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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“…there are a cock-or-two on here”
Aye…and they’re speaking pigeon English…
67 EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS@7:41
I think this was discussed during the recent Euros…. UEFA changed the rule as it was thought that the old rule – the ‘triple threat of penalty, sending off and miss a game – was too harsh. So, now, if there is a foul in the box, a penalty is awarded, but the foul is treated just like it would be if it happened outside the box. In this case, I assume the ref played the advantage, and allowed the goal to stand, bu otherwise it should have been a penalty. However, I think the ref should have given the keeper a yellow card as well ….. but, in my opinion, not a sending off, as it wasn’t a red card tackle.
We could have had the ref from the West Ham game last night….a Dallas Cowboy if ever i’ve seen one….
WBC-CB
The commentary is in Spanish, hope that is OK :-)
HH
The second craw wis greeting for his ma……greeting for his ma ….greeting fir his ma maw maw maw .
The second craw wis greeting for his maw ….on a cold and frosty morning….
Braw
One day you’re a peacock, next day you’re a feather duster….
Free speech ain’t she a bitch? :-)
Always going to be someone that has you raging.
Feck the rules, they are only there to rote the the “entrenched offensive brigade”, in other words those that are using the system to trouser large sums of cash.
Why the hell should a football governing body be telling others what flags they can and can’t wave?
Equally as entitled as the Palastine flag display was, so was the Star of David in the directors box. Free speech, ain’t she a…
I feel they will wave union flags on tuesday – by the shedload.
TICTAEWIN
That’s weird, I always thought the Confederate side was more to their liking…
;)
ERNIE LYNCH on 18TH AUGUST 2016 7:37 PM
VFR800A8 on 18TH AUGUST 2016 7:25 PM
You think that the purpose of the flag display was to persuade the Israeli government to change its policies?
Seriously?
__________________________________
WTF are you all about? If raising the plight of the Palestinian people does’t have the goal of looking for a policy change by Israel what is the point? Are you looking for all out war or a continuation of the oppressive policies? Please tell me.
In your wisdom (sic) please elaborate and inform me of the real reason behind the flag display then.
KTF
Davidopoulos…
I have two big dugs, I’m not crowing about that…but I have to walk them now…
Collars and leashes on, doors to automatic (copyright Jobo) and away we go…
Davidopoulous
Skull and crossbones more like:)
HH
At times like this i wish CQN had separate threads…
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS
Enjoy the walk fella
Hail hail.
Did we win last night?
Lot of talk on the flags today, to be honest I don’t see why EUFA has a problem with the Palestine flag and not the flying of other flags.
It’s actually been an education today, I didn’t realise the population of Lebanon was 3.5 million and if that is so it’s time to give these people breathing space rather than being subjected to a quarantine.
As said, I’m not that well informed on the situation but I was brought up to help the underdog rather than kick it….must be a Tim thing!
Davidopoulous
Branch 323
HH
TET…mejor, asi, voy a escuchar lo que piensan los espanoles sobre los bhoys…
Did we win last night?
Lot of talk on the flags today, to be honest I don’t see why EUFA has a problem with the Palestine flag and not the flying of other flags.
It’s actually been an education today, I didn’t realise the population of Lebanon was 3.5 million and if that is so it’s time to give these people breathing space rather than being subjected to a quarantine.
As said, I’m not that well informed on the situation but I was brought up to help the underdog rather than kick it….must be a Celtic thing!
TTT,
I’m as much Celtic as anyone and I’m ok with it, if your no ok with it then here’s some of your own medicine, go watch the rugby, GAA or a sport that prefers to pretend that politics has no place in sport.
Did you sing Provo songs in the 70s and 80s, are you ashamed you did ?
It’s no up to you or anyone else to decide who or what is acceptable at Celtic Park, least of all the board they are the last people in the world who should be left in charge of Celtics moral compass, bankers and masons FFS. Celtic Park has always found its own moral compass through consensus, especially in the face of oppression and 9 out of 10 has been rang on the money. your preference for oppression is anti Celtic just think about that for a minute.
BADA BING
Here you canny just pap me off to the side on a different thread posting puns to myself all day.
Puns are good.
Sooner or later you’ll cormorant to my way of thinking…
Oops double post, ach it might get read then and maybe sink in.
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD
:)
Good article posted on Scott Brown in CQN Football Matters. Worth a read.
Some talk about the reasoning why Celtic were founded. And where they were founded.
In 2008 a leading member of the SNP unfavourably compared The life expectancy of the Carlton to Gazza. Now no doubt there have been improvements in Glasgow,, but in certain areas I wonder If life expectancy figures are still damming.?
We have drug deaths in Glasgow rocketing and poverty is still so evident. Yet we have a government underspend.
Given the area surrounding Paradise we all collectively have a vested interest; should we not be protesting against this ongoing disgrace in our midsts.
Yes we need a just solution for the whole Middle east, but we also need more action on our doorstep.
Or does home grown poverty not fit with the agenda for the Middle class lefties who know nothing about the genuine working class struggles on a daily basis.
Note : the SNP leader views at the time are his and not mine.
Hail, Hail, justice, freedom and equality for all.
Oh the third craw fell and broke his jaw ,fell and broke his jaw ..fell and broke his jaw aw aw aw aw …
The third craw fell and broke his jaw ….on a cold and frosty morning….
Braw
When the ball hits the net and it’s not Jorge Cadete it’s Doo Canio.
Oh dear
Find the criticism of O’Connell at first goal last night unfair.
He did what central defenders are taught and stayed on his feet and she perfect guy to the more difficult outside area.
His goalie failed him by leaving near post open.
The kid is showing great composure in performances to date.
And Bada Bing ….you,ll no pappagai my good self off either!!
Birds of a feather ….shoite together.
Another beaky thing
Braw
Fooking autocorrect it should read shepherded guy not she perfect.
Neustadt..
It’s time for bed said sleepy head
It’s time enough said slow
Put on the kettle said greedy guts
And we’ll eat before we go
GREENPINATA on 18TH AUGUST 2016 8:21 PM
you forgot
Dear Baron Livingston of Parkhead,
Will I fix it for you ? :-)
HH
WBC
They like us fine, I think yer man is in love with Brendan mind you, never stops talking about him :-)
HH
Goodnight pal….
Keep the chopper flying low….
Smiley thing
Braw
“I can’t think of any civil liberty that we enjoy that hasn’t been won by people breaking the law.”
E L,, the patron saint of the Hard of Thinking and Double Negative.
An example to disprove his theory would be more helpful than a cheap jibe.
I know its short notice but.Going up to a family do in Dundee on Saturday and would like to go via Perth.Finding tickets very difficult but you never know.Looking for two tickets if anyone can heip me out,On a side note watched last night from my vantage point [front row North Stand upper 404] and thought Scott Brown was outstanding.Not many players could have played the one-two he did for his goal. Hail Hail
LENNON N MC….MJALLBY on 18TH AUGUST 2016 8:25 PM
When the ball hits the net and it’s not Jorge Cadete it’s Doo Canio….
And the winner is…….???????
Awfy braw
Braw.
Prost.