Making the great leap between playing Scottish Premiership teams and the likes of Inter Milan will always be a challenge for Celtic. We have done so many times in recent years, Milan were held home and away in the Champions League knock-out stage, Barcelona were beaten, but whenever we have carried the game to opponents of this stature, instead of reverting to our own style of catnenaccio, we’ve lost heavily. Quicker, more skilful, players, could make us look statuesque by comparison.
This is not a criticism. If the only way you can compete with a team with ten times your resources is to defend your 18 yard line, you should do so.
Things could have gone either way on Thursday. We were defensively inept during the opening minutes as Inter found space goal-side of their markers. I don’t know if Ronny had a moment of self-doubt at that point, perhaps he did, but was simply unable to unwind the attacking instincts of his players, but Celtic are all the better for the way they picked themselves off the floor.
I’m sure the odds on Inter progressing will be short, but I’m also sure Ronny Deila will know his players can win in Milan.
I arrived home late last night to read that Tony Conway, son of our own RWE, lost his battle against Motor Neurone Disease/ALS. I met Tony, with dad John and brother Martin, three years ago. Tony was still fit enough to walk, but evidence of the pain the family shared was evident. The three of them travelled back from their US home two years ago, along with mum Pauline, to see Celtic, and meet some family.
They bought hospitality tickets and minutes before kick-off, Celtic’s Iain Jamieson nabbed Tony and asked if he was able to make the halftime draw. Tony knew this would be the last time he would see Celtic, so his journey up the tunnel and onto the park was, to put it mildly, a very special Celtic Park moment.
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FGF, spot on.
DD, but so very predictable.
lennybhoy
22:35 on 21 February, 2015
gerryfaethebrig
You could bring the Stag Doo to the Kerrydale.
St. Bart’s was his Parish after he married. He was a St. James’s Bhoy.
Keep the Faith!
My good Sevconian future wife said the exact same thing…….
She said there is cash in the kitty to cover CQN11 and I know for a fact every Bhoy would love it but my Initial thought was not to add expense onto all my friends and just have a few beers locally but CQN11 & Tricoa Ferns could change everything, Winning Captains do you honestly think there would be space for about 20+ bhoys from my stag doo ??? If so I will pay the amount needed this week……. Hail Hail
clashcitybhoy-like doc said, it could still be a rocky road, but I can see a marked improvement in last couple of months, fingers crossed HH
fourgreenfields
22:40 on 21 February, 2015
Might get a beer with you on the 13th, at CQN11
Dallas
It was my son Ryan and his pal. 20 year olds attacked by 4 brave middle aged men, armed with beer bottles. No one ever charged!
MoN realised quickly that playing in Scotland
we didn’t need 4 defenders but when we played in europe
and had to revert to 4 at the back it cost us.
Ronny is using our full backs as wingers which works well
in the SPL.
In europe our full backs need to know how to defend.
I see one of the Chelsea fans from the train station in Paris is an ex RUC officer
Quell surprise!
Delany’s sorry i never got a proper chat with u last weekend
I wasnt in any shape to have a coherent conversation with anyone if im honest
:-(
Rangers Supporters (@RangersFCTrust)
21/02/2015 19:54
Saddened by the news that Parma have gone to the wall. Terrific memories from playing them and the trips to Italy.
Bhoylo
I would have liked to have met you earlier when I was less wasted.
Great weekend!
jamesgang
Thanks big mhan. :-)) Hopefully see you tomorrow, weather permitting. It’s been a great day apart from the ole weather, friggin snow. Take care and a big, Night Night Timland. Thanks to the best on the planet. KTF.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
mea culpa
22:44 on 21 February, 2015
I would like to do my bit in saving the needless waste of money by the SPFL.
I can announce the result of their investigations into the sectarian problem at Ibrox.
“Nothing to see here. Move along now…..”
We have witnessed the whitewash time after time after time.
When the Ibrox club (the old one that is) were fined by UEFA, this should have been the trigger of change at Ibrox. Instead, we had various announcements to placate UEFA and then business as usual.
