Last night was a very good Celtic performance against possibly the best team that we have played so far this season. Celtic are in a strong, although not yet commanding, position and should go through but they would be well advised not to concentrate solely on defence. The away goals rule has now been scrapped, but a goal for Celtic in Holland would still mean that Alkmaar would need three to take the game to extra time.
It is highly doubtful if the atmosphere in Holland will be anything like Celtic Park last night. This was Celtic Park at its best, awesome even to those who are part of it, and terrifying to those who aren’t. The noise, the singing, the passion, the huddle (although preferably not when the opposition are taking a corner kick, boys!) and the unconditional support were all there, as were the down sides in the shape of over crowding and horrendous traffic jams outside the ground.
The defence kept a clean sheet. It would not be true to say that it was flawless but the bottom line was that the naivety about the defending of corner kicks and free kicks has gone, (one crucial test late in the game was well dealt with) with Steven Welsh in particular looking very impressive, and Anthony Ralston deservedly earning plaudits for his importance. Greg Taylor was more fallible but never gave up and and did enough good things with the ball when Celtic were on that attack. The jury is still out on Carl Starfelt, however, one feels.
The goals were good. Kyogu’s was brilliant after a great cross from Rogic (who has been a revelation this season) and there is no doubt that the wee fellow adds a great deal to the team in terms of zip and energy, and his ability to galvanise the support.
James Forrest got a wee bit of luck with a deflection but it was a great turn, and he deserves a a bit of luck. And how did that rat-a-tat near the end stay out? Some thought it was over the line, Alkmaar claimed a hand ball, but it was great entertainment, with the major TV channels here missing a trick in not having it on.
Some great goalkeeping! Joe Hart certainly kept us in it at the start when we seemed surprised that a team could come out of the traps as quickly as ourselves, and the Dutch goalkeeper had at least three good saves from Rogic, Turnbull and Forrest.
Was it just me, or does anyone agree that the refereeing was poor last night with several fouls clearly given the wrong way? Not that I am nostalgic for our Scottish boys or anything, you understand, but I felt that this chap was not up to the job.
Maybe just a bad night, and he certainly didn’t do anything that changed the game. The booking of Ralston was technically correct. Ralston will have to learn about taking a throw-in quickly, and Taylor might well have been booked for similar dilatory behaviour at an earlier stage.
Alkmaar have some good players, but we have better, I think, and we can approach next week with a certain degree of cautious optimism and the most encouraging thing about the team is its energy. The lazy half-hearted stuff of last year has gone with Rogic and Ralston particularly impressive as this team does indeed seem to be going places, and was as always well led by Callum McGregor.
One major gripe remains the traffic problems getting to and from the ground. There is no easy solution because 60,000 is a lot of people, but the delays in getting from the motorway to the ground particularly at the Rutherglen junction are intolerable, as indeed are the holdups from the Coach Park to the Motorway after the game. They might in time become a major deterrent to people going to the game.
David Potter
You’re right about the traffic, at the North of the stadium the OnRamp to the M8 was closed. It took me an hour to get on the motorway . I’m guessing there’s Zombies in the roads department
Many years back there would be a policeman at the Cambuslang Rd/ Dalmarnock Rd junction directing traffic.
We locals would know to stay away from it when Celtic Park was emptying.
I have to say I thought the referee was excellent last night – one of the best I’ve seen in one of our games.
Hi Paul, Yes I thoughts so too. Was surprised to see David Potter criticising him, although he maybe did get a few calls wrong (for both sides).
There was a lot to be said for “ hey mister,watch yer motor?.”