This is one of those hard ties to analyse. AEK were no more than a decent team. Certainly not a clear cut above, and for that reason, the tie remains alive. But despite being preseason, they defended impeccably.
They did their homework. Tom Rogic, who was immense on Saturday, was not given a yard. Celtic opened well with Callum McGregor the principle threat, most often when linking with Kieran Tierney. After those two crafted the opening goal, AEK man-marked McGregor out of the game.
James Forrest was effective when used; it was his change of direction which drew the second yellow card for Galanopoulos, but we were overtly left sided, reducing Forrest’s effectiveness. Olivier Ntcham was our creative fulcrum after McGregor was shut down, but the normally incisive balls into the box didn’t quite come off.
A few early mis-steps from Jack Hendry were not punished, but the resulting nervousness throughout the crowd was clear. Central defenders are crucial to how Celtic play. If you inhibit their willingness to step forward or show for a pass, you inhibit the entire team.
I’m not sure what Kris Ajer thought when he let a cross ball bounce inside the box a minute from the break. It was an inexplicable decision which brought AEK level and changed their game plan for the second half. Even tiring with 10 men, they defended their box flawlessly.
We regularly tried to find Odsonne Edouard with a ball over the top, but invariably found the striker dropping off to take a ball to feet. Nothing seemed to work for him.
A word on Scott Brown. Much of what Scott does is understated but I thought he raised the bar last night. He bossed all his personal challenges.
I called AEK favourites when the draw was made and they are more so now, but they are not Barcelona, circa 2010. We have been here before; no throwing of towels just yet.
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Sturm Graz losing 2 nil at home to Larnaca.
Game has been interrupted for a while now due to spectators riots.
Hail Hail
@ BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 9TH AUGUST 2018 7:49 PM
You must admit though that it has been a disappointing transfer window. While not over, we have rested on our laurels again. We are not pushing on. Of course there is time for matters to progress, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
I think this is what vexes many on here and Brendan. On the face of it, we are in the best position we have been in a while and are ready to take strides forward but for some reason we are sitting on our hands.
£30m in the bank, record sponsorship deals, we’ve made £7m in transfer fees in the last 6 months and after six windows (as has been said earlier today), Brendan has a net spend of £5m.
Are we planning to take the money with us?
Oops. No sooner did I post that and game has recommended after a ling delay.
Hail Hail.
Vale Bhoy
No probs pal.
If there was a promising young player fae the Vale, Renton or Alexandria, who was a Celtic fan, and you knew his older family. Would you support him?
I know the Bankie bhoys family.
They are proud he has signed for Villa. They could have been prouder though.
No hard feelings VB.
YNWA
Jeezo, should read ‘re started after long delay.
D.D.
Bankies won again last night. Dallas told me today.
Cumbernauld thumped Larkhall 8.0.
Hail Hail
One all at ibrox
Rosenborg 2 nil up away to Cork
Maribor equalise
WHAT IS THE STARS
Some finish..
LOL @ the Huns.
JNP
Bankies are on a roll. Think I will catch a game again soon at Holm Park.
How is my childhood mate Budgie doing at Glenafton? You heard?
HH
That was some 60 secs at Ibrox.
Maribor keeper sells the jerseys with pass straight to Rangers guy.
He runs in and passes ball past keeper to Morelos who nets.
Flag goes up. Offside.
Maribor go to other end put in a cross from one side to other where Maribor guy meets it first time. 1 -1.
Maribor making the better chances but careless at times.
The game I’m watching from ibrox (on a stream before anyone asks) and the one the commentary team are describing are worlds apart. Maribor have passed through the huns midfield and defence about half a dozen times with ease. Cross balls in to the box are causing them all kinds of problems. Two mistakes aside the huns haven’t made a chance. ‘What’s the goalie daein tam’ is convinced they are now top class.
These are their golden days. The autumn is coming.
Ha that was great from Moreloss. Through on goal, dumbass runs goal side of Candeias 3 yards out – offside. Schoolboy error.
Maribor straight up the other end with a classy finish. 1-1.
DD
Cheers.
HH
JNP
Sorry. My son has told me that it is Kilbirnie that Budgie manages now.
D.D.
