Article by James Dailey As I consume mainstream and fan-based Celtic-related media, I am constantly bombarded by “conventional wisdom” and provided with topics to analyze. Today’s subject is the often-repeated notion that Neil Lennon is a better and more pragmatic tactical manager than Brendan Rodgers- particularly in Europe. I believe much of this notion is … [continue reading]
Rodgers
The (Partial) Death of Possession Football
A supposedly harrowing week ended with two comprehensives away victories. Success in Stockholm secured European football until year end. Triumph at Ibrox opened up an early SPFL lead, and punctured a seriously inflated Scottish media balloon. All good for Lennon and his new look side, but attained in a manner the Celtic support have not … [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]
Exposed – The Rodger’s Injury Legacy
Yesterday I highlighted the chronic cumulative impact of injury on this Celtic squad – Celtic Count the Cost of Success. I outlined some of the possible reasons for that. One which I did not highlight because I had no knowledge to back it up, is the impact of the levels and intensity of training under … [continue reading]
Austerity? Or More Of The Same?
Will Lennon get transfer funds to strengthen the squad? I take a look at managerial trading since the end of the O’Neill era. I pick this benchmark as it saw the end of the strategy of a stellar first XI and then kids / cheap squad players to a more nuanced model of Moneyball trading, … [continue reading]
Eight In A Row: League Goals Compared
How do the eight in a row champions compare season by season as far as goals for and against are concerned? This season’s tally of 77 saw the second lowest of the last eight years. And the lowest was last season. Which followed the highest, 106, all under Rodger’s watch (mainly). Rodger’s managed Celtic for … [continue reading]
Eight In A Row: League Points Compared
The 2018/19 data is in the can. Let’s take a look at Celtic’s 8 in a row as far as league points history is concerned. Points Per Title The highest points achieved during 8 in a row was 106 in 2016/17, the Invincible season. Lennon’s side racked up 99 in 2013/14, the only other season … [continue reading]
Has Lennon Changed Celtic’s Style Of Play?
After struggling to break down Dundee, Lennon spoke about changing Celtic’s “slow and pedestrian” style of play. When he returned as manager, he initially spoke of changing little. So, four games in, what has been the impact of Lennon on Celtic’s style of play? Lennon has had three tough away games as well as a … [continue reading]
Learning Averse Celtic Edge Towards Euro Exit
Celtic meekly surrendered a 2-goal deficit against a compact and well organised Valencia side in the Europa League. Lessons continue to go unlearned at this level. German Lesson This match was similar to one from Rodger’s first European campaign with the Hoops. In the 0-2 reverse at home to a talented by avowedly European middle-class … [continue reading]
Midfield Tweak Brings Sixcess
Against St Johnstone Rodger’s made a subtle change to the midfield shape at half time counter intuitively withdrawing McGregor deeper. And it won the game, moving Celtic 6 points clear. At the half Celtic were utterly dominant in terms of possession. With 83% possession, seven Celtic players had completed 50 or more passes but only … [continue reading]