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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Blantyretim.
I remember spending a few weeks making an 8×4 banner with all the Celtic team on it for the European Cup Final, I made a good job of it too. I was pestered by Portugese supporters when walking to the game wanting my banner, I refused to part with it, even during the game they wanted the banner ,When the score was 1-1,one guy said could he have the banner and I relented I said if Celtic score the next goal he could have it. you’ll know the rest, he went home with the banner.
I always thought,Whatever happened to my masterpiece, I hope it’s still about somewhere in Lisbon.
Hugh Bonkle- ISA is tax free scheme so you may well see him at Ibrox. oh, and maybe Sheriff as well.
marrakesh express
17:39 on 24 October, 2013
My daughter had a baby girl this morning.She herself was born in Sept 82, the same week Celtic beat Ajax 2-1 in Amsterdam.Happy coincidence but I should have backed the 2-1 this time.Anyway a great week.
Another wee miracle, best wishes.
Ayrshire is Green and White.
HH
lennybhoy…supporting neil lennon, wee oscar knox and cfc until i die
19:01 on 24 October, 2013
Ghuys, EDB had posted a few days ago about meeting on Saturday 16th November in the Beer Cafe in Merchant City to toast St. John Doyle, all welcome. Be great to see some of you there if you can make it.
Keep the Faith!
Is that a free weekend mate , ie Celtic not playing ?
FourGreenFields supports Wee Oscar 19:07:
Yeah mate, friendly international.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
glasstwothirdsfull-I’m not sure you get the same co-efficient points for EL as you do for CL, ? But we could go far in it IMO.
No game on the weekend of Nov 16
Congrats to Granda Marrakesh Express.
Seems like only yesterday that you were a star for the best primary school football team in Glasgow, one that got a write up in the Herald 35 years later.
Take care of yourself, D
I have a funny feeling an awful lot of Tim’s may be heading for Turin in May, 2014 for another European final.
Think we’ll end up third, be disappointed for a few days then dust ourselves down and enjoy another great adventure.
lennybhoy…supporting neil lennon, wee oscar knox and cfc until i die
Cheers mate , count me in and I’ll see if I can talk Bundoran Bhoy into coming as well :-))
BSR
“Senior Badger”?
…………………………………….oooo err missus……………etc
How’sYerGrowler CSC
!!bada bing!!
19:12 on 24 October, 2013
No game on the weekend of Nov 16
Thanks .
GS10 I live in hope that we’ll see the sheriffs at Ayebrokes soon.
On behalf of our hero Craigy Whyte? How good would that be.
!!Bada Bing!!
glasstwothirdsfull-I’m not sure you get the same co-efficient points for EL as you do for CL, ? But we could go far in it IMO.
Think you’re right, but if we win some games we’ll be better off than if we got a tough CL draw and knocked out in the first round.
HH
I was delighted to see the return to form of Kayal. Prior to his injury he was arguably the best player in Scottish football. His domination of the Rangers midfield especially in his first season was sheer class. Give this guy a chance, if he can regain both his hunger, match fitness and confidence, maybe we could get a seriously top class player in our ranks.
marrakesh express
Congratulations hope both Mum and baby are well! God bless
Hugh bonkle- would be fine and dandy, “this belongs to Mr Whyte, that belongs to Mr Whyte………”
FourGreenFields supports Wee Oscar 19:14:
Cheers mate.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Marrakesh Express, congratulations to you and yours.
Long life, happiness and a love of Celtic for the wee Ghirl.
And good health of course.
Marrakesh Express
17:39 on
24 October, 2013
My daughter had a baby girl this morning.
She herself was born in Sept 82, the same week Celtic beat Ajax 2-1 in Amsterdam.
———————————————–
Congratulations mate.
My son born sept 82 too,remember telling the wife in the Ruglen maternity “I’ll no be up the night for visiting,Cellic playing Ajax in Paradise” Typical wummin ,she wisnae chuffed.
Must have heard me mumbling ” that wean better no be born the night,am gone for a bevvy after the game”
Ahhh the good ole days when you could be soooooooo non pc. :O)
BSR
You’re badger post is an all time classic. Can you give me a link as I would really like to tweet it.
