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……
1,147 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- ...
- 31
- »
Any good links to last nights goals……….TIA……..HH
Wonder what kind of side BR will play at
Perth on Saturday,I would think Eric will
get a start and maybe big Nir who needs
some game time.
weeman67
you misspelled flags there mate… ;)
here you go:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez3VayCKVMU
CLOGHERCELT at 4.02pm
Thanks for your response. Like your good self I have had much experience of handling criticism and personal abuse in what I might describe as political organisations – some of it well-merited I might add. So all water off a duck’s back.
An Gorta Mor is a sin crying to Heaven for vengeance as the controlling British landowner MPs were only interested in maximising their profits. Hopefully contributions to the Commemoration Committee in Glasgow will improve to allow a suitable memorial to be erected.
Hopefully, MPs/MSPs/ TDs/MLAs are now being inundated with petitions calling for debates and representations to United Nations to find a just and equitable solution to the Palestine/Israel problem. And we can all get back to supporting Celtic without animosity. HH
Nye Bevans’ rebel soldier
I’d agree with those changes. I would actually go for a 3-5-2.
Will it perhaps be big Gordon’s last match as automatic number 1????
CLOGHER CELT on 18TH AUGUST 2016 4:43 PM
Woosh.
Whenever we complain about the anti Irish Catholic sectarianism in Scotland the huns response is ‘The famine is over why don’t you go home’
In other words, if you don’t like it here, don’t challenge, don’t criticise, just leave.
A similar line of argument to saying that if you don’t accept the dictatorial, biased and corrupt regime that UEFA operate,don’t challenge them, don’t criticise them, just don’t take part in their competitions.
I’m sorry if you and your oppo didn’t understand the point I was making. I thought it was pretty clear. Maybe I over estimated your ability to comprehend fairly straightforward issues.
What a great result last nights was.
I thought they were very good opponents ,big ,strong ,physicall ,but fare.
Our finishing was lethal .
This tie is balanced in our favour ,but make no bones about it ,it ain’t over.
Our last 2 home performances have been very entertaining.
MCdiarmid park is a difficult venue to win at.
If we can do this ,it would be 2 great away victories behind us.
The Darnel will not win at both Tynecastle and McDiarmid park.
C,mon the Hoops.
TT
Sticks and stones may break my bones
But flags will never hurt me
Ernie…,
Got to say I never had a problem with your meaning/implication, just wondering why anyone else would ?
Have you been upsetting thehandwringers again
So what’s the latest on Lustig, thought he had a great first half then died a death
DAVIDOPOULOS
Next Tuesday must come first for me, I’ll be
disappointed if we don’t win on Saturday but
I’m confident we have more than enough to
reel any pretenders in.
My view is very uncomplicated.
If you do not like an organisation or its rules you have two choices:
1. Do not join or take part.
2. Join but seek to have rules changes using the
Internal mechanisms, constitution, rule
book of the organisation but accept its rules
under protest until the rule change has
been made.
I think that the decision lies between two choices.
Perhaps I am simple minded and at an intellectual disadvantage with some more gifted and eloquent posters with their calm, dispassionate cognitive superiority but, hey, that’s life. You run with what you’ve got. HH
I would like to gently remind all critics writing a review of today’s performance that it’s full and proper name is The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha.
AN TEACH SOLAIS
Why do we enter SFA/SPFL run tournaments when we know they are rotten to the core
QUONNO on 18TH AUGUST 2016 4:48 PM
BABASONICOS71 on 18TH AUGUST 2016 2:38 PM
QUONNO on 18TH AUGUST 2016 2:32 PM
BABASONICOS71 on 18TH AUGUST 2016 2:18 PM
Bit late getting back on this one.
I’ve been checking youtube clips of last night and the reaction to the Palestine flags has been global and 99.99% positive.Most of the posts are of a thankful nature,talking up Celtic’s fans and creating new ones.Seems to me the flag waving had a positive effect and got the Palestinian situation mentioned,therefore highlighted,which cannot be anything other than helpful to their cause,no matter how small said effect manifests.
