If you caught Leigh Griffiths’ post-match Radio Scotland interview you’ll have noticed the profuse support offered to Brendan Rodgers. We’ll discuss that in more detail tomorrow, but what was clear to Leigh and the rest of us last night, was the Celtic dug out an excellent result from a position which would likely have seen them eliminated a year earlier.
We were well on top early on against Legia, Maribor and Malmo but crumbled when the going got tough. Not anymore.
It’s hard to know what’s gotten into James Forrest, one of six Scots in the starting lineup, but I suspect the arrival of Scott Sinclair has had as big an impact on him than that of Brendan. Wide players are always subject to fluctuations in effectiveness levels, but in James and Scott we’ve a standard which is clearly higher than we’ve had for years.
There was a moment late in the game when James was easily robbed attempting a take-on in the final third, but this was a symptom of having run himself into the ground over the previous 80-odd minutes. He played a big part in the result and left nothing on the field.
One of James’ more important contributions was the dinked cross for Leigh’s header which made it 2-0. The goal was technically difficult, but was eclipsed by Leigh’s second. That free kick was in a perfect position to whip at the far post, allowing players to attack the ball, with the keeper not knowing if he should stay on his line to defend the shot, or come out to block a header.
That was the play we all expected, including the Hapoel keeper. Instead, Leigh played an incredibly difficult free kick into the top near post. Brendan Rodgers must have had no idea the player was capable of work like this when he arrived in June.
Scott Brown has been transformed from the player we watched end last season, quite probably because he’s now fully fit. His goal was a worthy acknowledgement of his best game in a year.
Brendan was right to express concern after the game that we let a halftime winning position slip so easily. There were mistakes throughout the team leading to the first Hapoel goal, but I suspect experience will tighten things up.
Kolo Toure was immense. His rampaging run setup the second goal, but when he was caught ahead of the ball on the 55th minute, the defence behind him didn’t have the organisation to prevent a goal. We’ll not see this happen often from now on.
The second half arrivals of Nir Bitton and Moussa Dembele proved decisive. Nir brought a calmness to central midfield as Callum McGregor tired, while Moussa outjumped defence and keeper to score what was a priceless goal.
Craig Gordon’s been under pressure in recent weeks. There was little he could do about Hapoel’ second, a fabulous shot which nicked between Brown and Toure, but he’ll be annoyed their first nipped in at his near post.
This tie, however, turned the moment he made a point-blank save to stop the score going to 4-3. We’ll be able to look back later this season and say that was the moment we secured our Champions League adventure.
Feeling good about last night, but if only we’d a player like Patrick Roberts, or Erik Sviatchenko to come in and take things up a notch……
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Boom
There you are
Awe just missed my first Gold in about 10 years. Right scratcher lads. Be nice to each other.
What a game and result! Still excited this morning, and have watched the Griffiths free kick over and over again! Fingers crossed for the second leg!
Here is my latest: about the lengthening charge sheet being compiled against Stewart Regan
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2016/08/17/a-lengthy-charge-sheet/
He came home to lead the green and white.
Still buzzing from last night.
HH
CRC
Have Real Madrid bid for Griffardinho yet, what a player!
That move you are talking about Paul, when Forrest was dispossessed, can I just say when he received the ball on the touchline 60 yards from goal, the entire north stand raised to their feet as one, in expectation. Now that is something for the much derided wee Jimmy.
As I said last night. If Paddy is fit he will tear them a new one.
This is not hello the Brendan Rodgers effect that we are witnessing but goodbye Peter Lawwell effect.
When does hid s parasitic erse get booted out the door anyway ?
HH
Paul 67 You must have been the only one expecting the free kick to be whipped in as there was only 1 Celtic player in the box just before it was taken. 3 on the half way line, 2 midway in their half and 3 outside the box.
I said to my son that this is clearly about to be a shot.
I am sure the Israeli goalie thought the same.
None of us thought that the shot would be quite as good as it was.
Great Night and fantastic to see Broonie back, I was on the verge of writing him off last year.
UEFA RESPECTS THE FLAG WAVERS
http://i3.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article8652917.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/JS97373746.jpg
My core point stands. It is a demo paid for by other peoples money whether they want to or not and so undermines itself.
Exactly the point I made earlier, fell on deaf ears but, people on here still willing to back a group who no one knows? Or do they?
THETIMREAPER on 18TH AUGUST 2016 12:21 PM
Boom
Mines apint
Smiley thing…
Feeling braw braw braw braw another braw…..
Video of Griff to Laid Back the Bakerman.
Sagabona kunjani wena…
Cool down….. relax
Take it easy….
Braw.
Away for more supplies!!!
Awfy braw.
