Last night’s was one of the most professional away performances in Europe by a Celtic team in recent years. We matched Rennes across the field and never looked under pressure, although few chances were made by either team, apart from the penalty incidents.
Fraser Forster made comfortable work with a first half shot, and importantly, ensured the rebound reached safety, while the best chance from open play in the game fell to Celtic. Ryan Christie rolled the ball in front of Boli Bolingoli for the full back to clip a low cross into the box. Odsonne Edouard darted for the near post but dummied the ball. The onrushing Mohamed Elyounoussi was a split second away from scoring into an empty net.
If this was a boxing match, there would be in inquiry into the nature of the way Celtic conceded a penalty in the 37th minute. Kristoffer Ajer pulled Niang’s shirt with one hand, dragged him by the wrist with the other, then scythed him down for good measure. Three simultaneous penalty offences.
It was inexplicable, coming well into a game Celtic had yet to concede a chance worthy of the name in. Ajer made sure that situation would change. With 90 minutes gone and the game poised at 1-1, Kris again pulled the shirt of an opponent inside the box, an incident that alarmed me as much as the first, coming after we all hoped Kris had learned a lesson.
There is no viable explanation for what happened. He should be allowed to think about what he did on the bench him on Sunday.
When asked at his pre-match press conference which Celtic players concerned him, the first name out of Rennes manager Julien Stephan’s lips was “Christie”. This 90 minutes validated that view.
Ryan has an impressive burst of pace over 20 yards and used this talent to nick the ball away from a Rennes defender early in the second half in the corner of the box. The defender was already committed and took the leg from Christie. Referee, Jose Sanchez, had a perfect view of the incident but inexplicably waved play on. It was a portent of things to come.
If Kristoffer Ajer left his smarts in the dressing room, James Forrest was the hooped equivalent of Einstein. Inside the Rennes box, he dropped the shoulder, then burst the other way, showing his opponent enough of the ball to tempt an intercept, but with Houdini-like deft, the ball was gone, replaced by James’ leg, which received the tackle instead. The tariff for away teams for this Spanish referee is clearly two penalty incidents for one award. He pointed to the spot and Ryan Christie made us forget how fragile Celtic were from 12 yards in recent seasons.
By this stage, Rennes knew they were second best and reverted to farce. Jonny Hayes has developed a healthy role as cult hero coming off the bench in recent weeks. With Niang racing onto a loose ball on the Rennes right, Hayes put his heart and soul into a flying tackle, knocking the ball clear away from the striker, who writhed theatrically for two minutes, before protesting at the challenge once on his feet.
Replays showed it was a genuinely great tackle. The incident was reminiscent of the Jozo Simunovic tackle on our old pal Kenny Miller at Ibrox, without the ridiculous whining from Andy Walker in commentary.
Bayo replaced Odsonne Edouard but within four minutes was booked for an incident where his elbow clashed with da Silva, who left the field on a stretcher. The yellow card was technically correct, but it was a nuanced. da Silva barged Bayo as they left the ground, spinning the Celtic striker, which caused the damaging collision.
With da Silva off the field and all possible substitutions made, Rennes were reduced to 10 men. Goalkeeper Mendy then feigned contact by writhing around holding his face after Bayo chased a ball he fumbled. Again the referee had a great view of the incident and waved play on, but with the keeper on the ground holding the ball, Sanchez had no choice but to check on his condition. After speaking to Mendy, the referee showed Bayo a second yellow card. Those who say, “Why badger a referee, they never change their mind?” are wrong.
A couple of general observations. Scott Brown picked up an early yellow card. We are going to lose him to suspension during this campaign, so should get busy with a backup plan.
I can go back 30 years and recite good Celtic performances in Europe that were ruined by poor game management late on. With 15 minutes to go last night, Neil Lennon knew what to do to get the point. It was a great start to the campaign, well done.
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identify and recognition of weaknesses is the first step. Then work on them, until you become as strong on your left side as you are on the right.
