Celtic passed the ball well throughout last night’s game. The players were confident enough to take a touch under pressure, which was key to the performance and a step beyond the more rudimentary show in the Camp Nou last season. In this respect, it was a better performance than the win in Moscow, and was an improvement on even the home game against Milan in 2004.
Countless screeds were written about Efe Ambrose after his mistake against Juventus, which seemed to affect the rest of his season, but the Nigerian international looked every inch a Champions League player. His composure and driving runs were crucial in determining Celtic’s effectiveness.
All played well but if we are going to push for highlights the right flank was exceptional. How proud of Adam Matthews were you after his full-speed dribble through the Milan half? At Euro 2012 I remember some respected observers wrote that Mikael Lustig was the weakest link in the Sweden team. If the Spanish international manager watched last night’s performance he would surely lobby for the introduction of national team transfers.
These two were scouted and brought to the club for a combined total of around £1m. Since arriving they have both grown into players who can excel at the San Siro. The clues of what is happening at Celtic are not hard to find.
Charlie Mulgrew has to endure the mantle of ‘utility player’ and in the absence of Joe Ledley and Beram Kayal partnered Scott Brown in central midfield, his fourth best position. Not that there was any sign of this. Brown and Mulgrew’s intelligent movement made possible all that passing and control.
Despite the great performance Milan came away with the points and a great chance to progress. They gave Stokes, Samaras and Commons little opportunity all night. The chances which Samaras, Stokes and Brown had were ultimately all defended well. Stokes free kick which rebounded off the crossbar would have changed the result but it was far from an easy chance.
Going forward we would do well to remember the importance of winning free kicks around the edge of the box. Teemu Pukki looked to have lost possession but used his strength well to win the infringement which resulted in Stokes free kick. Mario Balotelli needed little encouragement to tumble all night and he did so effectively five minutes from time.
Make sure we win free kicks 24 yards out and don’t concede them.
An away defeat against the second seed in the first game is probably a better result than the 0-0 home draw we achieved against Benfica last season, but Milan have an important 3 points in the bag in what looks like an interesting fight for second place.
Celtic are the team who can most improve their chances of qualification on match day 2. Another win against Barcelona at Celtic Park would give us an excellent chance of progressing but the journey up from pot 4 is incredibly difficult.
Is it a worry that we conceded late goals after the players were showing signs of lethargy? Lethargy is a well-documented part of the game, one which is often crucial in determining success in Champions League football and which we can learn to exploit.
1254125 at The Great Scottish Run.
On Sunday 6 October there is a 10k and Half Marathon. If that is beyond you. There are family events taking place the day before. This is your club, remind the world of what really counts and get involved in 1254125.
The first thing you need to do is sign up for the Great Scottish Run, or here for one of the family events.
Once you’ve done that, you can register for the 1254125 campaign here.
Then you can create a donations page here. Click Start Fundraising, search for Celtic Charity, setup your My Donate account).
Email me and let me know if you are having trouble signing up or need any more help, celticquicknews@gmail.com.
To read the new issue of CQN Magazine click here (don’t try to read the graphic below).
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west csc I have always had doubts about your bona fide and your 2 posts on this thread does nothing to persuade me I’m mistaken.
I feel if they had scored with 20 mins to go we wd have beat them.
Better final balls and a wee bit more out of Sammi & Kris against a team who were there for the taking, and I would have been delighted ,so i’m just very very proud & happy at how things are going:)).
A very good performance though from a team who IMHO can& will improve.
Five more opportunities to see how we are coming along against top drawer teams,whats not to like:))
The futre is looking good to this Tim, bring on St Johnstone.
td67
My point about Ajax no being easy, is that many on here are assuming, thinking that we will get 6 points against them.
I doubt that, just my opinion.
We need to get as much as we can at home, and hope the other games go for us.
Third place for me is massive progress, considering our group.
HH
malceye
13:27 on
19 September, 2013
i won’t dispute that we were the only side who tried to play – we were certainly the most positive of the teams.
However – do you honestly think we looked likely to score? I just don’t see where the goals threat was in that team. Stokesy? at this level? Not for me i’m afraid. We need him in the squad, but we are trying to compete in a tough Champions League group, and need more quality.
to see us with hard cash in the bank and a weaker team than last year is sickening me.
I actually totally agree with the business model, but we should still be striving to improve year on year. Otherwise we will simply be left behind by richer or more progressive clubs.
It seems the board are accepting going backwards, and hoping that neil lennon will work a miracle. he is a good manager, but he needs to be given the right tools for the job.
corkcelt
He won’t be the first hun poster since the game ended last night….
Maybe we can get a striker coach in and get him to work with the midfield…
i think were getting a little over excited about last nights performance.
