A few months after that win over Barcelona and being eliminated in the knock-out stages of the Champions League by Juventus, Neil Lennon took his Celtic team to Astana, where Shakhter Karagandy elected to play their home tie in the 2013 qualifiers, while sacrificing a sheep for good fortune on the pitch a day earlier.
We lost 2-0 before performing an heroic rescue a week later to snatch victory in stoppage time, but some of the detail from the defeat in Kazakhstan has been lost.
In the opening stages at the Astana Arena we looked miles ahead before Shakhter scored a 12th minute opener. We continued to dominate possession – 61% overall – but failed to put the ball in the net, before conceding a late second, which must have delighted and surprised the Kazaks in equal measure.
A 2-0 loss away in Europe is a bad result, but the nature of the game gave plenty of room for encouragement. We were clearly a better team, but didn’t have our act together, especially in defence.
This game was the one and only start for that urban legend, Steven Mouyokolo, who partnered Charlie Mulgrew in central defence to give new guy, Virgil van Dijk, his second start, making a very unaccustomed appearance at full back. What did we expect? It wasn’t a surprise that we did enough in the return leg with a more conventional look at the back (Mouyokolo and van Dijk were both dropped).
Astana have several things in their favour. They are fully fit, 21 games into their league season, and 10 points ahead, so they’ve had the luxury of resting players as the qualifiers approached. Shakhter Karagandy have also agreed to postpone their scheduled game on Saturday, so Astana won’t play until they face Celtic next week. By contrast, Brendan Rodgers still needs game-time to work his players up to full fitness.
Last season Astana reached the Champions League group stage, eliminating Maribor (cough), HJK Helsinki and APOEL Nicosia along the way. Their group performances against Atletico, Benfica and Galatasaray were more than credible – two defeats and four draws, achieved by defending in numbers across all six games.
Listen carefully to the confidence the Shakhter manager who faced us three years ago has in his fellow Kazaks. Astana will be buoyed by last season’s achievements and will have watched the debacle in Gibraltar. They think they are the stronger team and, unlike their group stage games last season, will attack Celtic at home.
The last time they attacked at home in Europe was a year ago against HJK Helsinki, who scored three on the counter-attack but conceded four. There will be space to exploit on that bumpy plastic surface in central Asia. Defend, forget faux comforts like 61% possession, and have Leigh, Patrick, James and Callum hit them on the break.
600 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- »
Morning,all
Just been reading back,what a pleasure it was to read that post from ELDIEGOBHOY.
Stay strong,bud-you have a whole bunch of guid Tims rooting for you!!!!
HH.
Good morning from a dry Darkest Lanarkshire, seems that a sort of peace has come to Munich this morning. I hope the people there find the strength to come to terms with what has passed there.
Hopefully today will be a better one all round.
Enjoy the day
HH
Deepest sympathy for those murdered or injured in the attack in Munich. Hopefully those injured will make a full and speedy recovery and those whose relatives have been killed may be supported in their grief.
Not to descend into trivia but it kind of puts our concerns over signings or tardiness in making signings and/or dissatisfaction with the Board into perspective
Hi my girl in Las Vegas looking for a place to watch the game today a safe place thanks hail hail
HAILBAZ
I’ll mail SINCITYBHOY,he might be able to help.
Good morning all.
I’m delighted to announce the safe arrival of my new granddaughter, within the last few hours.
Looking forward to wetting her wee head here in Edinburgh later.
Deo Gratias.
Good morning friends, A dry, bright but cloudy start to the day here in ole EK. But still reasonably tepid ;-)
Breakfast over with….got a long shopping list today.
Gym, patents, supermarket, DIY store, gardening, vigil Mass or Celtic match? What a conundrum.
Is it considered a penance and a venial sin to watch a pre season freindly rather than go to mass, a sort of two for the price of one deal?
Back page of Record reporting we are trying to,sign Hasan Ali Kaldirim. 26 year old Fenerbahce and Turkey left back, £2m fee.
Super Eagles and Celtic defender Efe Ambrose is yet to make up his mind about concrete interest in him from Greek Champions Olympiakos and Isreali giants Maccabi Tel Aviv.
New manager of Celtic Brendan Rodgers benched the 27 year old in their second leg tie of the UEFA champions League qualifiers against Gibraltarian minnows Lincoln Red Imps which they won 3-0 likely because of his error which lead to their 0-1 loss in the first leg.
Celtic have in the past turned down offers for Ambrose but Rodgers according to sources is willing to let the defender go which has brought about rumoured interest in his services from Olympiakos and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
” It’s true Maccabi Tel Aviv and Olympiakos are interested in him but he is yet to decide on his next move primarily because of his family who are settled in Scotland but for his career sake, he wants out of Celtic” a source close to the player told Owngoalnigeria.
