One of the most frustrating elements of the first leg against AEK Athens was that the visitors left Glasgow with an advantage without convincing anyone they were the better team. Celtic played poorly in many aspects: our passing in the final third was not precise enough and we were shaky at the back for much of the evening, but we know we can play much better.
That result will make AEK supremely confident. They coped with what we threw at them, scored a goal, and will plan to defend tonight and counter with effect.
If Celtic are to progress into the final qualification round, they will need to be better in possession, and that will require getting things right in central defence.
I’m trying to avoid mentioning our unavailable Belgian friend right now, but with Kristopher Ajer suspended, we will have to perm two from Simunovic, Hendry and Lustig. The latter can be used with Cristian Gamboa filling in on the right, just as he did when Mikael was rested for the away leg against Rosenborg. This decision will be the key to our prospects.
Last week we were very left sided. James Forrest saw little action, but his pace is perfectly suited to the wide-open areas of the former Olympic Stadium in Athens. Few defenders can live with James’ speed. He will get down the right, deliver crosses or cut inside to pull defenders out of place.
I don’t think it matters greatly who we play in the striker role, all three candidates are capable of playing at this level, but if his hamstring is safe to play, I would give Moussa 60 minutes.
There are many examples when we have won through after drawing the first leg at home, but this task most feels like the Dynamo Moscow Champions League qualifier in 2009, when we lost 0-1 at home before winning 0-2 away.
Like AEK, Dynamo deserved their result in Glasgow without looking anything special. Celtic have a straightforward opportunity to put things right.
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I realise we have a defensive crisis, always have, but play that pretender lustig and we deserve what we get…furthermore, if we play at all with hairglo Sinclair then we’re playing with 10men.
Both plyrs offer absolute zero to the team for the wage they take. They make me sick watching them both.
ALMORE on 14TH AUGUST 2018 12:59 PM
Ditto, Temple Bar Costa Dorada .( Salou)
HH.
Paul67 et al
AEK showed just after half-time that they could play a bit, but did not maintain that level of football for too long. Score two goals and we have a good chance of going through, backs to the wall as against Rosenborg away, less so.
succulentlambstinks on 14th August 2018 1:14 pm
I realise we have a defensive crisis, always have, but play that pretender lustig and we deserve what we get…furthermore, if we play at all with hairglo Sinclair then we’re playing with 10men.
Both plyrs offer absolute zero to the team for the wage they take. They make me sick watching them both.
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What’s your suggested defensive line-up?
Did the compliance officer review the Ben Stokes video? Unbelievable.
I’ve said for years the European home and away scenario is mostly psychological. If you can dominate and beat a team at home, then you should be able to do likewise away or at least hold your own. Of course we have long blown that theory out the water. It’s doable tonight, but attitudes need to be right. It’s effectively a cup final for us. We don’t even need to win, 2-2.
BMCUW
The flyover in question is c1200 metres long. The section that collapsed is c200 metres long and fell from a height of c100 metres.
11 confirmed dead so far.
RON67
I heard from somebody close to LEWiS it was a cyst in his knee
It was aggravated out in Armenia in the heat.
Presume If it had been a previous issue the heat in Mexico when away with Scotland
would have aggravated it.
Tallybhoy…
Sounds horrific mate, prayers will be offered here mate for everyone affected by it.
I expect tonight’s game to be a bit more like Rosenborg away and not just the first half but second as well.
AEK will push further up and play balls they win back to teammates who will try to exploit the gaps between our midfield and defence.
AEK will look to expose the pace of Lustig again.
We should be looking to hit the bye line with our attacks – AEK played narrow and we still just put a wee 10 yard cross in to a danger area with no direction.
BSR – noticed during the game last week that Jimmy was free several times on the right wing in 20 yards of space – nothing in front of him.
I think the failure was in not getting the ball to him more quickly – and particularly playing it in front of him.
Hendry (and not jumping on the ‘Hendry is pants’ bandwaggon) would continually pick it up in our half then, rather than passing immediately ahead of Jimmy in space, would run forward 20 yeards then roll it to Jimmy’s feet, by which time the space was gone.
Get it out quicker and in front of JF – the wee man can then go at their back line and create chaos.
HH
BGFC
Ben Stokes not guilty
Can he play CH ?? HH
If Brendan reads this Blog we should win 4-0 nay bother!
C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Interesting game tonight they are mince at home and we are usually mince away, so on that basis I’m going for either 2 each or 3 each.
