Board inspire, Celtic misfire.

Last game: Killie 1 – 0 Celtic

Celtic form after 5 games:  WWLWL

By Séan Walsh

Celtics crushing defeat at Kilmarnock marked a considerable black spot on Tony Mowbray’s record. Celtic entered the match full of hope, vision and for the first time in a while satisfaction with the recent transfer window. Celtic PLC’s last day signings in Kamara and Braafheid seemed to have settled the angering mob of Celtic fans ready to call for Mowbray’s head, but the sensational loan signing, inspired by the board to inspire the fans, was nothing less than a major coup. The Irish hit man’s inclusion to the squad on a six month loan was hailed as genius and seen nationwide as an incredible move for Celtic. Within a week, the Celtic board had turned villain to shrewd in 7 hours of obsessive Sky Sports News viewing. Furthermore, Celtic had shipped out (and made a considerable profit) the driftwood left by Gordon Strachan – Killen, Flood, Brown, Robson, McManus, Caldwell and McDonald all moving to new pastures (most following Strachan to M’Boro). The pre-match banner at Kilmarnock read “It’s always darkest before the dawn”, but for Celtic – insomnia set in.

Celtic headed to a scrappy Kilmarnock with euphoria and the backing of the fans, but even with this, Celtic failed to deliver and yet again this season desperately let the fans down. Mowbray’s selection raised many eyebrows with formless Lee Naylor claiming left back, striker Kamara relocated to left wing and Glenn “Caldwell Mk. 2” Loovens appointed captain and defender. Mowbray’s critics will only be supported by his shocking decision to not only add Scott Brown to the fray lacking 4 months match fitness but also the Captaincy handed to the eyeballing champion whilst playing in the odd left back decision.

Although Celtic were unlucky to lose the very consistent assist contributor Hinkel and iconic Hooiveld through injury seriously harmed Mowbray’s ability to use all three substitutions to change the game after going a goal down. However, major blame must be directed at a massively ineffective midfield. The mysterious absence of Marc Crosas saw shirt seller Ki Sung-Yong field a completely anonymous and lazy appearance in the centre of midfield. Elsewhere, Aiden McGeady did little to endear himself to the growing mob of fans calling for the dribbling midfielders head. McGeady looked completely without the luck of the green, dwelling on the ball too much, taking too many touches and miserably attempting crosses from far too deep a position. As a midfielder who doesn’t score many goals, it’s crucial he contributes with assists – but this season he has failed to delivery this, with Andy Hinkel often papering up the cracks for the right side of midfield (His absence through injury demonstrated this tonight).

Ultimately, tonight saw Celtics attack undermined by a poor midfield performance that failed to create chances combined with some very poor tactical decisions by Mowbray. The Hoops now sit 10 points behind the penniless league leaders and maybe fans will undoubtedly hand the title to Ranges with one hand, and reach for the head of Mogga with the other, more than ever – they might be justified in doing so.

So, where do the Celts go from here? For this poster, the partnership of NGuemo/Crosas must be reinstalled, Aiden McGeady dropped until he can contribute anything to the squad, Glenn Loovens dropped for the preferred Thompson/Hooiveld duo (Playing on merit should be the mentality of our manager) and above all, we have to create and score goals at the same time. The time for experimentation is over.