Celtic 5 Nomme Kalju 0 – Griffiths Back with a Bang, it’s 5 going on 10

Celtic 5 Nomme Kalju 0

It’s not quite as exciting as entertaining Barcelona or Juventus but Nomme Kaju were nonetheless welcome visitors to Celtic Park tonight in the 2nd Qualifying round of the Champions League first leg, as Celtic made their next steps towards Champions’ league Group stage qualification.

Both the line-up and the formation came as a welcome surprise. In a switch to a 3-1-4-2 formation, Scott Bain held on to the gloves and the now back three consisted of Kris Ajer, Nir Bitton and Jozo Simunovic, as new signing Christopher Jullien again missed out.

Boli Bolingoli came in the left of a midfield 4 of with James Forrest wide right. The middle of the park featured Captain Scott Brown in front of the defence. Ahead of the Brown, playmaker Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie linked in midfield in behind strikers Odsonne Edouard and the exciting sight of Leigh Griffiths back for a long awaited start partnering the Frenchman up top. Two strikers was certainly evidence of Celtic’s intent to try and take a healthy lead to Tallinn for next week’s return match.

This was a game where pre-match Celtic were 1/33 shots with the bookmakers and with odds as mean as that you weren’t likely to get rich backing the Celts to win. The bookmaker’s confidence in the Hoops certainly didn’t seem misplaced during the early exchanges as Celtic flew into action. Simunovic had the first chance with a header down at the far post that somehow the keeper managed to turn round the post. This was quickly followed by a cracking drive from Christie that again forced the Kalju keeper to dive and save this time high to his right. Celtic were purring and building in confidence.

Kalju had a brief attack when a fine right wing cross was just missing a finishing touch. It was to be their only real chance in a first half of one way traffic.

Edouard and McGregor linked up well. McGregor’s dinked pass fell for the Frenchman but he was crowded out by defenders. Griffith’s set piece deliveries were starting to cause problems but he was also unlucky not to connect better from a Forrest cross as the shot showed signs of rustiness and went wide but Griffiths was warming up and more was to come.

The returning marksman followed up in the 21st minute and was unlucky with a fine left footed free kick. Brown followed up on the rebound and looked certain to score but again the keeper saved though it must be said he knew little about it. In the 27th minute Christie was next to try coming onto a Forrest inside run and pass but Ryan looked disappointed as he dragged a clear opportunity wide of the goal.

But the goal had been coming and in 36 minutes it did, Edouard won a free kick on Celtic s left at the edge of the Box. Christie’s wonderful flat delivery was met by Ajer just in front of the onrushing Griffiths and the big man’s header flew into the net. An overdue and richly deserved opener.

Sadly it was followed by Bolignoli once again rolling an ankle and being replaced by Mikey Johnston, Something of a worry with Boli being the only fit left back.

Celtic finished the half strongly, really strongly in fact. No-one quite know why but Kalju decided an attempt at Basketball was a good idea when under pressure from Christie. A clearer penalty you’ll never see. And Christie despatched it to the keepers left as he chose to dive to his right. 2-0 to the Hoops but they weren’t finished just yet.

Kalju were being run ragged by now. In first half stoppage time minute Ryan Christie yet again involved in everything Celtic was fouled 3 times before the referee eventually recognised foul play.

From the left side Griffiths curled a wonderful free kick straight from his Scotland vs England handbook. What followed was an emotional celebration and every teammate in unison joining him. It was a moment that brought a lump to the throat. Make no mistake Leigh Griffiths is back and he’s making up for lost time.

It took some time to get what the pressure deserved but Celtic were good for at least 3 goals and the half time score fairly reflected Celtic’s complete dominance.

At half time new signing Hatem Abd Elhamed was introduced to the crowd to a great response. Must be said the lad looked chuffed with the reception. Might be no-ne told him with this 3-1-4-2 formation that we don’t need full backs after all.

The second half started and continued in much the same vein as the first. Wonderful creative passing football and a Kalju side who started to tire. This formation looks the way forward for Celtic Park matches in particular. As much as Kalju seemed a poor side it’s difficult to see how at least half the Scottish league could cope with this expansive football either. It’s an experiment that’s sure to be repeated.

In the 46th minute Mikey Johnston showed his intent when linking with French Eddy before forcing a good save from the keeper down sharply to his right.

Five minutes later saw a central effort attempted by Ryan Christie but it was difficult to direct and ended up straight down the keeper’s throat. Edouard followed this up by carrying the ball with some wonderful close control and was once again unlucky to see his effort drive wide of goal.

By now Mikey Johnston was in full flow. With 52 minutes gone his run and cross after linking with McGregor saw the ball almost reach Griffiths on the stretch. It was another close call for Kalju and the last action for the returning Griffiths. He was replaced in 59 minutes to a standing ovation by Lewis Morgan. It was richly deserved. Looks like Tom Boyd may have been right. Getting Leigh Griffiths back may well be like signing a £6 million striker.

Whilst Christie was done for the night Celtic were not. In 63 minutes James Forrest dribbled through the Kalju defence but could only drive straight at the keeper, but in the 65th minute the pressure paid off.

4-0 was a left footed curling effort for Ryan Christie’s second of the night. It was patient build up play and continued probing from Lewis Morgan saw the ball come to the edge of the box. Christie by now brimming with confidence struck the ball so sweetly that it would have stood out in any Champions league match never mind a qualifier. Simply a majestic goal from a top performer on the night.

By now both substitutes Morgan and Johnston were giving a Kalju defence with nothing left to give the complete run-around and making space for their teammates.

Christie took advantage of Forrest efforts by breaking free in 70 minutes as he just failed to connect for his hat trick from a brilliant cross. He wouldn’t get another chance as he was replaced again to a standing ovation by the returning Olivier Ntcham. That was good for Ntcham as the crowd cheered Ryan Christie to the rafters any negativity towards Ntcham after his summer outbursts wasn’t heard if even voiced at all.

The 76th minute saw the fifth and final goal.

Ntcham worked the space well and timed a lovely pass into Callum McGregor who from 20 yards pinged a sumptuous left footed effort low to the keepers left. The build-up involving Ntcham was superb and the finish was all about technique and class in its setting up via Ntcham and in it’s wonderful execution.

Only a minute later Callum almost scored a second but after nice link up play with Edouard the shot went high and wide.

There was time for Kalju to force a toe poked effort goalward in the 87th minute but it went wide of Scott Bain who’d been a virtual spectator throughout.

This was a game of one way traffic, of utter Celtic dominance from start to finish. 5-0 was the least the Celts deserved. The formation seemed to suit the personnel and although you couldn’t say for certain as defensively there was little challenge, it’s one we’re sure to see again especially at Celtic Park.

The headline will undoubtedly and deservedly belong to returning hero Leigh Griffiths but it would be remiss not to say that Ryan Christie in particular earned equal billing on a night Celtic were simply a joy to watch.

MOTM: It would have to be Leigh Griffiths. From Cold storage to Red Hot. The Bhoy is back and he’s just getting up to speed.

Special Mention: The 3-1-4-2 formation and Ryan Christie in equal measure. I’d like to se a lot of both this season.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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