Celtic turned in a mature away European performance this evening as the subjugated Qarabag in the heat of Baku. Chances were at a premium for both teams. Qarabag were reduced to hopeful shots from outside the box, while Celtic took an hour to fire their first real effort, but had the best two chances of the game.
Celtic were nervous looking in the opening 15 minutes, as they struggled to retain possession, allowing Qarabag ample opportunity to build attacks. Midway through the first half Craig Gordon attempted to punch with his left hand but missed and, fortunately, the ball hit his right hand and fell to safety.
29 minutes in Qarabag’s best player, Almeida de Oliveira forced a save from Gordon from outside the box but although the Celtic keeper had to stretch to reach it, it was a save he would have expected to make. A minute from the break Nir Bitton attempted an audacious chip from the halfway line which the keeper backtracked to stop.
10 minutes after the break El Jadeyaoui had the first attempt of the game which was made inside the box but Gordon saved easily. Then Gary Mackay-Steven drove across field before passing to Stuart Armstrong, who took a step inside the box before shooting over the bar.
On 66 minutes Qarabag found a man in space inside the box for the first time but by the time El Jadeyaoui took a touch Dedryck Boyata was on hand to block.
Seven minutes from the end Stefan Johansen made his trademark lung-busting run into the box to assist Armstrong but Stefan was a tad ahead of the pass and ended up shooting wide while stretching back.
James Forrest had the best chance of the game four minutes from time. He ran at the Qarabag defence from 40 yards out, rode one challenge, and found himself clean through with the keeper to beat but instead of shooting from 12 yards he tried to square to Griffiths (who was never going to get the ball) and the chance was missed.
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right who are our possible opponents in the draw on friday ,I’m confused (again)
By: Mark Henderson in Baku on 05 Aug, 2015 21:27
STUART Armstrong believed Celtic executed their game-plan brilliantly after securing the goal-less draw they needed away to FK Qarabag to progress to the UEFA Champions League play-offs.
Leading 1-0 from the first-leg in Glasgow, the Hoops knew they would face a severe test against the Azerbaijan side, who had proved a formidable foe in Paradise.
A hostile home crowd, a depleted pitch and the baking heat in Baku all added to the challenge faced by Ronny Deila’s men.
However, the Scottish champions had prepared meticulously for the match and their focus and resolve was remarkable as they starved their hosts of meaningful chances throughout the contest.
Indeed, they could have bagged a winning goal late in the game on the counter attack as Qarabag committed men forward in a desperate late flurry.
And Armstrong was naturally delighted after he and his team-mates were rewarded for all their effort, concentration and desire.
“It was a tough game,” he said. “We knew they had to come out and do something to get back into the tie. We were happy to keep our team shape and go on the counter. We knew if we scored it was a huge advantage.
“It was on the toughest games I have played in, in terms of getting something out of the game, organisation and keeping to a plan, I felt we did that very well.
“It was a tiring game. It was nice to have the water breaks. The second half was challenging and the surface wasn’t great either.
“It was fine lines. You had to concentrate at all times as you couldn’t rely on the surface and afford to look away before the ball arrived. That was just another factor we had to concentrate on. It was very tough on the body. It was a very hard match overall, physically and mentally.
“You could see the emotion on our faces when the final sounded, we were all delighted to get through. I have played in hotter conditions but when it’s such an important game and you have a lot riding on it and the temperature and the humidity is so high, then it’s a real test.”
Celtic will now their place in Friday’s draw for the play-off stages, the final hurdle before the lucrative group stages.
“I’m not aware of who we could face,” said Armstrong. “I was just happy to get through, recover well and take the next game as it comes.
“We are optimistic and excited about the next round and hopeful of achieving the ultimate goal of getting into the Champions League group stages.”
Greeninbingley
Henrik coaches Helsingborg who have the 7th highest goals total in a 16 team Swedidh league.
Where is the evidence he is coaching forwards to score?
Being a good player does not mean you can coach?
Being a good forward does not mean your teams will be attacking.
Contrast journeyman Centre half Jock Stein at Celtic with record scorer Alan Shearer at Newcastle
Ger57
The sooner you are in my company again, the better.
Always great to spend time with a fellow fenian nutter. Magic. :)
Totonto Mike
I know. There are 2 games I can’t ever bring myself to watch again; Seville, and Henrik’s last for us.
You are right, he would want to be his own man. I’m dreaming, but what a dream, to have him back at the club.
