Celtic kept up their 100% record in this years Champions League qualifiers – over two seasons thats played 7 , won 7 -with a narrow 1-0 win over Swedish club Kickers Elfsborg.
The champions of Sweden had their own game plan, and stuck rigidly to it all the way through what was a nervy game, and almost got what they came for. Kris Commons downward header put paid to that, and as the game drew to a close, the gulf between the two sides became more evident. Had Stokes scored very early on when Samaras flicked on to him, it could have been a cricket score, but it wasn’t to be.
The side travel to the Boras Arena next Wednesday for the return, a goal to the good, but more importantly, no goals conceded, which after a couple of episodes during the first half, when Celtics defenders forgot entirely what they were there for, has to be a bonus.
Elfsborg played like a mid table Scottish side, packing the defence and tripping anyone who went past them. Although they did attempt a couple of touches of continental savvy as well, especially when Mo Bangura fell over, clutching his face, presumably after one of the floodlights shone in his eyes. Fair to say, his Celtic career ended at that moment.
They will have to come out and have a go at Celtic next week, which should enable the likes of Samaras, Commons and Forrest to exploit spaces-though why Forrest didn’t keep running at the left back last night is a bit of a mystery, as he was booked very early…
Kris commons summed it up quite well;
“Apart from them hitting the bar it was a frustrating night for us. Fraser didn’t have much to do. Their game plan was to keep nine men behind the ball which made it frustrating for us. I think the second leg will be more open, so hopefully that will leave more gaps for us to score. The vital thing is that we have a lot of players coming back into the squad. Hopefully, Virgil is not too far away, Joe and Adam are fit again, Scott Brown is back up to full fitness, so it’s important for us that we are entering the most important games of the qualifying campaign with some of our best players back in the squad. We are confident enough in our ability that we can go over there and score..” Thats from UEFA.com
For the thickies, this was his Daily Record interview;
“They set the tempo right from the kick-off.
“As soon as the whistle went, they sprinted back to their own goal-line and it was hard to break them down. Big Fraser Forster could have stayed in the changing room for 90 minutes.
“I don’t think the ball touched his gloves and apart from one shot that hit our bar it never looked like doing so.
“It was one of those nights where they were quite happy even to keep it at 1-0.
“It’s not just frustrating for the players but also for the fans. You’re desperate to score and, funnily enough, we could have done so after 10 seconds. Had that gone in from Anthony it would probably have blown their plans out the window.
“It actually reminded me a lot of when we played Barcelona. We had to give them a lot of respect because they had top-quality players.
“We had to try to get as many men behind the ball as possible and leave it up to them to break us down.
“To be fair to Elfsborg they probably saw how good we are at home and gave us the credit and respect.
“They would have been delighted with 0-0 but we are more than confident of going there and getting goals.
“The first half was played at a bit of a testimonial pace, with slow passages of play and we didn’t really get our tempo going. In the first 15 or so minutes of the second half we upped that and the crowd got behind us. At that point we started to show the quality that got us to the last 16 last year.”
Neil Lennon was undoubtedly the happier of the two managers;
“You can’t make predictions so I don’t know if 1-0 will be enough to see us through.
“What I do know is they are growing and learning from experience. Our away form last season was very good. There is a belief about them away from home now.
“The Astroturf pitch in Sweden may change our thinking on the team a bit but I’m pleased with the result tonight and that’s the most important thing.
“I would have taken 1-0 before the game considering where we are and where Elfsborg are at the minute. These aren’t easy games.
“There are a lot of pluses tonight. Yes, there was rust. The final ball could have been better. We could have worked the keeper more.
“But we got stronger as the game went on and that surprised me given where both teams are in their seasons.
“We weren’t at our best but that was always going to be the case. I have to compliment the team – they dug out a very good result.”
Hard to argue with any of that, and its worth remembering that we actually do have a pretty good record on artificial surfaces.
The Nottingham Post has spoken to some Nottingham Forest supporters-actually, they spoke to three-or 58%-who have all condemned Neil Lennon for his “outburst ” regarding the “naughty ” business surrounding Kelvin Wilson. All were in unison, saying that Lennon was out of order, and saying that the agents were responsible, as that is how things are in football. Lennon, of course, played for Forest when he was winding down his career, but he’d probably rather not be reminded of that.
This comes on the day when Forest were pleased to announce their new sponsorship deal with ‘Fawaz International Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Company’. Still a big club, then.
