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).
[calameo code=000390171853d2bfc4f69 lang=en page=4 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
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Somebody wanting CL tickets might want to take a punt. From the CST but anyone can play.
I am sure you check the Trust website religiously! but just in case you missed it I have copied the latest article below.So if you know of someone looking for tickets to Celtic’s home Champion League games and are willing to take a punt then go for itHHMarie
Feeling Lucky?
Celtic Park may be sold out for Celtic’s home games in the Champions League but there is one last chance to get two precious tickets for these games. Some kind person has donated tickets for all three games to The Killie Trust and they are being raffled to raise funds for a charity called ‘Reverse Rett’ which helps those suffering from Rett’s Syndrome an neurological condition which causes severe disablity. One of Kilmarnock’s former players, Mark Reilly, has a little daughter who has Rett’s Sundrome which is why they have chosen this particular charity.Raffle tickets cost £10 and the raffle will run until 23.30 on Thursday 26th September with the draw being made on Friday 27th September. So if you are looking for tickets, are feeling lucky and want to help a really good cause, go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/8350952925to buy your ticket.
Big Nan @ 14:29
Signed, tweeted, shared on Facebook and posted in https://www.facebook.com/groups/celticfootsoldiersforjustice/
and a couple of other Face-ache groups.
Blantyre Kev.
Ah agree.
Oor Final Pass.. and miny a Time..oor Intial Pass,as well.
Finds an Opponent,rather,than a Celtic Colleague.
Ah hiv bin sorely vexed..like Yerself.. by this.
And ..it is an ONGOING Flaw in oor Make up.
It happens,in game after game.. where we Feed oor Opponents the Ball..
in a Manner.. that does not Befit a Professional Fitba Club, such as The Celtic.
Rank Amateurish,in ma .. Opinion it is…and
Ah canny understaun why Neil and his Crack Team of Fitba Instructors. hiv not taken
steps tae eliminate this Vexing Flaw, which greatly Stifles oor Attacking Technique.
As Ah hiv nevah Played the Beautiful Game..
Ah hiv no idea if it is as Difficult to Make that Final Pass tae a Celtic Colleague may be. as This Celtic Team are demonstrating.. time after time.
Mebbe,it is.
To me.. of course. Ah should not Think that Making a Final Pass , should be any mair difficult than any ither.
Am Ah Wrong?
Yep ,pal. if Ah wid hiv tae Make Wan criticism of oor,otherwise, sterling Team Performance of Last Night..
Ah wid soitenly Hivtae Admit that ..
Celtic’s seeming Inability tae Find a Colleague with that Final and Telling Pass..
Wid be Ma One Complaint.
Kojo
Still, Laughin
An Dun @ 14.16
Must admit I’m not a big fan of O’Herlihy on RTE in particular when Celtic are playing and prefer to watch SKY. However I tend to switch over and listen to the pundits and i must say Dunphy, Liam Brady and Gilesy are always kind to Celtic. I have no problem with Daragh Maloney and will always tune in when he is chairing the programme – an excellent broadcaster. These guys have a high regard for Celtic that they can slug it out with the big teams with no little success.
Very encouraging performance last night, but as we all know at this level its all about the result.
Looking back I thought Lennon got the team selection right – it would appear to me that he is well suited to European matches – but I felt we lacked in one critical area:
Central Midfield!
I thought Brown and Mulgrew were excellent – but looked shattered for the last 12-15 minutes which is when Milan started to exert some pressure. Balotelli picking up the ball in deep positions and running at Brown and Ledley. Both goals came from these situations.
Now, with Ledley and Kayal out – our options were limited in this area, so its not like we have too many other options.
Just ma observations….
BlantyreKev
‘Astonishingly the poorest outfield player on the night for us was Kris Commons with 50%’
Not sure why you would be surprised as a thought he had a poor game by his standards. His shooting was woeful so no surprise that his passing was the worst.
I think that many of us were enthralled by the commitment and hard work of the players last night but many today we are talking about a Milan team we should have beaten. However I cannot recall any real saves their goalie had to make compared to the several good stops by Forster.
Thought Matthews for all his running produced little in final third. Sammi was always running into that extra man . Lone striker is not really Stokes game. We were but unlucky with free kick but that was our only real test of the keeper. Other than that our dead ball situations were wasteful.
Tactically our subs were ‘offensive’ and offered nothing in last 15 mins when our midfield/ defense was tiring. Unlucky with late goals but ‘unlucky goals’ can be the result of mental tiredness. Would it have been helped by more defensive subs?
Yes it was a much better display away from home but we are still a work in progress with a lot still to do. Milan may have been weakened and outplayed but they still had the ‘experience’ to win 2-0.
