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Celtic Diary Wednesday September 13: Ah Well..

Its hard to argue that the Paris St germain side that strutted their stuff at Celtic Park aren;t the best team to do that, certainly in recent years, but it took the whole of the first half for Celtic to adjust to facing the step up in quality. As Brendan Rodgers said after the game;

“This is a level where you have to look after the ball and you have to make it work for you.

“So like I say, it is confidence, belief. We are missing some decisive players as well who can help us at this level but it is always going to be very tough. That is the reality of it.

“I don’t want to be too harsh on the players. They (PSG) are the potential champions of this tournament and where we are at, with all due respect, and where those guys are at, it is not just one or two levels, it is three or four levels away beyond.

“We always have to be competitive and we weren’t for that first period but the second half was much better and the supporters acknowledged that.” 

Well, at least we moved up a gear in the second half, and although there was always the fear that PSG had a couple of gears left in them, maybe their self belief would have fallen in inverse proprtion to ours rising.

By half time, the French side were three up and there was nothing left to play for but pride.

They were quick, they were skilful and they worked hard off the ball when not in possession. Put simply, they were outstanding at doing what Rodgers wants his Celtic team to do, and whereas we are still a work in prgress, they are more or less the finished article.

It finished 5-0 , and yet perhaps there is hope.

Have a glance at the match stats, where apart from possession, there’s not such a gap between the sides.

Home TeamCeltic    Away TeamParis SG
Possession
Home31%
Away69%
Shots
Home6
Away10
Shots on Target
Home4
Away6
Corners
Home3
Away4
Fouls 
Home 5
Away

It didn’t feel like it while watching, but they only had two more shots on target than Celtic, although they scored five more than us.

We won’t face a better team all season, and with a little more self belief and a little less respect shown towards opponents, then all is certainly not lost.

The basic errors were back, perhaps a sign of nerves, but also possibly a sign that the team believes that simply by being in the groups, then they have peaked.

Thats nonsense, and whilst PSG were good, very very good, Celtic played within themselves, and again we may have an example of the home crowd doing us more harm than good.

It could even be argued that the visitors relish playing there more than we do.

🙌Thank you for the amazing welcome to the legendary Celtic Park🍀🏟Looking forward to seeing you in Paris on November 22👋

Look, its all very nice making friends and basking in the reputation of the atmosphere, but frankly, its not hostile enough.

Opponents want to play there, and that level of player thrives on it.

Thats not to say we should run onto the pitch though, and try to kick Mbappe. Thats unacceptable. Especially when with a bit more effort the fellow who ran on to the pitch last night could have taken a decent swing at that petit merde Neymar.

Though Neymar is a prime example of what i’m burbling about.

He loves coming to Celtic Park, and relishes being the pantomime villain,

Whereas PSG revelled in the atmosphere, our chaps seemed to freeze in the first half. Too many players didn’t get going until after the break.

However, this time last year the players fell apart and gave up for the whole of the Barcelona opener, and at least this time we competed in the second half, so we are getting better.

As long as they respond to the beating in the next match against anderlecht in Brussels the same way they responded against Manchester City then we should be alright, but can someone point out to the players that although the support and the media are making this group all about the Belgian side, there are still five games to play, and Anderlecht are no mugs either.

The most disappointing thing about last night was the realisation, fairly early on, was that Celtic weren;t playing their natural game. One can understand Stuart Armstrong being asked to play more central, in a line of three with Brown and Ntcham, but that meant Griffiths was isolated more than usual, and the familiar pattern and shape had been altered, albeit slightly.

Alright, hindsight is a completely useless way of looking at things, but we maybe could have been a bot more like ourselves, and a lot less worried about them.

We went toe to toe with an unbeaten Manchester City and got a result, was it not worth gambling the same way against PSG ?

Rodgers probably decided that the defence, not at full strength , needed extra cover, and no doubt critics will blame the board for not signing a world class centre half, or at least a very good one, but the fact remains, that side last night will take five or more of quite a few other sides in this years competition, so it would have made little difference.

We needed to be at our best, which in Europe needs a Calum MacGregor-, and they needed to be a wee bit below theirs. It didn’t quite turn out that way, unfortunately.

At half time, Henrik Larsson, who wasn’t a bad player, summed it up;

“I’m finding that Celtic are standing off,”

“If you look at the set-up when they don’t have the ball, they’re 4-5-1, five across the park, never close to their (PSG) midfield players.

“Thiago Motta, who I used to play with at Barcelona is having the night of his life. He can just dictate the tempo all the time with his passing. Celtic have to be closer.” 

Larsson was working with BT sport, alongside John Hartson and Chris Sutton, and no doubt there were a few wistful sighs at this picture.

How much would it cost, today, to buy the bt sports team of Hartson, Sutton and Larsson? 

Not much. They’re in their forties now.

However, there’s something you cannot buy, and thats the look in their eyes here, and thats what we need…

Image result for larsson sutton hartson

Ah well, we move on….

Ignore the hysteria from sections of the support, the media and the “rangers ” fan laughing at you, in the way that a man laughs at the music in another mans Ferarri , because there’s still a long way to go in this campaign, and at least we got the bad result out of the way.

A wee touch of perspective, simply ask yourself which of our players would get into that team. And then ask yourself, , Messi and Ronaldo aside, who actually would.

But from our point of view, we cannot afford to play like that again.

Over to you, Celtic.

Elsewhere, if you want cheering up, have a look at this. you’ll not see a better goal than this anywhere.

