Celtic held the ball for around 60 seconds at the 75 minute mark last night, and, thinking a corner had been turned, I thought “That’s been a difficult half hour since halftime but we’ve come through it”. Dinamo Zagreb soon claimed back control in the middle of the park and the game reverted to form.
Despite incessant pressure, in particular during the three minutes added at the end, I was never convinced Dinamo were going to score. The defence, for the most part, stuck to task, tackled well and put bodies in the way. In this respect it was our classic Champions League performance.
Even when the visitors got sight of goal, Craig Gordon was always the most imposing personality on the field. Our captain looked uncharacteristically meek on the receiving end of a rollicking from Craig. We like goalkeepers with authority.
Virgil van Dijk held the line very well, despite a couple of uncomfortable moments when called on to play the ball with his ‘standing’ foot, while Jason Denayer and Efe Ambrose coped with the incessant pressure. Efe played much of the game high up the field, very much in the wing-back role, but was able to track back with speed.
Emilio also stuck to task but he conceded a needless free-kick in exactly the same manner and field-position he lapsed against Salzburg, who equalised from the resultant kick. Denayer also lunged in needlessly a yard outside his box, collecting a yellow card for his trouble. Both occasions called for the defender to stay goal-side and not challenge.
Football teams are made by partnerships, as Anthony Stokes suggested after explaining the understanding he has with Kris Commons which allowed them to craft last night’s goal. Right now we don’t have many partnerships. Wakaso and Emilio were 10 yards apart for much of the game, but to no great effect. Tonev and Ambrose were similarly disconnected on the right.
Not much could have been done to improve this for last night. Neither Tonev nor Ambrose will retain their positions on the right after a pairing from McGregor, Forrest, Matthews and Lustig return. Wakaso and Emilio need to target becoming a more effective pair on the left.
We knew that without the ineligible Guidetti and the (as yet unproven and) injured Scepovic we would struggle up front, but our creative fulcrum was on hand to both create and finish the decisive opening of the game.
Despite the concerns Ronny expressed after full time, this was our second excellent result in the Europa League this season against two decent teams. The progress since the summer is evident.
Many thanks to everyone who participated in our Magners competition for premium tickets to the Hamilton Accies game on Sunday. The competition is now closed and draw will be made shortly and winners will be notified by email, so watch out for it.
I had a great time track-side with my youngest last night before kick-off talking about the great work the Celtic Foundation (which is you and me) do fighting poverty and hardship, and our responsibility in making sure the ethos of the club is maintained and handed on. On Sunday I’m doing the Great Scottish Run to raise funds for the Foundation, so I’m pretending not to have the sore throat, head and cough. Need a magic potion….
Thank you to everyone who has helped with the fundraising, you can get involved here.
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Watching the Killie Unt game.What a beautiful player Eremenko is.Almost Luboesque.Totally controlling the whole game.Killie well on top,mainly through him.
See how he does 2nd half.Pissing doon.
Thanks gordybhoy!
Sips – the fact that I always think we seem like we have 1 player less than the other team probably proves your point!
HH jamesgang
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvqNd_uIAAAD5lP.jpg:large
One of my fav goals
thanksfortheshyCSC
I’m off to the lake district tomorrow, I’m taking my mother along as well, she’s in Kilmarnock, so I went doon the M8 to pick her up and leave from Prestonpans tomorrow .
There is a new bus service from Edinburgh to Ayr and I passed it on the M8……………..noticed the direction plate on the bus Edinburgh via Glasgow to Air…………
Here’s your chance to show if you’re unhappy at the 1pm KO times on a Sunday. Only one simple question.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/G3H97MZ
Top 3 Tic Goals
1. Henke’s chip in the 6-2 match. Proof of the existence of God and Ghod
2. Macca versus FOD following the maestro’s sublime change of direction on halfway and pass onto Morris on the right wing.
