Celtic Banter Archive February 10 2018

10 Feb 2018 18:23:17
We can see that the team is underperforming and certain players are making costly mistakes. Why this is the case is anyone's guess.

However, we need a bit of perspective as there is too much negativity. We are top of the league with a comfortable lead. We have the league cup in the bag. The treble is still on. Not only that we got into CL group stage and have European football after xmas.

Unless we somehow implode and lose the league, this will have been a very successful season. My hope for the remainder of the season is we get our creative players back, we stop getting injuries to key players and recapture our form. Oops nearly forgot, I also hope we hand out another couple of bun skelpings.

Before I go I have a question for ed, do you have any idea why dembele has been well below par this season?

{Ed007's Note - I think it's a mixture of injuries and low confidence. To me it's as if he won't push himself that extra inch/mile in case he gets injured, he's never been the most mobile of strikers but he is always looking to shoot rather than take his man on or pass to a teammate. It's like Boyata in defense, if they just play their natural game and use their instinct they're fine but when they try to overthink things it goes wrong. Dembele's still learning his trade though, he'll be fine.}

11 Feb 2018 01:28:59
I hope he finds it soon as he is an important player for us and we have missed him this season.

11 Feb 2018 10:12:49
Unfortunately, he can't ease his way back due to the absence of LG and the misfiring Sinclair making him the main striking option.
Fortunately, JF made all the difference in attack yesterday, but I wonder why BR doesn't play Dembele with Edouarde more often, as it worked very well against Hertz and it would take the pressure of MD up there on his own. I appreciate we are trying to accommodate Musonda at present, but he too needs more time to settle in and shouldn't be pushed IMO.

11 Feb 2018 16:17:24
@OnceABhoy - Agreed, I would also try and find a system were you can play both and hope that Dembele gets back to his best with a bit more support from another striker.

10 Feb 2018
New image uploaded to the
Celtic Player Sightings page entitled, Leveins acca

10 Feb 2018 22:17:42
Well, well, well, I hope that's the Irish Lotto or the horses he's putting on. It wouldn't surprise me to be honest if gambling on football by a key figure was allowed by the SFA, given they allow season ticket holders to referee games. Behind the times.

{Ed007's Note - He was betting on Broony getting booked.....

10 Feb 2018 22:34:27
Can't blame him then. Me, myself and Timalloy do the same. Y.

10 Feb 2018 18:44:53
Just seen the headlines in the Record regarding the passing of young Liam Miller. Utterly deplorable and if Peter Lawwell has any balls he will ban this rag and every journalist related to them from Celtic park. God rest your soul Liam. Rosary said for you tonight ☘.

10 Feb 2018 19:01:46
How what did they say pataboy?

10 Feb 2018 19:21:00
Posted a pic this morning if anyone buys this rag again they need look in the mirror . only in Scotland.

10 Feb 2018 21:34:52
Regardless of the story in the record regarding Liam miller, the fact they removed the story and apologized says it all. Totally agree, this rag and their journalist's should no longer be welcome inside the grounds of Celtic park.

10 Feb 2018 23:26:14
Im not following bhoys, yous are upset that they reported his death?

{Ed007's Note - The headline was inappropriate and of order but the article was spot on, it was a bit strange the headline got the go ahead in the first place. }

11 Feb 2018 01:11:05
Well the sun had Liam's picture on the front page, and a respectfully written piece inside, can't believe anyone or any paper would write a bad word about this story, will have to check it online.

11 Feb 2018 01:17:40
Said he sent pics to jealous friends boasting about how great his life was in America just months before he got cancer. it was online they took it down and posted a half hearted apology. scum of a paper.

10 Feb 2018 17:45:20
Seems like most weeks now it's the same 4 players that get pass marks - Captain, Ntcham, Forrest and KT. The rest are at best average. Keeper can't stop a shot, Lustic looks like he needs a hip replacement, Jozo?, . wee Charlie might come good but not ready for 90 mins in 1st team. Moussa is simply rank at the moment. Sinky putting in a shift and Ajer is good on the ball but as a centre half I'm no so sure. We will win the league and fingers crossed we get PR and Rogic back fit soon. After Hearts things looked good but then 2 if the best players that night. Kouassi and Edourde get shunted to bench since - odd?

10 Feb 2018 18:05:41
De Vries. His positioning is always wrong. First goal not his fault but he rushes out and is in no mans land. Attacker is probably going to score anyway but don't get caught with all that space behind you. Second goal again out of position. Ajar is a midfielder turned into a centre half. Could be a great defensive mid and we need one of those quick. Moussa, don't know whst to say? £30mill? Not a chance of £10mill on current form.