“Olympiakos are playing in the Champions League as a matter of fact they are regulars in the competition and that is a big catch but Israel where Maccabi Tel Aviv are based is home to Ambrose, remember he started his career there and even named his daughter Isreala, so let’s wait and see”.
TTT…..Congratulations on your new arrival, HH.
THOMTHETHIM
Congratulations to all involved,bud!
HH.
THOMTHETHIM FOR OSCAR OK on 23RD JULY 2016 7:46 AM
Welcome baby T T T
HH
Congratulations THOMTHETHIM!
Good Morning Timland.
JOBO……..you’ll need to bring your ST as well as your
match ticket to gain entry to the rail seating section.
TTT…….congratulations.
TomTheThim
Brilliant news, congratulations to you and all the family
Nye Bevan’s Rebel Soldier.
I’m not able to attend today – Jobo le Taxi duties for my daughter’s Hen Do!
I saw that earlier advice about bringing 2 tickets and it did confuse me. So I’m a season ticket holder in the standing section. But I’ve chosen not to buy a ticket for today’s game. Isn’t it possible for non season ticket holders to buy a ticket there for today’s game. And, if they did, they would only have that 1 ticket to take today? Confused is me.
I know this is from the mail,but it’s worth a look for two things.
Berahino at £20m,ffs.
And a perfectly-timed photo of his chairman,Jeremy Peace!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3704051/Crystal-Palace-place-20million-bid-West-Brom-striker-Saido-Berahino-offer-Stoke-chase-22-year-old.html
JOBO………on Wednesday night I had to show my ST
before I was allowed up the stairs,my seat is in 112.
https://m.facebook.com/CelticFC/photos/pcb.1248680055171897/1248672815172621/?type=3&source=48&refid=7&_ft_=qid.6310417509056331764%3Amf_story_key.1329403206200818865
TomtheThim
Congratulations and have yourself a celebrarory drink on your families addition.All the best :-)
Hail hail
TTT and EDB
Good on ye!
HH
thomthethim, a new life, a new daughter and a new grand daughter, wonderful news.
Enjoy the head wetting and smoke me a big fat cigar.
HH Sir
Many, many thanks for all the good wishes.
They prove that not all posts go unread or unheeded.
Can’t wait to meet young Miss Scarlett, fiddle-dee-dee.
An Tearmann, didn’t see you at CP on Wed big chap. Hope all is well and hope to catch you for a few celebratory lemonades in the new season.
HH,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,:_)
ACGR alias Mr Tibbs
I have just booked to come over for the Astana home game , are you coming down to the big smoke for some hilarity and dramming ?
HH
ThomtheThim.
Magical news.
Every new born Babies cry is Special.
Enjoy wetting the wee ones head.
Elvis.csc
Nye – yes me too, have to show it at half time too to get back up. But it’s the ‘2 tickets for today’ bit I couldn’t fathom out. But as I’m not going anyway….
Right, time for my 166th ParkRun. Pollock this week where my previous 8 runs in 2016 have averaged 22m18s. Sub 22 would be surprising and acceptable!
Must run…..
EDB keep up the fight
TTT. Congratulations
Congratulations to TTT and family. Hail hail.
Jobo. Watch out for Pokemon hunters on your run.
Or, could you take my phone and catch some for me :)
Thought this might be of interest to some who may have missed it.
from EDB
I’ve been asked to provide a brief update for those of you who are aware of my current health issues and who will have noticed my absence from the blog these past weeks and I understand that some of you have kindly been enquiring after me.
Anyway today has seen me reach the halfway stage in the 10 session chemo programme i.e. one session per fortnight so it’s pretty intense. I’m feeling pretty good and this far haven’t suffered any side effects that have caused me any real grief. CQN is making up for that mind:o). Oh and I still have my hair!
Don’t know what lies ahead but I continue to be upbeat and have lots of support around me including you guys out there. Despite the very real uncertainties that lie ahead for me I had no hesitation in renewing my ST and I intend taking up my seat at every opportunity.
Anyway probably back to lurking again and here’s hoping for a successful Celtic season.
Thank you.
TTT
So pleased to hear your family’s great news.
The safe arrival of a new life is always cause for rejoicing and relief.
HH jamesgang
Toure signing today and Sinclair early next week.
According to Twitter. . . .
Ohits
Heading home today,
Get my mobby from HT and call me for a beer when your over next week,
Good meeting ye mo chara
TTT
Many congratulations , I have 3 beautiful granddaughters my self and a grandson, great kids one and all, and ye can hand them back
Jim
If you’re looking in: About that beer.