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Celtic Diary Thursday September 28: Celts Come Of Age On Big Stage

Maybe the passing was a little nervy at first.

Maybe one or two players took a little bit longer to settle than usual.

Then twenty eight passes, patience at its best, a defence splitting ball from Ntcham, a perfect low cross from Tierney and the fantastic finish from Griffiths.

No one seems to have noticed that the opening goal was the perfect team goal. At the highest level. Away from home.

Anderlecht must be shite, eh ?

Well, they aren’t.

They are a good, established side , experienced at this level, and they were taken apart by Celtic, who rediscovered their confidence.

Patrick Roberts added a second after the break, and Scott Sinclair the third after another great ball from Ntcham set him free on the left.

Anderlecht 0, Celtic 3.

Apart from Scotland, where the football media has its own way of looking at things, Europe will have noticed.

In Scotland, as summed up on twitter by The Heat Of Lisboa, things are viewed according to an agenda…

Celtic to others…

Treble = no competition

No treble = we are in turmoil

CL lose = not good enough

CL win = opponents not good enough  

Never will Celtic get the credit they have deserved.

And last night, they earned a massive pat on the back.

Manager Brendan Rodgers gave it to them..

“I think that we started the game with good confidence and gave the ball away loosely at times and we just needed to be cleaner in our build-up play, but our confidence grew with the more passes we made.

“We got the first goal from a great move and from that point, certainly offensively, we were a real threat. The defensive organisation of the team, I thought their concentration and tactically and these are the things you are looking to see at this level and how they cope and deal with that. There are still areas to improve but they were absolutely exceptional.

“Two of the goals we scored came from real high pressure and having that courage to press the game. You saw the fitness and everything of the players at the last goal. When we scored, we had five players in the box, all in good position – from protecting the middle of the pitch and then having that speed and ability to go away and score.

“It was an outstanding performance. We played very well, and for a Scottish team to come away and get a 3-0 victory and keep a clean sheet at this level is a big achievement.” 

Early on, Olivier Ntcham looked like he wasn;t up to this level yet, but he didn’t hide, he kept plugging away, and delivered the pass for tierney to feed Griffiths. A lesser man would have faded from the game and been hooked. Htcham showed immense courage.

In the second half, a defensive leap was enough to put an Anderlecht forward off target with his header. He came good, and will get even better.

Dedryck Boyata, the man pinpointed as a weak link by unemployed former Rangers manager Alex MacLeish, was outstanding, and along with his fellow defenders, put in a titanic effort to limit Belgian opportunities.

Craig Gordon showed a determination to remain focused which paid off a few times, two outstanding saves, one low and one high will do him no harm either.

Scott Brown was, er Scott Brown, and even when he went off injured, Nir Biton strode around in his place quite confortably.

That was the difference between last night and other European forays.

The squad strength and unity.

Rodgers again;

“It’s a great victory for us and, for me, it shows the development of the squad over the last year or so,”

“But there is a long way to go in the group.  We just need to take the victory and reflect on the game, and I believe we can better than we were tonight.

“But the players deserve a huge amount of credit. On the back of a high-intensity game at the weekend, to come away and deliver that type of performance, they deserve all the plaudits they can get.” 

Coupled with the UEFA youth league win as well, the youngsters did a similar number on the Belgians with a 2-1 win in the afternoon, things are very much moving in the right direction.

The media are now saying that European football after christmas is a certainty, after all, Anderlecht would have to win 4-0 at Celtic Park, if other results go as predicted by the “experts”, to finish above Celtic in the group.

Maybe Celtic won’t pick up any more points, and maybe neither will Anderlecht.

But that would be a little surprising, given the improved belief around the players last night.

So, next up theres a double header with Bayern Munich, who also beat Anderlecht 3-0, and who were also taken apart by Paris St Germain.

The management needs to continue to make the players believe in themselves, and if they do, there might just be a chance of last sixteen UCL.

It certainly isn’t as unlikely as it seemed a couple of weeks ago.

