Today was another one of those days. Another day of uninspiring football. Another day when this team looked decidedly ordinary.
We started without Griffiths and Commons, both of whom are injured.
Bad enough.
Throw in injuries to two players in the first half – introducing Ambrose to the mix – and the recipe for disaster is bubbling away nicely.
Disaster was everted here.
Two points were dropped instead of three.
Aberdeen’s failure yesterday means it cost us nothing … but that’s part of the problem, isn’t it?
We get away with so many days like today, because our rivals are just as bad.
Woe betide us when someone can string together a run of wins against us.
Cause at times we are awful, with a shocking suicidal tendency that is woven into this side like red through a stick of rock.
Add to that some baffling decision making … and wow.
Today’s big moment; the substitution of Rogic, shortly after he had fired us into the lead, to bring on a third attacking midfield player, Gary Mackay Steven.
What was the objective? What was the purpose?
Not to hold onto the lead, because in those circumstances it makes no sense at all.
To chase a third goal? With ten minutes left?
There are times you wonder if Ronny Deila is playing with a full deck.
Cause to me that looked like a change for changes sake.
It fulfilled no purpose other than to put Callum McGregor’s round peg back in the square hole that infuriated so many of us last weekend … and it invited Hearts to come at us.
Their equaliser was a wicked shot from distance, from the set piece … but the set piece itself was a dire consequence of midfield failure, particularly that of Forrest and the game’s invisible man, Stefan Johansen, who, if you were looking to take off a central midfielder at all would have been the sterling candidate any day of the week.
And then there’s Scott Allan, who must be getting sick of the sight of the subs bench.
What that guy has to do to get in our team I do not know.
Today he watched as the injured Armstrong came off and the typically ineffectual Forrest came on; that one we let the manager off with because he was playing Armstrong out wide (not his natural position; this is the kind of thing that drives me nuts) and so it was a like for like swap.
But then there was the Rogic decision that scunnered most of us late in the game.
We have serious problems in the composition of this squad of ours.
Two of Ronny’s most vaunted signings are Armstrong, who sure as Hell he didn’t sign as a winger, and Allan himself.
Those are good players, but they are midfielders, signed for covering an area of the pitch where we didn’t need any further players!
Rogic, Brown, Johansen and Biton were already in the squad.
He signed Mackay Steven to play as a winger, but that has proved so successful that he’s now trying to jam other players into the role.
I’m beyond the point where I’m going to try and work out Deila’s decision making process.
It can be summed up best, I think, by the guy who’s in danger of becoming his benchmark signing, Nadir Ciftci, who may well have been a different player in a two up front system or played out wide (where I actually thought we’d signed him to play) but as a single forward … useless is being kind.
This guy, quite frankly, does not look like a Celtic player in his life.
When he scored a double a few weeks ago, I had hoped he’d crack on and show us something.
Today he was dire.
If he’s been signed to toil as a lone striker he was a waste of money because he’s lost up there on his own.
The manager throws him to the wolves every time he selects him in that position, and it’s becoming painful to watch him there.
Whatever he has, we’re never going to see it if this is where he’s going to play.
The worst thing about this, of course, is that it wasn’t an absolutely dire team performance.
Oh we struggled to pass the ball at times, but that’s become so par for the course I barely even muster the enthusiasm to complain about it any longer.
But we controlled the middle of the park.
Our defence wasn’t exactly put through the ringer (although there was at least one heart-in-the-mouth moment from Efe) although our keeper made some good saves.
Yet even he doesn’t escape the criticism.
The late game equaliser was a fine strike … but he didn’t even move for it, which is either stunning complacency or simply an acknowledgement that he was positioned so far from the post he’d left an acre of room.
The overall feeling after this one isn’t anger; it’s frustration.
This is a team that inflicts punishment on itself, due to slackness and lack of focus.
Today was turgid and unimaginative.
Our only two moments of genuine inspiration came from the midfielders, and they both ended with fantastic goals.
