Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
Morning, all.
We all saw what happened on Sunday, we watched it just as we watched the Champions League qualifier in Austria. And the only difference between those games and every other game this season, no matter how poor the opposition, is that our opponents took some of the many chances they created.
Sunday was a new low though, as we didn’t look like scoring. Various theories have been suggested why this happened, and many remedies have been proposed. The most obvious problems in fixing a problem are firstly to recognise that the problem exists, and then to diagnose the causes. If I’m honest, the problem was identified on here weeks (or even months) ago, and the management team did sod all about it. Now, with even the MSM spouting forth about the issues, it surely cannot be ignored any longer.
However, MON has long believed that his preferred starting XI and formation is the best available to him. He very rarely even tinkers at the edges, never mind ripping up the gameplan and starting all over again. Subject to injuries and suspensions, what we have seen is what we will get. I honestly do not think we will see different personnel or tactics tonight from what we have been watching all season.
That should make the Ferencvaros coach’s job that bit easier for him. If he can virtually guarantee how we will line up, and how those players will be utilised, it certainly makes the job a lot easier for him. After that, it’s down to how the respective teams perform on the night. One thing in our favour at least is that we won’t have to deal with the Scottish refereeing fraternity, though they return in force on Sunday. MIB Beaton and VAR Walsh means they aren’t taking any chances.
I hope I’m wrong about our manager’s intransigence, and that he finally does something about the gaping hole where our midfield should be. Otherwise, tonight’s match is going to feel like a lot more than ninety minutes. Ideally, we put on a performance tonight that makes us forget all about the weekend just gone, and sets us up for an entirely more pleasant experience in front of 60,000 UFBs.
I know which of the two scenarios I prefer.
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Above article by BMCUWP
BADABING
Nygren was definitely goalside for LASK’s opener!
BMCUWP
The spacing at Lask’s opener was a great example of our issues with position and spacing.
Callum pointing for Nygren to pass backwards didn’t help but it’s our cautious approach that often hinders.
Bobby
I’m not really bothered about tonight. The Board have once again decided not to adequately strengthen the squad and we saw the outcome of that on Sunday. I’ve boycotted the cup games again this season. I said I’d only spend money if they did and once again they didn’t.
That’s 17 out of the last 20 windows they’ve made a profit – at the expense of improving the team.
I think this EL campaign could be a shitshow. That’s why I’ve already written it off.
I’m more concerned about the reaction to Ibrox for the game on Sunday.
That said, I’ll be watching with interest to see if MON makes any tactical adjustments such as playing either Scales or Ralston in a DM role in front of the back four) to offer some protection
Another two poor results and performances could put massive pressure on MON which is sad but inevitable given the circumstances.
He was too compliant with the Board. He should have been more outspoken like Ange and Brendan. Not that it did THEM any good but MON is supposed to have a special relationship with Despot.
Now, I think his tenure will end in tears – probably by Christmas.
Mahe referred to the statement by The Collective. I received their email and sent them the following reply:
Hi
I am a ST holder since 1988 and a holder of 123 shares.
Last season I bought my ST but decided to withhold any further spend until the end of the window. I took the view that if the club didn’t invest enough then I wouldn’t spend another penny. This was in advance of the Collective’s campaign.
As the window closed with the club in profit I boycotted the EL and domestic cup matches.
I’ve done the same again this season and as the Board have replicated last season’s behaviour then so will I.
So, it’s not another penny from me and this will continue regardless of the decision of the Collective.
I hope the campaign continues until we see regime change or at least a change of direction.
Regards
Billy Bhoy
Awe Naw- my preferred 4-2-3-1 picks with current availability and reserves in brackets. This is for League as our Manager has made an arse of EL squad already.
Sinisallo
(Johnston)
Donovan, Trusty, Scales,KT
(AJ,CCV,Murray,Loanee)
Ox, Bauer
( Cal,Dutch boy)
Hassan,Nygren,Mhueka
( Forrest, Sorenson, Yang)
Duran
( Hogh)
Fan- Nygren game intelligence looks nil,if you are in a 3 ,you need to defend as well,or when he goes wandering, we need to have a cover plan,which we don’t have
Bada Bing
(- Nygren game intelligence looks nil,if you are in a 3.)
Can you qualify that statement?
He is designated a role by coaches.
Not every player has same skill set.
His stats which are best on team and only Duran comes close suggests he is doing something right.
I think it’s the poor implementation of team is the issue.
SL,
Thanks for taking the time and effort. Much appreciated.
The team in bold would worry me especially if the changes are being made to protect the back 4 as its four attacking mf and a forward.
I’d also have the hee bee gee bees about how much protection the full backs would have in both
But hey what do I know …
I just don’t think we have the players for any formation especially with Yang gone
Watched Milan v Benfica last night.
Both teams are decent but difference was Benfica had a better coach.
They retained shape and having no space to pass through Milan resorted to side to side and hopeful crosses.
