Improvements clear two weeks on from home Astra game

2373

It’s a bit frustrating being so close to qualification for the knock out stages last night before a momentary lapse cost us late in the game, but there were plenty of positives.  60 minutes into last month’s game at Celtic Park against Astra, taking four points from them looked very ambitious.  We played considerably better last night in the corresponding home game, or in the home game against Dinamo Zagreb.

Celtic are functioning better in midfield, while defensively they’re also looking solid.  We acknowledged some weeks ago that without Guidetti or Commons we would struggle to create and execute chances, and so it proved.

With Anthony Stokes also out the picture, Leigh Griffiths got the nod to replace Stefan Scepovic and instantly brought some drive to the forward line.  He was unfortunate that his ‘goal’ was disallowed for a debatable infringement, but he just brings the kind of purpose inside the box that we didn’t have until his arrival.

We’re now four games unbeaten in this competition, and we’re improving.  The evidence suggests that Salzburg have also improved since we took a point from them on match day one.  Last night’s result in Zagreb was impressive, but Salzburg will face their stiffest test of the group at Celtic Park.

Still fancy our chances of winning the group.

[calameo code=000390171eccf1f8cf962 lang=en page=118 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

2,373 Comments

  1. Tears just came streaming from my face at the end of that “Footballs Greatest” programme about Celtic. I was loving it , then in the final scene wee Bertie bursts into “its a grand old team” joined by Bobby Lennox. I remembered my late father and his joy that night. Tears just erupted. Not like me. Our whole area of West Belfast was jubilant .

     

    The passion and love of Celtic of those men interviewed !!! Lisbon lions …..

     

     

    Heart aching for what we once were!!

  2. That Celtic programme was wonderful

     

     

    Watched it manys a time now

     

     

    Told yeez it would bring tears tae a glass eye

     

     

    :D

  3. Bognorbhoy will be armed with every piece of internet compatible technology he can get hold of ;)

  4. Tricoloured Ribbon on

    favourite uncle

     

     

    11:45 on 9 November, 2014

     

    Tricoloured Ribbon

     

     

    looks like we are blood somewhere.cissie and moses would be your GREAT relations.ie a generation before your dad. my sister said she used to go to DUNTOCHER for a holiday to her AUNT CISSIE.TRAMCAR from ANDERSTON straight oot GT W RD.

     

     

    I have another sister who met up with your relations at CELTIC CLUB in DUMDARTON last year.

     

     

    …..

     

    Sorry,had to pop aff oot there wae ma dug before the game starts.

     

    Naw,fav uncle,I ‘m pretty certain it’s just a coincidence with the names.

     

    Cissie was my da’s sister.

     

    There is definitely no Moses in the equation.

  5. thunder road

     

     

    12:17 on 9 November, 2014

     

    Lets hump the sheep today!

     

     

    __________

     

     

    Think I’ll give that a miss, prefare females of the human species. ;))

  6. RD says Gordon out with a stiff neck, Lustig rested after Thursday. Looking forward to seeing what Fiorrest can do with JG… COYBIG!

  7. No tanner you fk wit!

     

     

    The manager did NOT say Craig Gordon was on the bench. He said Lustig was.

     

     

    Clown!!!!

  8. No new thread?

     

    Good morning from a bright eastern seaboard, where the sun is about to chase the early morning clouds

  9. Just logged on Geordie Munro 12.21 first post I saw. For some reason it just made me roar laughing. The blood is up COYBIG

  10. Geordie Munro

     

     

    No need for the apology yesterday, mate, re the score. I didn’t see your post at the time,and, even if I had, if you’re recording a game,and come on to CQN, on your own head be it if you don’t want to know the score, I say!

     

     

    Mon the mighty Hoops!

  11. CELTIC (4-3-3) Zaluska; Matthews, Denayer, van Dijk, Izaguirre; Brown, Johansen, Mulgrew; Forrest, Guidetti, Stokes

     

    Subs: Fasan, Scepovic, Lustig, Griffiths, Wakaso, Kayal, McGregor

     

     

    James Forrest makes a welcome return.

     

    Zaluska recalled to rest Gordon who didn’t make the bench. Wrapped in cotton wool?