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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RAY SINGH-CARR on 19TH AUGUST 2021 10:00 PM
If they went out to Alashkert would they not then drop into the Europa conference which would still mean Thursday night games?
Ray Singh-Carr,
I watched 2 crap teams Tonight.
I Witnessed 2 Excellent teams on Wednesday. AZ at 1 point were using the Halfway line as their defensive line.
We need pace in our defence, it is lacking atm, IMO.
Work in Progress.
Delighted tho.
“If they went out to Alashkert would they not then drop into the Europa conference which would still mean Thursday night games?”
Good point GLENDALYSTONSILS
In that case, Mon the Armenians!! :-)
CannykeepupwieallthesenewcompsCSC
PeteC
I take your point. Hopefully the new Croatian bhoy will be the real deal and give us a bit more pace at the back.
I’m of the view that we will probably be the sort of team that might leak a few goals but will consistently score more than our opponents anyway thus nullifying this weakness to an extent.
I’d rather win 5-3 than 2-0 I suppose.
But if we can also shore the defence up then so much the better.
I’m certainly a lot happier watching us play at the moment than I have been for probably the last couple of years.
The Conference trophy is possibly winnable. I’d rather see sevco in the EL getting pumped amd not building any confidence against euro dross.
Despite that I will still be hoping they get beat in Armenia. Someone else made the point that the narrowness of the win means they have no opportunity to leave half the squad at home next week to avoid the travel. Good on a couple of levels. Mostly they’ll struggle to pay for all the seats on flights and hotel rooms.
Seriously, I am stumped at why youse continuously talk about them. Feckin weird!
IWD
Indeed the plucky Newco will be in the New Co League if they go out to the Runners Up of the Armenian League.
Ange’s Lions are negating the LRA methinks already.
Hopefully.
Mind you I’ve Jist watched “Twelve Monkeys”…The worst piece of speculative shite I’ve ever seen…apart from madmitch’s contributions.
IWD
Ray Singh-Carr on 19th August 2021 10:11 pm
PeteC
I take your point. Hopefully the new Croatian bhoy will be the real deal and give us a bit more pace at the back.
I’m of the view that we will probably be the sort of team that might leak a few goals but will consistently score more than our opponents anyway thus nullifying this weakness to an extent.
I’d rather win 5-3 than 2-0 I suppose.
But if we can also shore the defence up then so much the better.
I’m certainly a lot happier watching us play at the moment than I have been for probably the last couple of years.
………………………………………………………………………………
Europes where its at.
The 5-0 against Sporting is the wan. Losing out to Partizan was also something Special to be a Witness to as it was Amazing fitba.
Ange is the Man.
I’m convinced we will win the league this year. Our group of players look convinced as well. They look like they believe in Angeball. I for one am enjoying this, without reference to other clubs or ethereal entities, I’m just loving watching the Celtic play. If that makes me a happy clapper – I’m fine with that.
We have a few dates coming up, the one over in Hatesville will be very interesting.
If we are 3 points behind after that game, the Mibbery is likely to have been very high, I won’t be panicking.
T
Get those Cameras ready and record the LRA as they protect the Nothing Club – Scrubbed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H9jQQVnU2g&list=RDuhw1tY0c99k&index=2
The huns appear to be suffering from second album syndrome.
Fatty to the rescue again. It’s like two seasons all over again, heavily reliant on a man-baby who wants away.
Petec,
I’m not sure how long you’ve been posting here (10’ years anyway I’d say) but I’ve always read your name as P-tek…
Now RSC has just written your name Pete C my mind is blown!!!
There’s the confirmation that I’m a clown 🤡
Now that I look at it more Peh-tek would be how it would be pronounced anyway…
😂
An Tearmann @ 7.04. I’ve only come back onto the blog to check the reaction to the sevs game. I’m rarely on it more than once or twice a day now.
I get the impression some of our fans relish our games more to allow their constant criticism of certain players and a desire to be proven right rather than enjoy our team play.
The treatment of Greg Taylor reminds me of that received by Paul Telfer. Paul was a solid unspectacular player but whose effort made Naka’s job less difficult by Naka’s own admission.
