Celtic were overflowing with fine performances last night but mostly this was a tactical victory. Ajax dominated possession against Milan and enjoyed lots at the Camp Nou, so Neil Lennon knew what to expect.
Despite playing at home against our lowest-ranked opponent, we never chased the game, allowed Ajax time on the ball, and waited for the opportunity. We had the intelligence across the field to outsmart Ajax, with agility (Forrest), combativeness (Mulgrew, Kayal) and experience in the box (Stokes) to get the job done. We also have perhaps the best keeper in the competition. Shhh.
At some point before the return game in Amsterdam, The Bore may consider that his team deserved to lose, just as Nir Biton deserved his red card. Lunging into tackles inside the box is a recipe for defeat. Take the ball or you take your opponents leg. The noises from Ajax after the game suggested some bewilderment at the defeat; a well-worn track for teams to leave Celtic Park after Champions League games.
I hope de Boer carries that sense of entitlement into the next game, if he does, he’ll have learned nothing and his team will lose again.
Celtic’s area for remedial action is also clear. Over three Champions League games they have not conceded in the first 75 minutes but conceded four times after that point. This is not a complaint, it’s hard to maintain the levels of concentration, not to mention the physical effort, late in a game, but the stats suggest that, at this level, we wilt before our opponents.
The Dutch are known as progressive and tolerant people but the behaviour of Ajax fans (I hear from the moment they arrived at Schiphol Airport) was deplorable, without question the most violent European fans in all my time watching Celtic.
Football hooliganism is nothing like it was in the 70s and 80s but it is on the rise across Europe. Remain ever-vigilant.
On a more prosaic fan issue…. We were not at a pantomime last night. The moment between Nir Biton lunging forward with his studs up and the referee producing a red card was filled by a “Oooh” from many in the home support.
As soon as I heard this I knew the card would be red. Biton may have gone without the sound effects, but we don’t need to authorise the ref to make a big decision.
All this and the Big Glasgow Derby coming up!!
Between now and Sunday you are going to hear lots about the collection on behalf of the Greater Maryhill Foodbank, taking place before the Thistle-Celtic game on Saturday. What a great cause to be a part of.
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Jackie Mac. Putin remains very popular. That cannot be denied.
Parkheadcumsalford 21.12
I couldn’t agree more.
Looney Lefties.
Bang on.
TT
Ernie
Magnier-Ferguson dispute ends after Desmond intervention
05/03/2004 – 12:46:01 pm
The dispute between Irish racehorse tycoon John Magnier and Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has reportedly ended.
The two men have been in dispute for some time over the ownership of stud rights relating to the horse Rock of Gibraltar.
However, reports today said financier Dermot Desmond had helped broker a settlement between both sides ahead of the upcoming Cheltenham Festival.
ernie lynch
21:59 on
23 October, 2013
Was that not around the time DD had an involvement with Cubic Expression and on that basis an investment in Man U, along with the other ‘Coolmore Mafia’ (sp?).
Is there also not a friendship based round horses?
Zbyszek mówi, trzymaj się Oscar
22:09 on 23 October, 2013
You seem to have taken offence at me pointing out that you are confusing democracy with the rule of law.
“Whack” …..”POW” ….John O,Neil is Adam West …………braw
St Martin’s Bhoy,
Thanks very much for sorting out my cousin with 2 tickets last night (arranged through BT).
You gave an 11 year old the best footballing night of his life.
Cheers.
don’t deny it john o neill, he is very charismatic – my concern -does he rule the country for putin or the people ?
MrZ..,
Strange you are back calling everyone out as a stalinist after we found you to be a totalitarian by definition, or did you think winnie was going to save you again?
Yon are a political bigot, thats totalitarian, if you cant accept the merits of another political agenda then thats fascism, whether thats under capitalism or communism it’s all the same totalitarianism. Just the PR for fascism has gained popularity, and idiots believe the meeja.
Probably would mean a bit more if the capitalists thought they would have to spend their lives in menial low paid work instead of bullshit philosophy and media studies thinking they were intellectuals, or pirates as they are more commonly known
Glen Daly
Sent M a text after a call from st martins boy this evening.
Auldheid,
As always I bow to your knowledge on these issues. If only the SFA/SPL were as rigorous in implementing their own rules as you are at exposing their corruption.
Parkheadcumsalford
22:12 on 23 October, 2013
I’m not sure that you have to be a loonie lefty (great phrase, and soooo original) to be concerned about the attitude of the board towards sevco.
Jacki Mac. Personal reasons prevent me from commenting too much. Despite my earlier democracy comment perhaps sounding clichéd; it is true. This country is so huge. How can it be governed effectively?
Ernie,
How about loco leftie? Hail hail.
So would Fergie’s cooling of interest in the KoK, following a phone call from The Great Desmondo, not suggest that he put his own personal interests before those of his employers?
canamalar prays oscar can do it again
22:01 on 23 October, 2013
I support ALL the great work you and others are doing to expose the corrupt barstewards, but not the vehicle…..I want our Board to concentrate on improving Celtic, not to lower themselves by having anything to do with all this…….justice will prevail
…and as for Ireland’s economy……have you got 85 degrees covering all aspects of a Country’s economy….?…..hahaha
John O’Neil
22:26 on 23 October, 2013
‘Ernie,
How about loco leftie? Hail hail.’
###
I think even Laurie from Dennistoun would be impressed by your linguistic talents.
Had a hertz fan at work today who claimed that our penalty was the wrong decision.