Despite holding the lead twice we’ve dropped points.
A bad day at the office, then?
We have too many, we have way too many, of those these days.
We should be taking this league by the scruff of the neck and be way out in front There is no passion in the team without Broony and nearly every player is out of position 2 up front is a must If we can see this why cant Ronny ? Is he stupid or just plain stubborn ? whatever he is, he must go I cant see us qualifying for CL with him in charge so we must get someone in who will get the best out of the players and get rid of the deadwood
Yup couldnt agree more….getting to the stage im switching for the off button….far 2 many passengers…very lttle fight or imagination….defo going backwards…if aberdeen get a decent run going then we could be in serious trouble….hes gotta go…and quickly
Come on mate Celtic are going to win the league no problem I think people should relax a bit and remember we have time to invest in a project we are seeing young Scottish Bhoys comin thru the ranks give them time and they will play for the jersey there is alot of talent in that Celtic squad I hope Ronny figures it out we have gone back but I think it might just come good HH
Yeah we do have young bhoys coming through HH, but where are they ON LOAN FGS
You and your like are the reason we are stuck with a manager who has’nt a clue,and never will have a clue.Deila needs to go and he needs to take people like you with him,as there is a possiblity that you are a sevco supporter. HH
Sorry James I mostly agree with you but we will agree to disagree this timeArmstrong was looking good till injured,Boyata the same,it was JF who made the stupid tackle for the free kick,not Ronnie,hearing the Aussie had a tight hamstring,the Second goal was a deflection,it could have ended up in row Z sometimes these things happen.
And as for the Referee,he as we all know has form regarding us,their RB Patterson got away with everything,and I mean everything.
H H
cant blame the referee for this one. for me the only real questionable decision was efes yellow card. the hearts player hurt himself kicking efe.
if rogic was injured, there must have been better candidates than gms when we were under pressure. cole as a third centre halve, allen holding, izzy to add an extra defender.
i like gms, but he was the last player who should have been on in the situation.
Do you honestly believe that Ronny Deila has what it takes to take us back to where we were brfore he arrived.If your answer is yes,you will have no problem getting a seat at Parkhead,as it will soon be half empty every home game.I will not be renewing my season ticket after 60 odd years supporting once the best team in the world,until we get the right manager in.
Delia has to go and take Collins and Kennedy with him,he just isn’t up to the job one win in seven games isn’t Celtic we should be well ahead in the league,this isn’t Celtic we are watching we are going backward instead of forward under delias leadership
The manager and coaching staff have lost whatever plot they ever had. We should be decimating teams in the SPL with the talent at our disposal. Ronnie’s Selections, his uninspired subs choices and overall reading of a game that everyone else can see is astonishing.
Only a sustained campaign by fans, to enforce change, will have the effect that is badly needed.
Change is coming. One way or another. This can’t be allowed continue for long, otherwise the half empty stadium against Motherwell will be even emptier. And Ronnie Delia’s comment to the effect that he “had his old team back” was incoherently honest. This was indeed his ‘old team.’ Totally unable to hold on to a lead, totally unable to grind out a result, totally timid and fragile anytime anyone gets stuck in. I could go on and on but what’s the point. If Delia and Lawers want to hear the mood of the Celtic support then listen to anguished cry of 30 odd thousand empty seats. And get used to it, unless the Board are prepared to introduce regime change and act now to stop the rot.
i dont know how long we are expected to put up with the garbage on the park and the worse garbage in the dugout. we have around 44000 season tickets this season, but i suspect the numbers will be drastically reduced next season. that is unless the part time celtic fans prove they are indeed only there to see ra rangers.
but the simple fact is, that wrongy deila is tacticly naive. he cannot organise a defence, he barely even uses one these days. his substitutions are baffling at best. his team selections are brainless. ciftci has offered nothing since hes been in, yet he gets a start. give cole a chance since griffiths is injured (although i suspect he’ll offer nothing more). as you say, what has allen got to do to get in the team? he should have been on for johansen who did nothing after being booked. allen had a poor game last week when he did get on, but what can we expect from a guy who knows he could score five goals in a 5-4 win and still go back to the bench.