Benfica were good at wide men forcing Milan to defend deep and having mids attack spaces for cut backs.
Benfica consistently remained a tight shape which made Milan work hard to find space.
You don’t need constant tackling to defend just control of space to limit opponents chances.
Coaching and game intelligence was the difference.
Johnston
Donavon,CCV, Trusty, Tierney
Sorenson, McGregor
Duran,Baur,Nygren
Hogh
Johnston
Donavon,CCV, Trusty, Tierney
McGregor, Soernson,Baur,Nygen
Duran, Hogh
Fan.
I think it’s the poor implementation of team is the issue.
Totally agree, but we are continually doing the same thing,and opposition coaches know it,if Nygren does go forward ,we need a default position to close the gaps,he’s a luxury player right now HH
Bada Bing
We also need goals and he scores and sets up.
We need coaching that allows player rotation to provide cover
The sacking of David Gray at Hibs is a sad reality of modern football. Gray is something of an icon at Hibs…..a leader, a fan, a player and a manager. He bled Hibs. He has been a hero as a goal scorer and as a manager, recording important victories. Now, he has to evaluate whether his emotional attachment to the club was really worth it.
I bring this up because there are parallels to MON at Celtic. In the distant past, he had success with the club. He is/was revered by most of the fans. In many ways, MON and Gray represented the best values of their club…..loyalty and commitment, but always with an understanding of the fanbase.
As results turned downward at Hibs so did Gray’s status within the club. In his case, from icon to the dole, as the club consistently sold the best players. Meanwhile, even after the seven game miracle of a few months ago, MON’s image is being tarnished by suggestions of tactical snafus, ageism, and naivety. Some even think, he should be shown the path trudged by Gray….such change since May!
Sure, it is the nature of the business…managers come and go…..lasting two years is an achievement. However, it is particularly hard on those that get emotionally involved with the position and the club. Many fans at Hibs and Celtic loved Gray and MON. It is also hard on them to see a bright light dimmed.
Goodluck, David Gray….you deserve better than this industry can give you.
Rebus
Awe Naw 2.53pm.
Do we have a defensive midfielder? Cal isn’t one, Sorensen is box to box, no idea about Dutch boy?
.that said ..
Your 4-4-2 looks better equipped for defensive duties, but we cede the wings.
San Luis
We currently don’t have a DM which is why I was mulling over sticking Scales or Ralston in there as an emergency band aid. Perhaps the Ox could play there but he too would only be a sticking plaster until May.
What an indictment on the current Board that we still don’t have what we need to look like a proper football team!
Rebus67
Unfortunately today football is a cash driven business.
Hibs financial success is reliant on winning and selling players for profit.
Celtic is Old Firmism and selling for profit so success not quite the priority.
The small minded parochialism is thriving at Celtic.
We have been consistent in European failure but now fans have started to focus on the amateurism running through our club and an unwillingness of the custodians to recognise their failings are detrimental to moving forward.
Fans now fear our once great club is being driven into football irrelevance.
Appointing out of touch coaches and refusing to spend to address clear weaknesses is speeding up the process.
Fans true anger is with the board but as coaches are a reflection of such they are considered part of the problem.
SL
I absolutely agree with you.
We only have attack minded midfielders.
We don’t have any midfielders with the required upper body strength.
We have one right sided midfielder who prefers to play on the right but he is left footed.
The two right footed midfielders we have have prefer to play centrally and have 3 starting appearances between them. Ox and Van der Berg. One 33 one 19.
Our wide players are chosen to cut inside meaning defensively even if they could and they don’t they can’t offer very much defensively.
Although Soernson and Van der Berg are described as box to box midfielders. They are not strong specimens. They are more like Baur. They will put the work in harrass and run all day long but they aren’t ball winners and they have just arrived and will take time to settle. I’ll be surprised if we see much of Van der Berg this season.
And that’s just the midfield
The point I’m making is that MON has the exact same problem regardless of personell and formation.
From my perspective it’s better to stick with the 4 3 3 and improve upon it. I don’t believe we have a better alternative. Attack being the best form of defence.
Rebus67
I think its unfair to label Celtic fans as fickle over MON. The vast majority didn’t want him in the first place for a variety of legitimate reasons. I hope he goes on and proves us all wrong but even he’s compromised to living life in the slow lane while the club has a triple digit figure of millions in the bank account.
Awe Naw
September 17, 2026 5:07 pm
Rebus67
I think its unfair to label Celtic fans as fickle over MON. The vast majority didn’t want him in the first place for a variety of legitimate reasons.
————-
not true in my circle of whats appers, former cqners , family and friends,
i would say 60-40 in favour of a martin appointment, seen as better than keane, and mckenna non-availability.
there was also a definate spilt of askou, many turning against after he had his wee tantrum about us.
