Glasgow Celtic

[salty]

A stunning return to form by the Bhoys who romped to a 6-0 win albeit over a poor St Johnstone. A tour de force from Forrest who scored 4 in a devastating display. The game was over by HT as Celtic led 5-0. The home team made the better start and Gordon had to make 2 early saves. But Celtic got going and Forrest struck after 15 minutes initially availing of a slip by a defender and finishing from a rebound when Edouard shot against the keeper. The Frenchman made it two with good control and an angled finish receiving from Tierney. Forrest then took over with 4 goals in 15, 30 38 and 45 minutes all devastating runs and well placed finishes . It was hard to believe this was the same Celtic who have laboured in so many games this season. Quick build up and smart passing was very welcome keeping the opposition at sixes and sevens.

 

As so often happens after a 1st half blowout the 2nd half was at a much reduced tempo. It did have the bonus of being able to also watch events at Anfield. Swanson was sent off for scything down Forrest on another devastating run making no attempt to get the ball. McGregor added a 6th near the end after an excellent team move. 

 

So a very satisfactory turn of events. However Celtic are unlikely to be given such space in the future by many sides. Rather one hopes that this swift attacking play will lead to consistent better displays from now on. 

[hackjam]

After a dreadful second half performance in midweek, finally got back on form of old. I was behind the Celtic goal on Thursday night and thought we defended well in first half, but went to pieces in second half, Lustig and Hendry lost their concentration. Our front men were unable to hold up the ball. We have to defend better.

 

Yesterday was like watching Celtic of 2 seasons ago. Saints are a poor side but in the past, we have been unable to dominate similarly poor sides.

 

I know Forrest deservedly got MOM but I was so impressed with the role played by Aussie Tom. After a shaky start, we took the game by the scruff of the neck and produced our best 30 min of football in a long while, scoring 5 goals.

There was none of this left to right crap passing, we were more direct and crisp. Was it the exclusion of Brown? C.McG was much better in that central role, he has been crap all season out on the left.

Forrest was unplayable yesterday, just wish he could find more consistency. Morgan looks promising.

International break again at wrong time, just like after Rangers win.

Onwards and upward.

[hackjam]

 Looks like Griff has told McLeish to poke it. Maybe Forrest will follow????

[salty]

As a non Scot wish they would all tell him to stuff it. 

 

Yes TR had a terrific game yesterday providing  some superbly weighted passes.

[hackjam]

 

Another impressive performance against a game Hibs side, who always try to play football and have a go. Went in 2 up at HT, Gordon did earn his corn with a few decent saves-one outstanding, but again it was the brilliant play of Aussie Tom and Forrest who put us 1 up, followed by a good team goal for Ollie. Lost Brown, who was replaced by Sinclair, who went on to miss 2 sitters-an open goal and a 1 on 1.

Having looked so threatening first half, we allowed Hibs back into it, cracking finish it must be noted, Gordon no chance. But we kept focus and French Eddie finished after a great run by Forrest. But 2 min later, we let Hibs back into it again, Lustig just brushed aside and Hibs are back in it. A nervous finish but game over when Eddie scored with a few min left.

10 goals in 2 games, think we hit the woodwork 4 times & had a few 1 on 1, looking like we are at last finding our form, both Forrest and Tom are on song and I am so impressed with Benkovic.

Big games coming up in the next week, Brown will be missed if not fit.

[salty]

Good to see the increase in goal tally maintained. Lively performance from the bhoys  with Forrest and Rogic again playing leading roles. The woodwork is again becoming our most influential opponent. Benkovic is proving to be a huge influence.

 

Despite our superiority Hibs were not killed off until our 4th in the last few minutes. I thought Boyata might have done better for first goal which was a cracker. Lustig very easily brushed aside leading to the 2nd.  Gordon again good shot stopper but he was also poor for Hibs 2nd I thought. Sinclair continues to disappoint.

 

Overall things look much rosier than a few weeks ago and certainly the entertainment value hugely increased.

[salty]

Another away defeat in Leipzig not totally unexpected with several regulars injured. Hard to escape the feeling eyes more on Sundays League Cup semi. Both goals conceded in a 4 minute spell late in the first half and both given away very easily. Kouassi with a wild swipe failed to cut out a cross probably put Boyata off as well good control by the centre forward who slammed it home. 4 minutes later Gamboa completely sold himself diving in to  challenge the winger who went on to centre and Leipzig availed of a rather fortunate ricochet for no 2.

