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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Cowiebhoy .
good luck to your daughter and family today.can you ask your other daughter to say a prayer for my family.
Blantyre…
lol…was nearly full of righteousness indignation… lol
What about not DD?
Just the same?
Thanks BT, hope yours goes well as well
Onwards and upwards for you :-)
cowiebhoy
08:39 on 4 October, 2014
Fantastic ……..congratulations to the young couple, starting out on another chapter of their togetherness….
Nye
Sorry was busy.
Ach…I’m gonna take a wee chance on Avenir certain. It has a nice draw, should…..should….be running on so I’ll have a small interest.
More interested in a nag running Monday. Esp if the rain falls in Stratford
More on that tomorrow or Monday. Could be a vg price with a major chance.
(Shameless repost, had put a wee photo in which hasn’t worked and lost some of the post)
This is the Day, This is the Day
That the Lord has made, that the Lord has Made,
We will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it :-)
A Very Very Special Day today for our Family
I get the great Honour of Walking my Beautiful Daughter ” Jenna ”
down the aisle, and she becomes Mrs Wright
Have an absolutely fantastic day Jenna :-)
Oh, and you Martin
Don’t worry the Sun will be Shining, and we will have a
Hail Hail of a Day
Cowiebhoy
Was thinking about you before bedtime! Now there’s a worry!
Have an amazing day.
She’s a lucky gal to have already had a great Mhan in her life since the day she was born.
HH jamesgang
Ronnie.
There’s something still nagging at me telling me not to write the man off. I simply can’t help but like the mhan when I read his philosophy on the game. I know tactically it appears he has been poor on a number of occasions, and performances have been somewhat lacking, but, I still find myself thinking it’s all gonna come good.
Naivety?
Blind faith?
Well maybe, but I’m standing by our man for now.
67 heaven, thanks
Young couple! See that training to be a priest, 7 years it takes, we’ve had to wait until her very good friend Fr Nicky Welsh was ordained to have this, she was insistent, Fr Nicky would be the Priest
Love her for it though, beautiful gesture from a beautiful young Lady
Hail Hail
Cowiebhoy
08:39 on
4 October, 2014
Fantastic day for your daughter you and family, best wishes mate
TNT
I share your faith. To a fair old extent.
But when I read him describing Thursday as Johannsen’s best game and that he covered the whole pitch during the 90 mins I disagree a lot/worry a wee bit…..
Plenty of running. But to the right places?!? And his misdirected passes almost qualified for Opta stats all of their own!!’
And I I like the kid. And rated him last season.
HH jamesgang
Congrats Cowiebhoy, have a great day. I have a similar day in the offing in less than 3 weeks. However whilst your Jenna had the foresight to arrange her big day when the Celts weren’t playing, my Princess has gone and picked a day clashing with our Europa Home game against Astra. Its also an afternoon wedding so I have nil chance of watching the game.
Big J,
I got your tune Thanks Bhud.
The Bride to be, 4 Bridesmaids and Mother of the Bride, all downstairs in the Celtic Bar :-)
It’s been transformed into a Beauty Parlour, with Hairdressers, and make up artists etc
Oh, and Coissants, pancakes and scones, none of this Pie and sausage roll stuff
Hope they tidy up behind them :-)
Hail Hail
Jamesgang
Cowiebhoy is a great bhoy but when it comes to seeing a player he has blinkers on.
He really loved big Sammi don’t you know..
Does doc take the role of your personal Page Bhoy today?
You have a wee bell. Tinkle tinkle. Along he comes and fixes your cravat and pours you another diet coke!
;-)
HH jamesgang
twists n turns
08:50 on
4 October, 2014
Nobody should ever be written off, he hasnt even completed half a season yet
We all want a Celtic manager to succeed, he is no different
He has made some fundamental basic errors, like Neil before him he is learning on the job, people will continue to call it game by game as they see it
jamesgang
08:54 on
4 October, 2014
Johansen had easily his best game this season on Thursday night, RD called it right
BT
I could tell. It was like he modelled himself on the Sammi look!
