Shortly after Elfsborg cracked one against the crossbar last night I quickly scanned the Celtic team and had a thought. For the second season in a row we are taking on the Swedish champions but we’re missing two of last season’s big performers and none of this season’s new signings were ready for action. In short, this was Celtic 2012 minus Wanyama and Hooper. No wonder we looked unstructured.
Joe Ledley brought some vision to central midfield when he arrived, hopefully banishing the Brown-Kayal partnership to hidden corners of our mind once and for all. Anthony Stokes playing at the front of a wide diamond was equally effective. With the signing of Amido Balde, bids in for Kevin Doyle, and the addition of a wide-delivery-expert Derk Boerrigter, clearly Neil Lennon has a different plan for the months to come….. so there’s no real need for me to state the obvious.
Defensively we looked solid after a shaky opening few minutes. I’m not the only one who was a bit nervous about Efe Ambrose after he was (again) caught underneath a long ball, but he settled quickly. As we know to our cost, being great for 87 minutes is not how Champions League reputations are made, you are judged on your how vulnerable you become in your weak moments.
I said yesterday that Samaras and Commons were the two players who could cope at this level, which became plainly obvious during the game. Georgios was the one player who frightened Elfsborg, they either swamped him with four defenders or fouled him before he got near goal.
Kris is simply the most intelligent footballer we have. He is not the fastest, will never have the best stats, but he understands how games are won and is able to act accordingly. Without these two players Celtic would be distinctly vanilla.
Thanks to those who sent over their 1254125 Great Scottish Run details, I’ll have them on the page later.
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Hi
Had to log on innaw, where are ye all?
Outwith or outside the podium?
We are here
Shat….
…cracker
Top 5?
…and I’m yer mon.
Agree Paul67, Sammi and Kris C were our best players last night, we’ll be stronger next week with more options.
HH
7 then….
Top 10?
“Outwith”, “just now”, “by the way”, “ah wus like at”….
all brilliant scatchie expresions.
Read the article ya lazy podium chasers :¬)
V
Rust?
Is ibrokes unsafe?
Sammi and Chris are crucial to our progression and I hope we see more of Rogic soon.
HH
Kris obviously. ..doh!
Stokes “equally effective”? I like AS but he hasn’t been at the pace of the game so far this season IMO
Sorry for the repost…..
Anyone heading to the return leg next week? I’m in copenhagen and thinking of trying to make my way there. If anyone is let me know asithought99@yahoo.co.uk
HH
Elfsborg confident of beating us, good! it’ll be their undoing.
http://www.givemesport.com/364842-champions-league-elfsborg-confident-of-beating-celtic?autoplay=on
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. We really need a creative midfield player, like, eh, Lubo springs to mind or Marc Crosas. Even Glen Hoddle!
Yea and a striker too.
Hail Hail
KINGLuBO
Reasonably comfortable last night, a couple of ‘hairy’ moments but clean sheet is always good.
Anyone any flesh to put on the rumours of Ibrox roofs not being very safe? Firhill might be doubling up this season.
Kayal was gash last nite
Didn’t impose himself
I rekon our Neil
might have lost Patience with him
Anyways when’s jelavic arriving
It never ceases to amaze me how this whole country either turns a blind eye or knowingly breaks the law to keep Sevco a going concern.
A rusted death trap and everyone knows it…
GM from end of last article – cheers. For some reason I thought it was a lot more than that in modern times.
After the way last season unfolded, it wouldn’t be a disaster if we didn’t win on Saturday! Qualification for the CL must be the priority at this stage of the season, so I agree with the poster who said we should rest Sammy against RC.
HH
TTTT
And another from the Three Year Strategy and Business Plan (RFC PLC (IL))
“The SPL’s ability to drive significant value from SPL rights is limited and the SPL itself has very little commercial rights appeal to broadcasters other than Rangers and Celtic – there is now no option other than to establish dedicated rights for Rangers and develop an old firm partnership.”
I wasn’t to happy the way Wilson let Bangora bully him, Bangora is a diddy, what’s he gonny be like when he comes up against half decent striker, other than that al take 1-0
Bawsman-a few posts on last thread saying Newcastle v Vermin game in doubt.It will be on as they are desperate for some money.
Implementation of a Youth Tournament at the Club – on rotation with Celtic
Sky…………………………………..Lord Nimmo Smith en route to inspect Ibrox
Presumably we can’t add anyone to the squad for the second leg? So our new striker, whoever it may be, won’t play a part.
Still think we are capable of getting a goal over there and that will see us through.
Well we are walking on a CL tightrope after last nights game we go Sweden next week for a match on a plastic pitch.The Swedes must fancy there chances as last night they nearly got away with a 0-0.We have to defend well over there and look for an away goal last nights Celtic team didnt work for me Stokes was to selfish and to one paced Kayal for me brought little to the game and Jamed Forrest must work harder Joe Ledley improved the team when he came on but we do need a striker.H.H.
Elfsborg are about 16 games into their season. That is as good as they get. I hope Samaras is dropped Saturday, if he plays next Wednesday we will win.
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy
12:12 on 1 August, 2013
Why have Sevco sold over 33000 season tickets if Ibrox is not safe? Can you imagine what would happen if there was another disaster there. God forbid.
Tour to South Africa with Celtic
Pre season tour to USA with Celtic
King Lubo & BB from last article – a creative midfielder is a must, but what will he do when there’s no movement in front of him or nobody making runs for him to find?
T4
are they the jelly to add to the vanilla?