Celtic v the Rangers - Black Sunday 29 December, kick-off 12.30pm (merged with Provisional thread)

[Artur]

I agree with all of that mate.

Do you want me to start a door thread,take our mind off the game

 

[Hoopy427]

Do you want me to start a door thread,take our mind off the game

Needing something pal!

 

[Bridie Bhoy]

We'll win the league. I have no concern. We were flat. We played through the middle and in our own half too much. Just a bit tired BB as were the fans today. We wanted to inspire each other but we are a far better team and squad. No worries. They played well but they are industrious. Our creativity will see us through when it matters. Wouldn't mind a Wanyama for a bit more of a physical input. Or someone of such ilk. At he end of the day they got a free header in the box. Shit happens. Its how we learn from it. Hail Hail BB

Yes we looked fatigued. Blind faith by the fans won't win us the league - this will take yet more hard work by the players, coaches, scouting staff, etc. They are a limited team who play to their strengths whereas we didn't turn up for the second time in 3 weeks. I too think we will win the league but it will be close. I've been saying we need more physicality for domestic games for a while now (but we've won 10 trophies in a row so maybe I know sfa). HH

 

[Niall J]

Yes we looked fatigued. Blind faith by the fans won't win us the league - this will take yet more hard work by the players, coaches, scouting staff, etc. They are a limited team who play to their strengths whereas we didn't turn up for the second time in 3 weeks. I too think we will win the league but it will be close. I've been saying we need more physicality for domestic games for a while now (but we've won 10 trophies in a row so maybe I know sfa). HH

Broony can't do it on his own. Ajer is a superb defender and Jullien is a good foil, other than that we do lack that physicality. you're assessment is spot on. It's just as much as we need it where do you fit it in?
Add a wanyama(or such like) beside Brown and force Mcgregor further forward, then sacrifice Christie? Think I'd rather play Brown and AN other, Mcgregor in the 10 and narrow Christie and Forrest behind Eddy and let the full backs supply the width. What do I know though.

 

[Bridie Bhoy]

Broony can't do it on his own. Ajer is a superb defender and Jullien is a good foil, other than that we do lack that physicality. you're assessment is spot on. It's just as much as we need it where do you fit it in?
Add a wanyama(or such like) beside Brown and force Mcgregor further forward, then sacrifice Christie? Think I'd rather play Brown and AN other, Mcgregor in the 10 and narrow Christie and Forrest behind Eddy and let the full backs supply the width. What do I know though.

You're right as usual. I prefer CalMac further forward too perhaps with Chritie playing either side of the lone striker. Possibly not playing two wingers and two attack minded wing/full backs in these games is the answer? We need to learn and move on. We have enjoyed a lot of success which we've earned by hard work and the next few months will see further battles. HH

 

[Artur]

Dont need to worry about getting pelters in work next Monday!Tims only! Up the Lochee Bhoys!

 

[Jpw]

u think we have that ability faith dies not make them better

A man after my own heart. Well said

 

[Imatim]

Yes, out-thought by an under 18s coach who needed remedial classes for his badges. That's worrying.

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I don’t think Slippy is the tactical genius.....there’s another one there.....whose name I can’t remember.....that apparently is responsible for their tactics.....and it’s not McAlister

 

[Imatim]

We said before the game we had our strongest team out everyone in their preferred positions. Imo just didn't turn up today, some players didn't fancy it too much. Bad day at the office. It's like when you get up to go to work you don't fancy it that day. Players no different. Lenny has a lot of work to do in Dubai. I'd have taken them to Siberia on todays performance. HH

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I’m not sure that all of us did think that was our strongest team.....we got out muscled and out thought and lacked the tactics and collective will and fight you have to have against an opponent that is highly committed and motivated.....that’s 2 wake up calls we’ve now had.....and this one we have paid the price......we can’t afford any more

 

[dmac]

Made it easy for them giving the ball away easily Boli and Jullien guilty of it Forrest once again anonymous Penalty goes in its maybe a different story but they looked like they wanted it more and looked fitter our guys looked one paced and disorganised at times with no one picking players up

 

[TTQtKK⚠️]

I'm as disappointed as anyone after our showing yesterday but the writing off, by some, of our players and coaches seems an overreaction. Yesterday many of us looked at that team and were happy with it; felt we had enough to deliver.

I don't think the team has looked particularly well balanced recently with the moving of players to different positions (Forrest and Christie are probably the most obvious).

Whether we like it or not Sevco are a different (filthy) animal this season. We need to adjust. Lenny's recent comments regarding Rodgers i.e. they keep in touch every week and he's only building on what was laid down by BR are very worrying for me. It's almost like he's still the caretaker manager if he thinks that or he's thinking it's not broken so no need to fix it.

To stay successful you need to stay ahead of the curve. The cup final seemed to illustrate that Eddy was the missing link, don't think too many would argue with that. Seems our management thought the same. Now they know that is not the only issue. Winning the fight first is required.

Guys like El Hamed, El Younoussi and possibly Ntcham and even Bauer can help with this.

We need a forward that can harass the opposition defence. Eddy is a top player but can't do it on his own.

Even with no additions the squad we have has the capability to play in different formations.
We already know they can play the 4-2-3-1. Good countering system but requires us to play through midfield spaces. If they are not there...

