Dundee v Celtic, Sunday 28th April 3pm

[Jim1967]

As for Scales winning every header. If Dundee were more clinical, they could have scored about 5 headers from balls whipped into our box today. I'm not putting that all on Scales though.

As for Scales winning every header. If Dundee were more clinical, they could have scored about 5 headers from balls whipped into our box today. I'm not putting that all on Scales though.

3 points Yes. Performance not good .We can't keep playing like this alright we got the result, but our defense or lack of means we will lose games. We have Hearts at home the Rangers at home Kilmarnock away and St Mirren at home. This is not easy although I'm confident but by God if we lose this league now a complete clearance of board management and players is needed. I say this due to Dundee , if they had the killer touch today our whole season was over.

 

[Jim1967]

I just didn't see it.
Scales is slow on the ball and his passing is poor. He will make a good Aberdeen defender. He's a blood and guts back to the wall defender. Not Celtic quality.
The last couple of months, teams have targeted him and put him under pressure. This has forced him to play the ball back to Hart or over to CCV, but every time the ball is at is feet for to long, fans hold their breath.
Today, Dundee stood off him. Maybe this gave the illusion that he's improved on the ball as he had more time on it. But all it did was show another weakness of his. His inability to make a decisive pass to a forward player. But like Dill said...its all about opinions.

And we sure have your opinion Lubo HH

 

[Winter]

I thought Scales played well today, a vast improvement on his performance last week. The defence as a whole played quite well, the problem was the gaping hole in front of them where the midfield should have been. None of the three of them played well and we only improved there when Iwata came on. Bernardo should also have come on for Hatate who had his poorest game since returning from injury.

Palma, iwata and Idah were surprisingly the only subs used today, quite a gamble by Brendan I thought as Hatate was shattered, could see that when he was tracking back at one point I was screaming for Bernardo to come on.
It does give Hatate much needed minutes but after he hit the post he faded right out of the game.
Hopefully that will pay off in the run in but it really was a gamble against a decent side playing for a European place.

 

[Fisiani]

In the history books all that remains is that we won 2-1 and gained another step and three points closer to the title. All the focus goes on to our next game. Hearts at home If we can win that game we are another step closer 3 more points is all I ask

 

[Winter]

In the history books all that remains is that we won 2-1 and gained another step and three points closer to the title. All the focus goes on to our next game. Hearts at home If we can win that game we are another step closer 3 more points is all I ask

Yes indeed Fis, same as the semi final as long as we get through /take the points that's all that matters at this stage

 

[Winter]

Those were no ordinary Dundee players per se. They had 3 loanees from Burnley 1 from crystal Palace all decent players could see them take 5th from St Mirren but those players likely won't be part of any European football

 

[JamSam67]

Ok ok, try again,
JAMESIE FORREST !
Some say he's shite
Don't turn yer back oan him
Or he'll steal yer site!

Haud oan whit James Forrest we singing aboot again

Bangin

HH

 

[Bridie Bhoy]

Yesterday was all about winning the three points and we were successful in that. After a performance and result like that we always resort to the old cliche about sometimes you just have to dig deep and grab the win, even if it is not fully deserved. Sadly though, this was not an exceptional game, but has become very much the norm, and that is what is worrying me. We can never seem to be able to play more than 60 minutes of football in any game, with us struggling against inferior opponents (less skill, but often more heart and determination) for periods of 30 to 60 minutes in most matches.

Yes, we are still winning most games, but we are making them much harder than they should be. Also, when was the last time you saw a move that was clearly practiced in training that has led to a goal? I am not just meaning our set pieces, which have been awful for years now, but also moves happening during open play. For example, say we win the ball in our own half, it gets laid off and our winger knows to start bombing up the sideline knowing our midfielder will ping a pass to him. He then cuts it across the goal where he knows an attacker is making a practiced run to the near post to slide the ball into the net, with the opposite winger cutting into the back post to slot in any rebounds. These goals were routine for us in most games during the Ange era with Kyogo, Abada, Giakoumakis and even Elyounoussi scoring plenty of times.