callum mcgregor as a holding midfielder makes as much sense as james forrest in goal. mikael lustig moves like a guy who’s just had hip surgery. what happened to janko who was looking like a good player. i still dont understand why mattews was sold for that matter.
personally i thought hearts were the better side. we started well, but they dominated the last half hour of the firast half and created the better chances. i ddint think we controlled the midfield at any stage after the first 15 minutes. our players look terrified on the ball. otherr than rogic, they look devoid of any creative initiative.
i spent most of the last 75 minutes just waiting for hearts to score.
simply put, if he is in charge of the dundee (2-2 draw) game, then the board have no interest in the fans opinions, and we are now simply there as cash cows for a club in recession. as for ten in a row, i wouldnt start counting to five yet. i heard celtic fans were on the radio gloating that aberdeen were two down yesterday. could celtic come from two down to anyone? i seriously doubt it. time celtic fans stopped gloating at what happens in govan or aberdeen, and start worrying about whats happening in celtic park.
Ditto to everything
Utter nonsense James! Today, Celtic were wiping the floor with Hearts for the first 20 odd minutes until the unfortunate injury to Armstrong (who was playing well) & then to Boyata (who was also playing well). This coupled with the injuries to Lustig & Ambrose took all of our early momentum out of the game. This was an encouraging sight from Celtic who showed plenty of fight & desire after last weeks poor show. The only reason we lost today was because of James Forrest’s STUPIDITY! How the hell can anyone blame RD for today’s result? Time for some of you to get a grip & give some credit where it’s due!
Bullshit. Celtic were in top for the opening 14 minutes and created once chance of note that nadir sebo fu led up. Hearts dominated the remaining 33 minutes of the first half. Celtic started well on the second, but again hearts came back into it. After Celtic went 2-1 up, there was only one team going to score the next goal, and they aren’t in green.
So Brendan,what happened in the last 10 matches ?.
Since October the 31st we have played 10 matches,and have won only three.
Do you honestly believe that these are acceptable stats for a club as big as ours.
Are you still wanting to blame the referee’s,or are you willing to admit the truth,
Ronny Deila is good enough for Norway,but is way way out of his depth for the world famous Glasgow Celtic FC.
Think you are spot on Owen it’s not good enough Celtic were terrible yesterday there are more players in that team who just go for the ride..RD needs to sort his shit out and quickly we need players who want too play for Celtic when JF gave away the free kick..the writing was on the wall could see it coming..I think Stubbsy would be the better manager he’s played for the Jersey and knows the club inside out H.H.
I’m usually in agreement with what you say but don’t agree with the Gordon comment about the second goal. Believe me, as we all know he has been at fault a few times this season but I don’t believe for a second he even saw the ba until it was too late and to dive then would have been like something out of jossies giants.
Hail Hail mate, keep up the good work.
and why the hell is lustig captain?
anyone got the link to the petition?
The petition, really? On you go and burn yer ST as well.
I don’t have an ST. I have a Zetec.
I’m sure your delighted with how things are going under wrongy deila though
Go and fcuk yourself,petition you are either a bairn or a sevconian top of the league in two cups,get an effin reality check
One thing I hate is stupid blind loyalty. When are so called die hards going to realise that the rest of us have opinions and spend good money each season. What we are watching is dire to put it mildly. Why can’t Allan get a game ahead of RD’s favourite son who is useless to put mildly. He takes Yogic off for what reason and puts on IDS who has been totally invisible for months. Why sign Cole if he is not going to play him? Lustlg is never a captain and the defence is an embarrassment. I have been following Celtic for over fifty years so don’t tell me I have no right to an opinion over the blind loyalty brigade.