Corkcelt
Get her to hold the ceremony at Celtic Park. Job done!
Cowiebhoy
Tell them to tone down their cackling. I’m hearing them from here!
HH jamesgang
Lionsroar67 & Corkcelt
Thanks Bhoys
Corkcelt, hope you’ve got your speech done, me, I canny wait
I will give you all 1 line from it
In welcoming our guests
A special welcome to “the Rangers” fans present, nice of you all to set out in 2012, and have absloutely no idea, that you’ll never get back :-)
There is 3 or 4 going, his side of the family :-)
Hail Hail
lionroars67
Wish I’d taped the game to go and watch it again on the basis of that comment. Just to see if my view would change.
DiffrentStrokesCSC!
HH jamesgang
Cowiebhoy
That means they will be your family now…
8-))
Cowiebhoy
09:01 on
4 October, 2014
A special welcome to “the Rangers” fans present, nice of you all to set out in 2012, and have absloutely no idea, that you’ll never get back :-)
There is 3 or 4 going, his side of the family :-)
I predict a riot……………make sure all the tellys are working at the reception……….
Have a brilliant day
Totally agree twists. I have faith in him as well when it’s totally against all logic at times. Chuffed for him on Thursday. KLV
morning CQN
Starry you kicking about mate?
I need to email you but have lost your address.
You can get me through Mixcloud if you’ve lost mine or you can DM me on twitter on my Mixcloud moniker
HH
cowiebhoy
08:39 on 4 October, 2014
Good morning my good friend on this the day that God brings together Jenna and Martin for the rest of their lives. May God Bless them, guide them on what will be a long and happy life.
The Sun is not shining in the sky but I am sure their love for each other is beating in their Hearts for each other. They will bring their own Rays of Sunshine today and they will have a fantastic day.
God Bless Jenna and Martin. Have a great day.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Jobo
Can’t get up till you tell me about climatic conditions in auld EK!!’
HH jamesgang
Great day for the garden.
Great day to be a green-fingered Tim.
HH
Cowiebhoy
I’m sure you’ll all have a wonderful day, many congratulations to the family pal.
Anybody want to have a punt on the CQN Coupon picks:
PFAyr – Preston
Jobo – Hibs
BT – Swansea
GL2 – Leicester
TTT – Rochdale
LB – Watford
Pog – Wolves
AWATR – Bristol City
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Lennybhoy
mate can you pass on to Auldheid if you’ve got his email
HH
Cowiebhoy
congratulations on jennas big day
a very proud moment for you and mrs cowiebhoy
Morning all. It’s brightening up down here after the deluge.
My mood isn’t brightening up after learning that the games were changed to 1 o’clock on Sundays. Could someone provide me with the email address of the chap (Taylor?) who acts as a liaison person with the supporters? I want to let him know of my frustration with the Club for taking this action without being dictated to by the TV companies.
Lennybhoy & HT
Jenna says thanks :-)
Hail Hail
TBJ
Thanks bhud
cowiebhoy
08:51 on 4 October, 2014
WOW ……. THAT is awesome …… a young lady with real character….!!!!!!!!
I can REALLY relate to that, since the priest who was my mentor / hero from early childhood, the reverend DANIEL TOY, came out to Hamilton from Castlemilk (St. Bartholomews) to marry my wife and I ….. it DOES make it even more ‘special’….!!!!!!!!
You won’t belive this, but I was a hair’s whisker away from becoming a priest ……. HAHAHAHA
bankiebhoy1
09:08 on 4 October, 2014
You don’t live in Central Scotland then ….:)
Cowiebhoy
08:45 on
4 October, 2014
Thanks for sharing your day with your best mates.
Your fellow Tims.
Greetings and best wishes from Oz.
bankiebhoy1
09:08 on 4 October, 2014
I’ve got a wasps nest in my garden, and can’t get round to fix my FM radio aerial …… tried WD 40′ but they just laugh at that ….hahahaha