The Official Glasgow Celtic Thread

[hackjam]

6 hours ago, salty said:

Bain got a hand

Got a weak hand.

6 hours ago, salty said:

Frimpong was like the Duracell Bunny non stop energy

So excited about young Jerry, predicting he will have a big season, see no reason why he cannot be used to allow rest periods for Jamesy, with ElHam filling in at FB.

6 hours ago, salty said:

Forrest who had a quiet 1st half

Yes, both him and MoEly relatively quiet games.

 

6 hours ago, salty said:

Kilmala got on the score sheet

After a sublime pass by big CJ.

6 hours ago, salty said:

Christie forced a good save from the keeper

And did have a great game, my MOM.

6 hours ago, salty said:

we still seem fragile especially with clearing headers.

Conceded far too many cheap corners and yes, far too week in the air.

 

 

 

But overall, well happy with first game, statement of intent.

Suspect we will start with big Vaz in goals next week and that looks like our first choice starting 11. No Griff on the bench, surprised to see both ElHam and Bitton on the bench, would rather have had Connell.

2 assists from Taylor.

 

[hackjam]

Bayo off to France, hopefully will see lots of game time and then we can make a call, better than having him making up numbers here, looking like another striker coming in, so he would have had little or chance here, so best for all, wishing him luck.

Would like to see the likes of Shved, Boli Benyu and Ralston moved on.

[salty]

 

A shocking display from Celtic saw them deservedly drop points at Rugby Park. Even after Christie's free kick which should have been saved Celtic were creating nothing. Plenty of passes but going nowhere. Mindless balls into a packed defence . Eddie might as well have read the paper. We made things easy for the home defence who defended diligently. 

 

Then CJ hustled off the ball, Brown and he left for dead and like a jittery schoolgirl gave away a penalty. Burke dispatched it confidently for 1-1. Things already looked ominous and the game was dreadful to watch.

 

We have been down this road before and surely we needed another body up front and get the ball forward to them quickly to make things uncomfortable for the defenders.

 

[hackjam]

We were so blunt, just no dynamics. We need to change something.

I dont think their had a save to make the whole game??

[hackjam]

What a clown that Boli is, should be placed on transfer list immediately. What the hell was he thinking of? And how come he gets 4 days off between games?

Hope there will be no major fall out from this.

[salty]

It defies belief that anyone could be so stupid. You have to wonder if he is capable of rational thought. 

 

Huge embarassment for the club. It looks like both Celtic and Aberdeen will not be playing this week.

 

I don't thing any Celtic fan would be heartbroken to see him gone from the club. 

[hackjam]

After a dreadful week, finally something to be excited about, the signing of Swiss guy, Ajeti. Believe its a permeant 4 year deal. Seems to have lost his way last year at WHU, but impressive statistics in the Swiss league. Seems like NL means business and is going to go 2 up top, Just wondering how long it will take him to get up to speed, as he has been on holiday in Italy for the past week, suspect it will take 3 or 4 weeks???

Also, what does this mean for both Griff and Polish Paddy??? Would we have signed this guy if Griff had been fit and firing on all cylinders?

A week without football because of that <deleted> Boli, hopefully he is suspended without pay and placed on transfer list, although cannot see any club offering him a contract, maybe just have to cut our losses and sack the <deleted>. Seems like it was an overnight trip to Spain, and what was he doing in Spain, trying to arrange a move? Talk about brain dead.

I know its just rumor control but that Duffy story gets me so excited. Just what we need.

Edited August 13, 2020 by hackjam

[salty]

Yes at last some good news after a dreadful 4 days. Hopefully Ajeti will live up to his billings. Shane Duffy is from Derry and would be Celtic minded . Hopefully we can get this one over the line.

 

Thankfully the raft of bad news has come at the start of the season giving us  plenty of time to right things. But we will be facing a even more  crowded schedule thanks to that moron.

[salty]

Back in action at last and as expected an easy win over the Icelanders in the 1st qualifying round by 6-0. 2 early goals meant one could safely divide one's attention between the semi final in Lisbon and the Celtic Match. Goals from elyonoussi 2, Jullien, Taylor, and Eddy plus an og. Celts lead 3-0 at ht and added 3 more in the 2nd half.

 

It would seem safe to say we will meet more meaningful opposition next week in the 2nd round. Meanwhile back to League duty on Saturday away to Dundee Utd.

[hackjam]

Interesting to see Ajer getting benched???

Good workout against part timers.

Quality first goal, awesome pass from Big CJ and class take and finish from MoEly, who had a good game.

Was well impressed with ElHam at RB, something about him. Right now, I would like to see ElHam at RB and young Jerry at RW, Forrest will come good but just looks like he is not at it right now.

Quick turn around, out on Saturday, late kick off, and in CL again on Tuesday night, at least its a home tie.

Edited August 19, 2020 by hackjam

[hackjam]

Squad trimming continues with Shved off to Belgium, O'Conner off to Birkenhead, and Bayo finally in France.

