It was cold and very wet as we walked away from Celtic Park last night, but with adrenaline coursing through the veins, still coursing hours later as we tried to sleep, no one really noticed. We had just watched Celtic’s best performance of the season, one in which several players grew into the jersey before our eyes.
The gradient on Odsonne Edouard’s blossoming ability has been steady in the two-plus years he has been at Celtic. Suggestions that we would pay PSG the agreed £9m option for him were laughed at in 2017, but when he goes, as he will eventually, it will be for more than the £25m we received for Kieran Tierney.
The only question I have over him is whether he has already overtaken Moussa Dembele in ability. You would be hard pushed to counter this point.
Mohamed Elyounoussi demonstrated why Southampton spent so much money on him last year. This was a physically challenging game and Mohamed wholeheartedly threw himself into challenges and constantly made himself available. His pass that set James Forrest off before returning the ball to Mohamed, was a peach.
Not that that was the best pass of the night. This particular honour goes to Callum McGregor. Some of us grew up on tales of what Bobby Murdoch could do with a ball. I will not go into detail here, but look back at Callum’s pass and you’ll get the idea. Boli Bolingoli had work to do to catch it, but when he did, he dinked the ball over the lunging defender for Odsonne to head home.
At this stage, Celtic looked set to run Cluj ragged but expending so much energy early on caused the game to settle until the break. Cluj struggled to make an impact in the final third, relying on corner kicks and one free kick, which Fraser Forster did well to block. The rebound was knocked forward by a Cluj striker to a teammate in an offside position, who knocked the ball over the line. That was pretty much all Celtic had to worry about until very late in the game.
The outcome was in the balance for much of the second half. Celtic’s game management was much better than their Glasgow meeting in August, although in this respect, the unusual wait until the 86th minute before making a substitution when so many players on both sides were clearly flagging.
Ahead of their fourth meeting of the season, in Romania, Celtic are ahead 6-5 on aggregate, in truth, there is not much between the teams. Celtic delivered a hard won result which places them top of the group. There is a decent chance both will qualify for the knock-out rounds.
This feels like a memorable season in the making…
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SFTB,
I think we can identify with more than a few parallels in that article. It could have almost been written about his time at Celtic apart from getting his jotters. Good manager, limited shelf life and lack of loyalty to anyone but himself.
*** CQN PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2019-20 ***
RESULTS FROM GAME #8 – CELTIC 2 CLUJ 0 (EDOUARD, ELYOUNOUSSI)
Game 8 has seen the most interest so far with 75 voters firing in their email on time. And what a really close run thing for the top 5 places.
I lost count of the number of emails that mentioned how difficult it was to choose just 3 so surely a good sign that our Club is heading in the right direction.
And the anorak stat that accompanies last night’s game is that this is the first competitive game this season in which Neil Lennon has failed to use all of his available subs. Just an observation. Fortunately he did introduce Jonny Hayes which allowed a certain poster to maintain his 5-match run of sticking a vote Jonny’s way!
So, to the results and the votes for the 13 players appearing on the pitch (my own choices are asterisked) were as follows –
Forster: 3
Elhamed: 2
Jullien: 5
Ajer: 2
Bolingoli-Mbombo: 26*
Brown: 51
McGregor: 24*
Forrest: 8
Christie: 51
Elyounoussi: 24
Edouard: 27*
Hayes: 1
Ntcham: 0
Unused subs – Gordon, Bauer, Bitton, Rogic, Sinclair.
So the players receiving points for the Cluj game are –
Brown – 5 points
Christie – 5 points
Edouard – 3 points
Bolingoli-Mbombo – 2 points
Elyounoussi – 1 point
McGregor – 1 point
This means that the aggregate total points are as follows –
Christie – 17 points
Edouard – 16 points
Brown – 15 points
Forrest – 15 points
Jullien – 11 points
Bolingoli-Mbombo – 11 points
Elhamed – 8 points
McGregor – 6 points
Bauer – 6 points
Ntcham – 5 points
Frimpong – 4 points
Bitton – 3 points
Bayo – 3 points
Hayes – 2 points
Elyounoussi – 1 point
Ajer – 1 point
Forster – 1 point
Rogic – 1 point
We now roll on to Sunday and a trip to Livingston. Voting will reopen just before 2pm and run through to 10pm on Monday evening.
I’m away for a lie down… 😉
Hail Hail!
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 4TH OCTOBER 2019 7:28 PM
A hun saying GOD BLESS quote of the century.
———————————
I read that – was thinking it was possibly a Tim interloper with such a quote….
HH
BGFC
SFTB
Had Brendan left at the end of the season when the majority of us expected him to, the hate and the vitriol towards him just wouldn’t exist, as it is many are looking for ways to kick the man in the nuts and anywhere else they can, all the while dismissing the bare faced fact that his departure was planned and fully expected by the board at the club, hence the rapid employment of Neil and the £9 million compo that was forthcoming as quick as Brendan departed the scene.
