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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Summa , you’re very welcome. Glad he enjoyed it.
My grandpa fae tullow , similarly. always good to get the tix to a good home .
Sanna
Greensideup is also Neil Lennon and supports Wee Oscar
not far fetched at all as you say. If we get to 9 points, Milan have to get something from Barcelona
Jungle jim- there is a very good compilation called the fame studios story.
Santa will bring you it for Christmas as I am sure you have been very good this year.
Hi Jungle Jim, Enjoyed the walk out to the ground with you last Tuesday. I played this morning was absolute rubbish, probably my worst round for 20 years, However I still walked off the 18th with a smile on my face.
madman theory
Trad88,
I am with you on the Barca away game, I was being conservative( am I allowed to say that?) oops
HH
gsu
off oot pool then physio
here’s an odd one corkcelt
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Michael-Collins-probably-died-a-virgin-says-history-professor-228597501.html
Cadizzy,
I cant see Barca dropping points a second time to the Milanese
HH
gsu
JJ
If he hadn’t got up constantly, obstructing our view, I’d have really felt sorry for him :-)
He was close to tears!
P.S. Jungle Jim, if I told anyone that I went to Paradise last Tuesday and that I met The Angel Gabriel outside, do you think they would believe me. Well you are my witness.
We will win in Amsterdam and we will beat Milan…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail
corkcelt
16:30 on 24 October, 2013
I would because I did as well…devine intervention…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
It’s Friday it’s five to five it’s ……no wait
Greensideup
aye, at least we’re in the mix now. A loss the other night and it very quickly gets away from us and we face the possibility of getting our lowest points total yet. Now we’re looking at when we can qualify and whether we can do so with a game to spare! Huge result.
HH
I also had Celtic 2-1 @8/1 but the Ladbrokes guy paid out 10/1 no complaints here!!! Hail Hail Hebcelt
hamiltontim is praying for oscar
16:30 on 24 October, 2013
I was gutted as well put 3-1 on the CQN predictor…:(
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
jackie mac, I know that Professor John A Murphy, he is a right bo**ox, thats not to say he doesn’t know what he is talking about. Everything he said about Collins being vain, autocratic and ruthless is true, whether he was a virgin or not I haven’t a clue and neither I suspect does Murphy. My family supported the Republican side through the Civil War and I grew up hating Collins. However I have a more balanced view of issues now and all I can say is that the post Treaty period was an absolute tragedy and a period best forgotten.
Lennybhoy
I like your way of thinking
“Just when I thought I was out….. they pull me back in”
– Al Pacino
bournesouprecipe
16:48 on
24 October, 2013
“Just when I thought I was out….. they pull me back in”
– Al Pacino
Much copied by Silvio Dante :}
http://sport.bt.com/watchnow/programmes/free-access-this-weekend-S11363841724478
Free trial this weekend for BT
LennyBhoy, same here, will take 7 points from it though.
Hebcelt
Heard after that Ladbrokes were paying 10/1 as their enhanced odds ‘special’ Was still happy to collect 90 quid fae Hills yesterday. Package for the 3 games paid for. :)
Bada
Who originally said … ‘Bada Bing’ and in what movie?
Ole Awe_Naw prepares to watch the big Glasgow Dery?
b
BSR, Jimmy Tinn?
10 pts for me.
Ajax 0 Celtic 2
Celtic 1 Milan 0
Barca 1 Celtic 1
Hail Hail to qualification!!!!
In GFT!
Goodfellas?
BSR-think it was The Godfather,not sure who said it though.
Sonny Corleone in the Godfather.
Celtic made a cool million eur and add in the capacity crowd gate money, not bad for a night’s hard work. This Champions League sure is a moneyspinner.
Fred flintstone
Al Pacino
Silvio Dante
Fred Flintsone
Who are these people? Can’t we stick to Sam Phillips?
Hugh Grant in Notting Hill
.
Bourne..
l think You will find Daffy Duck said it First..
Summa
On the movies theme, my kids were watching some DVD last week – can’t remember what it was called – while I was dealing with some menial household chore or other.
But they shouted me in only for me to discover that (a) It starred Hoops legend Gerry Butler, (b) He was playing the part of a past-it (but very attractive to women) ex-Celtic soccer player now living in USA and (c) He had played for Celtic in the 2003 UEFA Cup Final in Seville.
Utter tosh of course but utterly riveting.