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With confidence high and every media expert predicting a Celtic win, I settled down into my Champions League chair to watch chapter five of our European adventure unfold. After a bizarre introduction by Archie where he informed us he'd had to seek out a Trondheim thermal underwear shop because of the sub-zero temperatures, the game got underway with both Sutton and Larsson in at the start. As expected, Rosenberg went with three up front while Celtic remained in their normal 5-3-2. Ominous or what? The Celts started well, seeing lots of the ball but the cold conditions saw several players slipping, something that would prove costly later in the half. Agathe and Thompson had a couple of decent runs down the flanks but the resulting crosses failed to trouble the home defence. Rosenberg had barely been inside the Celtic half but around the midway point they opened the scoring. A long, hopeful ball was headed sideways by Mjallby into the path of the unmarked Brattback and his shot from the edge of the box beat Douglas who slipped as he tried to change direction. I could hardly believe we were a goal down having looked to be totally in control but the score shook the Norwegians into upping the tempo and the Celtic rearguard looked decidedly wobbly. Not surprisingly, Rosenberg scored again when Harold was given an unbelievable amount of room in the box. He'd started a nice move with a little reverse ball to a colleague whose shot was well blocked by Douglas, but as the ball fell back at Brattback's feet he had time to control the ball, feint and fire into the net as a multitude of defenders stood by and watched. This was turning into a television nightmare and it got worse when Balde clumsily barged into Harold in the box and the Spanish ref pointed to the spot. Three down at half time and there was no way back but big Rab handed us just a glimmer of hope with a quite outstanding save, diving low to his right to push out the spot kick. No changes at the break and, as you would expect, Celtic pushed forward with much more purpose but you just got the feeling it wasn't going to be their night. Chances were created but none converted, Henrik turned a shot inches wide, had a near post shot blocked by the goalie's leg, hit the bar with a header but that little spark or wee bit of luck just wasn't there. Sutton looked to have scored but his header had bulged the side netting, missing by a fraction. Lubo was brought on, followed by Hartson but by then it was a forlorn hope and full time brought a weary recognition from this fan that we are still just a bit short to cut it at this level. To sum up, the back three again did not look comfortable when Rosenberg pressed them. Now I'm no coach but you surely can't go three on three at this quality of football. Alan Thompson works hard and going forward can cause problems but defensively he is, quite bluntly, clueless. The alternative is a fit Bobby Petta who isn't much kop at the old defensive duties either. On the other side it's hard to criticise Agathe but I'm going to anway. He is under used by his team mates but also appears to have a lack of self-belief when presented with a shooting opportunity. Apart from his goal in Amsterdam he doesn't seem to want to just have a dig. The front two did their usual decent shift but I have to wonder about Sutton's inclusion after being ill. Henrik is quoted as saying today that he won't play for Sweden against England next month as he needs a few days rest. I agree, he's looked out of sorts for a few weeks now and I'd be inclined to rotate the front players a bit in the weeks ahead. At the end of the day we cannot be over critical. The strides we have made under MON is remarkable and I guess we're all expecting too much too soon. The last group E fixture brings the 'Old Lady' of Turin to Celtic Park on Wednesday. Let's just hope Juve play like one and we can get three points and hope that Harold and Co can take something from Porto. It's a bit of a tall order but it can be a funny old game. Man of the match. Gets a bit boring picking Neil Lennon and Paul Lambert so for a wee change Rab Douglas. ROSENBORG (4-3-3): Arason; Olsen, Basma, Hoftun, Saarinen; Strand, Skammelsrud, Berg (Winsnes 73); George (Johnsen 82), Rushfeldt, Brattbakk CELTIC (3-5-2): Douglas; Balde, Mjallby, Valgaeren; Agathe, Lambert, Lennon, Petrov (Moravcik 66), Thompson(Hartson 78); Larsson, Sutton Booked: Rosenborg- Basma, Saarinen; Celtic – Petrov, Lennon |