Celtics unbeaten run in the group stages of the Europa League continued last night with a 1-1 draw in the foggy surroundings of Guirgui. Unbeaten is one way to describe it. Uninspiring, unexciting and underwhelming also spring to mind.
Yet the hoops are on eight points, and are nicely poised to qualify, still with a fair to middling chance of winning the group, so why the long faces ?
Well, the disconcerting feeling is that we’ve made an arse of it again. When the chance to qualify last night disappeared with Astras late equaliser, which cancelled out a fine strike from Stefan Johansen just before half time, everything seemed to revert back to all the other games this season away from home , when Celts took the lead and went on to fail to win. five times in all, and on the one hand two away draws in the group, no matter who the opponents, is good going , yet theres a feeling we are missing something.
We’re not learning.
All the old ills were there last night, mainly a midfield who couldn’t hold on to the ball or pass it with any distinction, a forward who has decided that he is second choice in a one man front line, and thus couldn’t give a toss about what happens between now and January because he’s going to say he hasn’t settled, can’t understand the language and hates deep fried Mars bars.
When he was replaced by Leigh Griffiths, who deserves credit for his cameo, you could tell Scepovic has had enough.
Griffiths could have scored a couple, in fact he had the ball in the net, turning the defender superbly as the ball came across, causing him to take a tumble due to a lack of balance, only to see it ruled out when the referee remembered he’d got 1-1 on his coupon.
Theres no other reason the goal was ruled out. Sure, i’m a little biased at times, but there was nothing wrong with that strike. Griffiths explained what happened;
“I’ve watched it back and everybody in the changing room has watched it back and they said it’s not a foul.
“I knew it wasn’t a foul, I just stood my ground and the boy jumped into me.
“I read where the ball was going to go and I knew that he’d jumped awkwardly and was going to fall backwards and the ball fell to my feet and I’ve put it away.
“The ref didn’t even blow straight away, he let me go away and celebrate and then brought it back and started laughing about it.
“It seemed like every foul he gave against us he started laughing.
“It was a poor result in the end for us, we dominated large spells of the game and with the chances we created we should have walked away with the three points.
“It’s just one of those things and in our next game we’ve got to take three points to get through the group stages.”
Griffiths is putting more effort into his short bursts as a substitute than Scepovic does in full games. You could argue that the Croatian should have started against Inverness at the weekend, keeping him shar for the trip to Eastern Europe, but the difference in attitude between him and Griffiths should ensure that the Scot is ahead of him every time.
Since John Guidetti became the hero of paradise, Scepovic has realised he’s doomed to be a back up at best. Its all over his face and body language. Griffiths, however, has seen the adulation afforded to the Swede, and has decided he wants some of that.
The midfield worked hard last night, but tired towards the end. Johansen and Brown were harrying and chasing with some success, Wakaso looks to be improving every time he gets a start, and Charlie Mulgrew held his own in the anchor role. Calum MacGregor has lost the threat he carried earlier in the season, when he was a surprise package, and now opponents are aware of his movement, and largely play him out of the game. Experience in dealing with that can only come from playing games, but he needs someone to tell him what to do while on the park, and unfortunately, the two we have who can do this are both injured. Forrest and Commons know how to keep in a game, and that knowledge needs to be shared with Macgregor, or he will end up in the English first division, living in a flat above a shop in a dreary northern town.
Defensively, Celtic were fairly sound, but again there is that tendency to switch off, and at this level, that allows not only for chances to appear, but for morale to be restored in the opposing side.
Ronny Deila still looks like a man learning his trade, for which he cannot be blamed, but those who put him in the seat should have foreseen this, and a more experienced campaigner could have been given the number two job, instead of the anonymous John Collins, who would be better suited to the Motherwell job.
Or any other job, come to think of it.
Deila spoke of last nights game, and admitted we should be better at closing games off.
“Maybe we could have attacked more but we seemed quite confident and had control.
“I am frustrated by that and we have something to work on when we go 1-0 ahead.
“We have to keep on playing offensively instead of trying to win the game 1-0. We should go for more.
“The performance was OK, the results should be better.”
“It was two points lost.
“We were the best team in the first half we were excellent and scored a nice goal.
“In the second-half we controlled it quite well but they scored a fantastic goal.
