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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CAREFUL WITH THAT TAX, MOONBEAMS on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2015 1:43 AM
MJ ..
=========================================================
I said none of that.
I merely responded to this.
” I agree with yur sentiments…..at the WW2 Victory Parade Poland was forbidden to participate…..incase it upset the Soviets…..who had just annexed their country…..shameful, given their contribution ”
Churchill spent two plus years begging Roosevelt to join the fight against Germany.
We both know why.
Britain was beggared post-war and thus,as you say, has just recently paid off it`s debt to the U.S.
It was the U.S. who “accepted the postwar subjugation pf Poland,not the U.K. who were in no position to do anything viz. the exit from Palestine.
THELURKINTIM on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2015 1:56 AM
Is this the same US of A who helped us with their “lease lend” policy giving rise to “special relationship” status…..gies a fuckin brek…..look am thankful it led to the break-up of British Imperialism…..but look to yer history….”Red on Blue”is a historical War Game that influenced the good old US of A to treat us as an enemy…..
==========================================================================
The breakup of British imperialism and the re-introduction of Soviet/ Russian imperialism Viz. Poland,which takes us back to where we started from.
Putin carries on that policy today.
McJay,
Why did the Americans have to get involved in WW1 or 2?
Maybe they just joined in at the end to enjoy the spoils after Britain had defeated the Germans?
The Lurkintim
bang on mate,each and everyone is Celtic through and through , I was a bit apprehensive at the thought of mixing with ( in my head ) the guys I looked up to on here with their thoughts , ideas and obviously their background ( education ) .
Some say there cliques within CQN …hell yeah , there are people on here I would trust with my secrets and not so others , if that is my clique , so belt , why people get upset or feel they have to deny it is their prerogative, me I couldn’t give a monkeys if people include me or not, I tend to just get on with it ….anyhoo need to go ..BTW you’ll have a good time at the Hootenaney…..I don’t think I’ve spelt that the same way twice haha:))
Catchyeez….
MJ ..
Agree .. Didn’t intentionally intend to disagree .. When you look at the amount of casualties the Russians took ..
Can hardly blame them for wanting a bigger slice of the pie .. So to speak ..
Last time .. I’m away .. Honestly! :)
CLOGHER CELT on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2015 2:03 AM
McJay,
Why did the Americans have to get involved in WW1 or 2?
Maybe they just joined in at the end to enjoy the spoils after Britain had defeated the Germans?
======================================================================
They got involved in W.W.1 for a number of reasons,particularly the sinking of their ships.The final straw was the Zimmerman (? ) telegram which was intercepted.
They ” got involved” in the European war because Hitler declared war on them.
Spoils? What spoils? Palestine?
Some spoil.
Marspapa,
no education, talkin what interests u…..makes u interesting…..;-))
H.H.
CAREFUL WITH THAT TAX, MOONBEAMS on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2015 2:06 AM
MJ ..
Agree .. Didn’t intentionally intend to disagree .. When you look at the amount of casualties the Russians took ..
================================================================
Always good chewing` the fat.
Their own casualties.Yes.
Also the massacre of the flower of the Polish Officer corps which they tried to blame on the Germans.
And the killing of the Polish govt. in exile who had been in London during the war.
How about Stalin holding his troops back for a good number of days just outside Warsaw so that the Wehrmacht could “deal with ” the Polish underground who had risen up in support of their Soviet Comrades.
All ignored,so that we can have a good old bash at the Brits.
MacJay,
Ok, agree to differ.
Can you confirm that the US played a big decisive part in both World Wars?
Do you think that the outcome would have been any different but for America’s intervention on both occasions?
Clogher
That Creature from Jekyll Island was the way America got started into the War ‘racket’ (Smedley Butler), make no mistake about that, a total disregard for the US constitution. Downhill all the way since those Private Banksters took that control, the US citizens can sort it out but they are Oblivious, in the main.
That Act in 1913 was despicable in its inception.
Come on the Bhoys the day.
Ronny, stay Strong!!!!
outie!1!1!
Mackay/clogher
I know I’m going to regret this question ..we Brits won the war defeating the Germans
How badly off/affected would we be as a race if they had won ?
CLOGHER CELT on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2015 2:26 AM
MacJay,
Ok, agree to differ.
Can you confirm that the US played a big decisive part in both World Wars?
Do you think that the outcome would have been any different but for America’s intervention on both occasions?
=================================================================================
U.S. played a crucial role in the outcome of both world wars and sadly played the overwhelmingly critical role in U.S. and U.K. foreign policy post war,which takes us back to decisions in relation to the annexation of Poland et al.
U.S. played the overwhelmingly dominant role,not U.K.
The outcome may have been different,but imho,once the Soviets were involved,Hitler was going to lose. Would unquestionably have taken much longer.
Here`s a question for you.
Do you think the outcome would have been different if Ireland had intervened ?
Marsapa,
1) “We Brits won the war?”
2) Thankfully many other nations intervened to prevent and assist Britain.
Anyway, just back from picking the wee fella up.
Clogher
Macjay what a crock of shit…..it’s well known that the AUSTRIALIAN, CANADIAN, FRENCH intelligence communities & more gave the yanks ample warning of the attack on Pearl Harbour…..but that the yanks ignored it cause it suited…..is it a coincidence that it was only their obsolete warships that were left in dock at Hawaii?
H.H.