Its from the Celtic PSG UEFA youth game, and it should make you feel a little better…

Aitchison goal

Celtic  lost 3-2, but it was a lot closer, and they were unlucky.

Quick question for anybody in the media who might bump into Stewart Regan…could you ask him why there has to be an appetite to uphold the rules in the game before he does it, or is that only when it concerns the basket case of assets from Ibrox ?

For example.. from the Kerrydale Street forum

Rod Petrie announced that Hibernian want to move on as well, but what he was really saying was that he and Stewart Regan don’t want an enquiry into how Stewart Regan and Rod Petrie handled their SFa business back in 2011, especially as its his turn for a top job soon.

Thats Aberdeen and Hibernian who have now isolated their fans…

Club chairman do not want to be seen to be rocking the boat. Its why they are hiding beneath the banner of the SPFL.

Each and every Scottish club’s supporters should be demanding that their club supports their wishes.

Its not good business sense to alienate your core customer base, especially in favour of passing trade…as you end up with neither.

Yesterdays picture…

Dziekanowski’s nightclub child September 12, 2017 at 7:47 am · Edit · Reply →

Caption: Reagan proudly states that there will be no independent review 

Today, what did he say…?

Finally, the police have issued a picture of the arsehole that ran onto the pitch last night, and would encourage anyone who knows who he is to get in touch.

Image result for neymar psg v celtic

With any luck they’ll give him a kicking as he falls down the stairs on his way to the cells.

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charlie
6 years ago

ralph in the last 50 odd year ive seen some great teams come tae parkhead but that team last night wer fuckin beautiful but ime no crying cause we live and learn COYBIG

mike
6 years ago

The truth is that PSG only scored 3 last night and we scored 2 so the real score was 3..2, we were unlucky to lose it was a close run thing,
I wish. Its hard to understand how a team that can play great, aggressive pass the ball with confidence, find space and know when to pass, could turn into a basket of ass..ssets, but THAT was the reality
..hard, very hard to watch. Lustig is not a great r.b. but at centre half he is miniging, as for the rest.. well NO Comment.Try to forget about it and try to improve move on to the next game.
Well done Ralphy, the early bird catches worms.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

It was my 69 birthday yesterday, i.ve always wanted to be 69, you can see why. The soil is good, fertile and light, but my heart is as heavy as lead. 😉

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

69????
I thought you were older than that….much older in fact.

TicToc
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Ah, Monti, good to see you back. 🙂
HH

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

PISH.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Tic Toc,
Cheers, nice of you to say!

TicToc
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti, you’re more than welcome, Pal.
It’s true in every syllable.
HH

Marc
6 years ago

I was going to ask the police when leaving the ground last night to ensure that they gave that arsehole who ran on the pitch a good kicking.

What is up with some people?

We were beaten by a team with a value around 20x what we’re worth. It was basically the equivalent of ourselves versus Dundee United, Hamilton etc… and they did to ourselves what we regularly do to teams here.

I don’t think the team played particularly poorly last night although I’d have subbed N’tcham before Armstrong and the pull by Jozo fire the penalty when the player was nowhere near the ball was crazy.

It’s not often we’ll experience another night like last night but that’s what near unlimited funds can get you.

Thought you may have also referenced the other news yesterday Ralph re. the EFL TV deal, £600 million over 5 years. Yet more reason to boycott Sky as there press release had the cheek to talk about their fantastic investment in British football.

rebus67
6 years ago
Reply to  Marc

Marc,

It is also another reason to initiate efforts to get into the Championship. Our progress towards European standards will be very slow if we stay in Scotland.

Rebus

charlie
6 years ago

mike a think we saw the birth ae a wonderful team last night and the slap wulnae dae us any herm cause we live tae learn

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Charlie…yes they are an excellent team, but we can be soooo much better.

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

Excellent performance from a financially doped team.Their goalie is the type I love,confident and not afraid to come out and hold onto the ball.They all looked super fit while we,as BR states played like weans in the first half.Congratulations to the fans for staying with the team.Ralph,you are correct.Good teams thrive in an atmosphere that inspires opponents.
We’ll take this defeat out on the Sooside mob and Anderlecht.KTF

charlie
6 years ago

heers a wee bit a readin for anybody who likes a laugh

rab wallace
6 years ago

They were ridiculously good & played within themselves. The header for the 5th was just sublime. After a few hours of absorbing what I watched all I could do was put on my celtic top wear it all day & the rest of the world including that little shit Neymar can kiss my fenian arse.
Hail hail.

Devoy45
6 years ago

We were beaten by a better team. We can also play better though. It hurts. The second half gave glimpses of what we can do better. I don’t think our formation was right last night. Too much space for them down the flanks? Referee was strange. Sinclair got kicked, shirt pulled, the usual. Their first goal should instead have been a free kick to us. No major complaints. Don’t worry about it…disappointed but…That’s a tough one out of the way. None of us are used to being beaten 5-0 by anybody at home. Not since Hearts, 1895! Before my time bhoys!Neymar finally got booked for his usual stunts. Jackass (no, not Neymar) ran on to the pitch. A Hun in disguise? I don’t claim him as one of us.Please, don’t do it. Our fans were brilliant, full voice, right to the (bitter) end. We had done to us what we do to others week in, week out. I thought the weather conditions might dampen the South Americans but that made them quicker! Jings crivvens.
C’mon the Celtic. Hail, hail…

basqueceltic
6 years ago

We cant touch them,there is a chasm not a gap,and that’s not gonna change any time soon….humped 5 0 at home,our fight should be for third place and Europa.If not we will face these maulings on a regular basis in UCL.

ewanbhoy
6 years ago

that was brutal to watch last night. we were far too open and gave the ball away when closed down. the midfield didnt protect our defence, actually our midfield did nothing last night but Brendan has to take alot of the blame for what went wrong last night….but i dont want to be too critical, it was just a sore one to take…..i thought we were much better 2nd half with Rogic on as Armstrong just isnt good enough at this level, dont get me wrong he is a great spfl player and plays well for Scotland against the smaller nations but that step up is too much for him….
but we move on and we will learn and be better next time

HH

mike
6 years ago

The auld adage you look what you are… Regan Mr. Wispy, he ducks he quacks, he tells lies.
Mr. Petrie, from day one the Hibees fans hated him, saiz it all.
Mr. Milne, a wizened shrew, Mr. Shrew how do you do, I tell lies I’m telling yoo.
You would never ever shake their hand, you would never accept their company, you could never take their advice.
PSG were good, Celtic were mince, we GAVE them two goals for nothing.

Honest Hoops
6 years ago

Yep…..the better team won….but it still hurts like hell.. yes,there was faults all over the park but we move on, we must learn from it and I for one, still intrust in the job Brendan is building

Mike Bhoyle
6 years ago

Where to begin….
First up….They were brilliant to watch…and we wurny.
In fact for the first 45 mins….we were fuckin’ awful…no other words for it.
Our two main out ball players…Roberts and Sinclair…were completely shackled by a hard working PSG team …who really surprised me with their work rate…it was phenomenal.
BR has to take some of the criticism…but at least he managed to turn it round a wee bit in the second half…but just a wee bit.
What do we take from the game…?
Well I’d like to take something…but I can’t.
We were totally outclassed…and I don’t give a fuck about what PSG might do to other teams as well…I only care about us..and based on last night’s performance …we have a long way to go.
Oh and for those fuckers who celebrated the result last night…maybe now you’ll see how bad your team is….when the best team in Scotland, by miles, can be humbled like this.

BJF
6 years ago

Ironic that it was PSG that responded to the Celtic atmosphere last night. Move over Barcelona there are new kids on the block and boy can they play football. I can’t believe Ralstin, Briwn and Roberts are getting pelters for last night, is there anything about PSG that reminded you of Hamilton accies?
We are in a two team league, 4 points against Abderlecht and we will PROGRESS, of course Abderlecht might go to Paris and cuff them and take 5 of Munich in Belgium and pigs might fly.
Yes Boysta’s pace might have helped a little and Dembelle’s class but Gruff gave everything. We shouldn’t think of Barcelona years ago but last season and how we responded to that.

6 years ago

Caption: ” Your fae the rough favelas of Brazil.? is that right, Aye well I’m fae Glesga ya horrible wee prick,so get tae fuck..”

tony carlin
6 years ago

caption: Ralston to Neymar “Yer Maw!”

charlie
6 years ago
mike
6 years ago

😉 The space that appeared on our far side from the main stand first half was like the Sahara desert, no wonder Armstrong was taken of at half time. Young Ralston will learn from their first goal, to keep your eyes on yer man, he allowed Nae Mair Neymark to get in front of him and he took his shot well. I.m not so sure Cavanni’s heeder was meant, it seemed to come of his lug, a fluke methinks.
Sumo gave them a goal with his stupid arm wrestle and an own goal, yes they are a good side, but we should have been better, much better.
Brendan will accept responsibility for not bringing in a new centre half and wee Paddy was guided into the outside every time he took the ball. So as good as they were, we were as bad and that is my only consolation, we will be better next time.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

So is Monti…..a lump of a mahn but he is shite at fitba. 😉

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Bowls? Wtf?

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Indoor bowls ffs, that’s for auld people.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

I have been told that I look mucho younger, mid 50s in fact, cannot argue with that but mibbee I will be getting nearer the ground sooner rather than later.
Mind you good craic makes your heart beat faster, just like Susanna ggggrrrrr. 😉

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

50 stone?

charlie
6 years ago

its ma biffday on the 22nd nov ma biffday wish is celtic bring back mikey galloway tae bite naymars wee shitey arse

Doc
6 years ago

That was utter garbage, one of the worst performances i’ve seen. We started badly and then got worse. We seemed to stand there and let them do what they wanted and when we had the ball we were horrible at the basics. PSG went three nil up without getting out of second gear.

In the second half we changed shape and started well, we matched up for a bit and we created a few chances, PSG also had chances but they were made to work for them. After half an hour we took Griffiths off and it went the same as the first half. We showed them for too much respect, that wee prick at the end summed it up, he might be worth £200m but money doesn’t buy class. We should have got into them from the start.

Gordon – 4 – Bad at the fourth goal, would have done well to stop the first, not much he could have done for the others.

Ralston – 4 – Not good enough at this level, hopefully soon he will be. Showed more heart, spirit and fight than the rest of the team. A lot of potential, needs more game time.

Lustig – 3 – Passed well but still not a CB. Posititioning, tracking and marking all poor, still in RB mode, can’t seem to differentiate the positions and adjust his game to match.

Jozo – 4 – Defended well at times but pure stupidity for the penalty, could have cut out the fifth but no one would have expected a finish like that from that angle.

Tierney – 6 – Gave the ball away and got skinned but grew into the game and improved as it went on, played some quality passes and defended very well. Slow start, got good.

