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.
394 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- »
Liverpool score from a corner VVD clearly holding a defender – VAR ?
Sorry got that wrong – think I’ve got Dallas jnr glasses on
Think how many more goals we would score if we had a player who could hit a decent corner kick. 🤔
HUNDERBIRDS ARE GONE on 24TH AUGUST 2019 5:46 PM
SIPSINI on 24TH AUGUST 2019 4:53 PM
– – – – – – – – – – – –
Sorry if you thought I was suggesting your support of Celtic is not whole hearted.
I know how much he is despised by them and and the terminology to describe him.
Here’s for 9 in a row, roll on 10 after it. 🍀🍀👍
If David Louis is the answer then Arsenal are asking the wrong question
Now 3-0
Keiran
Hope you know what you’ve done
GENE on 24TH AUGUST 2019 6:48 PM
Keiran
Hope you know what you’ve done
———————————————————-
Think he does. Different league. Different challenges. Different money!
All the best to KT – hope he improves and comes back.
In the meantime, we need players to deliver 9 and beyond..!
:-)
I read we are negotiating hard with Kimasonic over Taylor… Ffs
Just buy the fecker…. and I know all about teams holding us to randsome, but ffs if they want £3 mill give them it. I am sure we could turn him into a £6,7,8 million pound player.
No wonder every transfer windy is a shambles
D. :)
Natnow
KT will always have my good wishes –
DAVID66 on 24TH AUGUST 2019 6:50 PM
I read we are negotiating hard with Kimasonic over Taylor… Ffs
Just buy the fecker…. and I know all about teams holding us to randsome, but ffs if they want £3 mill give them it. I am sure we could turn him into a £6,7,8 million pound player.
No wonder every transfer windy is a shambles
————————
They’re quoting £3m.
You happy with that?
Mo Salah. A quite wonderful footballer.
GENE on 24TH AUGUST 2019 6:54 PM
Natnow
KT will always have my good wishes –
——————————
Absolutely mate. From years on here I know you’re a solid dude.
My own feelings are that he was always gonna go – but I thought he might be here as Captain for the 9 or maybe 10.
SIPS
Fair do’s.
Hail Hail to you.
🍀⚽️
……….and a diver to boot!
7 pages fae Friday lunchtime ??
Obviously Celtic won on Thursday night ….
Cluj has gone but if Neil had …..
Nearly in September, one bad team selection, one bad half (first half Cluj) but apart from that what else are we after …. “if” there was a bust up between Neil & Scott for me… I would disappointed if they didn’t have words
On the Sevs “singing” ignorance is bliss … they are allowed to sing walking their queens highway, why should the fitba be any different … you can change an opinion but never a mindset :-) hell mend them
https://twitter.com/gibbogibby1/status/1165322187013799938?s=08
King outed
GFTB on 24TH AUGUST 2019 7:23 PM
7 pages fae Friday lunchtime ??
Obviously Celtic won on Thursday night ….
——————–
Yup. Very different dynamic mate. Which you are right to highlight.
I don’t believe that this place is full of that many huns when we lose, but it’s very difficult to tell the difference between some opinions posted on here and what gets printed in the hun press at times. And some of those posting opinions post links to The Record and other hun rags that have targeted us for years, and make money from it.
A distinction without a difference in my opinion.
If it walks like a duck and looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck.
Lot of hun-like duck fuckers on here recently.
Fortunately there are good Celtic fans on here too.
More than 200 orange walks in Glasgow – there’s a starting point
Gene- Ferguson and Dodds got embarrassed by Michael Stewart today,
Gene- Stokes vital to winning the Test for me
Natknow 7.34pm
Am a bit of a hypocrite because at the start of the week this place was making me more annoyed about the Cluj result … so I tried to stay away, only checking every hour instead of every 10mins :-)
it’s like the media, if you keep reading negative stuff like it or not you start believing it
Thursday night in my opinion was massive … a wee win tomorrow will just finish it off … till Stockholm, then will can all start worrying again until wee Jamesy Forrest settles our nerves (again) :-)
Gene.
The 3rd test is starting to look like a close match after all.
What odds Archer to score the winning run.
Not impossible now.
Natknow – yip
D. :)
If we get through next week, to put a dent in the EL and to make sure we have a strong enough squad to win our league games, we definitely would need imo…
2 full backs
Cover for MJ….. I personally think Aidan McGeady should be a no-brainer
A CF…… As close as we can get to a player Moussa or Eddy
And a central midfielder so we don’t have to play CMc and SB every single game
The first hour tomorrow will be vital for England – Batting conditions have been a bit easier this afternoon. New ball due after 8 overs tomorrow.
Didn’t think the game would go to 4th day
Nally
Aiden Mcgeady – where did that come from
Just listened to the BBC podcast.
Dodds and Ferguson claiming orange strips are to honour the Dutch boys.
Absolute denial of any OO knuckle dragging connotations.
The whole racist scum encapsulated in their attitudes, live on the radio, the day after they’ve been called out by UEFA.
SFA and SPFL say nothing.
At least Michael Stewart and Willie Miller honestly addressing it but both not hopeful of any positive change.
Eurochamps67
Gene…. Nowhere- just an opinion
I would be happier with a bit more experience particularly this season when I feel the pressure will be immense.
Nally
Thought you had heard something
David Luiz. Explanation about pulling shirts …eh?
Fsake
Adi
He’s the original bomb scare
PHILBHOY on 24TH AUGUST 2019 3:35 PM
BRASS MA
Meant to say that PUCKOON was the funniest book I’ve ever read.
________
Laugh out loud is how I remember that. Must be at least 40 years since I read it. I need to get a hold of it again. Incredible to be able to write a fuul book that gets that kind of reaction. Milligen was a genius then.
Meantime we still slumber through the worst transfer window ever.
Not happy with the current position but Worst transfer window ever – ah for another willo flood window
Root needed an innings as well,under P
Ziggy 8.17pm
I know I shouldn’t … but
Jullien £7m
Bolingoli £3m
Big Tam (Bada) £1.2m
Shved £2m
a couple of highly rated youngsters and unfortunately nearly a £3m Turnbull purchase which hopefully will happen in the next fortnight or January, so far only losing KT
Worst transfer window EVER ?
Can you tell me the better ones, and I mean all of them since is the “worst” come on Ziggy back your post up
“I’ve really don’t get why the club doesn’t talk to the UBs, who lead the singing and ask them to amend the song book for European nights”
That segment right there sums them & their mentality up.
This I would also suggests is a view shared by those at the SFA &, most of those in the Scottish Politiscope.
It is perfectly fine & normal to be a filthy hun, bigot. Just don’t show the world we are.
Institutional Sectarianism
Aurora79 8.43pm
Their songs of hatred do not bother me one iota … but the problem that won’t be fixed for a long time is, .. they think their “songbook” is ok … the problem is in their homes, not the football stadiums … until then, they will always just apportion blame to those pesky feinans not letting them chant their songs of hatred
I did notice how many of the old guard reappeared last week to stick the boot in. Deafening silence this week. How odd.