“There was nothing we could do about it – it was a fantastic shot.
“But they didn’t have many chances against us.
‘We had enough chances to kill the game and to win it, but in the end we have one point and while I am not happy with that, it is better than nothing.”
The set up Deila uses is perfect for away matches in Europe. Had Scepovic been on target with his effort in the second half the game would have been over.
Then, a competent display of possession football would have seen the game out. Maybe even more goals.
Of course, that didn’t happen, but eight points from four games ? I think we’d have all took that at the start of play.
Red Bull are at Celtic Park in three weeks time. a win for Celtic will see qualification. Seriously, though, we won’t do it with just Scepovic up front.
In fact, if we went with two up front, and the diamond midfield at home, we’d destroy most sides. I know i keep harping on about it, but a big crowd, a different formation and a positive attitude will confuse the Austrians, and by the time they work out whats happening, we’ll be comfortably ahead.
According to the some reports, Feyenoord are prepared to pay Manchester City £2.5m for John Guidetti in January. Guidetti made his name at the Dutch club, and they are apparently keen to get him back.
Incredibly, you have to spend a few years at University to become a journalist, and one of the things they teach is to check the facts.
In this instance, the facts are that Guidetti is tied to Celtic until next summer. Manchester City cannot sell him to anyone else. He can sign a pre contract with anyone he wants to. but he cannot go there until the summer.
Anyway, he’s quite happy where he is, and even the Daily Record seems to have grudgingly accepted this.
Celtic loan star John Guidetti sets sights on
extended deal at Parkhead and says:
I want glory not cash
Well, sort of accepted it, Michael Gannon still toes the party line.
It would cost Hoops £5million to secure him in January and there are fears of a queue lining up to land him for free in the summer.
No, it wouldn’t. We don’t have to secure him in January. We do have to see what he would accept to join us in the summer though. and we do need to give him what he wants. but , frankly, we don’t have to give Manchester City anything, including a development fee, due to the fact hes crossing the border. ( See Joe Ledley to Celtic, as an example )
Gannon continues;
Guidetti could command a bumper deal elsewhere but is adamant his decision will be nothing to do with money.
Note the intimation that Celtic won’t give him a bumper deal-whatever one of those is. Being over the age of fucking seven I’m not entirely sure.
Guidetti picked up the SPFL Player of the Month award for October, and seems to be having the time of his life;
Guidetti explained;
“Of course I can see myself here next year. You can always see yourself at a club like this. It’s an amazing football club.
“If it’s the right thing I don’t think money has anything to do with it. As long as you can put food on the table and support your family.
“Of course this is my job and you want to be financially stable but you are going to be at a club like this.
“You have to look at all the options. I need to put myself in a good position by playing well. Celtic want me to play well also and just focus on this year.
“It’s my agent’s job at the end of the season. For me, when I look back on my career my dream is to play in the biggest games possible and do well, play for my country and win trophies and have a heck of a good time.
“When you look back you are not going to think that was a nice day when I got that bonus cheque. It’s about saying, ‘That goal was a beauty’.
“When you are talking to your grandkids you want to show them a nice goal on Youtube, not tell them about some contract you signed.
“I would give any amount of money to score a goal and celebrate. It’s the best feeling in the world.”
Then, an answer to an obviously planted question;
“The boys told me all about Seville. They told me it would be good to go far in the Europa League because back then was unbelievable.
“They told me how there was 30,000 in the stadium and 80,000 in Seville. Who could not imagine being part of something like that?”
Er, which of the boys could have told him that ?
That puts me in mind of the Kris Boyd statement the other day when he said that Celtic didn’t have players who had played in an “Old Firm ” game. And that would give Rangers an advantage in the upcoming-its three months away, but not in the minds of the MSM – semi final tie.
Well, if you discount the delusion of this being an Old Firm game, and the delusion of the team we will face even being Rangers, looking at it from Boyds somewhat warped view, he claims Celtic have a dearth of players who have faced Rangers in any form while wearing the hoops.
And thats why the mighty Gers have the advantage
If you don’ t count Izaguerre, Mulgrew, Matthews, Brown, Commons, Stokes, Forrest and Kayal he’s spot on.
