Dinamo Zagreb dropped points for the second time in 10 league games this season on Saturday when they drew a blank against bottom of the table Slaven Koprivnica. Slaven took only one point from five league games in August, and lost heavily to Zagreb on the opening day of the season, but have tightened up at the back in recent weeks. Parking the bus on Saturday was enough to curtail the Croatian champions.
That blank score line was a rarity for Dinamo, who had scored in all but one of this season’s 18 previous outings. After losing their first leg at home to Zagreb, Aalborg shut up shop in the Champions League qualifier in Croatia and overturned the first leg deficit.
So what can we expect on Thursday? We’ve kept only one clean sheet in the last 10 outings, and that was to lower league Hearts, who missed a penalty and struck the crossbar. Looking at Celtic’s defensive record, Dinamo will fancy their chances of getting a goal. Like most teams away from home in Europe, they will plan to defend first and foremost, and take their chances on the break.
Having collected a vital point away to the top seed on match day one, the group opens up for Celtic if they can beat Zagreb this week, but how should they go about achieving this? If St Mirren, Motherwell, Dundee and Inverness can score against Celtic, Dinamo Zagreb will do so, unless Celtic protect their back line considerably better than they have so far this season. Celtic are likely to need to score two or more to win the game. Without Goals Guidetti, this sounds like a big challenge.
Going on form, it’s in Celtic interests to ensure this is a tight game, deny Dinamo space to break into, and use their own speed to attack when opportunity arises. We’ll need to hold the ball, and that means Kris Commons will have to play, no matter how fit he is, but I would be tempted to give him a deeper role than usual. Johansen and Brown have critical roles to play in protecting the defence but they will need Commons available to bring calm to proceedings.
I see The Telegraph have taken a punt on Craig Whyte, et al’s, Worthington Group being in sufficient funds to mount their threatened legal challenge to Sevco Scotland Ltd, now known as Rangers International PLC, for acquiring the legal entitlement of Sevco 5088 Ltd. Sevco 5088 had irrefutable entitlement to the assets of liquidated Rangers FC but this entitlement was assumed by Sevco Scotland, then owned and controlled by Charles Green.
Green and Craig Whyte both claimed to control Sevco 5088 when the company’s entitlement was assumed by the other company. So what does all this mean? There’s nothing in The Telegraph story that we didn’t know two years ago. Even if a journo had first-hand information from a prime source, you’d have to wonder what value you could invest in what any of these characters say.
Until Our Hero spins the roulette wheel at the Ibrox Casino, everyone’s chasing shadows on this one.
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Paul67,
Just read your article from yesterday. Protect the back four? commons in a deeper role is the opposite of that. There’s another way though, play a back four. A back four set up to defend should be narrow, ball down the right? Left back tucks in to make the in centre, down left? Right back tucks in to make three Central. If a team switch it there’s enough time to shuffle over. And full backs, not wing backs, are key to a clean sheets against decent teams. We keep our wing backs wide always, and we bomb them forward every chance, this is not a fault of midfield. It leaves us 2 on 1/2 on 2 too often and not enough bodies to crowd out the central area. There, free advice celtic.
Play a back four and let the other 6 go win the game for you
kdc
07:11 on
1 October, 2014
O.K.,but Izzy wing back ,not full back.
Charlie left back?
Squire danaher
00:36 on
1 October, 2014
I did not ask for a list of practising Catholics within the Labour Party. If you can show me any quotes from Scottish Labour politicians matching those of Salmond in terms of their support for and praise of Catholic schools I would be extremely interested.
try google – enter a Scottish Labour politician’s name and catholic schools
McConnell defends Catholic schools and the ‘clear benefits’ of choice
Robbie Dinwoodie and Elizabeth Buie
Friday 28 February 2003
JACK McConnell, the first minister, today will mount an impassioned defence of Roman Catholic schools, speaking of the ”clear benefits” of denominational education.
2011 Johann Lamont
Labour’s Johann Lamont said separate schools do not reinforce sectarian attitudes.
She said, “It’s not been the case historically and it certainly doesn’t make sense to say that separating children is a problem from somebody who would advocate private education.”
