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.
Brendan Rodgers – The Road to Paradise is available now from CQNBookstore.com – the first 100 orders received will come with a free gift.
ORDER YOUR COPY NOW FROM CQNBOOKSTORE.COM AND RECEIVE A FREE GIFT WITH YOUR BOOK!
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Corky: I taught his nephews.
Almore. Did you make The John Lemon Bar last night.
THETIMREAPER on 1ST NOVEMBER 2017 7:53 PM
‘Can’t believe how quiet Wembley is.’
###
The Spurs fans were afraid to make a noise in case Real woke up.
Mind you when you only have two songs/chants in your songbook I suppose it’s difficult to get too enthusiastic.
‘When The Spurs Go Marching In’ followed by ‘Come On You Spurs’ begins to lose its attraction fairly quickly.
CorkCelt: I did, eventually – 15 minutes late. I wanted to moan about it but after last night’s performance it wasn’t the time or place.
I thought the ref was brilliant, he let the game flow and our Bhoys showed great character in taking the game to Bayern.
Hope you enjoyed yourself.
Corkcelt
So sorry I missed you last night.
Lots of traffic so by the time I was there, the Corner was bare!
Congrats to your daughter. Well chuffed.
HH jamesgang
Here is a thought for anyone blaming Nir Bitton for last night’s second goal.
On Saturday I watched Bayern beat Leipzig. On three separate occasions Martinez lost his marker and flashed headers wide. The first two were from corners which are easier to defend than in play. This is a guy who can leap and hang and when he is up first and the quality is in the cross, you are on to plums.
Was that the final?
Seems like Spurs have won the comp…?
Yep Ref did very well & The Bhoys were brilliant. To be honest from the very start of the Group Stages I wanted Europa Cup Qualification before last 16.
We could get a decent run in Europa & would most likely get humped in last 16 game.
JamesGang, I think you are a mythical figure, I keep waiting at CQN corner, it’s just like waiting for Godot.
Did the Clergyman officiating at the christening scream out the name,HARRY KANE !!!!!!!,when doing the naming,because it seems to be when the boy is anywhere near the ball,the scream from the delirious English commentators.
Terrific player though.
I think there could be a ,Leetle problem at Madrid.Hardly a sweat on any of the Real jerseys.Shocking performance.
MWD’s, thanks for putting Scott downs passing stats and UCL ranking on earlier, very impressive from Skoosh.
Lots of positives last night , the lhad behind us thought Nir struck
a resemblance to Basil Fawlty with the heid bandage ..
Justsayingcf
Martinez cannot defy the law of gravity.
Only the King of Kings was able to do that ;-)
Corkcelt
Glad you finally made it to the corner
Nice to see you and Mick yesterday
I think I need to retire from posting, Scott Browns stats, jeez.
I had a wonderful day out yesterday in great Celtic and Bavarian company. The result was the only downer on a wonderful Glasgow sporting occasion. The opposing fans mingled and made new friends. Oldtim is a hero to the dozen or so Bayern Munich fans in Blane Valley, who got a round of drinks bought for them by our dapper Celtic gent. They thanked him in song. My Bayern supporting friend summed it up in text tonight. ” Thank you Glasgow, perfekt city and perfekt arena, Celtic Park, to support football. Bayern/Celtic friends forever.”
BT, Not sure if anyone said Happy Birthday to you on the Blog today so may I be the first.
Corkcelt
One day. I’ll meet you. I’ll buy you a beer. I’ll buy you chips. Then guzzle the latter as you focus on the former!
Sorry Almore!
HH jamesgang
HAPPY HOOOOOPY BIRTHDAY to
BLANTYRETIM!!!!!!
Hope ye’ve been spoiled rotten.
HH
BT,
happy birthday,hope you had a cracking day
One of my most enjoyable days yesterday,Great to meet up with the cqners who were in the BV in the afternoon, and the game was even better than I expected,Celtic could have won with a bit of luck, then back to the BV after the game until closing time then on to rab.haws until the back of 00,30 am, tad drunk, but survived to get back to my hotel and get my head down.
