Celts struggle with Vienna’s ‘Rapid’ approach

Moussa Dembele scored a second half penalty on his return to action to spare manager Brendan Rodgers blushes as his Celtic side where given a tough test by Rapid Vienna.

Scott Brown led a strong hoops side out in the first half but it was the visitors who started much better. The pace and directness of Hungarian midfielder Tamas Szanto  and Brazilian striker Joelinton has caused Celtic’s back four all kinds of trouble.

Rapid dominance

Craig Gordon was called into action almost immediately, being forced in to a diving save from a header from Joelinton. Celtic then got a huge let off as Gordon was beaten on the 11th minute when he was rounded and the ball slotted home although the referee pulled it back for offside.

The home side did not let up and caused Celtic problems all the way through the first half. Some poor Celtic play combined with neat build up from Rapid’s midfield sent Austrian Stefan Schwab racing through on goal to dink the ball over the onrushing Gordon only to see the ball come back off the post.

Celtic where eventually punished for their tired looking start to the game on the stroke of half time. A lazy back pass from Dedryck Boyata was pounced upon by Joelinton who rounded and was subsequently felled by Craig Gordon. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot before Joelinton calmly fired it past Gordon.

Time for the reinforcements?

Brendan Rodgers resisted the temptation to make changes at the half with Rogic, Dembele and Hayes amongst the subs and it looked like he made the right call.

Celtic where quick out of the traps in the second period being a bit more direct and forcing a series of corners against the young Austrian side. Scott Sinclair and Griffiths started to dictate the play as the hoops forced Rapid on to the back foot.

Rodgers decided to freshen the game up making eleven substitutions on the 63rd minute.

Celtic continued to create chances while still being wary of the potent Vienna counter attack. The persistence finally paid off in the 72nd minute. The hoops won possession in the middle of the park before spreading the ball to new bhoy Jonny Hayes who ran rings around his defender who had no choice but to bring the winger down. Penalty to Celtic. Up stepped the prodigal son Moussa Dembele to bag his first goal since March after that long injury lay off towards the end of last season.

Celtic continued to apply the pressure as they looked like a team with a lot of belief since that equalizer. Rapid had their opportunities too in the final stages but the hoops were definitely the side on top.

Game over and a share of the spoils

The game ended 1-1 with Celtic looking like a completely different team in the second half. That is because they literally were a completely different team. The eleven changes on the 63rd minute seemed to kick Celtic into gear. The introduction of Rogic and Hayes was key with a number of other individuals making an impressive impact. Liam Henderson and Gary Mackay-Steven in particular took initiative in a troubling period for the champions.

On to the next one now for the Celts as they take on Slavia Prague in Czech Republic on Tuesday before heading to Dublin to meet Shamrock Rovers on 8th July.