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Celtic Diary Wednesday November 1: We’re Getting Better

The run of poor results at home in the UCL group stages continued last night, but the run of poor performances was halted.

Celtic played with a confidence and an attitude that may not have been enough to prevent sliding to a 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich, but it was more than enough to convince those watching that good times are just around the corner.

A dreadful lapse in concentration and a possible handled knock on saw Bayern take the lead, dare I say against the run of play, in the first half, and it took until late in the second half for Celtic to find a way through when Calum MacGregor latched onto a James Forrest pass which can only be described as McStayian, to slot beyond the impressive Bayern keeper.

Was it handball ? Craig Gordon seemed to think so, but video evidence was inconclusive.

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I’d say that Gordons reaction makes one think that it was, but he would throw a wobbly, wouldn’t he?

After the equaliser, it looked  as though the hoops could go on and win the game, but the Bavarians took only three minutes to find the winner, and although it was an excellent header under pressure, it showed they have that extra gear when needed.

Whereas Celtic simply have yet to instill the concentration required at this level.

But you feel its coming.

After conceding the defence could have folded, but it didn’t, and Dedryck boyata especially deserves praise for putting it behind him. Gordon went on to make a couple of decent saves, but both of them will be angry at themselves for not dealing with the long ball, and will work on avoiding such a mix up in the future.

The two Bayern goals can be put down to a lack of concentration, the first a dreadful error as  Gordon and  Boyata failed to take responsibility to deal with a fairly harmless looking long ball. The second perhaps requiring a little more work by Mikael Lustig to prevent the cross that did the damage.

But for most of us, it was the performance that mattered, and should Celtic go on and achieve a decent run in the Europa League, last night will be remembered as the moment the players began to believe they could do it.

Celtic are now officially out of the Champions League, with PSG and Bayern Munich going forward. I don’t think anyone expected anything else, but the Europa League is well within our grasp, with one point required from two games to make certain.

It’s worth noting that very few pot four teams progress into the Europa, and also you may wish to consider that of the teams who came through the qualifiers through the champions route Celtic are the only team to have won a game…

Breaking into the elite from a position such as Celtics is not easy, and will take time. Maybe a couple or three years, but the signs are there that it will happen.

The manager seems to think so..

“The disappointment in the changing room shows you how well we played.

“The level of composure and quality we played with, I was very proud of the team. We caused them lots of problems. Individually, of course, they are world class and you can see that at times.

“We are disappointed with the goals. You get punished at this level, but overall we looked like a proper team who are developing at this level. 

“There there were so many positives from the game and it’s a huge step for their confidence.

“Apart from the two goals we conceded, I thought defensively we were very, very good.

“We played our shape very well. We blocked spaces and pressed the game at the right moments.

“When we had the ball, we found the gaps and played very, very well, so it gives you confidence.

“As a team they showed a high level of tactical idea and technique to play.

“Right across the team, I was really, really pleased with the co-ordination and how they worked the ball and played with that composure at this level. 

“It’s another step for us in terms of being a competitive side playing proper football at this level.” 

He’s not kidding.

James Forrest was outstanding on the right, offering pace , drive and more often than not an intelligent end product. Calum MacGregor showed that he is an essential part of the team at this level, showing how to keep the ball and dictate the pace.

Keiran Tierney showed grit, spirit and no shortage of ability, whilst Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong will have Bayern players looking over their shoulders for weeks, afraid that they will see the Scots  launching themselves at them and screaming “haw you, thats mine” .

The manager looked ahead…

“PSG will be a big test for us again, but we come back here for the final group game  and we want to achieve what we set out to achieve, which is to have European football after Christmas.

“If we can do that, it’s a great marker and a great measure of how the players are progressing.

“The idea is to get there, first and foremost. There are still some crack teams who will be involved in that competition after Christmas.

“So for us we want to get there and get there playing a level of football that can allow us to go as far as we possibly can.

“We showed with that performance that we are improving our level at this very high standard.”

A point in Paris, or even a goal against them would be something to shout about. They’ve not conceded a goal yet…

 

Apparently seventeen English clubs watched the game last night, and this week alone has seen Arsenal, Everton, Manchester united and Liverpool linked with Keiran Tierney and Moussa Dembele.

Mark Ogden of ESPN summed it up…

GLASGOW, Scotland — It can be a double-edged sword for Celtic to be playing against the likes of Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

The Scottish champions certainly need the competitive challenge — Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Kilmarnock was a record-equaling 62nd unbeaten game in domestic football — and Celtic Park truly comes alive when European football’s superpowers come to town.

But playing against the best also provides a showcase for Celtic’s top players to prove they can cut it outside the less-demanding arena of the Scottish Premiership, and that, ultimately, leaves the club vulnerable to raids for Brendan Rodgers’ leading lights from wealthier outfits south of the border in England.

It has been a well-worn path over the years. Historically, the likes of Kenny Dalglish, Charlie Nicholas and Brian McClair have left Celtic Park for the biggest clubs in England, even when Scottish football could compete with the best around, and the direction of travel has rarely been in a northerly direction.

But the success in recent years of the likes of Victor Wanyama, Fraser Forster and Virgil van Dijk having left Celtic for England — they all took their first steps in the Premier League with Southampton — ensures that almost every English top-flight club watches Celtic regularly in an effort to find and claim the next one to roll off the production line in the east end of Glasgow.

Some may have made the trip to Glasgow to check out the talent in Bayern’s ranks, but they will all have left with the names of at least six Celtic players in their notebooks capable of performing in the Premier League. Kieran Tierney, James Forrest, Callum McGregor, Moussa Dembele, Stuart Armstrong and Dedryck Boyata all showed their capability of performing at a high level against Bayern, with Tierney and Forrest, in particular, outstanding against Jupp Heynckes’ men.

It’s as though Lennoxtown is merely a training ground for top EPL sides, and yet although the media may believe that, there’s something different not that Rodgers is here.

He’s yet to sell a player he wants to keep, and the list of players who have signed improved and longer deals at the club is unprecedented in history.

He wants to keep them, and they want to stay.

Thats why the good times are just around the corner…

 

Though we do need to stop being so nice to these teams..

Thanks for having us tonight @celticfc, all the best with your final two @ChampionsLeague group games 👍 

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Monti
6 years ago

The only thing Boyata ” put behind him ” was the ball, he isn’t good enough, he needs to be fucking sold, maybe we should have kept Efe so he could ‘ work on his game’? FFS?
He sold the jerseys last night, he has done it before last night & will do it again…why? Because he’s shite!
Look at the effe…ct it had on the side, they were stunned by it & took a wee while to regain composure.

Get him tae fuck and buy a decent defender or two for fuck sake.
HH

john young
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Don,t agree monti mix up apart he was terrific,I thought the back4 were all very good against a quality team.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  john young

You are entitled to disagree, John!
HH

D J Smyth
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti , have u been on the glue . Every player in the world makes mistakes .

