Manager Neil Lennon was ,as expected , quite happy with the way the game went last night, and is looking forward to the return in Amsterdam;
“You’ve got to give huge credit to the players here,” said the Celtic boss. “This is our 19th competitive game already. That’s half a season.
“The squad is really stretched, players are coming back from injury and players are out with injury or suspended. It was a heroic effort tonight.
“Hopefully we’ll get a few more back for the game in Amsterdam and we go into the game confident.”
The way the group is panning out, if Barcelona and Celtic win their next game, then a win over Milan at Celtic Park would see the hoops in the last sixteen again. Which is incredible, considering Celtic hadn’t even scored in the group until quarter to nine last night.
Lennon, though, is optimistic;
“It leaves us in a very good position. We’ll have to get a result at Ajax if we can but it is going to be very difficult on tonight’s evidence.
“Ajax at home in Amsterdam are a formidable side. You could see they had a lot of possession tonight. They pass and move the ball very well. But I felt we coped with the majority of stuff they threw at us.
“It’s not beyond us. We’ve got three points, we’re only two points behind Milan now so the group is open again for us.
“It was a massive win in the context of the group.”
“I feel we can get results away from home but we are going to have to do very well.
“I knew the group was going to be difficult but I was happy with the performances in the first two games.
“It was encouraging going into the double-header against Ajax.
“We were in every game and that is no mean feat with the calibre of clubs we have been against us.
“If we had lost the game last night, with no points after three games, we would have been out, we would have been chasing our tails but we have given ourselves a great chance now.
“A point would not have been the end of the world but we got the win and it is wide open again.”
Frank de Boer, former Rangers man, current Ajax boss and star of the recent Muppet movie, was a little less than magnanimous in defeat;
“Celtic didn’t create anything although they scored twice, once with a penalty.
“We dominated the game but only scored once and should have equalised before they got their second.
“It is going to be very hard for us to get second place but I have confidence in the third place.
“We have one point and if we win at home we will be one point ahead of Celtic.
“It will be difficult but if we play that way again…eight times out of 10 the best team wins and I thought we were the best team.
“But only goals count and we will have to do it in the Arena.”
The Ajax support were even less friendly, as they spent time chucking bottles, seats and insults at the celtic support, prompting the stewards and police to adhere to their policy of standing in a line and watching. A couple of them made Nazi salutes which , since the occupation of the Netherlands ended nearly seventy years ago, was no longer recognised as a symbol of authority.
One steward was injured by a flying chair which cut his head, but other than that , the situation was contained.
Whatever prompts anyone to travel across Europe and cause bother is beyond most of us, local police are never afraid to hurl troublemakers into a cell, and frankly, its not worth it. There were no reports of arrests, largely because Ajax fans restricted themselves to anti catholic songs, and didn’t know the words to Roll of Honour.
E2660.
Check your paradise windfall ticket from last night. The first prize, £15,000 is still unclaimed, and if you find my ticket , can I have it back ?
Actually, its probably sitting in Beram Kayals back pocket. The born again midfielder, who sent a low ball into the mix, to watch it deflect into the net, is on a lucky streak, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he has the winning ticket.
Kayal , too , was happy after last night, and presumably will be even happier if UEFA uphold Scott Browns three match ban;
“I’ve been out for four weeks with a groin injury so hopefully I’ll be fit now and I can help the team as much as I can.
“I’ve been unlucky with injuries but hopefully I can get back to my best.
“In the first two games we played well against Barcelona and Milan so today it was important to get the three points. It was important for the group and we have a good chance [of qualifying] now.
“The goal and the tackle, everything I do is for the club and to help my team-mates so I’m so happy to come back.”
Last word on last night goes to keeper Fraser Forster, described by Celtics PR man Gordon Strachan on the ITV highlights show last night as ” no longer a prospect, but a keeper “. Forster summed the match up best;
“It was a fantastic result.
“We started the game pretty well and took our chances when we got them.
“I made a few saves but that’s what I’m there to do.
“It was nice to make them and get a fantastic result and it’s a real positive moving forward in the group.
