Celtic 1-0 Qarabag
A Dedryck Boyata header ( had Ronnie been reading our guide to intimidating the CarrrierBag ( copyright G Lineker Leicester) keeper – Ed) from a late Kris Common corner allowed Celtic fans to celebrate a 1-0 win but in truth no-one will be over confident that the Hoops will progress over the 2 legs. Qarabag were solid when needed, slow to rise when fouled and comfortable on the ball when in possession.
Celtic are 1 up in the tie but the sides are on the same level, despite some misplaced assumptions by some Celts regards our true place in the current footballing hierarchy.Granted Celtic won the game and granted Qarabag are no Barcelona but theyre no mugs and they will definitely make opportunities at home.
This truly is only half time.
In respect to the game itself, Celtic huffed and puffed but Qarabag were seldom truly troubled inside their box and despite a few half chances, the sides walked off at half time to a charitable round of applause from a crowd that were growing ever more realistic; this night didnt have glamorous exuberant victory written all over it, this was more grind it out and hope the fitness tells in the end.
Thankfully it did, A few substitutions helped ensure the momentum was ramped up with Celtic pushing on as the clock wore down alongside the Qarabag resolve. The patience and effort eventually paid off when the new Belgian superstar striker, I mean centre half, scored from a ball coming in from the corner flag and the Qarabag keeper sent out for the messages.( Did you get that gag Gary? – Ed)
The second leg is going to really need a monumental effort from the Hoops. Qarabag will test our back 4 and their patient confident passing game alongside their composure was pretty impressive at times, especially when bringing the ball out, apparently under pressure. Its likely we will need to score over there and with our forward situation still unclear, set pieces look our best bet for a goal , indeed big Virgil should have scored tonight with a bullet header that the keepers managed to palm away midway through the second half.
Its going to a massive squad effort and hopefully any injuries to Biton, Izzy, Lustig and Boyata suffered during the game will soon desist, along with Chuck Mulgrews ailment from the Rennes friendly last weekend. The second leg will need 14 players giving it everything.
So its fingers crossed, yes I know that its ours to lose but when was the last time you saw a Celtic side who knew how NOT to lose a game rather than try and win it?
Desimond
Player ratings
Gordon – Made one save when needed from a free kick and other than that had hee-haw to worry about thanks to Qarabag holding men back and some good tackles by men in Hoops
Izzy – Put in a good shift and tried to get forward every chance he could. Anyone who slates him really doesnt appreciate the effort it takes to cover so much distance. Seemed to pull his hamstring late on and although he managed to finish the game after treatment, probably better he takes it easy for next few weeks. We will probably go with Mulgrew in the away tie as attack is not a needs must.
Virgil – Good game and should have scored. Couldnt help watching the game without constantly thinking “Is this gonna be it for BVvD?” We should know soon enough.
Boyata – 2 European games at home, 2 goals. Read that and weep Tony Stokes. Excellent game and one tackle had the crowd on their feet. Still seems to be getting used to match pace after so many years on the bench\sofa at Manchester so hopefully wont pull a bad injury during his re-adjustment period.
Mikel – A decent game but couldnt get up the park as often as he hoped and the Qarabag winger will be hoping for some runs against Lustig back in Baku. Always has you fearing every tackle will result in a stretcher but thankfully came through relatively unscathed.
Stuart,Stefan, Craig Gary- Where they playing? Honestly absent without leave.
- Stuart: Thats 2 games for Armstrong and he has been non existant. Too harsh too soon? Perhaps but many Celtic fans have had a habit of “The great white hope!” thinking with recent signings and expectations must be toned down a level in respect to Armstrong for now.
- Johansen, ran about like a headless chicken trying to get into the game but without success.
- GMS: Never at the races and was literally sidelined on the sideline all night. On tonights showing, tts doubtful the 3 will start the second leg.
Biton – Man of the match and a worthy winner. Great composure and some lovely turns and changes of pace to control the game. Taken off for Leigh Griffiths and hopefully isnt a bad injury as this guy is currently THE guy in the Celtic side.
Broony – Truly shite, Thats all i can say. Every pass was 5 yards over long, out the park or just plain wrong. Put in an effort but the crowd were truly flummoxed watching Broony have a shocker. Truly one to forget for the normally dependant Celtic skipper.
Ciftci – Started the game and lasted 80 minutes before Kris Commons came on for the last 14. The Turk won some good balls, held up play well and tried to be a general nuisance whenever Qarabag were in possession. At the end of the day though, its goals that matter though and the dry spell continues. In fairness the supply was extremely limited and Ciftci spent more time with his back to goal than facing it. It will come of course but will it come quick enough to save the CL campaign?
