Just a few hours after writing yesterdays Diary, and getting ready for work, I found myself in the Vogue Bar in Rutherglen, eagerly anticipating a great atmosphere, a great game and a great result.
Two out of three isn’t bad, I suppose.
And with just a little more savvy, Celtic would have beaten Inter, despite giving them a two goal start.
Don’t get me wrong, to come back from two down and then again to equalise at the end of the game after Inter had capitalised on a rare Craig Gordon error just before half time was a remarkable achievement, just as the support reminding ourselves exactly how to support a team was equally remarkable, but there wasn’t anything to the Inter side that Celtic shouldn’t have been able to deal with.
A little more self belief would have been good, by that I mean a little bit more confidence in the system that when applied properly had the Italians on the rack and that would , in my humble opinion, have got us a win.
However, thats not to detract from what we did get, which given the early setbacks , was fantastic, and it sets us up for a possible glory night in the San Siro.
Ifs and onlys ?
Well, there were a few. Gordon made amends with his last minute save, but two of their goals came from his mistakes when it would have been safer to let the initial balls run out of play, and its a shame he chose last night to blot an otherwise excellent season. Scott Brown was a little more subdued than usual, obviously worried about picking up a booking that would have meant he’d miss the return game. Both fullbacks have had better games, although Adam Matthews was excellent going forward, and I felt that in the second half we could have exploited a weak right side of the Inter defence a bit more, as all too often only Izaguerre was in position, and he received little help. Note when Liam henderson entered the fray, it only took a couple of minutes for him to carve out a shot on goal from that side.
The centre backs took a while to adjust, Jason denaayer, as in his first game against Dundee Utd, took a while to adjust to the higher level, but you have to give them credit for not letting their heads drop.
Nir bitton , Leigh Griffiths and Stuart Armstrong were the top performers, while Stefan Johansen and Gary Mackay Steven tried, but nothing they did-barring the chip from the Norwegian to Guidetti for the equaliser, seemed to come off.
From a fans point of view, it was nice to be back in a crowd that showed the world how to support a team, even when two down, even when the goalie flung one to the forward to score.
Thats what its all about, i suppose.
There were some interesting, and perhaps telling tweets from a few of the players after the game.
Jason Denaayer said;
What a game !! Great performance of the team and great atmosphere as well thanks for the amazing supporters !!
Leigh Griffiths added;
Wow, atmosphere was sensational, fans stuck with us till the end and it paid off, delighted for @superguidetti with his goal. On to Sunday
While Stefan Johansen was a little more subdued;
Good game tonight. The fans was amazing happy for @superguidetti with his goal
I wonder if the players played the occasion, rather than the team in front of them. Did the pre match build up perhaps give Inter a little more respect than they deserved ?
The talk in the press may have affected the players, who seemed to expect Inter to be a little better than they were, and instead of constantly pressing, sometimes the Celts backed off, and allowed them a little more time on the ball than normal. As I said, when we did press, it was effective, and that gives me hope for the return.
Roberto Mancini had his own thoughts on the game;
“My sensation was that we started very well indeed, but then acted as if the game was already won,”
“We were just knocking the ball around without much intent and allowed them to get back into the game. This too is something we need to work on.
“Having said that, a 3-3 draw in Glasgow is absolutely not a result worth throwing away. What we have to understand is that if you defend too deep, sooner or later you are going to concede a goal.
“Considering the way this game was going, we are bound to have some regrets.”
Ronny Deila summed the game up quite well;
“It’s going to very, very tough now,”
“We have to be lucky and put together the best performance so far under my command. But it’s possible, so we are looking forward to the game.
“I believe we can score in the San Siro. The most important thing is not to concede as we did tonight. Defensively, we have to be much better.
“I did not have good thoughts at 2-0 down, I have to admit that. It was a very tough start. We actually started well and had them under pressure, but then it was just too easy for them to score. I was very worried but we showed a good mentality to get back into the game.
