Lots went right last night, with only a few nits to pick.
Compare and contrast the key area of the field – central mid – with the game away in Malmo. With Bitton and Brown in their usual roles, Stefan Johansen dropped off his common (or Commons, if you like) position behind the striker to give us a central midfield three. As a result, everything clicked. Ajax were unable to pass through us, while central defence looked protected.
Again, Bitton was our main man. Always looking for a pass, always comfortable in possession, no matter how many opponents were in close proximity. He even managed a Paul McStay-esque (that’s where you recognised it from) pass 40 yards ahead of Johansen in the second half. Brown and Johansen ran like clockwork alongside him and we looked like a team!
You’ll also have recognised the corner which led to Mikael Lustig’s goal. It was a carbon copy of Kris Commons’ effort, minutes from the end of the Qarabag game, and minutes after he came on as a substitute, which brought the only goal of that tie. It was drilled directly with the top of the foot, a very unusual and difficult delivery but one which, if executed well, is very dangerous. Commons also got an assist for the first goal, an even more impressive piece of footwork before placing an inch-perfect pass between two Ajax defenders. Bitton’s controlled shot was sublime (I’ll avoid calling it Wakaso-esque, no need to jinx the lad).
I thought both full backs played well, until Izaguirre’s second yellow, of course. Izzie and Lustig were both booked for throwing themselves into challenges. It wasn’t a game for holding back to see what will happen next, so I’ve sympathy for the initial yellows, but Izzie had a game-intelligence bypass. His second yellow came a minute after another robust foul. The red was inevitable. It probably cost us the win. The player is fighting for his place, and next contract, right now. The pain on his face as he left the field was real, but he needs this pressure. The lack of competition hasn’t been good for him in recent years. Don’t write him off yet.
One frustration I had was that we didn’t get James Forrest on the ball often enough. James has the weapon of pace in his boots but we didn’t once manage to exploit it. Perhaps as a consequence Leigh Griffiths had a frustrating night with little to feast on. I’d have changed James role or replaced him earlier.
And what about Efe? Why he decided to take a man on, 20 yards from his own goal, a moment after coming on, only Efe will know, but thereafter he was the most influential player in securing the point. When Janko came on Efe pulled tight into a role as a defacto central defender. He took responsibility and helped what was by then a relatively inexperienced defence.
When my youngest heard that Jozo Simunovic was making his debut there was a sharp intake of breath. “But what if he makes a mistake? All we’ll know about him is he’s made a mistake in a huge game.” Jozo looked the part, covered ground efficiently. It was a good start.
So what went wrong? Lustig went to ground on the wing, didn’t get the ball and left 20 yards of space open behind him. This drew Celtic defenders out of position to cover, which Ajax exploited excellently to score their first goal. They opened us up once more like this shortly thereafter, but that apart, they didn’t lay a glove on us until we were down to 10 men.
I’m pretty angry at the second Ajax goal. It was another cross into the six yard box we failed to attack. Dedryck Boyata ran between the two Ajax attackers in attendance, but seemed to be distracted by their runs. No one attacked the ball. Get your starting position right and attack the ball – that’s the rule on set-pieces. We’re not following it.
And for the record, Craig Gordon was faultless for this one. A keeper has to stay on his line when a cross flies over attackers and defenders alike. Whatever lies behind our recent frailties at defending cross balls, I suspect it’s not gone away.
The margins between success and failure in this group are shaping up to be thin. Ajax could have snatched three points at the end, we would have won the game if Izzie had stayed on the field. I’m not sure how I feel about Molde winning in Istanbul. A group with two difficult competitors now looks like a group with no easy games. The group’s top seeds and the early favourites are both licking wounds this morning.
So let’s win it.
One big benefit from last night is that we can look forward to Sunday’s important game with a bit of enthusiasm. The good people at Magners have again offered us two Premium Seats in the Jock Stein Stand for Sunday. To win them, all you need to do is answer the following question:
Who do Celtic play on Sunday?
Email me, with your answer in the subject field, at celticquicknews@gmail.com
The competition closes at 2pm today, so there’s not much time and likely to be little competition. And while you’re at it, how about donating a £1 to our Mary’s Meals, Malawi school kitchen appeal? It takes moments to get involved here.
Thank you.
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BGX
Watch the replay. Watch how much he had to aim at.
“Think Paul67 Mentioned last Week Celtic conceded 17 Goals last Season..
