Well there you go.
One moment youre full of optimism and next moment youre watching Celtic getting played off the park in wee triangles throughout the so called depleted Borussia side whilst our only triangle was Gordon – Toure – Broon – Gordon.
At half time the scoreline was 0-0 and every fan was sighing in relief while shrugging in frustration. Our only chance had been a poor finish attempt from Scott Sinclair from a truly sublime pass from Tom Rogic. That was it for the first half and in fact, that was it for the whole Celtic game. The attempts on the opponents goals were rare, rushed, weak or from distance without any hope.
The opponents meanwhile pushed, harried and stretched our side continuously and as if that wasnt enough, they got handed 2 goals on a plate courtesy of Kolo Toure, a failure to anticipate the 2nd ball, Craig Gordons bowly legs and a severe lack of pace at the back.
Loads of questions can be posed after this dressing down, but the main one is can the side and management shake it off in time for Sundays semi final at Hampden.
Ratings:
Gordon – 6
Some good saves but the first goal flew through the keepers legs at his near post which should never happen. Distribution wasnt the best and this was actually a game where we needed a “sweeper keeper” as Broony should have been receiving the ball at the centre circle, not having to bring it out from 12 yards.
Tierney – 6
Not a great game and questions still being asked on the Tierney – Sinclair partnership for defensive duties, especially at CL or Europe level. The young defender got forward a few times and attempted to get into the game but it just never really happened.
Erik – 8
Our best player. Kept it solid and simple and was even bringing it out in the second half when pushed to the left of a 3 with Broony and Toure. Took some string challenges and was always in the battle. Leading contender for the next Captain.
Toure – 6
Who would be a football player? One half youre making amazing sliding tackles to save a colleagues embarrassment and then come the second 45, youre gifting 2 goals away and looking like an utter chump. Kolo has did well for us but given the reality after this result, his time on the bench as Jozo back-up and on the training ground as a mentor looks more likely from now on than any immediate chance of redemption.
Lustig – 6
Like Tierney, found himself restricted for getting forward and spent most of the game trying to identify which of the Borussia players rushing towards him to pick up. Does have a decent partnership with Forrest these days but those large gaps are still a worry on the right hand side.
Broonie – 6
Some will say he had a great game, always combatting and trying to be on the ball. Sadly this wasnt totally by design though and more often than not Broony was chasing shadows or losing possession to hungrier younger opponents. Ended up back in the back 3 to bring the ball out but when that removes your driving force from midfield its a little self defeating at times.
Bitton – 5
Played one great reverse pass which had fans applauding but almost every other touch on the ball resulted in a groan from fans before he was subbed. The ball would either go back, side or to an opponent and one shot at goal eneded up more like a pass to the corner flag. Bitton does not get the time needed to play his style of game at this level and any Brendan future CL side isnt likely to include such passengers.
Rogic – 5
Put the ball on a plate for Scott Sinclair to blast over and had some nice dribbles in between large periods of invisibility before being subbed in second half. Any hope of a Broony – Bitton – Rogic triangle or a Rogic – Sinclair – Dembele triangle soon disappeared with a pressing Borussia playing high up the park and refusing Celtic’s ball players any space for dribbles, turns and 1-2s.
Forrest – 6
Up and down the right hand side and given a lot of ground to cover which some of the fans around me didnt seem to appreciate. Had some nice runs and got a good cross in in the first half but was a fruitless task and was replaced for Roberts in second half.
Sinclair – 3
Awful and should have been subbed. The shot high and over should have been converted or at least tested the keeper and sadly that was the only memorable touch of Sinclair in the whole game. It was one of those terrible nights where the forwards touch was poor, he ran into dead end, he didnt cover back and when in possession, it was lost weakly and meekly. Really needs to take ownership much much more and he and Dembele need to work a lot harder on an actual partnership if they want it to be Brendans first choice and it was non existant tonight.
