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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http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=zuuObGsB0No
Joy Division
HH
I doubt Craig Gordon has ever had
a better game in his life.
Arguably one of the best goal keeping performances
ever seen at CP.
Hamiltontim
Yes
The name is not so relevant. My point was about honesty and tolerance.
One of the worst aspects of CQN is the personal denouncement of posters in derogatory terms just because they make a point which others do not respect .
It demeans those who do.
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=KZaz7OqyTHQ
Jump Around
HH
gordybhoy you’re a hard mhan to please :))
HH
Pedro,
You are obviously aware that my spirit had indeed been ‘lifted’ earlier today.
:¬)))
let your soul and body fly into the mystic
Roy Croppie
as ever a great selection of tunes,
I just like to throw some of my favourites into
the mix now and again
MILES BACK so sorry if its been highlighted
Kevjangle 15:58
Wee Lou wasn’t in charge of the team the beat deadco 2-0 at the zoo
I think he was to become manager after the weekend and Maybe Frank Connor took team but it wasn’t Lou if I remember correctly.
Though a few apple juices into the night
KK
“I stand WITH the GB in their opposition to Racism, Fascism & Sectarianism.”
Heard a wee bit of SSB phone in last week and the caller made this very point, in answer to the “one sides as bad as the other” I think they were actually talking about the invasion of Huns on George square the previous Friday, which was strange in itself!!
Anyway, when aforementioned point was made, I think they cut straight to their new shit quiz thing.
GB have done some silly things….but I’m glad we’ve got them.
Oh and as for the age thing, BMCUWP’s old bhoy was in with them….
Get relocated young yin :-)
jimmyquinnsbits
Fortunately our wee cat has never left the house since she arrived, 2+years. Probably feart she will be shunted to another hoose. She’s 11 yrs old and a wee stoater. :-))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=gzoEK545j64
Groove is in the heart
HH
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BzDFHvfCcAAzsbl.jpg:large
gordybhoy64
good mhan, please do HH
hrvatski jim
Well said, this place is getting all the worse for it, which is the reason I post less nowadays. KTF.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Gordy
That was magic. Have never seen that performance fae the McCluskey bhoys before. :)
KK
Thanks again for the surprise visit this afternoon. You certainly lifted my spirits..
A great jesture and greatly appreciated.
KTF.
Weefrathetim
You have officially achieved infamy.
When I type “we” my predictive text suggests “Weefrathetim”
Hail Hail
emus
It was exciting game because both teams
wanted to win the game.
The quality of football was however poor.
We couldnae keep the ball for more than 30 seconds
without losing possession.
We win 1-0 at home and our GK is the standout MOM
Says it all.
HH
dode
22:58 on 3 October, 2014,
Goodluck to your bhoy, can see my two kids doing similar in the future, and couldn’t blame them…hopefully they come back to look after their auld da though :))
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ZWmrfgj0MZI
Massive Attack
HH
BT
Prayers flying your way from Bellshill today (RE) Take care Buddy HH
Delaneys Dunky,
cheers mucker,some dancer the bhoy was
Cheers RC
Found out what the bacteria was so now being blasted by antibiotics…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=DRtW1MAZ32M
The Smiths
thereisalightthatnevergoesout…exactlyCSC
Hrvatski
Re the abuse doled out to your friend.
The blog is pretty much representative of the support. That’s unfortunate but nevertheless true.
Some of the stuff you hear at CP is vile. And those same characteristics appear on here too, often aimed at anyone who disagrees with certain posters.
Blantyre Tim,
It was nothing other than pleasure for me to have spent a little time with you today.
Get well soon ( before you have to suffer another visit).
I think CG played better in Salzburg. If he’d let in a few of the stops he made last night he’d be being questioned on here.
Revisionism is a bad thing. Poor Tony Mowbray is reviled on here as being a terrible manager but pressure and stress affects a teams performance. http://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/oct/02/walter-smith-rangers-celtic
That game saw us being denied 2 stonewall penalties from which the hun broke away and scored from one. They won 3-2. How many of us were apoplectic about the honest mistakes that season? Pressure would’ve been different.
Warsaw away saw an appalling performance from many but CM in particular. Responsible for 2 goals and Efe sending off. RD slated. Let’s wait and see. We’re gonna win the League so lets see if we can do it with more pace, excitement and bedding in more youth. If that fails text Granny Coyle and ask of her grandson’s availability next season.
Roy,
http://youtu.be/wgKeqxDgBM0
are these not Bellshills finest,or is it still Sheena Easton
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
Chin up mhate; be worth it HH
Twinbhoy
Me and a mate went straight into town after a game against ‘them’ on the day of an AC/DC gig at the Apollo. We decided to go up to the Albany Hotel (where all the big bands checked into those days, late 70’s early 80s) on the off chance of bumping into any of the band. We made for the hotel bar, and lo and behold, Bon Scott was there on his lonesome, propping up the bar. We ended up chatting for about 15 minutes and just as were going, my mate asked the question, Celtic or R****rs, Bon politely refused to answer. Sadly missed
P.S. Genesis died when Gabriel and then Hackett left
hrvatski jim
I work not far from where you live and many of my colleagues live where you do.
There’s been a number of break ins recently. Apparently they’re marking an X outside the houses that they’ve previously targeted so they know which ones to go back to.
I defended the Celtic support after the Dens Park ‘riot’ but I’d never have gone to such extremes as to call someone a hun because they disagreed.
Hence why I asked re the poster.
Stay strong and as you know, material things can be replaced.
Only joking about Owen Coyle btw.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ctYYFETItUc
Teenage Fanclub
Bellshill’sfinestCSC
sipsini
Thanks for that im sad but proud of him having the guts to do it
Dode/Sipsini
That’s sad to read. My oldest is 19 the youngest 14 and I hope they go, but also despair, at them going overseas. Unfortunately Scotland offers so little prospects to our children just now.
jamesgang
22:47
Thanks mate, I had scrolled back and noticed you mention it, I thought Phil may spoil it but he took the day off thankfully lol.
Hamiltontim
22:48
Looking forward to it mate.
gordybhoy64
22:52
Arthurlie aren’t the force they used to be, seen them a few times over the last 2 years and they aren’t prity on the eye. I go to a junior game every other week and most weeks I enjoy the games. In the top divisions of the east and west leagues there are some great players who could easily make it as proffesional players in Scotland but they earn more from their day jobs than they ever could from football in Scotland.
BT
All the best.
See you soon amigo.
HH
G64
Yip big chap..
Emu
I’d rather have his granny!! :-)
Hope you’re well sir.