Celtic v HJK Helsinki - Wed, 1 Aug K/O 19.45 - Live on Premier Sports.

That's the worst thing about Lenny and I always criticise him for it, he always leaves his subs way too late.

He was getting better at it last season but seems to have gone back to his bad ways

 

I'm talking about my messages a few pages back.

I did watch the game you know, and I realize we lost


Anyways, I think we played quite well defensively. We even managed to keep the ball for a few longer periods in the first half.

You had your chances, but to be honest, your goals were results from us * up. And yes, I know it's a part of the game and that you dominated us in ball possession, but if we wouldn't have * up and let you score them, we might have even won. Everything is possible in football, the "better" team may not always win. Anyways, isn't the team that wins the better team? Goals are what count and today we lost. That's that.

Can't wait for next week.

 

I don't think you'd have seen much of a difference tonight. We would've started with a similar team, which is the right thing to do, as most of them have been here now for 2-3 years.

Can't just expect a player to be added and fluidly become a first team player. It takes time.

If we were gonna sign a new player for the CL, we should've done it back in January, or at least in May/June time.

 

Your prediction for next week? I'm going for a score draw.

 

Let's also remember their main striker couldn't make it at Hearts

 

I don't know if anyone listened to the Radio Scotland commentary tonight but I thought Kenny Shiels made some good points about the way we played tonight. It was interesting listening to him.

 

thought we played a decent game.
But the manager should never have taken off commons. he was the one player that doesnt hurry his initial touch, passes n takes a sec to think where to play it or create a shot. and at that particular point we could have built on that when we got to 2-1 only to disrupt it. didnt make sense nor his subs at the end. thought our play in the final third proved once again its crying out for a skillful frontman. yip hooper scored but not a lot else. but no doubt we'll seek out some form of target man!!
matthews has great game - right good wee player.
wanyama just oozes confidence and composure rarely seen in our side and was a lot more confident in the defence with him in there. however we should already have a suitable CB in to do that job and let him do his stuff in the middle.
of course Ki would be have been ideal in these games, but so unbelievably underated/deemed unnecessary by so many. brown or ki in the middle??

for all thats knocking helsinki (dont get me wrong thought we were the better side and hoped we could have got to 3-1 atleast) how many times have we been atrocious away but fair better at home with crowd behind us. could well happen again and they will fancy there chances with the away goal

hope we do it but not be plain sailing

 

You gonna share them?

 

Don't think Commons was totally fit to be honest.

 

Didn't listen mate. Don't really have time for Kenny Shiels but what was he saying?

 

"your" goal was a result of us * up as well.

I've just never encountered a more arrogant away supporter on here than you, and we have played countless English teams who are apparently famous for arrogance but none of them hold a candle to you mate

Considering you play in the Finnish league that is quite a feat.

 

Got to even it up:icon_mrgreen:

 

Disagree the amount of good balls in and around the box tonight a decent target man would have loved it and we would have gotten a goal or two from it.

 

I feel big Vic is much more useful in the midfield than in defence. But, to be fair the bhoys, they created a lot of chances, just never got that final ball perfect.

Also, the way they fought back, makes me proud.

Fans were great as well.

 

@Mr Ball what's your prediction for next week?

 

Like 6'4 Samaras?

 

As I have stated earlier, I live in hope and don't expect too much. I really wish we would get the 1-0 win and go through to the Europe league, as would any fan of a club. But the facts are that we are 2-1 down. We have to raise our game and attack more next week. And because of that, there will be more room for you to attack.

I think / hope that we keep the ball, which we are good at on our pitch. We have to score fast, since our defense will be vulnerable because we have to get more players to Celtics defense zone. After 1-0, we should fall a bit down and get our defense together, but not forget about scoring more goals.

So, I honestly don't know what to expect. 1 or more - 0 is what I'm hoping for, but you'll have dangerously much room to attack if we lose the ball in bad positions like today.

 

I'm confident we'll get through. We are clearly the stronger team. Our European away form is obviously more miss than hit though.

 

I suggest you take a look at the poll results on this thread

TalkCeltic - The Ultimate Celtic FC Forum - View Poll Results

94% of Celtic fans here think we are a mediocre or poor European side. So I don't really see what you're trying to prove.