Roberts – 3 – Sieve. Constantly lost the ball, made a few good runs but with no final ball. Passing was abysmal, defending was poor. Huge let down, one to forget.

Ntcham – 6 – Started slow with some poor touches and slack passes but got much better. Defended well throughout and played some quality passes in the second half.

Brown – 7 – Our best player, our best passer, always available, defended very well and worked hard throughout. Seriously let down by his teammates.

Sinclair – 5 – Had some really good moments and some really bad ones. Very disjointed performance, made some runs to nowhere but also forced them to make a top class save.

Griffiths – 5 – Worked hard, good free kick but poor corners. A lot of movement but their defence was top drawer. Very hard task alone against a defence that good.

Rogic – 5 – Kept the ball well at times but passing was very poor. Put pressure on their midfield but they just moved the ball quicker.

Forrest – 5 – Not much to do, didn’t see much of him though he linked well with Ralston. Couple of poor passes but still much better than Roberts.

Armstrong and Edouard – ? – looked like we were a man down when they were on the pitch. Armstrong hid when we had the ball and looked like he was trying to mark Brown when we didn’t. Edouard was caught offside very easily twice, played a simple pass to PSG and was contained without effort.

Rodgers – 3 – Got it wrong badly, waited too long to change and when we did improve, made a change that made things worse. Bringing on a teenager who is on loan, playing against his own club and not speaking a word of English summed it up. Not a good sign if we can’t motivate players for the biggest games.

Maybe the expensive three match package will become two or one match thanks to the moron that ran onto the pitch. Embarrassing.

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  Doc

goodness gracious you

Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  Doc

Harsh but fair there I reckon.

broxburnbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Doc

Yes it was all our fault. PSG just took advantage of our mistakes. Get real Doc, we were played off the park in the first half by a team that is in another universe of football ability. Yes we played badly and improved a bit in the second half. It shows the gulf that financial resources of an unlimited nature can bring. I think we can learn from how we tried to play them and be a lot tighter next time we play them. That said lets be real about it. They were a much better team on the night and they punished every minor and major tactical and playing error.

Doc
6 years ago
Reply to  broxburnbhoy

In the 1st half we were played off the park by a team that didn’t get out of second gear, They played the odd quality pass but also made mistakes. In the 2nd half (for half an hour) we upped our game and so did they, they played some wondermoves but the higher pace caught some of their players out of position when we won it back. They are not perfect or unbeatable.

We seemed to set up for containment rather than getting a result, like Rosenborg 1st leg, but after 15 mins the house of cards came crashing down.

We lacked any fight or competitiveness. Ralston was the only one that showed proper bottle and it put neymar off his game, did he look like a player worth more than Ronaldo or Messi? I don’t think he did, he misplaces passes and ran into trouble and he got that frustrated that he started his antics.

Thiago Motta is a guy with a temper issue, when Sinclair got round him he resorted to shoving and shirt pulling. We should have been in his face from kick off and making the most of the set pieces that he will definitely give away. Instead he had the easiest game he will ever have at that level.

It is going to be an uphill struggle against PSG but we didn’t help ourselves, we helped them look good. There is a huge financial gulf between ourselves and St Johnstone but it didn’t stop them getting a result two weeks ago.

Some folk talk up our opponents and I don’t see why. Rosenborg aren’t CL, I said after the tie they will be UC group stage at best. PSG are quality but are they as good as the Man Utd, Barca or Milan teams we have got results against? I don’t see it.

On these occasions we need to be at our best and we weren’t. How many of our team tried their best and done everything they could?

Mike Bhoyle
6 years ago
Reply to  Doc

Could dispute some of your “marking” …but I won’t.
The rest is spot on…including BR. criticism.
And yes…we were up against a terrific football team…
But that disnae mean that we canny pass a baw…put in a tackle…
or play remotely like we can.
For all they were very good…we wurny.
End of.

50 shades of green
6 years ago

Caption.

Hey fanny baws I thought you’d be taller.

charlie
6 years ago

heers wan for any tims oot ther feelin down

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie
Admin
6 years ago

Where to start?

8 games since a non qualifier win at home in Europe.
The fortress is but a distant memory.

The shape of Celtic was a self inflicted wound last night. the 4-2-3 hourglass gave PSG so much space on the sides that poor Ralston had no chance up against Neymar and his mates. Roberts tried but he is not one you want to depend on for cover.

Armstrong was powderpuff and playing 4 attackers against that side seemed foolish even before kick-off. Sadly it was. McGregors tenacity would have helped but even he isn’t a tackler. Only Broon can tackle in our side and hes not got the legs up against such players.

It was Seller Plate Handicappers versus Thoroughbreds last night and they would have won regardless but Brendan has to do better tactically, saying “They were like 12 years olds at times” comes back to his drilling rather than the players.

Playing your right back at centre back, playing a young boy on his debut against one of the worlds best and playing 2 central slow midfielders with massive gaps does not help when up against quality opposition.

