Chris Sutton asked early in the second half which Celtic was going to turn up, and I think we got an answer. But yet, there was a certain amount of good football tonight from Celtic, and more importantly a lot more effort and commitment from some Celtic players at least. In the case of Ryan Christie, possibly too much commitment. His booking earns him a rest next Thursday – hardly the biggest disaster of all time – but it was that free kick that allowed Milan back into the game!
This had followed a very good, even slick, start to the game with two very well taken goals from Rogic and Edouard. We were already talking about revivals of the season and resurrections of Celtic careers, when we gave it all away again! The defending was sometimes just too bad to be true, as the loss of 17 goals in 5 games in Europe proves. The third and fourth goals were simply pathetically defended with a distinct lack of any meaningful challenge.
This is what is meant by the lack of attitude. A team that is trying will have loads of defenders willing to go in hard. Yes, there is the risk of an injury and yes, there is the risk of a yellow card if things are mistimed, but a good defender puts himself in the way of attackers. He defends as if his life depends on it. He considers a clean sheet for Celtic to be the most important thing in the world for the 90 minutes that the game lasts. This was manifestly lacking tonight for Elhamed in particular, but the others had their moments as well.
Up front, Edouard had a better game than he has had for a while. He is a far better player when he has room, but it is up to himself to find the room, and oh! how we could have done with Leigh Griffiths and his willingness to run at the defence tonight! Rogic had a good first half, but tired in the second before he was removed.
It was an annoying performance. Sunday was devastating, but tonight was annoying because we could have done better and possibly now and again we had a little bad luck in front of goal. But then again AC Milan had a good goalkeeper. Frankly, I don’t think we did tonight. If it is true that Fraser Forster is sitting on the bench at Southampton, is it not possible to ask a fairly obvious question in January?
And so where are we? Probably in the same place as we were before the game which was, after all, little more than a glorified friendly for us. Next Thursday will be the same. Sunday, however, is important. One shudders to think what will happen if we don’t win against St Johnstone. Attitude will be all important. If we can begin to rally, possibly win the Scottish Cup – and that should give everyone a boost – and even win the Ibrox game at the New Year, then who knows? It is asking a lot, but we are in a hole of our own digging!
David Potter
