Defending in Europe

660

As news of the goal deluge from the Bernabeu arrived last night it must have caused some reflection at Celtic. Real Madrid thumped Malmo, our eliminators, 8-0. Malmo are not, after all, this season’s surprise packages.

European football is an unforgiving environment, not just for the minnows. Roma, who are currently second in their Champions League group, lost 6-1 in Barcelona two weeks ago. That result came on the back of Bayern Munich taking a 0-5 lead inside 36 minutes in front of 70,000 fans in Rome in last season’s tournament. Bayern went on to win 1-7 in what was supposed to be a game which changed Roma’s ways.

Roma are a good team, currently fourth in Serie A, but their expansive tendencies have earned them humiliating results against teams capable of exploiting them.

Rule No. 1 in Europe is to be defensively disciplined. If you don’t have that aspect of the game figures out, you are as well not competing.

While John Collins was no doubt sincere in saying he could see tonight’s game far enough, he should be relishing the opportunity to test his defence against a European team. This is our last chance before next season’s qualifiers. It is a precious occasion to test tactics.

Thanks to everyone who has bought Winds of Change, and for the fantastic feedback on what was an incredible era to be a Celtic supporter.

Winds_Caesar

Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

660 Comments

  1. mike in toronto on

    Proudbhoy …. that was me.

     

     

    Timaloy ….. you can only beat what is in front of you. Mick O’N took a group of, I believe, lesser players and got them playing as a unit, and beat the teams he had to ….. so far, RD has done neither. I’m not saying Mick O is the next Guaradiola …. but, if there are to be changes (and I believe there will be … at the end of this season, if not before) …. we should start to consider our next move.

  2. Player out tomorrow?

     

     

    Wee leigh.

     

     

    All them bairns were just a cover up.

     

     

    :))

     

     

     

    HH

  3. Ray Winstone's Big Disembodied Heid on

    Oh Dear. Big Mick won’t be too happy. Some people are going to suffer.

     

     

    Or should that be peepil?

  4. eddieinkirkmichael on 10th December 2015 1:34 pm TBH, it would appear the judge gave a common sense decision on today’s case, did the breaches of their agreement actually have a detrimental effect on the ongoing contract? Clearly they didn’t and the judge just saw this as 2 men who didn’t like each other having a fall out, it also raised questions over what was the motivation in going to court and the judge seemed to assume it was just to cause financial difficulties for RIFC by SD. – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/defending-in-europe/comment-page-13/#comments

     

    =========================

     

    In this podcast David Low is quite sure its personal. Lots of good info on the Ibrox Share Wars.

     

     

    http://podcast.sfm.scot/e/round-up-s01-e05/

  5. Jungle Jim Hot Smoked on

    In view of the fact that Catman is invariably on the button, I am going for……no. let Favourite Uncle wait 0:-)

     

     

    JJ

  6. Cmon Celtic just do it tonight,

     

    no meaningless games

     

    “when you pull on that jersey you are playing for a people and a cause”T Burns.

     

     

    hope young Nesbbit gets a wee run out late on.

  7. West End of East End on

    Hmmmm – James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman 7 mins7 minutes ago

     

     

    Judge says that just because he has dismissed commital does not mean he has ‘acquitted’ King

  8. Jungle Jim Hot Smoked on

    My guess:

     

    Logan

     

    Lustig Boyata Simunovic Tierney

     

    GMS Bitton McGregor Armstrong Commons

     

    Griffiths.

     

    Nesbitt to make an appearance along with Forrest and Rogic.

  9. Jungle Jim Hot Smoked on

    “Judge says that just because he has dismissed commital does not mean he has ‘acquitted’ King ”

     

     

    Eh? What does that mean ( for King) ?

     

     

    JJ

  10. Molde have been loused for nearly a month now. I cannot see ajax not winning.

     

     

    I’d love a Celtic win tonight but a cracking game and the spoils shared wouldn’t break my heart.

     

     

    The rest of Europe shouldn’t have to suffer their fans.

