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Five talking points from Celtic’s brilliant 3-2 win over Athletic Club

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Celtic defeated Athletic Club from Bilbao this evening at Celtic Park in the James Forrest testimonial at a very wet Celtic Park. Brendan Rodgers fielded two different teams in each half – other than for the man of the moment who started the match was appropriately enough was replaced by Liel Abada on the 49th minute. The Hoops had to come behind twice to win the match and the second half side certainly impressed with some real stand-out performances.

Here are are five talking points from Celtic’s 3-2 win over Athletic Club.

1. The North Curve was practically empty this evening as many in the standing section decided to sit this one out, despite the match being in honour of a player who has performed at our club for well over a decade. This is probably something to do with the re-appointment of Brendan Rodgers who became the third Celtic manager – not the first – to return to the club after leaving to manage in England. It seems that the rest of the support has already got over that and are delighted to have Brendan back at the club.

The Green Brigade want to be related to behind the goal at the Jock Stein stand so that they can create a green Wall when the club plays at Celtic Park. What happens if that is approved and there’s another reason down the line to down tools and not to attend match in protest? The Celtic Board got the best man possible to replace Ange Postecoglou – who also left for England quicker that Rodgers did last time around. It’s now time to move on and support the manager and the team.

2. Food for thought for Brendan Rodgers tonight from so many players making an impact, especially in the second half. Guys like Oh, Bernabei, Holm, Turnbull and Yang were excellent and all looked like they’re ready to contribute this season. O’Riley and Abada are such classy players too, but on the other hand the negative of the pre-season – the continuing stream of defensive mistakes to concede soft goals just keeps happening. There were another two this evening this time from Hatate and Iwata. It something that’s got to worry the manager, even with allowances for the defensive problems through injury that’s hampered the pre-season matches.

3. A lovely tribute to Billy McNeill this even from the Directors of Athletic Club. The Basque Country’s finest of course honoured Cesar as magnificently in 2019 and followed that up this evening as they provided the opposition for another One Club man, James Forrest. And well done to their supporters who travelled all the way from the Bilbao (it’s an amazing city to visit incidentally) to support their team.

4. The transfer window involves players going out as well as possible arrivals and any player who was fit but didn’t feature this evening may have a decision to make about their future at the club if they are at a stage in their career where they are looking for game-time. No point naming names as there could have been knocks in training to consider. Expect Brendan Rodgers to make a few tough calls imminently as he looks to reduce the overall squad size, while still looking at recruitment.

5. The pre-season has been entertaining to say the least with the Celtic fans gatecrashing the behind closed doors matches in Portugual, the dramatic opening match in Japan – has Celtic ever lost 6-4 before? David Potter would have known – the incredible Bernabei assist and winner all rolled into one in the second match in Japan, the cancelled match in Korea against Wolves going ahead instead in Dublin as very short notice and then the James Forrest testimonial this evening that Celtic won 3-2 after being behind twice.

Of course results don’t really matter though in pre-season but they do from now on so it’s time for the Celtic support – 60,000 on Saturday lunchtime to get behind the team and roar them on to three points on Flag Day.

(All Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds 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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5 Comments

  1. S Taylor on

    I am totally DISGUSTED by the Green Brigade. And i was raging when Rodgers left but was 4 years ago, he never killed anybody. I’d understand if we hired a rapist or a killer. It’s a game, football. It just saddens me they never turned up for James Forrest. Bunch of self entitled rats & back during Sutton & Larsson era the fans created a wall of noise. We dont need the Green Brigade. Folk letting them create the atmosphere!!?? Have we lost our voice? , f*** them. Get back to way its been 125 years before them, we create the atmosphere. Brendan Rodgers? I hate the green brigade & i dont want to hate anyone but tonight, i hate them.

  2. Johnno on

    I think the biggest concern for myself anyway during the pre season matches, is the team being set up in what looks like a 4231.
    My least favourite formation, and one I don’t believe suits us as a team either, with less goal scoring opportunity’s being created imo.
    Could a squad being formed with CL in mind as the team been set up in such a way?
    I think so, and still a few positions up for grabs still, if this should be the case.
    Most noticeable thing tonight, was only 7 Scottish based players in real contention for a place in a CL squad, so an issue that still needs to be addressed.
    Great to have the extra numbers within the squad, not convinced with the team set up at present, especially if the formation remains the same

  3. tom on

    When we have a friendly match at home i think we should
    invite match officials from another country to referee our
    match. Let the SFA know what we think of them and their
    corrupt practice to us in Scotland. bigots the lot of them

  4. Truefan on

    Brendan has already gone up a notch in my book, his appointment has cheesed off the UEFA fines and smoke generators. How petulant and childish of these so called Celtic supporters to allow their huff to deter them from paying tribute to a brilliant club servant. These self important , self appointed Uber supporters are far more trouble than they are worth and don’t give me the claptrap that we wouldn’t have an atmosphere without them, I’ve been watching the bhoys since the early 1960s and trust me the team never wanted for an atmosphere or support as 135,000 of us at the Leeds game can attest to..