“It was an unbelievable football match with an unbelievable atmosphere. I’m so proud of the boys today. At 2-0 down, it’s so hard to get back, especially against Italian teams.
“We talked earlier in the week about being brave, wanting the ball and trying to create things that’s why I’m very proud today. We caused them problems but it’s a pity we gave them two easy goals.”
Inter won’t hold any surprises for Celtic in milan. We can still spring one or two.
I’m still knackered, it was a late night for us travellers, and thanks again to Stuart and Willie for picking me up and getting me a ticket.
Now I have to go to work today, and explain that I’m over the sudden bout of malaria that knocked me for six yesterday.
Speaking as the “clueless fat trump”, I’d like to say that I’m rather disappointed with the level of abuse hurled my way. I’ve known you for some years now and the fact that you missed short-arsed and bald really has made me think you’re mellowing in your old age.
🙂
I think it was Henderson’s flick for the Guidetti goal. You’d should’ve gone to specsavers.
See you later mucker.
Think you are being quite harsh on the players.
Johansen was inolved in the first goal, it was Henderson who passed to Guidetti
Brown and Bitton were excellent in the middle of the park. Looked like a really controlled performance from both.
Not sure Griffiths was a top performer, never really got into the game.He also missed a one on one with the GK
Thought it was Henderson that chipped it to Guidetti?
Great comeback and definately sets up a fantastic tie in the San Siro.
Great atmosphere at game,with a better defence display would have won comfortably,all their goals were mistakes,good comeback and superb support for team,it was Liam Henderson who chipped in the ball for the guidetti goal btw.watcheg game back last nite,and came to the conclusion that Steve mcmanaman is a dick
Hail hail Ralph I know how I feel today and I am only just over an hour from paradise. Well done for giving us a diary under the circumstances ,malaria and all that. The team certainly give us hope for a very right future under Oor Ronnie. HH keep up the good work
A brave and exciting performance. Well done Ronny and the bhoys. Go to Milan and play good football. Who knows? Last night proved one thing.Let’s play from the back and keep the ball on the ground. We won very little in the air in their half. And, well done to the Green Brigade!
Thought as the 2nd half went on and we wern’t making any inroads we could have tried over the top balls quickly from defence. Done it once and they panicked. Great comeback but so well done bhoys. Had Biton as motm by a country mile.
I’m pointing the finger at Izzy for the first 2 goals. VVD can’t see Shaqiri behind him and Izzy watches him saunter into the box (Gordon then made a right whoring-arse of it). For the 2nd Izzy decided that his best bet was to blooter the ball into a ruck of players as opposed to booting it up the park or even straight into the air.
The back four, five if you count Gordon, had a night to forget.
I dont feel to bad about the return leg as there is no way the five of them will be that hoaching again – at least not all at the same time!
Going forward we were excellent and Zig and Zag fill me with hope and joy everytime I see them play now!
Hail Hail
Milan they came the Bhoys to tame
They came to silence the thunder
2 Goals they scored 13 on the board
All down to fluff and blunder
But the Bhoys hit back Gave them a whack
Made them sit up and wonder?
Then another mistake
Just before the break
Big Craig had a moments madness
We went in 1 down
No joy for Brown
The Stadium enveloed by sadness
Then out they came
Stuck to their game
And attacked with all their might
The fans reacted the roar was back
The Hoops were up to the fight
Into added time a move sublime
From Henderson to the Swede
A terrific chip a sumptuous strike
A glorious finish indeed
The ground erupted the Italians had failed
To silence the Celtic Thunder
Now we go to the San Siro
For there’s a win we hope to plunder.
Bt sports…..what a bunch of arseholes. Couldn’t believe their attitude before the game and their reaction at the end was brutal.
Not one positive comment made and the way they slated the team for celebrating at the end after we had just scored a great equaliser just showed how anti Scottish football they are.
A proud night to green and white.Thought all played with great heart and direction and barring individual errors the result could have been orgasmic .On last nights performance big Nir could be a key component in Ronnies revolution and wee Griffiths scamperin about like a posessed Jack Russell kept their whole back line busy. Much more of the same please bhoys , i can hear the lark and think theres a golden sky about to break through. this time next year ?
