One of the many mysteries of the current season has been the demise of Stefan Johansen.
Twelve months ago he was enjoying a purple patch as a forceful midfielder that went the extra mile and enjoyed nothing more than chasing into the penalty box and sticking the ball in the net.
Entering 2016 the goals have gone, the drive seems missing and most of the ills of the current regime are being put on his shoulders.
As the player most closely associated with an under fire manager Johansen is the butt of the unrest felt by many supporters.
Towards the end of last season the Norwegian seemed like becoming the most likely transfer target after Virgil van Dijk completed his departure. News today that there are 18 months left on his contract are unlikely to set off any alarms among a support split between apathy and frustration.
“We know the fans were anxious but you always have to try and block that out,” Johansen said after Saturday’s win over Partick Thistle.
“Of course they want us to win, and to win by ten goals, but sometimes it’s hard. Thistle have been good recently and they are hard to play against.
“They defended very well and we just had to do our best. It wasn’t our best performance, but the character to come back and win is important.
“I think things will get better. Of course there are high expectations at Celtic but that’s part of the job.
“When results don’t go the right way people start to ask questions and, again, that’s how it is at a club like Celtic.”
In isolation Saturday’s win would be a reason to celebrate. Overcoming some very debatable refereeing decisions, snatching a win at the death with ten men would be acknowledged as signs of a team showing great resolve.
On the back of a home draw with Kilmarnock, defeat to Motherwell and a winless Europa League campaign it was just another miserable 90 minutes for most fans.
Examining his own form Johansen added: “I know I’ve not played my best football this season, but often I’m the one who puts the most pressure on myself.
“I know when I’m playing good football and when I’m playing badly. It’s up to me to do the right thing to get back to my best.
“I felt very good after the last international break. My head was spinning, after coming here from Norway and playing so many games, which is new for me.
“It’s quite easy sometimes to say ‘everything is OK’, but when the form starts dropping . . .
“After that break I was able to reflect on things. I pushed football away and could see things that I didn’t see every day when you’re in the middle of it all.
“It was good for me and, if I’m being honest, it helped and it will help in the long term.”
The long term starts at Stranraer on Sunday, within the next month Celtic have a League Cup semi-final against Ross County and a trip to Pittodrie to negotiate.
No-one is looking for 10-0 victories but an improvement on the recent lifeless performances is essential if frustration and apathy aren’t to take over.
What else do the Board expect, get rid of your better players (Joe Ledley) and bring in a rookie Manager,they have to be more prudent with the signings or Develop the best of the young Scottish players gradually, what they are doing at the moment is clearly not working.
Celtic are a big club with massive drawing power and the expectations are high, quite rightly, aim high and expect the best, aim low and get what you deserve.
Really hope his form (not just him) picks up for the rest of the season.
HH
Even thought last season he was overated..so watching him this season I feel correct in my assessment. A player who gets a game cause his mad runs out of position.
The boss and his son can go now.
HH
agree with Mike – aim low and take your chances. We aimed straight down and shot ourselves in the foot. Well….Lawell……your no Brian Quinn and Ronnie your no – Tony Mowbray. Collins’ last time in any meaningful managerial role….well read what the Hibs players said about him.
Cfitci – your no Stokesy.
I have not written Stefan Johannsen off yet. He looked more lively and there were a couple of surging runs against Thistle in the BIG Glasgow derby. He may come through this and we should give him some support.
What concerns me at the moment is Deila. Apparently he is wanting 2 (I repeat 2) Spanish strikers from Eibar. This is the guy who does NOT play 2 strikers at any given time.
It is quite obvious to most of us who support the Hoops that a formation which has two strikers is the one most likely to succeed, especially at Celtic Park. So I worry about Deila’s thought processes.
A 4-4-2, or a 3-5-2 system would be sensible to look at. Jock Stein always said that attack is the best form of defence and this would be true domestically. So a 3-5-2 system would allow flexibility for overlapping full backs in midfield (or just one with a midfielder on the other side) who could also track back to defend. Alternatively, there are various 4-4-2 permutations that can be utilised, depending on the situation faced. However, ONE striker up front is NOT the Celtic way.
The silver Fox
I’m in total agreement with your post.
HH
Silver,
I believe he was watching a Spanish centreback as well as a striker.
Irrespective of which position he was looking at what Spanish player apart from dross is going to want to play here, has he seen the weather outside?
I believe we should be looking at young Scottish players,English and Welsh,Scandinavians also players acclimatised to our conditions,that has worked for us in the past.
Personnally i wouldnt give him a penny and keep it for the next Manager, next season, surley his time will be up then.
Americans, Canadians, Russians, Finns (other than Pukki) …