Celtic’s history making generation of domination continued as the Scottish Cup was secured for a club record third time in a row. No side in the world has won triple trebles. These are times to be savoured for Celtic supporters.
Echoes of History
On the 52nd anniversary of Lisbon, Celtic players donned the “5” and the “9” in memory of McNeill and Chalmers. A 27th consecutive domestic cup tie success was fitting tribute.
The European Cup winning goals were scored in the 63rd and 85th minutes. In once again recovering from 0-1 down, Celtic scored at Hampden in the 62nd and 82nd minutes. A slight delay as the echoes reverberated through the ages.
And as with Lisbon, it was the centre forward that won it. Whereas Chalmers was a humble and unassuming man from Glasgow, a veteran of 32 in that final, here is was the 22-year-old Frenchman and record signing, Edouard, who finally broke Hearts and showed no nerves.
Craigenaccio
The famous Inter Milan door-bolt defence had withheld Celtic in Lisbon for long periods despite 42 attempts at goal. Levein’s version was arguably more successful as Celtic failed to create more than one meaningful chance in the first half.
Hearts were arranged in a medium block 4-3-3. The front six worked prodigiously hard to close up any gaps and shuffle across the pitch as Celtic recycled the ball, usually slowly.
The dreaded Horseshoe of Futility was once again in evidence as Celtic passed it across the back waiting for a lapse in defensive concentration. The front four of Johnston, Rogic, Forrest and Edouard completed 26 passes in the opening 45 minutes. But Ajer and Simunovic completed 81 between them.
Celtic managed possession in the Hearts box only 4 times. Two attempts from unpromising angles, the best to Edouard, summed up the initial attacking efforts.
For their part, Hearts managed an effort from 40 yards by Hickey that was easily fielded by Bain. They never once had possession inside the Celtic box. Excellent without the ball, Hearts were moribund with it. Their most creative spark was Hickey the 16-year-old left back. He found team mates with 5 forward Pack Passes out of the 15 the whole team managed in addition to having his sides only effort at goal.
Danger for Celtic arose four times when Mulraney was given time on the Hearts left, especially when Lustig lacked cover or the pace to match the winger. He was able to attempt a number of crosses, but none were accurate enough to create a chance.
Hearts took their time over every restart and committed 10 fouls in the half to break up and disrupt the game.
Despite 62% possession at the half, Celtic were neutered. Rogic completed 3 passes and lost it twice but did set up the one decent chance for Edouard.
Making the Most of What You Get
Heart’s first excursion into the Celtic penalty area resulted in a goal on 52 minutes. I always say that if three things happen consecutively that don’t go your way, you are in trouble.
- Firstly, Hickey’s pass to Djoum comes off Lustig but still falls perfectly for Djoum;
- Djoum’s shot is scuffed but falls perfectly for Clare and not one of the five Celtic players in the vicinity;
- Ajer misses the ball completely with his attempted tackle.
It should be said that Clare’s awareness to back heel the ball is inspired.
Ajer’s movement to try and block the shot highlights a weakness and development opportunity I have noticed before and raised in Under Committed and Out Played. As against Arfield of The Rangers, Ajer attacks the ball with his wrong (right) leg instead of his left. He actually takes an extra step to adjust his position so as to be able to slide in with his right foot. Had he not taken the extra step, and slid in immediately with his left leg, not only would this have been a stronger block, he would not have risked connecting with Edwards first and conceding a penalty. In the event he completely missed the ball. On such fine margin’s history is potentially not made.
After this effort, Heart’s only attempts at goal were (low probability) headers from crosses – they managed three.
Left Wing Bias
Celtic’s only possessional joy was out wide against the relatively narrow 4-3-3. However, the Champions were only really able to take advantage of this down the left. Whereas Forrest received only 6 Pack Passes and only 1 of those took out a defender, Hayes on the other side received 15. 11 of those were passes from McGregor. This pair were the main means Celtic advanced through the Hearts’ lines. In total McGregor completed 18 Pack Passes (the next highest was Brown and Lustig on 5) and Hayes the most Pack Receives (15, the next highest was Edouard with 7).
Hayes and McGregor both created one chance each. McGregor had two secondary assists and Hayes one.
There was little from elsewhere. Rogic departed the scene having completed 5 passes. Johnston had his moment in the second half, sent clear into the box, but hesitated and the chance was gone.
In contrast, Hearts had many dangerous moments down their left. But Mulraney only created one secondary assist and no chances with his crossing opportunities. In total they failed with 11 crosses, connecting with 2.
Hickey and Mulraney did combine for Djoum’s shot that led to the Hearts goal, however.
Long Ball Celtic
Irony of ironies, it was two long passes that created Celtic goals.
On 61 minutes, Hayes pass over the Heart’s block took out 9 of their team, and Edouard was alert to the possibilities. This led to panic by Zamal who rushed out and created the situation whereby Edouard could win the penalty. I say it that way as I have watched it several times now and believe Edouard skilfully managed to get the contact he needed to be fouled.
The winning goal on 82 minutes was after a typically untidy piece of play with the ball changing possession amidst clearances and lack of clear-cut possession. I am not sure Lustig see’s Edouard but he does see a huge gaping Berra shaped hole.
Unchallenged and with an unimpeded view of the field, Lustig skilfully heads the ball into the space.
As you can see from the picture, Edouard is already on the move anticipating what is going to happen. Lustig’s assist took 7 Hearts players out the game. Edouard’s finish was calmness personified.
He had 3 shots in the game, more than any other player. Edouard was a straight forward choice as Bhoy of the Match. Mentions in despatches to Ajer, Hayes and McGregor.
Celtic scored with their only 2 shots on target from a measly 7 attempts. The Expected Goals (1.516 – 0.876) suggests just about the right outcome.
