Celtic growing into their skin, more on Maribor

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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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1,610 Comments

  1. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    Thank you for the headsup to the hun game tonight.

     

    4.40 am tomorrow Oz time.

     

    Duly up for recording on Setanta.

     

    Watch it over brekky.

  2. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS

     

    10:56 on

     

    15 August, 2014

     

     

    One`s for cunning stunts……..

  3. BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS

     

     

     

    10:56 on 15 August, 2014

     

     

     

    What’s the difference between Mark Knopfler and Cliff Richard?

     

     

    One’s in Dire Straits. The other’s in deep shit.

     

     

    KeepingthedayjobCSC

     

     

     

    PLEASEstopitplease

  4. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    Tom McG, your brother is a lucky bastart. Getting his hole at that age? Wow!!! I hope it catches on.

     

     

     

    Congratulation to you and your family Tom, after the year you’ve had some good news had to be due to you.

     

     

     

    HH

  5. I know I should know better by now, but the behaviour of the SMSM in regard to Celtic still astounds me. This week’s hysteria from the laptop loyal around the Legia issue reminds me of the time wee Fergus challenged UEFA on John Collins’s ‘Bosman’ transfer to Monaco.

     

     

    As Monaco aren’t in the European Union, Fergus argued they shouldn’t be allowed to invoke a European law. Now you could make a credible argument on this both ways. Our own media’s reaction was unequivocal; Celtic had embarrassed Scottish football, as the Herald put it. Can’t remember if this was Traynor’s line or the late Ken Gallacher’s.

     

     

    Corruption, cheating referees, referees banned for lying, referees banned for taking bribes from Italian teams, sectarian discrimination, rule breaking over player registration, Edinburgh juries, Euro licences unfairly awarded, £100m+ owed to creditors, tax evasion on an industrial scale……that’s what embarrassed Scotland.

     

     

    If they SMSM’s angst around Celtic wasn’t so bigoted it would be entertaining satire

  6. HemightGanaabdbebrilliant

     

     

    Looking on google and youtube……………….

     

     

    He more a box to box winger/attacker, if there is such a thing.

     

     

    JustmadethatpositionUP

  7. Just Another Tim on

    big wavy

     

     

    I know, it looked like a Sunday pub league game. They look as if they can play a bit too through the midfield but definitely like that long ball going by what is on the video. With attendances like that for their Supercup, let’s hope they crack at Paradise :)

  8. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    In Europe we have to keep the ball better against Legia I lost count of how many Celtic passes went astray.Also the midfield and the defence constantly found themselves to far apart and the team lost it shape and up front not a lot was happening due to a complete lack of service.What also surprised me big Fraser constantly kicked the ball long and we were not winning it I thought Rony liked to play the ball out from the back but it didnt happen in either game.To put it politely we were a shambles. Can we be that bad again I hope not.H.H.

  9. South Of Tunis on

    big wavy @ 10 54 .

     

     

    I watched the whole game . Game played in a monsoon . 5 of the starting line up are not first picks.

  10. Does anyone know if our 3-0 ‘victory’ against Legia will count against our co-efficient ranking?

  11. twentyfirstofmaynineteenseventynine on

    macjay

     

     

    agree he messed it up tactically big time

     

     

    Need to hope lessons have been learned. Biggest one being to know when to shut up shop

     

    away in Europe.

     

     

    As you say, we’re still there, and a lot of people are well pissed off about it

     

     

    HH

  12. Rubicon

     

     

    I believe the SFA didn;t submit the complaint in time and our case was lost before it even started. Fergus then went after the SFA and ultimately Jim Farry.

     

    He knew there would be more he would slip up on and the Jorge Cadette transfer was the slip Fergus was waiting for.

     

     

    LB

  13. Cheers SoT

     

     

    Interesting fella. I guess it was the complete lack of fans, the sound of clapping made me think what a shock to the system a packed and noisy celtic park will be.

     

     

    Still down to the men on the park

  14. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    New hun share price = Four furra poun.

     

     

    Buy sensibly and remember,stock prices can go down as well as down.

