Celtic 0 Valencia 2.
Sometimes I hate being right...:rolleyes:
Marco.
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Celtic 0 Valencia 2.
Sometimes I hate being right...:rolleyes:
Marco.
Plenty possession but not enough guile alas
Guile is the one, and also putting Burke up front on his own, for most of the game, simply didn't work, as he's not used to playing that position. Quite simply, the better team on the night won. Too many of our players were no more than average tonight, and when that's the case against a team of that quality, there's only going to be one outcome.
As I said before, I had concerns about the defence, and that proved justified, as Isaguirre had a bit of a nightmare, continually giving the ball away and getting caught out of position. In European games like this, we really missed Tierney. Apparently, he's got a chance of making the second leg. I hope so, although that won't change the outcome of the tie. He'll be a vital player for us for the rest of the season, though.
Bain had a decent game, making a few good saves, and was completely blameless with both goals. Boyata and Simunovic were ok, but got themselves into trouble too often by trying to pass the ball out of defence in tight situations, instead of just lumping it up the park to safety, when that would've been the more sensible course of action.
We lost this game simply because of a lack of overall quality (too many injuries to key players, who if fit would've made a major difference) and also because those who did play, didn't play to their full potential. We needed a performance on a par with the one we produced against Leipzig, but unfortunately fell well short of that. However, we should've started the game with Weah and Edouard up front, as they looked bright and dangerous when they came on in the second half, so hopefully they'll start the game in Spain.
I said as soon as this draw was made that we'd need to be at our best to have a chance, and we simply weren't, in any sense. Had we had available the likes of Tierney, Benkovic, Rogic, Ntcham, and a match-fit Edouard, who'd been playing regularly up until now, and they, and everyone else in the starting 11, had played to their full potential, then I think the result of the match would've been different.
The other thing tonight was that the referee was shocking, and gave us nothing (as often happens with Scottish teams in Europe), including two pretty clear penalties, and generally gave any free kicks going to Valencia, but regardless we simply weren't good enough. I also said that the Europa League, at this stage of the season, was somewhat of an unwanted distraction, as our primary focus needs to be on winning the league (and Scottish Cup). However, at least that won't be the case for long, as with our rather poor away record, we've got no chance whatsoever of going any further in the competition.
It's all about salvaging some pride now, giving our younger players some valuable European experience for next season, and keeping the scoreline over the two legs as respectable as possible. Hey ho, onwards and upwards!:cool:
Marco.
Something for us to cheer today as the u17's for gers defeated Roma on pens 9-8 after a 1-1 draw in the final of the Alcas cup in qatar. They have been playing well and recent aquisition from Chelsea, Nathan Young-Coombes has been doing well, as have a number of the lads..
some of the final game from the u17's win v Roma if you havent seen it lads.... great excitement for the boys. great to see such enthusiasm.
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/spo...at-alkass-cup/
Just watched Gerrard’s Interview after today’s game, clearly not impressed neither were the fans at the game
One of the most inept games they have played. Players are again got swell heads and no drive or desire. They have probably only played properly once since they defeated celtic.
Doesn't help chopping and changing side of cõurse. But overall not acceptable. I switched off around 60 mins. Need to go watch the young lads and then take a long look in the mirror.
Ya dancer!:yay:
That was a *far* more important result for us than the one in Europe in midweek, especially the way it was won, with a goal in the 90th minute from none other than BROONY!:D
Am I happy? Just a tad...
Sorry lads:o
Marco.