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 wonder who his family and friends will be supporting.
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/nir-bitton-warns-against-celtic-complacency-in-israel-1-4206880
macjay1,
Neil had a style that was totally different to Every other Manager.
He got close to his players.
He got the very best out of his players because of this.
Ronny had no chance after that.
I don’t blame Neil for getting close to the players, Ronny was really let down by this, IMO.
Neil tried something innovative.
Ronny had a deeper philosophy than Neil’s IMO, he just didn’t suit such a Massive club with……
Back to the Velvet Glove Iron Fist approach.
It suits us.
I like big Sutton but as BSR says let it go ffs.
Ronny brought through Kieran Tierney, and he really has to start filling out now, to become what we hope he will be. Emilio will play plenty games this Season I’m hoping.
PETEC on 19TH AUGUST 2016 5:15 AM
The issue now , Pete , is recognising and learning from our mistakes.
With respect , imho Ronny was a mistake virtually right from the start.
But it took two long years to correct that mistake.
You can`t blame players when their coach is inept.
But that`s precisely what happened on here.
It would appear that many of our players are now performing with a new found confidence.
Failure to recognise failure and take account of it could lead to repetition.
God willing , that won`t happen.
Emilio yes. Kris too and perhaps Charlie.
All proven performers for us.
Who knows.
Brendan.
:-)
macjay1,
I think you have yer tongue in cheek saying that.
Domestic Cups?
Shutup
;))
Emilio is a backup dancer now.
Emilio is helping KT become what he is becoming.
I’m a dude that obviously annoys the heck out of Auld Tam but he said, I believe him, and what he said on CQN.
That made sense about the Clicque.
Dorus will be Numero Uno Soon.
CELTIC.
Sorry that was nonsense about a clicque.
Apologies.
OOh
Kieran has to get Bigger, physically.
I have no doubts that Emilio being the Person he is, that he is staying @ Celtic to help Kieran.
CElTIC HONDURAS.
Emilio
Cultural Marxism.????????/
come on.
Christ Died for Me, and Everyone.
Belief is the probem.
ernie will never answer this Question.
Ernie do you believe that Jesus Christ was Ressurected?
I will go mental if he says Aye.
Resurrected.
Oh Shit.
You have No Idea about Belief.
Watch (Georgia film) Tangerines, it has errors in the Word but it is Good.
God Bless.
LMFAO.
Introapection.CSC
C’mon the Celts.
Good morning friends and a Big Happy Friday from a dry, still bright and almost sunny East Kilbride.
Petec bud, you are the nightshift
HH
I’d reckon only DBBIA given his Time being free from Work constraints and being Able to Look at the Word well.
he will say.
What?
If you leave it.
LeAVE IT
Celtic Needs theeee Grey Beards. Big Time.
Big Time.
The Right Wing runs the Club. The Left Wing do their jibber jabber.
BEST Team in Scotland.
The Best Under Current……..
Amps.
Jobo Baldie on 19th August 2016 6:56 am
Good morning friends and a Big Happy Friday from a dry, still bright and almost sunny East Kilbride.
…………………………………………………………………………
The Lord Almighty is looking oot for us.
Stairheedrammy on 19th August 2016 6:57 am
Petec bud, you are the nightshift
HH
………………………………
HH…. Sorry for links that have lyrics that are offensive.
It is HARD to realise that Rastafarianism and Islam are Haters of Christianity.
Bob.CSC
Noise, noise
Now there’s something I thought I’d never see, Rangers unearthing a player to challenge Davie Dodds for the ugliest ever Hun award.
Welcome Joleon Lescott.
Morning Celts
Twists n Turns
Lescott is mince:)
HH
Stairheedrammy,
Never ‘Forget’… I’m Nothing.
nothing
I’ve accepted I’m amongst the cheated.
Please let us be What we can be.
I’ve fell out with every dude apart from the Original.
I was Blessed to see James interact with That LEGEND.
CELTIC.
TWISTSNTURNS
He’ll fit in well at a supporters night out.
What do you reckon on The Last Lion in the Gimcrack tomorrow,6f?
Beaten only by its stablemate,Yalta,in a course record over 5f at Goodwood last time. Which runs today,btw.
twists n turns on 19th August 2016 7:20 am
Now there’s something I thought I’d never see, Rangers unearthing a player to challenge Davie Dodds for the ugliest ever Hun award.
Welcome Joleon Lescott.
………………………………………………………………………….
He will make sure Celtic don’t get 10 goals on the 10th.
He is an excellent defender. I’m disappointed they have got him. ;))
Lescott….Riches to rags, must be a sad day for him ending up on skid row:)
And the fact that he is mince, cant help:)
HH
Get the Ba’ in the net as often as possible.
5-0 Every half means a CL Winning Team.
It’s not rocket Salad.
The Lord is Almighty.
Get yer Money on over 2.5 @ 5/1 fh goals Now.
Be Bold and Brave. Go for the Same in the CL. Get 12/1……..
Selecta
Good morning from a cloudy, chilly Dundee.
I’m beginning to regret not wearing my jacket.
Long Mix.
Great Howeeeeevaaaaah.
I’m with PETEC, Lescott is a good player…at least he used to be. I last saw him play about 2 years ago so may the ravages of time have taken their toll.
I have no idea how Richie or John feel about Palestine.
It must be Great to be Free of any sort of hassle.
I’d hate to be living under the Constant threat of so many wanting to Annihiliate You.
Pete: greenman
Villa fan said ” Lescott is going, there is a God after all. Let there be light”
Villa continuing to pay some of his wages.
Bobby, I’ll get back to ya on nags.
Davidopoulous
Skid row for Lescott
They arent paying anything…..Villa want rid badly
Glibby has probably told him that he can play in the Champions League, and Lescott believed him.
Easy eh:)
Quantitative Easing in the ipox basement…..Monopoly money?
Who knows.
HH
HH
I’ve never heard of this Garner guy the zombies are trying to buy or indeed where the money is coming from but £1.5m for this made me laugh
“The 28-year-old netted six goals for the Sky Bet Championship side last season “