 

Celtic never really looked like coming back from these. Edouard had a shot just wide after good work by Morgan early on and late on the goalie made a good block from him. Overall the home team were far superior in speed of thought and action and they dealt comfortably with anything Celtic threw at them. Celtic seem unlikely to qualify out of the group and it would seem that the emphasis is on the defence of our trophies.

[salty]

Celtic qualified for the League Cup Final where they will meet Aberdeen after a 3-0 win over Hearts. In the end it was very comfortable and we could well have had a few more goals but it never looked like that until the 2nd half. 

 

Our win was built on a solid back four. Benkovic was as assured as ever with Ajer appearing after a 4 game absence was immense. The early injury to Naismith considerably increased their chances of avoiding injury. Kouassi went off injured midway through the first half which hardly was a catastrophe and was replaced by Sinclair who had a fine game. It was he who had a good effort well saved by the Hearts goalie just before half time. Hearts had the ball in the net after a corner but it was a clear offside. We forced quite a few corners but as usual they never posed any danger.

 

Christie replaced Ntcham at HT and this again was to work to our advantage. Early in the 2nd half he was fouled in the area and the ref awarded a penalty. All including Brendan maintained it was soft but it was a foul right in front of the ref. Sinclair scored emphatically from the spot. It was the signal for a complete Celtic takeover and Rogic in particular who had a fine game was driving Celtic forward. The only fly in the ointment was Edouard whose control as so often was poor and he was easily hustled off the ball. Celtic went 2 up in 66 minutes and it was a tragedy for the Hearts keeper who otherwise had an excellent game. He allowed an easy shot from Christie to escape his grasp and replay showed it was just over the line. Without VTR it is doubtful if it would have been awarded but thankfully the alert Forrest was at hand to make sure. Within 6 minutes Christie made it 3 with a superb effort from the edge of the box high into the corner. Celtic could have added a few more but were foiled by good saves by the keeper and several gutsy blocks by the defenders.

 

A very satisfactory day for the faithful and we can now concentrate on League duty with a visit to Dundee on Wednesday and Hearts at Parkhead on Saturday.

[hackjam]

Just when we seemed to have turned the corner, injuries to key players. Especially our midfield, may be an opportunity tomorrow to blood young Henderson, Christie is starting to show some form, an ideal replacement for when Aussie Tom is rested/injured, or even that false No 9 position, as Eddie is our only available striker at the moment. Christie should earn himself a new contract.

Not sure what the score with Mulumba is, maybe injured.

Was great to finally put the Jambo anti footballers in their place and hopefully give them a good pounding on Saturday at Parkhead, we are overdue to give them a pounding in the league. Were sluggish in first half and finally unlocked them after half time. Again Aussie Tom seems to be our most influential player and disturbing to hear he may be carrying an injury.

 

[salty]

https://videocelts.com/2018/10/blogs/latest-news/rodgers-speaks-out-to-clear-the-mulumbu-conspiracy/

 

I was wondering also. He is the sort of guy who will get stuck in and scrap for everything. Overall we seem to have a constant stream of injuries far more than the norm.

[hackjam]

But BR does not say why he has been out???  Interesting.

[salty]

An easy win at Dundee as expected and all those around us dropped points made it a very satisfactory evening. Our only worries were trying to avoid injuries against some "agricultural challenges" If we ever get everyone fit there will be cut throat competition for places.

[hackjam]

Yes indeed, great win, that's 18 goals in the last 4 domestic games, so defiantly rediscovering our spark.

Starting to warm toward Christie, deserves a run, confidence will be high. Sinclair seems to be rediscovering form of old. Also looking solid at the back-3 clean domestic sheets in a row.

Next up the Jambos again and we go into his game on a roll, so should close gap further.

Sad to see that kid having to go off injured, ae min into his debut.

[CelticBhoy]

Interesting to note that we have come on leaps and bounds since Brown has been out.

Certainly not having a pop at Broony, but midfield seems to have found new life.

[salty]

CB I am always concerned you might not get a good nights sleep following the Bhoys.????