And we won 5-2 so all good for me.
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 18TH AUGUST 2016 2:18 PM
Talk is cheap.
How many of those reacting positively to last night’s flag display will putting their hands in their pockets to pay Celtic’s almost certain fine?
===================
Probably none of them as most where from abroad but there’s more valuable things than money.
In this day and age of electronic transfer of money, one could live on the moon and put one’s hand in one’s pocket.
Given that some things are of more value than money, parting with it should be fairly easy.
==================
I was referring to those who posted thanks for the display of flags,they were from all over the globe but mostly from the Middle East.The ones from Palestinians in particular were grateful for highlighting the plight of those under occupation.The thought that some flags being waived brought these people some succour into their blighted daily lives is something that I find pleasing.I don’t believe they need to use paypal to say thanks.And if UEFA feel they need to fine the club for it then their rule is quite simply wrong.
Timreaper
So that Celtic plc, it’s what gave us a 60k seater stadium, bankrupt the Huns, brought Brendan Rodgers, that performance last night, and likely a £25m windfall next week. Sure it could be a damsite better but be careful what you wish for.
All of this is wrong.
Fergus built the hoose with our money and then reneged.
The huns bankrupted themselves and more importantly were and still are allowed too. This is why Fergus reneged.
They only brought in BR due to the ST boycott.
The 25 million pound windfall (should be a given)
And if you know your history ?
HH
DAVIDOPOULOS
Thanks……..
PS……I dropped oot ay skool………??
Am looking forward to the answer to that one, nice one BT :-)
DAVIDOPOULOS
Not available in the US……..??
Punished again……..
And a wisney flying a fleg……..??
……………..’Change from below, the formulation of demands from the populace to end unacceptable injustice, supported by direct action, has played a far larger part in shaping British democracy than most constitutional lawyers, political commentators, historians or statesmen have ever cared to admit. Direct action in a democratic society is fundamentally an educational exercise’………………… TB
TBM
BT
the answer to that question is that we (the support) don`t think that we (The PLC) are but they (the PLC) know that they ( The PLC themselves) are rotten to the core
HH
WEEMAN67
Try this one:
https://twitter.com/CelticGoals/status/766014536755347456?s=09
TinyTim
Tie not over. Posted last week that they were very dangerous down the left wing, scored 4 in the 2nd half and missed 2 penalties against a poor Haifa side.Kolo would be better staying put if we have a corner. He had an excellent game, but was not in his position when they broke after our corner. Efe would have been slated for that. We must have confidence in our manAger to see us home, as I’m sure he will. Some great performances last night, including Lustig in the first half, before injury or tiredness left him exposed. Hope my nails aren’t bitten to the quick next week. Brendan won’t slip up.HH
An teach….,
And I disagree, civil disobedience is a legitimate form of protest.
Being forced to comply with unfair and immoral rules is not on, especially when those who represent you have no interest in anything but the money and are in fact supporters of that oppression.
Supporters are not allowed to express themselves suits only those filling their pockets, brainless thoughtless money pigs is who they want through the gates. Resistance is futle you will be assimilated. And you have been.
Proud to be a reb and proud of my rebellious heritage, conform and nothing changes and that is what you are advocating.
When I first started posting on here I predicted the sanitisation of the Celtic support and that has become the reality. No room for dissent all in a short ten years, the mealy mouths have ripped the soul out of our club and they try to tell us our oppression is freedom.
DAVIDOPOULOS on 18TH AUGUST 2016 4:46 PM
NatKnow
I too have wan of them German dugs.
———————————————————–
Great wee dugs!
BLANTYRETIM
Excellent point. Why do we exist at all? Another poster (sorry I have forgotten the name, no disrespect intended) has advocated several times doing a Belfast Celtic as in 1949 when they were faced with an even higher level of bigotry and actual bodily harm in a corrupt political system.
