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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I had a wee on-line chat with Ahmed from Gaza this morning.He had posted his gratitude to Celtic fans for their show of support.Here’s a couple of his messages:
Ahmed Igheish
we thank you all from all of our hearts really and appreciate every single support for Palestine , we are so lucky having you all besides us . Thank you so much and God bless you and bless Celtic team and bless your country and make it safe and protected .. much love From #Gaza
it’s our duty to thank you brother , cuz in this time we life we rarely could find a people like you , amazing and loveable and truly brave .. I know but carrying the flag of my country make me happy and means much for me ,the red show how much sacrifice we did to be free , the black for our sadness because of the world that let us down , the green is for our beautiful mountains and nature and the white is the peace that all the messengers of God call it the land of prophets where Jesus Christ peace be upon him born and his brother Muhammad send to heaven .. of course you do and you can do too much is enough for us having you besides us and it’s our honor to have you , if you one day visit Gaza I would really be happy having you as my guest in my home add me to your whats or Viber we can talk more and be great and more strong brothers . Much love for you .
http://www.ifamericansknew.org/history/
Some bedtime reading for the genuinely interested…
Just apropos of nothing-
Rosa Parks was not the first bus protestor in Alabama to stick up for her civil rights. She was chosen to represent the Afro-American community because she was a respectable and douce protestor.
The real heroine and rabble rouser was just a bit too feisty to shove in front of those decent god-fearing white folk as she could not be trusted to hold her tongue.
And she is still living in New York today in relative obscurity-
Claudette Colvin
THEBARCAMOLE
No,mate. In my original post,I stated that “rules is rules. We either abide by them or change them.”
As we couldn’t do the former,we have to do the latter.
My position on it has always been the same. That we should in fact abide by the rules while going about changing them.
Well the magic twat has signed Julian Lescott for the tribute act or so the evening news is claiming if it happens he will be a great signing for the tribute act but where is there money coming from ? H.H.
Been plucking up the courage to come on here since I retired a few months ago. Came late to CQN – came late to social media etc. Only found CQN after RTC closed down, then found Phil’s site which directed me to CQN. Lurked ever since and promised myself to join post retirement. Been putting it off due to being too shy and too in awe of some/most of the characters on here.
But after last night I had to register in order to thank every single fan that made the game and the result so memorable. At 3-2 I was, at first, in shock and then I remembered why I was at the game and not watching it on the telly. We can make a difference. That collective notion – that we could influence and change the course of the game – enveloped the whole stadium and made us believe the same.
Yes, a big thank you to all the players, management, back-room staff etc. for their super-human efforts – as a Celtic supporter I’d expect no less. To my fellow Celtic fans, Thank You for an evening of (ultimately) pure joy. You, the many, do it all the time. I, poor soul, can only participate occasionally due to other factors…but Bhoys, I marvel and envy your support of our team. Thank you, one and all.
And today my day got even better when my copy of “That Season in Paradise” arrived. Yippee.
Oh, and BMCUWP, inter alia….No I’m Not. I know it’s a ritual, but I fear the H word.
Oh, and St Stivs – I must have been near you, ‘cos I also thought Tom’s goal was a tap-in and big Nir nodded in the fourth.
Oh, and Hot Smoked…It wasn’t me who was looking for CQN corner, but I’ve always wondered about the fabledGazebo. I, too, have searched long and hard for this mirage in the Bermuda Triangle that exists only on Google CQNMaps……one of these days.
memoriesaremadeofthiscsc
For those who are oppressed
With your flag we can protest
RebsCSC
HH jamesgang
JOE FILIPPIS HAIRCUT
We are witnessing another cash burning exercise at Ibrox a la Craig Whyte…
SCANIEL…
You a hun? ;))
So, according to shortbread, Barton’s comment re Brendan is ‘chuckle chuckle’ just banter, not disrespectful…
Scottish football journalists are woeful…(and cowardly)
Will Warburton pull up Barton for being disrespectful? Answers on a pinhead…
SCANIEL
Welcome aboard,bud. Have fun in the sun,ya…guid Tim(!)
Article 16 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulation states that clubs “are liable on the part of their supporters and may be subject to disciplinary measures” in case of “the use of gestures, words, objects or any other means to transmit any message that is not fit for a sports event, particularly messages that are of a political, ideological, religious, offensive or provocative nature.”
Pity the SFA dont adopt UEFA’s policies
Lennybhoy and Eurochamps67
Happy birthday bhoys.
Hope the pair of yea’s have had/are having a brilliant day.
Reckon that victory can be dedicated to you bhoys on a technicality to keep the good run of birthday results going.
Whos up for having a birthday on Tuesday?
JFH…
They’ll be choosing from Lescott,Kiernan,Wilson and Hill to try and stop Leigh and Moussa.My money’s on us. ;)
They’re using the crossbar challenge and facepainter money.
I see the negative-obsessed, anti-board big guns are out in force all at the same time. Coincidence? Not on your nelly.
Celtic riding on the crest of a wave, scoring goals for fun, one foot in the CL group stages, big crowds flocking to Paradise, supporters behind the team and the manager.
They don’t like it. They need to spread the gloom and put the rest of us in our place.
I just laugh at them. Immature muck-rakers who hate to see good Celtic supporters enjoying the return of the good times.
It’s no fair so it isnae.
Empty lives.
Closed minds.
If I’m miserable, you’ll be miserable too. The philosophy of the morally bankrupt.
