Glasgow Celtic

[salty]

http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/sport/208863/Celtic-and-Inter-Milan-are-Limerick.html

[onionluke]

Hi onionluke,

The bad news is that the Thistle match will be postponed. Celtic are playing Inter in Limerick on the same date in the International Champions Cup.

Cheers Salty ,

I can't beleive it , the last time we were in Glasow the Thistle vs Celtic new years derby was postponed by the water logged pitch. Pissing down so it was . My old man and his Thistle pals sat in the Oran Mor all day , me and the boy headed down to the carnival at Finnieston Cran.

Maybe we will travel up to Perth on the 20th if there are tickets going.

Hail Hail !

[salty]

In first competitive game for Brendan Rodgers a humiliating loss in Gibraltar 1-0. As you would expect Lincoln RI defended well and made things difficult but Celtic were terrible. Shocking defending by Ambrose leading to the goal. After another close shave Celtic got the finger out to some extent and hit the bar twice later on but overall much the same as many of last season games.Too slow, deliberate and unimaginative.

You would expect Celtic to turn it around next week but this must really be a wake up call for the club. On this form our chances of making the Champions League are nonexistent.

[balo]

Terrible start for the new manager, but it should finish 5-0 at home.

[Franky Bear]

Good morning . Hope you enjoyed the 12th of July as much as the countries biggest clubs fans did.

[mrbojangles]

[Franky Bear]

The worst result in British football ever...it can only be beat at the Scumdome next week.

[Bredbury Blue]

The worst result in British football ever...it can only be beat at the Scumdome next week.

Worse than Danish minnows Midtjylland beating three-time European champions Manchester United 2v1?

[Franky Bear]

The worst result in British football ever...it can only be beat at the Scumdome next week.

Worse than Danish minnows Midtjylland beating three-time European champions Manchester United 2v1?

By a country mile.

[StevieH]

is this really that big a deal? leicester won the league. iceland beat england. is it really that big a surprise that a pre-season celtic lost to a gang of goat-herders and cheesemakers?

[Jockstar]

is this really that big a deal? leicester won the league. iceland beat england. is it really that big a surprise that a pre-season celtic lost to a gang of goat-herders and cheesemakers?

Not really as they are pish. However we have to gloat mate. They would do the same.

[salty]

A 3 goal burst midway through the 1st half made the tie safe for Celtic as you would expect. Another excellent game from the visitors keeper but Celtic wasted several opportunities to add to the score in the 2nd half.

On the evidence of both legs it would be more hope than confidence for the next round against Astana.

[carmine]

Big big win for Celtic after that loss to a bunch of part timers that apparently wasn't an embarrassment.

[Robortas Budris]

I don't quite understand, I'm sorry...

[salty]

Astana 1 Celtic 1

A scoring draw for Celtic in Kazakhstan gives the Bhoys a decent chance of progressing. But it would be extremely foolish to underestimate Astana, Celtic had slightly more possession but carried very little threat and nearly all the close things were at the Celtic end. They went ahead in 19 minutes from a corner conceded due to poor play by Ambrose. Both O'Connell and Gordon were badly at fault and it was a dreadful goal to concede. Both went on to play solidly after that. Celtic had a strong appeal from a penalty shortly after. Dembele seemed to be fouled in the area. Noticeably the TV station never showed a replay. Roberts was easily the best player for Celtic and created a lot of trouble but he was well marked not always by legal means . A poor Italian ref failed to even book a defender who kicked Roberts on the touchline.

Celtic survived some close calls before half time and well into the 2nd half. At this stage I was hoping we could keep it alive with a 1-0 defeat. But then 12 minutes from the end Celtic snatched an equalizer. An Astana defender tried to shepherd the ball out of play but he was robbed by Roberts on the end line. He pulled it back to Griffiths who took his only chance superbly. It would be fair to say Astana would have been as annoyed by this concession as we were.

Considering Astana drew all 3 group games in the Cl last year at home we would have been very happy with this result. I anticipate a very nervy night next week.

[hackjam]

Good result, poor performance. Astana are no great shakes.

Gordon bailed us out a few times in the first half.

Ambrose should be shipped out ASAP.

Young Irish lad was good-got potential.

Tierney was excellent, had a lot of defending to do.

Was disappointed with Dembele, got bullied a few times, although bot attackers got poor supply.

Roberts was up for it, had a go every time, good to see him tracking back, he needs coaching to go onto his right side, he's very predictable, done really well for the goal set up.

Brown seems fitter now than at end of last season, got a silly booking, should have showed more maturity at that handbags towards the end.

Bitton was a good sub, showed a lot of composure, looked class.

Disappointed with McGregor, Forest & Armstrong.

A concentrated, professional performance at Celtic Park should see us through.

Team was crying out for a creative midfielder, someone who could pick out the runs of the attackers.

[salty]

A 2-1 win put Celtic through to the final playoff round and guarantees our place in the Europa League at least. It was a huge feeling of relief at the end. A penalty by Griffiths right on half time had Celtic ahead . After missing a few early 2nd half chances in our best period Astana came back to score . Gordon's clearing header was not decisive and Ibramini scored from 40 yards with a terrific finish over the stranded keeper.

Celtic were creating nothing and you feared a 2nd Astana goal which would have been decisive. But in injury time again Dembele turning away from a tackle and from goal was taken in the area . Another penalty and the young man showed commendable composure to score emphatically.

 

 

[smokie36]

You'll be praying for a trip to Dundalk and not Zagreb.

 

The division in class between some of the potential opponents is enormous.