Dembele – 4
Could easily have been subbed given the poor impact Dembele made in this game. Moussa’s touch was poor, his attempts at fancy footwork went nowhere and he wasnt even able to get on the end of Craig Gordons punts when needed. Will hope to bounce back at Hampden but may not get the chance if Brendan goes with Griffiths.
Subs
McGregor 5
Came on and immediately gave the side some impetus in same spirit that Armstrong did recently. Sadly no end result was possible but the effort was appreciated by the fans who wee crying out for such drive
Roberts – 5
A brilliant run almost carved out a goal that would have made for a great final few minutes but the winger needs more time to make a true impact and might be hoping for start soon to unleash his dribbling talent.
Griffiths – 4
Came on in second half to play in a position that doesnt suit him and surprisingly did nothing of any notice at all. Will be chomping at the bit to get a start on Sunday. Likely to have to start on the bench but with every game, Brendan has a growing dilemma on how to fit Dembele, Sinclair and Griffiths up top.
Manager
Rodgers – 4
This week we had Brendans answering questions on finishing 3rd and playing in Europe after Xmas. He should know better than to get drawn into looking further than the next game only. The only item Brendan should have ate, drunk and slept for the last week or so was how to handle and defeat our CL opponents. On the evidence of this game, the management failed to do their job properly.
Borussia were faster in thought and on feet and this was a harsh reality check to anyone connected to our club BUT SHOULD NOT have been a surprise to the Manager. The side we put out looked, unsurprisingly, like a side that hadnt played together for weeks and were simply run over by clever and speedy opponents. I know folk will say “but the first half ended 0-0 and we gifted them their goals” but that just denial in my opinion.
We were never in this game and the managers decision to play 4 forward minded players in front of midfield and defensive centres both devoid of pace, was a mistake. I can accept Rodgers went out to win the game but his side were struggling throughout and we all know ending the first half level was a mixture of luck, last ditch tackles and Craig Gordon saves. There was next to nothing going forward and we didnt see the so called “variations in play” that have been heralded this season. Brendan also got praise for his subs against Man City but this time it seemed more “in hope” than “In strategy” and the whole night had that sense of “Who is doing what?” about it?
Lessons need to be learnt and questions need answered –
The first question is does Jozo come in for Toure now on so our future defensive partnership get more CL time together.
The next will be how to bring some defensive balance to a forward heavy Celtic side when up against quality opposition outside the SPFL.
The future questions will include who will fill the role of the robust central midfielder that we so sorely need, it isnt Bitton or Broony who seems destined for stepping back as time progresses.
Brendan has his work to do and its going to be interesting seeing the decisions he makes over the immediate days and weeks.
Fans – 5
Its all a learning curve for everyone including the fans who were heavily subdued tonight. We seemed to be in shock when in fact we had just allowed ourselves to be seduced by a communial over-hype that hid the true reality behind that Man City result. In that game the early goal helped our good but limited side find an extra yard with a baying crowd behind them. This time however, we watched in silence as a slow dull Celtic ambled sideways and back and the only sound we managed were sighs of disappointment after a rousing introduction.
What was happening on the pitch impacted how the fans reacted (imo) though I do think the players thought they had this in the bag from kick off, we should have went at that them straight away like we did Man Chitty and hit them hard, very disappointing
Wouldnt disagree with that.
We needed 14 players all giving 100% and shrewd tactics to help us deal with superior opponents and get all the fans fired up.
Sadly, game ( and opponents) passed many of our guys and manager, by and we all watched in the harsh silence of the reality before us.
We still only hope to become GOOD but still arent there yet, long way to go, maybe a few seasons.
We are the pot 4 team or have you forgotten. We played and punched above our weight against Man City, but tonight unless every player is on the boil then we will struggle. The Germans were fantastic to watch, the way they set out to nullify our most dangerous players was breathtaking. Not many will do what they did tonight.
So the play from side to side to rush wax simply the opposition had the better of us,and no players in our team could change that. Let’s accept we are the 4th team in the group,and that we San compete,to a certain level,but if players 3 or 4 don’t turn up we will be in trouble.