The lurkintim,
Glad to have chatted tonight , see you at 10\10 :))
Nite nite all, been summoned upstairs
Take care and may your god bless
MARSPAPA on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2015 2:30 AM
Mackay/clogher
I know I’m going to regret this question ..we Brits won the war defeating the Germans
How badly off/affected would we be as a race if they had won ?
==========================================================
I think you only have to look at the countries they defeated to see what would have become of us.
Interesting.
Anglo-Saxons (Saxe Coburg :-) ) probably would have had dispensations.
Don`t know how the Kelts would have fared. :-(
THELURKINTIM on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2015 2:41 AM
Macjay what a crock of shit…..it’s well known that the AUSTRIALIAN, CANADIAN, FRENCH intelligence communities & more gave the yanks ample warning of the attack on Pearl Harbour…..but that the yanks ignored it cause it suited…..is it a coincidence that it was only their obsolete warships that were left in dock at Hawaii?
H.H.
-==========================================================
So,you are accusing the U.S. of intentionally sacrificing 2,000 sailors at Pearl Harbour.
Incidentally, I think the French intelligence community in Dec. `41 was German. :-)
Macjay,
Do you mean in the context of the Irish Volunteers, who went in their thousands in WW1?
Maybe the Kerryman, Lord Kitchener wasn’t persuasive enough.
Clogher
Macjay…..the question is why…..long game…..death of British Empire…..Uk debt…..advanced bases here & western Europe…..turn themselves into pre-eminent world leader…..Operation PaperClip gives them ballistic missile knowledge…..plant the nuclear missiles here…..suddenly wtf are we sovereign?
H.H.
Just to soften the blow
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ2oXzrnti4
H.H.
Macjay1
yep, not only accusing but historically proven wake-up ffs
H.H.
CLOGHER CELT on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2015 2:51 AM
Macjay,
Do you mean in the context of the Irish Volunteers, who went in their thousands in WW1?
==========================================================
Intervene was the word?
Ireland wasn`t independent in 1914.
But you probably knew that. :-)
Avoiding the question?
THELURKINTIM on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2015 2:59 AM
Macjay1
yep, not only accusing but historically proven wake-up ffs
H.H.
================================
O,K,,pal.
But that`s a new one on me.
Marspapa,
By all accounts it’s gonna b busy…..hope to connect wae u & sum others…..u know who u are….;-))…..nae luck
H.H.
Clogher
Sorry if I didn’t come across the way I meant,
They just joined in to enjoy the spoils of war ???
Enjoyed the spoils of war ..
Brit is not terminology I would use to describe myself , just that it was used by Macjay
Anyhoo would we as a nation have prospered under German rule ?
As apposed to what we have now ?
Sorry clogher , I’ll need to read this back in the afternoon, drink has finally took me and sad to say
I’m way out my depth on this if truth be told , sorry if I’ve came over as a bit of a nob , I love reading you guys debating stuff even if most goes over my head , take care bud , good note :)
Macjay
all i ask is that u & others all
question what u think u know about the greatest war that spanned this little globe we live on……;-))
H.H.
TheLurkinTim on 20th September 2015 3:13 am
Agreed 100%.
War is never “great.”
Hitler had to be stopped.And he was,thank god.
But there`s always a new Hitler round the corner.
I sit and watch the thousands of people strung across Europe and see the seeds of new wars emerging.
Hungary and Croatia currently exchanging insults.
Merkel.
Danke .
Jeez Clougher,
It’s got to b asked…..wer the IRA lookin fur a “enemy of my enemy” is my friend?
Not that I blame them, It had to b done…..;-))
H.H.
Marsapa,
Sorry for not coming back quicker I had to re charge this I Pad and the charger is playing up.
No worries at all, it is all just banter.
I hope to see you at 10/10. I enjoyed the chat.
HH,
Clogher
Macjay1…..wat do I see
Well these poor people were trying to get here to improve their lives…poor baby died…..;-((
Still happening…..but now news is about fighting about European borders…..people are still dying…..so news is deflected…..I cry ;-((
HH
T.L.T.
No decent person denies help to the needy.
Sadly the needy will always be with us.
A sad fact of life.
Just opened a wee (440 ml.) can of ( ” the guineas.”)
B.B.Q.fired up.
Come on the Tims!
Hail Hail to you,T.L.T.
Macjay1
Either a weirdo…..or Southern Hemisphere bhoy…..mmmm bbq…..;-))
H.H
TheLurkinTim on 20th September 2015 3:53 am
A weirdo ?
Without a doubt.
Southern Hemisphere? Yep.Oz.
Bhoy? From birth.
I`m away back to my steak. :-)
Mmm….indigestion is mild, food poisoning is Australian…..guid luk
H.H.
Seems I’m.on my own…..music maestro please…..maybe?
H.H.
Tontine Tim, understable.
Bobby Murdoch, appreciate the kind words. I reciprocate them. I wouldn’t have any fascist bastard friends though. I find that some opinions, especially the anti Jewish conspiracy theories, of my friends are depressing but they are deeply engrained.
Zybsek, if you think I don’t have Polish friends, you are welcome to email me. You will quickly discover that you are wrong. I spent the day drinking with Polish and Latvians. They discussed politics a lot. Most of my friends are Polish. If you doubt it, get my email from Paul. Cheers.
Powerful….powerful meds keepin the ole ‘Green Flag’ flying high on the ole Jungle roof…yeah mhan!
……………………Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xs54ForG94k
listencsc