Textbook away performance, Brand Britain
I was a bit annoyed at BT’s halftime analysis which suggested Celtic were more than fortunate to be level at that stage. Salzburg had just enjoyed their best 15 minute period of the game, but, from beginning to end, Celtic’s performance was a textbook lesson on how to play away from home in Europe. We took our chances and drew our defensive line well in front of our box. This is how it’s done.
Were you as comfortable as I was during the final minutes last night?
Having watched the performance against Aberdeen on Saturday, when we bossed the game but were penned back when, with two debutants and a returning Scott Brown in the team, the legs faded in the last 30 minutes, I expected the same to happen last night.
Instead, Scott’s goal arrived on 60 minutes, which infused Celtic legs with adrenalin. This was the crucial moment of the game. We conceded that fabulous goal from Soriano during the final 30 minutes, but this was also our best period of the game. Wakaso (who is a player, b.t.w.) ran himself into the ground – literally. Brown, Johansen, Izaguirre and Ambrose all covered enormous areas of the pitch.
Instead of going through turmoil in the closing stages, we saw Salzburg drop deep, acknowledging the clear danger they could concede for a third time.
The one obvious question is, how did we pick Craig Gordon up for free?
Brand Britain
Brand Britain is damaged. Last night’s vote was a high water mark for independence, so far, but the demographic breakdown suggests support for change is strongest among the young. If the three major UK parties have any intention of maintaining the status quo they need to indulge in considerable Nation Building.
The football business in Britain is in the hands of two closed-shop cartels, one in England and Wales [controlled by the affluent], and one in Scotland [controlled by the unambitious]. This arrangement has disenfranchised Scottish football and drains our economy of tens of millions of pounds per year. It is a clear manifestation of second class status for Scotland and our economy, which is unacceptable for anyone who considers the UK to be one nation.
Politicians with an interest in pushing the buttons of the people, should use this time to call this arrangement out for what it is.