It was all so promising. 35 minutes in, eight Celtic attempts on goal, zero for Valencia. Even when Jeremy Toljan left the field for a second yellow card, there were still positives. We both know that last night’s game was never really about qualification for the next round, so too did Valencia, but it was a useful yardstick for where we are now and where we can hope to be in the summer.
Scott Bain was already established as first choice ‘keeper, but, without seeing much of him before joining Celtic, I think we can say this was the best performance of his career to date. He can play at this level and has been an excellent acquisition to the team.
Brendan Rodgers felt sore about Jeremy Toljan’s second yellow. The full back was pushed before falling into Guedes. It was harsh and the referee probably failed to spot the push, but Toljan was caught in the wrong position and his fall was unnecessary. Jeremy is undoubtedly an upgrade on Mikael Lustig, but small lapses like this is why he’s not at Dortmund right now.
The three central defenders were stand-out successes. Kristoffer Ajer will replay in his head, the header from the free kick and volley from the corner. They were chances to open the scoring but his all round play came close to Man of the Match levels.
I had written off Jozo Simunovic’s usefulness, largely, but not exclusively, on the basis of his fitful availability. However, he showed again last night that he can contribute to the team and deserves a place in the squad. Like Scott Bain, Jonny Hayes had the game of his life. He looked intent to make his mark at the Mestalla and did so.
Callum McGregor was my pick of the midfield players. He was forever tidy under pressure, operating with calm in very tight spaces. Scott Brown was at his best, although a rash tackle brougth an early booking that looked ominous. We got little from the more creative mids, James Forrest and Ryan Christie.
The entire Oliver Burke story was there to see. Great pace and strength, clumsy touch. There is an inverse relationship between speed and control.
Odsonne Eduard made a quick impact when he came on but was eventually subdued. The occasion looked too high a step for Mikey Johnston.
In his post-match interview, Brendan addressed suggestions that he should change his style of play for these matches, citing Leipzig and this game as certification that it can work. Last night had the concession of a third central defender, at the cost of an attack-minded player. We should also caveat that Valencia were two goals up from the game in Glasgow, with little to prove.
The manager is not for changing his high press game, so devastatingly successful domestically, but so open to debate in Europe.
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‘Did ya hurt him when you kicked him up the hole’
‘Hurt him, I rectum!’
Parkhead @ 5:01
It is a bit of a turf war …
I haven’t really looked into it, but I think it is the same basic structure in most countries ….
the national football association, who are the members of UEFA and FIFA, oversees all aspects of football, including rules, and the national team…so, both amateur and professional ….
a part of the SFA’ remit is the SPFL… The 42 clubs are represented by a member, who appoint a board and a CEO.
because most countries have both amateur and professional components, Most European countries/leagues operate in much the same way ….
In Scotland, recently there has been talk of merging the SFA and SPFL (it was suggested by the Ross County Chairman not too long ago), but there will always be a conflct as those that run the professional game will want a bigger piece of the pie, while those that are not in the professional sphere will resist having the professional game dominate too much …. it is a bit of a turf war
IMO,what made for a better team shape, was not playing with 2 wingers and a striker, we have been undone in Europe too many times being too attacking in our line ups.Their goal came from a guy hitting the pass of the game to the back of the box,very proud of the team last night.I hope we can stick to the pragmatic approach in the future.
PCS- The foreign refs nonsense, is from Level 5,saying we are pushing for it,total lies in another attempt to alienate us,Maxwell said the subject never was discussed at the meeting. HH
I remember when the suggestion that there should be a board held up showing the supporters at the game how much injury time the ref had decided to add on .They were discussing it on radio snyde and everyone asked thought it was a good idea except one person BFDJ .
He thought it was a stupid idea and the ref just played till the time was up and there was no need to let the supporters know .
Now we have a situation where more than one club is questioning the competency of the MIB yet the club from Ibrokes are stating the MIB need backing .
Well paranoid I may be but if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck chances are it’s a masonic cabal
IMO Beaton and the spawn of Dallas got carried away and have exposed the whole set up as unfit for purpose
HH
It’s the school’s week in Scotland too isn’t it………?
Oh and well done to celtic fc last night ,undone in the end but certainly deserved something out of that game for their performance .
HH
Good evening friends. My goodness, it’s a great feeling to be on leave from work for the next 12 sleeps!