3. Macca again. Versus Dundee Utd in centenary Cup Final.
HH jamesgang
barrach obampot
20:29 on 3 October, 2014
Received and forwarded to MWD, copied you in.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Doo be doobee dooh
Fav goals
Kok vs huns (you know what am talkin abooout)
Cadette v Aberdeen (through ball by Peter Grant of all people)
Sutton against Juventus – volley, wit a peach
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvWS45-IUAEYCW3.jpg:large
Hunskelper
CheerupMcCannCSC
roy croppie
20:25 on
3 October, 2014
Magnificentseven
I’m way you can’t watch it: the best of times…HH
Being in Seville was my best experience as a Celtic supporter, I can remember my dad telling me he would take me to the next final we got to, probably would have been early seventies and he expected it to be soon. He never got to see us in another final and that made it even more special that I was there.
I remember a big hun at work saying I hope you are greeting after the game, so did I because the only way I would have been was if we had won.
I took my daughter to the Stuttgart away game on the run, that was also a special experience, real father and daughter bonding on a road trip, happy times and seems like yesterday
I’m quite happy with the 1pm Sunday kick-offs.
jamesgang
20:20 on
3 October, 2014
corkcelt
19:12 on 3 October, 2014
The moaners are really pissing me off now. We all saw the same game and yes there were deficiencies, Kris did make a suicidal crossfield pass that set up an attack, in which Efe did feck up and Gordon had to make an excellent save from resultant snap shot and 3 guys did chase the ball leaving an unmarked man on the 18 yard line who should have scored when he got a quick return pass but again Gordon saved us. However I witnessed a countless number of times that Celts closed down their men and won balls they weren’t entitled to, I witnessed lads run themselves into the ground, throw themselves in front of shots, defend with their lives. I also witnessed a gem of a goal, and the closing down of their keeper which should have yielded a 2nd. I saw some lovely lay offs some nice passages of play and overall witnessed a bloody good game in which Celtic played their part. The team is not above criticism but please lets have some balance. gettingitoffmychestrantcsc.
—-
Corkcelt
The voice of reasoned Timdom. Will it ever catch on?
HH jamesgang….
braw post Corkcelt…………
jamesgang please pass on my bday wishes to Miss Jamesgang….hope she had a braw braw day….
Top 3 most important Celtic goals.
1) Henke v St Johnstone 1998
2) Harold v St Johnstone 1998
3) JVOH v Dun Utd 2008
lennon’s passion
20:17 on
3 October, 2014
Had a seat next to GB last night. Those bhoys put some shift in. Are they aloud to eat chips.
——–
No, but they are “allowed”.
Shout it from the roof tops.
“Allowed” and proud CFC.
Gourock, the Evening Times had the food poisoning thing on their hoardings around 3 pm today.
Needless to say if a supplier has caused the problem, this will be the last line of any article.
Roy Croppie, the ‘when it’s spring again, we’ll sing again two one in Amsterdam’ game was first euro trip.
Big Sinky had a great game man marking Cruyff, even though Johan was by his best, he was still better than any of our players. Sinky even created two chances that night, one of which our first Frankiebhoy, McGarvey, hit the bar with a header.
With the game still one one, Murdo had a hack at Cruyff’s heels. Cruyff went to ground and the physio came on and took ages. Murdo shouted at the physio, get yer bag & get yersel tae ****.
Video of the game was Carville & Arcari video shops’ biggest hire in October 1982. BBC wouldn’t show the highlights as Ajax had shirt sponsorship, hmmm.
Thanks for the photos and your contributions over time, fantastic.
The picture of our own Tom & Gerry in that hideous away strip makes me glad Umbro no longer make our strips.
Thanks Your BrawFulness!
