Celts Set For AZ Showdown
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


Kyogo Furuhashi quickly adapting to life in Scotland with 5 goals in as many games


Wednesday, 18 August
19.45 BST
Celtic Park

How's Your Bhoys?

The Celts, coming off a 3-2 win over Hearts at the weekend and securing a League Cup Quarter Final match up with Raith Rovers, now turn their attentions back to matters European, as they prepare to take on Dutch side AZ Alkmaar for a place in the Europa League group stages.

Whatever the outcome of this tie, Celtic are guaranteed European Football of some description until Christmas at least. However, after the disappointment of missing out on the Champions League, there will be a desire for the Hoops to test themselves in the second tier of European football, rather than the third.

While Celtic's recent string of impressive performances have many fans optimistic for the future, the final score at the weekend was a stark reminder that no matter how good the attacking intent is, there are frailties in the defence that can undermine all of what Postecoglou is trying to achieve, which need to be addressed.

And on this front there seems to be some positive news in tow, with reports that the club have agreed a fee and are on the verge of signing Josip Juranovic from Polish outfit, Legia Warsaw.

This will not be the first time that the Hoops will have turned to recruiting from Legia - and that this connection once again can be the goods, having previously unearthed fan favourites Dariusz 'Jacki' Dziekanowski and the Holy Goalie, Artur Boruc.

If, and hopefully when, the deal is concluded to secure the Croatian fullback's services, it will go some way to bolstering the defensive options available to Postecoglou and hopefully bring some stability to a position that has had a big question mark over it since the departure of Jeremie Frimpong, back in January.


Celtic appear to be on the verge of signing Croatian International Josip Juranovic

Regarding Wednesday's match, Ange will be looking for more of the same in regards to the attacking displays that has seen the Bhoys rack up 16 goals in the last 4 games.

The fluidity of the midfield trio of McGregor, Turnbull & Rogic has been nothing short of sublime, as they launched wave after wave of attacks and carving out chances for those in front of them - and themselves also - in recent games.

And Postecoglou should have nearly a full strength squad to choose from - in terms of fitness that is - with just Leigh Griffith's calf and Christopher Julien's knee ruling that pair out.

That all said, this next game will provide by far the biggest challenge yet for Postecoglou and the team - and the pressure will be on.

What About AZ Alkmaar?

Like Celtic, AZ appear to be a team in the middle of a transition, with a much changed side from the one that performed so remarkably well last season. The Dutch side will be without as many as 7 key figures missing from last season, either having departed or otherwise unavailable for this tie, which could prove crucial for Celtic's chances of progressing to the Europa League Group Stages.

Recently AZ have signed Danish goalkeeper, Peter Vindahl Jensen, to replace the departed first choice shot stopper, Marco Bizot, but he has yet to make his debut for his new club. And that is just the tip of the iceberg regarding who will line up against the Hoops.

There are a slew of last season's first team starters, who performed so well that will be missing from Wednesday's teamsheet, including the departures of fullback Jonas Svensson, the creative Calvin Stengs and striker Myron Boadu, leaving big shoes to fill.

Of those still on the AZ books, star midfielder Tuen Koopmeiners has been reportedly unsettled by persistant talk of an imminant departure (although he has been included in the squad for this upcoming tie), and fullback Owen Wijndal is has come into the new season carrying an injury and is unlikely to be fit for either leg of this tie.

To compound these further, they will also be without creative winger Jesper Karlsson for this first leg, who has a suspension to serve, hanging over from last season in this competiton.


With the fans returning, another big European night awaits with the visit of AZ Alkmaar

So maybe, just maybe, Celtic have come up against Alkmaar at the right time, although that does not mean that anything about this tie should be taken for granted ahead of when the 2 sides line up to walk out onto the pitch. The Hoops will need to be on the top of their game in order to ensure progression to the Group Stage of the Europa League.

AZ will also be looking to bounce back after losing the opening game of their domestic campaign, 1-0, to Eredivisie strugglers, RKC Waalwijk - a side that only avoided relegation despite finishing last in 2019/20 when the Dutch league was declared void due to the pandemic, and last season finished little better, down in 15th place.

But the statistics belie the final result, with AZ dominating that match, in terms of possession (over 70%), as well as regarding shots & on target (19/5 v 7/2). yet in football, the only stat that counts at the end of the day is the scoresheet.

When taking into consideration AZ's impressive pre-season, it could be that the result at the weekend was a one-off, one of those random football anomilies that underline the truth that one any given day anyone can beat anyone.

So now it is up to Ange & the Bhoys to make the most of the home field advantage in this first leg and be looking at going all out in order to earn a result that will be invaluable taking across the North Sea to the Netherlands next week.

And it isn't because of away goals, which no longer is a consideration in determining who progresses, rather that AZ Alkmaar have a very impressive home record, not having been defeated there since January.

But it is possible that Celtic, for once, will be taking on an opponant at the right time.

Now they have to make the most of it.



Ange Says...​

Speaking ahead of this European tie, Postecoglou had this to say about his philosophy and mental approach to the game in general and what he hopes to achieve, which echoes and resonates some of the great Celtic traditions.

“The traditions and values are that this football club has always made an impact in Europe, one way or another,” he said. “That’s the opportunity that has been given to me, and it’s definitely a motivation for sure. Long after I’m gone, I hope to have made any impact at this fantastic football club. That’s what we all want to do. If you’re a manager, you want to do things that you hope outlast your own tenure. That’s the opportunity in Europe.

“The most important thing for me is still the football. I just want everyone talking about the football we are playing. If they keep doing that, the success will be for everyone to share."

By the Numbers

Last Time Out
Celtic 3-2 Hearts
Celtic Park, 15 August 2021

RKC Waalwijk 1 - 0 AZ Alkmaar
Mandemakers Stadion, 14 August 2021

2021/22 Form

Celtic
Overall: WWWWL
Home: WWWD

AZ Alkmaar
Overall: L
Away: L​