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…
LISTEN to the latest CQN Podcast now…
GET your Gotcha! t-shirt while stocks last…
471 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- »
PARK ROAD 67
Things are good here she was pissed last night battering into her mojitos every time we scored it’s no like her.
Past your name and good character onto JEROMEK67 you might meet up as he is coming over here soon.
KEEP THE FAITH
NIGHT BHOYS
Great Result Last Night 5-0.
Thought Astana were not a bad side, their game plan was going okay and at one point an away goal could have made the journey to Kazakhstan ominous but we simply over ran them in the end.
Great Performance from all concerned, quite simply superb!!!
THECLUMPANY @ 9:54 PM,
Yes, Celtic dumping on Scottish Football again.
I’ve stated many times, Celtic do not have a God given right to be the finest team in Scotland. It is realised through honest endeavours. As you say, other Clubs are prepared to put their Clubs in order and show ambition.
Aberdeen last Season having their best Season in Years.
Notice how Ewan Murray lumps all the Scottish European Failures together. Newco were embarrassed by Footballing minnows, while Aberdeen progressed and lost to a decent Team under difficult conditions.
His piece is utterly nonsensensical, not one single salient fact to back up his ridiculous assertion, that if Celtic qualify for the UCL Group Stages, that this would be bad for Scottish Football.
Living in England I’m at a loss to see why Bigotry, hidden in plain sight is tolerated in Scotland.
Make no bones about it, if ANY other Scottish Team had progressed it would have been a celebration of Scottish Football*.
*One caveat, Neil LENNON’s Hib’s; their imminent progress in Europe next Season, may not be universally appreciated;)
Only a Bigot could see any downside to this.
As has been stated, none of the MSSM bemoaned the dominance of Rangers. And where was Rangers Money coming from? Who knew? Who cared?
Remember SDM showing his usual concern for Scottish Football as a whole…
“This shows we are now talking about [Rangers] existing on a completely different plane,” David Murray, the Rangers chairman,
Ewan Murray in his piece bemoans the fact, even though they would never be so crass to state it, that Celtic exist on a different plane, why? What’s the difference between now and twenty years ago when Scottish Football needed a leading Vanguard?
The pluses are obvious and have been stated but let’s reiterate them…
The Direct Benefits.
– Scotland represented at the highest Club level in World Football
– Scotland’s coefficient improved
– Scotland’s other Clubs get a UEFA windfall.
The indirect benefits
– More money coming into Scottish Football**
**Interesting that the loss of the “Blue” Pound effected the whole of Scottish Football, the gain of the “Green” Pound benefits only our Club!?
– Scotland’s Internationals experience playing at the top level
– Celtic’s Academy/Squad players going to play Football at other Scottish Clubs – Efe Ambrose, Ryan Christie, Ajer
– Scottish Coaches, Match Officials and Administrators (cough cough) having a platform in Europe i.e. Gordon Strachan’s European Experience, Willie Collum’s European Adventures.
So where’s the downside?
Celtic getting better apparently is bad for Competition… WHIT!!!
Celtic attracting top quality Managers, Coaches, Players etc to Scotland is Bad for the game ‘Cause other teams can’t compete.
So what’s Scotlands only hope then? Celtic need to get worse…What absolute, negative tripe…
What about other Clubs Striving to get better!?
Only in Scotland Eh!
ScottishFootballNeedsAWeakCelticCSC
Hail Hail
HH Celtic men and wummin. What a night last night at paradise.
First thoughts though to a sister city and the pain they are experiencing tonight.
Barcelona, you are beautiful and you, and your people will never walk alone. A small corner of Carmyllie is with you in your darkest time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkskujG0UYc
Viva Barcelona
I keep getting more and more enjoyment, with every new example of the Huns’ pain.
Players and managers, ex players and managers, players and Managers at other clubs that never got to “live the dream”, broadcasters, journalists (sic), administrators (sic), politicians, and every Hun in whatever guise they appear in Scottish society.
