Celtic Banter Archive October 20 2017

20 Oct 2017 21:24:23
I find it tough to hear some of the complaints from my fellow Celts on here and on social media. We have never had it as good as we have it now. We are nearly 60 games unbeaten at home and this has never been done before regardless of who the dominant team was at the time. Regardless of the league, this just doesn't happen. And to those who say those results would never have happened under O'Neill need to have a look at his results away from home in Europe against much poorer sides than PSG and Bayern. And the most important thing of all is how different European football is now to even 10 years ago. Under O'Neill we were competing with EPL clubs in terms of spending. Now we have a League 1 budget in comparison. We beat an Anderlecht team 3-0 away who have a far superior budget to ours. I'm not saying BR is immune from criticism but c'mon folks. This is a glorious time in our history. The fixture list we are having to endure is also scandalous. Luck of the computer I suppose (sic) along with our injury problems mean the team need our backing. Let's get behind BR and the bhoys. They are doing their best and doing us proud.

20 Oct 2017 21:32:53
couldntve put it better mate best post i've read all week hh.

20 Oct 2017 21:42:10
Well said marty we've spent about 10 mill and we're supposed to compete with the 2 of the biggest spenders jn europe its like asking albion rovers to compete with us bonkers.

20 Oct 2017 21:58:54
Spot on Martyc,
We are on a fantastic run domestically and the CL is a major step up. Spending money doesn’t guarantee anything, just look at the money Everton have spent and where they are both in the league and Europa Cup?
The Hibs game is our bread and butter and It won’t be an easy game. I would take a 1-0 win right now.

20 Oct 2017 22:08:45
Well said Marty, some so called fans can't seem to differentiate between playing Hamilton or Sevco and playing PSG or Bayer. Heard a lot of moaning that we can't pass the ball when we play in CL, this is nothing to do with fear, nervousness etc it's purely down to playing against top teams who are super fit and are experts at pressurising teams into having to pass the ball quicker and make mistakes. This is why we dominate domestically because we do this to Scottish sides and we"ll do it to lesser European sides. We are a very good side, average sides don't go nearly 60 unbeaten domestically no matter what league you play in.

20 Oct 2017 22:27:41
Good post marty. I said a few similar points further down. It's the same things we have all been saying in our brighter moments and we have to keep that feeling going. Not an easy thing. As we improve our expectations rise. I'm all for that because it's part of it. The problem is managing the enthusiasm in a way that keeps us all in the same direction. HH.

20 Oct 2017 23:25:10
Oh well that will Ed be putting all they Tena ladies 🚺 away for the next CL game with a sensible OP like that

If we get EL from the CL it will be an improvement on last season

Or is it that we are not that good just Anderlecht are rubbish 😈🍀🍀.

{Ed007's Note - It was Anderlecht were rubbish.}

21 Oct 2017 07:17:39
Nope Charlie Nicholas said we were rubbish.

21 Oct 2017 07:36:48
I don't recall where anyone has said the team are suddenly garbage and that BR is a disaster, Reading some of the posts defending the team and manager would suggest there have been
However, we have the right to comment and, sometimes, criticise when things do not go right.
Fair criticism does not mean we do not still appreciate what has been achieved and is continuing to be done.
Like many I had/ have negative comments on the CL game. Some players had a poor by their own standards and some of the tactics were just wrong.
BR usually changes things fairly quickly but, for whatever reason, he persevered with the same plan longer than usual (when it clearly was not working) . I am entitled to comment on that.
The defence was, imo, lost and the BM players were lining up to pop off attempts at times.
The difference in the team, with changes and tactics, in the last 15 minutes was obvious to all and if we had done this earlier when plan A clearly was not working, we might have had a better (not saying win/ draw) result.
So, can I criticise (and praise) ? yes. Will I still give 100% support? absolutely. I am sure all the others who voiced some negative opinions will be the same H. H.

21 Oct 2017 10:42:20
Tiny Tim, have you actually played football at any type of level I posted a few days ago I played amateur Glasgow Saturday morning for a tidy wee outfit but the top two teams in the league were of a different class fitter faster better first touch and my usual solid team found it so tough against these two. Having played these type of games personally I can put celtics CL games in context having endured similar experience. So step back and see the difference Bayern bring on 80 million Jamez Rodríguez and we bring on jamez Forrest that’s the difference.