TONYDONNELLY67 on 18TH AUGUST 2016 12:32 PM
The type of cheeky chap who held aloft Palestinian flags last night, has, over the last decade or so added far more to Celtic’s global profile and imaging rights than you and your legion of fellow moaning auld gits.
You know that, and I think it irks you.
DOC on 18TH AUGUST 2016 12:19 PM
I attended the rally you mention, but have no connection with the GB, it was a rally against the criminisation of football supporters via OBAF Act, not in support of the GB.
Jeanette Findlay is part of the CST, and looks after the interests of its members, of which I am one, some of those fellow members were “kettled”, so JF was involved.
There is no evidence in that statement that links CST and the GB in any formal way.
====================================================
Basically what you are saying is that members of the C.S.T. are also members of the G.B.
That`s precisely what I suspected.
Not really interested in gotcha moments.
Only interested in the welfare of Celtic.
As I`m sure you are.
Hail Hail
O.K.,pal
I don`t want to be splitting hairs.
A fantastic Celtic night.
If we’re going to use competition for places correctly and reward places on merit rather than reputation or seniority then Janko is our right back now.
We slaughtered Motherwell with 11 men playing well. Last night we’d a couple a wee bit off the pace but dug it out and the substitutions were absolutely spot on, man for man. Our new enigma is big Tom Rogic.
I will think of little else other than the return leg and the scenarios that may play out between now and Tuesday, but St Johnstone has to be the focus, McDiarmid has developed into a fortress and one of our toughest away fixtures of the season.
Loving my football at the minute.
TONYDONNELLY67…
My core point stands. It is a demo paid for by other peoples money whether they want to or not and so undermines itself.
All demos are paid for by others. Do you think the police provide their time for free at public marches or demonstrations? The Celtic fans paid their money. They contributed.
Nothing is free anywhere. And if a protest has no cost, it has no value. If it has no value it’s missing the point.
Exactly the point I made earlier, fell on deaf ears but, people on here still willing to back a group who no one knows? Or do they?
I’m willing to back people’s freedom of expression. Absolutely. People shouldn’t have to seek approval to hold or express an opinion.
The victim blaming here is spectacular. You don’t attack the oppressor, but blame the oppressed for the negative consequences stemming from a fascistic Ruling body.
/p
Apologies for the bolding fail in the last post.
The right wing stuff is Tony Donnelly’s. ;)
/p
Auldheid…
..do the right thing, examine motives
Maybe the people displaying flags simply aren’t as myopic as some other Celtic fans, and recognise a need to have a world view beyond “how much money can Celtic hoover up”. Maybe there is a greater good that some fans regard as being an imperative to a club that spouts empty rhetoric in regard to equality, charity and being “more than just a club”.
This ‘think of the good name of Celtic’ is precisely the same one that allowed the club to fail children spectacularly with Jim Torbett. That ruined the lives of Alan Brazil and several other vulnerable children entrusted into Celtic’s care. The ‘good name’ of Celtic isn’t served by hiding from injustice, it’s failed by it. And we have a board of directors that daily fail the club in this regard.
Celtic doesn’t have to be a mono culture, but if it is to be open to culture it must also provide room for dissent, for opposing viewpoints and ultimately, freedom of expression.
/p
From the Jewish Chronicle…
Stanley Lovatt, the honorary Israeli consul in Scotland who was at the game, said he saw “a couple of dozen protesters” before kick-off.
He added: “There was a flurry of Palestinian flags inside the ground just as the game started, but absolutely no trouble
at all.”
NEUSTADT-BRAW on 18TH AUGUST 2016 12:35 PM
Hey you , pal.
Gie`s merr o` thon Zulu patter.
Gonnae?
Pure braw so it wiz.
ERNIE LYNCH on 18TH AUGUST 2016 12:37 PM
TONYDONNELLY67 on 18TH AUGUST 2016 12:32 PM
The type of cheeky chap who held aloft Palestinian flags last night, has, over the last decade or so added far more to Celtic’s global profile and imaging rights than you and your legion of fellow moaning auld gits.
You know that, and I think it irks you.
I’d imagine that he has also added significantly to the fines that Celtic are made to pay as a result of the actions of him and his ilk.
Palestinian flags.
The board need to question UEFA on this, if/when they are fined.
They cannot shift their moral compass simply because there are fines involved.
The fans pay the fines. It’s money from you and I.
Whilst some will argue they don’t want “their money” used on fines, I’d rather not see mine used either. Regardless, it’s a ridiculous ruling that Pakestinian flags are forbidden, so spend some time and money challenging the fairness of that.
( I don’t like my income tax going out on X box’s and tv’s for murderers and rapists in jail, but there ya go)
Palestinian*
Gerrybhoy…
Should Rosa Parks have accepted the bus company’s rules and given up her seat? She knew the rules, and she disrupted other passengers?
