Celtic went out of the Champions League to a Midtjylland team that found it difficult to keep the ball and struggled to create chances. What they were was more clinical than Celtic up front and sufficiently more secure at the back. The contrast with our experience last night was stark.
For much of the game there was little between Celtic and AZ Alkmaar. The visitors enjoyed the slight majority of possession, completed more passes, came within inches of opening the scoring and really should have narrowed Celtic’s two goal margin with a shot from six yards.
As we found out to our cost in Denmark, all that counts for nought. Football is about two things: putting the ball in the net and stopping your opponents from doing the same. Celtic’s upgrade between the posts, in defence and attack, since facing Midtylland last month, makes them a potent opponent.
After having a shaky start to both halves, Stephen Welsh made it his mission to win every ball in the air. As AZ tried to find a way back into the game, Stephen’s timing and lift repeatedly blocked their progress. Anthony Ralston appeared to arrive from nowhere to clear decisively inside his own six-yard box, then, in the closing moments, humbled his opponent to win a corner kick. Both defenders performed above expectation.
Yet another European qualifier, yet another goal from James Forrest. His deflected shot tilted the balance in Celtic’s favour. Even before Celtic’s 12th minute opener, Joe Hart demonstrated why Celtic agreed to his spectacular wages by extending a foot to turn a shot against the inside of the post. At the time, it felt like a crucial moment in the tie.
I expected AZ to tire going into the latter stages but with around 20 minutes to go they clearly had the upper hand, pressing Celtic back into a tight defensive formation. Having already introduced Odsonne Edouard, Ange Postecoglou introduced Adam Montgomery and James McCarthy to close the game out.
Not only did this work, but it resulted in a chance that really should have put the tie to bed. Another Ralston rake down the right saw Edouard lunge to head a loose ball that was cleared off the line by a defender, only as far as Montgomery, who also saw his header cleared off the line.
A 3-0 margin would have flattered Celtic but not their new idol. Kyogo Furuhashi’s opening goal could not have been scored by any other player at the club. His speed, flight and control made an already good cross from Tom Rogic into a spectacular goal. Three weeks after his arrival, Kyogo looks like the deal of the decade.
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My only worry is that continual passing between Welsh and Starfelt and the triangles between these two and Hart will result in conceding a goal. And in me suffering a heart attack.
TURKEYBHOY on 19TH AUGUST 2021 1:13 PM
QUADROFENIAN,
I thought that about the midfield last night,but on reflection,maybe they have just been so good recently,just to be “Good” was a bit of a let down.
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True; and no denying our Mids are probably very drained from the incessant playing demands.
Mibby the Boss will freshen the line-up for the weekend v St Mirren:
Longer run outs for Soro, McCarthy, Christie for eg?
Just dropping in to say how pleased I am for young Ralston.
A solid trier who never pretends to be something he’s not, and who never gave anything less than 100% when called upon.
Generally in my experience the Celtic support give such players dogs abuse, I’m thinking the likes of Sneddon, Reid, Telfer, Mo Camara etc.
Delighted he is forcing some to revise their opinions.
Well done, son
And more kudos to Ange for the work done in that respect.
Quadrophenian…I no longer give much credence to midfield ‘dig’. I think in the modern game it’s more about pressing and harrying your opponents and forcing them into mistakes that result in winning back the ball. We are doing that well, though it does take a lot out of the players, hence we are definitely tiring towards the end of games. As the season progresses and we become fitter and more experienced and with a bigger squad, we will see great improvement in the team. Does anyone feel we are missing Broonie?
TBB,
I believe a noisy few on here have deemed any scrutiny to be passed off as a defect in the posters’ character.
Apparently those who wish to do so are just wired wrongly in the head and thus no merit is given to their thinking. They’ve sourced their thesis from the hugely influential etims site don’t you know.
Good luck. You’ll need it.
HH
“THE BATTERED BUNNET on 19TH AUGUST 2021 1:19 PM
Are we allowing the clean sheet and the result generally to colour our judgement?”
Some might be doing just that but the overall impression I have taken from over the last few games is: So far; so good rather than any `We are Back ! kind of stuff.
TBB…”Are we allowing the clean sheet and the result generally to colour our judgement?”
Definitely yes! Eternal optimists. Great innit? :-)
I think the rebuild is ahead of schedule. Delighted with many of the signings and the change of on field display so far.
Defensively, we remain very much WIP.
There seems to be a race to firm up the defence (both quality and quantity) before the game where our luck runs out!
We have a bigger and better fraser forster. Great signing.
Continue to back the manager
WEEBOBBY – point taken; maybe we can out-run, out-pace and out-pass the teams we encounter.
We can see how it works well. I don’t think a midfielder who can work that pace with a bit of bite when needed would upset the flow. Course, I don’t manage teams for a living so all I have is my armchair opinions.