We tried hard,but we we were out played and out thought. Well done BMG
Yip. I agree about reality but I do think the reality was forgotten by everyone at our club: team, management and fans and at that level, its readily punished.
We are all on a marathon not a sprint but forgetting that now and again will cause pain like tonight
Hopefully a harsh lesson learnt and any complacency or thoughts of delusion are now replaced with a fresh grounding and need to step onwards and upwards.
Ive always said Nirs a good spl player but not CL young henderson must be groomed now and a partner bought in for the future hey wait young ager might fit the bill, The others have a chance with time imo
HH
jimmybee,
In response to your comment at the end of yesterday’s diary.
I was accused earlier of getting “Jolly” pessimistic on my Werthers but I thought I was being damn well realistic in pre-empting my possible disappointment at losing. It proved the right approach as I sit here not overly perturbed by the result and certainly not making rash judgements about the performances of players who had so over-performed in the previous game. We are simply not ready for the really big time just yet. Someone – and it could well be BR though I will make no rash predictions – might well take us to those heights but I fear there needs to be much change in the football world first. I keep harping back to the Lions. What an achievement in ’67, one that nothing can diminish and one that still gives me the utmost joy. However, those were different times and different circumstances and a whole lot of different teams. We were not at the foot of the money mountain in those days and though we are doing well financially today, we are plodding among the foothills in comparison to the “big boys” near the peak no matter or in spite of their enormous debts. Nor was Scottish football floundering to keep a step ahead of amateurism like it is today. Instead it could hold its own against the best and even beat World Cup holders no matter how unworthy they were of that title.
Tonight, I think, is a badly needed reality check all round. We really ought to accept by now just where we stand in world club football. As a club, we are head and shoulders above nearly all of them but as a team we hardly come up to the waist of most. Be real and the pain is easier to bear. It would be the same on Sunday for the rangers deux supporters if they ever could accept reality. Only in Scotland are we superior and yet it is a very sobering thought that even the weakest underdog can pull the most amazing results out of a magic hat. We have experienced it both ways, more than once in certain best forgotten semi-finals and at least once, more recently, against Man City. So, to be true to form, I urge everyone to be mindful of the ageing Doberman Pinschers from the south side.
Off to bed sucking a mighty powerful but droopy Werthers 🙂
H H
Well said ya auld sooker!
For next 72 hours the Media will have one agenda and that is “PRESSURE ALL ON UNDER PRESSURE PISS POOR CELTIC!”…its a trap to distract us and lower us into a dog fight.
Brendan and his Mgmt team have their work our to get our bhoys refreshed physically as well as mentally ready for being ultra professional and clinical which is what is needed for Sunday.
Desi,
I just saw this as I was taking off my long johns and putting on my nappy 🙂
I am not really concerned about Sunday. I think the players will be up for making amends. MY “late call” point was we should just be aware somewhere deep down in the back of our minds how wounded animals will fight to the death and we sure wounded some “animals” the last time we met.
H H
Aye thats what i mean about ultra professional and play so their passion for revenge eats itself and we dont lower ourselves into thinking we also have something to prove and let the passion overtake the professional and get diverted from our own plan and play into their limited needs.
I have no worries we can rise above their attempts but a media blackout for next 4 days wont do any harm for the squad 🙂
By the way, I could not agree more about the part the media will now play in hyping up the opposition while trying to deflate our players. I think it is often only in our minds we see the down side and if Br and his team are any good at all, they should make sure of this. Diminishing the enthusiastic support of fans is the biggest threat from the media.
H H
Meant to say, I always enjoyed being underadog – oops! an underdog 🙂
H H
Results don’t really matter in the remaining games in this group, I believe. Trying out Simunovic, McGregor, Henderson and others at this level ought to be the first step to really improving from a position of weakness to become a better team.
Congratulations to BMG. They deserved to win and did.
