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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Mr Pastry
Feck off with your hun bs
Shutup
Mum is the Theeeee Greatest.
Cooking well
TinyTim on 19th August 2016 9:03 am
Petec
Others have previously made comment about your fanatically extreme religious posts on here.
At times I have viewed some of these posts as cruel attacks on you.
But for sometime I have also been concerned about the state of your mind.
During the wee small ours of this morning ,you posted 25 times in a relatively short period.
……
Don’t Lie. dude.
Bearing in mind the PR success of the Palestinian flag campaign, and that there are 1.6 billion Muslims v 1.2 billion Catholics, maybe we should ditch this old worn catholic image and go for a more modern, Islamic vibe.
More and more this place is losing its pulse. The change in Celtic since Rodgers took the reins has been cautiously encouraging. If we get one or two quality players in and win next Tuesday, who knows, who dares to dream, where, with food fortune in the draw, we will be come next January.
Nope feck the dreams, let’s rip each other apart over the right of opinion.
That is all those who flew the flag were doing, expressing an opinion. I think that opinion is along the lines of bullies should be faced down, whether they wear flak jackets, blazers, Rolex watches or the boaking stench of corruption. I tend to admire the flag wavers on this occasion. I think they have achieved much more good than harm.
I am so much more confident this past couple of weeks than I have been in a couple of years. Maybe Scott Brown’s impressive impersonation of Lazarus has much to do with my new found optimism.
Not fooling myself though, without one or two other players of quality we won’t be going where Strachan took us. Please Peter, look up ambition in the dictionary and review the pros and cons of risk v reward, and it is not a movie mate, it’s life.
5-2
5-2
5-2
10iar
10iar
10iar
morning all
COOLMORE MAFIA on 19TH AUGUST 2016 9:09 AM
Bearing in mind the PR success of the Palestinian flag campaign, and that there are 1.6 billion Muslims v 1.2 billion Catholics, maybe we should ditch this old worn catholic image and go for a more modern, Islamic vibe.
—————————————————————-
I trust your post is lighthearted, but should your comparison not read 1.6 billion Muslims v 2.1 Billion Christians.
HH.
And there he is – the Always Ultra Tena for Men wearing panty wetting flag counter. He counted 60 something flags. Oh and don’t forget the one on a bus at Livingston.
Think I’ve said it before.
But hey.
Mats Thicko you are a dick.
MWD
TinyTim
That was a lovely thing you did for us all up at Styx but you shouldn’t have felt like you did and left it behind.
Your story kinda makes the day even better now if that makes sense.
Thanks for a great day out and im sure im not the only one that hopes to do it again, so hopefully you make a speedy recovery and feel like it yourself.
HH
Lescott is a few years younger than Toure.
Davy Moyes is reported as wanting him.
IF true ,that would make me think he still has something to offer.
Watch the You Tube clips of the player Garner that they have signed .
In a lower league he scored some really good goals.
He will score quite a few up here.
The Hun will push us all the way.
We will be stretched with European football ,whilst they have nothing else to concentrates on but the league.
They will also be allowed to build momentum and confidence ,if we lose points during our European exploits.
A win at Fortress McDiarmid would be a big one.
I wouldn’t rest any players unless they are carrying worrying knocks.
Get the 3 points.
Later in the season 6 points from Tynecastle and Perth will prove vital.
Sevco will do well to pick up 6 points from those 2 fixtures when they come about.
TT
Oh my Goodness TT you are right.
I’m sorry.
Now have you got anything to confess?
KITALBA
Spot on.
Morning Bhoys,
Go an create your own forum Bhoys to put the world to rights. We know its a big mess but we come on here for a few minutes of solace.
Celtic Forum.
KLV
Thunder Road
I hope to do it again , in early October.
I’m would hope that all the Bhoys that made it the last time make it again.
( especially Petec)
I might change the format to spice it up a bit.
Include scotch doubles,this time.
Blackball rules again.
Watch this space.
TT
TT
You have kinda contradicted yourself there.
Sevco will push us all the way but will be lucky to pick up points at certain venues. They are either going to be strong enough to push us all the way which means being strong enough to win at all venues or they aren’t?
Me thinks you worry too much. :-]
MWD
MWD
Panty wetting flag counter….and curtain twitcher:)
HH
Petec
Too much for here(:-)
Hopefully I’ll see you at the next CQN POOL TOURNIE.
You can hear my confession then.(:-)
You take care.
TT
Greenpinta- ah that is for Christians, not God fearing Catholics
1st Frame and all that – You gave me far too much respect and listened way too much on here about my Pool Skills. I like having a drink and playing the game, you unfortunately now call into question my Mental Being? I’m fine Thank You.
Moonbeams
No team will collect full points from all the venues.
These are the venues where I feel that Celtic and Rangers are more likely to drop points.
Having already won at Tynecastle ,we have a wee advantage.
But you are correct .
I do worry too much.(:-)
TT
No Worries dude.
I have that Sonic @ 09:06 always on my Mind noooo.
I’m guessing it was Mum Programming me.
Tomorrow is a big match, and if we win, it is another marker to set down for Aberdeen, Hearts and Sevco.
