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Kent's tracking back with McGregor and generally being around him and preventing him getting on the ball was hugely important for us yesterday. Tactically Callum McGregor is their link between defence and attack and Kent had a job to do today in helping prevent that, he did it well in my opinion. We really should step back for a moment and consider our side yesterday. I think it's now clear we've had Covid problems at the club for a while and it's affecting a number of players and senior staff in different ways. Barasic is not fit, I don't know why, but he's not and that's been clear every time he's played this season. He was rightly replaced by Bassey a few weeks ago. Yet he was called upon to perform yesterday and he did. Their young winger is a decent enough player and they were overlapping a lot on that side, Barasic had a lot to do yesterday. It also seems like Helander is a player who struggles to play two matches a week. There seem to be fitness issues with him, he may have historical injuries that need managed, he might simply not yet be over his summer exertions. Yesterday was his second game in 4 days, with nearly 7,000 miles flying too. Balogun is no right back. He might have played there before but compared to Tav or Paterson he's defensively sound but offers a lot less going forward. So much of our attacking play is dependent on our full backs linking with midfielders and forwards and delivering crosses. An unfit Barasic and a centre half at right back makes a big difference to our style of play. Add in a rookie keeper making his league debut for us rather than a commanding seasoned international and you have to say to go through that match without conceding a goal is remarkable. As has been said Kent and Roofe aren't fully fit. Both did important jobs yesterday. Kamara, Davis, Morelos and Aribo played in the heat of Thursday too. Morelos ability to draw a foul is a thing of beauty, he should have a wing dedicated to him in Kelvingrove Art Gallery where future generations can marvel at his dedication to getting his body between their centre halves and the ball before taking the inevitable dunt from behind. He helped break up the play, slow the game down at times and allow us to regroup. Plus we realised they were suspect from set-pieces as indeed it turned out. We'd no defenders on our bench yesterday. No manager in the dug out, no captain on the park. That was an important win yesterday, that was a show character above all else. Loved it.

Valentine's Day was their last away victory domestically. Their worst start points-wise since 1997/98 First Celtic manager since Mowbray to lose their first OF indeed. But for an unfortunate goal away to Dundee Utd we would be 4 points clear of them, despite our own slow start to the season. As it is, we are 3 clear. What makes for really interesting reading for me is their recruitment policy. Apparently they are close to signing both a winger and a striker.... in fairness, the boy Kyogo looks very tidy (despite Balogun ensuring he had a quiet day yesterday you can tell he is a good player) and Abada will be OK against the other SPFL dross.... but in signing another striker and another winger they are completely ignoring their actual failings.... which are in midfield and defence, particularly in defence. I thought Juranovic did OK for them yesterday and maybe he will play RB instead of Ralston (Ralston is getting plaudits for being an SPFL hammer thrower - he did ok yesterday for them too, but isn't much of a footballer), but Starfelt is a horror show, Welsh will get exposed having to be the cool head beside him, and Joe Hart will undoubtedly cost them points this season. They have, apparently, spent 20 million this season on transfers - when added to last season's spend and given how poorly those transfers have turned out, they must be close to being on their last legs in terms of sellable assets to balance the books. You can only have so many strikers and wingers start... even John Hartson got it spot on yesterday when he said "will Angeball mean Celtic have to score 3 or 4 goals to ensure victories"..... those close games when they are 1-0 up with a few minutes left to play and opponents lump it into the box will be telling, they can't handle the aerial fight. At half-time yesterday, sure they had most of the possession - but a) because Rangers were happy with them having possession in their own half and b) a lot of that possession wasn't dangerous at all. They are easier on the eye than Lennon's Celtic last season... but they are 6 points worse off, after 4 games, I believe. Hardly inspiring. Our expectations are heady, we believe we should win the league. With how we won it at a canter last season, they expected to not put up a fight this season... given their brand of play is better they have bought into the delusion early. For us, we just need to keep focused on one game at a time, winning whether we play poorly or not. We proved yesterday, again, that we have superior tacticians.

Prove to me that Rangers beat Celtic without telling me that Rangers beat Celtic.

