Cautionary tale from Denmark

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Midtjylland play their second league game of the season away to AaB Aalborg tomorrow evening, hoping to win their first points.  Aab finished seventh last term, so it is a game Midtjylland will feel they have to win to get their domestic campaign on track.

Celtic are free of competitive pressures this weekend, facing West Ham at home tomorrow, where we can give players still working on their fitness an hour, then rest them for the trip to Denmark.

There is plenty of confidence ahead of the second leg against Midtjylland after a solid performance on Tuesday night but the name Aalborg will cause many of us to flinch.  The then Danish champions travelled to Celtic Park in the 2008 Champions League group stage.  It is fair to say they could be the weakest team we faced at that level, but indecisive finishing, for some of the game against 10 men, and a missed Barry Robson penalty, meant the game finished 0-0.

Celtic bossed the return leg at Aab’s tiny stadium and Robson atoned for his penalty miss by giving the visitors a second half lead.

Here’s the thing about football.  You can think you are safe, then a deflected shot flies in from nowhere and a deflected cross hits a defender and allows a semi-professional outfit to beat Celtic to the Uefa Cup spot.

I hope we use every moment of our preparatory time tomorrow wisely.  Nothing can be taken for granted.

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  1. DRAMBOWIECELT on 24TH JULY 2021 4:37 PM

     

    He should be playing for them. He suits them down to the ground.

  2. Now, if the board are the fault, and Desmond is the devil, where is the reaction from the support with a few “sack the boards” and a wee “desmond get tae …….”

  3. If Ryan Christie wants a move he did himself no harm with his performance today and on the scoresheet to add to his display. Soro did well but his rash tackling in dangerous areas a worry, work for Ange there.

  4. too many players on the pitch for celtic who need to be punted – all about standards – clearly they will not make the grade.

     

     

    first team need urgent attention + 2nd string needs refreshed

  5. Sort defence out we have an ok first team.

     

    After that we are desperately short of quality.

  6. Jocks Immortal Lions on

    This is torture. Ffs does nobody know how to defend. Worried for Wednesday now, very worried. ☹️

  7. most fans are clapping for griff but you know the headlines tomorrow

     

     

    BTW screw Beaton!!

  8. Go tell the Spartim on

    So it’s the supports fault for not having any decent defenders or goalkeepers

     

     

    Asking for a friend

     

     

    StepfordWives CSC

  9. Hun like behaviour booing a Celtic player, disgusting. Aff oot to enjoy the sun.

     

     

    Learned nothing today we did not already know. Confidence drained out of youngsters Not a good day at the office.

  10. onenightinlisbon on

    Griffiths showed his contempt for the club by his actions last season, he further dragged the name of the club into the mud yet we should welcome him with open arms….shameful from those who defend this clown.

  11. August 2, 1987, Celtic 1 Arsenal 5. Headlines in the tabloids, Billy McNeil in desperate need of new players. Season didnae end too bad.

  12. quadrophenian on

    Best fans in the world?

     

    An essay on that as a permanent state would be a good read.

     

     

    Shocking to see such a dearth of capable talent who can put the Postecoglou plan into play.

     

    Game of two halves w only glimpses of that fast passing stuff in a real boys v men second half.

     

     

    Gonna need a bigger shopping list, Ange.

  13. Griffiths let himself down by not being fit and ready – HOWEVER what was Lennon and the physical trainers doing to monitor fitness levels with the technology we have!

     

     

    Celtic as a club were shameful last season – the board continues to be shameful unless in the next 2 weeks we bring in a few quality signings. BUT their tendency is to wait until we sell players! deplorable

  14. Ange now on.

     

    Says Some things just not acceptable.

     

    Attacking we were ok, defensively we were all over the place.

     

    We forgot to compete.

  15. I think some perspective is needed. What did we learn today that we didn’t know this morning?

     

     

    Our back four and goalkeeper aren’t fit for purpose but Ange knows this and is slowly trying to put things right. Starfelt and Julien will improve us but more is needed.

     

     

    The days of “Celtic don’t do friendlies” are long gone – the gap between us and pretty much any EPL team is unbridgable.

     

     

    Today was all about getting more minutes under the belt for midweek – a game itself that many agreed would be too soon even back in February.

  16. Go tell the Spartim on

    As said already nothing we didn’t already know, hopefully a whole new defence and gk. I’m sure Starfelt will help but he’s not superman

  17. Ange says it was a wasted opportunity.

     

     

    Also says he is not interested in keeping players happy, anyone not happy free to leave.

  18. at least Ange will have learnt something- might give him some confirmation of tactics against the danish minnows

  19. The only thing that came out of the game for me is who plays up front on Wednesday? Edouard doesn’t look like he could buy a goal and we need to win.

  20. onenightinlisbon on

    Ange is working with his hands tied behind his back. Introducing a new system and style of play to players, some of whom, will not be in his team.

     

     

    He comes across very well in interviews and there’s real hope that we he gets the required team together we will be an excellent side.

     

     

    The question is will he be allowed enough time?

  21. the equalizer today from west ham was interesting. Murray has the ball , he’s trying to play football as requested by Ange, Taylor comes inside as Ange asks BUT then he peels off instead of showing to take the ball to feet.

     

     

    I like the style but we need the players and we just don’t – yet!!

  22. PHILBHOY, hope this gets thru, that meant a lot to wee joan ,you have a friend for life ,hail hail buddy.

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