[Official TC Thread] Celtic v. FC Astana, 2nd Leg

[ame]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eSzYcLBIXfo[/ame]

 

Happy to go through.

Really like our gengenpressing its shown to be effective even against the likes of Barcelona so Rodgers must maintain that tactic. The full backs pushing into the centre nearer to the Midfield to force the opposition to pick up the man was really good positional play to create a extra man, great stuff.

What concerns me is that we didn't score from open play rather than rely on two penalties. We struggled to take out chances tonight, it simply has to be better in the next round. We distribute our ball retention wide/flanks with fluid Football and I can see already that the speculation around Sinclair has to be materialised, if so that would make us really function in our possession.
Didn't really understand the instructions on Lustig to role as a playmaker from centre half into Griffiths with the route one passes? Griffiths being no where near the height required to be a target man.

We need signings in for the next round.

 

Lots of positives to takefrom tonights game Dembele's goal, Broonie is back, toure made his debut, we progressed and we seen the manager can change things within the game.

Yes there was bad points but the result means im too happy to care, particularly for Moussa who is now off and running and starting to show why he is so highly rated

 

Through. Great. Played so so, decent organisation but much improvement still needed though. will improve

 

Why do Celtic put you through the wringer like that though? No * need for it :smiley-laughing002:.

Need some major changes ahead of the CL Play Off though.

Need a new LW Forrest ain't good enough, a new GK would be great as well.

Hope to have Paddy, Bitton and Erik back and fit for it as well.

 

Not the greatest picture and foreign commentary but the full match replay here for those who didn't see the game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmDXm77c76M

 

Anticipated a nervous occasion but not to the level of what we got.

Thought we were pretty comfortable,aside from 5-10 minute spell when Toure came on. Was curious as to why he was introduced at that point, as we were still on top of the game at that point. Seemed to lose the shape and then came the goal. I reckon Gordon could have headed the ball towards the sideline(also think he could have held his position at the edge of the area as well), at the same time I think O'Connell and Tierney got caught out in a positional sense(not out by much mind you). However I'm not here to hang anyone out to dry for it. These young boys have come in and performed very well and done what has been asked of them in high pressure situations. When you have the injury problems we have faced, inconsistencies will occur. Again these boys deserve nothing but praise for what they have done.

While we were relatively comfortable, I thought we were also pretty blunt going forward. Doesn't help when you lose your most talented weapon in attack, when the opposition are packed inside their own half. Roberts has the ability to create opportunities for himself and space for others to play in. Maybe that's why we introduced Toure and switched to 3 at the back. Of the clear opportunities created, Johansen played in Griffiths with a good through ball just after half-time. Griffiths finishing let him down. Would have been interesting to see how the rest of the half would have played out had he finished. Griffiths had a similar chance again but the defender recovered well. Roberts absence, meant we had to be patient and try to move the ball around. Very difficult to do with a packed defence. Indeed at times we forced the ball long, which suited them more than us. Aisde from a couple of occasions, Lustig found Griffiths with a peach in the 1st and we managed to find Johansen a couple of times in the 2nd half(runs from deep central into the wide areas).

While Toure sub seemed to unsettle us, Dembele had the desired effect on them. Much more of a physical presence for the defence. The longer balls were now more of an option, than it was with Griffiths. It also allowed Griffiths to drop short, indeed he was chopped down by Shitface prior to the penalty on one of these runs. Dembele won the penalty through some good powerful running and if it wasn't for his desire to score again, he should have had another penalty. Also pleasing was his mentality, he's had a frustrating time in front of goals but still had the confidence to take on the pressure penalty.

Overall, it was by far from a vintage performance. I believe we can play a lot better than we shown tonight. I wouldn't say anyone particularly stood out form the crowd. O'Connell would probably get my vote for any MOM. Being flung in at the deep end and performed so well, has been impressive.

In this situation whether we "scrape through"(as various Scottish media people have already quoted) or not is irrelevant. The next challenge will be announced on Friday and it will be difficult. Seasoned Champions League teams like Shaktar Donetsk,Olympiacos and Anderlecht found out tonight(as did BATE last night), it's not that easy.