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  D J Smyth

Oh aye, here comes another internet hardman….’ hard as nails ‘ i suppose?

6 years ago

Monti I look at this way boyata needs a general playing with him. He’s not a lost cause. Simo could be that guy but he only plays fifty per cent of the games. Same could be said for bitton. We can’t have both of them playing at the same time. One great can and we are nearly there.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

Iancelt,
He isn’t good enough m8, i’m not going to change my opinion on him.
It’s a trust thing m8, i don’t trust him when it matters!

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Iancelt,
You have to be ruthless in football, brutal, no matter how unfair it ma be perceived, if a player let’s the team down,if he is costing the side, sell him, get him tae fuck.

Morto
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Personally I thought, other than the horrendous lapse, that Boyata did well.
I understand your stance that he’s not good enough so we should get rid but we can only do that if we have someone else to take over which we currently don’t.
Do you have someone in mind?

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Morto

Morto,
We seem to be linked with Filip Benkovic, the young Croatian defender, hopefully there is substance to the link.
I don’t think there’s any doubt this are needs to be filled with quality.

D J Smyth
6 years ago
Reply to  Morto

How often have you watched Filipino Benkovic for whole games ? Have u seen him often enough to know he is better than we have ?

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Morto

D J Smyth,
It wouldn’t be hard to get better than what we have, two are injury prone & the other one isn’t good enough.
I have seen Benkovic several times, a very good defender.

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

monti ur you a hun

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

No, but i am sober!

6 years ago

Centre back

Mickelele
6 years ago

Loved the McStayian quote lol. What Rodgers has done with these players (deila era) is remarkable. A propper coach who is at a club that gives him time to coach which is a dying breed these day due to the money in the game now sadly. All the Scottish boys were magnificent last night. Usual lapses in defence are always our downfall though.

Level 5 plant
6 years ago

Boyata made one mistake which he should have dealt with. He didn’t sell the jersey, he was immense and will learn from his mistake. Some people just love a whipping boy. #Invincibles

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Level 5 plant

You’re deluded!

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

ha ha ha ha am startin tae think yoor the level 5 plant monti

Celtic
6 years ago
Reply to  Level 5 plant

“Some people just love a whipping boy”

Nailed it. Right there.

6 years ago

Also John Kennedy need the bullet we need a better defensive coach

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

Iancelt,
I’m fairly certain that JK isn’t encouraging the central defenders to duck out of heading the ball when it is there to be won.
I’m sure he isn’t telling Boyata to let the ball bounce into the path of the fastest guy on the park, then chase after him.
It’s not JK’s fault m8….it’s Boyata’s inability to do his job & head the fucking ball away!

Morto
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

And isn’t Toure supposed to be doing the defensive coaching now?

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Morto

Good point!

6 years ago

boyata makes great recovery runs. His pace his second to none. Wish we could get a puyol type player

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

Iancelt,
He needs that recovery pace to cancel out his own errors, which he cannae cancel out because it’s too late.
As Chris Sutton rightly pointed out, ” He (Boyata) has a rick in him “!

Of course Sutton will be wrong as well….

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

does sutton play for celtic

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Naw but if he did we could play him at the back instead of Boyata!

6 years ago

Thought we were immense last night for most of the game, school boy errors cost us again big time, of the 5 goals Bayern have scored against us 4 have been headers.Forrest played possibly the best I’ve seen him play in a Celtic shirt, Mcgregor, KT, Broonie and Lustig had brilliant game’s…BUT…what did Sinclair bring to the game last night, he was posted missing for almost all the time he was on the park,he could have been replaced after 30mins, I’m not suggesting Hayes is CL quality but I’d certainly like to see him get a good run in the team and Sinclair benched for a while….KTF

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  KEIGHLEY BHOY

Keighley bhoy,
Agree with you on Sinclair last night, he wasn’t in the game.
Don’t know about benching him for a while, but i see what you mean, maybe needs to switch wings for bit or played in the 10.

HH

Cartvale88
6 years ago

Sorry at this level, concentration is the mantra, Boyata was found out, a schoolboy error.
The difference between Bayern and Celtic are the competition we play against, this weekend they have Borrussia, we have The Saints. Boyata would have got away with that in Scotland.
Our defence is poor and we need some quality at the back, whose fault is that?
Overall the team played bravely, Brown solid in midfield, Forrest excellent, as Tierney
What an atmosphere from the best fans in the world, their lot could not be heard.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Cartvale88

Cartvale,
Good post!

Broxburnbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Cartvale88

I think we competed very well against one of the best teams in the world. They have world quality players all over the park. While I understand the post mortem, the difference is that they have a squad filled with world class players. That said we played to our potential last night. Some players played very well some played less well just like every other game. I agree we do need a central defensive improvement and that said apart from the first goal they held up pretty well against classy opposition. I’m very proud of my team and our fans. I’m excited for the future and the team that Brendan builds over the next two years

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  Broxburnbhoy

ime wae you brox gee the team time tae develop ffs

The Central Scrutinizer
6 years ago
Reply to  Cartvale88

I hear this a lot about how if Celtic’s bread and butter competition was better we would be a much better team. This is a red herring. Personally, I think Celtic’s CL performances would be only marginally better if we played week in week out against a better quality of opposition. It certainly is not the difference between us and Bayern Munich. The difference between us and teams like Bayern Munich is the talent level of the whole squad. Celtic have some CL-level talented players, which is down to a combination of inherent ability and great coaching, but we do not have a whole team of them never mind a whole squad. This is down to one thing – money; specifically television money. Now that is something we can blame on the rest of Scottish football.

It was not concentration that was Boyata’s problem last night. Lack of concentration was not the reason why he misjudged the flight the ball forcing him to let it bounce. He was not undone by some brilliant piece of play from the opposition. The play that beat him was a punt up the field that anybody capable of punting a ball that far could have made. In fact, one could argue that Boyata faces that kind of play more often in Scotland than he would do in one of the top leagues! Despite this extra practice with punts, Boyata still managed to lose the flight of the ball. That’s a talent thing. I personally think Boyata will learn from his mistake and reach his full potential, but Boyata’s full potential is not world class, he’s no van Dyke. If we had more money we would not have had to sell van Dyke. If Scotland had a television market ten times bigger we would have much more money. All Scottish teams would have more money and they would all have better players who were better paid and van Dyke would have wanted to stay at Celtic because we are a great club with a great support and history. Within the structure of the modern game, the important equations like that really are that simple.

