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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. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    I think today could be harder than we expect as we may suffer a bit from our European trip.So I will be happy with any Celtic win.Neganon2 it is impossible to know what we paid for any player but im sure we value the new Bhoy at 5.5 million. H.H.

  2. proudbhoy on

    The 5.5m might already include add ons etc.

     

     

    Anyway doesn’t matter.. Hopefully he is a success .

     

     

    Enjoy the game everyone.. Won’t see any of it.

  3. Cowiebhoy on

    Have to say, I’ve had a few coughs in the old breeks this morning, will it be safe to head off to the World Famous Celtic Park :-)

     

    Jobo, no starting of the singing up there, leave it to the Green Brigade Bhoys and Ghirls

     

     

    Hail Hail, Celtic time

  4. Cowiebhoy on

    Oh, for the sake of repeating myself

     

    £5.5m will be the total package, Celtic like to quote these things :-)

     

     

    Hail Hail

  5. ....PFayr supports WeeOscar on

    How much do teams pay for players ?

     

     

    Is the figure given ….the initial payment …..the add ons ….the wages…signing on fees etc….some , all or both

     

     

    Probably the most inaccurate info football fans ever receive

  7. Delaneys Dunky on

    Jobo

     

     

    Your fitness regime will serve you well for making row Z in upper tier. Enjoy the ascent. :)

  8. voguepunter on

    Got a hire at around 6 o’clock last evening,an ole guy (couple of years older than me)

     

     

     

     

    He saw all the yes voters in square” look at lot ” he opined “they should get over it”

     

     

     

     

    (aye like 1690) ..” they’ve hijacked the saltire”

     

     

     

     

    ” How can you hijack your own flag” ? I ask.

     

     

     

     

    Billy bigot carries on..” What are the thinking about ? having that tennis on when

     

     

    the games on at parkheid,all they union jacks (sic) will annoy Celtic fans”

     

     

    ” listen mate…I’m going to game tomorrow and couldn’t care less about

     

     

    union flag( fekn hate it)”

     

     

    Billy quietens down ” Do you think it will be a good game”?

     

     

    Helps the ole bassa oot cab and spots his semi white 5 star socks….awe bless him.

  9. cliftonville celt from belfast on

    Right of out to watch the All – Ireland

     

     

    Mon the Hoops

     

     

    Up the Kingdom

     

     

    Have a great day everyone whatever your doing

  11. bournesouprecipe on

    NegAnon

     

     

    You never let us down.

     

     

    I’ll be unable to convince you I’m a blogger, not a missionary, the fee was undisclosed, and therefore the Celtic negativists led by, would you adam and eve it – Neganon immediately conclude – there is no way we paid that for him. without fear or favour your mind is made up.

     

     

    Enjoy the match, I’m late for the Gazebo

     

     

    Hail Hail

  12. Almore on

    Off down to Croke Park now in a forlorn search for a ticket. The stadium will be full to capacity and, at 82,000 supporters, it will probably be the best attended amateur sporting event in the world today.

     

     

    Up the Dubs!

     

     

    To those going to Celtic Park, enjoy the game and let’s hope we get our show back on the road.

     

     

    COYBIG

  14. Delaneys Dunky on

    Almore

     

     

    Good luck in your quest. I have a feeling you will get a ticket.

     

    Will give the bhoys a shout for you today.

  15. lymmbhoy on

    Winning Captins/paul67

     

     

    Any chance you turn off the Ads for the Live Updates Blog

     

     

    Thanks in Advance

     

     

    HH

  19. Lennybhoy on

    DELANEYS DUNKY:

     

    They ain’t phoned me yet…:(

     

    But yes you guessed I am in the Kerrydale…why am I waiting…:)

     

    Keep the Faith!

     

    Hail Hail!

  20. jmccormick on

    As an aside, watching Andy Murray instead of EPL stuff….Murray looks absolutely gubbed, crowd are going mental , helping him out . He will never go 4 sets, he has to do this quickly. Murray 5-2 up first set….

  21. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    We used to laugh when the entire package was reported as the fee when Murray Rangers signed a player.

     

     

    Now,we report it as fact.

     

     

    Utter bollocks. If Simo cost us £5.5m just to sign then PL would be having a flakey.

     

     

    And who put the bold script on?

  22. saltires en sevilla on

    5-2 Andy first set

     

     

    I’m beginning to wonder if those wee lassies in the red skirts and white polo shirts actually work for Adecco…

  23. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    LENNYBHOY

     

     

    Oul’ bugger hasn’t acknowledged my text so I’ve sent it to L&L.

     

     

    I’ll call one of them in a mo. It might make them realise that they have a phone!

  27. glendalystonsils on

    A 5.5 million transfer fee is outside our budget.

     

     

    Anyway, as soon as I heard we’d only paid £650,000 for that Larsson guy, I knew he would be mince.

  29. Andrew Kerins Green and White Army on

    Almore best of luck if anyone deserves one it’s your good self €40 – €80 face value

     

    I’m in with the peasants on the hill

     

    An brigad gorm

  31. dim sam on

    Also think today may be a harder match than we would like. Not only post Europe but Dundee did trouble us on a couple of occasions last season. Paul Hartley usually sets them up to play off the front foot, so I am hoping for a more open match than most league matches at Celtic Park.

     

    Agree that Greg Stewart could test our new defence, but hope today sees the start of a settle back four. 3-1 would be nice but 2-1 will do.

     

    I think Aberdeen will drop points today.

  36. saltires en sevilla on

    Andy looking totally knackered

     

     

    He seems to have to play two opponents

     

     

    The one facing him across the court and the one between his ears

     

     

    5-5 now in first murray to serve

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