We have Lost 14 Goals in last 8 Games..”
summa,
17 Goals in the league last season.
14 Goals this season includes euro escapades.
HH
nb. I think we’ve actually lost 15 this season.
Paul67 et al
‘Play to the final whistle’. I hope wee Izzy’s reading that headline and thinking, “you know something that might not be a bad idea, I might try it the next time I play in Europe, which I realise might not be the same thing as Celtic’s next European game.” Last summer Izzy, while playing for his country, got sent off against England, in a friendly played in Miami! Two footed tackle. Straight from the Scott Brown school of red cards! (See also school of red mist). Izzy’s man was heading into traffic, no need to try and pull him over, leave it to the players in position. And as for Broonie giving him the stare, he should have had a word with him just after the previous challenge Izzy made, or gave Ronny the ol’ Gary Lineker signal to Bobby Robson once he realised Gaza was losing it, or as Broonie would put it naymair fae neymar!
Mr Pastry,
I’m a board backer in the main but do you think Mr Lawwell has done all he can to help Ronny through qualification?
HH
Hebcelt,
disappointing Bhud, get yerself back on, and scroll by the Wallopers, works for me :-)
Anyway, have taken a day off today, not long dropped off my youngest ( who will be 24 tomorrow), back at her old School, St Mary’s Bannockburn
starts as a probationary teacher there, as she completes her training, so in for a wee visit today, huge emotional day for her :-)
Hail Hail to my wee Ghirl Laura
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BGX on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 1:54 PM
Last night Griff had two chances that on another day he would have buried,one a cut back from the left the other a cross from KC.Small margins in Europe,in saying that i bet nobody is more ticked off than Leigh…..happy with the result ,On and On……also have to say i agree with TD67….guy dived and conned the ref for Izzys sending off…..
..
Yip..His (Griff) second chance when we were 2-1 Up was Crucial and Correct He was Fuming with Himself..
Summa
I liked Hebcelt.
And he now holds an unusual CQN record for flouncing after a GOOD result.
Which he should be mercilessly ribbed for when he returns…
Sir Walt would have won both the EL and CL if it wasn’t for the unseen fenian hand at Uefa
Bmcw…difficult not impossible,Griff saying on twitter that he thought his own performance was poor(his word)….anyway On and On….
Wonder what Arsenal Quick News are saying at the moment. Just saw their results posted, turnover £344.5m, pre-tax profit of £24.7m with cash reserves of £193m and they can’t buy a striker either…
Auld head. Thanks. I think it is one of the add on that infected Sportsdevil after looking at the comments. Phoenix in the add on was excellent yesterday the Spurs game was in HD. . Thanks for your help, and keeping on pushing Res 12. Appreciated. As an aside you will have noticed that the Referees warm train in Malaga coincidently there were numerous honest mistakes when they came back. Tony Mowbray era. Subtle procedures in Malaga, slowing game down with ‘innocous ‘ free kicks. And referee wandering into a forward player’s area. Craig Thompson is a master at this. Watch how many times Celtic players have to go around a referee who wanders into their forward runs.
I was working up the north east for a couple of days, and stayed in a hotel in Ellon. The game was on multiple screens in the bar so i was happy to be able to watch it. The bar staff changed at 19.00 hours and the new lad asks what the feck was the Celtic game on the TV for ? Not sure says i…but if you want to put the Aberdeen euro game on one of the TV’s feel free, just leave the tic game on the one i was watching…service got very slow for some reason…heyho.
HH
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GEORDIE MUNRO on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 2:09 PM
“Think Paul67 Mentioned last Week Celtic conceded 17 Goals last Season..
We have Lost 14 Goals in last 8 Games..”
summa,
17 Goals in the league last season.
14 Goals this season includes euro escapades.
nb. I think we’ve actually lost 15 this season.
..
Yip..Thought the 17 was in the League..Thus the ‘Think’ to cover Myself..;-)
But it is 14 in Last 8..Games.. only Played 7 League games so Yea Euro..
6x 2’s and 2x 1’s = 14..
Summa
Auldheid
Thanks for your informative reply. I understand that wages are the problem for a club such as Celtic. It seems like the international players’ union is behind the latest court case.
The principle at stake seems to be; why is a footballer prohibited from changing employers without payment of a fee? And, why are transfers only permitted during transfer “windows”?
I think it’s fair to both club and player that contracts are honoured and cannot be voided unless agreed by both parties. Something must be done to preserve the integrity of competitions. The “cup tied” rule is an attempt to achieve this, as is the transfer window. If these are held to be restraints of trade, we could see players being transferred days before a cup final.