3-3 at home isn’t a great result, but what a game!
Amazed at how open both teams were for a European tie and it does set it up for a belter in Milan.
Just cut out the blunders and we really could pull this off.
I almost switched off last night when we went two down glad I didn’t. thought we played well but those errors cost us, which was to be expected at this level. But we live on to fight another night next week were 1-0 will do us just nicely. Ralph you weren’t the guy hiding his face under his jacket when the camera was pointed in your direction?
I was looking for my fags.
Praise for the Green Brigade for an excellent tifo.Praise that every player gave their all,and played to the final whistle.Guidetti is CL quality,a pity he doesn’t want to stay with us.
Can’t see us getting through.Too easily beat with balls over the top,school boy defending.
Pride in the overall performance,should set us up for the Treble.
I remember,in 1982,getting a 2-2 with Ajax.They had Cryuff,Lerby and Olsen etc.We were written off for the return.The rest is history.Maybe,we can do similar in Milan.
I believe we can Holy.
We can defend better for a start and I doubt Gordon has another night like that in Europe myself.
I hope so Charlie.Even if we don’t,the Treble is a huge carrot to go for.I do get Deila now m8.
His emphasis on fitness,is starting to have rewards.The doubters were worried,with the system Ronny prefers,that goals would be a problem.Fair play Charlie,you stood by him.
Nothing won yet,but the signs are very very good.
Cheers Holy I think once we have brought in 2-3 replacements,reinforcements for the areas highlighted we will have a side we can genuinely trust to go toe to toe in Europe properly.
We are now seeing the benefit of a quicker,fitter,pressing and attacking Celtic.
I think the treble is a big ask but not beyond us as a team if we sustain the momentum from last night and use our squad properly we should be fine.
I am impressed with the fact Ronny won’t risk players simply for one game or one result I think Lenny would have last night and perhaps might not have given the 2 new boys a start.
Deila has and will continue to do so I think.
Nothing won yet but pride and progression that will do for a start.
On the players themselves:
I think Craig Gordon looked ill last night perhaps a bit overawed at the sheer noise levels at Paradise.
The first goal was a mistake by him should have let the ball run out I suppose instinct kicked in as he tried to keep it in play.
Mistake.
The 3 rd Goal yet another poor decision by him he never took the conditions into play and miss read the bounce and again had he never toughed it I think it probably goes out.
Izzy again caught out defensively at this level his clearance was poor either blooter it high and wide or simply block it.
Did neither just a bad bit of luck it rebounded to the finishers feet IMO.
Matthews had a very good game worked really ,really hard on his side of the pitch often they would double up on him I noticed he needed better cover at times.
That’s down to Brown for me.
Both DM’s did well though at times I felt they were overrun in the middle as we pushed for goals.
This is a fact of life for sides who want to play on the front foot you are always going to be open to quick counters and breaks.
Milan are good a this …as were we though.
My only concern on the night was Denayer I don’t think he’s aware enough at this Level yet and perhaps Ambrose might be a better option in the away game.
Yes he has his moments but Denayer’s been caught out several times in the past few games with simple balls over the top.
I don’t think Efe is that naive myself.
Bitton is coming of age under Ronny he has definitely kicked on under the new Manager and I would not be suprised if it is he who has a Ki like Bid submitted on him by the Summer.
I rate Virgil but I don’t think he’s not beyond replacing myself.
The sale of him should generate enough money to find decent cover when he goes.
Cannot fault any of the front men they ran and ran at Inter GMS and Armstrong already proving what value we have got for our money.
Thought young Henderson did superb particularly the tackle he put on the fud who came through the back of him when he came on.
Showed the cunt the Bhoy had the Balls to stand up to them.
Felt he could have /should have squared to Guidetti with his first effort a surefire tap in for the Swede.
But what a sublime chip to Guidetti to level it..
Top Drawer no danger Jack Wilshire does that BT Do a 12 hour special on him after the game.