The Record says that Celtic have had another offer for Kevin Doyle knocked back-Wolves want £2m-, as they attempt to spoil our summer for us, but even the tone of that report can’t match Ian Turner, of Radio 2, who , on the Chris Evans show this morning, said that Celtic had scraped a win, will it be enough etc , especially as the second game is in Sweden ( maybe some of us figured we could play at Celtic Park again ) all delivered in a doom laden monotone that would have got him flung out of a funeral for being too miserable.
This might imply he is not a Celtic supporter. I could be wrong, but if he is a Tim, its going to be a long season for the poor sod sitting next to him at the ground.
Second Rangers were in action last night, and gained a credible draw with Dundee. Not notable for the quality of the game, but the quality of their new Honduran players celebration. He ran towards the fans and appeared to cross himself. Somebody should refer him to the “strange case of Marco Negri ” -the Italian striker who sustained an eye injury after a game of squash while allegedly passing a chapel on the team bus and fighting with anti catholic team mates.
Whilst Celtic were involved with tedious Champions League duty, Second Rangers fans had their ears glued to shop windows in Clydebank, while the draw for the second round of the prestigious Ramsdens Cup took place. They will face Berwick at home.
Interestingly, it seems that some sections of their ground will be closed during the upcoming Newcastle friendly , which is worth a thought or two. Especially when you factor in the lack of glamour games at Ibrox during the close season. Could there be a problem with safety certificates ?
Which reminds me, a big thank you to Charlie Saiz, who pointed me in the direction of Law Laughs and whatever it was called. There is an interesting chapter on the Ibrox disaster in there. More on that when I’ve digested it.
Yesterdays mystery moustache belonged to Johannes Edvaldsson, from his Tulsa Roughneck days.
Moving back through the years, who is this guy, and whats his story ?
Gil Scott Heron’s dad – the black arrow – forget his name. Add in celtic loving Bob Marley, and Snoop Dog and we’d have a decent band as well
Is it Gil Scott Heron’s dad, Gil Heron? First black player to join Celtic
It’s Giles “the black arrow” Heron, his more famous son used Gil as his first name. We signed him after a pre season tour of North America and Canada where he played well against the touring Celts.
That’s Gil Scott Heron’s old man is it not?
Which if it is would make him the first black player in senior Scottish football back in the day….
Gil Scott Herrons Da, Gil.
We are too cool for Skool!
Happy with win and clean sheet, considering our current match sharpness, which will only improve.
The guy in the pic is Gil Heron, Celtic’s first black player
The newco revolution will not be televised brother.
That’s ‘The Black Arrow’, is it not? Father of famous soul singer and ghetto poet Gil Scot Heron.
The revolution will not be televised.
The revolution will not be brought to you by BBC, STV
In 2 halves without commercial interruptions.
The revolution will not show you pictures of Samaras
blowing a bugle and leading a charge by Kris
Commons, Anthony Stokes and James Forrest to score
goals in a Swedish sanctuary.
The revolution will not be televised.
Stevie, brilliant M8.
“The Revolution will not be televised. You won’t be able to go out at half-time and but buckfast and weed brother”
No probs Ralph I got involved in a debate with several numpties on the Scottish Sun forum regarding the behaviour of the GB and the safety breaches involving our Club over the past few years.
I brought up the terrible safety Record at Ibrox (not to cause upset but to highlight their own ignorance)to make them aware of how their own hypocrisy.
Got the usual mock offended responses then proceeded to point out there had been 3 previous incidents on the same stairwell resulting in several deaths and many injured.
Sheriff Irvine Smith who presided over the ensuing Injuries case was in no doubt whatsoever as to where culpability lay in the case of the Disaster.
On The sheriff himself he retired to do part time Sheriff work at Rothesay (where i grew up) and I recall a funny story regarding a guy my brother went to school with..
He got done for an assault after a wee spat outside a pub and the sheriff on sentencing said..
“Given your previous record in this court I sentence you to 3 months in Barlinnie
The defendant replied “3 months? I could do that standing oan ma heid you honour..”
In an instant Irvine Smith replied..”Is that right?Well here’s another 3 months to get you back on your feet again.”
6 Months he got…hehe
Is pensioner bhoy Ian Turner in disguise?
Andrew Watson was the first black player in senior Scotish football and captained Scotland to a 6-1 thrashing of Them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Watson_(footballer)
this will also be of interest, a great Celtic story
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Salim_(footballer)
Was he not the guy that played in bare feet or have i been dreaming again & getting fact and fiction mixed up ?. The game last night i thought we did all right with 10 men ? Wat is it about Forrest that people find good, said to my mates wasn’t going to moan about him but c’mon he gets the ball and runs inside with it while defender is crying out to get attacked while ball in our defence he is running about not looking for ball with head down as if please don’t give me it.