Just in regard to Johann Lamont she doesn’t just talk positively about catholic schools. her two children attend one. Actions speak louder …
Good morning friends from a wet, grey and breezy East Kilbride. It’s October.
Best of luck to ole BT for today’s op.
Blantyre Tim
___________
If, there’s a God, and I know that your faith in him is devout,
I hope he looks out for you today my pal.
But, take into account that you’ll be surrounded by a fair old
bunch of God’s children, the very best of them.
Hail Hail and All The Best My Pal.
Good morning CQNers,
It’s now 6 matches without a defeat and I’d not be disappointed if Ronny set up the team defensively for tomorrow night’s game.
Previously we’ve seen Ronny adopt a gung-ho approach in European games but this match attracts some importance. If we win tomorrow’s game we have Astra home and away and without any mishaps we’d put ourselves in the box seat in terms of qualifying before the next home game – Salzburg on Nov 27th.
With an impotent strike force he must surely curb his natural instincts and take the pragmatic approach in his tactics and team selection.
Izzy could do it, I’d rather have his pace in the team. Two quick full backs can hide a multitude of sins defensively
eddieinkirkmichael
07:07 on 1 October, 2014
BT, good luck today. Hope you get a right wee honey of a nurse to look after you ;)
—–
And let’s hope he’s not called Bob!
All the best for a swift recovery. Hospital def the better option cos BMCUW and ACGR were looking to clean us the old joint with a wire brush and some Ajax!
HH jamesgang
Jobo!
What’s with the overhead wet stuff?!?taking it badly here mhate!
HH jamesgang
Blantyre Tim – good luck today!
Buddy Morrisey
07:26 on
1 October, 2014
How loud do the Catholic church hierarchy speak in Scotland for the Catholic church ? Is it louder than you ?
Letter to Salmond
The Bishops are especially grateful for your recognition of the important place of religion and faith in Scotland, for your support of Catholic education as making its own distinctive contribution to the good of Scotland as a whole, and for your sensitivity to the issues around religious freedom which are emerging in our country as they are elsewhere.
Notice the use of Bishops……………………
Lets play your game of sectarian gutter politics, actions speak louder than words ?
This provides one explanation for the decision of HMRC to continue with the appeal, despite the demands by Rangers fans to stop the tax man’s “persecution” of Rangers. We have heard people talking about the “waste of money” involved in HMRC continuing to pursue the case, and indeed the taxman has been accused of a “vendetta”. Labour MP Brian Donohoe MP, who entirely by coincidence is, or was, the Secretary of the Rangers Supporters Club at the Houses of Parliament, has been vocal in his criticism of the “waste of money” involved in pursuing the case.
murdochbhoy@7.37
With an impotent strike force…….so no Griffiths is what you’re saying?
:-)
HH jamesgang
murdochbhoy
07:37 on 1 October, 2014
Good morning CQNers,
It’s now 6 matches without a defeat and I’d not be disappointed if Ronny set up the team defensively for tomorrow night’s game.
_______________________________
Exactly fella, exactly.
What a lot of folk don’t seem able to grasp or, live in denial of the fact that
Celtic FC, for a variety of reasons are now – the wee ghuys.
If RD is to survive / succeed then, he has to introduce a lot of reallity into his Celtic world.
Making us difficult to beat would be a good start.
I’m impressed with his level of importance that he has seemed to attach to, putting out a strong team to play in the domestic cups. Good for him.
Oh, and btw…he should read Kojo’s ideas re: Celtic’s midfield. imho
Hail Hail
Jamesgang,
Is Griffiths in Ronny’s plans?
Stokes is happiest in an assist role and all we’ve done as a team is feed Scepovic with high balls when he patently prefers through balls on the ground.
The midfield is misfiring currently but if Ronny gets them set up properly I can see Scepovic rediscover his confidence and scoring touch.
Equally Griffiths could score goals but only if the midfield get properly organised.
Mind, you could say if the defence gets properly organised the midfield might just perform.
In short I’ve gone round in a circle – if the defence gets organised properly the better chance the rest of the team can perform.