Is it possible to have a manager who’s not Irish?
st stivs
Sounds about right-I was 60-40 myself! Not convinced that he was the right man, but he’d done enough to deserve it, and if he wanted it then he should get it.
St. Stivs, BMCUWP
Hinging aboot wi too many happy clappers the pair eh yeah 🙂
Of course when it became a binary choice between Rabbi Keane and MON then MON won hands down. Who´d have thunk that
Most Celtic fans I socialized with all wanted a modern structure in place that didn´t include the youth coach the pathway manager and a former manager who hadn´t managed in 15 years. In fact a lot of them thought that the background work was already being prepared to do just that since Wilfred and Dr. football got fired. Hoping for real change. I personally am willing to give him the year hoping forlornly that this is still being done. MON isn´t real change I´m sure you agree. He´s a sticking plaster band aid and most fans know it.
Whit….
Awe Naw
I think we’re at the stage where there’s as many sticking plasters at Celtic Park than in the Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
SS
I was 100 % against appointing MON
and don’t know anyone who was for his appointment in my circle of friends or family.
Awe Naw,
I am sorry you think my intent was to label Celtic fans. That was not my intent. My article underscored the uncertainty that exists in the industry. Hero, one day; unemployed on another day. I believe all fanbases will contain some fans that re-assess their opinions about players and managers. I certainly hope that is the case. I place myself in that camp and shouldn’t fans change their minds? My concern is that opinions are formed too quickly. Actions follow.
To illustrate my point, let me tell you my thought on Sorensen. Firstly, I thought his pedigree is excellent, given his previous clubs. When I saw him play his first game, I thought too slow, gives the ball away, but maybe he is ring rusty. Second game he played, I thought he largely stunk. However, I think he was played out of position. So, where am I now? My early optimism has gone. I hoped he would have defensive attributes but he appears more of an attacking player. He does not look particularly fast and I have yet to see a goal threat. So, my views have swung from optimism to he looks like a squad addition, supplementing what we already have. Fickle?
For me, the issue is not the fans but club ownership and senior management who hire and fire without strategic thinking.
Turning from my general point to MON in particular. I think he should not have been reappointed, nor should he have accepted it. Once again, the recruitment process was too narrow if Keane, Askou and MON were the only or the top candidates. I am no longer surprised that senior management acts narrowly and, what they see as minimum risk.
As usual, it is not difficult to see this issue diversify into what is wrong with Celtic. I no longer think that debate will lead to change. It can become a never ending cycle of entrenched positions that lead nowhere. I just try to take what positives I can from watching a game. The big picture just frustrates me.
Enjoy the game today,
Rebus
Good to see Calmac getting some minutes 😲
Good to see some young guys on the bench
Rebus67,
The only thing that will change our custodians mind is all they care about. Money. Which brings us nicely to MON going from the slow lane to managing us in the hard shoulder. It would seem managers can also be fickle.
Thanks for the reply. I hope your staying strong and positive and get some encouraging news soon. Fingers crossed.
OpTimIsm is at a low level, but, hopefully like myself, they’ll be fully committed to achieving a result…. because, in any league, you win f…all if you don’t win your home games.
COYBIG from Peter Scarff club.
Still in the Not Another Penny mode.
Looks like the shiters have been drapped
So only the 2 starters guaranteed not to last 70 minutes. What a shambles of a so called professional organization. Trusty will probably come on for Tierney with Scales shunting over. But who will replace Forrest?
Cretan team knocks off Bundesliga team. 32% possession and only 9 shots to 21.
Danny Rohl wins in Bulgaria.
2 of our impending opponents meet in Turkey. Vlahovic displaces Oh for Besiktas. Weah captains Marseille.
Celtic’s warm up routine, shown on Paramount, is a casual, indisciplined, disorganized shambles. Players going through the motions.
When MON was holding the SPFL trophy in front of 60,000 fans chanting his name he was asked about another season. His response and body language convinced me that was a non runner so its not just many fans who were unconvinced.
Another curious XI. I’m fully expecting to name JF – the best winger at the club (C) Brendan – in my top 3 for Jobo.
MONTHEHOOPS!!!!!!!!
Could the commentator mention LASK and Ibrox anymore times in 5 mins?
Must be a record .
Hun rat.
No joy from first corner.
Second time lucky?
Nope.
Ridiculous offside decision against Jamesie, who was about 2 yards onside.
3rd time lucky?
Nope.
Good start, but we need to make it pay off.
Nobody on our D except a Ferencvaros player. Do we ever learn?
JF has already done more in 5 minutes than Tounekti does in 90 minutes!
Duran near miss.
Baur hobbling.
Hassan just lets his man run away from him.
Hungarians pressing higher now. We are having difficulty adjusting.
On move where KT is fouled clearing ball Calmac demonstrate’s how unsuited to deep central role he is.
He vacates middle to run out wide where JF had man marked leaving a huge space in D area for them.
Why does Hassan welly his crosses? No finesse.
Great run by JF.