“Obviously we need to pick up a few more points away and we’ve got a home game as well.
“This is a great step on the ladder and it’s important we play like we did tonight.
“If we do that in Amsterdam we’ve got a great chance.
“I’m not sure if we need to win or just get a positive result.
“We’ll go and be positive like we were tonight. We had great results away from home last season, so hopefully we can do the same again.
“We’re not in the Champions League to make up the numbers.
“We showed what we can do last year and we’re showing what we can do again this year.
“We can pick up results. We were unlucky in the first two games but tonight maybe we had a bit more luck.
“We took our chances and got the three points we deserved.
“We are a young team but we’ve played a lot of European football. We’ve shown we can play at this level, every one of us.
“There’s a lot of confidence in the team and we’ve got a fantastic squad of players.
“It’s not a case of just having 11 players, we’ve got a great squad to call upon.
“When a player drops out of the team, another steps in and does a fantastic job.
“That’s a great confidence boost and I’m sure we can now move forward in the group.”
Elsewhere, Alex Ferguson has launched his autobiography, simultaneously inviting Roy Keane to launch him.
The book has dominated the headlines, and ex-players such as Keane and Beckham don’t come out of it very well. Neither does Wayne Rooney, who will be upset by claims he was lazy, fat and unfit, but then again, we’ll have to wait for someone to read it to him.
Henrik Larsson, who used to play for Celtic, came out of it very well, though;
SIR Alex Ferguson’s praise is reserved for a deserving few, most obviously Paul Scholes, Carlos Queiroz and Ryan Giggs. But a more surprising recipient of his unqualified admiration is Henrik Larsson, despite only spending two months at Manchester United.
It wasn’t so much the autumn of Larsson’s career but the winter, coming after his seven years at Celtic and a spell at Barcelona, yet Ferguson describes the Swede as “a real aristocrat”. Ferguson reveals in his new book that he wanted Larsson while he was still at Celtic. “I could have signed him earlier,” he writes. “I was ready to make the bid when he was at Celtic but Dermot Desmond, Celtic’s majority shareholder, rang me and said, ‘You’ve let me down, Alex, you’ve got tons of players, we need him.’ ”
Larsson’s impact, on loan from Helsingborgs in 2007, was immediate. “On arrival at United, he seemed a bit of a cult figure with our players. They would say his name in awed tones. For a man of 35, his receptiveness to information on the coaching side was amazing. At every session he was rapt. He wanted to listen to Carlos, the tactics lectures; he was into every nuance of what we did. In training he was superb: his movement, his positional play. His three goals for us were no measure of his contribution.
“In his last game in our colours at Middlesbrough, we were winning 2-1 and Henrik went back to play in midfield and ran his balls off. On his return to the dressing-room, all the players stood up and applauded him, and the staff joined in. It takes some player to make that kind of impact in two months..”
He left out the bit about offering £14m for him, and that when Martin O’neill told Larsson, the King of Kings said “No ”
The Herald, known for its Celtic cheerleading agenda, had Stewart Fisher giving his marks out of ten on last nights players.
And you thought i was
fraser forster Unconvincing when claiming Daley Blind’s early cross, but saved brilliantly from the onrushing Thulani Serero.
