For the first 20 minutes of the second half, AZ Alkmaar lay siege to the Celtic defence, which stood firm. They only looked vulnerable when; in a carbon copy of the move Celtic scored with, Poku stretched but was unable to make a good enough contact to put the ball on target.
Free kicks and corners came and went without fuss, the defensive line was straight and each player in at the back controlled and distributed the ball safely. Considering most of us believe the defence is the area of the team most in need of supplements, we are already in an elevated position compared to last season.
Yet again Anthony Ralston made a significant contribution, this time, sending Liel Abada clear to cross for our Irrepressible Icon, Kyogo Furuhashi, to do his thing. Greg Taylor was injured but struggled-on until 24 minutes when he was replaced by Adam Montgomery. This felt ominous as until then, AZ were most dangerous through their right back, Sugawara, who flooded forward effectively. Adam more than took care of the Japanese full back in what was one of the most crucial personal encounters of the game. He is a player.
Both central defenders almost had a flawless game. Almost. Stephen Welsh was caught in two minds; he did not head a long ball and he did not let it run through, as a consequence, it skimmed his chest to spark a night of anxiety.
Carl Starfelt’s own goal was a classic of the genre. The Swede started the season on the left side but after clearly struggling there, Ange Postecoglou switched him to the right. Evidence mounts that his left peg is largely for standing on. Carl swung at a cross that was going nowhere with his ‘standing foot’. He missed, the ball struck his right heel and squirmed into the net. The early weeks of his Celtic career, featuring so much good play, has been peppered by errors.
I am delighted Joe Hart is at Celtic and remain surprised at the improvement in our form he has provided. Still in the peak years for a keeper, there is a reason he’s no longer in the Lucre League (I believe they prefer “EPL”). At the point Stephen Welsh was caught in two minds, Joe’s decision-making capacity deserted him. This was not a footwork error, he just did not correctly judge the pace of the ball in relation to the man who was about to drift past him and score. The Joe Hart Anthology has another entry. Our memories should also record that he made two crucial saves during the game.
Yesterday’s blog was entitled “Game management when the roof falls in”. It is as though we have seen Celtic in Europe before; against the best team we have faced since 2019, there was always the potential for things to drift south rapidly. Recent Celtic teams crashed and burned after being pushed to the precipice in European qualification.
To the home fans, this must have thought this looked on the cards during the opening period of the second half, when Celtic could not get out of their defensive third. Possession was repeatedly surrendered while passing out from the back. AZ were permitted to mount relentless surges forward, we needed to change the game plan.
Odsonne Edouard arrived on the hour for the majestic but seldom mobile Tom Rogic. From that moment, Celtic had the engine to cover the pitch and could retain possession. For all of the criticisms that go his way, if we lose Odsonne next week*, we will have one less game-changing option.
If you are second seed in a European group, as Celtic are, the most important opponent is who you face from the third pot, given the assumption that the top seed is unlikely to drop two places below their expected finish. In this respect, we got a very difficult draw.
Bayer Leverkusen, sixth last season in Bundesliga, 8 points behind fifth place Eintracht. Difficult, of course, but a team we should compete against.
Real Betis also finished sixth last season, one place in La Liga above last season’s Europa League winner, Villarreal. They will be favourites to win the group and are everything we did not want. We have a bit of history here, of course, they got their first strips from us and we will both always have Seville.
Delighted to get Ferencvaros, they are a decent side but we owe them one. Bring it on.
*We’ll pick this up at the time, but I’ve been preaching asset management here for 17 years, so you know where I’m going on this subject.
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KT was outstanding for celtic, after recovery from injury was also outstanding for arsenal. I have watch lots of him since and he left us and generally he is always one of the top performers. He is not perfect but no player is. Arsenal have massives problem but leftback is not one of them.
Their manager clearly cant get his team to play to his plan and the board have given him to much time and to much funds. Most other english clubs would already have binned him.
The manager has a blind spot for reckless centrebacks and is overcome with the desire to put as many skillful players onto the pitch as he can at one time.
They gave a massive contract to a player who thrives on playin on the shoulder of the last man, but does not get the chance because of the style of play the manager has adopted.
Arsenal have got the wonderkid from midrid because he is a wonderkid from midrid. The boy adds nothing. bling is the EPL’s thing and arsenal are the worst offenders I.e. name over ability.
Once they have sorted those issues out perhaps arsenal will move forward. They had better hope KT wants to stay for the journey.
I dont actually give a flying f what happens to them cause they are no my team but if I was supporter I would not be happy.
Dear God,its not up to us if Eddy stays or goes,manager or the Board.If he wants to go,he will go.What would be the sense in stopping him.Ange has already said he would be delighted to keep him.If he is upset at being MADE to stay,no use to anyone,and he can sign a pre- contract in January.
Better to sell him while we can.Too many its or buts if we don’t.Have never seen a pre- contact working for the players team.
I am happy with the transfer window to date, obviously we always want more but so far so good.
I’m still expecting 2 or 3 more in also a few more out.
Eddie is the big unknown, I reckon the Greek Bhoy is lined up as a replacement but if Eddie stays then we pass on Giorgios.
I really dislike the build up to Derby games, you can rationalize and be confident but these games can take on a life of their own & anything can happen.
Must be my 5th time saying it here, I want the win but as long as we don’t lose I’ll be happy.
Back home after another great day out at the Hoot in great company , good to see some old and new faces , thanks again Bhoys 👍🇮🇪🍀💚🍺🍺
BURNLEY78 on 28TH AUGUST 2021 8:35 PM
We are always told the pace and intensity of a celtic vs. sevco game is like nothing anywhere else in the world. Clearly those reporting that did not visit an Ange managed team where the game plan is to produce all out attacking and crazy frenzied defending football as a tactic 🤣
I am sure all of our players have visited a zoo at some point in their lives, just give them the heads up before hand and make sure none try to feed the animals.
