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.
[calameo code=000390171863b3fb8428f lang=en page=122 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
Order your CQN Annual:
1,017 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- »
Phyllis
Oddly I rate Pukki as a player but not as a goal scorer.
I think Balde will score goals but I don’t rate him as a player.
So…….kinda :-)
Maybe should just mention in passing that Ypres is in Belgium.
Don’t want to upset the Poppy Brigade.
MickTT
Tomorrow at 7:30am.
The Thai Tims
@thaitims: Singing JCGE on the opening day at the Reamonn Gormley Hall. YNWA http://t.co/Z9MciT4QrE
HH
BT,
did you get my email?
P
Ernie,
I didn’t realise Yvpres is in Belgium. Was speaking to a young French girl last night and she either didn’t know or didn’t let on.
CQNeverydayisaschoolday.com
hamiltontim is praying for oscar
12:21 on 8 November, 2013
Phyllis
Oddly I rate Pukki as a player but not as a goal scorer.
I think Balde will score goals but I don’t rate him as a player.
So…….kinda :-)
Completely agree on your thoughts on both Pukki and Balde!! Great description!!
What an achievement. Congratulations to all who made it happen. Why do the Thai Tims always bring a wee tear to my eye.
How many went to Seville without tickets? It’s common practice to travel to “exotic” locations without a ticket to either procure one, or just have the craic.
Lymmbhoy. After the events of midweek . That video has restored some of my faith in the human race .
Lymmbhoy. Thank you for posting, beautiful. Reamonn, god bless and rest in peace. YNWA.
niallo83
12:27 on 8 November, 2013
hamiltontim is praying for oscar
Wannae start a clique??? :-)
Richie
Aye! But it’s surely is a different type of craic in the DAM!!!
:-)
MWD
Aff oot to pub,as didn’t get enough to drink in Dusseldorf Weez,Amsterdam,Eindhoven or Dublin .hh
Vp
Did you get a ticket?
Just been watching various videos on youtube of Dutch Police in Amsterdam. These guys just do not mess about, several of the videos show Police using batons against fans who appear to be just asking what is the problem. It’s obvious that the Dutch Police were heavily influenced by the Nazi SS who occupied their country during WW2
BT,
Just passing Carstairs, are you still up for a meet?
P
HH
home from Amsterdam last night..
Not happy at the lack of protection for our support..
We ve a great joyful reputation..
The Dutch polis were not prepared to acknowledge this..
Too tired to type..
I will in due course..
HH
Pod I
He’s at the station but will get back to you.
parkheadcumsalford
11:38 on 8 November, 2013
It’s a privilege that’s afforded by making sacrifices elsewhere and purchased for the sole purpose of giving myself an increased chance of obtaining difficult to come by away tickets
As for the Scottish press ,face it,the management ,the board and the players are more likely to be socialising with them of a night than they are to be sitting down with me and you
…still at it……….
Podi
Virgin train just pasefd me at statoon.
Oldtim in place at the bar already.
Vp coming into town?
Thanks HT
I’ve no idea BT’s age so is he a Counting House (Countdown i call it) or a Merchant City chap?
P
Station even.
On train in glasgow ten minutes
Good afternoon friends –
Noticed earlier on that OlTim made reference to meeting in the Italian Pub. I understand that may be an in-joke as it’s doesn’t exist. You might want to try The Piper (corner of George Square, diagaonlly across from Queen St Station.
Hope I’ve not made it more complicated with my uncalled for interfering ;-)
hamiltontim is praying for oscar
12:36 on 8 November, 2013
niallo83
12:27 on 8 November, 2013
hamiltontim is praying for oscar
Wannae start a clique??? :-)
Haha defo:-)
Podi
Piper bar next to city chambers.
47 last weekyou will know be by the shirt im wearing. Think mrs bt bought it from a cafe as an old tablecloth..
I look about 24 a my fellow celtic fans will tell you.. 8-)
BT
Dug years?
:-)
BT –
looks like I guessed right then ;-)
Richie
Just because I never mentioned your cafe..
If you haven’t read it yet take the five minutes to do so. Especially for those drowning in despondency.
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/?p=14092&cpage=2#comments
medtim @ 11:53
I have met prior to the STV interview. That meeting was solely to arrange the stage management of the AGM.
I have since asked to meet and this request was welcomed by the company secretary, although I would have expected the meeting to have been arranged by now though. For the moment, I wont comment further.
The Piper,
My daughter played with Celtic girls and the parents of a team mate ran that pub and a.n.other in EK.
His name is Brian, lovely gent.
More importantly, we need a karaoke in Glasogw on a Friday afternoon – any suggestions please?
P
Jobo
Had u lost my number?
By choice of course
Oops. That was supposed to take you staright to SFTB @ 13.20 on P.2 of comments.
Pesky IT problems for some, eh?
BT
I wouldn’t expect you to mention Tiffany’s Cafe, 33 Glassford Street G1 1UG
get yer Morton’s & Skwerr here!
BT – no, but your text was rather out of the blue hence the reason I checked that you meant it for me. No worries.
BY the way, you wouldn’t see ‘hence’ on any of the old Sevco blogs…