…OK, I suppose we have to mention them.
I did a preview for STV on Monday and was asked what my expectations were for last night but had to admit I had zero expectations. This season I hoped we would get into the Champions League group stage, or at least, the Europa League. We remarkably overshot. My real hope for the latter stages of the tournament was that we would exit without taking a hiding.
Technically, 0-3 at home is a bit of a hiding but it doesn’t feel that way for several reasons. The first half was the best football we have seen from a Celtic team in years; far better than either of the performances against Barcelona, and on a par with anything under the Strachan and O’Neill eras. Unlike Barcelona, this match plan was flawed, but it was an honourable flaw.
The “gamble” to play Efe is one which Neil may consider, in time-honoured Celtic tradition, will be inscribed on his gravestone. When you face Juventus you need to take gambles; if they all worked, clearly, they were not gambles. This one didn’t, we learn and move on. The player put on a brave performance and I’m very proud of his achievements this month.
With an away game at the daunting Juventus Stadium to come, many considered that our best chance of qualification would be to win the home game, and we clearly went about our business with the intention of doing just that. Had we faced Juve in the group stage it is possible we would have left fewer spaces at the back. Any watching Barcelona players must have marvelled at how big Celtic Park looked on TV last night compared to their visit two months ago.
We don’t know how good Juventus would have been if we camped in front of our own penalty box, as they did for long periods, but they were a more-than-effective counter-attacking team.
It is hard to pinpoint what we were missing. Georgios Samaras would have played if fit and would have given us the height-dimension up front we lacked without him. He would also have given Gary Hooper the support he badly missed. Charlie Mulgrew’s status as Best Corner Kick Taker in Europe is at risk if he doesn’t take corner kicks until Kris Commons has innumerable tries.
Juve were prepared for the Celtic threat from corners and behaved illegally throughout the game. One of the referees should have had the strength of character to deal with the problem but they were sadly unable.
There were many positives. Emilio is back to his very best. On one occasion in the second half two Juve players were goal-side with only Forster ahead. Emilio made-up the five yard deficit and stopped the attack. His pace, skill and decision-making were first class.
Kris Commons repeatedly took-on a crowd of Juventus players before releasing a team-mate or making space for a crack at goal. He looked like he enjoyed the occasion but didn’t get the clear-cut chance his play deserved.
Lustig and Matthews are both excellent right-sided defenders with pace and skill. Kelvin Wilson did well, as did Efe for long periods. Fraser had little to do all night but had no chance with any of the goals. Victor Wanyama bossed everyone in his vicinity, and this was some vicinity. Roy Keane played 13 games for Celtic and, after an unfortunate debut, I remember thinking “This is what all the fuss is about”. Victor elicits the same sentiment; more on the consequences of this another day.
On Friday 1 March the Lisbon Lions will be at the Kerrydale Suite providing commentary and answering questions on their magnificent European Cup final win in 1967. This has never happened in 46 years since that game, to say it is a unique opportunity fails to tell the whole story.
The event is part of our 125 4 125 campaign – central to reinvigorating the charitable spirit which is part of the club we love. It will be a family occasions, tickets are available at £10 for adults and £5 for children. The night has been organised by several fans working in conjunction with the people at Celtic Charity, so please do your best to support this great occasion. Individual tickets or tables are available, details here.
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We can all comment on what went wrong last night but at least we were there. We competed.
The Champions league knock out stages is probably out of our reach at this stage but the experience for the players is a learning curve for them. I just hope we can keep most of them.
Pack the midfield in the return leg and play with a strike force including Samaras. Get the first goal early. I believe we can give this team a shock. It’s about getting a result to restore some pride. Juventus are a very good side and I think as supporters some of us underestimated them.
We have some right good young players and they have shown that they are on a level with their peers. Ambrose should receive a warm reception at our next match. The guy flew half way accross the world to make himself available and play for the club. he made mistakes and he won’t be the last player in the Hoops to do so but he was committed and gave his all on the night. He needs support. Nobody will feel worse than he does this morning. Stand together with the man and support him through this. He will not forget it and put himself on the line for us again. There is a double to be won and pride to be fought for in Turin. Losing to St Mirren was a bleak moment last night was just a bad day at the office.
It is how the team react that will tell us what they are made of. I have a feeling that we will see the league wrapped up soon.
LB
They’re certainly building this game tonight up, eh…..
