As we discussed a few days ago, the margins between success and failure at this level are tight. Two rash tackles inside the box was enough to see Celtic into the playoff round. On another day, the story could have been different.
For me, Kolo Toure’s 30 minutes was eye-opening. His touch was assured, which gave him time on the ball. He was confident enough to hold possession while being closed down, and can carry the ball out of defence.
He talked throughout, often while gesticulating to team-mates to calm down or to push out in a line. It’s not that we had problems in central defence before he arrived, we didn’t, but he gave the entire team an authority we’ve missed. Without him, the game may have ended differently.
This is what a top player looks like in a Celtic shirt.
Craig Gordon had a big decision to make: come out of his box to head the ball, or stay and allow Kieran Tierney to manage the situation. Yes, it was a good finish, but the keeper made the wrong decision. If you head the ball while 25 yards off your line it needs to go safe or you shouldn’t there.
Did you notice Moussa Dembele’s penalty technique? There were two important elements: the pause and the number of steps.
Most players take a penalty as soon as the referee blows his whistle. Moussa didn’t. He waited. Players who wait until a moment of their choosing score a higher percentage of times than players who move on the whistle.
The delay empowers them. They are in charge, they decide when things start. The two step run up further denies the goalkeeper reaction time: “I’m the boss, you don’t know when we start and you’ll have no time to throw yourself about”.
Squeezing the pips
None of the 11 starters were Brendan Rodgers’ players, four joined until Ronny, while seven have been at the club since Neil Lennon’s days. It’s remarkable that we managed to eliminate a team who qualified for last season’s Champions League with players who were caught so short in Europe in recent seasons.
Last night we squeezed the last pips out of the squad. The addition of Kolo and the return of Erik and Jozo will give the defence a formidable look, but we are not right in central midfield, and I know every one of you held your breath when Leigh went down injured.
I left the ground feeling Brendan got a break in getting that squad past Astana (you could argue Ronny could have done with a couple of rash challenges inside the box in similar circumstances). Sometimes you need the breaks to achieve great things.
Oh, and if football was like that every time, every other leisure industry would close. I’m pretty sure no one in the North Stand knew two Astana players were sent off, such was the Festival of Drama.
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Summa,
that’s from the SPL page…..arseholes can’t even list them as The Rangers….what a farce ;-))
FTSFA
H.H.
TLT
Nae pens, but a better one perhaps? #bumblebee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jieM-HHBLg0
HH
CRC
THEBARCAMOLE on 4TH AUGUST 2016 3:22 PM
Reading back……………..
bognorbhoy on 4th August 2016 10:13 am
BLUE CABS!!!
Never a good idea; BMCUW will attest………..
TBM
The guy done us proud ,got us there quick time but cabs are black surely …never seen a green one …. is there one ?
Hated that Bumblebee…..CRC…..god that was a memory wake up…..Cadette n DiCanio…..
FTSFA
H.H.
DALLASDALLAS
Thanks,mate. Saved for later.
HH
Help me.
Who is the dude dressed (sic) in the bondage gear, in the once upon a time in Govania advert?
crc
some badges ?
HUNDERBIRDSAREGONE
Never mind who-more importantly,why?
Hunerbirds,
It’s you…..at yer Stag night…..remember ;-))
FTSFA
H.H.
Foxy
Just read your post. Well done. Let’s move on and get right behind Celtic.
Hail! Hail!
THELURKINTIM
Which one?
Is Mea Culpa lurkin’?
Evening/morning all. Who`s Macjay fighting with tonight? Just home. How did Aberdeen get on tonight?
Hunderbirds
Paul Baxendale Walker, the porn star and EBT genius.
BCW
Aaaahhh.
Thanks for that.
Every day a school day
Malorbhoy on 4th August 2016 9:28 pm
l had the pleasure of Celebrating huddle style with Edb,his lovely daughter M, and my good friend Rodger.
*good tae Jim can still make the games. BTW I was at school with yer good friend Roger and also his big brother and Mrs TT was in school with one of their sisters, one of which used tae winch an LL.
Having Googled him, the likeness is a good one.
Right since I have broken the blog I am off to my scratcher.
Hail Hail
Just googled it. Wanted Aberdeen to win. Co-efficient points and all that. Nytol. x
Judging by yet indifference it’s yer 1st…..;-))
FTSFA
H.H.
yet.= yer ……
P67,
Is it just me that has to *post comment* twice to be no-ticed…..;-))
Got a pop-up that needs xed
FTSFA
H.H.
metaCritic……Says wit…..;-))
FTSFA
H.H.
Evening Tims,
Going to Vilamoura in September, juet noticed that we play Inversneckie the day I fly out.
Any Celtic minded pubs in Vilamoura, been in Jinky’s in Albufeira a few times, but not have the time to get there as we only arrive there about 11ish.
Bma
tripadvisorcsc
Bobby:
O shea’s or O Neills shows all the Celtic games. Both pubs along the marina.
Happy birthday Gearoid 88
Inversnekie 3-0 Celtic
1st CL Group Quals
CELTIC 5-0 inversnekie
FUSS
LOL
Foxy on 4th August 2016 9:53 pm
Sincere apologies to our host Paul and anyone offended by my ridiculous suggestion that there might be a racist angle to the Efe criticism.
Took baws that post, well done son.
Proud of ye!
Just read the article on Alfie Conn,with thanks to DALLASDALLAS for the heads-up.
http://celticunderground.net/debut-days-alfie-conn/
He wasn’t universally welcomed,even despite his goal on his full debut. Doubts persisted amongst many.
They were soon dispelled. He hit a shot from 30yds against the inside of the post at Ibrox shortly after.
Great player for us,pity him and Billy McNeill seemed not to take to each other.
Jungle is north curve….mmmm…Tifo Kevjungle……will never die
Copyright zBarney67
FTSFA
H.H
TheLurkinTim on 5th August 2016 1:20 am
Jungle is north curve….mmmm…Tifo Kevjungle……will never die
Copyright zBarney67
FTSFA
H.H
I’m still worried about our kevj. Wish he would just post he’s OK. H H
BARNEY67
Agreed,mate. I’m sure though that we would know of anything seriously worrying.
Chin up,KEVJ. Wherever you are,whatever you’re up to.
He did…on behalf of his daughter….1st Astana game…..chill
FTSFA
H.H.
Bheaver,
Cheers ma bhoy, that’s me sorted, and Mrs Bma does like to go for a refreshment and watch the hoops.
Bma
TheLurkinTim
That’s great news mate, I missed that.
Kevj ya choob, get yer erse back on here.
Hod on, two Bobby Murdoch’s at wanst, ah canny cope!
BARNEY67
You wouldn’t be the first to be confused!
BMA,like myself,clearly has very fond memories of the great man.
I’m sure yer both good Celtic men and have a fondness for the man and all things Celtic. HH.
It has been a fortnight tho….get me worried…..
shouts KEVJ…..on behalf of the CELTIC Army
FTSFA
H.H
multiporstersCSC
FTSFA
H.H.