Celtic Banter Archive August 20 2015

20 Aug 2015 21:03:03
We can't be that a bad team I see Quarbag beat Young Boys 1-0 away from home and I also See that Salzburg are a shadow of the team they were last season beaten 2-0 by Dinamo Minsk puts there results against Malmö in to prospective! Again no Soriano he must be on his way out! In another note I see Bolton have signed Arsenal's Brazilian winger Wellington Silva on a season long loan a great prospect that I know Arsene rates highly could of been a great signing for us and surely he would of relished the chance of European football.

20 Aug 2015 19:42:42
Norwich want to swap hooper for griffiths. I personally wouldn't do it as griffiths does tracking back and all the dirty work whereas hooper is just a poacher.

20 Aug 2015 20:17:04
I would be happy enough with Norwich wanting Griffiths for Hooper as long they didn't actually get him . More movement in Griffith and he proved last night he can score in Europe . Well thank God for that , personnaly I always thought that pundits talking about a striker scoring ability in Europe was nonsense .
If you can score in SPL you can score goals anywhere . If u get your chances .

20 Aug 2015 20:18:00
I dismissed this as a page filler due to his performance against Malmo.

You're correct though. Wouldn't want Hooper full stop. The thing with player plus cash deals is that usually you're getting a sub-standard player to the one you're losing. Add in Hooper's wages and it just doesn't make sense. Cash only.

21 Aug 2015 01:10:22
No chance he's about 2 stone heavier!

20 Aug 2015 13:44:28
Afternoon Ed / All, Following on from last night IMO the United game at the weekend is not important and thoughts turn to Tuesday

How are we going to set up?

Well considering we might need a plan B and we know that RD's plan B is to switch to a 4-4-2 a think that the team by and large picks itself , It does not look good for Lustig also Armstrong has been carrying a hamstring problem too

So with this in mind CG , Izzy , VVD & Boyata start and in the middle IMO he will start with Johansen , Brown , Biton & Forrest because these would easily fit into 4-4-2

So do we play Mulgrew in left middle to give us / izzy extra cover , do we ask Broonie to go right Middle for extra cover at Right back?

I think Fisher is injured Ed? , Janko is not a RB! If late in the game we need to take Mulgrew off to go 4-4-2 it gives us another 2 subs to go for broke if needed! A think this is the best we have to try and shore things up with a plan B in mind , But Boyata & Ambrose covering the right is a frightening thought!

What do you think?

20 Aug 2015 14:25:34
As an athiest Ambush us the only thing that puts the fear if god in me.

If he even steps on the lurch it's over . His love child Boyata is another massive liability.

We just don't have a defender that is not a disaster waiting to happen, VVD apart.

Mulgrew def in before operation certain death
Ambush. I would put Griffis on, supported by Gms. With Broon, Bitton, Armstrong, rogic, commons
Mulgrew, VVD, Boyata, reluctantly, and Izzy even more reluctantly.

20 Aug 2015 14:31:53
I agree about the United game. I'd play Stokes, Scepovic, Ambrose, Allan, Rogic. We really can't afford any injuries.

20 Aug 2015 14:32:58
Izzy would need about 8 Snipers to give him the protection he needs.

20 Aug 2015 16:00:13
The squad has most options in midfield and if we have had several 'windows' to address the left back problem and bring in a decent striker to share the load with Griffiths.When Mulgrew and Ambrose are in the back four we are even worse than we have been lately - losing a couple of goals a game.
The loss of Lustig is a big blow as he is class, but he has a history of injury and absence and Izzy has been very poor since the season started leaving us with real problems.
I would rather see Janko than Ambrose and Tierney instead of Mulgrew, but that is probably too inexperienced for the CL.
The chances of Allen starting are slim, but he may play at Tannadyce to show what he can do?
I am assuming Armstrong will miss the game if it's a hamstring injury and he should not be risked therefore;
Next Tuesday I would play in 4-5-1 formation:-
Gordon
Janko
Boyata
VVD
Izzy

Forrest
Brown
Johansen
Bitton
Mulgrew

Griffiths

Mulgrew and Izzy could cover each other on the left and we play counter attack with Commons, Allen, Stokes, Ambrose, GMS and Ciftci on the bench if required.

