[Matchday] Celtic v Dundee Sunday February 20th kick off 3PM Celtic TV

Considering how miserable many were at the start of the season regarding Celtic as a club going forward, and how long the rebuild would take until the successes would become real again, I think overall, everyone feels in a good place at the moment.

The Scottish Cup can be won, and dare I say it, the SPL title. One game at a time people, and I believe we will achieve those goals.

 

Should be fine then since we’ve only conceded 17 goals altogether

 

No question the set piece defending is our biggest defensive issue by a long way. Dundee did not have a single effort on target in the 90 minutes other then the 2 set piece goals they scored and pretty much offered no threat in the run of play. We could have scored more no doubt but for me the only reason we are not reflecting on a very comfortable win today was our set piece frailties.
Having said that while no question set piece defending is a problem character and mental toughness are not and we showed them both once again today in abundance.

 

What i dont get, how come Dundee and every small team has absoloute perfect delivery from a set piece? Litterly perfectly between both defenders. Yet we have 40 a game and can't get close

 

Did forget that one. We were great that day.

Suppose the 4 signed in January are still so new that they are constantly learning playing with the others and the system.

Maybe playing Bitton, McGregor and only one of the newer ones might be better for a few.

 

If that's true (and I'm not doubting you), how the * is this not the subject of investigation by the SPL?

And the referee's association...

 

Its called set piece practise. Kennedy take note.

 

Delighted to get the three points....but crazy defending

 

Sick of saying this...

Their first goal - no man on the back post ( i did note maeda dropping onto the front post).

hatate fixing his shin guard then making his body small and putting his hands above his face is very scary, to defend corners we need players with open body shapes, and be prepared to take a broken nose to clear the ball. Unless we toughen up in these matters we will continually concede silly goals. Teams target us in this fashion.

as much as I rate hart as a signing, his weakness is not coming out for cross balls and commanding his area, so he needs every help he can get. I think Siegrist would make a good signing in the summer to compete with hart / backup / rotate.

Put men on the post please!

In the dundee utd game, they scored with no rangers man on the front post.

A simple way to stop goals!!

Hopefully Sunday we make it an easier game v Hibs, a win before the rangers game would perfect, every game the pressure will build and build, we are playing on a plastic pitch on thursday, chose the players wisely.

Great for GG - good nervy win.

 

Bitton in front of the back 4 - he gives height and keeps is simple. I think he didn't misplace a pass when he came on yesterday. Plus from corners adds some presence start him. Sunday would be great if it is an easier game rather than last few mins job.

 

We definitely have a bit of goal-shyness at the moment. We had enough chances and half chances to bury Dundee several times over.

In some ways this is what’s encouraging me about Maeda. Given time to settle he’ll bury 3 or 4 of the chances he gets on the end of.

I remember Kyogo missing a fair amount of chances early on too but equally he made up for it with the sheer amount of chances he was involved in.

 

his header was tame, but that was a pen and a red card in the build up to his header.
yes we need to be clinical in games, an early goal always warms the cockles, esp on sunday if we beat hibs and then they player in the later game it turns the pressure up.

every game is a 6 pointer, any lead we can build up now will be vital when the split happens.

 

Poor 1st goal to lose. Well pleased for GG getting his goals and getting the winner for what could be a very valuable extra 2 points. Just need a wee bit more luck/composure in front of goal and the game would have been more comfortable. Overall the win was all that mattered.
I know One thing if I had been offered, back in August, to be 3 points clear on the 21st Feb I'd have taken that all day long.

 

Remember Europe

 

Our delivery is fine we just don’t have anyone with the balls to attack the ball. Same defensively.

 

Or 50p heads when we finally do header it...

 

There was some unbelievably good ball's played in yesterday that went right across the 6 yard box..

Also a couple that Maeda probably should've scored from..

 

Didn't see the full game, saw the goals, I see Maeda got an assist with the second ball whipped in.

He's raw but has contributed each game he's played. I'm pleased for him. I was critical in Bodo game, but rooting for him to keep adding to his game.

 

The thing with Maeda is I don’t think he’s suited to the left, same as Kyogo !! His best position would be up top but that is Giakoumakis place for just now. Good option to come off the bench, I would even start him there against Bodo and save Giakoumakis for Hibs.