Whatever we think of them, all 3 were non contributors and hard to see them getting any game time.

Have to say, Lennon has done well with squad trimming, only really Ralston still to move on, maybe Henderson on loan.

Have always maintained squad was way too bloated. Oh yea, that <deleted> Boli also.

Some big calls for NL to make in the next few games, would like to see some changes on Sat, as he will have to go with strongest starting 11 midweek. Maybe see Ajer, Nicham and Frimpong starting Saturday instead of Bitton, Brown and Forrest.  

[salty]

Huge relief for Celtic today as they made a breakthrough 8 minutes from time when it looked like 2 more points were going to be dropped. Up to then they had been unable to overcome a well organised defence with a goalkeeper in inspired form. Celtic as 2 weeks ago did not help themselves again with laborious build ups and a lack of imagination in the final 3rd. It was maddening to watch the uninspired play especially in the first half. Eddie hit the outside of the post early on but apart from that he was getting possession surrounded by defenders and being easily hustled out of it. Little Jeremie had piles of possession but he was making poor use of it. Christie was the one guy who was working the keeper who made a couple of outstanding saves from him. Ollie wasted a good shooting chance with poor control.

 

Things were looking ominous at half time. Christie forced another excellent save from the keeper on the restart.  As the 2nd half wore on the irritation levels were steadily increasing. Ajeti came on with just over 20 minutes to go and it was he who saved us. Another Christie effort

 produced a stunning save but as the ball dropped the alert Ajeti back headed across goal and he was at hand to lash it to the net when the ball rebounded to him.

 

I suppose it was mission accomplished by getting the 3 points but I find the lack of imagination from mid field up worrying. 

[RichardColeman]

32 minutes ago, salty said:

I suppose it was mission accomplished by getting the 3 points but I find the lack of imagination from mid field up worrying. 

We were absolutely diabolical - that's the only word I can use without getting a ban. Lennon seems to have no clue. 1 up front  does no cut it, but the fool never learns

[hackjam]

We were so poor, Eddy needs help up top, always surrounded by 3 defenders. 

Lennon leaves it too late to change things up when its simply not working. And he is way too loyal to Brown, surely we dont need Brown against the likes of Dundee Utd? Midfield dynamics need to improve big time, 

Christie did play well.

But we have not improved with our set pieces, corner kicks especially.

Next up is vital CL game, will have to start our strongest side.

[balo]

What happened to Ajer, benched again? 

[salty]

Not in yesterday's starting 11. Came on as a sub for last 20 minutes or so.  

 

Celtic are hoping to sign Shane Duffy from Brighton on loan. He is a big strong centre back who won't be bullied like both Jullien and Ajer can be at times. 

[salty]

More disappointment for Celtic in CL losing 2-1 to Ferencvaros at home. Failure to captilise on long periods of pressure especially in the 2nd half and the usual poor defending cost us. 

 

The visitors went ahead in the 7th minute when Celtic went to sleep after clearing a corner. Siger was given piles of room to advance and shoot . It was a tremendous strike into the corner.  Celtic pressed but again the lack of imagination manifested itself and apart from a few long range or blocked shots the Hungarians had little to worry about. Celtic's best spell was in the final 5 minutes of the half as they began to up the pressure.

 

Things looked ominous at HT as you wondered where a goal was going to come from on. Christie however equalised early in the 2nd half with the visitors goalie caught by a slight deflection from one of his defenders. This was Celtic's best period . Ollie hit the bar and Ely had a goal disallowed for offside. It looked onside. I was dreading the thought of going behind again as I felt we would not get another equaliser. Sadly that is what happened . A clearance hoofed upfield saw El Hamed delay and he was unable to get a tackle on Nguen who slid the ball across goal and in . I thought Barkas could have done better. 

 

Celtic huffed and puffed. Ajeti and Frimpong on with 12 minutes to go. Closing the stable door after the horse had bolted? They still had chances but wasted them.  Despite having plenty possession Celtic again lacking imagination in attack albeit without Edouard.  A depressing evening.

[CelticBhoy]

Lennon should be shot for his team choice.

A striker might have been a good idea, don't ya think?

[hackjam]

Absolutely shocking decision to start such an important one off/cup final type game without a striker, how must Polish Pat feel? Its not as if we were playing Bayern or PSG, showed them way too much respect.

They are no great shakes, just a Killie style team, but done their homework, sat in and picked us off on the counter. It was a performance similar to the DU and Killie games recently, we need to figure out how to break down these micky mouse teams that pack defense. Brown is way too negative, constantly killing the momentum with backward passes. We need more dynamics in midfield.   

Ajer restored and looked good, Nicham in midfield was our best midfielder, ElHam was solid up until he got scudded for the winner. Again Lennon waits too long to make a change, Frimpong looked dangerous when introduced. 

 

[salty]

3 days on from our annual cock up in CL and perusal of a myriad of opinions on the game, NL getting plenty of flack from all sides and we nearly all would agree it was well deserved. 

