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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Joe Filippis Haircut
Actually Joe, nothing amazes me at this present time, there are a lot of sheet disturbers on here trying to take over this blog and ruin it, using it for their own agenda, malcontents, moaners, Huns, call them what you like, but as for the manager and coaching staff to be gone in January? Well that sais it all, they have nothing but negativity and hatred for the club,the team, players, and the board, and are a minority, one nutter at the beginning of the week there said a revolution was coming and we best be ready, well if it’s him that’s leading them off, it will be like the day trip out, in One flew over the Cuckoo’s nest .
Hilarious
Lurking Huns GIRFUYs.
On about 30 mins. ,Izzy got an elbow to the jaw and went down to a chorus of whistles.
He had that player in his sights for the rest of the game.
Legal moves to abolish transfer fees and the loan system:
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/sep/18/fifpro-transfer-fees-could-go-fifa-brussels
MOONBEAMSWD on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 11:35 AM
I blame PL for how the club is ran. He should be gone!
I blame DD for allowing PL to run the club the way he does. He should be gone!
It is not a toy to run up bonus’s on.
Sell the club and bin PL today or ASAP.
MWD said AYE
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/a-few-nits-to-pick-but-lots-went-right-for-celtic/comment-page-2/#comment-2680837
Heyyyyyyy they made it just before lunch, well done, never saw that coming, cough, cough.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_sGw0OQc-zY
Ha ha ha,
Cracker, the newbie babbling shit about people who have been here much longer trying to take over the blog.
Macjay. When are we going to a gazebo day at the merc this summer
We met for 2 mins at Charlie and the bhoys about 5 years ago
Let’s meet on a Saturday avro and talk Celtic in the summer
IMG_0962.JPG
A few nits to pick but lots went right for Celtic 74
BY PAUL67 ON 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 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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74 COMMENTS
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THE GREEN MAN on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 10:04 AM
HH
CANAMALAR on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 10:04 AM
Good morning
LIONROARS67 on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 10:09 AM
Good morning CQN
Goals from last night Great Video of them.
Biton 1 – 0.
https://streamable.com/q2ww
THE GREEN MAN on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 10:09 AM
Paul67
More or less, what you are saying, I was saying 10 minutes ago, and got attacked for doing so.
Check it out yourself.
I’m getting it…for giving an opinion.
Sad day when you cant give an honest opinion on CQN
Hail Hail
UP_OVER_GOAL on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 10:09 AM
Good analysis, Paul – agree with most of it, especially on how the midfield seemed to click better.
To me, it looked 4-3-3/4-5-1, more the latter than the former, which was a pity, as although the 4-5-1 was necessary to defend the wings, I would have like to see more interlinking play among Commons, Griffiths and Forrest. Lee looked stranded for most of the game.
There was one example in the 1st half – an opportunistic throw-in from Izzy near the corner flag allowed Forrest to run along the line, play a cut-back for Griffiths’ weak first-time shot to go out for a corner. It was simple play, really, but hinted at what might have been and what still could come from this formation
SOUTHSIDE on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 10:09 AM
Early doors
LIONROARS67 on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 10:10 AM
Goals from last night Great Video of them.
Lustig 2 – 1.
https://streamable.com/hglv
Goals from last night Great Video of them.
If you can bear to watch 2 clips Ajax’s 2nd goal
https://streamable.com/4lm8
https://streamable.com/ipqs
~~~~~~~~~~++~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for the two Ajax goals,mate.
Seriously!
Watch the runs of their 9 and 3. IMO,a free in an area like that shows up the weakness of zonal marking. And Ajax exploited it perfectly.
It can be scored from direct-one problem. Another is it is near enough to be hit with pace. Finally,our defenders are on the back foot against runners.
The keeper must anticipate a touch from the main runner. If the 9 doesn’t touch it,and it’s on target-goal. If off target,goal from the 3.
Training ground all over it. Great work.
Over to you,Mr Kennedy.
JFH
If posters want to have a blog, where they all agree with each other constantly….it wouldn’t last long.
What my objection is…is that there are plenty of posters with strong views, not just me.
So, I don’t see why I should get all the flak.