mike
6 years ago

I hate the thought of being critical especially when the players give so much and put in an effort that was a joy to behold. It was no surprise to see that both of the Bayern goals were conceded from central defence. I thought that Bitton was brilliant last night always gives 100% tackles and moving the ball from the back was brilliant and he was very brave, but there was no disguising the fact that he is not a central defender, they need to be good in the air especially at that level. If you are going to be critical then you would have to critisise Armstrong as well for the first 3min. miss.
Celtic’s 12th man put in an enormous effort an effort that matched the players, they were BRILLIANT, its no wonder that top players want to experience that atmosphere. The many EPL scouts that watched that game, will be informing clubs of the talent that our players have, I thought that once again K.T. was magnificent, indeed all the players were brilliant. Brendan once again showed the tactical nous that top managers have, we need to give him time to bring the 3 players that he needs to take his team forward.
Last night was a joyful experience, one to savour and I will remember it for a long long time, its the traffic that reduces the experience and diminishes your enjoyment, that said when you FLOAT home you are on cloud nine, that isny a carpet underlay or anything else. WE are Celtic and last night dispite defeat it was brilliant more please Brendan.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mike,
Thought the team in general were very good last night, like yourself i was delighted with Bitton’s performance, for a midfielder playing at the back he did a good job, as for Armstrong’s miss i don’t see that as a reason to be critical of him, it was early in the game and better players than him miss easier chances, however it was a chance.
Just to clear up my criticism of Boyata, i know he is going to cost the team, i don’t trust him….there it was again last night for all to see, big occasion, team playing well and then it comes, the big switch off, the expected mistake.
He isn’t good enough & i suspect Brendan knows this.
There is no witch hunt from me over Boyata, i am simply sharing my opinion that he is a weak link, if it was up to me he wouldn’t be at Celtic past the winter window.
Out!

Celtic support incredible last night!

HH

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

monti its no up to you so dry your fuckin eyes ffs

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Charlie,
Quiet now, my points are relevant!

BJF
6 years ago

The least I wanted was a good performance and a goal so that was OK. The first defensive error was hard to read from the stand, I haven’t seen it in tv but you just can’t switch off at this level for even a couple of seconds. The really good thing is that we were at this level for so much of the march. The crowd were fantastic although of course the opposition very professionally ignored the atmosphere as most top teams do but our boots were bound to be helped by it.
In the first half Forrest, McGregor and Lustig were immense Sinclair far from the man of last season. I thought Brown, Bitton and Boyata were excellent, apart from that costly error, and that is the issue, you just can’t have one little mistake in the CL well not against the elite. If Jozo had been fit would it have been different you just don’t know. I feel very positive about the Europa League though.

BJF
6 years ago

Bhoys not boots dammit!

Una
6 years ago

Caption: Phil Neville breaks his vanity mirror.

bawsman
6 years ago

Fabulous performances by the Development team and the Big team last night. The technical ability of the youths in Greenock last night was a delight to watch, I’m so positive the journey we are on will see us in the latter atages of the CL in a few years.

Yes, there will be backward steps and the odd stumble but EVERYONE at the club has bought into the direction we are headed in. We need supporters who will support, James Forrest was MOTM last night some amongst us would have canned him 4 years ago, ditto Callum.

Faithful through and through? Just look at the earlier shite posted on here after 2 great progressive (yes, even in defeat) steps last night .

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  bawsman

If Boyata is playing, there will be more than one stumble!

Monti
6 years ago

Very impressed with James Forrest last night, i felt James reached a new level last night, fantastic attitude, pace and quality final ball.
Didn’t deserve to be on the losing side last night, outstanding!
For me we have the makings of a very good side, we need to bring in at least one central defender in January, who will solidify this defence, pair him up with Simunovic who can hopefully put his injury problems behind him.

Iljas Baker
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Wishful thinking Monti. He is always going to be injured fairly regular. Just as Rogic is never going to be consistently good.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Iljas Baker

IIjas,
Hope springs eternal m8

chorleybhoy
6 years ago

Celtic competed last night we all knew that our defence would face a tough test, yes Bayern’s first goal should have been prevented but it was the second goal so quickly after Celtic’s equaliser that showed how desperate we are for a genuine quality centre half
nevertheless the stand out performances of Tierney and Forrest were a joy to see. Onwards and upwards
HH

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  chorleybhoy

Ahhh..it was ” the second goal “….lol lol
Fits the narrative i suppose….

Monti
6 years ago

The biggest surprise is that some are surprised that we conceded the first goal like we did.
Time to open your eyes Bhoys, Boyata is a weak link who has always been a weak link, getting by with him because Brendan get’s a performance out of him.
But it’s a performance veiled with concern, because the player is a weak link.

It was the same excuses being used for Awfy Ambrose, good pace, x amount of caps for Nigeria blah fucking blah…
I give you a 5 min spell v Fenerbahce….he is fucking shit.
The mistake Boyata made last night was EXPECTED by me, it’s what he does & will continue to do, just as Craig Gordon will invite pressure on the side by fucking about at the back.

But then at this moment in time i’m not a deason ticket holder….’ so wot does he know ‘.

Jeez.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Season!

Devoy45
6 years ago

Spot on Monti. Remember when it seemed only we two thought so highly of James Forrest? He made Bayern’s defenders shite themselves many times. On his game, he is unstoppable and he is on his game more and more often. We fought bravely last night and I was proud of the bhoys. Some bad luck at times. I think theirs WAS a handball. The Europa League will be rough but will also give us some good nights at Celtic Park. Here are the quality teams that currently sit third in their tables, to be added to the 24 Europa teams. Some may take second in their groups but here they are right now:
Celtic/CSKA Moscow/Qarabag/Sporting Lisbon/Seville/Napoli/Monaco/Borussia Dortmund. Nae bad!

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Devoy,
We aren’t there yet m8, if Anderlecht get an unlikely draw from an already qualified Bayern at home and we lose to PSG away, then it’s winner takes all at Paradise v Anderlecht.
I’m still a wee bit concerned…..

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Weered,
Not at all m8, just saying what i’m seeing from Boyata.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Devoy, I’m not letting you get away with that, I have been a James Forrest supporter long before I came on this blog, indeed I have spent a lot of time defending him from so called supporters who criticised him….a lot on other blogs, to say that you and Monti were the only two who thought so highly of him is wrong..in every respect.

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

LOL. Obviously doesn’t read our posts. Back in yer box Mike hee hee hee.

mike
6 years ago

Its the auld age that gets you and its clearly affecting Devoy and his attempt to…re-write history. I always thought that he was like…..Pensionerbhoy, but when I found out his age, I discovered to my…shock and horror that I was….. So i’m going back into my box….for now. 😉

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

You were right about Bitton, had a very good game and was very important in the run up to Calmac’s goal. James did well and it will help his confidence no end.
One other man who deserves great praise was the ref, thought he was quite exceptional.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Was thinking the same…Desi saiz that on the twitter feed and I completely agree with you, dinny laugh but…Craig Thomson the SPFL ref. his ref..error ee..ing has improved…a lot I think, by letting the game flow.. Jamesy was brilliant was thinking before the game that even before Paddy was injured that he, James would start the game. He brings that..heads-up ready to cross and he can pick out a player like a Paddy cannot, his wee chip to Calmac was brilliant, he will take like the rest of the team great confidence and belief from last night.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Replied but…mibbee see it later!!

