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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http://www.uefa.org/disciplinary/index.html#
while i was rooting around in there, it also seems to mention nk maribor too… for recent alleged racist chanting….
Even if the CAS find in their favour, UEFA has a history of ignoring their findings. So, that should be that. We’re in!
Ps We had 5 pails under the wireless listening to the 7-1 game!!!
That Aktobe are no a bad outfit, legia better watch it there.
Think of the thousands of emails sent to UEFA by disgruntled huns, all to no avail.
tonydonnelly67
All together now Tony
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Big Wavy that’s what I’m wating on
The Real Deal. Give it to em Celts
H.H.
Belfastbhoy0 Maribor have had a section of there ground closed for the Celtic game by UEFA due to previous racist chanting. H.H.
Woooooooooooooo hooooooooooooooooooo GIRFUYs
Tom McLaughlin
14:14 on
14 August, 2014
Aye, and they probably stuck a stamp on each one.
I wonder whether Henning Berg will keep his job. He is clearly the one who is to blame for the Legia fiasco.
JFH
That was nice!!!
jude2005. It could be our year in Europe. H.H. :-)
Will that Legia player need to hand back his win bonus??
Does anyone know if the story yesterday about the “keeper warning the defender who when warned legia before the match” was even remotely verified?
The good guys win.
Had a bad premonition. Legia v Celtic Europa League Final in Warsaw.
European football until at least Christmas cant be bad. H.H.
Dariusz on the ssn ……………………………
Sounding like Neil mccann last night……………………….
Hahaloveit
JFH
Hope so. Wee need a big striker and Citri at D U is the man.
Cmon lads we really dont deserve to be playing maribor.ok we get another chance and hopefully ronny plays the right team.
I have always thought we are morally better than others ‘more than a club’ and part of me wants to give legia the right to play in the cl.
There media attack on us was trying to pass the buck,however that shouldnt be held against them.we did get stuffed
But hey as i said before we have another chance..lets grab it this time
There’s an element of subjectivity in Suarez’ ban, yet CAS has upheld the playing side of it.
In Legia’s case, there’s no need for any subjectivity, as a rule was clearly broken, and a punishment is clearly established.
So I’m assuming Legia are playing to their fans again, hoping to deflect from their own failings, by continuing with this.
Celtic beating Maribor would obviously increase their pain, as if any more motivation were required.
Siesta time zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Sweet dreams too.
jude2005. I agree we need a striker and I think we may well get one signed before the Maribor game but I have no idea who. H.H.
Breaking news………….
Tonyd67 ( that’s me ) and ez wee maw gonny be in the daily record on it looks like Sat. Pictures to be taken tomorrow, I can’t disclose the story, as I was asked to keep it on hold, they wanted the pictures today, but ma maw sais naw my hairs a mess take it tomorrow, now you can have a guess at what you think it is, but keep it clean ;)
Anyone got a link to McCann’ts rant from last night?
Id chance big Sami. Ahint the couch now!!!
We have had huge good fortune. But now European football is guaranteed. I think it will be the Europa League. Nothing in last night’s performance gives me confidence we can beat Maribor. Getting Broonie back for the second leg at least might give us a chance. We’ll need to park the bus in Slovenia.
Corkcelt.
Thats no bad mate.
i’d take that!!
The BBC have just put up an article highlighting the excellent chance Legia have for reinstatement via CAS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/9391495.stm
McCourt
I’ve been trying all day to get my hands on that McCann link no joy YET.
Mc Court For 7
Be after 9pm me thinks!!??
Tony,
annie has just found out after 60 odd years, she picked up the wrang wean?
Growing into our skin ……. whilst mine has just went all goosepimples …… dont you just love the Celtic ……… HH
No Sammi for me I’m afraid. He slows down play too much and I don’t think that’s what we are trying to achieve. A Hoops Legend nonetheless.
Is this why Morrisey wanted Cliff on tour ?
HH
tonydonnelly67. You are bragging about about being in the daily Ranger are you a hun ?H.H.:-)
JFH
Exactly!
A play off, plus 6 games for the players to develop, hopefully.
Still see us as underdogs v Maribor next week.
We’ll need our “A” game and/or luck to get through to CL groups, imo.
Whilst pleased with the result last night, and the confidence it hopefully gives the squad – i can’t help but remember we benefited from (i) a defender error (albeit KC did well and AS finished well); (ii) a soft penalty; and (iii) a keeper blunder…..to get our 3 goals last night.
We struggled to create many clear cut chances last night. Only after the 1st goal – when StJ had to open up to score – did we get space to run with the ball. At 0-0 we coudn’t break them down at all, imo.
Still….positive thinking….lets look forward to Sat and cheer the bhoys (and Fergus) for what they have given us.
Over and Over CSC.