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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Sammi hasn’t been at his best in the last two European games.
As someone who defended him in 2010/11, it was great to see his contributions finally get the recognition they deserve the following season. All the more perplexing, therefore, to see the praise lavished upon him for damp squib performances he put in during the Ajax and Barca matches.
Yes, he’s an outball, but there’s little point in being an outball if the best you can do is pass backwards or run at defenders who hold their ground and dispossess you – ***shades of Aiden***. (I also remember de Boer saying his players would swarm Sammi when the ball was lofted towards him and wait for the 2nd ball – not that this is Sammi’s fault, but that’s exactly what they did, and it worked nearly every time).
In terms of fan opinion, Sammi is riding the downward crest of a wave. His performances need to improve or he should make way for someone who can offer more on that left side.
Morning,
There was a podcast with fan Liaison JP Taylor last night.
Celtic talking to council & Police about standing section. If approval given phase 1 plan is for 2,000 standing at GB area.
Celtic also in contact with Police Scotland about OTT policing of Celtic fans at away games.
Celtic believe most of the Ajax hooligans are actually banned from own stadium but were allowed to travel here and authorities did not pick them up on arrival.
An Tearmann
15:09 on
23 October, 2013
I really enjoyed that.
The contagion of enthusiasm.
TnT – Got a tip for one @ Leopardstown this Saturday.
Shining Emerald,Chris Hayes for Paul Deegan.
Stepping up in class to Group company,but is thought to be a highly progressive 2yo.
Been raining a lot in Ireland,no idea what the conditions will be on the day,but he loves a bit of give in the ground.
Maybe worth a small each way bet if 5’s or better.
Nice name as well!
Slan.
Morning all. Sevco Huns homeless yet?
Hun lurkers, tick tock.
16 roads
Tyvm for that. Will have go. Win or lose…much appreciated. Will have news later of one from Mrs Robeson’s yard. Will post it.
john o’neil
00:22 on 25 October, 2013
I wouldn’t have been sycophantic to the Sothern agent, but I would have supported his right to live as he pleased, with the tolerance, even the support of the community he lives in.
By that I mean I would support his right to marry whoever he wished to. And to have that respected by the law. The Church can choose whether to accept that or not.
Another favourite from Voltaire, God gave us the gift of life, but it’s up to us to live it well.
Not an exact quote, but the meaning is there.
Sorry for the tardy reply, had to sleep.
John O’Neil, I agree with you on George Galloway calling for Nick Griffin to be banned from QT, better to expose his hate by debate than publicise it by banning.
NEIL LENNON admits Celtic could find it IMPOSSIBLE to hold on to Champions League hero Fraser Forster.
The England squad man was outstanding in the Hoops’ 2-1 win over Ajax at Parkhead on Tuesday night.
Clubs across Europe are tracking Forster and Celtic boss Lenny conceded the club may be powerless to keep him.
He said: “It’s going to be impossible to keep Fraser, the way he’s playing. Inevitably, I think a huge club will come in and make a huge bid for him.
“Sometimes it is frustrating as a manager, as you are trying to build something and you are trying to progress the club.
“But I think it is a huge compliment about what we have done over the last two or three years and it has really put the club on the map again.
“People are talking about us down south in more glowing terms than probably for a long time and that’s down to the performances of the players.
“We have a core — Scott Brown, Joe Ledley, Kris Commons, Georgios Samaras, Mikael Lustig — and Efe Ambrose has just signed a new contract.
“It is important to keep that core together, while one or two individuals may move on.”
James Forrest and Beram Kayal grabbed Celtic’s goals against Ajax as they remained in the hunt for a last-16 place
Lenny, speaking on PLZSoccer.com, said: “Fraser’s save was the crucial point of the game — in truth it was a game-changer.
“Emilio Izaguirre did everything to put Serero of Ajax off, but Fraser made a fantastic save. He is fantastic in those one-on-one situations.
“I think he’s one of the best goalkeepers in the tournament. People might say I am biased, but over the last two seasons in the Champions League, he’s proved at the highest level that he’s a fantastic goalkeeper.
“He’s still only 25 and for a goalkeeper that is so young.
“He’s got so much more to come.”
“The way that he’s playing at the minute and the fact that he’s knocking on the door to be England’s No1 playing in the Scottish League — it speaks volumes for his talent.”
England boss Roy Hodgson has stuck by No1 Joe Hart despite his form dips this term.
But he looks likely to hand experience to some fringe men in warm-up games with Chile and Germany.
Those matches fall a week after Celts’ return in Amsterdam — and another stunning display for Forster could see him handed the bow he craves.
He said: “There has been no mention of me being used by England in the friendlies.
“The game in Amsterdam falling when it does possibly gives me the chance to help Celtic get out of the group AND improve my England chances but I’m not really thinking about that right now.
“You can only worry about what you can control and you do that by taking each game as it comes.
“If it happens with England it happens and it would be terrific but until it does I’m just concentrating on Celtic.”
LassieBeattie, congratulations on the new arrival.
Long life, health, happiness and a love of Celtic for the wee Bhoy.
Morning all.
My first post for a few days.
Had my dad’s funeral on Monday – an emotional day, but with the family in attendance we remembered the good times.
RIP faither.
Watched the Ajax game with Miss Tally – Mrs Tally was lurking in the background, but not paying much attention. Delighted with the result, and the next two games will, obviously, be crucial.
Big Fraser made the matchday 3 team of the week – congratulations to him. …and to ALL the players.
A very well done also to the under 19s on an excellent 4-1 win against Ajax in the Youth League.
And finally. Juventus have just announced a six year kit sponsorship deal with Adidas worth €190 MILLION! The kind of money CFC can only dream about, as long as it continues to play in that diddy league!