Now,..i don’t even mind posters wanting to disagree with me, that’s ok.
However, when i get referred to in terms of “they” and “them”….I draw the line….that’s not acceptable.
H
“Mr Pastry
How come you are not getting the flak, is it favouritism on CQN, are you in the clique that cant be criticised now?”
The green Man,
A couple of posters have questioned Mr Pastrys post.
Man up Princess :)
HH
TD67. I agree I ran a cross one the other day spouting negative nonsense when I asked him to give us a bit more information he then started to attack. I think the blog has to watch these infiltrators or it will be ruined.H.H.
Oh,I really need to have a look at the settings on this spawn of satan device.
Gender ache,now a c&p from the top. Thankfully LIONROARS was at the podium chasing!
(Kidding,mate. I’ll buy you a beer for that in a few weeks by way of apology!)
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 18th September 2015 11:50 am
Oh,I really need to have a look at the settings on this spawn of satan device.
Gender ache,now a c&p from the top. Thankfully LIONROARS was at the podium chasing!
(Kidding,mate. I’ll buy you a beer for that in a few weeks by way of apology!)
—————
Age mate ;O)
All those iPhone users will be cursing you now having to scroll down further then get bumped out
Thought I just caught a big fish there. Turned out to be a slippery sleekit electric eel!
MWD said AYE
P.S. PL is now a disaster waiting to happen for our club as he is in bonus protection mode!
THE GREEN MAN. It happens to us all from time to time just shrug it off and move on.Some posters will agree with your posts some wont.I think you are over critical of Celtic but its your point of view.Enjoy the blog but dont expect everyone will agree with you and indeed some posters will challenge you but that gives you a chance to respond so it is positive.H.H.
My friends in Celtic,
Still feeling good this morning and ok we know there were negatives. But ask yourselves how many teams in Scotland could have got the result we got last night.
Then without getting too much carried away ask yourselves : given the results of some mega rich teams on these Islands : how many teams in the UK could have got the result we got last night.
We are still building, but the foundation blocks of effort, grit, determination and attitude were there in abundance.
That is what most of us asked for, indeed demanded. We got what we asked for.
HH.
JFH
I wouldn’t say I was overly critical of Celtic at all……DD,PL and the PLC certainly.
My analysis of the game pointed out that it was a good performance that I was satisfied with.
I also said, we prob would have won if Izzy stayed on, and that we were poor at Ajax 2nd goal.
Now….if you look around, I think you will find that’s a general view(see Paul67)….so, I don’t think ive said anything extreme, as some posters would have it.
HH
Decent summary, Paul.
Frustrating that we didn’t get the three points, but result will come with performances and there was definitely improvement on that front.
Think we might have missed out on a good one with the left back Dijks.
79 Caps
The abolition of transfer fees will have massive consequences for Celtic.
It would blow the current strategy of buy, develop,and sell on. Clubs like Ajax and Porto, who have been doing this for a few years, will also be affected.
The devil will be in the detail but it’s something that our club is going to have to address fairly soon.
BMCUW
Over at my mams with the hairdresser,told her you send your regards,
“For God sake what are you up to on that thing now”:)))))))))))))
Had to tell her Dena was asking her as well, to get us out a hole:)))))))))))))))))))))
till later all, have a great day
the players would have sat on the plane on the way home feeling slightly disappointed they never got a victory.
If so I’m well happy with last night’s efforts.
Hail Hail
If anybody genuinely wants to stop seeing posts by certain users I can tell them how to do it in Chrome. using an extension called stylish. *nobody sees anything I write ever again*.
THE GREEN MAN. Fella D.D.P.L. and the PLC are all part of Celtic so if you criticise them you are criticising Celtic. Why are you so concerned about folk disagreeing with you ? they are fellow Celtic supporters and entitled to there point of view. I would say to you chill out post your points of view and dont get concerned with what others post in return. H.H.
The whole blog said before the game that they would be happy with a bit of fight, heart and effort.
