Alex Ferguson used to say that to do well in Europe that you need eight of your players to be on their game. Last night, in Baku, Celtic had fourteen.<\/p>\n
The history books will record a 0-0 draw, but that doesn’t tell half the story. In fact, it doesn’t tell any of it. Except perhaps to confirm that celtic progressed to the final qualifying round of this years European champions League, which gives the side a decent shot at participating in the group stages, which is where you get to play European teams.<\/p>\n
The tea time kick off meant a lot of “do you know I don’t feel very well ” conversations at work, where a lot of people seemed to agree that closing early would be a good idea so everyone can come back in the morning feeling tip top. Well, a lot of us will be feeling tip top today, as we look ahead to the next round.<\/p>\n
Nerves started to kick in as the game drew closer, and if it was like that for the support, it’s worth wondering how the players were dealing with it. After last years trauma against Legia Warsaw, one could understand if a couple of players were still a little shell shocked, but the players have come a long way since then. Some who took part in those games have gone even further, making way for the side who took to the field last night.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the game, interviewed by BT Sport, Ronny Deila said he expected the Azeri full backs to be more of a threat. Something he told Gary Mackay Steven and Stuart Armstrong as well, and as a result, apart from the odd occasion, that never happened as the two midfielders battled manfully to stifle that avenue.<\/p>\n
Scott Brown and Nir Biton nullified any threat through the middle, mixing composure and energy, while Stefan Johansen, clearly told to disrupt any fluidity in the home ranks, at least until he got booked, was his usual bustling self. At the back, Virgil van Dijk was immense, Emilio Izaguirre covered his flank impeccably, sometimes in attack, sometimes in the middle, and sometime at the back. Sometimes at the same time as the ball was there.<\/p>\n
Just kidding. Any doubts about his ability were dispelled last night as he tackled, intercepted and read the game superbly at times. Mikael Lustig looked much improved on the right, and he is on the way back to his best form. After a nervy start, Dedryck Boyata made his presence felt, and you can’t blame him for the nerves. If he had made the mistake that cost Celtic champions League football, it would have taken him until next year to even get near making up for it. Remember, Efe Ambrose still carries the scar from his Juventus game. The big Nigerian has an African Nations Cup medal, yet expert Celtic supporters still reckon he’s a dud.<\/p>\n
Even Nadir Ciftci put in a shift. Under the circumstances last night, it’s no surprise he didn’t score. It was hard going for him, and support from the flanks not as evident as it usually is, with Mackay Steven and Armstrong under instructions to defend first, attack second. When he went off, and Leigh Griffiths came on, Celtic looked more likely to score, but that was more down to the pace of Griffiths and another late introduction, James Forrest, more than anything else, as the Azeri’s morale and energy began to wane.<\/p>\n
They’d toiled for over an hour and mustered only one decent effort on goal, which lead to a spectacular save from Craig Gordon, and kept the scores level.<\/p>\n
Overall, though, it has to be said that this was a mature, disciplined performance from a team where deep down we would not have been surprised if it had ended in one of those glorious failures we used to hear so much about.<\/p>\n
The players fitness played a major part in this. It helped not only to keep them physically attuned to the game, but also mentally, and there were no tired tackles, no lapses in concentration and no silly mistakes as the game wore on. In fact, if anything, Celtic got stronger, rejuvenated by a few timely substituions.<\/p>\n
A few chances were made, johansen and Forrest should have both scored, but there was no need to chase the game.<\/p>\n
After all, as it stood, the match was already won.<\/p>\n
Even a few mystifying decisions from the referee made no difference. in the past, the amount of fouls that went unpunished on celtic players would have led to indiscipline, but not this time. They kept the heid, and got the result.<\/p>\n
One image \u00a0summed it up for me, the knackered and dishevelled Gary Mackay Steven walking off the pitch when he was substituted, presumably before his body finally gave out.<\/p>\n
After the game, ronny deila praised his players, and was gracious enough to acknowledge the opposition;<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an exciting game, right to the end there was so much nerves. I am proud of the team spirit that we had tonight,\u201d said Deila.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe midfield won balls all over the pitch and the defence was tight behind them. Defensively we were very, very good, and offensively we should have punished them more when we won the ball in so many good situations.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBut it was hot out there and the players got tired against a good team when they kept the ball. I\u2019m just very happy and proud of the boys.<\/em><\/p>\n
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