SFTB
In a Freudian/spelling slip a poster once referred to me as TinyTit.
I did laugh hard at it .
But not as hard as telling someone how to make a watch,when they asked you the time.
I can hear Alan from The Hangover laughing as he says “Classic”.
(:-)
TT
I agree with Kojo so much he could be my twin – or my Faither!!!!
Matthews is a player. Brilliant link with lustig.
Disappointed in the crosses and corners and front play overshadowed by brilliant centre of defence and v effective midfield. But need to give pukki and the Israeli lad (for whom acts as agent!) more than the 10 mins they’ve had to acclimatise and we’ll be cooking on gas gents!
Wonderful as last year was it often had the feel of a ‘cup upset’ about it. Last night we looked like we truly ‘belonged’ on a top European stage. In terms of ball control and composure. The CFC CL express could be about to set off. Enjoy the ride
Here’s hoping
JamesGang of Happy Clapping Inc
A Ceiler Gonof Rust
15:05 on
19 September, 2013
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.
=========================
=============================
Take screenshots and send to Pedro and the relevant authorities. There can then be no justification to play the game at CP.
HH
We have a keeper and three quarters of a back four capable of competing with the best in the CL. We have the defensive midfielders to compete. Where we lack is in the final third, we don’t have a top quality striker nor attacking midfielder. On the wings we are a bit hit & miss but between those we have we will always be able to put two on the park to complement our strengths.
Put Balotelli into the Celtic last night and we would have won comfortably, but guys of his quality cost big bucks.
With a couple of new quick forwards in Pukki and Derk,we should be trying to get the ball forward quicker,and a bit more direct, from midfield.Maybe time to give Rogic a wee run in the team,you won’t know if he’s got it until you play him.Good to see Efe having a great game last night,some of the stick he has been getting is well over the top IMO.
Apols for typos.
iPhone, fat fingers and possibly too much coffee.
PS in case you’re wondering who Biton’s agent is , put it this way, he’s always still laughing!
Today is national punch anyone in the face who talks like a Pirate Day.
bournesouprecipe
But if they are a real pirate wi’ a cutlass, two pistols and a hook for a haun, think twice.
bournesouprecipe
The beatings will contine until morale improves!
It’s not too late for CQN’aaaaarrrrsss
I thought Kris Commons played well last night.
His disguised pass for Scott Brown’s chance was the kind of thing that would have pundits drooling if it had been Mata or Messi or Ronaldo.
I thought that we looked less effective after he was subbed, and that as good as Anthony Stokes has been recently, he had less impact in the Commons role.
Was Commons substitution due to injury, anyone know?
HH
Ex Celts ……..Jackie McNamaraaaaarrrrrrrrrr
Morrissey the 23rd
15:16 on 19 September, 2013
Big Nan @ 14:29
Signed, tweeted, shared on Facebook and posted in https://www.facebook.com/groups/celticfootsoldiersforjustice/
and a couple of other Face-ache groups.
………………………………..
Many thanks Morrisey, I am limited in that I am suspended from Facebook (which I just joined for the petition) and have been suspended from Twitter but reinstated with warnings!
The petition has until 29 October for signatures and should get a fair few. If it doesn’t then I have got the wrong idea about this subject (freemasonry etc) which is the very antithesis of meritocracy and the bane of Scotland.
One Scottish university is considering putting the petition to all law students in early October.
Thanks again.
H.H.
Just a thought – what are greeting cards called in Scotland?
A Ceiler Gonof Rust
As I understand it.SPFL would be renting CP for Ramsden Cup final.
In that case, they would be responsible for any damage to CP.
Just watched the game.
Perhaps the best Celtic European away game this century!
There was nothing in it!
Horrible result, superb display.
Celtic keep playing like this, we’re in for a hell of a ride.
This will be some season!
So hopeful!
T
Just heard that a friend cannot make the Ajax game in Amsterdam, and has booked a room on the night of the game at the Hilton at the Arena. It is a twin room for two, cost him £120, he would be happy to sell for a Hundred. If anyone is interested can you message me via P67.
Thanks
HH
Pieces of eight, pieces of eight, piece…ouch
That was sair.
On the subject of real punches; I was sad to hear of the death of Ken Norton, a world heavyweight champ from the days when the title meant something.
Tomtheleedstim – sevconian season books
Big Nan @ 15:57
I used to get suspended from Twitter on a regular basis until I discovered when a Zombie creeps onto your timeline. Do no more than remind them they are cheats and a new club followed by the an underclass klan, then block them. Peace!
“I’m fair enjoying this ole margaritaaaaarrrrrrr”
ACGR
It’s a minor trophy and should be treated as such (14K max crowd during its history).
SPFL should look to distribute monies to the needy – give it to the minis (oh the irony)!