Just to remind you what we’ve been missing, heres a spot of defending from David Healey, when James Forrest breaks out of defence;
james forrest is fouled by David Healey
Also in the Record, Craig Swan says the the two Glasgow clubs, 125 years apart in their ages, must ensure that real fans get semi final tickets, and not glory hunters.
The following night Celtic faced Partick Thistle in their last-eight clash and there were 16,000 there. Proper fans. The types who come out in midweek in the slanting rain and freezing fog for unglamorous games and back their teams.
When it comes to the big semi-final how many of them will be sat in the house unable to get their hands on a ticket?
Let Sports View tell you. Plenty of them. And it will be a scandal.
Remember what I said about journalists checking facts ?
The answer t his question is actually none of them. Celtic have already assured all those who were at the Partick game they will get a semi final brief.
But it won’t happen, will it? asks Swan , from his soapbox in George Square
Wonder if he’ll retract and give Celtic credit for sorting this out before the draw was even made.
Seriously, every time you read this sort of nonsense in the papers, remember it took them years of hard work to get to that level.
What were they like before they started the course ?
Last word goes to Swan, who asks you to ponder this…..
But here’s a thing. Last weekend at the darts at the Royal Highland Centre, the 16 best players in the world gathered to fight for the Masters title.
That’s the best 16 on the planet. Not second-rate individuals – the cream of the sport and each session lasted four hours plus.
Every fan had a comfy seat, a table, warmth, an alcoholic drink if they wanted one and how much did the whole experience cost? £20.
That’s right. Two tenners. Less than it costs to get into the average Premiership game where you sit in a freezing cold seat for 90 minutes. Just like some Rangers and Celtic fans did last midweek. The very ones who should be handed tickets for Hampden.
He’s got me thinking.
Yesterday I bought a loaf of bread
Cost ? £1.35.
Thats over £10,000 less than the cost of an average sized family car.
And I got twenty five slices of bread with that. and two outsiders !
Danny McGrain travelled to Albania without his beard prior to the European cup game against Partizani Tirana because beards were banned in those days in the little communist country.
That was so the police could tell what you were saying at all times, as anything anti establishment was an arrestable offence.
Of course , nothing like that could happen in this country, we have cameras on every corner for that sort of thing.
That seasons campaign saw Celtic face the mighty Real Madrid in the quarter finals. What team nearly caused an upset in the tie between the second round ?
Finally, I noticed in the news that Phil rudd, the drummer with AC/DC has tried to get two un named people murdered.
This just days after Highway To Hell was sung on the X-Factor.
Are you using this diary article to apply for a job with the Daily Record. give the guy a break – four games in Europe unbeaten? when was the last time we could say that.
I’ve got a horrible feeling we’ve blown it. Based on years and bloody years of us, er, blowing it Sure , four games unbeaten, and as I said, I’d have taken that at the start of play. But we are walking on eggshells.
Bad feeling you may be right Ralph. Last night an excellent opportunity to progress – we rarely do things the easy way.
Cannot see us beating Salzburg at home – by a distance the best side in the group. We’ve been poor or very poor in most European matches this season. If we draw v Salzburg then Zagreb can only beat us head-to-head or goal difference. So a draw, in my book, would be an excellent result given our form.
Tony,
There is every chance we will beat Salzburg,due to them having
already qualified.They have a top of the table clash,weekend after they play us.Here’s hoping they rest,their deadly duo,up front,Soriano and Alan.
Soriano,a player Lenny wanted,is a class act.It should also be noted,who can they score 5 goals,away in Europe ? Simple
really,they don’t alter their attacking style,home or away,with
Soriano and Alan causing havoc to opposing defences !
Just a thought.
I have that same feeling that this is not going to go well. If we loose to Salzburg at home, which I think is a very strong possibility, it means we go to Zagreb with them needing to beat us to go through…I reckon that could be a peeking-through-your-fingers game.
Dundalk nearly caused upset. A 3-2 victory at paradise in first leg and a very nervy 0-0 return game put us through.. Massive game against sheep on Sunday with 3 points a must before break.
Scepovic is a Serb not a Croat?
So he is. His name in cyrillic is Cтeфaн Шћeпoвић which looks Serbian to me. My bad. Lazy writing.
