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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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1,491 Comments
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  3. Hamiltontim on

    Kitalba

     

     

    We know. Timing is important and that especially means posting on here.

     

     

    To achieve you need support.

     

     

    I’m learning patience that I never thought possible :-)

  4. rudicantfail on

    Celtic were ORDINARY in Amsterdam

     

     

    Nothing extraordinary

     

     

    ORDINARY

     

     

    That’s all folks…..

  5. Cowiebhoy on

    Melbourne Mick,

     

    Thanks ya Auld Rebel, you played a part :-) in her decision making

     

    Seeing how you teach your own Grandson, and many Ausies, all about the World Famous Glasgow Celtic

     

    Enjoy your wee journey with M

     

     

    Hail Hail

  9. Geordie Munro on

    HT @1036

     

     

     

    I think Burnley is being a wee bit mischievous/sarky in his post neebs.

     

     

    Having a wee dig at those who see negative in all we do.

     

     

    I might be wrong though :)

     

     

    HH

  11. kitalba on

    HT:

     

     

    Did Johan Mjällby resign or was his contract not renewed?

     

     

    Who was his projected replacement, assuming he was for the off?

     

     

    Assuming his then boss wanted no parting of the ways….

     

     

    what cost the consequences’?

     

     

    what cost the consequences’?

  14. kitalba on

    Hamiltontim

     

     

    I need the support of nobody. I stand by my own parent given values and ethics. I have no agenda.

     

    I want the best for all, regardless of colour or creed or status.

  15. Oglach on

    Jessie Rae ‘ over the sea’

     

     

    Flying claymores a decade before wee Mel nicked it for Braveheart.

     

     

    Footnote the armour clad Jessie tried to chat up my girlfriend at one of his gigs in the early 80’s but devastating Irish good always wins out against historically inaccurate armour clad eejits, good song though :-)

     

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOad0FU9zF8

  16. Dannymac on

    Lambert’s 1-11

     

    Kilos

     

    Koehler Sammer Cesar

     

    Reuter Lenny Hagi Heinrich

     

    Miller

     

    Magnificent 7 and Riedle.

     

     

    Mostly Dortmund players but great to see Lenny &Henke in there.

     

    Wee Jackie got a mention but no Scottish team mates in his best 11 that he played with.

     

    Good team.

     

    HH

  19. Delaneys Dunky on

    RC & Oglach

     

     

    Magical musical choices bhoys. 2 pages behind because I am listening to all your tunes.

  26. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Just logged on for the first time since Sunday and read a post saying Celtic were ordinary last night, if we are ordinary in every away game in Europe that would do me, as for “ordinary” away in Europe “ordinary” draws against top opposition very rarely occurred but am just an ordinary fan so maybe ordinary is good enough

  34. Burnley78 on

    Hamilton Tim

     

     

    We were poor in Rosenburg. They were no great shakes on a freezing night when they took us apart. We were lucky to lose 2 nil. Porto were nowhere near the team of 2 years later but beat us 3 nil. Juventus were lucky to be gifted their winner in Turin but may have played differently in the dead rubber which we all loved at CP where duty scored his great left footer.

     

     

    Ajax were 3rd in erevidese previous year and were in the middle of a very poor decade at that time.

     

     

    I loved that win that night and lived the toppling of the little General Advocaat who for me played the biggest part of all in their undoing btw. I celebrated all the way onto my first plane back to London out of schiphol but we need to recognise we had an unsustainable wage bill at the time. Needed to go back to the well for more cash and ultimately did not achieve top level post xmas european football for another 5 years

  40. Burnley78 on

    Hamilton Tim

     

     

    You are right re juventus not being as old as I recalled. They also did win Serie A back to back.

  41. jc2 on

    try again

     

     

    OGLACH

     

     

    Played football for EK Burgh Midgets with one of the band in

     

    first video you put up.

     

     

    I thought it was u9 but surely we didnt play 11 a side u9

     

     

    ?

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