If we could trust the football authorities, they could negotiate with the EU and find a solution that is fair to players, and ALL clubs. At present UEFA, and the national associations from the big 5 countries are only interested in their own big clubs. Our SFA is a complete irrelevance in this debate.
Celtic, unfortunately, will also be peripheral to the debate until the big 5 countries’ clubs realise that they need healthy competition. Fans of all other Scottish clubs will think it’s a bit rich for us to be talking like this following our pretty shameful behaviour some years ago re the TV cash.
HH
BGX
Roth?
Difficult,not impossible.
See where that got Rocco.
summa,
it’s probably better if we lose less goals but I must admit I don’t get ma keks wet over goals we lose in games we win.
I’m a 4-3 over a 1-0 kinda ghuy :))
HH
.
Andy Murray leading The Greek Aussie 6-3 6-0 2-1 in the Davis Cup..
Summa
Mmhome,
Classic :D
HH
Summa of Sammi…. on 18th September 2015 2:44 pm
Andy Murray leading The Greek Aussie 6-3 6-0 2-1 in the Davis Cup..
Summa
————-
And not one ace from Murray, mmmmmmmmmmmmmm :O)
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GEORDIE MUNRO on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 2:43 PM
summa,
it’s probably better if we lose less goals but I must admit I don’t get ma keks wet over goals we lose in games we win.
..
Come Away Ma Wee Geordie..
One Word springs to Mind..
Malmo..And 3-2..;-)
Summa
Hebcelt
haste ye back,
best wishes to miss cowiebhoy (Laura)
Till later all
Summa,
Lol.
I still didn’t trash the toys neebs.
I was disappointed when their second went in but I thought it was still enough to progress.
How rang wiz I?
HH
I dont thinkthat many clubs losing two classy Centre Backs like our two from last season would have faired any better than Celtic .The fact is it will take time to sort out our back four and yet some on here are giving Ronny stick it makes me think they are from the Dark side. H.H.
JFH
Is calling a fellow Celtic fan an infiltrator not an attack, you couldn’t let it lie could you. You demand proof, what would you like statements or a video? I’ll say it again several players can’t stand John Collins, deal with it. I know that’s not what you want to hear in you’re Celtic Utopia, but it’s the truth. Unlike you’re statement ” I could manage Celtic to win the league”.
Sid!
Are you on It?
SID. Just tell us you reliable source from inside the club out with it or for ever hold your wheesh.You come on once again stirring it and Claim to support the Hoops.I think it must be the hoops from Hamilton. H.H.
sid on 18th September 2015 3:10 pm
Is calling a fellow Celtic fan an infiltrator not an attack, you couldn’t let it lie could you. You demand proof, what would you like statements or a video? I’ll say it again several players can’t stand John Collins, deal with it. I know that’s not what you want to hear in you’re Celtic Utopia, but it’s the truth. Unlike you’re statement ” I could manage Celtic to win the league”.
———-
Which players?
Geordie Munro on 18th September 2015 2:44 pm
It was quite funny……he also mentioned something about 5 points…i just smiled back at him….didnt need to say anything i think he knew :-)
HH
Awe Naw No Cliques In The Celtic Team Noo Anaw
Just saw a headline there.
Rangers fans launch a petition to get their club featured in a video game……
Wtf is it wi these crackpots?
SID. You are being asked fair questions what are the answers ? H.H.
If I prove to you I am a Celtic supporter will you apologise or will you look for another avenue to discredit me? Let’s agree to drop it, no more snidey comments, McCoist style.
The huddle
Sorry don’t have any names for you.
Ultimately it doesn’t matter if some players can’t stand JC. They’re there to do their job. If they can’t be professional enough to do it, they should request a move. Given that it’s not all the players one can only assume that JC isn’t the one with the issue.
SID. Fella im not trying to discredit you if its me your asking ? your doing fine on your own account there.H.H.
Paul67 –
No sooner have we gotten over BO-gate than you start mentioning nits. Shame on you. And the SLO/FLO…
Weeminger
Normally I would agree, however harmony is vital in team sports, it won’t help matters is what I’m saying.
TONYDONNELLY67 on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 3:19 PM
Just saw a headline there.
Rangers fans launch a petition to get their club featured in a video game……
Wtf is it wi these crackpots?
Apparently to be included in FIFA games the teams need to supply a license for EA sports to use the team name, colours and players. They never received license from Sevco.
Maybe they were asking the wrong person!! ;-)