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:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- »
England win by an innings and 76 runs.
Eddie Howe to Arsenal.
He needs to sign a whole new defence, btw.
as we don`t play until tomorrow, let me make a comment on another game.
Dundee Utd are not a bad side and I think Hearts victory over us followed by a seemingly close fought 3-2 defeat has led to an elevated appraisal of their quality. Ange`s impact hadn`t been made in time for the first game and the second was 3-2 going on 8-2. Even a point for United would put them above Sevco !!
“TOM MCLAUGHLIN on 28TH AUGUST 2021 12:46 PM
England win by an innings and 76 runs.”
….and to think I said to my mate this morning that I thought India could bat long enough to achieve a draw !!
DAVID66 on 28TH AUGUST 2021 12:41 PM
……….
Thanks DAVID, as I would love to join in at The Howgait tomorrow, But I cant make it. I cant drink just now cos of the Anti Biotics etc and I have a Hospital appointment on Monday Morning that I must attend.
I dont want to go to the hospital with Beer in my Blood…and/or with a hangover ?
The above is the reasons why I can NOT think about going to the Hoot Today.
Thanks for the invite for the game tomorrow, and it would have been great to meet up again and watch the Celts, but I just cant do it…and I am pissed off about it….So sorry.
HH.
The impartial BBC no longer annoys me. It actually makes me smile :-))
“Did you know? Rangers, unbeaten in six successive Old Firm derbies, have gone four games unbeaten after three straight defeats, while Celtic’s loss away to AZ Alkmaar on Thursday ended a run of six straight wins.”
Gallagher and Timmy7, may I also send my condolences on the loos of your loved ones.
Brian
BIG JIMMY on 28TH AUGUST 2021 1:02 PM
I hope things improve as quickly as possibe.Having met you, I know how much you enjoy a pint (!!!) with fellow Tims and missing the Hoot on Saturday and a meet with David and others on Sunday must be like a wean missing Christmas. I repeat that I hope you improve soon enough to let others enjoy your excellent and generous company.
PS Try to skin the Bookies instead :-)
Apologies Gallagher and Timmy7, Loss is obviously the word I intended to type, again, apologies
Brian
Timmy7
Condolences for the recent loss of your Father
RIP
Hot Smoked
Richard Wilson as editor of on line sport at bbc probably has much to do with it.
I am not so sure the richard winton we see as match reporter on Huns games isn’t actually him.
A real sleekit wee blue nose for sure.
Pity Re the test match. Was hoping for another 5 day Headingly thriller. 40 years on since the original one.
Only Mick The Tim has yet to trap in putting in his Predictor scores
Weird if we kick off v Betis and finish v Betis in Europa.
That has never happened before. Anyone understand reasons for that ?
Timmy 7
Sorry too hear of the loss of your father.take it easy mate.God bless him
HH
Sorry for your loss Gallagher x
Arsenal look like a team that doesn’t believe in their manager or his plans.
The Xhaka send-off tackle was clueless – they’re a shambles waiting for an Ange-like figure.
This could be 6 or 7 nil.
Gallagher and Timmy 7, sincerest condolences
Trying to psychologically prepare for a defeat tomorrow. No fans and a ref that will give them every small decision and at least one big one may well make the difference. Also, we can’t defend. And leaving aside the. Individual errors, the real issue is the complete absence of defensive capability in our midfield. We have a puncher’S chance because we are brilliant going forward, but they will aim to bully us and the ref. And will likely succeed.
I have huge faith in Ange, but tomorrow might just be too soon. In terms of the season, after the horror show of Desmond, Lawwell and Lennon I would have given Ange a 5% chance of winning the league. The Howe debacle Cost precious time and the player turnover is a massive challenge to him. It’S brilliant what he’s done so far, but our squad remains paper thin. I reckon he’s improved our odds to 30%.
As ever the plc will prioritise fiscal conservatism. This week they will sell Eddy and Christie, 2 key players from an already evacuated and depleted squad. Harry Brady saying they also hope to ship out Barkas, Griffiths, Boli and Ajeti this week. All Good riddance, but 6 more first team departures on top of the many players sold since January leaves us so light for the rigours to come. We’ve already got long-term injuries to Jullien, Johnston and Karamoko. We’ll pick up more injuries and suspensions.
The plc have brought in some good players this window and did good business in getting rid of others. But a huge chunk of our squad is very inexperienced. They might or might not prove to be up to it. It’S another huge gamble by the Board, who are banking wage savings and transfer profits.
We’ll bring in the lad from Venlo and maybe one other. Thinnest squad I can remember. Good first XI and maybe 3 or 4 subs of the same quality. Not good enough when Frimpong, Ajer and Eddy alone will probably generate £35M+ If transfer income. I fear for us during our usual December dip, when exhausted from the Europa League we’ll have the usual 9 games, including the new year match at Ibrox. The bhoys will be knackered.
