Do anything nice last night? The consequences of what took place at Celtic Park are profound, but there will be plenty of time to discuss them later. For now, let’s concentrate on the small matter of how this result was achieved.
The record books will show 5-0, but there was more to this game than the thumping it turned into. For the first 30 minutes, Astana pressed Celtic high, unsettling our natural game, while forcing the occasional error. We didn’t have the luxury of time and space normally afforded us in domestic football.
This was a worrying period, although there were promising glimpses. Scott Sinclair latched into a loose ball seven yards from goal 3 minutes into the game, but could not find the target. Moments later James Forrest pitched a perfect cross for Leigh Griffiths. Celtic Park stood ready to celebrate, but again, the target was missed.
Those moments aside, the early flow of a game was not going to plan, but Celtic continued to pass the ball with precision, switching play , looking for space. Tom Rogic’s trademark surging run provided the breakthrough. His cross-cum-shot would have gone narrowly wide, but for the intervention of a disorientated defender, who turned the ball into his net.
This goal encapsulated the real chasm between the teams. Astana were good in possession and looked fitter in the opening period, but Celtic had no real weaknesses. A poorly marked corner one minute after the opening goal was the only genuine chance the visitors had all evening. Whereas Celtic probed for, and found, many vulnerabilities in their opponents.
Forrest foraged on the right, Sinclair was scintillating on the left. Ntcham’s neat passing swung the pendulum Celtic’s way, as Griffiths grew into the game through the middle, while Brown bossed proceedings in the no. 6 role.
Olivier Ntcham is still finding his feet in Glasgow, but he will be difficult to dislodge as Scott Brown’s central-mid partner. He’s a different player than Victor Wanyama, but Victor wasn’t as effective, this early, in his Celtic career.
Remember, Olivier has played very little senior football, only 37 games before his summer transfer. Practically everything he does right now is new. Wait until he realises he’s good enough to own the pitch.
Last night’s highlights…
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Opened my eyes this morning and the first thought in my head was ‘we won 5-0 last night’. It was a wonderful display and took me back in my mind’s eye to the days of constant European victory nights. Leaving the stadium last night I joked to one of my friends, ” I wonder who was told at half time that he did not need to fly out for the next game if he played a blinder.’ Well, wee Griff’s performance reminded me of the ‘wee mhan’ on the famous night that the Big Mhan made him that promise.
Griff was out on the touch line near where I sit in the final moments of the game and he looked absolutely tired out. No wonder, he had done so much running throughout the game. He really put his all into last night’s game. Thanks to another wee mhan. We know where your heart lies these days.
Wonderful performance last night 0:0 after 30 minutes so we got 5 in an hour
The positivity from the BT commentary only enhances the gulf between guys who have played the game and have a passion for it and those who are only going through the motions except when the sevco are involved
DavidO- said the same, this is a young team, great experience next Tuesday, we can field same team as played Killie last week in LC
Ntcham has balance i have not seen in a Celtic MF since The Maestro
Stars of the show last night were Griffiths, Sinclair, (finally back to his best) Ntcham and Bitton who was imperious I thought. The rest were only terrific!
There were some elements that could have been improved on of course, we still move the ball too slowly at times to hurt better teams and need to defend set plays better, KT was on the post and left it to challenge for the header that they nearly scored from the corner after our first goal, after that the organisation at set pieces was better.
Marvelous performance and result. Champions League here we come!
I watched a little of the STV highlights last night, not sure who was the anchor with John Collins and Lee Dixon, he actually said before a break the “Even Celtic couldn’t mess this up in the return leg” WTF?
BT Sports coverage was terrific and positive in all aspects ITV nowhere near the same quality.
On a positive note
BT are excellent,Sutton Hartson of course but even Linneker and Gerrard,really pro Celtic or at very least fair towards them.
Sutton annoys some on here but he is very honest,He is pro celtic but not afraid to criticise Celtic if he feels it needs to be said.
I can live with that type of honesty.
RTE coverage is a disgrace
Pro EPL cynics who wont give Celtic credit for anything.