Glad you croat that sorted 🙂
Excellent diary,Ralph.
What a great point ! Smashing,super(Jim Bowen style).That was for Dan the Man,who said my post,after the game,was negative.However,constructive criticism,can in fact be a POSITIVE.Any Celtic fan that can shrug off,last night’s poor result,is living in cloud cukoo land.
My mates are waiting at Stanstead,to get their connecting flight to Glasgow.They are gutted.Some have been to a dozen away trips and not seen us win.
Astra are a very poor side.Sparky was a livewire when he came on,like the Partick game,and scored a good game.Scepovic needs time,although Guidetti has hit the ground running.Surely Scep is not going to be another Balde or Pukki.
There was no excuse last night,not to qualify,and be in a great
position.Scoring a second was our problem.Yes,they scored,a
wonder goal,like Maribor’s against Chelsea,but from the other side.
We have 4 strikers.Guidetti is class.Stokes has reinvented
himself,like Sammy,as a left winger.4 goals,2 against County is a poor return.Scepovic is finding it difficult,but there could be
a player there.This leaves Sparky Grif.He deserves his chance
now.
Would love to see Guidetti and Sparky together against the sheepies.It would also be great if Commons and Forrest could start,as well.
A big grudge game,we have to win !
Scepovic is a decent player but not a lone striker, he needs to be with a partner. Unfortunately that doesn’t fit with our current setup. Also needs game time ideally not in Europe to build his confidence
Doom and gloom again, who needs MSM?
More like a doze of reality,from Ralph.
Jim,if you are happy,taking a point,against a poor poor Astra team,and not qualifying,please tell me what pills you are taking ?
Not gloom and doom, just realism.
We are sitting on 8 pts from four games, when in all honesty, it could quite easily be half of that total.
Were we watching the same game last night?
Yes it was disappointing that we didn’t win and we should have killed the game before they scored, but look at the big picture.
We controlled the game, we played some nice football, especially in the first half.
Now ask yourself, is the team improving ?…yes, are we moving in the right direction?….yes, was it frantic defending?…..no, was the team disorganised?…..no, are we the finished article?….no but we are getting better every week and that is what matters, were not losing games, that is what matters, the players are playing for the manager, that is what matters, are the fans backing the team and manager?… No and that is a problem because we should be, well I certainly am and I hope alot of you start to realize that things are going the right way and its time you start supporting Celtic rather than slating the club.
Ewan,
Slating the club ?? So,is construtive criticism,by way of an opinion not allowed.Support the club ?? Yep,for 40 years,and
have had a season ticket for 30 years.Maybe,it’s I care too
much.Bigger picture ?? I support every Celtic Manager,and
appreciate Deila’s football philosophy.Last night,we played a very very poor team,and I blame the players for not gaining
the 3 points.
As said earllier,I have friends who were in Romania,and they are disappointed,big time.They should have been rewarded,
for their support,with a win.No ifs and No but’s……
our legs go everytime…even at the weekend. we dont have the stamina to last the full 90 minutes……..and again last night the same……whatever the new food regime is at celtic park ….the lads run out of energy around the 70 minute mark.
Its not the food regime, its the run about mad for 70 minutes regime.
Spot on Raymo, headless chickens chasing balls we ourselves give away.
Griffiths has to be given a run in the team. He may be a lot of things but a workshy, clueless fuckstick is not one of them.
The Thumb has been offering more in 15-20 cameos than Stokes and Scepovic do in entire games. Stick him wide and him and Guidetti will destroy teams.
Too many short passes, long passes and hospital passes. I wish Delia would put as much passion into the passing game as he does into fitness.
1-1 against the whipping boys is not good enough and I dont know what Griffiths has to do to get into the game.
Also thought Mulgrew was terrible also.
Thought we had 3 strokes of luck with the goal.
Firstly I thought the free kick was a bit soft, after Mulgrew terrible free kick the defensive clearance was bad and finally the deflection.
That said we are still in the competion but will have to sharpen up against Salzburg.
Lets call this what it was, unacceptable garbage. While we edged the possesion we, again, gave them time and space at the edge of the box ad infinitum. A decent team would have hit us for a handful, have we learned from the Legia and Maribor games, clearly not. Hoping the opposition can’t hit the target, or split the defence, from 25 yards is not a viable tactic.