HH!!
Lassiebeattie – congratulations welcome to the world wee mhan
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Big Nan – petition signed
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Have a great Friday and remember if you are going to the big Glasgow derby on Sunday bring along something for the food bank
TallyBhoy, condolences on your Faithers passing, I’m happy to hear Monday went well for you.
Tallybhoy
Was very sad to read of your dear dads passing. Thoughts with you and yours. Take care.
Whither the cash strapped scrofulous hillbillies the day?
Tallybhoy – sorry to hear about your Dad will keep you all in our prayers God bless
I find it strange that Lennie talks of having a core of players when 3 of the core he talks about can talk to new clubs under freedom of contract in January Stokes,Ledley and Sammi. I would have thought they would have been on new contracts by now if they wanted to stay.H.H.
Good morning CQNers,
Tallybhoy, my sincere condolences on the loss of your father.
For students of recent North of Ireland history a new authoritative book on the dirty war has just been published…….
http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2013/oct/25/northernireland-pat-finucane
tallybhoy
Le mie condoglianze a te. Rimanere forte.
HH
TallyBhoy. May your Dad rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon him.
I see the 3 main rangers supporters groups were having a meeting in McColls offices in East Kilbride. I Take it there wont be many tims employed in his workplace,
Up over Goal
Disagree completely with your analysis of Sammi’s performance v Ajax. He was clearly working to plan ie taking the pressue of the defence and he did this very effectively indeed given he was often surrounded by 3 or 4 men
minx1888 praying for Wee Oscar
Big Nan – petition signed
……………………….
Thanks minx1888 you know it makes sense because if we don’t complain they will think we are happy with things just the way they are.
TALLYBHOY
Glad to have you back. I hope God’s jukebox has a selection of proper choons.
Actually,check wi yer Dad for me,cos I might have to do some bad stuff if the music up there isnae up to scratch.
I hope everything went as well as it could,bud. Mailed you yesterday.
Keep your chin up,mate. Take care.
TIMBHOY2
I believe the firm which he took over was famous for its dodgy signing policies.
Much like the one he’s looking at now.
Tallybhoy
Sorry to hear of your loss. May your Dad rest in peace.
Did your Dad follow the football … ?
FF
Well looks like big Frazer will be sold to give a healthy balance sheet at end of season and we will be struggling to find a replacement with the 2m PL will give Neil to find a goalie on last day of transfer window. Don’t see the point in selling now that the club is blatantly not strenthing
Up_over
TO coin a phrase, ‘it’s all about opinions’.
I though Sammi was at his glorious best (and worst) on Tuesday.
ALmost everytime he got the ball, he had 2, 3 and even (at least once I can recall) 4 Ajax players on his case.
He gave them tons of problems and made acres of space for his fellow team-mates.
Sure, he can be like a big giraffe, running about with his head down and mesmerising his opponents and infuruating his fans, but I bet there aren’t many coaches who would leave him out of their starting 11 …
FF
Joe Filippis Haircut
Is Commons not due for contract renewal too?
sydneytim
i echo your thoughts on our transfer policy…our summer tradings on the transfer front were farcial, bordering on the amateur, we got off the hook qualifying for the champions league this season…a blind man and his dog can see we are no where near as strong as we were last year with only big virgil the stand out so far of the summer signings…our transfer policy has to be looked at, bed players in for longer i.e get them signed earlier..be smarter in the transfer window celtic….
Morning all. Very, very wet down here.
Any word on Kris Commons? I feel we will need him (and maybe Boerrigter) to get a result in Amsterdam. Biram Kayal coming back to form couldn’t have happened at a better time. Long may that continue.
Sammi was THE player that our goalie looked for EVERY time he had the ball. Sammi won so may of FF’s punts and then he held it up, usually surrounded by 2 and even 3 Ajax players. Absolutely top drawer. Opposition teams in Europe are terrified of him. They can’t pull him down with the impunity that SPFL teams know they can get away with. Having said that, Barca had a fair crack at it.
Stirlingbhoy. We have done well in certain areas but indeed upfront is farcical PL won’t sanction enough cash for 1 striker and we throw away money on the the Dutch and Finnish bhoy. Both players won’t be regular staters in 12 months. Indeed would try and punt pukki ASAP to get some cash back. But which idiots would buy a striker who doesn’t score goals
B.R.T.H. I dont know about Commons but it would not surprise me if he was in the same position as the others. I think Celtic need to wise up on the resigning or transfer of players. I think any player we wish to keep should be offered a new contract 18 months before the old one runs out if the player doesnt want to sign it he should be made available for transfer immediately we are in big danger of losing at least 3 of Lennies core players and not getting a penny for them.This in my mind is poor management.H.H.
stirlingbhoy
09:35 on
25 October, 2013
sydneytim
We`re shit and we know we are………
…………………
Repeat ad nauseam
Parkheadcumsalford
09:39 on
I feel we will need him (and maybe Boerrigter) to get a result in Amsterdam.
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As per the nickname given to him by Ajax fans, he’ll be back in for the festive period!
Are we weaker than last season?
Wanyama- huge loss
Hooper- big loss
Wilson- loss
In return
VVD- huge gain
Others- works in progress
However compared to last season-
Ambrose- huge improvement
Forster- gets better and better
Mulgrew- ditto
Mathews/Lustig- ditto
Stokes- stepping up to the plate
Izzy/Kayal- very encouraging displays- signs of getting back to 2010/11 form
I would argue that overall we are stronger, up front- yes, no question, we need a poacher, but we are progressing nicely.
I feel it is far to early to judge Puki he does need time to settle in but he is not and never has been a main striker.I think we need to find his best position and play him there I would like to see him up his work rate and not look so disinterested. H.H.