Fraser Forster has Celtic’s Champions League destiny on his hands.
A clean sheet for the Englishman tonight against Elfsborg puts Celtic into Friday’s draw for the final qualifying round of the Champions League.
Twelve months ago Forster came to the attention of the English public, and Roy Hodgson, with an impressive display to keep Helsingborgs at bay as Celtic build up an impressive 2-0 lead to virtually ensure their Champions League place.
Forster’s profile has been transformed over the last year with the England hopeful determined to ensure another tilt at the greatest club competition the game has to offer.
“What we did last year gives us confidence to go on and do better this season,” the keeper explained. “European football is different for us compared to domestic football.
“The games are amazing and that’s why we want to get back into the group stage. We have a good recent record and that gives the lads a lot of confidence.
Looking at tonight’s challenge he added: “It will be a tough game. The Astroturf surface will be something different but with the quality we have I fancy we’ll score.
“With us having a 1-0 lead it will encourage them to come out and play and that might suit us because it will open the game up and allow us to get the ball down and pass it.
“I would expect to be busy but it was nice to do my bit in Helsingborg last year. I enjoy the challenge.”
Forster is likely to be playing alongside Kelvin Wilson for the last time tonight with the defender expected to move to Nottingham Forest within the next few days in a £2.5m deal.
Hopefully The Wall has a quiet night.
Tipping Kriss and Sammi to stand out, though I’m a bit worried about Elfsborg getting a bit tasty and probs more worried about them getting away with it (see Juve).
COME ON YOU BHOYS IN GREEN!!
HH
With the back four we have I am worried about tonight I don’t know what Lennon see it Ambros as for Wilson sell to Nott F asp Just hoping for the best Hail Hail
There won’t be a team left in the draw that DOESN’T want to draw us after that absolute disgrace tonight…..not even pub team level – utterly pathetic.
We couldn’t pass 5 yards, couldn’t take throw-ins, corners…sod all to do with the astro just downright carelessness and lack of thought. Lustig was our only plus on the night as the others basically stood about or chased aimlessly like headless chickens.
Where has all the Euro game experience went….the need to keep possession instead we hit 10-20-100 aimless punts up the park in the general direction of their goal. I could pick 11 guys off the supporters buses to do exactly the same – pure garbage.
Lennon needs to get his eyes tested if he can’t see the glaringly obvious…his subs astound me – tactics were those wee minty sweets we were clueless and not the first time.
Joins an ever growing list of horrendous Celtic games from Lennon…bring back the thunder, I’d settle for a wee shower of rain.
Sneaking out of a Euro nonentity thankful for them being crappier than we were..we better get the prayer mats out for another major diddy.
Great to see the spirit of the great Jimmy McGrory in the team tonight.
Just a fck pity the Celtic players seemed to keep passing it to him all fkn night!!!!
I don’t understand why Sammi was subbed, when Charlie was having an Obvious mare.
Sammi was one of the only player who might, just might give us a goal scoring opportunity.
I’ve heard the injury line, but the look on his face when he saw his number come up said it all.
Was the game ‘only audio’ in the UK?
If so, you’re in for a shock when you actually watch it!
Whatever it was they were watching I was watching another game.
The glakit one we see on the huddle andso who was commentating tonight MUST be somebody connecteds boy!!
It made watching that shocking performance even more infuriating.
Half way through the second half the sound went down……………unfortunately it came back on 30secs later!
HH
In hindsight, I apologise for using the word ‘glakit’.
HHH
Well done Celtic four qualifiers played and yet to concede, bit ropey last night with majority of the team under-performing Forrest,Forster,Lustig and Wilson the exceptions for me, Got through which was the main thing and with a few new signings I can only see us getting better
To get through 3 qualifiers into CL proper after losing arguably our 2 best players and a very short pre-season would be a great start to the season whilst I think its safe to say no matter what Lenny and this team achieve for some ” supporters ” it will never be enough