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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BGFC @ 2:32 PM,
Yes we seem to have a few quality youngsters and Ange seems like the sort of guy who’ll give them a chance, watched a couple of games on CTV but nice to have that local.
Keep us posted if you get a chance.
My best pal moved to Mull when the new Petersburn estates were built, noticed they’re been bulldozed now… It made me feel pretty auld. Used to walk through Thrashbush to see my cousins in Rochsoles so I empathise:)))
Hail Hail
Yesterday’s game is over and the European adventure is pended for now.
Full focus must be on our next game. This Sunday, I believe.
Make no mistake, we will face a team totally up for the fight. They won’t bother much with rules or tactics. They are not rebuilding. Theirs is a short term goal. To win the 3 points at any cost
They will play back to front if required.
We must hope our defence is up for the task.
New Bhoys or young Bhoys? Few options in there.
A draw wouldn’t be the worst result.
Back the manager
GREENDREAMZ on 27TH AUGUST 2021 2:24 PM
Nice, positive, rational stocktake, credit-where-due post!
Good afternoon all from Shawlands. Which is somewhat downmarket compared to gorgeous Govanhill but I like to tour the provinces. And the pubs.
UNCLE JIMMY on 27TH AUGUST 2021 2:56 PM
I think we’ll go for the win, outplay them and achieve that goal of victory. 😁🍀
Wouldn’t be surprised if we score a few whilst at it. Only thing in the way is the ref and probably more the 4th official in his hear….. imho
JHB @ 2:13 PM,
With all due respect, I don’t think you do debate the points, you seem to have a view and an agenda and promote it.
Many have gone before you, and they state they are keen on debate, yet seldom do constructively.
Also, as they are agenda driven they, like you seem unable to look at both sides of the argument or the bigger picture.
What you wrote this morning could easily have been written by a pravda journalist in the 80s, having a pop at NATO and the CIA…
“…. shame on those who would back these genocidal maniacs on the warped basis that “my enemy’s enemy is my ftiend”
These cretins will turn the torture screw on their own people just like their compatriots in other barbaric countries ruled by old men with long beards.
This has been pointed out, yet you ignore it, simplyfying a complex situation and playing the blame game to suit….
In the eighties right wing associates of mine would detail and proudly boast about the torture Soviet Troops endured during the USSR invasion of Afghanistan.
Now people with these views are supposedly horrified by these “barbarians”.
“It’s taken twenty years, trillions of dollars, four presidents for NATO to replace the taliban with the taliban.”
“Not too bright”
Well apart from the folk who knows where the trillions of dollars went. Dems the ones with the smarts.
Hail Hail
CHAIRBHOY on 27TH AUGUST 2021 3:02 PM
Well apart from the folk who knows where the trillions of dollars went. Dems the ones with the smarts.
———
On that note, I thought this was an interesting piece from today’s Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/aug/27/afghanistan-nato-mission-corruption-military-soldier
It looked to me that there was a strong chance that Stephen Welsh got a shout from the keeper to let the ball through. Stephen’s not shy at heading the ball or in making decisions in these circumstances.
He seemed set to head it then stopped before turning & looking at Joe which is the very moment the ball struck his chest on the way through. This took some momentum off the ball & gave their forward the chance.
Some media folk suggesting that Celtic were lucky to go through etc but when you concede 2 goals in these circumstances in the same game, Celtic certainly had their share of bad luck.
HH
2 arrested for the racial abuse of Kyogo. What happened to the rest of the bus? Wouldn’t surprise me if there is a service police officer or someone else in authority on the bus.
36 people have still to make their predictor forecasts on Superbru. Deadline is 3 pm tomorrow
PAUL THE SPARK on 27TH AUGUST 2021 3:16 PM
2 arrested for the racial abuse of Kyogo. What happened to the rest of the bus? Wouldn’t surprise me if there is a service police officer or someone else in authority on the bus.
Mibbe even a grade 1 referee .
SQUIRE DANAHER on 27TH AUGUST 2021 3:06 PM
And a further note to your note this is a Russell Brand video from last week about the money the industrial military complex have made out of the war in Afghanistan…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wj5ByIqC_w
GO TELL THE SPARTIM on 27TH AUGUST 2021 2:12 PM
Is Frimpong at Leverkusen? Be a chance to see if actual coaching has improved him
………………..
I watched Leverkusen play Monchengladbach at the weekend. 4-0 Leverkusen . They were very good but our old friend Yann Sommer in goal for Gladbach had an absolute nightmare and scored two comedy own goals. Wee Frimpers was very good. I watched his games for them last season and wasn’t very impressed but he has kicked on and is very effective in the wing back role.
griff to dundee?
Go Tell 2.12 And of course hunskelper Moussa starting for Lyon now as well ..
was very impressed with Starfelt character after the mistake clearly shook him – he came out second half and played strong and easily saved a couple of goals. Same with Ralston, Welsh and Hart.
They need some physical help and areal cover – does Scales provide that? I’d bring in a loan center Half – there is no guarantee Julian will return strong!