Disappointed anytime Celtic lose bit i was genuinly impressed with German side tonight, sometimes you can over analyse our own team and individual performance, yet sometimes you are just well beaten by a better team.
The quality of high tempo passing and movement by Borussia was excellent.
No complaints at all from me about Celtic tonight, two Toure errors and they were punished, that’s the CL for ye!
Heads up Bhoys, we are a pot 4 team, suck it up and go again.
HH
The high pressing attack from the back game is hard to sustain as it demands great energy and concentration and ultimately good technical skills and an ability to execute them under pressure. Celtic players or at least some of these players are nowhere near that level. BR knows this.Rangers (or whatever you want to call them) will be inspired by our performance last night so Sunday is certainly not a foregone conclusion. Could go either way and whatever way it goes is likely to be close.
The Germans did to us what we did to Man city! they were all over us when we had the ball causing mistakes in all areas of the park.Fair to say we were beaten by the better side,Having said that as was mentioned earlier we are a pot 4 team and I think that was shown tonight.I do think we will learn a lot from tonight and be better for it i’m all for attacking football but felt in doing so we left ourselves badly exposed and no dig in the middle.
That is a very damaging result on many levels. If the team are praised to the rafters for getting a point against City, at times that reaction was embarrassing, then they need to take soem criticism for the preparationa nd display last night. Too much blather and bluster coming out of Celtic Park. The last 15 minutes or so, having gone 2 down was not only embarrassing it was shameful. The team showed nothing and wanted to get off the park as quickly as possible. To defend a 2-0 defeat by playing keep ball at your own 18 yard line as you are terrified is shameful. You would have thought an ‘up at at em’ approach could have been adopted then. But no! We were treated to nothing. No pride, no fight, just get me off this park. It was one of the worst things I have sat through at Celtic Park. Good job most ‘supporters’ were obviously too busy tot ake this in and had already decided to leave.
Rodgers gets far too much praise for not achieving very much and the support are often Sevco-esque in their ‘in we trust’ pish he looked seriously out of his depth last night. His tactics were appalling. We were lucky to get off at half time at 0-0 as Celtic were exposed time and time again and the manager appeared to be waiting until they scored to change it. then he seemed to chuck it , as did the team at 0-0! No midfield. As for the supporters. They chucked it after 15 minutes! As the realisation collectively hit that we were completely out of our depth. The German supporters must have been wondering what happened to the Celtic supporters and why have they been replaced by a SAGA holiday mob. That old Fortress Parkhead stuff will not wash for another 5 years. Remember this mob play Dortmund.
As for your ratings. God you are kind and obviously taking into consideration previous games. Toure was Celtic ‘s best player by a country mile. His mistakes were Ambrose like but he kept Celtic in it, covering for Big Erik and Tierney, who were missing for the entire first half. Too many emotional decisions in your marks. Tierney deserved a 2 on last nights performance. Toure a 5 and he was the best player. Rogic, Bitton and Sinclair 3 between them. It is no embarrassment to get beat by a German team. The manner of the defeat was embarrassing.
the next three games will be a chastening experience. We will ship over ten goals in these games. But at least we are in it, I suppose.
Harsh but fair. It could be a damaging result and this is where Brendan will need to earn his money and get the heads up for the next game.
I thought Erik did well and whilst Toure did somethings great he was also shown up for the 35 year free transfer reality. Tierney has a lot of pressure thrust upon him and the side with Sinclair so high makes him even more vulnerable to attacks, nerves and mistakes and the central mid being slow and unable to get across also doesnt help our fullbacks
Im glad folk are praising BMG for that showing and no signs of “what if”. Acceptance is final stage of grief process and lets hope everyone can move forward asap.
