Ange Postecoglou was delighted with his side’s performance and the result in the Europa League Group stages match in Budapest last night that very much kept Celtic’s chances of qualifying from this group alive.
“That was our objective tonight, to try and get maximum points and keep us alive in the group,” the Celtic manager told BT Sport after the dust had settled on a marvellous performance and a 3-2 result that actually doesn’t do Celtic justice in a game that they bossed from start to finish against the Champions of Hungary.
One stat last night above all others that really impressed me anyway. This was the first time that Celtic had scored 3 or more goals in two consecutive away European matches since 1970 and of course Celtic reached the European Cup Final that year!
Celtic picked up their first away win in major Euro comp since Nov 2019 (2-1 v Lazio in #UEL).
First time Celtic have scored 3+ goals in consecutive away games in major Euro comp for the first time since 1970. @OptaJoe
And without parking the bus.#FERCEL @20MinuteTims pic.twitter.com/FsTNMv3aIu
— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) November 4, 2021
A point Sandman made in his wonderfully Definitive Rating this morning was that at no stage ever have we seen a Celtic manager substitute his from three – who had all scored – Kyogo, Jota and Abada – and replaced them with an alternative strike force that looked just as menacing from the Ferencvaros perspective. But Kyogo, Jota and Abada deserve all the credit and it very much looks like we are back with a strike force that akin only to the Three Amigos at their peak.
Tackling perfection from Callum McGregor 🤤@CelticFC | #UEL pic.twitter.com/fUYAaJLQF8
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) November 4, 2021
“Full credit to the boys, I thought we played really well and scored three great goals, could’ve had a couple more,” Ange said. “Disappointed with conceding the second one because I don’t think it was a true reflection of how we played tonight.
And on The Return of the Three Amigos: “They were great tonight”, Ange admitted. “But we can’t discount the fact that our ability to play out from the back gives them good opportunities rather than just knocking it long.
“They work awfully hard for the team in a defensive sense and as I’ve always said to them they’ll get their rewards so great for all three to get goals tonight, three quality goals too.
“The fact that we can get three goals away from home is because we’ll just go at teams and I still think that is the way forward for us.
“It’s the kind of team we want to be and the kind of team I think our supporters want us to be.”
Watch out for a UEFA fine coming Celtic’s way for the delay at the start of the match caused by Anthony Ralston’s holy socks – an explanation on why that bizarre occurrence happened is given below, but first here’s Ange speaking to BT Sport…
Ange – always humble – always gracious and always low key. From day one I’ve liked and believed in this guy. He’s got it, just give him the tools to achieve his dream, our dream, and we’ll get there. @chris_sutton73 also bang on as usual 👏☘️ pic.twitter.com/JBbvTnd5xB
— Matt McGlone (@MattMcGlone9) November 4, 2021
🗣 “It gives you belief that we’ve given ourselves a chance now…”
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou’s telling our sports editor @AlisonGConroy tonight’s win v Ferencvaros has them believing they can progress in the Europa League pic.twitter.com/csRcshxXGK
— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) November 4, 2021
Deserved victory for Celtic. Still shoot themselves in the foot but in the main very controlled. Carter-Vickers excellent once again at the back. Kyogo the best player in the country so far this season unplayable at times tonight. Job done.
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) November 4, 2021
What last night showed me was that when Ange picks a player he gets it right. I hope he is given total support in January to obtain the men he needs. Also please please pay the money for Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers HH pic.twitter.com/eXiMviA01g
— Celtic Gossip (@CelticGossip) November 5, 2021
Morning all, we were all impressed by that display last night. Good movement, pace & ball retention, three goad goals and a deserved win. Realistically we need a point in Leverkusen on match day 5 to have a chance in the group but overall pleased with the progress. pic.twitter.com/BJP57H7wBM
— Lisbon Lion (@tirnaog_09) November 5, 2021
Kyogo x Jota.
We are lucky to have these two, incredible duo 🔥🍀
— 🍀 Celtic1967.com 🍀 (@Celtic1967_com) November 4, 2021
What was going on with Anthony Ralston’s socks last night? The tears look too similar to be accidental. pic.twitter.com/z8ZxglsLiT
— Lisbon Lion (@tirnaog_09) November 5, 2021
As already explained it’s to release tension. Modern football socks provide compression & some players find it can cause pain & cramps in lower legs late in games. A lot of other players cut their socks as well like Kyle Walker & Danny Rose pic.twitter.com/cXTHYRKUkj
— Good Guy Barry (@Goodguybarry) November 5, 2021
They’re there and they’re always there…..Celtic fans who managed to get into tonight’s game at full time 🍀 pic.twitter.com/B9RRVT7KJK
— Highland__Paddy (@Highland__paddy) November 4, 2021
Celtic’s Jota has played a part in 25 open-play sequences that have ended with a shot attempt – the most of any player in the Europa League this season via @OptaJoe.#FERCEL pic.twitter.com/QC1FXnhGLs
— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) November 4, 2021
Cmon @CelticFC 👏🏻👏🏻🇮🇪🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/a5n1vJEjDV
— Mick 🍀🇮🇪🇻🇦 (@Mickh1916) November 4, 2021
Bhoys in budapest 🍀this is the day we win away pic.twitter.com/KSjZJC9EIu
— Paul Byars (@byars_paul) November 4, 2021
Like to hear Jota, Kyogu and Abada called Three Amigos, but let us not compare them with those who had a similar nickname 25 years ago. Their personality disorders and general lack of commitment to the club did us no favours!
Thank you David for just making me feel old with the 25 years comment but seriously those guys although fantastic on the field caused nothing but disharmony in a time when we really had to be as one.