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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Lamool
4.15 Newton Abbot
Good luck all
Good morning Bhoys & Ghirls
I’m on Botany Bay @ York 2.35
Good luck & happy punting
CQN Saturday Naps Competition
Lads, Week 3 results are updated here :
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/clyde-flows-west-but-tide-of-football-history-flows-east-to-parkhead/comment-page-13/#comments
Cheers, fleagle1888
(–Bangalore CSC–)
Big shout out to What is the Stars… what a man… (yet again)
Max Dynamite wins by a street yesterday … at 8/1 !!!
HAPPY DAYS… :)
Cheers, fleagle1888
Down at Chester today for the racing so if anyone has any info please let me know.
Tip for today is Banzari 2.55 Chester
Perth 6.05 KING OF THE PICTS
Staying away from York, can’t buy a winner there.
High Secret 5.40 Killarney
Moorlands George 4.50 Newton Abbot
River Dart 5:10 Sandown……..a short priced selection for me in
what looks likes a bookies benefit day,good luck everyone.
Morning all..
Mountainside.Newton Abbott.1.55.
Be lucky chaps.HH
Morning all,I’ll go for Antiquarium 2.35 York.
Good luck.
OUTSPOKEN 1435 YORK.
Top Notch Tonto 2.00 York. Good luck everyone.
Good morning lads
First a few snippets of info.
310 York, American trainer Wes Ward thinks highly of Finnegan.
345, York, the ebor, I have been told that connections of Quick Jack are confident but I have already backed clondaw warrior. ( Same trainer, jockey combo as max dynamite, however quick jack beat max dynamite at galway and max won very impressively yesterday)
420 York, Ornate is supposed to be a good thing, short price.
Killarney 245, word is that Powersbomb is expected to run another big race after his win in galway.
Curragh 550, Wither Hills is good value at the prices, won the race last year and has the best jockey.
I will have to think about my nap and post it
Later
York 2.00
Gabrial
Was wondering how many would go for Fields of Athenry today!
Going to go for Third Time Lucky 3.30 at Chester.
HH Fleagle :)
Morning all.
My Nap choice for today will be …..Rosie Revenue @ Perth 15:50 pm.
Good luck to all .
Lads,
if still interested in the CQN Naps… can you please send me an email to fleagle29@ymail.com :
Burgas Hoops
Cathal
El Madrigal
Mighty Tim
Rockon
Som mes que un club
tommytwiststommyturns
voguepunter
What is the Stars
Cheers, fleagle1888
Fleagle I will email you today to confirm
Apologies for not doing it sooner
14:35 Outspoken
Happy Punting
14:35 York – Outspoken
Happy Punting
THIRD TIME LUCKY
330 Chester
Black Cherry ..1-45SANDOWN…nap
quite fancy Ornate …poor price tho
Ok
Going with clondaw warrior my nap
It’s well fancied by connections, unfortunately so is quick jack
And probably some others
My nap is clondaw warrior
Ajaya 15:10 @ York.
Kurland 4:20 York please, be lucky
Fleagle – I must have mailed an old address of yours previously. Just sent a confirmation e-mail.
Nap to follow, once this monster hangover abates…. :-(
Cheers,
TTTT
15:45 York
Notarised
Basateen 2.50 Sandown
Good luck all,
HH
Oh no!!!!
BMCUWP has picked the same horse! :(
Its no chance now eh bobby? :)
Mount Logan 2:50 Sandown.
I’ll go for Astronereus in the Ebor.
Cheers,
T4
Oooft… I think I managed to narrow down the Ebor to any 1 from 6 !!
I heard a big shout today for Ornate (4.20), but the price is too short (WitS also mentioned)
Both Finnegan (3.10) & Outpsoken (2.35) could be classy animals… but for the nap it’s that time of year for 3yo’s to take on their older brothers and sisters with big weight allowances, so it’s :
Zabeel Star (4.35 Sandown)
Good luck to all…
Cheers, fleagle1888
Honourable Gent 4.25 perth
Joseph Jefferson in the York 2:35
Good Luck to all
Hail Hail
Shackled N Drawn. 19.45. Chelmsford.
Pacify 4:55 York
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
Out last night, too much to drink.
No chance to study form etc so chose a stick on.
Delighted!