This was a classic European game, requiring concentration, effort, but above all, patience. AIK were better than the SPFL fare we meet at the weekends, but Celtic Park was a stretch for them, while they enjoyed a spell of possession between the goals, they never landed a punch.
Despite dominating possession and territory, Celtic were inhibited in the first half by the stiff wind blowing towards Craig Gordon’s goal. The storm calmed during the second half, but by then, the hosts were well in control.
The back line played well, perhaps their best performance of the season. Kristoffer Ajer won man of the match and Christopher Jullien put in his most impressive performance for the club yet, but it was Jozo Simunovic who I thought stole the show at the back. Twice he made difficult interceptions that denied AIK an opening, one of which when running back, looking forward and jumping for a high ball that changed direction in the wind.
In full flow, Mikey Johnston, Ryan Christie and James Forrest are formidable. Defenders bunch around them as they are so fast and direct, no one individual seems able to stop them. Playing well is a big part of the job, but putting the ball in the net is more important. The game turned when (again) James Forrest did just that. His image will surely be next to adorn the stadium coverings.
Boli Bolingoli created the chance with a surging run forward but the angle was tight for Forrest, who saw the keeper get two hands to his shot but was unable to stop it crossing the line. Odsonne Edouard’s free kick was a delight and gave Celtic the two-goal margin they deserved. The keeper was less liable for this goal, but he will not enjoy watching either back.
I was very critical of Neil Lennon’s game management and team selection against Cluj last week, but he got everything right last night. After the second goal went in, Celtic did what they should have done nine days earlier and made sure their opponents did not get space in the final third. AIK were under pressure as the game neared its end, but Celtic had control of the tie and were not going to let that slip.
Nor were there experimental selections; Callum McGregor was back in central mid, Bolingoli at left full back.
Delighted big Fraser is back, we’ll talk more about him shortly.
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“It’s for the Dutch players”. I’ve heard it all now.
Christie to run riot
Clear blue sky in ML5
3 wins in seven days and a wee signing or three (with no major outs) happy days :-)
In fact, don’t want to be too greedy, two wins with a draw in between would suffice
Lazio apparently interested in Edouard. £20m.
Why am I suspicious this will happen and we will sign a player on loan to replace him?
He will go eventually but unless £20m is a buy out clause in his contract we should be keeping him for a year and buying his replacement now.
If EO goes this window that could be the final straw for me.
OE obviously.
Philbhoy – or as Alan Stubs memorably referred to him on Cup Final day, Edwin Ozzard!
Have we signed any defenders yet.
Just asking, like
MULLET AND CO
Because you’re a cynic?
Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,
Celtic, Celtic on to victory,
They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the scottish football league
They come from bonnie Scotland, they come from county Cork,
They come from dear old Donegal and even from New York,
From every street in Glasgow they proudly make their way,
To a place called dear old paradise and this is what they say.
Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,
Celtic, Celtic on to victory,
They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the scottish football league.
There’s Fallon, Young and Gemmell who proudly wear the green,
There’s Clark, McNeill and Kennedy the best there;s ever been,
Jim Johnstone, Murdoch, Chalmers, John Divers and John Hughes,
And sixty thousand Celtic fans who proudly shout the news.
Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,
Celtic, Celtic on to victory,
They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the scottish football league
If Lazio offer 20 mil for Edouard Lawwell will bite their hand off.
Bonus Thief has other priorities.
Ah wanna be Edwin.
JOBO BALDIE
Aye!
I know the chant better than I know his name!
Arbroath Emeral Express awaits.
Hail ! Hail !
JJ
FRANKTERRY on 25TH AUGUST 2019 8:18 AM
What is wrong with feminism?
===========================================
Well , Frankie boy.
What could be more sexist than feminism ?
UI always posy one more after I say cheerio !
The Eddie chant is one of the happiest songs/chsnts to be heard in a football ground.
Offsky.
