The Official Glasgow Celtic Thread

[salty]

A 3-0 win which was hardly unexpected. 2 from Sinclair from tap ins and robbed of a hat trick by a ludicrous offside decision. The real icing was young Weah who came on with 20 minutes to go and showed lighting speed to beat the keeper for no 3. His speed and movement look very promising indeed and hopefully he will get decent service in the games ahead.

 

Aidrie defended in depth and frustrated Celtic for a long time with disciplined defending. Celtic helped them with more slow ponderous play. Sinclair had a poorish penalty saved and then skied over off his instep but he was at hand when the keeper stopped a shot from Burke but only set it up for a tap in by Sinclair. He showed awareness for the 2nd when he reacted quickly after a good block from the keeper. But you have to wonder will he disappear as before when the going gets tough.

 

Bain saved the jerseys just on half time when Izzaguire and Brown's lack of pace was badly exposed.He made 3 or 4 excellent blocks before he got any assistance from his colleagues. It emphasizes the worrying situation re Tierney and there appears no sign that he will resume in the near future. On the other side Ralston had a good first half but looked dicey at times in the second half. Although far from perfect I would take him any day over the pedestrian Lustig. 

 

Hard to say about Burke on one outing. with 10 days to go one hopes for more strengthening at full back.

[hackjam]

Totally uninspiring performance against a poor lower league side. Missed another penalty-that's a few this season. Pathetic again from corners. 28 min on the clock before we tested their keeper with Forrest. Same old.

Agree about Ralston, like his attacking style. Forrest was quiet and has been since his Scotland hat trick, hopefully does not slip back to his previous inconsistency.

Other flank is a worry, Izzy is a spent force, KT will be out for a while, we do have Miller back from Dundee and, although not his natural position, would be a better option than Izzy. Sinclair missed an absolute sitter, played poorly and still should have had a hat trick. He does get into good positions.

CMcG looks inhibited when playing alongside Brown.

Burke was poor but I feel there is a player in there, ha is strong and fast, Young Tim looked lively, scored a good goal after a delightful pass from Boyata.

[hackjam]

Don’t reckon Celtic will get an easier game all season, Saints were so poor. Still we had to do the job. First half started well, RC delivers a quality cross and Burke heads in from close range, did hit it at the keeper, who should have done better. SS, who had a good first half, then gets fouled and bravely steps up to convert penelty. CMcG should have made it 3 after good set up play by Burke but blasted over. Forrest poor in first half. New signing inturduced to crowd at HT.

Burke nets his second after a good double save by keeper before being replaced by TW, who cracked a post immediately. A great pass by the impressive Henderson saw another superb finish by the lively TW.

[salty]

Yes very limited opposition. Important we fully avail of run of home games to hopefully begin to shake off the posse. 2 early goals made for a relaxing evening. I feel we could be far more ruthless in the final 3rd. Of no consequence here but further down the line in more difficult away games it could be crucial.

 

Young Tim very impressive again in his 20 minute cameo. His speed off the mark will hopefully make him a defender's nightmare. Burke took some flack on Saturday but did well even though I probably would have saved the first one myself. Glad to see Sinclair continue to take penalties. Even the great Messi has missed quiet a few. Still feel SS disappoints close to goal in open play.                                                                   

Looks like we will be without KT for at least another month. It would be a worry if we had to rely on our pair at full back.  Gordon and Boyata not starting. Perhaps Brendan felt it was a safe game to play Bain and Ajer. 

[champers]

What do you Bhoys think about BR being linked with the Leicester job, and others? He seems to have run his course with you and surely wants to get back to the EPL. Who would you like to see replace him?

[salty]

The media lapdogs are desperate to see the back of him. I don 't believe he would be interested in the Leicester job even if it was available.

 

If BR were to leave tomorrow I would imagine Steve Clarke would be the front runner. Whether he would be interested would be another matter.

[hackjam]

Agree about Clarke-and he is a Celtic fan also. There is no chance of BR going in the middle of a season.

Full backs are a big issue, surely BR should have tried someone else at left back, its not as if we were going to have to do a lot of defending against the like of St Mirren. Izzy is just not up to it, he was dead on his feet in the second half. I would much rather have seen Miller or Hayes tried out, but at the end of the day, we just need to bring in some better quality. Again, maybe its the bloated squad that is the obstacle.

[hackjam]

Good news about KT and Aussie Tam.

Tam not played since boxing day and missed the Aussie game yesterday with suspension and thankfully, Aussies were beaten, so should see him back in the hoops soon.

BR revealed that he expects to have KT back playing in a few weeks, great news.

Looks like Ralston has an injury again, just as he was about to establish himself, shame and hope its not long term.

Expecting to see some changes today for Hamilton game. 3 games in 7 days a bit much for some players.

