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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Was signing Dorus De Vries and then dropping Gordon just Brendan Rodgers challenging Gordon to improve/adapt?
Sorry for the double negative.
79caps
I didn’t think the post was that negative…
;)
Thom
I didn’t know that about TR, you many well have a very valid point.
If the coaches could get him to last 90 mins on a regular basis, he will be worth more than anything we could dream of, the billionairs couldn’t handle him last night, he controlled the game imo, now if only he had played in Barca :-)
HH
Champions League result shows Old Firm are good enough for EPL says Rangers legend
Daily Radar exclusive by Jack Keithson
Former Rangers player Alex McHacker says Celtic’s draw with English league leaders Manchester City proves that the Old Firm are capable of playing in the English Premier League.
McHacker, who played seven times for the Ibrox club in the 1980s says there was no gulf in class between the two teams.
“Celtic matched City on the night and Rangers are obviously at around the same level.”
“Although Celtic ran out 3-1 winners in the recent Old Firm game, Rangers are closing the gap.”
“Once Dave King’s overinvestment begins I’m sure we’ll see them back at the top where they belong.”
McHacker now works as a garden shed salesman in New Zealand and is fondly remembered by Rangers supporters as the man who made an accurate pass in the John Greig era.
“I remember it well. It was a Scottish Cup tie against Forfar. We were losing the first game up at Forfar, but got a last minute penalty to get a replay back at Ibrox.
“It was midway through the second half I made the pass. It was a fairly routine ten yard pass to Jim Bett. But we were going through a poor time and the crowd got quite excited. They all stood up and cheered. Amazing feeling – 7,000 people chanting your name.”
“I wish I still had the shirt from the game, but the ref asked for it and I couldn’t really say no!”
Exiled Rangers supporters still come up to McHacker in New Zealand and reminisce about the pass.
“It is a bit of fame I suppose. We weren’t doing well at the time, but things can turn around quickly and I am sure the current team will soon be back at the top and then challenging in Europe.”
McHacker may be selling garden sheds, but you will never be led up the garden path at the Radar.
* Tickets for Saturday’s game against Partick can still be bought at the ticket office.
Radar links:
Celtic to be kicked out of Europe for fielding on-loan player against parent club
Dembele in Arsenal link
Old Firm semi-final to be watched by 10 billion worldwide
I was absolutely exhausted when I got home last night. Drenched in sweat, tired to the bone but absolutely elated. A change of clothing, a cuppa and some toast revived me and I sat down to watch it all again on the telly with a couple of beers. No fast forwarding. I listened to every word from Gary Linekar and the pundits and watched every bit of the action. It was every bit as enjoyable second time around – especially with the potential for a heart attack removed because I knew the score this time.
What a brilliant night! I’ve only missed a couple of European nights at Celtic Park since 1966. Rosenburg and Villareal due to unavoidable circumstances. So many great games and atmospheres: Vojvodina, Barcelona, Red Star, Dukla Prague, Liverpool. I could go on for a long time. Last night’s atmosphere was the best ever, I think.
I’m so proud of Celtic this morning. I didn’t think we had that level of performance in us at this level against a team of excellent players assembled at an outrageous cost. We didn’t only battle, we played exciting, inventive, thoughtful football. It was an amazing contest. We kept knocking City down and the burgers kept on picking themselves up, dusting themselves down and coming right back at us. It was played in a very sporting manner by both teams. The referee handled the game brilliantly and saw it through without having to issue a single yellow card which only enhanced the flow of the game and the spectacle.
Every Celtic player was a hero last night without exception. An intriguing contest between young Kieran Tierney and Raheem Sterling. Both are exceptionally talented. Sterling was immense but I’ll bet he’ll remember the tussle he had with Kieran. Kieran will have learned a lot from playing against a player of Sterling’s class. Delighted for so many others who had question marks against them, Craig Gordon (brilliant), Erik (fantastic, dogged defensive display), Mikael Lustig and Nir Biton (I’ve always been a huge fan of both), Broony and James Forrest (back to their best).
For me Kolo Toure was the Man of the Match. He was a Titan in the middle of our defence. Scott Sinclair ran their defence ragged in that first half and they always had to be wary of him. Young Moussa goes marching on. This Bhoy is building a tremendous reputation for himself. There’ll be a lot of talk down in England about him today. Fulham must be very disappointed in losing him for so little.
Brendan Rodgers has worked a miracle by bringing in the above three players and revitalising those he inherited from Ronny. He is tactically aware and fearless in his substitutions. We are very fortunate as Celtic supporters.
What about the support last night. Absolutely deafening. I would like to complain about the noisy beggars in the Jock Stein Stand. There were times I couldn’t hear what the Green Brigade were singing because of the bloody din they were creating! (Only kidding :-)) ) I loved every minute. The fans were inspirational and I don’t know where the Green Brigade get their energy from. They must be the noisiest, fittest fans in football.
I’m a very happy Bhoy today!