11 Feb 2018 01:18:13
Midfield is timid with only Brown and Ntcham (still raw the lad and too many loose passes and poor control) . Forrest is having the time of his life the rest apart from KT need to look at themselves in the mirror Peter!

10 Feb 2018 17:31:31
Another below par performance today in my opinion. Partick took their goals well from two mistakes and apart from the wee scare at the end, our keeper wasnt really tested. Our back four need to tighten up before Thursday and for the remaining games. Ntcham and Musonda flitted in and out of the game, but I think Charly will come good. Better runs today from Sinky, but I still short on confidence.

10 Feb 2018 17:03:34
Thought we were avedage today Forrest immense thought Sinclair looked a bit better missed a good chance tho but what's happened to jozo very poor again and young ajer looks like a midfielder the way he hangs onto the ball. We need to smarten up or zenit will pump us.

10 Feb 2018 15:53:23
I said to my cousin after last season's cup final that we may never equal such an achievement, when you consider all the factors/ ingredients:- new and rejuvenated players in top form, high tempo football and plenty of goals all through the team.
Obviously, we have rarely reached the heights of last term, but we are through to the 1/ 4 final of the SC, successfully defended the LC and 8 points ahead in the title with 12 games to go and in the KO stage of the EL - albeit a very tall order to progress on current form and injury situation?
However; as a supporter in his 60's I will never slag-off a team that are clearly struggling for form, consistency and confidence, while we are still so successful.
I have seen too many lean years, poor teams and unworthy players over the decades to lambaste the team during one of our clubs most dominant periods.
Yes, we need to cut out the stupid defensive mistakes - how long have we been saying that - but we had a superb display today from James Forrest and although he has his ups and downs, he was immense today and carried us through.
There are a few others that need to tidy up their game and we have nearly a whole team to come back from injury, so keep the faith. HH.

{Ed007's Note - Great post that, OAB (clap)

10 Feb 2018 16:13:38
Echo that oab too many doom n gloom posters on here. I grew up through the hun 9iar and loving every minute of what’s going on just now. Im at most games (no slant on anyone else) and like u say it’s hard to reach the heights of last season but statistically it’s been a success. Look at the history of Scottish football says it all that in our history we have only won 4 trebles yet we’re on the cusp of b2b trebles. As for Europe the aim was and always is Europe after Xmas so it’s a successful season already. Win lose or draw we’re glasgow Celtic get behind the team and enjoy what being a Celtic supporter brings
Hh 🍀.

10 Feb 2018 16:32:00
I said at the end of last season's remarkable achievements that one caveat was that it would be hard to replicate. Not great at the moment, but it's ****ing brilliant considering where we were in my early memories of the early 90s.

10 Feb 2018 16:36:53
I don't think the chopping and changing thus season has helped. Injuries have been terrible and cost us a lot of momentum. Today at the back we were very shaky. I know its early but not sure what Charly will bring but hopefully once he gets some more game time he'll show us what he's made off. Players coming back will hopefully make us stronger but tfe next round off the cup, if away will be dicey.

10 Feb 2018 17:05:33
Jimmy Forrest was outstanding today and no matter how we go about games, we are winning them. I think Archibald is doing a decent job with Thistle but even he would have been surprised today with the score. We were never in any danger but I am getting a wee bit peed off with Sinky. Perhaps a spell on the sidelines would gee him up a bit
Onwards and upwards, we're through to the next round.

10 Feb 2018 17:46:24
In my opinion it would have been absolute folly to think we could replicate the outstanding form we produced last year. Yes, we've lost our rythm this season, but could we have envisaged the horrendous injuries we've been hit with to first team players? Forrest was immense today, and good to see Rogic back in the fold. The rest aren't far away hopefully, and a nice wee home tie in the draw tomorrow will give us a great chance of btb trebles.

10 Feb 2018 18:31:25
Great post oab
I think sometimes we use forums like this to vent frustration and not just having a go.
Every one of us has been shouting for additions to defence as we know where we are weak. That has not happened and we obviously are not privy to what goes on behind the scenes.
I am sure if we can see it BR can and is working on it.

10 Feb 2018 14:21:11
Said it a few times before, improvements up front, improvements in midfield but again the defence is our weak spot.

Going to ask the question again, is John Kennedy making the defence better or making the same mistakes over and over again.

Think we need to change something to try and improve our defence, should Yours take over. don't know the answer just asking the question.
Well done for the result on the day.

