Celtic bring the blunders back
A damp squid of an evening in Glasgow
The bottom line is, over the two legs, Celtic were outdone easily by the team that represented their most straightforward challenge in the draw.
There may be a brand new dawn under Neil Lennon but when the same mistakes are being committed time after time, you have to wonder how much progress is being made.
There are still weeks of the transfer window to go and the proceeds of the sale of Aiden McGeady, Andreas Hinkel and maybe even one or two others to continue the rebuilding process.
Neil Lennon needs to work on that defence…and quickly!
Celtic started positively without causing too much harm but as soon as Charlie Mulgrew squandered possession, veterans of watching Celtic in Europe knew what was on the cards.
The centre halves charged away from their position, forcing Cha du Ri to try and get across and cover. He couldn’t and a superb header killed the tie.
The rest of the game was about going through the motions as much as anything.
The abysmal Mulgrew was hooked at half-time, Scott Brown picked up a booking, more for being constantly annoying than the severity of the challenge and Shaun Maloney got injured.
The more things change…..
Gary Hooper got the hoops back on level terms with his first Celtic Park goal and Effrain Juarez gave Celtic a win on the night, after heading home a cross/shot from Samaras.
Samaras was awarded the sponsors man of the match, an announcement greeted with derision from some.
We couldn’t argue with the decision, the Greek striker was everywhere trying to kick-start his team. It wasn’t a fantastic performance but in comparison to the rest of his team-mates it just about deserved recognition.
The problem is, Samaras could score a hat-trick and murder Maggie Thatcher and too many fans would complain about a lack of a fourth goal and the enforced minute silence that would follow in the next game.
It’s in everyone’s best interests that the Greek striker finds a new club, so that could be further funding for Neil Lennon to rebuild his team.
Europa League it is for Celtic with the draw for the qualifying round taking place on Friday.
Are you hopeful of a Europa League group spot?
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Have to agree with you, (and that really pains me).
The defence was a disgrace. Charlie Mulgrew is close to being Celtics worst (and shortest) ever signing and our trusted goalie needs deporting.
Hooper. Juarez and Cha look like they will be able to to the business, but the reluctance of Lennon to chuck in the ‘creative maestro’ Paddy McCourt when the game was screaming out for him was baffling.
Off topic, but the phrase is “damp squib”, not “damp squid”.
Not if you are Roy from the IT Crowd.
Apologies for non viewers.
Just seen that Graham Linehan (writer of the IT Crowd & Father Ted) has tweeted a link to this article, I’m not sure if he’s a big Celtic fan or someone tipped him off about the IT Crowd tag line.
I wonder if he could put in a word to Ardal O’Hanlon about maybe filling in at left back for Celtic. If I remember correctly nothing much got passed Father Dougal.
We could have Father Jack in the ‘mentoring’ role as well. I’m sure he could do the Terry McDermott job and organise a right good night out.
Back to last night, the game simply came too soon for this team, not that I would use that as an excuse for a shockingly inept performance over the majority of the 2 legs. If we are to make a strong challenge to stubborn, methodic Rangers for the title (which is our main priority) then we need at least 3 more new signings brought in – LB,CH & GK. I know it’s stating the obvious but Mulgrew getting hooked at half-time last night said it all. Not good enough 1st time around and nowhere near the standard we require at this time.
A lot of hard work and tough talking (Hopefully in the dressing room) to be done yet.
Yes, it was a complete damp squid of a night but come the end of the season let’s hope we can put Lenny proudly on a ‘pedalstool’.
Billy, the three more signings required are the three signing we have all been crying out for since before Mowbray left. We all knew Boruc was leaving and Zaluska didn’t really looked the part when he came in last season.
A commanding Centre Half & decent Left Back have been required since the heady days of Bobo Balde and Joos
I’m loath to single out individuals by name and would normally prefer to state positions that need strengthened but Mulgrew looks like someone we have scouted from the local 5 a-side parks and some of the usual suspects who failed miserably over the last 2 seasons are still loitering about the place like a shower of under-achieving wage-collecting wasters.
Although I was (and still am) highly sceptical of Lenny’s appointment I thought the very least he would do is chase these folk out the door and instil the passion required to play for Celtic. This will probably come but it was sorely lacking over those 2 legs.
So come on Santa Desmond, get those 3 players in postion NOW, if not sooner. No more midfielders please!
Latest rumour going round tonight is that Aston Villa have put in a bid of £9 million plus Carlos Cuellar for Aiden McGeady after Man City agree to buy Milner for £20 million + Ireland.
Celtic could play him in goals – already pulled off one cracking save at Celtic Park a few years back.