Bernardo’s injury (4-6 weeks, ankle in boot) is unfortunate as McGregor or Hatate could have done with a rest. No surprise to see Maeda being taken out and another chance for Schlupp & Jota to get up to speed. Will be hoping that Yang builds on his goal & assists v Raith & positive midweek display off bench.
Think you mentioned it after the game but Schlupp looked all at sea for a few minutes on Wednesday but he played well then when he got up to pace. Taylor is so frustrating. Can be really good domestically but just not physically strong enough and not technically good enough when we go up a level.
McCowan was a good purchase but very much an SPL player. Losing Bernardo really restricts our options. A striker and a midfielder to join with Tierney in the summer would be a big difference. I’d love a Wanyana type midfielder who could release McGregor to go further forward into that rotation and add some strength in bigger games.
(That said we do seem a lot better post Dortmund in not exposing McGregor to defend on his own. Engels spoke the other day about his instructions to play more narrow to McGregor and it has worked well since Atalanta. Engels didn’t appear to have a great game that day but then I saw Rodgers speaking afterwards about how Engels was cutting out the passing lane to Lookman so his role was a weird zonal one. So we have definitely improved our defensive shape in Europe. But we still need another player to add there I think to take some of the workload).
Mmmccccgggrrreeeegggoooorrrrrrr
MmmmmccccGggggrrreeeeegggooorrrrr
Terrific individual goal.
Jjjjjjjooooooooooottttttttaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Joooooootttttttttaaaaaaaaaa
Schlupp nearly got a great goal 2 minutes ago. Then Idah was unlucky with a header and a wonderful goal then from Jota.
Indeed. Wonderful football by this swashbuckling Celtic side.
Jota showed great variety there.
Really good fast pass inside from the wing to Schlupp for his shot. The next ball he goes down the wing on the outside and crosses with his left for Idah’s header. Third time he cuts inside onto his right and scores.
A fine first half from Peter Grant in the commentary box.
Two highlights were his wondering why McCowan is taking outswinging corners from the left with his left foot but inswinging corners from the right with his left foot.
Also “a good dummy run from McCowan there but not sure we’re allowed call them that anymore.”
And “he takes up good space. Or spaces as they call them these days. “
Exactly. Thought he had a mixed little spell earlier in the half with a few indecisive moments but that period up to & including the goal was excellent. Jota & Tierney will really strengthen that squad but we need those other couple of pieces you mentioned. Idah has played fairly well & Schlupp has been good too. It’s generally been dominant though.
Maeda & Engels for Jota & Hatate.
Taylor & Kuhn for Schlupp & Yang.
I’d say he’d like to take McGregor off if Celtic score again.
Iiiiiiiddddaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh
Iiiiiiddddddaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh