Michael Shearer | The Celtic Underground

Celtic ease past Dundee in 3-0 win

Michael Shearer — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 23:54:02 +0000

Celtic eased past Dundee 3-0 thanks to goals from David Turnbull, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Matt O’Riley.

Summer signing Nat Phillips went off injured at half-time but Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers cooled any concerns over the substitution after the match. He said “Towards the end of the game he rolled his ankle in the last actions of the first-half. He was going to play 60 minutes but it was just precautionary we took him off and he should be fine.”

Rodgers spoke of the growing partnership between O’Riley and Kyogo. He said: “O’Riley and Kyogo from early on you can see that little combination and the cleverness in their game, both of those players have been excellent since I came back.

“Kyogo creates a goal and scores a goal from a brilliant pass from Callum McGregor and it’s a wonderful header he scores.”

Rodgers was over the moon with the manner in which Celtic scored the third goal. He said: “I was really happy with the third goal because we defended with aggression. You can see when we win the ball back we really double up to win it and then Alistair Johnston makes a great pass into Kyogo, who finds Matt O’Riley well and Matt looks like he’s going to score in every single game.

“I know it took O’Reilly a long time last season to score he was saying but just working on his timing and getting into the areas. He’s got a lovely composure when he finishes so it was another really good goal.

Rodgers emphasised the importance of Reo Hatate’s return from injury. He said: “It’s brilliant to have Reo Hatate back it’s like having a new player to be honest. He’s the type of player that we don’t have in terms of that dynamism in his game and when’s he’s really focused and on it he’s very very good.

“We wanted to give him a half hour today and just feed him back into the game. It was great to have him back on the pitch he’s a top class player.”

Rodgers is enthusiastic going into Tuesday’s Champions League match against Feyernoord. He said: “It’s really exciting I know there can be a bit of trepidation going into the Champions League and the level but for me there’s nothing but excitement.

“It’s a brilliant opportunity for us playing in the elite competition in European club football. We’re going to a really historical ground and we come off the back of a couple of really good wins in different ways.

“We’ll recover well and we’ll get our plan right and then we’ll put out a team to get a result and we’re really going to enjoy the Champions League.”

Celtic captain Callum Mcgregor was jubilant in his praise of Kyogo, He said: “He takes his goal really well and he is top quality. Kyogo is the difference maker at the top of the pitch and he’s always cool as ice when he gets his chances. He brings people into play and his pressing sets the tone for the team as well and I can’t speak highly enough of him.”

McGregor emphasised how crucial the first goal was of the game. He said: “It’s always important to try and get the first goal and start the game well. I think the positive aspect is we stuck to the game plan and kept playing.

“We knew we had to just accelerate it a little bit in the final third. I thought from 45 until 70 minutes we were excellent and we probably could’ve scored another couple of goals.”

McGregor believes that Celtic’s patience was crucial in getting the first goal. He said: “It just shows you the same message you stick to your principles and stick to the the way you play, then once you get that goal things start to open up. Everybody relaxes and starts to play a little bit more free and that’s when the really good stuff happens.”

McGregor spoke of the importance of the Champions League in Celtic’s season. He said: “It’s a big competition this is where you want to be, this is where you want to play football and test yourself as a club.

“It’s a brilliant opportunity for us the stadium will be a brilliant atmosphere against a top opponent as well, so if you can’t get excited for this you are in the wrong game.

“It’s a really top level game so you have to do a lot of things right. You can speak about experience and all these things but on the night you have to a lot right. This will be a real test of where we’re at as a group.

“You have to go and attack it with full belief and try show that what we’ve got is as good as anybody. You have to do a lot right and in the six games we’ll have to be just about perfect to have a really and to have a strong group that’s the challenge for the players.

Turnbull earned Celtic a penalty in the 50th minute which was judged to be a free kick by the referee but was eventually overruled to a penalty by VAR. Turnbull then took the penalty and got the second half off to the right start for Celtic with a calmly taken penalty past Trevor Carson in the Dundee goal.