  15. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    twentyfirstofmaynineteenseventynine

     

    11:07 on

     

    15 August, 2014

     

    macjay

     

    As you say, we’re still there, and a lot of people are well pissed off about it.

     

    ==================================================================

     

    :-)

     

    This pleases me no end.

     

    Whoopee.

  16. Right……………………………

     

     

    Im getting…………………………

     

     

    “ you’r not on that CQN again “ kind of look……………….

     

     

    BigJoeBobbingaboutonAboat

  17. Just Another Tim on

    Rubicon

     

     

    It seems to be a grey area but if I am reading what is in the UEFA regulations correctly, as the game was actually played and recorded as a 3-0 victory for ourselves, then we get the coefficient points.

     

     

    http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/Regulations/competitions/Regulations/01/79/68/69/1796869_DOWNLOAD.pdf

     

     

    annex ll – coefficient ranking regulations.

     

     

    9. “Points are awarded only for matches which have actually been played, in

     

    accordance with the results ratified by UEFA. Penalty shoot-outs do not affect

     

    the result used to calculate the coefficient. ”

     

     

    although it seems a bit unclear they also state,

     

     

    11.”The UEFA administration takes final decisions on any matters not provided for

     

    in these provisions.”

  18. twentyfirstofmaynineteenseventynine on

    ACFR

     

     

     

    hahahahahaha

     

     

    dont know whether to put a score on Falkirk tonight or buy a wad of their shares

  19. Big Joe

     

     

    I don’t like cricket….I love it!

     

     

    Been surprised about how poor India have been. The last innings of the last test was suicidal batting. Got a feeling their 20/20 league is having a detrimental affect on thier attitude to test cricket.

     

     

    Gone the I’m going to bat for 2 days mindset of Sunil Gravaskar or even the calm authority of a young Sachin Tendulkar.

     

     

    They’ve made England look good. Howeveah I do hope that that Moen Ali takes two wickets in this test and then he will be the most successful spin bowler in a test series against India for England. He receives his man of the series award and he then rips off his shirt revealing his Free Palestine shirt below.

  20. —-

     

     

    Random Thoughts Of The Warblin’ Gumshoe…

     

     

    —————–

     

     

    Congrats To GCT’s Brother….

     

     

    On The Latest Addition To The Klan..!

     

     

    Still Keeping My Fingers Crossed For GCT And Ching-Ching At Embra Zoo..

     

     

    No Miscegenist….Oor GCT !

     

     

     

     

    Reckon James Forrest’s Blog Would Attract Greater Readership….

     

     

    IF….

     

     

    * He Switched To Kojo-esque Patois..

     

     

    * He Featured A Guest Article From KevJungle (Leghend !) Once A Week..

     

     

    * He Included An ‘Agony Aunt’ Corner

     

    Moderated By SFTB And Ernie….

     

     

     

     

    * He Occasionally Referenced The Great Works Of Antiquity..

     

     

    Such As Homer’s ‘Iliad’,And Livy’s ‘Lives Of The Great Romans’….

     

     

    In His Incendiary Articles…

     

     

     

    * He Publically Disowns His Schoolboy Infatuations With Gorgeous George And The Respec’ Party…

     

     

     

     

    Here’s A Wee Suggestion…

     

     

    The Blog Adopts The Term ‘Odious Creep’ [ © Leggoland2 ]…

     

     

    When Referencing The Ludicrous ‘Corduroy-Clad’ Cowboy…..

     

     

    Who Masquerades As A ‘Cerebral’ Sports Journalist….

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    MWD Says… AYE ?

     

     

    That’s Awe…She Wrote…

     

     

     

    Up The H-O-O-P-S !

     

     

     

    ———

  21. Just Another Tim on

    Livibhoy

     

     

    I don’t think the national team affects a clubs individual coefficient points, but it does affect how many clubs gainaccess to the UEFA club competitions.

