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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Till later all
She who has to be obeyed is calling in yon sarcastic tone :))))
“are you too busy “
PSV getting humped at home by the Bulgars…
big-cup-winners
18:49 on 19 September, 2013
You are really are wee sensitive soul aren’t you
As I pointed out when I returned from the pub last night if someone wants to tip me a pearl diver over and above the base fare just because I have stuck a wolfies cd in the player they are welcome every time. The Wolfies have been adopting the self same business practice to part Celtic fans from their money for the last 25years. Invariably that self same fiver tip i have been given will end up in the Celtic coffers at some point.
Salzburg 4 – 0 Elfsborg
KC – anybody reflect on him last night ? He is such a clever player and so calm – however, I can’t figure out his shooting – it seemed wild, I wonder if they went on not expecting as much possession and dominance as they had at times and was told to hit it once you take one touch.
notthebus
19:03 on 19 September, 2013
Have you ever heard a bigger balloon than Laurie on SSB?
Mickybhoy1888???
desertbhoy
19:06 on 19 September, 2013
MickTT…always in favour of something to lighten up the daily drudge…
That’s what it’s all about..
HH
A hate it when the Tic get beat!
Hi bigchips, the up and down are pretty impressive, and the ping is excellent, miles and miles ahead of “minimum requirements”. Only other thing I can think that may be troubling your Sky Go last night could be contention. Just out of interest, how is it tonight? It’s just possible the Celtic game last night was popular on Sky Go…
Good evening friends.
I always try CQN first for the answers to all of life’s problems and I know you won’t let me down on this one.
On a 5-bulb chandelier, if 1 of the bulbs is out does it then use less electricity (when turned on) given that it’s only prtoducing 80% of its potential brightness? By extension, if a light bulb goes out but the wall switch is left on is any electricity being used (i.e. is it costing anything)?
Thought about that on and off for years and always meant to ask someone.
bazzabhoy
19:44 on 19 September, 2013
You’ve read me but not heard me ya balloon
mickbhoy1888
19:39
Oh so it ends up in the Celtic coffers………Yeah you are a great Celtic man.
Thought you were giving Celtic up to go to Majorca ?
mickbhoy1888
19:39 on 19 September, 2013
You need to get Spotify on your phone. Ask them for a song and play within a few minutes.
Works for me in my taxi. Also keeps them happy.
LettherpeoplesingCSC
How good was Commons last night?
Even tho’ I thought he was struggling a tad.
What a player.
HH
Hobo, no current flows means no watts consumed, hence no energy used or to pay for… Wish I had such troubling things to worry about! :-)
Dessybhoy
Our best ever player was known to enjoy a wee Harry Rag now and again
Certainly ten days ago he looked fitter than our striker of the moment
Sorry, Hobo = Jobo. Bloody iPhone…
Jobo Baldie…never felt the inclination to find out, or sit watching the cog wheel go round but, would it not depend if current is pull or push??
Googybhoy
Much do you pay for spotify
Swansea win 3-0 at Valencia.
Michu onevof the scoters.
Did we sign the wrong one???
One of the scorers.
Just had a browse at this to remind myself of our results last season in Europe.
(I don’t have the same photographic memory as some of you lot seem to have, recalling 90mins of football from some random game in1965 in infinite detail !! )
How impressive do those results look (until you reach those flamin Juve games where yet again bad refereeing undone us) ?
Read it with pride.
I fancy us for UEFA Cup 2014, then CL Winners 2015….. :)
http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2013/clubs/club=50050/matches/index.html
BT.. i think its free..
First thirty days free and £9.99 a month. I love it.
Can send freinds music.
It has a radio function on it. You put a track on from a few years ago and it plays songs from the same time and genre.
Save them.
I have about 400 now. Make up a few playlists like Celtic songs or late 70s and play in my car all day.
Great,
Jobo Baldie
No and no.
HH
Cheers bhoys..
BT
Get on and you can share with a few of the Bhoys from CQN.
watching Al Jazeera…Hoddle looks down nose at Hately bumpin his gums and talkin utter pash
Jobo
Yes and no
big-cup-winners
Very enjoyable Majorca so it wiz
If your aboot on Saturday come up and see me and I will show you the dolly mixtures
The £500 saved from not going to Milan has already been invested in a couple of flights to the sunny isle next year. Probably means i miss Scottish Cup final if we get there and Champions League final when we do get there. So my category of being a right good Celtic mhan will probably fall from cat A to cat B
Oops yes and no
Bhoys, also looking for Help
A good Wedding photographer and video-ographer in Central belt ?
Daughter getting married next year
Celtic Minded would be great :-)
Thanks
Spurs v Tromso coming on.. just saw the Tromso teamlist for a split sec and thought i saw the name Fojut (sic).. is that the pole we were looking at bringing in till he knackered his knee??
Thanks all, knew I could rely on a quick and consistent response.
Whenever one’s chandelier goes out, one invariably inserts 20p in the meter.
ToffsRUs CSC
Lyon player tripped up by park.
Lyon away to betis on BT sport.
Cowiebhoy –
Our wedding photographer (of 25 years ago) is still very popular in these parts. Didn’t consider him to be a football fan but him and his (Swedish) Mrs were spotted clearly in the crowd on the TV coverage of the Styilian game. Don’t think he does video though.
Anthony Brannan – I’ll try to see if he has a website and update shortly…
While I agree that the Italians are superb athletes, I think their playing far superior opposition in their own league on a regular basis gives them and teams from the likes of the Bundesliga and the EPL a huge advantage over our lhads. The jump they have to make from the the SFPL to the CL is amazing, in comparision.