JJ
When Big Odsonn does eventually leave
It will be for at least
£30m
Ok nearly Celtic time 👍👍👍
If OE keeps progressing he’ll be gone in the summer so really we should be looking to bring his replacement (project no doubt), in now.
FRANKTERRY on 25TH AUGUST 2019 8:18 AM
Now tell us where Priti Patel mentions Britain ” starving ” Ireland ?
You know that misquoting and thereby maligning a lady of colour may be construed in some quarters as racist.
Particularly your sort of quarters.
Provocative , untrue .
Designed to stir up.
========================================
White males have all the power ?
Obama had all the power.
Last time I looked , not overwhelmingly a white male.
Finally .
The silly labelling associated with someone who hasn`t got a debating leg to stand on.
Now , Frank.
Gie us some more of your blustering ineptitude.
Patel said it.
Will the lesser spotted Tom Rogic make it into the squad for today.
Though twinkle toes Ryan Christie and Mikey Johnston are doing very good impressions.
Incels, a portmanteau of “involuntary celibates”, are members of an online subculture who define themselves as unable to find a romantic or sexual partner despite desiring one, a state they describe as inceldom.
Aaaah , so this is what Frank was labelling my good self.
Gutter talk.
Highly unsurprising.
What about Bayo and Shved?
Are they duds?
The manager appears sold on Mikey Johnson.
A lot on here don’t rate him that highly.
Who is right?
what a waste of time that was to log in and read back at breakfast,
As soon as we have a song specific to a player, they leave. Armstrong, Dembele, Tierney…
No Edouard Odsonne as well… (sic)
For some crazy reason out bus is leaving at our Saturday time, 11:30 would be surprised if we are not in the association club before 1pm, drinks on a Sunday😐
Sorry
Not going to bore everyone to death with my further opinions on feminism despite being requested to do so.
Everyone is entitled to see things their own way.
Back to today…how do you rate the chances of St Mirren today.
Be so nice if they could make it really difficult for the newco this lunchtime
ST STIVS
Ditto!
Think I’ll go for a lie doon!
Super Sutton 11.11am
Brendan as well … the GB need to stop making up terrific songs… as the employees then get poached although maybe they should get a percentage of any future transfers
Thank goodness
I wannae, I wannae, I wannae be James Forrest never got sung :-)
On the road again soon, good luck to the Celts. Hope Griff gets to train his sights on the Hearts net today.
Here we go, to 9IAR! Still three to go.
On Iron Horse heading to Paradise.
Hail Hail.
Rangers holding st mirren at the moment
Quadrophenian
Aye mate ,no worries.
As far as I know John Daly was the only ROI player ever to play for Sevco – original Huns, No not one 😉
Remember what happens to vampires when you throw holy water on them – even the garlic and crucifix sends them crazy.
Probably the same effect that wearing green would also do.
HH mate and enjoy the game.
C’ mon the Celts
Only decision ref has to make is does he book Herman Munster or send him off but he gives the zombies a free kick!!!!
‘Question of Sport’ panel on Bt Sport of Fat sally and Alex Parrot have conclusively agreed and put to bed any notion that St Mirren should have had a penalty just before half time.
To be fair during commentary big Sutton thought about it for a while before deciding the St Mirren player fouled first…..however I was not convinced..looked a penalty to me all day.
But like I said thankfully BT Sport had such an unbiased couple of pundits at half time to go over the incident in Rae and McCoist.
Remember that Celtic game they covered with Paul McStay and Jackie McNamara doing the half time?….nah me neither
What minute will ‘the people’ spill on to the pitch accidentaly and in good faith when they score?…..I am going to go for 52 mins today
If huns win , cue the headlines…’Seethin Gerrards Rangers forge ahead in title race’
but only until 4.45
GLENDALYSTONSILS on 25TH AUGUST 2019 1:21 PM
Not counting any chickens mate.
We have to play so much better than last saturday today against a manager who knows exactly how to park his bus……we need an early goal or two or it could be a long long afternoon.