Serious question, just try and think of parallels when dealing with fascism and inequality.
Parks – selfish criminal or civil liberties hero?
/p
P8ddy
Hadn’t seen your comments prior to posting mine. You echo my sentiments , only in your typically more erudite style.
Great to see you posting here.
Brendan Rodgers must have had no idea the player was capable of work like this when he arrived in June.
=============
True, BR has stated a couple of times he knew very little about him until this summer…which gives another interesting little insight into the mentality in football circles in England. Their loss.
HH
P8DDY
One major difference Rosa Parks broke the rules but she knew and was willing to accept the cosequences for her personally. She did not try to have collective punishment imposed on others. HH
TWISTS N TURNS…
Always a pleasure to be one of the good guys!
And even better that the discussion is being had after a fantastic result – we all have at least one thing that unites us! :)
/p
Suprised at the first line,here was me thinking that anyone who has any affiliation to CQN refused to listen to the SMSM
P8ddy
You are wasting your breath with the curtain twitchers.
They have a need to control that is insatiable….They are driven by it.
Good posts though:)
HH
I thought the performances of Broony and Griff were their best in a Celtic shirt to date.
I was very impressed by our substitutions at 3-2, the three of them worked effectively.
Big Moussa gets better every time I watch him. Happy Days
Let’s finish the tie with an early away goal in Israel. Though SS could have killed the tie in injury time.
DD
Hows it going bud.
Great victory last night.
Proper Celtic performance….loved it:)
HH
AN TEACH SOLAIS
One major difference Rosa Parks broke the rules but she knew and was willing to accept the cosequences for her personally. She did not try to have collective punishment imposed on others. HH
The people on the bus who were held there waiting for police, who missed appointments and work might disagree with your assertion. I’d suggest they suffered a far greater direct impact than those at Celtic Park last night will ever feel. Or the people whose eyes were so offended by seeing a flag.
You and I will feel no impact from the fine. None what so ever. Just as the people on the board, like Lord Livingstone will never feel the impact of the criminal benefit sanctions and austerity he both approved of and voted for.
Who’s the bigger threat to Celtic and her identity?
/p
P8DDY on 18TH AUGUST 2016 12:49 PM
Gerrybhoy…
Should Rosa Parks have accepted the bus company’s rules and given up her seat? She knew the rules, and she disrupted other passengers?
Serious question, just try and think of parallels when dealing with fascism and inequality.
Unfortunately, you seem to have mono vision on this issue. To be PERFECTLY CLEAR, I agree with your view entirely in this respect BUT it does not belong inside our stadium. There are many more appropriate venues for these views to be expressed and supported. I’m all for that. So, please do not prattle to me about your “vision” of political realities. I do not like to be patronised. I am all too aware of the many sites of corruption, criminality and wrongdoing on our poor planet today.
DELANEYS DUNKY on 18TH AUGUST 2016 12:56 PM
“… Though SS could have killed the tie in injury time.”
You a nazi? ;)))
Of course, the economic solution to all this is to impose a Pigouvian tax on those wishing to act in contravention of rules, but with the added dimension of some consumer choice:
Celtic: “Do you intend to do something that might incur a fine?”
Supporter A: “No, thank you, I’m fine”
Supporter B: “Oh, yes please, very much so, thank you.”
Celtic: “Well, Supporter B, we have 3 packages available:
Package 1 is £100 per season and entitiles you to waive a Palestinian flag or light half a flare; Package 2 is £200 per season and entitles you to one fully lit, regulation size flair or a banner criticising UEFA; or Package 3 which is £350 per season and entitles you to one flair plus a Palestinian flag or an incursion onto the field of play”.
Supporter b: “I’ll go for Package 1, that’ll probably be enough for now. Can I upgrade during the season if I need more?”
Celtic: “Of course!”
Sorted.
Please take this in the spirit it has been intended: very seriously…
;)
phil Mac sums it up pretty well today. I can’t do the link.
Tony D – totally disagree with you on this. And I think P8ddy has pretty much explained why.
P8 @ 12.39
And I quote — “if a protest has no cost, it has no value”
Blow that nonsense oot yer erse.
The NMP “protest” had no cost.
However it was very effective.
I fear you are pushing ” if it’s not hurting its not working / there must be blood” angle just a bit too hard.
Waving a few flags is not going to change anything.
It is student politics porn for the hard of thinking.
A bit of humour would have went a long way.
A bit of variety would have gone a long way.
A bit of imagination would have gone a long way.
We were not playing the Israeli NT.
We should have given our opponents a bit of respect and some individuality.
We should have tried something that everybody could have joined in with.
Change comes from within.
We should develop a dialogue that supports that need for change.
Self indulgent sloganising is just politics for box tickers.