Will be interesting to see who plays in goal, hard to drop Bain and he does a lot better with his sharpness of play. Gets it flowing a lot quicker than CG.

 

[hackjam]

Another 3 points in the bag, against a limited Hamilton side, they offered little in a creative sense. Couple of keeper clangors saw us 2 up before SS converted a good Lustig cross. Keeper had a decent game, apart from 2 errors.

Was well impressed with Burke when introduced, strong, sees a pass, not afraid to take a strike, I am excited about this guy. Forrest played well also when introduced. TW missed a sitter when 1 on 1, Sinclair was very positive. Brown looks to have lost a yard of pace, Lustig worked hard but is so negative, seems obsessed with passing the ball backwards to Brown, Izzy linked well with SS but is clearly in serious decline. And we were our usual totally crap from corners, cant believe that nothing has been addressed about this under BR's watch. Another clean sheet for Bain and defense, although not much to do.

Next up is our game in hand against St J, they have pace on both wings and will be a step up in quality from last 3 games. Looks like no Aussie Tam, as he is being given some time off, will hopefully see French Eddie in the squad, would also be great to see AR & KT back. Don't know what the score is with Boyata???

[salty]

Unable to get a stream so only saw highlights. When you consider their keeper was badly at fault for first two hardly a great performance. Lot of chances missed.

 

Now more problems for Wednesday night. 3 of our 4 first choice back four missing and a suspect right back.

Not a reassuring scenario.

 

https://www.celticnewsnow.com/news/double-injury-blow-for-celtic-a-glimpse-into-the-future/264401/

[hackjam]

Same here, unable to stream, so had to go Retox. See that the Ukrainian gut is in Glasgow for medical, another attacker, not hat we need right now.

That's a major blow but, again, goes to highlight our recruitment issues. If the right back issue had been addressed, that would have given us an option of moving ML into centerback, where he has done reasonable in the past. Another negative is that it may prevent Hendry going on loan.

I fear that this breakdown in our recruitment process will lead to BRs departure.

[hackjam]

Now 6 points clear of chasing pack.

Frustrating first half, totally dominated but unable to find a goal, a few decent chances, SS with a header and Burke should have done better by laying off, RC close with a free kick. Forrest looked lively. Saints proved difficult to break down and offered nothing going forward.

Second half upped the tempo and saw 2 quick goals, CMcG stroked ball into net and a brilliant finish by RC saw us coasting. Good to see French Eddie introduced for last 25min. Overall, a good team performance, with SB and CMcG totally controlling the game. Bain continues to impress with his distribution/composure.

4 wins out of 4 since winter break, done what had to be done, although against poor opposition, still got the job done. Starting to get players back also, Eddy fit now, would expect to see Tam back next.

[salty]

Satisfactory to convert game in hand into 3 more points.  Anything less than 4 home wins would have been disappointing given the poor opposition. Little or no demands defensively.

 

Now we are more likely to run into sterner opposition in the future. Unless BR can pull a rabbit out of the hat today we will be without a more reliable right back. Who knows with KT. Best case scenario back soon short of match practice. Benkovic out for 4-6 weeks. Boyata?

 

With Eddy back we have got more front options now so you would hope goals will be in good supply. Now that we have a 6 point gap from the posse hopefully we will not fritter it away. Things look more optimistic now than in the aftermath of the Glasgow Derby loss.

[salty]

http://www.celticfc.net/news/15700

 

We have produced a new RB on loan for the rest of the season. Good news for the faithful.

[hackjam]

Certainly more positive looking ahead.

New German RB should be able to hit the ground running straight away, hopefully there is an opportunity to buy at end of loan. If not, hopefully someone else is lined up, same with center back position.

We also have an option at LB too with the American finally onboard. Just need KT back pronto.

I have no worries about midfield and attack, plenty of options.

So disappointing to see that only 1 of the deadbeats shipped out, with 7 new additions, totally bloated squad/wage bill now. Still, should see some offload in the summer when contracts expire. Would like to know whos contracts expire in summer-Allen, Gamboa, Izzy, DDV, Boyata,?? Any more?

So its onward and upwards, with the 6 point cushion, and new additions, should see us over the line.

Next up is an away trip to Saints on Sunday, early kick off. May need to rest some, as 5 games in 2 weeks is a big ask.

[salty]

Celtic restored the 6 point lead with 2 late goals. Up to then we had looked on course to drop 2 points so the relief was massive. Plenty of possession as usual in the first half but doing nothing with it apart from a penalty claim which should have been given for a foul on Burke. This came from a mistake by Saints. Bain made a good block early on but the irritation grew steadily watching Celtic faffing about. Sinclair and Christie in particular were both very poor. Both kept giving it away with frustrating regularity and seemed unable to ride any challenge.  

