You could see Celtic mature during last night’s game. They were defensively solid during the first half, and Craig Gordon was assured throughout, but for the best part of an hour we scarcely tested St Johnstone.
That changed after the goal, which arrived just as St Johnstone were enjoying their best period of the game. Kris Commons didn’t have his most productive night but it was his pressing which led to the break through.
During the second half Ronny Deila replaced Commons, Stokes and the tiring Forrest with Boerrigter, Inge Berget and Kayal. Even before the home team were reduced to 10 men moments after the final substitution, Celtic were clearly in a more comfortable shape. Players were finding space which didn’t exist earlier.
Maribor made seven changes for last night’s Slovenian Super Cup Final, which they won comfortably against opponents who are pointless in the league after four games. Celtic’s scouts are unlikely to have learned too much useful information ahead of next weeks’ game.
What is clear about Maribor is their aerial threat. Five of their 12 goals this season have been headers, which may influence Ronny’s team selection. They also break quickly down the flanks, so maybe a 4-5-1, offering protection to our full backs, is the way to go. Hopefully we’ve learned we’re not quite ready for 4-3-3 away from home in Europe.
The Slovenian media are dismissive of Celtic’s chances, encouraged, it seems, but continuing celebrations from Maribor that they pulled an “easy” draw. I suspect they’ve yet to see the Celtic who will take the field on Wednesday.
Fancy winning a pair of tickets in the padded seats of the Jock Stein Stand for flag day on Saturday – and helping Mary’s Meals? Magners have kindly offered a pair of tickets, which you can win, if you donate £1 to Mary’s Meals. You can, of course, give as much you like, but £1 is the minimum donation.
You also need to answer the question: Which team will Celtic play this Saturday, shortly after the League Flag flies? To enter, forward your MyDonate confirmation email to celticquicknews@gmail.com, with your answer. Competition closes at noon tomorrow (Friday), winner will be notified by email, so check you inbox.
It’ll cost you £1, you could win premium seats to the premium event, enter here. Cheers to Magners.
1,610 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- ...
- 43
- »
rwe- post of the day
Jungle Jim
Nevah hoid of THAT.
Man..
It sounds tae Me that We need a Place like that
Like
Ah Need Two Raincoats.. when it is Rainin!
(Actually, Ah don’t even Hiv Wan. Vegas, Ye know.. Desert etc.)
Thanks fur the Heads Up,Pal.
Ah owe ye.
Kojo
Still,Laughin
https://twitter.com/janetorrance/status/499914629473374209
Can anyone confirm, for certain, the dates of the two Maribor ties they’re still not on the official club site?
Madmitch –
UEFA are not committed to CAS verdicts. Don’t forget, UEFA banned Sion from Europa League and reinstated Celtic. Sion took it to CAS and won. UEFA stood by their decision.
Having given the punishment and denied the appeal, it’s over for Legia. In the extremely unlikely event that CAS finds in favour of Legia, all they can do is claim a moral victory.
That’s it.
Oops, wrong one
Tony D 67
Are you around?
JJ
Good afternoon all.
I’m sure that if we had forfieted the tie, EUFA would have banned both us and Legia from any further participation in any eufa games for the rest of this season. Maribor would get a bye into the group stages. Almost sure this is the ruling. And eufa do not need to adhere to any desicion made by CAS.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Wee … @ 15.29
Now onto the wildcard.
Didn’t see the game last night so I have had to rely on second hand reports.
Did DB show any sign of a BP style second season transformation?
Interesting to see how JF and CMcG shape up in the new system?
That and how KC fares in the new set up as middle of the “Support 3” seems beyond him.
For the record I prefer him taking the SN role of playmaking from the wing.
Back to wildcards — quality CF please.
HT – next Wed away, following Tuesday CP
Livibhoy
Sorry but I’m only just back on. I’ll ask about if there’s any spares and let you know.
Kitalba
If you end up short for Inverness away let me know and I’ll try to help.
Looking for Delia’s after match interview from last night. Mate told me he had a go at Forrest. Anyone have a link
HT –
Away Wednesday 20th.