Kyogo grabbed Celtic’s second goal with a wonderful header after an incredible ball over the top from Callum McGregor to increase the Hoops’ lead.

O’Riley added Celtic’s third to end any doubts over the result in a great performance going into Tuesday night’s Champions League match against Feyernoord at the De Kuip stadium.

Celtic are now two points clear of St Mirren and four ahead of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership after five matches played.

Celtic secure dream draw ahead of Champions League Group Stage

Michael Shearer — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 20:28:16 +0000

Celtic will face Atletico Madrid, Lazio, and Feyenoord in Group E, in a somewhat surprising draw in comparison to previous Champions League seasons, where Celtic faced the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Manchester City in the group stages.

Celtic centre-back Gustaf Lagerbielke spoke of the task facing Celtic against respected Champions League sides over six match days. He said: “It’s gonna be a tough challenge against all of them. Three teams that have a good home support, so I’m looking forward to playing here and the Celtic fans showing who has the best home support.”

Asked who he was most looking excited to face in Group E Lagerbielke reflected on Atletico Madrid’s recent success in the Champions League. He said: “Atletico Madrid because of their good recent history in the Champions League with getting into the final and being close to win it.

“You play football to play against the best and now I got a great opportunity to do so in the Champions League, so it’s gonna be a good challenge but I look forward to it.”

Lagerbielke emphasised that Celtic are not just in the Champions League to take part but to give everything they can and see where it takes the club. He said: “When you’re in a competition the goal is to always win it. But you can only take one game at a time so the first goal is gonna be to get through to the knockout stages. So, that’s our first goal. If we do everything we can, hopefully, we’ll get there. That’s our goal.”

“The Swedish international can’t wait to play at Celtic Park in a Champions League match. He said: “I’ve seen some clips on YouTube; it looks great. I got a little taste of it on Saturday, the atmosphere was crazy. So I can imagine how it is on European nights.”

Lagerbielke is also excited to play alongside Champions League winner Nat Phillips. He said: “Now, it feels like every day and every training session, we get to know each other better. We have a lot of new players and it’s feel there’s been a lot of improvements since I got here, for everyone getting to know each other, So, I think Nat will be a good addition to the squad.

“It’s going to be a great addition to the squad with his experience in the Champions League, getting far. I saw him in training today, and he looks like a really good player, so I think we have a good competitive squad with lots of good players.”

Lagerbielke who made his first team debut for Elfsborg against Feyenoord back in 2021 discussed how this will affect his mindset going into the two matches against the Eredivisie champions. He said: “I know how it is there around the locker room and the atmosphere, so hopefully I can be a bit more prepared than if I haven’t played them before. They have a great atmosphere there, so I’m looking forward to that game also.”

Speaking on the Champions League draw new signing Luis Palma said: I have been excited to play in the Champions League since I was a child. Every game in this group is going to be hard.”

Palma also emphasised how easy the decision to join Celtic. He said: “Several weeks ago I found out about Celtic’s interest without any doubt I wanted to come here.

“I’m here to help Celtic and do my best for the team. I will show my best strengths and skills.

“I spoke with the manager today. I know the position I can play to help this club. I will do my best and I’ll put in every effort to play for Celtic.”

Palma reiterated he is more than ready for Sunday’s Glasgow Derby at Ibrox. He said : “I’m very concentrated on the strengths and talents this team has got, and I’m completely focused on the game on Sunday. I’ll do my best to bring success to this club, especially during derbies; it’s very important.”

The Hoops has usually faced elite opposition through tough draws over the years, but this season’s draw is certainly not as intimidating as in previous Champions League campaigns.

The last time Celtic had a draw comparable to this year’s was back in 2012/13 when the Hoops finished second, qualifying for the last 16 in a group that included Barcelona, Benfica, and Spartak Moscow.

The full fixture schedule will be announced on Saturday, where it will be revealed who Celtic will face on each matchday. The Hoops are set to play six games against the likes of Atletico Madrid, Lazio, and Feyenoord.

Last year Celtic began their Champions League campaign against Real Madrid at Celtic Park, and also ended the group against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeau.