Few Celtic players have glided through four seasons with scarcely a critical comment directed his way but Adam Matthews can make this claim. I didn’t expect him to make it as a first team player as a 19-year-old when he arrived from Cardiff City, but he so comprehensively made the position his own, you’ll struggle to name the two right backs at the club when Adam arrived………….?
The limiting factor in his Celtic career arrived in the form of a tall Swede. Mikael Lustig has had plenty of injury problems but when fit, he’s first choice, with Adam playing backup.
Adam’s most memorable performance came against Barcelona in that game. With Lustig at right back and Emilio Izaguirre unavailable, Adam was asked to play left back. Tony Watt and Victor grabbed the headlines that night but Adam’s performance was remarkable.
He didn’t miss an angle all night, no matter how fast Barca pinged the ball, Adam was there. We faced so many balls on the wing that night but the discipline in defence was remarkable. He was clearly asked to give the Barca players space outside the box and drop to the 18 yard line, I remember yelling “Close him down” all night, but Neil Lennon had done his homework, the tactics were sound. That game is recalled so often, for so many great reasons, but while the tactical discipline deployed was not as sexy as the goals or the atmosphere, it was genuinely world class. We analyse games through different perspectives: when Celtic win like that all you hear about is the atmosphere, but if a German team had won that way, UK pundits would wax lyrical about their discipline. Adam was a big part of that success, and if he goes to Sunderland, he’ll flourish.
Those two right backs were Mark Wilson and shampoo hero Cha Du-Ri, b.t.w. But you knew that anyway, didn’t you? If you can remember the left back we signed that summer you’re doing very well. So many miss the target for every Adam Matthews.
Well done to Celtic, who have improved the look of two stadiums this week.
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Happy Birthday Jobo
boom
How
Pod?
Too Hot to trot
Happy Birthday to the CQN Weatherman
Bugger
Just nipped to the loo :-)
Eddie well done
Good luck AM .
Well done kevjungle
Don’t know you at all but genuinely very happy for you.
HH
Hoopy Happy Birthday Jobo
HH
Still canny get in to the top 10. I demand a 16 team league!
Young Adam will never hear the CL anthem on the pitch again, so sad.
Hoopy Birthday John ….50 today
Disapointed in Adam leaving but I’ve enjoyed watching him in the hoops. So many great memories and as Paul67 says that night against Barca will live in the memory a long long time.
Paul67
Nice post on Adam Matthews, another very good pro with us
Hail Hail
Hoopy burpday Jobo!
Billybear
Right Billy….tell the truth now
Have you ever sneaked in to see Celtic play:)
HH
Now billybear
That was funny :-))
With Neil Lennon get his tactics spot on that night. Giving Celtic a great night. Does anyone think RD has that tactic side of the game in his locker or is it the one system at all costs.
KevJungle
12:03 on
3 July, 2015
The rest is irrelevance.
Keep strong,fellow Tim.
Stick with me.
I`ll keep you right about “THE BOARD.”
:-)
Happy birthday Jobo.
Best wishes to Adam Matthews on the next stage of his career.
Still a young lad,he will be able to enjoy playing football without worrying about being assaulted at his place of work.
macjay@ 12.39
Now that was a good post.
Hail Hail
El Kaduhori (spelling way off) was it not Paul? ;)
Does anyone have a link to HT’s OBAF petition they can post please.
Fanx in advance.
Billybear 12.32, aye just like your team:_)
No, I have never sneaked in to see Celtic. Maybe an occasional lift over in the past. Distant pass. Back to work before the bear baiting begins in earnest!
HAPPY HOOPY BIRTHDAY
to
JOBO BALDIE!!!!!
Just for you…
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ThF63iql478
Good article re Matthews – sad to see him go, but looks like we have high hopes for Janko. Let’s hope Lustig stays fit for the qualifiers and beyond mind
HH
ACGR
Nice, yes I seen your post, hope you enjoy the rest of it
I was gifted a very nice wee momento just the other day, a wee silver hip flask ( although a wee bit big to put in hip pocket), with a limited rare highland malt 1/2 bottle of whisky
Apparently gifted to both managers when Celtic played Milan in 2003/4.
I will send you a picture on your private email
Hail Hail
PS – Sanna, thanks for yesterday, both now passed on to respective Bhoys
And will have a wee outing this weekend ( according to big G :-))
Billybear
No bear baiting….just banter, as it should be.
HH
I was always confident when Adam was on the pitch
was a pity he had such bad injuries which kept him out long term
all the best but
Once a Tim Always A Tim
HH
Good article Paul67,
Adam Matthews, the very best of Luck and Wishes on yer next adventure, a cracking fitba player in my view, it is a sign we are getting stronger quickly under RJJ.
Jobo a very Happy Birthday to you.
KevJ
Well done that man !!
Now in year 4 of remission myself, definitely something which changes your perception on what matters in life.
Many happy returns Jobo, you’ve got the weather for it.
Great news KevJ!!!
Now this is what you call a goal celebration… (Watch the Ghuys in the green jersey just behind the goal, to the left…..hahahahahahaha
https://twitter.com/67_heaven/status/449278321487261696
Kev Jungle,
From previous thread : We have agreed, disagreed over the years, but genuinely delighted on your good news.
My friend in Celtic, may we continue to agree , disagree for a long, long time.
Hail, Hail to you.
macjay
Lets go with the flow….no scrolling by
That gives you the chance to tell me how mental I am,..on a regular basis:)
HH