I know that the Flags and Emblems Act in the North was subsequent to the demise of Belfast Celtic but that culture/ kultur must have been prevalent in the 1940s too.
The no-so-disguised bigotry and corruption still exists here but our forefathers fought it for years and, IMO, want us to continue.
My disagreement re the “fleg” is that I share the aims of justice for Palestinian – but dont believe that the entire state of Israel can be eliminated and that both sides should accept the 1949 boundaries. Again, a compromise that may not be universally accepted. If the majority of our support want to fly Palestinian flags at UEFA controlled games then I think that CFC should withdraw from these competitions if UEFA refuse to change their rules.
Sorry for the rant, but, in conclusion, if Poppy Day is a commeroration of all who died in wars then it should be a day of remembrance and NO football matches played that weekend. HH
7/1 @ betfred the noo that the FLEG debate goes on till just before we K/O our next match :-)
AN TEACH SOLAIS on 18TH AUGUST 2016 5:12 PM
Perhaps I am simple minded and at an intellectual disadvantage with some more gifted and eloquent posters with their calm, dispassionate cognitive superiority but, hey, that’s life. You run with what you’ve got. HH
i don’t think you’ve quite got the hang of the posting section of cqn.
missed out the :)
Ernie Lynch,
Sorry for the late reply, just in.
Oops, I didn’t realise your use of inflammatory, offensive and in some circumstances an illegal phrase was a subtle attempt to illustrate the parallels between UEFA and institutionalised sectarianism in Scotland.
I’d be interested in reading about your attempts to complain about anti-Irish Catholic Sectarianism in Scotland and the negative offensive responses you have received?
I hope you remind those that respond in such a fashion of ;
1) There was no Famine in Ireland in 1847, the deaths of around 1m people were attributable to the policy of the British Government.
2) The Great Hunger affected Catholics, Protestants, Presbyterians, Methodists etc.
3) In the south of Ireland, there is very little evidence of the sectarianism you describe in your experience in Scotland.
Thanks for taking the time to address the scourge of sectarianism and bigotry in Scotland.
Canamalar,
they are truly thankful that they no longer need to lie in their own piss having bought a ticket and a kid to the game, watching them being cheated and abused is a thing they must enjoy. How many heated driveways in Kenya. Is that Mary´s Meals next target ? give it a few years
HH
GEORDIE MUNRO on 18TH AUGUST 2016 4:46 PM
“Noy me though. I’m actually drunk on Stella Cidre..”
Natknow,
Oh I kent fine you wouldn’t be on the cheap stuff you ol snob you;)
HH
—————————————————————
One has standards, dear bhoy!
AN TEACH SOLAIS
That was my next point about where would we end up
Hail Hail
Burgas
I lost my link, do you still have one ?
HH
CANAMALAR
I respect your viewpoint and I respect people who are prepared to stand against what they perceive to be unjust, unfair or discriminatory acts – with the one proviso that they are each and severally prepared to accept on an individual basis any consequences which flow from their action – not leaving others who might be too acquiescent, scared or any other emotive
label to particpate in the act deemed “unlawful” by those in authority.
However, we might disagree but we agree that the Palestinian people need justice. HH
I would rather follow Celtic in a pub league than become part of the history that saved the entirely corrupt institution that is Scottish football. The bottom line is (We won and they are dead). Without acknowledge of that fact and major change then I would advocate bringing the whole rotten shebang down.
It is time to bring the whoie rotten shebang down unfortunately that includes Celtic as we have confirmed that we have always suspected. We are the huns beaten wife. Who likes being slapped about as long as we get a wee bit pocket money.
HH
Just saw that there is a team in Russia’s div. 2 going by the name of Torpedo Vladimir.
Nice of the CIA to sponsor an anti-Putin team
TET……………
You have mail……………..
TBM