They beat Cumnock 4.2 last night.
Hail Hail
So the linesman who gave the red against Morelos had been dropped from the calendar this weekend. How dare you was the cry?
Stubbsy nailes the cheating SFA bassas….
https://twitter.com/BBCSportScot/status/1027601392779886592
JNP
I remember a back page headline in the Clydebank Post fae a few years ago.
My son who was studying history loved it.
“Bankies give Rob Roy a doing!”
DELANEYS DUNKY on 9TH AUGUST 2018 8:36 PM
JNP
Sorry. My son has told me that it is Kilbirnie that Budgie manages now.
D.D.
Kilbirnie beat Petershill 1.0 last night.
Hail Hail
Brighton: Martin Montoya and Dan Burn join the Seagulls in undisclosed deals
Southampton sign Ings on loan from Liverpool
the comments on the mcginn family are out of order.
this last 36 hours.
What a feckin dive..
even chick says its a dive.
Dreadful dive by moreloss for the pen at iborcs
2-1 Zombies. Penalty. Even Chick Young said he thought Morelos dived
So the world’s against you shadie steve
Saint Stivs
Thank you. Some of the McGinn clan lurk here.
Shameful stuff by some.
A bhoy who has had a Celtic season ticket since he was a toddler with the rest of his family, is being doubted for being a Celtic supporter.
What are the doubters Celtic supporting credentials?
YNWA
I’VEHADTOCHANGEMYMIND on 9TH AUGUST 2018 8:55 PM
So the world’s against you shadie steve
——–
7 penalties already this season.
Goooood Evening CQN – ???????
After the English Premiership clubs announce their 25 man squads tomorrow, we’ll find out who becomes available
A couple of points on where our club finds itself – and I am no fan of our board.
Our salary budget since Brendan became boss, has increased from between £36-39m to now over £55m, a huge increase which we need to manage
We do not earn the huge riches of England, so need to be aware of this
Celtic have signed their most expensive player in Odsonne Edouard
Yes we are cash rich, but should not just spend for sake of spending
Up until 48hrs before English transfer window closing, Celtic were only club with a confirmed bid for John McGinn, and we matched the bid by AV, nothing wrong there for me, did JMcG meet Celtic to talk terms ? Did Hibs allow this ?
Celtic refused a bid of £9m for a player in last 12 months of deal, who does not look like re-signing, Celtic backing our managers choice, big big decision – I would have sold
So let’s see what happens in next 20 odd days
Hail Hail
Oh in Brendan I Trust ???
THE HANDS CANT @ 8.18
No, I don’t’ think it has, I just don’t take it as seriously as I used to like staying up till the small hours or parking my Fiat 500 up at Ross Hall spying on the latest potential signings.
If you read the internet you’d think it was, but if you take Edsonne alone no matter which way you slice it, he cost more than the rest of the SPL combined. including Sevco’s Level 5 p**h that doesn’t appear in any annual accounts since they don’t do them.
The biscuit tin myth was busted a long time ago, Celtic negativity is a tool now used by SMSM and the internet to feed the shock and sadness they had when Rainjurz died
You know the positives of this summer including much needed stadium and pitch improvement and there are players incoming, despite what is opined on the internet, I’m sure.
The CL qualifiers wasn’t and never has given the club time to sign enough Euro players, the window ending in England and Scotland prevents signings till near their end.
Celtic supporters are spoiled by our success, but still roll up in record numbers, and hopefully always will despite the internet.
It may be digital but its just ‘ The Celtic View” or ‘Not The View”
(which were the original versions of Happy Clapper and Mineshafter.)
Never David17, jeez – just evening up I suppose after the terrible treatment they’ve had
Rumour that BR has spoken to Paddy’s agent, Paddy wants a permanent deal.
BR v PL round 2?
Norriem
The trouble with that post of yours is that it is almost entirely factual. That`s no good at all. Unsubstantiated opinion is what we like on here .
JJ
GARY67 on 9TH AUGUST 2018 9:03 PM
Rumour that BR has spoken to Paddy’s agent, Paddy wants a permanent deal.
BR v PL round 2?
That’s Roberts not McCourt ;-)
Edsonne is Odsonne Edouard for short.