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What a result. What a performance. What a chance we now have.
Last night Celtic gave themselves a huge oppurtunity to progress to the 2nd stage of the CL for the first time with a fantastic performance against Benfica. The same team that had beaten Liverpool and Man United last season were put to the sword in front of 58,000 estatic (and by the end, probably disbelieving) Tims. The Celts almost got off to the best possible start imaginable when a superb overhead effort from Maloney was finger-tipped over the bar by Quim. And that set the tempo for the opening 15 minutes. Celtic were pulling their opponents all over the pitch and only some desperate tackling was keeping the scoresheet at 0-0. After that Benfica got back into the game and it was fairly even up until the last 10 minutes of the half when the Portugese looked to be in the ascendancy. But the fun really began in the second half. It stared off with Simao lashing a free-kick just oast the post and it looked like Benfica might take control of the game but in the 56th minute Celtic really started the battering. Lee Naylor put in another fine cross and Nakamura tried to put it in the back of the net. However, having muffed it completely the ball diverted to Kenny Miller who showed a striker's instinct to poke the ball into the back of the net. Cue bedlam all round the stadium. We all knew these boys were still dangerous but as the game opened up Celtic started to use the pace in their side to cause even more problems for Benfica. And it was from a breakway move that Celtic got their second. Miller won the ball and played it out to Maloney. With every Tim in Christendom screaming for a one-two Maloney took a couple of touches before playing a beautifully weighted ball back to Miller.
He finished it superbly . 2-0. Heaven.
After that it seemed to be a matter of playing out the game but the icing on the cake came right at the death when Stephen Pearson lashed the ball into the net after Quim had saved from Nakamura. A great night, a great result. Probably doesn't sound like it from this report but my head is pounding and I'm having difficulty concentrating. A final word on the game though and our current situation. If anything, we have our 'easiset' games out of the way - at OT everyone expected us to be gubbed but we gave them one hell of a fright before they walked away with the points. At home, we've continued our fantastic record and beaten both of our other opponents. Now we have two seriously dangerous away fixtures to negotiate and a home tie against a very good Man United side. Cautious optimism is what I am feeling this morning. But we cannot afford to be complacement. But enough of the serious stuff. For now, just enjoy this feeling :-) Player Ratings
Boruc - 7
Commanding and assured at all times.
Naylor - 8
Put the cross in for the first goal. Solid defensively and always gave an option out wide.
Caldwell - 8
An absolute barnstormer. Almost unrecognisable from the nervous player at the start of the season.
McManus - 7
Quick to close down when they got through from the midfield.
Telfer - 7
Simao was the danger man but I can't remember him getting the better of Mr Telfer.
Nakamura - 7
He wanted CL footie and now he has it. Must love these nights at CP.
Lennon - 7
'Does the hard work so you don't have to' - let the flair players do what they do best while he took care of the defensive duties.
Sno - 8
Fantastic. Gave the ball away on a couple of occasions but an brilliant composed performance with some great passing.
Maloney - 8
Didn't skin men as we are used to seeing but some very, very intelligent play throughout the game.
Miller - 9
What a turn around in his fortunes!
Zurawski - 6
Never made life easy for their defence but just not getting into the positions he would like to be in. MOTM - Kenny Miller |
