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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philvis
Downmarket supermarket – Iceland?
GM
‘Nice man’ :-)
Trust me your cherubs would be screaming for a return within a solitary play time!! :-)
HT
Tonydonnelly67?
robobhoy
I believe most lhads are referring to the team spirit on display , against a pretty decent outfit.
Must fly CFC
Bourne
You scoundrel, you know I couldn’t possibly comment.
bournesouprecipe – just for you:
https://richardpurnell.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/graeme-souness-begbie1.jpg (thumbsup)
robobhoy – I’m reminded about the story of the Emperor’s New Clothes.
I’m reminded of “Hot Shots: Part Deux” (thumbsup)
Tommy Burns was a ”Pupper Manager’…aye right I’ll crack the jokes!
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Philvis Duty
ekbhoy
17:41 on 3 October, 2014
robobhoy
I believe most lhads are referring to the team spirit on display , against a pretty decent outfit.
Must fly CFC
I’m just saying that there was a very thin line between the actual result and a possible 4-2 humping.
I’m just not convinced by Ronny.
Aye well….if, Ronny had left all his ideal-world p#sh at the front
door when he arrived and listened to JC & JK, we might still be
in the CL and be £20 mill better off.
But, having said that…the £20mill would probably have disappeared
up a lum just like it usually does.
No tinkering on Sunday Ronny or, we’ll drop points and you’ll prove my
deep-seated fears to be justified that – your a pillock.
Keep the momentum going.
One of my other deep-seated fears – what happens if CG gets injured?
The Worrier – CSC
KevJ
I’ve got a sandwich board with your name on it.
RD might well pass Napoleon’s test of generalship!
However at times last night we resembled a bunch of headless chickens -in fact at times it was like watching a schools football match -where the game simply flowed from end to end!
Our inability to get a grip of the middle of the park against a decent but hardly great team should be concerning
If things don’t change Brown and Johansen will be totally knackered by Christmas
If CG hadn’t played so well in our two European ties we could quite easily have lost them by a couple of goals!
I hope that someone noted the performance of their number 16 -I would certainly try to buy him as I thought he gave a very good performance in the defensive midfield role!
Currently we don’t have one such player on our books!
HH
Hamiltontim
17:50 on 3 October, 2014
_____________________
Aye, what does it say on the front – “Celtic died when MO’N walked!”
On the back it says – “Naw it didny, Celtic died when the Jungle ended!”
Gibson Dalrymple,
is that you?
Rational Thought –
As I have said many times I hope RD is hugely successful at Celtic. I think he has a lot of good ideas, not revolutionary mind you, but he knows what the club needs to look like and how players need to look after themselves.
What has disappointed me is the standard of performance to date under his leadership. Dundee Utd excepted, we have been really poor. Trailing in the league, knocked out of the CL and struggling against, let’s be fair, not particularly good teams in the EL. I want Celtic to be better than this.
We scored a great goal last night, but it is the only encouraging thing that I can recall from the whole game. I could go on but you’ll hopefully get my drift. We need to play better football if we want to win things this season.
This is a post from Follow Follow in response tothe report that Craig Whyte was banned as a Director
__________________________________________________
Re: Judge Ruling in detail of Crag White Directorship Ban – Will we see police action
——————————————————————————–
So Rangers were indeed the victim of a criminal engaging in the ruination of the club as part of a dishonest and criminal endeavour.
All under the present watch of Stewart Regan and his Scottish Football Association, who then acted to completely attack the victim and cripple it and punish it unmercifully even although it was a helpless party who needed aid and assistance from the governing authority, yet whilst vulnerable was only raped further.
All this as the rest of Scottish football stood by and cheered the rapists on.
Have Croatia Zagreb managed to score yet?
Can just see them all running about still with a ball each taking turns to beat Craig Gordon as part of their warm down before they are allowed to go shower……poor bassas.
Rumours were that The Gran Muralla was no longer here but little did they know that we had got ourselves another 1 :)
KevJ
No mate it says KevJ, that’s why I said it had your name on it.
Kevj…….we are a EL team, not good enough for the CL,that’s not
RD fault,he’s playing with the hand he got dealt ,get behind the guy
ffs,hope you and your’s are fine and dandy.
Kilmarnock at home on Sunday 26th October has been moved to 1pm KO time.
Oh dear!!!!!
I love the daily record and I’ll tell you why .
Before St Bernard’s in Shawhead was built , Ma Colon used to take me and the five other Colon weans to Sunday mass in St Mary’s in Whifflet .
