It’s probably easier to start with what went right last night, than what went wrong. Efe Ambrose was the epitome of composure, trying to retain possession whenever possible, his transformation since Juventus has been remarkable. van Dijk, Lustig and Izaguirre each did well. Fraser Forster had a few saves to make, but this was one Champions League game he didn’t need to pull off a wonder-save. He was totally exposed for the goal but otherwise Ajax didn’t really stress the Celtic goalkeeper, a clue, perhaps, to the solid performance of those immediately in front of him.
Our top two Champions League performers, Georgios Samaras and Kris Commons, both put in their least effective game at this level. Samaras’ normally-reliable touch and ability to hold the ball deserted him, while Kris looked like a guy returning from injury. Slowly.
The minutia of these games are analysed by each team and after last month’s game, Frank de Boer clearly identified that Georgios was the major cog in Celtic’s machine. The striker was triangulated by opponents each time the ball came near him.
Neil Lennon was left with few choices in the middle of the park. Mulgrew and Kayal would not have been his first choice partnership, given a free hand, but the only practical change there would have been to introduce Joe Ledley. It’s far from clear what difference this would have made.
Celtic persisted in playing down the left long after it was evident this strategy was unproductive. Late in the first half one wag text me to say, “Time to bring Forrest on”, which told the whole story. Anthony Stokes was adrift, largely unconnected to the ankle clipping going on behind him. In short, our play was predictable and correctly predicted by do Boer. We didn’t have a Plan B, which even the best of teams need to avoid defeat occasionally in the Champions League.
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No Bobby Does It Petta
If you see Dutch guys battering your mate, what would you do?
These “plain clothed police” were assaulting Celtic fans. It’s little wonder others retaliated thinking we were being attacked by hooligans again. We were!
Looks like the bbc and stv have just levelled up the manchester riots . To be fair it took them five and a half years .
big cupwinners
i wouldnt dignify that comment with a response
Deary deary me
FF & deadclub media must be down tonight
Statement from the Club, sorry if already posted.
Celtic Football Club Statement
By: Newsroom Staff on 07 Nov, 2013 18:07
CELTIC Football Club is currently investigating events in Amsterdam last night (Wednesday).
We have been informed that there are five individuals detained in Holland. We are not clear if they have any formal association with the Club, however, we will be liaising with the local authorities in Amsterdam, our own police and the British Consulate in order to fully understand events. We would stress that there is no excuse for any form of violent conduct.
In addition, we have received numerous complaints from Celtic supporters in relation to their treatment in Amsterdam, which we will also investigate fully.
There is no question that Celtic supporters have been subjected to a high degree of provocation. Last week, our supporters were the target of missiles being thrown from Ajax supporters at Celtic Park, a night where 300 seats were damaged within the stadium.
This was followed up by an organised attack on a group of Celtic supporters in Amsterdam on Tuesday, the night before the match. We have also received numerous individual reports of other attacks on our fans.
The Celtic travelling support has a magnificent reputation across Europe and our fans have visited major European cities over many years without incident. Once again the overwhelming majority of our supporters behaved impeccably.
croppybhoy
18:00 on
7 November, 2013
However troublemakers should be dealt with in a professional manner and that is not evident from the pictures and videos on show
——
Is it not a wee bit presumptuous to assume that the people shown being assaulted repeatedly on camera were ‘troublemakers’?
The statement from the club is, imo, to be welcomed. In the past the support has been deserted by the club in similar situations. To state, though, that ‘We would stress that there is no excuse for any form of violent conduct’ is nonsense. No one is obliged to submit himself passively to assault by others, nor obliged to stand idly by while others are assaulted.
Jingle Jangle on Shortbread equates last night to the huns destruction of Manchester,an ar$#hole.
‘The great unwashed?’
Our Club was founded to feed the great unwashed.
oldtim67 et al
If you drink a handful of those home-made G&Ts with said cucumber does that count as your ‘five a day’?
Doc is supporting Oscar and McKenzie.
18:37 on
7 November, 2013
OldTim67, no slice of lime?
I like lime with my G&T.
I like Hendricks Gin, it’s made with Cucumber, and that extra couple of slithers just fixes it up nice.
My reading of yesterdays off field events going from feedback from those who were there- there is only so much provocation you can take, and when the polis dont protect you, you protect yourself
The Ajax support do their team no favours and I hope its a long time before we draw their likes again
Celtic Mac
18:44 on
7 November, 2013
oldtim67 et al
If you drink a handful of those home-made G&Ts with said cucumber does that count as your ‘five a day’?
Never thought about that,I suppose it would,but I’m taking more than enough to make up my five a day.
OldTim67, I’ll give that a try.
stairheedrammy 18:45
Tend to agree going on what I’ve seen online. How long do you take a beating and unfair treatment before fighting back? Not nice to see folk fighting but if cops act like they did last night it’s left to the individual to protect him/herself.
Think it’s only remote incidents, a load of friends had a great time.
