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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And finally…
Having just watched the full 90 minutes of Maribor v Aberdeen I have no doubt that Broonie was right.
http://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/comment/kevin-mckennas-glasgow-diary-glory-11707532
Kevin McKenna’s Glasgow diary: The glory of 1966/67, the failures of Scottish football and the day Hampden was set on fire
Last night…..phew…..well, more like thank fek at the end….
Brendan Rogers is right…..we need to learn to be more patient. I was enjoying our controlled possession in the 1st half…..mibbe it’s not the Celtic Way…..but it is the modern football way. After saying I thought Broonie was done….I kept an eye on him last night….he played superbly especially off the ball. O’Connell reminded me a bit like Hansen…..this bhoy has a future. Janko was solid, Tierney was his awesome young self. Noticed Toure was bemused a couple of times when bringing the ball out….no-one was making themselves available…..we definitely need some smarter midfielders.
Anyway…..new manager not long in the door….implementing new ideas…..makeshift defense…..pressure game…..great result ;-))
Roy Croppie this morning…..very moving
Foxy this morning…..poor, poor nonsense
Tommy Carmichael Rest in Peace…..condolences to his family and friends
TET….best wishes to your good lady
FTSFA
H.H.
PRAECEPTA on 4TH AUGUST 2016 9:13 PM
Agreed if we tie him up properly and he continues to develop we may get 20-30 million for him
Bayern deputy chairman Jan-Christian Dreesen commented, “The transfer fee for the current international, who was voted the Shooting Star of Portuguese Football in his home country yesterday evening, is €35 million, plus possible bonus payments that could become due if for example the player is named in the World Team of the Year or FIFA World Player of the Year.”
Sign Karamoko Dembele up on a 20 year contract. Absolutely stunning.
SunnyJim,
I thought the same about the commentary on CelticTV. I thought it was poor all night. The commentary just didn’t seem to reflect the game I was watching and the increasing Astana threat. A second goal for Astana and we were out – never mentioned as far as I can recollect: it was all about ‘going for it’. Naive.
Don’t watch much on CelticTV – are they the regular pairing for 1st team games?
MikeyBhoy
Good night all
Thank you for being here .
HH
Evening folks,
Jobo, agree with you. I think the sheep are very much improved since last year, and will be streets ahead of Sevco, who might just finish in the top six.
We are improving on every outing, and I think although the Dons will be a much better team than last year the gap between ourselves and them will be a lot bigger than this season.
The treble for us for me, and if we don’t make it to the champions league group stages, an extended run in the Europa league could be a good possibility.
HH Dan
Jobo Baldie on 4th August 2016 7:52 pm
Sipsini,
You are not alone;-). With one exception (from the distant past) I always want Scottish teams to win in Europe. Must be because I’m Scottish, I suppose ;-)
…………………………………………………
Jobo,
I hope there’s an exception that proves the rule ;-))
FTSFA
H.H.
Wee Bobby Collins, thaks for your reply and .
Willie Miller was a great defender in his day and also lucky not walk a number of times for dissent
Him and Michael Stewart are sportscene’s two best pundits. The rest are rotten.
As one of our most esteemed CQN’r is want to saying, strange things happen in Paradise on European Nights, one of the best things last night, after the last gasp penalty by MB, l had the pleasure of Celebrating huddle style with Edb,his lovely daughter M, and my good friend Rodger.
Oops….scrub last….eyesight or comprehension failure ffs ;-))
FTSFA
H.H.
The co-efficient is a dead duck, McInnes and the Sheep fans are no friends of ours, so f—- them
LIONSROAR67
That will be Renato Sanches who might end up costing them 80m
He did look pretty special at the euros, mind you
Unlucky like…
But I think this will help us.
They and the new club hate each other
Just got two tickets on line (me and my mate) for Murderwell game, but did not see any ‘delivery’ instructions at the end of the transaction. Do I just take it that our STs will be activated? Any experts around?
Decent analysis of last nights win
https://boxtoboxcentreback.wordpress.com/2016/08/04/celtic-2-1-astana/
Aff to my kip
Dallas Dallas…
Miller was indeed a great defender, smallish, robust and a helluva moaning minnie… :-)
Good evening.
Just a few reflections on last night.
The result. Very satisfactory, because of the Kazakh’s treatment of Roberts and Griffiths.
The performance. Worrying, because our dominance of possession does not translate to attempts on goal. Their keeper had nothing to do for the first 30 minutes. We appeared labored and pedestrian.
Craig Gordon. Not at fault for the goal, but alarmingly flapped at the goal given offside. Believe he needs a shot of confidence, and may get it with a settled back four.
The penalties. It was correct for Dembele to take the second penalty. The advantage shifts slightly to the keeper for any player taking a second penalty . It is unlikely that we will get 2 penalties in a game in Scotland, but if we do, different players should take them. Hearts, Hibs, and now Aberdeen have missed penalties in the Europa league, and they are of course absolutely crucial. CQN a few days ago advocated players taking 10 each in practice, and was roundly criticized. However, the advice was sound. We could easily have gone to penalties after extra time, and any player who has belted 10 in a row into the same spot 24 hours earlier is immeasurably more confident.
The referee. Excellent game. Compare with the Bulgarian who officiated the Sheep game today.
The subs. To me, Brendan’s decisions were sound. Some have deemed the Kazakh goal a result of the Toure sub. Respectfully, I disagree. We were beginning to slip, the Kazakh’s were gradually moving forward, and Armstrong was totally ineffectual. It was an unfortunate confluence of events.