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

He was already starting last night even if Paddy was fit. That’s why he was rested from the squad on Saturday.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

I know that, I thought that is what I… said. If I didn’t then that is what I meant, specsavers….here I come.

mike
6 years ago

Being a season ticket holder matters…..not, the mahn with the majical pen writes his Diary so that we can ALL join the conversation to express our views, it is a blog efter awe. How dull it would be if we all typed in the same pish like an acolyte of Adolf. The same views all echoing 100% loyalty to the Tic. Fuck that saiz I, cos if we all sing from the same hymn sheet then this place would lose its soul and I fur one would hate that. So a big big thank yous to the men that allow us awe tae express our pish.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mike,
It appears to matter to some on here if you ARE a season ticket holder, that was my point.
I concur with your post tho….

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti,

An awful lot of posters on here come from all over the World, ken that sounds naff but its true, they rely on the Diary for their fix and to contribute to all things Celtic. It keeps them a part of the Celtic family, they like us enjoy expressing our opinions. Season ticket holder or not, our hearts are filled with the passion of the Tic. we could never keep that quiet so you keep on expressing your opinions, if others don’t like it…tough. I like it and concur with most of what you say. CONCUR half a fraud and half a curry. 😉

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Thanks Mike

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

sometimes a think yees ar awe blaw fitbaw watchers oan heer

mike
6 years ago

Stout hearts that beat as one,
Bayern, thought the game was won,
disrespectful stories and media tweets,
our stout hearts kept us glued to our seats.

Our stout hearts beating on the park,
stout hearts making a statement on the park,
no matter how far the gulf in class,
our stout hearts proved they were not made of glass.

Our stout hearts that beat as one,
big hearts that should have won,
stout hearts that we egg-on,
those big hearts that beat as one.

Auldheid
6 years ago

Monti

The idea of selling Boyata is one that will not be entering BR’s head thankfully.

We are 1 CB short and selling the other one then expecting a totally new partnership to gell before (hopefully) EL games is absurd. We already had that situation in qualifying and that was hairy.

We need a foil for Boyata not a replacement. There is one on the treatment table and if anyone will be replaced it will be Suminovic because of the injury record.

Bawsman makes the excellent point about the benefits of patience in James Forrest who had a stormer.

Football is a funny old game because it demands immediate results but in real life only infinite patience provides them.

Take that lesson on board and you start to really appreciate and enjoy what is rather than get angry at what isn’t.

Needless to say I enjoyed watching last night.

Try Corinthians 13 if you didn’t. It’s all about supporting with love.

Changed my life and offered in that spirit.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Auldheid

Auldheid,

Monti makes a good point tho., Boyata is sometimes prone to making simple mistakes, although I agree that Rodgers wont be selling him…anytime soon. Sumonovic should be sold before him, to be available for selection only once out of every second game is not acceptable.
Brendan clearly is not enamoured with Sviatchenko. To have all three centre-backs out injured is not good and should have been addressed in the summer. Bet you that Brendan brings in one in January, this has been an ongoing problem since Van Dyke was sold and Denyar’s loan was up, a blind man can see that the central defensive partnership is a problem. Right backs and defensive midfielders playing at centre-back being utilised might be ok for the SPFL but will always be found out at C.L. level.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Auldheid

Auldheid,
Hi, I don’t agree at all with you, i have praised Boyata on here and no one can deny that.
However i have to call it as i see it and i don’t think Boyata is a good central defender, i think he can be useful in domestic competition but not in Europe, i think his positional sense, concentration and distribution is not Celtic standard.
The guy has had his good games for Celtic and who knows, maybe it is a more experinced defender to play alongside him in order to bring him on, but deep down i just feel the guy has the BIG mistake in him.
The effect of his error on the team last night was visible.

HH

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  Auldheid

see yon auldheid hees no daft

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

He isn’t…..no…..but…

Iljas Baker
6 years ago
Reply to  Auldheid

Wise words Auldheid. Wish there were more with such an attitude.

bawsman
6 years ago

Auldheid, totally agree, Brendan will coach what he has to their peak, we need to bide with him (and his players).
I was there the nights Billy McNeil fell on his erse to gift Milan an undeserved win and Dixie blast his penalty over the bar against the other Milan, they were worth persevering with because Jock made them better.
We might well never reach those heights but if you have not watched our development team robbed of at least 2 points last night against wee Bayern, do yourself a favour and do so, you’ll smile for a week at what is coming through the Academy.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  bawsman

bawsman,
GMS? Ambrose?
Brendan is a great manager…..not a miracle worker!

bawsman
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

He works on those he thinks/knows he can improve, moves on the rest.

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  bawsman

brendan asks them to gee there awe fur us and they giv it thats good enough fur me…….for now ha ha ha ha

jimmybee
6 years ago

We played a weakened Bayern team last night at home. Im sorry but that wasnt good enough.
A missed oppertunity in my opinion to take at least a point.
The first goal is hand ball no doubt in my mind about it but ffs schoolboy stuff from our keeper and Boyata has to take command unless of course Gordon shouted for it ?.
The second goal not a challenge goes in we have 4 players around him all ball watching just after we score,pathetic.
They didnt go up a gear Ralph sorry,we were just too easy.
Monti you said it all summer m8 we needed centre backs you were right then you are right now. I would hunt the 3 of them out the door.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Said much the same jimmy but…..The thing is that he cannot get rid of all three…..at once and Monti is correct that its been a problem since….well see if my post comes up….eventually.

jimmybee
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mike we have to address it quickly January must be the time to loan at least.

Broxburnbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

A weakened Bayern team? Not good enough? Jimmy get a grip mate. The Bayern team on the field last night was full of world class players. This weak German side are semi finalists at least and utilize a full rotating squad. Nothing weak about them. They will dispatch Anderlecht at home easily in my view. Let’s be more realistic here. Rather than bay about poor defense or this player or that player, kind of get with the program that the Club and manager are working on over time. We were slightly unlucky to miss out on a point last night against a great team. There is progress and more to go.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Broxburnbhoy

Of course we recognise the quality of Bayern but jimmy is correct, they were weakened, there two top strikers were absent, none the less the Celtic team who cost a fraction of last nights opponents did fantastically well. It still does not mean that we cannot criticise obvious defects in the team, only by recognising that can we improve and move to the next level.

