Craig Gordon
I think we all have a desire to be generous to Craig for a couple of reasons: as Ronny said, without him, we would not have gotten through the group stage, and we are due him some support after he spoiled his copy in the first leg. He returned to form last night, made several fine saves, but we would expect him to make all of them.
He also contributed a truly exceptional save from an offside attempt.
Adam Matthews and Emilio Izaguirre
Neither full back was as productive in the final third as they were a week ago, but that would have been a consequence of a different game plan, and the numerical disadvantage. There is a tendency to criticise our full backs, especially Izzie, for bombing forward and leaving gaps at the back, but this is their role in the team. It’s up to someone else to provide cover. We’re as strong at full back as I’ve known us.
Virgil van Dijk, Jason Denayer and Efe Ambrose
For two want-away players, this tie was a big stage. Virgil didn’t give a good account of himself. The first booking last night was incorrect. He stopped the player but played the ball and his challenge was never dangerous. Scouts watching his second yellow will have recorded that he made a very bad decision which ultimately cost his team. The referee had a nightmare, but the second yellow was a correct decision.
Jason and Efe played well. There was one moment Efe failed to follow a player in the box but Craig Gordon saved. Jason was comfortable throughout. If he wants a morality tale on what could happen if he returns to Manchester City, he should look no further than his team-mate up front.
Nir Bitton
The scouts who were there to watch Virgil would have left with a notebook full of comments about Nir Bitton. At Murrayfield against Legia, Nir was part of a midfield which included Mulgrew, McGregor and Johansen. It was an abject team performance and the Israeli bore much of the brunt of criticism.
Here’s the thing: I’m beginning to think he’s our best player. He could have played in any of the Champions League games I’ve watched this week, Sign him up, Peter.
Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong, Stefan Johansen
A major reason last season’s European campaign was such a write-off was the absence of Scott Brown following his rush-of-blood red card and three game suspension. We need players with the ability and engine of Scott and Stefan, both must be a nightmare to play against.
Stuart Armstrong looks like he has been playing in this Celtic team for years. He’s fitted in very well and already looks like an automatic choice. Wait to see what he’s like after 6 months.
Gary Mackay-Stevens
I couldn’t believe the innate criticism of Ronny after the game on BT Sport for subbing Gary, who was our best player until that point, after the red card. When you are early in the game, away from home in the San Siro, it is a perfectly acceptable tactic to sacrifice a wide player (Gary was our only out-and-out wide player) for a defender or covering midfielder.
We didn’t win the game, but anyone who asserts that we would have won the game by leaving a wide player on in place of a covering midfielder or defender, is stretching credulity. The tactics chosen kept the game alive until the 88th minute, albeit the break required didn’t materialise.
When he was on the field, Gary won the ball in a central position, ripped 60 yards through Inter, before finding a team-mate. He looked to be revelling in the space and opportunity given to him.
John Guidetti, James Forrest, Chris Commons
This was a hard shift for all three. John could have had a penalty but thereafter found himself on his bum too often. He is a player who has not progressed as hoped under Ronny, yet, and has a lot of work to do between now and the end of the season.
James has not returned to his blistering performances from a couple of years ago, when he was clearly our M.V.P. As his limbs mature his speed and injury record could go either way. He’ll be with us for another few years, so Celtic have time to build resilience into those leg muscles and nerves.
Kris came on with 13 minutes left and used his unerring goal-sonar to squeeze an attempt out of the meagre provisions he had. He also appears to have updated the referee on what an incompetent clown he is at the end of the game.
This was the first of seven European away games we failed to score in this season, but the reasons we’re out of Europe all lie in what happened last week. You cannot make goalkeeping and defensive mistakes like that and remain in Europe, nor can you pass up so many clear-cut chances.
Don’t know where to start on the flare last night. I fear the next decision from Uefa will be more than a fine.
