For Martins sake this better happen as he has taken a proverbial kicking over the LASK outcome and as he admitted we are a million miles away from where he wants us to be.
If only there was a way to change that.

By Mahe
sentinelcelts@gmail.com