Saying we will learn is all well and good but theres a time and a place and we need to adapt to survive now and again,

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

ffs desi efter yer first post a wis gonny say PISH but efter yer second post ye know that anyway

6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

I think another cb would have made a difference don’t care what anyone thinks. Also think if wgs was coaching last night it wouldn’t have been any more than 3-0. I don’t think Brendan has it in his locker to set up a condensed defensive unit. Though I prefer Brendan’s philosophy

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

wot makes you think anaebody cares wot you think lance

6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

I do Charlie I care. I don’t care if anyone doesn’t agree yeah I can hold my hand up and say. There’s nothing we can do to stop the inevitable thrashing. Bullshit. Not one of us thought what happened last night would happen, but it did. Forums are for asking questions, regardless of whether they’re being heard or not. Believe it or not social media does have an effect. Billy Davies is blaming Hun trolls for not getting the Hun job. I don’t want to be negative. But I’ll have my say

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

We know you care Ian, Charlie is still hurting just like us, your right not one of us saw that coming, you expect at least some of your international players to turn up, not one did, they looked like the Norwegians team last night and Brendan made some mistakes to, we WILL get better, I’ve no doubt.
You must have your say, your opinion is the same as ours, it all matters.

6 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

Didn’t do his homework or the team wasn’t compliant. Don’t want the club to be the Stirling Albion of Europe. Settle for Motherwell not Stirling Albion. Clueless and gormless

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

Tom English said 5-0 on BBC Scotland before game,Owen Coyle said no chance of that,heart and head…..

Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

There is definitely a question mark there.

Im nearly 50 and yet to see a Celtic side that went out “Not to lose a game”. The Celtic Way is all well and good but sometimes pragmatism has to take over idealism. Romance doesn’t score goals but blindness helps the opposition.

Scott MacDonald was good on Radio Scotland after the game being positive when talking of how Rodgers wants Celtic to play like PSG but doesn’t have the personnel but happily highlighting that the teams who have had big Euro results in recent past like WGS’s Celtic have played it tight and on backfoot and hoped for a break or a chance to come along.

Folk can argue all they want about what they would rather see but I would be happy to see a team ready for the opposition every time, adaptable and flexible to suit different tactics

broxburnbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

Do you mean The Wattynacchio system deployed by oldco on their European run?

Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  broxburnbhoy

Not at all.
There’s a difference between shutting up shop and closing down the game.
Watty favoured miserable fitbaw in every game, hoping for penalties or a lucky break.
WSG ordered a team to match the opposition and force mistakes where possible, theres a vast difference between keeping it tight and abandoning all hope.

For one example…Why have 2 slow central midfielders when the opposition are quick lively and make full use of the wings and overlaps. If we had some energy there we might have been able to get in their faces more rather than stand off, but all we did was concede massive amounts of time and space.

broxburnbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  broxburnbhoy

Agreed Desi – apologies I was being flippant

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

Desi mond,
No matter what system or personnel we chose last night, we were getting fucked, that’s the way it is…..or do you know how to run a team better than Brendan?

Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Of course I don’t.
Doesn’t mean to say I cant say “Look Brendan…there was massive spaces here…why did you help it happen or not do anything about it soon as possible?”

Brendan is 20 yards from my seat, he couldnae miss the glaring issues especially space allowed down the wings last night. Poor Ralston had no ideas where to go given the number and movement of his opponents and ROberts and Sinclair on wings are not defensive enough against such a side.
The talk of better second half, sure, but game was done and PSG were on Pipes and slippers by then. We need to be up for it correctly in all aspects for every game regardless.

Im hoping this is a wee wake up call of sorts. Hopefully Herr Sevco will reap the repercussions and Anderlecht

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

So do you not think sometimes against that standard of opposition, you simply are forced to play in a manner you wouldn’t normally?

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

mbappe looked at that wee crackpot as if to say

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie
Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

One of my favourite films Charlie!

rebus67
6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

Desi,

Apart from what happened on the park last night, there were two depressing events. One was BR’s comment about 12 year olds…I agree he has to accept responsibility for the formation and why it did not work, AND why it was not adjusted to protect the flanks.
The second depressing event was the nutcase who ran on the park, almost certainly causing us another UEFA fine. He should be banned for life, and sued for part of the fine. It was all about him, and not about the club.

Rebus

mike
6 years ago

When Irish eyes are smiling,
sure, “tis like the morn in spring,
in the lilt of Irish laughter,
you can hear the angels sing,
when Irish eyes are happy,
all the World seems bright and gay,
and when Irish eyes are happy,
sure, they steal your heart away.

But when Irish eyes are cloudy,
you better stay the fuck awayyyyyyyyy.

TicToc
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Ha, 🙂
HH

Admin
6 years ago

They were some side though.
I reckon we could have played with 12 men and they with 10 and still scudded us.
At one point there was 4 Celtic players harrying 2 of their players and we still couldn’t get the ball off them.
Tight wee triangles, moving WHILST passing the ball, waiting till very last second of attacker commiting then playing the pass, sublime stuff.

A totally different league and no mistake.

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

How many times did they intentionally play 1-2s off OUR players.
We were ragdolled by an exceptional team, but you’re absolutely right Desi, the tactics called for staying in the game as long as possible.

Monti
6 years ago

Henke,
Those tactics would have been spot on tho if we had the personnel to action it.
Staying in the game is surely a priority 🙂

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Welcome back big stuff.

Monti
6 years ago

Cheers comrade!

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

I meant to say, even though while we were watching in horror, did you like my half time text? I thought I had been posessed.

Monti
6 years ago

I did lol

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

Yes,see what financial doping gets you,success…..until you get caught…..

alan
6 years ago

realistically we were never going to beat them but our failure to even land a punch is very grating.

lustig at CB is not an option at this level.