They spent the build up for the game discussing how much Celtic will get for Tierney WHEN he leaves.
They did say it would be good for him to stay at celtic for another year.
If he was playing for an English team they could expect 50 million for him but Celtic of course will have to sell for a lot less so a bargain to be had.
West Brit Feckers !!!!
Right on Roberttressell, Ntcham was absolutely class. The best prospect, in his position in British football at the minute. Has all the talent, he’s also tough and courageous – I hear even Scott Brown gives him a wide berth in training. Sorry Keiran but a new Captain is in town!
Another European adventure would be great for Celtic – but not Scottish football
Ewan Murray Thursday 17 August 2017 12.18 BST
So raising the profile of Scottish football which should:
* Increase the coefficient (Scotland’s three representatives in the Europa League next season will, for the first time, begin qualifying in the first round. Scotland’s Uefa coefficient has slipped from 23rd to 25th.)
* Attract better TV money
* Make the League seem like a place where players might like to go to clubs other than Celtic
* Give money to other clubs
(GAVIN McCAFFERTY Published: 12:30 Wednesday 24 August 2016)
Hamilton manager Martin Canning knows that Celtic’s Champions League qualification could provide a windfall that would enable his club and others in Scotland’s top flight to do some transfer business.
Celtic’s entry to the group stage allows Ladbrokes Premiership clubs to share almost £80 million of solidarity payments to leagues with competing clubs, which is set to translate into about £200,000 for each club in Scotland’s top flight.
“It’s a massive amount of money for us to get,” Canning said. “Whether it translates itself back into players, we will wait and see, but that’s something the board have been great with, backing me in terms of trying to get guys in.
“There have been players we have made offers for, and matched different teams, and not been able to get it over the line for whatever reason.
“But the backing has been great and this money, if something comes up, might give us a little bit extra that we can push to get someone in.
“You want to see every Scottish club doing well in Europe and it’s great that Celtic can get to that level. The league gets publicised a bit more as well and some of that money filters through to other teams in the league.”
This guy gets paid to write this???
The only players I would leave out next Tuesday are those, if there are any, who are a booking away from being suspended in first group stage game. Any players carrying knocks can also be left at home.
A wonderful night in Paradise, great performance, result and atmosphere, cant beat it.
This preceded by a visit to the BV the company of,fhriends OT, BT, Lionsroar, DD, Scaniel and daughter G, new fhriends B from Lewis, G from Troon and Big Jimmy (some man) :), joined by my Ms S for a bite to eat, a great day/night out
HH
WITS – it’s a continual frustration for me listening to the EPL obsessed ‘west brits’ who ‘support’ Celtic (but usually Liverpool or man united or Chelsea (ffs) are their ‘real’ club) talking rubbish about Scottish football and the hoops.
I try to avoid it if I can because it’s hard to get any sense through to them. Much prefer chatting to guys who follow Derry City, Shamrock Rovers or even the Irish league clubs up in the north where I live – much more knowledgeable about the game generally and you get more than match of the day or Sky Sports opinions spouted back at you.
Aff oot
Junior – I heard that Ntchams shadow gets out of Ntchams way when he’s going for the ball too.
If he keeps it up then we have a world class prospect on our hands.
Whoever scouted him deserves serious praise.
Highlights on BT… still 0-0 sack the manager
Great to see Olivier get all the accolades. An absolutely wonderful player and when joined by Kouassi after his unfortunate injury what a pairing that will make for us. Armstrong is a backup player now imho.
With Olivier we can see why Brendan is focussed on the end of a transfer window and England when you see their ‘top’ clubs hoarding real talent behind the scenes in favour of the £50m instant successes their BT money demands. More gems, and with our proposition of working under Brendan and Champions League exposure, I think we have established a something very attractive for said player to consider, ideally as a perm-y.
So many hurting huns around today makes life even sweeter :)
OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING
Bada Bing,
Sorry I’ll miss you this weekend.
The Irish Centre is great for watching the game. Cheap beer and a lively sing song after the game. What’s not to like? :-)))
Bada,
Ps you just have to make a wee donation to get in. I put in £5 and the bhoy said that was way more than enough.
