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.
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starry plough
10:30 on
15 August, 2014
Violet Elizabeth!
Screw the nut. And screw down the hatches.
Sort the defence and we will progress.
macjay
We’ll have to show a lot more savvy next Wednesday. We’ll be a couple of games into the season and we surely cant have another nightmare like Warsaw. I’m quietly confident we’ll get a result
HH
Attention anyone from BBC Scotland who might be looking in:
Now that UEFA have killed off any prospect of a ‘fast track’ CAS appeal, how about you remove that piece of total drivel on your sports front page.
Nah, I didn’t think so.
One crumb of comfort for all Celtic fans is the fact that the more you guys print this stuff, the more anti-Celtic stories you guys publish, just fills us with a deeper appreciation of just how much you guys are hurting.
And boy are you guys HURTING!
A centre mid is a must.
A centre forward who is more direct and physical is also a must. I would get another CH for cover at least and if we could find one to walk straight in to the team all the better. We are fine for full backs with cover in both positions. Wings are Ok. An extra creative type would be good.
It’s right down the spine we need players of skill and character. And a good first touch….
Hang on forget what I said… apparently Mubarak Wakaso is not playing now…so probably is angling for a move…whether that means his agent is making up come and get me stories or we really are interested, who can say…
“Ghana pair Wakaso Mubarak and Abdul Majeed Waris got their season underway to an undesirable start as they were both unused substitutes in their Russian Premier League opening game.
Both Waris and Wakaso sat on the substitute bench for the entire regulation minutes at the Central’nyj stadion Kazan’ as Spartak Moscow got their season underway with a heavy 4-0 thrashing of Rubin Kazan’.
The duo, who were both in Ghana’s squad for the 2014 World Cup, rejoined their clubs in time for the pre-season training but failed to manage playing minutes in the opening game of the Russian season.
Spartak manager Murat Yakin exercised his preference for new signing Artem Dzyuba who proved his worth in the game by netting a brace and in the berth available for substitutes in attack, Paraguayan forward Lucas Ramón Barrios remain the second-choice for the coach.
Wakaso could also not work his way into the Rubin Kazan’ starting line-up and could not earn a substitute spot among the substitutions.”
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
But I want a Hero, I do I do I do!!!
MWD’s post at 10.15
Bang on! Wee Blue Book is a thoroughly recommended read for any ‘Soft YES’, ‘Soft NO’ or ‘Can’t make my mind up’/’Can’t be arsed’ folks out there.
Not required for the fundamentalist/entrenched on either side though.
• Malarkey
10:32 on 15 August, 2014
Looks quick, aggressive, very fit. Little indication from Google that Kazan want rid of him though with only 1 year into his contract. Seems to have played in they preseason games and be rated by fans.
Wakaso:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoZtwmilXzE
Just watch the video……………….. and not sure if Wakaso will do.
Passes forward……………………..
Takes on opponent’s……………………
Shoots……………………………………..
Tracks back…………………………..
Tackles……………………………………..
Bloodysignhimnowplease
Wakaso .
A regular feature of this summer s Italian who is going where guff .
Linked with Atalanta, Catania,Genoa,,Sassuolo and Palermo . Sometimes described as being a naughty boy.
NK Maribor winning their supercup 4-1 yesterday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfBwa8m6FjE
After reading James Forrest article,even here in glorious Turkey the world seems a brighter place.
How good would a hun defeat or even draw be tonight?.
Angry mobs gathering,torches being lit,ugly faces contorting hideously in the shadows they cast.The BBC Sports Dept,put under suicide watch.Sharp objects confiscated along with belts and braces.All windows nailed tight,as the baying mob scrapes its bloodied knuckles on the pavements outside as they trudge and stagger towards,”The Big Hoose”
Tune in next week for another spine chilling episode of “Oh How We Laughed”
Rangers shares taking a hammering this week
• Mea Culpa
10:37 on 15 August, 2014
Attention anyone from BBC Scotland who might be looking in:
Now that UEFA have killed off any prospect of a ‘fast track’ CAS appeal, how about you remove that piece of total drivel on your sports front page.
How have UEFA killed of the CAS appeal……………
SorryIliveunderAstone
Nae offence,but another faffin winger?
How many can we play at any one time,ffs?
AlframsayCSC
BMCUWP
Well Tony is a pioneer.
With the new CQN you will all need to use it.
or use voice tags
See Queue Hen – to call up CQN
Loag in – to log in
Doon the wye – to scroll down
Upwyz – to scroll up
Aff oot. – to log off
backwyz – to go back a page
Next wan – to go forward page
cut and pase requires voice and gesture control.
Cut oot fay here … double dot finger gesture …. tay here … double dot finger gesture
Coapy ti here – paste.