Even the huns disagree with you then again there are some Hertz fans who hate us more than hibs, strange guys…….
I see the ruination of the Irish Economy is another crime that The Great Desmondo has been convicted of by the peoples tribunal of CQN
Death to all capitalist swine
Watched last night’s game again tonight.
We were fantastic.
We are a Champion’s League team.
Don’t allow anyone to tell you otherwise, ever!
EC67
prestonpans bhoys
22:33 on 23 October, 2013
‘Had a hertz fan at work today who claimed that our penalty was the wrong decision.’
##
Are you an optician?
canamalar prays 22:23
I said Good Night and was going to come back one day in the future.
“Strange you are back calling everyone out as a Stalinist”
Not everyone, only ernie lynch. Read my first comment, watch the clip. I called him Stalinist because he not for the first time knows what I’m thinking about, what I’m confusing with what, etc.
“or did you think winnie was going to save you again?”
Shame on you canamalar. I did write that post many years ago when many best Celtic supporters were sure that the battle was lost. I did repeat this comment for Moonbeams who asked to do so.
“Fascist, bigot, totalitarian?” That’s all about me.
You both with ernie are too thick to discuss philosophy with me.
And that’s enough for me.
Great story about the 6ft 7, bisexual Tory MP berating a disabled and homeless person to get a job. What a perfect embodiment of compassion.
Just catching up – from reading Paul’s article along with comments from those that were there last night, I am absolutely astounded that our good friends in the Police Force arrested not one Ajax fan!!!!! If that is correct I hope our club is asking serious questions about the inconsistent handling of our matches by Stephen House’s finest as well as seeking compensation from Ajax for the damage.
Zbyszek mówi, trzymaj się Oscar
22:36 on 23 October, 2013
‘You both with ernie are too thick to discuss philosophy with me.’
###
I may be thick but I understand the difference between democracy and the rule of law.
Which evidently is more than you can claim.
ernie lynch
21:59 on 23 October, 2013If Fergie wanted to sign the KoK why would a phone call from The Great Desmondo make him reconsider?
Possibly to keep any interest private,and stay out the rags?
Kelvinbhoy
22:37 on 23 October, 2013
Listening to Shortbread last night waiting for the traffic to start moving they said that after the match De Boer was in among the Ajax fans in the ground taking questions and talking to them.
I hope UEFA are made aware of that when they consider the complaint.
MrZ..,
You both with ernie are too thick to discuss philosophy with me.
Really you really think so ?
What an arrogant prick
ernie lynch
22:35 on
23 October, 2013
Nope is there a joke there or coming?
john o neil – a pity- sounds like you gotta lot to say and a lot worth listening to: it’s the history that bothers me.
I’ve long since given up meeting a cqner – tried to see roccobhoy in the boomerang in bray for a match but he was actually at the match or watching it in London: arranged to get a cqn badge outside CP from (can’t remember) but me phone went dead and he wanted more booze before the match, stayed in the bar and I didn’t get the message: made it to outside a pub in Belfast to meet captured but couldn’t open the door and was a bit too pissed to realise there was a buzzer: booked tickets for the willie Wallace night in the kerrydale where I’m sure I would have bumped into me Lisbon lions and cqn heroes but I had a medical appointment moved to that day and was in no state to travel up
anyway jo’n, the best I can offer is a virtual pint and a hot toddy chaser on me, personally I think the sons of the revolutionaries have been sh£& upon but I could be brainwashed by America, wouldn’t mind being put right if you’re circumstances ever allow to blog at length
who was that who was doling out the badges about 4-5 years ago ?
Ernie – was he asking if they managed to smash up the toilets as well?
Just catching up
Estadio
20:37 on
23 October, 2013
Thank you again sir, you write in a style that I can see pictures :))
———
Auldheid
21:26 on
23 October, 2013
Every time I see what is common knowledge and is out in the open, it angers me just that little bit more that Ogilvie is still in situ and not behind bars.
Though his task for his brothers is not completed yet IMHO.
Also thank you kindly for all your efforts.
Kelvinbhoy
22:44 on 23 October, 2013
‘Ernie – was he asking if they managed to smash up the toilets as well?’
###
On the face of it his going in among the fans like that after the way they had behaved looks like him endorsing the behaviour.
“The Dutch are known as progressive and tolerant people but the behaviour of Ajax fans (I hear from the moment they arrived at Schiphol Airport) was deplorable, without question the most violent European fans in all my time watching Celtic.”
Hmmmm my memory is not so short as to forget the last time Hamburg supporters visited Our city and Celtic Park
Jackie thanks. Didn’t intend to sound cryptic. I just am cautious as I am in the middle of a visa application for Russia. Sadly Russia faces many problems. Ethnic tensions are growing. There was an Islamic terrorist attack recently also. The higher education system is being criticised by many within it. However it is a remarkable place. Pierce the initial frosty reception directed to tourists – then you will encounter delightful people with strong intellectual capabilities and warmth. Soviet rudeness remains however!
Good night all
Petec if your on later,
Thank you for being you my friend
Hail Hail
Ernie, any chance of you starting your own Blog? You love the attention… Usually with non Celtic related stories… There will be loads of us that follow you… I think it’s a great idea… Go for it.
GlassTwoThirdsFull
21:55 on 23 October, 2013
Auldheid 21:26
the documentation proving this is out there on Murray headed company paper.
—————————————————————————-
Possibly pretty well shredded by now…….
Good post btw.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
The copies aint……