IT would have been wrong to say, as some websites are already saying, that we were home and dry in any case before a ball was kicked tonight. No, not at all, and we were a bit under the cosh for the first few minutes of the game – Stockholm did hit the post – and until Jamesie got that goal, we could never have been sure. Certainly the second half grew progressively less competitive, but it nevertheless was good to see our team playing a European tie the way that they ought to, and remaining in control. Those who had a go at Neil Lennon for the Cluj game (it still hurts, doesn’t it?) must by the same token give him praise for the way that he dealt with Stockholm.
Of the players, Ryan Christie was superb, James Forrest got the vital goal, Mikey Johnston looked the part, I liked Nir Bitton and I feel he could be trusted at Ibrox if necessary, and if we have a problem anywhere on the field, it is not in the goal where we have three of the best. McGregor and Brown – it almost goes without saying – were excellent. Bolingoli remains a concern. He was at fault for the penalty, it has to be said, and do we risk him at Ibrox? Maybes aye, maybes no, as old Kenny Dalglish might have said, but what alternative is there?
One or two disturbing features however. One was the injuries to Ajer and Edouard. Tonight was a bad night to pick up any kind of strain in view of the imminence of Sunday’s huge fixture, and we must hope that such things can be ironed out by the day of the game with Ajer in particular such a great player these days, and his loss might be crucial.
Also alarming was the amount of players being booked. And yes, I know there was provocation, and yes, the referee was a bit fussy sometimes, but there is really no point in picking up a yellow card which might possibly lead to a suspension in a game in which we were absolutely coasting to victory. The noble art of walking away is one to be cultivated in such circumstances.
And then our fans. There were one or two flares – so expect trouble from UEFA – but I don’t think I heard any sectarian singing, so we won’t get the ground closed down, I hope! Nevertheless, can we all say to these nanas with the flares that; let alone what UEFA can do to the club, they actually could kill someone with them?
And so we have Europe at least until Christmas. Well, I suppose that is something, but a lot depends on who we get. Thursday nights and consequently Sundays are not really the best times for football matches, but at least it does give us something, and I happen to be of the opinion that we are good enough to make some impact. Or will these games just highlight even more the deficiencies that we are all aware of, as far as Europe is concerned? The draw tomorrow will be interesting.
All this of course is of less value than what happens on Sunday. There are several things I would say. One is that we must START well. There must be no letting them control the midfield from the start as has happened rather too often at Ibrox in the past. There must be no allowing ourselves to be intimidated by the large and very hostile support. We really must stand up to them from the beginning, and we must always “keep the heid”. We must finish the game with eleven men.
???????????? @CelticFC #UEL pic.twitter.com/yXmIcnVVnb
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) August 29, 2019
It also has to be born in mind that there is life after Ibrox. There is still a whole season, more or less to go. Worse case scenario means that we are three points behind – but with another 34 games to go! Similarly a win only really puts our noses in front. What happens after the Ibrox game is just as important in League terms, and I will stick with my contention that the most important game we have coming up is not this tribal stuff on Sunday, but in fact the League Cup game v Partick Thistle on 25 September. Lose to Thistle and there is no treble, whereas a defeat on Sunday can be recovered from. My own prediction however is a 2-2 draw.
Oh and are we happy with the other result tonight? Well, no, not really, but at least it helps this mysterious coefficient, and more pertinently, it means that we now fight the League on equal terms. They will also have to play on Thursdays and Sundays. Saturdays might be a bit boring sometimes, then!
David Potter
Also on The Celtic Star…
AIK 1 Celtic 4 – Crowd Trouble on the Day We Win Away..see HERE.
