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Celtic v AZ Alkmaar Live Blog

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Back at Celtic Park for a European night. Wow. I feel like one of those opposition players must feel on the pitch in the midst of it all. Or maybe not … no.

This does feel odd though which is why I’ll take this easy tonight and not go mad. This is my first effort at live blogging and i as have no way of knowing who is goons to read this I won’t overdo it.

Its 19:38 and Walk On is playing. Looking around I realise how much I’ve missed all this madness.

It is really good to be back.

19:44

One minute until kick off. I’m actually as nervous as hell. This will be a tough one tonight but we should have enough about us to do it. The fans are in fine voice and the team is out. Here we go …

19:46

How odd to see a ref offering our players protection. Two free kicks in quick succession. We’re not in Scotland any more … well you know what I mean.

A little scary moment there as they went through … defence did an admirable job

19:49

And they hit the post … Jesus they are a good side and we need to keep cool ..,

Difficult to see everything from up here but my comrades in the stand are saying Joe Hart got a hand on that … he’s paying his transfer fee already this guy

19:55 Goal!!! Kyogo!

AND ITS GAME ON!!!!!

Just as I was about to post that he was starting to have an impact Kyoto puts us  in the lead!!! A ball crossed from the left and he was just so alert .., the mark of a top player. Wow!

20:00

Superb stuff from Abada on the right as he cuts in and forces a save from the keeper. The ball bounces out and Turnbull follows it up and brings another save.

A moment later it’s that man Abada again … the Japanese bhoy is getting the ink right now but this guy is a bit special too.

20:07

It is worth noting that only a few minutes past between Hart making that critical save and Kyogo scoring at the other end. What a great illustration of what a top keeper brings you.

20:09

Their keeper makes a great save from a superb Forrest shot. He is having some game in their goal further illustrating the point. We could be three up here without his heroics.

20:13

Fine save from Hart this time as they found room and space down the right. This team is good and technically proficient on the attack .., we need to stop letting them in … but Hart does inspire confidence it has to be said

20:23

Abada really coming to life in little flashes of magic here with some great footwork down the right side. When he and Kyogo have formed a proper partnership they will rip teams to bits. You can already see it start to come together.

20:26

Have to mention the Green Brigade … this is the closest I’ve ever sat to them and by God they are something else from here! Loud and boisterous and with limitless energy. Amazing!

Half Time

Well we have the advantage but in fact it should be more. Our attacking football is lightning fast and cones from every direction and angle. Kyogo has been excellent of course but I think Callum has been great in midfield and Hart and the defenders have done very well on top of that.

But I’ve loved watching Abada tonight: what an excellent display he’s putting in on the right carving up their back line every time he gets the ball out there. His partnership with Kyogo is going to be terrifying to opposing sides when it really gets going.

We are doing just fine here folks just fine but we need a second for this to be truly comfortable cause we’re up against a good side here who will hurt us if we give them a sniff.

20:46

Second half underway as the floodlights come on … it’s a nice evening for football.

20:52

Too close for comfort as we give them the room down the right which we cannot afford. They don’t score but they will if we keep allowing that to happen … tighten up Celtic and focus …

21:00

A surprise first change as Abada comes off for Eddie … no doubt a good move but unexpected because he was having an impact. But he’s been injured and perhaps we are taking no chances with him.

21:04 Goal!!! Forrest!!!

And just like that it’s two!!! Excellent stuff from Kyogo on the left and he puts it into the box where the Famous Name turns the defender and slams the ball off him and into the net. He’s closing in on goal 100 now!

21:09

Its let’s all do the huddle time as the Celtic support turns it’s back on the game to dance joyously. Awesome!

And the best is yet to come cause it’s 67 minutes right afterwards and the most incredible and moving Celtic fan display of all: our tribute to the Lions.

21:16

Double sub as Kyogo leaves the field to a hero’s roar and with him goes Rogic who has been magnificent. On come Montgomery and McCarthy to tremendous acclaim.

21:25

The defence continued to do its job tonight marshalled by two exceptional displays from Welsh and Ralston who has been exceptional.

21:26

And that should have been three! From this vantage point difficult to say exactly how that stayed out of the net other that their keeper made one excellent save and some dark force intervened to keep the ball out.

Still as we edge towards the end and what would be an excellent result there is little doubt that we have the talent to win over there.

And as I write this Soro comes on for Turnbull with the clock ticking down.

21:32

Five minutes added on? Are the SFA refs in the building or what???

21:17

And it’s over and what a massive result that is folks. Thanks to all of you who stayed with this  or who read it afterwards. The match report  be up tomorrow probably along with some thoughts on the state of play with the club. A very happy evening for us all though and a great night at Paradise.

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