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Breakthrough win as Jozo and Dedryck take control

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Last night’s historic win in Brussels feels like a breakthrough moment. It has been 16 years since we first played Champions League group stage football, but our only win on the road in that period was snatched in the final minute by a Georgios Samaras header in Moscow. This time, the victory was achieved while dominating the game from first to last, not conceding, and punishing Anderlecht’s vulnerabilities.

A word for the defence. Those who make it their business to complain about Celtic, reserved their recent venom for the decision not to move to an alternative central defensive target when Rivaldo Coetzee failed a fitness test. With our first choice defensive line-up available this week for the first time this season, we look remarkably solid. The manager will continue to give experience to Ajer, Miller and Ralston as the season progresses.

Pre-match, Dedryck Boyata played down suggestions that playing in his home town would aid his performance, but I suspected it would. The big defender, and his partner, Jozo Simunovic, were imperious. Celtic enjoyed 63% possession, much of it going through these two. Kieran Tierney and Mikael Lustig were always available for a pass, and seemed to demoralise Anderlecht’s creative talents.

The opening goal was a masterclass for the entire team, but especially so for Boyata and Simunovic, who during the build-up, made seven and five passes respectively.  Patrick Roberts and Craig Gordon were the only Celtic players not to complete a pass during the move.  You have seem great Celtic teams in Europe, but you have never seen anything like this.  That 24-pass Liam Miller goal against Lyon 14 years ago remains alive in the memory because it was so exceptional in that Celtic team.  Last night’s opener was 28 passes, was away from home, and is absolutely typical of how we now play football.

Celtic’s attacking players (rightly) attract most of the attention, but the foundation of this team is our back line. Our system of play is not possible without defenders who can receive a fast ball, pass, remain alert and calm.  If you are old enough to remember the impact the 1974 World Cup made, the final in particular, last night’s game will resonate with you.

Olivier Ntcham picked up the broken pieces of his performance in the opening 30 minutes to split the defence open for the first goal, before collecting a loose ball and feeding Scott Sinclair for the third. The manager will ponder what was going on during that opening period.  Despite the generosity of the win, the result could have been in jeopardy if one link in the chain was not performing.

Years ago I remember analysing goals in our Champions League games and noted that mistakes were overwhelmingly influential in determining the outcomes of games. Our second and third goals were down to unenforced Anderlecht errors.

At the second, the Anderlecht right back had comfortable possession and the opportunity to clear up the line, but instead elected to play a ball into the space in front of his own penalty area. At this point, the hosts were a mis-control away from presenting Celtic with a chance, which duly happened.  Scott Sinclair’s injury-time third goal came as a result of an Anderlecht pass out of defence, which rolled straight into Ntcham’s path , allowing Celtic to turnover, 4 v 2.

What followed on both occasions is the lesson every football fan knows, make a mistake at this level, and you will be punished.

Well done, Celtic. A magnificent performance and result.  The only away win to compare in the last 47 years was when we caught Ajax cold in 2001.

Celtic FC Foundation, Great Scottish Run

I’m doing the Great Scottish Run this Sunday for the Celtic FC Foundation, full of the joys of being a Celtic supporter during these great times.  We are not only about winning trophies and the Champions League, this club is as deep as the ocean.  On Sunday, it will be about the work of the Foundation, with the poorest in Glasgow and surrounding areas, in the most deprived communities of London, for those marginalised from society, and for the great work with Autism.  Not to mention the outreach in Malawi, Haiti and so many other places most of the world ignores.

I’ve never made porridge in Malawi, or fed the poor in Haiti, not would I know how to engage with Autistic kids, but you and me can do our bit for those who have the responsibility of delivering help where needed.  What I can do is run on Sunday and ask for sponsorship.  If you can help, do so at this MyDonate page.

Thank you.

The CQN Podcast: A Celtic State of Mind (EP14) Champions League Special

A Celtic State of Mind offers an insight into the culture of Celtic Football Club, the city of Glasgow, and fans of the reigning invincible Scottish champions.

Each episode includes interviews with ‘Celtic-minded’ figures from the world of sport, music, film, art, broadcasting, literature or politics.

Ahead of the crucial Champions League match against Anderlecht, ‘A Celtic State of Mind’ goes behind the Champions League curtain for Celtic’s opening match against PSG.

Kevin Graham provides pre and post-match discussion with members of his CSC, as well as in-match analysis in what will be a regular Celtic State of Mind feature.

Enjoy!

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  1. twists n turns on

    Actually on a slightly more serious note, you have to be careful on assumptions you can make about a person based on what they write on here. 2 examples and I hope both posters don’t mind me using their names, but these 2 stick in my mind from yonks ago:

     

     

    Tony Donnelly

     

    Italiabhoy

     

     

    Tony.