But nowadays we just seem to rely on our individuals' superior skill being sufficient to overcome opponents to score. There is also an over-reliance on keeping safe possession at all costs rather than trying to be a bit more adventurous. It is just safe pass, after safe pass - how often do you see us just outside an opponents packed penalty box only to see the ball being fired back to Hart 5 seconds later? There is a severe lack of movement from our players, which makes the the tippy tappy possession ineffective. The players should be passing and moving - every recipient of the pass should have 2 or 3 options for the next pass, but this simply does not happen enough. Many of our fast front players are best running onto through passes played through the channels for them to run onto, but far too often these days the ball is played to the feet of static players who are marked so they will usually just pass the ball back to a colleague in a similar position.

Also, every single free kick in an opponent's half almost always restarts with a short tapped pass to a teammate rather than viewed as a serious chance to get the ball into the opponent's box to perhaps create a chance. As for throw-ins, we'd be as well just letting the opposition take them for us as we will almost certainly lose possession once it is finally thrown in. And no one seems to actually take on a defender by running at them and making them commit to a difficult tackle in a dangerous place. If a winger does attempt a dribble then it is usually to cut inside and run across the pitch hoping to have a shot from 20 yards out on their good foot.

This never meant to be moan because we do have a lot to be very positive about. However, there are a few flaws that we just do not seem to be addressing which is concerning. As I said many times before, I don't have a problem with losing games or trophies if we have done as well as we can or our opponent has deserved it. But we need to tighten up on some aspects of our game before it needlessly costs us a title which we should have secured before now. Yes, I understand that we have suffered far too many injuries this season (mostly in training it appears) and there have been a lot of bizarre VAR/refereeing decisions, but we need to deal with the end product on the pitch by the 11 men playing at any one time, as too often we are under-performing due to what appear to be very basic issues.

 

[The Shamrock]

Yesterday was all about winning the three points and we were successful in that. After a performance and result like that we always resort to the old cliche about sometimes you just have to dig deep and grab the win, even if it is not fully deserved. Sadly though, this was not an exceptional game, but has become very much the norm, and that is what is worrying me. We can never seem to be able to play more than 60 minutes of football in any game, with us struggling against inferior opponents (less skill, but often more heart and determination) for periods of 30 to 60 minutes in most matches.

Yes, we are still winning most games, but we are making them much harder than they should be. Also, when was the last time you saw a move that was clearly practiced in training that has led to a goal? I am not just meaning our set pieces, which have been awful for years now, but also moves happening during open play. For example, say we win the ball in our own half, it gets laid off and our winger knows to start bombing up the sideline knowing our midfielder will ping a pass to him. He then cuts it across the goal where he knows an attacker is making a practiced run to the near post to slide the ball into the net, with the opposite winger cutting into the back post to slot in any rebounds. These goals were routine for us in most games during the Ange era with Kyogo, Abada, Giakoumakis and even Elyounoussi scoring plenty of times.

But nowadays we just seem to rely on our individuals' superior skill being sufficient to overcome opponents to score. There is also an over-reliance on keeping safe possession at all costs rather than trying to be a bit more adventurous. It is just safe pass, after safe pass - how often do you see us just outside an opponents packed penalty box only to see the ball being fired back to Hart 5 seconds later? There is a severe lack of movement from our players, which makes the the tippy tappy possession ineffective. The players should be passing and moving - every recipient of the pass should have 2 or 3 options for the next pass, but this simply does not happen enough. Many of our fast front players are best running onto through passes played through the channels for them to run onto, but far too often these days the ball is played to the feet of static players who are marked so they will usually just pass the ball back to a colleague in a similar position.

Also, every single free kick in an opponent's half almost always restarts with a short tapped pass to a teammate rather than viewed as a serious chance to get the ball into the opponent's box to perhaps create a chance. As for throw-ins, we'd be as well just letting the opposition take them for us as we will almost certainly lose possession once it is finally thrown in. And no one seems to actually take on a defender by running at them and making them commit to a difficult tackle in a dangerous place. If a winger does attempt a dribble then it is usually to cut inside and run across the pitch hoping to have a shot from 20 yards out on their good foot.