EN
BFDJ at Ibroke last night, however still feels qualified to comment on the performance of certain players in Holland
Clown
Events in Amsterdam yesterday and Glasgow a fortnight ago, have confirmed my view, previously stated and, previously slated here, that football fans and drink, should not be mixed.
any resonse from Ajax FC on the behaviour of their support in their city? UEFA according to Bhardwaj will be taking no action on the offensive banner in the stadium Celtic should get this investigated as to why this in not being investigated, if its not been reported was the observer like Focus having his tea, all this should keep Hawthorn busy but again ExPolice asking Police for answers I hold out no hope.
In too much pain to offer any constructive comment, other than to say anybody who listens to any phone in tonight must have a very strong constitution, far stronger than me.
Hope all CQNrs got back s&s.
Will be back at the weekend. HH
Estadio Nacional
Ever think of taking yourself of from the scene.
I was in Amsterdam a few years ago to see my brother who was over with work from australia.
He got tickets for an Ajax Valencia CL match.
There wasnt the slightest hint of unpleasantness though there were only about 300 away supporters.
Just like us, they have a great history. It’s sad to see that there now is an unpleasant relationship between the 2 clubs.
silenced
18:01 on 7 November, 2013
Erse….. And silly billy
I detect a lessening of support for our manager Neil Lennon on the forums today however,while we are unhappy about last night, lets not throw the baby out with the bath water.We have one of the finest young managers in the UK we have to remember Neil does not have a huge experience to draw on and is still learning his trade.I think one or two players need to have a look at themselves in the mirror as they let themselves and the club down.I have read today that Sammy and Commons were coming back from injury and were not fully fit if that is the case they should have let the manager know they couldnt give 100% and he should pick fit players we also had Derk who so far has shown he can talk a good game but cant re produce his talk on the field.I think Neil needs to become a bit harder with his players and remind them a first team place has to be earned.We have to many average and poor games from this group of players in my opinion it is now time Neil cracked the whip and give some youngsters a chance.H.H.
Despite my comments previously, I think that when the dust settles, the plainclothes police aspect of events last night might well attract the successful attention of ambulance chasing human rights lawyers.
Doc, a very moving and excellent statement was read out at the service for big Rab, from Celtic, and the sadness felt within the Celtic Family.
You will not hear this often, but thanks Peter Lawell for the very much appreciated comments on behalf of Celtic.
As Big Rab would have said “nice”
What a turnout for the big Yhin
Hail Hail
quonno
18:57 on 7 November, 2013
Acclaimed as the best fans in Europe ……. eat your heart out, shun….
Silenced
18:01 on
7 November, 2013
You may not be aware of it, but your comment about foreign players backs up a long held opinion of the much maligned Keevins.
That is, that with odd exception, Scottish football gets second and third tier foreign imports.
Why isn’t our club reporting that “Fenian Bastards” banner to UEFA. Celtic Football Club yet again let their own fans down when it comes to racial abuse.
SHAME ON YOU!
VictimsForeverCSC
As per usual the Celtic support will be severely criticised by media Scotland, merely stoking the fires of those in authority who hate us.
I am pretty certain that any arrests made would be as a result of extreme provocation and baiting by Ajax hooligans.
It is Ajax hooligans to blame both in Glasgow & Amsterdam.
Hope its a long time before we meet those scumbags again.
Monaghan1900 @ 18;42,
“To state, though, that ‘We would stress that there is no excuse for any form of violent conduct’ is nonsense.”
Defending you or your’s is not violent conduct, using force, even physical force to defend/protect is not violence.
Gratitious Force is violence.
PacifistCSC
Hail Hail
The Dam Square did not have the look of a League of the Cross meeting about it.
Ain’t no shun or even hun.
As I have stated here before, my Celtic credentials measure up to anyone’s.
Silenced
19:06 on
7 November, 2013
Why should Celtic report the banner.
It is the job of the EUFA observer to do so.
It may well be that the banner is in his or her match report.
CowieBhoy, that’s good to hear. I’ll hear what the statement said when I see you.
I can hardly walk today, just couldn’t make it.
Can’t put my foot down.
I’m glad the big Fhella got the turnout he deserved.
Not at all surprised.
according to bhardwaj it is not in his report
dessybhoy
Thanks.
Silenced
18:01 on
7 November, 2013
You may not be aware of it, but your comment about foreign players backs up a long held opinion of the much maligned Keevins.
That is, that with odd exception, Scottish football gets second and third tier foreign imports.
Don’t be getting all hunnish me. Haven’t Celtic F.C had enough problems with them for one week?
As DlBiA Said
‘The great unwashed?’
Aye? F sakes.
We know a club we used to know died, let them pass away.
Going back to the home game, the Ajax fans brought a nasty atmosphere to Glasgow before the match. I don’t remember experiencing such an atmosphere before any other home European game. Masses chanting Amsterdam hooligan does not bode well.
Silenced
Doubtless some consider Keevins a bawbag.
However, quoting a fairly valid opinion held by him, in no way makes me hunnish.
Apart from Henrik, how many top quality imports have we had?