Said the same when seen replay last night....i would have been disappointed if our goalkeeper failed to keep Helanders header out....big Joe true to form.

Joe Hart is for me the interesting signing they made. Going back to yesterday’s goal, Helander’s header was far from unsaveable. It was however to his left hand side which, during his loan spell at Torino a few seasons ago, the Italians highlighted it was his weak side & he lost many goals at that side. Just wonder if he’ll get exploited up here the way he was in Italy

I'm sure that this latest defeat leaves Celtic without a domestic victory away from Parkhead since February and further believe is the worst start they've had to a season since the heady days of Tony Mowbry and Ange becomes the 1st Celtic manager since Mowbry to lose their 1st OF game. Sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong! Having once again spent heavily in the transfer market, they still can't defend set-pieces and are capable of slap-stick defending. Whilst their apologists will have you believe they were hampered more by the absence of Taylor then we were by a Covid ravaged squad. They had little to blame Clancy for yesterday but it's worth remembering that since 2007 we have been awarded 1 penalty against them at Ibrox, they've been awarded 6 (IIRC) in the same period (Masonic Refs eh......). Kris Boyd and to his credit David Tanner have gone against the Ange-ball narrative and exposed the myth and dispelled the hype whipped up by the Twats (Tim's with a typewriter). I think the lessons we need to learn from the last week is not to believe the hype surrounding us (or them) and a good few Rangers fans owe the players and staff an apology.

Humza, what did you say about the Jimmy Bell song video? Remember, he's bastard, an orange bastard, his name is Jimmy Bell and, we hope he dies". If you would care to stop singing and comment, I might take notice of anything else you want to say.

I thought Davis was our worst player in the first half. Too many loose passes and got caught positionally a few times. A definite improvement in the second half for him.

I'd be happy to see Barisic leave for that money. Patterson should not really be sold. Unless it's life-changing for him and us.

Hopefully quite a while

The Troy Deeney rumours now being rubbished. He’s off to Birmingham City

Good. Patterson is worth WAY more than that. Young, great engine, international, played in Europe - he is better than chocolate hips and they got 25m for him..... we should be retaining Patterson if possible as his value will only increase over time - the issue is getting him game time. If we resolve that then his value will rise exponentially.

For those hurling racist abuse at indigenous Scots, questioning why they are in positions of authority - Scotland is their home. Disgusted to once again see divisive race-obsessed ideology rear its ugly head. Solidarity with indigenous Scots. I am sure Police Scot will hold those responsible to account.

Leeds United, apparently, is pursuing Dan James, ManU, winger and Wales International. Permanent deal. If this is accurate, and a deal is sealed, may we assume that Leeds' interest in Ryan Kent is over?

Davis for me. Show me a blade of grass he didnt cover!!

Absolutely not, no matter the score or the time remaining. Give that shower of scum nothing!!! Any other opponent I would say yes in any circumstances other than those exact ones you mention, where you have to put decency aside and try to get something out the game. As always in these situations, if the ref thought it was a bad injury, he has the power to stop the game so if he doesn't we are not duty bound to return the ball.

The lyrics are, "Why don't you go home?". That's a query, not a demand. Given his recent Twitter history, Humza should probably be more focused on displaying solidarity with Scotland's Hindu community.

It's allowed against Luthgi tho mate ?

In a very resilient performance, all round, which made a change from recent weeks, somebody stood out, which also made a change from recent weeks. I mean, of course, Leon Balogun, who gets bonus points for his remarks after the game.

No he wasn’t. He was, as GS says, integral to us winning today.

Almost bed time was at a great result with a fantastic performance by our fill in right back,had a couple of beers in the Louden and met a couple of my boy's friends for the first time in a long time. Seems like life back to normal and this old guy is going to bed happy,sleep well fellow bears and here's to the game against Lyon.

we should write back and agree to the summit the minute the state stops funding sectarian schools.

Should be their "tag-line". Oh and all because their team couldn't defend a corner......

At the game I thought Helanders header was bulleted into the opposite corner. Only when watching it back last night did I realise how close it was to Hart and how horrific the defending was. Walsh ended up marking himself in middle of 6 years line and left them 3 v 4 at back post. Surprised how little flack he is receiving and how easily / quickly Arsefelt is being thrown under the bus!