I don’t know who organised it but a private bus used to go around Shawhead picking up the mass goers and depositing us in Hozier Street . Incidentally , it was a big bus .
After mass , it was all aboard again and up the hill to Shawhead .
Now I have to be honest and say that the highlight of a Sunday for a primary school wean wasn’t the homily or Eucharistic prayer . It was sausage , ham and eggs , tattie scones and sody scones cooked by Pa Colon .
Ma Colon said he had a plenary indulgence and that meant he could sleep longer on a Sunday then go to 12 o’clock mass . I think that it was more to do with the fact that he was a regular in the Sholto on Saturday nights .
The other highlight on a Sunday was the Sunday post , or to be more specific , oor Wullie ( a’body’s Wullie ) , the Broons and merry Macs fun page .
For years , my older brother and I used to jump off the St Mary’s bus like paratroopers exiting a Dakota and race one another up our street in order to get the Sunday post first .
He was 18 months older than me and in all the years we raced , I never won … despite trying every dodge possible .
I strategically positioned myself at the front of the bus in order to be first off … it never worked .
I tried tripping him as we ran past old Mrs Logan’s house but he always managed to recover .
I even asked Pa Colon to plank the SP for me in a pre arranged location but he refused to participate in the conspiracy as he was busy trying to fry the aforementioned ham and eggs through a hangover .
Years later , my older brother signed with Albion Rovers .
To digress slightly , one of the other Rovers’ players was Willie Muldoon from Viewpark .
He used to give my brother a lift home from training along with the bold Jinky who was at the end of his career and training with the Rovers .
Anyway , one evening , I went along to the outdoor running track at Langloan with my brother .
He had me doing some circuits that he did with the Rovers .
Three quarter lap jog … quarter lap sprint
Half lap jog … half lap sprint
Quarter lap jog … three quarter lap sprint
Full lap sprint
So , in the full lap sprint , I find myself on the inside and I just manage to get over the line a head in front of him .
Frustration at years of second place got the better of me and I roared “ get it right round ye “ .
Of course he thought I was a loony .
Anyone see where I’m going with this ?
In my opinion , the daily record is the modern merry Macs fun page .
Where else would we get gems like “ wealth off the radar “ or the equally ridiculous “ exclusive first glimpse of new Celtic top “
It’s like the blowhards and Billy liars that we meet in the pub .
We shouldn’t shun these guys , we should embrace them and savour every fabrication and exaggeration as they are entertainers of the the highest standard .
Comedy off the radar .
notthebus @ 17.59
That’s low, even by their standards.
HT
These changes are (as always) in consultation with supporters groups.
Evening all.
So, the anti-Ronny brigade are coming back on. The feel good factor didn’t last too long. I hope the manager is here for the long term. It is going to take a long time, imo, to get players to develop the necessary mindset. We still give the ball away far far too easily; our passing, including that Kris Commons, is too often too poor.
I thought Ambrose and Izzagguire were particularly poor last night. Izzaguirre’s crossing, especially in the first half, left a lot to be desired and Ambrose, throughout the whole game, opted to pass the ball back to our CBs.
We still have little or no pass and move. It certainly doesn’t come automatically. It needs must.
Personally, I hope for a dramatic improvement when Michael Lustig, Adam Mathews, the lhad Fisher and James Forrest are fit.
That dramatic improvement, imo, is well attainable. Our manager has a vision and I, for one, buy into it.
Gawn yersel, Ronny.
Philvisreturns Geordie Munro Bournesouprecipe just to let you know thats my wee problem with my Celtic TV fixed. Thank you for your help, really appreciate it.
Bourne
Honestly?
I’ve never met any supporter who’s been consulted, have you?
HT,
That news has just ruined my evening. Why do we have to play at 1 o’clock on a Sunday? I’m thinking of demanding a refund.
Parkheadcumsalford
I thought Efe passed it back thus giving us a chance to switch play ,rather than get roared at if he lost the ball only because there was no movement or pass on in front of him.
EfefanclubCSC
Hamiltontim
18:08 on 3 October, 2014
Consultation – what consultation ?
Till later all
Hamiltontim
18:05 on 3 October, 2014
KevJ
No mate it says KevJ, that’s why I said it had your name on it.
___________________________________________________
Aye, fair enough.
Nye Bevans’ rebel soldier
_____________________
I remain a sniper fae the wids.
Oh, btw are ye a record holder now? :))))
All the best to yer ghoodself and fholks
Hail Hail
Why are games being rearranged for 13.00 on Sundays?
