When Matt O’Riley tells the media that Celtic were ‘kind of bullied’ by Kilmarnock there are grounds for concern.
Form and luck can vary from game to game but the team that has won five of the last six domestic trophies shouldn’t be bullied when facing opponents that they have already played against twice this season.
Apart from Nat Phillips all of yesterday’s Starting XI have played before on the plastic pitch at Rugby Park, scouting and analysis briefs players over what to expect.
Last weekend Kilmarnock lost at home to Hearts, in midweek they enjoyed a late win away to Aberdeen, both matches will have been well covered by Celtic’s vast backroom staff.
Defeats are part of football but supporters expect some basic standards from their team, what went on during Sunday’s second half is a cause for concern with Kilmarnock laying out a template over how the champions can be got at and defeated:
Speaking to The Sun, O’Riley admitted:
I think we kind of got bullied a bit in terms of most duels they were winning.
At the same time, we were very sloppy on the ball and probably weren’t showing enough, what’s the word, courage, just to want the ball, get on the ball and take responsibility.
We went long a lot and they have big players who are good in the air, they like to fight for second balls, third balls and we played into their hands in the second half.
I think, because of that, I’m not surprised the game went like it did in the second half.
As one of the few players to have matched or surpassed last season’s standards O’Riley is largely immune from criticism of Celtic’s results.
Being bullied is a concern, when players discuss that issue in public there are clearly issues that the manager has to address.
Forget about pitches and weather this Celtic team have fumbled their way to the top of the league…. Just!
Team is overall small and lightweight. Style of play is erratic to say the least. This playing out from the back is a nightmare starting with Joe Hart whose days are surely numbered.Now the Rangers are in contention. Whatever happened to Kyogo?
Quality throughout this present side is badly needed in January.
Check the number of times our players lose 50/50 challenges…particularly down at feet…Unacceptable.
Can’t imagine BR will be too impressed that one his best players admits
that the Champions were “bullied” by Killie ?
Can only hope that there have been ‘full & frank’ discussions amongst
the players – and with the manager – to sort out any underlying issues?
Board joking at AGM about penalty to sevco now things are getting serious, sevco the players Beale brought in mostly condemned but at least they are getting themsomewhere our lot absolutely not at the races , this is the most important season as regards ucl money how many times has McGregor came out in the last weeks and said we will need to learn from this, but it never happens what is the point of the huddle? But at least we have 72 mil in bank according to our useless board is it going to be too late at end of season.
Ah but remember we have 72 mil in bank, how many times has McGregor came out and said need to learn from this? Sevco Beales duds keeping them going you would think our so called board joking at AGM about penalty to sevco would waken up as regards this ucl money at the end of this season was our AGM a joke but at least we have 72 mil in bank.
Lack of fight at least 7 players on auto pilot..
Phillips was shocking
Iwata what was the point being on the pitch .. for me he has shown nothing when on the field …
Worrying times may be ahead if not dealt with..
You need brains or brawn to beat a bully.
But don’t tell Peter Lawwell that though because he will just laugh in your face.