The Official Glasgow Celtic Thread

[CelticBhoy]

We've already passed last season's goal tally with a dozen or so games still to go.

Impressive stuff. The Hearts game was a joy to watch. Best performance to date.

10 points clear from the Rangers, albeit with their game in hand, is fantastic.

Can't wait for Sunday's game with Aberdeen. 7pm kick-off. A must see!  ???? 

[hackjam]

Sure is an impressive goal haul.

 

What's more impressive is assists. Our top 3 SPL goal scores, Eddy, Forrest and Christie have 41 goals, Slippery's lot top 3, Defoe, Mongo and Kent, have 31 goals.

But our 3 have 27 assists, while their top 3 have just 2 assists.

Tells its own story about "all for the team" V "glory hunters".

 

Also just heard somebody comment that our 7Million quid center back has scored more goals this season than their 7Million game changer signing. 

[salty]

A big,big 3 points for the Bhoys st Pittrodie. No wonder Lenny was so animated at full time.

 

As last Sunday the conditions meant the game was fightball rather than football and Aberdeen looked far more likely than Celtic especially after they equalised. Celtic's first  attack saw them ahead after good work by Griff and Eddie Forrest had a shot blocked by Lewis and an alert Calmac pounced to score. From then on the home team used power and strength adapting better to the conditions had Celtic under ptessure. Jullien was having a hard time of it against Main. Losing Taylor for Hayes did not help. He had a few mindless centres and made poor use of a rare Celtic chance in the 2nd half. Aberdeen levelled midway through the half through Taylor as Celtic went to sleep at the back post.

 

For the remainder of the game Celtic were defending and although they were not conceding many chances they seemed to be continually on the back foot. Up front no one could retain possession and get us up the pitch. Then like an oasis in the desert Celtic fashioned another goal with their one piece of good football. An exquisite back hell by Eddie set up Calmac who gave it to Forrest. He moved infield and picked out Ajer with a great pass. The Norwegian showed excellent control

[salty]

Contd!  To place his shot past the onrushing Lewis. Eddie went on to miss a sitter which would have eased the nerves in the last few minutes. Rogic was prominent in the short time he was on. I thought Ollie was poor overall.

 

Great to get out of Dodge with the three points. Should put us in good nick for Copenhagen game on Thursday.

[hackjam]

Was a really tough game, delighted to get out with all 3 points.

Manager will have food for thought with Taylor missing for Thursday, he did say he would go to a back 4 for this game, left back now a worry. He may have a change of heart, stick with back 3 and put Forrest on the left side.

[salty]

A 1-1 draw in Copenhagen after a dreadful 2nd half display by Celtic. Ahead early on we had several attempts on goal thwarted by the excellent home keeper. It looked as if we could win comfortably but from the half hour on we began to lose focus. A well worked goal with Christie crossing for McGregor to set up Eddie for a neat finish past the keeper.  He had been foiled by the keeper in the opening seconds.

 

The home side looked far more determined in the second half and levelled it early one. A Copenhagen hand ball was missed by the officials in the build up and this was compounded by dreadful defending with Ollie the main culprIt. Celtic then woke up for a period and missed a couple of good chances and their keeper made a few more good blocks. But Celtic were now surrendering midfield and were almost always on the back foot. 

 

Celtic conceded a penalty with 15 minutes to go when Christie handled in the area. It was ball to hand but in this era of VAR they are all given. FF got a finger to it to push it on to the post and away. Celtic were under severe pressure till the end but survived. Overall an infuriating 2nd half display. As for the away goal Cluj and Maribor come to mind. The Danes are still well in this tie and a nervy night may well be in store next week.

 

[hackjam]

Talk about a game of 2 half's. Well pleased with first half, Eddy could have had a hat trick. Ajer did get caught out in first few minutes but a slow striker allowed him to recover. Still was happy enough at HT.

Second half, very worrying how we were totally over run by a bang average outfit. Ollie totally stupid and we are level. We did have some great chance on the counter but keeper made outstanding saves, and poor from CMcG blasting over when he could have slipped in Eddy. Then big FF brilliantly saves our bacon.

