Bayern Munich left Glasgow with three points, but that was two more than they deserved. The game was decided on a 22nd minute lapse. Dedryk Boyata should have headed but allowed the ball to bounce behind him. This is the kind of mistake which primary school kids are shouted out for. From that moment, Coman was clear through on Craig Gordon, who made the mistake of coming out of his box in the vain hope of reaching the ball before the French international striker. That aside, Celtic were excellent and deserved a point for their efforts.
As with the corresponding game in Munich, this was a game for James Forrest, not Patrick Roberts, so I was pleased Brendan Rodgers’ hand was forced with the injury to Patrick. James was outstanding. He regularly drew three defenders, kept his head up in possession, and created the chance which allowed Callum McGregor to convert.
Watch James again at the goal. He played the magicians’ trick: “Look over here, watch me.” Every Bayern Munich player was focused on him before he pulled a rabbit out of the hat, it was a thing of beauty. Wing play is difficult, although it seems it is more difficult for some to understand it, than it is to play there. I enjoyed watching Arjen Robben, but James was the more productive winger last night.
Screeds have been written about a momentary lapse by Nir Bitton at Firhill, which cost Celtic nothing. Last night, under the most intense pressure, the player grew in stature in the central defensive position. I heard “What are you doing?” as he chased down a loose ball in the Bayern right back position a moment before the Celtic goal, but without that, or his build-up play which led to the goal, we would not have drawn level.
It is also worth recording that Celtic still had the option to make a substitution when Nir received a head injury which resulted in several minutes treatment and the application of a substantial bandage. If his appetite for a scrap was in question (you know what I mean), he would have left the field at that moment.
I was getting frustrated for Callum McGregor, who constantly showed for the ball, but in the central role he started the game, seldom received it. It was a brave move for Brendan to hook Scott Sinclair and push Callum wide, although Scott was clearly below his best, but this change was pivotal in getting Celtic level. The aforementioned build up play from Bitton, the run and delicious dink from Forrest, cut Bayern open. In true Halloween fashion, Callum wasted no time in burying ghosts of past German encounters.
Scott Brown was imperious, while Stuart Armstrong will still be replaying his early chance to open the scoring over in his mind, he can be satisfied with his performance. Lustig and Tierney put in mature and energetic efforts.
Moussa Dembele had little scope to shine; an early left foot effort which he didn’t connect with cleanly was the sum total of his genuine opportunities. Celtic wisely put numbers in defence and midfield, leaving the striker isolated.
A word about Dedryk. He dropped on his knee on the final whistle, no doubt feeling the pain of his earlier mistake. You and I have been watching football long enough to know this is part of the game. Big Billy shared a couple of similar memories with me, which he carried like old wounds. Dedryk has recovered from darker places during his time at Celtic and can use the hurt from last night against PSG, and when his countrymen visit on match day 6. It was an infuriating moment, but he is a player unrecognisable from the Dedryk we lamented in Molde.
There is so much to be positive about. On similar form, we will destroy Anderlecht and no one will fancy coming to Celtic Park in the Europa League. So what do you have to worry about? We’ll talk about that tomorrow.
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Last night was a very enjoyable one for this supporter.
A game with two quality sides playing football the right way and both sets of fans an absolute credit to their clubs
JF put on a performance he has often threatened.Hopefully his confidence and belief will soar.
When Paddy is fit i would rather he played in the 10 role and Jamsie and young Johnson retain the right side.
Hi there all,
I know that some of you are interested in the minutiae of tactics, coaching and set ups etc….and more power to your elbow. It’s all too much for us older sorts to absorb and make sense of. It takes me all my time to absorb the key ingredients of the medicines that Nurse Ratched – my affectionate term for my home helper – forces down my throat each day.
Anyway, this morning as I sort of undulated between delight at last night’s performance and depression at the undeserved result, I switched on BT Sport catch up or whatever it’s called.
Roma v Chelsea.
I only watched because Chelsea, that epitome of Kings Road Englishness (starting with one English player in the team and finishing with none) got well and truly skelped by a team who simply and clearly educated me in what ‘playing in the hole’ really means.
