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Game management, Christie, Hayes, Forrest, Ajer

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

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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  1. bankiebhoy1 on

    Probably worth recordin’ that, in imo it’s good to belong to a Timdom facilitated by Celtic Quick News………..A happy home for most……………a bright beacon for our Support. This Tim is grateful.

     

     

    Looking forward to the game the morra……………

     

     

    It’s Good To Be A Tim.

     

     

    :)

     

     

    HH

  4. Friesdorfer on

    Thanks to BGFC and crew for the entertainment in both the BV and McChuill’s, very much appreciated.

     

    HH

  5. Park Road 67 on

    Hope everybody’s having a good day at the Hoot , so sad to hear about Sparkx earlier , last night in Lanzarote HH !! P.S. many happy returns to One Malloy !

  13. Almore on

    First visit to Paradise this season tomorrow via Coia’s as the fans’ café beside the Superstore hasn’t even started yet.

     

     

    Looks like I’m bringing the Irish weather with me.

     

     

    PR67: Are you going tomorrow? See you at corner of so. Hope you enjoyed your anniversary holiday.

  15. Park Road 67 on

    ALMORE

     

    Not back in to Glasgow till 1-00am Monday morning mhate ! Enjoy your Latte in the new Cafe !!!

  21. Big Georges Fan Club - Hail, Hail, Wee Oscar on

    Me and WeeBGFC just back in the house after a truly fantastic day out meeting old and new friends – brilliant :-)))))

     

     

    ..and me and Croppy Boy now know that we have always known each other :-))))))

     

     

    Great to meet BMCUW in person – I can vouch for the fact that he is not in the slightest bit argumentative :-))

     

     

    Also – BIGRAILROADBLUES, PHILBHOY, FRIESDORFER, OLDTIM, BLANTYRETIM and the bithday bhoy – 65 years young and getting turfed out the BV for wearing the colours – whit ur ye like ?!?!? :-)))) Too many others to list.

     

     

    Special mention, though, to CelticRollerCoaster – a heart of the purest, 24 karat gold – it made my day, and also that of WeeBGFC, to finally meet him and say thanks.

     

     

    And Delaney’s Dunkey – ya big Clydebank daftie – we love you ;-))))))))

     

     

    HH from Sunny-Plains-By-The-Sea

     

    BGFC and Wee BGFC

  22. Philbhoy on

    FRIESDORFER

     

     

    Cheers Bud!

     

     

    We are not that long home either.

     

     

    British Rail at it’s usual!

     

     

    Good to meet up again!

     

     

    BIG/WEE GFC/CUZ

     

     

    Great to meet yo and put a face to a nom de blog!

     

     

    Take care!

  23. Hunderbirds are Gone on

    An awful lot of sober sounding post hoot posts..??

     

    I hope there’s still some hardcore CQNers stotting aboot the Gallowgate. Sorry I missed it… next time.

     

    🍀⚽️

  24. TheLurkinTim on

    Walkin Mahe to jury’ s Inn…responsibility been seen to be done…my Patkour leaves a lot to be desired…got a broken right heel…staved left ankle…lol…it was worth it

  25. TheLurkinTim on

    You should’ve seen me…accelerated fall

     

    at 10m per second per secondish….lol…it was magnificent bad judgement 😂👍😫

  29. i'vehadtochangemymind on

    Rangers have got better this year. They are sightly better than the sphell teams in many positions. I think they will drop points this season when the s gee adrenaline rush runs out but not for a while.

  31. GFTB on

    Ivehadtochange 10.05pm

     

     

    I think Neil has Celtic far better this season … only two defeats since he took over, a dead rubber after league was won & a pitiful team selection v Cluj…… Sarejevo Komlle (sic) Stockholm, Cluj & Rennes unbeaten away in Europe … surely progres (sic)

  32. i'vehadtochangemymind on

    Thelurkingtim – just thinking about tomorrow and as gftb says , we are much better but I don’t think it’ll be show in the table for a while. Talking about them – counter their nonsense.

  33. GFTB on

    Neil Lennon … two defeats since he took over approx when Brendan bolted … a game … dead rubber when the league was won … Cluj at home some say he was “instructed” to play Ncham to sell him … how did that work ? Since Cluj at home am afraid Neil has shut a few people up … problems in the dressing room… dinosaur in the dug out … 29 games 2 defeats … and counting … we will lose one day or even maybe a few days but Neil has some record since he has came back (home) :-)

  37. Jobo Baldie on

    The Huddle at 10.58 –

     

     

    One of my Top 10 Desert Island Disks, thank you. Another of Gerry’s also makes the list – The Right Moment. Anyway, aff oot to watch Match of The Day…. thanks again

     

     

    #you’vegotyoursecrets,yeah,andI’ve gotmineCSC

  41. Melbourne Mick on

    Hello again all you young rebels.

     

     

    Great to hear you bhoys and ghirls enjoyed your hoot today.

     

    Now it’s our turn here on the rebel peninsula for a day of

     

    Celtic festivities.

     

    Beautiful sunny morning here, so a wee walk along the beach

     

    and a sup of the blackstuff just to clear my throat you know, a

     

    lot of singing to do.

     

    Wonder if PADDYMAOZ is already at the pub putting up our

     

    flags and banners?

     

    Right it’s time to pick my Celtic top for today, hmmm.. so many

     

    8-))))))

     

    H.H Mick

     

    RIP SPARKX

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