{"id":3815,"date":"2013-10-23T11:12:55","date_gmt":"2013-10-23T10:12:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=3815"},"modified":"2013-10-24T12:20:43","modified_gmt":"2013-10-24T11:20:43","slug":"celtic-dairy-wednesday-october-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=3815","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Dairy Wednesday October 23"},"content":{"rendered":"

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;<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“Hopefully we’ll get a few more back for the game in Amsterdam and we go into the game confident.”<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Lennon, though, is optimistic;<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“It was a massive win in the context of the group.”<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel we can get results away from home but we are going to have to do very well.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew the group was going to be difficult but I was happy with the performances in the first two games.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was encouraging going into the double-header against Ajax.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were in every game and that is no mean feat with the calibre of clubs we have been against us.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cA point would not have been the end of the world but we got the win and it is wide open again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frank de Boer, former Rangers man, current Ajax boss and star of the recent Muppet movie, was a little less than magnanimous in defeat;<\/p>\n

\u201cCeltic didn\u2019t create anything although they scored twice, once with a penalty.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe dominated the game but only scored once and should have equalised before they got their second.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is going to be very hard for us to get second place but I have confidence in the third place.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have one point and if we win at home we will be one point ahead of Celtic.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut only goals count and we will have to do it in the Arena.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Police<\/p>\n

One steward was injured by a flying chair which cut his head, but other than that , the situation was contained.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

E2660.<\/p>\n

Check your paradise windfall ticket from last night. The first prize, \u00a315,000 is still unclaimed, and if you find my ticket , can I have it back ?<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Kayal , too , was happy after last night, and presumably will be even happier if UEFA uphold Scott Browns three match ban;<\/p>\n

“I\u2019ve been out for four weeks with a groin injury so hopefully I\u2019ll be fit now and I can help the team as much as I can.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019ve been unlucky with injuries but hopefully I can get back to my best.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“The goal and the tackle, everything I do is for the club and to help my team-mates so I\u2019m so happy to come back.”<\/p>\n

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;<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a fantastic result.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started the game pretty well and took our chances when we got them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI made a few saves but that\u2019s what I\u2019m there to do.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was nice to make them and get a fantastic result and it\u2019s a real positive moving forward in the group.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously we need to pick up a few more points away and we\u2019ve got a home game as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a great step on the ladder and it\u2019s important we play like we did tonight.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we do that in Amsterdam we\u2019ve got a great chance.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure if we need to win or just get a positive result.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not in the Champions League to make up the numbers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe showed what we can do last year and we\u2019re showing what we can do again this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can pick up results. We were unlucky in the first two games but tonight maybe we had a bit more luck.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe took our chances and got the three points we deserved.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are a young team but we\u2019ve played a lot of European football. We\u2019ve shown we can play at this level, every one of us.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of confidence in the team and we\u2019ve got a fantastic squad of players.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a case of just having 11 players, we\u2019ve got a great squad to call upon.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen a player drops out of the team, another steps in and does a fantastic job.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a great confidence boost and I\u2019m sure we can now move forward in the group.\u201d<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, Alex Ferguson has launched his autobiography, simultaneously inviting Roy Keane to launch him.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Henrik Larsson, who used to play for Celtic, came out of it very well, though;<\/p>\n

SIR Alex Ferguson\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t so much the autumn of Larsson\u2019s career but the winter, coming after his seven years at Celtic and a spell at Barcelona, yet Ferguson describes the Swede as \u201ca real aristocrat\u201d. Ferguson reveals in his new book that he wanted Larsson while he was still at Celtic. \u201cI could have signed him earlier,\u201d he writes. \u201cI was ready to make the bid when he was at Celtic but Dermot Desmond, Celtic\u2019s majority shareholder, rang me and said, \u2018You\u2019ve let me down, Alex, you\u2019ve got tons of players, we need him.\u2019\u2009\u201d<\/p>\n

Larsson\u2019s impact, on loan from Helsingborgs in 2007, was immediate. \u201cOn 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn 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..\u201d<\/p>\n

He left out the bit about offering \u00a314m for him, and that when Martin O’neill told Larsson, the King of Kings said “No ”<\/p>\n

The Herald, known for its Celtic cheerleading agenda, had Stewart Fisher giving his marks out of ten on last nights players.<\/p>\n

And you thought i was<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

fraser forster \u00a0Unconvincing when claiming Daley Blind’s early cross, but saved brilliantly from the onrushing Thulani Serero.<\/p>\n

