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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LIONROARS67
St Matthews in Saltcoats?
My niece is in fifth year there. Bloody hell,where did the time go?!
Very best wishes to Jemma and Martin, and the extended Clan Cowiebhoy on a wonderful day.
As Chic Murray observed, if it wasn’t for marriage, men and women would have to fight with complete strangers.
Corkcelt, will you have time for 9 holes befor the bjg ceremony in three weeks? If you ever find gourself lost in Angus with or without sclaffbaw bats, look me up. Carnoustie,s mans course will do you proud. It would be an honor to accompany you.
Hail Hail
Jeromek67
Tend to agree with you on Johansen, but thought he had a good game on Thursday, albeit let down by an atrocious defensive blunder that left the Zagreb striker with free shot at goal.
Scott Brown was outstanding, my MOTM rather than Gordon. If only we’d had him for the CL qualifiers!
We haven’t really had a central midfielder worthy of Brown since Ledley’s departure – Kayal is tenacious, but still lacks control in tight situations.
Cowiebhoy
Father of the Bride – did they not make a film about that? :-)
Congrats to you and Mrs C – hope it’s a wonderful day for Jenna and Martin and both families and all your friends.
Joe Ledley was the best midfielder in my opinion he could pass the ball well could defend he could win the ball and score the odd vital goal.
Cowiebhoy you and your family have a wonderful day. HH
Cowiebhoy
Have a nice one. HH.
Tippbhoy 9.47
great post , while Neil frustrated me at times I have to agree I think we would have safely negotiated the qualifiers with him at the helm. I think nearly to a man that everyone wants Ronny to succeed . I do 100% but for me personally I dont see any great improvement, certainly no exciting attacking play, pressing high up the park that we all hoped for. Our main problem continues to be ball retention , We just aint confident to hold the ball. I feel that every single time when we are in possession in the players minds its a “scoring chance” and its a bit of a calvary charge up the park. Puts me in mind of playing in europe in the 80s ( partizan belgrade anyone ) All a bit naive and like watching school kids at times. I do hope he can turn things round as most games at the moment are on a knife edge and we,ve carried a bit of luck so far . We are all rooting for you Ronny …….but
Tippbhoy
He is riding his luck just now…hearts Salzburg and Zagreb could all have won and then where would he be.
…………………………………………….
And if your auntie had baws she’d be your uncle!
We won two and drew a very difficult away European tie.
You sound disappointed we didnt get humped.
Oh, and if Stevie Chalmers hidny scored the winner in the European Cup Final we might have got beat……..
…..then where would we be.
Catastrophist!!
Cowiebhoy
Hope you and your family have a wonderful day!
Best wishes.
Gordon_J
What’s all this from Phil about SuperSally being under threat?
Dear reader, I have, of this morning, sent a request to the PR department at Ibrox.
It asks simply this: “Has Ally McCoist been locked in a frigate, bound for far eastern shores (defended by the flimsy weaponry that Her Britannic Majesty’s naval fleet can afford), with a certain Glasgow journalist in tow?”
The reader can only infer as to the effect on RFCInt shares such a development would have.
I live in Donegal.
I await their response.
BMCUW
Was the bus driver Italian?!
Must have been going at some speed.
Next stop Glesga, then jolly old Kilwinning.
I hear that bunting and a band have been lined up to welcome you back!
:-)
HH!!
TALLYBHOY
Reception in The Orange Club.
I’m always welcome. Strange but true.
ACGR Our celebration is in fact taking place In Fota Island Golf Resort (Host to this years Irish Open), however I don’t think Golf is on my menu. Right now I’d settle for a couple of free hours to watch Celtic v Astra but that’s not going to happen either. Anyway as I told you previously I’m not in your league at all when it comes to Golf, even though you told me you’d let me play off the wifey tees.
Good morning from a wet north staffs – Off to gran canaria later today , hopefully will catch the bhoys tommorow in one of the irish bars.
Good grief-guy in front of me at the bar.
Cup of coffee and two packets of crisps £5.51.
Ffs,I thought £4 a pint of lager was over the top(or two pints of Guinness as we call it in Swindon!)
Corky……………………….:-))
CORKCELT
Don’t let ACGR kid you that he’s any good at the game.
His bhoy tells me that the wifey tees are where ACGR plays his second shot from!
Cowiebhoy
Good luck to you and your family today
Best wishes
HH
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Cheers for the company on thurs night,, in the blane valley and pot still.OT67, richie,, ohits, ACGR and skyeisalandfill. Ta for drams and education :-)
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Ah well,it had to happen.good luck jim and thanks
http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/2/0410140936-jim-mcguinness-steps-down-from-donegal-role/
HH
Good luck Miss Cowiebhoy no 1 on your big day. Hope it goes well and the whole family have a great time.
Now your daughter can claim to be (w)right always :-)
HH
CRC
AN TEARMANN
I understand that the post-match warmdown was a roaring success.
Spoke to ACGR overnight. He thoroughly enjoyed it.
Very very much!!!!
Could Gordon brown start a petition for sevco to keep Alistair as manager
THEBOYJINKY
You on for next week,bud?
I could do a wee bit of your very special abrasive humour. I use those put-downs in Swindon for weeks afterwards!
Hope yer good,been strangely quiet lately. Or are you just ramping up for Goa next month?
roddybhoy
10:21 on 4 October, 2014
I remember Johan Cruyff making a similar comment, in the 80s I think, that every time Celtic get the ball they try to score, which was impossible. Of course it all equates to being a bit naive and staging a charge up the park. As much as I like my centre backs to be able to play, our two see an enormous amount of possession in an attacking sense and it reflects our overall approach, which can be too indisciplined at times.
Btw, Johan, best player I ever saw and number two behind Pele in all time greats.
tippb….
I see where you’re coming from but we stumbled to qualify from the qualifiers last term when, IMO, the squad was stronger.
Think LW are stronger than anything we faced last time and although NFL might have pulled it off (and of course he knew the players and they knew him and he had experience of the CL) I think it is far, far from certain he would have. On balance I think LW would have been too good.
HH
To Miss CowieGhirl, all the very best for today and in the future.
And to the alud Roaster of course, good luck for today, hope the speech goes well.
ProuddadCSC:-)
Alud=auld!!!
Echo…………..
justafan – Have to agree. last year, we barely got past Elfsborg and Karagandy and had our worst campaign in the group stages.
BMCUW
A good night boaby, good company of Celtic fans.so it was easy,head still tender, ha
A good night after good result mhate;-)
Have a spaniel wi zen eyes needing a walk
Have a great day cqn
:-)
HH
Pete TheBeat
Not mention failing to reach the final of two domestic cups both played at Celtic Park.
That was shameful.
To Jenna,Martin and all the Cowiebhoy clan May your days be Blessed .
any word from MASTY or THE FRANKS BHOYS yet.this is their big day.
Bmcuw
I should be able to attend the hootenanny but have a rally in George sq at lunch time Sunday so need to stay relatively sober ;)))
Be good to catch up with you and all the hootenanniers
Missing poster alert
Anyone heard from Unewmike …
I’ve not seen him post on ages and nothing on FB either
If Aberdeen win today, we will sit 6th in the table.