 

Regret to inform that Dundalk fans are likewise wishing for Celtic!
they and perhaps with more credibility based on Delias past CL fails, believe they can beat Celtic.

I seriously doubt some of you have any idea of how close such a match would be!

Plus points
Great to see the crowds back, delighted for Rodgers, delighted for Dembele.

Tierney class act in the mould of Libon lion potential. Has it all potentially even his low key emotion winner attitude is rare.
O'Connell has real potential
Griffiths is Celtic class
Roberts shame he is just a loan, as like Tierney has it all potentially.
Lustig is Celtic class
McGregor a decent Celtic squad player and gives 100%
Johansen has ability and passion and should be given a second chance.


concerns
janko shows low confidence or he has less ability than past hype
Armstrong is unlikely to prove he is Celtic class


Reality checks
Brown is past sell by and not good enough anymore - more headless chicken moments than quality
Gordon is over rated
Forrest not showing real desire or self belief


Any team needs luck, so does a manager.
Astana likely could have played better but are not a good side, all they have are difficult features, not least being closer to Asia than Europe, which makes them a handful for most sides at home, but their away results in Europe show reality.

Celtic squad had experience of Karagandy and were not fazed


Really hope for signings as we need a new driving harder more skilled
midfield.

 

Not seen final whistle celebrations like that in a long time, although I think the standing section emphasizes it even more.

All in all, job well done over the two legs. We could have been more convincing, but let's not forget that we're nowhere close to seeing the team that Brendan wants to build here. We're also still in pre-season mode, whereas they're a good bit into their campaign and should be the fitter, sharper side.

He needs time to bring his own players in and slowly but surely get rid of the excess baggage, trim the squad fat, whatever you want to call it.

Tonight was a massive step in the right direction for this club, one huge step closer to getting back to where we belong. I pray we can get through the play offs now and maybe sign another few players before the transfer window closes.

 

Celtic vs Astana stats:​

Possession: 61% - 39%
Shots: 17 - 6
On target: 7 - 2
Corners: 5 -2
Fouls: 9 -16
Freekicks: 20 - 10
Yellow cards: 2 - 9
Red cards: 0 - 2
​

 

Those card stats are very telling

 

More who help the better, doesn't represent as other signs do.
Some game though, didn't think I would make it :icon_mrgreen:

 

We don't make it easy and we're still no even there yet.

That was heavy goin the night, hopefully the next tie is shooty in cos ma nerves are * shattered.

 

We beat a side 3 months into their league, unbeaten at home for months, were in CL Group stages last year. We had so many injuries. Wind up here Shirley?

 

I think we should all resign ourselves at some point to the fact that Celtic will never make it easy for ourselves in Europe :smiley-laughing002:

It's not good for the heart, but it's the way it is.

Their goal tonight was a bit of a freak goal, the kinda thing that would only happen to us in a European tie. It was a great finish, but I think he would either fluff it or put it high or wide 8 times out of 10.

 

Aye, the last time we did make it easy for ourselves in the play off last year against Malmo * were happy as larry 3-0 up coasting wondering who we'll get in our Group then bang bang 3-2 everything * up.

 

​

Just WOW...
Who thought ANYTHING like this was possible 6 Months ago?
Rodgers did it as the VERY BEST managers do; he did it with so much against him. He knows what subs to make at the right time. He has our trust just by leaving Ambrose out altogether tonight..

Incredible scenes at the end, but they always come back, we go through 2/3 years of nights like tonight, then 2/3 years of terror almost. I think with Rodgers we can stay these nights will be coming more and more. The board need to see long term we have the base to build and remain. We lack the cash English/Spanish etc teams have, but they lack what we have, and I don't have to say what that is because it happened again tonight. Just amazing for everyone who loves or works for this club that tortures us and then amazes us, it's the very fabric of what we see, let’s now push on Celtic, become a Euro Giant in the way teams from France, Portugal etc can do
....

In Rodgers we trust

 

Was it not 2-1, then 3-1 and then 3-2?