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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parkheadcumsalford/Charles K
It’s easy enough for those of us who live locally and have no set commitments on a Sunday morning (there’s other Mass times) but I find it incredible that KO times are being brought forward on a day when travel is notoriously difficult.
A number of parents also take their children to Sunday morning football in the Glasgow area.
Fred Colon
memories. There’s a photograph somewhere of my dad playing for St Mary’s amateurs after the war. Maybe you should have trained with monkland harriers???
Natknow
In my early twenties I was part of a mass ( pardon the pun ) exodus from 7 pm mass in St Mary’s , round the corner to the Whifflet arms .
Then it was up to the Royal ( previously the Merriestone ) for tiger Tim .
Always made work on a Monday though .
Canny understand the abuse that Tonev has been getting.
Probably coming from the same folk who couldny see that
Joe Ledley was a ghost or that Sammi played 7 good games
in 7 years or, who booed Neil for passing the ball back at home
during the Uefa Cup Semi Final or who are taken-in by a couple
of Rory Bremner jokes at the AGM or, whowant the club to pay
the minimum wage which would probably forfeit any benefits that
the effected party might be on should they be given the MW or, who
thought that Peter Grant was a midfield ‘warhorse’ or, who seen
Stokes or Commons do anything else last night apart from the goal.
imho
HT
I don’t know, but when they switched the Hamilton game, that’s what they said.
But as you’re aware (by now) Celtic tend to anticipate ‘crowds’ and have even mustered praise for just opening half a stadium, because of the cosy atmosphere it creates.
Maybe they’ll dismantle the top tier, and be done with it.
TooFarFergus CSC
Lennyboy
I will soon … promise
With regard to Keith Jackson and Keevins being banned from Celtic Park.
I believe their press privileges were withdrawn, so no access to the press area or their free cups of tea, pies etc.
They could enter the stadium but only if they paid.
Let’s hope the remaining two thirds of our Europa League games go as well as the first third have gone.
I was in the Calton Book shop in London Road earlier, some great books & t shirts available.
The owner told me turning Schipka Pass between the Gallowgate & London Road into a nice wee landscaped area cost a million plus.
The path through it has a list of bands and dates they played at the Barras. Some good memories came back of gigs I was at in the Barras over the last twenty nine years.
We got into the Housemartins gig there, bunged a bouncer, after the first leg of the Dinamo Kiev game. The night that wee keich, Zavarov, done Tommy, who was having a great game. Tommy missed most of the season. Zavarov went on to play for Rubentus. A horrible player for a horrible club.
Bhoys and Ghirls:
I am organising a Table for Sean’s Trust night in the People’s Palace on Thursday 24th October. Tickets are priced £16. Terry Christian, Billy No’ Well, Q&A and a Bar & Buffet order of the day.
So far I have: Lennybhoy, celticrollercoaster, johnnybhoy, johann Murdoch, eldiegobhoy, jamesgang x2 attending.
hamiltontim, cowiebhoy, doc and blantyretim expressed interest in attending, all of them have other commitments and as yet have still to confirm either way.
Anybody interested please contact me at lennybhoycfc@gmail.com
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
fred colon
18:35 on 3 October, 2014
No worries mate.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas
18:35 on 3 October, 2014
_____________________
Was standing right in line or there abouts with the tackle that night
it also put Tommy out of our Skol Cup Final on the Sunday against
the huns meaning that, Murdo had to play at LB meaning that, we didny
win the midfield battle and the huns won the 1st Souness trophy – tainted
by mibbery.
HH
When Celtic lose guys on here moan,
When Celtic draw guys on here moan
When we win your still moaning, what’s wrong with today’s supporter ?
Moan moan moan if it’s that bad don’t go, it’s that simple
Kevj……you know I always encourage yerself tae get tae
a game,I moved to 112 this season, it’s full of young dafties
who never stop singing and backing the team,the jungle is a
spiritual place and alive and well in 111 and 112.
Maon the hoops
Oops, that should have read Moan the hoops,
phyllis dietrichson
15:29 on 3 October, 2014
phil01 14:11 – those immigration rules don’t apply to EU countries.
Big Virgil has never played for his country.
————————
The point that Phil01 was trying to make is that we could recruit from non-EU countries where the real bargains are. If a player is sufficiently talented, he is going to be scooped up by one of the big four anyway, as the word is already out. Case in point, watch a bit of the Spurs game last night and the ability of the kids that lined up against them.
hun skelper
100% are probably all on the Internets?