Yer right about Scotty; in this system and at this speed, we don’t miss him!
Given the continued poverty of the opposition in the SPL, even very good Celtic sides have found it difficult to make the step up against fair-to-middling European opponents. The resilience that the team collectively displayed during the final 15 minutes of last night’s game was laudable. I did not expect the result to be AZ nil.
The St Mirren match offers the opportunity to get some minutes into the legs of Soro and McCarthy.
I have long since made up my mind on Greg Taylor. He is a Kilmarnock player masquerading as a first team pick in a Celtic jersey. There are plenty out there who would be an upgrade on this guy.
Re empty seats, did anyone notice how many there were in other European games last night, looks far too many in the main stand at CP for me
NOTTHEBUS on 19TH AUGUST 2021 1:06 PM
I disagree with Paul, the subs did not work. We gave AZ more time on the ball and couldn’t get possession up the park. the lack of Kyogos high press allowed them time to pick thier passThe improvements in sone players has been spectacular..but.
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Yep, we needed to make changes and couldn’t disagree with who was brought on but it didn’t really work, we were pinned back even more.
Hopefully the squad will improve, get fitter.
Loved that we went for it in the last 10 mins, you don’t often see that these days, majority of managers shut up shop.
Just noticed that the cheapest flights to Armenia ( Huns next week, I think) are about 330 pounds for a 19 hourflight or 2,500 pounds for a 12 1/2 hour flight. Which one will Sevco choose? :-)))
The most pleasing thing for me was that we beat a very solid opponent 2-0 last night without playing anywhere near the level we are capable of. Excellent effort from the whole team and confidence is building. It’s for sure not over, but we have given ourselves a great chance of winning this tie. Thought Tom Rogic was again sublime and Joe Hart could well be an inspirational signing.
TBB, Probably.
Watching the rerun, they could easily have scored 3 or 4 & if they had we would be singing a different tune,
79Caps
I have little doubt we will give away a couple of farcical goals with the possession passing around the back.
However we are now an exciting & entertaining team to watch & to follow, individual players are improving and the whole squad seem to be buying in to Ange’s Football Philosophy.
As ever with Celtic, there is only a couple a feet between a pat on the back and a kick in the arse,
It will not be all Sunshine & Roses, The Negatonians will have their days, of that I have little doubt
!!BADA BING!! on 19TH AUGUST 2021 1:41 PM
” looks far too many in the main stand at CP for me”
Oi!! that’s enough of that! Guess where I sit?? :)) por cierto
The transformation of Rogic, Ralston, Taylor and Christie in just a few weeks tells us everything we need to know about the difference between Ange and NL.
I wonder if our vociferous protests about JK and Strachan were also misplaced? Time will tell but maybe they are competent enough coaches when properly managed and supported? The fact they have not walked or been fired is telling. Don’t thing Ange would tolerate anyone being mediocre at best.
If we continue at this rate of improvement this year, surely those that watch us will be glad that we won playing football the right way (as someone special said) plus it’s gonna make us an extremely great proposition for any prospective transfer targets.
I doubt we’d be changing our game plan next week just to satisfy some, we’ll play the same way. As for the set piece at the end, I suspect AP’s view is to take advantage of any opportunities that come our way.
Supporting Celtic, especially in Europe, is a rollercoaster but one hell of a ride last night, long may it continue, it’s great when you get home knackered, you feel like you’ve been involved and that’s the reason for being
79CAPS on 19TH AUGUST 2021 1:23 PM
My only worry is that continual passing between Welsh and Starfelt and the triangles between these two and Hart will result in conceding a goal. And in me suffering a heart attack.
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We don’t have a good enough ‘on the ball’ defensive triangle to do that comfortably against better opposition. I’m all for playing the ball out but there needs to be a balance. Wee Taylor’s passing was particularly poor last night. I did not expect not to lose a goal last night, so that was a brilliant result. I’m sure we will just be as offensive next week, which is great as that’s where we’re best. AZ will have one of their main attacking players back and I think there’ll be a few goals. Would really like to stay in the Europa but won’t be too disheartened if we don’t. The turnaround in attitude and workrate of the team, compared to last year, is incredible. Wee Kyogo really does determine that we play with a great tempo.
MadMitch on 19th August 2021 1:19 pm
TR @ 12.31
Off to Dublin so you say …
Wearing lots of green / olive green?
Oh well — Physical Force Republicanism must be on the lookout for another tea boy.
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I always wear green (40 shades) it’s my colour it’s my statement no shortcuts for me. My colours are nailed to the mast.
I don’t have an embarassing nickname or abbreviate anything. See you at the hoot. I’llbe the guy in green and I don’t drink tea ya fud
KEEP THE FAITH
JimDom,
Taylor is a Celtic Player, giving the Club 100% effort every time he pulls on the jersey.