Lurkin’ Huns – your tears taste good. Your pain nourishes me.
Hunderbirds are Gone, well said bruv.
Every bit of their failure and pain gives me joy, and its coming in bucketful’s these days.
HH
Its happenin’
Nic one mikael
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/1431443/celtic-mikael-lustig-champions-league/
HH
Bring em all on.
Celtic is up for it alright.
Incredible Support Wednesday night.
Njoiyed reading this
Celtic Numero Uno and the Hibs sekonda. A team just promoted 2.
Brave Brave Undaunted.
We will never be Defeated whilst Ireland has such Sons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiXgOQ9_-RI
You’re new ring tone?
:_)
www – thanks for that Picture.
No Wonder he is in the team.
I like a mad guy who can play fitba in the Team.
Something amazing is happening.
10 in a Row
Or, maybe this one?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SckdpiJ8oM
ACGR – well said amigo and I share your Love of Barcelona and all the people of Spain; No Passaran!
By the by my Zadoc ringtone is still working loud and clear, only used it once on a stray hun who wandered into my fave Toronto watering hole…braw it was:)
Slainte
Tony
MichaelAngelo, the first was good.
Celtic were imperious Wed night. Such a high pressure game – to lose a goal would have been really bad. Celtic were just Solid as a rock.
401 is fantastique – Loving the move.
Olivier. Oh we have something else with this dude. Forward pass is foremost in his Mind.
These are the champions
Die Meister
Die Besten
Les grandes équipes
The champions
:________)
Whats in the hipflask?
I think Stevie G was very warm with his jibber jabber about Celtic. Genuine Respect.
Big Bad John. He is a Celtic Legend.
Gary Linekar was a good host.
Will Celtic be drawn against the Liverpool? Assuming we get through?
This is alright you know.
Vince Gill &alison Krauss
Whenever you come around
https://youtu.be/yEX35qDQkC4
So much Muscle
Just be Pharrell.
KevJ.CSC
Its Scotland.
WTF
Limerick
C E L T I C
just sign Stuart please.
Big Mikael so gets us ……..lysande.
TBFU,
I love Reading (Tyre and Tommy B there @ the same Time) the submissions to this blog by those that are not Flavour of the Month.
I loved seeing that vid from Mikael. He was like me. Aidan told me to calm down a few Times, He gave up after the 4th. I was basically embarressing him. :D
10 in a Row.
KIERAN TIERNEY
TRALALALA
Whats his Name?
CORE
The Giants are All over that Emerald Isle.
PETEC
What is flavour of the month?……………swede
theBHOYfromU.N.C.L.E on 18th August 2017 1:22 am
PETEC
What is flavour of the month?……………swede
…………………………………………………………………………..
Celtic of Glasgow is just Jammin’ abSolutely.
Happy Daze.
The Celtic End was up for it.
FANTASTIQUE.
Brilliant Support
Go watch the game again. The Celtic Support was out of this World.
No Wonder Stevie G was being so respectful.
If only he could, huv played for the GREATEST Team Ever.
IF you dinnae forgive me?
What chance do you have?
Shockin’ attire
Good Tune though.
10 in a Row
The FIRE burns True
Leigh G was just magnificent.
The Celtic End was bangin’ oot the Tunes.
Fantastic CELTIC.
I cannae wait to get back to Celtic Park. Like so many others.
It is only when you watch the game on TV you realise how INCREDIBLE the Celtic Support is, absolutely phenomenal.
An Incredible 2nd half.
Watch it again?
Seriously considering it.
Ta Celtic.
Who is being signed?
Olivert Discourse!
Wow.
Respect Legia.
Paddy is here.
Who’s the Big Signing?
Fantastique Summer.
Greatest respect to Summa of Sammi.
Summa of Sammi – GREAT CQNer.
The FIRE is Scooby Doo
Anger is an Energy.
CQN has so many Greats.
C E L T I C.