Denied clean sheet due to Lasse Schone’s injury-time strike 7
Mikael Lustig Ventured forward to fire in some dangerous crosses and a telling contribution to stop Viktor Fischer at the far post. Tired and withdrawn early 6
Efe Ambrose Failed to deal with one first-half ball into his box, and occasionally caught in possession, but perceptive header led to the goal. Finished at right-back 7
Virgil van Dijk Dutchman wore orange boots as he hoped to press his claim for call-up. Good long and short passing and fired wide from 30 yards. Booked 7
Emilio Izaguirre Kept things simple at left-back, a flank which functioned fairly smoothly for Celtic. Picked his runs forward well 7
Biram Kayal Selected ahead of Joe Ledley and crucially won foot race against the marauding Fischer. Wicked deflection sent his sidefoot drive in and forced another two saves. Withdrawn 7
Charlie Mulgrew Deprived of usual midfield partner Scott Brown, he forced the goalkeeper to tip over from corner then a second set piece led to the goal. Versatile enough to slot in at centre half 7
James Forrest Made telling contribution at the weekend and did so again last night, knocking in nerveless penalty into the top corner right on half-time after lengthy delay. Too quick for Blind 7
Teemu Pukki The Finn never really got going on his first Champions League start, in role behind Stokes. Could not hit the target from Lustig’s low cross 6
Georgios Samaras Spent his teenage years at Heerenveen and proved his worth again. Dangerous runner down the left, mixing it up. Had a hand in the clincher 8
Anthony Stokes Starved of meaningful service and struggled to get a hold in the game until clever bit of penalty box nous to win the spot-kick for his side 6
He reckons Samaras was dangerous as well. But if we agree to differ on that, he has skilfully managed to understate everyone elses performances. Probably because he didn’t want to watch the game…
Even the subs didn’t escape him;
Joe Ledley (for Kayal 71) The Welshman eventually made his return from injury and typically plugged the gaps in midfield 4
Nir Biton (for Lustig 75) The Israeli replaced the tiring Lustig, but lasted 13 minutes, dismissed for silly studs-up lunge on Serero 3
Amido Balde (for Pukki 90) Champions League debut in injury time but ball did not fall his way 3
Eighty five marks out of a possible one hundred and forty. Barely a passmark. Makes me feel better about my review now.
Ian Bell in the same paper had an even more stilted view;
FRASER FORSTER: The England squad member was lucky to get away with spilling an early cross at the feet of Ajax skipper Siem de Jong but did brilliantly to stand up and deny Thulani Serero just seconds before his team grabbed a crucial second. Could do nothing about Lasse Schone’s late consolation effort. 6/10.
MIKAEL LUSTIG: The right-back shook off a hip injury sustained on Sweden duty to start but showed no ill-effects with a nerveless display as he shackled Danish wideman Vicktor Fischer. 7.
EFE AMBROSE: Only had Kolbeinn Sigthorsson to worry about but dealt comfortably with the loan Ajax striker. Fluffed a back-post header which would have put Hoops three up before replacing Lustig at right-back. A solid display from the Nigerian. 6.
VIRGIL VAN DIJK: This week tipped for a Holland call-up, the central defender did himself no harm as he read the threat posed by his compatriots and rarely found himself out of position. Booked along with Christian Poulsen as the pair jostled while Celtic waited to take their spot-kick. 6.
EMILIO IZAGUIRRE: The Honduran has always faced question marks over his defensive capabilities but gave nothing away against the Dutch champions. Dependable. 7.
BERAM KAYAL: Standing in for suspended skipper Scott Brown in the centre of midfield, the Israeli came up with a great goal-saving tackle on Viktor Fischer after half an hour before grabbing Celtic’s second with a deflected strike. His tenacity was just what the Scottish champions required. 8.
CHARLIE MULGREW: Dangerous with the set-piece delivery and tidy in possession, Celtic’s utility man is showing more and more that the holding role could become his speciality subject. 7.
JAMES FORREST: Fully recovered from a virus, the little winger left the Dutch feeling sick when he swept home a penalty moments before the break. Not quite as prominent after the break but still a worthy performance. 7.
TEEMU PUKKI: The Finn made his first Champions League start for the Hoops but failed to get enough on Lustig’s low ball into the box early on and failed to deliver the same drive as Kris Commons in the playmaker role. 5.
GEORGIOS SAMARAS: Captain in Brown’s absence, it was another of the Greek’s driving runs down the left that teed up his side’s second. Another big performance from Celtic’s European talisman. 8.
ANTHONY STOKES: Won Celtic their first-half penalty after luring Stefano Denswill into the foul but wasn’t given much in the way of service. Decent shift. 6
Substitutes:
JOE LEDLEY (for KAYAL, 71): The Welshman was brought on with 20 minutes left to steady the ship. 3.
NIR BITON (for LUSTIG, 77): The Israeli was only on for 10 minutes before earning himself an instant dismissal. 1.
