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The first points of our Champions League campaign were picked up last night courtesy of a Kenny Miller penalty.
A bit of a Jekyll and Hyde performance this one. Some great stuff from the Hoops in the first 45 but in the second half we seemed to lose interest (not only the players on the field but the fans as well). I was a bit concerned when I saw the size of the Danes coming out of the tunnel and to be sure they'll be a handful on their own patch but really they never gave us any concern even from set pieces. The first half saw Celtic basically play them off the park. McGeady tormented them from the off and Nakamura was also leading them a merry dance when he was on the ball. Miller and Magic up front pulled their markers all over the place and it was a surprise that we only went in 1 up at the break. But for a magnificient save from a Miller header and a fine last minute tackle on Nakamura Celtic could easily have had this game sewn up by half-time. The second half saw Celtic sit back more and were nowhere near as fluid as they had been. Still, a great through ball by McGeady gave Miller a chance early on but he placed it to near to the keeper. After that, the nervousness of the crowd seemed to get to the players and if Copenhagen had pushed a little bit more who knows - but I always had the feeling that if they did come out we would have ripped them apart on the counter-attack. The Danes themselves were a niggly lot with Linderoth and Jacobsen being particularly guilty. Jacobsen looked like a red card waiting to happen especially after chopping down McGeady (obviously fed up of being made to look foolish by young Aiden). And their giant of a centre-half was quite fond of sticking his shoulder in when it wasn't really required. We could get some joy there in the away game methinks. Oh, and as for the penalty - a stonewaller. As for the atmosphere - it was quieter than usual for a CL game but some merry banter was to be had with the Danish fans who were in good voice and by all accounts a great time was had by both sets of fans in the Gallowgate afterwards.
The likes of the Dubliner, the Globe and Foley's pub in the Danish capital will be bouncing for the away leg I am sure. Boruc 6
Collected well in the air but seemed a little slow coming off his line a times. Telfer 7
Rock steady.
Caldwell 7
Composed.
McManus 7
Never troubled.
Naylor 7
Another fine game.
McGeady 8
Could have been a 9 or 10 if he had kept up his first half performance.
Lennon 9
'Lennon the Magnificient Spoiler' according to the commentator!
Gravesen 6
Not as effective as he could have been but put it about a bit and linked up well at times. Still working on the timing of his runs with his team mates.
Nakamura 7
Actually tracked back tonight!
Miller 7
Two goals, two games....my oh my!
Magic 6
Doesn't look as sharp as he did last year for some reason but again ran the channels well.
MOTM
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Lennon the Magnificient
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