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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. THE EXILED TIM on

    I don’t know whether I am coming or going here, see this being in limo not knowing what clique I belong

     

    I never slag the players, nor the coaches, they try their best imo.

     

    I often slag the suits, they don’t try their best imo.

     

    Doesn’t make me negative, nor does it make me positive, but it makes me more positive than negative, so there.

  4. Mr Pastry on

    THE GREEN MAN on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 11:32 AM

     

    —————————————————————————–

     

     

    Of course you do know, that in the said Dualistic World, you may be ‘The Blue Man’ and ‘The Green Man’ simultaneously !!!!

  7. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    TD67. Posters talk about cliques on CQN but when you ask them to name names you are deafened by silence.H.H.

  9. Mr Pastry on

    tonydonnelly67 on 18th September 2015 12:46 pm

     

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    But… is being ‘in the clique’, the same as, NOT being ‘in the clique’ – an example being, late on a Friday night, is getting in the cab is the same as getting out the cab !!!

  10. Mr Pastry on

    JOE FILIPPIS HAIRCUT on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 12:52 PM

     

    TD67. Posters talk about cliques on CQN but when you ask them to name names you are deafened by silence.H.H.

     

    ————————————————————————————————————————————————–

     

     

    Now there’s a conundrum – is being “deafened by silence”, the same as being silenced by deafness?

  11. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    MR. PASTRY. You are still prattling away about cliques but you fail to name names it doesnt do your credibility any good. H.H.

  12. Mr Pastry on

    Are converse, traverse, adverse, perverse, inverse, averse are all in the same ‘clique’ as bare-erse?

  14. NegAnon2 on

    The Green Man. I think first and foremost you should remember that your main protaganist, TD67, is actually like a silly wee boy. He likes to stick his fingers in his ears and shout loudly when someone says something he doesnt like.

     

     

    He doesnt understand irony in any form and hence he is happy to slag off the daily record, whilst regularly quiting from the said rag. But then he explains its his mammies daily record and he only reads it cos its there (every day).

     

     

    He also doesnt understand the irony of posting that other posters are saying the same thing every day while he is saying the same thing about every 10 mins.

     

     

    He is like a petulant kid when someone dares to say something that could be remotely bad about celtic. Now to be fair when the rest of us where childrenIm sure we all behaved in this manner (I know I did) – so perhaps its just that he hasnt really grown up.

     

     

    As for TD67 being a facist. Well Ernie is correct in what he said but wee Tony took it all a step further by seeking to produce a list of huns he would out and of course seek to then oust said huns from this site.

     

     

    He of course now claims it was all a joke – though I dont think there was ever a punchline – so weird one.

     

     

    All of which is to say Green Man – he is worthy more of a bit of pity and generally laughter but thats about it.

     

     

    For the record, as I said, great result from Celtic. Unexpected but very welcome.

  15. SydneyTim on

    Think the classic happy clappers ( known as the four in a row police ) were during Gordon’s last season Some of us were saying. Please Gordon stop tinkering away from hame or we could lose it the abuse was amazing from the 4inarow police Lol

  18. Apricale on

    An Ajax supporting colleague told me to watch out for Jaïro Riedewald and Kenny Tete. Tete impressed me, very fast, but apparently Riedewald is the guy everybody rates. Good game, glass 2/3 full this morning. Beautiful, clear sunny day here.

  19. Larrybhoy on

    TIME FOR CHANGE on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 12:27 PM

     

    Paul67 agree with much of what you write in the bog.

     

     

    ———————

     

     

    Class :-)

  20. Mr Pastry on

    tonydonnelly67 on 18th September 2015 1:04 pm

     

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    Surely that was the intention ?

  24. tonydonnelly67 on

    Getting worse now, but as long as you know what it means and keeps you happy fine, but I know your hurting today, I know you are, and I’m loving it, you, neganon and the green man, I can feel your pain.

  25. Mr Pastry on

    How is it that some of the same people who strongly support Ronny, with two domestic successes from six competitions, and I can understand this, can be the biggest critics of Peter Lawwell’s stellar record, in European, domestic and financial fronts, since ‘coming to power’?

  27. West End of East End on

    NegAnon2 – What a petty patronising post, your air of superiority amid the badger baiting comes over very well and says more about you than TD67, we are not worthy….

  30. Mr Pastry on

    WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 1:13 PM

     

    This claespeg is really hurtin ma nose noo….

     

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    My mother used to suggest that I fully buttoned-up my shirt in such situations !!!!

  31. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    Hard to believe some on here are Celtic supporters after a good away result in Europe they dont have a good word to say other than negative nonsense. As for cliques I have been on CQN for years and have said before that the posters that meet up at matches and go to CQN events will become good friends and that will come across in there posts but that is not a clique.I feel that if you are going to make accusations you should be prepared to back it up if you are not prepared to back it up you should not bring it up. CQN continues to be a great Celtic blog despite the fact that some of the posters dont act like Celtic supporters who am I talking about well lets start with Mr.Pastry. H.H.

  32. weebobbycollins on

    Tony D…forget what your doctor says and get yourself down to the Brazen and have a few pints with Sipsini (he’s paying)…Btw, I heard the Greenman is in there now sitting on your bar stool.

  35. 16 roads - Celtic über alles... on

    Fair play to KC for providing the craft and the guile, outstanding performance.

     

     

    As for wee Emilio – well everybody was demanding a bit more fight and dig – and that’s precisely what he brought to the gig.

     

     

    God bless Ronny Delia.

     

     

    HH.

  36. Summa of Sammi.... on

    .

     

     

    SYDNEYTIM on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 11:47 AM

     

    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

     

     

    ..

     

     

    Oh No Yees Don’t..

     

     

    Unless I’m there to Keep the Topic of Conversation Strictly aboot The Hoops..;-)

     

     

    Otherwise We could End up with a Untreatable Hybrid Strain of Ole SydneyTims RPCS..

     

     

    So remember Yees have been Warned..Ha

     

     

    Summa of MacSydneyJayTimCSC

  37. hebcelt on

    For the moment maybe forever goodbye CQN. This is not the blog I joined all these years ago, no craic,humour,cameradrie. Infested with venemous,spiteful pygmies, there are honourable exceptions. Thanks for the memori3es all you great CQN’rs I have had the honour to meet and greet. I’ll join the ever increasing band who have given up what was a fine blog. Have a good life. Hail Hail Hebcelt

  38. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    16 ROADS. A good post fella we Izzy was just trying to hard something we supporters have been asking for .H.H.

  41. tonydonnelly67 on

    WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 1:19 PM

     

    Tony D…forget what your doctor says and get yourself down to the Brazen and have a few pints with Sipsini (he’s paying)…Btw, I heard the Greenman is in there now sitting on your bar stool.

     

     

    – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/a-few-nits-to-pick-but-lots-went-right-for-celtic/comment-page-4/#comment-2680906

     

    Sips I ment the oasis in castlemilk, and as for the green man sitting on my stool in the Brazen ? I doubt that very much lol

  42. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    HEBCELT. Sorry to see you go fella but best of luck for the future and come back and visit now and then. H.H.

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