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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Anyone else find it virtually impossible to get a coupon up on European nights ? Been done tonight as St Etienne
were held 1-1 by Milsami Orhei who I think are Moldovan but Ive genuinely never heard of. When you look at the Dortmund score at present as well it really is becoming the case that there aren’t many easy games in Europe
Their attack was guff. The returning star is average. We have to attack, attack and attack next week. Get the first.
Cifci had better not be anywhere near the pitch.
Jamesgang
re: forrest consensus on the boat going home last night was that he was , or was close to , mom
I’m just glad he appears to be improving as his form had been slipping
It’s only half time and I’m a glass half full kinda ghirl
HH
Cowiebhoy
I’d prefer to see 4-5-1 next week but I don’t expect Ronny to change from his preferred system.
Oh for Sammi as the lone striker :-)
Squire
Dixon knows a bit about defending, and he also highlighted the catologue of errors that led to their first goal from our corner. Plenty of chances for us to either get the ball to safety or to retain possession, none of which were taken, unfortunately.
No more gifts on Tuesday, please. At least make them earn anything they get.
21st, surely more likely that Dortmund aren’t interested in the EL?
The Malmo defence is poor ….it won’t improve just by playing at home
It depends how our defence plays …they will go at us like a bull to a gate ….we need big men to stand strong …do we have them
If we can’t get focused for this game we never will
Big decisions for RD ….
HT
What’s wrong with the Thumb :-)
He is 25 today, so happy birthday Leigh Griffith
I’ll be surprised if we see Lustig again this calendar year …..
A couple of my Romanian friends will need a noose. Steau hammered at home. 0-3.
Our old, er, friends from Warsaw won 1-0 as did Ajax.
Dena
I know you’re glass half full. Unless it’s Guinness. Then you’re glass soon empty!!
HH my dote! Jamesgang
HAMILTONTIM on 20TH AUGUST 2015 9:06 PM
Sammi was the man for Europe gave us an out Ball.
Cowiebhoy knows it as well…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Definite No from me to playing 5 at the back next week. We will be defending wave after wave and eventually the swedes will get a goal. Stick to 4-2-3-1 and keep the full backs defensive until a real opportunity arises. Then punish them. We can score away, no doubt. Lustig’s injury is a nightmare. Janko for me.
Salzburg confirm that they are guff. Malmo aren’t much better.
CB
Probably right. Not got too much interest in it myself from a Celtic point of view though it definitely beats the petrofac cup
HH
Dubaibhoy-Ur they still deid? on 20th August 2015 7:53 pm
St Stivs
Moscow is in Ayrshire
*****
You a Trashcan Sinatras fan?
Since I wont be here tomorrow, I”m going to get a start on the Friday night music ….
st. paul and the broken bones… got some soul …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2Fr3ZIpNJs
voguepunter on 20th August 2015 9:03 pm
:-))
If I was required to run anywhere I’d never see the Bhoys
HH
Quarabag are more organised than Malmo at defending
We will score over there
EO & SFIAD ( sorry, but for a mate who lurks)
Malmo were lucky last night …we were careless
All three of our subs played poorly
Malmo got more than they deserved ….
Sorry…….. Meant to add & for the Fol !
KTP
JAMESGANG on 20TH AUGUST 2015 9:13 PM
Dena
I know you’re glass half full. Unless it’s Guinness. Then you’re glass soon empty!!
:-)))
HH
Dena
That’s so not true.
When you necked that Guinness in the Kerrydale the other day and turned and saw your bus compadres had gone you pure chanked it across the hall.
Was starting to think you were a easterly Jamaican!
HH jamesgang
Dallas.
Good post about Gordon, anytime I hear him he is always kind to our club.
I met him in 1984, I think, not long about big Roy was sent off in the Scottish cup final. To tell the truth I didn’t really want introduced to him but I had very little choice. However he was great company and completely won me over. I took the opportunity to ask him about the attacks, he made light of them but he was angry about the song Celtic fans sung about his wife. I agreed with him, but did try to tell him that, although it was out of order, it was really all started because of BFDJ wife.
I never had time to see The Jam exhibition in London but I read up on it, would appear to be,worth a visit.
21st looks like I was wrong. Dortmund winning.
Any word on Lustig?
Cowiebhoy/Livibhoy
What about Forrest in the lone striker role next week?
Griffiths is quick but not as quick as Forrest and I think JF goes by players more often too.
Guidetti sent a message of support to big Mikael but nature of injury not mentioned.
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/08/20/john-guidetti-sends-supportive-message-to-mikael-lustig-followin/
HT
Given a chance LG will score …JF not sure
Mike in Toronto,
Always had a thing for BMX Bandit’s Theme Park record. Most of their work is dull though. I thought of them when you mentioned TCS.
Forgot to say I’m delighted that J.F. has found his form. He has so much ability now he has to produce it on a more regular basis.
Fingers crossed he remains fit and his confidence continues to grow.
JAMESGANG on 20TH AUGUST 2015 9:19 PM
Funny what you can do when you think you might be being left behind…..
theres a thought for Ronny ………:-))
HH
I think the effort made by the Irish contingent of our support to follow our Team has to be respected to the highest order. Wonderful. HH
CB
Good night out for their supporters, as Im expecting it will be for ours on Tuesday
HH
captain …
I wasn’t as much a fan of theirs at the time, but, funny enough, I was listening to serious drugs recently, and remembered what a really good track it was, and was thinking I should go back and give another listen to some of their stuff!
Cowiebhoy https://twitter.com/STVRaman/status/634453109113233408
No thanks
So there we have it.
Two up front next Tuesday.
Le Griff avec Miss Dena.
Tie a Tunnocks to the crossbar and place a pint of the dark stuff behind the goal and watch them bear down on the opposition defence with terrifying alacrity.
Laters timdom!
HH jamesgang
Bada Bing.
No thanks from me too.
Although Lee might be happy if it means his wages increase to 32,000 a week.
P.S. welcome back, you witty comments were missed.