Guidetti scored when it really mattered I sincerely hope the reaction and atmosphere shows him where he should be comitting his next 3 years or so.
He won’t get that ANYWHERE ELSE that’s a fact.
I think we can do this Bhoys
We can defend better and we can attack better.
I doubt Inter can myself.
I agree with the comment about BT sports – set of dicks. Chris Sutton seemed to want to blame Izzy for everything and although I have seem him play better to blame him for two goals was harsh – bear in mind he has played in the world cup and has barely had a rest since unlike most of the others who seem to get rotated.
Agreed though Left Back cover should have been a priority under Lennon he failed to do that and all we have left now is Mulgrew..who is injured of course.
That needs resolving.
Fabian Johnson Munching Bawbags
£3m and he would be ours.
Could have had him on a free in Jan 2014.
Scouts must have been on holiday.
Agree on the need. Well said.
LB cover seems to be an ever-ongoing issue for the Glorious Glasgow Celtic. I am just glad we have at least one LB who is fit and committed like Izzy is. Remember when we had Ledley fillin in at LB under Lennon?, More power to Joe, but really shouldn’t be that way. Seems to me that Izzy will be run until breaking point this season, with a right back filling in yet again if required.
For ever Derk there has been a Nir, for every Virgil there has been a Balde, for every Pukki has been Johansen. After the Zig and Zag signings, it seems that Ronnie may be the best scout we have. Everyone knew they would be good (eventually), but what a great piece of business. For instant Champ League players just add GMS Armstrong.
Mulgrew or Matthews?
Doc, As Matthew showed last night he can be absolutely outstanding as a RB. Welsh flying machine. LB? Don’t think so.
Big Charlie? We know he has played many, many games at LB – and I was chuffed when he came back to Paradise; but let’s face it, Mulgrew just doesn’t have the pace for that role (anymore at least) – especially under RD’s tactics. Hence why so many coach’s see him as a CB or as a DM.
REVEALING how the milan players always on the move and a lot of ours looked like statues.defensively we were awful bad pass by denayer gifted ball for first goal then gordon failed to push ball behind for a corner,secon goal sclaffed clearance gifting ball to milan player,third goal gordon again making an arse of it,guess if you pay peanuts you get monkeys
Talking about monkeys when and where is your EGM?
Missed the Sack RD comment DH67 you must be mellowing
Ralph
I have not seen the game yet. It is my afternoon treat in about an hour. But the Diary was a treat too. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it caught the balance between hope, expectation, could have been and was absolutely perfectly. With this in mind I have little to add but look forward rather than dread the San Siro now.
H H
Had to rely on Internet steams and they constantly freeze grrr but for me the most memorable was after Gordon’s big mistake the crowd were chanting his name. Now that is sop port. Well done evetu
Had to rely on Internet steams and they constantly freeze grrr but for me the most memorable was after Gordon’s big mistake the crowd were chanting his name. Now that is support. Well done everyone
WE can do it in Milan, against the odds. I can’t see us defending so badly again but I can us see scoring again. Italian defenders don’t have a lot of finesse, but Mackay-Steven, Armstrong and Griffiths can’t just be booted off the park.I was impressed with the ref showing Inter defenders how NOT to behave at corners, unlike Juve.
Again, a great night.
So the 16 year old son said at Christmas you have to take me to a Celtic away game, its arite of passage thing its your duty as a Da!
So in the end I said OK and next Thursday we fly out , leave Gladgow at 5.15! At 13 minutes into the game last night Input my head in my hands ( Oh ye of little faith).
To BT sports do 2 or 3 of Inter’s team earn as much as our whole squad? Do you get it,obey and football.
Super game from Bitton, Mattews going forward, Henderson and Guiddi when they came on and Brown especially keeping his cool. Gordon a couple of untypical errors but brilliant save to keep tie alive.
Yeah Ronnie your Bhoys did good and Mo
Ilan seems a little less like Lough Derg (anyone get that, thought not , not Irish enough), anyway Milan seems a little mor fun now!