 

McGregor seems to have taken over that role at present and he is getting the ball forward more quickly. He played some excellent forward passes in the last couple of games.

 

Touch wood we are motoring much more efficiently at present.

[hackjam]

Will be interesting to see what BR does when both Olli and Brown are fit, I do like CMcG in that more central position.

Sad to hear both Azani and Koassie out for he season.

[salty]

Another stunning performance by Celtic as they put the League leaders to the sword 5-0. This win moves the Bhoys to one point of Hearts with a game in hand. Playing the same starting eleven as midweek Celtic were driving forward from the off. 

 

Edouard set us on our way with a superb strike off the underside of the bar after receiving from Sinclair. He made room for the shot which gave the goalie no chance. Then a collector's item a goal from a corner. Benkovic in space glanced a header into the corner of the net from a McGregor corner. Another Edouard

goal followed : this was a close range finish showing excellent reaction to finish a Tierney centre. 3-0 HT Game over bar a miracle .

 

As so often happens the second half was fairly flat for long periods. Hearts were not allowing Celtic as much room. Edouard set up no 4 for Forrest the player of October which was a excellent finish across goal into the corner. In the closing minutes Morgan one of the 3 subs was the victim of a shocking cynical foul by the Hearts captain which was worthy of a red card though he escaped with yellow. There was still time for another Celtic move which saw Forrest fouled in the box. Christie scored no 5 from the spot.

 

After the flat beer of our opening 7 games this is champagne stuff. The injured players must be watching this and wondering how they are going to force their way into the starting eleven when they are healthy. 

[hackjam]

Champagne stuff for sure, easy on the eye and a rare goal from a corner is a collectors item.

Have to agree that the turnaround has come mainly from CMcG moving the ball quicker/sharper and more direct from that central position, and also the backline just has a more solid/composed look about them.

We may just have unearthed a gem and saved a fortune by locating CMcG.

[smokie36]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-46124186

 

Posting this to highlight Celtic's acceptance and change of direction really.

 

I was heading back from work in a taxi in Glasgow a couple of years ago and turned out one of those abused was my driver.

 

Happy for him finally to receive the apology from Celtic which he had wanted for so many years.

 

Well done Celtic on this one so many years later, hopefully he will find some peace at last.

[salty]

Celtic kept their Europa League hopes alive with a narrow 2-1 win over Leipzig. To describe it as hard fought would be a huge understatement. The Germans are an excellent side and they put Celtic and all of us through the ringer especially in the closing stages. Given all this it was a heroic display by the Bhoys.

 

Straight from the kickoff the Germans were in Celtic's face giving them very little time to play. But Celtic were solid in defence and with McGregor Tierney Rogic and co scrapping for everything Celtic were by no means on the back foot. We grabbed the lead in 16 minutes. A quick McGregor free set Forrest away. His cross evaded everyone in the area but Tierney on the far side in space controlled and lashed across goal and into the far corner. Rogic missed a chance soon after and Celtic were giving as good as they got. The Germans bristled with menace and their control and passing kept Celtic stretched. We survived till Half time.  

 

Sinclair had a good chance early in the 2nd half but indecision cost him. As the half progressed Leipzig took control and Celtic were under siege with the odd breakaway to relief the pressure. You felt we could not survive the onslaught  and with 12 minutes to go Augustin headed the equalizer from a superb cross. Lustig as so often went to sleep. Incredibly Celtic were back in front within 15 seconds of the kickoff. Tierney set up Sinclair good pass to Christie great vision from the young man to set up Edouard for a tap in. I was horrified when Mulumbu came on as a sub. No game for 4/5 weeks always likely lack of match practise would tell. He dawdled on the ball a few times was robbed and Leipzig crashed one off the bar. Another attack saw Lustig left for dead but fortunately they shot wide. Celtic were just clearing it anywhere but might have snatched a third in a breakaway. Huge relief at the final whistle.

 

Another terrific Celtic performance and while they are still outsiders to qualify who knows. Rosenborg next game away which we have to win before our last game home to Salzburg.

[hackjam]

Finally a great European night, capped with a fine performance/result in a game we just had to win..

Some outstanding individual performances, Eddie up front, CMcG & Christie, the 2 center half’s and, as always KT, who ran himself into the ground. I was so impressed by the composed way we played out the ball from the back.