Time for PL to announce some major remedial works are planned in and around CP prior to the opening of the 2014 CW Games.
:-)
This was not a game that Lenny would have been looking to take points. Anything would have been a huge bonus. Our home games are key along with our trip to Ajax. These are our best chances of picking up points. So, no panic yet.
Noticed something on their second goal. There were some comments that only big Virgil was able to react after Frasers FK save. The reason he was in the middle of it was that he was being held by their man on the left and was not able to get up in line with the rest of the defense. Had he been able to take up his correct position, 4 Milan players would have been off-side.
This is something we have to improve on in the CL. There is always holding in the box at set plays against our players. Doesn’t matter if it is at our end or theirs. It’s a continental thing that we have to take part in. None of our players get anywhere near our corners or FK’s because they are being held and are unable to get into the scoring areas. We saw Juventus doing it last season and AC Milan did the same last night.
praecepta
40 odd thousand huns could do some damage.
I wouldn’t want them anywhere near the place.
HH
quonno
&
A Ceiler Gonof Rust
Dont think they will be anywhere us (thank the lord) they would have to pay and any way the brothers could think of a cunning plan to get them some money,in everyones interests of course :))
Seen this on TSFM
(sorry for messing with it)
Deidclub could play the Ramsdens Cup Final at “the laundrette”- if they get that far.
The draw for the semi-finals of the competition takes place at Hampden this afternoon, featuring Sleekit McCoist’s side along with Annan, Stenhousemuir and Raith Rovers.
But the National Stadium can’t be used on final day because a running track is in the process of being installed in time for next summer’s Commonwealth Games.
Celtic Park has also been ruled out on the grounds that the hire of the stadium, plus policing costs, would make it too expensive.
But an SPFL insider last night confirmed the laundrette rather than a neutral venue , would be considered for the final as long as deidclubs opponents agreed to the switch.
Our source said: “If a proposal was put to the SPFL Board then it would be discussed.”
deidclub will be brought into talks after today’s draw is made because the size of their support is creating unprecedented problems for the organisers of the tournament.
But last night Raith Rovers director Turnbull Hutton said the Fife club would refuse to play a final at “the laundrette” if they were the ones to face Rangers.
He said: “It is a sporting contest and not an excuse to see how much money you can make from the Final.
“We would hold out for a neutral venue because we would want to give ourselves the best opportunity possible to win the game.”
But Annan director Henry McClelland took the opposite view.
He said: “If we get deidclub at home in the semi-final we will accept we won’t make much money on the tie and get on with it.
“But if we were asked to agree to play the Final against “deidclub at the laundrette” I would see nothing wrong with
maximising the earnings from that day.”
McClelland also claimed the SPFL would have few options apart from “the laundrette if deidclub” reached the Final.
And he wouldn’t be scared about facing sleekit McCoist’s side on their own patch after Annan beat them 2-1 there last season.
He said: “We would struggle to take the Final anywhere else because Hampden’s unavailable *****************and there’s a risk associated with going to Celtic Park.********
“Besides which we’ve already beaten Rangers on their own ground.”
Semi-finals must be played at the ground of the first club out of the hat for each tie.
But the finale to the competition could create a unique situation.
The SPFL insider said; “In the past, before the SFL amalgamated with the SPL, it was agreed the Final would go to a First Division venue so the money earned that day would stay in the lower leagues.
“But now we’re all under one roof the Final could theoretically go to any one of 42 clubs in Scotland.”
————-
Then seen this comment later
Talk of an I***x club getting to play in the Ramsdens Final at I***x is purely academic, hopefully, following the draw for the semi final which pits them against Stenhousemuir at Ochilview.
I have to wonder why no spokesperson from the Warriors was asked their views on playing a final at a non neutral venue: did someone guess the draw before it was made?
bournesouprecipe
15:53 on 19 September, 2013It’s not too late for CQN’aaaaarrrrsss
There’s already been a few on today….
PS more power to Turnbull Hutton
TET
Agree – that’s why I say give it to the minis.
Pirates you say
Dont muenchen it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgg5Tr_AVo8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Morrissey the 23rd
16:12 on 19 September, 2013
Big Nan @ 15:57
I used to get suspended from Twitter on a regular basis until I discovered when a Zombie creeps onto your timeline. Do no more than remind them they are cheats and a new club followed by the an underclass klan, then block them. Peace!
…………………………………………
I will take your advice, but I don’t expect a fair crack of the whip when I am critical of the Masons.
As Corporal Jones was wont to say….they don’t like it up them!
From billynowell
@Pmacgiollabhain David Low financial advisor during the McCann takeover talks to @billynowell http://t.co/hKCK4fYyo9