I recorded it for the afficionados to simmer and bubble over and perhaps see if it really can be imported to football grounds across the globe.
Watch this second goal by Al Shaawary and keep your eye on the celebrations by Perotti…..
Perhaps you might try experimenting yourselves at the CQN fives or maybe it fits in better to the golf days. :)
I give you…..Playing in the Hole…..https://goo.gl/RYsaEU
Hail Hail
Matt
Fan-a-tic
I agree with your 4:40 comments re last night\s spectacle. I am , though, less in agreemnent with this:
” The rule is simple .Stay goal side of opponent and do not ballwatch.”
Surely if it were that simple, players on £10-20 thousand pounds per week would be able to comply.
JJ
Matt Stewart
UEFA won`t allow me to play that clip.
JJ
Matt you are a legend hope to see you soon in Sharkeys Hail Hail Hebcelt –
Hot Smoked
Stuck it up on You Tube…
Try https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73FZCvgq8y0
Hail Hail
Matt
Hot smoked …ignore that.. Uefa have unseen hands at work…will get back to you
Hail Hail
Matt
Is is easy to be magnanimous when you have won.
Hopefully this performance will be the start of making Parkhead a fortress again.
At the end of the day we will always remember the great result in Belgium ,although our performance was maybe not as pleasing to the eye. History will reflect this.
I’m sorry but I cannot share the euphoria of a home defeat , regardless of the opposition.
Points make prizes and a magnificent performance in my opinion would see us winning.
To summarise IMO: Some great individual performances, others that need to improve but overall we have restored some pride.
HH.
Good assessment of the game last night Paul67. However, I would say that Moussa kept their defence busy last night – they were always on him and it detracted from them being able to play out from the back as often. he was closing down the option for the keeper to play t to one of the centre backs and as a result kicked it long more often than normal. he also made it harder for them winning the Ariel ball meaning they we re heading it rather than stepping back and bringing it down to play out from defence.
Forrest, McGregor, Brown, Bitton and Tierney were phenomenal; the rest were just very good.
Bitton especially deserves a mention; his ability to drop into the centre half role is improving by the game. He is learning the position very fast and was only done by a salmon-like leap by the Bayern player who was also cute enough to prevent Bitton getting up by just resting an arm on him. Clever play!
He reads the game very well and can play a long pass very accurately.
He was also instrumental in the goal. I said to my mate straight after the goal that it all stemmed from Bitton making the run to the edge of the Bayern box to make a tackle. He also followed up by playing the ball inside to JF who set up McGregor. A great team goal.
IMHO, if Brendan Rodgers continues to develop him as a centre half, we will save a fortune in the transfer market and have an exception talent at the centre of our defence.
bignirbittonCSC
KTF
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 1ST NOVEMBER 2017 3:43 PM
Tontine…think it might have been Pasquale Bruno who talked about Di Canio…they were both in Scotland mid-ninties…
*aye that’s who it was, somehow I thought Frank Bruno, then naw naw naw.
HOT SMOKED
I don’t disagree.
All players mess up so rules are sometimes broken.
It’s the frequency of those mistakes that separate th great from good.
Nir is particularly guilty of ball watching and being wrong side of opponent and he needs to improve in this area.
To often our centre backs have eyes on and go in same direction to ball.
The Rodriguez chance was because of such.
We need a leader who will take command at the back and designate responsibility.
Just spent a wee while watching last night’s first half. We were even better than I thought while at the game. I am delighted that the players have developed the capability and confidence to play as our manager wants them to do.
I said recently that I thought we should play Nir Bitton at CB in the SPFL, as he is the best passer of the ball out of defence. He looked more than comfortable in the CL. So, I would’t have too many worries in the EL.
VFR, I would like to have put a few passes into the corners over the FBs for MD to run onto, he looked a bit frustrated at times but he ran all night .
