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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Embramike, thanks for that, will go search for flights so.
ACGR
Aye but he did get a wee talking to!
HH jamesgang
JJ get to yer bed, we’ve a game on Sunday to go to:_)
Moshni (aka Jar Jar :-)) just hoofed a Falkirk player on the chin and got – a talking to from Gollum.
Last night’s ref would have given him 3 years in the Chateau d’If
No yellow cards for a kick in the face or a drag back by the neck.
Ard Macha
ACGR
Sunday?
JJ
PS See my post at 21:16 re MIT?
embramike
The Falkirk player was lucky he was not booked,
He was looking for a kick in the mouth.
2 corners in a minute there.
1 to go (I think…)
What did Gollum say to the offender?
” As that is the first time for a wee while you have kicked him in the face, I won`t card you but that`s it. Another boot in the face and ….well let`s see.”
Open to other suggestions if we have a quiet moment .
JJ
24 hours gone and finally recovered from last night’s disappointment.
Chilling-out now watching a display of superb technical attacking football.
One-touch/ closing down/ clinical finishing – a treat to watch!
See calling Falkirk and their fans, “the Bairns”, – is that sectarian?
I make it 9-2 to Falkirk on corners but good old (a week’s a long time….) BT Sport just put up a 10-2 caption.
Must have dozed off.
couldbeawinneralreadyCSC
Acgr 2115
Champion the wonder Hun.
Honestly just sprayed my iPad with Cab Sauvignon there. Brilliant.
Hh
praecepta
Falkirk /Sevco?
I beg to differ.
JJ
“I`ll blame the wind for the standard of football on show.”
JJ,
This wouldn’t be a problem if they followed Ronnys rules on diet :)
JJ, any mair of your pish and you’ll be returning to the Arbroath supporters bus:_)
woo-hoo the money’s in my account.
Thanks for your cyber-support ;-)
praecepta
21:25 on 27 February, 2015
24 hours gone and finally recovered from last night’s disappointment.
Chilling-out now watching a display of superb technical attacking football.
One-touch/ closing down/ clinical finishing – a treat to watch!
Got to agree absolutely keech.
Jungle Jim Hot Smoked
Bayern M. v Koln 4-1.
:-)
Flares.. My solution…
The club should incentivise fans to report the seat where flares are let off.
£500 if you name the seat number. The club should have a record of who sits where.
Geordie
I left that bait deliberately. I had begun to think it barren. Thank you 0:-)
JJ
googybhoy ♥ celtic
See my reply to Jungle Jim. :-)
There’s a photo of the Boy with the flare on Twitter. Won’t be long till he is found.
a ceiler gonof rust
21:27 on 27 February, 2015
JJ, any mair of your pish and you’ll be returning to the Arbroath supporters bus:_)
₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩
Minus yer lunch….
Ayrshire is Green and White
praecepta,
I was obviously joking but I thought you were referring to watching a replay of last night`s game . I haven`t seen any of it but quite a few deemed it a good performance.
JJ
tlwio, sorry:-(
ha ha
The huns look like holding on for a point here. Falkirk are making them look like the rank rotten shower of shite that they are.
ACGR … I saw TT a few weeks ago at the Celtic club … but he and I are due for a dinner shortly …I will say hello when I do.
I know he doesn’t post as often now, but I think he still lurks quite a bit …. it is a bit like Beetlejuice … if I say his name too often on here, he seems to pop up… will see if he shows up now.
Oh fantastic, 5 minutes of Scottish* time
* – as my youngest used to think they said ;-)
Even McAllister thinks Falkirk should have had a pen there.
MickTT
Talking of lunch. Was there not some mention of you displaying your benevolence on that front?
JJ
Stevie smith .. Wotta player!
Micktt
Just read back. Will add your mil to my prayers.
Sorry to hear.
ah well…. Friday afternoon …. I’m not getting any more work done, and just found out the better half has been called into another surgery … so, let the moonhowling begin!
here’s one for my dad … Pavarotti always makes me think of him…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt1WeSN0sm0
Boooooooooooooooooooo
HH
1-1
Desperate football
Falkirk had the best of the game …Which was on the whole utter garbage
JJ,
You set them up…..
Is Falkirk v the fallen finished yet?
Sevco – played 23, won 14, 61% success
Celtic – played 25, won 19, success 76%
Houston out !