Toronto Mike
I seem to have inadvertently linked you with the Lone Ranger in my last post.
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This was a genuine error and was in no way meant to impute anything at all.
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Please don’t sue me :)
Fantastic performance by all. We are now finally beginning to look like a proper European class team.
Ronny and John are doing a marvellous job.
Greeninb … I was doing okay until they showed a picture of HL crying, and then I started tearing up!
SFTB … agree there is no empirical evidence for HL as a coach for us … but, has he ever not done the business for us? Something about HL and the hoops just seemed to click….
The number of surprising results in CL qualifying tonight plus the number of red cards shown just underlines how good our result tonight was, and how well we kept our discipline. Clean sheet and no red cards – meaning no suspensions for the Play Off rounds.
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So it’s Israel, Serbia, Sweden, Albania or Kazakhstan – not really bothered, but would like the return leg at home – full house and the Group Stages as the big prize – what a night that will be HH
Top 5 seeds in coefficient order are
Basle, Celtic, APOEL, BATE, D Zagreb
Unseeded 5 in order are
Maccabi TA, P Belgrade, Malmo, Skenderbeu & Astana
By way of comparison, Qarabag coefficient lies between Malmö & Skenderbeu
Delaney’s
Canny wait, my friend. See if I can get to Maryhill on Sunday.
Simply put I want the easiest possible draw whoever that may be
Greenin … sue ya!? I’ll set my pal Canamalar on you! That’ll learn ya! :)
I was actully okay with the Tonto bit, but it is the ‘Lone Sevco’ bit I could do without!
but, still, you’re not as bad as me … I recently mixed up Turkeybhoy and IstanbulCelt! d’oh!
GreeninBingley
I was at the final in Seville and I have watched the DVD about once a year since then. A dozen or more times now. Anyone else watch it?
Just finished watching the game and haven’t read back but all 4 of the back 4 were outstanding tonight – what a hard rock to build on. If you forced me to pick – Lustig was amazing.
Great away European game in tougher conditions – something so often we’ve been incapable of in my time of watching.
1100 Friday
Bring it on
TB
Cant wait for Fridays Draw,…Its like being back in 3rd year St Agustines in Milton…Luvin it….
Have to say also that Chris Sutton’s comments tonight were first of all making me cringe then ultimately nod and laugh as the game went on.
He seemed to be truly trying to tell it like a player, rather than as what he thought he was was expected to say.
Fair play to BT for allowing that, and a refreshing change from the utter nonsense I heard on Sky on Saturday.
Delaneys Dunky
Never been able to watch it again:((
We’re now guaranteed European league footy this season. Our aim now should be holding our own in the CL or getting to the quarters of the EL. We need new experienced players. I still think Aiden McG should be bid for. And the guy from Dortmund. Players like that.
That’s the highest pressure game we’ll play for a while.
Fantastic,professional performance.We are learning how to play away in Europe.Terrible pitch,hot and humid,and we coped expertly.One save from our keeper.RDs tactics of playing Ciftci,then bringing on LG worked a treat.We could have scored at least 2 in the last stretch,Ciftci worked the ass off them.
Next round,my choice would be Skenderbeau,then Astana,then the Israeli team.Hopefully the first one.
Great feeling to be looking forward to the draw.
Ger
I am going up to Maryhill without a ticket. Always get a Jags end ticket if all else fails. Hope to see you Sunday buddy.
Our big strength tonight was how we harried and closed them down any time they broke. It allowed our defenders to stay in position and we were not really troubled. It requires high fitness levels especially in the heat.
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I was surprised at how far forward Scott Brown played much of the game. We are conditioned that he sits in front of the defence but he was pressurising much further forward. Brave tactics but they worked and helped open them up in the second half as we had so many forward and they did not enjoy much territorial advantage as they did not have the numbers up front.
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We got the type of result we should have got against Marribor last year. Hopefully a sign that Ronny’s plan is moving forward.
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I think that we have made new friends in Qarabag. They have put out several friendly messages over the tie. I wish them well for the future.
Delaneys Dunky
https://mobile.twitter.com/TonyMowbrayCSC/status/629008380212940800/photo/1
Long time lurker 1st poster here, So glad of the team tonight , a really mature and defencively Sound performance from a young side, add to that qarabaq had only one real threat in the entire 90 mins unusual away from home .RD stamping his ethos on the team now Hail Hail.
Mike you are a popular individual, JCA1900 a Hun, good question and worth asking.
