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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Madmitch…
Firstly, my apologies for a only a brief rebuttal and no quoting. I need to be somewhere..and soon! I’ll respond with a more in depth post later…
Briefly however – you’re not alone in thinking the flag display was a blunt instrument. I posted similar before yesterday’s game. Where we differ however – I’m perfectly happy for people to express themselves in a manner they see fit. I don’t have a crystal ball or a sufficient understanding of human behaviour to know what will guarantee a successful resolution to any protest. I would respectfully suggest you lack these skills also.
On that basis, blunt instrument or not, they have the same rights as you and I to lawfully protest, and to indulge in civil disobedience should the cause require it.
You missed my point completely on “value”, but that’s ok… I probably framed it poorly. Write in haste, repent on CQN. ;)
Rather than direct derision at people trying to make the world a better place, a little support and assistance might make things better. As might an acceptance that our opinion isn’t fact, and doesn’t trump others thoughts. Likewise with other people’s opinions, heaping criticism and derision on people seems somewhat at odds with your progressive view on how best to achieve goals in protests. There’s dissonance in there somewhere, but I’m sure you’ll be able to me where. :)
/p
Have to agree with your summing up of the game. Our captain has turned a corner from last season. Playing the best football of his career. We were great to watch in the 1st half……
I haven’t commented so far on the game because I didn’t want to post in anger about those who let us down by flying those flags. Suffice to say, not one of those around me has any time for them. As we used to say, “hingin’s too good for them” was the general attitude.
I wonder if any of them have reflected that Hamas which runs part of Palestine is no friend of those who, last night, were chanting their attachment to our Pope. Their Christian brothers and sisters are being “encouraged” to leave the land they have lived in since the time of Our Lord, not by Israel but by the likes of Hamas. Israeli and Palestinian relations are extremely complicated and will not to be solved by simplistic gestures.
By the way, our team, imo, only really settled in the 2nd half after losing those goals when Nir Bitton came. I thought he played tremendously well and what he must have been feeling, I can only guess.
Oh aye the fields of Athenrye where once we watched the small seagulls fly.
The Green Man…
Spot the inconsistency…
P8DDY on 18TH AUGUST 2016 1:25 PM
Gerrybhoy…
Just to be clear then – you do NOT believe in freedom of expression.
The protestors are not the problem. The problem are the fascists running UEFA. Blaming the victims of oppression won’t bring change. Making demands of the chancers in our boardroom might. And making demands of UEFA certainly will.
/p
You just do not get my point.
1. Protesters can freely protest in support of their views, beliefs etc; Celtic Park is a football stadium. Join the dots.
2. I DO believe in freedom of expression (See 1. above).
3. Where exactly did I “blame” the victims of oppression? That did not, ever happen, so why do you dribble that nonsense?
4. Feel free to address the issue to UEFA. As the European football body, I guess their response might be that they want to keep politics out of football.
Given their unsatisfactory and in some cases corrupt (IMO) history, I doubt that any approach to them will yield any measure of success.
Bottom line – please desist ascribing to me some of the untruths that you posted above.
Thank You!
COYBIG
79caps
I don’t do facebook or twitter. It gladdens my heart to read your post.
Free Palestine
Was having a conversation on here yesterday about some of the deficiencies in Leigh Griffith’s game, still thought he should start, but mentioned how at times he struggled to hold up the ball and link up play, or to thread those delicate through balls.
Only fair that I say he did all that and more last night, was probably his best all round game in a Celtic shirt. He has stated on many occasions how he improved under Ronny Deila, if Rodgers can help him improve even further then Dembele will have to go some to force his way into the team.
Speaking of Deila, with a nod to the lead article, spare me the it-would-never-have-happened-under-Ronny nonsense. That game could very easily have finished 3-2 last night, and exactly like last year, we would have conceded a goal on the counter from our own corner, whilst being comfortably in control of the game. That is very poor no matter who is in the dug out.