This never meant to be moan because we do have a lot to be very positive about. However, there are a few flaws that we just do not seem to be addressing which is concerning. As I said many times before, I don't have a problem with losing games or trophies if we have done as well as we can or our opponent has deserved it. But we need to tighten up on some aspects of our game before it needlessly costs us a title which we should have secured before now. Yes, I understand that we have suffered far too many injuries this season (mostly in training it appears) and there have been a lot of bizarre VAR/refereeing decisions, but we need to deal with the end product on the pitch by the 11 men playing at any one time, as too often we are under-performing due to what appear to be very basic issues.

Well said Bridie.

It irks that there are still issues with our set pieces, corners and throw-ins and it makes us very one dimensional.

On the defensive side we don't seem to be able to stop the crosses into our box. Defenders are all too happy to stand off the opposition.

I'd like to know what it is that gives players the fear when they're trying to hold on to a lead. Is it a lack of confidence or a lack of trust in each other?

There are loads of issues that shouldn't have to be addressed at this end of the season and it looks like we are going to have a nail-biting end before being crowned champions again.

 

[Espiritosanto]

I know it doesnt matter now but watched the idah own goal a couple a times back
The Dundee player strikes the ball first time towards our goal it hits theyre number 28 on both hands then he shoots again,idah swings it into our net…..the var guys musta been in the toilet at the timeah well…I for one don’t think the refs and var in scotia are bias against celtic..no sir..

 

[Frank Owen]

Yesterday was all about winning the three points and we were successful in that. After a performance and result like that we always resort to the old cliche about sometimes you just have to dig deep and grab the win, even if it is not fully deserved. Sadly though, this was not an exceptional game, but has become very much the norm, and that is what is worrying me. We can never seem to be able to play more than 60 minutes of football in any game, with us struggling against inferior opponents (less skill, but often more heart and determination) for periods of 30 to 60 minutes in most matches.

Yes, we are still winning most games, but we are making them much harder than they should be. Also, when was the last time you saw a move that was clearly practiced in training that has led to a goal? I am not just meaning our set pieces, which have been awful for years now, but also moves happening during open play. For example, say we win the ball in our own half, it gets laid off and our winger knows to start bombing up the sideline knowing our midfielder will ping a pass to him. He then cuts it across the goal where he knows an attacker is making a practiced run to the near post to slide the ball into the net, with the opposite winger cutting into the back post to slot in any rebounds. These goals were routine for us in most games during the Ange era with Kyogo, Abada, Giakoumakis and even Elyounoussi scoring plenty of times.

But nowadays we just seem to rely on our individuals' superior skill being sufficient to overcome opponents to score. There is also an over-reliance on keeping safe possession at all costs rather than trying to be a bit more adventurous. It is just safe pass, after safe pass - how often do you see us just outside an opponents packed penalty box only to see the ball being fired back to Hart 5 seconds later? There is a severe lack of movement from our players, which makes the the tippy tappy possession ineffective. The players should be passing and moving - every recipient of the pass should have 2 or 3 options for the next pass, but this simply does not happen enough. Many of our fast front players are best running onto through passes played through the channels for them to run onto, but far too often these days the ball is played to the feet of static players who are marked so they will usually just pass the ball back to a colleague in a similar position.

Also, every single free kick in an opponent's half almost always restarts with a short tapped pass to a teammate rather than viewed as a serious chance to get the ball into the opponent's box to perhaps create a chance. As for throw-ins, we'd be as well just letting the opposition take them for us as we will almost certainly lose possession once it is finally thrown in. And no one seems to actually take on a defender by running at them and making them commit to a difficult tackle in a dangerous place. If a winger does attempt a dribble then it is usually to cut inside and run across the pitch hoping to have a shot from 20 yards out on their good foot.

This never meant to be moan because we do have a lot to be very positive about. However, there are a few flaws that we just do not seem to be addressing which is concerning. As I said many times before, I don't have a problem with losing games or trophies if we have done as well as we can or our opponent has deserved it. But we need to tighten up on some aspects of our game before it needlessly costs us a title which we should have secured before now. Yes, I understand that we have suffered far too many injuries this season (mostly in training it appears) and there have been a lot of bizarre VAR/refereeing decisions, but we need to deal with the end product on the pitch by the 11 men playing at any one time, as too often we are under-performing due to what appear to be very basic issues.