But it was two long passes that undid the Craigenaccio.
Summary
With the Lisbon echoes, and the historical significance of victory, never mind the managerial sub plot, this was a memorable occasion but a poor match.
Celtic’s extraordinary run of Cup tie success is now 27 matches. They have been behind for 57 minutes in three years and 2430 minutes of football.
Celtic start afresh now, but surely this run cannot go on?
Duncan says
Nice stuff again Alan well done for all the hard work that goes into these.
Two points of note and they are worth noting in my option.
Brendan was totally against the idea of going long.
As a result teams adopted the high press and caused us issues over the past 18 months or so.
We became too easy to read.
Those two chances would probably never had happened had it not been for the more pragmatic approach to problem solving.
Mixing it up ie going long or short should always be an option.
Teams press you high?
Pop it in behind their Midfield and use your pace and movement to cause them issues.
Unfortunately Bains distribution deserted him in the Final and as a result it sort of knackered that game plan.
Lenny knew Levein was going to adopt a similar approach to 2angers and so therefore decided to counter it by telling them to mix it up on the counter.
We had a conversation about crossing from wide also a few weeks ago and this also has its place in mixing it up tactically against packed defences.
It all comes down to quality in the end as with anything in football if the quality isn’t there to start with be it Passing,heading or crossing then whatever you try do it will probably be pointless anyway.
Quality in the end decided the Title and the Treble Treble.
We have it in spades it is just a fact we haven’t been very consistent with it this Season in particular regardless of both Managers involved.
We got the job done and left he haw Silverware for the hun.
God Bless Neil Lennon
Helen says
Lol
Love it he haw, makes me actually laugh out loud .???
Deke Anderson says
Spot on duncan….HH
Johnny B says
Once again CBN tells it like it is – first class.
But,……after all the understandable euphoria surrounding the TT, we must acknowledge that we have had a campaign with so many negative threads running through it – we are lucky that occurence of these rogue threads were not enough to disrupt the overall warp and weft of our season.
I could also have said that the maun reason for our latest clean sweep is that we are still the best of a bad lot in Scotland, but I didn’t.
Anderlecht at CP last season, Saltzburgh this season, have been the required study material for all our serious challengers except Aberdeen strangely.
They have all gone to school on these games with the Ibrox club getting it spectaculary right on two occasions
Can we re-invent ourselves for next season?
Stats and performances say we MUST!
Johnny B says
Who agrees?
In my attendance at around thirty games this season – at Celtic Park and Hampden, the only matches where we played to the required standard were the RB Leipzig EL tie and the 5-1 drubbing of Kilmarnock, both at Celtic Park.
All others were at best workmanlike and at worst turgid and laboured. Why then should I be optimistic about next season – all and any replies welcome.
Duncan says
I agree and I also have highlighted previously on here why it was the case Johnny.
…….McGregor
Rogic……….Christie
It actually started with the Away game at Rosenborg when both Brown and Ntcham were out through injury or Suspension.
Definitely the best spell of Football in a Season that was on the whole poor to Average.
McGregor in the Regista role (Depp Lying Playmaker) with Christie as his cover and Rogic on form is defo the way forward for me anyway.
Use Brown in the games you need that dig but otherwise go with the pace,precision and energy those 3 showed.
Duncan says
Sorry my mistake it was the Leipzig game first then Rosenborg but the fact remains the change in Midfield was the key to our instant improvement as a side.
Duncan says
No need for wholesale changes just better use of the players we have and a more pragmatic approach to problem solving by supplementing those going out /not good enough with QUALITY coming in.
The core of a very good squad remains and as a result the building job isn’t as tough as it was previously for Lenny first time round.
celticbynumbers@btinternet.com says
Leipzig at home was the high of the season in terms of high end performances.
celticbynumbers@btinternet.com says
The season picked up immensely performance wise when Christie broke into the team and we luckily fell upon a midfield of McGregor, Christie and Rogic. The movement and speed of passing was excellent. Otherwise, like last season, injury and poor squad management have perhaps stunted fluidity. The cumulative effect of over 140 matches in 3 seasons I think cannot be under estimated.
I’ll formulate more data driven thoughts over the summer!
Bigbhoy says
Henrik scored at lot of goals from a long ball. Typically when Celtic broke forward Tosh Mckinlay would cross the half way line at pace and would launch a curling ball from his left foot into the Inside Right channel. Larsson would be in motion facing the goal and looking over his left shoulder. He knew that McKinlay would work the ball curling towards him and behind the defenders. Henrik would collect then it was one on one and Henrik could , shoot or go round keeper.
I am sure Tierney could make that cross but we dont have a “Henrik” on the end of it.
Euan McNicoll says
Excellent piece, the first of yours I have read but look forward to future pieces.
I used to coach rugby and still work part time for Scottish Rugby. It’s a simple fact in games that need to exploit space (eg football, rugby) that if your opponent is denying you space effectively, for example by employing a high press, you need to find a way to make that press sit off or retreat.
And if you can’t play through or round them, that leaves going over the top. If nothing else, it does force the defence to sit deeper, even temporarily, and wins you some space. And if you vary your approach, at least the defence is never sure quite what’s coming next.
Having the players to exploit a varied approach is another matter, but Odsonne Edouard is quick, alert and skilled. Worth £9m of anyone’s money.
celticbynumbers@btinternet.com says
Thanks Euan and hope you keep posting as I am sure we’d all value your coaching perspective.
Iain in Alberta says
Eddy is on the move into the space to his right long before Lustig heads the ball. Lustig sees his movement and heads the ball into that space. A great move and play by both players. Heads up all round.
It was very difficult for Celtic as the opposition was continually breaking the play up by fouling. Thanks for all the analysis. I really enjoy this sight/site.