Brendan Fraudgers!

exactly. I don't want to be over critical of brendans style of managing because it's been so successful, but I just feel he isn't the type to give them a boot up the * at half time the way martin oneill or lennon would have.
Too many times when we play pish in the first half, you can tell that's the way we will end the game. No real urgency from the players after half time.
I'm not thinking wait till half time and brendan will sort them out and we'll see a different team in the second half. when hibs scored so early you knew we weren't going to win.

 

It's a nonsense to think Edoaurd would have replaced Dembele he doesn't have the same presence for a start and doesn't look like scoring some games.

we just dont look like the same invincible team , Sinclair is away to * as well. lost Roberts your not replacing like for like or even not at all making any signings.

 

We are always going to have to sell our best players. It's the reality of football. We need to be able to plunder the best talent from teams who are less well off than us.

Hibs have lost McGinn & McGeouch. Kilmarnock lost Mulumbu and Moult. At least we have the ability to buy better players than either of those.

 

BRENDAN Rodgers refused to blame tiredness for Celtic's dismal display against Hibs in Edinburgh.

The Parkhead boss insisted his squad's lack of depth was the reason for a 2-0 defeat which keeps the champions off the top of the Premiership and new signings MUST be made next month.

Celtic were without the rested Kieran Tierney, Ryan Christie, Dedryck Boyata and Mikael Lustig (all injured) and of course Leigh Griffiths.

And Rodgers's men never looked like taking even a point from Easter Road.


The Celtic manager said: "It was disappointing, of course, the result and performance. We gave away two poor goals from our perspective, nothing to do with energy from Thursday, it was to do with tactical discipline and not concentrating.

“In the first minute we left gaps, we pressed at the wrong time and then we didn’t track runners at such an early stage of the game. That was disappointing because we didn’t get off to a good start playing against a team that wasn’t overly confident. It’s not as if they have been flying high.

“The second one comes from our free-kick. Again, it’s tactical discipline. We don’t secure the ball at the top end of the field and Scott Brown is left in a two against one situation at the back. So, two poor goals from our perspective and then we didn’t create enough going forward.

“We had some flashes across the box and what-not, but we didn’t quite have the performance level today."

Rodgers was forced to abandon his normal system and went with a 3-5-2 which from the first minute - Hibs scored after 46 seconds - to the last did not work.

He said: "The formation may well have had an effect. I don’t think it had anything to do with the goals. If we need someone to blame then blame the system, but that was the system because of the players we had available.

“We had to manufacture a way which me thought could get us a result. It’s not what we’ve been for a few months, but we don’t have the same players available


We need to obviously (strengthen) in the window. When we had Leigh and Odsonnne (Edouard), we were definitely in the market for another striker. Because of the number of games that we play, I think it’s been unfair on Odsonne. He has had to play in so many games as a 20-year-old when I’ve wanted to take him out.

“But through necessity, really, he’s had to play. That’s been unfortunate for him as he’s not had the support around him in terms of that. It is certainly something in January that we have to look at it.”

Rodgers expects to be back next month which is now shaping up to be one of the most important period's of his Celtic tenure.

He said: "Today really doesn’t underline anything. There is nothing new we saw in this performance that we didn’t already know.

"We need support, of course, but like I say the players have been brilliant, really, and it’s been unfortunate that we’ve hit a period when we’ve suffered injuries to important players. That’s broken the fluency a wee bit.

“And today, if you don’t stand up to that, and you have a couple of moments like he did, then you can concede.

"The likes of Callum McGregor is playing his 40th game today which is an incredible amount of football – and it’s not even half a season yet.

“But, listen, tiredness wasn’t an excuse for the two goals. That had nothing to do with it. When you concede in the first minute it’s nothing to do with energy, it’s to do about positioning on the pitch and our pressing."

 

I think we need to put things in perspective here and by that I mean anybody suggesting Brendan should be replaced by Lenny, or anybody else for that matter, has been on the Buckie. By the same token, anybody that thinks that the board is to blame for results like today or some of his bizarre signings is still seeing him through the prism of the first 12 -18 months. There is a reason we are talking about him today and a reason he is being questioned. This wasn't a one off, like when the Diets ended the unbeaten run, this is one of a number of poor performances, admittedly interrupted by brilliant ones like Leipzig and Kilmarnock, but always at home. Also, and this is the worst thing about today, I didn't feel Hibs played that well. An out of form Hibs, missing four first team players, beat us without hitting their best and it wasn't a one-off performance either.