Hail hail
KevJungle – MURDO MacLEOD’s Title Winning Boots 4-2 LEGEND
Reading Kojo gives me a headache, although he does have a certain panache and knowledge on football related matters, especially on the Celtic youth.
murdochbhoy
07:55 on 1 October, 2014
_____________________
Celtic’s midfield won’t be anywhere near capable or combatitve enough till
RD reads Kojo’s posts about the midfield ah mean, Kojo’s encyclopedic knowledge
of this area of the team and others should be digested by RD. imho
Is Kojo John Collins ? – CSC
murdochbhoy
07:59 on 1 October, 2014
_____________________
I know what you mean by headache and, I assume that you mean the layout of his posts?
But, clique influence aside….this Kojo bhoy knows his stuff.
Blantyretim all the best today mate.
Thanks to all for the birthday wishes yesterday. I was working yesterday so never got the chance last night to say thanks.
HH
KTF
Have to leave Steve
Long may the flags of King Kojo and his
great Amigo The Singing Detective and those
heroes who make it their policy to ‘smash’
hun-like cliques, fly high and proud on the
ole Jungle roof.
See ya, Off oot…things to do, bye.
Can I just advise anybody checking the Tory web site for pre-election promises made by Cameron before the last election to see if he kept them – you’re wasting your time, they’ve been erased.
Before the last election he promised no top down reorganisation of the NHS, I’m treating him and today’s promise on the NHS with the contempt it deserves.
I’ve got to go God bless all Tims.
Morning all.
Drab down here at the moment but there is a faint glimmer of light out west. So, maybe things will improve in the course of the day.
Hope the mood on CQN improves over the course of the season.
murdochbhoy@07:55
I was being flippant ref ‘striking impotence’ vis a vis Griffiths’ progeny!
So I didn’t deserve your measured and well reasoned response. A response I very much agree with!
As for Ronny and Griffo I struggle to close my eyes and imagine a time anytime (let alone anytime soon) when the latter plays any great role for the former.
The number of players used by RD was raised by several posters yesterday. Injury aside, a key reason for this is the upside-down nature of celtic’s season.
The pinnacle of potential for achievement and income has its sharp end in July and August (made worse by RD just being in the door) and then the far less taxing league begins. And it’s at that point the manager has the latitude to experiment and blood new players.
A weird environment in which to operate.
HH jamesgang
Anyone know where Oldtim67 is these days ?….I may just have missed his posts, but just want to check he is OK….
67 heaven.
I spoke to him on friday. he posted yesterday that he will be in n town for game on Thursday.
Blantyre Tim, good luck with the operation today bud. I’ll will be thinking about youas the day goes on.
If it doesn’t work out and they have to hack your leg off, can I get your spare slipper.
Hail Hail bruv
kingsrow.com
BT
Awrabest for today.
HH!!
67Heaven, I’ll be seeing the auld yin tomorrow before the game. I’ll pass on your regards.
BTW, he’s never been OK, cantankerous auld fud that he is, but I luv him anayway:-)
Acgr
Emailed you this morning re B78..
Thanks bhoys…
Acgr
Check your mail .
BT
Awra best , if your wind socks limp maybe it needs a blow.
“It’s now 6 matches without a defeat ” not bad for the worst Celtic team ever.
BT All the very best for today,
JJ
blantyretim is praying for the knox family
Good luck today mo chara I’m mindful of how you gave advice to my friend from Edinburgh when needed.
Ath mór inniú
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/294066-celtic-chief-dermot-desmond-europa-league-run-important-for-club-and-fans/?ns_campaign=STVemail&ns_mchannel=dailynew
a ceiler gonof rust, scotland’s white flag of surrender shames our children
08:44 on 1 October, 2014
hahahahahahaha…….. and, like everyone else on here, I luv him too …….
praying for the knox family
08:32 on 1 October, 2014
excellent, thanks………hope he’s not going into the same pub as PL, or he’ll have you to answer to …. hahahahahahaha
blantyretim is praying for the knox family
My last post was for you……..incidentally, I see you are going in for an operation today….hope all goes well…!!
BT / Ohits, reply’s sent.
HH to the both of you.