I heard a great crash last night. It was all of us coming down to earth with a big bang. Outclassed, outplayed. Toure might be Efe’s love child. Toure has made some big errors in previous matches which went unpunished. Simunovic should now be Sviatchenko’s partner. 4-2-3-1 leaves our defence very weak against good teams. Need a rethink. Our European dream is over and many many thanks to Brendan and his team for getting us there in the first place. Now we need to be realistic. Sevco on Sunday? Brendan needs to do his homework. The Huns won’t be as easy as last time.
p.s. Last night’s rightful score should have been 0-0, not a great result. All praise to Brendan for getting us into the CL in the first place. We will improve. It should be fun. It would also be fun to pump Sevco on Sunday.
If it was not for Toure in the first half it would have been worse than 2-0. The score was about right, if a little flattering to Celtic who deserved absolutely nothing out of the game. Newco will be boosted by last night. It exposed a lot of weaknesses. It also asked questions if Celtic are up for it when things don’t go exactly as planned. They will come at us fast on Sunday and will be confident of scoring. if they score first they will shut up shop and try to hold out, hitting us on the break. Celtic may find it difficult, especially if they play with the same level of commitment and fight that they showed last night. Pumping them does not make up for last night. Beating them 10-0 could not make up for last night, it means nothing any more. For them it is everything. They have nothing to lose. We have everything to lose. It is us against City. Would take 1-0 right now.
I think Jimmybee and Monti called it right, Sinclair ( best player in Scotland) didn’t play well but he wasn’t a 3 and still did as much if not more that Jamsie.
We are where we are and I would have settled for qualifying for the CL, we are at an early start in the Ridgers revolution. We have cup semi final in Sunday, I thought some players looked a bit tired but Brendan doesn’t tend to rest players, we shall see.
The media will do what they do but they are only going to set up our opponents over the next few months, we are just so far ahead. For Europe we need two more Sunclair standard players, on in midfield, one up front but it will cost.
Sinclair may be the best player in Scotland but ask Kris Commons how that works out when it comes to playing European opposition.
Sinclair should be inspiring and carrying others through these games but is not and its a niggling worry that he wont be able to step up from best in SPFL mark when needed.
Desi,
Commons would have to be picked first though ( Maribor) to try and influence a European game.
Right?
He was inspirational enough against Man City!
But how long will the Rodgers revolution last? If it becomes apparent which it will very soon that Celtic cannot ans will not compete because the money is not there, then Rodgers will take the first decent offer that comes his way. He is a very ambitious man and will not hang around to win the SPL or the League Cup. Winning the treble in his first season will bring an end to his tenure at celtic Park quicker than anything. We are miles away from qualifying for the knock-out stages and he probably will never be given the money. I don’t doubt Brendan is enjoying his time at Celtic but I don’t for a minute think he is in it for the long run or for anyone else but himself.
Pish
I think you to a certain extent are right about that.
The Celtic novelty will wear off in time and I too think this is a career stepping stone for him before he goes back into the money pit down south.
Enjoy it while it lasts I say and don’t expect too much in terms of us inm Europe because that gap has become a chasm with the lack of dough we have to compete.
Reality sucks but it is reality.
Sinclair performed against Man City so he is more than just a player for Scotland, we are in pot 4 for a reason.I think panicing at the first puff of smoke or the second of you include the best club side in the world is daft.
We have improved tactically, in terms of players in the squad and motivational ly . It is a process and I believe we are at the beginning, think of the ” Blesswd one” in his first season rather than Ronnie in his last.
BJF,
100%
Brendans still in the honeymoon period at Celtic that period as it has with all other Celtic Managers will come to an end soon enough and it is only then we can judge how far we have come form the previous incumbent.
Form what I have seen he’s not changed the tactics too much(or the shape for that matter)from Deila.
The level of application and player applying it has though.
btw I thought the level of pressing was poor last night and Dembele very lazy in that aspect.
Not first time it’s been noted either.
Griffiths at least puts pressure on the keepr and defenders whether he’s having a poor night or not.
Spot on Charlie. The high pressing game may be too demanding for a lot of players. Even BR was quoted as saying, and he was referring to the MGB performance, “If you don’t get your pressing right, they just play round you or through you.”