Heading to Belfast to evening with Brendan Rodgers
hard work this following Celtic
and wouldn’t have it any other way
have a good evening bhoys and play nice ………..we are all celtic
HH
FAN-A-TIC on 1ST NOVEMBER 2017 5:01 PM
Watch the second goal again; Bitton is constantly checking where Martinez is in the lead up to the goal. He was also goal side all the time. Martinez’s movement was good and he got up earlier than Bitton. That was, IMHO, down to Bitton still learning the position, nothing to do with ball watching.
KTF
Hebcelt, if your still logged on. Very nice to met you as well on a cold Glasgow night waiting on a bus to the airport!!!! Why do we do it!!! But its all worth it when you read all the accolades handed out to us today by one of the powerhouses of European Football. It makes you feel proud to be a Celt. Cambhoy
Bada Bing, I agree; he put in great shift; and while I am a great fan of Griffiths, Moussa Dembele has fantastic football intelligence.
He kept their backline busy!
KTF
VFR800
Bitton especially deserves a mention; his ability to drop into the centre half role is improving by the game. He is learning the position very fast and was only done by a salmon-like leap by the Bayern player who was also cute enough to prevent Bitton getting up by just resting an arm on him. Clever play!
I admire your support of player but this did not happen.
Two men failed to cut out cross Boyata took the front post and Tierney the back post which was correct.Bitton in the centre went towards front post instead of picking up Martinez.The ball went behind him so he had to turn and try to challenge.Martinez was already up and facing goal so was caught by Nir’s brave attempt at recovery
I recall the euphoria surrounding the 1-3 defeat tae the magnificent Real Madrid in the Blue and White trophy game where we demanded the players return from the dressing room and do a lap of honour.
After the game the Galloping Major praised our support and said he would love tae take them back tae Spain with him. He also singled out 2 players Pat Crerand and Big Billy as potential world class, both of whom would win Big Cup Medals.
As I was walking the dug and jooking “trick or treaters” last night I was thinking about the excellent posts on here, nobody and I mean nobody appreciates good honest fitba like Celtic supporters do.
I also recalled the Centennial video where our “Iron Man” said that they would sometimes get a bonus even when they got beat for the manner they lost. That is truly the Celtic way.
FAN-A-TIC on 1ST NOVEMBER 2017 5:14 PM
We can agree to disagree. I’ve just watched it back and stand by what I said.
KTF
Tontine Tim,
I have said on here that Nir Bitton reminded me of George Connelly. Couldn’t give him any higher praise.
I seem to be pretty much alone in not being impressed by Moussa last night.
I thought that he watched the central defenders take most of the headers largely unchallenged.
Nir’s controlled raj chase down and tackle high up the pitch was the catalyst for the still greater ante that brought the goal….’get intae them’ etc etc
HH jamesgang
VFR800
The goal is at the 3-22 mark
You can see Bitton taking a step towards front post.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFMTuWsKuD0
JAMESGANG
I’m in agreement with you. One of the reasons Moussa was preferred to Griff was, presumably, his ability to win head flicks from the long ball and to gather in and hold up the ball played forward. I thought his contribution in both aspects was way below his best.
VFR800
It’s known on here i am not his biggest fan .
But he has played well and is improving.But the one problem of ball watching is his weakness.
In the Hibs game i actually defended him from ball watching accusation on the second goal as he was left to defend two players and tried to hold the space.
FAN-A-TIC on 1ST NOVEMBER 2017 5:23 PM
You can also see him continually check where the man is; as well as that, you can see Tierney is nowhere near the back post and Tom Rogic was culpable in letting the player get away from him to make the cross. Different interpretations.
It wasn’t ball watching; it was an inexperienced centre half not taking the best position allied to a great read of the cross and leap from Martinez. His arm on Bitton’s back also prevented Bitton from rising well enough.
KTF
For anyone who hasn’t seen this, it’s well worth your time, even Hugh Keevins is palatable :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cso-6SD_C18
This is NOT a comment on Boyata or Nitin more a reflection of club error..
Did any Celtic fan think we wouldn’t reflect on a missed opportunity when we didn’t sign a centre back in the summer?
We all KNEW we’d look back with regret.
We can’t make same mistake twice.
That said I don’t underestimate the challenge in bringing in higher quality CB …if you are much better than Boyata you probably have better options than Celtic.
