Apart from the rain, it was a very enjoyable afternoon down in Kilmarnock yesterday, but I would take the rain every time we play if it meant that was the kind of display we would get. Don’t get me wrong, it was not a faultless display, there are still areas we need to tighten up in, playing out from the back at times was too slow and gave Killie time to organise their defence, but when we came out of defence at speed we were very good indeed, and in particular in the forward areas of the team.
Kasper Hogh had one of those afternoon’s, where he got a hat-trick, and could have had another one, only for a great performance by the Killie Goalie, Stryjek, having said that, he gifted Benji his goal just after the start of the second half. I would say, the first half display from Big Kasper was almost faultless, he was a 9.5, and very close to a 10. He really didn’t have a fault, his holdup play was great, his lay-offs, were terrific, and his work rate was top class, add to that his three goals, and you can’t really ask for any more, I’m pretty sure the two former big strikers, Chris Sutton and John Hartson would have approved.
Big Kasper was ably supported by Camilo Duran, and our midfield three, in Callum, Arne, and Benji, who played a bit more like a Number 10, which I think is his best position, our defence were put under a bit of pressure from the Killie runners, but apart from the goal we lost it was pretty comfortable, and I also thought Kieran had a very good game. I think when we played our quick passing game we were unstoppable; it was only when we slowed it down that we caused ourselves problems. I suppose the big disappointment was AJ going off at half-time, I’m hoping it was precautionary, as I said last week, if any players have their eye on a move away, they should be told they can forget it until we get the two final qualifying games over with, and that should be non-negotiable.
Again we saw yesterday a sight which I just fail to understand, there were plenty of Celtic Supporters standing outside in the rain trying to buy a ticket to get in, and when you get into the stadium, three stands are half empty, that is financial suicide on a grand scale. How can clubs complain about their financial position when they are actually throwing money away with their actions. Kilmarnock took a stand off Celtic, they upgraded the stand, and it looks good, but it’s half empty, they built a standing area in that stand, the amount of supporters in it yesterday would fit into the toilet in my house. The stadium holds just over 15,000, yesterday’s attendance was just over 8,000, at £34 for an adult ticket, that’s a lot of money to throw away.
So it’s two wins on the trot to start the season, seven goals scored and one conceded, almost the perfect start, but let’s not get carried away, we still need reinforcements, and especially if we lose another few from our already thin squad. I genuinely believe at times we carry too big a squad, we will generally have a squad of bout 35/36 players, I have as much chance of a game as about 10-12 of them, our development squad should be the ones making up the numbers for training games, like the old day when we developed the “Quality Street Kids” where is the talent now? The way forward for a team in Scotland is to find the players at a young age, nurture and develop them into senior players. Scottish Football need to bring back Reserve Teams, that’s the way to develop young players, it’s also the only way to get players coming back from injury and real meaningful game time, you aren’t going to get it in a bounce game at Lennoxtown.
Finally, best wishes to Martin O’Neill for a speedy recovery from his surgery, although we are in good hands with Shaun and Fozzy, you can’t beat the experience of Martin, if you don’t believe me, ask Mc Innes.
Glasgow is still Green & White.