So it’s the right kind of pressing that ‘s needed, not just pressing. It’s really hard to sustain. Have a look at Liverpool, Spurs and Man City and they have players Celtic can only dream of. It’s hard to accept – Celtic will never really get beyond Scottish success because of the money pit.
Nobody is panicking. Most of us realise exactly where we are which is not far from nowhere. But a lot of absolute shite has been written and lapped up by everyone connected to Celtic and we have all sat back and patted ourselves on our collective backs for being so bloody good. the best atmosphere in Europe, a frightening prospect at home, difficult to beat at Celtic Park etc etc etc. We absolutely love it. Having out tummies tickled. We are even lapping up the ‘plucky wee Celtic’ tag which causes me a lot of concern. “We know we shouldn’t be here but welcome to Celtic Park. It’s a party’. It drives me nuts. And last night should put an end to that for a few years. If you take the praise then you need to take the criticism. Last night was gutless and unimaginative. With 13 minutes to go with nothing to lose, no real effort was made to even get one back. We were done, none of that 90 minutes stuff. Done. Chucked it. That was disappointing and a rip off from a Celtic team. I can take getting beat. We deserved nothing from last night but to defend getting beat to keep the score down is unacceptable. Tactically it was all wrong. Amateurish. The crowd knew it after 15 minutes that’s way it was as quiet as a church except for the Germans, who must be disappointed that they didn’t get to experience the famous Celtic Park atmosphere.
John,
A lot of shite has been written by you!
Borussia Mönchngladbach played fantastic football last night, they are clearly a better team than Celtic, as are Barcelona and Manchester City.
Anyone who knows football ( Bob and Charlie Saiz not included) will have appreciated the quality in the Mönchngladbach performance.
It has taken the German side years of building to reach that level of performance, it will also take 3-4 years of adding to the Celtic sauad, players who can raise our performance levels to higher degree.
The important thing is we have a young, hungry and proven Celtic manager, who wants to be here and wants to take the club upwards.
The board will help him all they can without ‘ over investing ‘ and getting the club into financial trouble.
Keep the faith Bhoys, we are on the right road to building a very good side, some defeats on the way should not distract us from that.
In Brendan we trust,
COYBIG
GET YOUR HEADS UP!
HH
e in Mönchengladbach
Bad Monti!
That will be why I warned you when the Draw was made BMG are no mugs Monti.
I tend to watch the sides we are drawn against before we play them.
That way I can form an opinion before a ball is kicked without making daft claims or poor predictions of scores 😉
No shock to me last night how they played bud it was however a disappointment how poorly we played.
But you my friend like myself no nothing about football unlike our armchair FAN
Know even
Take no notice Bob some of our support/fanbase like to put themselves up on a higher level of importance than others when talking about the Celtic.
It’s only an opinion bud and it changes nothing.
No please take notice Bob!
It was one of those nights.
Bitton and Brown were overrun in midfield,but really there was nothing Brendan could have done to change it. Oh for another Wanyama.
It was 2 mistakes by a player who I thought was fantastic,up until then. His reading of the game was brilliant and the reason we were 0-0 at h/t.
If only we could have got through the first period of the second half we would have been in for an exciting end.
But you cant legislate for poor decision making from your most experienced players.
We go again. 1 point may all we end up with but what a point it was. Football has been the winner in our group.Its been a joy even the heavy defeat in barca it is what it is,and we are who we are.Glasgow is Green and White.
Long may it continue HH
@Desi Mond A fair summation of the game I felt and you are spot on about the triangles they reminded me of the early Liverpool sides especially in midfield the way they moved it round us.
On the players several issues highlighted last night again that has surfaced over the past few years:
Not enough pace in central defence and I think Lustigs positional awareness is brutal at times all too often drifting inside leaving acres of room to drop a pass in there for the wingers.
KT has done brilliantly since he emerged but I think at the higher level he’s still got much too learn and perhaps having a bit of extra cover in behind him might be the better option or alternatively let Izzy play against the better sides till KT is right.