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Did you see the details on James Rodriguez’s loan deal from Real Madrid? It’s costing more than the total outlay that Celtic pay in wages to the players

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

No it’s not.Celtic wage bill £52m.Loan deal 5m Euros per year with salary about 10m Euros per year.Are you doing Sevco’s accounts for this year?…..

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago

That’s Celtic’s annual operating costs , not solely players wages. The Rodriguez deal including purchase option is 60 million euro. So no, I’m not doing Sevco’s accounts, but you might be.

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

Sorry,my figure for wages is wrong.If you check the leaked details you will note that the bulk of the deal is if he is signed after 2 years.So ifs and buts,bandy figures about,how much for Dembele and Tierney in 2 years time,if available?

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

P.S.I would love to do Sevco’s accounts because it would be the end game…..

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

No never seen that henke but I did read that Bayern spend aprox £10 mill. each year on stadia maintenance. A different planet, planet….moneyball.

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  Broxburnbhoy

brox a agree sometimes that jimmy wan talks a lotta shite

jimmybee
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Just sometimes 🙂

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Jimmybee,
Exactly…..Boyata heads that ball away last night & the worst we would have got was a draw, a deserved draw.
Fine margins at this level, but that was inexcusable to not go and head the ball away, it should have been his natural action in that situation.
I’d be expecting JK to be having a few extra heading sessions with Boyata this week.

The more you watch the goal again the worse it fucking gets!

6 years ago

I can see both sides of the Boyata debate, he is still young and learning his trade, and with no experienced defender at his side to guide him it’s got to be more difficult, but i also see a bomb scare when there’s no need, last night’s howler is hard to accept, how anybody who’s whole footballing career has been at centre half can allow the ball to bounce when a simple defensive header was all that was required is beyond me, if it happened in last minutes of a game then maybe an excuse of tiredness or fatigue clouded his judgement, but that didn’t happen. Personally I’d stick with Boyata, but I’d be happy to sell Jozo as soon as he’s fit again, as good as he is, he can’t influence a game from the treatment room, far to injury prone, cut him loose and let somebody else pay him sickpay,and invest spend on a replacement. Monti, as you mentioned earlier about Sinclair switching to the other wing, I’ve been saying that all this season and some of last,defenders are wise to what he brings to a game in his natural position,but still think a rest on the bench and Hayes and Forrest as our wide men could really pay dividends, Sinclair needs competition, he’s become complacent i think…KTF

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago
Reply to  KEIGHLEY BHOY

Boyata will be 27 this month. Has a few brain freezes and at the level of last nights game, you’re always likely to be punished. Don’t get me wrong, he has many good qualities to his game.

charlie
6 years ago

hail hail henke same as us awe

Admin
6 years ago

A great night last night but result wasn’t any surprise.

We have players at a level where they will make mistakes or have wonderful games but then their performance level will drop, its just the way it is.

Top marks go to Jamesy, Callum and Rodgers and the fans. Stadium was truly buzzing and I cant recall hearing “Gaunnae sit on your arse” so much as it was truly an up on your feet kinda game. Kudos to Bayern fans tae, out in numbers and very vocal too.

A big well done to the rest of the team, even Boyata, Gordon, Rogic and Lustig who could have did more to prevent the soft goals. Special praise reserved though for Broony. To watch how he can take the ball with 3 players around him and pass it on and then make space to take it back…truly a CL level of player and one we should have coaching the kids asap.

As for the Season ticket holder jiber, to implement ball playing centre halves who can play at CL level will need serious money freed from the kitty. I just cant see Celtic spending it ( bar someone exiting for big money) so expect Boyata and a PL reject loanee or the boy from South Africa lining up come Spring 2018 by the looks of it.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

Desi Mond,
” Even Boyata “?
I was trying to no fall out with you this week….then this 🙂

C’mon Desi, he isnae gid enough ffs

Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

The guy made one mistake and even then Gordon made a complete arse of it and then Coman still managed to get the ball passed 3 Celtic players.

I can accept we could have better players at centre back ( and goalkeeping position) but for now, Boyata is the BEST centre half we have, Jozo is one of those players who gets better with every game he doesn’t play and should be filed under ‘Totally unreliable’. I cant see him or Erik being there by August 2018.

Boyata is no VVD but he does okay for me, all things considered. We will always have players liable to mistakes, so hopefully Brendan can find a suitable strongs stable partner for him and then they can really work on defensive actions and positions to prevent daft mistakes like last night.

I would also like a review of Lennoxtown and defensive training to see if any of these centre back injuries are possibly self inflicted.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

HAHAHA “Strong and stable” !!!

Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Shame the Tory lord left our board!

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

WOOOOHOOOO. Got ye!!

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

Could we possibly sign a young goalkeeper to provide competition for Gordon.My patience with him is wearing very thin.

salad queen
6 years ago

Never saw a booking last night. I’m I right,is it a record?

Monti
6 years ago

Thanks Mike

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

None required. Keep on posting how you…see it!

mike
6 years ago

and even IF you spend that money there is absolutely no guarantee that the players will be worth the money that they cost.
THAT is the rub…..but what we can afford is centre-backs who could be robust and available for…selection, he is absolutely no use sitting beside the support in the stands. Pains me to say it but..even centre-backs like Mulgrew who did a good job for us at centre-back and BBB Berra would be an improvement.

Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

There are a few issues though

In modern day football, the central defender has to be tall (usually), quick ( defo), and most importantly good on the ball to bring the play up to half way line. Not sure about Berra but a player like Mulgrew whilst good for us in siege situations, was also liable to try the 60 yard diagonal( aka The Caldwell Glory pass) which is no longer needed in todays game.

I can see Broony as a future centre half in the Mascherano mould, clever, nasty when needed and easy on the ball. He could give vital instruction to a player like Boyata too to ensure no concentration lapse. No doubt it wont happen but if NtCham can step into Broonys role in centre mid, one idea worth experimenting with I reckon if we cant get 2 stable centres who will be available every week.

bawsman
6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

Broonie gives away fouls in the middle of the park, we can cope wi that.
Broonie giving away fouls around the D or penalty box?

Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  bawsman

Aye but im thinking he tells Boyata to tackle who where and when..Broony can marshall space and keep attackers at bay or on weak foot rather than leaping in with 2 feet ( thought the ref was very generous in not booking him for one of those last night)

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

Sorry Desi but that is mince, Broony as a centre-back, next it will be Calmac. Broony is bringing the ball out from the 20 yard box and he is good at it, so we don’t need centre-backs to play out from the back cos he Broony already does it, but as a centre-back..no chance. We need only one…ball playing centre-back and one who can defend…robustly.
Mulgrew could defend AND play out from the back, players are out there we need to look harder to find them.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

I’d like to tell Boyata where to position himself……..Brussels Airport!

Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mike..it was merely a tinkering suggestion which also had the caveat of “no doubt never happen”

Broony does not currently bring the ball out from 20 yards, that’s the whole point of a ball playing centre half.The game has moved up the park. broony gets the ball at half way line these days from the centre halfs or full backs..if you watch Rangers, you willsee Dorans still run back to 18 yard line for the ball…dinosaur football.

You can keep your Mulgrew dreams mind, how many times you heard “Wish we had big Charlie back?” uttered by anyone bar yourself? Nae harm to him but I think we need a different style of player.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

And so was my Mulgrew mention, merely an example of how we could find a better player perhaps that would not cost a fortune. Central defenders have to be good in the air and not fragile either they are of no use sitting in the stands. They don’t have to punt the ball 50 yards, tho. sometimes you have to, to get the ball away from the danger area pdq, ive seen top centre-backs reduced to that and ive seen Broony back quite a lot to the 20 yard area. I agree with you that the game has moved on…for the better, but you must be solid at the back before you can move up to the next level and the centre-back position is a problem, one that hopefully will be sorted in Jan.
I thought Bitton was outstanding last night, but there second goal could have been defended better.

6 years ago

Great Game,Bhoys did well apart from one or two Severe Let Downs.The Usual.Boyata n Bitton need Gone.HH

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  YNRA

YNRA,
What did Bitton dae like? 🙂

Wisnae me
6 years ago

What happened to all you “park the bus” merchants from last week?

Celtic are trying to play good football (The Celtic Way) against top class opponents and sometimes we’ll get punished for it but sometimes, like last night, we’ll look like we can face the very best and go toe to toe with them.

Glad Tierney signed a new contract because he was absolutely immense last night and could challenge for the left back position in any team in Europe (but not Scotland’s national team, for reasons that are beyond me.)

Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  Wisnae me

We didn’t play a very lightly used back-up right back against a flying machine for one.

We didn’t play 5 attacking outfielders away from home for another.

We covered space correctly last night rather than chasing shadows for a third point.

There was a great example in 2nd half where Dembele stood on corner of 18 yard box and BM keeper was flummoxed trying to work out who to pass too as both his out balls were covered with 1 Celtic man..keeper ended up booting it up and out the park..

Wisnae me
6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

Agreed on all points, but I was getting at those who suggested Celtic should stick 11 men behind the ball at all times after getting a doing a fortnight ago on the off chance they manage to sneak a point or at least keep the score down.

Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  Wisnae me

Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  Wisnae me

In defence of Scotland selection

KT is so good that he is played on the Right hand side as there is no right back who can play there. A sad reflection on Scotland I know but I don’t think its the jardine\mcgrain scenario this time around.

If there duly comes an actual right back, then it would be interesting to see if Robertson, currently a Liverpool bench warmer if lucky, gets the nod ahead of KT for left back slot.

Big Derek Johnston makes a good suggestion (I know!) when he says it would be good to see KT and Robertson both playing on left side for Scotland..

mckenzke67
6 years ago

From Bayerns own website:
Jupp Heynckes: “We knew before the match it would be very difficult and intense. But the team did a good job for long spells, we let the ball do the work when in possession. Our positional play was good, we played well in terms of tactics. But there were also phases when we struggled, when our opponents upped the pace and pressed. But I think the lads really gave it everything and displayed commitment throughout. The main thing was to advance to the last sixteen, we achieved that today. Everything else is wishful thinking, it’s going to be hard to claim top spot.”

Devoy45
6 years ago

mike, my farming Fenian friend. I offer you my total apologies. I wish I could rewrite history though. I would begin with THAT European Cup final with Feyenoord when I was a young whippersnapper. However, you are now an official member of the Retro James Forrest Fan Club, founded by Monti and myself several years ago. I am also the ONLY member of the Efe Ambrose appreciation society. I can’t get Monti to join!!!???
I never knowingly would be rude to my elders, Mike. LOL
Warm wishes, Devoy

Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Devoy. I think Ralph started the EFE Appreciation Sociaty when he began the Diary, he loves the somersaulting bombscare

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Devoy….Your in my heart, your in my soul, love you to bits mate.

Tim Buffy
6 years ago

And if Armstrong knocks in the easiest chance of the night the least we get is a draw, Monti. More than one player was culpable.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Tim Buffy

Tim,
Agreed!

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

tim i concur but no wae monti ha ha

jrw
6 years ago

Missed seeing the game through work commitments, so reduced to following on BBC Scotland’s text coverage. Clear from the comments there and on here and on other Celtic fan websites that it was an immense performance. Shame of course about the basic errors, but that’s life. The key is to learn from them and make sure that they are less likely next time round. Remember a man of Toure’s experience made similar schoolboy errors last year. At this level careless mistakes in the danger area around the 18 yard box are very likely to end in goals. On last night’s efforts I’m sure we will raise to the same level against Anderlecht next month.

Tim Buffy
6 years ago

Although he’s often referred to as a young player Boyata actually turns 27 at the end of this month. I’m not trying to be an apologist for him but it’s worth noting that he’s only made 116 first team appearances throughout his career. Not a huge amount in a position where experience is regarded as vital.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Tim Buffy

He’s not good enough, 21 or 25 or 27 he’s not to be trusted.

Out!

Puggy67
6 years ago

Bit fucking doom and gloom today especially from the Last of the Summer Buckfast Brigade. Baby steps bhoys and girls. When you want to go from zero to hero in one jump you end up with a Pedro-phile (careful now) board making bad decisions. I’d say Brendan’s targets have all been met – granted 3rd isn’t nailed down. Europa league will give the team even more experience of the big time – still a young team by and large – and onwards to surely to goodness a lucky break in next year’s competition as having won the Europa we are in automatically. KTF HH

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Puggy67

PISH

Macca
6 years ago

Boyata = EfeV2.

Sinclair well off his game and done nothing all campaign Is there an issue there? (eg domestic? injury?)

Have to admit it was compelling viewing and l, like most, for at last 3 mins, thought we might sneak it. Team will grow in confidence in Europe from this but we badly need investment in the back 4

charlie
6 years ago
Doc
6 years ago

Not the result we wanted but much better, when i talk about competing at this level better than i had hoped for. Brilliant first half, so much going on i was knackered just watching it. Opened up in the second half and we perhaps made more chances though Bayern took the good one they had.

I thought their first had some thierry henry style ball control and Vidal was lucky not to get booked for grabbing the ball but the ref let the game flow and there was no teacher/pupil like telling off every time the whistle blew. It really helped retain the high pace of the game and while he got it wrong for the goal he had a really good game. Feels weird to be praising a ref but this guy was much better than the domestic dross we are used to.