20 Oct 2017 19:20:14
If i see bitton on the lineup tomorrow im getting another bottle.

20 Oct 2017 15:02:54
Following up from another thread, what do you think Hibs would be justified in asking for McGinn, and what do you think we'd be justified in paying?

20 Oct 2017 15:28:06
2.5 million tops although Hibs will ask for 3million minimum. When you consider we shelled out 4.5 for Ntcham 2.5 - 3 million would be good business mate.

20 Oct 2017 16:37:06
Hibs would be justified in asking whatever they want. I don't think we would be justified in signing him at all given the options we already have in the middle of the park.

20 Oct 2017 16:47:53
We would be justified in paying how much B R thinks he is worth having decided that he B R reckons that McGinn is high in his priorities in strengthening our team.

20 Oct 2017 17:07:33
Another midfielder.

is he really better than MacGregor who can't get a game, or Christie who can get a game. but with Aberdeen!

imagine we had spend 3m on a fit centre back - I know I can't imagine it either!

20 Oct 2017 17:14:19
we were outplayed by astana - but by the end of 2 legs we went thru.
did you see the astana goals in the EL?
we were playing the very very tipity top tier of world football against PSG and about 2 notches down against BM. we are about 5 notched below that.

But progress this year will be judged by in Europe after Christmas.

We can be poor sometimes in the league, but rest assured Hibs, Aberdeen may take points/ beat us sometime, but they will go to killie/ partick and loose points so the league is in the bag.

cups, yeah I love to win em - but if we don't its not the end of the world.

staying in eu after Christmas AND getting back into the CL next year MUST be our ambition - apart from the "next game is most important" BS.

20 Oct 2017 21:45:29
Mcginn at this moment is better than ntcham bitton and henderson I've said fof a while we should get this kid before the English flex there muscles.

20 Oct 2017 23:18:44
Hibs are looking for 4m according to Lennon.

20 Oct 2017 14:09:24
Any news Ed on the injury front with Jozo and Young Ralston? . looking forward to tomorrow think it will be open and end to end and a few goals to be had. Time to put Wednesday behind us and I'm sure the bhoys will be up for it. Will obviously treat Hibs with the respect they deserve but if we get our shooting boots on I fancy us by a couple of goals. Would take a good man to pick the starting eleven. Who do the bhoys think will start?

{Ed007's Note - Simunovic and Ralston will be out for 2/3 weeks.}

20 Oct 2017 14:48:02
Cheers Ed . think Brown will make a big difference in CM and was missed there in the last game.

20 Oct 2017 15:24:04
Craig Gordon will be dropped and Moussa will come in for LG.

20 Oct 2017 18:14:24
Why drop C G, he certainly kept the score down on Wednesday night with a string of top class saves . His clearances were a mixed bag as a very good B M team pressurised all our defenders and midfield players every time he had the ball at feet. There was no point In him clearing the ball up to LG as the Germans would immediately start another attack . At the end of the day he really got only one kick seriously wrong, when he played a loose ball towards Brown, we scrambled it away for a corner from which they scored their 3rd . Gordon and the rest of our players need our encouragement both in forums and from the stands .
We should leave team selection to BR who is getting well paid and has proved himself rather successful in the past.

20 Oct 2017 10:24:18
Hi Eds CL game disappointed more with the wae we played than the result that could happen to anyone there. Now the most important game now lies ahead and our demestic form has dipped slightly I think we need a convincing performance morra cause if we don't I think Hibs will have us. Chances to the team to freshen it up need to be made and am sure they will but what do u think those need to be made? I would like to see MacGreggor in for Ntcham Rogic in for Armstrong Wae Dembele starting too what are your thoughts on the game and line up.

{Ed007's Note - We need to make sure that we aren't overran in midfield like we were at Celtic Park the other week, Brown being back should help that. The only real decision is who partners Boyata in the central defence with Sviatchenko getting back to fitness and Ajer looking to play as well but I can see Rodgers going with Bitton in there.

------------Gordon---------
-Lustug--Bitton--Boyata--Tierney--
---------Brown----Ntcham----
Forrest---McGregor-----Sinclair---
-----------Dembele--------

20 Oct 2017 11:46:29
I agree but think that we need Rogic in there as he seems to be the one player who can take the ball under pressure and hold on to it and make that pass and regards to it's time for him to return Griff doing well but needs a we break.