It’s GREAT to be a Tim!
When I look back on my life thus far, those great European nights are some of my highest points. You cannae whack ’em.
They become references points for everything else.
I am so over the moon for RD, the team and the whole Celtic family that we came back at them and showed what we are all about.
Long may it continue.
Another great European night, ok it wasn’t Jinky, Ceaser and co but that team is coming together and that might be the night they really became a team.
Very optimistic if we can keep the majority of team together (although the elephant in the room is the soon to depart CB pairing and their replacements).
PS Thought Bitton was pretty poor last night,he’s got a lot to learn at that level never mind CL, hence Broons impact or lack of it
Specsavers for you my man if you think Biton was poor , best player on the pitch after Shaquiri.
Stick in the mud time from me. While we played well enough, Inter sat back and let us, the amount of times Inter had 7/8 in the box against Griffiths. We could pass the ball around the edge of the box unchallenged but couldn’t produce through the middle and relied on balls from wide areas and midfield runners into the box. I expect them to play a higher line and maybe tweak the midfield to put us under pressure on the ball.
Gordon looked more like a stroke victim than a top goalkeeper and produced the worst display i’ve ever seen by a Celtic goalkeeper, maybe any goalkeeper, and got more wrong than right. If anyone can think of a worse display then i’m all ears (not counting Casillas at the WC as he only played 2 league games that season).
We played well enough but Inter were very poor, we now need a win at the San Siro, something no Celtic team has done. Stein couldn’t do it now Ronnie has to. Maybe Ronnie and Gordon should read John Hughes’ book and see how Stein dealt with incompetence in big games.
MOTM, Armstrong. Hard to believe its only his third game, so effective and slots into the team naturally, seen top players take months to settle but he plays like he has been here for years. Biton has to get a mention, maybe his best game for Celtic and showed Ronnie was right in retaining him ahead of Kayal.
What could have been a major result (to shut up Ronnie doubters like me) and put down a marker in Europe has been waylaid due to suicidal play at the back. While it was not the outcome I wanted, I do have to say well done to Ronnie and the team, I was entertained and thats what I want when I go to Celtic Park.
Gremlins stealing my comment again, took hours to write it while battling a severe hangover.
Great day for us travelers coming up from England to Paradise had a superb day, Thanks to Ralph & Mick who took our spare tickets after our pal was involved in car crash and could not make it … met some great people in the CSA and was involved in the TIFO in section 412 cannot stop talking to people about the game, atmosphere & the superb scenes in the east end of Glasgow and most of all how special MY team is … I have not missed a European night in Glasgow for some years now but still I am amazed how different & special each occasion turns out to be … what a great 56th birthday … PS thanks to the usual great hospitality we received in the VOGUE BAR in Rutherglen home of the BOBBY MURDOCH CSC.
Gets Better every time i watch it, what a night glad i was there, i will remember that night for life.
https://mediacdn.fanatix.com/view.php?newsitem_id=92389223
It was a great comeback! Keeper terrible and dont think he can ever be that bad again. Mathews brilliant worked all night. Emilio not a defender but a wing back and no cover. gets away with it in our league but surely Ronny should know in Europe he cant be that gung ho!
Jason was very average, if he thinks he is going to walk into MC team to play with newco he has no chance. VVD, ok but no £10m bid that is for sure.
Broony brilliant and rallied the team at 2 down a true leader. Nir I thought was excellent, the only issue with him and broony is if one goes forward the other one stays, that didnt happen. new boys brilliant and henderson is brilliant also really pushing the new boys. Griffiths looked a wee bit out his depth. all in all a real good shift!
Can’t believe the negativity.
I went along with the hope of having a great time watching a great match with a great atmosphere and to me that’s what happened.
The occasion was brilliant.
The noise, the passion – that’s what makes me keep going back to CP. That’s why I buy my ST every year.
If you didn’t enjoy last Thursday night, maybe you should just watch eastenders as it happens and not on catch up tv.