29 Dec 2018 14:53:30
Just can't calm down after that debacle of a non-show from Celtic.
There's nothing positive to take from that - apart from Gordon saving us from a proper doing.
First of all BR - having lost the services of one of our most creative and influential Sevco performers, plays the other at left back?
OK I can see he needed experience to cover for KT, but when he saw how poor the midfield were struggling, why not try Hayes again and free-up Cal-Mac to play his normal game?
Wee MJ up front was also a mis-match that should have been addressed before 60 minutes, while the introduction of Ralston vetoed other more positive options as Brown and Ntcham were clearly ineffective and losing the battle.

Broony looked off the pace from the off and Boyata just coming back into the side lacked the composure and confidence he had before the long injury lay-off.
Ntcham had a shocker, but for some reason was allowed to play 90mins.
As for the front players, who may have been starved of possession for long spells; they were far too often out-fought and bullied to make any in-roads to their goal.

They were as fired-up as we all expected, but somehow we lacked the fight, energy and desire to make a game of it and that's the worst part of the day.
Beaton was always going to give EVERY decision their way and ignore niggles, kicks and the like, but still we just took it and rarely looked interested never mind threatening in any way?

This was the wrong game to tinker with tactics, personnel and roles and although we remain top, we have thrown away a great opportunity to finish the year with a statement of intent and a party to start the winter break.

Ah well, it's the first ever defeat to TRIFC 2012 but it was a sore one to take.

1.) 29 Dec 2018
29 Dec 2018 15:13:08
Watched the game and it's very clear the middle of the park was the major issue brown unfortunately is done very slow he has no pace can't keep up anymore, natchm wasn't aggressive enough and too was very slow, we need better centre mid in January as Christie McGregor and rogue are better served as attacking players I'd like 2 centre mid, 2 strikers, a right back and proper left back cover izzy is rank too unfortunately of the 5-6 players we need in I hope they are all of better class, brown should take his final seasons in Australia and bitton malumbu allan need shipped out, if a good bid comes in for ncham he's off, every time brown and ncham play we struggle stats don't lie, sickener today but it's taken them long enough to win, still top hail hail 🍀.

2.) 29 Dec 2018
29 Dec 2018 15:18:41
Agree 100% with what you have just said there mate. The managers selection raises question marks undoubtedly but the performance, application, desire and effort (things he mentions after every game) of our players was negligible. No fight, didn't win a 2nd ball never mind a 1st one, chances ppfffttt other than the offside goal not a single cross or shot anywhere near McGregor. Our run was always going to end against them but to lose it in that manner is a hard one to take.

3.) 29 Dec 2018
29 Dec 2018 15:19:14
Agree with you. Selection was all wrong from the start however 2 injuries denied Rodgers the ability to change it. Strong transfer window needed.

4.) 29 Dec 2018
29 Dec 2018 15:33:25
Good post OAB spot on. McGreggor should never have played at left back and still scored an offside goal. Hayes could have played left back without the loss of McGreggor’s creativity in midfield. Brown and Ntcham can’t play together and both had howlers. No fault of Mikey Jonnstone up front he’d no service and we’d no other options up front with Eddie half fit and Griffiths having personal problems. The man has achieved great things but Brendan Rodgers got it wrong today rather than Stevie G getting it right. However we remain top of the league with a game in hand. The battle was lost but the war goes on. I’m sure BR will learn from today and it will also be a reminder to the board of what’s required in the January transfer window.

5.) 29 Dec 2018
29 Dec 2018 16:25:55
Unfortunately the blame lieds with BR and his staff for his team selection. He puts the best and most attacking and creative midfielder at left full. Why was KT on the bench if he wasn't able to play at least 45 mins? Hayes got rave reviews all week from BR after the dons game but both sat on the bench all game.

It appears that certain players can't cut it in tough game. Nitcham was a disgrace and looked like a scared rabbit in headlights. Lustig was all over the place and even Scott Brown was very poor. We allowed them to over run us in midfield. Serious questions need to be asked if certain players like nitcham boyata and lustig play again for Celtic.

The manner with today's defeat is the problem. It has been a long time since l have seen Celtic play so bad in a old firm. It is now up to the board and BR to get the issues sorted in the transfer window.

At least we are still top all be it on goals but l hope all at Celtic remember 8 and 9 come before 10. Celtic have been given a wake up after this game and now with the winter break and transfer window they can solve the problems.

6.) 29 Dec 2018
29 Dec 2018 16:53:09
Lustigs finished at right back. Been a great servant but he’s done. Ntcham would be aswell going as he just doesn’t look interested now although how he thinks he’ll get a move playing like that is beyond me. When was his last game? I’ve spent the past half hour arguing with my mate about Sinclair. I’m one of his biggest critics and he’s been superb the past 2 games but I can’t blame him today, yes he was non existent but so was Forrest, Johnston, Christie, ntcham, brown. Forrest, Sinclair, and Johnston couldn’t get a sniff as brown but for me mainly ntcham done absolutely hee haw, he cut about there today AGAIN as if he’d rather be anywhere else than where he was. For me that’s unforgivable, if your not up for the fight then ship up and ship out. those games regardless of how good bad rangers are, we need to turn up and for me he bottled it. Our midfield done nothing to support, give our wingers or Johnston/ Edouard when he came on, and to play McGregor at LB by rodgers is criminal.