Am I allowed to say that I liked the SFA statement flagged up in this earlier post?
JIMMY BONES on 22ND FEBRUARY 2019 4:46 PM
I think the CO will be pleased at this statement from the SFA CEO in response to heavy criticism of her in our beloved media. I expect the media will ignore the “meat” in the statement & focus on the views on the preservation of our precious Scottish referees !!
https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scottish-fa-statement-referees-and-disciplinary-system/?rid=13929
Just got a pic of ex Sevco GK Barry Cook,who ran the line at Ibrox the other night…
STV guy in Paris is a Dennis Pennis Tribute Act
BADA BING,
Celtic as a club may not have asked for foreign refs; personally, I would be all for them. Mind you, if Dallas senior has influence there, it won’t make any difference. How he got promotion for his blatant bigotry said it all for me about the SFA.
By the bye, thanks to those who replied to my question about the right to appoint the refs in Scotland.
The positive from last night’s match was the real emergence in this test of young 20 year old Chris Ajer as a top class defender with a very bright future. Celtic don’t need to worry about losing Berkovic or Boyata. If Jozo can stay fit – he also did well last night – Celtic just need to bring in another experienced central defender in the summer. There are shades of George Connelly or Franz Beckenbauer when young Ajer carries the ball on his rampaging runs out of defence.
Valencia are a reasonably good side but Celtic proved last night they are beatable particularly when we played with a full side and had to be commended when reduced to ten men. It must also be remembered Celtic were short some of their best players. Special mention has to go to Jonny Hayes who was bri;lliant on the night and surely now must have cemented his place in the squad, tremendous acquisation if he can maintain this kind of performance. Hope Mick Mccarthy takes note.
Irish, Scottish and Welsh football supporters have travelled the world to sporting events and have been welcomed everywhere for their good humour and fun. I cannot understand why there was such a security alert last night and the paranoia and agression of the Spanish security, mind boggling.
Interesting to see Dave King’s apology to Steve Clarke. Suggests to me that Seethin Gerrard’s jacket is on a shoofly peg and King hopes SC will accept an offer for the huns job.
Thoughts??
Refereeing standards are one part of the issue, nobody seems to mention supervision, this is critical if standards are to improve what criteria are supervisors working to to who sets these and reviews these, club affiliation should apply to them as well as match day officials, it is not good enough and it must change.
Funny how everyone is concerned about bigotry and sectarianism now, Neil Lennon got no such support and the media told him he brought it on himself as did a former colleague and team mate.
Guess who will be first to have a stand shut or points deducted, I would not trust anyone here to draw up strict liability criteria or monitor how it is implemented, where is the reoprt into the crush on Janefield street?
JOBO BALDIE on 22ND FEBRUARY 2019 @ 6:16 PM
A fundamental problem with Maxwell’s statement is that he (the SFA) sees supporters as “stakeholders” when it suits him (them) and not when it comes to any input to processes and governance.
They are chancers that are out of their depth. Promoted way beyond their competence.
I love it when big Ajer makes that charge up the middle of the field. The opposition just don’t know what to do. More of that please Kris.
Why would a very right wing brutal police force attack Celtic supporters ?
well having been briefed by their inteligence that these supporters are pro catalan, loved by barca and villareal fans , raise money for palestine, believe in irish independance, and many possibly scottish independece, raise money for foodbanks, and have football tournaments to help integrate immigrants,
well why wouldnt they attack them, its what they are there for.
Kris Boyd has a point about sectarian issue’s being down to education, not in the way that he thinks though.
It could be argued that, for the past 25 decade’s at least, that the public have been educated whilst wearing an masonic blindfold.
This will continue, until the curriculum is subject to decolonization.
ps.
ajer has a long way to go to be a defender, too often he is all grabs and pulls, however, i would love to see him in the middle of the park when we need some steel of our own,
Amazed at the ‘Glib and shameless lairs’ statement on Sevco doing all it can to eradicate sectarianism -errmm why haven’t any savvy Jurnos asked “Mr King why do Sevco have an Orange football shirt?”
oglath, its tangerine -)))
Celtic play in FtSPFL, and registered through FtSFA
FtSFA provide a chargeable service of FtSFA referees
So surely, if FtSPFL, are not happy with a service being provided, we can take an option of having a refereeing service provided from elsewhere ???
FtSFA, can provide Refs for their competition FtSFA Cup ???
