Ange Postecoglou already knows how special the Celtic support is and ahead of last night’s game in the Santiago Bernabéu against the European Champions Real Madrid the Celtic manager went out of his way to highlight the amazing away support that follows the club absolutely everywhere.
They were in Madrid in large numbers, some with tickets for the match, some not, although cunning plans were hatched all over the city to make sure than many got access to the match and a chance to cheer on The Bhoys in this iconic stadium, the very venue where Celtic played our first match after becoming Champions of Europe ourselves in 1967.
The scoreline certainly didn’t dampen any enthusiasm from the fans and the Real Madrid supporters were left to marvel at the amazing backing that Ange Postecoglou’s side were given from the huge travelling support inside the Bernabéu last night.
Home and away…💚🍀 pic.twitter.com/fj1Ghc0ewW
— Asim Rabbani (@asimrabbani) November 2, 2022
It’s a pity those penalties ruined the match as a contest. The referee probably had no alternative given the rules that currently apply but in all honesty these decisions should highlight once and for all the flaws in the modern interpretation of the handball rule. If it’s deliberate handball in the box it should be a penalty and a booking.
Accidental handball should not be penalised. How the referee could look at the second penalty incident on the VAR monitor then arrive at the conclusion that Matt O’Riley merited a caution is extraordinary to say the least.
If this is the way forward then why shouldn’t players simply attempt to strike opponents’ arms inside the box? The first Madrid effort was a mishit yet Moritz Jenz was reacting to what he thought was a clean strike at goal. The second one was going to trouble the corner flag more than the back of Joe Hart’s net and Matt O’Riley’s arms were in no way being used to gain any advantage, just to protect himself from what he thought was a fierce shot at goal.
It’s not that Celtic or indeed our support are complaining about the result but the wider point is that it ruins the game of football. Here’s Joe Hart’s thoughts on those two penalty decisions.
Anyway the huge plus points from last night include the way the team had the confidence and the ability to play their football and take the game to the European Champions on their own park. Maybe more important was the further strengthening of the bond between the support and the manager and his players, something that Ange Postecoglou himself picked up on when once again talking about the remarking travelling Celtic support.
“Their support is unbelievable. Obviously we’ve lost 5-1. I don’t think anyone enjoys that kind of defeat. Their reaction after the game was not just them trying to make us feel good, I think they can appreciate what the players are trying to do,” Ange said as reported by Glasgow Times.
“That gives us, and certainly me, massive motivation to reward them. To make sure we qualify again next year and next year we perform better and give them more moments like Jota’s. Because that is what they deserve,” Ange said.
Lost 5-1 and still singing like this after the game what a support 🍀👏 https://t.co/oQ1pSlWyqp
— Barry Bannan (@bazzabannan25) November 3, 2022
“Ultimately I am responsible for the approach we have taken and how we have gone about things and I would have wanted to repay them for their support.”
Seems like Celtic fans were everywhere last night. pic.twitter.com/w2G6uLr7Be
— Joe McHugh (@videocelts) November 3, 2022
So Celtic leave the Champions League this season with our heads held high having performed well in all six games playing our football. If the results didn’t match the performances then we can as a support live with that in the knowledge that the experiences this season will stand up in good stead for the next Champions League adventure next time around, so let’s get this league won.
— . (@CMcL89) November 2, 2022
Blame the schools…
Former Spanish pupil Mark doing us extremely proud over in Madrid for the football 🤩 great to see such a talented boy still flying the flag for languages 🇪🇸🇪🇸 ¡Estamos muy orgullosos de ti, Chico! @SL_TrinityHS https://t.co/JajRSwAB9n
— Trinity Modern Languages (@SL_THS_Spanish) November 2, 2022
David Potter’s outstanding new book The Celtic Rising ~ 1965: The Year Jock Stein Changed Everything is out now with hundreds of signed copies already packaged and on their way to Celtic supporters all over the World. Here’s the production line in full flow! Thanks again to everyone who has ordered the book directly from The Celtic Star.
Copies also arrived at Celtic Park yesterday so will be available in the superstore, all other Celtic stores and via the club’s online store too and if you prefer you can also order on Amazon pretty soon ie after another few hundred envelopes are packaged and ready to go out today.
We have a limited number of signed copies remaining and you can order via the link below.
