Lack of athleticism?

In far too many of our performances last season we seemed very leggy, lacking athleticism or dynamism - especially in midfield and in Europe.
Not talking about distances covered - it's running consistently, at pace whilst being positive, making space or closing down.

I watched teams like Brighton play (and beat) Liverpool and the athleticism and positivity of the whole team was absolutely superb and a joy to watch.
Brugge at parkhead was similarly impressive.
I haven't seen a performance from Celtic that impressed in that way - except perhaps Leipzig.

Are we fit and dynamic enough to compete with the very best?
Maeda is considered an exception, but should he be? - I genuinely don't think he would stand out in some other higher standard teams.
The bar at our club as to have dropped, with walking football tolerated - even encouraged.

Having had the same backroom staff for last few managers - are we now stale and dated versus current best practices?
Or is this a mentality problem rather than physical?

I do know that we should be more competitive in what should be a fairly simple aspect of the game.

 

Last season I’d say it was a few issues, mainly lack of rotation and lack of pace in the middle of the pitch.

I think we look more powerful from the back and into midfield with KT in now as well as Nygren will add much needed pace and power instead of Engles. Up top hopefully Yamada gets the game time cause him and Maeda will run defences ragged plus a new right winger in Europe.

The argument with recruitment is do we just go for athletic players with some technical ability or vice versa. We seem to kind of look for a middle ground but we definitely need a few more physically dominant players in the squad. Schlupp is an example of what could of been but didn’t work out.

 

Relating to other European teams we are lightweight as *.

Really miss having the likes of a kayal, wanyama, type midfielder

 

I think it's more a lack of ambition that is the problem.

 

Apart from that we are all good

 

Villa were really strong compared to us, visibly noticeable... tbf they outmuscled Brugge too..

But, we could definitely do with a physical DM.. surprised nobody ever mentions that tbh..

 

Certainly plenty on the forum mention need for DM.
But yes, we are rarely linked with any or hear Brendan talk about it.

 

I think someone might have mentioned it in passing a few years ago, but I might be thinking of left back.

 

Celtic have always thought a DM was someone with a lisp private messaging you

 

If we're talking about last season, we had it up front and I think we have it in defence with Tierney there now on the left. It's definitely lacking in midfield though.

Engels first few games he looked very good, he was full of energy and I actually felt his coverage on the pitch and speed was an upgrade on what MOR used offer us. Since those first few games its been all down hill from him. His performance against Bratislava has been his peak moment in a Celtic shirt. Hopefully at some point along this season he can rediscover that.