Last night’s historic win in Brussels feels like a breakthrough moment. It has been 16 years since we first played Champions League group stage football, but our only win on the road in that period was snatched in the final minute by a Georgios Samaras header in Moscow. This time, the victory was achieved while dominating the game from first to last, not conceding, and punishing Anderlecht’s vulnerabilities.
A word for the defence. Those who make it their business to complain about Celtic, reserved their recent venom for the decision not to move to an alternative central defensive target when Rivaldo Coetzee failed a fitness test. With our first choice defensive line-up available this week for the first time this season, we look remarkably solid. The manager will continue to give experience to Ajer, Miller and Ralston as the season progresses.
Pre-match, Dedryck Boyata played down suggestions that playing in his home town would aid his performance, but I suspected it would. The big defender, and his partner, Jozo Simunovic, were imperious. Celtic enjoyed 63% possession, much of it going through these two. Kieran Tierney and Mikael Lustig were always available for a pass, and seemed to demoralise Anderlecht’s creative talents.
The opening goal was a masterclass for the entire team, but especially so for Boyata and Simunovic, who during the build-up, made seven and five passes respectively. Patrick Roberts and Craig Gordon were the only Celtic players not to complete a pass during the move. You have seem great Celtic teams in Europe, but you have never seen anything like this. That 24-pass Liam Miller goal against Lyon 14 years ago remains alive in the memory because it was so exceptional in that Celtic team. Last night’s opener was 28 passes, was away from home, and is absolutely typical of how we now play football.
Celtic’s attacking players (rightly) attract most of the attention, but the foundation of this team is our back line. Our system of play is not possible without defenders who can receive a fast ball, pass, remain alert and calm. If you are old enough to remember the impact the 1974 World Cup made, the final in particular, last night’s game will resonate with you.
Olivier Ntcham picked up the broken pieces of his performance in the opening 30 minutes to split the defence open for the first goal, before collecting a loose ball and feeding Scott Sinclair for the third. The manager will ponder what was going on during that opening period. Despite the generosity of the win, the result could have been in jeopardy if one link in the chain was not performing.
Years ago I remember analysing goals in our Champions League games and noted that mistakes were overwhelmingly influential in determining the outcomes of games. Our second and third goals were down to unenforced Anderlecht errors.
At the second, the Anderlecht right back had comfortable possession and the opportunity to clear up the line, but instead elected to play a ball into the space in front of his own penalty area. At this point, the hosts were a mis-control away from presenting Celtic with a chance, which duly happened. Scott Sinclair’s injury-time third goal came as a result of an Anderlecht pass out of defence, which rolled straight into Ntcham’s path , allowing Celtic to turnover, 4 v 2.
What followed on both occasions is the lesson every football fan knows, make a mistake at this level, and you will be punished.
Well done, Celtic. A magnificent performance and result. The only away win to compare in the last 47 years was when we caught Ajax cold in 2001.
Celtic FC Foundation, Great Scottish Run
I’m doing the Great Scottish Run this Sunday for the Celtic FC Foundation, full of the joys of being a Celtic supporter during these great times. We are not only about winning trophies and the Champions League, this club is as deep as the ocean. On Sunday, it will be about the work of the Foundation, with the poorest in Glasgow and surrounding areas, in the most deprived communities of London, for those marginalised from society, and for the great work with Autism. Not to mention the outreach in Malawi, Haiti and so many other places most of the world ignores.
I’ve never made porridge in Malawi, or fed the poor in Haiti, not would I know how to engage with Autistic kids, but you and me can do our bit for those who have the responsibility of delivering help where needed. What I can do is run on Sunday and ask for sponsorship. If you can help, do so at this MyDonate page.
Thank you.
The CQN Podcast: A Celtic State of Mind (EP14) Champions League Special
A Celtic State of Mind offers an insight into the culture of Celtic Football Club, the city of Glasgow, and fans of the reigning invincible Scottish champions.
Each episode includes interviews with ‘Celtic-minded’ figures from the world of sport, music, film, art, broadcasting, literature or politics.
