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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Am I gone bonkers. Did I see a post from lawellsaccountant , which has since disappeared.?
leftclicktic
It’s as I said, allegedly, it may not happen, the guys word is usually good.
Corkcelt,
Who are you talking to?
Have you been sniffing the ally? ;)
Cork Celt
Your wish is Paul’s command by the looks of it….8-))
Geordie, I saw a post from lawellsaccountant, responded, looked again and couldn’t see the post I responded to. Hopefully its Paul in action, at last getting tough with those destroying the blog, As I’m on the subject, I haven’t seen anything from TSD for the past 3 days since his diatribe about anchor babies etc. Is it too much to hope that he has got his comics as well.
leftclicktic
13:39 on
30 September, 2014
Tony Donnelly
I seen plenty Saltires at the Motherwell game.
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Why this sudden surge of faux love for the blue and white?
I have no problem with flegs but not fixated with them, I leave fleg love to Huns.
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
13:29 on
30 September, 2014
Bawsman
The Celtic fans are used to bring a noisy minority….8-)
==================================
Some noisier than others ;-)
More political stuff from the GB? I think we know how this will end up.
Time for Ronny to step up to the plate…..
bawsman
13:53 on 30 September, 2014
leftclicktic
13:39 on
30 September, 2014
Tony Donnelly
I seen plenty Saltires at the Motherwell game.
=========================================
Why this sudden surge of faux love for the blue and white?
I have no problem with flegs but not fixated with them, I leave fleg love to Huns.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I totally agree, I think the guy was meaning that the number 45 May appear in amongst the banners, and saltines, and I more or less told him IF that was the case? Then that section may find themselves in a wee bit of trouble, as I said it’s not cast in stone, but he was rather animated about it.
Corkcelt,
I’m messing mate. I seen it too.
Nothing wrong with a wee difference of opinion but the level of authentic frontier gibberish from some is giving my scroll finger rsi
TD67
Vincent Lunny disney work there noo!
tonydonnelly67
14:01 on
30 September, 2014
=======================
Be a shame if they get themselves booted out again.
Did you notice the incredible amount of political advertisements around St. Mirren Park on Saturday? Bizarre.
Seems that some don’t like democracy when they are in the minority, time to move on.
BT
Not been on much recently, so just picked up your news.
Best wishes tomorrow and wee prayer said for a speedy recovery.
I know you are a wee bit embarrassed by the good wishes being afforded to you on this site, saying your problems are minor.
Typical of the man!
You are definitely one of the good ghuys, so sit back and take all the good wishes that are coming your way.
I will drink a wee toast to your good health this evening because my good lady and me are taking part in the SoberOctober thingy, obviously starting tomorrow.
(I’ve no said to her but I’m no lookin’ forward tae it)
:-(
Bawsman
Well the board at our club should move on as at least two work for the Tory party.one MP is Scotland ….o))
philbhoy
14:05 on 30 September, 2014
TD67
Vincent Lunny disney work there noo!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Did he not take the racist case for Sceptic?
The Curious Case of Rafat Rizvi
The Telegraph article is old news but the recent appearance of the mysterious Rafat Rizvi adds a whole new complextion to the story. If you remember the original investigation led to a transcript of the meeting between CW, IM and BS where Rafat was mentioned as having put up £5.5M towards the purchase of the assets of the defunct club!. Interestingly the exact sum that Green and his colleagues paid for the assets.
It was however mentioned by BS that his name could never be associated with Rangers ( they have such a good reputation of course). He is clearly the funder of the purchase and given that he has allegedly stolen £600 million from an Indonesian bank, he would have that kind of money available if there was a profitable scheme on the go.
He is either Blue Pitch or Margaretta, take your pick. CW is the other so it is all good fun. His appearance then in public with SE can only mean one thing. The Malaysians were actually interested in buying Rangers International and to do so they had to speak the the owner, cue Rafat !
If this is true then there was never going to be an Admin 2 as Rafat would find a way of channelling some of his dosh into the share issue via a friendly Bus owner. Not too much money, just enough to keep the thing afloat so he can get his return.
What the Rangers fans need to know is that boycotts will never work against international criminals with deep pockets. If they want Rafat and his fellow convicts to leave the scene they need to pay them off. It would cost £8 – 10 Million to buy them out but surely that is available from some Hun source. If the wee Huns can come up with £2.5 M and 8,500 fans paying in by Direct Debit, surely it can be done.
td67
I thought his place was taken by a tim lawyer.
