Two games, one name
The problem with having such a learned readership is that almost always some bright spark noticed and articulated the very topic that’s nagging away at you as well as them, and now the lead topic is dated. Still important and worthy though, that’s where I find myself today.
We are not a team, per se.
We are a group of footballers.
We don’t have a style of play, haven’t really had one for 8 months so I can’t say it’s just a normal part of the transition phase.
We, well the majority going by social media, also don’t have faith that the current management setup has the tactical knowhow to halt the slide.
Regular readers will know my mantra, if we bring in quality we will be fine, and I believe they did bring in good quality. Its clearly another to tap into that quality apparently. There’s one surefire way to hurt a player’s progress, don’t play him or play him where he doesn’t belong.
The manager may have fancied a slow transition into the team but that option goes out the window daily.
Our Captain more or less amplified the need for player change with his cryptic message about some playing for themselves. I figure he’s hinting at Benji, Kasper, and probably Shim who is clearly out to make a name for himself.
But wait a minute, the Captain is saying they are out for themselves not Celtic, but on the other hand they are probably our best bet at retaining the title even if they don’t want to stay after that?
In my humble opinion this is just another aspect of being out of touch/left behind, an accusation that is widespread. It’s a very valid accusation when you’re failing to get the best of modern players, and modern tactics. Callum was almost a one team man and he’s obviously Celtic through and through. He’s at the complete opposite end of the likes of Shim who OBVIOUSLY sees us as a stepping stone to his Superstardom which will be live streamed and Instagramed no doubt. People above his paygrade decided employing these players dedicated to the cause or not, and after two major collapses under his watch he hits out at others.
Last year the club better match his ambition.
This year, him overthere is not fully dedicated.
Someone suggested the players aren’t playing for the manager, might it be a case they aren’t playing for the Captain?
That type of attitude all week long is not what we need. I hope my fears of a going nowhere/passing through split are exactly that, just a fear. Those words though,,,,glass houses and all that. Daizen, Benji, Martin, Arne, AJ, KT, Kelechi,,,those were the men who won the season last time out and he would do well to remember that before preaching from his vantage point.
Important games never stop at our club but these next two are different. The manager of Celtic doesn’t survive losing the 1st four big tests.
I didn’t want to watch him be that guy, because he’s not just “that guy”, another manager, just a name.
Martin has 180 minutes of football ahead that shall define not only our season but also his big decision to stay.
I hope he shoves those words down my mouth but the hour is upon us.
My faith rests upon his shoulders again as soo many times before.
Let’s see what happens.
By Mahe
sentinelcelts@gmail.com
Celta give 19 year old Midfielder Burcio his first senior start in an away Europa League game.
Superb control and curving shot from Brazilian right winger Ewandro for Cypriots. Keeper tips it away from postage stamp.
6’6” Omonia keeper easily taking corners out of the air.
Celta dominating possession, Pablo Duran looking dangerous on right wing, but Cypriots with best chance so far.
Another great save from Celta keeper Radu after a belter of a strike. Could be 2-0.
Sparta Prague 2-0 up in Armenia vs Ararat.
Cypriots shoot on sight from long range. Could be 3-0 but for great saves from Romanian and ex-Inter keeper Radu.
Marvin Bartley in with a shout of Hibs job
Celta pressing hard, but Coulibaly a rock at the back.
Twisty
done
Twisty,
Done
Steve Clark to Hibs?
Evening all.
Twisty
Petition signed, good luck.
More waffling from MON ,in his presser
Alonso still looking top class for Celta.
Nice football from Omonia, but build up too slow to really trouble Celta. Spaniards very quick on fast breaks.
Ararat 0 Sparta Prague 3
Very open game. Some individual Omonia players are very, very fast.
Twisty, signed
Ararat 1 Sparta Prague 3
Duran scores for Vigo.
Offside.
VAR confirms.
Hungarian officials first class. Really show why Scottish MIB are not invited to tournaments.
Ararat 1 Sparta Prague 4.
Twisty
Petition signed.
Sending you and your family all the very best wishes from me and mine.
HH.
AC Milan v Benfica for me tonight, I reckon.
Celtic fans won’t have any problem getting tickets for Omonia game. Stadium half empty.
Twisty
Signed , good luck.
SteveN
the days of Brian Clough (give me good players – i dont care about tactics) are long over … except at Celtic evidently.
The game is so fast today, it is too much to expect even the best players to always know where to be at all times. Having a good system allows players to get a head start; it lets their teammates know where they will be when breaking; it lets them know where they should be when defending; and lets teammates know what help is needed both in defence and in attack.
People talk about top Teams like Barca and top players like Xavi and Iniesta and Messi having an almost telepathic understanding of where they were on the pitch, and where they needed to hit the pass. And, unlike Celtic who hit passes to stationary, backwards facing teammates, they were hitting balls into space for teammates to run onto. They weren’t just hitting g and hoping. These guys had a shared understanding of how the team was to play, and where they had to be to help or where they had to pass to (even before their teammmate was actually there!) It looks telepathic, but really it is just muscle memory … knowing the system, and practice and repeat until it becomes second nature … like breathing.
Of course, within that framework, there is always room for a bit of magic. It is what turns the good teams into great teams.
top teams today need both a good system, and good players – and not just any good players, but the right type of good players who fit the system.
I think Celtic buy well enough … not always the right players … buying players always involves some measure of gambling … but without a proper system, they make it so much less likely that even good players will succeed.
Incredible 30 yard rocket from Omonia finally scores. What a belter! 1-0.
Saint Stivs on 16th September 2026 7:35 pm
Sunderland v AZ
tickets for under 14s on general sale at £18 (was £14 for a sbh).
Celtic PLC Robber Barons Esquire – No kids prices, they have to buy a concession at £32.
why doesnt the collective and the others call them out for pricing the next generations out of supporting the club ?
TWISTY
Can’t sign from here in Canada but the best of luck to you and your family.
Cypriots win. Neither team great but defences and keepers far sounder than ours.
Home team show what can happen if you can shoot accurately from distance. Could have scored 4.
Sunderland first Euro night since 1973.
5 Academy players in Alkmaar lineup at Sunderland.
Twisty
Petition signed. 🙏💚
https://www.thecelticwiki.com/celtic-park/concerts-at-celtic-park/
Petition signed
Sunderland just escape after losing it playing out from back.
Sturm Graz 0 Rennes 1. From a corner.
Chalked off by VAR.
Anderlecht 0 Lyon 1.
Alkmaar head just over Sunderland bar.
Ty kindly all. Much appreciated.
Sunderland 30 yard curving rocket just misses.
Leverkusen skelp post against Celje.
Milan 0 Benfica 1. Superb goal by Belgian Lukebakio.
Bayer 1 Celje. 0
Benfica with 4 men strung across their D when defending, with 5 behind. What a difference from our shambles!.p
Olimpiakos 0 Jagiellonia 1. Belter.
Anderlecht 0 Lyon 2 Nakamura.
Benfica dominating in San Siro, and half the first team is on the bench, as they play Porto at the weekend.