...A 3-5-2 with Hamed, Julien and Thor can work. Taylor included here can change it to 4-4-2
Midfield five can be christie, broony, mcgregor, ntcham, mikey for the four, we can leave Mikey out. I'm not ignoring Frimpong here, he definitely can play a role in either system as can Forrest.

With the possible exception of European knock out we can benefit from two up top for sure, I would take every opportunity to play 2 from our main front three whenever possible ( I know injuries) but even Jamesy and El Younoussi can play the role off Eddy.

We have become predictable, not just on the basis of yesterday but also noticeable in other recent league games. There are solutions available within the squad but would also be good to see some reinforcements.

All told this loss is disappointing but recoverable and the league cup is in the cabinet.
HH and KTF for the quadreble!

 

[Fisiani]

If we win every game from now to the end of the season then we are Champions and Treble winners again. That is what we have to do. It's that simple. We have a month to freshen up the squad and bring history.

 

[Winter]

So if this is not the Official Thread is it the Provisional thread or should we wait for the Real thread or perhaps there will be Continuity between threads?

I believe they are merged

 

[Winter]

Lenny just said recently that this side have been awesome (perhaps he meant in Europe) now saying team must show more mental discipline eh?

 

[TTQtKK⚠️]

Lenny just said recently that this side have been awesome (perhaps he meant in Europe) now saying team must show more mental discipline eh?

I think after yesterday many of us want to see Lenny acknowledge that change is required.

 

[Celtic Ghostie]

Left the house this morning in a confident mood. That changed when I saw the team and therefore the shape we’d play. Somehow we got to half time level and that was the time to fix the problems by taking off Forrest and Johnston and bringing on Ntcham and Rogic to flood the middle of the park then let the full backs go wide when we gained the initiative.

And talking of full-backs play Greg Taylor please!

This title is going to go all the way. They have the initiative at the moment and we need to get something at Ibrox by the looks of it.

Highlight of the day was myself and Lubo98 meeting up with Niall J before the game.

Good post. It echoes my own thoughts on how the game was developing and 100% agree about Greg Taylor

 

[Celtic Ghostie]

Crowd didn't have a lot to get behind. The sings the GB tried to get up and going died a death. Provo songs inspire no cunt. And that fucking banner was a total brass neck. At Michael protect us in battle? Vomit inducing pish. Sing a Celtic song and maybe people will join in. Team turning up though.mught help.

Agree with you Verdict except for the fact that I thought the tactics effed our team more than the huns did

 

[Theverdict1]

Agree with you Verdict except for the fact that I thought the tactics effed our team more than the huns did

It's down to players and ours were outfought and more of a worry, outplayed. All the better footbal came from them. Forrest, Christie, Johnson, Boli and Ajer were pitiful throughout. Two games in a row now. They are now favourites to win it and rightly so after yesterday. This window will be key. I have zero faith in Lawell or our ability to find a striker who isn't shit on the washers we offer to pay.
All that money in the bank and we allow a club working with loans to over take us. Go fuck yourself Lawell. More important than that though. Get your fucking finger out you dithering cheapskate cunt. Shambolic.

 

[Derry Bhoy]

They have scored

You're right as usual. I prefer CalMac further forward too perhaps with Chritie playing either side of the lone striker. Possibly not playing two wingers and two attack minded wing/full backs in these games is the answer? We need to learn and move on. We have enjoyed a lot of success which we've earned by hard work and the next few months will see further battles. HH

You say we need to learn!!! Lenny has played and managed in lots of derby games if he hasnt learned by now he never will.Surely all he had to do was look back at the Cup Final but he still didnt learn from that.

 

[green sprig]

No point in getting yourself pissed of with Lawwell Theverdict1,no matter what we say wont make a blind bit of difference to him.
Same shite every window....we will not be bullied into paying more than we think a player is worth..Lawwell comment every window...
Same statement year in year out,,I am not expecting this year to be any different..
Lenny said last week he was expecting to bring in 2-4 players,,this morning these figures have been rounded up to a couple,, wonder what positions he is thinking he needs to strengthen,,maybe,,striker,,centre back,,midfield,,or could it be a left back ?????.
Lately his favourite statement has been,,I am very proud of my players,they give me everything...with the exception of the old firm games Lenny..
I am delighted that the whole of the first team squad has a weeks break in Dubai to recover from a very gruelling first half of the season because if anybody deserved a break Bhoys it is certainly you..
Lenny keeps reiterating how difficult December has been for you all having to play 9 games,I can see how that would be a chore for you all.....a wee bit sarcastic there..
On your 7 hour haul to Dubai in between watching the new movies,, take a minute or two and have a wee think about the Bhoy,s and Ghirls who have faithfully supported you all through the month of December,November,October etc,whether it be night or day,Glasgow or Italy,they were there with thier support for you..
These Bhoy,s and Ghirls never at any time said they were tired... because they were going to support the team they loved,,,these are people who work 40-50 hour weeks to be able to pay for the season ticket they cherish..maybe you are thinking along the same lines as me now Bhoy,s,,we have reached payback time...
So Bhoy,s let,s use the old addage....Time Gentlemen Please..
Time to stand up and be counted...Time to deliver..
especially Lawwell..

HH