Ange got us this far with bare bones – now the board needs to step up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThrJ3lbeu9U&ab_channel=CelticFC
smiley wit a baw fae Ralston…whipped across first time fae Abada then smashed home from Kee oh go …awfy braw thing
Braw
Injury update from the boss…
CELTIC boss Ange Postecoglou says he is hopeful Greg Taylor and Kyogo Furuhashi will shake off the injuries that forced them off during Celtic’s 2-1 defeat against AZ Alkmaar.
And James McCarthy and James Forrest are also pushing to return for Sunday’s cinch Premiership clash with Rangers after missing the trip to Holland.
The Aussie said: “Obviously we have been away but reports back from camp is we are hoping at least one of the two might be available for Sunday.
“Out of last night, obviously Greg Taylor has got his shoulder problem. It looks like it is nothing too significant so there is still a chance for Sunday.
“Kyogo got his usual bruises and knocks.
“He is getting tested out physically every game, I think people are figuring out that he is one of the ones they need to stop and try to find, shall I say, creative ways to do that.
“But he usually bounces back pretty well so I am hopeful he will be fine.”
STEBHOY on 27TH AUGUST 2021 4:01 PM
was very impressed with Starfelt character after the mistake clearly shook him
————–
that tackle late on was almost Simunovic/Miller – almost
Celtic and Dundee are in talks over a potential loan move for forgotten Parkhead striker Leigh Griffiths.
The 31-year old signed a new one-year deal with Celtic in the summer but has struggled to find a place in manager Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Griffiths played for the Dens Park club for two years between 2009 and 2011 before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Dundee have competition for the former Scotland striker from clubs abroad keeping tabs on developments.
Despite signing an extension in July, Griffiths has yet to play this season.
SQUIRE DANAHER @ 3:06 PM,
Yes, very good read, he sounds like a decent man doing what he did for the “greater good”.
How conflicted obviously feels. But brave to put pen to paper.
Hail Hail
Real Betis Balompié
@RealBetis_en
·
3h
Stripes vs Hoops
This match is finally happening! Smiling face with open mouth Looking forward to seeing you on the pitch and celebrate together with all the Bhoys and Ghirls!
https://twitter.com/RealBetis_en/status/1431219013263167491/photo/1
AZ s consolation prize …
Group D
AZ Alkmaar
CFR Cluj
Jablonec
Randers
Keano
https://twitter.com/i/status/1430970859859157003
Following this morning’s UEFA Europa League group stage draw which took place in Istanbul, Celtic take their place in Group G alongside Bayer Leverkusen, Real Betis and Ferencvaros, with the group stage of the competition set to kick-off from September 16.
While we await final confirmation of the fixture schedule, the Club are pleased to confirm that there will be no increase to ticket pricing for Season Ticket holders, with 3-match packages once again frozen at 2018/19 prices:
Adult Package – £72
Concession Package – £57
Under-13 Package – £42
We expect to be in a position to put our group stage 3-match packages on sale to Season Ticket holders early next week and can confirm that the Home Cup Ticket Scheme will be in operation.
No booking fees will apply for tickets purchased online.
Further information regarding tickets going on sale will be made available as soon as possible, following confirmation of the fixture schedule. Fans are advised not to book overseas travel until further guidance is provided by UEFA.
greek striker almost done deal
must be some truth in this.
In normal times I think thousands would have travelled.
—————
How Real Betis became green and white thanks to Celtic
We look at the Scottish roots of the Spanish side born of a ‘sense of adventure’ and love for the Hoops.
10:52, 19 MAY 2020
SPORT
Yesterday saw La Liga side Real Betis joins football sides across the globe in sending their congratulations to Celtic for securing their ninth successive league title.
The tweet, which said “We are proud to share Green and White with you”, reflects the historic roots of the Spanish side.
One born of a ‘sense of adventure’ and a distinct love for the Hoops.
In February of 2017, when they faced off against Malaga, they wore their traditional green and white colours but with a difference. They had swapped their striped jerseys for hoops.
They did so to celebrate the Day of Andalucia – the region of Spain both teams call home. While, in working in close conjunction with kit makers Adidas, the ‘verdiblancos’ had another dedication in mind too, Celtic.
A sell out jersey in their native Seville, it replicated the colours of the Andalucian flag, while, at the same time, tipping their hat in the direction of Parkhead – the place that gave birth to their mainstay colour choice of green and white.
To chart the beginnings of the side’s connection to Celtic, we have to go back to the late 19th century, and a young boy called Manuel Ramos Asensio.
Born in the then mining province of Huelva in the south of Spain, a passion for football would see the Spaniard mature into one of the country’s original flag bearers of the beautiful game, in what was back then a sport far removed from the one we love today.
Between the ages of 8 and 10 the young Manuel was sent to Scotland to learn English, thanks to his father José Ramos Oliva, a customs and excise inspector. His Dad, after a life full of travels – which included time spent living in Cuba, had a keen spirit of adventure and wanted his son to broaden his horizons.
