Although Celtic created the overwhelming majority of chances last night, they were punished for unforced errors. This is why Malmo are still in the tie.
Lots of positives were evident. Malmo could only foul James Forrest. He is fit and simply unstoppable. Celtic’s least effective periods of the game coincided with when they failed to get James on the ball. When he did get the ball, he often attracted three defenders, which curtailed his options but opened up space for others.
Next week James should find more space. Malmo’s main concern for the return leg will be how to cope with him.
Leigh Griffiths is on fire. He had no right to score his second goal, it was never his ball. The timing of his leap, combined with his reach and finish, were first class. He’ll fancy himself for a goal out there.
Our passing early on was as good as it has been all season but something went wrong, I think Scott Brown and Stefan Johansen’s roles changed. Scott bossed the opening 20 minutes but towards the end of the first half, a tension had crept in.
When our defenders had the ball at their feet, the options they had earlier simply weren’t there. Think back to the early moments when Scott dropped deeper than the two central defenders to give them options in possession. There was one occasion when Brown dropped to collect a forward pass from Boyata, before passing onto Forrest and then Armstrong, who carved an opening, all achieved without resistance. Our movement made Malmo look pedestrian. We lost our way when those options dried up.
We know what we will get from Forrest and Griffiths but the key three Celtic players next week will be Brown, Bitton and Johansen. Hareide criticised Celtic’s fitness, it’s certainly clear that the early pace we set was not maintained, although it could be argued that pace was impossible to maintain. If Brown, Bitton and Johansen have the stamina to cover the acreage they did for parts of the game last night, we will be comfortable in Sweden.
The major concern is the likely absence of Mikael Lustig. Efe and Dedryck both need immediately-available options in possession. It will be absolutely critical that they are not left to play long clearing balls forward. If this happens, we will invariably lose possession and Malmo will be able to build sustained attacks.
Ronny may decide to deploy Saidy Janko instead of Efe. Efe got the nod for the bench last night as we needed cover for both central defence and right back (he’s also convered left on occasion). None of us have enough information on Saidy to offer an informed opinion on this option yet, but he may be asked to step forward.
Malmo got as much out of last night’s game as was possible. They scored two goals and didn’t pass up a good chance. We have the lead and there’s nothing too worrying in what we saw from the visitors. They will play a different game at home, have more possession and create more chances, but Celtic will create lots of chances of their own.
There’s a hard 90 minutes ahead, but it’s in our own hands, and Ronny’s right, we can win out there. This tie has a Blackburn feel about it.
One for the golfers…….
Taggsybhoy is raffling a Round of Golf for 4 at the magnificent Aberdour Golf Course, where our annual CQN Golf Open takes place, to support his Great Scottish Run campaign in aid of the Celtic Foundation. The auction ends next week and you can bid on it here on ebay. Check it out, and check out what YOUR Foundation does as well.
This is a brilliant way to get involved and achieve something significant, well done to Taggsy for taking the initiative.
Thanks to everyone who donated as part of yesterday’s competition to win a Celtic Euro shirt, courtesy of Magners. Special thanks to the winner, Glasgowdave, for allowing us to auction the shirt at a later date. You’re not a bad lot.
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Team for United
Bailly
Janko Ambrose Mulgrew Tierney
Fisher Rogic
Mackay-Stevens Allan Commons
Scepovic
Stokes O’Connell and Mcgregor as subs
Almore & Cowiebhoy
Thank you for the kind wishes. Not long home from my daughter’s house. My two daughters and I had a dress rehearsal. Had a wee tear but all go for the bride, bridesmaid and me for tomorrow. I look good in the Dunky kilt. :))
WIts, 350 for two, the bus was great Craic. The wee fella loved it.
DD- all the very best to your wee ghirl tomorrow!
Have a fabulous day and I wish her happiness always.
PS nae boxers mate!
DD-Hope all the family have a great day.HH
Delaneys
Where’s your troosers
!!Bada Bing!! @ 11:39 pm,
Yes, hope the boy makes it, the Portugese are great at developing talent – would like to see him at Celtic Park one day.
Looking forward to seeing Scott Allan play for us, he could be a revelation.
Hail Hail
DELANEYS DUNKY on 20TH AUGUST 2015 11:46 PM
Get stuck into a bit of this,Dunky.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEUQShQOo_c
AoW & BB
She was nervous as a kitten when I left her. She may get one of my fags before I walk her up the aisle tomorrow. ;))
SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 20TH AUGUST 2015 11:44 PM
Team for United
Auchenshuggle United?
DD
Hope you and your family have a day to remember. I am with HT I think efe will definitely start at right back next tues he will give it 100% and has a lot of experience where Fisher and Janko have none. Also think Charlie will play in midfield beside Broonie as he does for Scotland think we will qualify but it won’t be easy.