BT sport made the game free to air last night, and with the charismatic Rob MacLean on the microphone, you can see why they decided against charging a fee for it.

MacLean, presumably a boyhood Anderlecht fan , never missed an opportunity to whinge about Celtic not being in their stride, or generally not being up to it.

It was hard to believe that this was a Champions League game against an experienced and established side, and even when Celtic were ahead, MacLean commented that Anderlecht ” have to believe “, and hoped for a “twist in the tale “.

I’m not expecting a partisan commentary, but a little bit of praise and even enthusiasm for Celtic wouldn;t be entirely out of place, after all, he must know his audience would be largely of the Celtic minded.

Why would he try to alienate them ?

Chris Sutton was a little more objective, but again the idea seemed to be to criticise Celtic, and not to praise them.

However, no matter what you hear, or what you read, nothing can change the result and performance, and they were both something to be proud of.

 

Yesterdays picture..

6

Mr Banjo September 27, 2017 at 12:05 pm · Edit · Reply →

Kenny miller’s sparring partner shows the practice that’s gone in behind the scenes to stab Pedro in the back. 

today..

1950′s City of Halifax Stray Animal Patrol Van

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IRISHGUY
6 years ago

Caption

Mutt … “Woof, seen any caravans pass this way mister”.

salad queen
6 years ago

Dug. Is this pedro’s caravan?

Joe D
6 years ago

Great result last nite for the bhoys HH

Tam the tim
6 years ago

Maclean seemed to be hoping that Anderlecht were only waiting for the Tic to make a mistake in their passing and would take advantage. Once we got over our initial nervousness and got the goal and survived their only good chance the team grew in confidence. Great win, onwards and upwards.
HH

basqueceltic
6 years ago

Caption….See the game last nite?…look at my massive stauner,meow,purr,purr,purr.

jimmybee
6 years ago

Just watched the game in full after being nightshift last night.
A huge well done to Brendan and the bhoys.
The first 20 odd minutes we were the usual away from home gifting the ball away,and when you are thinking get the fuck aff Ntcham Roberts and Sinclair a brilliant Celtic goal and why Brendan is the manager and I’m just a greetin faced git.
A brilliant passing move, then a great maturity as the players finally realised they do belong on the big stage.
If that was at Celtic park the howls of abuse from the stands may have affected the players struggling in that first 20 minutes but the were allowed to find their feet and their confidence grew.
Great for our fans to get the away win, they are a very good side and will be very dangerous at Celtic park.
A brilliant night and one to cherish for all our supporters.
Fuck the sfa and the SMSM.
COYBIG

BondiBrian
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Sakeman, stop catastrophizing Jimmy.

“If that was at Celtic park the howls of abuse from the stands may have affected the players…”

Deary me.

jimmybee
6 years ago
Reply to  BondiBrian

Im only making the point that at home players dont get the chance to make stray passes m8.
The first 20 mins or so the greetin faced supporters around me would have been having a field day.Away from home the players can make the mistakes without them being made scapegoats.
But you carry on with your deary me shite if you know better. Im only going with what i hear around me.

BondiBrian
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

‘greetin face supporters’ aye, probably but c’mon Jimmy you really saying that Celtic players making the occasional stray pass are met with ‘howls of abuse from the stands’

No huvin a go, just thought yer turn of phrase rather strange.

jimmybee
6 years ago
Reply to  BondiBrian

Bondi it can be bad at Celtic park m8.
Think that’s why we play much better away from home. Though some players are treated better than others but it can be bad no worries over your post I’ve had a long night m8. No offence meant back at you.

jimmybee
6 years ago

Caption: On your way Rover, Halifax are playing sevco today, it’s your lucky day.

BondiBrian
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Nae bother Jimmy. As ma auld boy used ti say: ” its been a long day on the night shift”

HAIL HAIL N aw that !!!!!!!!!!!!!

jimmybee
6 years ago

What a pass,what a goal,just like the lions would have done.
You made them and us proud of you.
Glasgow is green and white.