Wat is it with us buy players & don’t play them balde should have been put on last 15 to ruffle them up a bit & wat about stokes in last min trying to chip goalie wen we had 3 or 4 players in box.
Still think we will score over there just press them don’t give them room.
According to my parents my first visit to Celtic Park was for the Celtic trials in August 1951 when I was about 18 months of age. A black player (very unusual in those days) called Gil Heron scored a goal and when the noise of the cheering in the stand erupted I started crying and couldn’t be consoled.
For the sake of younger Tims the trials were held pre season every year, if I remember correctly admission was free. I don’t remember when they ended but they were still going in the early sixties
Gil Heron, who was known to play in his bare feet. Only played a handful of games for Celtic. The ‘trials’ Southside Tarrier mentioned involved the first team playing the reserves and third team in short hames, along with athletic events. Rangers also had them.
Short games – played at ‘hame’! 🙂
Mohammed Salim (1936) A trialist from India played in bare feet but was required to bandage them up when he had trials for Celtic.
An interesting story about his son in Wiki..
When Salim fell ill due to old age, his second son Rashid Ahmed wrote a letter to Celtic about his illness and stated that he needed money for his treatment:
“ I had no intention of asking for money. It was just a ploy to find out if Mohammed Salim was still alive in their memory. To my amazement, I received a letter from the club. Inside was a bank draft for £100. I was delighted, not because I received the money but because my father still holds a pride of place in Celtic. I have not even cashed the draft and will preserve it till I die.[13] I just want my father’s name to be put as the first Indian footballer to play abroad. That is the only thing that I want and nothing else
Celtic more than just a Club.
Yep, indeed as everyone has mentioned it is Giles Heron, a Jamaican who Celtic had spotted on a pre-season tour of the USA and brought him over to see hoe he adapted to the harsh rigours of Scottish fitbaw (a cold Wednesday winter night in Kirkcaldy, etc.). It seemed he did ok although his spell at Celtic was all too brief and he had a spell at Third Lanark (RIP) as well. I read somewhere that he met his wife here too although not sure if this is the legendary Gil Scott’s mother. It certainly is a great fact to throw at folk that one of the founding Godfathers of Rap and Hip-Hop da used to play for Celtic! If anyone has an interest in soul or good music in general then I would advise you watch one of the documentaries on him that appear on BBC4 every so often.
The game last night was frustrating as f*ck which was exactly what the Elfs set out to do. Our goal will make a huge difference as they have to open up a little in the return and leave the kind of gaps that Sammi, James and Kris will exploit. Providing we don’t lose a silly early goal (famous last words) we should go through this comfortably.
I thought the treatment doled out to Mo last night at the beginning of the game was a tad harsh. He was always going to be in no man’s land last night through no fault of his own so I thought the early jeers were totally unwarranted, however his behaviour towards the end when he was flapping about the ground like a newly caught fish on a boat deck didn’t do him any favours and it is safe to say we won’t see him in a Hooped jersey again. ‘What do you mean again?’ says everyone.
Icould not help but think how ordinary a side they were last night?
I actually think StJohnstone gave us more problems at Celtic Park last Season than the much vaunted Elfsborg “Conquerors of Sweden”..
I was not present last night but watched it on a very good Swedish Stream (smaller than a fjord but bigger than a burn)and could not help but laugh at the screams from the over excitable Swedish Commentary every time Banguuuuuuraaaaa touched the ball or was heinously head butted to the floor by Wilson.
I could not help but wonder how often our players might have hit the floor with not 1 but 2 Blonde Swedish Physios coming on to rub your wee knee better?
Forrest….”naw hen it’s defo a groin strain ur summit”
I think you are all wrong, is it no Paul Wilson (remember him)
As for last nights game, It is early in the season for us, but I think Neil has the tactics spot on, for Europe. No matter who we play and no matter who we have available. he has instilled into them that we keep it very tight at the back and he has everyone focused on that. Touch wood they will continue where we left off last season, with a good record away from home.As for Forrest I think he has potential, but he really should be doing much better against teams like last nights.
Ralph fantastic wee bit about second rangers
I thought our worst player last night was Stokes. I’d have happily swapped him last night for Bangura as far as presence on the pitch is concerne. However,I reckon Bangura has decided he doesn’t want to come back and just made sure he had burnt all his bridges last night