The performance was much improved as we equalled or even bettered Bayern. Folk say its about the fine margins at this level and Bayern had an extra wee bit to see them through but if it weren’t for a couple of mistakes we may even have got a win. Armstrong missed a sitter early on and Boyata chose to stand still rather than defend, he looked as if he was in tears at the end.

Ratings:

Gordon – 6 – Made the saves and passed well, could have done better for the 1st goal, long ball was poor and couldn’t find a teammate most times.

Lustig – 7 – Showed how to defend against pace, defended very well, attacked well, a few passes went astray.

Boyata – 5 – Played well, passed well, defended well but made a brutal schoolboy error for the goal, couple of bad passes but had the ball a lot.

Biton – 6 – Defended well and probably had more of the ball than anyone else, a few bad passes and got caught under the ball for their goal.

Tierney – 8 – Defended very well and attacked very well. Dealt with Robben, worked his socks off the entire game though his passing was poor.

Brown – 8 – Wonderful, defending, attacking, with the ball, without it. One or two wee errors but probably the best player on the pitch.

Armstrong – 7 – Played very well, good passin and movement, done well not to let the sitter he missed effect the rest of his game.

Forrest – 8 – Brilliant game, though, like Tierney, his passing was poor. So effective both down the line and inside. Still don’t get why he gets grief from some.

Sinclair – 5 – Another quiet game in another big game. Passed well the few times he had it but was anonymous and missing most of the game

McGregor – 8 – Top game, passed well and moved very well, tired a bit after his goal, but caused them a lot of problems

Dembele – 6 – Made a few good runs and won a few headers but his link up play was shocking,

Griffiths – 7 – Don’t think he gave the ball away, he worked hard, harassed their defence and looked a real threat.

Rogic – 6 – Passed very well, though didn’t have an edge, much better than Sinclair.

Rodgers – 8 – Got it right and got the performance, maybe could have took Sinclair off earlier. Didn’t deserve to lose.

A huge leap in the right direction and leaves us with a few question: Are we having buyers (loaners) remorse with Roberts as Forrest was so good? Why can’t Griffiths and Dembele form a strike partnership? What’s wrong with Boyata?

A top performance and a real marker for us to work from. We will need a centre back (Hanlon from Hibs?) and work on our adaptability but we are going in the right direction. Brilliant performance that deserved a result but despite not getting one it was impressive and it was entertaining.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Doc

Doc,
Boyata-5?
Hahahahaha

Doc
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Credit where its due, he was one of the best passers on the pitch. A few years ago, Boyata defended well but was a bombscare with the ball at his feet, last night was the opposite, he was brilliant with the ball at his feet but made a shocking basic error.

Had he not let it bounce I would have given him a 7 or 8, just as Armstrong would have got an 8 or 9 if he hadn’t missed that sitter.

Boyata looked devastated at the end, he might even have been in tears. He knows he cost us a result and there are enough folk putting the boot in without me joining in.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Doc

Doc,
Well why don’t we all give poor Dedryck one big hug, what a wee fucking shame for him….
Where does this shite end, what will it take for some to see?
There needs to be a hardening of attitudes, Brendan took one look at Efe and got him out the door, that’s the way to do it, not good enough? Costing the club? Fuck off and keep fucking off, losing the club games? Fuck off! Out!

This is about Celtic, not Boyata, we need better than him.
Boyata reminds me of Frank Bruno, great physique and should have all the attributes to be great……but wasn’t!
All he had to do was head the fucking ball!!

If you want to give him a hug, on you go, i’d be getting rid asap!

Doc
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

It is a shame for him because he has worked hard to improve and yet he can still make a mess of it, he probably knows himself that he’s close to the door, if not going through it already.

We tried to bring in a centre half and it didn’t work out. Boyata is the only fit centre back we have, who should we have played? Throw Ajer in at the deep end? Play Lustig out of position again knowing it has cost us badly before? Play Tierney and give up on the left side?

I think Hanlon at Hibs could do a job for us and he’s only a year older than Boyata

charlie
6 years ago

last night was a great night in the holy ground and its only gonny get better COYBIG

mike
6 years ago

The thing that really sickened me last night was being told that Henke……….has got grey hair, its sad to think that someone you loved as a player has…..aged. So its not Henkesdreadlocks its Henkesgreyheed. Henkesgreyheed that has a ring to it don’t you think, does he need a pair of specs a walking stick and Viagra. One poster on here will need to change his….moniker.
Well naebody’s perfect.

mike
6 years ago

Henkesgreyheed. Dreadlocks are…….gone, my hero has….aged. like a fine wine, still got a gravelly voice that gets on your tits tho.

Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

A gravelly voice that gets on your tits

who this?…Susannah Reid?

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

HAHAHA Gies peace ffs. 😉 Just the mention of that wummin raises a…crease in ma breeks.

Bgbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Enough grey hair on Andy’s napper for Sutton and hartson too

Devoy45
6 years ago

Lay off Boyata. He has a lot of natural ability and can score goals from corners and set pieces. He is quick and a good header of the ball. He is a work in progress. Defenders often make mistakes at key times and places. Defenders must learn their trade and it takes time. We have time. Onwards and upwards. He heads the ball well, passes well and can get forward. He is young. Funny, this reminds me of the abuse Forrest used to get because of what he could not do well, not what he could do well.
Boyata’s man scored because he used his arm to control the ball. Not Boyata’s fault that the ref got it wrong.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Nurse Ratched…..oh Nurse Ratched

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Heard from a coach at Lennoxtown today that DB lost the flight of the ball in the floodlights but is taking it badly and taking the blame.It has also been noted,and not gone down well,that Gordon tried to blame him and made out his mad rush out of the box was a plan to allow players to get behind him,which worked,aye right.Take some blame Gordon,your distribution is a joke and behind the scenes,players are not happy with his “hospital” passes but don’t want to rock the boat.

