* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Kyogo Furuhashi is about to make a lot of something: either Celtic a lot of money, or a lot of people remember what it was like to have someone in the mould of Henrik Larsson in front of goal. Or, you know – both.
Celtic went into this tie with the fear of bowing out of the Europa League and the disgrace and early managerial pressure that comes alongside. Instead, they’re 90 minutes away from a comfortable-ish commute to the group stages as well as having a new goalscoring hero to salute.
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Thursday 19:15: Az Alkmaar v Celtic
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It’s not just his range of finishing, it’s the movement off the ball and work rate that’s even more impressive. And even if you think this tie is over, it’s worth tuning in to see this lad go about his business. A hat-tip to the scouting at Celtic because this fella sounds more like a power plant than a striker – but my god, the Scottish Premiership is in for one hell of a title race.
Still, just the small matter of AZ to see to first. For a team called AZ, they don’t go back to front every often, do they? I’ll get my coat and your three bets.
Short-Price Punt: Both Teams to Score
Absolutely. AZ will pile on pressure and Celtic will gladly allow them the ball in areas within their half, but certainly not within ten yards of their box. They’ve got multiple players who can shoot from range, which is something Celtic would have been aware of coming into this tie – but given the healthy lead now, it seems they’ll take their chances of not conceding twice from that distance.
And Celtic? Well they might never fail to score again. Well, until they explicitly get held by Ross County on a wet Sunday afternoon or something. You know Scotland and its quirky ways.
Value Play: Kyogo Furuhashi to Score Anytime
You don’t understand me when I’m saying this – the boy is a marvel. The only thing that stops him from scoring is if he doesn’t play – or his height, as quite well-documented, he’s actually smaller than my Nan.
But it won’t matter one bit away to Alkmaar because they’ll overcommit and all the Celtic breaks will come on the ground. An away marquee goal in Europe was a Larsson special wasn’t it? Well now we get to see, albeit on a slightly lower scale, if the comparisons go beyond just the hopeful and idyllic.
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Long Shot: Over 3.5 Celtic Goals
You just don’t know. A lot of the questions early about this new man in charge were based around just how progressive a manager he was, and if he could get the best out of a group of players that really hadn’t gelled. Well, let me tell you – not only do they have the ability to break teams down in slowly-fought Scottish Premiership games, but they’re also lightning on the break.
This could well be the blueprint for how they prepare for Old Firms. And if it goes as I suspect, then AZ are in serious trouble.
Az Alkmaar v Celtic betting tips:
Short-Price Punt: Both Teams to Score
Value Play: Kyogo Furuhashi to Score Anytime
Long Shot: Over 3.5 Celtic Goals
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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