If we had approached last week’s game with that much intensity the last week would have had a very different look to it. Had we played the week before, for just one half, with that same intensity, the league table would have a different look to it as well.
If you showed someone video from the first half today they would have seen the immediate difference between that 45 minutes and the second 45 in Kilmarnock.
Yes we went in 0-0 but it never looked like it was going to be one of those days. For the last few games, you were waiting for a bolt from the blue to get us a goal … today we just needed the right break of the ball or a lapse from one of their players. It looked like a matter of time.
I was surprised, and frustrated, that we went in at 0-0 but I was not worried.
The performance was on point today.
We played on the deck. There was movement off the ball. There were very few big daft punts into a penalty box where big hulking brutes would have deal with that all day.
When the ball was crossed in it was crossed in low; the defender’s worst nightmare because it can hit legs and spin anywhere, out to a striker or up to a hand, or even past the keeper.
And those balls into feet found Kyogo in terroristic form.
He weaved, he moved, he circled, he got away from people. Because players were always moving, trying to take up good positions around him, he got room as defenders were peeled off to mark others … the machine functioned today and he created more chances than he has in a while.
There was more thought in the team, more aggression to win the ball back when we lost it. The team we have been wondering about in terms of being weak got in faces today and let them know we were there. It was a night and day difference from last week.
Part of it was Maeda being back. He brings so much to this team, even playing on the wrong side of the pitch. Just having him on the field creates space for others to play in because he’s always tightly marked, not that it does much good as he’s got the pace and the skill to get away from people in a flash.
Part of it was Bernardo: I still don’t know where this guy fits into the team but Brendan put him in the engine room today and he performed very well.
The whole tempo was higher, the team played better and although we only scored twice, we could have had a few, and so whilst I’d prefer us to be more clinical, that will come if we continue playing this way; we’ll give someone a proper doing. So I think we can be satisfied with the display and the manner in which we went about our business.
It was more like it, much more like it, and the sort of performance – and the result – we wanted. There are a few things to iron out but I was happy with it overall.
Yes, so much better today and let’s hope that we have no more corners to turn, straight ahead Bhoy,s . Big shout out to the Bealball 0-3 . As a Celtic fan, I miss you and wish you could have stayed a bit longer lol
This Celtic side is a hard watch, lacking all over the park. No flair or imagination, players looking very flat and going through the motions. With the greatest respect, that was not a good side we faced today and we struggled to get off the mark. Maeda’s touch is criminal, he works hard but oh my, he looks Sunday league at times. Rodgers seems to have killed the spirit of this side. Right now he is making a horrendous job of managing this football club. He initially wanted a year out of football before agreeing to come back. I can see why, he has lost his passion and hunger and he is dragging us down and down. I really would prefer if he just went. Hell knows who could take over but anybody would be better than someone who looks so disinterested. Agree with big Suttons comments. Sad days
Wow. Must have been at a different game. Same formula same weakness same flaws same everything for me. Brendan has to change something or we sleepwalk into 2nd place. I am very confident we will beat them next week but we will not win the league with this same passive football week in week out
Kyogo M OR Maeda should hv all scored in the first half. Is it Brendan’s fault they didn’t . There was pace and crosses through the box , it should have been about 6 . I think u must hv stayed in the pub .
Yep Gavin, 100% same old and i am not that confident about next week 2nd top team not the bottom team, who cant buy a win. Brendan sadly, is not up to the job this time around
just my opinion i really hope i’m wrong guys.
Just home n reading this… Really James? I thought the first half was awful, 80 odd % of the ball n 3 on target. Was as all pass pass pass out of defense ball to either flank and cross cut off or attempt snatched away by a defender. 2nd half good start n goals and then? Not being negative here but we are well off it. Opposition know what to expect and set up for it, fine with a jotta or abada to open a defence but it isn’t really to here ATM imho. Obvs u disagree but I think we still well off albeit today was better to hang last 2 …
A great morale and confidence boosting victory, that was very much needed for ourselves.
The 2 goal margin flattered the anti football approach taken as usual by the junkie manager, and was only really interested in helping the goal difference for the scum?
Far from perfect still, even if much improved, yet the combination play between full backs and wide men still remains unconvincing imo.
Admittedly better down our left than our right, which in general was quite poor today still imo?
Paulo slotted in nicely today, which helped the overall midfield function that bit better than usual, especially over the past few weeks?
Makes you wonder, why Rodgers has taken so long to use that combination in the SPFL, where using nearly every other combination available, that hasn’t worked out very well at all?
Our intensity and tempo, was pleasing to see and provide a much improved performance imo?
Overall, decent enough, but far from the finished article of a team we still need to be, especially before the winter break and more so after that to confirm another title still imo, but steps in the right direction even if not up to a gallop pace yet
Brendan has his battle honours already on the Celtic history books
He his back on his volition to make his mark once more but this time leaving with his head held high
He has a unique invincible treble on his CV
Care to name any other Celtic manager with that honour?
FFS any anti BR movement plays directly into our enemies hands
Yes it’s alright having one good game,cmon we beat livi,2 -0 it’s hardly the mark of champions,every other team I the league has beat livi,so where are we now , not much better than last week IMO.
Had tae get that result and we did. Tbh, ah did think it was gonnae turn intae another toil at HT. In the end couldve been more tho and right now the wins the most important thing.
I agree with what you’ve written. From the start, we moved the ball quicker and although it was hugely frustrating to go in at half time, 0-0, the goal was coming !
To go 1-0 up so early in the second, settled the crowd and it was a straightforward victory after that. Good atmosphere today and onto Dens Park for another vital 3 pts on Boxing Day!
It was an encouraging victory, but certainly not a great performance. I’m heartened that we are back on track but not blown away in any form by the manner of it. We huffed and puffed a bit against the bottom team in the league, a crap team, and the three points won was the most important thing.
i want Maeda on the left next week tracking back Tavpen and bossing him as dont see Palma doing the dirty work. I see that as us getting a better overall control in the game