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.
573 Comments- Pages:
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Gallagher/Timmy7 – Sincere condolences on losing your loved ones.
They will never walk alone.
D :(
Noo Melbourne Mick and Big Jimmy get oan here and let us know you are all ok.
Otherwise I’m rounding up a posse and coming looking for both of you.
MM – How is the young Aussie/ Celtic bhoys doing?
D :)
Tom Mc
PLB just seems to not see value in anything Peter Lawwell or Neil Lennon achieved for Celtic.
Who is PLB?
D :)
Enjoy today bhoys at hoot.
Hi to Mick et al..
Work .beckons
HH
To all those meeting up for a chat and pint have a grand old day out
He could have been a legend…
“Blackburn, Bournemouth, Swansea and Stoke all want to sign former England youth winger Patrick Roberts, 24, who is available on a free from Manchester City.”
I’m not suggesting anything, I’m just putting it here because I know some still have a soft spot for wee Paddy.
Go get Paddy.
A free transfer what’s not to like.
D :)
DAVID66 on 28TH AUGUST 2021 8:21 AM
Who is PLB?
`peterlatchfordsbelly` I would guess.
He may be a wealthy boy but football wise I think Paddy was maybe badly advised…
Still only 24 though…
TIMMY7 and GALLAGHER..
May I also offer my belated condolences.
YNWA.
We’re Not Half Of Anything………………….
WBC,
I have a giant soft spot for Paddy.A joy to watch playing for us.Hope he has success in his move.His time with us probably did not do his future much good.He was loved,adored by the fans.Celtic Park,Cup Finals,his sparkling goals,it was a magical time for him.Sadly,never repeated.Man City,as most big EPL teams have done,ruined the boy.
DAVID66 on 28TH AUGUST 2021 8:15 AM
Noo Melbourne Mick and Big Jimmy get oan here and let us know you are all ok.
………
Im okay DAVID Bhoy, thanks for asking.
Ive another Two hospital appointments early next week and Ive NOT been out or had any Beers since 2nd August…due to being a wee bit under the weather…but nothing serious !
I hope that MELBOURNE MICK and co are all safe and well in Oz.
I hope that you and the family are also keeping well and safe etc.
HH.
In ither news…………
while The Ned may have kovid, accordin’ to his mucker ( sp? )
he’s also goat “rainjurzitis “…………….
Oh aye…………….
:0
HHH.
Turkeybhoy…can’t disagree with that…
gallagher
RIP Mary Gallagher
Condolences to family and friends of family
Sincere condolences Gallagher & Timmy7.
May their souls rest in peace.
Hoping to see a few of you guys in McChuills later. It has an extended outdoor seating area.
Should be a great day.
DAVID66…
No need to send a Posse…..but IF you do…I will try and ” Head them off at the Pass” .
Welcome to ” Cowboy Cliche CQN”.
Ive always loved the Westerns since I was a wee Bhoy…….try and see a fantastic John Ford western called…
” MY DARLING CLEMENTIME”…..
Henry Fonda, Victor Mature, Walter Brennan are just superb in it.
Its the BEST Film Ive ever seen Big Victor Mature in…He plays the the role of ” DOC HOLIDAY”, the Gunslinging, Drunk, Dying Dentist….whos feart of no one….but has great respect for Wyatt Earp…played by Henry Fonda.
its a CLASSIC.
HH Mate.
Gallagher & Timmy 7
May Perpetual Light Shine Upon your respective parents
May they Rest In Peace 🙏🙏🙏
It’s funny when I see reported that Seething Gerrard hopes to hold on to Alfred the Great…
I would suggest he has nothing to worry about…bad smells are difficult to remove.
Mary Gallagher RIP.
YNWA HH
Sorry NOT Clementime…it should have read ” CLEMENTINE”
HH.
PARK ROAD67
DAVID66
BIG JIMMY
CELTIC MAC
DELANEYS DUNKY
NORRIEM
FRIESDORFER
God bless you all, thank you.
Happy 56th birthday to our leader
Angelos Postecoglou
& what a leader he is.
COYBIG HH☘️
Melbourne Mick is one of my favourite Posters.
100% Tim, 100% Positive, a joy to read his updates when the Blog is all doom & gloom,
If you are lurking Mick, even if you are taking a break from the Blog just stick on a Post to let us know you are OK,
Seems we are away in Seville for the first game in Europa
TOM MCLAUGHLIN on 28TH AUGUST 2021 7:07 AM
‘It’s not just the choice of words. It’s the context. PLB said Celtic hadn’t beaten Rangers in their last 6 derbies and the previos win was “daylight robbery”. In other words, it doesn’t count.
I would expect a Rangers fan to use those words. I might have expected a Celtic supporter to say “we got lucky” or perhaps “we got out of jail”.’
###
FFS.
You wouldn’t hand a dog on that ‘evidence’.
‘in other words’……’I would expect…I might have expected’.
It’s censorious, curtain twitching nonsense.
@Quad 1.25 am Cheers for the update mate…. 2hrs of freedom jeezo..
To M and His dad and all the tims at the hoot ….Have a right good session lol
H.H
Re..MM whit Corkceltic said @9.36 am……….
How many times in the last 6 Glasgow derbies has Satan’s 11 goalkeeper motm
Anyone think Ralston will get dropped tomorrow in favour of Josip?
Josip is highly experienced and is match fit and a better player – but Tony has done little wrong these past few games . . .
GTTS – McGregor was superb last season against us, making several crucial saves, though some are suggesting this season he looks a little slower and a little less agile. Was considered at fault for goals lost in CL qualifiers.
His game face always looks manic, maybe too many Red Bulls before KO.
Timmy7_Noted
May your Dad RIP.
YNWA HH
DeniaBhoy, I have a feeling Josip will start,
I reckon that Ange will say that Ralston has had a series of hard games & is getting a well earned break.
So far Ange hasn’t hung around with his new Bhoys, he has played them straight away.
Must say I love that attitude, with previous Managers, new signings weren’t seen for weeks, match fitness or settling in was the usual mantra.
Ange throws them in at the deep end and it’s sink or swim, so far it seems to be working.
Good morning all from Govanhill.
Maybe Ange will play Tony Ralston at LB, if Greg Taylor is still injured. Or even Josip?
HH
Tony will start, I have no doubt. What a kick in the teeth it would be to him to miss out on our biggest league game of the season so far, maybe one that would set him back considerably, por cierto.