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A few nits to pick but lots went right for Celtic

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

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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  1. andyR53 on

    Hamiltontim on 18th September 2015 10:02 pm –

     

    He turned up tonight wi a Dutch accent!!..

     

    “Yea, for shure, ve play the shexy shoccer, ve like the pashin game and the total football.. ve have the schkills to vin thish game.. I think 3 zero.”

     

    Did he ever live in Holland ????

  2. Cowiebhoy on

    Have I got Nits or something, keep getting put into Quarantine

     

    Sipsini, you Stoap picking on me, seeing your gimp isn’t about (ACGR) :-)

     

    Oh and AndyR, when do that Marspapa turn 35 ? Sure it isn’t over 55’s :-)

     

     

    Hail Hail

  3. kitalba on

    Oh and be wary of those whose art is deceit. Whose art is pleasing and soothing.

     

     

    Who whisper in your ear that you are gorgeous and all is good as Rome crumbles.

  11. Hamiltontim on

    VP

     

     

    I won’t be there. We’re leaving for Portugal the next morning and H has, probably sensibly, pointed that if we go out we risk missing the flight.

     

     

    I hope you’re well son.

  13. kitalba on

    Hamiltontim

     

     

    A clue JM’ s wages….

     

     

    A wee bi like the living wage, or lack there of, only elevated….

     

     

    And if our host would wish to categorically dispute that… then let him publically go on record.

     

     

    I am happy to be honest. Publically too,

  16. Hamiltontim on

    Kitalba

     

     

    We’re dealing with it on at least a weekly basis. There’s information which I can’t divulge just now which is a clear indication of how politically driven this legislation really is.

  21. Billy Bhoy on

    Guys

     

    Thanks for the pc help earlier. It’s now flying like wee Jamesey down the right wing. Hmmm, actually more like KC to be honest.

     

     

    BTW I’m hearing that the real reason that EA Sports dumped Sevco was that their graphics dept couldn’t be arsed trying to recreate Brechins’ s big green hedge or Cowdenbeath’ s huge white tractor tyres scattered around the touchline.

     

     

    Not to mention the sectarian and racist ” authentic” terracing chants.

     

     

    Nor to mention the constant dripping of rainwater onto the heads of the media through the holes in the Murray Metals corrugated roof of the dilapidated main stand. I mean, a Uni course in Art can’t prepare you for

     

    every eventuality real life throws at you!

  27. Oglach on

    Burnley78 on 18th September 2015 10:02 pm

     

     

    Oglach

     

    I loved that game great atmosphere and celebrated with the rest all night but worth remembering we were up against a poor ajax team and we also failed to qualify in a group with a weak and ageing juventus, mediocre Porto and Rosenburg.

     

    —–

     

    True but for those of us of the post LL’s era MO’Ns Celtic, starting with this result, gave us, me, an immense amount of joy, pride, and oft misplaced chest puffing arrogance knowing we could again compete with the best in Europe. But sadly more often than not ‘to be a Celtic supporter is to know in the end the world will break your heart’ (Sorry Patrick Moynihan).

  31. Hamiltontim on

    Kitalba

     

     

    I’m trying to join dots and getting nowhere. If, as you say, you’re happy to state the truth then please do.

  32. Melbourne Mick on

    Cowiebhoy.

     

     

    A big well done to Laura, tell her we wish her all the best

     

    and if anybody is going to be a great teacher then after

     

    being in her company for only a few days then it’s her.

     

    H.H Mick

  33. rudicantfail on

    Celtic are nowhere near where we should be with the resources and following we have….

     

     

    It is embarrassing to follow Celtic with the current board in charge…

     

     

     

    John Reid started it all……ignored the murder of Iraqi children …..weapons of mass destruction …ffs

     

     

    You guys bought season tickets when he was there!!

     

     

    Just as you sow you shall reap

  35. kitalba on

    Hamiltontim:

     

     

    Living wage?

     

     

    Margins?

     

     

    Celtic shop goods v costs/CEO bonuses.

     

     

    Bank the equation, bank it, it is gospel.

  36. Hamiltontim on

    Juventus weren’t ageing in ’01. Porto were a fantastic side and Rosenborg were continually punching above their weight in Europe at that time.

     

     

    I think we achieved 9 points from that group as CL novices and should have had 10. In my opinion it was a great achievement.

  37. kitalba on

    rudicantfail:

     

     

    Excuse me when I tell you personally, you have not a clue and your opinions border imbecile.

     

     

    Read your history, not HUN history.

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