If there was a slight downside to Thursday night it was Eddie’s silly late caution for ’time wasting’. That’s 3 yellows in 3 games in a row for him – AIK 2nd leg, Rennes and Cluj.
Fortunately, the AIK caution is expunged at the group stage, but nevertheless, his next (3rd) caution in group stage and up to QFs means a suspension. What’s the chances ?
Well played tonight Robbie Deas at Alloa. Ninety minutes, a 10 man win, clean sheet and no yellow card for you against Scotland’s next Great Hope Shankland & Co.
Remember the Alamo and enjoy your weekend, kid.
embramike,
That is a concern!!!!
I’ve just realised I never hit sent with my selection as I was distracted. :(( Sorry Jobo!!!!
Great performances all over the park and that was most excellent to see.
Bring on the Lazio.
I agree with Paul67 about the Substituting of players – it was energy sapping – and I said to the dudes @ the game that he should have made at least one a lot earlier than he did, to be fair Celtic were awesome 2nd half and it should have been a bigger margin win.
Neil will do things his way, and he will do well I’m sure. Very Well.
‘
Regarding Brendan article.
I was not too happy when he was mentioned as a possible manager. However once he arrived i quickly had my mind changed.
I thought he actually was a ‘real Celtic’ man!
He said the right things, and was very successful domestically.
The article shows Brendan Rodgers as a man with self interest as his main driver. Celtic allowed him to resurrect his career, and we benefited.
Confidence is often cited as a big contributor to success. I believe his success ,and our success, was due to the fact that the players bought into his vision. Brendan Rodgers may be a snake oil salesman , but it was a strategy that clearly worked for 2 seasons.
I think that I am a pretty good judge of character ( as I am sure we all do).
What perhaps annoys me most is that for 2 seasons Brendan Rodgers had me fooled.
I wanted to believe the fairy tale…..but like a fairy tale when it ended …
it was Grimm.
“You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time,
but you cannot fool all the people all the time”
The Onlooker
AbeLincolnCSC.
EMBRAMIKE on 4TH OCTOBER 2019 10:07 PM
If there was a slight downside to Thursday night it was Eddie’s silly late caution for ’time wasting’. That’s 3 yellows in 3 games in a row for him – AIK 2nd leg, Rennes and Cluj.
Fortunately, the AIK caution is expunged at the group stage, but nevertheless, his next (3rd) caution in group stage and up to QFs means a suspension. What’s The chances
——————-
as we win game 5 Eddy can manufacture a yellow to miss the ‘dead rubber’ …
for over celebrating his hat trick against Stade Rennais putting us on 13 points.
The Onlooker
SFTB,
Thanks for posting that article. There is mega food for thought.
Ma thinking — Celtic was Really Good for Brendan but he didnae fancy going up against Gerrard — end of thinking.
Gerrard has scores to settle with Brendan and will take him on anywhere – Neil Lennon is a different animal and I reckon Gerrard knows it, and will not hang around too long up here.
Neil has a genuine respect for Everyone, that sets him apart and will allow longevity in the One place, he Loves being.
I thought our light show was immense. I also thought the GB show was brilliant. The Muhammad Ali context was soooooo clever and fitting. The greatest at Paradise seems so right.
I probably shouldn’t say this as it goes against my principles, but the flares just seemed right for the occasion and from my seat at the opposite end it just looked brilliant.
Yes we may cop another fine, but that image will become iconic.
Hail Hail.
Petec,
Neil Lennon is a different animal now. Calm, composed, intelligent, and a credit to Celtic.
Maybe Peter Lawwell sensed this and if so he to should be praised.
HH.
Greenpinata,
We couldnae see frae oor seats the display – checked it oot Tonight.
I agree with you 100% it was so appropriate and My Goodness Gracious if that disnae Inspire ye – Nothing Will.
GreenP – I’m thinking a partial closure -pyros. Who cares!!! the Rest of the Stadium will take up the Slack!!!!!!
Tubthumping.CSC
TIMBHOY2 on 4TH OCTOBER 2019 8:36 PM
4Bluenoses commentating on the Alloa,Dundee United game,take Boyd at Sky,Millar,BT sport,and McCann,Radio Scotland,I’m sure there fees,are going straight into that shower over at Ibroxes bank account,and does anyone know the Sport’s Editor name or email over at Sportscene Lancefield Quay
Ive long thought Traynor and his blackmail tactics with guys at BBC/SKY/BT/SMSM,that’s why the pro hun narrative will always prevail in this corrupt cesspit of a country, Darren O’Dea was on Radio Scotland about 2 years ago,and said he wanted his medals from the cheating Huns…..never back on since…
Brendan Rodgers is the Chief Executive of the BR PR club…we were a good fit for each other for a time…that’s gone now and his legacy, as great as it is, will forever be tarnished by the nature of his departure
Am still wallowing in the afterglow of last nights performance…it was calm, composed, assured and mature…zero negatives unless you’re nit-picking. Cluj are no mugs…onwards and upwards ;-))
H.H.
GreenP,
Mos Def Pedro had Neils Back all the Time. When the haters Hated HARD.