Home Tuesday 26th.
Bada
Is that definite mate?
Tom McG
Cheers Tom.
GM-he’s behind you……….:0
Aye
Happy days.
Justice served again. And…
Just bought three Eccentric Soul compilations from Monorail. Good deal too.
Jude
Did your reference to McCann driving home last night, hint at him enjoying Perth hospitality?
He looked and sounded oot his nut to me.
Rwe
What a brilliant post, and bang on too, lurking Huns read it and weep, oh! And GIRFUYs
HamiltonTim,
Maribor say they play us on the 20th & 26th.
A good result last night but a less than impressive performance
Right at this time however a good result beats a good performance with a bad result.
For me the St J penalty claim was more of a claim than ours, although both were borderline.
Im not sure that RD understands that our domestic opponents will generally put 9 or 10 men behind the ball and try to keep the game scoreless.
I wonder why RD subbed Commons last night? Injury? saving him for the next game?
For me, the next few league games are all about getting some sort of organised team display, I don’t understand why we seem to have lost that basic ability since the end of last season. That is something that needs working on. As one poster and P67 stated earlier, I hope RD is not naive enough to start with a 3 man forward line away from home in a 2 leg tie, although a strong and defensively minded midfield will be required to support our defence away from home.
Im not convinced yet that we have the capability to beat Maribor, but we do have the resources, and there is something wrong when we a club of our size isnt confident of beating a club the size of Maribor.
Looks like the MSM have upped the ante regarding their anti Celtic diatribes, so much for supporting Scottish Fitba eh? but remember how badly we were treated by UEFA, including the Rapid Vienna debacle, and even if Celtic offered to play Legia in a one off game, UEFA would need to amend their rules to allow that to happen.
Can you imagine the MSM taking the same approach if it was Poland who beat Scotland 6-1 for a world cup place, instead of Legia and Celtic.? Somehow i think they would be taking a whole different approach.
Hamiltontim
Cheers mate
LB
Bada,
Ooh err Mrs.
jungle jim
15:44 on 14 August, 2014
Tony D 67
Are you around?
JJ
Aye?
Penalty. Maybe Aye. Maybe Naw.
One thing certain.
Defender could have hit harder with a stockingful of shit.
Lennon’s Passion
I wouldnt say he had a go at Forrest exactly
Said he stopped doing his defensive duties in the second half
Said he should be more like Robben and Ribery who run up and down for the whole game
LP
No Delia made a post match comment.
The St Johston manager wasn’t very pleased when Ronny tried to shake hands last night …. Will he, therefore, be refusing their £250k windfall from Celtic’s euro exploits ?
tonydonnell67
Are you going to the Brazen Heid before the game on Saturday?
LL
Lennon`s passion
It is on the BBC site.
JJ
“I wonder why RD subbed Commons last night? Injury? saving him for the next game?”
Tam, Do you think he was playing well?
Something going down at Sevconia
I can smell it from here
Hibs being robbed
the 53% poll for greens return
Mc Cann s apoplexy
Spiers turning unashamedly into his nemesis David Leggat
What is Phil Mc G saying ?
Jambo Exclusive on Leigh Griffiths
Leigh was at the cinema last night in Edinburgh. Didn;t look ill to me while he watched the movie and ate a hot dog and a big box of popcorn.
Really?
Aye and he kept his hood up throughout the film.
Really?
Aye idiot.
What film was he watching?
Ehhhhhhhhhh
See you later ya clown!
LB
Tamrabam
15:49 on
14 August, 2014
Perhaps he thought he wasn’t having the best game.
Madmtch who or what is CMcG? Hail Hail Hebcelt
Sorry Madmitch
jungle jim
15:51 on 14 August, 2014
tonydonnell67
Are you going to the Brazen Heid before the game on Saturday?
LL
Lennon`s passion
It is on the BBC site.
JJ
Aye
Disappointing to hear so many criticising Sky for their comments.
Don’t know why. They are run by Huns for Huns in terms of sports reporting from Scotland.
Do yourselves a favour. Phone Sky if you subscribe and cancel. The only language they will ever understand.