Commons obviously cares deeply about club and is hurting Nothing wrong with that and our manager isnt exactly shy in giving forthright views Thought Commons was one of our better players and NL should be accountable like everyone else I believe decisions not to play Ledley and too play Forrest and Efe were mistakes not in hindsight but as soon as saw team Rogne should have played as he is our best defender
asonofdan
where and when did KC make that comment ?
Just a few thoughts on last night…it goes on a bit :-)
Congratulations to Celtic! From minutes 4 to 64 I saw a display of powerful, structured, effective & EXCITING football. It was so predictable to see the press talk of our effort & bravery without mentioning the technical skill and tactical awareness.
Our failure to find an end product to our outfield play was the disappointment – a vital one.
Before the game I was uncomfortable with the selection of Wee James, Izzy & Efe. I thought James really would not be up to match pace due to his long absence. I really thought Izzy was no longer the player of his first season and was struggling even in the SPL. Asking Efe to play I thought unrealistic.
In each case I could fathom a reason why Neil made his selections: James is a great talent & might be a surprise to Juve; Izzy on form brings confidence and balance to the team; Efe (in my view) is the best partner for Kelvin who is always more impressive with Efe alongside. But I wouldn’t have started with any of them.
Clearly I was wrong about Izzy, he was a joy. He was helped by the cover Charlie was able to provide but none-the-less I was delighted my fear that his bad injury had had a permanent negative psychological effect was completely disproved.
James could not get into the game. Im not sure what his role was to be honest. Im one of his biggest fans but he seemed a lost bhoy throughout.
Poor Efe! From the great high in South Africa to a personal low. I like him as a player and I really do think he is ideal for Kelvin. BUT his decision making is very suspect and worse there is no evidence he is learing from those bad decisions. As someone posted earlier all payers made mistakes often in the biggeat games so it is now to be seen if he can grow as a player & enhance those attributes he certainly has.
A mention for two others: Kelvin Wilson initially disconcerted by Efe came onto a very strong game. Indeed I think he has been very good throughout the European campaign. It is bewildering why he he can seem confused when playing the likes of St Mirren!
Victor: Good grief what a player! Overall it wasn’t his best match but there was a twenty-five minute period where he was immense. We won’t hold onto him for long and frankly he could play for anyone in the world.
Congratulations to Juve. It is not easy to leave CP with a 3 goal advantage. Although they showed all the less pleasing things typical of Seria A they were also a very powerful team with some big time players in important positions. As a unit I thought they were the strongest side we have played all season.
Am I the only one who thought we MIGHT have had more sympathy from the ref had we not complained so often from so early on?
sipsini
12:53 on 13 February, 2013
Chuckles…
==============
With repesct mate, I’m not sure many here really give two hoots what the Yorkshire Bampot says any more… keep it Celtic please?
HH
The Legend Johnny Doyle .
Platini is a prat -however — check the time line of the ” Juve are already through to the next round ” guff and you get this .
Torino paper [ TuttoSport ] does a wee interview with Platini and quotes Platini opining that Juve are as good as through to the next round..
Cue Platini / UEFA saying he didn’t say that/ that isn’t accurate
Cue TuttoSport retracting the story .and claiming their journo had made an error… No mention of Juve’s almost certain progress merely a statement that Juve could have got a harder draw
The real story is why arrogant dumb ass Platini saw fit to comment on a Champions League tie in the first place . .
Conceit , arrogance and power is a terrible combination.
falkirkbhoy
“Lennon bottled the management decision that had to be made and passed to the player to make”
Think thats a bit harsh. In fact I came to the opposite conclusion. The one thing he certainly did was to make a management decision. It maythough have proved to be the wrong one!
monteblanco
alternative universes clearly exist
eg
there is one where Sevco are actually RFC( history and all). have £20m in the bank ,100m supporters and are just about the biggest club in the UK
however , i think your alterative universe is a touch more plausible
Just about to head to Celtic Park for day 1 of a fitness programme. Not sure what to expect though I think they might comment on my preparation.
Six pack of Stella and 20 smokes while watching the game last night:-(
Here goes……
PFayr,
Commons comments…
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/213827-kris-commons-points-the-finger-at-efe-ambrose-for-celtics-loss-to-juventus/
South of Tunis
“.. why Platini saw fit to comment on a CL tie in the first place”.
