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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sixtaeseven, you beat me to it about the deidsters giving Emmerenko the Don Revie Leeds kicking rotation treatment.
There was talk of us going for Emmerenko a few years back.
celticrollercoaster supporting shay,our bhoy wonder along the way
21:16 on 3 October, 2014
With cowiebhoy now confirming his attendance we now have two spare seats. Anybody in mind?
cowiebhoy:
I think it will be okay to get money on the night. If not I know your good for it.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
HT,
Embdy who votes for 4pm in that survey is getting a boot in the Jackie daws.
GM
I voted for 4pm.
Twinbhoy
21:24 on 3 October, 2014
No chance of him being a great, as Big Pistol Pete is already his counting that future transfer fee income :-)
HH
CRC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qywda-v64c
3:30 in. What a moment that was. Glad to be able to say I was there
A wonderful 80 minutes from Eremenko.Killie giving Unt the runaround.Dont know if this is just one game,but Killie playing very good football.Good result for us.
HT,
You were getting a boot regardless;)
GM
Sounds fair to me :-)
We were celebrating Albert Kidd’s first goal and never realised he had scored a second right after
GM.
Errmm
Turkeybhoy,
I’ve only seen 20-30 mins but I’d says it’s the best I’ve seen killie in ages.
The Long Wait is Over 2123:-
The referee in that picture is Davie Syme. Syme was well known for frequenting the Orange “20 Club” in Rutherglen next to the Quarry Bar, another well known cesspit of hunnery.
He would have been as gutted as he looks in the photograph.
It’s OK for you local guys but what about us glory hunters who have round trips of over 100 miles?
Sorry.
I forgot where I was for a moment there.
Killie have been poor.
Utd have been atrocious
;)
Saw wee Lenny jogging through west end today…gave him a toot ….he gave a sideways glance friend or foe? gave him the thumbs up and he followed with a friendly wave.
God bless you wee mhan we still love ye.
Syme,
haugh and spit… slime of a man
Just struck me, that looks like a firm of solicitors… Syme, Haugh, and Spit.
Only mild offence intended to any lawyer tims on here
A good night for Celtic Kilmarnock 2 v Dundee Utd.0 Killie played well looked as though they would be hard to beat at Rugby Park. H.H.
MnCelt
Briliiant moment.
And how brilliant is it to be able to watch on youtube etc over and over again.
I had that game on an old VHS at home and would regularly dig out to watch especially after a night out.
You can probably imagine how devastated I was to come home after a few and put it on only to discover my old mum had taped an episode of Cagney and Lacey over the top of it.
I honestly think I wept.
Geordie Munro
21:34 on
3 October, 2014
It’s OK for you local guys but what about us glory hunters who have round trips of over 100 miles?
———————-
Geordie..100 miles ..pffftt….that’s in a motor…try power walking the 2 mile back to Ruglen
when yir choakin.
voguepunter
21:36 on 3 October, 2014
Aye, so you don’t stop for him either :-)
HH
CRC
CRC
It’s a cracker :-)
Hail Hail
Alan Henning ‘killed by Islamic State’
Another aid worker reportedly killed.
God bless him. May those who kill see the light of tolerance.
The GBS
Syme and his ilk – just think how great their pain must have been in the last two years.
And it aint over yet.
Shame , innit..?
Lennybhoy…Supporting the DAM 5 and CFC until I die
21:25 on 3 October, 2014
Will check with Thoms sellick (lurker) or Penfold
HH
CRC
Evening everybody.
Any links to the highlights of the Zagreb game?
crc
The only folk I don’t stop for are…the huns and you.hh
Voguep
;)
Cowiebhoy
Many thanks for your kind wishes for my wee ghirl.
Weefra
Apols mhate. Wasn’t at the fame last night so glad you didn’t wait for that hug!
Some chat about Liam Millar’s goal versus Lyon. When he scored I jumped up and roared and my then baby daughter fell into a tearful panic.
Welcome to celtic my darling daughter!
Then last night when izzie and Johannsen both went for the same ball leaving the guy free in the centre, the Wee Mhan pipes up – you’re funny when you swear dad!
HH jamesgang
celticrollercoaster supporting shay,our bhoy wonder along the way
21:41 on 3 October, 2014
He wouldn’t even stop for me but at least I got a toot and thumbs up…so at least I know I am held in the same high regard as NL…:)
Just text or e-mail me. If you want I can text Penfold or will I just leave it to you?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
And I guess that’s why no one will challenge us for the title.
Resurgent Yinited etc etc etc
hrvatski jim
21:42 on 3 October, 2014
Might b cos they’re ignorant fascist power hungry dicks
Last man standing-week 7
Now restricted to choices from the SpFHell
The ExiledTim Inverness
Cowie Bhoy Celtic
GreenLion2 Inverness
Good luck Bhoys
HH
CRC
Hrvatski Jim,
Tolerance?,
little chance of that I fear
Lennybhoy/CRC
Ma weans have got to eat….I couldn’t charge you ghuys…ergo I don’t stoap fir yeeze.
awrabest.
Just saw the Killie goals. The first one was a very good finish and the second was how our central defenders should be attacking the ball.
The Dundee Utd centre half, Fojut, who we pulled out of signing two years ago, has not looked impressive, defensively, for them.
VP
If yer weans loved and respected CRC and Lennybhoy like they should they would pay their fares from their pocket money.
They pay you. You feed them. Simples.
Unless you tell me you weans are toddlers….or tightwads!
HH jamesgang
voguepunter
21:49 on 3 October, 2014
I know you do mate, I was only a block away anyway…:)
Hope you are well, might see you at the Hootenay.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!