Gordon did well over the piece and whilst I agree he should have got a block on the first I felt he was a wee bit exposed by Sviatchenko who had a poor first 45.
Kolos second 45 surpassed that though hands down.
All the shite Ambrose get’s (still even when he’s not playing) at least he has recovery pace and can pass a ball too feet when required?
Over short and long distance.
Bitton is NOT a good DM.
Shite in the tackle,too casual in possession and can’t clear the danger when it is fairly apparent that is what is needed.
He needs punting IMO and replaced with QUALITY in there.
Again I know we have someone at the Club who could do that job better but unfortunately his career looks like it’s over at Celtic.
Brown as a result of how good they were and how poor we were ended up looking like a headless chicken on the night.
Not his fault he needs help in there and the arrival of McGregor actually helped his cause I felt.
Jamesie was poor I felt playing much like he has on and off the past few years and leaving Lustig a wee bit exposed at times on the right.
Roberts came on an worried them more I felt.
Sinclair on the other side did far more leg work I felt and contributed more to the team although he never had much success in attacking sense he still contributes closing down,pressing and generally making a nuisance of himself to defenders.
Dembele made little impact I felt though I’m not so sure lumping high balls up to him when he’s being marked by a 6’6″ defender was the brightest of moves (or tactics for that matter)?
I don’t see a partnership developing whilst the manager insists playing with wingbacks and wingers so he’s as well taking Dembele off and allowing Griffiths the freedom to exploit the space as seen last Season to greater effect.
If he doesn’t I fear the wee man might just lose the momentum he had at Celtic.
Dembeles still a good way to go at this level IMO and Griffiths has a wee bit more guile about him giving the time and space to do so.
I thought Brendan left the tactical change a bit too late last night and should perhaps have brought in Simunovic and went with a 3 pushing both FB’s up creating a higher defensive line in midfield.
This I felt could have broken up their attack more and giving Brown and Bitton/McGregor a bit more help in midfield.
They were well worth the win so no complaints there and certainly no suprises either as they were a dangerous side to start with.
I fear for the away game should the 3 that were missing last night return.
We will defo need to up our game before then.
Starting this weekend hopefully.
Ambrose get’s shite because he is shite!
Careful Charliesaiz or you will be accused of talking sense.
Yeah Monti, keep giving it your ‘In Brendan we tryst’, Sevco-esque head in the sand pish! Don’t criticise when it is appropriate to do so. That always works. Rodgers has just said something which should have everyone sitting up, ‘We need to invest’, ‘We are not good enough at this level’. He cannot work miracles and cannot make Celtic a Cl team without money. And even he would not be spouting the ‘In Brendan we trust’ nonsense unless he gets the cash and significant amounts of it! He can’t do it without money. He is not that good, no one is. And this will see him move in about 18 months because the boys in charge will not stump enough to keep him. And one big noisy crowd and a thrilling performance every couple of years will not keep him either. At times we have an overblown sense of our own importance and love to talk ourselves up. Results like this remind us where we are. The Germans won’t qualify for Europe next year. they will be mid-table in Germany at the end of the year. They are still miles ahead of celtic. No shame in that. But the lack of imagination and fight was shameful. And the tactics were very poor. If you had looked at the dugout and saw Ronnie Deila last night it would not have been a shock. Well most of them played under him. Rodgers simply cannot make these guys a decent European side because most of them are not good enough. And the others won’t be here long enough to bother.
In Brendan we trust!
That’s cringeworthy stuff Monti.
Is it?
Spot on! you can’t make a silk purse out of a sows ear
We are going to win 3-0 the away leg.
COYBIG
the most worrying thing about last night was Bitton. he was dreadful. gave away the ball any number of times and barely made a tackle.
he looked slow as an oil tanker and, worse, he looked lazy.
we need a CM who can close down and lead. and its not bitton.
in fairness to Gordon, for the first goal, I thought it took a nick off Eric and spun through his legs.
I agree with Rodgers getting little credit. he was way too slow pulling off bitton and Sinclair.