{Ed007's Note - Why single out John Kennedy?}

10 Feb 2018 14:28:13
Think commper will be straight in when fit, the experience we need,

10 Feb 2018 14:28:22
It’s not Kennedy’s fault. He hasn’t got good enough defenders to work with.

{Ed007's Note - It's not Kennedy's fault because he isn't in charge of coaching the defence. Kennedy is a first team coach, people think because he played in defence that he's responsible for specifically coaching the defenders, he's not.}

10 Feb 2018 14:33:06
We were disorganised at the back under RD and JK was in charge of defence. Brendan brought his own team in but kept JK, every part of the team has improved under Brendan's team but defence not moved forward and JK is the common denominator.
Just asking the question Ed, not criticising the team, understand about injuries which effects consistency but the defence hasn't improved as much of the rest of team.

{Ed007's Note - JK wasn't in charge of the defence when Ronny Deila was here, he was a first team coach under him which means he coaches the entire first team squad and follows drills set out by Brendan Rodgers, Chris Davies and Glen Driscoll.}

10 Feb 2018 14:33:21
The team has no confidence, I honestly don’t think anyone can argue that the front, middle or back areas of the team are performing.

10 Feb 2018 14:34:55
I thought he was the defensive coach. He’s probably glad that’s not the case, but even if he was, you can’t make a silk purse from a sows ear.

{Ed007's Note - Kolo Toure's the first team squad's Technical Assistant, he played as a defender too.}

10 Feb 2018 14:35:19
Celtic don't strenghten in transfer windows. that's the problem.
That was panic stations against Patrick.
We are slowly letting clubs catch us up when we should be miles ahead.
PL is talking about a good balance sheet but he could be the man to lead us to 10 but am not so sure.
We are a shadow of the team from last year and 2 windows have been missed to strengthen.
It's criminal.

10 Feb 2018 14:47:37
When BR arrived the players were praising the coaching methods and the form and fitness (Lustig and Forrest rarely lasted 90 mins) of most players was transformed and we had an historic domestic season.
We were scoring for fun, playing great football and defending when we had to - in achieving the treble.
I would suggest that there is a complacency and laziness this season, when they go onto the pitch and expect to win almost effortlessly?
The poor performance at Rugby Park, seemed to be out of the system after ten minutes today, but again we got careless and sloppy.
The introduction of Musonda came with great expectation, but the bhoy needs more time to settle and 'aclimmatize' to Scottish referees lol.

10 Feb 2018 16:07:54
Ed, I stand corrected on JK.

But we obviously are in need of improvements in defence so whoever responsible we need an upgrade.

It's all good just want us better at the back.

10 Feb 2018 19:19:35
How often I hear Kennedy blamed when the defence plays poorly is mental.
Kennedy is just a coach.
He doesn't pick the defenders
He doesn't pick the tactics
He doesn't pick how the players have to be coached.
He follows orders just like the rest of the staff.

10 Feb 2018 11:34:13
Just seen the team and not exactly over the moon to be honest. i watched the Jags midweek and they can stick it around pretty well, they will press but not high, and that worries me.

Hopefully Charly will spark us to move the ball much, much, MUCH! quicker. This might be sticky.

10 Feb 2018 11:59:45
Probably the best team we could pick to be honest mate! Hopefully see big rogic on at some point. hopefully get a few goals and go into Thursday on a high! going for 3-0 with Musonda getting his first goal! HH.

10 Feb 2018 07:58:58
For anyone that's going to the game today there's going to be a minutes appluse on the 43rd minute for Liam Miller. such a horrible disease rest in peace.

10 Feb 2018 10:00:20
Very sad about Liam Miller, Rip.

10 Feb 2018 11:42:06
Rip liam miller YNWA.

10 Feb 2018 08:21:39
Condolences thoughts and prayers to liam miller family and friends

Taken so young and as a gers fan football goes way out the window

R. I. P LIAM GBWNBF.

10 Feb 2018 11:35:19
Well said Tryanikian.

10 Feb 2018 07:13:41
Shocked and horrified by tragic news about Liam Miller, terrible illness. May he rest in peace, 36 years old, bloody awful.

10 Feb 2018 06:26:49
Been waiting for the worse on liam for a while now but still tragic and so sad. Obviously our thoughts and sympathy go to his family at this awful time.

Thirty seven, in a few days, is far to soon to be taken by a disease that must surely have affected most of us. i have lost both parents and one in law to this bastard disease that follows no colours or creed.

A young man, like Ricksen, who just does not deserve this. He had Celtic And Manchester United, which the boy was incredibly proud, not a bad CV. Good night Liam.

10 Feb 2018 00:34:24
Very sad news about Liam Miller. Hail Hail bud, you gave us some good memories.
Rest in peace.