When Ferencvaros rolled into town today, Celtic had a pretty clear agenda: nothing but a win would really do.
The Hungarian champions were coming in with a clear mandate. Facing a busy Celtic Park this time, Ferencvaros also started the day with no points in the Europa League.
With Celtic getting backing from a raucous Paradise, including the Albanian President Ilir Meta, the Bhoys had to control the game, make chances count and use possession effectively.
In a frustrating first half, Celtic dominated the ball but weren’t able to find a way through. Ferencvaros came close through Mmaee, but he couldn’t meet a cross from the right with enough conviction.
Then in the second, a different story entirely. Celtic showed the urgency that was missing in the first, with Jota finding Kyogo in space on a counter-attack. His pass was phenomenal, and Kyogo’s finish sublime.
Callum McGregor could’ve made it 2-0, but was uncharacteristically unreliable, with Dibusz keeping out his penalty kick.
Eventually, David Turnbull did, 9 minutes from time. Postecoglou made some incisive changes (we’ll get to those), and Turnbull scored as ugly a goal as you’re likely to see.
What did we learn, then?
Celtic boss showing very decent in-game management for Ferencvaros test
Celtic probably couldn’t have asked for a better first-half, in terms of keeping the ball and dominating Ferencvaros’ final third.
The frustration, then, is when the Bhoys can’t create anything gilt-edged. The stats were most certainly in Celtic’s favour: we had 69% possession, played 332 passes and had 7 corners. 6 chances were created [Fotmob]. So, how didn’t Celtic score in the first 45?
Despite the litany of attacking talent, it was difficult to find space. Despite Ferencvaros’ own options, the Hungarians kept it low and put numbers in front of Celtic.
That made the first half something of a frustrating period. Chris Sutton said it was “pretty, but not enough punch”, which very well sums it up. The second half would be a different story, but largely because Celtic were incisive on the counter. When Jota found Kyogo in space, all it took was one pass.
That was the difference. That, and some impressive in-game management from Ange Postecoglou.
The manager brought on Nir Bitton and Giorgos Giakoumakis in the middle of the second half, providing an attacking focal point, and some sturdiness in the middle. The slightly disappointing Adam Montgomery was replaced by Liam Scales, in a welcome appearance for the Irishman.
Postecoglou may be an attack-minded coach, but he’s not a gung-ho merchant. He understands the importance of game management, and is capable of making big changes when they’re needed.
Very encouraging stuff from the boss.
Brilliance from Jota makes difference for Celtic against Ferencvaros
One pass. One incisive, whipped long ball from Jota changed the game.
There was plenty for Kyogo to do, of course, taking the ball brilliantly and finishing with his usual vigour. But what a ball from Jota, and another goal contribution in something of a purple patch for the loveable winger.
Nobody looked more frustrated with the lack of pace in the game than Jota. Not long before the goal, he looked furious because he didn’t get to take a throw-in quickly enough.
That’s either Postecoglou’s influence, or an urgency within Jota to make things happen quickly. Because technically, he’s excellent, and he works best when he has little to no time to think about his next move.
His second assist? Just as good. This time it was Turnbull who benefitted from fantastic work on the left-wing.
He’s all about instinct, is Jota. And he remains one of the best pieces of business Celtic have done in a long while.
Josip Juranovic has a battle on to regain right-back spot from Anthony Ralston
Anthony Ralston, quite frustratingly, went about his work at Motherwell without much applause. He was one of our better players, denying nearly everything down his side, and providing attacking thrust on the ball.
And in another Europa League outing, he was imperious once again. Again, it can’t be said enough; nobody really could’ve predicted this.
Crazy really, to think that a Croatian international might need to fight someone for a spot, and that someone went largely forgotten in 20-21. Now, Ralston’s a permanent fixture. He’ll surely agree better terms with the club before long.
Winning the majority of his duels, Ralston was constantly taking the ball off Ferencvaros and advancing it, with either a run or a clever pass. The majority of his distributions were in the opposite half, showing just how attack-minded the right-back is.
We wondered whether Ralston could be consistent in his performances. Whether he was having a flash-in-the-pan moment, or if he could sustain a level of performance that would keep him in the team.
The evidence suggests he’s here to stay.
Read more: Green Brigade unfurl banner aimed at UEFA ahead of Celtic v Ferencvaros
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