Let me tell you Bhoy, I come from a long line of Celtic men, my grandads bother we still sing about, his grandson was at Lisbon, I stood at the old Celtic Park in ’79 to watch the 4-2 game, stood in the rain at Love Street as we destroyed St.Mirren, cheered as we won 6-2, cried as 10 was stopped. I first noticed JCA1900 on my dad’s shoulders while wecoming the Lions to Celtic park. Am I a hun, take a punt.
syzla72
Welcome to the madhouse.
Hail Hail
We have until 11pm on Monday (10th) to sign player(s) eligible for the Play Off matches.
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First leg 18/19th, second leg 25/26th August
Not only did we achieve a great away result in Europe tonight, but one of CQN’s Finest is back on the T V, l give you Ritchie greatbritishbakeoffcsc
SP
Not many have watched it. I love watching it on my odd times on Cognac usually. :)
jca … no offence intended, pal. I dint’ really think you were …. It is a CQN tradition/initiation to ask that of new posters … sort of a welcome to the CQN club handshake. :)
HH
Nally81
I watched the first half highlights of our 3-2 CL defeat at MU in 2006-7 which was shown on BT sport the other night.
Aiden McGeady had two involvements in the game –
1) He gave the ball away in the final third and MU broke away and should have scored.
2) He passed the buck inside our final third and gave T Gravesen -surrounded by 3 opponents – a terrible pass which saw him lose possession leading directly to MU 2nd goal.
I do not want to start a McGeady debate on here as opinions are generally pretty polarised.
I do not see what he would bring to the team that any wide player currently at the club could not. In short I do not think he has improved as a footballer since he left us.
You are welcome to your opinion.
Just been checking through the seedings. IF Rapid Vienna and Brugge win their 4th Qualifying Round ties, which they are NOT expected to do, Celtic could be in Pot 3 for the Group Stage draw.
I suppose us losing to a lower ranked side is just as likely.
One post before I head for a peaceful slumber.
In some ways, I believe 0-0 was the perfect result for us. I think it is axiomatic that confidence leads to a substantial improvement. That being so, our team (players and Staff alike) have to put up with so much negativity in Scotland ( from MSSM and Celtic supporters alike!) that confidence is a quality not easily achieved. So, back to my original point.
A victory for us tonight would have seen Qarabag dismissed as a poor side. A defeat would have seen Celtic (and Ronny in particular) slated. A 0-0 draw, however, and especially in difficult conditions, shows Ronny as a sound tactician and Celtic as a solid, professional outfit. I believe the players themselves will feel that and that can only be a good thing for the season ahead.
Good night from a very satisfied Celtic Supporter.
JJ
Delaney’s Dunky
I was at Feyenoord Final in 1970 and didn’t see highlights until about 3 years ago. I was also in Seville and remember saying to one of the group I was with ” Henrik’s gonnae win this on his own” after his 2nd equaliser. I didn’t see the highlights of that game until about 3 or 4 years ago.
I have some great memories of both trips but still painful to watch the winning goals in both games.
Hail Hail CQNers
DD … as I said, I watched it … we played some nice football that season, including during that game …. sadly, no matter how many times I watch it, we still haven’t won that game yet! but I’ll watch it a few more times, and hopefully one of these times, we’ll win it!
syzla72
Aint ya just got to be with those digits in your moniker?!
Berget gets a game for Malmo. So they cant be up to much.
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Maccabi Tel Aviv are an up and down predictable team who lost 2-1 to Maltese side Hibernians in Qualifying Round 2 First Leg a few weeks ago. But they must have some quality to be able to win 2-0 in Plzen, so I`d rather avoid them.
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Partizan haven`t done anything in Europe in years. Would bring back memories of the 5-4 game, but probably another best to be avoided as Belgrade would be a tough away game.
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Skenderbeu are improving at this level (they lost to Karagandy in the third qualifying round two years ago) and this is as far as they`ve got. It would be hot in Albania but I`d fancy us to do the job at Celtic Park.
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Don`t fancy another trek to Kazakhstan so I`d rather pass on Astana.
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First choice Skenderbeu, then Malmo, Astana, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Partizan. So sods law being what it is, we`ll probably get Partizan.
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Glad that the other results have contrived to keep us apart from BATE, Dinamo Zagreb and APOEL though. They all have far more recent European experience than anything we can be drawn against now. Things are looking up.
Cheers leftclick Hail Hail.the signs are encourging right now under the management and playing staff.