Manager Neil Lennon defiant after Celtic loss in Braga

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • lfc4life
    Sports Nutter
    • Dec 2008
    • 3200

    #1

    Manager Neil Lennon defiant after Celtic loss in Braga

    Manager Neil Lennon refused to write off Celtic, despite the Champions League first-leg loss to Braga.
    "Some people may think the tie is over; we don't," he declared in the aftermath of Wednesday's miserable 3-0 defeat.
    "We've got a good record at home, we've been in this position before and we'll just have to go and be at our very best next week."

    Aiden McGeady was omitted from the Celtic squad, with Lennon insisting the winger was injured.
    It had been suggested, by Lennon, that the Republic of Ireland international was keen on a move away from Celtic Park.
    And the 24-year-old has not featured in any of Celtic's pre-season games because of a thigh strain.

    However, he travelled to Portugal with the rest of the squad and Lennon had said he would play.
    On McGeady's absence, Lennon denied knowledge of any developments on a possible move and added: "He was complaining of a chronic back injury last night.
    "Having spoken to the medical team, with the lack of training and the lack of game time he's had, I thought it best not to risk him.
    "Hopefully, we'll have him for the second leg."
    Celtic trailed to an Osorio Alan penalty at the interval, with Uwa Echiejile and Nascimento Matheus grabbing second half goals for the home side.

    Lennon was critical of referee Serge Gumienny and his assistants for giving the penalty when a cross hit the arm of Ki Sung-Yeung.
    "His arms and his hands are down by his side; it's ball to hand," said the manager.

    "He [Gumienny] made some strange decisions. He booked Charlie Mulgrew after less than 10 minutes for time-wasting. That was just incredible.
    "He didn't book any of the Braga players until maybe the final five minutes.
    "So I'm not pleased with the referee's performance at all."
    The goals after the break came from a corner and a free-kick, which left Lennon exasperated.
    "We lost the game to three set-pieces, which was very disappointing," he continued.
    "I thought we were comfortable in the game. At times, we could have passed the ball better.
    "Some of our better ball players didn't take care of the ball as well as they should have done at times."
    Defending his decision to deploy Georgios Samaras as a lone striker, resulting in no shots on target for the visitors, Lennon said: "Our goalkeeper had one save to make in the 92, 93 minutes.

    "We set up to be defensive and try to not give too much away."
    Although Lennon indicated McGeady still had a future at Parkhead, the same cannot be said for right-back Andreas Hinkel, who was also not in the squad - because he was not registered.
    "He's got a year left on his contract and we can't afford to let that run down," explained Lennon.
    "We brought in Cha [Du-Ri], so he will be predominantly the first choice right-back."
    Last edited by lfc4life; 29 July, 2010, 09:44. Reason: Courtesy of bbc.co.uk
    IM SORRY but i will never have any sympathy for maggie thatcher .... the bitch

    I WOULD STILL LIKE TO SAY MY HEART AND RESPECT GOES OUT ALL BRITISH AND ALL ARMY TROOPS FIGHTING THE TERROR WHICH STILL BREEDS IN THE WORLD!! YOU HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL HAVE MY UTMOST RESPECT !

    YNWA!!!

    JUSTICE FOR THE '96"

    "People say football is a matter of life and death. I'm disappointed by that approach, I believe it is much more important than that - Bill Shankly" -
    YNWA
  • davieboy.rfc
    DK Veteran
    • Apr 2008
    • 667

    #2
    very tough for celtic to come back, braga got the luck for the pen but i cant c celtic scorin 4 next week & not conceding the celtic team is new not enough time to gel if they will imo..

    Comment

    • mattybhoy
      DK Veteran
      • Dec 2009
      • 1046

      #3
      Totally agree Davie.

      Braga are not that good, but Celtic looked like a team of strangers - which is what they are..

      What's Loovens & Samaras still doing at Celtic...?

      Comment

      • lfc4life
        Sports Nutter
        • Dec 2008
        • 3200

        #4
        Originally posted by mattybhoy
        Totally agree Davie.

        Braga are not that good, but Celtic looked like a team of strangers - which is what they are..

        What's Loovens & Samaras still doing at Celtic...?
        Well according too speculation celtic had a 1.5 million offer for him from a spanish club but nothing came too be! Nothing ever impossible
        IM SORRY but i will never have any sympathy for maggie thatcher .... the bitch

        I WOULD STILL LIKE TO SAY MY HEART AND RESPECT GOES OUT ALL BRITISH AND ALL ARMY TROOPS FIGHTING THE TERROR WHICH STILL BREEDS IN THE WORLD!! YOU HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL HAVE MY UTMOST RESPECT !

        YNWA!!!

        JUSTICE FOR THE '96"

        "People say football is a matter of life and death. I'm disappointed by that approach, I believe it is much more important than that - Bill Shankly" -
        YNWA

        Comment

        • mattybhoy
          DK Veteran
          • Dec 2009
          • 1046

          #5
          I'd take him to Spain myself! & give him a few euros spending money! He is ~~~~in PISH!!!

          I know very rarley disagree with you mate, but I'm gunna have to disagree with you... Celtic only have 2 hopes I'm affraid & one of them is Bob!

          Comment

          • maxi1968
            DK Veteran
            • Feb 2009
            • 417

            #6
            could they be going the same way as last year.they did look better in the second half against lyon today.

            Comment

            • ironjoe
              Top Poster
              • Nov 2008
              • 144

              #7
              And a cracking second half performance against Arsenal today.Never know could get 3 on wednesday force extra time.
              cmon the hoops
              Joe

              Comment

              • liamthetim
                Newbie
                • Jul 2010
                • 14

                #8
                goal in the 1st 15 mins and we will win 4-0


                think things are starting to fall into place now


                just need a left back and another c/h and we will be flying


                Comment

                • McMav
                  DK Veteran
                  • May 2008
                  • 447

                  #9
                  Looked good in the second half Vrs arsenal after Arsenal made changes. Hard to tell in a friendly. Wednesday will be the one that counts.

                  Comment

                  Working...