Absolutely no bite in our midfield, an out of sorts Brown eventually off injured.

Big CJ was immense.

Our full backs were a worry defending, Hayes just not a defender and a rusty Jerry far too often getting sucked in leaving acers of space.

Christie will miss second leg, a harsh booking for hand ball. Brown could miss some games, maybe not a bad thing, looked leggy. 

We did look dangerous attacking throughout. But this game was crying out for a young Brown or Wanyama type player.

[hackjam]

Another 3pts in the bag as our impressive run continues.

NL left out Brown, Nicham, Forrest and didn't upset the balance.

Joso with dreadful defending allows the guy to get wrong side and concedes a soft penalty, guy was also offside. He was also lucky to get away with a hand ball.

After they scored, Eddy brilliantly slipped in Griff, keeper made a decent save. before CJ done well to cut back for Ajer to equalize. Then Griff done well to head a ball that looked like was going wide, back for Eddy to bundle over.

Into the second half, they had a guy sent off for a chop at Jerry-think it was the same guy that poleaxed him earlier in the season? Eddy missed a few good chances before some lovely link up play saw Christie and Eddy combine to set Griff up for a tap in.

Christie was, for me, our best player. Taylor done well also. Tam tried hard but is lacking match sharpness.

This 2 up top really suits both Eddy and Griff.

Next up the Danes at what should be a packed house on Thursday night. Christie is banned, Brown and Nicham carrying knocks, not sure about Forrest, so we may be thin on the ground with midfielders.

[salty]

Very satisfactory day for us in the title race. Yes Power sent off was the guy who made the "challenge" on Frimpong a few weeks ago.  Jozo like a bull in a china shop with the hand ball and the clumsy challenge in the area. It was a nasty surprise to see we were one down after being engrossed on Boyd's punditry. 

 

But soon all well again and the Bhoys powered on to 3 more points maintaining our 100% domestic record for 2020. Good to see Christie back to his best. He has been unfortunate with officials.

 

Hopefully Celtic can play for both halves in the second leg and not have us depending on the away goal. 

[hackjam]

Concerned about midfield for Thursday, if both Brown and Nicham out.

With Christie suspended, that would only leave CalMac. Options would be the so one paced Biton and Aussie Tam, who wont last 90min and wont contribute much defensively.

Does look like Forrest will be starting. 

[salty]

As I feared we went out of the Europa League again at the last 32. We dug our own grave with shocking defending but you would have to admit the Danes deserved to go through. 

 

As in Copenhagen we has the best of the opening half without the same amount of scoring opportunities. Our main ploy seemed to be long balls up to Eddy which the Danes coped without much trouble. Ely blazed a decent chance high and wide. Forrest had an earlier chance and fight on half timeEddy headed straight at the goalie when he should have scored. 

 

I felt the omens were ominous starting the 2Nd half. We were creating very little and our defence looked dodgy. Early on Calmac scored after a scramble following a corner but the ref was already whistling for a foul. A few minutes later the Danes went ahead when Jozo's attempted back pass was far two short and they seized on the chance to go ahead. I also thought CJ might have saved us but he switched off unlike the goal scorer. We looked all st sea for about 20 minutes before rousing ourselves. Rogic shot straight at the keeper  who made a terrific block from Griff who was on as a sub. With 8 minutes to go Celtic got a lifeline when the Danes conceded a very silly penalty. Eddy cool as a cucumber scored and extra time beckoned. But within 2 minutes a killer 2nd away goal Rocio poor touch to Brown the Danes came away and put a forward free to shoot under FF for the clincher.  N'Daye who had got away with several fouls made it 3 as he forced it past Brown, Ajer and Jullien to score.. 

 

As you feared we were very poor in midfield and were too slow in our play. The visitors coped fairly comfortably with everything we threw at them.

 

I must confess I don't feel depressed afterwards. In my view we had'nt a hope of winning the tournament. The important thing now is to get back on the horse domestically.