However, he probably is our weakest link at the moment, I expect Ange sees that as well & whether we buy or try to promote from within, I do anticipate a change.
Adam Montgomery is a left back but so far hasn’t been tried there on first team.
You have to trust that the Manager knows what he is doing & give him a bit of time to get everything right.
https://youtu.be/i6Y5i66b-_4
Unique angle…
Weebobbycollins on 19th August 2021 1:02 pm
TonyRome…enjoy Dublin in the green despite the offended snowflakes.
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Cheers Bobby can’tdo nothing else in Dublin but enjoy it. Hopefully catch up with WITS and meet ALMORE.
KEEP THE FAITH
PC- you can bet there are no empty seats at Poundland tonight
!!BADA BING!! on 19TH AUGUST 2021 2:03 PM
Same competition, be interesting to see what transpires re their front stand Bada, por cierto
We badly need a first choice left back as Taylor won’t do. OK for spl games., but not Europe.
Also need a centre half , as we are one injury away from Bitton being back in the side and we all know what happens then.
Also felt after changes in midfield last night, they really dominated the game. Tie is not over.
SQUIRE DANAHER on 19TH AUGUST 2021 1:27 PM
Generally in my experience the Celtic support give such players dogs abuse, I’m thinking the likes of Sneddon, Reid, Telfer, Mo Camara etc.
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Never a truer word was said.
HOT SMOKED on 19TH AUGUST 2021 1:29 PM
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“So far so good” is the correct interpretation…..but. with a good dollop of optimism being ‘stirred in’
THE_HUDDLE on 19TH AUGUST 2021 1:42 PM
The clear instructions/directive from Ange when we won the free kick just outside the opposition penalty box in the89th minute was to go for the goal.
I personally was screaming to take it intthe corner, run down the clock, but Ange wanted another attempt at goal.
Not good for the nerves, but its going to be fun!
Celtic have agreed an initial fee of €2.5million for Greek international Georgios Giakoumakis, the Eredivisie’s leading scorer last season.
A sell-on clause entitling VVV-Venlo to a percentage of the centre forward’s next transfer is also understood to have been included in the agreement.
Didn’t see the game last night but watched some sketchy highlights on utube this morning. As i said yesterday I would take the so-called unpreparedness of the Dutch with a grain of salt and that these continental hoyas would have the ball in the back of your net in the blink of an eye and they almost did when barely on the park. Celtic survived thanks to Joe Hart and the team then produced a fine performance by all accounts and it was only the brilliance of the Dutch ‘keeper that prevented a bigger win by the Hoops.
Great to hear about the continuing good form of the young guns Tony Ralston and Welsh. These lads take no prisoners and young Welsh in particular is one tough tackler and brilliant in the air. Starfelt is settling and on the positive side did a lot of good things according to stats.
Jamsie did the business again in Europe and what more can be said about Mr. Kyogo………. just magic. It’s a respectable result in Europe to be carrying to Holland with cautious optimism. Celtic can score over there no doubt.
TONYROME on 19TH AUGUST 2021 12:31 PM
‘Offf to Dublin in the green in the green today. Hope that doesn’t offend any snowflakes.’
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Well going by this you can’t be too careful about your choice of wardrobe.
https://mobile.twitter.com/janky_jane/status/1426981976142123010
I’m happy to be in the minority but that performance did me fine.
I’m sceptical that we’ll progress further. They are a good side.
I’m just please the team are gelling well and folks look like they are lovin’ their football in the Hoops.
The League’s the thing for me.
HH
ernie lynch on 19th August 2021 2:40 pm
TONYROME on 19TH AUGUST 2021 12:31 PM
‘Offf to Dublin in the green in the green today. Hope that doesn’t offend any snowflakes.’
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Well going by this you can’t be too careful about your choice of wardrobe.
https://mobile.twitter.com/janky_jane/status/1426981976142123010
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Very good Ernie but at my age it’s all about comfort.
KEEP THE FAITH
79caps on 19th August 2021 1:23 pm
My only worry is that continual passing between Welsh and Starfelt and the triangles between these two and Hart will result in conceding a goal. And in me suffering a heart attack.
Celtic nearly made a horlicks of trying this tactic in the game against the Czechs although we had a comfortable lead at this stage. Barcelona in their pomp were the only team capable of doing this. Even
TONY Rome
Enjoy Dublin in your colours :-)
HH
Another quote for the compendium of accolades about Celtic Park.
“Celtic away is not a match for ‘newbies’. The names on Celtic’s match sheet may not have immediately caused the AZ players to bend at the knees; the atmosphere at Celtic Park is another story.
“Nearly 60,000 elated fans created an atmosphere that has rarely been felt in football stadia. For AZ, after all those empty or moderately filled stadia, an unfamiliar environment.”