Well it will be good to see big John Guidetti on Sunday the big guy can add to his goal tally I am sure he will be raring to go. H.H.
Anyone in the blane valley at the mo?
HH jamesgang
Bourne
I don’t get it. After the announcement that this weekend’s game against Hamilton was being moved, JPT stated on Twitter that there would be consultation if there were proposals for any future changes.
This suggests, to me anyway, that there hadn’t been any previous consultation.
We really are treated abysmally these days.
Joe Filippis Haircut
The big Tally can add to his goals?
There’s only one John Guidetti, he puts the ball in the netty.
He is a big Swede and the Huns are deid, walkin in Guidetti wonderland.
bournesouprecipe. You mean the big Swede can add to his tally. H.H. :- 0
Jamesgang
Many happy returns to mini Jamesgang today, I hope she’s been suitably ruined :-)
I think he will be our top goal scorer this season if he can stay injury free. H.H.
jamesgang
18:50 on 3 October, 2014
Sent you a text.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Genesis on the One show,the greatest of all the prog rock
band’s.
Lennybhoy
I almost certainly won’t make it I’m afraid mate we won’t get back from a wee trip until late on the Thursday night.
bournesouprecipe
agree totally with your view of the managed downsizing…feck that, get the punters back!
HH
craiggordonismynewheroCSC
Good evening friends.
Mrs Baldie out with her pals – check
BBC iPlayer – Jeff Lynne live from Hyde Park 3 weeks ago – check
4 bottles of Nookie Broon – check
Lurkin around on CQN – check
And fish cakes to come!
Life’s indeed good.
HT
The current EL always meant Sunday games, not difficult to see why it’s unpopular but making it early kick offs, adds to the problem of SPL devaluation IMHO.This is taking into account Irish fans, who in the main got fed up, a while ago.
I’ve said it many times before, the Celtic PLC is always one step ahead of the support and the continuing downward spiral.
We used to guard our even our UEFA Cup tickets with our lives,………..what has happened is devaluation of the League Cup, the Scottish Cup, the Europa Cup.
Do we blame SKY, who pay us peanuts, and only do CL?
Nye Bevans’ rebel soldier
19:01 on 3 October, 2014
Genesis on the One show,the greatest of all the prog rock
band’s.
_____
Agreed mate.
Turn it on again – just brilliant. imho
Still no a patch on Showaddywaddy:) imho
111 – 112 = Brilliant, just brilliant – so I’m told:)
Have to go – some fella at the door trying to sell stuff, it
wouldn’t be like me to be suspicious, eh?
Till the next time – take care fella, bye.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bycp8lKCYAAynUR.jpg:large
Tommy Burns
NopuppetmanagerCSC
HH
hamiltontim
19:01 on 3 October, 2014
No worries mate, thanks for the nod. Enjoy your wee trip, minx1888 paying as usual…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
1977
1-0
God bless you Andy Bhoy
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BzAkjS-CAAEyarD.jpg:large
HH
oh my old bones.
phil Collins looking such an o-l-d m-a-n
:-(
The moaners are really pissing me off now. We all saw the same game and yes there were deficiencies, Kris did make a suicidal crossfield pass that set up an attack, in which Efe did feck up and Gordon had to make an excellent save from resultant snap shot and 3 guys did chase the ball leaving an unmarked man on the 18 yard line who should have scored when he got a quick return pass but again Gordon saved us. However I witnessed a countless number of times that Celts closed down their men and won balls they weren’t entitled to, I witnessed lads run themselves into the ground, throw themselves in front of shots, defend with their lives. I also witnessed a gem of a goal, and the closing down of their keeper which should have yielded a 2nd. I saw some lovely lay offs some nice passages of play and overall witnessed a bloody good game in which Celtic played their part. The team is not above criticism but please lets have some balance. gettingitoffmychestrantcsc.
roy croppie
19:09 on 3 October, 2014
I had the honour of meeting Tommy on three or four occasions. Got some great pics. On one occasion I met him on my 32nd Birthday, 18th August 1994 at Celtic Park. He took time to sign his Book whilst the Bunnet and Billy Stark waited in a Car enroute to Hampden.
Absolute Gentleman.
I have no way of verifying but I heard back in the day he sanction the fee of £1.75 million be paid to Motherwell for Phil in full, the Bunnet would not have been amused if true. Not the actions of a Puppet Manager.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
roy croppie
19:11 on
3 October, 2014
1977
1-0
God bless you Andy Bhoy
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BFDJ has the only knee with 5 fingers!!!!!!