One fly in the ointment. When watching the recording of the game, Gary Linekar handed over to Darryl Currie after there had been discussion about the atmosphere at CP on European nights. Currie advised that if Pep wanted to know about the atmosphere he only had to ask his Assistant Manager, Mikael Arteta who had played at Celtic Park before ” for RANGERS!” They just can’t help themselves. I’ve always liked Currie and thought he was professional and managed to come across as impartial. That’s a couple of slips though from him. He’s going down in my estimation.
Can’t wait for the next game against BMG and I’m even going to the game in Germany with my wife.
COYBIG
DAVIDOPOULOS @ 12:30 PM,
I think it was… but Craig said himself that he’d been listening to Brendan and now knew what was required.
An excellent attitude… really impressed by the top modern professional footballers…
Hail Hail
denis….., TET,
Tom reminds me of Riquelme in style and languidness….and he was no’ too shabby!
The question is, can he attain the level of stamina required. It is not strength he needs, it’s endurance.
79 CAPS, I fully agree, as the decision to take the goal away from KT cost me a lot of money with my bets at the bookies, so naturally I’m somewhat biased . KT was 20/1 to score at anytime, and I also did a ” anytime scorecast of KT and 3-3 @ 260/1.
I wish robbed ! LOL.
But I do wonder about this kind of scenario, as there is many a goal scored whereby the ballt takes reflection on the way in, and yet the goal is NOT deemed anown goal ?
Another example is are we actually saying that someone shoots, and the ball hits the opposition goalie ( his hand, leg, foot etc), then those goals should also be deemed as an ” own goal” ?
I’ve seen shots hitting a post, and coming off the back or arm of a goalie, only then to cross the line, and yet most are not viewed as own goals ????
PAUL67
We all knew James had that level of performance in him. It’s why Neil Lennon promoted him to the first team as a kid,it’s why Ronny Deila kept faith with him.
It’s also why so many of us got on his back. There’s nothing worse than unfulfilled potential-aw,ffs,list alert!-especially when you see journeymen ‘playing’ till they’re nearly my age.
I hope James Forrest becomes the player we all hoped he would be. To do so,he only has to be the player we know he is.
How could I have forgotten to mention Tom Rogic. Tremendous first half. Brilliant pass to Kieran for the second goal. Generally held the ball well and caused them problems. Fitness levels need to improve before we see him at his very best. I’m glad he signed the new contract. Invaluable player for us.
TOSB,
I have to disagree about Currie.
I think he is a pernicious, sly individual.
The Arteta remark was gratuitous, but Lineker’s response of, ” Yes, I know, Darryl”, put him in his box.
At full time, interviewing Scott Sinclair, he asked him about the atmosphere and then immediately segued into asking him how it felt when City kept pegging us back, while Scott was still talking about the crowd.
Sinclair, either ignored the change of tack, or else didn’t pick up on it, as he continued to talk about the atmosphere.
I have also noticed on other occasions on BT, when Chris Sutton has challenged some of his statements, that he doesn’t try and defend his points, merely changes the subject.
He tried to defend the guy who said, ” Leigh who?” to Brendan.
Naw, I don’t like him very much. One of the breed.
BIG JIMMY on 29TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:46 PM
Pretty sure a goal is determined to be an own goal if the initial shot is off target. So KT’s strike must have been deemed to have been sailing wide and Sterling directed it goal-ward. I know this doesn’t help your bet, very unlucky by the way. I still have not found a decent replay angle to see where KT’s strike was heading.
HH EnnisBhoy
Let’s not overdo the Tom Rogic stamina problem. He recently completed full games, scoring late in one of them.
Last night would have been super charged adrenaline at the beginning which could result in running on empty later. However, in the first half as well as carrying the ball, twisting and turning and closing down when not in possession (all of which takes it toll) I think the main factor was the number of fouls he was on the end of. A couple he stayed down for a while.
Even for TR, 40 minutes is a bit early to run out of gas. And the interval didn’t see him recover at all.
Could be he was injured rather than lacking stamina. I think so.
DAVIDOPOULOS 1137
Similar conversations in the pub last night re BOTH Dembeles.
Each with similar sliding door scenarios.
Our latest superstar no 10 only has to look next door to no11 to ask him about the benefits of taking time to develop as a player. About learning to walk before you try to run.
Our 13yo wunderkind only has to look as far as Feruz to see how to ruin a career as it starts.
I genuinely think that players are getting wise to the quick buck career f..k agent. I hope to be right for once.
Sadly for the bet, I don’t think Tierney’s shot was on target. However, he did cheekily claim in an interview with CelticTV that he was aiming for the near post. Brilliant.
P67: ‘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.’
====================================================================
Magic.
I have this great image in my head of the Monkeys hustling around Glasgow pubs with a kit bag full of dodgy CDs and DVDs to hawk. Complimented with a wee wink and nod: “An’ get yer Parkheid tour ticket fae us an’ aw…”
Talking about players and potentail, I like Svietchenko but in all honesty didn’t know he had that level of performance in him… awesome display that night.
Hail Hail
KT’s strike wasn’t a ‘strike’ – he was trying to cut it across the six-yard box. A cross, deflected in. Brilliantly.