Your post should be the basis of discussion after the dust settles on this season, Bridie. Very articulate and pinpoint accurate.

As things stand, though, we don't have the luxury of time to address and affect the changes that, I think, all of us would agree are needed.

We have no option other than to go with what we have. I sense the tension creeping into our thoughts, I know only too well this season has been, in many ways, abysmal. Even if ( when ) we get over the line, the feeling will probably be more of relief than satisfaction.

However, we are, in my opinion, favourites to get the job done. Two crucially important game in Paradise await.

First things first.

 

[Imatim]

Your post should be the basis of discussion after the dust settles on this season, Bridie. Very articulate and pinpoint accurate.

As things stand, though, we don't have the luxury of time to address and affect the changes that, I think, all of us would agree are needed.

We have no option other than to go with what we have. I sense the tension creeping into our thoughts, I know only too well this season has been, in many ways, abysmal. Even if ( when ) we get over the line, the feeling will probably be more of relief than satisfaction.

However, we are, in my opinion, favourites to get the job done. Two crucially important game in Paradise await.

First things first.

I’m thinking we’re looking stale and we need an Injection of new and fresh ideas. We need to have plans B and C in our locker which we don’t currently have imo.

We need to bring in someone new with the savvy of a Chris Davies as 2IC along with another specialist coach with fresh modern ideas who can set us up in how to defend cross balls and effectively take set pieces. We need to shake things up…

 

[Frank Owen]

I’m thinking we’re looking stale and we need an Injection of new and fresh ideas. We need to have plans B and C in our locker which we don’t currently have imo.

We need to bring in someone new with the savvy of a Chris Davies as 2IC along with another specialist coach with fresh modern ideas who can set us up in how to defend cross balls and effectively take set pieces. We need to shake things up…

All very fair comment, Imatim: change without doubt, is needed; the most important one being in our level of ambition when it comes to scouting. We have an embarrassing number of players in our squad who are miles away from being good enough.

You are correct in saying we look jaded at times; even our better players have dropped a level. They, maybe more than we realise, need our support.

Let's get behind them. Let's not do the MSM's work for them. We ARE good enough to see this season out to our satisfaction. Everything else can be put on the back burner.

Catch up at the weekend, folks. Treasure your loved ones.
HH.

 

[Bridie Bhoy]

Your post should be the basis of discussion after the dust settles on this season, Bridie. Very articulate and pinpoint accurate.

As things stand, though, we don't have the luxury of time to address and affect the changes that, I think, all of us would agree are needed.

We have no option other than to go with what we have. I sense the tension creeping into our thoughts, I know only too well this season has been, in many ways, abysmal. Even if ( when ) we get over the line, the feeling will probably be more of relief than satisfaction.

However, we are, in my opinion, favourites to get the job done. Two crucially important game in Paradise await.

First things first.

Exactly Frank. We just need to get over the line and then it will be time for a lot of honesty within our organisation. At the moment, the league title is my priority and the cup will be a bonus (but one I really want because of our opposition in the final). There is a lethargy about our club and this comes from the top down. Our desire and ambition has dropped and there is a staleness probably due to having been very successful for such a long time. Ange shook things up, but it only ever appears to be a short-term goal for him. Did his "We. Never. Stop." philosophy burn our players out?

I do not know what Kennedy or Strachan Jr contribute to training - JFK is particularly highly thought of, so I will not apportion any blame on them. But we really need an injection of freshness into our coaching - Duff and then Kewell seemed to bring this.

All these years of intense games seems to have worn down CalMac - is this temporary, or is it the start of the ageing process that catches up with us all? If he is not performing as we know he can do then our whole game drops down a level. Maybe we should be helping him more on the pitch. Rather than playing him and swapping him out with Iwata, why doesn't BR start both together? Let Iwata share the burden, as CalMac used to do with Broony in his latter years. This way the younger player learns more playing alongside his experienced future legend, and also hopefully extends our Captain's effectiveness for longer.