AMIDO BALDE (for PUKKI, 90): Came on during injury time but no chance to make an impact.
CELTIC Under-19s produced an outstanding performance to beat Ajax 4-1 in the UEFA Youth League as they picked up their first three points of the tournament in style.
Joe Thomson and Jamie Lindsay struck two goals in three minutes before a slack defensive clearance by Ajax was turned in by Liam Henderson just before half-time. Stuart Findlay´s own goal shortly after the break brought Ajax back into proceedings but Lewis Kidd´s penalty killed it as a contest and secured the three points Celtic more than deserved.
Stevie Frail and John Kennedy retained the same starting XI which had narrowly lost to Barcelona in the last UEFA Youth League tie earlier in the month.
And similar to that match, the young Hoops began positively and confidently, immediately piling on the pressure with Thomson and Connor McManus both having efforts in the opening minutes.
The game began to settle but after the clocked ticked past the 21st minute Celtic upped the pressure. Paul McMullan did excellently to control Henderson´s pass with his head and break away from Terry Lartey Sanniez.
The right back tracked back quickly, though, and made the crucial clearance before McMullan unleashed an effort. From the resulting corner, Findlay struck through the crowded box but McManus wasn’t able to turn it in at the near post.
Celtic were looking stronger with every attack and McMullan then came close to breaking the deadlock on 27 minutes. Denny Johnstone´s curling effort was palmed clear by goalkeeper Xavier Mous, but the striker pounced on the rebound and squared it to McMullan, who couldn’t keep his shot on target.
The hard work paid off just after the half-hour mark, though, when Thomson opened the scoring for the Hoops. Eoghan O´Connell stormed out of defence and threaded a ball through to the winger. And he coolly slotted home his third goal in as many games, handing Celtic a well-deserved lead.
But that was only the start of the goals flurry as just three minutes later Celtic doubled their advantage. McMullan switched play to Jamie Lindsay on the right who then bulleted an effort on target. Thomson bundled the ball into the back of the net, although it was already over the line and Lindsay was later credited with the goal.
And the young Hoops extended their lead to 3-0 on the 43rd minute. A poor clearance by Anwar El Ghazi hit off Henderson who was doing well to put pressure on him. The ball spun past the motionless Mous in the Ajax goal.
Celtic were dealt a blow on 50 minutes when Findlay turned the ball into his own net from an attempted clearance, and almost immediately the Dutch youngsters came close to finding a second. Queensy Menig tried to chip Max Oberschmidt but he sent it just past the post and Celtic were able to take control of the game again.
Johnstone made a fantastic run to the byline just before the half-hour mark and cut the ball back for Thomson, but a well-timed interception by Leroy Owusu broke up the attack. And the midfielder was denied a hat-trick minutes later when his effort was ruled offside.
A foul on Henderson on 66 minutes then saw the referee, Antti Munukka, point to the spot and Kidd coolly converted the penalty to extend the Hoops´ lead to 4-1.
Ajax pushed forward in the closing stages of the match but still weren’t able to cause Oberschmidt any problems and the Hoops saw out the well-deserved victory. A 6-2 win for Barcelona in Italy sees Celtic remain third in the table but they´ve closed the gap on AC Milan to three points.
CELTIC (4-3-3): Oberschmidt; Kidd, O´Connell (Kelleher 46), Findlay, McIlduff; Lindsay, McManus, Henderson; Thomson (McLaren 80), McMullan; Johnstone (Donnelly 90+1)
Subs not used: Hart, Wardrop, Boyd, Donnelly, C. Miller
AJAX (4-4-2): Mous; Larty Sanniez, van Bruggen, Mirani, Owusu; Van de Boomen (El Mahdioui 77), Vissers, Warmerdam; El Ghazi (Acolatse 61), Becker, Menig (Cakmak 61)
Subs not used: Giroothuizen, Anderson, Sno, Noordhoff
Man of the match: Joe Thomson
Etims are doing another podcast tomorow night, and our guest will be Celtic ticket man John Paul Taylor. We can’t think of anything to ask him-our list currently consists of asking him if his mum and dad were Beatles fans, although i think they’re having me on when they say his brother is called George Ringo- so if you can think of anything, leave a reply below or contact us via twitter.