BT. I may have wished you an early happy birthday yesterday, So I’ll say it again on the correct day, Happy birthday BT.
One moment summoned up all that the majority of us felt yesterday evening, it was the sight of KT walking alone in front of the other players as they took the applause at the end of the match. It was not so much a player as a supporter that came across. He really felt for us and with us last evening. KT, we all know you are more than merely a person who plays for Celtic. You are one of us.
Well done as so many others have declared to Callum and Jamsie. They both put in wonderful performances.
Sounds Good Jamesgang, Make it a Sausage Supper and you have a friend for life.
Have our Flights booked for Anderlecht game so if all goes well maybe meet then.
The pleasure of witnessing a superb performance against one of the world’s best teams last night,well,difficult to beat that.
I came close though. I got to finally meet one of life’s gentlemen in CORKCELT,an absolute diamond of a man.
I got to meet some old friends,and of course,a few new ones. And I got a H-U-G-E hug from DENA29-eat yer heart out,WEEFRATHETIM!-and…
I managed to get my first pint ordered and paid for before OLDTIM67 noticed!!!
Special mention also to ANGELGABRIEL and ROBINBHOY for sorting out a ticket for me,without which none of the above would have been possible.
Result…
PS-I can highly recommend a certain taxi driver,who turns up punctual,and drops you off at the door. Take a bow,CALTONTONGUES and many grateful thanks.
And also to everyone yesterday. It’s good to be a Tim,but it’s even better to know such great Tims.
HH
BT
Many happy returns young yin.
BMCUW
BT gets spoiled at home every day. :))
Corkcelt
If James buys you a sausage supper, he will devour one of your sausages and half yer chips. Ask yer Dub pal Almore.
Great to meet you and M again last night.
Great occasion and the BM fans admit they got lucky in Glasgow.
Hail Hail
Thanks for the birthday wishes bhoys
It’s been a long couple of days so I’ll bid you all a goodnight
God bless
Just looking at some of the stats for this seasons group stages, we have the 2nd fewest yellow cards with only 3 in 4 matches. Only Roma have fewer with 2 yellows. Not very Scottish of us. Perhaps an indication we have been too passive at times and not enough tactical fouling and upsetting the rhythm of the opposition. Or just great control. To be fair the referee was excellent last night (no yellows for either team) as was the referee in Anderlecht. For some perspective, we managed 2 yellows against Kilmarnock at the weekend.
Fantastic game last night really enjoyed it apart from one bit, I have an ingrowing toenail and at Calum’s goal the guy beside me leapt 3 ft in the air , I could only leap 2ft so landed marginally before him and he landed you know where. But it was worth it. Question if you play in a cup semi at the weekend and have your league game postponed are you not supposed to play that game on the first available midweek ,re Hibs v Killie why did Motherwell and sevco not play their postponed game this midweek. Corkcelt well done to Niamh HH
Well in fairness DD, one sausage & half a bag of chips sounds good to me, particularly if it’s served outside Celtic Park on a Champion’s League night.
I like that Evan Davies on BBC2
Nae Poppy fascism for him
BMCUW, Great meeting you mate, must say I hold you in the highest regard.
CorkCelt: Sausage and chips from a vendor outside Celtic Park? Never again.
Hence the need for a fans’ café beside the Superstore.
A museum would be nice too.
They’re grand Almore, particularly when you are starving but you need to know the right van.
Think I broke the blog, ah well it’s time for me to go to bed anyway. If there is anybody out there, Good Night & God Bless You.
CORKCELT
I don’t think you broke the blog as such. More like the space-time continuum wi that last wee sentence there!
Maybe MAGS can come back specially to explain that,seems right up her street.
Hint,hint!!!
Good craic on here tonight but I wonder how many have given up on the site because of the intolerable ads. I use adblocker on the iPhone but the four year old iPad and laptop are a nightmare.
Weebobbycollins
https://tenor.com/view/tongue-bone-boston-terrier-treat-boston-gif-5947663