Our ball retention was better and we were pretty good in 2/3rds of the field.
We are still incomplete and poor in the final 1/3 where it matters most.
We did not trouble a decent Milan side in their box.
Still think to much preference is given to possession and not enough on positive zone possession.
The goals we lost were unlucky but they put shots towards goal which is something we didn’t.
Izzy was poor at first goal as he had no need to try to block a shot going that wide.
Second was down to Balotelli conning ref.
Forster was back to his best.
Lustig very good.
Efe was immense as was Virgil.
Izzy ok but our achilles heel.He is to often the common denominator in goals we concede.
Mathews a star
Brown a brilliant captain.
Mulgrew was a weak link in midfield.
Commons was a little off but always threatening.
Samaras is good at this level.
Stokes should not be played as lone striker.Was ok but wanders too much to be effective in that role
West csc is in Galway, Paul for some unknown reason told us that a while back.
No mystery about the indirect free kick awarded against the Milan goal keeper last night.
Law 12 covers the offence committed by the Milan goalie.
‘If he touches the ball again with the hands after releasing it into play, before the ball has been touched by another player’.
He picked up the ball when hit back to him by Brown, rolled it forward (releasing it into play) and then picking it up again.
The other senario’s about a parrying shots on to bars etc do not count because the goalie is not in control of the ball. This episode showed up most of the commentators (many who are ex-players) do not know the laws of the game. Same as a goalkeeper touching the ball from a throw in. He is not allowed to use his hands as he is classed as an outfield player in that situation.
.
leftclicktic oscar in our thoughts
13:48 on 19 September, 2013
My sentiments too, everyone was disappointed last night, my say on it was. I was off all day, went for A good ten mile walk, had my dinner with my blonde wumin and went to the pub, watched the game with a pub full of Tims and had a few beers.
We were all excited and full of expectation through the day, my point
We have another five of those days..
HH
I enjoyed Houghton on RTE. He knew enough about us to highlight that RTE’s Celtic line up had at least half a dozen positional errors !!!
He was also spot on as regards Sammi neglecting his defensive duties. Time and time again he allowed Milan far too much space and time to get crosses into our box.
Sammi played well offensively but at this level he needs to do his share of the dirty work.
What do you say about last night very proud of our team in possession and the amount we had especially in the first half. I would liked us to have had even more but I thought we gave the ball away too easily during parts of the game, trying to make the killer pass etc.
For the next game against these divers and not just Balotelli(although he was the biggest culprit), If I were Neil I would tell the bhoys the first time you get near Mario in his own half give him a kick up the jacksie ala Tommy Gemmel. If they’re going to moan we might as well give them something to moan about. One thing about Italian football, they know how to cheat
HH
gsu
jude2005 @ 13:47,
“I feel if they had scored with 20 mins to go we wd have beat them.”
Yeah! think they scored just at the right time, though maybe not a coincidence ’cause as Paul says lethargy was setting in after all our pressure.
I’ve got a new wee custom, maybe inspired by the CQN ramblers – a place a 5er beat on the way down to watch the CL games.
Stuck yesterday, so went for…
Milan halftime
Celtic fulltime
50-1
Could really see us winning even if they scored first.
West CSC
Obviously can’t sing for oor host but…
I think he’s alluding to…
If you know you history, we don’t care if we win, lose or draw, cause we only know that there’s going to be a show and we’ll play Football the Glasgow Celtic way…
Hail Hail
Last Night’s Defeat,,
Wiz brought oan by A Coupla unlooked for ..and certainly. Unexpected, sets of Circumstances.
And The Circumstances, befriended oor Opponents.
Celtic, up tae that time, wur Holding their own.. and Slowly, in Ma Opinion.
beginning tae Look like that they might Snatch that all important First Goal.
But, It wiz not tae be.
Milanese, goat the Rub of the Green.. and We Didnae..
Last Night.
They Scored ..not frum any Brilliant Pieces of OOTfield Play, Which Bedazzled oor Defense..
but ,frum
One.. Shrouded in Mystery.. Set Piece, and the Ither wiz the Dreaded… Pin Ball Strike!
and.. Ah wid Declare, that Those Pieces were really rather Fortunate.
as they occurred ,almost in Tandem..and Late in the Game.
Which Left Celtic.. Flabbergasted and Frustrated.
Like , Sir Paul Said..and Ah Agree..
Celtic, actually, Played very Well Last Night.. Certainly, it was One of Oor Best
C.L. .. Away Games..Displays.
Kojo
Still Laughin’
MickTT
A fine way to spend a day sir .