HH
STEPHBHOY67 on 28TH AUGUST 2021 8:54 PM
BURNLEY78 on 28TH AUGUST 2021 8:35 PM
We are always told the pace and intensity of a celtic vs. sevco game is like nothing anywhere else in the world.
####
Truth be told though the actual football is often poor and dull.
It’s the bigotry and sectarianism that makes the game special.
STEBHOY
HI mate.imo KT is struggling in a very poor Arsenal defence.he still looks dangerous going forward but hes getting dragged about all over the place when defending, something he never had to deal with too much wih us.
HH Brother
DAVID66
My first game back without my dad was Jablonec with my stepson.No face masks and no distancing.Utter shambles.
Bet Betis v Real M started at a good pace.
D :)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pcFa9VZxkBc
Real Madrid missing quite a few players, but causing Betis a few problems. Canales, Juanmi and Guadrado look very good players for Betis. Pretty even after 20 minutes, with Benzema missing a chance he normally puts away.
Fekir booked for diving for Betis.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PCCWqYfZVi0
Water break at Betis after 30 minutes. Betis having trouble getting past Alaba and Casemiro. Bale anonymous so far for Galacticos.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SvtjRarucTc
I watched the 5-1 game again last night where MOUSSA scored the Perfecto Hattrick. I know it is quite irrelevant but it was obvious that the coward Collum sent off Senderos with a heavy heart going by the look on his dish when doing so.
Here’s Martha…..well 2 Martha’s actually, a Music Genius told me there were 2 in the band.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpqDTQOFvf0
Group Stage Europa is a strange set up this year, 2nd team pays 3rd place Champion League team,
While 3rd team play 2nd place Conference team.
3rd place could give you a run at winning The Conference.
Getting a bit chippy in Seville now. 5 yellow cards doled out in last few minutes. HT 0-0. This game can go either way, but Madrid look more dangerous so far.
Lazy youtubing, apols,
If any James is making the game the morra it will be….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnVldyHRcjU – 2 r’s :)
James McCarthy has looked miles behind all the Bhoys fitness wise when he has came on. When Ange gets him optimum he will be an excellent asset to the squad.
Someone at Ibrox is leaking their starting team tonight.
I’d file it under BS.
Ange will be taking no notice of their games.
corkcelt on 28th August 2021 9:50 pm
Group Stage Europa is a strange set up this year, 2nd team pays 3rd place Champion League team,
While 3rd team play 2nd place Conference team.
3rd place could give you a run at winning The Conference.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Who knows whats just around the corner, it’s like the old CWC tourney – the CL is where all the money is and it is getting divvied up as much as possible for those competing frae the big 5 Leagues.
Why they cannae add a modicum of fairness by making the draws open – well it says from the top it is utterly corrupt.
I was of the view before the AZ match on Thursday, that of the two games before the three game International break that the one in Holland was the most important. Seeing the EL group we are now in and the fixtures that lay ahead from Seville to Budapest, there can be no doubt I was right. Of course that was a knock-out tie, tomorrow isn’t, or at least not for us. But it does present an opportunity to leave the latter day Neil Lennon approach behind us in this fixture. By that I mean go a whole game without a shot on target. Opportunity too, to inflict upon them their second defeat of their league campaign and leave them in sixth place for the next 2-3 weeks. And to do it in a stadium full only of their supporters.
In Ange We trust
see that fekir
Ange – Get the Bhoys playing the morra.
Wan of ma favourites frae Bass-O-Matic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVdR2RfXGUw
Ange’s Celtic – Devastating to opponents by pure, simple and Magical fitba.
AZ we got through it, I knew that was gonnae be very tough.
Even if we dinnae win the morra – Celtic are ON IT.
Incredible save from Betis keeper from Benzema header. Declared offside. Then he scores. Offside again. Betis back line very disciplined in coming out.
Yay! Just found out tomorrow’s game is live on CBS Sports Network which is channel 706 here in Texas on my Xfinity cable. Assuming hurricane Ida doesn’t make a move to the West and knock out my power then I can watch it live without relying on internet. 6am beers are calling!
COYBIG!
PistonBroke
ESPN+ experiencing ‘technical difficulties.’ Madrid exerting a lot of pressure, causing Betis crowd to whistle loudly. Vinicius Junior ripping right side of Betis defence to shreds. Montoya of Betis gets a card for a bad foul.
IniquitousIV,
There is no doubt getting Real Betis and Bayer Leverkusen will make our players better as they will learn things from these games no matter how they pan out. I happen to think we will split them in the Table.
Nice finish.
Betis sell a great chance, punished by Madrid with breakaway goal.
PISTONBROKE
Fantastic. Enjoy the early morning drinks and hopefully a Celtic celebration.
Bale is shameless. £600,000 a week. A complete luxury passenger, not bothering his arse.
Bale is shameless. £600,000 a week. A complete luxury passenger, not bothering his bahooky.
Oops! Sorry for. duplicate comment.
Realistically, Betis will give us a lot of trouble, but it is hard to judge how much, because they are up against a team today with a lot of world class players.
Tom McLaughlin,
I hope yer well after catching that virus.
How did you think Adam done on Thursday?
IMO, he will be Celtic’s Left Back very soon, I thought he played a very intelligent game at all times in the most pressurised of environments.
Pellegrini throwing on a couple of subs, including Tello.
Bale taken off for Asensio.
Betis resorting to shooting from distance.