McGregor should have started. at least he might have got in their faces.

on the plus side, the two players who were best were too local boys who at least tried to take the fight to them. Ralston did as much as could be expected from a kid in an outclassed team and KT was good in the second half.

and neymar is an arsehole.

mike
6 years ago

Yeah they were good, as good as we were bad, the lack of a good centre back came back to bite us, Lustig is mince at C.B. always has been, Bitton was there he could have played and would have made a slight difference, Armstrong must have been ill. It was only in the second half that we improved…slightly, led by Brown, but your correct about the formation, it to was mince, I was certain that he would have gone 4-3-3 to give us a better chance and with two own goals? deary me, awful from the very start with many many mistakes, the only consolation, we canny be any worse…next time.

Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Place Lustig at centre back and as well as causing the issue of him not being a very good centre back you also have the disruption to the right hand side:

You take out your best right back defender,

You remove his chance of overlapping and helping the forward who ends up isolated and nowhere to go against 3 opponents

You remove a known proven relationship on the right hand side replacing it with a rookie and a guy who just returned and has played 70 minutes!

Hey ho..hopefully Boyata back soon and we can get last years defence back in place. Ralston may have to wait a while longer, or Lustig takes a seat which I think is option 2 at present but long term goal-wise it might be worth sharing their duties as much as possible.

Another thing on Ralston..looked like a shirehorse in frame compared to the sleek PSG frontline. Boy might be heavily built but his running style also seemed heavy. Maybe Ive just been watching too much Clare Balding!

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

Desimond,
I disagree regarding your points about Lustig, Mikel is a vastly experienced international defender, representing Sweden in that position on many occasions.
He may be more natural to RB but you aren’t talking about a novice in that CB position.

Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

No one said he is a novice, I said he isn’t a very good centre half.

Cartvale88
6 years ago

Caption
Better than Messie, having a laughabl!

Lawell should hang his head in shame, BR with his midfield set up was trying to protect the back line. Time after time players, Roberts, Sinclair, Griffiths were isolated at the other end with no support, surrounded by 3PSG players.
Celtic totally lost the midfield, which made them looked great, their midfield had nothing to do.
Ralston at least got stuck in, some of the others stood back and admired PSG
Thought the referee was a Dallas clone, more than once he ignored clear fouls.
PSG will win the group, but as last year will struggle to make the final.
As for the stupid moron that ran on the park, Celtic must do something about these fans, ban them for life and make sure the message is understood.
Desimond, yes they were good, but not Barca at their best. Look at MESSI against Juventus last night, sublime. Neymar not in the same class

Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  Cartvale88

Messi – class.
Neymar – class free.

No doubting that they are a good side who will only get better this season.
Be interesting to see a team like a Conte Chelsea play them or a dogged Juventus but after the 4-0 win it makes the Barca 6-1 comeback last year seem all the more bewildering.

mike
6 years ago

Young Ralston looks good for the SPL or even the EPL but again your right Clare for Europe? You could see the frustration on Paddy power, he always shows his disgust when he plays badly, we started like we had no midfield at all, they would have been better staying in the dressing room, he should have changed it from the sideline he does it often in the SPL, but he didn’t, many mistakes from everyone, we should have made it much more difficult, but they are a fine side, the C.L. winners methinks unless they get to arrogant.

mike
6 years ago

Ahoy there Fatberg approaches covered in rats with a tad of cockroaches. 135 tonnes of pure fat, fancy that, pure fat.
Made up of fat, condoms and nappy’s, how daft is that.
The condoms didny do there jobbies.
Monti shat in the lobbies. 😉

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

That’s not very nice, i think i’ll complain to the site moderator?

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

complain all you want, Ralphy and me we are like that… X.

Puggy67
6 years ago

Caption: Do you know what happened to the last mob that used money to cheat us?

PeteCon
6 years ago

Caption: “Ah always thought a Brazilian was a fanny with shaved hair…..Oh right enough!”

broxburnbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  PeteCon

Classic!

Puggy67
6 years ago
Reply to  PeteCon

Winner

Monti
6 years ago

Bondibrian,
I wish to unreservedly apologise to you and anyone else who might have been offended by my unacceptable post, in which i referred to your wife a ” boot “!
Not acceptable.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Yes, i was trying to spit the dummy oot and see how long i could last 🙂
As a few ex girlfriends of mine will confirm, i couldn’t keep it up for long 🙂

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

🙂

BondiBrian
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Accepted Monti. Lets move on.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  BondiBrian

Bondi,
Cool!

Monti
6 years ago

PSG were a painful joy to watch last night, excellent in everything they did, played football how it should be played, in total control of the ball & the game.
Neymar is a cunt who i wish to see buckled at some point during the season!
We must stay behind our team & manager, last night is just horrible to watch if you are of a Celtic persuasion, tactics this, selection that, it means fuck all if the best players on the planet decide they are going to fuck you Ron Jeremy style.
Now i know how some opposition players felt when trying to catch me in midfield during my youth…cough.
Mbappe, Neymar..the very fucking scary Cavani are fantastic players, but it was Rabiot in midfield who really impressed me, joy to watch how he manipulated the ball.
I never like seeing Celtic get taught a footballing lesson, especially at Celtic park, but we must learn and study PSG, everything PSG did last night was how it should be done guys, movement, pace, touch, vision and ENJOYING the game.
Brendan should use the video of that PSG performance and let the entire squad from youths to first team watch it again and again.
Growing up Michel Platini was a hero to me, he played the game with skill and fearlessness, as much as it hurt last night and i was hurt, it is very easy to applaud this PSG style.
Celtic must learn lessons and we will, we will be strong again.

Let’s pull together behind our team and manager!