And you have at least 5 more to come(this year) ,life is not too bad at all for us Tims.
enjoy every momentcsc
TTT
Thanks for the info. Not sold on Kerr. Find him too negative.
leftclicktic oscar in our thoughts
14:06 on 19 September, 2013
Thanks, supporting this club we call Celtic has its ups and downs, we’re here to enjoy and cry. Thank god we’re here and god bless all before us.
Hail Hail….
I heard Kerr was a Hun – something about his oul fella being a Rangers (RIP) supporter.
Regardless, I don’t like the man either way. Clueless as an Irish boss.
Seen this somewhere last night
Think it would come under the heading
ALLEGEDLY :))
http://footballisfixed.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/half-million-pound-insider-gamble.html?m=1
Till later all
enjoy the good times while they are here for as a wise old man told me they will eventually pass as sure as the bad days will in your life.
Hail Hail
Still very proud of the Bhoys last night. We’ll go toe to toe with anyone this year.
Please can we not tell anyone about Matthews for about 5 years?
I feel another 8 figure sale coming on. And I don’t like it.
What is he? 21? Could we look to keep such players until at least 24/25 while there is still value for the buying team and we get four or five great seasons from them?
Whatever. Don’t tell the English about him.
From @PaulLarkin
http://t.co/tOi5pZTaMQ David Murray needs this. How badly? You’ll find out why in @asteriskyears
The Asterisk Years-The Edinburgh Establishment v Celtic http://t.co/jZprUtKRaU
The Asterisk Years-The Edinburgh Establishment v Celtic http://t.co/QP18PRQxK0 (mobile version)
Teaser for @asteriskyears by @paullarkin74. Learn more when we talk to him this weekend on @hailhailmedia http://t.co/AQLUaVAETs
Win a copy of @asteriskyears a month before release and help people with Aspergers Syndrome. http://t.co/esjILgjtWl
One blurry replay on Sky after full time looked to show Ballotelli throwing a high arm in front of Browns face as he looked to cut in front of him. They ran into each other and Ballotelli went down.
Didn’t look like there was anything in it to me. If anything Mario was the instigator of the foul and came off second best.
Ref bought it.
C
An Dun
Are you at the wind up. Houghton knew nothing about us. The lack of basic preparation before going to air was totally disrespectful.
He would have been slaughtered if it was an EPL team rather than us and displayed the same lazy attitude to reading up on players and the rules of the game.
His analysis consisted of …
He should have done this
He should have passed there.
Third division punditry.
And the negativity was entirely one sided.
Give me Burley over that tube any day. Thats how much I rate him
An Dun
Kerr is not a hun.
HH
Petition has ground to a halt.
Anyone help?
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/GettingInvolved/Petitions/judgesmasonregister
Inverted pyramid
Yep. Balotelli swung his arm at brown and went down. Ref bought it. Ref didn’t punish balotelli for two dives in first half – this allowed him the freedom to do so for the free kick which led to the second goal.
Ah am looking forward tae Seeing Nir.
Last night, he jist goat a Penguin and A Cuppa Coffee..
Tae GO!
But..
When he gets a Full Start..
Hold oant yer hats.. Gentlemen..and you Ladies.. yer Dignity.
Ah am Excited aboot this Young Israeli..
Look.. Adam, gave us a Look at how an Attackin’ Celtic Mid Fielder should go Aboot his Bizness..
Yep.. that is the Type of Performance that Ah am Looking Fur frum a Celtic Attacking Midfielder..
And.. We Hivnae bin Getting it.. since..well.. Lubo..and Mebbe.. even.. Petrov,at his Best.
We are stuck in a Groove.. in the Mid Field..
Up tae this Time.. Like Last Night..
we Hiv furgoatten how Much we hiv bin Missing wan of They Guys..
an Attacking Midfielder.
Adam, gave us a taste of whit we hiv bin Missing..
Look..
Ah believe that only..
WAN Uber Defensive Holding Mid Fielder is . well..Plenty.
Broonie, Soitenly Fits that Bill..
Ledley.. is ..well.. Ah don’t know quite whit he is..supposed tae be..
he is Soitenly No An Attacking MidFielder..and
He is Soitenly..NO .. a Commanding Holding Mid Fielder,eethur.
But .
Ah am Told.. that he is …
“Very Good .. OFF the Ball”
Whitevah, THAT MEANS!
But,in Ma opinion. Ledley diznae Fit Ma Idea of Whit an Attacking Midfielder should Act like… And Ah am Looking fur Wan tae Go wi.. Adam.
Rogic, could Be the Guy fur me.. It is too soon Tae tell. but Ah believe that Neil
should gie this Kid A Loata Encouraging .. Starts.
So far. It is too early in the season tae tell whether Neil wull dae whit A wid Like him tae dae with this Youngster.
Neil, has shown me that he has the Habit ..of..
Stifling a Youngster,in his Progress tae First Team Experience..
and Gie ye.. Watt ,as an example.