Maybe this should have been todays quiz: Name a team we’ve played against in a UEFA competition, proper, that are worse than Astra?
I’m not sure, Cwmbran was a qualifier and i’m not sure about the Suduva game.
This was not a point gained at the Nou Camp or San Siro, thinking this was a good result is just another example of how far the bar has been lowered.
Aalborg were absolutely atrocious. Still drew 0 v 0 at Celtic Park & beat us 2 v 1 away…
Think our team was a lot better then and think Aalborg were a lot better than Astra, they got draws against Man U and Villareal and finished the group joint top scorers (I checked). Suduva was UEFA Cup proper. Either way, Astra are one of the worst teams we have ever played in a Europe, proper.
Totally agree,Doc.
Astra were piss poor,and should have been put to the sword.
Any Celtic fan,that can be happy,with a draw,must be easily
pleased !!
Yes, this was rubbish again, as it pretty much has been all season. The marginal improvement is only due to a more consistent selection and the outstanding contributions from Guidetti. We still look clueless in midfield and we could get stuffed as soon as we come across a team with a half decent strike force. For me Van Dyke and Danayer are strolling through games due to poor opposition. Of course I want us to qualify but I worry what will happen if we draw a quality side. If we cant beat Astra, what chance Villa Real, a Moscow Dynamo or God forbid, Legia Warsaw? (to say nothing of the teams dropping from the Champions League (Liverpool, Man City ???)
agree Mulgrew isn’t mobile enough and lacks pace. However he’s not the only problem. Mcgregor – was he on the park? Wakaso, great first half terrible second. Brownie, too casual. What is the half time tea, we always seem to be worse after the break.
I get so tired of hearing how our best players are going to be plundered at the next available opportunity, why don’t these people try and find something else to write about, like why the SFA can condemn a player purely on the word of another player. They’ve not had too many excuses to hammer Celts so they must make the best of the few opportunities they get. A seven game ban, even if it was proved to be true is excessive. By the way, we’re all big enough to have the reasoning behind the ban, explained to us.
I must point out that although we are not yet out of the Europa League, if we do go out we should sack the manager for last night’s performance retrospectively.
Last nights performance was awful – goal aside. Celtic were poor – Wakaso is awful, Scepovic is a pretend football palyer. Tell me there isnt a better player than him in another team in Scotland – he’s absent and misses sitters every game. Sclaffed a header a couple of weeks ago and people say he is in the ascendancy….(red) bullshoot. Cant see us qualifying – the manager and his assistant are a couple of clowns. Found out months ago yet they remain employed. The only bright spot was GRiff. Mulgrew was also sound as was Gordon
Astra were absolute pish – dont take any solace from a draw with a team of pish poor players like that.
What was wrong with Stevie May? Scepovic looks like the guy that spends his lunch on S1jobs, emailing his CV to all and sundry, like he wants to be anywhere else. Maybe it’s him, maybe it’s the system and he isn’t a lone striker?
Zombie
2 wins and 2 draws is sound for the first 4 games anyone who disnae like it should dry thier eyes and go to the darts with swanny the zombie
On paper that sounds fine but it was torture watching that game last night and you can’t honestly say you enjoyed that?
Sorry, this was rubbish again, as it pretty much has been all season. The marginal improvement is only due to a more consistent selection and the outstanding contributions from Guidetti. We still look clueless in midfield and we could get stuffed as soon as we come across a team with a half decent strike force. For me Van Dyke and Danayer are strolling through games due to poor opposition. Of course I want us to qualify but I worry what will happen if we draw a quality side. If we cant beat Astra, what chance Villa Real, a Moscow Dynamo or God forbid, Legia Warsaw? (to say nothing of the teams dropping from the Champions League (Liverpool, Man City ???)
swanny should learn what wee bawwy learnt the other day sometimes its better to be quiet and let people think your a fool than to open your mouth and confirm it ha ha
You’re wrong about Celtic having assured all fans who went to the quarter final will get a ticket for the semi-final.
Good afternoon,
Has a decision been made as to whether the fans who attended the quarter final vs Partick Thistle will get a ticket for the semi-final.