     

     

     

    HH

  11. JJ,

     

     

    Scott A for Kris and I think that’ll be the team.

     

     

    Kris to come on and get the winner in the 72nd minute.

     

     

    HH

  12. West End of East End on

    James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman 5 mins5 minutes ago

     

     

    Judge ended session by saying that it was a bit premature to report “Mr King has been vindicated”

     

    21 retweets 9 likes

     

     

    James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman 7 mins7 minutes ago

     

     

    Court adjourns again until 10am tomorrow.

  13. Mike in Toronto

     

     

    I agree and those teams are at least on par with norn iron is imagine

     

     

    I’m just thinking of realistic cheap targets cause let’s face it that’s what we are getting. And I wouldn’t be to disappointed with o’neil .

  14. 67 European Cup Winners on

    mike in toronto on 10th December 2015 2:47 pm

     

    Mike welcome to my view

     

    The only thing wrong with Michael O’Neill is we cant get him till after the Euros – leaving no or very little time for him to organise us for CL Qualifiers

     

    He was my second choice for that reason

     

    My first is Moyes and get him in place now – giving him Jan and 6 months to get us ready for CLQ

     

     

    Bur for the record if we cant get Moyes the O’Neill

     

     

    67ECW

  15. 67 European Cup Winners on

    Here is the thing, tonight is our last European game before we play in the CLQualifiers – scary eh

     

     

    As Im in the thanks Ronny you tried your best but unfortunately it was just not good enough camp

     

     

    Tonight could see Celtic win 4-1 meaning Ronny is the answer – and he survives and lives to fight another day

     

     

    My mind is all over the place about tonight – I always want Celtic to win – but I want to change our manager

     

     

    dilema !!!!!

     

     

    67ECW

  16. mike in toronto on

    67 EuropeanCup

     

     

    Agree that his involvement with Euro complicates matters.

     

     

    I used to be more of a David Moyes fan…. I thought some of his football at everton was a bit dour. But I could understand that given that he was playing teams with budgets many times that of his team. I thought he would flourish at Man. U, but he seemed a bit overwhelmed …. I didn’t see any of his games in Spain so cant comment on those, although it obviously didn’t go too well for him….

     

     

    In spite of my thoughts on Michael O’Neill/needing a change of managers, I liked the idea of RD ….. a younger, progressive European manager, who could persaps bring something that many scottish teams are lacking (although …. ask Man U fans what they think about their european manager!) …..

     

     

    just dont think RD has the tools for the job … but I liked the idea of going for someone like him… I think that is the way forward for us ….

     

     

    but, a young guy mike M’ON might steady the ship, but also get us playing as a team.

  17. 67 European Cup Winners on

    timaloy29 on 10th December 2015 2:36 pm

     

     

    So were NI the point is they won the group

     

    Impossible question – would NI won the group if Ronny was in charge ????

     

     

    67ECW

  18. Maybe instead of replacing Ronny we should replace the coaching team he was given with those of his choosing.

  19. O’Neill for £300k a year ,or Moyes for £3mil a year……….let me think about that one…..

  20. 67 European Cup Winners on

    Gary67 on 10th December 2015 3:33 pm

     

    Gary you make a good point – but it also proves Ronny does not have any clout or any strength of character to demand his own team

     

    Plus as the manager the coaching team will carry out his instructions

     

     

    I have no reason to dislike Ronny I have the same view as I had with Samaras – I love them, both beautiful people great guys but if you are not up to the job then sorry

     

     

    67ECW

  21. I still trust RD to deliver, what he is trying to achieve takes time, the weans are now playing the way he wants the first team to play, what he did in Norway took him six years, and what he did was unbelievable, so to say he doesn’t know what he is doing is just repeating the msm bollix, he knows fine well what he is doing.

     

    The fact that he is getting players foisted on him really doesn’t help.

     

    Just my humble opinion.

