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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Bada
Just in so haven’t been watching but for a scheduled 5 day game you have to have a lead of at least 200
According to UEFA, Rangers’ “sectarian chants” are evidence of racist behaviour. Billy is going to be very confused tonight. He thought hating people of Irish descent was a theological dispute.
THE BATTERED BUNNET on 23RD AUGUST 2019 2:22 PM
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.
——————————————————————–
I thought Everyone Anyone was who they’d accept a loan from. N’est ce pas?
:-))
Chavez
I noticed most are going with the ‘sectarian’ headline, conveniently leaving out the racist part
BHOYLO83 on 23RD AUGUST 2019 2:59 PM
Could be the SFA gettin them to do their dirty work as they and the scum media are gutless in this country.
HH
Gene- thanks, some great bowling and catching so far
Hun club rely on their bigot pounds and have issued a mealy mouth statement about being open to all religions etc while saying that they have asked their fans not to undulge in their bilious behaviour.
I assume Rangers will be able to identify the …ahem…’small minority’ which shouldn’t be any more than 3000 , take their tickets from them and then the game will pass without ANY sectarian singing. They can then permanently ban those 3000 and have a nice welcoming stadium.
Easy peasy !.
Aye …?
….or they just keep closing parts of the stadium when the next ‘minority’ comes along until……the next time….and then …until….
Bada
Game will be finished tomorrow Yorkshire CC will not be happy
From BBC….
Police Scotland have confirmed three arrests were made on the night of the St Joseph’s game, but none for sectarian singing.
Couldn’t make it up… Was it three of their colleagues ?.
Adi
And they were St Joseph supporters 🤔
G
:)
Perhaps if all their Catholic supporters give up their ticket then 3000 would be easily achieved 😉
Bhoylo83 – yip. Chris McLaughlin of the BBC one of the first to ignore the finding of racism. Quelle surprise.
Boli still gave the ball away almost every time he had it”
He certainly gave it away seconds before the opening goal :-)
SFA, SPL and Police could soon sort out the huns suporters with existing legislation, etc. Thing is I think there is too many huns in the SFA and SPL and the police and the Glasgow media for any action
GENE,
BRILLIANT
Now their stupid ALL INCLUSIVE campaign makes sense.. it seemed to have been made up on the spot.
Finally…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMD8d7oUjxw
but how long will it last…..
keep the good mood going….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG5vJAvaG2U
Gene- and 2 days of refunds
MARADOMINIC,
Their ALL INCLUSIVE campaign implies/infers that they welcome directors, season ticket holders, etc with avowed anti Roman Catholic and anti Irish bigotry.
Bada
Normally they wouldn’t budget much for the 5th day as not many matches go the distance. But Sunday would be a big day.
Gene
Just popped in and read your 4:14 post.
As the post above was about the Huns, I thought yours was ,too. Spent a moment or two trying to fathom it out before realising you were referring to the cricket !!
Cheerio for now.
JJ
Come on Australia
Last lines of the report, FFS
“The Scottish FA and Scottish Professional Football League have declined to comment.”
Hot Smoked
Most of my posts make little sense ⚽🏏
The SFA and SPFL adopt the 3 wise monkeys approach. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. Unless Celtic could be involved.
Ron
A bit like some of the eastern European and russian FAs who never hear the racist stuff and it’s only picked up by uefa
How long will it be before they invite Mark Walters on to comment
We will have the “It’s an Old Firm” problem rolled out very soon no doubt…
CHAVEZ on 23RD AUGUST 2019 3:17 PM
According to UEFA, Rangers’ “sectarian chants” are evidence of racist behaviour. Billy is going to be very confused tonight. He thought hating people of Irish descent was a theological dispute.
Well said Chavez & very true indeed.
The moron zombies should realise that hate is a Sin or read backwards translates into
Not In Scripture even JC says one should love one & other & help each other in more
ways than one not go about hating ones neighbours & treating them with contempt
don’t the moron zombies ever learn that its time to change their pathetic nonsense
& don’t let their minds be filled with pathetic sectarian rubbish & become Lucifers
play ground & start acting sensible for a change its easy to hate people for whatever
pathetic excuse try loving everyone as JC said which is more relivent nowadays &
learn to forgive one & other after all how can we expect God to forgive ourselves
for our wrong doings if we can’t forgive our neighbours wrong doings its in stone
in the Lords prayer to the Father so wise up all you hate seakers out there & use
ones noggen/brain for a change end of true point COYBIG & YNWA Folks :-) :-)
GENE
True. Too many games to oversee and depends on who is the UEFA observer and their knowledge of local language, politics, etc.
mncelt@1.57pm
great video, just wondering how long it will take the papers to punt rc and eo.
apperently the were both brilliant last night.
Much to be satisfied with last night.
After a disappointing performance vs Cluj, I was pleased to see young Mikey Johnston rise to the occasion last night. He is growing stronger week by week. His skills are unquestionable.
Christie buzzing as usual
Forrest doing what Jamesy does best… scoring important goals.
Edouard… what can I say. I wanna be
Other honourable mentions to AJER (young lad was great again), big Jullien and also Jozo. Thought those 3 performed well.
Not being completely negative, but Holy Boli still has some way to go. Some good signs last night. I think he needs a big injection of self belief. Hopefully we will all rally round him. As we need our sole left back, playing to peak of his powers.
Thought Calmac was a wee bit subdued… maybe lingering after effect of being shunted to left-back, and being hung out to dry.
As for Brown, don’t want to labour the point, but visible signs that he is creaking.
A lot of untidy stuff last night. Got embroiled in a few battles. Came off 2nd best too many times.
Small margins, but he’s lost that wee edge to his game. Half second slower to close down, half second slower to react.
On reflection I don’t think AIK were as good as Cluj. Cluj played with purpose and belief and they were a threat. AIK were quite poor in comparison and seemed to lack belief in an attacking sense.
However we played well and had a really solid shape and moved the ball about the pitch really well, i thought we moved it better in the first half particularly from 20 mins until halftime. We hemmed them in and moved it from side to side in a way you just love to see. we were solid at the back and i was pleased with the aggression in our attempt to win the ball at the back and in the air. I have already said that nobody in Scotland will live with the trio of Edouard, Christie and Forrest and last night added more evidence of this.
Lenny can be very happy with the nights work and its a good and important step forward. as Chris Sutton said they’re is work to be done and nobody is kidding themselves. We can add momentum with a good win a Sunday and some new recruits who can impact the first team.