Absolutely right. He had no business talking about that to the media. Celtic should have taken this up with UEFA. But our good man Pete would never do anything to offend the suits at UEFA.
Team played great… mostly. Ref was attrocious and Sammi was sorely missed.
I never had any doubts about Efe’s fitness. It is clear he is an amazing athlete, my main concern with Efe was making the adjustment to top level CL football with Celtic after playing for Nigeria in a tournament which produced some pretty boring an unspectacular football imo. With just a 48 hour gap and a 12 hour travel thrown in.
I would have liked to have seen Micky at RCB and young Adam on the wing. Efe on the bench.
Like you say Paul67 “a gamble that never paid off”.
With Juventus’ cheating history and the recent revelations about match fixing and corrupt officials I am very suspicious of the display by last night’s ref. Lichtsteiner should have been off and penalties should have been given.
Gutted with the final result..
jimbob
thanks
disgraceful stupid comments from Commons …id drop him from the squad for the weekend ….unacceptable
What is a natural defender?
Which of the following Centre Backs from the past were Natural defenders?
Beckenbauer
Hansen
John Clark
Willie Miller (a converted centre forward)
George Connelly
Roy Aitken
Tom McAdam
Pat McLuskey
Pat Stanton
Which of the current era group are naturals?
David Luiz
Johnny Evans
Rio Ferdinand
Charlie Mulgrew
Kelvin Wilson
It is easy to say that a big rugged type (Larry Lloyd, Razor Ruddock, John Terry) could only be a central defender but there are very few teams who rely on these types (Stoke, Sunderland) and do not employ centre backs who are comfortable in carrying a ball out of defence.
The Centre backs of Man U, Real, Barca and Juve are trained to carry a ball out of defence. It is the modern way. We need to give our CBs the license to develop this game style and we need to accept that they will make mistakes in doing so. Ferdinand, Pepe, Pique and Bonnucci have all gifted goals in their careers in doing so. The test for Efe Ambrose is to see if he can do it as infrequently as they do.
Last night Efe made two horrendous mistakes and a couple of lesser errors. He also did a lot of good things between the 3rd and the 83rd minute, the times of his two major errors. He could have scored a double last night and should have scored, at least, one.
Kelvin Wilson, who was not away at the African Cup of Nations, also contributed to the first goal by not spotting the danger earlier.
Efe will continue to develop as a player for us. I won’t speculate as to whether it will be as CB, midfielder or right back but he will be a right good player.
P.S. Kris Commons is totally wrong to speak out as he did but he will be spoken to and, I hope, forgiven. The decision to play Efe Ambrose was Neil’s to make not Efe’s. Efe could have declared himself fit and Neil could have refused to accept this.
It is all Monday morning quarterbacking. Efe is the villain because his errors caused goals. The guys who did not play are the new saviours because, this time, they did not contribute to our defeat.
HH
Re the corner kicks etc. from our view..
I m amazed that for my lifetime, nigh on half a century, the player often has an awkward run up/step up from track to pitch/a linesman very close.. It’s bizarre that players are seldom helped with a decent space to deliver a cross. Granted as the cliche says, it’s the same for both teams BUT we should give ourselves every advantage.
Over the years I ve seen far too many poor corners at Parkhead.. daisycutters, failing to clear the first man and several last night hit right to Buffon..
Still very happy and lovin the hoops, this is just a wee observation..
HH
I wonder if Notts Forest know about CQN’s pool of football management experts.
It is astonishing that so many of us know far more about what Neilly’s tactics & team selection should be than the man himself does.
Seems like a terrible waste.
Would hope for a BIG turnout against United on Saturday , to show appreciation to our players for what they have achieved this season….
And a final thing….
Celtic ‘supporters’ leaving after 2nd goal?!?!?!
Got me so angry.
Kilbowie Kelt
I think it’s fair enough for supporters to make criticisms on a site like this. Lenny has made some great tactical decisions and team selections in the CL campaign, but last night he made some errors. It’s understandable, he’s still a fairly inexperienced manager.
After a night’s sleep and a nice lunch I feel more able to judge on last night. I certainly wasn’t able to yesterday at 10 pm.
For at least an hour of the match I experienced intense pleasure as I watched the movement and passing at pace of Celtic. Complete joy. I can’t remember the last time I watched that level at Parkhead. Certainly not in last 10 years.