Congrats to Granda , another wee passenger
http://ca.search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AjtpRdaN031RclgDabmE8TEt17V_;_ylc=X1MDMjE0MjYyMzUzMwRfcgMyBGZyA2ZwLXR5Yy1zYwRuX2dwcwMwBG9yaWdpbgNjYS55YWhvby5jb20EcXVlcnkDbWFyYWtlc2ggRXhwcmVzcwRzYW8DMA–?p=marakesh+Express&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=fp-tyc-sc
HH and God Bless the little one
gsu
What pubs or clubs in Rothesay are Celtic minded ,so as I can watch us playing Partick Thistle on Sunday, many thanks.
Marrakesh Express 17:39:
Congratulations to your daughter and God Bless your new wee granddaughter…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Bada Bing,
You get the same points in EL as in CL. It benefitted Benfica enormously last season, after we put them out of the CL. That’s with regard to the co-efficient, of course. Financially, EL doesn’t stand comparison. I’m coming round to thinking we might go further in the EL, and might give invaluable experience to the likes of Adam Mathews and Virgil van Dijk, both of whom I think may well become top class players.
JHJ 19.24
I agree totally. Was made up for Kayal on Tuesday night. As a lot of posters said before the game, the occasion was set up for someone to step up to the plate. Well, I think amongst others he did – that superb tackle alone should get his confidence back on the rails, never mind his goal.
Really rate Kayal, and hated the idea that a thug tackle by a Hun might blight his entire career.
Welcome back Beram.
Marrakesh Express 17:39
Congratulations to you and your family. Wee girls – they’re magic.
timbhoy2 You asked the same question a few hours ago and got a few replies, whats your game.
Lennybhoy.
You deserve immense credit for your efforts helping St John Doyles
family and the fund raising.Nice one.
Shame you drew the short straw & had me beside you at the
restaurant.Talking of which,that was a first ever for me, a meal
b4 the game,rather than a pub crawl in the Gallowgate.
Must do it again. Hi to everyone I met on Tuesday.A pleasure.
All of the starting eleven played their part Tuesday night as well as Joe Ledley when he came on. FF, Virgil, Beram & wee James were exceptional but Charlie Mulgrew was brilliant.
Robert T
I, too, noticed a difference in James Forrest`s play on Tuesday night. So much so, in fact, that in The Hielen Jessie after the game, I predicted that he would be a £20 million player in two years. OK I was a little “uninhibited” after our victory and a few drinks but the basic point remains. James looked impressive.
JHJ
I hope you are right but , so far, I remain unconvinced by Beram Kayal. I cannot fault his effort but he lacks the skill I like to see in a player.
JJ
angelgabriel 19:56:
I can assure my friend I did not get the short straw and the Son of Angelgabriel is a credit to you.
Spooky that corkcelt posted just after you…he posted earlier that who would believe him as he went to Paradise on Tuesday and met Angelgabriel. I too did what corkcelt did…can’t wait until the next time mate…your a top Lhad…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
corkcelt
I have only justseen your Angel Gabriel/Paradise post. Made me laugh then wish I had thought of it as I was introduced to The Angel and his son.
Also, know what you mean about still smiling even after an atrocious round of golf. I was just the same.
Aff oot.
JJ
parkheadcumsalford
glasstwothirdsfull-thanks for replies,the money and prestige is obviously the CL ,but a few more rounds in the EL,rather than a game v Bayern Munich might do the team a lot of good.HH
Lennybhoy.
Kind words.Thanks.
Corkcelt.
How are ye ?
My memory of the walk to paradise is a tad blurred,not drunk
but had a few. Who introduced us ? I clearly remember
chatting to you but was that just a random chance ?
Good to put a face to the name.HH.
Loads of empty seats and a shut stand at the Wigan game,you’d think their fans would turn out since it’s not often they’ll ever be in European competition
I was so surprised to see that coward James Forrest take the penalty kick! He must have been bullied into doing it. I hope Kris is back soon in case there is another penalty award, I cannot see wee ‘scaredy pants’ allowing himself to be forced into taking another one.