16 Feb 2019 08:52:07
Bhoys, here we go again.
We show a bit of progress on the domestic front and everyone is full of praise for our team. Then we come up against a very decent European side and we're found wanting. It's the way it is. It's what happens. So many of you seem to be taking it as a personal insult so let me make it clear to all.

we are a strong team domestically but we are weak on the European front.
I am as passionate about Celtic as any of you, but I realise that we have our limitations on the bigger scale so please stop yapping like school kids when we take on a much higher level of opposition.

Do I wish we were more competitive? Yes I do, but we are where we are in the grand scheme of things. The days of 1967 are long gone, we have no automatic entitlement to anything on the European scene. Everything is as it is so let's focus on the things we can influence and forget the stuff we can't. Whatever replies you want to make are fine but please stop saying our club is in the doldrums. Be a true Celtic fan and support the club more than you criticise it. HH.


1.) 16 Feb 2019
16 Feb 2019 11:04:07
Strachan got us to the last 16 of the champions League (twice) with Telfer Caldwell McManus Naylor in defence.

Almost beat a world class AC Milan side in last 16

So why can't we play better in Europe?

Nobody is talking about winning it but actually us showing some level of ability

Right now we play like a part time team in Europe, we look lost at that level, despite the fact we have done better with worse squads of players.


2.) 16 Feb 2019
16 Feb 2019 11:09:25
I agree with most of what you say there bobthecat, but I wouldn't exactly say we were weak in Europe as we reached the knockout stages of EL. I'd say that was average. Don't forget we knocked out Leipzig and no one says they are a weak team, far from it.
It's clear though we need a couple of quality additions to be more consistent in how we play, and we need our best 11 available and on form or we struggle against the very good sides.


3.) 16 Feb 2019
16 Feb 2019 13:46:17
isleogreen I remember thinking that after Zenit last season; one or two quality additions might give us that extra edge to go a wee bit further. Now look at us a year on and we're still in the same position. Even with the players we have we there is no excuse for the lack of courage on Thursday, which sadly is becoming the norm. IMO under Strachan we would have won that game, Lennon probably a toss up but Thursday was like watching a Deila team in Europe.


4.) 16 Feb 2019
16 Feb 2019 15:01:14
Kevbhoy it's true since Deila era we have produced many technically great players but mentality is gone.

The wide open way we play is simply ridiculous.

To play this style you need a massive amount of quality in the squad at this level.


5.) 16 Feb 2019
16 Feb 2019 21:25:55
Valencia are far from a top side. If it was Napoli that we lost to I’d say fair enough but Valencia away from home are bang average. They draw loads of games and away they rarely win.
We made this stage down to good fortune with Rosenborg let’s not kid ourselves. We lost 3/ 4 against the better sides in our group, we lost to AEK the worst side in the Champions league group stages. We have suffered our biggest defeat in our history at home to PSG and away to Barcelona in group stage and have won a solitary match in group stage under Rodgers.
He was piss poor with Liverpool in Champions league not even getting through the group stages.
If Lennon managed us in Champions League or in Europa there would never be a flat mediocre performance if we lost it’s because the opposition were of a high standard.
Valencia played about 5/ 10 and beat us, we were about 2/ 10 it was like watching a Scottish Championship game in 1st half the standard was so bad, neither team could string 3 passes together, they were there for the taking and as always we bottled it! Yeah we were missing key players but so were they and with our best team we have failed time and again in continental competition under Brendan. We have literally had 1 great performance all season in Europe.
Bring back Lennon IMO.

{Ed007's Note - If they bring back Lennon I'm chucking doing this site.}


6.) 16 Feb 2019
16 Feb 2019 22:17:22
Great post GGGG. Rodgers only won a single game for Liverpool in the groups and it was from a 90 min penalty

Dropped into Europa League and lost at same stage we are at now. That's with English money. So the money excuses can drop now.

He's a good manager at dominating with superior players but not so good at tactics outside of just possession.


7.) 16 Feb 2019
16 Feb 2019 23:17:45
I reckon we’ll qualify this week and beat Valencia away. Then we can congratulate the team for reaching the last 16, but still recognize we’re going backwards.


8.) 17 Feb 2019
17 Feb 2019 05:15:45
Get rid of Brendan and bring Lennon back?

Seriously?

Turn it up you lot eh?

The guy has done wonders at our club since he came in, won every trophy on the bounce.

Yes, his record in Europe is poor (with Celtic and Liverpool)

He's still learning also, I understand the frustration, I feel it to.

But hopefully he learns from this, gets some quality additions in the summer and cracks on with it as we all hope he will.

But to say bin the manager after all he's done in his time here, well that is simply ludicrous.

Realise where we are right now and stop acting like spoilt brats.

We've had I too good domestically over the years and it seems a few have overlooked that and just want more and more.

Be grateful for what we have right now please.


9.) 17 Feb 2019
17 Feb 2019 06:39:47
Nobody’s saying Rodgers is a bad manager far from it domestically he has been truely outstanding and in no way do I think Lennon is the answer he had his time and left hopefully Rodgers stays for however long he likes they are left Wondering tho if rodgers has a plan B when we don’t have Possesion and teams play the high press on us, right now the answer is no. you have to change your tactics to try and beat your opposition especially in Europe over in knock out format if they team are Better standard than you and alter your principles slightly to ultimately achieve the goal of progression in cup competitions. I’m hoping for an early goal to give us a chance on Thursdays game but IMO today’s game is more important and Europe as much as it frustrates me at times will always play second fiddle to domestic affairs.


10.) 17 Feb 2019
17 Feb 2019 12:08:12
Wanted to stay clear of the site after Thursday and seeing the comment bring back Lennon has justified my decision. What a ludicrous suggestion.


11.) 17 Feb 2019
17 Feb 2019 13:23:49
Gerry, my response to that ridiculous post from GGGG was a touch less diplomatic but Ed has chosen not to publish it. It’s a little bit disappointing but I guess I’ll have to use a bit more tact in these situations. However, my point is that I agree with you completely and perhaps I should avoid the site when the moonhowlers are out in force.