I’m not entirely sure how we will set up…but I would be tempted to go 3-5-2:
Gordon
Toure O’Connell Tierney
Janko Brown Rogic Bitton Sinclair
Dembele Griff
It looked like Lustig was struggling when he came off on Wed so rest him tomorrow. Maybe Sviatchenko will feature as a sub to get him some game time. I would probably switch to 4-4-2 if we go a couple of goals up.
I dunno…maybe calling the line-up correctly on Wednesday has gone to my head…. :)
TT
I know not who you speak of when you say Rangers. They are died. Do you mean Sevco or The New Rangers?
I refuse to normalise corruption by entitling them such.
:-]
MWD
COOLMORE MAFIA on 19TH AUGUST 2016 9:22 AM
:-)))))))
I think our bhoys will smash the bigots to smithereens this season.
Brendan doesnt like them much:)
Erik, KT, Big Mik, Kolo
Scott Broon, Paddy R, Moussa, The Griff, Scotty Sinclair, Tommy Rogic….for starters.
Grrrrrr….Go get em bhoys:)
HH
MWD
I will accept that smack on the wrist.
How about The New Darnel?(:-)
TT
Does anyone have the latest on Sviachencko’s fitness.
I’m sure I eat him quoted the other week as saying that he would be back in training this week.
But I have read nothing official from Celtic.
TT
Eat = read.
TT
TT
I can accept The New Darnel.
I personally think they will qualify for Europe next season. However it won’t be via their league status. They will gain entry via favourable draws in The Scottish Cup and qualify as Scottish Cup losing finalists as we win the treble before we head off down to Cardiff.
MWD
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 19TH AUGUST 2016 9:29 AM
I think our bhoys will smash the bigots to smithereens this season.
Brendan doesnt like them much:)
Erik, KT, Big Mik, Kolo
Scott Broon, Paddy R, Moussa, The Griff, Scotty Sinclair, Tommy Rogic….for starters.
Grrrrrr….Go get em bhoys:)
HH
———————————
Morning Mr Green Man, yahoo we agree on something.
Now I bet you would love to see it happen in the flesh.
Go on , treat yourself. Paradise awaits. You know you want to!!!!!.
Your team need you .
HH to you.
TinyTim
Apparently he was back training this week. As are a few others who have been out.
Mickbhoy1888
I can only assume you didn’t go to many home league matches during the MON years if you think there was a great atmosphere every week.
Yes, a great side on the pitch but most weeks there was a little bit of chanting after a goal and then back to sitting in relative silence.
The European nights were obviously different but nothing like now when the constant singing emanating via the Green Brigade is increasingly taken up by the rest of the ground. And it is that passion along with a great team on the park that make kids want to go to Celtic Park every week, not sitting in silence until Henrik scores again and taking our club for granted.
HH
Been watching the Palestine debate with interest. It should not be allowed overshadow the result but I feel that the support need to remember where the club came from and why it was founded. Someone has to speak up for and highlight the plight of the oppressed all around the world. If the club are fined I would happily help to crowdfund any fine imposed.
There are very few organisations that are more political or for that matter corrupt than uefa. I find the hypocrisyof them preaching to us all about keeping politics etc out of football astounding.
Mats Nilloc
“The Truss (sic) and the Green Brigade are cancers ……………”
Are you for real? Calling diehard Celtic supporters ‘cancers’. I didn’t agree with the Green Brigade’s flag demo the other night, however, never, ever, ever would I think that the word ‘cancer’ was an appropriate descriptor of the Green Brigade.
If the Green Brigade didn’t exist, Celtic Park would have been like a library for the last four years or so. They add noise, colour and spectacle to the entertainment that is Celtic playing at home. They are generally young ghuys and ghirls (but not exclusively) who from time to time do something that other fans disagree with but they would be missed hugely, by many, if they were to disappear.
traditionalist88
I know what you are saying, but I do feel the atmosphere dipped after the MON years. Perhaps we (I) just romanticise that era? It’s a common trait…
The Green Man
Aye. He’ll be watching behind his curtains for the wee Bhoys playing in the street in their hoops reporting back to Peter on any future malcontents.
Seriously though. The day I meet a Bhoy or ghirl in the flesh with attitudes like Mats Thicko or The Wikiman is the day I completely lose faith. Thankfully as yet one has never crossed my path in real life.
MWD
Can’t read too much onto Lescott’s form at Villa. Villa fans gave him exactly the same rating as Scott Sinclair. They were a shambles top to bottom.
However unlike Kolo with a sustained career at the top level of the EPL for 13 years, I do think Jolean Patrick Lescott’s career had a purple patch that ended some 3 years or so ago. Doubt very much he’ll be a laughing stock though.
Joe Garner is a journeyman. If he doesn’t get an early goal he’ll be their Wayne Biggins who had marginally better stats than Garner when he came north.
On Paul’s article about turning points I remember 2-0 down from Karagandy, we got it to 2-2 at Celtic Park and just a few minutes before the 90 minute mark a deflected cross found their striker who arced his neck, got his head on it and looped it onto the bar.
5 minutes later we were singing our way out the stadium having won it with wee James’s injury time strike.
As the cautious sort I’m in the “tie ain’t over” bracket. A first half goal would be marvellous. Full team at Perth first.