Or
Do you let the heart rule the head, if so 3 v 1 to Celtic..
Any leaked team news yet, appart from Boyatta being out?????.
H.H
Attack is clearly the best form of defense tonight.
I’m hoping for an uncluttered strategy that lets us play to our strengths – get into them…
AEK 1 – 2 Celtic
I said to Mrs PTMYH that Ben Stokes was facing a custodial sentence – laws for one and not the other.
In other news Sten Bokes the painter and decorator was given18 months at HM pleasure for knocking two individuals out cold, causing one a fractured eye socket.
succulentlambstinks on 14th August 2018 1:14 pm
I realise we have a defensive crisis, always have, but play that pretender lustig and we deserve what we get…furthermore, if we play at all with hairglo Sinclair then we’re playing with 10men.
Both plyrs offer absolute zero to the team for the wage they take. They make me sick watching them both.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A seasoned Celtic fan by the sounds of it – stop talking cr*p and trying to divide the Celtic support.
Jamesgang – Thoughts and prayers with your friend Kevin, his family and friends at this time.
Jock Stein said the best place to defend is in the opposition half.
C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What we thought was the sound of a small plane turned out to be a swarm of Africanized bees…
A hundred stories and no one to tell them to…
Roasting hot way way down south
Celtic will win tonight and if they don’t I won’t come back on to read I was wrong but if they do progress I will be on to tell all the doubters they should have
Kept the faith
And Scott Sinclair has done nothing in the past 12 months apart from score loads of goals and add 3 medals to his Celtic collection
Scott Sinclair CSC
The best thing about 1-1 in the Home leg is that it doesn’t really change what we need to do should they score early on. Or equalise if we do. Two or three goals required this evening whatever happens. Even money says we prevail I think!
Btw is anyone else using iPhone 6 and experiencing strange delays on the typing of messages on this site? It’s doing manut in! Only happens on CQN. Don’t get this on any other site, app, messaging service, email etc.
SOT…glad it’s a holiday and not a flounce…miss those lunchtime choons…
https://givemesport.azureedge.net/gms/content/img/parallax/placeholder_desktop.png
We need to do a Ben Stokes tonight.
Thats ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK.
We might no get aff with it though.HH.
LAFAN on 14TH AUGUST 2018 2:17 PM
Thats a blank page mate.
Oops try this.https://www.givemesport.com/roger-mitchell
RT 2.15pm
Am on iPhone 6 and with JavaScript off CQN is no problem at all…
No, I would not give you false hope
On this strange and mournful day
But the Moussa and Eddie reunion
Is only a motion away
My old man loved Greece. He was stationed there towards the end of the war…as kids, he used to show us the photos.
I first went there in 1977 and fell in love with the place. I went again in ’78 and 79…still my favourite place…
Come on you bhoys in Greece!
Of course tonight is a winable game.
Infact up til about 7 days ago I would have been confident.
However I have a very bad feeling about the match and I fear for our champions league hopes.Hope we stay in the tie as long as we can and get a wee break or bit of luck which never seems to happen for us in Europe away…….hope and pray for the best but fear the worst
DILLIGAFBHOY
Quadrofenians
Attack Attack Attack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNjfrzNI0q8
Till later all;
NATKNOW on 14TH AUGUST 2018 1:19 PM
No other options realty than a back 3 of tierney Gamboa and hendry. Lustig too slow and too negative always passes back breaks up attacks by passing back or bullets pssses to Forrest.
SCULLYBHOY on 14TH AUGUST 2018 1:47 PM
Lolol please explain why my opinion is trying to DIVIDE the support ?? You are all grown men. I don’t get that comment whatsoever. If you don’t like it fair enough. But how it would DIVIDE a support il never understand.
Weebobbycollins 2.26pm
Come on you bhoys in Greece
I like that :-)
Ah! Greece…who can ever forget John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John?
LEFTCLICKTIC on 14TH AUGUST 2018 2:31 PM
Thank You. I recommend everyone listens to that. Certainly got me going. HH
Tierney Gamboa Hendry
Lustig is the German word for funny:)))
Gerryfaethebrig
And Scott Sinclair has done nothing in the past 12 months apart from score loads of goals and add 3 medals to his Celtic collection
Loads of goals in his first season yes. This year he has been very poor indeed compared to what he done in his first season.
Grease
Olivia Newton John was my first crush watched it in the pictures at the Fountain in Coatbrig where does the time go
Hope wee Jamesy, Calmac & the bhoys are Grease lightening tonight