Textbook in Trondheim, hope in our hearts

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Celtic delivered a textbook performance in securing the win in Trondheim last night.  Rosenborg are bottom of the group and were effectively out of the competition before kick-off, but only a year ago Anderlecht came to Glasgow after five Champions League defeats and wiped the floor with Celtic (Anderlecht remain a poor side, accruing only two points in a weak Europa League group this season).

This was Celtic’s third away win in European group stages, but the second in two seasons.  If we have genuine ambition to progress in Europe, we needed to win games like last night’s.

The contrast between this performance and the one in the same stadium in Augusts’ qualifiers was stark.  In the earlier game Celtic were poor in possession, unable to impose themselves on a Rosenborg team who needed a goal to draw the tie level.  Instead we ground out a 0-0.  Last night, the passing, pace and control from Celtic was vastly better.  Rosenborg didn’t get a sniff.

James Forrest ended a spectacular month by creating the winning goal for Scott Sinclair.  Scott still had plenty to do to guide his header into the top corner of the net.

Defensively Celtic were imperious.  Any anxieties were limited to what potentially could happen when the home side were able to lob a set piece into the box, but chances were limited, giving Craig Gordon one of his easiest games on the road this season.

By full time, the players looked exhausted.  My mind immediately turned to Aberdeen players, who will have watched from the comfort of their homes.  It is easy to say, “Go again”, but players are not machines.  Sunday will be the seventh time they have climbed the domestic mountain in succession.

Legs and minds will be tired.  If Celtic lift the trophy at Hampden, heroics will be required.  But this is Celtic, so we have hope in our hearts.

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582 Comments

  1. Delaneys: two calendars on their way to you next weekend.

     

     

    Anyone else for the AICSC calendars @ £7 each?

  2. weefra and jimthetim53, hope you both ae wel,l had a good talk to bmcuw on the phone the other day what a gem of a ghuy, but don’t need to tell you 2 that.hh.?

  3. Southhampton v Man U just ended. Interesting that BOTH teams applauded their supporters at the end of the game without anybody even mentioning such “dangerous” behaviour…

  4. prestonpans bhoys on

    Bus leaves at 9:30 tomorrow morning , then Montfords for a Guinness breakfast. Always hated the League cup finals since lost most of them but not now ?Happy days

  5. As much as I like BT,there going to have to work hard convincing me that was a great game from best league in the world ?Go Jake???

  6. ALMORE on 1ST DECEMBER 2018 6:51 PM

     

    Delaneys: two calendars on their way to you next weekend.

     

     

    Anyone else for the AICSC calendars @ £7 each?

     

    ————————————————————————————————-

     

    4 for me please A.

     

     

    HH

  7. Thought Stuart Armstrong was excellent today. He was neat and tidy on the ball, always made the correct choices, showed plenty of drive, always looking to make things happen, excellent movement off the ball and a smashing goal. Nice to see.

  8. i'vehadtochangemymind on

    Awenaw, Awenaw you’re lovely

     

    That’s what we all think of you

     

    Awenaw, Awenaw you’re lovely

     

    That’s what we all think of you

     

    Awenaw awenaw

  9. Gordon 64…

     

     

    Spoke to DD there i will be through in Dumbarton for the pool/snooker day/ night.

     

     

    Last time I was through there I was only 11 and went to see the golden voyage of Sinbad with my cousin, then my uncle let me drive his truck, all be it on spare ground.

     

     

    Look forward to going back.

     

     

    C’mon the hoops tomorrow, kerrydale after the game.?☘☘☘☘☘☘☘

  10. glendalystonsils on

    DAVID17 on 1ST DECEMBER 2018 7:52 PM

     

     

    You could see Armstrong’s football intelligence shining through that game , pass and move , never still , always thinking ahead , giving his team mates options. Superb . He won’t linger long in the lower reaches of that league. Let’s hope there’s a big Virgil sized sell on fee coming our way!

  11. GLENDALYSTONSILS on 1ST DECEMBER 2018 8:02 PM

     

     

    Indeed. You could see the Brendan Rodgers effect shining through in him.

  12. Delaneys Dunky on

    Stuart Armstrong was the best Celtic player before he left. Tom Rogic is now the best Celtic player.

     

    YNWA

  13. Harry Flashheart on

    That story about the ballybrack “dead player “

     

    gave me a thought ,this is for the dubs on here mainly

     

    What if Massey’s funeral home sponsor the team next season ?

  14. ADI-agreed

     

    Ryan, star pupil and fittest ?

     

    And in other news John mcginn will sign for Celtic ? One day

  15. What is the Stars on

    Harry Flasheart

     

    Great idea

     

    Well if Specsavers can sponsor Scottish referees, the local undertakers could sponsor Ballybrack

  16. mike in toronto on

    Almore

     

     

    If you have room for one in your case, I’ll take a calendar when you get here

  17. DELANEYS DUNKY on 1ST DECEMBER 2018 8:24 PM

     

    David17

     

     

    Ryan is Brendan’s star pupil I hear. Fittest player at Celtic.

     

     

    ——

     

     

    Doing very well, but also early days. The sticky spell will come for him in terms of his form and he’ll need to work through that. I always feel there is a moment or a match when a player truly becomes a Celtic player, when they drag us through a game or dig us out of a hole. I’m not convinced Ryan has had that moment yet.

  18. Cosy Corner Bhoy on

    One calendar for me please , Almore. Will square up with CRC at HT if you two are meeting up as per usual.

     

    Doubt my daughters will be visiting Kerrydale post match??