Rodgers is unquestionably a better manager, he is tactically flexible and he has a presence that inspires belief, but you don’t have to stick the boot into a thoroughly decent man like Ronny -who had us playing some terrific football in his 1st season- in order to praise Rodgers.
Delighted with the result and 1st half performance, 2 away goals concern me but surely this time we have enough to go through.
There are many deserving causes. Victims of sexual abuse, the innocent and the dead of Syria, a two-state solution for Palestine, the neglect of the mentally ill, the unacknowledged persecution of gays in Russia, the largely unreported murders of Christians in Egypt, Iraq and Pakistan – these are all causes I could subscribe to.
But I can’t imagine me hi-jacking a football game to impose my views on others. That is all about arrogance and self indulgence
Fritzsong – “But I can’t imagine me hi-jacking a football game to impose my views on others”
Imposition or expression?
Where would Paddy Roberts get a game? Shift McGregor for Sinclair and put Paddy on the wing?
Rogic is the new Kris Commons!
Gerrybhoy…
This is a brief post. I’ll deal with you properly later. Post one more insult and it’ll be the last ever, so be assured, I’m not going miss you.
You believe in freedom of expression, but only in certain places.
How do I try and ‘join the dots’ here? Your point is utterly, utterly contradictory. If you CAVEAT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IT’S NOT FREEDOM!!
To give an example – “You’re free to explore the house. But you can’t go in the bedrooms or bathroom.” Which means you are not free to explore. You have limited access. Likewise, “you’re free to say what you want, except on Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s, and Saturdays. Express an opinion on those days and we’ll fine you” – is that freedom?
It’s like saying the press had the right to free expression when Thatcher banned Gerry Adams from speaking in the press. It’s not freedom. Freedom is without caveat.
If you have a problem understanding the above, I’ve a bridge I’d like to sell you.
However. More on you later.
/p
WeeBobbyCollins
What inconsistancy?
There are different scenarios like i said.
Freedom of expression was the point i was making.
The 49 quid bigot con, is quite another matter.
Its an out and out lie.
The reason the PLC dont refer to the new club…as a new club…is because then they wont be able to pretend they are Rangers, and therefore, cant charge 49 quid.
Its not my principles and morality at stake here….its the Board’s.
HH
BSR…does the chap in the song have a problem with Gannets?
Reggie
I was trying to remember who I was discussing Griff with yesterday. it was yer good self.
Hope you enjoyed his striking masterclass!
Great result :)
FRITZSONG on 18TH AUGUST 2016 1:40 PM
There are many deserving causes. Victims of sexual abuse, the innocent and the dead of Syria, a two-state solution for Palestine, the neglect of the mentally ill, the unacknowledged persecution of gays in Russia, the largely unreported murders of Christians in Egypt, Iraq and Pakistan – these are all causes I could subscribe to.
But I can’t imagine me hi-jacking a football game to impose my views on others. That is all about arrogance and self indulgence
ROGUELEADER on 18TH AUGUST 2016 1:42 PM
Fritzsong – “But I can’t imagine me hi-jacking a football game to impose my views on others”
Spot on, exactly right; you put that view better than my attempts to do so.
HH
“We were well on top early on against Legia, Maribor and Malmo but crumbled when the going got tough. Not anymore.”
Paul,
We played the majority of the away game v legia a man down. A legia side that (in my opinion) would spank the side we played last night.
If, and big if, the side last night went 3-2 down in the last minute with all 3 subs deployed I’m sure Brendan and his freely chosen number 2 would have toiled to achieve the 5-2 scoreline.
This is no way a dig at the current manager, who I’m luvin right now, before anyone gets excited :)
HH
Hamiltontim.
Seriously, that’s your evidence?!?! :-))))
The George Sq demo had nothing to do with the Trust. Jeannette spoke as a representative of FAC and that was it!
The demo was about the criminalisation of football fans in general and that explains the presence of supporters of Hamilton, Motherwell, Hibs and Dundee Utd.