 

Good luck!

[salty]

Celtic have drawn Hapoel  Be'er Sheva in the final playoff round with the 1st leg in Parkhead. These guys put out Olympiakos so it would be foolish to underestimate them.

[smokie36]

Massive games but you should stand an even chance.

[Bredbury Blue]

...and Hapoel  Be'er Sheva even sounds like a scot ordering a cold one!

[salty]

Celtic began the defence of the Title with a 2-1 win at Tynecastle. After a lively opening from Hearts Celtic struck on 8 minutes when McGregor was blocked in the area after a good run, Forrest  seized on it to fire into the corner. Armstrong in an offside position looked to be blocking the keepers line of vision. Watt missed a great chance for Hearts heading wide with Gordon again worringly completely misreading a centre. The keeper did make a good block later from the ex Celt.  Hearts equalized through Walker from a penalty. A bad mistake from the official as Tierney made no contact with Walker.

After a lively first half the 2nd half gradually descended into a war of attrition with Hearts forcing Celtic back for long periods. Fortunately  Celtic are looking more solid in defence these days. With 10 minutes to go Griffiths set off on a run down the left wing squared the ball for Sinclair, and the new signing who had made a terrific run from his own area glanced the ball home for the winner. It was completely at variance with much of the dire fare of the previous 20minutes. 

[hackjam]

Another result for Celtic, still waiting for commanding performance.

Gordon is a great shot stopper but decision making, especially at crosses, is poor.

Defense looked solid enough, Torue has had a stabilizing effect, Will be interesting to see who will be the defenders when all are fit.

Brown is now back to his best, just another silly booking, for decent again, he should know better.

Forrest had one of his better games-that's as good as he will ever be,  he will loose his place once Roberts is fir, however, he may be an option as an impact sub with 20 min to go, when teams are tiring, needs to put more effort into his tracking back/defensive duties.

As for Armstrong, only contribution was nearly <deleted> up the goal. Sinclair will take his place immediately, hope BR can get him back to his best

Front 2 worked hard, a bit ambitious with some of the long range shooting and could be a little bit more composed inside the box.

McGregor worked hard, without much cutting edge.

Reckon we need one more marquee signing-a creative midfielder-and we are good for the season, someone like Steve Gerard???

 

[hackjam]

Finally got the performance we have been waiting for, 5 past the Steelmen and home draw against Alloa in next round. Looks like Motherwell will struggle this season, just could not keep hold of the ball, Celtic did press with speed and passed well-high tempo.

With suspensions, it was possibly strongest side, Tierney deserved the rest,

Outstanding display by Sinclair, so looks the part, Rogic was good and Forrest is starting to blossom again, guess he is like a new singing.

[salty]

You beat me to the draw hackjam. Sinclair looks very impressive. Brendan joined the pundits again and says he would like 2 more signings. Naturally would not specify positions. I suspect goalkeeper and midfield. Our "new" signings impressive especially Rogic.

[hackjam]

Yes, team is starting to take shape, so looking forward to seeing Tierney & Sinclair teaming up along the left hand side. Good options along the right also, Lustig & Roberts.

Gordon dropped another clanger with Scott McD lurking.

[salty]

 Celtic 5 Hapoel Beer Sheva 2.

 

A 3 goal margin to take to Israel next Tuesday puts us in a good position to advance to the CL proper but given the way we conceded twice in 2 minutes early in the 2nd half a shock can not be ruled out.

 

After a terrific 1st half which saw an early goal by Rogic and 2 late brilliant

goals by Griffiths we were well in control at HT. At that stage I felt just blow the full time whistle as I always worry about Celtic defensively. When the Israelis pulled 2 back early on in the 2nd half it was like someone had punctured a balloon. Celtic were flat for 20 minutes or so until Brendan made a few good substitutions. Dembele headed in a corner in 73 minutes to huge relief. Gordon who failed to cover his near post for the first goal made a terrific save and both Brown and Griffiths were lucky not to concede penalties. With 5 minutes to go Brown of all people scored the 5th. The ball luckily rebounded tom him and he finished with aplomb.

 

Overall I think we are fortunate to have a 3 goal margin. Hopefully over there we will be looking to score rather than sit on our lead.

 

[hackjam]

Exciting game, 3 goal lead should be enough to go through.

Should be stronger team next week, with Erik the Viking back alongside Toure and maybe get half a game out of Roberts. Biton will likely start in a holding role.

Sinclair continues to impress, Brown is back to his best, looks like he will have a good season.

Janko did not impress, reckon BR will try bring in a right back before window closes.

Also, Griffiths should teach Rogic how to take corners.

Al in all, more signs of progress, Ronnie's Celtic would have folded after the 2 goals went in.

[salty]

A 4-2 win at St Johnstone with another convincing performance apart from last 10 minutes. 3 up at HT after Griffiths, Sinclair and a third superb individual goal from a rejuvenated Forrest had Celtic cruising. No real concerns in the 2nd half until the last 10 minutes when a penalty was carelessly conceded and then a second for the home team. Poor defending here and the Saints pressed for an equaliser. Christie on as a sub made sure just before the end.

 

Terrific in attack but still somewhat dodgy in defence. Also we are picking up silly bookings though Forrest's was ridiculous. Hapoel looked dangerous in attack and I would be a bit nervous in this regard  for Tuesday. A continuation of our good form in attack should be enough to get us through.

[smokie36]

Very quiet on here the morning after qualifying for the CL.

 

An utterly abysmal night for Celtic's manager...tactically that was nearly a disaster.

 

That being said...congratulations!