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<\/p>\nWith Celtic gaining the three points after an awkward evening in Maryhill, and the subsequent sigh of relief, perhaps its time to have a look at what we saw during that game, and ponder any hidden, or perhaps not so well hidden, meanings…<\/p>\n
During the first half the team would have been described as jaded, but they’ve just been on their jollies, so we’ll have to excuse another piss poor performance by saying they were rusty.<\/p>\n
Partick took full advantage despite their limited abilities and went into the break a goal ahead. Happily, the jags aren’t very good, and it was only one goal, from a penalty, because lets be perfectly frank, a better side would have been out of sight by then.<\/p>\n
The introduction of Leigh Griffiths at half time made an enormous difference, his enthusiasm rubbing off on the others, and more importantly, it meant the others could return to passing the ball with confidence rather than optimism, as the side returned to a line up of players who were familiar with each others styles and positioning.<\/p>\n
To an extent, at least, Oddsone Edouard hung about a bit further back and just did whatever happened to be needed when he got the ball, as opposed to playing the lone striker role of which he is clearly uncomfortable with.<\/p>\n
Celtic won the game, but the warning signs are there.<\/p>\n
The break in dubai has made little or no difference to the overall attitude of the players, and so therefore there must be a deeper problem.<\/p>\n
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Starting at the top, and manager Brendan Rodgers has stuck rigidly to his one striker system. As a result, the two best strikers in Scotland are equally pissed off, and neither has had a good season.<\/p>\n
We’ve heard tales of Griffiths being a little less than attentive or enthusiastic in training, and that his head is being turned south, and yet on tuesday night when he was on the field he played like a man possessed.<\/p>\n
And to make sure he got his message across…<\/p>\n
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On the other hand, Moussa Dembele, now relegated to the attentions of Brighton , Crystal Palace and Stoke City , when asked to warm up, put down his phone,\u00a0 sauntered a bit to the left, picked his phone up and sauntered back to his seat.<\/p>\n
As a result , he didn’t get a chance to play, and a further few noughts were deducted from his next wage. What he needs to consider , however, is that he may have just got lucky last year. playing in a team that did everything right…<\/p>\n
This year, he has shown a remarkable lack of effort when he has played, almost as though he’s already proved himself. Or perhaps he’s above our level now, and just waiting for the call from a “big club “…<\/p>\n
However, Rodgers is held in such high esteem by the support that he receives no criticism for\u00a0 having two of the best strikers in Celtics recent history and\u00a0 stubbornly refusing to play them both at the same time.<\/p>\n
Which may not have solved all the problems, but would have kept them both happy.<\/p>\n
Maybe he’s saving that as a surprise for Zenit… as it appears Dembele isn’t happy with the clubs coming in for him, and Celtic have realised that with his current attitude the best they can hope for is to recover his outlay and wages, its maybe better to hang on to him and re-educate him.<\/p>\n
In fact, Rodgers\u00a0 never receives any criticism from the support as a whole, and any isolated voices , no matter if they are even so much as asking questions of the Great Man, are shouted down, taken around the back of the building and shot in the head. Blind faith never ends well….<\/p>\n
As for the strikers, the current policy of rotation means\u00a0 you will lose one or both of them in the long run. whether its Griffiths , Dembele or the next two. The high level of expectation demands quality back up, but that kind of quality isn’t going to hang around as back up…<\/p>\n
Or at least with any level of\u00a0 enthusiasm.<\/p>\n
Goals win games.<\/p>\n
Not systems, not pretty patterns and certainly not\u00a0 passing the ball around at the back, from side to side and then back again.<\/p>\n
If you have quality players who can score goals you must use them.<\/p>\n
The defence, despite recent criticism , hasn’t conceded a goal from open play since the Hearts debacle, and although it always looks ready to cave in, somehow it doesn’t. Whether by luck or design, it seems to get the job done, whereas the midfield, which has escaped criticism, never seems to know to attack, to defend or just to hit the bloody ball as far as it can.<\/p>\n
Thats largely due to , Scott Brown apart, the constant changing of personnel and the roles they are asked to play.<\/p>\n
Hang on, there’s a pattern here…<\/p>\n
We’re short on defenders, so there is a little more consistency there.<\/p>\n
The rest of the team has an embarrassment of riches available, so the places go to whoever the manager feels its best not to annoy that day.<\/p>\n
Scott Brown apart, of course.<\/p>\n
Add to that the constant criticism that Rodgers hasn’t handled well in previous jobs, and perhaps there is some truth in the tales we hear about the Irishman getting a little bit fed up of the “circus “.<\/p>\n
There’s a week or so of the transfer window left.<\/p>\n
I’d forget about bringing anyone in, thats not as important as making sure the right ones go out.<\/p>\n
Although we will, and one worries about the effect that will have on an already restless squad.<\/p>\n
I’m almost thinking that there is a clique forming in the dressing room, on one side are the Celtic minded players, and on the other the ones who see us as a stepping stone.<\/p>\n
Especially as there are a few players out on laon who would love to be in the hoops, and are performing well at other clubs.<\/p>\n
Equally, a few who joined to develop are out on loan as well, but that can be explained as part of their development.<\/p>\n
But thats what happens when your club has a development strategy.<\/p>\n
You forget it has a heart and soul.<\/p>\n
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Did you see that linesman at the Partick game ? The one who staunchly flagged for offside against Leigh Griffiths direct from a throw in ?<\/p>\n
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Thats not him, although we are aware of him throwing a tantrum when he was told before the game he couldn’t use his own flag.<\/p>\n
We have an eye witness account…<\/p>\n