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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Won’t be to happy if we don’t make it to the next round,
Will be raging if we exit without a fight.
GO TELL THE SPARTIM
What part of my comment is wrong?
I think Brendan is an excellent coach but our success has resulted in him being blind to our clear limitations.
My history of posting has been clear that i think possession above all other components is obsolete.
In our case i think it has been detrimental to our overall game.
We rarely pass forward as players almost always take the guaranteed pass which is frequently back or sideways.
For all our possession in SPL we create few chances.
Our poor spacing allows opponents to much time on ball in key areas.
Our movement off the ball is poor.
And our set piece’s are now becoming a liability rather than an asset.
The fact that none of these problems have been addressed are a worry to me.
A more complete and pragmatic approach is needed.
In my head, I am trying to separate last week’s headlines, results and CQN PL PR updates from BR and the team
I can’t – the weight on our Manager tonight is heavy – placed on him by his own board
My head tells me tonight is too big an ask I sense a glorious in defeat outcome, nil – nil or lose 3 – 2 or 1 – 1 then lose in extra time I think we will have a real go and the team will respond to BR but its all uphill – Thank PL
Then from a bright corner of my heart I start dreaming – like many on here – and I start seeing all sorts of positive images
I have struggled most of my adult life with my heart trying to rule my head
It normally happens at about midnight when my heart says that wee doll in the corner of the bar is good to go then my head says don’t be stupid she is 25 stunning and with someone
My heart leads the way my but my head is usually right
Hail Hail
67ECW
MONAGHAN1900
The things ye learn on CQN:))
Deuxfois CSC
A double treble and people still want to advise Brendan on where he’s getting it all wrong. Obviously these guys have managed at the top level so their input is always valuable. :)
NATKNOW. cheers for that.
CHAVEZ
Anyone who suggests that people posting on here expect to affect the managers thinking is either dim or just another smartass uber Tim.
Posts are merely an opinion on a blog that people can debate within that forum.
Only the foolish think otherwise.
Shocking, just shocking from Genoa…
FrannyB67 3.47pm
Yip, the regal, abc, the pictures although I was in it more when it was the Steve Davis club :-)
Memories
Hope the Hoops put on a show tonight
FAN-A-TIC on 14TH AUGUST 2018 4:20 PM
Well said. Some people on here seem to get upset on here with others opinions. If I read a opinion and I don’t like it then so what, I just continue reading the rest of the posts. But in life there’s always some who just like to cause an argument maybe because they’re bored or something. Nitpickers.
I don’t mean to alarm anyone but the word amongst certain members of the Celtic Twitterati think the Griff is starting up front…alone!
That intricate, well timed interplay between the likes of Rogic, Armstrong, McGregor and Roberts of the last few seasons is the rapier-like cutting edge we need tonight. I’d also play the cool-headed Nir Biton if he was fit to help slow things down and get some composure into a headless-chickened midfield of Rodgers-era euro nights. He can also put it about a bit and doesn’t shrink away from a bit of combat with the nasty bigoted scum in football boots we face weekly.
Lustig middle of defence. Gamboa in and running up and down the right wing will give them pause for thought. Big night for McGregor and Sinclair to step up to it on the big stage too.
No fear that they won’t give it their best. The motivation of Saturday last, that scumbag Boyata, and the overtly sectarian media in this anti-Catholic cesspit of a country is all the mental fuel needed to get out there and play to the max and hopefully leave them all with their sectarian blood boiling and kicking the soup-takers under the desk while big Packy and wee Walker and their ilk just smile and think of the money and the free junkets.
GFTB
A.m. quietly confident we will do it HH ☘️☘️☘️☘️
THE NO.13 SHORTS on 14TH AUGUST 2018 4:29 PM
So very true and well said, apart from lustig middle of defense.
God help us.
DavidO 4.27pm
Am certainly not alarmed I think wee Griff is our best goal scorer hope the wee mhan gets his Celtic century of goals in Athens :-)
Frannyb67 4.32pm
Good stuff, that makes two of us :-)
Gerry
Just hope he puts in a better performance than his last two matches!
Lustig centre of defence is all we have. Hendry is too raw with only that dick Simunovic to guide him.
