Packed stadium – Check, Quality Manager – Check, Team fired up – Check, Efe Abmbrose off the team sheet – Check.
So last night we were 0-1 down before a ball was kicked, the first thought on seeing the team sheet was the attacking nature, but the worry of a back three, when we have recently struggled with four at the back was daunting.
Thankfully, and in no disrespect to big Efe, he was not playing.
I will not talk too much about the stonewaller we did not receive, but more so about the passion the team showed and quality presented to the packed support, who lets be honest, was expecting a show and I believe, got one.
The team pressed from the onset and looked sure to score from the early doors, even Brown was taking pop shots….
A repeat of the shock on the rock did not seem on the cards.
The Lincoln keeper, Navas, I felt was excellent, and it was due to him we did not win by a much higher margin. And after frustrating Grffiths and our new Bhoy Dembele it was our loyal and aging right back Lustig who broke first broke the deadlock on the 23rd minute. I hope Lustig does stay fit and this is not his usual silky contribution before a major injury, but his ball round the man in the sticks was sublime and worthy of any striker.
Griffiths up next, only 3 minutes after the first, blood had been spilt and Celtic were moving in for the kill. Griffiths showed his usual goal scoring mentality and cut in behind with ease before putting the second home from the edge of the box.
Roberts, what can I say ….. even though he is only on loan, he is an asset to the club and IF a permanent move could be sought, I implore the board to dig deep and keep this man with us! Roberts played an excellent game and played a big part in the earlier goal setting up Griffiths. Only 4 minutes from the second, Roberts played a blinder. Taken on three men and skipping past them one by one with his quick feet before a wonderfully played one – two with quick thinking, quick footed McGregor, putting Roberts in the firing line, and Bhoy did he take it.
3 – 1 on aggregate by the 29th minute and me and my friends are already discussing the tickets for the Astana game. How we sounded ignorant now I think of it, which we did discuss during half time, and hoped the players still came out playing and didn’t take up the same mentality.
Thankfully the players preformed throughout and a well deserved clean sheet was won through passion, pride and loyal crowd, once again being Celtic’s 13th man!
Although there was no more goals, the team played well and they will only get stronger with time.
I feel that when Dembele starts scoring, he will not stop, which I cannot wait to see.
Rodgers now has to prep for the game against Astana, and we all know views on an unwatered plastic pitch in +30 conditions 😉
Until next time!
Celtic Talk Blog 