It seemed quite innocent and throwaway at the time, certainly understandable, but the comments of Georgios Samaras after Celtic drew 1-1 at Ross County are now starting to hang over the players.
“Sometimes, when your target is European football then maybe your mind is on the European games because they are more important” Samaras admitted.
If Neil Lennon had a time machine he’d rewind those comments as this season’s results show the accuracy of Samaras’ words.
In Europe Celtic have won four out of four without any real scares. Domestically two wins, two draws and a defeat from five games. Only at Inverness Caley Thistle did Celtic hit top form with an edge taken off that performance with the loss of two goals.
After the draw at Ross County Samaras added: “If you drop points in the SPL you have all season to correct things, but now, in one week, we have to play two games and we need to be focused 100% there.
“I know it is not right but I think in the game we played on Saturday, our mind was a little bit for the game tomorrow.”
Asked about those comments Lennon replied: “I think unprofessional is sort of the wrong word, maybe some of them had one eye on Tuesday night.
“They know the significance of the game and how big it is for themselves and everyone associated with the club.”
Yesterday the Celtic boss was less forgiving but he doesn’t have many options when it comes to team selection on Wednesday.
Joe Ledley and Beram Kayal may be back but Scott Brown might have to drop out after picking up a hamstring injury yesterday.
Neither Miku or Lassad Nouioui look ready for the intensity of the Champions League which means that Lennon will have to rely on the players that let the club down yesterday.
Hopefully Samaras’ prediction comes true and the players find the extra gear that was missing yesterday to carve out their own piece of history as the Champions League makes a welcome return to one of it’s most atmospheric arenas’.
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Could be worse, could’ve drew 0-0 at Annan yesterday with no exciting prospects ahead…
I myself find it makes it a little more exciting, not havin the league wrapped up for Xmas !!
Other spl teams aren’t afraid to try against us. This season has prove that. Also st Johnston were the first team to beat us last season as well. Looks like Lenny has a team that’s possibly slow to start a season. The international break offers Celtic no favours since the majority of our first team are automatic picks for their country. But a poor referee does no favours either.
Yesterday’s incident was a red card and penalty. Norris is a pie and allowed plenty of hard/late tackles on our players to go unpunished and hes not the only one. Brines allowed hibs carte blanche in challenges a couple of weeks ago. This seems to be the way of it. However, the team should be able to beat st Johnston regardless of this.
My opinion is too many players looking ahead instead of mind on the ball. The new signings will take a little time to bed in once their team mates get to know their game. The defence was as poor as I’ve seen it yesterday. Charlie ball watching instead of staying with his man for the first goal was schoolboy stuff. Garry hooper needs a kick up the backside at times. But he’ll still score plenty.
Havin a nice wee chat to yoursell there Jimmy 😉
You would think I would win every argument in that case. But I don’t.
I find some of the authors on some sites a little arrogant at times, we are going to win this and that etc etc, well maybe yesterdays result is a wee wake up call, you don’t win any trophy’s in September and the league most definitely is NOT a walk over.
More respect required and a little bit more hard work by the players.
THE MORE SWEAT YOU GIVE IN TRAINING THE LESS BLOOD YOU LOSE IN A FIGHT!
Absolutely spot on Neil.
Just might be the best thing to happen to us a wee defeat will concentrate the mind.
Although another penalty not given no excuse though.
There is still no excuse for not concentrating 100% on the game you are playing at the time. Do we say to our bosses i screwed up because i was thinking about a big job next wednesday.
Doesnt happen. They are not 5 year olds.
Just over a year ago I suggested a certain player would be more useful in a series of kebabs………….I think yesterday Sammi would have changed the game big-style. Definite penalty/red card but we really shouldn’t need that, the hungrier side took the biscuit !
The focus this season has been on who is NOT in the league.
We need to focus more on who is. Sevco do not effect the way every other team play.
Why are they effecting us.?