Ambrose makes those errors week in and week out. Our normal opposition is just not up to taking full advantage. Tired after Africa? Didn’t look like it to me. That’s just Ambrose.
Lustig is a class act and getting even better his ability to complete a match notwithstanding.
Izzy’s performance almost brought. Tears to my eyes. He was glorious.
I’ve said it before, if Broony played for another team I’d hate his guts. He’s ours and I love the bones of him. A hero.
It is beyond me why other teams are not showing interest in Wilson. Suits me if they never do.
Vic is world class and improving.
If, and I say if, Kris Commons made those remarks about Ambrose, then he should reflect on the fact that Ambrose did not comment on his inability to take a corner. Corners aside, Commons played with exuberance and was the only one who looked like he might have beaten Buffon.
For we only know that there’s going to be show
And the Glasgow Celtic will be there.
Hail feckin’ Hail
79caps @ 14 08 .
Yes —– utterly unprofessional / utterly unthinking and the offering up of a hostage to fortune ….
If I ran UEFA I’d have bagged Platini for professional misconduct and stupidity. It worries me that they didn’t .You are left to conclude that UEFA think it’s perfectly OK for one of their employees to comment on the likely progress or non progress of a team competing in UEFA’s premium club competition . What’s next —— Platini opining that Club X will win the final .
Listened to Gianluca Vialli on talksport earlier. He said the reaction in Italy was that Juve were very good against a creditable Celtic side. Asked by Richard Keys (who said that the ref was awful and had given Celtic nothing, a viewpoint agreed upon by his sidekick Andy Gray) what he thought of the ref, Vialli said Celtic should have had at least one penalty.
Paul
A good reflective piece. That was a sore one last night. I can’t fully agree with you’re take on the ‘gamble’. For me it was more developed than that. The gamble was on the defensive triangle of Fraser, Kelvin and Effe who hadn’t played together since Christmas. Fraser looked rusty at best and Effe and Kelvin lost a goal before they had a chance to relearn the partnership.
However, I do think this was the best option that Neil had and it’s one I would have picked also. If it’s your best option it’s hardly a gamble?
Thought James Forrest was a passanger for the entire game which didn’t help much.
Still 1-4 in Turin sounds good to me!
HH
kilbowie kelt
14:19 on
13 February, 2013
Ahhhh well maybe if the rest of us were on first name terms with…….Neilly …..we would be a wee bit more understanding and as long as Celtic continue to spend our money we will be entitled to an opinion. Jeeeez I never qualified as a meteorologist but I know when it’s raining snowing or just damn right miserable.
Ps I have a £320 package to Turin booked for early march if you would like to go I’ll give you at cost price
KK
the amount of armchair amateur hour managers willing to make comment last night was
incredible
it ranged from those making comment that clearly didn`t know the status of players ie were they loan signings etc ..to others opining that players with international caps were hopeless and that we had better youth players
i hope they have passed their CVs out ..they seem to think they know what they are talking about …for most of them that`s all that matters
twisty
how do auld pal
fancy meeting you here :¬))
79caps
14:24 on 13 February, 2013
_____________
Maybe you’re right, 79.
Lenny IS a ‘fairly inexperienced manager’.
I am going to assume that his CQN critics have more of that commodity & are in a position to point out Neil’s weaknesses.
Me ?
Never managed at any level, so I will just trust the man who has to make the tough calls.
He seems to be doing quite well.
twists n turns @ 13:21
On the subject of comebacks …
How about one of the all-time great Champions League comebacks, namely Liverpool’s 2005 CL final: 0-3 down at half-time … ?
FF
HH
One year AGO today few of us would ve dared believe the many joys about to be bestowed on us..
For this I m eternally grateful.
With Celtic, I got to Lisbon this year. There I had the most amazing time. All because this wonderful club of ours, fought and scrapped to get us there.
To be in Paradise and see us defeat a full strength Barca that night and witness and participate in the pre match GB display, commented on world wide was once in a lifetime stuff..
To listen the next day to radio commentary of Tony Watts goal- I ve saved it to my phone..
To see Kris Commons penalty crash off the bar and IN- wow what a moment of joy..
Celtic in Europe this year have been OUTSTANDING. No ifs, no buts..Granted my game in Lisbon not the best but its the experience.
The Bhoys in Europe.
Stand up for the champions..