Thanks to everyone who donated to our Mary’s Meals school kitchen appeal yesterday while entering the ticket competition. The winner was informed by email a few moments ago, so check your inbox.
If you need tickets for the CQN St Patrick’s Dinner, with a Q&A with Packy Bonner, Joe Miller, Tommy Coyne and Tom Boyd, Archie Macpherson speaking about Jock Stein, and music from Patricia Ferns, let me know, celticquicknews@gmail.com
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mullet and co 2
20:08 on 27 February, 2015
Who in their right mind will ban Hun as a term for Rangers supporters? Are they the first football team supporters in he world to campaign for a derogatory nickname to be made illegal? A nickname that had no foundation in sectarianism other than when misused?
Graeme Spiers for example may be a Hun and a Protestant but he is not a Hun because he is a Protestant.
———
Let’s call the bassas ‘hunees’
As in hunee I shrunk your club
Or hunner I think you’re spivs
HH jamesgang
evening all
last night was a disappointing end for all the tremendous effort put in, to play with 10 men for near an hour and only lose to a wonderful goal when almost every decision went against us was testimony to the fitness levels our players have now. As a RD doubter and critic i can now say i love the guy, he has us playing our best football in a few years and we are now a joy to watch. some team is due a proper pasting and hopefully that will be the sheep on sunday.
looking back over the last 8 days we have had 2 cracking ties versus one of the real giants in european football while the sevco mob have been playing the mighty raith and falkirk in a desperate bid to claim a play-off place in the worlds bestest ever league
I’M TRULY GLAD I’M A TIM
HAIL HAIL
MickTT
Good news, medical staff work wonders given the lack of resources
micktt,
Thoughts with you and your goodlady.
glendalystonsils
Thought the room WAS that brandishers of imaginary cards were supposed to get booked?
Micktt x
HH jamesgang
MickTT
Prayers offered for a full recovery pal
Dia dhaoibh, a Chairde,
Haven’t read back. Anyone know if the D. United game on Saturday March 21st is confirmed or is there still a chance it could be played the following day?
Waiting to book flights Csc.
Coinnígí an creideamh (KTF)
Jamesgang
I have my interests and training, which skew my discussions about Celtic to particular areas. Being a theologian in a previous life, and a lawyer presently, compliance seems to be an issue that follows me!
But, as long as people avoid insults, I am happy to shoot the s**t with anyone on here about pretty much anything. I particularly enjoy the friday night quizzes and the moonhowlers music sessions … I have learned about some of my favourite music from CQN!.
as for contentious domestic issues ….. is there anyone on here who doesn’t deal with those? Particularly when, like this weekend, it is a 7 am kick off, and I scream when Celtic score, the dog goes mental, and we wake up the better half! I usually end up having to throw myself on the mercy of the court!
MickTT, just saw the post about your MIL, hope shes recovering well.
HH
European Cup Winners Cup 61
in 1961, rangers travelled to wolverhampton to play wolverhampton wanderers in the European cup winners cup. true to form, their supporters ran riot through the town destroying everything in their path. in an article appearing in the English press shortly afterwards they were described as ‘coming across the border like marauding huns’. thus, a humorous accurate and nonsectarian term of endearment was created for the rangers.
They wreck our beloved country a some of our fans follow them.SCOTLANDS SHAME. (ch
MickTT @ 20:16 … great news!
glendaly @ 20:18 … agree 100%. I know it is part of the game, but I really hate pros trying to get people sent off like that. If they do it, book them!
jamesgang
I didn’t know that was a rule, but it certainly wasn’t applied last night. The players of yesteryear would be turning in their graves at the antics of some of these modern day prima donnas
Auld fashint’ csc
jobo baldie
20:17 on 27 February, 2015
Can I have raspberry….
Tried a bet I’ve never tried before and cleared out my account with the inverstment (not a lot!). Number of corners in each half, then multiply the figures to get your ‘score’. I’m on ‘over 30′ ;-)
Brilliant
Almore,
As it stands the game is Saturday. Qualifying last night would definitely have pushed it out to the sunday.