Doc
6 years ago

Caption: “You can’t get me if you can’t get the door open”

Brilliant win, this game really highlighted the role that confidence and mentality play. We were shocking at the start, really struggled to do the simple things while they were happy to capitalise on our many mistakes and even played a bit with a man down but still never looked under threat.

It all changed with the goal, we really grew into the game while their heads went down, they then looked limited and we looked like doing damage. The second goal drove home the morale advantage and we kept creating and could, maybe should, have scored more. They made changes and played better but our defence was more than a match for them, the third goal was no less than we deserved.

A huge performance and great result. A relief after seeing years of nervous Celtic teams failing away in group stages.

Gordon – 6 – Made a good save but spilled one to a guy that was, fortunately offside, rest was routine. Distribution was okay though he did play one really bad ball.

Lustig – 7 – Played very well defensively and his long ball dug us out in the first half. Couple of slack passes but showed what a top player he is.

Simunovic – 8 – Solid, both in the air and on the deck. Top quality passing, very smart and very well. Dealt with their pace by playing them offside. Very good overall.

Boyata – 8 – Could be his best performance for us. The nerves and mistakes that have blighted him were gone. Calm, sturdy and secure both with and without the ball.

Tierney – 8 – Top performance, some quality stuff at the back, covered every blade though some of his more ambitious passes didn’t work out. Perfect ball for his assist.

Brown – 8 – Almost immaculate passing and always available, broke up their play through the middle. Didn’t get the break of the ball a couple of times. Hope he recovers soon.

Bitton – 6 – Played well when he came on, done a good job replacing Brown. Scuffed a shot, but looked good in his natural position.

Ntcham – 6 – Similar to PSG game where he started badly and got better. This time he was horrible at the start and one of the best on the pitch by the end. Didn’t even tire.

Roberts – 6 – A number of runs to nothing and a few bad touches. Put in a lot of effort and his pressing was rewarded with a goal. Rarely on the ball.

Forrest – 5 – Not his best, a bit hit and miss. A few mistakes, like standing on the ball, but kept it well at other times. Gave it away far too often.

Rogic – 5 – Struggled a bit, lost the ball too often. Played far too wide to link up with Griffiths and couldn’t make it count when we had numbers.

McGregor – 6 – His movement meant he seen a lot of the ball and used it well for the most part but didn’t make the most of a decent chance.

Sinclair – 7 – Again, similar to PSG where he really grew into the game. Did more than his bit defensively and used the ball better as the game went on.

Griffiths – 7 – Missed a few, had a few bad touches but always looking for space and deserved his goal. Real hard worker, looked knackered at the end. Passing was poor,

Rodgers – 7 – Got it right, didn’t panic were things were bad, spoke to a few players when there was an injury and they looked a lot better afterwards. Took the guys off that weren’t at their best and to match Anderlecht’s changing system. Turned what should have been a stern test against a tough team into a comfortable night. No nerves, no sitting back clinging on, no defensive mistakes.

We’ve waited years for an away result and we got a big one. Hungover but happy, very happy.

Brencelt
6 years ago

“unemployed former Rangers manager Alex MacLeish”

Does “former” refer to Mcleishs old job or to the fact that “rangers” no longer exist?

Just asking for a friend.

That performance (after they settled down on 25 mins) was as solid an away display that I’ve seen from a Celtic team. COYBIG

Doc
6 years ago

Big comment stolen

6 years ago

Caption: Man speaks to the dug “sorry pal, the van’s full- I’ve just driven past ibrox and that place wis full of stray animals!”

Albert_kidd
6 years ago

Always better when we have English commentators. Wonder why? GIRFUY

Gash67
6 years ago

Mutt “are you taking this caravan to VEGAS ?”