I think it is coming out with the wordpress impostercide plugin
wordpress.org/plugins/impostercide
in October
So start learning now. All you Irish bhoys need to brush up on your Glaswegian to get complete control
HH
RobertTressell. I agree with most of your post but I would look for a decent Left back and move Izzy up to left midfield as his strength is going forward and not in my opinion defending. H.H.
starry 10.40
“You`re looking at one.”
William said,mustering all the modesty he could manage.
Tho Outlaws appeared stunned at this sudden unexpected revelation.
TURKEYBHOY
I’ve had one or two minor disagreements over the years with James.
I would have had more,but I couldnae get a word in!
You are spot-on in what you say. Brilliant piece.
• joe_joe_john_bobby_teddy
10:44 on 15 August, 2014
Rangers shares taking a hammering this week
Sorrymate…………….Neverheardofthem:-)))))))
To be very honest, whilst I am happy we are guaranteed European football for this season and have a shot at redemption in CL it does feel embarrassing. It was an extremely embarrassing two performances and we were well beaten. I was embarrassed about how unprepared we were.
Whilst rules are rules with clearly defined sanctions….I do have a feeling that the punishment was excessive in this instance. It wasn’t like Sion’s brazen two fingered approach but just oversight.
One thing’s for sure – the team owe the fans big time and need to put in two committed professional performances against Maribor and maybe then my embarrassment might ease.
I no longer believe for a second that Legias situation is an oversight ,misunderstanding,error,mistake ,IMHO they new about the situation and chanced their arm they were shocked that the rules were implimented in full but hey ho.
If I new the punishment was a £20m fine for not paying my leccy bill I sure as hell would make sure it was paid on time and not chance my arm that they might just fine me a fiver.
Till later all
Hey! The guy from the BBC was watching.
Wow!
Now about all those other anti-Celtic stories…..
Big Joe: The key point was ‘fast-track’ .
AWE NAW
Complete Control?
Cue for a song. Should put a smile on DELANEYS DUNKY’s coupon.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JeTw_p_WglY
Another midfielder?
Ghana no dae that!
• Turkeybhoy
10:44 on 15 August, 2014
After reading James Forrest article,even here in glorious Turkey the world seems a brighter place.
How good would a hun defeat or even draw be tonight?.
Angry mobs gathering,torches being lit,ugly faces contorting hideously in the shadows they cast.The BBC Sports Dept,put under suicide watch.Sharp objects confiscated along with belts and braces.All windows nailed tight,as the baying mob scrapes its bloodied knuckles on the pavements outside as they trudge and stagger towards,”The Big Hoose”
Tune in next week for another spine chilling episode of “Oh How We Laughed”
Do you think they will be allowed to lose 2 night ?
HUNfefsandLinesmen2therescue
twentyfirstofmaynineteenseventynine
10:37 on
15 August, 2014
macjay
Ronny stuffed it. Fact or opinion?
Fact in my book.
Has he learned?
There`s the rub.I sincerely hope so.
BUT,my pal.We`re still there.
Hail Hail
DELANEYS DUNKY
Speaking of coupons,check yer mail.
• Tim Tanium
10:50 on 15 August, 2014
Another midfielder?
Ghana no dae that!
HemightGanaabdbebrilliant
Sevco losing tonight could hasten mccoists departure….
If they can afford his pay off…..
Which they can’t……
It’s win win for Timothy……
The calamity continues…..
Vive la calamity…
67heaven … i am neil lennon ….the angels are with wee oscar in heaven.. ibrox belongs to the creditors
10:17 on 15 August, 2014
There is only one of us that will be taking an interest in what the zombies and the bairns are doing tonight and it willnae be me
Our strikers aren’t superstars but if we create chances they’ll hit the net frequently. I’m more worried about our defence and midfielder. Whenever we get humped in Europe, it’s because our team fails to retain possession and cope with simple attacks. Our strikers rarely get a sniff of the ball in these games.
leftcliktic
They chanced their arm bringing on a player with a few minutes to go with the tie dead?
Really?
Nonetheless – rules are rules but the sanction is IMHO excessive. However onwards and upwards.
We better not be as bad against Maribor.
Huns will win tonight
Who are the mibs .?
HH
Just Another Tim
Did anybody attend the Slovenian Super Cup. Not 1 spectator in sight and felt like watching the Irish League.
The look big strapping route 1 types.
Get them back to Celtic Park and scare the bejaysus out of them with a full house.
huns cant even afford to sack sleekit if they wanted to, couldnt make it up whats going on over there
What’s the difference between Mark Knopfler and Cliff Richard?
One’s in Dire Straits. The other’s in deep shit.
KeepingthedayjobCSC
Big Joe
If he signs I hope you are spot on and he is the next Ya Ya or Makalele.