I canny see it being moved now but you never know
HH
Mike
I think your sho1te shooting is appreciated by all.
Here’s a song for when your celebrations cause domestic ire!
http://youtu.be/PF3CGENBhn0
HH jamesgang
There’s no real difference between a player asking the ref to card a player and the ol imaginary card gesture.
But the latter makes ma blood boil.
Grrr csc
mike in toronto,
I hereby find you guilty of being a mad tim, your punishment will be a concurrent sentence of watching the hoops at mad hours and to post on CQN consistently with logical posts.
Just logged on not read a thing…
about to make a facetious comment about the medias attitude towards Celtic, first post I read
micktt
20:16 on 27 February, 2015
Thoughts and prayers for you & your family
Stuff all the rest of the nonsense about football
Take care & Hail Hail
MickTT
Positive news!
Thoughts and best wishes.
loved this guy – back in the day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzxhpZYO19Y
Sipsini, see before you go to CQN 11, who’s gonnay iron yer coupon seeing as I wont be there to do it for you this year?
Jamesgang …
Hey pal,
Love Princebuster! Great tune! Here’s one in return … a personal favourite …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DuWOMqc9-M
Trying to convince my good lady that it should be our first dance at our wedding this year!
Actually, it is the the good lady’s bday in a few weeks … so got her a new ipod and tickets to see Paul Weller! And hopefully, Lloyd cole … I hear he may be coming to TO shortly.
On list of things I could NOT give up … my dog, Celtic and music would all rank ahead of food!
HH
Ach well, let’s forget Inter, on Sunday we’ve got bigger fish to fry.
Or should that be sheep to roast and serve up with mint sauce…..?
Acgr,
Yer missus, she’s had good practice on yours :)
Great sporting contest between Ireland and England on sky sports 3. U 20s. Rugby.
I’ll never stop calling them huns. No even up for debate. Describes them perfectly.
No, let’s just continue calling them Huns.
‘Huns’ is a reference to behaviour, not religion.
Although we could always drop ‘Huns’ and start calling them ‘Marys’.
“Go Home Ya Marys”.
Sandra would work too. But not quite as effectively as Mary. IMO.
*No Sandras or Marys were trifled with in the making of this post.*
Sipsini
Got my love of the bhoys from my dad …. and in return, I introduced him to CQN.
I used to chat with him everyday about the bhoys and what was being said on CQN! In a way, being on CQN and talking about the bhoys makes me feel like he is still with me. One of my favourite things about this place!
Geordie M; thanks
I am not sure of the views on here re The Engerland cricket captain refusing to sing their anthem. Interesting stuff. All credit to him.
Call them fly’s
Different sh1t same flys
mike in toronto,
Does your dad post, I love reading some of the older blokes tales about watching the hoops.
Probably why I have such an affinity with Acgr.HH
Any thoughts on team for Sunday ?
I would go for same as last night, with possible exception of Griffiths for Guidetti.
I think we will win the game on Sunday in the 60 -80 minute period.
I say this based on Aberdeen keeping it tight for first 60, potentially trying to nick a goal at a set piece.
As game progresses, their need to win will make them more offensive and we will capitalise on the space created.
“‘Huns’ is a reference to behaviour, not religion.”
Greenbingly,
Abso flipin lutely
HH
Sipsini, I hope she doesnt read your post. She’d like to give that a right good go:-)
Oh goody, here comes the second half.
Burnley78
The most bizarre part of this story is Piers Morgan claiming he’s Irish!
(He’s not is he by the way?)
Clashcity,
Exact same as last night for me neebs.
I canny see griff being 100% if he wasn’t even fit for bench.
HH
Almore
TV games that weekend are Fri 20th Motherwell v Hamilton and Sunday 22nd Hibs v Huns so pretty sure the 3pm home game Saturday 21st won’t change