Mebbe, Ah am Misjudging Neil..and If Ah am..Ah apologize .
Ah canny wait ,until. Nir Biton, gets that Run Oot.
Kojo
Still Laughin’
corkcelt and phillbhoy, i love your paranoia
anyone that does not agree with the cosy concensus on this site is automatically a rangers fan
so much for open debate, this is a form of censorship
Warning: stats post! (From UEFA press packs on the UEFA site)
It’s maybe a measure of how far we’ve come in a few years that at 90 minutes last night my feeling was not pride but immense frustration. We held our own and competed in the San Siro, and against hundreds of millions of pounds worth of football talent. But I cannot agree with Paul’s opening sentence.
I think we worked really hard to close them down, snuff them out, and by virtue of that we got lots of possession but I thought at times our passing was shocking. We got it back to have another go a lot easier than we will against Barca or Ajax I imagine, Milan were very poor. We did not get lots of possession and opportunities to exploit them because of retention, we gave it away often.
That was my feeling, so I looked it up.
66% Celtic v 80% Milan pass completion was the stat I saw around half time, yet we were arguably the more dominant.
It finished 69% for us, 75% for them (which includes 4 minutes of injury time where we didn’t touch the ball). It was exploiting their diminished passing (or our good pressure) that handed us the upper hand, again, not our ball retention as we didn’t get a lot better in the 2nd half.
6 of their starting 11 got more then 80% pass completion
ONLY wee Izzy did for Celtic. That’s appalling.
Astonishingly the poorest outfield player on the night for us was Kris Commons with 50%.
Their keeper had 98% completion. Forster had 35%, but that’s because they rolled, we punted more than them and their defenders won the headers, I wouldn’t read much into that.
Anyway, I honestly reckon that wee breakthrough we needed was probably only a dozen additional pass completions away over the 90 minutes. Matthews, Lustig and wee Izzy had 12 crosses between them, easily, that were cut out or went over the bar. If one of them finds the striker a goal’s likely. If we get 20 yards out and find the inside runner, or a one two for a shot, again that passing accuracy gets you a chance. But it’s the misplaced cross field simple passes that go astray that get my blood pressure soaring before we even get onto level two and the weight of the pass into the players pass rather than him checking his run to get it!
This is supposed to be constructive comment. I hope the experience, maybe even a wee feeling of injustice, builds the players up for their next chance. Diligence, focus, lose the fear, there’s lots to take from it. Our organisation was good, we worked as a team, we stuck at our tasks for sure. When it comes good we could be in for a spectacular ride.
Mon the hoops.
Hotshot
e-mail sent
aff oot as is the vernacular these days
greenyin
Lux Celt
If I’m being critical than I would agree that Stokes didn’t look like scoring (free kick apart). With the number of crosses we had lastnight (albeit wayward), I thought it was crying out for a big centre forward. Maybe Balde doesn’t have it or is not fit. But I thought he had been bought with a view to his leading the line.
I’ll cast my net wider – if in the Bristol area (or beyond) and would like to play in a football match 5th October with free drink and dinner afterwards, email me on malmcgreg@aol.com
westcsc
Are you a Rangers fan?
You can clear that up,easily by
Saying that..
You Despize the Rangers..and Ye Luv the Celtic.
Right?
So ..Let’s Hear whit ye hiv tae say tae that request
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
mickbhoy1888 @ 01:55
I was defending you.
I will be collecting signatures for this proposal from share-holders outside Celtic park at the St Johnstone game. You can help out to if you want, or just come and say hello.
http://thecelticnetwork.com/2013/07/29/resolution-for-agm/
Anyone who wants to help promote this resolution can join in. Mail me at Morrisseythe23rd@aol.com if you are interested.
A Ceiler Gonof Rust @ 02:02
I wasn’t being coy about the numbers. I don’t know the actual number. I know we are short.
If the zombies reach the final of the pawnbroker cup and the spfl decide the match is to be played at CP do the club have to comply with this? Or, can we simply tell them to get tae!!
I’m not comfortable with the thought of deid heids sitting my seats. There’s a thread on hun media about this very topic and many are advocating vandalism and the use of permanent markers on the seating, toilets etc. I wont go into the filth they’re gleefully discussing writing, I’m sure you can all imagine. Everyone including Strathclyde’s finest witnessed the damage these animals caused at the 3 nil massacre when we played their dead predecessors. Imagine the carnage 10’s of thousands of orcs will cause.
How much would the club earn by selling the ground to the spfl for the day versus the cost of repairing the vandalism the vile filth will surely commit on our dear green place?
Keep the orcs out of Paradise please Celtic.
Morrissey the 23rd, cheers buddy, I’ll email canamalar.
HH