20 Aug 2015 16:26:50
JungleJim that's a good shout with mulgrew, put in a couple of good shifts against sevco a couple of years ago, that and he is an out ball

20 Aug 2015 17:03:17
Sometimes we worry about how certain players are performing . We have at different times spoke about Izzy , Boyata , Efe and of course many people think that Forest is or was useless .
At the end of the day one of our players who is rarely criticised cost us to lose a major part of our advantage . 3-2 isn't too bad but 3 -1 would have left us far more confident I don't know what processed Virgil to jump all over the back of Bitton and thus cause the ball to fall into the area that he Virgil was covering . Some of our players made mistakes last night , but their mistakes were minor and didn't cost us in the way Virgil's did . We need everyone playing for the team for the whole game .

20 Aug 2015 19:06:53
Jamie what makes you say janko isn't an rb, fifa 15 is telling me he is aha

20 Aug 2015 19:13:41
bminghambhoy because everybody that worked with him says it but give him a chance against Utd and see?

Rest Griffiths & Forrest for Saturday

BTW spent many a top night in Brummie family had a home in Portland Road and boozers around Yardley (y)

20 Aug 2015 12:53:48
I was a bit gutted last night after the game. Today I am bit more relaxed about how things panned out. There is no denying that a couple of defensive lapses cost us a comfortable win, but we at least we are going to Sweden with a lead.

We were unbelievable for the first 15-20 minutes of the game. I was actually in shock at how well we were controlling the game. The passing and movement was brilliant. We were like a cat playing with a ball of wool. Two goals within the first ten minutes and a glorious chance wasted to make it 3-0 before the 15 minute mark. That would have been the tie over at 3-0.

I still think we will beat them comfortably over there. If the players needed an extra incentive to go out and bury them then the rubbish coming from their camp will provide it. From their Manager to their keeper, they show nothing but disrespect. Next week we will shut them up for good. They got two lucky breaks due to piss poor defending and they think they have us on the ropes. I am supremely confident we will beat them.

20 Aug 2015 13:07:27
To the following post talking about defensive lapses it happens almost every game now so highly likely to happen again if ambrose will be starting so that means malmo are guaranteed a goal at least meaning we are going to score over there which a think we will but our defence is a major concern now boyata known for mistakes ambrose is a bombscare and izzy can't defend so we are going to be very vulnerable at the back and tbh we lack that killer touch upfront the reason why everybody keeps going on about a stricker badly needed. worried about this game on Tuesday now

20 Aug 2015 13:12:52
Malmo are shite. That shows us how far off a CL team we are. Both of us will be mauled in the group stages unless scatter nocash Lawell has a convulsion and sanctions spending.

Two full backs. A midfielder who can dribble and another striker and two CB's. Boyata us an exit waiting to happen. I'm surprised he lasted so long at City.

He's pish. Vulnerable in possession. Passing bordering in the suucudal. Gets caught ball watching too.

Yet we bought him. A farce.

20 Aug 2015 14:56:49
Greenandwhiteknight you really amuse me. I have been reading the comments on here a long time and you are always the first to jump on anything anyone writes like a wee fanny licker dog riding its owners leg.

I have no idea why you would imagine that you writing a Ron Manager analysis on last nights game will somehow make me change my opinion on us winning the return leg! Do you think I wasn't watching? Are you the Oracle? Should we run our opinions by you for editing prior to posting on here?

I have chosen to take a number of positives from last night game while you are your usual miserable glass half empty sod. We scored 3 goals; we played them off the park for the best part of the first half; we are still in front in the tie the last I could see. We may not be going to make a dent in the Champions League (don't think anyone thought any different) but we can beat a team like Malmo regardless. Sure there was some shoddy defending which let them back in but that's the way things go.

Now before you wee down your leg writing a reply about me having a reality check - I won't be wasting any more energy on replying to your bollocks.

20 Aug 2015 16:09:39
The biggest disappointment for me last night was the amount of 'unforced' mistakes all over the pitch, when you would have thought the blitz of a start and two great goals would have settled us and got the confidence soaring.
I know we have been losing a couple of goals a game lately, but last night too many players were making daft mistakes and Malmo could not believe their luck at the final score.
The players (like the support) should be furious at the lapses and be determined to put it right next week.
If we go out, then it's another poor start to a season, with CL disappointment and attendances will suffer all season.
There is so much at stake and the players have to perform.

