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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OGLACH
Mention it to them?
Just asking them to spell it gives them nightmares.
But in a more serious tone…..
I BACK OUR BHOYS!
You should be able to expect protection from a police force,not brutality.
CELTICROLLERCOASTER
Coincidence that The Token Tim makes a welcome return to the blog just in time for his birthday? Hmmm…..
Hoooooopy Birthday,young fella!
And of course to Miss ACGR.
OGLACH
My previous reply was in no way meant to trivialise events in Srebrenica,contrary to how it reads. Indeed,the entire conflict in that area was horrific in its barbarity.
Apols for the clumsy wording.
The MSM have excuse the bad behaviour of the Hun on every occasion
They have been desperate for an opportunity to equate any CFC fan behaviour with that of the hoards
Part of their desire to excuse the Hun by using the …they’re as bad as each other tag ….they are always trying to associate us with them
CFC must stand up for us …..good reputations are hard earned but easily lost
Many happy returns to TTT. Have a smashing day oul fella!!
Valentinesday
Fair enough re MSM I don’t buy their product either
However they can’t be allowed free hand to denigrate our support
I’ve not been on since yesterday afternoon. Can someone direct me to Neil Lennon and Peter Lawell’s criticism of the ‘Fenian Bast@@@@’ banner displayed by the Ajax supporters.
I mean they were hardly off the plane before both of them ripped into the Celtic supporters who displayed the ‘F EUFA’ banner last season.
So I’m assuming that they’ve already made their condemnation and I’ve just missed it……
HT
Dripping with sarcasm …..
You know us …ever the apologists ….
Celtic’s statement read: “Celtic Football Club is investigating events in Amsterdam. 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. 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.”
PS I genuinely believe that Celtic fans should never buy ant Scottish Newspaper. To those who either disagree or can`t help themselves, I would ask that they do not comment on here on anything that appears in the MSSM to do with Celtic. It does no good.
JJ ( Off to the golf)
JJ
Usual rhetoric
I await further action with interest but no true expectation
Pfayr
You mean they’ve not?! :-)
This resolution 12 is never gonnay fly.
Only three of us showing support so far?
Blantyretim.
I feel like a wee trip into Glasgow today,If your hanging about the square I wouldn’t mind having a drink today.Let me know what you think.
Morning all
Not read a paper or bought one for over a year, so our support is still magic and its true, you dont get in a rage.
Got a few things to do today and hopefully if it all works out, should be on the train at Queens St around quarter past three for the game tomorrow. Ayrshire bhoys on a wee overnight tour.
Ayrshire is Green and White
HH
I say it again; PL must deal with the msm and in particular Jackson. The DR will milk this to sell papers and suck up to hurting deidco fans. Do something about them board fgs.
hooped crusader,
the Dunfermline fans forum dafc.net has gone into overdrive regarding the treatment of their fans at Ibrox on Wednesday. A 10 year girl receiving vile abuse, fan hit on eye with coin, small group of pars fans attacked by 15 thugs after game.
Any msm news on it?
I think thats a reasonable statement from Celtic and highlights issues that, by reading on here, appear to have been ignored by the SMSM.
HH
Good morning friends and a Big Happy Friday from a dry and calme(er) East Kilbride.
Wonder at what point tomorrow our game against Ross County will be abandoned. They’re on a hat-trick don’t ya know ;-)
MICKTT
That is not the full statement. The full statement is somewhat equivocal.
Which,as HT rightly says,the club seldom are when they choose to criticise our fans.
Another example of which was The Boxing Day Massacre in Dundee….
Am I still asleep or did I really read a post during the night with someone complaining about the litter left lying on Dam Square
It’s what happens when thousands of people gather in the one place
Pop concerts, Hogmany Street parties, Festivals – Im sure they arent all spick and span when the crowds leave – it takes 2 weeks to clear up after T in the Park for instance, that time isnt spent just polishing up each blade of grass
I suspect the muppet who wrote that on here doesnt have any friends so hasnt been in a crowd of more than 1 in his life
Ahh,
the persons name was Truth_Beauty_and_Freedom
I suspect he/she doesnt now what any of those mean
now=know
ACGR @ 7.42
Make that four as I will throw my 0.00003% shares behind Resolution 12.
There are two big questions for me. The first is the board’s justification for opposing the resolution. In his recent interview, Peter Lawwell seemed to suggest that he would reveal more significant information at the AGM which would justify their stance that they questioned the SFA’s granting of the licence and there was nothing more they could do. I will listen carefully to what he has to say but I suspect we’ll be told that we should be focussing on the future which will include a pan-European league and Resolution 12 would put at risk our possible involvement in this brave new world. I don’t accept this argument but it’s something I’ve picked up on other Celtic forums from un-reconstructed board apologists.
The second question for me is the fall-out from the inevitable defeat for resolution 12 when the Desmond and his pals weigh in to blow the small shareholders out of the water with their block-vote fuselade. I’ve no idea how many times I’ve been to Celtic Park in over 50 years but it seems ironic that the last time I might go there is to an AGM and not to watch the team.
@CelticGossip 90% of scot journos are huns so there always goin to try get a dig at celtic,f*** the lot of them,Mr Lawell protect YOUR fans
Jobo Baldie,
Nice Autumn morning in Dingwall / Easter Ross – mild and dry with lots of blue in the sky.
