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 have no idea of the team that will play ST J.
I’d expect Liam to replace Scott, Dorus to replace Craig, Erik to replace Kolo and Emilio to replace Kieran.
Somethings Firewire
macjay1,
You are a Sinner. :P
Liam Hendo has a big part to play @ Celtic IMO.
PETEC on 19TH AUGUST 2016 3:17 AM
An Original sinner.
But cleansed through Baptism
:-)
Goodnight lads ….in Zulu …..
ulale kahle
Braw…
The green and white train is coming…..
Bet someone nicks that …
Braw
NEUSTADT-BRAW on 19TH AUGUST 2016 3:20 AM
Hambagashli , tsotsi.
Brawer than braw.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hr75pqA8bo
macjay1 for Neil Lennon on 19th August 2016 3:20 am
PETEC on 19TH AUGUST 2016 3:17 AM
An Original sinner.
But cleansed through Baptism
:-)
………………………………………..
The crux of the matter.
Islam, Fundamental Islam means Domination.
You do get people that just give up.
Another useless attack on Kojo.
Celtic is my Love.
It is so good we just have Moderate Islam in Scotland.
Ernie Marxist Lynch. :))
One Love?
FFS
Christianity has been REmoved, noone goes to Chapel/Church anymore.
You DESERVE what is Coming.
Wake UP.
The TRUE GOD is not idle.
Speak Up for the WORD of God.
or just STFU.
Abortion.
Wake the fuck up
we are in Paganism Heaven right now.
Ten Torys
Cast that Stone any CQNer.
I say well done for the Hun playing good football against us last game. they did.
Wake the Feck up.
Pol;and has.
Preach the Gospel.
Preach the New Testament where ever you are or where ever you be.
Do something Good.
Canamalar, I watched a great game, at half time, buzzing, full time, buzzing even more. I expected more today, my bad.
Explain to Muslim Friends that Christ Died to Save Everyone.
Macjay…
We will always be ruled by the worst about us …look at the music industry……I should have been a brawstar ages ago …
Starry thing ..
I just love the Celtic…. And when they play like the Celtic from my childhood…. That makes me hoopy…
We should all want at least that…
Nobody should be forced to learn Zulu…
Not yet …
Smiley thing
Braw
Do it respectfully.
It does my head in that Christ (His divinity) is Attacked so much.
Subtle in a pub when Drunk a long Time ago now. or full-on on CQN.
Yeshua fulfilled the Law.
Christ is the King.
God Bless Brendan.
If people are Blinded by the Sun
The Masonic is Sun…… Not the Son.
liyini igama likankulunkulu wenuwenu?
Braw.
Sagabona kunjani sena
Schlaf gut celticios…. And wee craws …..
Hahahahaha
Braw
Neustadt
Not forgetting ficki ficki .
But that was Kenya.
:-)
You sang , played music ?
The Star of David isnae anywhere in the Word of God.
Those Star of David originators are Hidden manipulators that know the Word of God to the very last jot or title, trying to do what they do.
Maybe I should calm down
Or maybe I am totally wrong.
Inspiral Carpets
The only One I see
Mackay …
Oh yes ….ma wee mum loved me to bits !!
I am a tease ….you look after that bit under the big rock….and keep it green…
Braw
Perhaps they Just wanted Jesus to come Quickly.
To fix things.
Coldplay.csc
The Lord Forgives the most heinous crimes, it is a mile away from CQN jibber jabber… Ephesians 6:12.
Phamarkeia is a big thing that is…………………………
Noone knows the hour the Lord Returns,
I cannae wait for Saturday and seeing a second side Brendan team beat ST J by at least 3 goals.
Ralston in?
There will be a moment in the new season when I will attempt an Oh Ronny Ronny chant in with the chanters that just want to shout support for Celtic.
I agreed with so much of MadMitch’s stuff.
The Celtic Support isn’t just the GB.
Wake Up Celtic Support.
The atmosphere was Electric.
Time the GB followed the Support when they start songs.
The LL upper is right up for it and they will start the Celtic Anthems, be in no doubt about that.
We are all new dudes just getting to know each other.
;))
Doing the Huddle brought smiles to faces.
It would seem that Chris Sutton is in good company.
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/ronny-deila-failed-to-get-best-from-celtic-players-hints-neil-lennon-1-4207051
Joey at the wind up.
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/premiership/joey-barton-meant-no-disrespect-to-brendan-rodgers-says-rangers-boss-1-4207049