” Yoooze rit buy ra pies…………………..an’ sanwich-iz…”
:)
met a zombie this morning
according to him “both defences are rubbish” wahahahahahahahahah
their pain makes it even better
Hawksby and Jacobs on Talksport…… ‘that was just sensational last night, what an atmosphere, an uplifting experience in a week of football sleaze’.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
I genuinely think that players are getting wise to the quick buck career f..k agent. I hope to be right for once.
———————————————————————-
You would like to think so too. However, the money that gets thrown at kids (and their families) by the top clubs is huge. I’m not surprised that heads get turned. FIFA introduced rules to try to prevent players under a certain age being transferred internationally, which is a step in the right direction but more needs to be done.
You mention Feruz, who is indeed an the best example of a career down the lavvy, but look at Chelsea in general. They hoover up all these young players from across Europe, then what happens to them? How many have actually played a first team game? Most of them leave at the end of their contract then float about lower league clubs. Such a waste.
Here is a list of all the players that Chelsea have loaned out this season:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_F.C.#Out_on_loan
How many are going to go on to have a great career?
Hello again all you young rebels.
What an exhilarating game that was, and not just for the football we
played against a handpicked team of millionairs but for the fact our
bhoys fought their hearts out for us, yes us, the supporters, now we
know we all want quality but at what price? give me that everyday of
week and i’ll be happy.
Six minutes to go and watching the replay on Celtic t.v and the princess
said ” Mick you know the score why are you pacing up and doon like a
hungry lion?
I’ts a lisbon lion precious, you never know.
Just shakes her head.
Celtic do that to you.
H.H Mick
In all honesty, KTs goal was an OG looked to me like a cross, and a deflection, but I agree, iv seen them given to the player, I’ve alwayas said that there should be no OGs, the goal should be awarded to the opposing teams player who touched the ball last, like ice hockey, but that’s just my opinion.
Genuine Question….
Was it the Club or the Company that made the 500 big ones……………………..
aaaaand, who owns the memory of the indigestion cause by the
skoatch pies?
MechanicallyReclaimedHistory CSC
:0
10,000 Euro fine from UEFA for Palestinian flags at Beer Sheva game
Absolutely Brilliant last night. The Team the Fans the pre and post match atmosphere all brilliant.
And the ref, 2 mins in free kick to Celtic and Big Eric trys to take a quick one, refs having none of it and brings the play back to where the foul was committed, Ach ffs ref says I dont be so bloody perni—- Goal , and the rest they say is history. Great ref he was/is.
Anyway did I say how brilliant last night was.
H.H.
Roll on Saturday
Without going onandonandonandon….lol
Seriously I also don’t have a clue if KTs shot was going in, perhaps not, BUT nobody who makes those judgements can tell me 100% that IF KTs shot may have been going wide, that there was NO SPIN on the ball that MAY have out it on target at the vital moment ?
I know I’m biased for obvious reasons,but against AC Milan a few years ago ( 2-1), if I remember correctly ( again my bet was beaten by this decision), as Big Mick McManus was “credited” with Celtic’s 1st goal, however it was clearly an own goal, which means that if you have a first goalscorer bet on, that ” own goal” does not count !
Therefore, in that scenario the NEXT goal that is scored ( not another own goal obviously), then becomes the 1st goal .
The decision to award big Mick the 1st goal cost me that night also !
COYBIG
Thom
Yip, I agree re the endurance, he will get there I think, he has played a few games in the spl lately and lasted the 90 mins no bother, he ran himself into the ground last night, he was awesome, had players who cost squillions in his hipper.
I also agree 100% about Currie, a sleekit snake imo.
HH
That ex ranker MOLS in the Hun media today saying that Alkerdyce should give money to the UNICEF charity that he is promoting…all very good if course but Micheal,
How about you and your old teammates giving UNICEF all the money that you all got using EBTs.. Ya Hun hypocrites !
10K
Cheap enough for all the publicity, well done to everyone involved.
Oh and I reckon the club will be delighted, 10K is a small price to pay for the positive publicity the club got.
TET,
Stop right there, young man.
You have spent much of this day, to date, agreeing with me!
I have a low reputation on here to maintain and you constantly agreeing with me is not helping!
THOMTHETHIM FOR OSCAR OK on 29TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:52 PM
I noticed that too. The first thing he put to Sinclair was a negative point about being pegged back, which I think Sinclair picked him up wrongly on. Sinclair’s answer about the team being backed by the fans was probably because that would have been the normal and expected kind of opening question.
Of course ,this is Scotland where things are neither ‘normal’ or as one might expect.
The question had all the hallmarks of the hurting hun.
GARY67
I hope they donate it to The Red Cross or Medicins Sans Frontiers.
I minor gesture,a drop in the bucket. But a hugely positive piece of PR from an under-fire corrupt organisation.
So that’ll be a naw,then…
The panty wetters on here will be disappointed with the 10k fine for the Palestine flag display that Uefa have just dished out to Celtic.
I’m certain they were hoping for the minimum of a stand closure and a hefty fine. No luck on that front.
Match the Fine For Palestine is currently at £172k
Thom
You prob won’t agree re the fine then :-)
HH