     

     

    6. To calculate the coefficient of the association concerned, the points obtained

     

    in a given season by its clubs are added, then divided by the total number of

     

    clubs from the association that took part in the two UEFA club competitions in

     

    question. However, if a club refuses to enter either of these two UEFA club

     

    competitions and is therefore not replaced by another club from the same

     

    association, the coefficient of the association concerned is calculated as

     

    follows: the points obtained in the season in question by its clubs are added,

     

    then divided by the total number of clubs from the association that could have

     

    entered the two UEFA club competitions in accordance with the access list as

     

    set out in Annex Ia.

  22. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    The only thing that’s cheaper than a hun share is a Zadoc ringtone. I’ve got six million to give away. Get them for free and stick it toevery huns you know and hunners you don’t..

     

     

    Picture yourself stood on the platform at Glasgow Central, your phone goes off and Zadoc fills the air with beautiful Champions League get it right up you huns music. 50% (minimum, so our survey said) of those around you will be gnashing their teeth and spitting feathers.

     

     

    Its thi biz.

     

     

    It’s free

     

     

    Its available here: acgr@hotmail.co.uk

  23. Delaneys Dunky on

    BMCUW

     

     

    You know how to grab my attention. :)

     

    Every day should start with The Clash.

  24. Just Another Tim on

    Livibhoy

     

     

    Sorry I should have said the national team has no impact on coefficients when it comes to the club competitions.

  25. I posted last weekend about Give as you Live, the free charity website. All you need to do is register your email address and download a toolbar thing and a wee percentage of your online purchases is donated to your charity of choice at no cost to yourself. Many retailers are participating. I signed up, downloaded, made a purchase from Amazon at the weekend and can confirm no ill effects.

     

     

    https://m.giveasyoulive.com/

     

     

    http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/sustainability-case-studies-give-as-you-live-plugin

     

     

    Sign up and pass it on.

  26. Tonight’s MIB for Sevco game is Callum Murray.

     

     

    Probably best remembered for the Old Firm game at Ibrox, the one that there was no way we were winning the league, society dictated.

     

    Two Celtic red cards, and blew up early when Celtic scored twice late on to make it 3-2.

  27. • Tim Tanium

     

    11:21 on 15 August, 2014

     

    Big Joe

     

    I don’t like cricket….I love it!

     

    Been surprised about how poor India have been. The last innings of the last test was suicidal batting. Got a feeling their 20/20 league is having a detrimental affect on thier attitude to test cricket.

     

    Gone the I’m going to bat for 2 days mindset of Sunil Gravaskar or even the calm authority of a young Sachin Tendulkar.

     

    They’ve made England look good. Howeveah I do hope that that Moen Ali takes two wickets in this test and then he will be the most successful spin bowler in a test series against India for England. He receives his man of the series award and he then rips off his shirt revealing his Free Palestine shirt below.

     

    I was actually in India for the first 2 tests and India looked very strong…………….

     

     

    Everyone was predicting a series win………………….

     

     

    I as well, can’t understand how they managed to collapse so dramatically.

     

     

    Joehopingforanindiacomeback

  28. Rubicon

     

     

    11:03 on 15 August, 2014

     

     

    If they SMSM’s angst around Celtic wasn’t so bigoted it would be entertaining satire

     

    ____________________________________________________________________

     

    Aye, if only the Celtic ‘supporters’ were enjoying being directed by custodians with – balls – to ban the SMSM en-masse and, by doing so…would drag Scotlands ‘little-secret’ onto the world stage.

     

     

    But, as that aint going to happen….collusion and, kow-towing is the best you’ll get.

     

     

    Also, to achieve my point about, banning the SMSM – the ‘bored’ would have ‘to be made do it’ by a fans gun at the ‘boreds’ heid with the chilling message – “Stop Celtic FC, or the remnants that remain of Celtic FC ie: the ‘supporters’ being treated as door-mats, or we’ll sack you!”

     

     

    But, folk like me know that apathy rules today so, I won’t be holding my breath.

     

     

    Maybe a lot of you out there would like to hold my breath for me but, you would only be doing what yer best at – killing the messenger.

     

     

    Lifes too short, bye.