Before he knew it, Manuel had swapped Seville for Dumfries, where he studied at St Josephs College boarding school – a school linked to Celtic Football Club thanks to Brother Walfrid’s role in its foundation in 1875.
Not only that, but it was a school that would later count a young Jim Brogan among its alumni, before he went on to start for Celtic in the 1970 European Cup final against Feyenoord and play over 200 games for the Hoops under Jock Stein.
Brogan won consecutive league trophies from 1968 to 1974, Scottish Cups in 1969, 1971, 1972 and 1974, and the Scottish League Cup in 1968/69, 1969/70 and 1974/75.
Manuel spent around four years at the school in Dumfries, enough time to make friends with the local boys and begin a love affair with a new sport, football.
Soon, on weekends, he was making the 70 mile trip with his schoolmates up to Glasgow to see Celtic at Parkhead.
The experiences changed the young man’s life forever. And would influence the foundation of his own club, an influence still evident today in green and white.
The hooped jerseys of the Celtic players captivated the young Spaniard, who became fully immersed in ‘the Celtic way’, whether that was talking about his new team in school or going to the stadium with thousands of others to cheer on the team.
So great was the love that when it came time to return to his own country, it not only endured but spread to his friends and family.
(Image: facebook/realbetisbalompie)
Back in Seville, Manuel found himself pursuing his passion for the game by following in the footsteps of Brother Walfrid and setting up his own team Sevilla Balompié to compete against other sides in the region founded by English merchants.
At this early stage the team played in all blue jerseys and white shorts, for no other reason than the easy availability of such plain colours. But keen to take advantage of his ongoing relationships made in Scotland, Manuel – who quickly became captain – was able to make contact with Celtic and secure the same fabric used to make the famous hoops for his own club.
After successfully taking receipt of the necessary material, Manuel was keen to make a statement with the team’s new jerseys, by inverting the green and white lines into vertical ones to make the strips – something quite unheard of at the time in Spain. It was a move that ultimately gave birth to the Betis we see today.
Manuel played for nine years between 1907 and 1916 and during that time his club merged with Real Betis Football Club to become the Real Betis Balompié team which plays today in the Spanish La Liga. It was during this period he also earned the nickname of ‘Cabecita de Oro’ (Little Gold Head) due to his capacity as a header of the ball.
After retiring from the game, Manuel decided to move to the town of Cazalla de la Sierra to be closer to his father, who was working there in customs. That’s where he married, started a family and spent the rest of his adult life up until his death in December 1954 at the age of 62. Before passing away he gifted local side Cazalla Balompié with the same green and white fabric to make the same Celtic inspired jerseys.
Manuel Ramos Asensio. A boy sent away from his native Spain who returned with a love for everything Celtic.
A player who helped kick start the popularity of the game in Spain and who made sure that the Celtic name – and ideals – would live on in his home country long after his death through the colours of the Betis jersey.
It’s a jersey that binds both clubs together, despite the distance between them.
Follow GlasgowLive
selling the packages before the fixtures are out, they never miss a second opportunity to coin it in.
ST STIVS @4.19
Excellent link, thanks. Was staying in an hotel right next to the Real Betis ground a few years ago and took a wee walk with Mrs Emeraldbee around the stadium, wearing the Hoops.
They have a ‘history’ of the club plinth outside the main entrance and it made excellent reading about their working class origins. A wee bit over-simplistic but Real are the Celtic and Sevile are the (entitled, establishment) club of the city.
A few locals walking by gave us a shout and a thumbs up. “Do you know them?” She asked in assumed innocence.
Hope the weather is good for the game there as it is mostly wide open.
Hail Hail
not yet on sale, i stand corrected,
Full press conference with the boss from today…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAKTYo_w8Gs&ab_channel=CelticFC
Ronaldo agrees move to Man Utd.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estadio_Benito_Villamar%C3%ADn#/media/File:Estadio_Exposici%C3%B3n_1929.jpg
emerland bee, look at it originally ,
DB
Headlines ramora
The Rangers pipped in Ronaldo deal…
Cristiano has always said he wants to finish his career playing fur ra Gers….
MACCARGO
I noticed there was no Cinch logo behind Ange. Am I dreaming, or was it on the back screen board earlier in the season?
Rangers make a statement by confirming they turned down the chance to sign ronaldo.
on the back of other deals for messi and kane were not really an improvement on Alfredo.
Wimbledon CSC
@WimbledonCSC
·
6h
Next up at the WCSC
The Glasgow Derby
The Irish Centre will be open from 11.30am, £3 charity donation to
@KanoFoundation
for non members. Favoured way of paying at the bar will be cash to speed up service. Live band booked for after the game
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E9yg4MLXsAAndqy?format=jpg&name=small
INIQUITOUSIV on 27TH AUGUST 2021 5:11 PM…
I’ve had a trawl back through and it looks like the Cinch logo is only used for post match interviews.