HH jamesgang
Top 3 goals
1 Tommy’s in Lisbon
2 Henrik’s in Boavista
3 Albert Kidd’s second v Hearts 1986!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=UCjEsN4E85s
HH
barrach obampot
Also sent MWD a text to watch out for email I forwarded him. He just text back he got you via Twitter. You send mail to CRC?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
:)
Youtube very slow tonight, or is it just this tube?
corkcelt
Favourite 3 goals
1) Jinky v R”*^K$&s League decider 1967
2) George Connolly 1969 cup final
3) Henrik’s dink 6-2 game
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvRD6c7IQAAK6f5.jpg:large
how good was this moment?
myself and numerous Tims in the Dundee Utd end went mental…
Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas, thank you mhate HH
am on an early flight tomorrow …..so I,ll wish you all a braw weekend ….goodnight bhoys and ghirlies
braw
Top three important goals in recent history
1 – Brattback
2 – Larsson in Boavista or was it Hartson Vigo ??
3 – JVoH v Rangers 2-1 last gasp winner ’08 (very very special moment) (so was Wattie’s post match radio interview)
Roy Croppie, the pictures of George McLuskey, Murdo & Frank celebrating at Ibrox. The grotesque image in the background is one of the ugliest of the uglies, Gregor Stevens. His football ability was as gruesome as his coupon.
Wullie Mathieson & Doddy McDonald in the other photo, the stuff of nightmares.
Joe Miller’s goal in the teble busting final was the ebst birthday present I ever got.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvG-gPtIUAARn-e.jpg:large
Not long now…
sleekitCSC
top goals think Murdo’s is good for this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H64BOxqZh6Y
jamesgang,
I missed the last ten minutes as I had to go to work, bloody radio in the car is gubbed, so I didn’t know the final score until I got into work.
First hun i saw said, yer jammy b******s, now the smirk is on knowing we had won.
What a feeling a bitter wee hun making my night :))
As for the midfield, it’s definitely a problem, that has been noticed with opposing teams as has the gaps at our left back position…not all down to izzy bombing forward..under NL the same gap was always open to be abused.
Strangely enough, I loved the 2nd Kenny Miller goal against Benfica.
Sublime pass by Maloney and super finish.
The goals in the game at Blackburn Rovers were particularly sweet after Grayhun Sourness’ remarks about boys against men. A great GIRFUY moment.
Roy, the 1988 final was a magical and special occasion but the way we won the semi final v the maroon balloons was a highlight for me.
Macca didn’t half make up for the chances he missed v Hearts by getting our goals in the final.
Good evening all.
A happy birthday to the mini Jamesgang. I hope she had a wonderful day. Paw, sorry I missed you last night, I left the corner at 7.50 pm. Missed ma hug so a did. :-)))
Weefra HH praying to o Wee Oscar.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ByujaeVIMAAJ2JT.jpg:large
Davie Provan in full flight
Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas
Loved the finale of that game:))
HH
Lennybhoy
CRC emailed
by chance did Gregory Ioannidis not have a few things to say about the huns?
tom mclaughlin
20:40 on 3 October, 2014
I’m quite happy with the 1pm Sunday kick-offs.
__________
The young ones don’t get up until one after getting home at six in the morning…it’s no fare on them:))
Big Pierre’s goal v Airdrie in the S C final. Not a great goal, not a great game, but the end of a long barren spell. Brought a tear to my eye.
What was incredible about wee Jinky, was the number of goals he scored with the heid… he had no right to get any.
He seemed to run on top of the air at times, like the goal he scored from the right – volley against hibs I think it was – where his right foot seemed to be at the same height as other players heads.
We don’t even need to talk about his skill, but it was his guts that made the difference… I’ll not see his likes again in a Celtic shirt
Guys posting about the midfield being over run is pointless..its gonna happen..its whats gonna happen with the system RD plays..when you insist on playing two wingers when you lose the ball you will find yourself in trouble. Look back at Reals demoltion of Bayern last year..they broke on them for fun.i cant remember how many times it was Two Bayern central defenders against Ronaldo Bale Benzema..its a white nuckle ride…your wingers have got to work overtime(Deila saying that James Forrest should watch the work Robbin does in defence after a game James had played well in )..so when it works its great…but …..for me…im still to be convinced(hoping im wrong)…