Graeme Sinclair was the man in the picture yesterday, reliving the night when he marked Johann Cruyff out of the game in Amsterdam back in 1982. He has also said he is fit for a fortnight Wednesday if we need him.
While browsing the list of teams in this years Champions League, our man Desi Mond noticed something about Steaua Bucharest that is different from all the other sides in this years competition.
What caught his eye ?
Thats twice you have said Dairy instead of Diary. Youre just milking it noo.
There the only team who have steaua in their name.. Who cares great performance last night from the bhoys well worth the win . Oh and the bacon and eggs@ 545am always taste better when your winning..
Des. Don’t you mean milking it Moo?
Quiz. What’s different about Steau Bucharest from other sides in the CL – The fact that they’re Rumanian? On 2nd thoughts, if I think of their names, perhaps that’s it – Are they all actually Rumanian?
MSM are obviously hurting they came along last night hoping to report on a humiliating defeat,their marks dont even make sense with the descriptions of the players Van Dijk gets a good report then given 6,the only thing missing was giving barry ferguson a 10 for an outstanding display from his couch while watching on with envy
Ask JP what are the clubs plans in tackling our away support? Apart from supplying names and addresses of individuals to the Polis, what other ways are they going to break up Supporter’s clubs? Some of us have noticed a reduction in available tickets for away games.
Great result! Didnt think we played that well, didnt really keep the ball (which Milan away aside is a constant feature of CL this year) but got the win
Big Efe was immense last night. composed, powerful, even his mazies were good last night, and VVD beside is going to be an outstanding player. Sammi was poor, too much running with his head down, and losing the ball. Wee Jamesie got better and looked confident before his PK, Puukki wasnt great, but there were definite little moments that gave me belief he s gonna do well when he s settled, Stokes grew into it and Kayal had maybe his best game for Celtic since the elbows tackle.
So if we can win without playing that well maybe we can do them over there by playing great, like we did to another team with a former H*n as manager, who dissed us after the first gamne at Celtic PArk – step forward “Souey”.
re quiz, I never usually even try coz its too hard, but are they the only team without a shirt sponsor?
elcormaco
Not if you count Sevco 🙂
H H
c’mon les hoops and remember shareholdersto vote yes for the resolutions, you know which ones
Just one moan about last night, well less a moan more a polite request….Big Forster…any chance you could actually stand up towards the 18 yard line when ball is down the pitch instead of rooted to your goal-line.
There were plenty of times last night when he could have easily strode up and cleared away danger when ball came deep in our half, if he had been 12-18 yards up the box rather than under the shadow of his own bar.
Its the one area he could really work on I reckon.
Desi
And maybe looking for the ball at crosses instead of its vapour trail.
H H
We’ll never be free and the brilliant club and ppl we are until we get rid of dermot demond. He’s a cancer/dictator that has infected us too long and we need to take action and remove him, only then will we realise our true potential. Anything in the meantime is just a pretense.
Ralph
I can see you and Desi are going to argue till the cows come home. I think that is udderly disgraceful for a couple of swineherds to be churning. After all, should that not be the job of the “Dairy” department. Still, it makes for good “journalism” although not in the same league as the blue cheese processed by the asses who did the player assessments in other media outlets. Hugh keevins will be counting his blessings he is banned – forgot he doesn’t do counting.
Anyway, it is not a day for sour grapes, if I may be allowed to add a different ingredient into the metaphor mix. Last night’s result is a Scottish Cheddar to be savoured, even if there was a little Dutch Edam thrown in to spoil the purity in the last seconds. It was a well deserved result if for no other reason than that Celtic matured last night. After decades of being caught out by similar tactics themselves, they realised that playing across the field for 85 minutes will never compensate for good solid defence combined with “having a go”. That is exactly how they caught Ajax on the “hop”. Francois de Bore was greetin’ just like our managers used to do, all the play and no result. Having worked out how to melt Dutch Edam it is now up to Neil and his staff to work out how to suppress the powerful flavours of Manchego and Gorgonzola.
