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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. Lennybhoy on

    Normal service will be resumed to today at 15:00…:)

     

    Heading into the Kerrydale Suite for around 12:30 today, if any of you are in say Hail Hail!

     

    Keep the Faith!

     

    Hail Hail!

  2. weebobbycollins on

    Scarf and claespeg are ready to go…and a few wee bars of lifebhoy soap to distribute amongst those in the main stand…Glasgow’s clean and bright.

  3. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    JOBO BALDIE

     

     

    To be fair,neither had I? So thanks are due to you for posting it.

     

     

    Cheers,bud. Enjoy the match later.

  4. Andrew Kerins Green and White Army on

    Right all set for croke park the two most successful teams in the country who’ve won more Sams than all the rest put together hopefully will show how the game should be played and with the same result as the last two encounters

  5. Summa of Sammi.... on

    .

     

     

    Help..

     

     

    Anyone know if a Overseas Season Ticket holder would be able to Apply for a Ticket for the Molde game in Norway 22nd October..

     

     

    Or How to get a Ticket for it..

     

     

    Thanks in Advance..’

     

     

     

    Summa

  7. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    SUMMA OF SAMMI

     

     

    I doubt it will be sold-out,mate. So a call or visit to the ticket office should do the trick.

     

     

    Good luck!

  9. paulreverecsc on

    Hi. Can someone pls assist or give me advice. I have cancelled sky so I can subscribe to celtic tv and get one of these droid stick things. Can someone give me some sites or links? Do they come pre loaded? Are there reputable ones? Tks

  11. TheLurkinTim on

    Celtic Cruise to Victory

     

     

    After a hard fought, great draw, in the Amsterdam Arena, Celtic picked themselves up for the ” bread & butter ” of the SPL today…..and how they did it with style

     

     

    5-0 although a massive victory for the defending Champions, doesn’t tell the story of the game…..

     

     

    icandreamCSC

  12. The Battered Bunnet on

    With cat-like tread, Upon our prey we steal;

     

    In silence dread, Our cautious way we feel.

     

    No sound at all! We never speak a word;

     

    A fly’s foot-fall Would be distinctly heard

     

     

    So stealthily the pirate creeps,

     

    While all the household soundly sleeps.

  18. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    TOMMIE20

     

     

    HAPPY HOOOOOOPY BIRTHDAY,MATE!!!!

     

     

    Did you get your invite to your belated birthday party in a coupla weeks? If not,check your junk mail folder.

  22. Parkheadcumsalford on

    Discussion earlier on BBC 1 about whether we need a new BRITISH national anthem. 4 participants were all ENGLISH and, while 3 had no objection to the current one being changed, they seemed to think “Jerusalem” would be an adequate replacement. They gave a nod to us, the Welsh and the North, which I don’t think is true, having our own. Rubbish. Just shows what the average English person thinks of Britain.

     

     

    I wish Jeremy Corbyn would stick to his guns. Then, if Britain is to continue, the English might be brought to realise Britain isn’t England writ large and the national anthem is something that unites us.

  23. The Battered Bunnet on

    A curious juxtaposition in the East End of Glasgow today, as Scotland’s greatest athlete plays a match on one side of London Road and Scotland’s greatest football team plays another on the opposite side.

     

     

    I must confess to a dose of dissonance having watched enthralled as a Dunblane Select beat Australia at Tennis yesterday in a riveting match, as simultaneously the Murray brothers were requisitioned by Greater Londonshire, a team identity I have absolutely no connection to or with.

     

     

    Andy kicks off at 1.00pm

     

     

    Celtic at 3pm.

     

     

    I expect Andy will be able to catch the kick off.

  26. itscalledthemalvinas on

    THE_HUDDLE

     

     

    Now that scenario is a bit different. There were a few teams involved in that tournament which thankfully I didn’t have to witness !

     

     

    HH

  30. jmccormick on

    Yesterdays fine morning became dull and cold, hopefully today will be brighter, it will be ….our club are playing.

     

    bit of Andy Murray , then the Hertz v Sheep, then GAA whilst keeping up to date from CP…..not a bad day at all.

     

    May even allow myself a small libation, I see we have some G&S fans on here? My father used to play , and sing , them all the time.

  31. corkcelt on

    Best wishes to Kev J. Thought you had the all clear pal but it sounds like you still have a battle on your hands. Hopefully you will be definitely getting the all clear very soon.

     

    Best wishes also to Tri-Coloured Ribbon, would love to see you back posting.

     

    My three wishes for Celtic today. First & foremost a win, secondly a Ciftci goal and thirdly a clean sheet.

  35. voguepunter on

    Morning all….I’m sitting here thinking….is Gordon64 ..coming in or gone oot ???

     

    Hail hail to all Tims see you at the gemme.

     

     

    * BE SOME CROWD ,THAT*

  36. mayanman on

    KevJ

     

     

    Keep on keeping on!

     

    Btw do you really miss the warm feeling down the back of your leg and the warm can of lager being passed among the Bhoys ? Those were the Jungle days:)))))

     

     

    HH

  37. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Fleagle1888

     

     

    Your time and effort is much appreciated

     

     

    Corkcelt I will settle for those predictions as well

     

     

    Everybody going enjoy watching the champions play

     

     

    (Lennybhoy enjoy your cold Guinness)

  38. tonydonnelly67 on

    Good morning.

     

    Sorry about hat post earlier I didn’t notice it was that long, I thought I had just posted the article, and when I came out of my shower and was having my scrambled eggs on toast I noticed it deari meeee, anyhou, :) I watched the Henrik 242 goals Vidio, had a wee greet, and I noticed one thing about all his goals, except for one, every goal went right in the poky, only one came off the post and went in, the rest went clean in, I found that amazing!

     

    Looking forward to a good game today and a shut out would be nice, thes Sunday games knock my routine All to hell, I usually gat home about 8pm rat arsed, tonight it will be around 11pm, just moved in here to a new house, I hope I don’t burst into a …AN IF YI KNOW THE HISTURY ……….

     

    Naaaaaaaaaa, people got there work in the mornin :))

  40. Jimmynotpaul on

    Remember to cheer the team on today, even if it becomes difficult.

     

    It’s always harder for the players after a European game, energy levels are lower.

     

    Man City lost at home last night and Seville are 2.0 down at home to Celta Vigo, both home teams would have been hot favourites with the bookies.

     

    I’m still predicting a home win for the champions though.

  42. saltires en sevilla on

    Looking forward to game today

     

     

    Kicking on from Ajax and would love a goalfest with a clean sheet for Craig and our new backline

     

     

    Being realistic

     

     

    History tells us post-euro games are generally won by the odd goal and I don’t want to contemplate the dreaded draw….

     

     

    A test of mental strength as much as anything else today

     

     

    Bring on Dundee

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