Celtic got off to a strong start to their Europa League Group E campaign with a 1-1 draw in the Roazhon Park Stadium.
I was pretty optimistic going into the game and predicated a score draw but you just never can tell with Celtic away in Europe and the game was an open affair with the hosts content to hit on the break for the best part of the game.
There was a near-capacity crowd in a ground that holds just under 30,000 with a pretty electric atmosphere but Celtic coped with it well and were generally pretty comfortable in possession whilst pressing the French side up at the other end of the pitch.
We should have taken the lead on 20 mins when Boli crossed across the face of goal with the Rennes keeper all at sea and loan signing Mohamed Elyounoussi was inches away with a sliding attempt at a finish into the empty net.
Incidentally, Elyounoussi really struggled again here. He looked done after 15-20 mins against Hamilton Accies on Saturday and it was something similar again last night. Clearly a talented player his lack of game time in the last year is really showing and he looks a fair bit off full match fitness. He was eventually hooked early in the second half.
With the end of the half approaching Rennes got a penalty out of nothing as big Kris Ajer got touch tight with €15 million man M’Baye Niang and then dangled a leg out that brought the striker down. Niang duly converted the spot-kick.
Celtic pressed hard in the early stages of the second half and were denied a stonewall penalty of their own in the 51st minute when Rennes centre back Joris Gnagnon clipped Christie’s ankles at the edge of the box with the Celtic midfielder running across him.
It was a complete injustice that would have been remedied by the use of VAR but UEFA have deemed that only suitable for the Champions League so far. What else would you expect from those clowns?!
It could have cost Celtic dearly but seven minutes later balance was restored when James Forrest went down under the challenge of the host’s captain Damien da Silva.
It was actually pretty soft compared with the Christie one but we deserved it and Christie stepped up to convert well.
There weren’t many clearcut chances thereafter as Rennes began to throw themselves to the ground for everything and looked content for a point.
Jonny Hayes won a fair 50/50 sliding challenge against Hamari Traoré at the edge of the Celtic box that had the right-back rolling around acting as if his leg had been broken as he threw away his own shin guard. He was up and back on again within a few minutes, of course, signalling his intention of retribution to Hayes. He did nothing though. His type never does.
Then late sub Vakoun Bayo came on for Odsonne Edouard and received two yellows in a matter of minutes. The first was deserved for leading with his elbow for an ariel challenge though his second that led to his dismissal was farcical.
Spanish referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez initially seemed to dismiss Rennes keeper Édouard Mendy’s pathetic play-acting when Bayo chased down a ball he’d dropped after a stinging shot from Olivier Ntcham. But then decided to go and inspect the prostrate keeper before then brandishing a second yellow. Mendy was on his feet completely fine seconds later with his job of conning the referee achieved.
Martinez had a bit of a nightmare. A theatrical referee who clearly likes to be the centre of attention not only did he miss the blatant Christie penalty shout and allow himself to be sucked in for the second Bayo yellow and subsequent red card but he also booked Edouard for diving in the first half before then warning without taking action two Rennes players for doing the exact same thing. One rule for them. Another one for us it seems. But what else do you expect on the road in Europe?!
Until VAR comes in across the board it’ll never change.
All in all a good point for Celtic with Christopher Jullien continuing to look like a Rolls-Royce at the back and Scott Brown producing a fine shift beside Callum McGregor in midfield.
That’s also five straight away European games without defeat with three wins and two draws. Rare away form on the continent for us and let’s hope we keep it up.
Elsewhere Cluj showed they are no mugs by defeating visiting Lazio 2-1 which really blows the group wide-open according to the pundits but it always was for me.
Lazio are no great shakes and Cluj showed against us that they are a pretty dangerous team who ultimately outscored us over two legs despite everybody now just presuming we’ll hammer them when we meet again the justification for which is hazy at best.
On Sunday Kilmarnock are the visitors for a 1pm kick-off.
They got off to a horrendous start this season under new manager Angelo Alessio with an embarrassing Europa League elimination by Welsh part-timers Connah’s Quay Nomads. They then lost at home to Rangers and away to Hamilton Accies in their first two league matches.
Rumours abounded about his methods clashing with the Killie players and talk that his days were numbered already.
But they’ve turned it around by eliminating Accies in the League Cup second round and going unbeaten in their last three SPFL Premiership matches that have seen them get a draw at home to Aberdeen (0-0), a win at St.Johnstone away (1-0) and also take down Hibs last weekend (2-0).
Sunday might actually see Celtic give a debut to new boy Greg Taylor who came from Kilmarnock on deadline day for a ÂŁ2.2 million fee due to Boli Bolingoli having to come off with an injury last night.
Three points are vital as it always is with Rangers not looking likely to drop many points this season against the rest.
Killie will be well organised and well-rested and Sunday matches after Thursday night Europa League exertions are always tough but hopefully, the likes of Taylor, Tom Rogic, Olivier Ntcham and Bayo can come in at some point and give us some fresh legs and a little bit of a pick-up.
I expect a hard-fought victory with a predicted scoreline of 2-0.
Fingers crossed.
....Always A Tim! 