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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BADA
The game last night was announced as a sellout, but I also noticed the many gaps. To what do you ascribe the reason for this?
My kind thoughts are with Denis Law today. Georgie Best might have been named the ‘Beatle’ footballer, but Denis Law was the first “rock-star’ footballer…..just ask Rod Stewart.
Harry Kane £150m? Grealish £100m…neither could lace Denis Law’s boots, or, for that matter, Jimmy Greaves’s.
Bada
A Greek forward by the name of Giorgos?
Oh my days…..
I’m giddy….
Loved big Samaras……
HH
I heard a crowd of fans singing a new song last night as they were getting off the train at Dalmarnock. Contained the following lyrics “Kyogo doing his thing” and “…… Celtic all over the world”. Does anyone know the full song?
https://thecelticstar.com/the-transfer-of-giakoumakis-to-celtic-is-completed-according-to-greek-media-report/#.YR5ssA64URQ.whatsapp
THE BATTERED BUNNET on 19TH AUGUST 2021 1:19 PM
Are we allowing the clean sheet and the result generally to colour our judgement?
Far from it.I think most know we are not great at the back yet,as most keep saying.I also think most know we will get better with Jullien,and hopefully Scales and Juranovic incoming.
Stay logged in ya bandit
An Tearmann on 19th August 2021 3:13 pm
TONY Rome
Enjoy Dublin in your colours :-)
HH
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CHEERS Big Yin. I’ll try and get a couple of photos with our two DUBS and share them at the hoot if you’re going.
KEEP THE FAITH
KEEP THE FAITH
Big Wavy
They’ve sourced their thesis from the hugely influential etims site don’t you know.
Well at least they are entertaining.
IniquitousIV- no idea mate,but the number of folk moved from the main stand front, seems excessive to house a few subs,is it UEFA dictating the numbers and areas? There was nowhere near the amount displaced at Poundland last week, or tonight I’m sure. HH
Big W- #bringsammihome
Scales is being advised by his agent R. Peggio who , I think is calling the tune.
TURKETBHOY @ 1.10
“And you thought Kyogo was a bargain. Theres more out there.”
Well said that mhan, no doubt correct, but our problem at the moment is who is getting to know about them? We are pretty much in the dark (ie. all speculation) about who is identifying them. I think we all assume that Ange was the instigator re. Kyogo, but what about the others? Here’s hoping that some/all of the ‘rumours’ reach fruition – there seem some crackers among them.
Your comment about the midfield just being ‘good’ last night was probably fair in comparison with recent displays, but of course they were playing against the best midfield unit/players that they have met so far this season, so to finish the game on the front foot after all the work they had done was exceptional for me.
Ave Ave
It’s OK ghuys, I’ve found the words to the song.
🎼 We’ve got Abada he’s on the wing,
We’ve got Kyogo he’s doing his thing
Ange is our leader and we’ll follow the Celtic all over the World 🎶
I’m away to sing it for the rest of the afternoon.
🎶 We’ve got Abada ………
Amazed that a couple of very average (circa CQN )players like Starfelt,and Taylor,can team up with ,a young inexperienced CH like Welsh,and a 6 games ago write off like Big Tony Ralston,and keep a clean sheet against AZ Alkmaar.
In fact,not so long ago,we had lists on here who should be shown the door,I mean around 5 weeks ago,lo and behold,every list had Ralston and Rogic.Along with Biton,Griff,and the rest of the usual suspects.
How soon they forget.I don’t.
R. Peggio’s just another hun trumpet…………..
How to pronounce AZ Alkmaar
You restrict player markets,by using just the one agent….
Re. Joe Hart. Was sitting with a (sceptical) mate watching the game last Thursday and at one point I commented to him that. despite all the deserved praise going to various players. I thought the turning point for me was the point bank double save from Joe Hart. My comment was along the lines of those saves doing wonders for his confidence and his relationship with the fans.