 

Toljan replaced Lustig at half time and Celtic finally began to put the home team under serious pressure. But you have to wonder is is mandatory to play garbage in the first half. Burke had a few decent strikes and at last we had started to play. As so often in these type of games their keeper was having a blinder. He made a good block from Jozo of all people as Celtic kept pressing. Eddy replaced Burke and Celtic continued to create chances. Both Christie and Sinclair failed to force it home in front of goal and Eddy was injured as his effort was blocked. Weah subbed and it was he who created the breakthrough in the 78th minute. He picked up a long ball from Brown used his pace to get away from the defender and played a dangerous ball across the area where an alert Forrest pushed it home. Forrest then had to off with a hamstring  and with all our subs used we were down to 10 men for the remainder. 

 

Saints now began to press and it was getting very anxious. After a Saints corner Sinclair pounced on  some poor control raced away and set up Weah. in a terrific counter attack.. His pass out to McGregor forced him wide but Calmac played a superb ball into the middle for Weah to ram it home from in front of goal. 

 

There was still time for Ajer to get himself sent off. Brown did him no favours putting him under needless pressure the Norwegians control was poor and he lost the ball. Their did not seem to be any great danger but he pressed the panic button and pulled the Saint back. It was an extremly stupid foul so we finished with 9 men.

 

With Edouard almost certain to be injured again Forrest doubtful and Ajer out our resources are really going to be stretched for Hibs game on Wednesday.

[hackjam]

Great to continue winning run but at a price-4 injuries and a red card.

Agree about SS and RC, both just seemed out of gas, all this game time, with little rest is taking its tool.

We are now devastated by injuries etc. AR,DB,FB,KT and now Lustig and Ajer all missing from defense. Ollie, TR and RC from midfield and LG, JF and Eddie from attack. That is unbelievable, 12 players now out.

Trying to put a positive spin, new German look good, and DB,KT and Ollie are back in training, although Hibs game may be too early. The likes Of Tim W, Henderson and Johnston should be ready to start, along with-God forbid- Hendry. Think its the same every season, where we get this horrendous injury list.

[balo]

On 2/4/2019 at 12:10 AM, salty said:

There was still time for Ajer to get himself sent off.

Sorry to hear that, how is the lad playing. Is he back where he was before the injury ? 

 

[hackjam]

He has been back in the side recently, due to injuries. He has been playing well, shows lots of confidence bringing the ball out of defense, but has so little to do defense wise, due to oppositions lack of attacking ambitions.

An important player for Celtic now. Would like to see him fill out, and be more aggressive when attacking the ball, especially at set pieces.

[hackjam]

Totally controlled first half performance, lots of neat passing, took lead with a good goal from RC, some nice build up link play between TimW and Toljan. Despite all our possission and neat passing, we were blunt up front, failing to draw a save from their keeper in first half, so a little dissappointed to go in only 1 up at HT.

Second half created more clear cut chances, Boyata unlucky with a close range header on the hour mark, before Burke finds the net, with the aid of a deflection, after a  nice pass from RC. Joso presents a good chance to Hibs with a moment of dumb defending but thankfully blazed over. SS blazed over and was replaced by MJ, who looked lively. Shocking tackle on Izzy, who was clearly in distress and will likely be out for some tme, the Hibs player was booked but he should have been red carded and was lucky a few moments earlier to escape scott free after a pull back on MJ as he was about to counter attack.

Impressive displays from CMcG, he was everywhere.

Good to see Boyata back, but looks like we will have to run with Hayes at LB until KT returns.

[salty]

Just watched the  highlights. Noticeable on a few occasions poor decision making in attacking situations. Overplaying when a good cutback would be more likely to pay dividends. Christie back in the groove after Sunday. Sinclair still frustrates when in good situations. Toljan getting rave reviews on FB. McGregor busy as ever looked lively. Jozo went to sleep.

 

Another 3 points and we maintain 6 point lead. Watched the game at Pittroddie. The Rangers have broken clear of the posse and are now our main pursuers. Hopefully we will have some of our big hitters available for selection soon.

[hackjam]

Games coming thick and fast, next up Saints again but in the cup this time and, thankfully, at Celtic Park. We should be able to win this game comfortably. With so many games, this may be an opportunity to rest a player or 2. Sometimes, we are guilty of flogging players but with so many injuries, it has been necessary. RC has played a lot of games, such an important player for us, scored and created last night but maybe time to give him a game off, as he has had a few knocks recently and I suspect playing through pain barrier. Would also like to see MJ start ahead of Sinclair.

[salty]

Good news on KT.

 

https://videocelts.com/2019/02/blogs/rodgers-delivers-brilliant-tierney-update/

 

I doubt if he will start but probably will get some game time on Sunday.

[salty]

 

 

damn link will not copy.

 

[hackjam]

^{Great news, would be brilliant even just to see him for 20 min on Sunday.}

Eddy and Ollie almost there also, hopefully turning the corner.