Dissection of events after a win. Some posters believe we should not engage in this. I respectfully disagree, and assume that some who do are, or have been, involved in football management. If you spot flaws, even if you win, you strive to correct them.
Some flaws. These have existed for years. Throw ins – how often do we lose possession from our own throw in? Barcelona never do. Basically, they form a semi circle round the thrower, then one steps in and returns it to the throwers feet. It’s simple, and they retain possession.
Corners. I applaud the one variant we had last night – the Armstrong low cross for Brown to volley.
Otherwise, Armstrong blootered two for throw ins at the opposite side of the park. Overall, our corners are dismal. We either do not pass the first defender, placed the ball in the goalies hands, or where he can punch it, or overshoot the far post. How any times have we heard ” Cross to the far post, and there is no one there?” Again, look at Barcelona. When Messi takes a corner, he invariably plays it short and retains possession in a dangerous area. They play the percentages every time. Our flaws are easily rectifiable.
The group stage. It is within our grasp, and the estimated 20 million that goes with it. But we desperately need to beef up our midfield before the play offs. We are lightweight. It stands out a mile. Mr. Lawwell, please get it done.
That was great yesterday. Well played Celtic.
I work it out at 41 games before hogmanay. Four in Europe to get where we are. Magic, well done bhoys.
So from now it’s 21 league, 5 league cup (here’s hoping), Eight more through uefa. Add three for the joke ICC.
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/all-kitted-out/#more-7771
Sincere apologies to our host Paul and anyone offended by my ridiculous suggestion that there might be a racist angle to the Efe criticism.
Sorry to hear that Aberdeen are out. We will be playing at least another 8 games than them before Christmas. That must take it’s toll over the season..
As for our shy taking. We have never been good at it in my memory, which covers the best part of the last 60 years. (Ok we once won the Cup against the deid team when we were given a shy that wasn’t ours.)
Rambling thoughts on last night…
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/rambling-thoughts-of-a-celtic-supporter-on-the-astana-game/
Also check out the article on Tony Watt – it’s a cracker.
FOXY @ 9.59pm
Well done, sir. It takes a big man to accept that he made a mistake and none of us is sinless.
All in the past now. HH
Foxy on 4th August 2016 9:53 pm
It falls on me to read your post as I sort myself. I’m on your side.
Paul67, what are the sides?
Nice one Foxy.
Hail, Hail.
” An update has been issued on the severity of Patrick Roberts and it’s good news for the Manchester City loanee and Celtic fans.
As a precaution, Roberts limped off midway through the first-half after visibly struggling with a hamstring problem and was replaced by Stefan Johansen.
According to the Herald Scotland, Patrick Roberts’ hamstring injury isn’t as serious as first feared.
The 19-year-old appeared to strain his hamstring, rather than tear the muscle as the scan later confirmed following Celtic’s progression to the play-off round of the Champions League.
Roberts has been a key player since he made his debut under Ronny Deila last season, and has continued to impress since the arrival of Brendan Rodgers.
Steve Welsh/Getty Images SportSteve Welsh/Getty Images Sport
Goals from the penalty spot at the end of each half from Leigh Griffiths and Roberts’ former Fulham team-mate Moussa Dembele saw Celtic progress against the Kazakhstan champions.
Astana lost their discipline late-on and finished the game with nine men and showcased a lack of discipline throughout both legs.
Roberts will now be hoping he is fit for Celtic first-leg play-off which will take place on August 16th or 17th against either Copenhagen, Dinamo Zagreb, Dundalk, Hapoel Beer Sheva or Ludogorets.”
Foxy
As I said to TET yesterday it takes a big man to apologise
KTF
Thankyou all. More kindness than I deserve.
HH
Malorbhoy 9.28.
Nice one,great company, great result and great hugs I bet.am sure edb enjoyed the result too.:-)
The 3 around me smiled as I volunteered them for hug duty after big moussa stuck it away llol
Hope alls good down your way
Hail hail
Had a really great day yesterday meeting with CQN’ers in the BV and onto the Creighton to meet Cosy Corner Boy and his family. Very happy with the result, god willing, hope to get down to Paradise before jetting back to Indonesia. All you doudters, forget the PLC, heated drives etc, get yourself down to Celtic Park and give the TEAM support.
Guys, thanks for yesterday and hope to the the same soon
Hail Hail, KTF
Malorbhoy @ 9:28 I was with you – in spirit – Right in the middle of that huddle. Tried phoning EDB but no response I’ll try again on Sat, good to know he is in fine fettle, back in 203 soon. Hail Hail Hebcelt
Emeraldbee
Your ST will be activated
Sorry!
Hope to DO the same soon.
Hope you golfers had a good day
HH
STARRY PLOUGH
Said Hi! to young Mr. Roberts today in Sainsburys.
He was wearing Bermuda shorts – no sign of; a brace or strapping – in fact he looked the picture of health!
Weebobbycollins, my brother was very friendly with ex Dumbarton, Dundee utd and Kilmarnock player, John Bourke.
I asked John , years ago, about playing against Willie Miller.
He told mr Willie was very fly if he was marking you, up to all sorts and the reason Willie was never sent off for dissent, he was polite to refs, didnt swear or insult them even though he moaned at them constantly .
While at work I was talking to some Hertz and Dundee Utd fans who we’re totally unaware that should Celtic qualify for the CL then the top league clubs benefit financially from a UEFA payout.
Amazing but then again they read the Smsm, not that it matters to Dundee Utd but could pay for a few hours for a roofer at the bigotdome:0)