I’m fed up listening to idiots with green giggle claiming everything’s ok. It’s alright, were tip if there league an in both cups. Well, one cup hasn’t actually started for us so not a good argument. Out of the champions league three times in 12 months, out of the Europa league twice in a year as well. 7 points clear of Aberdeen, now only 1. Regularly conceding two goals per game, creating very few chances, playing pretty shit football, players out of position. But don’t worry, keep he faith. Saying keep the faith makes everything good and if anyone disagrees with you, call them a sevconian.
That’s the problem Anthony Martin. These people have green goggles on and just scream keep the faith at anyone who questions anyone at Celtic. Then go away and poke fun st Rangers and pretend alls well at Celtic.
They don’t like hearing the truth that a manager isn’t doing s good job, or that the team isn’t performing.
Don’t worry though, just keep the faith and we’ll be OK. Good job the fans didn’t just keep the faith in the early 90s or we wouldn’t have a club to have faith in. These people nowadays seem to forget this.
It is called supporting your team. Some of the comments are more suited to follow follow. Some fans have this thought in their tiny mind we must win every game. Then if we did they would moan at that. Stop supporting and take up knitting.
Don’t know what age you are mate,but during the 60’s and 70’s we were winning almost every week,and I can assure you we never moaned about it.
As for supporting my club,I have for over 60 years,and will till the day I die.
It does not mean I have to accept an imposter as our manager,and it seems the only thing the board are interested in is MONEY.Well if the only way to get them to listen is to stop paying for a season ticket then so be it.
Brendan77 we didn’t lose as you put it we drew 2 – 2 are you sure you were watching?
I’ll go and duck your mum you du Lin hun bastard. If you are happy with how this season is going then it are a fucking retard. You are the reason cleric are struggling. Bury your fucking ugly head in the sand and pretend alls wel. Your as bad as the fucking Huns as they watched their club die. For cunts like you, I’d almost enjoy watching Celtic finishing behind Aberdeen so I can say told you so you fucking wanker.
Once again Ronnie boy has shown his lack of man – management. Yes we had Broonie and Griffith out with injuries and then two sub`s on in the first 31 minutes. After starting the game so well we fell away. But to leave Forrest on the bench???. First and foremost he should be putting his strongest team on the park too win the game. How on earth can he play Johason when he has not kicked a ball for month`s. Are they going out with each other? That`s putting it mildly. And I think Ronnie has got too go ,he has done nothing for the team, other than take them back-wards ,and he will have to go before the Celtic name will be mud. Go now Ronnie. Enough is enough.!!!
The cry is “two up front” well why not three, or four?
JF never covered for the cross for the first goal and then stupidly fouled for the second. Both their goals were excellently finished, as were ours. We have no god given right to win anything. I thought we played excellent football at the beginning and then controlled most of the second half. Efe, after a slow start was good. McGregor had a good game out on the right and Bitton was good as well. KT continues to impress and was sound defensively today. Gordon looks better as well. This is a minor blip in winning domestic games, the league will still be won by 15 points or more.
Ciftci looks more a liability, so a c/f signing looks like a must or can we recall SS. he has to be better. Resigning JF, I wouldn’t and I would like to see SA in the center as well instead of SJ.
None of my disagreements mean I won’t a change of management, Celtic are a family and all family’s disagree at times. I say keep the faith.
Legia 4-1 Celtic keep the faith
Celtic 0-2 Legia keep the faith
Celtic 0-1 Maribor keep the faith
Malmo 2-0 Celtic keep the faith
Molde 3-1 Celtic keep the faith
Celtic 1-2 molde keep the faith
Celtic 1-2 Ajax keep the faith
Ict 3-2 Celtic keep the faith
Celtic 1-2 Motherwell keep the faith
Kilmarnock 2-2 celtic knee the faith
Celtic 0-0 Kilmarnock keep the faith
Celtic 0-0- hearts keep the faith
Four Haines games in a row without a win keep the faith
Seven point ahead of Aberdeen now 1 point ahead keep the faith
Why one up front, why not none? Why not play seven st the back and three holding midfielders? Play for 0-0s every week and hope to nick the odd goal.