Games like this I don't see why two or three players could share MOTM. I picked Helander for a strong performance and the goal, but equally Balogun, David, McCrorie (and for one save at the end from Kyogo that McGregor would ave been proud of) are worthy as well.

Think his lack of height is a contra-indicator too.

If Katic wasn't fit enough for yesterday's bench, where we had no defenders, would another club take him? A rhetorical question, but it's a bit strange that he wasn't included on the bench.

We will need to agree to disagree - I haven't been impressed by Doig any time I have seen him against us. Think he gets found wanting positionally.

Wouldn`t be surprised to see McCann and Alegria being brought into the first team sooner than we expect. There were some murmurs that we may sign another two players, but nothing more was said. Source never backed it up. It will sure be some "interesting" 36 hours or so, but aside from Katic moving out, and possibly Barker (unless Covid-19 prevents that), I`m not sure that there will be much movement.

Deeney much more likely to be heading to Celtic. They are desperate for a striker, we are pretty well stocked.

Listened to an interview of his with Louis Theroux, he wasn't what I expected at all, very thoughtful and articulate, and a cracking striker too btw.

A few good full backs, maybe not ready for the step up!

In the ideal Corinthian world, yes but the world is not ideal and not all footballers are Corinthians. The referee is in charge. He’s the one to stop play. Exceptions for the obvious collapse, like Eriksen or if you actually hear the snap of bone or tendon.

yes absolutely. filthy otherwise

With you on davis.

If we can get £20-25M for those two players (Barisic and Patterson), I think I'd take it. That would allow us to balance the books, and have some left to get in replacements. I still think Patterson is too young to sell. He's only 19. Ideally you want to keep them here, to develop, until they're 21-23, which would be the peak value in terms of potential. That is what the Dutch do. It's really annoying having Tavernier, isn't it?

We have apparently rejected an £8M bid from Everton, for Patterson.

Barasic is a Rolls Royce of a player that could go play in any league. We will massively miss him if he goes. If he is going to Roma it's a great opportunity for him in fairness and a big fee for us. Go get the lad from Hibs with the cash.

It was reasonably accurate, their back 4 had the most touches of the match at half time, a consequence of them passing between each other side to side.

Then there are some on here who owe him an apology!

Folks, let's calm down a wee bit and avoid the handbags. As much as this is bad news (losing any player is never good), thankfully it's not quite as bad as it could have been and we should have more than enough to go through tonight and give Celtic a good game on Sunday. Fingers crossed one or two of those unavailable tonight are back for Sunday and, as much as this weakens us to a degree (especially with respect to the goalkeeping position*), this is not that much different from having players out injured which can happen at any time and be even worse. * I've contacted Andy Dibble and put him on call for the weekend...

Barisic is struggling with an injury and a short pre-season, completely different from Tav / Patterson scenario. The manager has shown he'll play Patterson when Tav us unavailable. He also reacted to the £5M bid by laughing it off, shows he rates Patterson very highly. Remember it wasn't long ago that the likes of Bates and McCorrie were being touted as future Rangers and Scotland captains. BTW, I rate Patterson as the best prospect we've had since Barry Ferguson.

Good. He is a big big talent. Already an international with European experience and only 19. If someone wants Patterson they need to come up with 20 million in my opinion, which they won’t, so that’s fine - we keep him. He’ll only increase in value over the next 3 years and he will be a regular starter sooner rather than later.

this all makes sense we are awash with defensive midfielders but short in creativity.

Town fan here, Bacuna was out of contract at the end of last season but we had a one year option to extend, which we have taken in the hope of getting some sort of tranfer fee and other add on's (% of any further transfer fees etc) he will split opinions, one game world class the next game wanders around like he doesn't give a f**k and can be a lazy sod but there is no doubt he has great skill and when he is up for it he can be unplayable, the one thing in your favour is that he will be playing for a team that will games on a regular basis whilst with us we have been shite for the last 3 seasons and he is not the sort of player you want in the trenches with you! He will definitely divide opinions between you all! Good luck for the rest of the season Andy HTFC