  22. West End of East End on

    67 European Cup Winners – He’s only had 18 months, IMHO what he’s trying to do needs a bit more time than that. I know he wont get 6 years as in Norway, expectations etc are much higher here but I think we have to give him at least another season to see the benefits. He’s moulding a team together, we’ll appreciate the highs more after a few lows…

  23. 67 European Cup Winners on

    !!Bada Bing!! on 10th December 2015 3:40 pm

     

    I don”t know where you get £300k v £3million ??

     

    But you are probably right that Moyes cost more than O’Neil

     

    So Moyes cost the same as Skopovic (spelling!) ?? or a host of others that you and i could name

     

     

    The Moyes option I accept is a bit of a long shot – my positivity comes from, he is available now he is on a bit of a downer and needs a winning run – he also gets a look at European football it may suit him – but if you don’t ask you don’t know

     

     

    67ECW

  24. Jungle Jim Hot Smoked on

    I MUST ADMIT I AM AT A LOSS TO UNDERSTAND WHY CELTIC SUPPORTERS WOULD WANT TO BE RID OF RONNY DEILA ( Oops! Didn`t mean the capitals).

     

    My impression is that he really is a Man with a Plan and I believe that plan will come to fruition and result in Celtic achieving as much as it is possible for us to achieve in the vastly unfair world of football in the shadow of the EPL and, to a lesser extent, against the bigger populations of other European countries.

     

    When I look back at the major incidents that led to `failure` in Europe, I am hard pressed to blame our Manager. Individual errors were much more likely candidates.

     

    I suppose, though, that this post is pointless. Those who do not rate Ronny will continue to want him away ( in the desperate hope/belief that the `new man` will be a miracle worker and stop players from making mistakes).Those who rate him as highly as I do will just be happy to see that they are not alone…….actually, maybe I am 0:-)

     

     

    JJ

  25. Reading the Rag’s report it says the first one of Ashley’s Loans was repaid yesterday not the entire amount due. Anyhow enough about the goat fest between two equally horrible people, time to talk fitbaw, teams & tactics for tonight.

     

    I feel we should pack the midfield and frustrate them, they need at least a point, the longer the game stays scoreless the more nervous & frustrated they will become. They won’t know whether to go all out for the win or be content with keeping a clean sheet and getting the point they need.

     

    If it’s in the melting put with 15/20 minutes to go, we can then chase the win.

  26. 67 European Cup Winners- I wasn’t trying to dis you my friend,the difference in salaries makes one possible,the other one impossible IMO.I can’t see any progress with RD,I would go for a change.Plenty guys on here back him,they are perfectly entitled to that point of view.The bigger problem is the Lawwell/Park axis,which controls and dictates to any manager we have IMO.HH

  27. WE~JJ

     

    We are well in the minority when it comes to backing and believing in RD.

     

    All the factors that point to individual mistakes to beat RD over the head with, all the misplaced passes the players make is another thing to beat him up over, the3 selling of our defence from last season and not having replacement ready for the new season another thing to blame him for.

     

    I have the faith.

     

    Hoping that Pedro does and gives him what he wants.

     

    HH

  28. mike in toronto on

    JJHS …

     

     

    you seem like a reasonable sort and a good guy …. so, I hope you take this question in the spirit in which I make it (that is … not a dig at you … but, hoping that you see something that I dont, and perhaps can explain what you see to me).

     

     

    What is this ‘plan’ that RD has’ that you speak of?

     

     

    when he joined, I thought it was improved fitness and a pressing 4231 game? But, while our fitness improved last season, this year we seem to be puffing again. This suggests that some of the players have stopped listening. And, frankly, it is clear (to me at least) that we dont have the players (2 dominant mids and the key focal point of the attack for the 3) to play that system. He hasn’t been able to coach any of our players into those roles, nor has he been able to adapt his system to the players we have (even on an interim basis). At least, that is how I see it..

     

     

    but, it is the holiday season, and I am hoping that you can convince me that I am wrong, and spread a bit of holiday cheer…!