Hail Hail!
Heads up Bhoys!

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Please moderator,is this language acceptable? Signed ex-Ger Gordon Ramsay….

Monti
6 years ago

Periodically?

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

69? He’s at it Weered

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

A fucking decade more like!!

Monti
6 years ago

*Buckled – East of Scotland term for leaving an opposition player unable to move after coming the cunt.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Weered,
If i was on the park last night i would have delivered a Ronald Koemanesque free kick to his bawz!

Devoy45
6 years ago

Not just last night but other games too, before you know it there are opposition wingers quickly into our penalty box. Is this a defect of 4-2-3-1? Our attackers are so busy attacking that a quick pass down the wing leaves us exposed. Last night there were huge green spaces for them to exploit, on both flanks. How can we close those areas down? 3-5-2 or the dreaded 4-4-2? We also need more midfield power in defence, not just attack. I’d also like to see two strikers, backed up by a stronger midfield of two defenders and two attackers. Probably we can get by with 4-2-3-1 domestically but last night our balance wasn’t right. Maybe 4-3-3 would also work.
Ross County on Saturday.
Gordon
Lustig/Simunovic/Bitton/Tierney
Brown/Ntcham
Roberts/McGregor/Sinclair
Griff

Rogic/Edouard/Forrest/Armstrong to figure
4-0 to the bhoys.
When Dembele is fit it would be worth having him, Edouard and Griff in an attacking three just for the hell of it! That would get the Frenchmen up to fitness levels quickly and I’ve always liked the idea of big striker/wee striker.
Our best hope might be to try win both matches against Anderlecht. Can we take anything from Bayern at Celtic Park.
I think the bhoys gave their all last night and we can’t ask more than that. Let’s see what happens with the rest of the CL. The result last night really surprised me. 5-0 at home. Didn’t see that coming.

rebus67
6 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Devoy,

You hit the nail on the head! PSG exploited our system last night using two tactics. Firstly, they noticed that the Fbs were not getting covered by Roberts and Sinclair or by Brown and Ntcham. Neymar was able to use his pace to go by Ralston for the his goal. Ralston should have been covered. Secondly, PSG used the diagonal ball to pull our defence apart, causing spaces in the penalty area. Neither Lustig nor Smimo are good enough to cover the gaps quickly.

BR has to look at this and I hope that he will. With BR I see his influence on the club as a process rather than a one-off impact. He is training players at all levels to play a certain way. We are seeing benefits of this, whereas there was no consistent forward movement under Deila or Lennon or WGS. The last two had an immediate impact but after that it was sideways and backward passing and dull football.

I am hopeful for the future. Afterall, PSG have players that are valued at about 10x those of Celtic.

Rebus

Devoy45
6 years ago

Yeah big Monti, the result left me “buckled.” Like you, I thought PSG played football the Celtic way (1967 style) Our bhoys try and sometimes do but against weaker opposition. No shame in that.

Monti
6 years ago

Devoy,
Of course it wasn’t pleasant to watch because Celtic were on the receiving end, but when a team play the way PSG did, you have to call it as it is sometimes, we are not at their level.
This of course isn’t a barrer to competing, getting close to them, getting the foot in etc.
I think sometimes we can over analyse things, look too deep, it is a waste of time, we got fucked off arguably the best side in Europe last night, i can accept that if it means we have learned lessons, approach etc.
The Barcelona’s and Real Madrid’s will not fancy PSG this season, that’s a fact.
HH

D J Smyth
6 years ago

Our only chance of ever mixing it successfully with the better clubs in the Champions League is to produce most of the players from our youth teams .
We will never be able to field 5/6 players costing us an average of £10 m each .
Even £10 m is far from guaranteeing success at this level.
Brendan Rodgers was right to play Ralston last night , Brendan needs to see how the youngster measures up against the best , Ralston although edges from time to time & caught out of position or on wrong foot nevertheless stuck well to his task, gave his world famous opponent a few anxious moments with strong attacking runs. Ralston was no better or no worse than the rest of his team mates . BR will expect him to move on , & benefit from last night & become the brilliant right back we al hope him to be .
Encouragement & support is what he needs , what he doesn’t want is to be labelled by a smart – arse nobody to be described as a shire horse & runs like one

rebus67
6 years ago
Reply to  D J Smyth

DJ,

Absolutely agree. Ralston was out of his depth a couple of times but he also played well at others. His surge into the opposition pen area was something to behold! He has the attributes to be a very good FB, and a better human being than “Nay Mare.”

Rebus

Monti
6 years ago

Would like to point out as well & even though i’m not his biggest fan, Boyata was out last night, Sviatchenko and Dembele.
We need to remember these things at times.
Ralston had a tough night but he will be better for it.
I remember plain a side from Glasgowin the Scottish cup, Govan Central they were called, played on red ash, i must have touched tbe ball about 3 fucking times in the 70 mins i was on, my point is you learn more in defeat and when you’ve been pish in a game.

rebus67
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti,

I bet you still have bits of blaze in your knees! I have a collection of gravel and blaze in mine…badges of honour!

The worst game that I had was the only one that my dad came to see me play. He arrived just as I was defending an inswinging corner on the goal line. I mistimed my jump and the ball hit the back of the net! I saw dad drive off after that. I never missed a header like that again.

Rebus

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  rebus67

Rebus,
I have no idea who thought that puting ash down asa surface was a good idea?

Macca
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Aye, and that playing with a “Mouldy” (Mitre Mouldmaster) would be good for you. One of them on yir thigh on a freezing Sat morning in January was our murder!