6 years ago

Thought it was much better last night. However, Celtic were playing against a much weakened Bayern, through injury and the fact that they rested players to play Dortmund on Saturday and those that had played twice against Leipzig in a week. Rummenige said it all if they were playing against a better team they would have played a different team. Think what we did against Kilmarnock. That is what they did last night. Only difference they won. We drew with Killie and many said that was a reasonable result. James Forrest was very good, shame he won’t play like that again for about 8 momths. Boyata was shite because Boyata is shite. He is the only player I have seen at Celtic who has improved in the eyes of thew supporters while out injured. While injured last season he went from being Efe Mark II to a solid CB without kicking a ball. I don’t know how he did it. By the summer he was Billy McNeil crossed with Paul Elliot with a dash of Franz Beckenbauer. In fact he is a poor CB that would not get a game with the top 30 teams in England. This could have been sortd in the summer. Rodgers knows Jozo is a liability as is Boyata yet no signings. This was a third string Bayern team investment in a couple of competent CBs would have got us a point last night. No need to spend 30 million but the need to spend something was necessary. Too late out again. But if this is Celtic back in the big time some people are in for a very rude awakening. As for Scott Sinclair. Well what you are seeing is the real Scott Sinclair Have a wee look at his career. Plays well moves to Chelsea, not good enough moved to Swansea, Rodgers makes him better moves to Man City, nothing nowhere shipped out ends up at Villa. They are glad to get anything for him and then to us. He performs out of his skin last season, in a team that did not get beat (but with no competition). This season he has been rotten or missing. Empty jersey last night. He is done at Celtic, he will never play as well as he has. Sell him in January, if we get 3/4 million we will be doing well as no one rates him down south. Now I know the EPL is not the best league in the world but we can use it as a barometer of who might play well for Celtic in Europe. As fro Gordon and Boyata get what we can or let go. But the kind of mistakes they made last night they make most weeks in the SPL but the league is so shite they get away with it. They will continue to cost us in Europe. Boyata is just like Efe apart from the fact that Efe is actually a better footballer. Never mind we can dress this year up as progress because we drew Anderlecht. Imagine it could have been Spurs, Liverpool or Napoli! Now that was lucky. And we made Mats Hummells happy.

Tim Buffy
6 years ago
Reply to  john

John, is it being so miserable that brightens up your life or are you the Rev IM Jolly in disguise?

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  john

John,
Excellent post!

Bgbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Haha your at it

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Bgbhoy

🙂

Doc
6 years ago
Reply to  john

I thought I liked a moan but this takes the biscuit. Bayern’s team of multi-million pound superstars goes from “reserve” to “third string” in a paragraph. Bayern had players out but so did we.

After the Deila fiasco we want to be back in the CL but we have to learn to walk before we can run, we have to compete before we qualify. I think you are expecting far too much, far too quickly.

Yes, there were mistakes but it was much better than the 5-0 hammering you predicted, surely there are some positives you can find without adding a negative like “shame he won’t play like that again for about 8 months”?

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago
Reply to  john

Just fuck the fuck off jolly John. You are one miserable individual.

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  john

henkesgreynut i concur

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  john

Totally correct about Gordon,John,he’s an arrogant sod.Never seen him command his box or come out and say ‘That was my fault ‘.I know BR is watching him closely on and off the park……

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Rob O'Keeffe

” I know BR is watching him closely on and off the park”? Lol
FFS It’s Jim Bergerac!

Be honest now, apart from when the team sheet is announced for a game, you have NO idea what Brendan is doing or indeed, thinking.

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

I’ll be honest,don’t tell anyone,but I have connections at Celtic and ergo,Lennoxtown.Also,school friends that are in the MSM(don’t laugh).So,info is available and very interesting.See you at the game on Saturday?…..

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  john

John,
Just read your comment regarding James Forrest not ” playing like that for another 8 months “?
PISH!

6 years ago

So Boyata has been a work in progress for the past 4 years. He is going to have a longer apprenticeship than Ally McCoist. As Lambert said the other day the time is up for making steady progress to making an impact.

6 years ago

Someone gave Sinclair a 5. Is that a point for very time he touched the ball. 1 at most.

Doc
6 years ago
Reply to  john

I gave him a 5, an average and forgettable score which I think summed up his performance

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  john

Correct again,an unhappy looking player,form has dipped terribly….

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Rob O'Keeffe

Rob,
Why would Gordon be unhappy?
Apart from when the team is read out & Boyata’s playing

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Was talking about Sinclair,M…….

6 years ago

The bottom line is Celtic will not get out of the group stages continuing with players of the standard of Boyata. And the logic I keep hearing is well you could spend money but it does not guarantee that it will work. Is this really the justification for spending nothing. Will we simply play Scott Brown until he is in his 60s. Maybe Brendan can tell Danny to get stripped some Saturday afternoon. If Celtic do not spend some of the money they have earned on better players then the damage will be great when year on year we have to rely on luck to draw an Anderlecht or just accept getting beat in 9 out of ten games at this level. Remember, we may not even qualify if we continue to go with Boyata and some other cheap bozo.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  john

John,
You have nailed it, well said!

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  john

On the money……

mike
6 years ago

The sheer joy at Celtic park, if you cannot enjoy that then its grannies Heelin care hame fur yous, me, I love, love, loved it, the patter the singing YNWA et all fooking brilliant, better every day of the week than watching Fucks Bizz. in concert. The passion of the Celt. it made your heart race and fill with……pleasure, better than a ride of Sussana…..nearly. Good bad or….indifferent the players and we have some really good ones gave their….all. What mair excitement for the auldies with their bus passes and reduced Season ticket as well as a free bag of worthers and denture glue, nane of that pish needed by this young mahn. Hair styled by Loreal cos (I’m worth it) a full set of ma ain geggies and my breeks are dry……moistly. So what if its the drooping of your colours nothing that wee blue pill canny help, no that I need that Cough. But all in all a wonderful night at the home of real fitba. a real pleasure to see and enjoy. Hail Hail to the Tic. the home of real fitba. no the pay as you play brigade whove sold their souls to the money-pit.

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

oh mikey mikey mikey mikey mikey mike the fermer ps how dae ye dae they music notes

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

By…..eating lots of….beans. 😉

Gerry
6 years ago

The mistake Boyata made was thinking the ball was going to run through to Gordon safely; I have no idea if he didn’t see Koman or forgot that he is lightning quick, but he took a ridiculous chance and perhaps didn’t know where he was on the park. As said above repeatedly he should just put his head on it. At the end of the game that mistake had him in bits, and that either makes him a better player if he has the right mentality, or nothing will change until his next mistake. He is our best central defender RIGHT NOW though so until we have better we have to stick with him, can we get on with supporting the guy seeing as that is the fact of the matter.
Was surprised to hear he only has circa 120 games at the age of 27, half of them must be with Celtic. I’ll not miss him when he goes, but I’ll support him every minute until he does!!

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Gerry

” Didn’t see ” ” Forgot “? WTF?

If he’s forgetting what he has to do & can’t see the opposition players, it’s worse than i thought 🙂

” he forgot “?
Whhhhhhaaaattttttttttt the fuck?

Matt
6 years ago

Just a quick off field observation from another game that caught my attention this morning on BT Sport catch up or whatever it’s called.

Roma v Chelsea.

I only watched because Chelsea, that epitome of Kings Road Englishness (starting with one English player in the team and finishing with none) got well and truly skelped by a team who at last showed me what ‘Playing in the hole’ really means.

Watch this second goal by Al Shaawary and keep your eye on the celebrations by Perotti…..An education indeed and perhaps one that we will see emulated at football grounds across Europe as the lesson seeps into skills coaching schools.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73FZCvgq8y0&w=560&h=315%5D

Hail Hail

Matt

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