McLennan or something.
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
14:11 on
30 September, 2014
Bawsman
Well the board at our club should move on as at least two work for the Tory party.one MP is Scotland ….o))
===================================
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer still.
I bought and read the Daily Telegraph cover to cover for about 20 years so I knew what the b*******s were thinking.
I’m looking after a female friend of mine who got a new knee last Friday, she’s doing absolutely brilliantly, keep yer pecker up.
Or was it Tonev?
TD67
Tonev is indeed the “accused”.
TD67
His case has been put back as he will be away on international duty with Bulgaria.
Well, sumdy rates him!
it could be an atypical case of a Rafat joinin’ an ole sinkin’ ship.
My hopes are high that we’ll see some Guidetti-style commitment to the cause from our Serbian striker Stefan Scepovic on Thursday against Dynamo Zagreb.
I remember Novak Djokovic’s Serbia beat Croatia on the road to their first Davis Cup some years ago and it was clear the two countries’ history had established an intense rivalry.
Does the flame burn within Stefan? We’ll see on Thursday.
Bawsman
Had I been given a new knee last year I could have been on the golf course today with my dad and older brother. Too young I was advised….
Least I get to surf cqn
…….
Bawsman at 14.06
I noticed all the political banners around the hoarding too.
One in particular stood out. That was for Scottish Labour. Is that THE Labour party or some new crowd.
Reason I am asking is that you told me that the Labour party was a UK thing and not regionalised. I didnt know there was any such thing as a Scottish Labour Party.
HH
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-29424250
I see Phill got ripped into fat Ally today, I couldent get it pasted sorry, my I pad was updated today, and it’s like starting all over again
The Honest Mistake loves being first
13:14 on
30 September, 2014
Posting this link to Wee Evie’s mum’s blog in the hope that thoughts and prayers make a difference in this life or what lies after. Difficult to even imagine what they are going through. God bless them.
http://enablingevie.moonfruit.com/blog/4563020335
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The love leaves me lost for words
The reaction of players and supporters here hasn’t changed for tens and tens of years. I suggest players adapt to it and change their own outlook rather than supporters. Because that won’t happen. That will be the same for the coming years.”
Fat Sallys words of wisdom after the game and for his Tunisian superstar…
What eggsactly does the average zombie believe in? Fat Sally love child of wee fat eck.
Clink\o/
14:33 on
30 September, 2014
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http://www.google.co.uk/url?url=http://www.scottishlabour.org.uk/&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ei=a7MqVPizA4LP7gbgs4CICw&ved=0CBQQFjAA&usg=AFQjCNFXb-LW6qWRpbfyVASDrcsDErBusA
Bawsman
I am suprised you even hint at golfs scum boooing.never mind treat it as some kind of thing to do.They are an embarassment.
The ryder cup would not have happened at Gleneagles without tax payers money.In this age of austerity money could have been spent wisely instead of on those thankless scum,the welfare state for the rich continues.
The golf establishment know this.but it did not stop those aspiring scum vying with their ilk at George Square to shame our country, except they did it, on a global scale in the 3rd most viewed event after the world cup & superbowl
Very ungolflike
Very unscottish
Very sad.
HH
Cubism funk
Tears blinding me now….
Just came across this quote from Vicente del Bosque: “A team plays like its central midfielder”. We need a new central midfielder..!
Burghbhoy; wonderfully succinct. Brilliant
T
international man of mystery
14:16 on 30 September, 2014
ssssshhhhhhhh ….. quiet, Mhan, FGS ….DON’t give them ideas …… this is all moving along nicely….. !! ….hehe
Ooops —–I am guilty of misleading the blog .
I have made 2 posts re Dinamo Zagreb . Both posts referred to Sigali . Both posts referred to him being Uruguyan . . He isnt Uruguyan ,he is Argentinian . In mitigation , I blame an Italian website.
Tony Donnelly….my pleasure …..!!!!
Mr McCoist and the pet goat
11 Replies
Let’s discuss Alistair.
Again….
Mr McCoist is very important in the Sevco story, but mainly for his off his field contributions.
Firstly he is the living link from the old club to the new one.
His presence allowed the fans in the dark days on 2012 to convince themselves that Rangers (1872) was still alive.
That the actual club had not been liquidated and that only some old holding company thingy had got into a bit of bother.
Yes there was something to do with taxes and stuff, but no biggy.