Ahead of the crucial Champions League match against Anderlecht, ‘A Celtic State of Mind’ goes behind the Champions League curtain for Celtic’s opening match against PSG.
Kevin Graham provides pre and post-match discussion with members of his CSC, as well as in-match analysis in what will be a regular Celtic State of Mind feature.
Enjoy!
391 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- »
Sevco have no plans to follow us opening a hotel. They are thinking of opening a caravan park instead :0)
St. Stivs @ 2152…as our our esteemed poster fae the Angus braes wid say “ fkin Braw !”
HH
TC45
Wonder how big the development is?
180 / 200 bedrooms and 4500m2 of public / retail space?
Museum would be a standalone business in its own right.
Even go so far as to include a Glasgow section to expand its appeal.
After NFL’s Celtic team defeated Barcelona, Lawwwell appeared the next day, telling us, how wonderful the club was placed, excellently run, etc, blah blah….etc.
Guess what happened the next day…….?
Kenny Sheils brought his Kilmarnock team to Celtic Park and they won their first game at Celtic Park in 51 years.
The point is, don’t come out and, big up a manager who was recruited to smash the, projects and trialists culture, that you{Lawwell} imposed upon faithful Celtic supporters, forcing 30,000 of them out of their seats through being scunnered by your{Lawwell} disdain.
Yer only fooling the mugs, tell us about your innocence of the 5 way agreement.
Aye…..
….oot.
MM
Very good suggestion re the Glasgow section, the east end has had it’s troubles over the years, what not better than to show this.
Awright Kevjungle, See your buzzing as usual ! HH.
Dont know how much hotel is worth but celtic would not progresss if not profitable but…. i would guess
Celtic will build a hotel after securing long term lease arrangement (15 year) for between 2/3 million per year plus a small cut in profits per year while hotel operator maintains the build.
Celtic retain the superstore, ticket office, museum and cafe in house which generates another 1 to 2 million + per year. Over 15 year period overall return before cost is something like 50 million if being conservative.
Celtic park and Emirates events I. E. high human traffic at weekends, including celtic assocaited functions etc… are very big bonus for the hotel operator.
The business classes who take up the beds during the week will be the bread and butter.
I would think there is a spadload of money in it for celtic and the operator
HH
KevJ
The rebs have lost, that much is as clear as the end of yer nose, the suits have won, they have given the plebs a winning team, that is all it takes, the money always outs at the end of the day.
Where is the fight ?
It doesn’t exist, it won’t as long as the team keeps winning, and when we stop winning it’s too feckin late, the challenge should have been done the day they went bust.
Take care mi amigo
HH
ET @ 10.04
Club should give something back to the city.
Huge sporting history in the city plus you could add a social dimension.
Not sure what would be the target attendance figure — 100K pa / 200K pa @ £10 each?
My thoughts are go big on the offer and go big on the ticket price.
Next step would be to get the open top bus to stop at the stadium.
Just a case that the more you get through the doors the more you get in the shop conveniently located next door. Plus if you have a ticket 10 or 20% off the merchandise.
Still don’t like the design though.
THE EXILED TIM on 28TH SEPTEMBER 2017 10:14 PM
Who you calling a pleb ?
:-)
STEPHBHOY on 28TH SEPTEMBER 2017 10:08 PM
Celtic , would build this on Pre – let agreement. 20 year lease
The rent would cover build cost mortgage. Rent secured/ guaranteed. The shops ,Museum , cafes , restraunts ,and transport facility’s would all be Celtics. = Gold Mine.
Mad…..
I think you’ll find the design will be revisited many times before the final plans are submitted.
HH
MM
I disagree the club owes the city anything, turn it around and I can see where you are coming from, the rest I am in agreement with.
I’m sure the suits have thought this through :-0
…………………….
MacJay
We are all plebs :-)
HH
THE EXILED TIM on 28TH SEPTEMBER 2017 10:29 PM
Speak for yourself .
:-)
Memory lane time.