Macca
6 years ago
Reply to  Macca

“pure” murder

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Macca

Macca,
Was that the perforated ball that was brick hard?
Not nice off the nipple on a January afternoon 🙂

I remember one game where i got the ball of the nipple & a ball square aff the pus, in the space of two mins lol…..i wanted to pass out.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Margaret Thatcher? 🙂

TicToc
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Aye, Monti. We could now put ‘that old bitch’ down as an ‘ash’ surface and run and stamp all over her as she did us all those years ago.
HH

Monti
6 years ago

*A number of my old team mates would argue i learned nothing as i was still pish. 🙂

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Bowls? Ffs

monti
6 years ago

I disagree, Lustig should have remained at right back and Bitton put at centre back, what was going through Sumo’s mind when he pulled at the PSG player inside the box, a stupid goal to give away, the look on Lustigs pus when Ralston jumped over the ball for Lustig to knock in for an own goal, it was a pish poor team performance, bad enough without giving them two free goals. 4-3-3 should have been the formation and not to get in a new centre back was a critical error.
So nil points for anyone last night.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  monti

TEHEHE.

Devoy45
6 years ago

I played basketball in my younger days, before the 24 second rule which says you must have a shot on goal within that time.
I was small and quick and learned that the best defence is always a good offence. I could keep the ball and pass it but hated when somebody did the same to me. When I kept the ball for several minutes, the other team couldn’t score. The idea was to keep the ball, tire the opposition then head for a goal. Fun,but only when you’ve got the ball! PSG did exactly the same to us as we did to Hamilton a few nights before. What goes round comes round. Losing does often teach more than winning. I’m optimistic about this season, even in Europe, which for us might be the Europa League. I actually believe we are not far away from competing for that Europa trophy. I’m proud of our team, our coach and all of our fans but that one jackass last night. I remember the same when we beat AC Milan some years ago. Walking back from Celtic Park, those not at the game asked me only one question: Will we be punished by UEFA for the ‘pitch invasion’—just one jackass? Talk about pissing on our parade.

mike
6 years ago

As good as PSG were, to gift them two goals was ridicules, Sumo’s hand grab on there player and Ralston’s jump over the ball in the box for his team mate to knock into the goal,(the look on Lustigs face) crazy just crazy. I also think that Cavannis header was a fluke it came of his ear, none the less they are a good side, they got lucky to with Brendan not bringing in another centre back and his formation was guff. So we will improve, but after seeing a rubbish Celtic performance it is far to early to call PSG winners of this years C.L.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

There was nothing flukey about Cavani’s header, he meant it 100%
You would ave made a good striker….certainly have the nose to sniff out a chance.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

That coming from Dr. Spock just made my day. of course it was a fluke it came of his ear, unless he trains to do that, that said he is a wonderful striker looks a bit like you…. with hair.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mike,
🙂

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Er ear drum roll…..on cheese.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Fuck me it’s Jack & Victor

TicToc
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Weered, that’s FN excellent. 🙂
HH

jimmybee
6 years ago

Last night showed the gulf that is growing season by season by the big guys who can flaunt their financial muscle.
The only thing we can do is get to the top table,and dine.
This will be an achievement in itself come the amount of qualifiers we will have to play.
I’m just frustrated about last night,as the same players again tried to hide under the big lights. I don’t get it.
They are far better than what was on show,but hid and as Brendan said played like under 12s.
I thought he would have changed it after 20 minutes to be honest. But he must have thought get to h/t just the 1 down.
I watched a player called Graeme Sinclair give a job to do against Johan cruyff in the early 8os which helped Celtic win the tie in Amsterdam. His job was just to Mark cruyff whereever he went. He stuck to him like glue never gave him an inch.
Maybe it would be a better ploy to keep your back 4 intact and just pick a strong player to man mark. Ralston could have been deployed in that role last night he could have bitten away at him then changed with another player to have a go if he got booked.
It’s out the way and it was a game to nothing, I’m frustrated that on the night the players didn’t give it all we had.
Welcome back Monti but keep the nonsense about people’s wifes out. You are much better than that

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Jimmybee,
Thanks but i don’t need the wee add ons about leaving folks wife out of things.
Thank you very fucking much. 🙂

elcormaco
6 years ago

Winning last night was never likely, so I thought of some markers to see if even in defeat we could take some positives:

1. Score a goal – no
2. have 40% possession – no
3. None of their goals down to daft defensive errors – no, penalty stupid

Not crazy high objectives but by these criteria we failed. PSG to be honest were even better than I thought, we were never really anything more than a minor irritation to them, and it could have been more if they had wanted to raise the tempo second half. That said we didn’t play approaching our best – if we had we would still have lost but may have left an impression on the game at least

The only choices we have now are to 1. Play ultra tight – Lenny v Barca “Wattienaccio” or play more open and try to match up – as against Man City last year

The former means we may get a very occasional win but abdicate any pretence to have a style of play, and the squad isn’t really built with that type or player in mind, the latter means we may get the very occasional win but more likely some absolute doings

For me, painful as it is, I’d rather see us continue like this, try to build personality into the team and accept that its more likely we’ll lose than win. In a way its very depressing, the gap is never going to close, but I m Celtic for life and would never have it any other way

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago

All this talk of Shire horses on here reminds me, where’s Charlie Saiz today?

Monti
6 years ago

In my back pocket…..

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

Maybe he ran on the pitch,oh please,please….

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