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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Dallas
Was thinking of cycling the nolly fae Dalmuir to Firhill Basin on Sunday. Weather dependant. :)
Would love to bump into you and jr. Maccabees new album is a Classic. Believe me :)
Well if you wanna go, K.A.N.O ., Hail Hail , Rain , Sleet or Snow on 5th August 2015 10:54 pm –
Just as I am about to go you pop up
“”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””2
How are you doing ? hope you stay happy sir…………..maybe see you 15th Aug
HH
Fae Stjarnan FC
Respect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TD_pSeNelU&feature=youtu.be
That’ll be guilty and the death sentence then
eftclicktic on 5th August 2015 11:01 pm
:-)
HH
The above comment about being guilty is a link. Bring back the Green! ;-)
Rubicon,
.
We are guaranteed either the group stages of the Europa League (if we lose Play Offs), or the CL group stages. May be enough incentive to loosen some purse strings.
.
Livinginhope CSC
DELANEYS DUNKY on 5TH AUGUST 2015 9:38 PM
PFAyr
Had a chat with Ayrshirtim and Ger57 on Saturday about JF. None of us are fans. He frustrates the life out of me. Would like him sold.
………………………………..
While I normally agree with your posts and generally think that you’re a man of impeccable taste, I am going to play the Devil’s Advocate with regards to James Forrest. Two seasons ago at this exact same time JF was getting slaughtered by some posters on here. Kojo, myself and a couple of others stuck our necks out and defended James to the hilt. He rewarded our confidence and, more importantly, Neil Lennon’s, by scoring that brilliant last minute winner against Shakter Karagandy.
I’m going to stick my neck out again and defend James once more. His decision to pass tonight was due to a lack of match sharpness because of his stop/start career. What can’t be doubted though was his speed and directness to put himself into that situation. He’ll hopefully have more match time under his belt before the second qualifier and will do what he did two years ago. Ronny and John and Neil Lennon think that James is an asset who still presents a real threat to opponents. He also frustrates me at times but I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt and stick with him a little longer.
Go Jamesie Bhoy Go!
Malmo for me if they are still in it!!!
EMBRAMIKE SAYS “THE HUNS ARE DEID” on 5TH AUGUST 2015 11:06 PM
Rubicon,
.
We are guaranteed either the group stages of the Europa League (if we lose Play Offs), or the CL group stages. May be enough incentive to loosen some purse strings.
“””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
Do you think this would be enough incentive to keep Virgil?
HH
Watched the game in Turkey tonight on a dodgy feed. I thought Nir Bitton was immense.
Rubicon….
Staggering mhate, just staggering!!! … KTF. HAIL HAIL.
BBJ on BBC AlBA ..
..
Apologies if someone’s already posted ..
..
Signals went
Good result tonight with a great team spirit and discipline. I think GMS and Armtsrong offer us good defensive cover which Commons and Forrest do not. But it is still good to have the latter two to come on later in these games. I also think Janko or Fisher can offer us good defensive cover on the right midfield.
BBJ???
Dena , I know we keep missing each other. Deffo on the 15th – one or both of us is due a hug.
HH
Sanna
Right thats me definitely away
Goodnight bhoys
HH
Just watching the game again free from the teatime distractions .
Last week I was frustrated with the whole midfield but they seem much more suited to a disciplined away performance.
Qarabag were described as no better than a fourth division English team after the first game by a notorious multi poster on here , no doubt he will return for the playoff
Delaney’s, the one good thing about the canal now, is the paths and sides of it are in far better nick.
Seeing the sights at Dalmuir, Linnvale, Whitecrook, Garscadden, the back of the Blaidardie Flats, Temple and Maryhill sound wonderful then watching our team, hopefully, beat the Jolly Jagsters.
When Felix McGowan and I worked in Clydebank, we walked back to Knightswood along the canal path between Linnvale and Whitecrook to behind Garscadden polis station. We always talked about music and football particularly our team.
I passed by the corner last Saturday before the game and couldn’t see you. One day I’ll get to chat face to face with you.
I think I last physically chatted to you was about 14 years ago when I bumped into you in Dumfries when you were working there that week.
This was a massive night for our Club ….. It confirmed that Ronny is the leader we began to believe he was…..it ensured European Football this season as a minimum…..it has further improved the character / cohesion of our team…AND MY FAVOURITE, IZZI, HAD A GREAT GAME……..
LOOKING REALLY GOOD, MOVING FORWARD ……. HAIL HAIL TO ALL ASSOCIATED WITH OUR GREAT CLUB ….(off to read back and enjoy now…..)
OH, WHAT A NOIGHT, AND BHUNS ARE SHOITE…… :-)
L
..
And an unresponsive key :)
Seems I have sneaked under the euphoria radar and don’t have to prove I am not
Involved with the ex team. Heh hrh …. CQN MELLOWS.
Thanks for the welcome.
Maccabees rock…but Bad Religion will be preaching on Sunday night in the Melskweg
Ongoing Nirlo is the key. He’s looking for the difference and discovering his potential. Mistakes and all..but the all will be defining for our season.
TOSB
I sincerely hope your views on JF come true. Would happily eat my words if JF becomes the superstar he could be.
Hail Hail
For those, like me, who,didn’t see the game, it’s repeated on BT Sport Europe at midnight
mike in toronto on 5th August 2015 10:38 pm
JCA … glad to hear it!
Son … you aren’t, are you?
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/qarabag-0-0-celtic/comment-page-7/#comments
I did get you earlier! Didn’t want you to feel left out!
