Celtic FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2014/15 Mod Warning post #6011

Antifa161 · 03-11-2013 03:46PM

blahfckingblah wrote: »

didnt get to see the game but it sounds quite similar to parts of the game against hibs, which makes me glad i was at work

It's basically every league game we play. Sure enough it's hard to do much else when every team puts 10 behind the ball, but it's completely pointless and just runs down the clock. Especially when it usually consists of 15 short passes before some eejit hoofs it out for a throw with the first adventurous pass. In fairness we were missing the creativity of Commons and the threat of Samaras, and Forrest found it hard to get going in the conditions, but we need another creative player. Someone like Nakamura who can come on and outclass the opposition. I thought Rogic might be the answer but the boy does nothing.

Dempsey · 03-11-2013 04:56PM

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-boss-neil-lennon-dutch-2670804

Lennon wrote:

“The Dutch are usually very proficient at spotting talents and signing them.

“I don’t know why they didn’t move for Virgil.

“He looks languid at times, he maybe has a lackadaisical style, but when he turns through the gears he’s very quick and powerful.

“When I first saw him I thought ‘Wow’. He looked a really good player. At first you wonder if there’s something you’re missing.

“But I knew we had to keep a watch on him. We watched him against Ajax and Johan Mjallby came back and said he’d played well, that he rated him.

“Then I saw him in a play-off game. I wondered what he’d be like pace-wise because he just looked like a big stroller.

“But then there was a ball over the top of him and he just eased through the gears and got to it.

“I was straight on the phone after that and making it clear we HAD to sign him.

“So, I don’t know why the bigger clubs there didn’t move for him.

“Having been over to Holland to watch Ajax, and speaking to a few scouts, they were surprised a club in England or some of the bigger sides in Holland didn’t buy him.

“But he’s here, playing regularly, and enjoying the experience of his life as well as his football.

“He’s still only 22. He’s a boy really, which is incredible because he plays so maturely.

“He’s a good defender but has lots of other attributes. Virgil could be anything he wants to be.”

A serious talent signed for a pittance

RoryMac · 03-11-2013 08:13PM

Dempsey wrote: »

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-boss-neil-lennon-dutch-2670804

A serious talent signed for a pittance

He looks a great signing. I think Lennon is spot on that we got lucky to sign him before he appeared on the radar of the EPL clubs. We'll struggle to hold him for long though.

Only downside is as you(I think) said before that we didn't get to see him and Kelvin Wilson form a partnership

Antifa161 · 03-11-2013 08:34PM

Interesting that Lennon does not want to discourage Ambrose from clowning around in the heart of defence. I do enjoy it when Efe mugs off strikers by nutmugging them and keeping possession of the ball instead of hoofing it, and I don't doubt his ability to do it even to the good players, but I think it is too risky considering the step up in quality when we play in the CL.

Dempsey · 03-11-2013 08:57PM

Antifa161 wrote: »

Interesting that Lennon does not want to discourage Ambrose from clowning around in the heart of defence. I do enjoy it when Efe mugs off strikers by nutmugging them and keeping possession of the ball instead of hoofing it, and I don't doubt his ability to do it even to the good players, but I think it is too risky considering the step up in quality when we play in the CL.

When opposition sit in and there is nothing really on and he starts running at the opposition with the ball, they shít themselves and dont know whether to leave their man and go to him or stay where they are. It does create space and options.

It can be heart in mouth stuff at times but as you say, he is good at it and even if he does concede possession, his speed to recover minimises the risk.

Antifa161 · 03-11-2013 09:25PM

Dempsey wrote: »

When opposition sit in and there is nothing really on and he starts running at the opposition with the ball, they shít themselves and dont know whether to leave their man and go to him or stay where they are. It does create space and options.

It can be heart in mouth stuff at times but as you say, he is good at it and even if he does concede possession, his speed to recover minimises the risk.

Yeah but my point is its all well and good against SPL sides, and even though he may also be able to do it against CL players he still isn't used to it which might breed a misplaced confidence.