Realistically we should be aiming for similar quality but with proven fitness record. 9 different formations at CB in 10 games mitigates against developing vital understanding that CB partnerships require.
Ideally we will ditch sick notes and reinvest in a new partnership or at the very least a CB who can get a sustained run with Boyata..ideally someone who can bring him on.
Cults
If we stick to our game plan of buying prospects, top quality CB’s will be hard to find at what we will want to pay, defenders should imo, be exempt from this in the main, we need tried and tested CB’s, players who have been and gone and done it, players who would give their all for a couple of seasons with the chance to play in the CL, they are out there and wouldn’t cost arms and legs, the CL is a huge carrot.
HH
still glowing after last bit , favourite bit was kt ghosting past defender
ss did a great job on robben
Sad news on the passing of “Mince from celticminded RIP
Exiled
I tend to agree…
We need a slightly younger Kolo type. The CB position is generally unattractive and unsuited to younger players it’s a job for experienced and focussed players.
Europe is a massive carrot..and if we get in again next year we have the credentials to sell to players that we are an established European team..that would appeal to many.
My main concern is avoiding sick notes. Simonovic was a known injury concern when we signed him.
See when the fortune is saved in the transfer market, by not getting in a ch, does it find its way onto other areas of the pitch ?
Does it disappear up a lumb ?
Does it find its way into millionaire directors pockets ?
Does it find its way along a secret tunnel to ibrokes, to keep the old firm alive ?
Would we have parked the bus if we wurny in the position of having one fit ch ?
Is bright bhoy Brendan, cute enough to know how to park a bus, or has he been consumed by the fabled Celtic Way mindset sabatouer, the Willie Maley song, that saw a host of other idealistic managers bulletted in the period between, 1989 / 1997 or, does he really want to park the Jose bus but, now knows that he canny with only one fit ch on the books, coz complacency ruled the way in the last transfer window ????
Who woud win a fight between a,……
Pishy, boring, 0-0 draw that produces a crucial point
and a,…..
Gallant losers performance – again – which is a throw back to the halcyon Celtic Way fitba of the 1989 / 1997 era ?
How many stolen trophies have been stripped ?
Viva la Europa league trophy, it is written.
James Forrest Ar La dont say yeez wurny telt ;
NFL’s scary dudes are gettin closer, hmmmm.
Anyway,……
……oot.
VFR800
If he clearly sees Martinez why does he go to front post?
Also Tierney was at back post position and tried to get to Martinez but was to late.
I already said two players failed to cut out cross.
So i do not see what point you are making?
In my original post i just pointed out Martinez did not hold him down as Nir had to turn because he let Martinez get behind him and the contact was from Nir trying bravely to recover.
I have said my piece on the subject and others can watch the video i posted and make their own mind up as to what took place as we both have.
Jamesgang……….Agreed, i commented on the blog last night during half time that Dembele was being beaten to the ball constantly in the air by Munich defenders. I expected Dembele to be knocking down balls in the air and creating chances for our players. He did reasonably well otherwise always making it difficult for German defenders in denying them time to settle on the ball. The pleasing thing about last night was that Celtic were still in with an outside chance of making the last sixteen after four matches.
James Forrest was worth the admission money alone with his display of balance, poise and footballing skill – a different class. James chose the right stage to shine against the cream of Europe. More of the same please.
Last night was a great football match with thrills galore – end-to-end stuff. Celtic deserved a point at the very least.
Cults
I repay the agreement :-)
The Jozo situ could be the reason we didn’t sign the S African fella, but from what I gather he is playing regular, over the years we have brought in a few who were at the end of their playing time, a couple at the very end, Kolo is a prime example.
Whatever transpires, a couple of CB’s who are fit and can play regular are a must.
HH
Gooooood Evening CQN
On this Feast Day of All Saints, can I wish, a
Very Hooooopy Birthday to that Tim from Blantyre
Or is it Blantyretim :-))))
Enjoy your Day Bhud, (not with bud-wise-er)
Hail Hail
ref for our game this sat Bobby Madden