The huns meanwhile continue to defy financial gravity. Their money men pour money in, ours take it out. It’s remarkable they appear unlikely to sell any of their key players. From a much stronger financial position we have always sold our best player when eliminated from the ECL – Van Dijk, Dembele, KT and now Eddy. It might just be no-one is interested in their players, which in itself speaks volumes. But it does make them strong favourites to win this league and the ECL money next season, which would mean the gamble paid off. I can’t understand why we continue to gamble in our own way by pulling our financial punches.
Big Ange is appointment. He’s already worked minor miracles. He’s got it. Back him before the window closes on Tuesday.
All the boys at the hoot – have a terrific day
thats the spirit, beaten before even turning up.
Big Jimmy – No problem mate we will meet up again soon for a swally.
Your health comes first Amigo.
Hope all goes well.
D :)
David 66 / Big Jimmy
Maybe Melbourne Mick was on the rid biddy LOL
PLB – Have a swally and get the Celtic songs on and lighten up ffs.
If we play Ange ball we win. End of.
D :)
We’re Not Half Of Anything.
David66
Would be great if you could pop into McChuills me auld mate. 👍🍀💚
Bankiebhoy
WTF you oan aboot?
Spit it oot.
PETERLATCHFORDSBELLY @ 1:43
Really good post. Not much to disagree with there. Probably encapsulates the nagging worry of quite a few fans at the moment. The next few days will be critical for our season’s prospects. We have filled a few holes already, but it is obvious we still have others. It would be negligent in the extreme to sell Eddie on the last day, then argue it was too late to do anything with the funds. It would be tantamount to inviting Ange to fight with one hand tied behind his back.
Just found out that George Stein, son of big Jock passed away yesterday, after a long illness. He worked as a researcher in the Strathclyde Planning Department in the mid 1970s. A quiet, modest, big, red haired lad, he played in his Dad’s position as center half for our football team. He had a lot of skill, and was dominant in the air. I remember he used to show up for some evening games at Haggs Castle in his Dad’s older model Merc. It’s a sad day when one of your ex-colleagues and peers passes away, puts things into perspective, and forces you to focus on your own mortality.
PETERLATCHFORDSBELLY on 28TH AUGUST 2021 1:43 PM
——
So many interesting and important points in one post.
I too am on the “it’s come too soon” side viz a viz the Ibrox game. Our defence is ropey & still not settled. However I feel we will probably score at least once – if it is the first goal in the game then who knows – it could be a high-scoring game.
Ange likes to get new players ‘blooded’ quickly, Kyogo v Hearts being a prime example, and of course Hart as soon as he was signed – so I would not be surprised to see Scales somewhere on the team-lines for tomorrow – he’s fit and played just the other night
Let’s hope we can get ALL the duds shipped out, although as you say, it does leave us low on numbers. I think we are going to see an even bigger injection of youngsters in Ange’s selections this season – Ralston, Taylor, Welsh, Montgomery, Scales, Murray, Dembele, Shaw & Urhoghide are all in with a shout.
With McGregor and Forrest already regulars & hopefully Mikey on the way back, we could have around eight from the academy in the first-team squad – that would something.
Finally, let’s hope we can get Eddy & Christie out for decent money and 3/4, maybe including a top loan, in by Tuesday.
Have a good day at the hoot guys.
Sorry I’m missing this one as my first one was a great day 🍻🍻🍀
Gallagher & Timmy-7
Condolences to both of you.🍀
Watching Leverkusen, and after 3 minutes, Iago of Augsburg score an own goal as bizarre as that of Starfelt. Frimpong looking very comfortable in the first few minutes, and playing very well, pushing forward at every opportunity. Fastest player on the field, according to the commentary
The only downside of watching the game on ESPN is the ridiculous accent affectations of Derek Rae, who I believe is from Fife. Listening to him, you would never believe it. Rae tries to pronounce the name of every international player in the accent of the player’s native country. It sounds farcical.
Jeez, another own goal for Leverkusen! Now up 2-0 after 13 minutes.
TIMMY 7 and GAlLAGHER
Sincere condolences to you both.
To say a game is coming too soon is complete nonsense. What does that even mean? FGS stand up and support your team. The team will never be perfect, that’s what makes football exciting. We are in a good run and Ange is strengthening as best he can. We have plenty gas in the tank to win tomorrow. Looking forward to it.
Gallagher and Timmy7
I’m so sorry to read about the loss you’ve suffered.
HH jg
KT looks out of his depth playing down there.
DD – Garry I am watching the grandson unfortunately or I would have.
Or he is running rings around me at footy if truth be told.
Enjoy mate.
D :)