Another champions league match looms.. Away in Turin. I cannot wait. I love our club and the opportunities it affords me.
You could be an indebted club, with the grim reaper looming, or a busted club, a tribute act, a club that failed to pay its dues.
No – we are Glasgow Celtic, faithful through and through..
I for one -JCGE..
HH
Co-incidentally, I believe Andrea Pirlo played for Milan on that occasion (missing a penalty in the shoot-out) …
FF
Ex-Juventus captain Gianluca Vialli believes Celtic should have been awarded penalty kicks during Tuesday night’s 3-0 home defeat to Juventus.
Celtic captain Scott Brown and striker Gary Hooper were manhandled in the penalty box as Juventus employed rugby-style tackling methods in a bid to halt the Scottish champions from exploiting set-pieces, with manager Neil Lennon saying after the game that the referee was “very pro-Juventus”.
Vialli agrees that the match officials were lenient in their decision making during the Champions League last-16 first
leg at Parkhead. “There were definitely some situations that should have seen Celtic awarded penalty kicks,” Vialli told talkSPORT.
“It is a thin line in what you can do and what you can’t do and Juventus went too far in this game. “The defenders can be clever and use everything within the laws of the game to stop the strikers scoring goals and, while some pulling is allowed, you need to be clever. Against Celtic, in my opinion, Juventus took this too far.”
PFayr
From previous experience there would appear to be a lot more amateur hour accountants and tax experts frequent this site than amateur hour managers
On a day like today, when it is harder to do so because they had sub-par performances, I will stand up for our scapegoats.
Efe Ambrose is a very good ball playing defender. He was magnificent against Barcelona. Once the bad smell from last night’s performance goes away, he will return to being a very good Celtic player and he will attract interest from teams trying to prise him away from us.
James Forrest is our best young talent since Aiden and we will only have to wait until the summer before we are faced with our first attempt to steal James from us on the cheap. As poor a judge of horseflesh as Harry Redknapp, has already declared an interest. He will not be alone. James’s pace and finishing ability are highly prized in the modern game. I fully expect a £5m bid in the summer. I think we should turn it down.
Of course the punters on here will be back saying I’d bite your hand off/drive him to the airport for less than £1m. But many of them said very similar things about Aiden.
I expect transfer bids for, in order of popularity and fees expected
Vic Wanayama
Gary Hooper
James Forrest
Fraser Forster
Mikel Lustig
Emilio Izzaguire
Tony Watt
Scott Brown
Beram Kayal
Efe Ambrose
I do not think there will be as much interest in buying Sammi,or Kris, Charlie or Kelvin, which is surprising given they appear high in our list of contributors (goals/assists) to our CL achievments.
Of course not all of them will be sold nor do I want them to be. But there will be solid interest in all of these.
I will state in advance that I feel if there is a kick on improvement next season from James Forrest will see him be subject to bids of £8m plus.
If Kris did make those comments I would hope that he comes in for some in house disipline.
The other worrying point though is the impersonal nature of the remarks. He could have been talking about a complete stranger rather than a teammate.
mickbhoy1888
14:32 on 13 February, 2013
___________________
I will assume that because you were not on first name terms with the Lisbon Lions’ manager that you always refer to him as Mr. Stein.
I have taken the liberty of calling him Big Jock.
I will have to have a think about that sort of familiarity.
Thanks for the advice.
auldheid…response from previous article
Don’t get me wrong……I agreed with NFL line up….surprised and pleased we were having a right go at them…..at half time i was still convinced we had 2 goals in us…….we made that juve team look very ordinary……and if i was picking the team…efe would be starting….however…that said….it was selfish of efe to tell neil he was ready…when with hindsight we know he wasn’t,….neil put his trust in the player and was badly let down….im sure over time efe will make up for this..(hat trick in turin would do it)…as samaras has with his early performances for neil and neil putting faith in him……but he has to carry the can….commons is saying what a lot of people are thinking…….same as sutton after a certain killie game……i hope the tic…with efe…attack the same way in turin….as sammy will get a couple…..3-0 was bad……but its not over yet…….im still dreaming…….this team has done it the hard way…….and when the going gets tough………hail hail..
team to beat juve
forster
lustig/Matthews Wilson Ambrose Izzy
Brown Wanyama Ledley
Commons Samaras
Hooper
(might swap efe for mulgrew)