Saint Stivs……… Sorry but we beg to differ on young Ajer thought he did exceptionally well last night in defence sorta came of age.
GMc @ 6:57 pm
It could be argued that, for the past 25 decade’s at least, that the public have been educated whilst wearing an masonic blindfold.
This will continue, until the curriculum is subject to decolonization.
I don’t remember getting any sort of blindfold at school- our school couldn’t afford them.
My education was provided both within and outwith formal schooling.
I can’t see how we can blame the English for our sectarian thoughts; It’s almost a sectarian thought in itself.
If a “colonialised” curriculum managed to imbue sectarianism how did so many, including yourself, manage to rise above it?
Is dogging school the solution?
The Cross-Eyed-Lyin’…………….and his statement…… is part of a bigger putsch by those who will do their Level best to keep the status quo, keep the refs, keep the knuckle-crunchers in place and the knuckle-draggers follow – following on……………..
We must stop talking about 10 titles 8 and 9 will be the hardest won yet!
Oglach
“why haven’t any savvy Jurnos asked “Mr King why do Sevco have an Orange football shirt?”
They are merely paying homage to a bit of the Irish flag.
Anyone know
Is FtSFA referees dept, a separate Co. so separate accounts for FTSFA as an organisation ??
rainjurs have never had to face blunt or incisive questioning on their kulchur.
‘If it was up to me I’d apply to join the English League tomorrow!’
Davie Hay Celtic Manager…….a long time ago
BANKIEBHOY1 on 22ND FEBRUARY 2019 7:30 PM
rainjurs have never had to face blunt or incisive questioning on their kulchur.
And they never will north of the border.
I doubt if many people down south even know about The sectarian signing policy of the old Rangers .
Maybe Steve Clarke bringing it to wider national attention will open a few eyes.
So the penalty clam and goalie sending off, is now forgotten
Or the comment from Clarke, no point turning up, refs decided on result before game played
So has Willie Colum been freed yet to Referee a Sevco game ?
Regarding statements from Sevco or Maxwell…should they not have addressed the issue when Neil Lennon suffered much worse or maybe had a word with Sevco when their players and staff were on the field at Linfield with an orange band…just saying and not expecting any changes but Steve Clark has shown immense courage and honesty….maybe someone will deal with the issues of sectarianism and cheating referees….I would suggest not ?
Kikinthenakas
Glen, sadly correct………….
Most of the folk I talked to about fitba’ dahn sath……would happily and stupidly trot ooot the Kafflick / Proddie thing, without an idea of the serious, errors or differences and the important nuances involved. Pantomime stuff. Maddening.
What rags like the Rekord and sleekit eejits from Shortie an’ ithers have successfully gotten ooot is the message that ” wan’s as bad as the ither…”
We are tarred by the hun brush……….
Bachman’s kard over-turned but the sleekit deed has been dun and the huns won……….
Any of the kard skull-duggerry will soon be forgoat and the “rekord” books will show no mention of how these games were “won”
Shameful.
SFTB on 22ND FEBRUARY 2019 7:23 PM
GMc @ 6:57 pm
It could be argued that, for the past 25 decade’s at least, that the public have been educated whilst wearing an masonic blindfold.
This will continue, until the curriculum is subject to decolonization.
*********
” I don’t remember getting any sort of blindfold at school- our school couldn’t afford them.
My education was provided both within and outwith formal schooling.
I can’t see how we can blame the English for our sectarian thoughts; It’s almost a sectarian thought in itself.
If a “colonialised” curriculum managed to imbue sectarianism how did so many, including yourself, manage to rise above it?
Is dogging school the solution?”
********
Thanks for your reply.
I’m guessing that you didn’t attend the “sort” of school that Kris Boyd would have attended ?
‘ Everyone at Rangers abhors the sectarian element that continues to be so prevalent in Scottish football. ‘
Dave King – classic Sevcoism
Good article on eTims from a Killie fan – I urge everyone to read it.
Some might not like the truth in it, but he has exactly the same experience and view of many of the behaviours that I’ve been seeing more frequently from some of my fellow Celtic fans.
Don’t give me “whatabout” – I really don’t care what other fans get up to – but there is a growing band of morons following Celtic – feels the same as when the casuals latched on to us. And I’m not talking about political singing either – I’m talking about basic decent behaviour to people.
Have a read – http://etims.net/?p=13935
HH
BGFC