This is the comforting fairy story that The People cling to and the presence of Super Ally has been a crucial component in the weaving of that narrative over the last two years.
Mr McCoist is in good company in the annals of many clubs where the previously worshiped playing idol became a lame duck manager.
They are, after all, very different skill sets.
Proof positive of this is that some of the most formidable managers were ineffectual players.
Last night as the third goal went in at Ibrox the image of him on the touchline reminded me of George W Bush when we was told “Mr President the country in under attack”.
Both were a study in the optics of not having a clue what to do next and of being completely out of your depth as events unfolded.
Perhaps at that moment Alistair would have appreciated someone handing him a book entitled:
“”The Pet Goat”.
Of course the terrible events of 911 and hilarious meanderings of Sevco are a strange juxtaposition, but what binds them is what can happen when you have the wrong guy in charge.
Moreover someone who is placed in an important role for reasons other than their inherent ability to do the job.
“Dubya” was there because of his Pappy and Super Ally is in the Sevco hot seat in part because he was anointed by the Blessed Cardigan.
Thankfully Mr McCoist is only in the entertainment business and no one will die from his alleged incompetence.
Indeed his contribution to entertainment is probably augmented by his apparent tactical befuddlement.
While he is in the home dug out at Ibrox the prospect of European competition is a pipe dream, so thankfully there will be no illegal invasions either.
However, if Mr McCoist does not have the minerals to be a successful football manager, even in the second tier of Scottish football, then he certainly does possess business acumen in spades.
When it comes to matters monetary he is very shrewd indeed.
Back in the days of Mr Bomber Charles Green faced the appalling vista that The People might Do Walking Away.
Then Mr Alistair came to his recue.
He vouchsafed Charlie to The People and the Season Ticket queue stretched down the road the very next day.
Today Charles of Normandy must now look back and think that bringing Super Ally into the tent was a shrewd bit of business.
Of course Mr Alistair drove a hard bargain.
I understand that Chuckles had to stump up all of Super Ally’s deferred pay that had been accrued during Duff & Phelps’ reign of error.
My Publisher dreams of me writing the Sevco sequel to Downfall, but I tell him it is way too early for that.
However there is a movie in when Charlie met Ally and I’m sure the iconic one wasn’t faking it when Chuckles gave him that contract.
Five years I’m told.
Of course the intrepid chaps in the mainstream media can clear this entire issue up quite easily.
Just ask him…
I also believe that the Succulent Stenographers have avoided the issue of the McCoist pay cut for too long now.
Just ask him the question lads.
If he has indeed taken the much vaunted 50% pay cut-or indeed any pay cut-then just ask him On The Record at a Presser.
For the avoidance of doubt Mr McCoist is currently paid around three times what Barack Obama is pulling down.
However, I doubt if the 44th President was put in charge of Sevco he would have the US Marine Corps abseiling off that roof.
No sireee!
Regular readers here will not be surprised that I am raising the McCoist pay issue-again.
It is a story that the hacks should have been running down.
While they are at it the Stenographers may want to ask Mr Alistair why he decided to invest his own money in RIFC at the recent Shareholder Share Option.
They might also want to get On The Record just how much money he parted with to buy those shares.
I look forward to another world exclusive in the Daily Radar in a few weeks.
However, I know that some within the RIFC hierarchy are not impressed by the performance of Super Ally and this was covered here only last month.
Because of that fabled business acumen Mr McCoist has a generous severance package and good on him.
He is, at the end of the day, a salaried employee and he only had his labour to sell.
The cash flow situation at Sevco means that it is probably cheaper to keep Super on the payroll than to sack him.
Moreover if his employer gave him a contract then he keeps his part of the deal and they have to honour their end of it.
As a trade union activist I hate it when employers try and wriggle out of their contractual obligations.
However, I’m sure that the good folk at RIFC will do the right thing by Ally.
If they want him to go then they will have to pay him in full and that’s only fair.
The book that, ahem, occupied President Bush on 911 is by Siegfried Engelmann and Elaine C. Bruner and is part of the Reading Mastery II series.
Perhaps some of The People could benefit from the wisdom contained therein.
For the uninitiated it is an uplifting tale.
The goat in question eats everything that it occasions upon and is considered an onerous burden on the family.
Quite simply it costs too much money to keep and they want rid of it.
However it redeems itself by heroically confronting a car thief and head butting him into submission.
I love a happy ending.