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

anyone got a video link so i can see celtic scoring 2 and missing chance after chance thanks

 

anyone got a link for most depressing post of the day?

http://www.talkceltic.net/forum/showthread.php?p=3041695#post3041695

ah, there it is........ :icon_mrgreen:

 

That's only just reminded me,I was too busy jumping round the room to care that I'd missed it,add to that a telling off from my Missus as the boy was asleep!:icon_mrgreen:

 

I had a team in mind about a week ago and the only difference between the actual selection and mine was Forrest. I had Kayal in the team and Brown wide right. Forrest's final ball was fairly poor although, he was full of energy and running. I felt Lennon could have chosen a better midfield to control the ball as we struggled to control the game as it worn on.

Wanyama was very lazy @ CB, switched on when moved into midfield which isnt good enough imo. His professionalism over the summer has been questionable and it seems to be showing on the field.

Forster, Matthews & Mulgrew looked solid enough for the 1st competitive match of the season. They all made minor mistakes but they were "acceptable" all things considered.

Izaguirre looked off the pace abit, defensive positioning was suspect and tried to melt some crosses ala Lee Naylor when he could have ran the flank more. I hope the Izzy/Ledley dynamic from his 1st season comes back to the fore over the course of this season. Ledley sitting into LB when he got forward allowed him to destroy full backs without any chance of being caught out.

Samaras & Commons were getting better as the game wore on. Ledley & Brown were solid enough.

Hooper's link up play with midfield needs to improve at this level. He needs to have more success in bringing the midfield up the field and releasing wide players into space when needs be. Also, sometimes when we have them parked on the 18 yard line, he should try more to draw a marker out and allow space for someone else to run into. In general, the movement by all the attacking players in these scenarios was quite static and made it easy for defenders.

Alot can and will be worked on but I'm confident of going to Helsinki and getting a result because there is so much room for improvement and it will come as the season gets going.

 

i understand that but i feel helsinki only have another gear in them were as we can step up another couple atleast

 

This is my first post since returning from the game and I have many thoughts. First and foremost, I am glad we won. I said before the game that I would take any win and on a smaller note, I accurately predicted 2-1 to us. Considering it was our first competitive game of the season I thought the performance was good but also a missed opportunity. We started the game very brightly and this helped the crowd - By the way 53,000, what a great turnout - generate a positive atmosphere. A few near things here or there and pretty much domination possession but just no penetration. Half Time. Second half started and just as I took my seat after queuing up for a very questionable scotch pie and I suddenly looked up and saw their player running in celebration: CELTIC 0 HJK Helsinki 1. I always react in the same way when the away team takes the lead at Celtic Park and that is to sit in stunned silence and put on my biggest '*' face. However the team reacted brilliantly and Commons had a fine attempt come off the post. Samaras was then put through on the left and an inch perfect pass set up Hooperman for a tap in, 1-1. Just minutes later a fantastic corner from Commons set up another Mulgrew goal - Reminiscent of his opener in the last ever game against Rangers - and cue bedlam. The rest of the game was comfortably passing but yet no penetration and still a lack of proper cohesion at the back after a wasteful pass from Sammy or big Victor. Final whistle and the game is over. I am please we won and to come back from 1-0 down makes it all the more precious. However it merely affirms that we desperately need a quality Centre Back and quality target man Striker in order to progress this team to the next level.

In terms of tactics, I was shocked that Neil started neither Rogne or Lustig and started both Commons and Forrest. Also I feel a 4-4-2 and Victor as a Centre Back with Samaras as a Striker was not the way we should have deployed. Switching Forrest from wide right to left during the first half I feel was also unneccessary. The subs were fine, contrary to what people say. I only wish we could have got another goal to make it 3-1 but by the final whistle I was just grateful for the victory. Also I bet none of you realise that tonight was EMILIO IZAGUIRRE'S EUROPEAN DEBUT FOR CELTIC, altho I must admit that defensively he was shaky and attacking wise he looks a tad reluctant but I hope and pray he can return to his very best in time. For any HJK Helsinki fans on here, you have to admit we were the better team by a fair distance. My final word goes to the crowd tonight: Great first half atmosphere wise, perhaps after going 2-1 ahead I expected more from the Green Brigade and co but nonetheless a fantastic turnout and here's hoping for more this saturday. p.s Every single Celtic fan would accept a 3-2 defeat in Helsinki if you offered it to them right now and that's a guarantee.

 

This is being replayed just now on premier sports. Channel 428 on sky. Its FReeView !

 

pretty poor defending again from celtic and underlines to everyone that we badly need a good centre half now.

 

If I may interject in the discussion, I was impressed by the guy Mannstrom (apologies if the spelling is wrong) and always been a fan of Vayrynen.

Mannstrom, is available on free in the next couple of months(read it somewhere) and think he would be worth a punt. Technically good(from what I`ve seen) and looks like he would be able to handle the nature of Scottish Football. Is he better than what we have?? Well I don`t think so, but he could be a useful addition.

Vayrynen has a good bit of experience and I think he`s on a short-term deal. Like Mannstrom he would be a decent addition, should any vacancies arise (so to speak)

I don`t think any of the HJK players would be good enough to address the more pressing issues we have in defence.

 

HJK must be about the only team in Europe worse than us in defence!

 

Link to full match download for those who missed the game or wish to watch it again.

http://www.fullmatches.net/celtic-vs-hjk-helsinki-01-aug-2012-full-match/

 

The games on premier sports freeview just now hjk have just scored

 

Matthews was Man of the Match in my opinion and he never put a foot wrong the whole game. Got forward when he could, passing was decent, was up for the fight (as we saw from him when he yelled at a few other players when he made a superb clearing tackle in the first half) and tackled excellently.

If that was a poor performance then I can't wait to see him when he's playing a blinder

Forrest came much more into the game in the second half. He started decent but faded in the first half (like a lot of the other players), but had a good few runs in the second half and he could have had a goal if Hooper didn't get in his way

Broony was only decent in the first half but played MUCH better in the second and was unlucky with a shot by only just missing the post. Just wish that Ledley was as good in the second half as he was in the first.

All in all, I think we should be much better next week. We should be more up to speed in terms of fitness and match sharpness by then and hopefully we can get a goal or two.

 

Aw * not again

 

You dont need to get wide ya moronic mess

 

A just thought Matthews was caught out of position too often and choose the wrong pass all the time. Granted He was decent defensively, a couple of important blocks but there was too many times he never played the early ball, he always forced Forrest wider with silly short passes.

To Sum up A thought he was poor going forward wich i think we needed more

But defensively he was sound

For me 6

 

Sounds like you just summed up Emilio's performance mate. Matthews was excellent.

 

Maybe it was just my view. Said before I rate Matthews but he just frustrated me last night as too did Izzy, forrest and most of all Wanyama (who i also rate).

 

Nah, for me he was pretty much outstanding. I do remember now actually a couple of times he got caught out dribbling when going for a run, but other than those I thought he had an excellent game

The ironic thing is, Izzy was decent when he was going forward but defensively he wasn't on the ball. If we could have only mixed the two together :icon_mrgreen:

 

It was all round frustrating last night, loose passes, poor decision making and shambolic defending at times. They were having plenty of joy down our left side. Will be a very tough game over there. Obviously happy we got the win after trailing by a goal.

Was a relief that everyone in the stadium got behind the team when they went behind instead of giving up.

Man Utd hopefully won't follow up there interest in Big Vic after last night, think the nerves got to him.