We need a more targeted recruitment process but also we need to start using the players we have better to maximise their contributions. At the moment we are trying to force players into a style that does not always get the best out of them. It is not all doom and gloom - we are in a much healthier position than we were when Ange was brought in, so we need to start building on it. And show a lot more ambition - both in the board room and on the pitch.

But this is something for our top people to deal with come the end of May - but they had better start preparing for this now, if they haven't already.

 

[dougie]

Exactly Frank. We just need to get over the line and then it will be time for a lot of honesty within our organisation. At the moment, the league title is my priority and the cup will be a bonus (but one I really want because of our opposition in the final). There is a lethargy about our club and this comes from the top down. Our desire and ambition has dropped and there is a staleness probably due to having been very successful for long. Ange shook things up, but it only appears to be a short-term goal for him. Did his "We. Never. Stop." philosophy burn our players out?

I do not know what Kennedy or Strachan Jr contribute to training - JFK is particularly highly thought of, so I will not apportion any blame on them. But we really need an injection of freshness into our coaching - Duff and then Kewell seemed to bring this.

All these years of intense games seems to have worn down CalMac - is this temporary, or is it the start of the ageing process that catches up with us all? If he is not performing as we know he can do then our whole game drops down a level. Maybe we should be helping him more on the pitch. Rather than playing him and swapping him out with Iwata, why doesn't he start both together? Let Iwata share the burden, as CalMac used to do with Broony in his latter years. This way the younger player learns more playing alongside his experienced future legend, and also hopefully extends their effectiveness for longer.

We need a more targeted recruitment process but also we need to start using the players we have better to maximise their contributions. At the moment we are trying to force players into a style that does not always get the best out of them. It is not all doom and gloom - we are in a much healthier position than we were when Ange was brought in, so we need to start building on it. And show a lot more ambition - both in the board room and on the pitch.

But this is something for our top people to deal with come the end of May - but they had better start preparing for this now, if they haven't already.

Think the name at the top of the list to be replaced has to be Liewell I personally think things around Celtic Park have deteriorated since he came back from his so called retirement and installed his son as head of recruitment who then wasted a lot of money to which the board have held their hands up to, so if he had to go his da does too and not before time and let’s make sure it’s a permanent retirement and he can take Rodgers with him

 

[Bridie Bhoy]

Think the name at the top of the list to be replaced has to be Liewell I personally think things around Celtic Park have deteriorated since he came back from his so called retirement and installed his son as head of recruitment who then wasted a lot of money to which the board have held their hands up to, so if he had to go his da does too and not before time and let’s make sure it’s a permanent retirement and he can take Rodgers with him

dougie - I have moaned enough about Lawwell on here so I'm giving it a wee rest. For just now anyway, as I know the same complaints will be voiced about this man from June right through to the closure of the transfer window in August, and not a bloody thing will ever change or any lessons be learnt by the stubborn old dinosaur.

 

[JamSam67]

Yesterday was all about winning the three points and we were successful in that. After a performance and result like that we always resort to the old cliche about sometimes you just have to dig deep and grab the win, even if it is not fully deserved. Sadly though, this was not an exceptional game, but has become very much the norm, and that is what is worrying me. We can never seem to be able to play more than 60 minutes of football in any game, with us struggling against inferior opponents (less skill, but often more heart and determination) for periods of 30 to 60 minutes in most matches.

Yes, we are still winning most games, but we are making them much harder than they should be. Also, when was the last time you saw a move that was clearly practiced in training that has led to a goal? I am not just meaning our set pieces, which have been awful for years now, but also moves happening during open play. For example, say we win the ball in our own half, it gets laid off and our winger knows to start bombing up the sideline knowing our midfielder will ping a pass to him. He then cuts it across the goal where he knows an attacker is making a practiced run to the near post to slide the ball into the net, with the opposite winger cutting into the back post to slot in any rebounds. These goals were routine for us in most games during the Ange era with Kyogo, Abada, Giakoumakis and even Elyounoussi scoring plenty of times.