Respectfully, you’re talking nonsense to support a rather transparent agenda here.
===========================================================================
It would appear that DOC sees things differently.
I`m not interested in scoring points.
I`m interested in Celtic.
As is T.D.
An indisputable connection between the C.T. and the G.B.
The different hats excuse.
============================================================================
DOC on 18TH AUGUST 2016 12:19 PM
I attended the rally you mention, but have no connection with the GB, it was a rally against the criminisation of football supporters via OBAF Act, not in support of the GB.
Jeanette Findlay is part of the CST, and looks after the interests of its members, of which I am one, some of those fellow members were “kettled”, so JF was involved.
There is no evidence in that statement that links CST and the GB in any formal way.
Nite all.
Hail Hail
A future for Celtic in Europe.
About bloody time.
WeeBobby
But the leader was a leprechaun
P8DDY on 18TH AUGUST 2016 1:45 PM
Gerrybhoy…
This is a brief post. I’ll deal with you properly later. Post one more insult and it’ll be the last ever, so be assured, I’m not going miss you.
You believe in freedom of expression, but only in certain places.
How do I try and ‘join the dots’ here? Your point is utterly, utterly contradictory. If you CAVEAT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IT’S NOT FREEDOM!!
To give an example – “You’re free to explore the house. But you can’t go in the bedrooms or bathroom.” Which means you are not free to explore. You have limited access. Likewise, “you’re free to say what you want, except on Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s, and Saturdays. Express an opinion on those days and we’ll fine you” – is that freedom?
It’s like saying the press had the right to free expression when Thatcher banned Gerry Adams from speaking in the press. It’s not freedom. Freedom is without caveat.
If you have a problem understanding the above, I’ve a bridge I’d like to sell you.
However. More on you later.
You’ll “deal with me later”.. Ha ha, what a laff! You are entirely, like everyone else, entitled to your opinions. However, I can successfully resist any attempts by wannabe keyboard “hardmen” to “deal” with me! You are not qualified, as evidenced by your scribblings.
Scrolling by from now on :)
” when we had memes and texts to ping……………..”
“The reason the PLC dont refer to the new club…as a new club…is because then they wont be able to pretend they are Rangers, and therefore, cant charge 49 quid.”
Tgm,
I’d disagree. Rangers don’t pay 49 quid a ticket. Their fans do.
And as we’ve discussed a million times…new joby… Same flies.
HH
The Barcamole
Happy to oblige when you leave Augusta National Golf club just turn left and walk for about 3/4 mile and The West Bank is immediately on your left hand side. Mind you prices tend to escalate during Masters week.
Anyway I am sure the you will be the first to castigate those Celtic Supporters travelling to to Israel next week and contributing to the local economy while walking down Revhov Disengoff with a bottle of Goldstar while shoulder clad in their resplendent Palestinian flags.
ps Sorry after the Pipe Band Championships all I have in the cab at the moment is a cd of The Red Hot Chilli Pipers
The swish of the curtain twitcher.
The man who wants to control the thoughts of others, and tell him what to think.
By force if necessary.
MickBhoy88
I am sure that the vast majority of those waving Palestinian flags last night won’t even give another thought to Palestine until we draw another Israeli club in competition. I would even hazard a guess that the majority of them,no matter how intelligent they are, are able to point out Ibizia on a map before they could point out what territories are occupied by Israel
=============
Think I’ll file under unsubstansiated and/or irrelevant p1sh, beside the kind of crap below we used to get from the gutter press:
‘They sing Irish rebel songs, I bet most of them don’t even go to mass!’
Where do you start eh.
DD
Early statement about Griff and broony .
I think the same.
Best games ever.
Listen to yourselfs
Can’t do this cos it’s against the rules, sad and pathetic.
And you have the audacity to say you are Celtic men, what a joke.