6 years ago

Caption
So Pedro are you saying the rest of the dogs on the van are making you feel less than welcome away back to your caravan

VooDude
6 years ago

During a recent night out, Ralph Malph misunderstood VooDude’s request to “go cruising for a few dogs”.

bartly cole
6 years ago

“Mister, I’m Lee Wallace’s dug-there’s a big Rottweiler up the street without a leash”

Monti
6 years ago

The Celtic supporters lucky enough to be at the game last night, were fantastic also, so a big mention to those Bhoys & Ghirls.
Very proud today & pleased where we are as a team and a club at this time.
We aren’t a world class team but the attitude and commitment of manager and players is most definetely world class.
Dedryck Boyata was outstanding last night and i loved that run and defence splitting pass in the first half, maybe i’m wrong about the big chap, keep that level going Dedryck!

HH

jimmybee
6 years ago

Monti,Looks a solid back 4 m8 though we still require cover. Hopefully January and a decent centre back can be added.
Add young Ralston and we look stronger.
Our last 3 group matches away 1-1 in Germany 1-1 in England and a 3-0 victory in Belguim. Can’t seem to read that anywhere though.
The manager is slowly getting us there. The players just need to believe in themselves more.

Another bowl m8.

PR
6 years ago

Great performance. Bayern are in a bit of disarray with KH Rummenigge and Ancelotti not exactly seeing eye to eye so no better time to play them.

As for Maclean, just a bitter, sad little man. Anyone who remembers the Seville season will remember his and Sandy Clark’s pathetic lets-hope-Celtic-get-beat “commentaries” Here we are almost 15 years later and the c**t is still at it.

The fact the Road to Seville DVD has entirely English commentators says it all.

BondiBrian
6 years ago
Reply to  PR

PR. Ah was at Seville. Still canny watch the highlights to this day.

Puggy67
6 years ago

Bayern, five-time European champions, struggled to deal with the teenager’s lightning pace- a glimmer of hope from last night’s PSG game?

Cartvale88
6 years ago

Caption
Pedro told me to go to Vegas

Excellent performance, the first goal a thing of beauty, Stuck it right up that tube McLean and the muppets that Rubbish Celtic. Every time that dick mentioned Anderlecht players, he was raving about them.
PSG proved last night they are not Sevco, beating Bayern easily.
Rate all the players as a ten, they played as a unit, so sadly for the journos, Celtic will have European football after Christmas

Honest hoops
6 years ago

Caption; hey mate, have you got any bitches in there…oh just Rab McLean.. cheers anyway..

Yoker Bhoy
6 years ago

On the PSG v Bayern match last night, the extended highlights I saw stonghly suggested this scoreline greatly flattered the French side as the Germans had the lion’s share of clear-cut chances and seemed to dominate most of the play. Obviously PSG were more clinical on the night but maybe we shouldn’t read too much into that scoreline.

Mike Annis
6 years ago

Comment: Super Ally doesn’t quite get the idea of dogging.

mike
6 years ago

Our National broadcaster and STV are like sky and the MSSM nothing but a ..blank page to me and have been for over a decade, they are nothing but a conduit of religious bigotry, not worthy of purchase or comment, so another …. blank page.
Fitba. is an exceptionally fickle game, I thought Lustig was woeful against thems and Rogic was as Rogic usually does brilliant, indeed if a pass back to him in the box last night had happened his contribution would have looked better. Lustig like Sumo. and Boyata were excellent, but for me the star of the show was K.T. who I thought was the one player who took the game by the scruff of the neck when everyone else played like a bag of jelly babies at the
beginning. So full marks to you Kieran for your steadying of the ship and your fantastic contribution to the game.
B.T. elastic-band, not broadband, a great business run by buffoons out of 8 yes 8 customer assistants who mismanaged a very simple request to swap over its service with my son managed to fuck it up and now although back online find that my tel. number is WRONG.
So B.T. you are my knob of the week.

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago

Caption……

‘Sorry mate, my bad, just read your sign. A thought you were the postman’

Devoy45
6 years ago

What might be read into that scoreline is that Bayern may not be miles ahead of us so maybe some points are to be had from them, especially at Celtic Park.

elcormaco
6 years ago

well that was fun!