Thanks,
Celtic response…
Thank you for your email. Nothing has been confirmed as yet. As soon as we get any information we will post it online at http://www.celticfc.net and also via twitter on @celticfctickets.
Jeez, I think some of you guys got out of bed the wrong side today.
I said yesterday if we keep the ball, allow no madness in defence we’ll get chances to win. That all happened, but they scored a worldie with just about their only chance. We are a better team than Astra, and should have won, but drew. That happens, its football.
Yes, Celtic stepped off the gas and allowed them back into it, but after their goal we could and should have re-taken the lead with Griffiths disallowed goal.
Johansen is getting better all the time – he reminds me of a budget Luka Modric, Lustig back in defence is making that area a bit more secure and I thought Scepovic offered some quite good elements – he leads the line well, his movement is good and he links play – his finishing is a concern- that was a very good chance he blootered over the bar, and he looks knackered after about 50 mins, but he’s is not in the Balde or Bangura category yet for me – he should be given time.
I agree Mac Gregor looks mentally and physically off it, he must have played more minutes than just about any out field player, I d take him out for a few weeks, let him freshen his mind and body and bring him back in.
I m not overly convinced by Ronnie tbh, but I would lay the blame last night more at the players than him- they all collectively starting trying to cruise to full time.
We should qualify, though this being Celtic nothing can be taken for granted, and if we get second, we ll get a CL team – could be a bit of a glamour tie, chance for a full house and some of the old thunder, a chance to see how players cope with the step up in pressure and quality.
I didn’t expect us to still be unbeaten in this group by now, we are odds on to qualify and are starting to look a bit more like an actual team than we were in the horrendous CL qualifiers, if we can make the next step – hold on to a lead after scoring away – we might be onto something. KEEP THE FAITH
,,but I think Griffiths deserves more of a go too
Don’t forget bhoys/ghirls- ‘ Crucial FC Salzburg tickets on sale ‘
– you’ve got to hand it,to the old Celtic site,they don’t miss an opportunity !
I could see only one error last night. Make that 2. They didn’t close the lad down, the one who scored. And Leigh needs to start. I don’t like him but he needs to start. I thought Celtic played some lovely stuff and this doom and gloom diary is not on. Lucky for you, you rescued it with some blinding comedy. By that I mean the zombie/record stuff.
Must have been the fog then.
A 4-4-1-1 formation against Astra last night was an absolute disgrace, I’m sick and tired watching Celtic going abroad, and playing one man up front. And then when the going gets tough start punting the ball up the park,why oh why???? And we let a better player in Pukki go, and got Scepovic.. Now if this guy is a striker, then I better start wearing clogs.
Deila also is totally inept, and out his depth with this Massive Club..
And please don’t get me started on Collins… HH
Boyceybhoy I couldn’t agree with you more..
I have no doubt that Ronny will play with one up front against the sheep. Yes I know it is claimed to be a 4-3-3, but lets face it, it’s really a 4-5-1.
At our next home (Dundee) and in all home games, unless we are playing a team with midfield Galacticos, we should always play with two up front and a diamond formation in midfield. It works. We had some of our best play in a long, long time last year, when our passing and attacking clicked.
Yep,7-0,against the jam farts,with 2 up and a diamond.Drop Mulgrew,his lack of pace,is beginning to show,in the league,as well as in Europe.
Guidetti seems more than open to staying-great news, but as his agent will have no doubt told him, Lawell has yet to find a penny he cant bite in half.
This guy seems like the real deal, lets no lose him for the sake of a few quid.
Dont blow this Pete
McInnis, an ex – Ipox player, the only thing lacking in his press conference was frothing in his mouth, he did not do well to hide his hatred with all thing Celtic… where I thought JC’s reply was impeccable and classy, lets round the sheep up tomorrow…
Hail,Hail
Well I’m sorry Ralph Malph but there has been an improvement because we are winning points on the road which recent managers couldn’t achieve. It probably looks to certain folk that we are not doing so well but Ronny is doing ok considering he was chucked in at the deep end. Get the blinkers off.
Ewanbhoy I agree 100% with you comments on getting behind the team and manager. There are far too many with a negative agenda instead of supporting they are just playing in to the opposition and media’s hands, as a matter of fact maybe they are the opposition come to think of it.