BSR…Gannets have been known to swoop down and pick up Leprechauns and carry them Over the Seas to Guy…whilst whistling ‘Salmon chanted Evening’…
Geordie Munro
The point still stands though….its a brazen lie, and an insult to the intelligence…no?
Because, i believe Rangers are defunct, are they not?
So…it obviously wont be Celtic v Rangers.
Therefore….its a con.
HH
It’s been an unusual day – I’ve had to do some work to get paid today, so that’s diluted my input!
My thoughts on the flag waving – I still disagree with it, but judging by the press coverage overseas, there has been a modicum of success in raising the profile. Still think we will get hammered by UEFA though and if my section is closed, I will be very unhappy!
My thoughts on the sniping and backbiting here today – not clever and not what was required on CQN after such a great result last night.
My thoughts on the game – I did a piece earlier and it’s here: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/almost-there-brown-brilliant-griffiths-magic/
KTF
If your wanting to have any sort of protest with liked minded individuals why would you not do it at a football match that’s screened live to millions of people ?
Pretty daft to go to glasgow green with no media there.
Post from Celtic FB from a guy in Ramallah.
There are similar posts from soccer fans from all over the globe.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
نعيم عواشرة All RESPECT guys , you can’t imagine the impact of the Palestinian flag on us , to feel that they are people far away from you , but they know your pain , your suffer , and they show their support ! Thanks Celtic , Thanks Celtic fans
There is a possibility/probability that celtic plc will be fined as a result of the democratic actions of some of their supporters to fly the Palastinian flag.
It seems to me that there is a genuine undercurrent of sympathy/support for the Palastinian cause. If the flags being flown were Nazi swastika’s (which I assume would also be offensive to an Israeli team) then I believe the debate about the flags would run a completely different course.
It also seems to me that the flying of such flags might do the football team some harm because potentially the team could be banned from European competition (if the stories are to be believed and if the defenition of European is extended to such hotspots as Israel and Azerbajan).
It is the duty of the boad of the directors of the PLC to pursue a course of action that preserves and increases the assets of the shareholders of the PLC. They therefore are obliged to deal with this matter before the consequences become catastrophic by depriving the PLC of accdess to the many millions that come with Champions League qualification. That duty has nothing to do with expression of free speech, or political right or wrong. Its simply a legal obligation on the board of Directors.
My suggestion to the board would be to engage in dialogue with the flag wavers (Green Brigade ) and agree something along the following lines:
a) There will be no re occurence of such a flagwaiving event at Parkhead Stadium. Any flagwaver will be ejected and lose his season ticket sine die.
b) An amount (equal to a typical UEFA flagwaiving fine) will be paid to such causes as are nominated by the flagwaivers (Green Brigade) in the name of Celtic Football Club as an expression of the fraternal support and good wishes of the club.
c) An equal amount will be paid to the Holocaust memorial fund in the name of Celtic Football Club as an expression of the undying commitment of the club and support to the principle of sanctity of human rights.
As for the loss of PR which clearly the Palastinian cause will suffer as a result of the ban on such flagwaiving, the PLC will charter sufficient bus(es) to take those wishing to protest to the Israel Information Centre in Giffnock on Saturday 10 September Mid day. Said Bus(es) to be fully equipped with flag and TIFo carrying equipment as appropriate to ensure that maximum visual display can be captured by the facebook generation.
” and at the tender age of sixteen years
he left his native Rome….”
Saint Stivs
We have seen the level they can perform at, last night. If both perform like that all season, we will be winning often.
HH
Gannets is it ?
Or their close cousins the Booby
PS.
I really didn’t think anyone had anything against the Israeli champions. They called out multi ethnic players and history.
They were a very fair and sporting team. Not dirty. Not cheating. Calm manager. No insults.
The opportunity to show solidarity for Palestine on a broadcast live on Israeli TV was too good to miss.
I doff my hat to the organisers well done.
Keep it lit.
A protest every week would be good actually.
VFR800A8
Was just going to type that.
Good article again,
We are in a good place today without point scoring on here.
KLV