I don’t like to say I told you so, ach who am I kidding I LOVE to tell you I told you so, but I told you so, I wrote this in August in my season predictions:

“We’ll qualify for the Champions league and win an away game and finish 2nd or 3rd in our group”

Now, if you ever doubted my knowledge of football, repent!

Seriously, that was awesome, Anderlecht did for once play like advertised, short on confidence and lacking a clear plan, but we still had to go and do it.

From the two centre backs dominating it gave us a platform for Brown to dominate in the middle, finally assisted by Ntcham, Tierney played like our whole left side, left back and left winger, Griffiths was in perpetual motion and always looked dangerous, Sinclair as seems to be his way of late, got better in the second half, Lustig was rock solid – everyone stepped up and played very well

Our next opponents will also be under new management, bring it on!!

Such times!

Rebus67
6 years ago
Reply to  elcormaco

Elco,

I am still buzzing from the result and how it was achieved. I was really impressed with our defence….all of them. Tierney has some engine and I can see him getting moved forward into the midfield at some point.

I wonder if Brown is injured, if Henderson will get a chance there? Or perhaps, Tierney will move into Brunie’s position with Miller replacing him?

Who knows…I certainly do not!

Rebus

elcormaco
6 years ago
Reply to  Rebus67

I think Henderson is yesterdays man now at Celtic, for whatever reason Brendan just doesn’t seem to rate him, I thought he looked a player, but he’s behind Mc Gregor, Armstrong, Kouassi,Bitton, for a spot in midfield if Brown / Ntcham don’t play

Don’t see KT in midfield, he works best with some green pitch to bomb into?
Like you though, I certainly don’t know!

mike
6 years ago

Took my wee dug to the vets this morning, my loving companion for over 12 years, the joy you gave me was of the Richter scale, I needed windscreen wipers for my eyes, so farewell my lovely, YNWA.

Rebus67
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mike,

Always a sad day. I had a cockatiel for twenty five years and well remember the day she passed away.

A good measure of one’s humanity is how we treat animals.

Rebus

Puggy67
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Condolences Mike 2 wee spaniels myself

Doc
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Sympathies, Mike.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Thank you for your comments, they are very much appreciated.

elcormaco
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Sorry to hear that

BondiBrian
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Feel your pain Mike. They are wonderful creatures. Im sure he had a brilliant life on the farm.

elcormaco
6 years ago

Oh

the first goal. Beautiful. its the mirror image of McAvennie’s goal against Rangers in the centenary season at Celtic Park – Paul McStay in midfield, defence splitting pass to onrushing full back Morris, first time low cross to onrushing striker mcAvennie

elcormaco
6 years ago

oh oh

And how good was it to see us take the lead and NOT retreat/ panic/ forget how to pass / crumble as we have done so so many other times away in the past. Score, regroup, go after them again. That’s football the Glasgow Celtic way

Broxburnbhoy
6 years ago

This was a magnificent win for us and a solid European away performance. We have the players to hurt teams in Europe if they play to their potential with confidence. Interesting that PSG thrashed Bayern with relative ease no surprise given what we saw at Celtic Park. I think BR can talk second place to the team. Aim for the knock out stage of the CL. I think it’s possible takepoints from Bayern, although we will have to be at our very best to do so. So now we are onto Hibs and Lenny. Will be good to see Lenny at Celtic Park again and equally good to thrash his new team.

Puggy67
6 years ago

Caption: Sniffer dog inspects Pedro’s catering supplies chucks his job and goes busking in Marrakech.

SteveNaive
6 years ago

Caption
“Did you hear Hugh Heffner’s just died “?
“That’s ruff…his magazine was my gonads !”

Good to see you praise Boyata Monti

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  SteveNaive

SteveNaive,
Hopefully he wll continue to get better & better, i want nothing but success for him!

