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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Philbhoy
Absolute belter fella and so true
Another bloody week of the nauseating photoshops of #letfootballwin
https://twitter.com/robertblaszczak/status/499901175710638081
I take it we’re through now.
Legia to appeal to CAS.
HH
Appeal rejected
We Are IN……..!!!!
Wee Spanish guy wae a Barca top on wanting Suarez auto.. Cumeer son!!!
Tom M,
Appreciate your earlier point but I have had enough of that topic. Thanks anyway for debating in a reasonable manner.
Sky sports Scotland saying appeal has been kicked out
hahahahahahah
STV reporting we are in.
Bring on the Wildcard.
HH
Suarez 4 month ban upheld
Suarez ban upheld.
HH
Warsaw didn’t have a Legia to stand on, no surprise there..
Mon the Hoops, players improve playing against the best…
Now Celtic………………….do Maribor………please!
C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anybody seen Jim White…
If Legia do take this to CAS, I suggest we forthwith refer to them as Legia ‘dry yer eyes’ Warsaw.
What’s going on?
Today on the blog I have read the following:
1.) Either Gordon/Forster should play in goal.
2.) Steven Mouyokolo should be given a chance if fit.
Must be something in the air today…
Suarez ban upheld but all his new teammates are in fear as CAS has allowed him to train again.
Mon the wild card!!
Get the cheque book out Peter
I would like to wish Legia good luck in there game with Aklobi
FF in meltdown One presumes?
HH
End London rule. YES,
isnt he gone?
Hello this is WEE BGFC. We’re in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
https://twitter.com/celtic/status/499903452282388482
SSN have reported also …..APPEAL REJECTED ….
Off topic..Valencia boss Nuno Santo wants camera’s allowed into dressing rooms
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28787197
Wild Card……..
Reveal yourself …….
Paddy McGuinness csc
Legia Warsaw say their appeal against expulsion from the Champions League has been dismissed by Uefa, meaning Celtic will remain in the competition.
The Polish club were punished for fielding a suspended player in their third qualifying round tie with Celtic.
The Scottish champions were reinstated for the play-off round and drawn to face Maribor.
And, after failing in their appeal, Legia will play Kazakhstani club Aktobe in the Europa League play-off round.
The Polish intend to take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Midfielder Bartosz Bereszynski was due to serve a three-match European ban at the start of this season and missed the club’s two-legged tie against St Patrick’s Athletic in the second qualifying round, and the 4-1 first-leg victory over Celtic.
Legia Warsaw defender Bartosz Bereszyński
Bereszynski’s participation ultimately cost Legia Warsaw their Champions League place
He came on as a substitute towards the end of Legia’s 2-0 second-leg win.
However, it emerged that Bereszynski had not been registered in the Polish club’s squad for the games against St Pats and therefore the matches did not count towards his suspension.
As a result, Celtic were handed a 3-0 ‘walkover’ win for the second leg, taking them through on away goals.
Legia appealed on the basis of three separate Uefa regulations and made reference to “the objective and subjective aspects of the offence; in cases where all aspects of the offence have been revealed by the party charged and after taking into account both aggravating and mitigating circumstances”.
They had hoped to have the punishment scaled down, nullified or suspended.
Celtic’s Champions League play-off matches are due to take place on 20 and 26 August, with the first leg in Maribor.
Legia’s Europa League play-off will begin on 21 August, with the return leg in Poland a week later.
Well we need to work real hard on the team shape before the Maribor game and Rony play cautiously in the away game please. H.H.
Neil McCann spotted heading for River Clyde with bottle of Buckfast and bag of cement wrapped around waist when hearing of Legia appeal.
Legia lose appeal.Court of arbitration next.
14:05: Legia Warsaw have confirmed that their appeal against Champions League expulsion has been thrown out by UEFA.
They say they will now take their case to the Court of Arbitration for sport.
From BBC
Just watched yesterdays game. Decent performance but hoping to see a lot better as the season progresses. Good to see the manager in his interview acknowledge that we did ok but he felt there was a lot of improvement to come all over the park. Thought Virgil, Izzy and McGregor were our best players on the day.
Celtic: Legia Warsaw’s Champions League appeal bid fails
Legia Warsaw say their appeal against expulsion from the Champions League has been dismissed by Uefa, meaning Celtic will remain in the competition.
The Polish club were punished for fielding a suspended player in their third qualifying round tie with Celtic.
The Scottish champions were reinstated for the play-off round and drawn to face Maribor, with Legia consigned to a Europa League play-off with Aktobe.
Legia intend to take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Midfielder Bartosz Bereszynski was due to serve a three-match European ban at the start of this season and missed the club’s two-legged tie against St Patrick’s Athletic in the second qualifying round, and the 4-1 first-leg victory over Celtic.
Bereszynski’s participation ultimately cost Legia Warsaw their Champions League place
He came on as a substitute towards the end of Legia’s 2-0 second-leg win.
However, it emerged that Bereszynski had not been registered in the Polish club’s squad for the games against St Pats and therefore the matches did not count towards his suspension.
As a result, Celtic were handed a 3-0 ‘walkover’ win for the second leg, taking them through on away goals.
Legia appealed on the basis of three separate Uefa regulations and made reference to “the objective and subjective aspects of the offence; in cases where all aspects of the offence have been revealed by the party charged and after taking into account both aggravating and mitigating circumstances”.
They had hoped to have the punishment scaled down, nullified or suspended.
Celtic’s Champions League play-off matches are due to take place on 20 and 26 August, with the first leg in Maribor.
Legia’s Europa League play-off with Kazakhstani side Aktobe will begin on 21 August, with the return leg in Poland a week later.
Dariusz on the ssn now pail under the telly.
My old dad used to put a pail under the telly when the BBC football games came on when the huns got beat.
Oh how we laffT. Ma mammy just shook her head!! Miss you both lots!!! x x
I have to say the #letfootballwin twitter feed is hilarious….
Loving the pictures of Borat….
Legia chief just been on Sky Sports saying they will go to CAS and want it heard before play-off. He said procedures are more important than sporting integrity. This will drag on, but no chance of it changing anything.
Sorry to all you Legia Warsaw fans your club has let you down but I wish you luck for the Europa League. H.H.
Neil McCann shouting at ez telly, LOOK AT THAT, LOOK AT THAT, THEY ARE THROUGH, CHEATS, SOMEONE REPORT THWM, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA HURTING LURKING HUNS, GIRFUYS
When’s the Celtic statement on this ?
A wee shot across the bows for the nonsense we’ve been dragged into.
Marvellous news.
Re. Court of Arbitration appeal : Legia frantically increasing the number of scapegoats in an attempt to spread the blame,when the reality is that it was their own stupid fault.