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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Jinky, Talking about missing posters has TSD been on since his anchor babies rant, is it possible that he has got his marching orders?.
corkcelt. With two games in hand which if we win would make us top.We are doing ok in this transition period taking into account our injuries and new players finding there feet.H.H.
Parkheadcomesalford
Apparently the change in KO time on Sunday is one Celtic brought in. See
FOLLOWING discussions with our supporters’ groups we have decided to alter the kick-off time slightly of our forthcoming Sunday home league match against Hamilton Accies.
The game, next Sunday, October 5, will now kick off at 1pm. We hope this move will be welcomed by supporters and will mean fans are able to attend the match and, of course, reach home at a more reasonable time on a Sunday late afternoon/evening.
This is also something that may well be considered for other Sunday home games as we move into autumn and winter months.
We thank the SPFL and our match opponents Hamilton Accies for their co-operation in this matter and for helping in making this decision which is designed to be for the wider benefit of everyone involved in this match.
And Celtic fans take take advantage of a fantastic 2-for-1 ticket offer.
Fans buying tickets for the match against Hamilton on Sunday, October 5 (KO: 1pm) will receive a second ticket absolutely FREE. Tickets are priced from £26 for adults, from £17 for concessions and from £10 for under-13s.
which I copied from tsfm.
BMCUW
You on the train yet?
Now remember – the last train to Ayrshire is at 2300!
HH!!
I know Joe, I’m not a bit worried, just wondering how long has it been since we were that low in the table after 7 or 8 games albeit we have 2 games in hand.
Tippbhoy at 9.47
Absolute rubbish
EC67
Tippbhoy 9.45.
‘The 3 defenders running to the ball is surely a reflection on Ronnie.’ CERTAINLY NOT. That is a pathetic judgement which says more about you than about the manager. There are people on here who want to blame the manager for everything. That action by our players was totally unprofessional,and would not be expected from school defenders.
I am looking forward to tomorrows game Hamilton like to play attacking football and destroyed Motherwell last week and they will have a go tomorrow I am sure.It will be interesting to see what team Rony plays and it should be a good game.H.H.
Ok Bhoys, Thanks for all the Thanks
The Sun is Oot, and I’ve been told to get sorted
Will leave with a daughter, and come back with a Son (-inlaw) and Daughter
Never had one of them before
Hail Hail, and catch you all later :-)
probably in the minority here but,
i like the 1pm kick offs during the winter months.
its good to play in the day light, and be on the way home before it gets dark
and it saves on the matchday electricty costs.
I don`t think its very helpful to be changing kick off times for games at short notice on the back of discussions with “supporters groups”. Especially when attendances are already falling through the floor.
I know of not one Celtic fan who knew such discussions were occurring or who had been asked to feed their views into this process.
Its not very difficult to get the paying fans opinions on the best time for a Sunday match. Run a poll on the website that season ticket holders and other club members registered with the ticket office can log into using their season ticket/ ticket office member ID and password.
At least that way fans feel like they`ve had the chance be involved in the process and feel consulted, even if their preferred option is not taken forward as the majority view.
Much smaller clubs than Celtic manage this type of thing much better – look at the Australian club Western Sydney Wanderers running a poll for their fans to vote on where the home leg of their Asian Champions League match should be held.
http://www.wswanderersfc.com.au/article/vote-for-our-champions-league-final-venue/70byy5bg6py31fsb2anvnz0m4
Surely straightforward ideas like this are not beyond the wit of those in charge
at Celtic?
Auldheid,
They certainly didn’t consult me. Still very peeved.
roy croppie
19:47 on
3 October, 2014
From last night – Joe Miller
I met him in a pub in Seville
He was sat at a bar with his back to me Celtic Shirt on Number 7 and MILLER on the back
I tap him on the shoulder (thinking it was just another tim) and said 1 nil Hampden – imagine my surprise when Joe himself turned round a real Celtic Man
Not sure I have ever seen or heard of previous Celtic players turning up at a game with their name and number on the back of the Hoops
67ECW
keep it unlit
Saintstivs- are you Desmond White ? ;/)
Good luck to Cowiebhoy et al as they go aff oot on their big day oot.
Be good to get my own seat back on Sunday. Been ” relocated” to 106 from my lofty 403 . Not only is the view poorer but for the game on Thursday and last week’s against the Edinburgh huns me and wee shades have had to listen to an auld blowhard shout at someone called Joe Hanson, any idea who he’s on about.
Taptierrulesyabass.csc.
The 1pm KOs on a Sunday probably suit me better than a later time, however, I believe we should also be thinking of those who have far longer journeys to make and commitments on Sunday mornings.
Take into account the very late notification of change for tomorrow and it looks like a total lack of consideration for supporters.
Cowiebhoy
Congratulations and best wishes to you, your waen and all of your family.
Have an amazing day!
1pm ko suits my mini has she has her dancing at 3.30. Doesn’t suit the nephew who has a game at 12.30..
Wouldn’t be a problem had they blinking qualified for CL obviously.
Hail Hail.
67ECW- never mind the former, half the current Cellick players are ‘turning up at a game with their name and number on the back of the Hoops’
Tippbhoy
09:47 on
4 October, 2014
Not sure about the Lennon comparison ??
But for me we should be top of the League by end of November
This is my measurement of how much time do you give a manager
If not RD goes – new man then has Jan window to sort
Im not sure about RD and happy to give him time to the end of November
67ECW
Dontbrattbakkinanger
12:01 on
4 October, 2014
I know its a worry
67ECW
new article posted.
Cowiebhoy
Hope your day goes swell.
All the best of love, luck & happiness for the young couple.
Cowiebhoy…
Congrats to everyone on this very special occassion.
Houston Emerald CSC says ” Have a great day y’all !”
TC45
tippbhoy
09:47 on 4 October, 2014
The 3 defenders running to the ball is surely a reflection on Ronnie.
—–
That would be a simple explanation with one person/scapegoat responsible. ie Ronnie
I’ve got a scarier scenario that I think to be the case. Three twenty something professional athletes who are likely to be or become £ millionaires from this sport conspired to not talk to each other, listen or look around and all run to cover the dame person.
Now that’s truly frightening!
My ghuys lost a goal today doing something similar. But they’re 10 years old!
HH jamesgang
Reminder : CQN Saturday naps
please post today’s selection at the end of the previous article :
Celtic 1-0 Dinamo Zagreb
Cheers, fleagle1888
ignore following posts – checking out formatting issues…
CQN Predictor Cup -Group Stages: Champions League
GROUP A
Catalpa
bada bing
Dim Sam
DougC
GROUP B
GoogyBhoy
Thom’s Sellik
Marapapa
Hmack
GROUP C
B-Boy
Penfold
Jeez_I_thought_blinker_was_pants
Mrs CRC
GROUP D
Jobo Baldie
Bjmac
Stevenage Bhoy
Kolncelt
GROUP E
sftb
Lennybhoy
Bognorbhoy
Patrick27
GROUP F
Kelvin Bhoy
GG
St Patricks Bhoy
Pogmathonyahun
GROUP G
Cowie Bhoy
Leftclicktic
celticrollercoaster
BMCUWP
GROUP H
Sipsini
Bognor hoops
The ExiledTim
Thecelt45