The nature of our domestic game places such a handicap on us, not just financially. It's not as simple as just a quality gap either, but the style of game we face and therefore have to adapt to. What is effective against Scottish sides (physical game, big target man etc) is out of place in the CL and vice versa. Rangers always championed the former style and did well in Scotland and very poorly in Europe as a result. I suppose we've made the right choice given that we can win domestically anyway, but it's frustrating watching at times.

Dempsey · 03-11-2013 11:11PM

Antifa161 wrote: »

Yeah but my point is its all well and good against SPL sides, and even though he may also be able to do it against CL players he still isn't used to it which might breed a misplaced confidence.

The nature of our domestic game places such a handicap on us, not just financially. It's not as simple as just a quality gap either, but the style of game we face and therefore have to adapt to. What is effective against Scottish sides (physical game, big target man etc) is out of place in the CL and vice versa. Rangers always championed the former style and did well in Scotland and very poorly in Europe as a result. I suppose we've made the right choice given that we can win domestically anyway, but it's frustrating watching at times.

I agree, what risks work against SPL opposition might not work in Europe and mistakes get punished swiftly at UCL level. Hopefully Ambrose has been caught enough times to learn from it. I dont think he wants another Juve on his conscience.

Yea, its a bad idea to have one philosophy for SPL games and another for European Games, especially when they contrast as much as direct style to possession based. You dont much time to train players when the group stages are ongoing so its asking for trouble.

People will complain about scenarios like the DUTD game and the fact that Celtic arent breaking record points totals etc with the budget they have compared to the rest but I think its the correct approach.

It was a fools errand to put pressure on domestic trebles & record points totals imo. I think fans and the media have moved away from that although its always the aim. Developing the players/squad, the playing philosophy & how we deal with playing every 3-4 days is more important and if we get that part right, trebles & those points totals might happen.

Lennonist · 05-11-2013 09:59AM

Ajax haven't won any of their last 4 games, Frank De Boer admits concern on their recent winless streak according to the Beeb. Hopefully we'll have the experience advantage over them to grind out a result against this young Ajax side. Important that Samaras and Commons will be fit to play.

Dempsey · 05-11-2013 10:17AM

Ajax are a team with nothing to lose, I'll be ignoring their form although I hope their confidence is rock bottom. Its a game Celtic cannot afford to lose and I hope we are more clinical in front of goal than we have been recently.

Antifa161 · 05-11-2013 11:53AM

I think this game will be set up nicely for some counter attacking football from us. Sammy and Forrest have to start on the wings, with Commons behind one of the strikers. Shore things up in midfield with Ledley and Kayal, Mulgrew at LB.

Lennonist · 05-11-2013 12:00PM

Antifa161 wrote: »

I think this game will be set up nicely for some counter attacking football from us. Sammy and Forrest have to start on the wings, with Commons behind one of the strikers. Shore things up in midfield with Ledley and Kayal, Mulgrew at LB.

I'd say Mulgrew will be CM like he was in the 1st leg, especially with no Brown. Kayal or Ledley might miss out.

Antifa161 · 05-11-2013 12:01PM

Lennonist wrote: »

I'd say Mulgrew will be CM like he was in the 1st leg, especially with no Brown. Kayal or Ledley might miss out.

That probably will be the case, which is stupid given how good a game Kayal had against them, and that Ledley is one of our best players.

premierstone · 05-11-2013 03:04PM

Draw for the Scottish Cup has been made, Celtic are away to Hearts games to be played the 30th Nov/1st Dec.

blahfckingblah · 05-11-2013 07:10PM

how was Bitons tackle a 2 match ban if browns was 3?

Lennonist · 05-11-2013 08:29PM

blahfckingblah wrote: »

how was Bitons tackle a 2 match ban if browns was 3?

Brown's indiscretion was against Neymar and Barca. UEFA's policy seems to be to protect the "stars" of the game at all costs. It might look like a reasonable policy to protect the talented players, but what ends up happening is that different players from different clubs are treated unequally and then certain players are allowed to dive and cheat with impunity because they know they wont be punished and that the policy is to actually favour and protect them. Ronaldo's blatant cheating in his last game went unpunished after the game. UEFA just turn a blind eye to all that.

