In Friday’s blog I talked about the Jekyll and Hyde nature of this current Celtic team and this was certainly displayed as Celtic recovered from 3-1 down to defeat Aberdeen 4-3. Despite the stirring comeback, the team’s problems were put firmly in focus and Neil Lennon acknowledged that things will have to improve.
Team wise, Lustig made his comeback from injury, Izaguirre was also back, Wilson and Ambrose were the center-halves, the old midfield duo of Kayal and Ledley played and Hooper and Stokes were up-front together for the first time in a while. Wanyama was suspended.
Celtic made the perfect start – opening the scoring after 12 seconds. The ball was played up to Tony Stokes who set Kris Commons to fire home the fastest goal in SPL history. The game then went into a lull, with only half chances being created, until a minute before half-time, when a Kelvin Wilson miskick allowed Josh Magennis to set up Scott Vernon to equalise. Wilson was claiming a foul but to me it looked like a he just made an error.
The second half then burst into life as Aberdeen took the lead. Celtic lost the ball in midfield and a Gavin Rae pass set up Josh Magennis who fired home, although perhaps Fraser Forster could have done better. With an hour gone Celtic then went 3-1 down, as Magennis flicked in a Gavin Rae shot to get his second, and leave Celtic facing the prospect of a third SPL loss in a row. Once again perhaps Forster could have done better with the goal.
Neil Lennon then made two quick changes, bringing on Samaras and Lassad for Kayal and Stokes, and the momentum started to change shortly after, Commons coming close before a Charlie Mulgrew shot was deflected in to bring Celtic right back into the match. Celtic then began to exert loads of pressure on Aberdeen, and the equaliser duly came in the 87th minute, Gary Hooper diverting home a Efe Ambrose header. The pressure continued, and Georgios Samaras continued his history of scoring iconic goals with the winner in the 94th minute. A Commons free kick led to Samaras finishing with an excellent overhead kick to spark scenes of wild celebration, and give Celtic an unexpected victory and probably the highlight of the domestic season so far.
On the plus side this Celtic side showed signs of fight which it hadn’t previously shown domestically this season, it was also the first time we have won an SPL game from behind since we beat Motherwell 2-1 in November 2011. Kris Commons played well, it was good to see the very important Lustig return and Samaras once more showed how vital he can be.
On the down side, both central defenders were very poor, Wilson and Ambrose were given a torrid time by Magennis, and Fraser Forster’s indifferent form since returning from injury continued, it seems to me he’s not fully fit. Stokes – who I have often praised on this blog – also had a poor game.
Neil Lennon’s stated after the game that during the international break he was going to try and sort the defensive problems which have recently blighted the club. In my opinion, he should drop Ambrose and play Mulgrew at center-back, which is his best position, and where he mostly played when he won player of the year. If Lennon want’s to keep Mulgrew in midfield then when Matthews returns from injury perhaps Lustig could be moved to center-half. Or Wanyama could play there again.
Despite the problems, it was a fine victory, and one which the club needed after recent setbacks. Let’s hope the problems are worked on during the international break and Celtic can get the league and cup double won.
It was like watching the `old` Celtic when we had teams pinned back and corner after corner would be played in. More of that please without the crazy defending!
I still think Rogne is our best defender-although his distribution can often be poor. Has Lustig had any real long term chance at central defence? I don’t think he has. Mulgrew has mostly been excellent there as well, but I can see why Lenny wants him on theflanks due to his creativity. Ambrose is very good player with everything in his locker; except, crucially, when it comes to concentration.wilson also has problems responding positively to stress, he too easily falls apart. Again he is a good player with shortcomings- but if these guys didn’t they wouldn’t be playing for us. We need to find ways to increase their concentration skills, and powers of attention- like everything else in life such abilities can be developed.
I cannot understand why Neil persists in playing a back 3. We have been caught out so many times, we are not Barcelona we cannot maintain control, and will always open to counter attacks and/or the long ball. We must go back to a back four. Pat Mc.
Mulgrew, last seasons stand out player of the year at centre half, is now never played there and yet the team is disrupted to accomodate him out of position.
I’ve often said this season that Izaguire is often further up the park than his midfield team mate leaving us susceptable to a counter attack on that flank.
Two centre halves are so far apart they are not even in the same postcode and, because the fullbacks are always too far up the park, they are dragged out into areas where they are not comfortable.
The team is screaming out for a physical centre forward for Hooper, Stokes, Lassad, or even me to play off. Even if this physical player is never played in Europe he will be required for the SPL.
Without Wanyama the midfield looks very lightweight. No drive and seldom anyone going beyond the forwards.