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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Long old poke innit? Lots of Scottish managers including Paul Sturrock (twice), Jocky Scott and (I use the term manager loosely), Bobby Williamson. We now have Derek Adams going into his third season, and feature, in addition to Jamie Ness, Gregg Wylde, the Barrie McKay of his day as well as the ex Ross County pairing of Graham Carey and Jake Jervis, not Scottish but at least connected. It IS a lot warmer down here, that must be the attraction.
Celtic will from this day forth be awarded 1.5pts for a win, 0.5 for a draw and 0 for a loss with a 30 pt reduction on all future invincible seasons.
The top 11 cubs in the league will gain 4 pts for a win, 2.5 pts for a draw and 1.5 pts for a loss.
Donald Trump white supremacist FC will gain 5pts for a win, 4.5 pts for a draw and 4 pts for a loss.
Ewehun the Heart of hunnery
JOE CUNDY
It IS a lot warmer down here, that must be the attraction.
———————-
I live and Suffolk (driest county in UK) and can only imagine that is why Joey Garner and Martyn Waghorn joined Ipswich…Nothing at all to do with the fact that Sevco are terrible employers that are heading for oblivion…
Was told that Plymouth Argyle (Rosyth) Supporters club PARS was formed by English sailors based in Rosyth who went to watch Dunfermline and PARS was subsequently applied to the club.
It’s a story but not sure if it’s true. Along the same line is a theory that Argyle were named after the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders who were stationed in Plymouth when the club was founded. More likely is the alternative theory that the club was formed after a meeting in the Argyle Hotel – the spelling tends to suggest that the latter is true.
Davidopoulos, it’s enough to make you a Norwich supporter so it is!
After a night like last night, here we are in the backwaters of English and Fife football – must be excitement fatigue.
I was a bit worried about Astana before the match and during the first nervy 20 minutes but when I reflected on it afterwards I thought that not one of those Astana players would replace anyone in our team.
Another incredible banner from The Legia Warsaw folks again tonight.
If any of you do Twitter, Paul the Tim has put it on his Twitter page.
The Legia Warsaw fans don’t mess about, puting EUFA in their place.
A big round of applause from me.
Hail Hail
Joe Cundy.
Hey Joe, steady, 3 of my immediate family are season ticket holders with Norwich. :-))
Hail Hail
Lulu on Who Do You Think You Are……………….
Should be good.
Well done to all you who had winning bets last night on Celtic.
I thought 1.0 Celtic but hoped 2.0, never in my wildest dreams thought 5 and I have to confess at half time 2.0. I would have taken that as full time.
What do I know?
Hail Hail
its here
https://twitter.com/paulthetim
tremendous
JNP
those legia fans dont miss and hit the wall, do they?
For those who haven’t seen it, here it is..
https://twitter.com/paulthetim?lang=en
Some on here would know better than I, how would LW not know about this, or do they? If so, what is the LW’s PLC’s (if it is) reaction to this?
I mean, these Legia fans must have awfully long legs, if they are sneaking these banners into the stadium down their trouser legs…/.
:)
JIMMYNOTLPAUL
NUTLHIN’!
:-)
Nuthin obvs
JIMMYNOTPAUL
:-)
Any europa league games on TV tonight ?
HH
ive been looking at possible opponents, groups, best draw , worst draw, easiest travel, places i dont want us to go, fans i dont want to see, etc etc etc and then
the futility of it all.
there is nothing represented from the rangers group of clubs.
the competition is worthless.
-)))))))
(well apart from the 40 million euro guaranteed),
AULDHEID on 17TH AUGUST 2017 11:04 AM
Thanks for the reply on the prior blog.
DD.. .
Was the coatbridge munter in the BV stalking you last night :))))
Gene/MIT.
Thank you both for puting it up.
Yes, surely the board knew it was happening.
Hopefully our friendly Legia Warsaw fan will fill us in later.
I imagine, all connected with the club are disgusted with the fine for the memorial banner and are not backing down to corrupt EUFA, just my guess though.
What about the amount of pyro too?
Philbhoy.
My wife says you are correct and thats not just about football. :-)))
Hail Hail
Shock, horror………….Lulu’s granda was Irish
……and her family’s embroiled in scoddland’s shame…………………..