     

    I remember his first few days on this board. I quickly assessed him as a Hun in disguise. His posts re his love of Celtic were ( I thought) way OTT. I thought this guy is trying too hard. Definitely a Hun at the wind up. Now whether you agree with Tony or not I can now say with absolute certainty that Tony is definitely a Celtic supporter!!

     

     

    Italiabhoy

     

    Again it was some years ago , Sally was in charge at ibroke and they’d just had a good result against us. Italiabhoy made a comment which praised McCoist ( tactics or whatever I can’t recall) and I launched an attack on him. He responded in kind ( naturally) but I had him down as an imposter as well.

     

    As it turns out, he’s one of the bhoys on here who is a must read. Quality fella.

     

     

    So there ya go. Be careful out there. You can get it badly wrong. ( mind you that’s the only things I’ve got wrong in about 5 years so I’m allowed those errors of judgement)

     

     

    Belated apologies to both fellow bhoys though they wouldn’t have known I was stalking their every post waiting for the one that proved me right!!

  2. FAVOURITE UNCLE on

    TWISTS N TURNS on 29TH SEPTEMBER 2017 10:45 AM

     

     

     

    i think you can safely say WE HAVE DUG ONE UP TODAY.

  3. twists n turns on

    Bobby

     

    It’s an age thing. Mellow is the order of the day though I’m looking forward to the days as an OAP when I can annoy people and get away with it cos I’m too old to fall out with. Nothing dramatic of course, just some queue jumping, ridiculously slow driving, maybe even on country roads with a caravan in tow, that sort of thing. Keeping leaving my seat at CP to go to the toilet just to make people stand up to let me out…… any other suggestions most welcome :-))

  5. Raymac on

    Twists—“You talk in’ to me?”–As a young OAP I resemble your remarks. Only problem I have is that I can’t fight anymore.

  8. Phyllis Dietrichson on

    Twists N Turns

     

     

    Refer to prices in old money when complaining – “Eight bob to use a public toilet – it’s a bloody disgrace”.

  12. connaire12 on

    Delaneys Dunky at 9.55 pm last night…so it was you that started that singing at Murrayfield. I remember the morning after some upper class English paper (forgotten which) had an article on Murrayfield in which pupils from an Edinburgh school accused Glesga ones of introduction a football element into the proceedings. So now after waiting since 1982, we know who did it. Was it you at the Mass in Lisbon also?

     

     

    Still John Paul never did wak alonel

  13. Hrvatski Jim on

    HUTCHYBHOY on 29TH SEPTEMBER 2017 8:55 AM

     

    Morning Troops, away for a lad’s golfing weekend to the Cadrona in Peebles this afternoon. Any decent pubs in the area to watch the Accies beat the Zombies tonight? Any help much appreciated HH

     

     

    The Bridge Inn at the end of the High Street in Peebles, just near the river is very good for football.

     

     

    The Celtic Supporters Club is Peebles is supposedly based in:

     

     

    Peebles – Crown Hotel, 54 High St, EH45 8SW (Tel: 01721 720239) (Peebles CSC)

     

     

    I say supposedly as i went there for the Linfield game and there was not a Celtic supporter in sight.

     

     

    Enjoy the Cardrona – great hotel.

  14. twists n turns on

    Wee Bobby

     

    Hey cmon Bobby… I’m not that auld… and I’m not associating myself with the Falklands war which I would fit the age bracket for….

     

     

    Best go get some work done I guess… mon the Accies

  18. Sionnach Abu on

    Twists..Get up and sing old ballads at whatever family occasion takes your fancy but not before an annoying lengthy preamble mumbling discourse times gone by.

  20. Celticrollercoaster supporting @WalkWithShay on

    Congrats to Dena29 on the wedding of her daughter today. I wonder if she will make the game tomorrow? :-)

     

     

    HH

     

     

    CRC

  24. Tallybhoy on

    KT sent to train with the yoofs?!

     

     

    Has Keiran fallen oot with Brendan?!

     

     

    They kept that quiet!

     

     

    HH!!

  25. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Fleagle if this is the correct thread for the Cambridgeshire:-)

     

     

    I will jinx, I mean Nap

     

     

    Big Country 3.35 Newmarket

     

     

    Best of luck to all

     

     

    Cheers GFTB

  40. twists n turns on

    Been given some info on a couple nags bhoys, unfortunately even if they were both to win, you’ll still be shopping in Asda as opposed to Waitrose, but double would be 11/2.

     

     

    Gl if you try one or both:

     

     

    1-35 Haydock

     

    Hollydaze

     

     

    7-50 Chelmsford

     

    El Astronaute

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