But nowadays we just seem to rely on our individuals' superior skill being sufficient to overcome opponents to score. There is also an over-reliance on keeping safe possession at all costs rather than trying to be a bit more adventurous. It is just safe pass, after safe pass - how often do you see us just outside an opponents packed penalty box only to see the ball being fired back to Hart 5 seconds later? There is a severe lack of movement from our players, which makes the the tippy tappy possession ineffective. The players should be passing and moving - every recipient of the pass should have 2 or 3 options for the next pass, but this simply does not happen enough. Many of our fast front players are best running onto through passes played through the channels for them to run onto, but far too often these days the ball is played to the feet of static players who are marked so they will usually just pass the ball back to a colleague in a similar position.

Also, every single free kick in an opponent's half almost always restarts with a short tapped pass to a teammate rather than viewed as a serious chance to get the ball into the opponent's box to perhaps create a chance. As for throw-ins, we'd be as well just letting the opposition take them for us as we will almost certainly lose possession once it is finally thrown in. And no one seems to actually take on a defender by running at them and making them commit to a difficult tackle in a dangerous place. If a winger does attempt a dribble then it is usually to cut inside and run across the pitch hoping to have a shot from 20 yards out on their good foot.

This never meant to be moan because we do have a lot to be very positive about. However, there are a few flaws that we just do not seem to be addressing which is concerning. As I said many times before, I don't have a problem with losing games or trophies if we have done as well as we can or our opponent has deserved it. But we need to tighten up on some aspects of our game before it needlessly costs us a title which we should have secured before now. Yes, I understand that we have suffered far too many injuries this season (mostly in training it appears) and there have been a lot of bizarre VAR/refereeing decisions, but we need to deal with the end product on the pitch by the 11 men playing at any one time, as too often we are under-performing due to what appear to be very basic issues.

That ain’t a moan it’s a well written piece of well founded facts and pretty much all our problems both Roger’s and Even Ange his left side was always weaker than the right
But we back off every throw in when it’s the opposition but they get man tight before we throw it to them. As for our corners ffs we’re pish and have been for a long long time.
We need decent team of top set piece coaches
As well as new players big athletic kickfeckootiyi types
Good post BB

HH

 

[50 Shades of Green]

The View fae the couch...

Well we certainly sorted out the only dominating teams for one half yesterday didn't we .

If the dens men had a striker who could heed a baw we would have been in big trouble yesterday...

For me only CCV of the outfield players showed any gumption aided in small parts by O'Riely Khun and Hatate... But the rest looked out of it.

I think Brendan has to find away of playing Iwata and if that means Calmac misses out then so be it.. But a fit Cal with O'Riely Hatate and Iwata all playing would be my way forward till the seasons end.... We are getting out manoeuvred in the middle with only 3 especially if one ain't %... I know AJ and Greg flit in and out of the middle when we go forward but I'm talking about when we are under pressure... Get they 2 back blocking crosses..

One other problem I noticed yesterday was that nothing stuck to Kyogo, he only once held the ball for more than a few seconds, perhaps Idah might do this better .

Anyhoo on the plus side we are one step closer to winning this league... Win our home games and the league is ours.. Its that simple Celtic... Just dae it...

 

[boab1916]

 

[Bridie Bhoy]

The View fae the couch...

Well we certainly sorted out the only dominating teams for one half yesterday didn't we .

If the dens men had a striker who could heed a baw we would have been in big trouble yesterday...

For me only CCV of the outfield players showed any gumption aided in small parts by O'Riely Khun and Hatate... But the rest looked out of it.

I think Brendan has to find away of playing Iwata and if that means Calmac misses out then so be it.. But a fit Cal with O'Riely Hatate and Iwata all playing would be my way forward till the seasons end.... We are getting out manoeuvred in the middle with only 3 especially if one ain't %... I know AJ and Greg flit in and out of the middle when we go forward but I'm talking about when we are under pressure... Get they 2 back blocking crosses..

One other problem I noticed yesterday was that nothing stuck to Kyogo, he only once held the ball for more than a few seconds, perhaps Idah might do this better .

Anyhoo on the plus side we are one step closer to winning this league... Win our home games and the league is ours.. Its that simple Celtic... Just dae it...

I thought Forrest was our best player yesterday by quite some distance, so I'm surprised you missed him out as a positive to take from the game.