She’ll be shoutin’ in a minute…………..
BANKIEBHOY1 on 17TH AUGUST 2017 8:28 PM
Shock, horror………….Lulu’s granda was Irish
……and her family’s embroiled in scoddland’s shame…………………..
She’ll be shoutin’ in a minute…………..
————
or going for a walk.
Stivs………
No’ yet……………
she’s too busy being aw affrontit’……………..
this could take a while……..
wait till the family find our there is a “the man in black rangers supporters club”,
————–
Johnny Cash’s family to white supremacists: stop using our dad
After spotting his image at the white-nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Cash’s family is speaking out
Johnny Cash’s family to white supremacists: stop using our dad
The family of country-music legend Johnny Cash has released a statement via Facebook decrying the use of his image at the white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia last weekend — a rally that descended into deadly violence.
According to the statement posted to daughter Rosanne Cash’s Facebook page, members of the family became aware of a video showing a white-supremacist protestor wearing a T-shirt printed with Cash’s image. The post is co-signed by the musician’s other children Cindy Cash, John Carter Cash, Kathy Cash and Tara Cash.
“We were sickened by the association,” the post reads. “Johnny Cash was a man whose heart beat with the rhythm of love and social justice.”
After noting Cash’s extensive involvement in and achievements on behalf of progressive, anti-racist causes and groups, the statement continues, “His pacifism and inclusive patriotism were two of his most defining characteristics. He would be horrified at even a casual use of his name or image for an idea or a cause founded in persecution and hatred. The white supremacists and neo-Nazis who marched in Charlottesville are poison in our society, and an insult to every American hero who wore a uniform to fight the Nazis in WWII.” It adds “Our dad told each of us, over and over throughout our lives, ‘Children, you can choose love or hate. I choose love.’”
“To any who claim supremacy over other human beings, to any who believe in racial or religious hierarchy: we are not you” it reads. “Our father, as a person, icon, or symbol, is not you. We ask that the Cash name be kept far away from destructive and hateful ideology.” The message ends with a quote from Democratic Congressman and civil-rights pioneer Rep. John Lewis “Not one of us can rest, be happy, be at home, be at peace with ourselves, until we end hatred and division.”
Even after he passed away in 2003, Cash has remained a rare iconoclast and somewhat of a political outsider in the often insular world of country music, long noted for his collaborations with counter-culture icons as well as his support of prisoners and various other disenfranchised groups. Indeed, he once said that he only wore black clothing in order to highlight the plight of “the poor and the beaten down, livin’ in the hopeless, hungry side of town, I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime, but is there because he’s a victim of the times.”
What a game, what a night…:)
Absolutely drained I was last night, atmosphere fantastic and great to have the Green Brigade back.
Ntcham and Griffiths pick of the bunch for me.
Late night at the Office resulted in me getting up 08:30, normally 05:00, still made work 09:50, 20 minutes late but the smile could not be wiped off my face.
Thank you Brendan, thank you Bhoys.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Lulu – to vain to wear glasses – it makes you want to shout
BANKIEBHOY1 on 17TH AUGUST 2017 8:06 PM
Lulu on Who Do You Think You Are……………….
Should be good.
A guess at a wee imposter fae Dennistoun?
Hadjuk Split fans running amok at Goodison, teams off the pitch
She might find her accent?
This has got it aw…………..
Lulu is playin’ the role of her LIfe……….
..If nothin’ else comes o’ this she’s a cert for the Panto Season.
OhYesSheIs!
A wee hun witch
Bada
Mrs Gene can’t stand the way she puts on the accent under certain conditions
“Religious Parades”………????
She means The Orange Walks………………
Is this Lulu?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n5GoAnCaq9U
We will meet 3 teams from Euro-Asia in the groups stage.
That’s all thanks.
MWD
she’s now at the Orange Odour……….
…..nothin’ mentioned yet of bigotry and sectarianism……………..
…..it was basically a social club…
:0
Lulu is a hun. And fake as
HH
Anyone back this dog?
https://twitter.com/j_messerzz/status/898162220831526912
MWD
i was sure lulus orange roots was very well know,
her mock shock is bollix,