It reminded me of big Fraser Forster’s first loan spell with us – he was doing OK, but not quite there until Boaby Madhun took a hand in things. A week night in Paradise v. Hearts, 1 – 0 us with a minute or two to go and Madhun conjures up a penalty for the Diets out of heehaw. Big Fraser gets down sharpish to his left, turns the ball by for a corner and the crowd erupts. The Big Mhan gets up, fist-pumping the air and a goalkeeper was born.
I think last week was Joe’s turning point and his whole attitude last night was great. Loved his reaction to be ‘told’ by Ange, when Tony Ralston was getting treatment, what changes to make on the park. Nodding, asking a question, then off to find CalMac and give him the news. Ange obviously trusts Joe – that’ll do for me.
BTW if we do have the new Greek striker on the way, interestingly he comes from Heraklion in Crete where ………..Sammi came from!!! 🙏
more lawwell singings ?
Georgios Giakoumakis Is 1.86 metres
Emeraldbee
It’s a feta compli
I would never criticise someone playing for celtic as long as they are trying their very best. If they are not good enough then it is not their fault. The fault lies with the people who run our club and signed them in the first place. Some of the vitriol aimed at our players over the years is embarrassing and disgusting.
Hail Hail the Celts are Hera
EMERALDBEE
Very impressed by the late mini-huddle that Hart instigated whilst Ralston was getting treatment. Passing on instructions to CalMac & Co. There is a togetherness about this squad that has not been evident for quite some time.
In other news, the poor man’s Kyogo has been complaining that his new PSG teammates don’t all converse in the Spanish tongue. Things are so bad that he is now buddying up to old foe Sergio Ramos.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 19TH AUGUST 2021 4:26 PM
:-))))
was it over the line ?
question – will the eurpean compettions have VAR ?
https://twitter.com/i/status/1428369772148715525
BADA BING & POR CIORTO
When Rangers were at home to Malmo, the sections of the front stand on both sides of the tunnel were closed to supporters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=291ET6Py6H8
HAPPY TALK CAPTAIN SENSIBLE ALERT
well done celtic, age, the squad, JH
Had a quick look at Giorgio Giakoumakis YouTube compilation. 7 penalty’s , I’m sure Beaton and co will sort that out.
I have been aware for years that my opinion of which players have performed well ( or not) during a game is influenced by the view I have from my seat in Paradise.
During post match journeys we used to argue the merits of players , based on what we had seen ” with our own eyes”, refusing to be swayed by others who held a different view, because they had a different view.
I would then get home , read CQN , and find that many of our agreed best and worst performances argued in the car, were completely out of step with those who had watched the game on TV.
I no longer get bent out of shape, that fellow fans may disagree with my 100% correct analysis , they have seen the game from a different angle , and their view is their truth.
I have sat in the Front South Stand since 1995, looking directly across the penalty spot at the Jock Stein end of the stadium.
During the first half , my seat gives a great view of our keeper and back four, (and how we defend corners )
Of course in the second half , the workings of our defence are a complete mystery to me 😀, but i get to see our attacking play at close quarters.
Last night I saw Starfeld make two great contributions in the first half,
one where he intercepted a dangerous cross to head out for a corner,
and once where he kept a cool head in our penalty box, and threaded a great ball to Calmac outside of the box.
The rest of the half I saw a player who often looked a bit jittery when he received the ball, he often looked like he was unsure which foot to use to control the ball, and did not look like he had already decided his move prior to receiving the ball. This resulted in back and crossfield passes to Welsh and Hart.
Others who thought he looked assured , may have been much further away than I was.
( During the second half Starfeld caused me less concerns , but I accept this may be due to me being 90 yards from our penalty box)
I am hopeful that he will settle into the position, and that I will not hold my breath so often when he has the ball at his feet.
The Onlooker
R. Peggio now knows how Celtic conducts their business……………………….
THE ONLOOKER on 19TH AUGUST 2021 4:56 PM
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Interesting, informative & insightful post – enjoyed reading.
Pitch in Aberdeen game is a shocker
Tom- cheers, will check it out tonight
THE ONLOOKER on 19TH AUGUST 2021 4:56 PM
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Starfelt…..there is a player there – I think he will settle down & come good.