Sir Alex wanted him, I reckon.
I Absolutely Love the fact that the Huns were so happy with Neil as the Manager of Celtic after his stints elsewhere.
He is the Ultimate Hun Skelper.
Lennys Celtic
Hugh and his pal made the journey over from the North to watch the Celts.
They stayed over. It allowed them to wait until the end of the game.
Incredible SUPPORT.
MAGICAL.
All Around is Celtic Magic.
Gdansk it is.
BR was good for us, his profile and professionalism took us well clear of the pack and gave us the platform for continued success.
His first season at Leicester looks solid as they are playing entertaining football and are in 3rd place. Will the big guns be watching as there will be a few high profile jobs coming up soon.
His time was up at Parkhead, we were good for each other.
We move on.
HH.
BADA BING,Do you know who at Sportscene ,is responsible for having all these ex Sevco Players on there football channels.
Greenpinata
Bottom Line wiz Celtic wouldnae take a big risk.
We have taken so much knowledge Howevaaaah.
Time.
Patience – I know it does ma head in.
I think we are gonnae dae something Incredible.
Jam and soon.
God Bless Ye.
I’m Loving the Cult Hero MBombo.
I go mad in the stands when he starts running hard….. BOLI BOLI.
Boli
CQN Saturday Naps Competition
for those in the CQN Naps Competition, please post your Week 08 selections here:
https://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/celtic-v-cluj-live-updates-3/comment-page-13/#comments
Cheers, fleagle1888
Make no mistake Boli made mR C’s pass incredible.
Magical.
E -storm
I Know Trump listens to Putin I hope —- oh ffs, who knowwhats going on.
Mbombo Boli….. Magical
Truly Magical
MAGICAL
Whats going on?
Fraudgers biggest failing (apart from his self centred narcissism) during his time with Celtic, was his woeful performance in the Transfer Market. Even at the start of his third season as Manager, his strongest team, with the exception of Odsonne, was the same team that was available to Ronny Deila (Fraudgers technically signed Moussa, but that deal was arranged when Ronny was in charge)
Contrast this with Neil’s first full season. Jullien, Bolingoli, Forster, Elhamed and Elyounoussi all started Thursday’s game. In a few months Neil has purchased (or made loan signings) many more, first team ready players, than Fraudgers managed in six transfer windows.
I may be wrong, time will tell, but I don’t fear that Neil will up and off down South, to the first EPL club to flash their knickers at him.
Is Neil Lennon amongst the top group of elite Managers currently working in Football? Probably not. Will he become one of these Managers? Again probably not. Do we want such a Manager? Maybe, but if our club ever has such a Manager, then we all know he won’t stay beyond a season or two. He would be in demand elsewhere.
Is Neil Lennon the best available choice for Manager of Celtic right now? I think he probably is.
🍀⚽️
HAG,
He wis Good for us, and AMAZING for him.
Look deeeper into the Jibber Jabber of CQN.
If Neil gets to where I want him to get to, I’ll jibber jabber real real no that , It Wullnae Happen.
It is TIME for the CELTIC to get to Gdansk.
CELTIC
60000 Every game against Europes crackers.
Lenny can get US WHAT WE WANT. Praise the Almighty.
These wurnae ma picks initially.
Going forward, why did you Leave KT?
Anyone Judging anyone is Wrong.
Am curious Petec…how would you define the almighty? Genuine question
H.H.
Here’s an interesting thing. Kris Ajer started and finished the game versus Cluj!
For two games previous his name has been bandied about. Mostly for holding jerseys and slack play at the back. But Julien is the centre back getting all the comments after the Cluj game.
Not just his partner at the back but every other player has been talked about and rightly so. The impact of every other player was I think more obvious. Big Kris it seems has flown entirely under the radar and I’m perfectly fine with that! Not that I think he was a passenger in anyway. Certainly there was no big Kris shaped hole in the middle of the back four, it just seems he has gone unnoticed. Am I missing something?
T
OLDTIM67 on 4TH OCTOBER 2019 9:23 PM
Delaney’s dunky.
LGarry.Zbyszek,has arrived at my home and we are coming into the B/V around 3.00pm tomorrow.hope you can make it,anyone else who fancies meeting Zbyzek your welcome.
Hi Oldtim
Good to see you post and apologies for not being in touch.i hope you have a good day with Zbysxek.say hello and remind him his Winnie the pooh post won a special award at the first cqn dinner in 2012.I hope your both grand.
HH
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Paul 67
I agree it was the best performance of the season so far.
But
Isn’t it good to be tested,Cluj came and had a go.that does not happen in our domestic game.
HH
Tobago Street,
Kris flew under the radar…because he done the basics well…he was as disciplined as I’ve seen him all season which only bodes well for the future ;-))
H.H.
Petec…you mentioned a missed poster on here the other night and alluded to him not coming back…wtf happened wae Tontine Tim?
It’s a new dawn,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX0nK4bbHs0
Ave Ave
It truly is a new dawn
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D5Y11hwjMNs
H.H.