22 Aug 2017 18:43:00
Canny slate a team that qualifies for the CL - scoring 8 (3away) goals in a tough tie. However the transformation from strolling at HT to panic-stations for periods in the second period made us sweat a bit.
Very difficult to motivate yourself and pummel any team when you are 6-1 up with 45 to go, but the lapses in concentration, slack passes and stray clearances gave Astana hope where there should be none.
Obviously there were a few culprits out there who never did their jobs - especially in a makeshift defence - but we survived thanks mainly to big Olivier who was immense and the other scorers over the two legs who made the difference.
We do need more quality in goal and at the back, but we have more than enough options in the middle and final third - as long as they remember to turn up.
Gave more a wee scare Bhoys but well done once again.

1.) 22 Aug 2017
22 Aug 2017 18:50:43
Agreed. Ntcham was excellent. Seemed to take a knock late on, but ran it off. Bitton isn't a centre half. All''s well that ends well.

2.) 22 Aug 2017
22 Aug 2017 18:56:51
Scott Brown was careless in possesion. Unlike him. Bitton not a centre half. Hopefully Boyota and co back soon. We have 4 big players to come back including Paddy so will improve. Biggest worry was Gordon. He made 2 great saves but beaten at near post when he should have closed that down. Not convinced he is the best we can get.

3.) 22 Aug 2017
22 Aug 2017 18:59:48
We where cruising at half time. Squeaky bum time for 30 minute period in the second half. Our main 3 defenders have been out along with Dembele so it's not a bad achievement to qualify. Looking forward to the draw on Thursday.

4.) 22 Aug 2017
22 Aug 2017 19:34:15
Gordon was pretty rank but in fairness Lustig left him out to dry on that near-post goal.

5.) 22 Aug 2017
22 Aug 2017 20:01:23
Agreed on both counts. I think we're going to see more and more of Ralston as the season goes on.

6.) 22 Aug 2017
22 Aug 2017 20:37:32
Gordons 2 great saves came at very important times in the match and all of the goals were defensive and midfield mistakes. Gordon has been excellent this season and was again in this game. Hail Hail.

7.) 22 Aug 2017
22 Aug 2017 20:53:55
never thought for a second they would score 5 and after we scored NO WAY they were going to score 7.

it turned a dull game into a more entertaining one.

but WE MUST LEARN FROM THIS and recruit so we never settle for a team out of position.

we KNEW boyata was out and as soon as we knew we had drawn astana (plastic pitch, no jozo) an experienced CB should have been bought there and then.

as I say I personally never worried and enjoyed the game - but if we had only won 3-0 at home. or even 4-1/ 5-1. this could have been a different story.

8.) 22 Aug 2017
22 Aug 2017 22:05:42
Och well if we won 1-0 at home we still would have went thru😰😰.