FAN-A-TIC on 14TH AUGUST 2018 3:58 PM
Agree 100%
My own pet hate is throw-ins when they all play hide an seek.
DavidO 4.39pm
Hopefully Leigh is getting back to match sharpness, this would be an ideal team to find his scoring boots (on the park that is :-)
From earlier a correction, it looks like accupuncture not TENS that Boyata is claiming he is having.
Got a good feeling aboot tonight, 1-0 Celtic. Hope Gamboa plays, his pace would have blocked the cross Athens scored from me thinks.
COYBIG
THE NO.13 SHORTS on 14TH AUGUST 2018 4:29 PM
don’t you have a way with words.so let me guess………………………..no not the record or times………..hhhhhhmmmmmm……….gaes a hint.
LEFTCLICKTIC on 14TH AUGUST 2018 3:19 PM
NATKNOW
My back garden backs onto St Bernards primary fitba park :)))))))))))))))))))
so did mine , behind one of the goals
If so many can clearly see that simonovic is a dick and boywonder is a bombscare and, personally, lustig is a lump a wid then why can’t a decent manager in Brendan not see this ?
I really feel if we brought in one very good experienced cent def and a right back we would have a great team.
Tucobenedito 4.45pm
Good stuff, not that it will effect the result but loving the positivity :-)
DESSYBHOY@4-44PM
A prick being pricked.
How ironic.
GFTB
Thanks for noticing the positivity. The Celts will be there Hail Hail
Rich
Fanatic
Shouldn’t laugh but I will.
Lustig in German means Funny in English
“I’m ambitious, which is why I chose Villa.”
I knew it was that Cad Lawwells fault all along
Off topic, but while in the car today I had John Beattie on , waiting on the news ,John and his colleague were speaking to a Business professor about the ability now due to the SKY TV Premier League deal to play without supporters in the stadium, both Beattie and his colleague compared last years turnover figures for Bournemouth to Celtic, remember this was a CL group stage year for Celtic, Bournemouth had something like 139m in turnover the vast majority of which was Sky money Celtic had just over 90 although I do not think JB realised a lot of Celtic turnover was due to CL participation, the pittance Celtic got was raised and JB also said Celtic play to a least 5 times the audience that Bournemouth get all agr
Hi Paul67,
It seems inconceivable that we are at this point after our preparations were going so well. Yet we are…
I’m not saying no one would have predicted a team with the quality of AEK getting a result at Celtic park, no, more the disarray and discord that has been created.
As you say, we can really pull together and show what we are made off.
It is a huge ask as we have to get a result in Athend but I really believe in the round we are the better side.
I’m with you, I’d start with Moussa. He’d be great as an impact sub but for me the first goal is crucial…
AEK 1 – 2 Celtic
Hail Hail
Off topic, but while in the car today I had John Beattie on , waiting on the news ,John and his colleague were speaking to a Business professor about the ability now due to the SKY TV Premier League deal to play without supporters in the stadium, both Beattie and his colleague compared last years turnover figures for Bournemouth to Celtic, remember this was a CL group stage year for Celtic, Bournemouth had something like 139m in turnover the vast majority of which was Sky money Celtic had just over 90 although I do not think JB realised a lot of Celtic turnover was due to CL participation, the pittance Celtic got was raised and JB also said Celtic play to a least 5 times the audience that Bournemouth get all agreed that these figures and the money that SKY pay to footbal here was not fair, I was abit surprised JB and his colleague were not aware but if this can get more people informed SKY will need to do something better here or risk systems being switched off.Sorry about the partial post dont know what button I hit.
“I’m ambitious, which is why I chose Villa.”
Yeah, they’re playing Yeovil Town in the Carabao Cup tonight.
You coundnt make it up.
Dilligafbhoy
Yes but it wont stop the whinging Lawwell haters and crazed ego bloggers from having a go at Lawwell
WITS,
My point was, he could have been playing tonight in the CL qualies.
Succulent
“If so many can clearly see that simonovic is a dick and boywonder is a bombscare and, personally, lustig is a lump a wid then why can’t a decent manager in Brendan not see this ? ”
Is it many?
Is it clearly?
If the first premise is false on either count then the conclusion that BR cannot see the obvious falls also.