The management + coaching staff will have witnessed that Ajer seems slow to react or read movement to the left. Niang didn’t produce lightening quick, or a fancy tricky turn. He merely and naturally shifted towards our goal, and Ajer was a mile slow in reading this movement.
Hayes has earned his jersey tomorrow IMO,if guys come in and do well they need to know it’s worth something
As for Scott Brown contingencies
Vurnon Anita is a free agent
TIMALOY29
I’ve watched the Bayo incident back and forth.
It was a complete accident, sure the guy was unconscious but two big guys coming together at speed have a lot of momentum.
Momentum = Mass x Velocity.
Unfortunate, no intent, no malice, not reckless.
You clearly think differently, let’s leave it at that.
Ajer dropped?
Who suggested that? They’re for the watching
Are corners this year’s throw ins?
I think we should be told
TIMHORTON on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2019 3:33 PM
cant understand fans who criticize jh as he gives 100% every time he is on the pitch.
i thought he had a very good game yesterday and yes he is good enough for Celtic( maybe of the bench)
There are Celtic “supporters” who think JH as not Celtic class and, regardless of what he achieves in a Celtic jersey they will refuse to admit they were wrong…
See Also
Waste of a Jersey James Forrest
Invisible Callum McGregor
Squad Filler Ryan Christie
etc etc etc
CELTIC boss Neil Lennon and Peter Lawwell have laid a wreath outside Ibrox in tribute to late Rangers hero Fernando Ricksen.
The former Light Blues skipper passed away on Wednesday at the age of 43 following a six-year battle with motor neurone disease.
ROBINBHOY on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2019 3:47 PM
As stated before, the intent is irrelevant. It doesn’t matter if it was an accident.
It can be a sending off that is accidental with no intent. I fail to see how the size of the Rennes player is relevant.
You don’t need to lead with your arm. Bayo was serving a ban for a similar incident when Celtic signed him by the way. He has previous.
Anyone know a Pub In St.Andrews who will be showing the Hibs v Celtic game on Sat.28th September.
https://www.facebook.com/charles.mcmanus.524/videos/10162420050710191/
Jerome – I have watch Celtic games in this place before but best to call them to check:
Address: 1 Golf Pl, St Andrews KY16 9JA
Phone: 01334 470686
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x4886578458a8a54d:0xe59bab147189c1ab!2m22!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m16!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!2m2!1m1!1e6!3m1!7e115!4s//geo1.ggpht.com/cbk?panoid%3DYUAbvZk5cviQysR7-yqanA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.LOCAL_UNIVERSAL.gps%26thumb%3D2%26yaw%3D136.48479%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100%26w%3D162%26h%3D108!5ssports+bar+st+andrews+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e2!2sYUAbvZk5cviQysR7-yqanA
Ha ha,
Another brilliant ” I wanna be Edouard.” Video.
TIMALOY29
I get it, you blame Bayo, I don’t. End of . .
https://imgur.com/a/IuuXoH6
Bayo coming in from the side arm extended across the opposition players face. Not your natural jumping position
http://www.celticfc.net/news/16834
“Excessive Force” ?
Ive heard so called expert Pundits in recent years say “that tackle was reckless as it was done with such speed etc”…what a lot of bollocks !
Jonnys tackle was hard, fast and fair…simples.
Bayo never touched the cheating Goalie.
Whats next…A Celtic Goal chalked off by the Ref cos the Ball was “Hit with excessive Force” ?
Lisbon 25th May 1967…Ref chalks off Big Tommys Goal…as it was hit with excessive force , therefore it could have have damaged Goalie Sartis’s Pinkies ?