[hackjam]

Joso becoming the new Efe, costing us yet again. We will not get away with defending like that in Europe.

Brown looked off the pace-again, just not fully fit.

MoEly done well but ran out of gas.

Actually over this result already, just need to keep the focus

[salty]

On a dreadful pitch a late goal put Celtic through to the semi final. The first half was terrible with the home team making life very difficult for Celtic. Celtic were not helping themselves with some woeful passing and an inability to conjure up any decent chances. The home side forced a good save from FF after a wayward pass by Christie. Ajer showed his inability to jump following the corner and FF had to concede another. Calmac had an early chance but slightly delayed and allowed a defender to take the sting out of the shot.

 

Celtic began the 2nd half in a more business like manner. Forrest Eddie and Griff all had chances but could not finish. Christie shot against the keeper from close range. Eddie backheeled against the post from close in and Jullien just failed to score from the rebound. FF had to advance to just beat May to a through ball. The Saints had a good spell and were putting Celtic under pressure. It was looking more and more that 1 goal would settle it and the anxiety increased. With 9 minutes to go Forrest was flattened as he pushed forward. It was a yellow and possibly a red. Christie whipped in a terrific free kick which went across goal and into the far corner with Jullien very close to a connection. Huge relief and Celtic survived some more pressure to qualify for a semifinal against Aberdeen.

 

Next up is Livingston away and we were beaten here earlier on the plastic pitch. One hopes the team will be up for this one. We don't want to be giving oxygen to our nearest challenger .

[RichardColeman]

23 minutes ago, salty said:

We don't want to be giving oxygen to our nearest challenger .

I'd worry about the giving a cardiac arrest massage to them first before  oxygen.

[hackjam]

Dreadful pitch indeed, typical winter cup tie but, fair play to our boys, stuck at it and got reward in the end. Conditions made it so difficult for us to play our style of football. But that's what cup ties in winter are all about, more about character than skill, Brown was like a big kid playing in the muck.

Started with probably our current strongest starting 11. Bitton came in for bomb scare Joso and performed well, seemed to bring a composure to the defense and carried the ball out well.

In the second half, we were too slow in getting shots off, taking too many touches. Tam done well when introduced, as did Hayes, ideal type of game for him.

 A bit worrying to see CMcG holding his arm near the end, hopefully nothing serious. Eddy looked totally knackered before coming off, needs a rest.

Aberdeen in semi, they must be sick with that draw.

Next up a difficult venue for us at Livi midweek. Cant see NL rotating anyone, but maybe will for weekend game against St Mirren.

 

Joso getting it bigtime from fans, know Lenny likes him but with a year and a few months left on his contract, given his unreliability, with form/injuries/plastic pitches, we should look to punt him. Saying that, not sure he would pass a medical.

Also hearing that we are making an effort to keep Eddy for another season, what a lift that would be if he were to sign a contract ext and commit for next season.

[hackjam]

2pts dropped, against a plucky well drilled Livi.

 Manager went with 3 at the back and with MoEly starting up front. CMcG with a long range effort that their keeper should have saved put us ahead but a long throw was messed up by FF and they were level. Once again, individual error costing us. CJ had a great chance with a header but blazed over and Eddy cracked a post with an effort after good work by CMcG.

Just after restart, CJ failed to stay on his feet and they go ahead. Then we had lots of posession but Livi were coping with ease. NL made 3 subs and just when it looked like we were done, a piece of brilliant play from Eddy set up Tam for equaliser.

Overall, we looked leggy, Ely, Taylor poor, Brown knackered-3 games in 7 days too much.

Ajer & Bitton played well, CJ good in first half, poor second. Forrest did better when he went to the left.

Just need a tweek for Saturday, injection of energy.

[salty]

Foul throw led to first Livi goal but FF should have punched clear and not tried to catch it. Another error at the start of the 2nd half by CJ and we were behind.

 

we piled on the pressure but again far too many touchs meant Livi were coping with ease. Frimpong especially kept driving us on and in the end Eddy set up Tam for an injury time equalizer. Then we realised we stumbled over a difficult hurdle with the added bonus of an extra lead of 1 point. Even compensated for that annoying alarm going on and off during the second half.