IMO that is exactly what we got. Having just watched the extended highlights, with all the removal of tension that knowing the result brings, the showing was night and day compared to the timid, limp display in Malmo. The players were not scared las night. Credit where credit is due, both to the players for their much improved attitude, and to Ronnie for a well planned and executed gameplan that nullified the Ajax attacking threat, and allowed us to be dangerous going forward on more occasions than I would have thought, prior to the game.
Individual snapshots of the game (Ref, Izzy, CG, etc.) are going to happen, and can’t be micro managed in advance, but solid tactics, and a committed effort from the players are the clear way forward.
A draw in the AmsterdamArena is a great result. The blog should be happy.
JFH
I don’t see DD, and PL as Celtic…no far from it.
I see the 11 bhoys in the hoops as Celtic.
That’s the way ive always thought about Celtic….The team….not the board.
So, we will agree to differ, yes.
But that’s ok.
HH
THE GREEN MAN. Fella I think youve got it well done and yes we agree to differ.H.H. :- )
Joe Filips. I stood up against the old board and chris White and his cronies. I and the guys who stood in the car park were not criticising Celtic , we wanted better
Don’t won’t to argue on a wet Sydney night as I am enjoying Ma curry
Ps miss real Glasgow currys :(()
Paul67 agree with much of what you write in the bog. Overall vey happy with the performance last night and the application by the team to compete (which they did well).
For the record I though Izzie to be slighltly unlucky as neither challenge booked actually made contact….but hey that’s Europe. James Forrest continues to frustrate me….It’s not our players failing to find hm more he fails to make himself available for a pass, furthermore he needs coaching on the defensive role of a winger (as do most of our wingers) maybe Lustig wouldn’t have been so exposed had a winger doubled up.
Roll on Sunday’s game.
HH
SydneyTim on 18th September 2015 11:47 am
I`d love it,mate.
Remember Tauranga is coming over In January.
Macjay. Let’s lock it in. My mobile is 0404253436. Send me message and I will put your name in Ma phone
I am loving this today, the negative posters are raging, you can tell it by there posts, hahaha.
And thank you RD the coaching staff, the players for that result, it wasent a great result some are saying, calm down they are saying, we should have won it they are saying, we got a result and thank you the team for that.
I don’t even need to imagine the posts in here if we didn’t, I know what this blog would have been like a daily record waiting room full of the negative mob and Huns, and don’t you kid yourselves, I know you are all beeling and pig sick, yes oh yes our bhoys stopped you in your tracks last night, you will have another day, but hopefully a lot later than soon, .
Lurking Huns GIRFUYs.
Sydney Tim. D.D.P.L. and the PLC are part of Celtic and it could be argued without them or some one else in there place there would be no Celtic. I think that they do a fine job of course I know many others who would disagee. Enjoy your currie. H.H.
THE GREEN MAN on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 11:32 AM
Mr Pastry
How come you are not getting the flak, is it favouritism on CQN, are you in the clique that cant be criticised now?
Rapid promotion eh:)
——————————————————————————————————————
I was wondering myself – perhaps we are in what Bertrand Russell called a “dual world” here on CQN – whereby, getting stick is the same as not getting stick – it is all to do with ‘being’ – although the ‘clique’ would prefer I was Sevcoesque – i.e. a non-being.
Glasgow curries
1. Mother India
2. Kool Ba
3. The Wee Curry shop
Syd.
Done.
MR PASTRY. Who are this clique you speak about name names ? H.H.
LOL at the disgruntled, disappointed Huns this morning with ‘Operation Mitigate’ in full flow; feeeel the angst in every post.
SMSM nearly printed all the sports pages in black. Warburton’s deluded jizz-monkeys the lot of them.
I agree that posters always wanting to have the last word becomes so tedious……….and that’s my last word on that.
Scotlands Champions get an away draw. I am content.
Scotlands Champions add to Scotlands coefficient
Scotlands Champions do not have a hidden transfer embargo or criminal investigations ongoing
Scotlands Champions.correct them when they talk of our club.
onwards and upwards we work hard for every bit of success we get,nothing is handed to us on a plate,we play the game.we will prepare and be ready to attack Dundee on Sunday,looking forward to it.
might make it an early jaunt :-)
https://twitter.com/celticfc/status/644518741749932034
god bless Jock Stein
HH
HH
=====================================================================