Go on the tic
This is where we should sign a quality player if possible..striker please
Could make massive difference to get us over the last hurdle.
Jude ..
..
The one and only :)
That was disciplined.Good to see CG confirm my opinion of him as a world class goalie.Bitton would grace many a European side. Who gave him his chance? RD is learning all the time.To quote the great James Brown– I Feel Good!
Everyone seems to be critical of James Forest for not shooting. No one gives recognition of his excellent run that created the opportunity. That’s why professionals recognise his quality, and value the player. His critics are more in tune with the comments one would expect in the Daily Record.
Yes!
Yes #1 – on holiday, remembered my password after 50+ attempts.
Yes #2 – hellish tension in Canaries pub as my kids’ holiday hangs in the balance. But yay, they get to stayin the sun another fortnight as the Hoops magnificence keeps Dad off the next plane home.
Yes #3 – passed a miserable Hun bastard on yhe way back to hotel who recognised my Celtic hail-hail t (from rhebelrhebel) for what it was and got choked between a snarl and a greet as my beaming coupon took in his 5 fag burns with a chuckle. His fat missus attempted to grumble something at me in the busy street but I guess her enmity was lost/eclipsed amid my handsome happy Tim glow. Har-har, roon them.
Two game from the big prize. Just get there.
‘Mon the draw.
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy on 5th August 2015 11:07 pm
Totally agree with your assessment of JF. He can give us something none of our other forwards can. He needs game time but just as importantly he needs to feel loved (so I hope he doesn’t read CQN)!
Dallas
Felix and I were good pals at Saint Tams.
We shall meet again when the time is right.
Watched the game in The Horse & Barge tonight wi Paul Mac fae Knightswood and Lisbon Lions CSC.
We now face three games in 7 days next week.
I suspect some of those who played tonight will be tired and leggy come Sunday.
I hope we rest a few.
we have players who could benefit from a start.
KC, Tom Rogic, Janko, young Tierney, Fisher, Liam Henderson.
I’m not advocating playing all of them but selecting a couple to start and a couple on the bench to substitute for Broony and Biton at the appropriate time.
Maybe it’s time to wrap VVD in cotton wool. Alongside Biton and Brown?
Delaneys,
is Paul Mac from Knightswood,
wee Paul that used to drink next to the bookies
P67 – Given the conditions, the occasion, that was a fantastic save from the Big Cat. Do tne big guy justice; that was a split second which determines destiny.
The defence, Broony and Biton, top class.
Big Cifti – good effort but not yet Celtic fit.
Subs – played a great part; better than I’ve ever seen in Europe. No disruption to the system, added energy, guile and threat, unlucky not to deal it for us. All 3 deserve big credit.
Overall – magic. Huge banana skin avoided because that team are no pushover, as I think they’ll prove in the Europa.
Gordy
Naw. Big Paul fae the foot of Alderman. You know him. He spends lots of money in Knightswood Ladbrokes. :)
Not done a Rating thing for a long Time, so here goes.
Gordon – 6.5 – Poor attempt at that cross that could have put us under pressure. If he wasn’t such a star I’d have made it a 7.5.
Lustig – 8.5 – Considering how little he plays, he really is a top class operator, cool as a cucumber.
Boyata – 7 – He is obviously still very ring rusty after not playing that much ‘proper’ fitba, Chris Sutton called the whole game very well tonight, he is a good pundit, IMO, and there were a couple of lackadaisical moments that against our next round opponents, possibly, will cost us dearly. The more he plays, the better he will get, is my opinion.
Van Dijk – 8 – Total classy performance, this guy has it all, it can be too easy at times for him and his forages forward, IMO, shouldn’t have happened, when he does go though, he is majestic.
Izzaguire – 8.5 – Tremendous battling defensive play, he went into every challenge like his life depended on it, amazing what competition can do for you. Very disciplined performance as well, delighted about his showing tonight.
Brown – 8 – A Captains performance, especially in the 2nd half, he reads the game very well and knows when to go for the ball.
Bitton – 9 – This guy is the Main Man for Celtic, he took his time tonight to get into uber smooth gear, when he did, we started to look as comfortable, as I’ve ever seen Celtic in such a tense situation, outstanding.
GMS – 6.5 – He tried very hard but he looked weak in body strength, he needs to be toughened up to contribute seriously at this level.
Johansen – 6.5 – I thought he had a poor game and looks to be a fair way off where he was last season. He seemed to get more into in the 2nd half but I think that was more down to his core fitness being better than anyone elses.
Armstrong – 8 – I thought he was very good and there was real purpose when he was getting on the ball, he wasn’t getting bullied off the ball by his opponent, which is important as he hasn’t played a lot at this level.
Ciftci – 6.5 – Looks like he has a long way to go, to be the focal point of the Celtic attack, it is early days though and he will get every chance under Ronny to merit that Number 7 jersey, He doesn’t look as fit as the rest of the squad, yet.
Griffiths – 7 – Excellent workrate, despite not starting, he showed a real desire for the team, superb.
Commons – 6.5 – He would have got higher but for his holding on to a ball to his right, that he should have played, he looked like he could pick the lock when he came on, when he got to the pace of the game.
Forrest – 7 – Looked up for it, oh for a very confident wee Jamesie, he would have popped that chance in nae problem. Looked as strong as he has ever been, hopefully he makes the impact this season all Celtic Supporters are hoping for.
Ronny – 8 – Excellent in the main, I’m not sure he would have encouraged Virgil to be moving forward like that, it cost a booking in one instance to Johansen.
Thumbsup to a Good Night.
Sandman,
Wonderful canarian memories to tressure forever.