Subs
Jamesy – On for the disappointing Armstrong and hugged the right wing and tried to make some decent runs despite Qarabag doubling up against him. Forrest also did his bit by helping cover as the opponents played on the counter. Played a lovely ball that Ciftci almost got onto but the fragile Forrest is still a scapegoat for the fans who expect every attempt to result in success and soon let him know when it doesnt.
Leigh Griffiths – On to rapturous round of applause from a hopeful crowd and tried his best to get into the game. A few attempts at breaking away narrowly failed and his energy should see a good chance of a hat trick against Ross County on Flag Day Saturday.
Commons – On for last 14 despite a recent toe break and had one attempt at goal that rather than curl into the top corner, limped wide to the side, 10 feet away from goal. Will need plenty of time to get up to speed.
Manager
Did Ronnie appreciate the quality of Qarabag? Limited shots at goal..what ever happened to taking shots when possible, especially when the keeper is renowned to be flaky. The attempt to use wide players was a busted flush and Ronnie probably would have had Commons on a lot earlier of he hadn’t been so badly injured recently. The 2 up front attempt while appreciated didnt really work so plenty to work on back in Lennoxtown for Ronnie and the boys. You know what they say Ronnie, Cometh the hour, cometh the tactics!
The fact we limted a good side ie a side to 4 efforts at goal should be something to be happy about.
Many feared slackness at the back would be our biggest problem tonight?
Well a clean sheet and another win in the CL Qualifiers that’s 3 from 3 for those not counting.
I once read a quote about the perfect season.
Don’t know what Manager said it but he was one of the greats he said perfect season is to win every game 1-0.
What he meant was regardless of how the side performed they maintained a good level of defence regardless.
Now whilst we all want to swashbuckle our way to the CL winning games by 3 and 4 goals at home the simple fact of the matter is we played a very decent outfit tonight and without hitting anywhere near our best form we won 1-0.
We still created 8 chances tonight 4 of which were on target.
That with a miss firing midfield and up against a well drilled defence.
That’s a positive going into the away leg they that is Qarabag have no option but to open up at home.
They unlike us are already 1-0 down so if we score then they have problems because they know we have the pace to bother them.
The scales are not balanced Desi they are tipped in our favour pal.
Qarabag know this and they will be very wary of the threat we do pose when on form.
i remember big Pierre said that about winning every game 1-0…or might as well have been Watty Smith
The last line is the key line…have you ever seen a Celtic side that can play NOT to lose..thats always seemed beyond us sadly?
If we had played our best tonight and only won 1-0 I would maybe agree with some of the doom and gloom on here…but we won 1-0 NOT playing as we can, so if we raise our game we can finish them off on their own patch. They are obliged to come out now and we can capitalize on that. I feel quietly confident that we will win the second match.
Has GMS changed his name?
Well spotted, i can never say Armstrong without thinking Craig Armstrong for some reason so must have slipped in there, plus it was dead late, i’d walked it hame from the game, and the dog ate my homework..( youre fired! – Ed)
Well didn’t think we played well last night can do a lot better as a team we done ok individual performances poor only 2 players in my book get pass marks Bitton and Boyata so am I pleased no far from it.can we do it I think we will score over there but how many will they and they will,so I’ll say again celtic will do what celtic do all the time we’ll at LEAST 90% of the time we will lose a goal in the first 15 mins after that it will be down to how we cope
A nervous result but we did not play our best. A clean sheet at home is a good result. We need to get an early goal away then shut down shop. Now, we know they ARE good technically and can trouble us. It is the first time in a long time another team has had more possession than us.
Ronny needs to do his homework and address a few issues: who and how do we get some away goals?
I would consider starting Janko at right back. Izzy did ok I think.
I would go with McKay-Steven/Johansen/Griffiths
with Ciftci up front
Griffiths has got to start somewhere.
I said 4-0 and we got 1-0 so I was talking through my arse.
Qarabag is not as good as we are and we should travel with a goal or two in mind.
Against Iceland, we did lots better away than at home.
Ronny and the Bhoys have some homework to do but I think we can win. Now we know what we are dealing with.
Great result last night from a poor performance but now the team know what to expect from this side
They were very tidy and technical but didn’t really trouble Gordon although the big centre forward that appeared late on looks a handful
Fingers crossed we can play better away.