Hat trick looks in doubt….!
Good morning CQNers,
Wednesday’s performance signals that something urgently needs to be done about our impotent strikers.
Stokes having just been awarded a new 3 year contract would suggest NL sees him as central to his forward line options so my reservations about his ability have no bearing.
Clearly NL is going to persist with him so in that case I’d dearly like to see him formed into some sort of partnership (ala Sutton/Shearer), possibly with Balde or even Samaras.
I realise my suggestion could be seen as old fashioned but I really can’t see an alternative to accommodate Stokes.
Just have to add the link to Robert Fisk’s take on the poppy debate …. http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/poppycock–or-why-remembrance-rituals-make-me-see-red-8927751.html
In Seville the amount of trash didn’t matter,wot we poured into the place, money wise was
Incredible
They loved us
HH
Just in to say…
It’s amusing alright reading all the ‘pleas’ for the ‘bored’ to stand up for the Celtic fans ?
Where do you all get off ?
Yeez have the cheek to laugh at the gullible sevconians ?
Ye know what ? Yooz are worse. imo
Keep on rolling-up to line the troosers of those who roll a boot the bed with the anti-Celtic establishment. Ah mean – ye couldny make this up.
My bro and his GF return from the ‘Dam’ today – not been briefed yet. But, what I will say is that, in what has been a bad week for the Timdom – the two good aspects for me have been – seeing the ‘entire’ Celtic contingent / Players / Management / Officials / Fans as what seem to be the only fholk from this country withoot they blasted ‘poppies’ on their lapels.
Oh, and the other pleasing aspect….
Celtic fans getting rid of the hush-puppies and putting on the steelies to deal with the events of the ‘Dam’ in the right and only way to deal with it by getting – F#CKED RIGHT INTEA THEM !!!
I apologise if I’ve lowered the tone of the blog(again ?) – Sorry.
Hail Hail – Off oot.
Tom McLaughlin
I agree 100% mate. To our support who stood up to the thugs masquerading as police and helped their fellow Tims, I will also raise a glass or 2 tonight. I will also raise a glass on your continued good health
Canamalar as I have stated before I do not have shares but support your resolution 12 wholeheartedly. People that know me on this blog will know that I have raised the questions at q&a night in KSC with Paul67 and Phil who I believe are in the know with our board. I am still waiting for a straight answer. Good luck in the continued fight for the truth mo chara.
TTT and Princess ACGR have a very happy birthday.
KTF
HH
murdochbhoy supporting fearless oscar
Stokes is a reasonable player, too selfish by far and, for what the support aspire to, in no way near the mark. He is better than his rivals for the jersey by some distance, certainly on current evidence.
A sad state of affairs.
Don’t believe I’m actually responding about the litter but as a member of the Wimbledon csc it’s something that is close to my heart.
Celtic fans pick up after themselves. Anybody that’s been to away games will have noticed a group of people going around picking up the rubbish when others leave for the stadium.
It’s difficult to do without picking up a set of broken ribs from plain clothed Dutch thugs or a broken shkull from a baton wielding Dutch thug on horsheback.
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers backs resolution 12
07:55 on 8 November, 2013
MICKTT
That is not the full statement. The full statement is somewhat equivocal.Which,as HT rightly says,the club seldom are when they choose to criticise our fans.Another example of which was The Boxing Day Massacre in Dundee….
————————————-‘———-
Ok auld son, I’ll reserve judgement.
Was in the pub watching the game on Wed and sat down with a gentelman who laterly informed me his son was a journalist, writes a column in a Sunday paper.
He was quite obviously out to watch the Tic, I asked is @@@@ a Celtic man then, he laughed and said
“@@@@ has to be impartial”
I laughed, nodded and replied
“Aye only in this country”
He said “True”
Kind of Italian sounding surname, his auld faither is a goodyin.!
HH
Haven’t seen or read reports on the violence until this morning – what was the charge by Celtic fans throwing bottles at the tram all about?
Glaswegians are not slow to defend themselves. That is a laudable trait in my mind.
Celtic fans would have experienced or heard about the Ajax cowards attacks. Imagine your reaction if some unidentified Hollander approached or grabbed you. Contrast that to the footage of celtic fans pleading for calm from baton wielding uniformed cops. I’d have defended myself.
About 100 hooligans charging in to a pub and causing mayhem I think I would defend myself.
Henr1k.
My best pal was with his wife in that pub. There were women and elderly in the pub. It’s human nature to defend weaker people.
Celtic fans were warned by the club to be vigilant. If plain clothed thugs attacked anybody on the street then the kicking they got was merited. Not only that but they should be fired from their jobs and jailed for assault.
They weren’t arresting fans they were attacking them, the video evidence is clear.
BIG-CUP-WINNERS @ 08.32
He is what he is and he’s what we’ve got, for that simple reason I’m reluctant to criticise, I’d rather be positive and look for alternative approaches to help him.
I wouldn’t get too het up about Ajax fans nor the Amsterdam police, their reputations precede them. As for the Scottish msm, don’t get me started about their reputation.
THM, my tongue in cheek post about the litter was exactly that and was in response to posts from the poster “truth beauty and freedom”.
I saw nothing truthful or beautiful in his condemnation of the Celtic support that.
HH