{Ed007's Note - I'd replace McGregor with Rogic as the game wears on.}

20 Oct 2017 12:10:24
Would have Armstrong in for ntcham ED, ntcham for me has really struggled the past few games and Armstrong brings more energy to the midfield! And I'd play ajer before bitton, give the young guy a chance to prove himself.

{Ed007's Note - Armstrong battled to be fit for Wednesday and although he ran himself into the ground he didn't have a good game and I'm questioning how fit he really was. I think a spot on the bench is the best Armstrong can hope for at Hampden tomorrow.}

20 Oct 2017 12:17:47
Ntcham should be nowhere near the team if we want to win. A man down. He shouldn't get in before any of our midfield ootuons apart from Hayes.

We can't afford to okay Hibs with ten men, the other giving them the ball. He's awful and a total waste if he had cuts £1m never mind nearly five. If we are winning maybe bring him in to try and raise his confidence, but even brimming he's still sliwung us down.

20 Oct 2017 12:54:30
I like that line-up, Ed, but I think Ntcham may be due some time for reflection, and I want to see a bit more of Ajer. Don't envisage any difficulty with the hibees. One thing I'll say about the team with confidence: they are all real pros now, and having chased shadows for 90 minutes will make them appreciate their own domestic supremacy this weekend.

{Ed007's Note - Maybe Kouassi in there beside Brown could be an option.....

20 Oct 2017 13:04:38
I was thinking the same thing. He also looks a bit ragged, in the Ntcham mould. I wonder it what that is all about really, as they both can obviously play and have the physique to dominate the middle of the park.

{Ed007's Note - We need to keep in mind that it's still a semi-final against a team that could have beaten us last time we met. Brown being back is a big boost and he will be invaluable in there against McGinn who ran the show last time.}

20 Oct 2017 13:18:31
What about this to shake things up a bit?

---------De Vries---------
Lustig---Boyata---Tierney
-----Brown--Eboui-----
Forrest--McGregor--Hayes
---Dembele--Griffiths---.

{Ed007's Note - Not for me in a semi-final mate.}

20 Oct 2017 13:26:00
Brown is key: his presence also allows a bit of experimentation I feel, if we need it.

That showing by McGinn was an eye-opener for me.

{Ed007's Note - McGinn's a cracking young player and hopefully when the time is right for him to leave Hibs he finds himself Celtic bound. I said last season that McGinn was the only player in Scotland that I would sign.}

20 Oct 2017 13:41:01
I remember it, Ed. My old man (hibee) has been keen on him for a while too. Until last week I was thinking he'd struggle to displace any in our midfield, but if available for a game like tomorrow's he'd be a great option. I'd definitely be happy if we made an offer, and would hope for family reasons that it wouldn't be derisory.

{Ed007's Note - I'd be delighted if we could offload Bitton and replace him with McGinn in the squad but does Bitton's new found versatility now mean Rodgers sees him as a squad player? If we get the defence sorted out and there's be no need for Bitton to cover at CB then McGinn would be a great - and cheapish - replacement for him in the squad.}

20 Oct 2017 14:17:27
Would have McGregor beside brown and Rogic in too
Gordon
Lustig. Bitton Boyata. Tierney
Brown. McGregor
Forrest. Rogic. Sinclair
Dembele.

20 Oct 2017 14:39:49
Ed, How about resting/ bench SS and play Calum on the left and Rogic in the 10

Then you have a front four that are all relatively fresh? (y)

20 Oct 2017 15:16:39
Biton is a funny one. Too lackadaisical for the Scottish game, probably. I found myself wondering if he wouldn't be the kind of player we'd have liked to have on Wednesday tho: he's unflappable and might buy us some time on the ball (even if it is going laterally) . I think Ed suggested starting him in the midfield in one post - and I scorned the notion - but, really, it might have given us some breathing space.

I'd still punt him given a reasonable offer, don't get me wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if he might go on to really contribute to a differently composed team in a different sort of league.

{Ed007's Note - I put up a formation with Bitton sitting in protecting the defence which would have meant if Lustig was going to be pulled out to help Gamboa Bitton could slot in beside Boyata in the middle. He slows the play down which isn't appreciated or really needed in Scottish football but is ideal for European games imo, especially when we're under the cosh a bit.}

20 Oct 2017 18:38:02
I agree with your team selection Ed007 .
I disagree that playing Ntcham is a man down . Funny I thought he scored the winner last Saturday . Not bad for a nobody .