20 Aug 2015 16:28:40
Abighandforabawbag!! Give me some examples then of what your talking about a can say whatever a like on here whenever a want who are u to decide what a say? that's whole point of this for people to come on have a bit a banter and view there comments which ill keep on doing no matter what u say w.a.d. Coybig

20 Aug 2015 18:54:12
Greenandwhiteknight. Each and every defender that has ever played football has made mistakes . So it is no surprise that Efe and Izzy have had defensive lapses . When Celtic are playing well someone is alive to the situation that a team mate is under pressure and steps in to help out . Disappointing when Lustig was caught completely out of position , Brown or Forrest weren't there to put some pressure on Berget . Virgil under no pressure created the second goal for Malmo .
To highlight Efe as been accident prone is very lazy posting. We know Izzy made blunders in the Juventus game but unlike other defenders his speed of recovery has resulted in him often rescuing the situation . Efe deputised in every position across the back four in a four week period last season without any calamities .
Efe is still a Celtic player and we don't turn our backs on any Celtic player .

20 Aug 2015 19:33:33
Old bhoy what u even gibbering on about don't u read other posts on here why is it your making a fuss at my comment a was only pointing out what happened and obviously blatant were we have problems we all want us to do well but by continuing to play fuds no exactly helping our cause soon as ambrose came on everybody knows what's coming next, and as for malmo 2nd goal it all came about from ambrose losing the ball under no pressure

20 Aug 2015 20:41:39
Greenlandwhiteknight
It was a pity u missed last night's game as it isn't easy posting about a game you didn't see . Let me remind you Lustig wasn't anywhere near his man , Berget when he scored the opening goal . May I also remind you believe it or not Efe was sitting on the substitute bench and cannot be blamed in any way for this goal . Different posters have tried to allocate blame to various Celtic players for their second goal.
However I am sure if you see any video evidence you will agree that the Celtic defence through ability or luck had held the attack firm until Virgil decided to jump into Bitton and prevent Bitton from having any chance of getting his clearing header in .
Worse still the ball fell into where Virgil had stood .

20 Aug 2015 21:21:07
Take it u took so long to post back because you were away analysing every little detail of last nights game end of the day ambrose is shit and should no be playing for us simple as that and he's not the only one anyhow old yin getting boring this go onto this page to looking forward to what bhoys have got to say let them have there say without people jumping doon there throat its all about opinions nothing personal mate were all rooting for the same coz. The celtic football club

20 Aug 2015 22:18:30
Greenandwhiteknight. Supporting your team or "rooting for the coz" does not consist of calling our players (that includes the whole squad) fuds and shit. You should make up your mind wether you are a supporter or a critic. Let's start supporting our team en masse. I never went for the, Celtic family, stuff but if we are a family then it's a dysfunctional one.

20 Aug 2015 12:03:06
with it looking like lustig is out and doubts over biton and armstrong it may be time for a change of formation with a 4.5.1 against malmo
gordon
fisher
boyata
virgil
izzy
janko
johansen
broony
biton?rogic
armstrong?mulgrew
griffiths

thinking being that the right hand side is better defensively and charlie can play the wide left role very efectively at times and would be good cover for izzy plus if malmo go all out attack as the coach suggested then any break up of play could lead to the ball going over the top and griffiths is our best option with his pace and finishing.

20 Aug 2015 13:03:29
Be a good shout that I was thinking the same 2 wingbacks on the wing will provide good cover to the back 4. Thinking their pitch will be a lot more smaller than ours too so that will make us harder to break down too.

20 Aug 2015 13:13:44
Mulgrew playing in the midfield. will some people ever learn. Doh!

20 Aug 2015 15:03:42
I would rather Mulgrews delivery than Izzys! Plus he's and extra height which means one of the CBs can stay back on corners to cover counter attacks

20 Aug 2015 15:49:35
I think I would play Allan against malmo on Tuesday just behind the striker and let him run at there defence. because this boy could thread a ball through the eye of a needle

20 Aug 2015 19:08:02
We are not at the stage yet, that we need to change everything and experiment with Allan who hasn't played for Celtic yet .
The tried and tested will work providing we don't do anything stupid defensively .
Trying new things won't make up for stupid defences .

