Last week I wrote about how tired I was with the whole "Neil Lennon" thing and how I wished we would all stand back and just let Neil get on with things, I believed in my own little world of wisdom that now that the Champions League, the Europa League and the League Cup were all gone, we could safely concentrate on the Holy Grail of 10IAR and Neil would have the space and time to do likewise and deliver what we all truly cherish.
How wrong I was!
Fast forward Celtic -v- St Johnstone, Sunday 6th December 2020. 1st and foremost, team selection, Barkas OK, may not be everyone's cup of tea, but limited in our options, back three of Bitton, Julien & Ajer, OK on most days against Scottish opposition we'll be fine, Frimpong & Laxalt (Full Backs, Wing Backs, Wing Halfs, answers on a postcard please?), Christie, Brown, McGregor & Rogic, midfield, looks good on paper and again against Scottish opposition, we should be fine. Edouard up front on his own and again an in form (?) French Eddy will do the business.
So, when we look at the Team selection, it's not that bad, is it? However, take into account the "psychological" mindset (according to NFL) of our players and it's then that perhaps on paper, there's more cracks than were first appeared.
Barkas is questionable, Forster he is not, defence just need someone they can rely on, otherwise they can come good, Lustig & Tierney they are not, Midfield, left for Brown & McGregor to control as Rogic and Christie go for a walk, Edouard, plays the ball too close to opposition, ultimately losing duels time after time.
In my little world of wisdom, I would suggest, don't know what it takes, get Forster back, sort out our defence so there's a part for Shane Duffy (Irish Republican) to play for the Hoops in defence, Midfield, rest Callum McGregor, play Ismalia Soro, David Turnbull alongside Scott Brown, and up front drop Rogic to the bench and play Griff alongside Edouard, with Rogic coming on as a substitute for one of the Midfielders with 30 minutes to go.
It's as simple as that!!!
I wish it was.
Yes, last week I was tired, this week I am defeated, I so dearly wished NFL to succeed and indeed today's performance has left me deflated, devoid of rational, desperately seeking some words of support for NFL. I am truly tired and defeated, my hopes and dreams for my beloved Celtic and indeed NFL, have suddenly evaporated and sadly without change we will find ourselves back in 1965 when the late great Jimmy McGrory was clinging on to our destiny despite protests from Fans far and wide. Thankfully we solved that problem and although he was not appointed until March 1965, he led us to our 1st Scottish Cup Triumph in eleven years. No one thought changing the Manager at such a late stage in the season would ever bring rewards, it did and it brought us Jock (John) Stein.
Neil, I cannot in my mind's soul tell you to move on, make your own mind up but don't leave it too late, I was a young Bhoy in Hampden that day when King Billy McNeil scored the winner against Dunfermline, I cried, my Big Brother cried, my whole Family cried, that was what it was like to be a Celtic Fan, we were there and we were always there and we will always be there, God Bless NFL.
How wrong I was!
Fast forward Celtic -v- St Johnstone, Sunday 6th December 2020. 1st and foremost, team selection, Barkas OK, may not be everyone's cup of tea, but limited in our options, back three of Bitton, Julien & Ajer, OK on most days against Scottish opposition we'll be fine, Frimpong & Laxalt (Full Backs, Wing Backs, Wing Halfs, answers on a postcard please?), Christie, Brown, McGregor & Rogic, midfield, looks good on paper and again against Scottish opposition, we should be fine. Edouard up front on his own and again an in form (?) French Eddy will do the business.
So, when we look at the Team selection, it's not that bad, is it? However, take into account the "psychological" mindset (according to NFL) of our players and it's then that perhaps on paper, there's more cracks than were first appeared.
Barkas is questionable, Forster he is not, defence just need someone they can rely on, otherwise they can come good, Lustig & Tierney they are not, Midfield, left for Brown & McGregor to control as Rogic and Christie go for a walk, Edouard, plays the ball too close to opposition, ultimately losing duels time after time.
In my little world of wisdom, I would suggest, don't know what it takes, get Forster back, sort out our defence so there's a part for Shane Duffy (Irish Republican) to play for the Hoops in defence, Midfield, rest Callum McGregor, play Ismalia Soro, David Turnbull alongside Scott Brown, and up front drop Rogic to the bench and play Griff alongside Edouard, with Rogic coming on as a substitute for one of the Midfielders with 30 minutes to go.
It's as simple as that!!!
I wish it was.
Yes, last week I was tired, this week I am defeated, I so dearly wished NFL to succeed and indeed today's performance has left me deflated, devoid of rational, desperately seeking some words of support for NFL. I am truly tired and defeated, my hopes and dreams for my beloved Celtic and indeed NFL, have suddenly evaporated and sadly without change we will find ourselves back in 1965 when the late great Jimmy McGrory was clinging on to our destiny despite protests from Fans far and wide. Thankfully we solved that problem and although he was not appointed until March 1965, he led us to our 1st Scottish Cup Triumph in eleven years. No one thought changing the Manager at such a late stage in the season would ever bring rewards, it did and it brought us Jock (John) Stein.
Neil, I cannot in my mind's soul tell you to move on, make your own mind up but don't leave it too late, I was a young Bhoy in Hampden that day when King Billy McNeil scored the winner against Dunfermline, I cried, my Big Brother cried, my whole Family cried, that was what it was like to be a Celtic Fan, we were there and we were always there and we will always be there, God Bless NFL.