Visits to Parkhead — CP is just so formal and wrong — in the early 70’s meant getting in early and spending some time in a large wooden hut behind the school that seemed to function as a football bric a brac market that sold loads of old programmes and the like.
From memory it was not the official shop with strips just football memorabilia.
Anyone else remember this and when did it close?
MacJay
There is the difference between us, I know and accept I am a pleb, you know you are but won’t accept it :-)
HH
KevJ
We are in a capitalist society, Celtic board are all capitalists. The war is lost. Celtic is a business. The Jungle is deid. My £600 seat in the North Stand is near the spot I stood in the Jungle. Never paid in most games then. Times change.
Keep safe and try to enjoy what we are my friend.
HH
MIKEINTORONTO 813
Will,do,mate-thanks for the t!
Might look out The Jungle Book too,last time I listened to that I was too young to appreciate it(!)
Madmitch,
Memory Lane, Kinloch Street Hut/Superstore :-)
When the Affiliation Started up, due to being p’doff with the Assoc knocking all the tickets etc…
First meeting of the Affiliation in the Hut, Jock and Sean on the wee stage and, as per rules etc, Club Reps had to stand up and give the name of their club…
The Very First Name – Bridgeton Rocket Launchers – cue uproar (very funny)….
BTW Jock and Sean were in stitches.
IWASTHERECSC
glendaly’s
jock ste-inn has got to be the winner
night night champions
Graffetonthewall –
that sounds about right and when the mortgage is done that goldmine goes platinum.
Oh and it adds to celtic’s property portfolio again increasing value to the club or is that company hehehe!!!
All of which is good for celtic supporters as incomed income that can be guaranteed makes for easier yearly budget planning.
Hope we are well on the way to breaking ground oh and I like the design as it’s actually a little interesting compared to your normal city centre hotels
HH
When is the Las Vegas Edmiston Drive floating casino project starting across the Clyde???
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas
Dog has barked. Caravan moves on.
We should have a wee casino in the hotel and call it Billionares
DELANEYSDUNKY
Sadly,they put it all on red. It came in as black as their hearts-and their future.
What price are Hamilton tomorrow
I have a wee bit of experience in the commercial development field, just a wee bit BTW. We can have the hotelier pay us a Minimum Annual Guarantee, known in the business world as a MAG, or a percentage (TBA) of the gross income which will be determined by a CA, as long as its not thickson.
THE EXILED TIM on 28TH SEPTEMBER 2017 10:35 PM
Can`t argue with that , pal.
Get 10.30, Big Sutton and the Griff to open new hotel.
The Hunskelp Inn
How good is life as a Celtic supporter right now ?
Our biggest threat is the kind of hubris which the owner and supporters of Rangers had back in the era of Hugh Gallagher and succulent lamb.
I don’t sense our custodians or current management will allow it. Although the support might find it tough to avoid.
Being the aggrieved underdog always seems the position most celtic fans prefer to work from. Interesting times ahead.
A goal to win more domestic trophies than the most successful, but cheating, football team ever ( RIP ) might be a good motivator for the next 5 years.
Stars
11/2 but BTTS and Hton is 17/2, seems to me to be worth a few shillings
HH
Sleep well Timland
HH
KTF
How is that Dallas Cowboys tie in thingy working out? :))
TET@22:14
The Rebels haven’t gone away my friend. Mostly, things are absolutely fantastic but we’ll continue to fight the fights that need to be fought.
What has Arnold got to say about our hotel?’
HT
You know as well as anyone that the fight is lost, they have won, had it been any different we wouldn’t even be talking about this, the powers that be would have applied the rules as per, they didn’t and nobody said a feckin word, they ahve won.
If you can tell me otherwise,I am all ears
HH
TET
What’s the fight?
All Celtic employees are now being paid a Living Wage. They won’t announce it or seek accreditation but really all that matters is that it’s being paid for those receiving it.
If you have a grievance just get in touch mate.
Mostly, things are fantastic K.
Anyways, having just watched the game again from last night I’m still in a state of absolute delight at the result.
This is the day CSC