{"id":1098975,"date":"2019-07-24T21:55:04","date_gmt":"2019-07-24T20:55:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1098975"},"modified":"2019-07-24T22:04:37","modified_gmt":"2019-07-24T21:04:37","slug":"celtic-nomme-kalju-champions-league","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/celtic-nomme-kalju-champions-league\/","title":{"rendered":"Celtic a step closer to Champions League dream as Hoops run rings round Nomme Kalju"},"content":{"rendered":"

Celtic sent out a statement of intent this evening in their hopes for Champions League football after devastating Nomme Kalju 5-0 in Glasgow.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kristoffer Ajer broke the deadlock in the 36th minute after some resilient defending from the Estonian side, and from there Celtic ran riot, with goals from Ryan\u00a0Christie and\u00a0Leigh Griffiths ensuring a 3-0 half time lead.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/audioboom.com\/posts\/7317342-rodgers-has-helped-tick-the-boxes-for-maguire-s-manchester-move<\/p>\n

But, Celtic weren’t finished there, as they continued to pile the pressure after the restart, with\u00a0Christie netting his second of the match, before Callum McGregor completed the rout.<\/p>\n

The result puts Celtic in pole position for the second leg of this\u00a0Champions League second qualifying round, but what did we learn from Parkhead?<\/p>\n

1. Ajer set for big\u00a0Bhoy season<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Despite standing at an impressive 6ft 6in tall,\u00a0Kristoffer Ajer is a very competent ball-playing footballer, and it showed tonight, as his composure at the back, as well as driving runs from deep, kept the Glasgow club ticking over nicely.<\/p>\n

Defensively, the Norway international wasn’t stretched to the limit this evening as the Estonian outfit offered very little by way of attack, instead looking to park the proverbial bus and stifle Neil Lennon’s\u00a0Bhoys, but Pavel Londak was eventually breached in the 36th minute, and from there the floodgates were well and truly open.<\/p>\n

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It was Ajer who actually initiated Celtic’s eventual rampage, knocking home from a Ryan Christie free-kick with just under 10 minutes to go before the half-time interval, and what an important goal it proved, as you could sense a growing frustration in the terraces with\u00a0Nomme Kalju standing firm.<\/p>\n

But, it wasn’t just the Scandinavian’s goal that caught the eye.\u00a0Ajer was calm under pressure, eager to operate as the springboard for starting attacking moves from the back, and strong in the challenge when called upon. He only started 23 of Celtic’s 38 league games last season, but looks set to play a pivotal role this term following Dedryck Boyata’s recent departure.<\/p>\n

2. Griffiths off the mark<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Leigh Griffiths missed the majority of the 2018\/19 season\u00a0on personal leave but has returned to the squad this summer and has now opened his account for the campaign.<\/p>\n

In trademark style the 28-year-old netted one of his customary dazzling free-kick strikes, curling the ball up and around the Nomme Kalju wall before evading Londak’s outstretched glove in the dying embers of the first half.<\/p>\n

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It was a scintillating finish almost reminiscent of the one he thumped past Joe Hart at Hampden Park two years ago in Scotland’s 2-2 World Cup Qualifier against England.<\/p>\n

With Lennon back at the helm following the departure of Brendan Rodgers, he will be hoping\u00a0Griffiths can rediscover the form demonstrated during his previous stint in the dugout, notably the 2015\/16 season, in which the lethal marksman netted 40 goals across 50 matches in all competitions.<\/p>\n

3. Classy Christie<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Deployed in the No 10 role just behind a front two of\u00a0Griffiths and\u00a0Odsonne Edouard, Ryan Christie flourished in Parkhead this evening, making the playmaker position his own as he ran hither and thither across the turf, unlocking doors.<\/p>\n

With\u00a0Roman Kozhukhovskyi’s side really doing their best to frustrate Celtic and thwart their attacking strides, Christie sought other ideas, and functioned as a very adroit release valve in the final third for the Scottish side.<\/p>\n

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As he dovetailed between the lines, the 24-year-old was Celtic’s MVP this evening, involving himself in every positive move that unravelled at Celtic Park. He delivered a sumptuous ball for the opening goal, won and converted the penalty kick, and struck home a delectable effort after the restart.<\/p>\n

This was the complete performance from Christie who, like Ajer, could be set for a monumental season in Glasgow.<\/p>\n

4. Lennon embraces predecessor approach<\/strong><\/h2>\n

During\u00a0Rodgers’ three-year tenure in Glasgow he would often utilise a three-at-the-back system, and\u00a0Lennon adopted that approach tonight, deploying a trident of centre-backs in the form of Ajer,\u00a0Jozo Simunovic and\u00a0Nir Bitton, with\u00a0James Forrest\u00a0and Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo operating as floated wing-backs on either flank.<\/p>\n

On reflection, the system worked a treat as Celtic ran amok, but prior to their opening goal, Lennon’s tactical approach may have hindered his side’s full attacking potential, with\u00a0Forrest being forced to continuously cut in as he had no overlapping full-back, which really nullified his threat going forward.<\/p>\n