If you caught Leigh Griffiths’ post-match Radio Scotland interview you’ll have noticed the profuse support offered to Brendan Rodgers. We’ll discuss that in more detail tomorrow, but what was clear to Leigh and the rest of us last night, was the Celtic dug out an excellent result from a position which would likely have seen them eliminated a year earlier.
We were well on top early on against Legia, Maribor and Malmo but crumbled when the going got tough. Not anymore.
It’s hard to know what’s gotten into James Forrest, one of six Scots in the starting lineup, but I suspect the arrival of Scott Sinclair has had as big an impact on him than that of Brendan. Wide players are always subject to fluctuations in effectiveness levels, but in James and Scott we’ve a standard which is clearly higher than we’ve had for years.
There was a moment late in the game when James was easily robbed attempting a take-on in the final third, but this was a symptom of having run himself into the ground over the previous 80-odd minutes. He played a big part in the result and left nothing on the field.
One of James’ more important contributions was the dinked cross for Leigh’s header which made it 2-0. The goal was technically difficult, but was eclipsed by Leigh’s second. That free kick was in a perfect position to whip at the far post, allowing players to attack the ball, with the keeper not knowing if he should stay on his line to defend the shot, or come out to block a header.
That was the play we all expected, including the Hapoel keeper. Instead, Leigh played an incredibly difficult free kick into the top near post. Brendan Rodgers must have had no idea the player was capable of work like this when he arrived in June.
Scott Brown has been transformed from the player we watched end last season, quite probably because he’s now fully fit. His goal was a worthy acknowledgement of his best game in a year.
Brendan was right to express concern after the game that we let a halftime winning position slip so easily. There were mistakes throughout the team leading to the first Hapoel goal, but I suspect experience will tighten things up.
Kolo Toure was immense. His rampaging run setup the second goal, but when he was caught ahead of the ball on the 55th minute, the defence behind him didn’t have the organisation to prevent a goal. We’ll not see this happen often from now on.
The second half arrivals of Nir Bitton and Moussa Dembele proved decisive. Nir brought a calmness to central midfield as Callum McGregor tired, while Moussa outjumped defence and keeper to score what was a priceless goal.
Craig Gordon’s been under pressure in recent weeks. There was little he could do about Hapoel’ second, a fabulous shot which nicked between Brown and Toure, but he’ll be annoyed their first nipped in at his near post.
This tie, however, turned the moment he made a point-blank save to stop the score going to 4-3. We’ll be able to look back later this season and say that was the moment we secured our Champions League adventure.
Feeling good about last night, but if only we’d a player like Patrick Roberts, or Erik Sviatchenko to come in and take things up a notch……
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REGGIE
Reckon if we get Barca again,my kid sis will be hell to live with.
And you wouldnae take a burst pey-poke home to her at the best of times(!)
Had a wee look over at hun media, this is their dream team,
shitin yerselfs…….no, me neither.
***********************Foderingham*************************
Tavernier********Wilson*********Lescott*******Wallace
***************************Rossiter***************************
*************Kranjcar****************Barton*****************
****Windass************Garner*****************McKay****
GER57….
I’ll be there, missed too many of late, time to get back in the mix/micks :))
With the way we are playing now it should make for a great day. I’m sure BMCUWP will be up to speed organising it. That’s his job on here afterall ;)
I love the footy barca try and play but I’d like a change of top seeds too. (if we get through obvs)
Regarding pots, I wouldn’t mind being pot 4. Finishing anywhere above 4th would be fantastic then.
HH
SIPSINI
Just waiting to see how Tuesday turns out.
We are away to Dundee that weekend,and it follows a European midweek.
As I expect it to be on live,qualification for the CL will have it played on Saturday. EL,it will be Sunday.
Makes a difference to the venue/times.
Can anyone help, please?
I’m trying to find out the name of the tune and artiste that the Celtic Park DJ played after Broonies goal on Wednesday. I’ve heard it before at CP and on TV yesterday they played it after the Brazilians won a gold at the Olympics. It has a sort of Turkish or Arabic quality to it.
new article posted.
JFH…
“…I have been very wary of counting chickens after the first leg as it can leave you with egg on your face…”
Chickens–leg–egg…in the same sentence?
Are you Attila the Hen…?
Lescott swerves skid row
Wise move
HH
Ignore the Lescott/Senderos/Barton/Krancjar hype –
the Hun signing to watch out for is Rossiter.
Every time I’ve seen him he’s been excellent. Brings a smile to the fac ewith his performances. Whether as Rigsby or Reggie Perrin, he’s excelled.
Have to say I think they have dodged a bullet with Lescott. Mind you he has dodged a mine!
Thank you to all my well wishers.
As yesterday was a school night I have not been on here nor begun celebrations.
But now it is the weekend and my seventh decade shall henceforth commence in style.
Mrs EC67, champagne please.
Eurochamps67
GotmynameinstonebybigcesarsstatueCSC
Jacks Last Hope 16:40 @ Perth.
Nap the day – 4.00pm York – She Is No Lady
Best of luck to all
Cheers GFTB
Morning all
Ivan Grozny 16.00 York
HH
Confessional
1625 Chester.
Muntahaa 3.15 Chester
Good luck to all
HH
First pick ,a non runner
Second pick, ballycasey 16.10 killarney
Good day and good luck to all.
York 14.50. Master Blue Eyes
Lads,
Week2 naps on here today please…
Cheers, fleagle1888
Secret Fact 7.35 Bath
Perth 550 Kilbree Kid
Good luck everyone
Morning lhads,going for Bernies Boy 4.50 Sandown.
HH TBJ
Maidin maith daoibh
Kinema 4.00 york
HH BB
Torn between Heartbreak City and She is No Lady, but going for the Lady.4.00 York.
Celebration 5.05 York . Happy punting HH
Top Tug 4.00 York.
Good luck everyone.
Kinema 4:00 York,good luck everyone.
Perth 4.40
Dropped in class since last run and been a wee while since
Last run.
Tea in Transvaal
I have been given 3 tips for York today
Custom Cut 2.15
Mokaris 3,25
Heartbreak City 4.00
Which one for my nap ….can I tell you after the races …..
Ok Mokaris is my nap
Scottish
2-15 pm please
Gl
Oooft, what a day’s racing… and how do you ever pick a NAP!
Is it Koukash + Fahey + Hamilton combination at Chester?
(Gabrials Star, Birdcage)
Is it 3yo’s against older horses, with big weight allowances ?
(Baydar, Diploma)
Is it last week’s CQN Nap to win with a first time visor?
(Lathom)
Eventually, managed to narrow it down to two :
Right Touch (3.50 Chester) from a low draw, but the nap is from Roger Varian’s stable which seems to be heading back into form :
Philadelphia (4.50 Sandown)
Good luck to everyone…
fleagle1888
15:55 @ The Curragh – Have A Nice Day – NAP!
Good luck everybody.
Hmmm……
Interesting that Franny Norton has by-passed his beloved Chester for a clutch of mounts for Mark ‘Saturday’ Johnston at York………..Wouldn’t mind a wee five-fold on them but a lot of water to walk across to get to a ‘BetFred’s’ so will need to be content with hoping that ORIENTAL FOX 4:00 York stoats as my CQN nap………….
Good Luck….
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
Antiquarium in the 400 York please. Be lucky all and a joy to watch the hoops again HH
Master The World 3:40 Sandown
Afternoon all.
Keeping the communication world on its feet today , having to make do with listening to the game on the radio.
With events in Perth going well let’s stick with Perth.
4.05. So Satisfied.
Be lucky fholks.HH
THE LAST LION 325 York