If we transfer Bolingili , we will sign another left back who will more than likely replace Greg . Greg has his flaws with not having ability similar to Kieran Tierney’s being the biggest one in the eyes of his critics which we are constantly reminded off.
For those who have never seen it, either in the theatre or in this case adapted for television, I draw your attention to JB Priestley’s ‘An Inspector Calls’ shown, not for the first time on BBC4 this evening, and most likely available on BBCi for the foreseeable future. And I use that phrase deliberately. Written, if I am not mistaken, after WWII, though set before WWI it is quite simply one of the most powerful pieces ever to reach the stage, certainly in that post war world which we all occupy. As a play it was first shown in the USSR in 1945, then in London and more recently ran for decades in the London West End, and if I am not mistaken, also toured throughout. It is not, as the title suggests, an examination of the post liquidation of Rangers FC by Police Scotland and the Crown Office, but rather a metaphor for the failure of the system to care for those in need, with disastrous consequences. A film was made in the 1950s, but tonight’s version played masterly by David Thewlis, Ken Stott et al, is worth every minute of your time, and will take you back to the days when the Play, was an important part of our culture. Well this is not just a play for today, though it is, it is a message sent by the writer which still applies today, especially in Scotland, amidst the early deaths and avoidable tragedies we see all around us. And one which Brother Walfrid, more than many, decided to do something about…..
Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journey to Japan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HSDW9RDZDI
August 19th, 2021 Anno Domini, Angelus and Holy Rosary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMPQZ4AuQEc
Enjoyed watching the celtic yesterday, the football going forward was very good, the attacks were often very fast too. Even so it is hard not to look at the backline and think we need an injection of pace. Hope the 2 new fullbacks provide more pace and guile against better teams it will be needed in this system at both ends of the pitch.
HH
Vatican Media Live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuumDuU6PLE
THE ONLOOKER @ 9.58
Brilliant wee story!
HH
MAJESTIC HARTSON on 19TH AUGUST 2021 11:19 PM
Feeling clownish? I just realised that RAY SINGH-CARR is actually racing car !
JVR – having dablled at RB masel’ as a duffer, I always thought Telfer did a solid job for someone who didnt care that much for football. Didn’t see him score many Josisp style screamers tho.
BOLINGOLI – obv a much better player than Montgomery atm, but we’re still carrying a huge resentment obv.
Good morning cqn from a grey skied but dry at the moment Garngad
Cards on the table I cannot stand the Huns.
Is there not a rule that all players should be wearing the same kit?
D :)
DAVID66
Good morning from a sunny Bo’ness!
There are rules regarding wearing the same kit but it doesn’t apply to the mankies.
You should know that!
;-)
it=they
It’s good, no great, to laugh, but, it’s all about Celtic for me, por cierto.
Celtic Mac @12:16
An Inspector Calls.
Saw it at the Citizens Theatre, maybe 76/77. Can’t say I understood what it was about, but they do remember that rather than say the word “revolution” they made circular motions with their hands..
CELTIC MAC on 20TH AUGUST 2021 12:16 AM
JB Priestly’s was the only name in both the Nazi’s Black Book and Orwell’s list.
Not a lot of people know that.
Watching Afghan parents, handing their children over to soldiers, is heartbreaking
supersutton
That is what makes it such a great work. The set belies the setting. The play a metaphor for the impact of inequality, and the inability, unwillingness or plain refusal of those both responsible for and beneficiaries of that inequality to recognise their own role within that society. I think.
ernie lynch
Well I certainly didn’t know it.
Wonder what Ken Loach has got to say about it?
https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/pressure-mounts-on-raab-over-afghan-delays-as-it-emerges-delegated-call-didnt-ha/
Isn’t there something in the official Civil Service Code that bars them from telling whoppers on behalf of immoral chancers wearing rosettes?
ernie
I didn`t know about those lists but I have always considered Orwell to be a phoney and a greatly overrated writer.
HOT SMOKED on 20TH AUGUST 2021 9:17 AM
Yeah, anyone that travelled to Spain to fight Franco’s fascists (and was shot in the process) is obviously a bullshitter. And apart from Animal Farm and 1984 (two of the greatest political novels ever written) what else did he do?
I’d like to nominate Tony Ralston for this year’s Bobby Petta award.