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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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  3. saltires en sevilla on

    THELURKINTIM on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2015 11:40 AM

     

    Saltires,

     

     

     

     

     

     

    nah, I stick by my last post re 5:0…..I had a dream…..;-))

     

     

     

     

     

     

    MLKCSC

     

     

    – -//–//–//

     

     

    Ihope you are right mate – got have a pound on that now :-)

     

     

    HH

  5. PeteTheBeat on

    Celtic playing.

     

     

    All Ireland final.

     

     

    NZ Argentina in the rugby.

     

     

    And I have to go off to the wife’s aunt’s 80th birthday party !

  12. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    TONYDONNELLY

     

     

    HAPPY HOOOOPY NEW HOUSE,MATE!!!!

     

     

    When’s the housewarming? We might be stuck for a drink after shutting time on 10/10!!!!!

  13. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    SAINT STIVS

     

     

    I think I have an addy for SUMMA OF SAMMI so I’ve mailed him that info.

     

     

    Cheers,bud.

  14. Delaneys Dunky on

    Saint Stivs

     

     

    It is Molde away tickets that Summa is looking for.

     

     

    Tommie20

     

    Many happy returns. Hope you get a Celtic victory for your birthday.

  15. Almore on

    If it’s song time, here’s one for the Dubs (from the 70s)

     

     

    Oh, the Jacks* are back,

     

    The Jacks are back,

     

    Let the Railway End* go barmy,

     

    For Hill 16* has never seen

     

    The Likes of Heffo’s* Army!

     

     

    Jacks = Jackeens (someone from Dublin)

     

    Railway End = the now covered end of Croke Park, opposite Hill 16

     

    Hill16 = the tradional end of Dublin supporters, the only uncovered part of the new stadium

     

    Heffo’s Army= the legendary Dublin manager of the 70s.

     

     

    Nostalgiacsc

  18. Cowiebhoy on

    KevJ

     

    Seen you posting early hours, a wee candle burning brightly in the Sacred Heart Cowie to support your fight Bhud, stay strong Kev

     

    Tommie20

     

    Hooooopy birthday to you

     

    A Celtic win will do us all :-)

     

     

    Hail Hail

  19. Delaneys Dunky on

    I am glad that John Collins has recognised the danger of Greg Stewart today. Stifle him and we will win easily. 3-0 would be nice.

  20. Tallybhoy on

    DD

     

     

    We should have signed Greg Stewart and loaned him back to Dundee, a la Ryan Christie.

     

     

    He would, therefore, not play against us today.

     

     

    A fine young player who will only improve.

     

     

    HH!!

  21. Gene on

    Noiced that on sky sports 5 there is scottish league football on at 14.00 , pressed the info button to reveal that hearts are playing aberdeen in the scottish championship. Says everything about sky’s attitude to the scottish game.

     

    Hope for a good performance and 3 points from the bhoys

     

     

    COYBIG

  23. bournesouprecipe on

    Neganon

     

     

    “On 1 September 2015, Jozo Šimunović joined Scottish Premiership side Celtic for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £5.5m.’

     

     

    @wiki

     

     

    That amount was repeated in most of the official transfer window sites.

     

     

    Let me guess……………… your’e going to tell us that’s wrong and PL and Celtic are lying, and the internet immediately knows better, and prefers the word of someone else, anyone else, as long as it’s not Celtic?

     

     

    This of course is anti Celtic propaganda and arises every time a fee is undisclosed e.g. Derk Boeriggter where it’s alleged we paid gazillions, and the story is turned around because, he’s a flop.

     

     

    Looking forward to seeing Jozo in the flesh this afternoon, and can only rely on the official estimate given of the undisclosed fee.

     

     

    Hail Hail

  24. Delaneys Dunky on

    Tallybhoy

     

     

    I agree. Think Stewart is the best player in Scotland not playing for Celtic.

     

    Hope you can make the 10/10 hoot.

  26. Cosy Corner Bhoy on

    Just about to set off to game Kerrydale suite before game and Jock Stein upper at game. Both a new experience for me. I will be the old git with the white hair accompanied by both daughters!! See some of you there hopefully.Ciftci for first goal.

  27. TheLurkinTim on

    Todays team,

     

    . Bailly

     

     

    janko Ambrose. Simonvic. izzy

     

    . Armstrong Brown. Alan

     

    . Forrest. Griffiths. Cifti

     

     

    mmm, not happy ;-))

     

     

    H.H.

  29. saltires en sevilla on

    Lurkin

     

     

    Big changes

     

     

    Although that team could have 5 goals in them

     

     

    If we can stay tight enough at the other end

     

     

    I’m looking forward to it

  31. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    Bit early for the team,shoooorly?

     

     

    Anyway,right behind every one of them.

  32. IanBhoy929 on

    I see sevco are on BBC on Tuesday then again on BT sport on Sunday , keeping them alive no doubt, bloody disgrace.

     

    3-0 to the good guys today.

     

     

    Hail! Hail!

  33. Jobo Baldie on

    I secured 2 free tickets to today’s game, up in Section 412 above The Green Brigade. My Bhoy is in our usual seats with his girlfriend and I’m up there with my other Bhoy. All week I’ve been excited about the prospect of being in the upper tier, row 2. Just checked again and it’s actually Row Z. D’oh!

     

     

    But still excited by the fact that there are only 10 seats left available in that particular section.

     

     

    Sausage time…

  34. Teuchter ár lá on

    Lurking Tim

     

    Shit? ….cause it was different from the one that everyone else posted?

     

    Tommie 20

     

    Happy birthday mate – from another birthday boy. We’re in the best of company…..Eh!

  37. NegAnon2 on

    Bournes there is no way in hell we paid £5.5m for him. It’s another lie amongst the many visited on the Celtic support from the club. I have seen the figures vary wildly around this one but I believe that the £5.5m is to try and appease angry supports following the sale of VVD.

  41. auld bertie on

    Ok Neganon..how much did Celtic really pay? Don’t deflect. Oh and how do you know? Source please.thank you. Oh and cheer up Celtic might get beat today.

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