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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. corkcelt on

    Bournesoup, You should know by now that every team that Celtic play are useless pub teams and we should be beating the sh*te out of ’em. The fact that we couldn’t beat a useless Ajax team shows us up as hopeless fearties. I know Ajax are unbeaten and top their League with 4 wins a draw and no loss but don’t mind that coz the Dutch League is sh*te as well, when did Holland ever produce a good team or decent player. What’s this I hear you say about P.S.V. beating Man United. Ah come on bourne shure Man Utd are pure sh*te as well. Now you know.

  8. mncelt on

    Paul67 – I thought Craig was at fault for their second goal. It was a decent ball into the box, but Craig and his defenders got distracted by players making runs and took their eyes off the ball. The keeper in particular has to follow the flight of the ball in a situation like this. Yes, someone might get a touch on it, but if they do, from that range it’s likely to be a goal anyway. Craig should have made his mind up early and focused on the ball. I have noticed a few lapses in concentration from him recently. I hope he sorts it out quickly and starts to dominate his box again.

  9. Dj67 on

    Who’s got nits? I hope Celtic have sent them a letter telling them to “KEEP IT CLEAN!!!!!”

     

     

    ItchyScalpCSC

  13. !!Bada Bing!! on

    Bhoys,the parking round CP will be worse than usual on Sunday ,the tennis is on at The Emirates Arena

  14. sipsini on

    Cowiebhoy…

     

     

    Good luck to your ghirl Laura, teaching is a hard job, a lot don’t appreciate the extra unpaid hours that is put in. HH

  15. What is the Stars on

    Weet Weet Weet

     

     

    Yes

     

    Pity about the other one though

     

    Not to worry onwards and upwards

  16. Summa of Sammi.... on

    .

     

     

    Moonbeams..

     

     

    At least they seem to be attempting to Change things..Plus it’s the Dutch and Not one of the Big 5 Countries..

     

     

    “He also argued that wholesale reform of the transfer system to better protect players and create more stability should go hand in hand with measures to improve competitive balance in the game across Europe. –”

     

     

    Summa

  20. Syd Negakev on

    Not only is every team we play rubbidge but every referee is useless and every commentary team is biased and our players aren’t Celtic quality and our manager is hopeless and our fans are smelly. I just give up. :-)

  22. Greenpinata on

    Ajax sit at the top of the league. They have not lost a game yet in five. If they don’t win thier league then for certain they will not be far away.

     

    That is thier current status-as well as having a fantastic hostile home arena. In the past they have had a fantastic track record and can be rightly regarded as one of Europes great teams.

     

     

    Yet we are continually told they are a very poor outfit.

     

     

    It seems we were lucky to great a draw against a pi@h side.

     

    Unbelievable.

     

     

    It would seem logic and discussion are futile. So maybe it’s down to the colour of Jersey last night that is distorting my view. It is well known that yellow is psychologically the happiest colour in the colour spectrum and it must be clouding my opinions.

     

     

    Maybe Madmitch who loves nostalgia was watching with sunglasses on or even a retro black and white telly.

     

     

    It is the only logical conclusion.

     

     

    HH spockcsc.

  24. Dj67 on

    ONTHEWING on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 5:24 PM

     

    http://glasgow.stv.tv/articles/1329010-rangers-fans-back-petition-to-feature-club-in-new-video-game-fifa-16/?fromstreampost=243966

     

     

    – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/a-few-nits-to-pick-but-lots-went-right-for-celtic/comment-page-7/#comment-2681037

     

     

    Whats next, Sevco fans calling Treyarch, the Developers of Call of Duty to insist that they feature Ra*gers in the new Black Ops on NextGen Consoles as the Zombies?

     

    Although the latter does seem a more credible idea.

     

     

    The Entitled Ones just never cease to amaze.

  27. Billy Bhoy on

    Hi guys

     

    Im looking for some techy advice.

     

    My laptop has been locked by a bogus system alert warning. I cant close it down or bypass it. Yet when i run a McAfee scan it says ive got no viruses spyware or other threats. WTF is it then?

  29. Summa of Sammi.... on

    .

     

     

    Off a Pal of mines FB..

     

     

    Ha Ha..Any Ideas..?

     

     

    ..

     

     

    Male escort

     

    £100 – Blantyre

     

    Male escort lookn fur sum work , any singo burds or old grannies way money looking for some male companionship I’m yer man cheap rates and any extras am be discussing but willing to do anything for right price pm on ma Facebook or on this nae creeps bit

     

     

    ..

     

     

    001

  31. Greenpinata on

    Billy Bhoy,

     

     

    I had similar a wee while back. I took the battery out and restarted it in safe mode. I then deleted all programs that were new or updated. ( system restore did not work )

     

     

    Transpired that my Norton Anti Virus was the problem. I Deleted it then reinstalled it. Even program c cleaner did not help.

     

     

    Seems ok, touch wood.

     

     

    Good luck,

     

    HH.

  32. MadMitch on

    BSR @ 4.48

     

     

    Ajax are a poor team.

     

    Bit of quality but very fragile / limited in defence.

     

     

    How do I know?

     

     

    I watched the game.

     

    They got papped out the CL qualifiers.

     

    The Dutch FA gave them a very fiendly start to their league campaign.

     

    5 wins against teams that are currently all in the lower half of the league.

     

    Obviously a loss to Ajax would not help these teams but their start appears hand picked.

     

     

    Establishment club getting help from the establishment.

  34. Geordie Munro on

    Billy bhoy,

     

     

    start it up in safe mode and uninstall any unrecognised prods. update your antivirus and do a full scan

     

     

    HH

  37. sipsini on

    BOGNORBHOY on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 5:34 PM

     

    Geordie Munro

     

     

     

     

     

     

    He also struggled commentating on B.T. the other night..

     

     

    ______________

     

     

    That BT bloke mixes in strange companies :)

  40. weeminger on

    I’VEHADTOCHANGEMYNAME – especially since EA wanted them in but RIFC couldn’t/wouldn’t let them license the strips, badges etc

  41. Geordie Munro on

    “The Dutch FA gave them a very fiendly start to their league campaign.

     

     

     

    5 wins against teams that are currently all in the lower half of the league.”

     

     

    Madmitch,

     

     

    It must be some fa the Dutch have.

     

     

    They can tell who will be bottom half after 5 games when fixture draws are made??

     

     

    Some guys.

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