I need to get this in before Buff does ....

Scotland had the joy of watching Celtic away at Ajax last night. Celtic were the best 11/4 bet there ever was for this game, but that was just the icing on the cake for me.

Their performance was awesome. They controlled the game from start to finish, looked strong in every area, and geniunely could have scored 6 but for woodwork and the Ajax goalie.

Agathe at right (wing) back is the best in his position in Britain and makes me want to cry when I see our options there (although no one in England should feel any different). He scored a lovely goal, all down to speed, strength, desire to attack.

The two centre halves were huge, just what you'd expect from O'Neill defenders.

In midfield they are just so solid. Lennon (spit) and Lambert are just there supporting the whole time. I'd forgotten what good players in this role do. They were just like Bracewell and Batty, always two yards away from the man with the ball, always giving him an option, always making other players easy on the ball.

Wide left they have an excellent ball holder/dribbler in Petta, obviously relishing the fact he was back in his home country. He scored a lovely taken goal.

Up front is where they are supposed to be good, but last night they were superb. Chris Sutton gave as good a performance as I've seen in ages. The headline will be his bullet headed goal but he was just brilliant. He was always available when needed, was back in midfield tackling when needed and was defensively there as well. Now I know exactly why he cost so much money.

Larsson is the mobile, bright forward from heaven.

They brought on Hartson and Guppy as subs, neither did much though.

If they can keep their first XI fit then they'll easily qualify for the second phase of the Champions League. Reminded me of Cloughie's Forest the year they won it. Sutton=Birtle, Petta=Roberston, Mjallby/Vanghalen=Lloyd/Burns, Lambert/Lennon=O'Neill/Gemmill, Larsson=Francis

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Answers

ajax poor ??

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

but Ajax is not to be compared of the Ajax of 10 years ago. Beyond Shota Averladze (who would look great in B&W), there isn't much there.

Not disregarding the performance of Celtic last night, but I don't think you can say they are Champions League contenders. Unfortunately, they worry more about Rangers, and finishing above them is still the primary goal each season.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

no yesterday was so different.

Just as Souness lifted Rangers above the mire that the Old Firm can become I feel O'Neill has done the same. They are so far ahead of the rest up here that they can put most of their effort into the CL and still walk the SPL. Bit like Man U really

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

What was your impression of Zlatan? He played second half..

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Ajax had given up by the time he came on so it wasn't fair to judge him. Ajax looke dway out of their depth, which must be worrying for them

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Nothing much to add to Mac`s contribution , eighteen months ago I posted on here about Didier Agath, he was playing for Hibs at the time up front and was blowing players away with pace and power, £35,000 and he is offski to Celtic in the RWB role, truly awesome last night against an Ajax outfit who weaved pretty ineffectual patterns but if allowed to stay together and with a couple of acquisitions will be a major force in a couple of years, 18 year old Van de Warve sp? will be a star, O`Neill has quietly put a team together that if anyone is suspended injured or rested he can bring in another quality player who will not disrupt the team pattern , This applies to all positions except of course Henrik Larsen, he has 4 keepers on his books ,all good in their own right but with that little bit shortcoming that wins matches. Momo Silla brought from St Johstone last week can be at times a very good player, Petta comes off , Guppy goes on, astute guy is Martin , Sutton off, Hartson on , Alan Thompson was suspended but is a big favourite with the fans , and Larsen prefers him to play.

I asked myself the question last night on Newcastle, if when the chips are down who are the players who cam make things happen as opposed to the players who will put in a shift, only came up with Dyer Solano, maybe Robert , Lua Lua and to a lesser extent Given, beleive me this what wins you the crucial games . Sorry did not include Al

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001