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Celtic-Atletico, sublime footballers and a malign influence

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

Walking out of the ground last night, my oldest son recalled Liam Scales nervy performance against St Johnstone in August.  Two months later he was imperious against a World Cup winning striker.  This season’s Champions League campaign is like to end in December, but a few Celtic players will surely look back on it with pride.

Luis Palma made his fourth start for the club and gave us a further insight into his talent.  Denied a goal by a marginal offside against Lazio, he got his reward when the Atletico net bulged for the second time.  Unlike our other wingers, his game is not about pace, he will continue to find space in dangerous areas for him and others to exploit.  Reminiscent of John Robertson in his pomp.

There were two world class footballers on the field.  Antoine Griezmann’s movement, touch and game-management was sublime; a joy to watch.  While sharing the pitch with a player of this standard, we can judge Kyogo.  To say he was outstanding is insufficient.

His goal was so simple, passing the ball into the net from 7 yards, who cannot do that?  Well, no one who has played for Celtic in the last 50 years, apart from Henrik Larsson and Kenny Dalglish.  Daizen Maeda, unplayable for the first half, created the chance.  Matt O’Riley twice brought the attention of Atletico off Kyogo, but the goal was all about our Japanese striker.

Late in the second half I complained about yet another no-look pass from him that went astray.  The truth is, he was playing on a level no one else in hoops has yet understood.  How often did the arms go up in frustration as his run was not matched with an early forward ball?

Shortly before he was subbed, he controlled and moved the ball while under pressure with such skill I am doubting my memory.  Just as Henrik and Kenny before him, he is improving the longer he stays at Celtic; current form is his best yet.  With such a talent, his teammates should always be looking for him.  The rest of us can marvel as his story unfolds.

Having been schooled in the first period, Atletico changed things at halftime and when their second equaliser came it was deserved.  Celtic were pinned back and ragged.  In response, Brendan Rodgers made the huge decision to change to an unused, three-at-the-back formation.

It looked a gamble at the time, but Brendan knew what he was doing.  The extra bodies in midfield rebalanced the match.  What a decision!  This is why he is Celtic manager, instead of you or me.

We knew energy levels would be an issue, Celtic do not play enough games at this level to be fully prepared.  The early injury to Reo Hatate meant that we were out of substitution instances as the game neared its conclusion.    As we worried for Celtic, Atletico’s true colours flipped the flow of the game towards the home team.

Rodrigo de Paul is another World Cup winner but got himself booked for persistently harassing the referee while looking for a second penalty kick.  Have some self-respect, you may think, but that is not something Argentinians in the red of Atletico are known for around these parts.

I left the game full of praise for Griezmann, but disgusted at de Paul, who picked up a second yellow for an out of control challenge on a tiring Paulo Bernardo.  On the way home, my youngest asked, ‘What would you be like if you had that Simeone in your face every day of the week?”

With Griezmann on the ground after a head knock, Simeone stopped the club doctor from giving attention.  Medical oversight only arrived because the referee insisted Griezmann leave the field.  “That Simeone” is a malign influence and a true son of his father.

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  1. An Dún on

    I watched 15 mins of the huns game from the first half before having to turn it off.

     

     

    They’re dire. Long balls forward completely by passing their midfield. I can’t think of another club in europe that has 50K fans turning up for home games and play the way they do in europe. Their style of play is at least 20 years out of date if not more.

     

     

    The difference in quality from us to them was night and day. We’re on another planet.

  2. Big Jimmy on

    I WUZ ROIBBED !

     

     

    Earlier in the week I placed Bets on CORRECT SCORES for the European Games.

     

     

    I had three or four INDIVIDUAL Bets come up on Tuesday and Wednesday but I ALSO had….

     

     

    Celtic to DRAW with Athletico with the Correct Score of 2 – 2 at odds of 14/1 in BOTH a SINGLE Bet and ALSO with Aberdeen to DRAW with PAOK with a 2 – 2 Correct Score with odds of 12/1.

     

     

    I had BOTH Correct Scores as ” SINGLES and a nice DOUBLE”….Sadly, .PAOK score a THIRD Goal in the 96th minute with a dodgy Penalty….

     

    Its an INJUSTICE I tell ya…

     

    LOL.

     

     

    NO Matter…the Fitba Bets are mostly on for the weekend games. One or Two Celtic Bets still to be placed ahead of Saturday.

     

    I WUZ Robbed !

     

    LOL.

  3. Big Jimmy on

    I watched ALL of the Huns game.

     

    They SHOULD have been down THREE or FOUR Goals by half time as SPARTA PRAGUE ran over the top of THEMS….But sadly SPARTA lacked COMPOSURE in the Huns Penalty Box.

     

     

    SPARTA ran out of steam after about an Hour and the Huns came into the game for the 1st time, and Sparta subbed at least TWO of their better players in the 2nd half.

     

    None of this was the Huns fault of course, and they ALMOST nabbed a Winner when Sub Danilo forced the Sparta Goalie into a great save and off the Bar late on.

     

    Considering ” HOW POOR” the Huns were for 60 minutes, they will be happy with a Point.

     

     

    DESSERS is an Out and Out TIT !

     

     

    HH.

  4. Chairbhoy on

    Jobo Baldie @ 10:01 pm,

     

     

    Seems I not only managed to post my votes to the right e-mail address, I also managed to pick the same three players as the Celtic’s support’s most prescient rabble.

     

     

    My thoughts before the match were that the Athletico game may be a coming of age match for this team and it certainly seems it was.