Monti
6 years ago

Mike,
Gutted to read your post about the dog mate.
The dog truly is a man’s best friend.
As you know i have a big black Labrador who is thick as fuck but i love dearly, the house wouldn’t be the same without him.
I share your pain tonight & keep your chin up my man.

Gutted for you & the family! 🙁

mike
6 years ago

Thank’s Monti everyone is very kind, I’ve had lots of dogs, but she was special to me and we shared a bond of love that will take some time to get over.
ps I also liked the swallow.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

You’re very welcome!

BJF
6 years ago

Brilliant performance from the team after a rocky start last night.
Funny that instead of the usual 100 mph start Celtic stuttered a bit and let Anderlecht dictate things largely as a result of our misplaced passes and I thought they looked all right as a side. Then boom Celtic just dominated defence rock solid midfield bossing the possession and Griff always a threat. Andelotti has been axed by Bayern, they’ll probably want Brendan ,maybe we can take something of them at CP.

Monti
6 years ago

AN ODE TO MIKE’S OLD DOG

Twelve years ago a little yelp & wag of tail was born
A faithful friend from that day on, a friendship was truly born.
A decade or more of each day together, walks through the fields in all kinds of weather,

A part of Mike’s family and loved by them all, at his her happiest chasing a ball.

The joy your dog brought to you, is very special, will be much missed by you,
Just remember the joy that your dog gave to you, our friend, our Mike, Celtic through and through.

So i raise a glass to Mike’s wee dog gone, i’m having a beer to quench my thirst.

Before i finish, Mike, remember this….
Your dog was with you, Rangers went first!

My heart is with you tonight Pal!

HH

mike
6 years ago

😉

Iain in Alberta
6 years ago

To Mike, sorry to hear about your dog, I know the sadness of losing a dear wee friend. I am in the back yard with my wee yorkie still celebrating the victory over Anderlecht. Great result – when was the last time we won 3 nothing away in Europe? Kokkolla? No idea! I was a bit nervous the first 20 mins just like the team but Ntcham pulled through and KT make the run and the pass happen. Dedryck came of age last night too!
HH (Harry Hood)

iancelt67
6 years ago

i needed intensive grief counselling when a girlfriend of mine put my tropical goldfish in freezing cold water and killed them….im not joking, i wandered the streets aimlessly avoiding fish ponds

portpower
6 years ago
Reply to  iancelt67

G`day Iancelt67,
I buried the kids pet turtle up the backyard not knowing they hibernated.
Couple of days later when I found out I went up the back and found a hole where he was.
“Where is he Daddy?”
“He`s made it to the beach.”

I`m sure the dog or the cat had had him.
Never lived it down since.

BondiBrian
6 years ago

Ah certainly don’t want ti see us get beaten but if its gonny happen…hopefully its against Lennon’s Hibs.

MON THE HOOPS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

portpower
6 years ago
Reply to  BondiBrian

G`day BondiBrian.
MON THE TIGGERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woeful game Wednesday but there`s something there to play with.
We have a substitute bench+. Auld Bitton`s back on track.

WRT the Hibs game,oof,get the sweeties oot.It`ll be a Footy score to The Celts.

mike
6 years ago

Tears on our pillows, pain in our hearts, how can a wee furry thing like her, bound into your heart and leave a gaping hole when she passes? But she did and thank you all for your wonderful comments, a pain shared is a pain lessened and you have lessened our pain.
Thank you all so much, singing of now for a wee while. H.H. (Harry Hood).

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mike,
You are most welcome my friend!

HH

portpower
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mike,sorry to hear about your wee dog.
I lost my Sally Ghirl over a year ago(auld age).

I couldn`t bury her up the back due to my back and took her to the vets to be cremated.
The effin vet then asked me if I wanted a wee bit of her ashes in a ornate glass jar for $330.
I told him to eff off,i`ve plenty of photos pal.

Bassa unGhodly bassas.HH

portpower
6 years ago

Allot and Brendan`ll take Scottish Football there.

sevco follow follow flummox FC.

portpower
6 years ago

Caption:
We are the Pluto.

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