 

So so overall a good evening. This is our last midweek fixture so hopefully some tired bodies can be rested.

[hackjam]

Another 3pts, clean sheet and 16pts lead. All players were totally at it.

Started well, moved through the gears and were 2 up at HT thanks to some great finishing by Griff. Forrest had a header saved when he should have scored, he did go on to have great game, would have been MOM only for Griff's hattrick. .

Second half Eddy was set up by Griff and game was done and dusted on 55min. (I would have taken off Eddy and Brown at this stage, Bayo and ElHam on with Bitton to midfield but manager waits till 73rd to make first change.)

Griff went on to claim match ball with a lovely strike while CalMac tucked away a late penalty. A satisficing performance, highlight being our devastating forward play-Griff Eddy and Forrest.

Good to see ElHam back with last 10min and looked composed.

Get the feeling NL will run with this starting 11 next weekend again. Will be great not having to play midweek, so should be right up for it next week.

[salty]

 Very comfortable win for the Bhoys. Looks like Griff is back in the groove. Good to see Elhamed back in action. Would have liked him to have got more game time given our control.

 

We were very poor in both December Glasgow Derbies so would hope for a big improvement next Sunday.

[hackjam]

Not sure what's going on with Ajer, his agent coming out and saying he is away in the summer. Guess its a sign of current player power, guy still has 2 years on his contract, surely there is a more dignified way, behind closed doors, of getting a move. Interesting too that these type stories always seem to break before important games.

Anyway, there was talk last summer of interest from Leicester and seems like it has got to him, lost the focus a bit this campaign. 

Last summer, I would have been gutted if we sold him but am actually cool about it now, considering the season he has had.

There is still a lot of room for improvement in his game.

Am sure we would be demanding 10M plus for him, then invest in a proper center half to partner Julian.

My concern is that Lennon will just see Joso as a direct replacement.

Maybe BR will give 10M plus Benko????

[balo]

4 minutes ago, hackjam said:

Not sure what's going on with Ajer, his agent coming out and saying he is away in the summer.

Also confirmed in Norwegian media. I am sure Ajer is happy in Glasgow, but he's been at the club for a long time now and experienced a lot of success.  
Not his best season for Celtic, but maybe it's time to move on.  

[salty]

Sunday's Glasgow Derby off as well as all football In England and Scotland. Hardly a surprise. 

[salty]

http://www.celticfc.net/news/17678

 

You would hope this will help to attract better classes of players.

[hackjam]

On 3/13/2020 at 7:47 PM, salty said:

http://www.celticfc.net/news/17678

 

You would hope this will help to attract better classes of players.

I know this deal would have been agreed long before it was announced but reckon we were lucky to get this lucrative deal over the line before this virus kicked in.

[CelticBhoy]

[CelticBhoy]

[salty]

CB,

 

No doubt there is no beer left at the local 7/11. Pity I cannot be there to help you drink it.????

 

Great day for all the faithful. Now hopefully we can go on and win another treble whenever semi finals and final can be played.

[Rookiescot]

12 minutes ago, salty said:

CB,

 

No doubt there is no beer left at the local 7/11. Pity I cannot be there to help you drink it.????

 

Great day for all the faithful. Now hopefully we can go on and win another treble whenever semi finals and final can be played.

Are you going to be gifted the cups as well?

Seems only fair given how you have been cheated ever since Scottish football started.

[CelticBhoy]

6 hours ago, salty said:

CB,

 

No doubt there is no beer left at the local 7/11. Pity I cannot be there to help you drink it.????

 

Great day for all the faithful. Now hopefully we can go on and win another treble whenever semi finals and final can be played.

I'll drink to that! ????????????

Hope to celebrate with you soon, Salty Old Son ????

[hackjam]

A big well done to Neil Lennon , his backroom team and all players for their mighty effort in finally securing historic 9 in a row League titles.

And also to all other SPL sides for the unanimous decision to end season early and acknowledge league positions.