Denied clean sheet due to Lasse Schone’s injury-time strike 7<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

\n

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<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Emilio Izaguirre Kept things simple at left-back, a flank which functioned fairly smoothly for Celtic. Picked his runs forward well 7<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

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…<\/p>\n

Even the subs didn’t escape him;<\/p>\n

Joe Ledley (for Kayal 71) The Welshman eventually made his return from injury and typically plugged the gaps in midfield 4<\/p>\n

Nir Biton (for Lustig 75) The Israeli replaced the tiring Lustig, but lasted 13 minutes, dismissed for silly studs-up lunge on Serero 3<\/p>\n

Amido Balde (for Pukki 90) Champions League debut in injury time but ball did not fall his way 3<\/p>\n

Eighty five marks out of a possible one hundred and forty. Barely a passmark. Makes me feel better about my review now.<\/p>\n

Ian Bell in the same paper had an even more stilted view;<\/p>\n

\n
\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

EMILIO IZAGUIRRE: The Honduran has always faced question marks over his defensive capabilities but gave nothing away against the Dutch champions. Dependable. 7.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Substitutes:<\/p>\n

JOE LEDLEY (for KAYAL, 71): The Welshman was brought on with 20 minutes left to steady the ship. 3.<\/p>\n

NIR BITON (for LUSTIG, 77): The Israeli was only on for 10 minutes before earning himself an instant dismissal. 1.<\/p>\n

AMIDO BALDE (for PUKKI, 90): Came on during injury time but no chance to make an impact.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Hugh Keevins, writing in the record, gave this assessment.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u00a0” I’m a financial journalist, not a sports writer. how would I know ? Oh, wait, I’m getting mixed up..wheres my tablets ? “<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
No-one mentioned the unsung heroes of last night, the ball boys. Especially the one at the end who walked miles to hand the ball to the infuriated Ajax players. Well done, lad, such devotion to duty cannot pass unrecognised. Not many would have been so diligent in making sure the ball didn’t go astray at such a crucial point in the match.<\/div>\n
\"\"<\/div>\n
Celtics youngsters also got some points on the board, crushing Ajax 4-1 in the Young UCL, this report from the official website;<\/div>\n
\n
\n

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.<\/p>\n

Joe Thomson and Jamie Lindsay struck two goals in three minutes before a slack\u00a0defensive clearance by Ajax was turned in by Liam Henderson just before half-time. Stuart Findlay\u00b4s own goal shortly after the break brought Ajax back into proceedings but Lewis Kidd\u00b4s penalty killed it as a contest and secured the three points Celtic more than deserved.<\/p>\n

Stevie Frail and John Kennedy retained the same starting XI which\u00a0had narrowly\u00a0lost to\u00a0Barcelona in the last UEFA Youth League tie earlier in the month.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u00b4s pass with his head and break away from Terry Lartey Sanniez.<\/p>\n

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\u2019t able to turn it in at the near post.<\/p>\n

Celtic were looking stronger with every attack and McMullan then came close to breaking the deadlock on 27 minutes. Denny Johnstone\u00b4s curling effort was palmed clear by goalkeeper Xavier Mous, but the striker pounced on the rebound and squared it to McMullan, who couldn\u2019t keep his shot on target.<\/p>\n

The hard work paid off just after the half-hour mark, though, when Thomson opened the scoring for the Hoops. Eoghan O\u00b4Connell 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

And the young Hoops extended their lead to\u00a03-0 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0effort was ruled offside.<\/p>\n

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\u00b4 lead to 4-1.<\/p>\n

Ajax pushed forward in the closing stages of the match but still weren\u2019t 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\u00a0they\u00b4ve closed the gap on AC Milan to three points.<\/p>\n

CELTIC (4-3-3): Oberschmidt; Kidd, O\u00b4Connell (Kelleher 46), Findlay, McIlduff; Lindsay, McManus, Henderson; Thomson (McLaren 80), McMullan; Johnstone (Donnelly 90+1)
\nSubs not used: Hart, Wardrop, Boyd, Donnelly, C. Miller<\/p>\n

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)
\nSubs not used: Giroothuizen, Anderson, Sno, Noordhoff<\/p>\n

Man of the match: Joe Thomson\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

What caught his eye ?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Manager Neil Lennon was ,as expected , quite happy with the way the game went last night, and is looking forward to the return in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":3816,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/etims.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/forrest.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2J7If-Zx","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3815"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3815"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3815\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3817,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3815\/revisions\/3817"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3816"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3815"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3815"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3815"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}