If Craig Gordon had the fortitude of his more vocal critics he would have crawled into a shell and you would be reading about a plucky Celtic defeat this morning. Fortunately for Celtic, Craig is grounded in solid earth.
He’s overcome greater challenges than his recent loss of form. Great to have you back, Craig.
Credit is due right across the back line, as well as to the goalkeeper, despite the loss of three goals. City have some of the finest attacking players currently plying their trade in Europe. A victory last night would have rewritten record books for English football clubs, but time and again Erik Sviatchenko and Kolo Toure timed runs, blocks and tackles perfectly.
I’m having trouble figuring out how Mikael Lustig can still put that kind of performance in. His fitness levels seemed to be inextricably heading south last season, but he’s back as good as ever. Kieran Tierney is that rare property, a left back with pace and endurance, who can defend and cross. He’ll continue to improve.
Tom Rogic was totally in control of what was an incredibly difficult area of the field to play football. Our performance levels followed the fuel in his tank. When he faded, we faded.
Brown and Bitton did very well too. Scott forced his influence onto the game in the first minute, which set the tempo.
I know Nir Bitton looks like he lacks urgency. In his own penalty area. With City players bearing down on him. On nights like this the easiest thing in the world is to play it long when under pressure. The hardest thing to do is to hold the ball, draw pressure but try to create space for others. It’s what the very top midfield players at the very top clubs do. You’ll remember seeing the same from Nir in the second half.
Hands up if you thought James Forrest had this level of performance in him? His timed run from deep at the opening goal was straight from the training ground, but executed perfectly. We didn’t get him into the game often enough, but his work off the ball created space for Dembele.
Scott Sinclair was another who put in a brave performance; brave in the sense that he held the ball often under intense pressure. He looks like he’s enjoying life in Glasgow.
And what of Moussa? I doubt any of us knew the calibre of player we recruited. It was a gamble for the club and for the player, but it’s paid off for both, and how. His first goal was fortuitous – no bad thing in a striker. His second belied his age. It was utterly gallus. No other word for it.
Well done Brendan. I thought you got it wrong in Barcelona but you went toe-to-toe against the top manager in the world, who travelled home with plenty to think about.
What a great phenomenon this whole Champions League business is. Even Newco earned around £500 from selling stadium tours to visiting fans. Happy to help, guys. High-fives all-round the city.
Thanks for the fantastic support for the Foundation ahead of the Great Scottish Run Half Marathon on Sunday. I’m now carb-loading for the first time in my life. It’s as much fun as it sounds. Any more help greatly appreciated.
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Chairbhoy
Player ratings
I remember the DR had ratings for the dead team when they played in Europe. After a gubbing by some no mark team 4-0 I think all the hun players were 8-8.5 and the opposition about 6. It was so bad it was hysterical..
Any further news on the strict liability discussion ?
Any further news on who wrecked the toilets at CP ?
Any further news on the Hun submariners that got willfully drunk, and go on a wrecking spree, where did they think they where,Celtic Park, Manchester etc,etc?
They should be made to walk the PLANK !
I don’t mean tread all over Warburton !
Big Jimmy,
No need to apologise dude.
Although when I get a bad cold I tend to lose hearing in my other ear. The thing is I feel sorry for everyone else then. Looking at the volume settings on the TV is enough to make me realise how hard it is for everyone else to communicate with me when that happens.
It is still a Great relief when the ear pops though.
Kieran Tierney
PETEC,
No worries mate.Cheers.
Fantastic article by SunnyJim on concussion in sport. Well worth a read
FAC the Act
KTF
Strict Liability is going to need Strict Liability Police (SLP) to police it fairly.
Who is that going to be? It cannot be the SFA, they have lost all semblance of trust across the supporter spectrum, including those from Govan.
So will an independent body be required to police (and who polices them?) and as it seems to be the Scottish Government who are demanding this, will they fund an independent overseer? An independent overseer needs funding independent of football.
If one is set up can its role be widened to make the SFA itself more accountable?
These are the issues that need addressed first, then clear criteria for what needs the SLP intervention.
What are the chances of it being done properly or will we end up with another dog’s breakfast OBA perceived as a playing field leveller?
Here Joey…here Joey …Has anybody seen Joey ?
I would offer a reward for information leading to his arrest…oops sorry any sighting, but he’s not worth two Bob.
Is he still on full pay, has he ventured into Coistys garden shed with a cargo ?
BIG JIMMY on 30TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:52 AM
As I read it, it was a comment on how the GB couldn’t be heard over the rest of the crowd, which is as it should be, and something the GB will be happy about.
Also I got the impression that he was in the upper Lisbon Lions stand.
AULDHEID on 30TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:02 PM
My oh-so faint hope, is that might be used to correct the wrongs of OBFA, using it as a face-saving exercise whereby they won’t fully admit the wrongs of the OBFA.
Did the SFA need someone else to govern our game, then all it says is they are not fit for purpose or needed, it’s a stitch up, the SFA want to keep the OBA, that’s why they came up with that daft result from they’re inquiry, I’m afraid the OBA will stay, and you can thank the nutless SFA for it, the state police run the game as it is right now, and it’s only going to get worse, as soon as this country became a police state, the writing was on the wall, Timmys on top of the world these days a thing they are not accustomed to, Thems will get away with everything, Timmy needs to start boxing it clever, they’re angry, very angry.