I'll be honest, I didn't feel he was the man for the job when he was appointed but , quite obviously, he proved me quite wrong and quite quickly. In fact, if anything, his achievements in the first and even the second seasons are becoming a bit of an albatross around his neck. From we were when he took over to where we were 12 months later was remarkable. The football we played was remarkable and in Europe, even with the hammering in Barcelona, he gave us plenty to be proud of. In reality, where was he supposed to go from that?
But,but, but, the doubts that I had about him on day one are more relevant now: the strict adherence to his philosophy and lack of a 'plan B'; the inability to balance defence and attack; poor recruitment, particularly in defence; poor set-pieces, at both an ends; and a loyalty to certain players that isn't always justified.

These are all things that apply currently, but were also labelled at him at Liverpool, Swansea and elsewhere, which is what is so worrying and makes January so important. There is no doubt that the board could have backed him more, something that is certainly relevant when discussing poor European performances but a bit irrelevant when we spent £1.5 million on a deal for Jack * Hendry and Hibs' record signing was half that and about 17 years ago. The gap between Celtic and the rest of Scottish football, financially, is comparable to the gap between Juventus and the rest of Italy or Diabetes Salzburg and the rest of Austria, see how the league tables differ. I don't think it is unrealistic to expect Celtic to be ten points ahead of Rangers. * me, I have had many a moan at Aberdeen and McInnes for not being well ahead of them! Game in hand or not, they should not be ahead of us.

Despite all this, nobody will be surprised if we go on a run and wrap up the league before Easter or end up with another treble, but for the last twelve months we constantly feel like a team in transition and that is why we got beaten by AEK in August and why there is even any talk at all of this side not winning the league. Looking at the team that played today, leaving aside the bizarre formation, and even more so at the bench, it isn't ridiculous to say that we would need 6-7 players where we to qualify for next season's CL.

Gordon isn't good enough anymore and needs to be removed and replaced.
Lustig should be allowed find a club in January, should a replacement be available'
Central defence looks great when we play Benkovic and Boyata in a four, neither of them are going to be here next year.
For all his talent, Ntcham can * off. Half-arsed and doesn't have the attitude needed of a Celtic player. Brown is showing the wear and tear of ten wonderful years, and, for all his improvement and energy, Christie is a level below Europe. Exactly what is needed against sides with ten men behind the ball and we are too lateral, a little short against sides like Thursday night.
I don't want to be harsh on Sinclair after today as it was a ridiculous decision to play him there, but he has been hopeless in what is his best role for a long time too. How often does he beat a man now? He does his little stuttering run towards a defender and when everybody is back in position, he pops off a five yard pass sideways.
Edouard, our only striker, for now at least , is the most frustrating player I have ever watched for Celtic. He could be in fifty yards of space and he will find a defender to run into. Like his compatriot in midfield, he fulfils the role of French stereotype very well. He is often apathetic on the pitch, today he was just pathetic.

Which means, of the current side, and those who will still be here next July, and if we get there, only KT, McGregor, Rogic, Forrest and Griff are good enough and I don't think that is too much of an exaggeration . Given the platform we have built over the past two years, that isn't good enough and needs to be addressed.

For those who can't be arsed reading, and I don't blame you, the short version is that no manager is infallible and no management role in football is secure. Brendan should be feeling some pressure now and this transfer window is monumental for the club. There is no way we should feel in transition in 12 months time.

 

Rodgers ultimate team:

 

It seems to me he's playing a weakened team to force the boards hand on signings,

Sent from my MI 5 using Tapatalk

 

Or maybe 7 first team players are injured.

 

If Brendan thinks that winning every domestic trophy trophy possible while getting us into the latter stages of the Europa League two years in a row means he can lose three away games in the league then he has another thing coming.

The only reason he is still here is because Jim Duffy went to Dumbarton.

 

Didn't think I would laugh this morning!!

 

Keep calm and have faith in the process. It's a 38 game season. We have a transfer window where we will outspend our competitors and look to bring in some quality additions. We have a spike in injuries that will not last. We will get back to winning ways, the cream will rise to the top. BR is the man for us.

 

He’s halfway into his third season here. It’s his team.

The fact it’s full of * is down to him.

 

BR: “I’m delighted to be in the draw. It’s a game against one of the great Spanish teams.”

