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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1,000 Comments

  1. Never pished in a river – I don’t think -but once in Lake Garda.

     

     

    Shocking, I know, but it was a long time ago and nobody noticed.

     

     

    *hands head in shame*

     

     

    HH!!

  2. Canamalar

     

    10:35 on

     

    4 July, 2015

     

    The three most active and biggest terrorist organisation on the planet at the moment

     

    Th US army

     

    The British army

     

    The Israeli army

     

    But you won’t get the jail for singing about them

     

     

    H,mmm.I find it strange,and a bit disconcerting that you failed to mention such worthies as Boko Haram,Isis,Taliban,Hezbollha,Al Quaeda and their many offshoots,the many varied African butchers,slaughtering their way across that Continent.

     

    Still whatever floats your boat.

  3. bournesouprecipe on

    SuperSutton / Turkeybhoy

     

     

    Both valid points.

     

     

    The moral high grounders who don’t like Ciftci’s ‘bit of baggage’ and those who point to the stats as being nothing startling.

     

     

    Ciftci has potential at 23 he’s not fully developed or played in a team that will make many more chances for him. He seems to want the Celtic chance, and we seem determined to offer it.

     

     

    The next step up from ‘a Ciftci’ is another exotic name from abroad at twice the price, and it hasn’t worked out too well.

     

     

    I think Celtic will sign Ciftci.

  4. Just back in from EK Town Centre and during my visit there was an announcement asking “would Mr Whyte, that’s Mr Whyte please return to The Celtic Shop”.

     

     

    Surely not?

  5. Turkeybhoy @11.51 hrs,

     

     

    Good points, RD & JC must see some potential.

     

     

    I don’t know if he is better than what we have, but he is certainly different.

     

     

    Anthony Stokes frustrates me as a player. I still think he is a clever player who may never realise his full potential. I am sure he has more to offer, however time is ( has) running out for him.

     

     

    HH.

  6. Celtic on in ten minutes…better get a move on, Less worried about result, no injuries please and a clean sheet would be good.

     

    Managed the 5 mile jog in 48mins today, 22 seconds off last weeks time ! Then a quick 3×3 minutes on heavy bag to get some anger released..Now for the football

  7. Turkey…,

     

    I don’t think any of those you mentioned come near the ones I mentioned in size or resources but your correct when it comes to being active they are right up there with those I mentioned, I’m also dead sure you got my point as every one you mentioned are terrorists without question, though many who seem to be very confused about the definition of terrorism would dispute my list, no ?

  8. South Of Tunis on

    Scorchio

     

     

    Work done for the day ..

     

     

    Off oot to a beach and a bar tuned to the Tour De France . . Promises to be a great Tour . A hard one . Lots of mountains this year . . Watch that and then back home for the Celtic game .

     

     

    Enjoy !

  9. Turkey…,

     

    There’s also the wee issue that some of those you mentioned were trained and financed by those I mentioned.

  10. Eurochamps67 on

    Celtic TV by the pool in Greece, brilliant but …..

     

    first pictures from Paisley show TOHG and Hamiltontim, ah well canny have everything.

     

     

    EC67

  11. mickbhoy1888 on

    Done it again and went and renewed ma season ticket ah must be saft in the heid

     

    Same old same old

     

    We sell on a player for probably double his value then we pussyfoot about looking to pick up a player on the cheap who would obviously enhance the squad and obviously wants to play for us

     

    As regards the same players temperament I don’t suppose it’s any worse than a present influential midfielder currently at the club

     

     

    Anyway off to have the perfect middle class Saturday afternoon a wee read of the Daily Mail some strawberries cream and Proseccos and lounge back in the Chesterfield to watch the Tennis

  12. Bollox!

     

     

    Need to nip oot for beer to watch the game.

     

     

    Poor planning!

     

     

    HH!!

  13. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    OHITS

     

     

    You will probably meet my Dad in there one day. Meantime,enjoy the game.

     

     

    And I hope you can make the Ayrshire Tims AGM in a fortnight.

     

     

    HH

  14. Canamalar

     

     

    No wish to get into an argument here but can you provide me with your definition of ‘terrorist’?

     

     

    Jimbo67

  15. Jumbo67

     

    terrorism

     

    [ter-uh-riz-uh m]

     

    Spell Syllables

     

    Examples Word Origin

     

    noun

     

    1.

     

    the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes.

     

    2.

     

    the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization.

     

    3.

     

    a terroristic method of governing or of resisting a government.

     

     

    One down, this looks like it will be a good competition.

  16. Sipsini

     

     

    How very dare you!

     

     

    Did some housework, put a washing on – and hung it oot – and it’s already dry!

     

     

    It’s hot, and there’s plenty of short denim shorts on display!

     

     

    :-)

     

     

    Enjoy yer day.

     

     

    HH!!