 

One of the major faults Celtic have is despite piles of possession we are doing little with it. I believe it is time for NL to grasp the nettle and no longer consider Brown as an automatic choice. His best days are well in the rear view mirror and he is a major cause of the slow build up which is manna from heaven for teams set out to defend against us. We have to get the ball forward far more quickly to keep defences on the back foot and create good chances. 

 

We continue to be very dodgy in defence. The first goal on Wednesday saw Celtic have a collective siesta at the back. Hopefully we will sign a solid centre back though it looks like the hoped for Duffy signing is doubtful. I agree that Ajer and Frimpong when he came on were both good performers. I also like Elmahed. There was no sign of the cavalry at the back when he needed them.

 

Thanks to that idiot who decided to decamp to Spain for 24 hours we are now playing catch up in the League. We need to get the finger out pronto. 

[hackjam]

11 hours ago, salty said:

no longer consider Brown as an automatic choice.

Totally agree about Brown.

[hackjam]

Unbelievable again from stubborn Lennon to run without a striker and go with same team that flopped midweek. A dour first half performance, with no penetration except for a neat finish from Forrest, saw us go in 1 nil up at HT. Cannot recall their keeper making one save first half???

Lennon finally see sense and brings on Polish Pat, who went on to miss 2 sitters but was a presence. We finally broke down a woeful Well side, who offered nothing. Goals from Ajeti and big CJ.

Frimpong played well when introduced, gave us much needed injection of pace, Ajer looks to have refocused.

Ajeti looks a player, but unfit at the moment, hopefully the Int break will see him get up to speed.

After all the fall out from that shocking mid week circus, Turnbull arrived from Motherwell, could turn out to be a good signing, think he is a Stuart Armstrong type of midfielder.

Edited August 31, 2020 by hackjam

[salty]

Game not on tv here so had to rely on highlights. What I found most noticeable was the amount of space Celtic were given by the Well. I would doubt if many other sides will be as accommodating.

 

Satisfactory to get a comfortable 3 points in the end especially as it was 0-0 approaching HT. Ajer has been good going forward and Frimpong lively as ever when he came on. Hopefully all will return in good order from the International break. A fit Ajeti would be a huge bonus as well as a fit Griff. No guarantee Eddy will be with us for the season. He seems to be quite happy at Celtic but after CL exit if the right money is offered????.

 

The situation re Shane Duffy is looking more promising.

[hackjam]

Big welcome to Derry man and Celtic fan Shane Duffy, on his way, great news. A classic no nonsense type defender, who has leadership attributes-may convince NL to drop Brown? There will be no more SPL pork chops bulling us at he back now, and am excited to hopefully see him in a back 3 with CJ and Ajer. Will mind the shop while one of these 2 can probe forward, he will also be a threat from set pieces, if we have somebody who can deliver a decent ball.

Believe it is a season long loan, paying a fee of around 1M and 25K a week in wages.

This is the sort of market we need to be operating in.

In the last few years, we have spunked decent coin, 20M on the likes of

Kouassi £2.8m, Compper - £1.2m, Hendry -£1.5m, Bayo - £2m, Shved - £1.75m, Taylor- £2m, Boli-£3m, Klimala - £3.5m, Soro - £2m

and none, as of yet, has been a success. Thats a lot of coin, coupled with wages,

I think its our 5th signing this season so far and all quality.

 

[salty]

I would echo these sentiments.  A big admirer of Paddy McCourt another Derry man when he was growing up. A 1 year loan with an option to buy after that. Should be instrumental in eliminating  sloppy defending and will be a huge threat at well delivered corner and free kicks.   

[hackjam]

The squad is actually strong at the moment, maybe just left side needs reinforcing. And even if a few of the so called "want away brigade" do leave, we have adequate strength to cope.

Could still do with trimming the likes of Ralston, Benyu and of course Boli. Also may be beneficial to loan out the likes of Robertson and Henderson.

Micky J must be due back into the picture soon, will be good to have that option of pace injection available, hopefully he bulks up. But while Taylor is steady, his lack of pace, for SPL games, is holding us back. Lets face it, most SPL games, its very little defending needs to be done, thats why we need a winger type full back, that can also play LWB, Frimprong or KT type.

Cant really see Pistol Pete splashing much more of the hard earned, perhaps a few loan deals near the end of transfer window.

 

[salty]

Shane Duffy has just headed in a corner 3 minutes into injury time to get a 1-1 draw for the ROI in Sofia.

[balo]

Great goal by Elyounoussi against Northern Ireland . Also Ajer played well when Norway trashed them 5-1.   Ex-Celtic player Johansen with the assist. 

 

[hackjam]

2 hours ago, balo said:

Great goal by Elyounoussi against Northern Ireland . Also Ajer played well when Norway trashed them 5-1.   Ex-Celtic player Johansen with the assist. 

 

And 2 stunning strikes from Haaland.

Ajer does look to have refocused, thankfully.

[salty]

Watched most of the Norn Iron game Norway looking like the most dangerous side since the Vikings.????