Dd,
All the best to you and yours neebs
HH
MacJay
Magic! Stola song shall be sung in Clydebank Town Hall tomorrow night. Adjacent to Solidarity Plaza. Scotland/Polska alliance.
Hail Hail
PapaJoe & G M
Thanks bhoys. The mix of Scots, Irish and Polish family will make this a wedding to remember. All mental in a really good way. :)
It’s interesting that we get so many so called “football experts” commenting on how bad Efe Ambrose is and yet he wasn’t directly at fault of either of the two goals conceded last night. It is also interesting to see some of us are talking up Adam Mathews who was regularly slaughtered on CQN last season …. Mm mm
Felt like the guts had been ripped out ofbus walking back from the fame ladt night. However had it neen a group stage fame we would have been walking on air with the three points. Feeling more confident now. Especially after tonights scores….salzburg gubbed in belarus whilst qarabag won in switzerland. Besides we are better than them.
How many mistakes does Efe have to make before some fans reach the conclusion that he is not even SPFL class let alone good enough for Celtic?
As soon as he came on, there was panic down our right hand side. Efe’s positioning, tackling and reading of the game are dreadful.
Fat iphone fingers
BADA BING!! on 20TH AUGUST 2015 10:40 PM
Reports are reaching us that Boeriggter was reading CQN this evening and stumbled on reading the post from Bada Bing selecting him for Saturday.
He will undergo a fitness test at 2PM on the day of the match.
GG
I think Boeriggter needs to visit the wizard of Oz, he has ability and pace but unfortunately no heart if only he had a bit of izzy or efes passion neither are ever injured . HH
Rummybhoy
Maybe you should be picking the team and deciding who is good enough (?)
It would appear you are in conflict with our manager and coaching staff ….
If Wanyama signs for Spurs I assume big Pete has negotiated a sell on clause for us.
.
Strange Peeps want to see Wholesale changes for Saturday..?
If anything this Team needs to Play more together..Not be given a Day Off..
l would play same team the Injured apart..and Use the Game as Practice match for Sweden..
Wholesale changes never Really works its like jumping in a Hired car you have Never drove before..
Never mind try to find out how to put the Petrol in..;-)
Summa
DELANEYS DUNKY on 21ST AUGUST 2015 12:13 AM
MacJay
Magic! Stola song shall be sung in Clydebank Town Hall tomorrow night. Adjacent to Solidarity Plaza. Scotland/Polska alliance.
Hail Hail
=========================================================================================
All the best,pal.
Any word from Celtic Park on the injury status of
Lustig, Armstrong, Bitton, Griffiths?
“The tie is still pretty open. We have a good record at home in Europe, but, as things stand, Celtic are through and they are good enough to hold the lead and get a draw.”
Jo Berget
See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/dont-count-us-out-says-birthday-bhoy/#sthash.2PvjOuus.dpuf
From BBC report on Southampton’s Europa Leahue game.
And after the game boss Koeman was adamant that there will be no more departures from the club before the transfer window shuts on 2 September.
“There will be no more players sold this summer,” said the Dutch boss, who has seen Morgan Schneiderlin and Nathaniel Clyne leave the club this summer.
“There’s no bid for any player. Not for Sadio Mane, not for Victor Wanyama.
“Write what you want to about the rumours, nobody is going to leave Southampton.”
See yon sons of struth high eejit houston has been outed for posting homophobic tweets about Scott Allan, there’s just no holding back ra peepul.
I blame the schools
Good Morning Timland.
Had a wee read back there, lot’s of sensible, measured post’s
about the game on Wednesday night,in the cold light of day and
all that.
Kevj…..nice tae see you posting pal,take care and keep well.
Away tae plough the fields.
Delaney’s
Have a great day sir and may your daughter and son in law have a long and happy life together.
Good morning friends and a Big Happy Hoopy Friday from a dry but grey and blowy East Kilbride. 3 points tomorrow and avoid defeat on Tuesday. Simples!
Maleys. – Btvision is ,fine. I ditched sky and glad I did…
DD
Have a great day auld pal ..
DD
All the best. Have a great day.
LB
DD
All the best to the family today particularly your daughter.
Bangers going already for the return match.
The journey back from the Maribor game was sickening please please don’t put us through that again Celtic.
HH
Delaneys
Have a brilliant day and early(ish) to bed tonight bruv!
AyeRightCSC
HH jamesgang
Could someone please wheel Stephen Pressley round to the doctor for a check up
Thanks
Delaneys Dunky all the best to your lass on her big day. One proud father keeping everything going smoothly. Enjoy fella.
As Art of War said no boxers pal.
HH
KTF
UTLR