Fred Colon
18:09 on
3 October, 2014
I love the daily record and I’ll tell you why .
Before St Bernard’s in Shawhead was built , Ma Colon used to take me and the five other Colon weans to Sunday mass in St Mary’s in Whifflet .
I don’t know who organised it but a private bus used to go around Shawhead picking up the mass goers and depositing us in Hozier Street . Incidentally , it was a big bus .
After mass , it was all aboard again and up the hill to Shawhead .
Now I have to be honest and say that the highlight of a Sunday for a primary school wean wasn’t the homily or Eucharistic prayer . It was sausage , ham and eggs , tattie scones and sody scones cooked by Pa Colon .
Ma Colon said he had a plenary indulgence and that meant he could sleep longer on a Sunday then go to 12 o’clock mass . I think that it was more to do with the fact that he was a regular in the Sholto on Saturday nights .
The other highlight on a Sunday was the Sunday post , or to be more specific , oor Wullie ( a’body’s Wullie ) , the Broons and merry Macs fun page .
For years , my older brother and I used to jump off the St Mary’s bus like paratroopers exiting a Dakota and race one another up our street in order to get the Sunday post first .
He was 18 months older than me and in all the years we raced , I never won … despite trying every dodge possible .
I strategically positioned myself at the front of the bus in order to be first off … it never worked .
I tried tripping him as we ran past old Mrs Logan’s house but he always managed to recover .
I even asked Pa Colon to plank the SP for me in a pre arranged location but he refused to participate in the conspiracy as he was busy trying to fry the aforementioned ham and eggs through a hangover .
Years later , my older brother signed with Albion Rovers .
To digress slightly , one of the other Rovers’ players was Willie Muldoon from Viewpark .
He used to give my brother a lift home from training along with the bold Jinky who was at the end of his career and training with the Rovers .
Anyway , one evening , I went along to the outdoor running track at Langloan with my brother .
He had me doing some circuits that he did with the Rovers .
Three quarter lap jog … quarter lap sprint
Half lap jog … half lap sprint
Quarter lap jog … three quarter lap sprint
Full lap sprint
So , in the full lap sprint , I find myself on the inside and I just manage to get over the line a head in front of him .
Frustration at years of second place got the better of me and I roared “ get it right round ye “ .
Of course he thought I was a loony .
Anyone see where I’m going with this ?
In my opinion , the daily record is the modern merry Macs fun page .
Where else would we get gems like “ wealth off the radar “ or the equally ridiculous “ exclusive first glimpse of new Celtic top “
It’s like the blowhards and Billy liars that we meet in the pub .
We shouldn’t shun these guys , we should embrace them and savour every fabrication and exaggeration as they are entertainers of the the highest standard .
Comedy off the radar .
——————————————————
Hope you didn’t keep going down the Whifflet after St. Bernard’s was built? Fr. Brosnan would NOT have been happy! :-))
Wakaso reminds me of Bobby Petta
during the MO’N era. imho
Only saying.
fred colon
18:09 on 3 October, 2014
Whifflet St. Mary’s is my Parish. You never did get in touch.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Kevj…..keep sniping and take care ya daftie.
fred colon
18:09 on 3 October, 2014
lennybhoycfc@gmail.com
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
phil01
14:11 on 3 October, 2014
mullet and co 2
13:20 on 3 October, 2014
Zagreb are a team with a smaller budget than ours albeit with a better homegrown talent pool. That said, they managed a much higher pass success rate than us. It goes without saying that although we are a bigger team they were technically superior in ball retention. We need to look at scouting players who can retain the ball. If Zagreb can recruit the likes of Soudani, Wilson etc why can’t we with superior resources?
………………………………………………..
we can’t recruit them because they will not pass the UK immigration laws.
They are not full internationals and they have not played 75% of their country’s recent matches.
If they are then we will be fighting for their signature with teams in EPL and championship .. and you know who will win that fight
It always surprises me how people make general assumptions about Celtic budget and other teams with loser budget but freedom to recruit whoever they want irrespective of nationality. They conveniently forget that due to UK immigration laws we would not be able to recruit these player if they are not full international with at least 75% participation on their lasts year/two year international matches.
—————–
Spot on mate. And if we had achieved independance, this international requirement could have been scrapped with due process. This in turn would have boosted Celtic recruitment and Scottish football in general immensely. Instead we’re hamstrung stuck to the coat tails of ole Ingerlund’s best league in the world, while holding out for an invite to their leagues that is never going to come anyway.