Lustig again found out-so need to upgrade the right back position in Jan, or try Ajer there??? Mulumba looked shell-shocked when introduced. 2 center half's were outstanding, shame but both could be away in January.

2 games left, should be able to get victory in Norway and Salzburg may just send reserve team to Glasgow, as they may have won the group by then.

Not much recovery time. Livi up next.

[hackjam]

Always going to be a drop in tempo coming off the back of an outstanding energy sapping performance less than 3 days previous and that dreaded Lego pitch. Tame first half against a game Livi side, took 30 min before Christie tested their keeper. Worrying was the amount of headers they were winning in our box. Do think we need to start having more pops from outside the box.

Second half , Aussie Tom had a goalbound effort well saved, Sinclair missed a great chance at the end.

Christi was our best player on a frustrating afternoon.

[salty]

Bloody pitch made it a game of fightball rather than football. LivI are well used to it and know how to use it to their strengths. Plenty of corners, throw ins whack it forward. Their defence do not stand on ceremony and their goalie had an inspired afternoon.

 

Mench was very fortunate to stay on the pitch after nutting Christie. Having said all that I was somewhat disappointed with Celtic. It was only in the last 15 minutes we put on sustained pressure. Ajer has a serious injury with his eye socket.  

 

On the plus side the point puts us top of the table at last. 

[hackjam]

Sad news indeed about Ajer, guess we wont see him till early new year at best, should now make it priority to get in an established center half who an hit the ground running.

Good news that Christie has signed a new contract, he has taken his chance and should continue to improve.

I see P Roberts has not made a go of it in Spain and is set to return to Man City, would be great to get him back in January, would be a squad upgrade.

Not sure about Boyata, would like to think he would do the honorable thing and repay BR for making him the player he is, do a Stan Petrov...…..Otherwise its going to be a hell of a dilemma come January, do we cash in or keep him till seasons end????

[salty]

Another 3 points today at Hamilton with a 3-0 win. Despite being on top for all the game it took Celtic until midway through the 2nd half to make the game safe.

 

A quick start saw The Bhoys denied a blatant penalty early on but not surprising. The same referee who gave a phantom penalty against Schiavachenko a season or so ago. But Celtic when ahead soon after  it was from a corner would you believe. McGregor short to Edouard a clever back-heel return and CMc's center swept home by Christie who was again prominent. From then to the interval it was exasperating as Celtic failed to add to the goal despite being completely on top. Good play but too fond of the extra touch.

The 2nd half meandered on in the same fashion and the lack of spectator noise was an indication of the turgid nature of the game. Finally a 2nd from a header by Sinclair which deflected off a defender and in to allow us some breathing space. Cue substitutions the most interesting was the return of Griffiths. And with 8 minutes to go from a free kick just outside the box as you thought there was no chance of getting it up and down from so close in he lashed a grounder into the corner for No 3. He looked like someone who is in better shape and hopefully will stay injury free and fit. He got a bang in the head in the closing minutes but resumed and looked to be moving without any trouble.

 

With 11 games coming up before the mid season break we will need all the bodies we have to cope with all the fixtures.

[balo]

How bad is the injury of Ajer ?  Unlucky again . 

 

[salty]

An injury to his eye socket left him in severe pain. He had an operation last week which apparently went well but it is anticipated he will be out for at least a few weeks.  He has indeed been unfortunate with injuries of late.

 

Looks like he will not be facing his countrymen next Thursday.

[hackjam]

Read somewhere Ajer will be out for 5 or 6 weeks, so I guess we wont see him in action till after the winter break, towards end Jan.

Great to see Griff back, again hopefully, he can stay injury free.

Sinclair continues to frustrate, missing sitters, reckon this 11 game run should seehim sink or swim, but with Aussie Tom and Griff back in contention, he may struggle for game time. He just has not got to where he was first season.

[salty]

Looks like Ajer will be available for selection sooner than anticipated.

 

https://www.celticnewsnow.com/news/kristoffer-ajer-makes-miraculous-recover-after-surgery/256349/

[hackjam]

That's good news, even if he has to wear one of those gimp mask's.

With Ajer back, that would be most of our injured list cleared up, not sure how far Joso is away from full fitness.