What a great game of football. Brugge dominated from kick-off by figuring out how to block Celtic into submission. The game was 10 minutes old before we had possession for more than a few seconds. By contrast, Celtic were unable to return the block as Brugge regularly passed the ball out from the back. The visitors had done their homework and tactically dominated the first half. Celtic prepared for the last game they played, not this one.
Brugge have now twice benefited from a bizarre goal in this season’s Champions League. Their penalty against Aston Villa was, if anything, more ridiculous than Cameron Carter-Vickers passing the ball into his own net. The difference between the Villa mistake and last night’s was that Brugge forced the issue at Celtic Park. Carter-Vickers was the fourth Celtic player in possession pressed across the field, as Brugge hunted for a mistake. Bizarre, yes, but it was worked for and deserved.
The subdued Celtic Park crowd waited for Brendan Rodgers to make the necessary changes. When they arrived just before the hour, it took very little time for Brugge to be knocked off their tactical perch.
Alex Valle struggled for the first moments of his substitute appearance against Leipzig earlier this month. The contrast with last night could not be greater. He was composed on the ball, held onto it, drew opponents in and moved. A minute after coming on, he found Daizen Maeda, who scored an absolute peach from a tight angle, in what is becoming Celtic Champions League tradition – it went in off the far post.
Great games, like this one, don’t all need lots of chances. Brugge (and I) thought they had restored their lead, but the goal was ruled offside. Celtic created better openings that the visitors in the final period of the game, but nothing more than edge of the box chances.
Brugge boss, Nicky Hayen, takes a great deal of credit. Not many young managers from comparable leagues will come to Celtic Park and out-plan Brendan Rodgers like this. Brendan can also take credit for mapping out the changes just before the hour.
I also really liked the way the Bulgarian referee controlled the game. He let play flow and I didn’t disagree with a single foul or caution. He was also quick to get involved if he saw a hint of timewasting, and was so effective at this, there was little added time at the end of either half.
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TNT talking a lot about how the Huns are a different team in Europe etc etc
If domestic opponents rested half their team against them I’m sure the domestic form would pick up.
Hello Hello is it me you’re looking for ?
These two teams are making the Europa League look like a pub league!
BSR 👍
Have to say they look Truly awful.
NIce had a penalty chalked off !!! Brother Dallas?
FFS two defections in the one goal
Jeez, this Nice team are shockingly bad.
As I was saying, this Nice team are shockingly bad.
Nice , a team full of sub standard tik tok tods
No interest in this game from the French fans or team by the looks of it.
This literally is a 2nd team for Nice. Only 2 or 3 of their first team.
ffs they’re two up
Nice are playing their under 21 side. Their stadium is half empty.
They clearly do not give a eff about europa football.
co efficient bonus
The frustration about this game is that rangers won’t need a result v spurs and can reasonable put out a weakened team 3 days pre the league cup final.
Nice have a large number of players injured or whatever, three 19 yo one on his debut.
They keep on playing teams on crisis , like a owner picking the team. Gave up after second ridiculous goal…
Difficult to say if Barron is screwing his face up or not.
My thoughts exactly B78.
Disappointing.
Wonder if TNT will mention Nice have 13 players injured ?
Clement will keep his job !
Who mentioned,coefficient?.Our pals across the City doing a marvellous job.
😇😇😇😇,God bless em.
An Run,
Nice dont have anybody else.
Europa competitions need to be avoided for us if we’re a serious football club.
Move heaven and earth to get that CL spot because europa football is dire.
back in
The Blogger,
” Like a Pub League”
Thought I spotted,BRRB there.
Just saw the 3 goals for the huns. Double deflection for first and 2 schoolboy errors for the 2nd and 3rd. My coupon well and truely busted. 1/1 Nice looked like easy money.
They’ve found a new super star , he’ll be worth gazillions
Jesus. That Nice back line is ridiculous
The nice captain is playing a blinder , or playing blind
Some of them players wouldn’t look out of place in a team from the muddy roots of football …
Think I will phone in a request to Celtic in March at the scum game,but instead of My photo,I will send one of Bobby Sands.Nobody would notice it,would they?
Honest mistake.
Bognorbhoy,
Their captain got injured and went off very early.That’s the Kit man in his place.All they had left.
This next lot of subs must be mascots / raffle winners 😉
Nice to see dessers still has it …😁
A good result against a very good and well coached team.
The great Celtic faithful were interesting when the going got tough. Faithful perhaps not the best word for many around me. The moronic abuse being hurled at players when they could not find a forward pass was one thing but the clowns booing at ht behind me were a new low. This was then surpassed by one of those halfwits shouting at Maeda when he passed back just before his goal with the words ‘get that clown off’ Rodger’s just out of his mouth as our Japanese striker hit the back of the net.
Sad but these idiots really do think they are supporters.
NICEQUICKNEWS not nice after that absolute dereliction of pride and responsibility by France’s FC Capitulation
Van Vossen happy to see Dessers nick his crown. What a howler.
If only we had it so easy.
Bad result for the scum as Spurs only draw.
Quite a night for Ange at the Lavvy.
Consolation of Roma last minute goal at spurs is it moves rangers into top 8 at spurs expense and might just motivate Ange and spurs to put out a strong team and actually try to win the game at ibrox. In turn it might also mean our cup final rivals might actually respond in trying to secure a top 8.