By the way, “chairs” to the Ajax fans. Your best efforts simply failed to unseat us. I doubt you will ever get on a “Roll of Honour” far less know the words. Watch and learn in two weeks time how honourable human beings behave in someone else’s city – well, provided the Dutch Politie have not been “wisened” by the Glesga Polis.
Congratulations to the under 19s. Their displays so far have been worthy of much more than the meagre three points accumulated. Naivety played a major role in their previous defeats but given many are well under the age limit due to our “unique” youth system in Scotland, and the fact they do not all play regularly together, they have punched well above expectation. But yesterday was a real masterclass both tactically and performance-wise for the supposedly youth development masters of Europe. Denny Jonstone was magnificent. He looks like a great prospect but given past prospects, I will reserve final judgement till he develops a little more. Well done boys!
Isn’t it just wonderful how anybody will jump on the bandwagon of a football great. Who can deny the talent and expertise of Sir Alex? The man is a managerial icon. So, why does he bandwagon Henrick to sell his autobiography? Surely he has something in his locker to encourage having a go at it himself. “The King” gave him two months more than he probably deserved and still he wants to bleed his reputation for the sake of a book. Ach well, it just shows how magnificent a seven he was. Before I get lambasted, I will pull my tongue out of my cheek.
Quiz: I am sure this came up before. I have two possible answers – both wrong. SB are the first and maybe the only EAST European team to win the European Cup and they hold the European record for the most consecutive wins. It could also be something to do with the fact they were formed by the military. My best bet would be that I am somewhere up the Clyde and cannae swim.
H H
Pensionerbhoy, you’re out of touch with those opinions, you’re entitled to em but you’ve written an essay that i’d disagree with.Full of useless puns and no facts or real analysis. Speak your mind next time, your dumbass puns aren’t needed.
bogbhoy
If you are cheesed off with me, go take a swally. I am on here for a bit of enjoyment. If I want abuse I can find plenty elsewhere. I am usually quite a mild mannered man but you are f**ng out of order.
H H
Pensionerbhoys comments go hand in hand with Ralph’s Diary. I look forward to reading them both.
Bogbhoy if you don’t like it………….then bog off.
Keep them coming Pensionerbhoy!
Very inventive and amusing reply. And you’re right. The quiz answers are wrong
They’ve never won a home game in the Champions League, is that it?
One criticism, not only of this game – why can’t we take a decent corner?
I thought we were average last night, we can play so much better. However I’m over the moon about the result , thought big Virgile played a blinder but I’m also a wee bit apprehensive about sitting with the Ajax fans in 2 weeks after their behaviour.
Extra bonus point was meeting Comedy Genius and all out massive Tim Kevin Bridges in the boozer in Camden last night. I met Chris Sutton in a pub in Soho watching the Milan game, maybe I’ll meet Regi Blinker in the Dam?!
I would like to say to ian (the no brain) holloway Efe Who Efe Who, well ian, efe’s got a job and you don’t ya muppet. By the way bogbhoy fuck off back to your sewer ya dirty zombie, sevco prick!!
Red Star also won the European Cup so Steaua aren’t the only Eastern winners. I think it’s the lack of shirt sponsor.
Which Camden boozer was it Maniche? The Sheephaven Bay? Watched the win against Barcelona there a year ago. Great pub.
Further to my last comment, any Tims in London should visit that pub, a home from home. Really weird experience, like being in a Glasgow boozer full of Glaswegians then emerging to London. I’ve had similar experiences in Vancouver (Aalborg – crap!) and Sydney (Man U – wonderful!), the latter at 8am!
Used to go to percussion lessons in sunny Camden when i lived along the road in N1. Fine place,like the Barras but with more tattoos and better takeaway stalls.
Remenber if in London, dont forget the land of The Holy Poet
http://www.westlondoncsc.co.uk/
re the ball boys wee saunter to get the ball,
he had a spare under his seat . it made me chuckle
when i noticed
Have we played every other team?