21 Aug 2015 10:55:53
At least with 4-5-1 if we go behind we have a plan b switch it around and play 4-2-3-1

20 Aug 2015 11:27:10
Just a few points to make about last night game,1when we have our strongest team out we are capable of playing some. Good football and I believe the starting line up is our best.2. The depth of the squad is weak if not very weak,the 3 changes made weakened the side,and not one of them offered anything.3. I hate to say this but I believe we have seen the best of lustig inuries have caught up with him,it's plain to see after an hour or even sooner he struggles,now we require two new fullbacks Janko could come good but not ready yet.really is time Peter and Dermot show even a thread of ambition for this club

20 Aug 2015 15:28:35
Loads of stuff to go over last nights game
Celtic looked good at times however I still think we are so naive at 2-0 cruising why do we send both cb up for a corner most with half a brain know that 1st leg euro tie at home it's important not to concede an away goal. Browns header wasn't great but as a youth I was always told to get distance on it or to the side
Ambrose lacks any commitment vvd and biton go for a ball yet he's ahead of the ball again as a youth I was always told protect the goal.
If vvd is really a player of 10mil plus he should be a lot more dominant as a cb he should be keeping izzy in tight and bossing the defence and priding himself on clean sheets I ain't seeing this I ain't saying he ain't cracking but to be considered top class he needs to start marshalling and becoming more vocal
Malmo are the quality of most top 6 spl imo so going there should be no different than going away to pittodrie

20 Aug 2015 20:51:17
Marco , I would be far happier if Virgil concentrated on doing his own job as a centre defender . He seems very good at shouting at his colleagues when he thinks they have done wrong . However he is just as prone to mistake making as any of his colleagues . I have no doubt the worse defensive blunder made this season so far was his buck leaping into Bitton's back last night creating Malmo's goal .
I think he was thinking of his own glory and not thinking of the team . If we don't make the Champions League we might get £8 m for him , but has he cost us £20m .
People post about Ambrose not going for a 50/50 ball, that is pure shoite , watching from the stand or watching on TV does give us no idea whether Ambrose didn't go because he didn't want to sell himself or give away a free . Virgil sold himself and maybe Celtic .

20 Aug 2015 10:38:52
We won last night let's move on a few injuries and knocks last night and Tuesday night been so important what do you think the team will be on Saturday for me
Bailey
Izzy VVD boyata janko
Gms rogic brown johansen
Commons
Scepovic
Not sure how bad biton Armstrong and Griffiths are lustig is defo out though

20 Aug 2015 07:11:21
Unfortunately last nights performance is becoming too regular. When we were on top , the crowd was intimidating them we seemed to sit back and invite them on. This giving them two poor goals to put us under real pressure against a team that's not really all that. I think if we kept up the pressure last night we could have been three or four up at half time and the tie would have been over. U could see from the players last night that win seemed like a loss at the end. They need to take that hurt into next weeks game , they owe each other and us a result .
On another point efes tackle at the end when vvd had to conced a corner with the last kick of the game was a joke. We always seem intent on nicking it from attackers instead of going thru with a hard tackle . All he had to do was be strong and we are safe , u could see how annoyed vvd was .

20 Aug 2015 08:47:10
U ever seen that film ghost with Patrick swayze? The bit we're people just walk right through him! That was ambrose last night! A sorry exuse for a football player! If u persist on letting this guy on the park then u deserve what u get! As soon as lustig went off and he came on u could sense what would happen! Even the Malmo team knew that! Straight away they brought a sub on to run at him! If we start with this guy on Tuesday then we're out,simple as that! I'm sick to the back teeth of seeing him in a Celtic top! Matthews left for 2 million which left us with an injury prone lustig and we bought a young boy who's hardly had a sniff! Poor stuff!

20 Aug 2015 09:04:26
Johansen should have scored a third after about 12 minutes but he hit a half hearted effort right at the keeper. That would have killed the whole tie.

20 Aug 2015 09:07:17
I thought the game changed the minute that dumpling cifti came on, would have preferred ambrose put up front instead of him

20 Aug 2015 10:08:48
Agree with OP. Again we didn't kill off a team. After the first two I was sat there thinking, they're on the ropes and wobbling, just go for the jugular and throw it at them. But instead we let them back into it. When we have no urgency we are so sloppy. Simple 10 yard passes missing a man by 5 yards. It's just a good job they were sloppy too. We should be in the groups after the start to that game but instead we've got quite a bit to do now. We're infront though, marginally, but it's an ok place to be.