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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mike in toronto
20:51 on 3 July, 2015
Not sure mate I just hit link vote.Go back out and repeat voted about 10 times in last 5 minutes. We are 500 votes ahead.
wits,
That you volunteering :)
Early one for me tonight, just a wee latest from Australia, staff at the immigrant concentration camps will be jailed for two years if they discuss or report child abuse in the camps, but then Australia’s is second only to Westminster when it come to child abuse and covering it up, innit.
Night nigh n hail hail
Landed early doors this morning in a sunny Ho chi Minh city.
Curry for breakfast and a steady flow of 95p beers all day.
I’ve never seen so many motor-scooters in my life – almost impossible to cross the roads, maybe thats why I spent so long in the bar☺
Had basa fish today, who I’m informed by the restaurant owner, are named after the
supplier, who with his bhoy, catch them in the Mekong…….couldn’t be, surely?
See the Huns have signed the next England goalie, it reminds me of when we signed the great Ian Andrews. Oh the nightmares
corkcelt 20:16 on 3 July, 2015 — RD was transparent from day 1 and followed through with his plans early doors. Get the impression celtic are playing the long game unless European football is disaster.
Cowiebhoy 20:26 on 3 July, 2015 — No idea what we have saved but certainly paying less on wages now you would imagine. RD is filling team with his type of player i.e. mostly young, full of energy and hungry for success. With the number of games we play, a smaller squad lead to more opportunities to get in the team. I actually think that can improved performance and raise all of the players’ levels up a notch!!!
HH
Hail,Hail
lennon’s passion,
I am being told I have already voted today (which, of course I have). I managed 3 times yesterday and twice today.
TAL ….
sounds like a great trip! If its anything like Bangkok, those little scooter and tuk-tuk drivers are absolutely mental!
Cheers
Can’t remember who posted the New Balance deal last night but a mate of mine wanted a large home top and phoned them today and the woman got all flustered. It was meant to be a footwear deal and they got hammered for a rake of Celtic gear. Cost them a fortune. Oops.
Hahaha
LB
Parkheadcumsalford
Glad to hear I’m not the only one…. I was starting to take it a bit personally!
We are 718 ahead now. Got two votes in on first day, one yesterday and one today. Going to try different computer now to see can I get another couple in. FFS I’m 67 and haven’t an ounce of sense.
corkcelt. Fella if we were playing the huns at tiddly winks I would still be desperate to win.H.H.
Cork celt
Whatever about the celtic mug. I am beginning to agree with your daughter
Celtic currently winning in the vote. What was Kev J’s news earlier?
Mike,
I seen it all today. Famlies of 5, with the kids holding winnie the pooh balloons, workers sitting on their toolboxes with scaffolding round their necks, a guy with a fridge….all driving scooters – smashing entertainment, and with the beer prices……a must see :-)
I got easily a dozen votes in a row in. Send the hun back to his cowardly foxhole.
Only one result that matters between us and them:
Celtic Won v Rangers lost, died, liquidated, no more, gone, bye bye
Got another one in 720 ahead now.
corkcelt
I suspect, like me you are old school, as in the Chicago school of democracy….
Vote early, vote often and keep on voting!
livibhoy
Was too late when it was relaunched this morning to get the Hoops. I did get the away top, £33 free postage and packaging.
Took the Wife 45 minutes as Site was busy.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
I am waiting for the voting to be about to close with rangers 2 ahead. Then I will log on with 3 quick votes just as the voting curtain closes. They will paint murals of me in the pubs in the gallowgate
I just got reminded that I’ve voted already today. How are you getting round that?
LB
It is only £33 for a kids strip
LOve
It just let me vote 10 times in a row!!
TAL
Glad you’re there safe bud.
Seems like Vietnam’s a bit cheaper for the bevvy that the Tally!!
HH
Where’s the 5 hunner foozin worldwide fans for yon online poll?
f5csc
What was kev’s news earlier? Haven’t read back
Lennybhoy
Think you must have just made it. A few Bhoys were put off with the wait for the away kit. I think the Celtic shop has exclusive sale of that for a period.
LB
TAL …. About a decade ago, I spent a few weeks in Thailand, and fell in love with the place …… and Vietnam/Cambodia is high on our list of places to visit … we had looked at it for this fall, but I could only manage 2 weeks due to a case going, and thought that it needed at least 3 due to the long travel … but I am hoping to make it soon!
Enjoying your posts about your trip, so keep them coming!
glasgowbhoy
Tell them you’re one the Thompson Twins and it was your brother who voted earlier!
Joe Filippis Haircut – Though stokes done alright till arrival of GMS and SA at which point Stokes fell further and further from the team he’s clearly no fancied and will be moved on but think it will be straight money deal, to many variables to consider in a swap + cash deal. Sell him then buy another allow for greater flexibility and choice. Surprised he’s still here but early doors yet
HH
Keep voting we are 700 votes ahead now
HH
to get the Friday night music session started, how about a bit of Billy Bragg … singing his Maoist pop hit …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjLXyqD3lvI
Celtic mac, ha! No idea how some can and some can’t!
Any idea what kev’s news was?
am so looking forward to this season with Ronnie in charge-cant wait
plus the contrast with the orcs signing really bottom of the pile players is so startling –
entertainment unlimited
stephbhoy. As long as we are ready for the CL Qualifyers we have two weeks yet until the first game.I have faith in Ronny and I believe he knows the type of striker he wants at the club.H.H.
Just tried again, nae luck!
on another note, I hate all the talk about systems lack of flexibility and risk of leaving self open to decent level European teams. A 4-2-3-1 can easily switch to a 4-5-1 when under the cosh or a 4-4-2 when we are dominant without success in front of goal
we don’t need a striker who can score 30 goals a season we do need a centre forward who can buy the top 3 in the midfield time to move up the pitch and support
Geeza shout if the vote goes to about 500 then I will slip into my super votin’ suit n rocket boots n hit the ejector seat button wae a gum shield on.
glasgowbhoy
I believe KevJungle has had some very good news re his health.
Best wishes from here.