Matthews master of discipline

1000

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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  1. glasgowbhoy

     

     

    The wee walloper posted this earlier before gone aff oot :O)

     

    ————————————————-

     

     

    KevJungle

     

    12:03 on

     

    3 July, 2015

     

    I LOVE CQN

     

     

    I LOVE Celtic fans

     

     

    I LOVE the return of the Jungle

     

     

    I LOVE JOBO’s weather

     

     

    I LOVE Duelling with the conceited-clique

     

     

    I LOVE the Rangers fans on CQN

     

     

    I LOVE it that I beat cancer a couple of weeks ago…the battle continues…

     

     

    I LOVE the draw of BMCUW

     

     

    I LOVE Pharrell

     

     

    I LOVE Paloma Faith

     

     

    I LOVE watching dvd’s with Murdo hun-skelping and the Jungle in the background…does it for me

     

     

    I LOVE going off oot to leave you all in peace…

     

     

    …oot. YNWA.

  2. sorry posted just before reply Joe Filippis Haircut, I trust RD will get us through this round with what we have, well at least I hope to god he will!!!

     

     

    In the 4-2-3-1 system I don’t think we need a 3- goal a season striker, we need a centre forward who can buy the top 3 in the midfield time to move up the pitch and support

     

     

    hh

  3. Celtic mac, glad to hear it I wasn’t aware that kev had any problems but that’s great news.

     

     

    Bed time for bonzo, or off oot as kev would say!

     

     

    Kev, good luck mate.

  4. lennon's passion on

    stephbhoy

     

     

    21:42 on 3 July, 2015

     

     

    Do you think cifti can play this role.

  5. Voguepunter, cheers I hadn’t seen that.

     

     

    Kev, again, that is brilliant news I’m really glad to hear that!

  6. Professor Green on

    teuchter ár lá

     

     

    Was in Ho Chi Minh City last week. There are 10 million motorbikes In the city.

     

     

    I was like a rabbit caught in the headlights crossing the road. No rules seem to apply.

     

     

    I was looking for a medal round my neck when I made it back to the hotel unscathed :-)

  7. paisley bhoy on

    Vote as often as I want on android. Deidco must be out in strength now as below 600 and dropping fast.

     

     

    Time for some RSI

  8. They are narrowing the gap, now 567. I’m shut out of all outlets, any bugger posting or lurking who can get a vote registered, whether or not you have already voted, then do so now.

  9. Regarding Cifti and our Striking Position, who would score most Goals..A Cifti..B..Scepovic( dont laugh, it aint nice) …C..Stokes..or D…Griff….I know where my Money Would Be…..Just Saying…

  10. Reflecting on Kev j’s posts the past couple of weeks, he did come across as a lot more upbeat.

     

     

    The worry of having that hanging over you was probably why the perpetual remininicing of the past.

     

     

    Kev…if your looking in, get yourself back and now you can be more positive about your life and your team.

     

     

    I’m sure all your family will be over the moon. Hail Hail

  11. Joe Fillipis…Griff…He will outscore Cifci alldaylong…Stokes Dont Count coz RD dont Fancy him in the Role…….Scepovic..well hes a non runner…

  12. Hrvatski Jim on

    Great news from Kev Jungle and many congratulations to Jobo Balde.

     

     

    Off to my favourite Scottish holiday destinations St Andrews tomorrow for a couple of days in the morning . Staying in the Russacks . Hope we get a room overlooking the 18th fairway.

     

     

    Relaxing tonight watching special tribute programme for Carole King with James Taylor. They sound as good now as 40 years ago. Possibly the best duet ever.

  13. The zombies are all out too, they are still closing the gap, not by much but there is 2 hours left. Come on Bhoys

  14. Professor green

     

    I hear you mate , It’s mental. Here for a couple of days then heading up the coast for some beaches.

     

    Burghbhoy and MIT

     

    Your replies went missing???

     

    Mike

     

    Great part of the world…..people are so friendly.

     

    Burghbhoy

     

    Aye mate, made it after the threat of the air traffic controllers strike….They French guys can get a bit militant:-)

     

    Did Mrs Bb show you the photo?

  15. Just caught up on the blog. Been very busy the lat couple of days but had time to vote just there and will vote for all my rellies and friends before midnight.

     

     

    Jobo: Breithlá sona.

     

     

    KevJ: congratulations and KTF

     

     

    Nice to see informed and respectful discussion from people with differing views on politics earlier.

     

     

    Is tomorrow’s match on TV?

     

     

    Is the Celtic v hearts match on Aug 15th confirmed or might it be changed?

  16. On A Good Note…Police Scotland Have Been Reported to the UN on Their Stop And Search Policy….Good To Know…

  17. The Spirit of Arthur Lee on

    Cowiebhoy

     

    22:09 on

     

    3 July, 2015

     

    We are now only 528 ahead

     

     

     

    Declare

  18. Sipsini naw I like the 6 1 thing at the minute

     

     

    Was on Celtic news now, the headline 6ft 1″ striker rejects Wigan , beginning to take to that Nadir Cifcti :-))

     

     

    Hail Hail

  19. The Spirit of Arthur Lee on

    Tomorrow America will celebrate its Independence Day . But told us not to take ours .

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