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.
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God Bless all the victims in Munich. And all those affected by this shocking attack.
It’s just the start I’m afraid to say.
Come quickly Lord Jesus Christ.
How many times to folk have to see Chas get ripped for pace In Europe?
Beggars belief some of the uninformed drivel on here at times
Munich….
… and here we have folk getting upset about the lack of a new signing.
Taking time out. Thoughts with the innocent x
Firstly offer accepted TET but no wee and thicker wrist than me!! Secondly, remember Celtic only got BBJ because he failed the medical. Loved him but didn’t make him less of a mercenary
On the footy front all we have to look forward to is a game against the English and Spanish champions, a game against a top club from Italy and a couple of CL games.
The very fact we are complaining and whinging about signings is a good thing, we could be going to Falkirk tonight to watch our team play East Stirling FFS :-)
CCB
I will get BobbyM to sort it out.
Oh for another BBJ in the team, we could fair do with his like again.
HH
OGRAFFERTY
That top is a beezer!
A former pupil of St Mary’s on the Hill used to play Gaelic football in Philadelphia in summer while at QUB.
The club colours are the same as Naomh Éanna Glengormley. He brought me a top. I wore it in Malmo last year. When a Celt from Edinburgh saw the badge he had to have it.
I must get another one.
https://www.oneills.com/kevin-barrys-apex-polo-shirt.html
It’s Mikeal in the center alongside Erik for me.
Efe at right back wouldn’t be a bad shout.
So: Efe Mikael Erik Kieran. Surely a decent enough back four for the away game?
People get upset about Celtic issues on here as it’s a football blog, whatever else happens in the world gets posted from time to time,myself included. Because we post Celtic/football related stuff doesn’t mean we don’t sympathise with whatever daily atrocity occurs.
COSY CORNER BHOY on 22ND JULY 2016 6:06 PM
Firstly offer accepted TET but no wee and thicker wrist than me!! Secondly, remember Celtic only got BBJ because he failed the medical. Loved him but didn’t make him less of a mercenary
Footballers are self employed business men,and will usually take the best offer they can get,not sure about mercenaries to be honest amigo. HH
Just seen our new red/maroon top,wtf! The worst strip in our history,up against some stiff competition
Anyone looking for old Celtic books should try here
http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?kn=Celtic+football+club&sts=t
HH
!!BADA BING!! on 22ND JULY 2016 6:40 PM
Just seen our new red/maroon top,wtf! The worst strip in our history,up against some stiff competition………?
!!BADA BING!! @ 6:34 PM,
Spot on…
Hail Hail
!!BADA BING!!
Where, just looked of the Fishul site, no show??
Fur fox ache are the moaners running some sort of sweepstake on CQN to see who can come up with the next reason to rubbish the club?
We complain about having to play CL qualifiers so early when we are short of match practice. Now they’re moaning because we’re playing a friendly tomorrow, 4 days before a CL qualifier.
It’s getting boring now.
I wish the CQN knitting club would give it a rest.
I have a Whattsapp picture of it but can’t configure it for here,someone will oblige……
Sin City Bhoy on 22nd July 2016 6:34 pm
It’s Mikeal in the center alongside Erik for me.
Efe at right back wouldn’t be a bad shout.
So: Efe Mikael Erik Kieran. Surely a decent enough back four for the away game?
—————-
We’ll play 5 at the back I’m sure of it.
Janko Mikael Erik Ajer KT
I wouldn’t have any real issue with Efe replacing Janko.
Or moving KT into Ajer’s place and Izzy far left.
Ffs came up for a quiet Guinness or ten only to find oot there is a zombie game on.
Is it Alba again? I asked, only to be told,naw weeeeee rrrrrrrr back.
To many jokes to crack. Ma heeds gonna bust
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.
Bada-
Saw the top in question.
The article says it’s actually pink, but certainly looks maroon in hue to me too.
EDB…
All the best mo chara.
THE_HUDDLE on 22ND JULY 2016 6:54 PM
Aye, five across the back not a bad shout either
I see Joe on VideoCelts has Efe for the off, so mibbies naw.
EDB
Glad your still a crabbit B
Take care mucker
Love
Here is the article on the new top.
https://thekitman.co.uk/celtic-2016-17-third-kit-made-by-new-balance-leaked/
ELDIEGOBHOY on 22ND JULY 2016 6:56 PM
Respect mate to you for the update.
Hair is overrated, I know I have it coming oot of everything in my body:-)
Stay strong bhuddy and believe.
H.H
ELDIEGOBHOY
Good to see you on mate.
Hail Hail
Oh Dear!
https://mobile.twitter.com/shaunpaul67/status/756515023015424000
SIN CITY BHOY on 22ND JULY 2016 7:03 PM
Here is the article on the new top.
https://thekitman.co.uk/celtic-2016-17-third-kit-made-by-new-balance-leaked/
Just why the feck can’t we just make do with green and white hoops?
ELDIEGOBHOY on 22ND JULY 2016 6:56 PM
God bless you, and strength for the journey ahead.
Keeping your sense of humour obviously, which is a great start.
YNWA.
EDB, Was intending to take a day off from CQN but took a little lurk and was thrilled to see your post & just had to respond..
Well done you Sir, for your spirit and courage, I hope we meet again some day during the season, Keep Fighting & we will keep praying.
YNWA
ELDIEGOBHOY……….keep fighting pal, yer in my
prayer’s.
QUONNO on 22ND JULY 2016 7:05 PM
No kidding.
Another one for wearing on my bike.
With these boggin bright neon strips, I wait till the end of the season till they are being sold off cheap and then buy two.
Then I have high visibility Hoops gear for cycling. Win-win.
EDB
Good to see you posting
Best of luck
New 3rd strip.
Thank f av got 3 sons and nae daughters:-).
So wan mare sleep and an afternoon nap before we take on the luckiest team to come out of England since 1966.
El Diego Bhoy
That Cqn can wear anybody down at times….keep it lit
And remember no news is good news and that even might include our new signings :-)
EDB
I hope some of our moaning disny put you off :-)
Best of and take care.
HH
YNWA