Absolutely amazing from everyone. On a completely different level now – technically, tactically, fitness, decision making. Game management so much better.
Griffiths simply brilliant. Now much more of a complete player. Ntcham was also outstanding. Come on Celtic – get him on an extended contract :-)
Ronnie Esplin @RonnieEsplin
Neil Lennon on @Club1872rfc statement l/week – “laughable. Insignificant. Never heard of them. Looked like it was written by a 15-year-old”
Nice feet sON
https://t.co/rxL752OEz1?amp=1
Could be a real bonus in recruitment terms to have (effectively!) qualified with two weeks left in the window. No last minute scrambling around for panic buys!
Reckon a centre back who can also play left back could be useful. Still think we are a bit short up front, but a certain PR could help fill that!
BABASONICOS71 on 17th August 2017 1:25 pm
Nice feet sON
https://t.co/rxL752OEz1?amp=1
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Wonderful skill
So two OGs.
One goal after a collision when play should have been stopped.
One loose ball which allowed Sinclair clear to score.
Astana had a sitter headed wide.
So it’s 1-1 and Astana have an excellent chance to advance.
Sevco reporter at Parkhead.
I’m still not convinced the board will sanction any of the moves until qualification is official next Tuesday, with the exception of a possible loan for Paddy.
HH
SCULLYBHOY…
Sublime bit of control.Looks like we’ve signed a gem there.
HH
Have you heard about the big strong Ntcham…
I….
I think….
I think Calum McGregor is a wonderful footballer. There.. I’ve said it.
TURKEYBHOY on 17TH AUGUST 2017 12:48 PM
You don’t think those who have reservations about the TIFO might have a point?
That, on the one hand , it might suggest some kind of WATP superiority complex, and on the other hand, delusions of grandeur, which invites ridicule rather than admiration, from fans of other CL clubs?
BABASONICOS71 – Class, to think he’ll only get better
BTW, if we do get fined for the pitch invasions after the 5th, Celtic should get those 2 ar5eholes to pay the fine themselves.
ernie lynch on 17th August 2017 1:52 pm
Quiet day at work Ernie?
I’m amazed no Italian club tried to get Ollie considering he had been there for two years . Then again Serie A has been a basket case for years.
If ON can add goals to that kind of display then I agree we have a world class player
This is how it feels to be C E L T I C!
Gotta love Ewan Murray in the Guardian.
Any time I read anything like that bemoaning our (current..?) dominance and the financial disparity, I try my absolute best to remember a single MSM article from the 90s complaining about Rangers (sic) then dominance.
Bizarrely , all I can remember are Murray hagiographies by lickspittle “journalists” telling us all how wonderful the future was going to be as Big Dave announced another venture/ cash investment that was going to leave Scottish football, and especially us , behind,
But my recollection can’t be accurate , can it ? Must be my failing memory . Surely there were lots of articles like wee Euan’s today bemoaning Rangers “dominance.”
Can anyone locate some and post them so I know I’m not losing my marbles?
Thought not…
does anyone have a link to UEFA Champions league payout distribution by club for 2016/17 ?
gracias
Looks like Brendan has unearthed another gem in Ollie.
I posted recently about our positional naivety and impatience at Champions league level.
Brendan recognized this and i think Ntcham and Eboue were signed with this in mind.
Ollie showed excellent passing ability last night but to me it was his positional awareness that was exceptional.
He was patient and never once overcommitted in a tackle or took himself wrong side of man.
Getting to the group stages and playing against top quality sides can only improve our young team.
This season may be the one we regain our European status.
I also think the youngsters Ajer,Ralston and Miller all look like they have been schooled well in how to play at a smarter and higher level.
Our coaches are doing an excellent job.
Saint Stivs on 17th August 2017 2:17 pm
does anyone have a link to UEFA Champions league payout distribution by club for 2016/17 ?
gracias
————————————————————
I was looking for it yesterday and found this – not official UEFA site but the figures look about right:
http://www.totalsportek.com/money/uefa-champions-league-prize-money/