VFR800A8 @ 11:29 AM,
Yes I agree, in fact you may be preaching to the converted;)
Even earlier this year I was banging on about our need for UCL Football.
My point, if the Celtic Board are supposed to be managing risk but are failing to put together a team capable of getting us through the UCL qualifiers then their risk, benefit analysis was wrong and they were being too cautious.
In come the usual replies about fiscal prudence and we don’t want to end up like Rangers and would more money Guarantee UCL Football.
Now in this particular occasion the “Would spending more money Guarantee us UCL Football” came from a poster whobis always well unformed who I respect.
Anyway… instead of putting forward my usual arguments about were the extra spend would go and the potential benefits… a road I’d been done many times before I simply replied Yes, yes it would…. because that’s what I believed.
I never got a reply, I don’t think I’m going to:))
So for me it was great to see Mr Lawwel’s statements on the accounts that Celtic gettig UCL Football was a priority…
Now I totally agree with your point, that even if the big boys get it all their own way, and let’s face it they’re almost there, they will need the bigger Clubs from the smaller Leagues to make the Competition (sic) viable.
Especially the Clubs that have a large multi-national following and a proud European tradition.
That of course is us. Not only that, but if we can attract top Managers and show the ambition we currrently are; we really can be the best of the rest.
But of course all that being agreed, even with a, relatively speaking, competitive UCL side (which I believe BR is more than capable of delivering) is this sustainable within the SPL format?
Still, as it stands I’m just happy to see the Club in unity and the team playing some great Football…
YORKBHOY @ 11:56 AM,
Yes, I hadn’t seen one of them in quite a while. It’s a complete joke.
Yet, it helps keeps them under-achieving and keeps us vigilant so let them carry on…
Hail Hail
Team for tomorrow:
Gordon
Gamboa Sviatchenko Simunovic Tierney
Bitton Brown (if fit) Armstrong
Roberts Dembele Sinclair
If Brown isn’t fit, McGregor instead.
Lustig and Toure put a great shift in on Wednesday and may need a rest. I reckon that he will want to give Forrest arrest and Roberts game-time. Rogic will no doubt be flying to god-knows where for international duty so a rest will do him good.
4-0 or 4-1 to the Hoops!
FAC the Act
VFR800A8,
Just read your post in relation to SunnyJims article .
Let’s not forget Celtic legend Billy McPhail whose family attempted to get justice following Billy’s passing.
Billys condition was largely related to the heading of a heavy ball for years if I remember correctly ? I don’t know if Celtic helped the McPhail family in any way ?
http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/the-commitments-where-are-they-now-35092405.html
new article posted.
Vfr800a8 . . . Or do we play Griffiths instead of Roberts?
T
Chairbhoy on 30th September 2016 12:15 pm
I don’t see the UCL being a midweek competition in 10 years time. I see a new UEFA League developing with clubs from all over Europe forming the top tier with probably a 2nd tier and promotion/relegation and possibly play-offs from the national associations to get into the 2nd tier.
I think Celtic will be invited into an 18-20 strong top-tier with games played over a 3 day weekend.
This is (obviously) purely conjecture on my part but TV money is dictating where and when football is currently being played; I think that will only develop further.
We will wait and see.
FAC the Act
KTF
Ernie Lynch,
Sorry but until you posted the Lisbon Lion Stand, I was completely unaware what LLS stood for, now I’ve just realised. Oops sorry.
No intention on my part to be flippant nor ignorant. I was being a wee bit cheeky about the mute button etc, cos my reading of Petecs post was that he was ” having a go” at the GB ?
I now know that was not the case.
HH
james 1955
AWESOME SONG!!!
Fleagle hope am on the right page, although with my “naps” so far I would be as well on hunmedia
Nap today – 3.40 Ascot – Firmament
Best of luck to all
Cheers GFTB
Onehelluvatouch 20:40 @ Wolverhampton.
16:55 @ Gowran Park – Down Under – NAP!
Good luck everybody.
Medici Banchiere
Redcar 1515
Ervedya 400 Ascot
A very good day and good luck to all, especially our beautiful bhoys.
Newmarket: 14.50
Haley Bop
Oooooops,
Ervedya 400 Newmarket.
Mise En Rose 2:00 Ascot,good luck everyone.
Ascot 415 Sole Power
Top for speed ratings, dropped in class , Spencer on top, working mans price- what could go wrong!?
Good luck everyone
Morning lhads…HIGH HOPES 3.25 Newmarket for me.
Good luck.hh
15:40 Ascot
Donncha
HH.
Morning all
Ballycasey 15.45 gowran
Good luck
HH
Mustique
19,40 Wolverhampton
Happy punting
HH
Priceless in Ascot’s 4.15
Arabian Queen 4pm Newmarket
Good luck to all
HH
Rainbow Mist 3.15 Redcar.
Good luck everyone.
Manuka 3.10 Gowran
SIMMIE 4.35 NMKT
Beaten fav last time out in group 2 race
Sovereign debt
Redcar 3.50
Cannae get beat