Ajax vs Celtic 21/07/2012 KO: 18:00

I agree with that, we always need a scapegoat.

 

true!

 

Rogne was mince yesterday but he is not *. One bad game- in a friendly! Give the guy a break.

 

And here he comes with his favourite word......

Geez peace

 

While not wishing to join the growing band of critics following yesterday's game against Ajax, I believe there is some merit in being disappointed in our display in this match and the other pre-season games.

Accepting that these matches are "meaningless" in the grand scheme of things, they are not meaningless to those fans who fork out untold sums of money to support our team, whether at Celtic Park or away. The very least we can expect is that all of our players give 100% commitment to the cause, even if they are not 100% match fit.

The evidence so far suggests otherwise. We've probably had less than a handful of shots on target in all of our matches in Germany and apart from a wild shot from Daryl Murphy against Ajax, we had not one shot on target there.

I'm sure that pre-season games are about more than match fitness, they must also be about instilling a match winning mentality so that we can get a flying start to the competitive season, otherwise why are we playing 3rd division German if we don't expect at least a couple of morale boosting victories.

I don't think we learned anything useful about our team yesterday apart from the fact that a 3 man central defence doesn't work against teams such as Ajax, who are by no means in the top echelons of European teams.

We are likely to face similar types of teams in the next round of CL qualifying, if we can get past Helsinki. So, the chances of us reaching the group stages remain slim on this evidence and unless we face the reality of our current deficiencies, i.e. centre back, creative midfielder & striker, we may never see the group stages for a long, long time. It simply isn't good enough to say we won't spend until we reach the group stages because on our current showing that's not going to happen.

The fact that we would earn at least £10m - £15m for reaching the group stages should be enough of an incentive for our club to invest in the necessary players now in order that we can reach this pot of gold.

As from next season we will have to play 3 qualifying rounds before the group stages and may very well come up against Scandinavian teams who will be half way through their seasons when we meet them. Perhaps, our next pre-season should be in Scandinavia in order to bring our players up to scratch sooner.

 

Don't really fill me with confidence ahead of the CL qualifiers.....(But i will keep the faith regardless) Just wish we could get a few players maybe wake the rest of the squad a wee bit.

 

constantly ball watching and not watching runners amaeturish

 

I've only seen Celtic have 1 good pre-season.

It was under Tony Mowbray.

Who the * cares?

 

I remember Tommy Burns used to play 2nd, 3rd division sides (abroad) and 28-0 scorelines, never harmed that team much

I * HATE pre season games, but do take soemthing away from them, I believe last nights showing,shows,what we already know, we aint good enough for an assault on the Champions league.

That's not being overally negative, just honest, we need to strengthen, and I believe, we wont.

 

"What was the Celtic score?"

*goes on TalkCeltic, last post in match thread by Sammybobo*

"So we got humped then"

 

we will be lucky to get by helsinki

 

Lenny admitted he played 3 at the back which we had very ittle practice at. We stick to 4-4-2 and we'll beat Helsinki.

 

whattttttttttttttt?

Rogne is quality.

 

Think Rogne is a good player who would get even better when partnered by an experienced quality CB. He's not a leader yet but could certainly be in the future.

 

After watching the game last night it really hit home to me how much we need a good experienced CB who can really organize the defense.

 

Very true im_ant

Would you not say "humped" a gross understatement ? Remember, it was a friendly for them too.

Our level will always now, be SPL. Especially since the Piggery are now in Div.3. Biscuit tin locked unless we make a big sale. Anybody would do.
No great amount of sleep would be lost over any.

Do you remember the last time we had a centre half (CB) ? I mean a proper centre half like Balde who got slated upside down here. I'd have him back in a minute. Slow, yes but McNeill was no flyer in his heyday.

Paul Elliot ? I may be wrong.....just an honest question

Good evening to you too.

 

I don't agree entirely with the highlighted part.

I think we showed that we can be up to it on our day in our Europa League campaign this season, in what was a very difficult group. I'd argue that Ajax are no better than any team we faced.

The big problem for me is that we are still, about 6 years on, without a commanding centre back. Worrying.

 

Anyway, why do you all hate me when I honestly speak what I see to be the truth.

The club owes me nothing. Nor I the club

I have supported them for over 50 years.

I have seen them when they were a good team.

That's what makes it sore

And in our European cup winning year........we had no money. Players bought who were within a 30 radius of Glasgow. No Pele, Zidane, Beckenbauer.

We won it on ability, know how, drive, passion......sadly now gone.

So it's not cash.
Is it the board ?
The management ?
The players ?
The fans ?

Why do we flop in Europe every year ? Except Seville

 

So you would say if we don't reach a Euro final its a flop?

We've reached last 16 a few times,i'd class that a success

 

QF UEFA Cup 2004

2 last 16 CL under WGS

And a decent enough showing against some top quality sides last year.

I wouldn't really call that "flopping"