     

     

    My feeling was we need to get fortress Celtic Park back, to be relevant in Europe, we certainly seen some strong green shoots there.

     

     

    Masterful to go 3-5-2 when we were under the cosh and in the end Athletico were more than happy to run the clock down for a draw.

     

     

    The great thing is, we CAN do this!!

     

     

    We can see where we need more quality, experience and depth, of course we are where we are until January yet Feyenoord no longer think they have the Parkhead points in the bag.

     

     

    For me there has been far too much negativity around European competition in the Celtic support.

     

     

    Yes, there is a quantum leap between the SPL and the UCL.

     

     

    Yet consider this, we will be playing 11 Clubs in the SPL next season

     

     

    We will be playing 8 Clubs in the UCL at least, next season.

     

     

    So, this time next year the level of opposition will be very high on a regular basis.

     

     

    If you think Sevco and Aberdeen, while not being at UCL level, should be competitive.

     

     

    Then there is the Cup games, hopefully next season a Hampden semi and final before Christmas.

     

     

    Then consider many of our players will be regularly playing International football against quality opponents.

     

     

    You can see, Celtic players expecting Ross County away on a wintry day as their level is a total myth.

     

     

    Whether American, Canadian, Japanese, Danish, Scottish etc etc etc, Your quality Celtic player will be testing himself on big occasions, against quality opposition on a regular basis…

     

     

    That’s where we’re at and Brendan Rodgers will ensure we are ready, able and willing

     

     

    Have A Grand Day Tims

     

     

    Hail Hail

  5. Big Jimmy on

    Earlier in the week McCoist had his say on the Hibs fans who had written ” 66″ on Ipox seats last weekend. McCoist described them as being ” NOT right in the Head “…..

     

     

    Funny as Ive NEVER heard McCoist having a go at Hun Supporters for their constant singing of ” BLOOD Songs” at EVERY Match ?

     

    I remember a game at Celtic Park when McCoist was Watties assistant.

     

    The Huns had around 7 or 8 Thousand fans in the Huns end that day.

     

    The Huns WON that game an McCoist was interviewed immediate after the game by SKY.

     

     

    McCoist kept repeating himself at his delight of the Huns victory AND how FANTASTIC the Hun support was just FANTASTIC during the game as ” The rangers fans NEVER stopped singingn and they were right behind the team etc”,

     

    He said at least Twice.

     

    At that point the SKY Interviewer asked McCoist about his thoughts on the Hun support and their SECTARIAN Songs during the game ?

     

    McCoist claimed that HE NEVER heard ANY SECTARIAN Songs from the Huns support ?

     

    He then continued to tell the world ” How Brilliant” the rangers fans were.

     

     

    NOT ONLY a LIAR….But also a HYPOCRITE of the highest order.

     

     

    How Ive always HATED that LYING CHUMP.

     

     

    HH.

  7. carpe diem 63 on

    Watch this Hibs mob tomorrow Celts ..they may share our colours but they are not our friends and they seem to take great delight in sticking a spanner in the works …Maeda will have to be careful as they will target him for “ treatment “ just like the last time and their fans will play their part in this 🍀..early goals and foot on the throat will suffice

  8. Tom McLaughlin on

    Happy 60th Birthday to a great Celt and a wonderful guy.

     

     

    TINY TIM

     

     

    Enjoy your day and Hail Hail.

     

     

    💚

  10. dessybhoy on

    Lumping the ball forward to big and in one case a fast player will be effective in this league throw in dodgy penalties you will win more often than not, Celtic will play their style which is much more pleasing on the eye however eye on the main prize to much at stake with CL changes next season. In BR i’m confident we have a tactician able to handle and see what is taking place in games and act accordingly.

  24. scullybhoy on

    1888-10-27: Rangers 1-6 Celtic, Glasgow Cup

     

     

    Rangers:-

     

    Nicol, A Vallance, D Gow, Hotson, McIntyre, Muir, Wylie, Whyte, Wilson, Pringle, McKenzie.

     

    Goal:- Wilson 20.

     

     

    Celtic:-

     

    Dunning, Gallagher, McKeown, W Maley, Kelly, McLaren, McCallum, Coleman, Groves, Dunbar, T Maley.

     

    Goals:- Groves 21, Dunbar, Coleman, T Maley, Dunbar, Kelly.

     

     

    Att:- 4000

  25. Timbhoy163 on

    Aye look after UEFA officials in there temporarily Huts ,while Celtic fans stand in cold and damp conditions,leading up to the game ,absolute disgrace from our club ,but they have been doing this for years,seems if you can afford corporate then you get the red carpet treatment,but as a ordinary fan ,you are just a paying customer waiting on the turnstile opening for a mince pie or a hot beverage,personally I would hunt all them freebie mecherchants in the Celtic Board

  40. Turkeybhoy on

    The short sighted approach by the usual suspects,is really astonishing.We have gone toe to toe with 3 top teams,matched them all the way,and our improvement,style,tactics,intelligence,has shot up,under BR.We have signed our best players on long contracts,wich will help with continuity,and team building.One mentioned earlier,in a disparaging tone,Holm,Lagerbielke,because they were ommited on Wednesday.Like Bernardo,they are excellent young talent,who are already being capped by Sweden and Norway,a season under BR,will see a couple of fantastic. addition to the squad.We have Bernardo on option.January,and Summer windows will give us a Squad ready to step right into the new C L next year.

     

    I luv being a Tim.Gives me great pleasure,unlike some.

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