[hackjam]

2 quick fire goals saw us comfortable at HT.  Great work by the impressive Burke set up SS who finished well from a tight angle. Then a screamer from Brown-should have pops like that more often. Bain did make a good stop.

Ajer replaced Joso at HT, must have taken a knock?? Great pass by RC put Burke in on goal but he shot tamely at keeper before a great run by Hayes and Forrest finished well. Then a strong run by Burke set up SS for a tap in. SS did get his hat trick at the death with a cool finish.

 

Was so impressed by Burke, the way he dragged the defense all over the shop, his pace, strength and vision. He did take a knock and was replaced, hope he will be OK.

What was also impressive was our hunger in winning back the ball.

Good to see Eddy back.

[salty]

A lightning start had us very comfortable from the off. We started to slacken coming up to HT and it needed an excellent save from Bain to keep our net intact. Hayes careless in possession. 

 

The quickfire 1-2 early in the 2nd half had us cruising and Sinclair finished things off in the closing moments. Overall an excellent performance. Last week it took us us 78 minutes to score and their goalie had a terrific game. Today to us one of the usual cliches he will have been a bit disappointed with the 1st and 3rd goal. No chance for the others especially the rocket from Brown.

 

Burke very impressive with his strong running and setting up Sinclair twice. Ironically his one good chance finished with a tame shot. Hat trick for Sinclair but the question is can he shine against tougher opposition as in next Thursday and plastic pitch at Kilmarnock.    

 

I expected Gordon to play today. It looks like Bain will hold on to the gloves from now on. Much better distribution and not prone to kamikaze dashes from goal of which Gordon has been occasionally guilty.

 

All in all things look much brighter since the start of the year but games likely to get more difficult from now on. I would not be optimistic for the Valencia tie but as long as we can continue to shine domestically I think most of us would be happy.

[salty]

An easy 1st leg victory for Valencia 2-0 which barring a miracle will see them into the next round. Much more depressing was the dreadful performance by Celtic . Apart from an early McGregor shot and an an alert advance to foil Burke their keeper could have read the paper.  

 

Celtic tried to keep possession by mainly going sideways but apart from a very odd foray from Sinclair or Forrest hardly ever showing any attacking ideas. Rather a litany of displaced passes with Brown one of the main culprits. Naive defending saw concession of the opening goal coming up to half time. Calmac lost possession in the Valencia half which should not have been a disaster but our back four tried to play a ridiculous offside and with the lumbering Izaguirre playing Valencia onside were undone by a well timed forward pass put Sobrino clear who drew Bain and put Cheryshev in for a tapin. The entire Celtic back four taken out.

 

 

The roles were reversed early in the second half when an excellent cross by Cheryshev was swept home by Sobrino. Izaguirre miles behind and Jozo in no mand's land.  The only danger to the Spaniards was a mindless shove on Weah in the closing minutes with no danger. As usual the " the official " at the side of the goal demonstrated he was only there for decoration. 

 

Izaguirre far too slow as usual was probably the worst Celtic player but he had plenty of company. The back four were very poor and midfield was annonomous. I felt sorry for Burke who had no service whatsoever. A fit Tierney and Benkovic might have made us more competitive. The game was played in what was surely one of the quietest atmospheres at Parkhead on a European night.

 

 

 

 

 

[hackjam]

Bit of a reality check, showed exactly how far we are behind, think they brought on a sub who cost 40M.

To me this was bonus territory, so lets just get back on track domestically.

That said, was a totally disappointing performance, hard to pick a decent performer, SS and JF did try hard. Izzy was shocking, surely Hayes or Ajer would have been worth a run when it was obvious his game as done in second half. Browns half hearted tackle in the lead up to the second goal is worrying, bread and butter to the SB of past days. Just that negative passing between the backs, no one capable of a killer ball over the top. Sure, KT, Benko and Tam would have made a difference.

Will be a big ask to have the boys up for the Killie game in a few days, so may need to freshen it up, would expect Eddie to start.

[hackjam]

Totally got away with one, so lucky to get away with all 3 points.

Started well, got some joy down the right resulting in 2 good chances for a rusty Eddie, each time Sinclair was free to his left inside 6 yard box. A few long range tame efforts before Killi got a foot hold on the game, threatened from set pieces. They were getting joy down both wings. Went in scoreless at HT.

Killi started second half positively, we were lacking dynamics, so flat,

We were crying out for a change. Burke replaced Eddy, then Killi center half is red carded. Forrest then replaced by TW, Christie just wide with a header, Hayes, who had a decent game, sent in several wayward crosses. Then a debut for Bayo, who wins a corner, great header by Boyato and who pops up only Brown, to score & gets himself sent off.

We held on at the end but, with the aid of a deflection, just got over the line.