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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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  4. Melbourne Mick on

    THE HUDDLE

     

     

    Some great music there, hadn’t listened to Willie Nelson in years

     

    but that vid made me listen to more, need to dig out old cd’s for

     

    the trip down to rebel town Lewis Capaldi can wait a bit lol.

     

    H.H Mick

  7. Ave! Ave! on

    Just wondering…

     

    Did King just stick two fingers up to UEFA and completely ignore the order to close part of the stadium, having gotten away with a paltry few 100 seats for the previous ban?

     

     

    I didn’t watch the game but the brief moments I did see, I didn’t notice any large empty section of the ground.

     

     

    What is the point UEFA? You issued a directive to close at least 3000 seats at both games and from what I can see, this was not complied with. Are you going to just sit there and do nothing or do you, like the SFA, turn a blind-eye to the activities of a certain club?

  8. ‘GG on

    Good evening from a secret nondescript store where I’m hitching on to the WiFi of the store next door.

     

    Looking forward to tomorrow’s game. I believe Neil Has us playing with style and confidence.

     

    I’m interested to see how he will handle Thursday Sunday program with team choices

     

    I’d like to see some changes to give backups some game time and the likes of Brown and a alum or Ryan on the bench. Maybe a run out for Taylor against his old mates

     

    Mind you I crashed out of LMS for second time today so my judgement is not the best

     

    See yoh all early tomorrow.

  19. David66 on

    Good morning CQN from an overcast Garngad

     

     

    3-1 or 4-1 to the good guys today.

     

     

    Although I do think he will rest a few first team players today, so I think 3-1 😂

     

     

    This pesky taking the wife for messages before a game is nonsense, pubs open at 11am ffs.

     

     

    So, shower, breakfast, messages, pub, game, all before feckin 1pm, nightmare😂

     

     

    HH

     

     

    D. :)

  20. Greenpinata on

    David 66,

     

     

    “This pesky taking the wife for messages before a game is nonsense, pubs open at 11am ffs.”

     

     

    Woohoo totally agree. 11 am for a Sunday game , but a barnstorming pan galactic 8 am opening for a Saturday game.

     

     

    You know it makes sense.

     

     

    Hail Hail to all, and COYBIG.

  21. GFTB on

    In my opinion Neil Lennon (like his mentor Martin) won’t rest anybody… Neil knows as soon as his team slip up many will be ready to pounce… strongest team today probably one change Taylor or Hayes for Bolingoli, I think it will be Jonny but would like to see Taylor so happy either or …. in his previous spell Neil made wholesale changes in a league cup tie and lost to Morton some guy called Rogic came in and some other Dutch centre half played in that game at £75m surely he should be able to beat Morton himself and Neil still gets his cup record questioned (by some) I think Neil still had a chance of progressing from CL group stages at that time … anyhow I think strongest team will start today …

     

     

    (certainty to be wholesale changes now :-)

  22. David66 on

    Greenpinata – 😂

     

     

    It’s the breakfast and messages bit that gets in the way😂

     

     

    Then again as my good lady pointed out, no messages no dinners when I come home from work each day, so it’s a no brainier really, just trying to get my priorities right😂😂😂

     

     

    HH

     

     

    D. :)

  23. Gene on

    Good morning from a wet North Staffs – I’m sure they’ll be a few sore heads this morning.

     

     

    Good luck to the Bhoys this afternoon

  32. GFTB on

    PCS 9.27am

     

     

    Think there is a cycling event at the Emirates which was scheduled before we ended up in Europa league Thursday / Sunday games

  33. bognorbhoy on

    On Sunday, September 22, pre-match at the home game against Kilmarnock, a joint initiative between Celtic FC Foundation and partner Glasgow NE Foodbank will once more address issues of poverty and hunger in our society by collecting items and distributing to those in need.

     

     

    Celtic FC Foundation’s partnership with Glasgow NE Foodbank has continued to make a significant difference in the past year, thanks to the generosity of Celtic supporters across the world.

     

     

    The Foodbank, which is headquartered at the Church of Scotland in Helenvale Street, a stone’s throw from Celtic Park, operates out of six centres across the north and east of the city and helps hundreds of families every month.

     

     

    As part of this specific collection, as well as Glasgow NE Foodbank, the Foundation are also teaming up with the other three Glasgow Foodbanks and we would like to invite all supporters who are attending the match against Kilmarnock to bring along a donation if they can. Even one item from the list can make a huge difference to someone’s life.

     

     

    The most urgent items listed in order of priority are:

     

     

    Tinned vegetables

     

    Tinned fish

     

    Tinned rice

     

    Tinned fruit

     

    Packet Custard

     

    Pasta

     

    Pasta Sauce

     

    Tea bags

     

    UHT milk

     

    Juice

     

    Biscuits

     

    There will be three drop-off stations: The Clover on Celtic Way (main collection), the North West of the stadium (Holywell Street) and North East (Janefield Street).

     

     

    Please note that this is not a cash collection.

  34. TheLurkinTim on

    Aye Philbhoy…currently walking about on ma knees lol…body’s no up to falling distances…that’ll teach me. Pleasure meeting so many guid Tims yesterday ;-))

     

     

    H.H.

  35. Jobo Baldie on

    Good morning, friend, and Happy Matchday from a dry but very grey and actually quite dark looking East Kilbride.

     

    Really looking forward to welcoming the Boys back home today after their 4 game world tour, scoring 4 in Sweden, 2 at Ibrox, 1 in Hamilton and 1 in France. 2 or 3 today would be nice.

     

    Have a feeling that Jonny might retain his supersub role with Taylor getting a debut against his former club.

     

    Oh and there’s the reain on now – pelting down within secnds!

     

    liveweatherreportCSC

  40. Friesdorfer on

    Grand day oot yesterday. Thanks for the craic Bhoys.

     

    TLT, falling over, like falling out, is not in the script! Take care.

  41. TheLurkinTim on

    It’s lashing down in Glasgow…if this keeps up….it’s not conducive for playing free-flowing football. As the thunder starts. So…only 2-0 today ;-))

     

     

    Rumour has it some eejit was walking along the railing atop the wall at the back of St Enochs last night and fell off…I can confirm I am that eejit lol

     

     

    H.H.

  42. bournesouprecipe on

    Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,

     

    Celtic, Celtic on to victory,

     

    They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,

     

    We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the Scottish football league

     

     

    They come from bonnie Scotland, they come from county Cork,

     

    They come from dear old Donegal and even from New York,

     

    From every street in Glasgow they proudly make their way,

     

    To a place called dear old paradise and this is what they say.

     

     

    Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,

     

    Celtic, Celtic on to victory,

     

    They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,

     

    We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the Scottish football league.

     

     

    There’s Fallon, Young and Gemmell who proudly wear the green,

     

    There’s Clark, McNeill and Kennedy the best there;s ever been,

     

    Jim Johnstone, Murdoch, Chalmers, John Divers and John Hughes,

     

    And sixty thousand Celtic fans who proudly sing the new

     

    Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,

     

    Celtic, Celtic on to victory,

     

    They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,

     

    We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the Scottish football league.

     

     

    Repeat to fade CSC

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