Shame really.
Well, like many I felt that the flag protest was harmful to the club and would cause us to be sanctioned. However, having looked at social media today and many published articles overseas (especially in the Arab world) I and moved to say I probably got it wrong. Make no mistake, we WILL be sanctioned; but the many messages from Palestinians who have thank the Celtic support for bringing their plight into the news again now lead me to think that it may have been worthwhile. I say “may” rather than “was” because if, as a support, we let it go at a one-off demonstration it’s no more than a paper tiger. To give it teeth we should be pressing the Club to have them take UEFA on over this issue and demand that demonstrations like last night are not wrong, illegal or immoral.
KTF
Happy birthday EUROCHAMPS67,many hoopy returns. :)
BMCUWPs,
Here’s Judy Garland’s 1940 version of ‘The Wearing of The Green’ (gets a bit jazzy half way through).
I get what you mean about rules and all that but the reaction in Palestine and elsewhere to last night has been pretty moving.
The PLC have probably got more out of the flag waving in terms of publicity and new supporters than the inevitable fine from UEFA (under Swiss Police investigation, for corruption.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0dfdckeFaw
CCB,
Might like the song:))
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 18th August 2016 6:44 pm
So what is it pal…….Fly the PLO flag or no???
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
THUNDER ROAD on 18TH AUGUST 2016 6:52 PM
Lennybhoy and Eurochamps67
Happy birthday bhoys.
Hope the pair of yea’s have had/are having a brilliant day.
Reckon that victory can be dedicated to you bhoys on a technicality to keep the good run of birthday results going.
Whos up for having a birthday on Tuesday?
Mine is on Tuesday. I’m confident it will be a good one.
Mags..,
Pity the rules don’t apply to UEFA either, do as I say not as I do, easy win for Celtic to challenge any sanction but this board want to oppress supporters. Last thing greedy liars need is intelligent honest marks.
SCANIEL
Welcome to the mad FLEG house :-)
TBM.
Fly the flag,indeed,for me.
I think it was Auld Tam who summed it up well, a lot of fans were unsure but when they viewed the display their hearts filled with pride. They realised it was the right thing to do.I know a couple in my work who said the same as Auld Tam.
I’m grumpy as anything today F. I had 5 really good days then tea time yesterday had another cell attack. I missed the fegging game. A bit better today and made work. Have to say, work have been very supportive, I genuinely appreciative that, not everyone is so lucky.
At The Beatson this Monday for a biopsy on bone marrow. Everything cool though, there are so many worse of than me. I’m still PI$$ed off at missing the game though. Even though I would only have been watching from home, anything after 6, I’m afraid, is too much for be at present.
How many days have you left in Cebu? Are you alright/ sorted for Wales.
Hail Hail my friend.
SCANIEL-are you a hun like Bournesouprecipe? :0
But Rosa did not stop there ……talking to the driver whilst the bus was in motion !!!! Did she have the right change? …..did she bollox!!! Tut tut tut …
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 18TH AUGUST 2016 12:42 PM
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
……..
Laid Back were asked to write a song to encourage young people to be bakers …..
The Danish needed more recruits….world wide hit and more bakers ….job done….
…..braw song though..
Smiley thing …
Braw
Aidy
Wooohoooo!!!!
Brilliant!!! :)
Haw youse…is this QCN coarner? A’ve been stoatin aboot since yisterday lookin fur yis…
A jist wantid tae tell yis, yir awe……haud oan, all be back in a minnit…drapped ma flag…
JOE FILIPPIS
He cost nothing and Aston Villa are still paying a percentage of his wage, to get rid of a high
earner who is obviously surplus.
Don’t fall for SMSM propaganda that creates illusionary invisible Sevco money.
Unlike Rangers, – Sevco can’t spend what they don’t have.
Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on 18th August 2016 6:56 pm
Agreed. Can the Saltire be interpreted as a political flag? or the lion rampant maybe I dunno.
These fines are just another fund source for a corrupt organization.
Evening CHAMPS.
Lennybhoy and Eurochamps67 Happy Birthday Bhoys,
Still Hoarse from last night, Reading lots of in fighting today on here about flaggate. You know if it causes so much divide on here whats it like in the stadium,
Its not the platform for it no matter the argument for it. We will all pay for the fine just because some guys don’t listen.
They are right its rubbish what is happening to Palestine but Paradise is not the place to get your point across.
Buckets, protests, and petitions.
imhb
KLV
VFR800A8.
That is a sensible course but how do you persuade the Board that those with a just cause can be trusted to act responsibly when to them you haven’t?
The way we go about righting wrongs is as important as the result we want to achieve.
We’ll that is my experience.
Lescott on a 2 year deal, Where is the money coming from?
KLV
Scaniel.
Welcome and enjoy.
Are you a hun?
LessCost on a 2 year deal???
Theres your answer.
JNP
Tam,
Back in a week. God willing we can get together for a beer or ten before I continue on my jaunt………. Really nervous pal, about restarting work at my age but hey what to do……….
In the meantime, take care, stay well, and hopefully we can get together and talk about good friends, times, and events………..
Get the Butlers, Crum, and Chunkie et al together for a ‘civilised’ meal and drinks (sic) reunion……..(-:
God Bless….
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
Franny
Lennybhoy and Eurochamps67 ……
Have a braw braw rest of the day…..
Braw.
Take the flag from the mast Irish sailor
worsethingsatseacsc
SCANIEL…hello and bienvenido…