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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Im intrigued why the BBC has found it necessary to include the charge in inverted commas, is this part of their usual bilious attitude to anti catholic sectarianism in Scotland
GlenD……………
and the boul’ Stevie has asked that ra Berrrz be “rockin”……….We all know what that dug whistle means, eh!
Scotland’s Shame.
Have seen a few comments praising the GB banner. This has been asked a couple of times this morning but without reply.
What did it say
It pictured
NFL, PL and DD in a car on the road to 9 and 10 titles
Dont sleep at the wheel
We demand the name of the UEFA Delegate….
“Ibrox Penalty”……….???
dinnae be so daft, a’bdy knows that the rainjurz are never penalised at hame.
The huns have never owned their shame and stand united behind the fake facade of “unacceptable” and “Uncivilised”
Klever guff, but guff nonetheless.
Perhaps the SFA will review it…………?
As someone who has posted a number of critical comments about the manager I would like to say well done to the whole team last night, Credit where credit is due.
Filthy Hun scum, long overdue and they need to be taken to task in Scotland as well.
Minority my @rse by the way.
Go Tell……..re Shortie….
To me it reads less definitive, ie it’s just someone elses opinion – its as if they would never label their fave team in this way…………
Watch out for the SFA charging us with some pi$# very soon…
Bankiebhoy 1
Id love to say i found it out of place, but then, it all fits now.
St. Joseph’s was their first game in Europe this season. The same racist, sectarian shit is sung at all their games. Only the start, I suspect. Time for SFA to act too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDM2FkRpDgY
good vlog from last night
Can’t believe the comments by Ron regarding Boli and Julian.
I read The Rangers club statement on sectarian singing which has caused UEFA to force them to close a section of their ground for their return leg. Unfortunately tickets have already been sold so not sure it will hurt them financially. I wonder if they brought someone in to write that for them. It’s a lot more professional and is a strongly worded statement to their fans stating the behaviour will not be tolerated, rather than the usual we’re being victimised because we’re rangers crap.
England all out for 67 😂😂😂
Cue a lorry load of microphones dispatched to Celtic Park by the BBC and SKY etc…
Prepare yourself for level 11 ‘whataboutery’ from level 5
Tom Boyd should use a burner for the next few weeks.
Although I do relish the cognitive dissonance of Sevco directors asking their fans not to sing songs that they themselves sing and have validated…
A Confederacy of Dunces – Tom English & Neil Cameron sharpening their crayons as I type.
Isn’t it grand bhoys?
U
FAVOURITE UNCLE,!!BADA BING!!,
Cheers.
We have had their retaliation, it was the attack on Tom Boyd, the citing etc, the club and their media lackeys knew this was in the offing, hope they repeat it against Legia, however that will all depend on the nationality of the observer.
!!bada bing!!
You can’t bury Bury!
MNCELT on 23RD AUGUST 2019 1:57 PM
enjoyed that vg.
MNCelt
A damage limitation article from the Glib one. Fear of stadium closure is his fear.
18th July – the usual racist repertoire is belted out
22nd July – the Everyone Anyone campaign is cobbled together
Anyone want to hazard a guess when notice of the UEFA Observer’s report was given?…
My guess is that UEFA don’t buy cheap PR.
poor ole Sevco no luck with the ‘anyone everyone’ campaign sham launched a few days after the St Joseph’s game
Hmmm CSC
My own narrative about the fines we got of UEFA was that Lawwell invited them on us because we wanted to push the club in a more inclusive direction. Not sure where this punishment for Sevco fits in with that piece of tin foil hattery. They can’t afford any short term pain for a gain that may never come.
Has Tom Boyd/Celtic, been given a date to appear yet?
Racist and sectarian? They wear it like a badge of honour so why would they be bothered?
That flag that will replace the 3000 will most likely not reflect the sentiment of their fans directors or their PR.
This was always going to happen to them when they don’t apologise for their sectarian employment policies of the past. Their fans take that baton and charge it up at every game. This will hilariously be an Opus Dei moment.
Gene- could Australia not have made England follow on?
Maradominic said:
“Boli still gave the ball away almost every time he had it”
Did he really?
JJ
Adam Matthews on trial at Charlton. I’m gonna be honest, I’d have signed him on a short-term deal. I still would have signed a genuine starter RB as well like Gumny and used Elhamed would be 2nd choice RB and 4th Choice CB. Matthews as the safety valve beyond that.
Hope he gets a deal at Charlton.
Boli did give the ball away multiple times. Not every time he got the ball but enough to be a concern.
I think he’s way too nervous. Hopefully, he will settle with a run of games. A nice win last night and another against the wee huns on Sunday.
The thing is we give the authorities ammunition at away games .
The thing is we give the authorities ammunition at away games . And although its usually tenuous links they still use it to beat us and our club stand back and do he haw .
he….. hee
Just watched it again.
Seriously, Dunfermline gave us more issues than AIK did – what’s Svensk for ‘bad day at the office’?
20 games into their season but we looked a cut above them. Praying we can keep it tight.
Wee word on Boli – he has v quick feet; the kid’s change of direction and quick thinking passing is v good – not all of them come off, sure, but reckon there’s plenty to come from him. Still tentative but v likeable player.
Will NL mix it up for Sunday – full game for Jonny, Nir, Bayo, Ntcham and let Griff loose on the jambos.
The thing is we give the authorities ammunition at away games .
——
too rite
at fir park last week, our first away league game, the teams werent even out and that beautiful sunday abomination was getting belted out very loudly from all areas of the stand
time that shite was put to bed
this uefa thing with the huns will find its way round to us via the spfl and that is exactly the kind of shite they will get us for
So what’s the story with the Sevco stand closure
Why now?