Last season’s Celtic edge over the line

1112

Shortly after Elfsborg cracked one against the crossbar last night I quickly scanned the Celtic team and had a thought.  For the second season in a row we are taking on the Swedish champions but we’re missing two of last season’s big performers and none of this season’s new signings were ready for action.  In short, this was Celtic 2012 minus Wanyama and Hooper. No wonder we looked unstructured.

Joe Ledley brought some vision to central midfield when he arrived, hopefully banishing the Brown-Kayal partnership to hidden corners of our mind once and for all.  Anthony Stokes playing at the front of a wide diamond was equally effective.  With the signing of Amido Balde, bids in for Kevin Doyle, and the addition of a wide-delivery-expert Derk Boerrigter, clearly Neil Lennon has a different plan for the months to come….. so there’s no real need for me to state the obvious.

Defensively we looked solid after a shaky opening few minutes.  I’m not the only one who was a bit nervous about Efe Ambrose after he was (again) caught underneath a long ball, but he settled quickly.  As we know to our cost, being great for 87 minutes is not how Champions League reputations are made, you are judged on your how vulnerable you become in your weak moments.

I said yesterday that Samaras and Commons were the two players who could cope at this level, which became plainly obvious during the game.  Georgios was the one player who frightened Elfsborg, they either swamped him with four defenders or fouled him before he got near goal.

Kris is simply the most intelligent footballer we have.  He is not the fastest, will never have the best stats, but he understands how games are won and is able to act accordingly.  Without these two players Celtic would be distinctly vanilla.

Thanks to those who sent over their 1254125 Great Scottish Run details, I’ll have them on the page later.
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  1. johann Murdoch

     

     

    Truly enjoyed spending time in your company last night but Euro League is rubbish and I won’t be attending.

  2. 67Heaven ... I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors on

    0-2 murderwell ….doo dooo ….you reapnwhat you sew

  3. Craigellachie10 on

    Before the Motherwell game the commentators were pointing out well known faces in the crowd, Elbows and Law had apparently gone into the ‘well dressing room to add their support, Barry Nicolson and a number of other ex deidco players were pointed out. Then Dallas was pointed out and some wondered why he might be there. It seemed obvious to me that it must have been the lodge nicht oot,.

  4. 67Heaven ... I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors on

    What a goal by Puzuelo for Swansea…on his debut

  5. Craigellachie10 on

    Apparently the SFA disciplinary panel has gone soft on Hearts proving that there is one rule for Sevco and another for everyone else. Green’s apprentice is leading the call to arms.

  6. Phyllis Dietrichson on

    I’d like to understand the thought processes of the Huns wrt the Craig Mather statement.

     

     

    1. Is he the CEO of our club – Yes/No.

     

    2. If yes, shut the f!!! Up because that old company is what we’re saying didn’t pay the debts, not the club.

     

    3. If no, why is he commenting on the administration at another club?

  7. 67Heaven ... I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors on

    neveralone

     

     

    21:27 on 1 August, 2013

     

     

    Eldiegobhoy graces the Investor Club with his presence….!!!

  8. 67Heaven ... I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors on

    voguepunter

     

     

    21:24 on 1 August, 2013

     

     

     

    Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha

  9. Craigellachie

     

     

    Is rabble rousing their only tactic ?

     

     

    Why are they soft on Hearts anyway ?

  10. CRC – should I have received anything yet about the old predictor league….cheers mhate.

  11. Suttons volley

     

     

    You online ya eejit? asking strangers in pub last night ” you suttons volley?”

     

    Ghuys looking at me as if I was speaking in tongues. :o(

  12. NatKnow - "We welcome the paper-chase..." on

    I meant to be going to Crinan at the weekend. Anyone got any reccos for pubs or restaurants?

  13. Re BT Sport – do you need home hub 3 or 4 to get this?

     

     

    I’m getting my Infinity installed Monday and apparently I can have Sky Sports 1 & 2 should I decide.

     

     

    P

  14. !!Bada Bing!! on

    voguepunter

     

    21:35 on

     

    1 August, 2013

     

    Suttons volley

     

     

    You online ya eejit? asking strangers in pub last night ” you suttons volley?”

     

    Ghuys looking at me as if I was speaking in tongues. :o(

     

    No change there then….;]

  15. Maybe Spiers is saying the embargo is unfair on Hearts as Rangers only got fined for admin. Their embargo was for a breach of rule 66 – disrepute.

  16. pod i, you just need BT Broadband to get BT Sport, it comes on all platforms, I think. Certainly does on Sky, I just watch a bit of the Bayern Man C game.

     

    So you should be able to get it if you’re getting BT Infinity.

  17. jeez_I_thought_blinker_was_pants on

    Thanks Doc…trying to forget it as well, however, result flattered youse !

  18. NatKnow - "We welcome the paper-chase..." on

    weeminger

     

    21:40 on

     

    1 August, 2013

     

     

    Get you kicks…..on Rule 66

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