HH
HVRATSKI JIM
Thanks for info. Unfortunately, Dunhill cup will be on so that place will be full of diners I should imagine. Have found that The Blue Stanes up near bus station has changed names to Molly Malones and is almost guaranteed to show game.
https://imgur.com/a/IuuXoH6
Couple more images showing the Rennes player is properly positioned. By far the favourite for the ball. Bayo comes in from the side arm extended. Gets nowhere near the ball with his head. Effectively the old adage of playing the man not the ball.
Sarti…not Sartis’s.
Magic video of the Wee Dug and Edouard song !
HH
BIG JIMMY on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2019 4:38 PM
Johnny’s tackle was excellent.
Excessive force only is considered when it was a foul in the first place. Johnny gets to the ball first and gets all of it. Not a foul.
If a player flies into that tackle, at that pace, gets nothing of the ball and smashes the player. That’s different.
Some players excel as subs, I always remember the original super sub David Fairclough of Liverpool.
I’d leave well enough alone with Jonny. If Taylor is fit he should start against Killie with Jonny in reserve if needed. One of Elhamed,,Julien or Ajer could afford to be rested with Bauer starting.
I would go with Eleyounoussi again, I’d love to see CalMac rested & N’tcham to start but it probably won;t happen, Finally Bayo to start with Eddie on bench if needed.
I’d like to see one of the kids we brought in, Frimpong, O’Connor or Afolabi etc on the bench & maybe give them a wee run if the game gets put to bed,
Not sure where Mikey is with his injury obviously if he is fit, I’d like to see him in the squad.
Roll on Sunday, that is the only game that counts at the moment.
The comment made by someone that Mendy had no involvement in the Bayo/Da Costa incident is not entirely true. He was mouthing off to the referee about what happened to such an extent that the ref. told him to move away. No doubt, he had his own view of what occurred and therefore went out of his way to act as he did to ensure Bayo would be sent from the pitch. In my mind, he was culpable of have Bayo yellow carded for the second time and thus receive a red card. I can see no other reason why he should do as he did when he was in fact not fouled.
I seem to remember, like O’Neill, Lenny tends to play the strongest team possible in every game
CELTIC have been hit with a £11,000 Uefa fine after fans set off flares and threw objects during their Europa League play-off clash with AIK.
Hoops supporters welcomed their team on to the park with a sea of red in the Friends Arena
Good evening CQN from a beautiful Garngad and it’s sunny anaw😎
BB – great vid of the dancing Dug.😂😂😂
Rennes were cheats, simple as that, one of the worst cheating teams I have seen in a while.
HH
D. :)
Well done indeed.
luck be a lady at Newbury tomorrow…..
J, Havlan.
T. Gosden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2dDijEJC_g
Ave Ave
CONNAIRE12 on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2019 5:24 PM
None of what you refer to is the incident. The incident was Bayo elbowing Da Costa in the face. Mendy trying to get Bayo sent off is separate. The arguement isn’t about the second booking.
Play acting doesn’t excuse an elbow
I guess it appears I was arguing when I merely stated my view on Mendy’s disgraceful reaction. Actually unlike the person who has been upholding the rules of the game, that was not the point of my interest. But enough on this perhaps, we should move on to talking about Sunday’s game.
SSB’s Mark Wilson as Manager/Coach?…Should do what he’s good at in spotting a player.
Jonny Hayes tackle on the Rennes geezer? Iconic.
So reading back , the guy that says the ref makes the decision if it’s excessive force or not, says the ref’s decision was wrong and in his opinion it could have been red , but the ref didn’t agree and said yellow would suffice , so he’s going to argue his point until we all just say aye yer right..
Aff oot..
And his goal against the huns? Wonderful.
Der Hun on Clyde SSB doesn’t think Celtic can handle the pressure this season. Not a murmur of laughter before the intermission.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpS9V5koSLw
Ave Ave
Minute’s applause for Ricksen tonight in the Highlands (Kelty) via BBC Sportsound, Requiescat in Pace. A fitting tribute for a larger than life character. As it should have been in Glasgow….. had der Hun not been so full of hatred for Catholicism.
kelty is in fife.