We have no God given right to win any game, and I don’t know many fans who think we do. But as fans we have a right to expect performances and effort. We have a right to expect the manager to be able to organise the team and learn from his mistakes instead of repeating them week after week. We have a right to expect players not to hide or run about like headless chickens. We have a right to see players played in their correct positions. McGregor as a holding midfielder? What next, Forrest in goal?
Hearts dominated the first half, and most of the second half after we scored again. That happens in football, but with the defensive tactics deila employs and the supposed better players, you’d expect us to be able to weather it, but you knew the equaliser was coming. If it wasn’t for Gordon we’d have lost comfortably.
I largely agree with you James, with one exception. Your namesake. JF is our most potent weapon if he is played in the correct position and that is most certainly not wide left. When he cam on, he directly replaced Armstrong – who himself was out of position and we had a right winger on the left and a left winger on the right. That is madness.
The Rogic substitution was baffling to say the least and I don’t for one minute believe it was because of a tight hamstring. Stefan Johansen is a terrible player. I thought that even when he was winning the POY award. He reminds me of an empty Tesco bag on a windy beach. Ciftci should be giving weans koki backs at Blackpool for a fiver a time. Ah well, maybe Hibs can rescue the weekend for us tomorrow.
HH
Change is needed!!!!!! This can’t go on, we are slipping further and further as each week goes by. Theres not a leader amongst the full team today. Why Johansen and ciftci even bother to turn up is beyond me. You would be better playing some of the youth team for more commitment and fight. At end of day this is simply not good enough ronnie , just do us a favour and fuck off bk to Norway and take that prick Johansen with u.
I watched 11 players in the Hoops give 100% today, some of them might not have been on top of their ‘game’, but the commitment was there none the less and that’s all anybody can ask for. HH
Spot on mate! The unwarranted negativity around Celtic has become farcical. And James I enjoyed your blogs far more before you jumped on the anti-ronny bandwagon last month. Now I can hardly read your articles without cringing. Sort it out pal, we’re not Sevconians!
You are correct, we are not sevconians, but we’re starting to play like them.
Deila is a disaster.
Ronnie must stay
11 triers isn’t enough for Celtic. If I played I would run my ass off for the team but would that still be enough? I certainly ain’t good enough. We need someone who can organise a team and get the best out of them, which unfortunately Ronny doesn’t do. I won’t be back til he is gone.
Don’t know what game you watched today. I watched 13 guys in hoops toil and struggle to create chances against a very ordinary Heatts side.
worse team since lou macari was manager, no invention, no coherent tactics, players who are bullied by others. we have side full of guys who go down looking for daft fouls to cover for the fact they dont have basic skills to trap, control or pass a ball.
we need 2 rock solid old fashioned defensive centre backs not our powder puff duo, we need at least 1 real holding midfielder who covers his area and we need 1 winger and a striker who can hold ball up and right back who can defend as lustig is constantly getting caught out ball watching and letting wide players get crosses in to easily.
and johanssen, forrest, mcgregor, boyata,ambrose, ciftci, boerrigter,stokes and izzaguire all need to be shipped out.
were rudderless and we need new management team in now!!!!
This is the worst team I have ever seen at Celtic the manager is hopeless time for a shake up it is embarrassing too watch this team of imposters someone at parkheado your job and show them the door
scoosh i think your deluded if you think they gave everything, we had at least 3 players who hardly got involved in the game, johanssen, mcgregor and forrest. effort should be gaurenteed not somethoing to celebrate effort is a minimum requirement.
we had most of our players looking for ball when not being marked but bravery is wanting ball when in tight spaces and having the courage to create not like our players whoe wait for things to happen and look scared, average and bewildered when someone tackeles them.
mediocre side. HH