As highlighted yesterday and evidenced in preseason, defensive options are limited for Celtic ahead of tonight’s Champions League qualifier against Danes FC Midtjylland. The continuing absence of Jullien is a huge blow and his partnership with the soon to be transferred Ajer was the bedrock of the highly successful 19/20 season. Without endlessly debating the … [continue reading]
Champions League
Ange’s Choice
The Preston North End friendly showcased the paucity of resources Postecoglou has to work with. The line-up was (perhaps) as near as injuries permit, to that to face Midtjylland. The Ghost of Disasters Past In thinking about context for this piece I looked back on the starting XI’s for each of the disasters to befall … [continue reading]
Familiar Failings As Celtic Crash Out
Elimination from the Champions League will cast a long shadow over Celtic’s season. Much remains to play for, of course, but the errors here need to be openly discussed and avoided in future. I will say from the outset I have been a consistent critic of Celtic’s squad management over a number of seasons. This … [continue reading]
Cluj Culture Clash
Celtic face Romanian champions CFR Cluj in Glasgow with the Champions League Play off round at stake (sorry!). It is fair to say Celtic rarely come across a team that play like Cluj. The away leg in Transylvania was, in some respects, the classic European away experience: Opposition mind games Grass left long Pitch not … [continue reading]
Jullien’s Debut
Lennon’s marquee Summer signing (so far!) finally made his debut in the away tie in Tallin versus Nomme Kalju. Jullien was assessed in Jullien: The Aerially Dominant Eagle Has Landed using information from WhoScored?. But it is much preferable to have ”real life” data to get my hands upon! Opposition Context As discussed on Twitter, … [continue reading]
Sarajevo Satisfaction
Moments of quality ultimately saw Celtic home and (not very) dry after a sticky tie in Sarajevo. The potential for disaster here was significant: Poor weather (heavy rain) A badly cut up pitch An opponent drilled in 4-5-1 medium block defensiveness And possessing set play competency Going a goal down Usual preseason injuries Usual preseason … [continue reading]
Bolingoli’s Debut
The new £3m addition from Rapid Vienna, to be known as Bolingoli, made his debut against FK Sarajevo. As is often the case with Celtic, his bow was cut short by a knock early in the second half. So, we only got to see 57 minutes of him. Position Tierney looks to be out injured … [continue reading]
History On Lennon’s Side
We are in the Second Golden Era of Celtic European history. The late 1970’s, 1980’and 1990’s were, for the most part, desperate for the Hoops. But Group Stage football has become the norm. The 2019/20 European adventure starts tonight for Celtic. And in Lennon, they have a manager with a history of Champions League Qualification. … [continue reading]
The European Gulf
Celtic qualified for the knockout stages of European competition for the second season in a row, finishing 2 points above RB Leipzig. Easy (*not easy*). Do the numbers help to illustrate the gulf between this standard of opposition and that Celtic come across in Scotland? Of course! Creativity By combining two metrics illustrative of creativity, … [continue reading]
Are Celtic Refereed Differently In Scotland?
The recent Glasgow Derby was a perfect example of how twisted narratives become within the context of this fixture. All the post-game agenda setting by press and The Rangers alike was of injustice at the result because of the referee. Specifically, an alleged foul on Jack in the lead up to the winning goal. As … [continue reading]