BR: “It will be a tough test. We’d like to take some sort of advantage into the second leg.”


BR: “They’ve got very good players. They played very well at Old Trafford. It will be a tough examination for us.

BR: “We’re very clear within the club as to what we need to do. That’s to strengthen. Yesterday’s result didn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know.”

BR: “My players might not always BE at their very best but they will always GIVE their very best.”

BR: “We’ve got 13 days to go to finish of a very busy part of the season. The players have given so much and everything in the League is in our hands.”

BR: on Motherwell “They always make it difficult but we’ve been very good at home and we need to bring that intensity back that was missing yesterday.”

BR: “Ryan Christie is back running on the field and is pushing himself to getting back playing. It’s great news for us.”

 

Still think he’s the man to take us forward in Europe, but he needs to adapt his tactics off the ball to counter teams with a High press.

Tactically we play far too wide, meaning our two CM’a are caught on the ball worryingly often. Also it leaves our more advanced players isolated cause of centre midfield pairing are pegged back constantly.

This has been an issue for over a year and he’s not looked to change it which is worrying


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Fair f***s to you for making me laugh in spite of myself.

 

DEDRYCK BOYATA is set to make a dramatic return for Celtic’s festive double-header with Aberdeen and Rangers.

The Belgian defender is back in training after missing four games with a hamstring injury.

Boss Brendan Rodgers, whose side landed Valencia in the Europa League last 32, revealed Boyata should be fit for Pittodrie and Ibrox next week.

He said: “Dedryck has a good chance for the Aberdeen and Rangers games — absolutely. Thankfully, his injury was only a slight, grade-one hamstring.

“He’s moving well outside, so we will see where he is at.

“He’s a big player for us. You see the solidity he gives. I like real pace in one of my centre-halves and he gives you that.

“He lets you squeeze your line and be nice and compact as a team.

“When he doesn’t play, we really miss him — but he will be back soon.”

Rodgers also delivered good news on Ryan Christie’s ankle injury, with the midfielder able to do some light running.

The Scotland star was carried off against Salzburg last week but could make a swift comeback.

Rodgers said: “When Ryan was carried off, I feared the worst really.

“He came out of the stadium on crutches and went straight for the MRI scan. But that came up really positive and, in fairness to him, he’s thrown the crutches away now.

“Ryan is in such great form and doesn’t want it to end. But we have to be careful with him.

“He’s been out running on the grass and we will see how he goes for the rest of the week.”

Rodgers is hopeful Kieran Tierney will shake off a hip knock to face Motherwell on Wednesday but will check on Mikael Lustig after a head knock.

Tom Rogic has had an injection on a knee injury and could be back against Dundee on Saturday.

Rodgers said: “Mika’s scan was clear but he was still feeling dizzy.

“When it’s like that, medics are tentative.

“You have to go with the player.

“If he’s still feeling like that on Tuesday then he won’t play against Motherwell, but we will see where he is at come the weekend.

“Tom’s injury is a management issue.

“He won’t get anything done in January as he will be away to the Asian Cup with Australia.

“We have to manage it. He had an injection, which means he’d struggle for a couple of games. We are hoping he will train at the end of the week.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers insists Valencia ARE beatable after landing the Spanish side in February’s Europa League last 32.

He said: “Absolutely. That will be our mentality going into the game over the two legs.

“By the time it comes around in February we will be fresher and stronger as a squad.

“It is a club with a great history in the game.

“The Mestalla, their historic arena, is world- renowned as well.

 

The only reason there's even talk of a title race with other teams in the mix still ,is because of our own doing nobody else.
Weakened and gave others a small chance in the summer, We'll still win the league by 10pts even with current team but that's not the issue if we have another snide window its goodbye Brendan.

 

BR: A very good night’s work. We did very well, in particular the first-half. The players were bright and scored two very good goals. Great to see the young boys come in and make a contribution

BR: “
@anthonyralston8
was great. He’s back to the level of training to where he was a year or so ago. He did very well on the night.


BR: “Young
@mikeyjohnston10
came on and finished really well. It’s great for the two young boys. They’re growing all the time.


BR on
@Oedouard22
: “He felt it tight around his abductor. We’ll assess it over the next 24 hours.”

BR on #Broony500: “We gave
@ScottBrown8
a round of applause after the game in the dressing room. To play 500 games for #CelticFC shows your professionalism, endurance, quality and how you are able to look after yourself in that time.