Brown deserved a red because he should know by now how these things work, but he shouldn't have got a 3 match ban.

Antifa161 · 05-11-2013 10:10PM

Fellaini's foul tonight had more contact than both our reds combined. Wonder what sort of ban will be forthcoming :rolleyes:

Dempsey · 06-11-2013 01:09PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24836820

Travelling Celtic fans are being warned to be "extra vigilant" in Amsterdam following an attack on Tuesday.

A group of visiting supporters in the Dutch capital for Wednesday's Champions League tie were involved in a violent incident in a city-centre bar.

The club have told fans to "only stick to advised areas for safety reasons".

Hope nothing serious happens to anyone over there but hopefully they'll be ripping out their own seats when we take 3 points from the game!

PauloMN · 06-11-2013 02:13PM

Excited about this one tonight. Hopefully we can get a win v Milan at home, so a result here would be fantastic.

Hopefully Commons, Samaras and Lustig all play. Commons can make all the difference in a game like this.

A win for Celtic and a loss for Milan please please pretty please!

'Mon the Hoops!

magherakid · 06-11-2013 02:39PM

Live video feed of Celtic fans in Amsterdam

http://hdtv.webcam.nl/dam/

RoryMac · 06-11-2013 03:04PM

I'm my usual pessimistic self before these European games, Ajax will have marked this down as a game to be won for them and they were unlucky not to beat Milan at home. I think it's going to be a good game with both teams looking to win.

Hopefully my pessimism is again misplaced

magherakid · 06-11-2013 04:58PM

magherakid wrote: »

Live video feed of Celtic fans in Amsterdam

http://hdtv.webcam.nl/dam/[/QUOTE]

looks like its all kicked off

Coillte_Bhoy · 06-11-2013 05:15PM

Dempsey wrote: »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24836820

Hope nothing serious happens to anyone over there but hopefully they'll be ripping out their own seats when we take 3 points from the game!

Feck all happened
http://www.geenstijl.nl/mt/archieven...en_020_af.html

magherakid · 06-11-2013 05:17PM

Footage of the attack from Ajax fans in the pub in Amsterdam last night

eire4 · 06-11-2013 05:31PM

Good luck to Lennon and the team tonight. Nervously excited about this one. I think we will need to be able to survive a fierce onslaught from Ajax in the first 15 minutes or so. If we can do that and get a foothold in the game I think we have a chance. I don't see it being 0-0 with what's on the line so we will need to be clinical in front of goal tonight if we are to get any kind of result. Personally I would be over the moon with a point.

BohsCeltic · 06-11-2013 05:51PM

magherakid wrote: »

Footage of the attack from Ajax fans in the pub in Amsterdam last night

Brave when armed and in numbers, scumbags.
Hope everyone stays safe over there, i'm sure we can look after ourselves

magherakid · 06-11-2013 06:31PM

Celtic Team Forster; Lustig, Ambrose, van Dijk, Izaguirre; Forrest, Kayal, Mulgrew, Commons; Samaras; Stokes

Subs: Zaluska, Fisher, Rogic, Ledley, Boerrigter, Pukki, Balde

john why · 06-11-2013 06:42PM

Running battels in the square at the moment, friend just text me

Dempsey · 06-11-2013 06:46PM

Ledley not starting is a small bit of a surprise but Mulgrew is one of the first names on the team sheet and Kayal was immense against them the last day.

8-10 · 06-11-2013 06:55PM

Ajax: Cillessen; Van Rhijn, Veltman, Denswil, Boilesen; Klaassen, Blind, Serero; Schöne, De Jong, Sigthórsson

No match thread?

RoryMac · 06-11-2013 07:02PM

Dempsey wrote: »

Ledley not starting is a small bit of a surprise but Mulgrew is one of the first names on the team sheet and Kayal was immense against them the last day.

Lennon must feel Ledley is still a bit of full match fitness, hopefully Kayal will repeat his performance and Ledley is a great option to have coming off the bench. Good attacking lineup but we need to pass the ball a lot better tonight

Celtic FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2014/15 Mod Warning post #6011

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