JAMES FORREST inspired Celtic to a comfortable win in Stockholm this evening. The Swedish Champions AIK came into this match convinced that they could cause Celtic problems and overcome the the 2-0 deficit from the first leg in Paradise last week.
And they nearly got off to a dream start with a lovely volley smashing off the upright with Craig Gordon well beaten. Celtic were looking vulnerable at the back, as usual, and it looked like just being a matter of time before the opening goal came.
So it was something of a pleasant surprise when Celtic’s deadly duo, Odsonne Edouard and James Forrest combined brilliantly and Forrest showed all his experience and class to move the ball quickly from his right boot to fire high into the AIK net with his left foot strike. It was a wonderful goal and significantly meant that AIK needed to score four to go through. It was an unlikely prospect even for the most optimistic in the home support.
They did pull one back after a soft penalty decision against Bolingoli was covered by Larsson. Craig Gordon, as usual, went the wrong way. But this Celtic side picked themselves up and moments later were back ahead with Mikey Johnston twisting and turned before firing in a shot that the AIK keeper, who played so well last week, will not want to see again.
Kris Ajer had been replaced early doors by Anthony Ralston and the Norwegian must now be a serious doubt for Sunday. Ralston got caught out once in the second half, when Jullien’s slackness did him no favours at the second stage but a combination of Bitton (excellent tonight) and Gordon saved the goal.
A 6-1 aggregate win and into the group stage of the @EuropaLeague – well done, Bhoys! ????⚪️ #AIKCEL #UEL pic.twitter.com/7maI20Wm6p
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 29, 2019
The early AIK threat in the second half died down after fifteen to twenty minutes and Celtic were able to see out the game. Why Odsonne Edouard and James Forrest were not withdrawn is a mystery and probably a costly one as Edouard limped off after setting up another opportunity for Forrest.
Mikey Johnston had been withdrawn before that to replace Mikey Johnston, who hopefully won’t start on Sunday – we saw that particular horror movie twice last season. Lewis Morgan came on for Johnston and after he’d hurt himself Odsonne was withdrawn and replaced by the lively Bayo.
Johnston and McGregor combined well down the left to cross and with Scott Brown ready to tap in, Christopher Jullien slid in to get the touch and claim the third goal of the night for the Hoops. Bayo tested the keeper with a thunderous strike before James Forrest, deep into stoppage time, crossed for Lewis Morgan to head in a fourth – his first goal for Celtic.
What a move for our last goal vs AIK???? pic.twitter.com/dszlw8OFY1
— OzCelts (@OzCelts) August 29, 2019
So Celtic won 6-1 on aggregate against a side that’s probably better than Cluj. The Romanians went out to the Champions League last night to Slavia Prague in the Play-offs and will be a pot four team in tomorrow’s Europa League draw. Hopefully we get a second bite at that cherry.
Poor old Slavia (again you’d have fancied Celtic to beat) have ended up drawing Barcelona, Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Just about as brutal a draw as it’s possible to get. AEK Athens got zero points last season, Slavia will do well to beat that total.
Think the Europa League is more suited to us anyway.
Finally a word about the trouble this evening between the travelling support and the Swedish Police. The reports we’ve been getting from Bhoys at the game don’t show sections of our support up in a particularly good light unfortunately.
This from a Celtic supporter inside the away section at the Friends Arena this evening:
“Watching the way the other Celtic ‘fans’ are behaving at half-time is just embarrassing. Total morons fighting with the local security guards, masks on, scarves round the face and antagonising them – absolute embarrassment.
“No doubt you’ll hear about the police being ‘heavy handed’ after the game. Total nonsense, it was 100% the ‘fans’ who instigated any assault and abuse. So sad to see.”
Not sure what the problem is but Clearly see Police start this with Batons for what looks like no reason here. Forcing Celtic fans to back into a fence. This needs a thorough investigation @CelticFCSLO pic.twitter.com/2VtDwaXkfa
— Michael McCahill (@MickMcCahill) August 29, 2019
We’re Glasgow @CelticFC pic.twitter.com/XMW7PQQ5yq
— leftwing badges (@Leftwingbadges) August 29, 2019
Neil Lennon was delighted with the outstanding performance of his team tonight. Here’s his post match comments. Kris Ajer is a major doubt for Sunday, the manager confirmed, although there’s better news on Odsonne Edouard who it turns out was suffering from a bit of cramp.
Man of the Match – James Forrest
Pots are now completed for the Europa League group stage draw, which is due to take place tomorrow at midday.
Dudelange, Ferencvaros, Gent, Ludogorets, Frankfurt, Rangers, Wolves and Vitoria de Guimaraes are the last teams to qualify.
Here's how the pots look. pic.twitter.com/5QycIvSVPW
— Moravcik67 (@Moravcik67_) August 29, 2019