Will we see true action to eradicate this problem?
I won’t hold my breath.
_________________________________________________
While I would normally agree with you on this, there won’t be a sweeping under the carpet.
Anti Catholic, anti Irish songs are apparently ok to sing. In fact it has previously been described as an excellent advert for Scottish football, league cup final 2011. But now they have been broadcast singing about the colour of someone’s skin. That’s a massive no no.
Tonev was done with no evidence or witnesses. Friday’s game was televised so there is no getting out of it.
gordon64
21:39 on 21 February, 2015
We have played 13 european games this season so far.
Scoring 20 goals and conceding 23.
It doesn’t take a tactical genius to see where the problem is.
======================
Craig Gordon (goallie) made horrendous mistakes on Thursday -explain to me tactically how we could have prevented that.
The match on Thursday had no resemblance to our previous European matches this season
gerryfaethebrig
Text me your numbers, I will sort it with Celtfish who I have been liaising with. That way I’ll get your Tables beside the Lennybhoy Gang.
There are three of us from ML5, with your gang I’ll organise a Bus to take us there and back.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Clashcitybhoy – what will Ronny have to do to prove you wrong? League? league and cup double? Treble? Quadruple?
Guernica,
I am just being honest
If we win league & get into CL group next year , I will eat (CQN) humble pie.
gerryfaethebrig
Heading for Bed but I’ll reply in the morning.
It won’t be problem. Once I confirm with Celtfish and if you have 20 I’ll send you payment details and I will send payment, I collected the money for my 50 and paid the job lot.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Gordon64
22:49 on 21 February, 2015
MoN realised quickly that playing in Scotland
we didn’t need 4 defenders but when we played in europe
and had to revert to 4 at the back it cost us.
Ronny is using our full backs as wingers which works well
in the SPL.
In europe our full backs need to know how to defend.
————
MON played 352 for a few years, he didn’t change quickly, European teams regularly exploited that formation to beat us (even the huns realised that).
He only appeared to change it once Agathe got seriously injured.
Winning captains
Sent email regarding cqn 11
Awaiting reply
Cheers
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Anyone know the word on Commons for tomorrow?
Im assuming Ronny will make changes
Bhoylo83
23:05 on 21 February, 2015
Anyone know the word on Commons for tomorrow?
Im assuming Ronny will make changes
———-
Commons is fit
Delaney’s, sorry I misread your post about Ryan and his pal.
The dignified live up to that description.
The horribles were playing in the league cup final in 1981 and we were playing at Firhill. We were making our way up Renfield Street on our way to our game when four middle aged currants came out of a pub and two of them booted one of my pals. When we faced them up, they shot the craw. They were so brave.
charliemac
Thursday night was very similar to the Salzburg game
which was similar to the Zagreb games and the Legia games.
Before Thursday Craig Gordon had been our outstanding player in the EC.
In europe we have problems defensively.
The_huddle
Happy days
Thanks
delaneys dunky
I’d like to meet you when I’m more wasted!
But only in a reggae loving, beer drinking, lung friendly, non spliffing fashion don’t cha know!
;-)
HH jamesgang
lennybhoy
23:05 on 21 February, 2015
Will text you in the morning, find out if numbers r ok and I will sort out the cash…..
Mea culpa, regarding the songs uefa told them were no no’s.
G51 club made a media announcement asking fans not to sing some of their ditties, not because they were morally wrong but so they wouldn’t get in trouble with Uefa. Pathetic and showed their attitude hadn’t really changed at all.
Sone Aluko was on Soccer am last week. It showed a montage of his goals. It showed him scoring two goals against us then one he scored for Hull. He blessed himself after his Hull goals but for some reason and I don’t know why, he didn’t do the same when he scored against us in his time up here.
Imo on Thursday Inter will attack us on the left side.
I hope Izzy plays a blinder but he will need back up.
hendrix67 : Sadly, I have my doubts.
Like many other occasions, all the authorities have to do is say nothing until the heat dies down, then quietly let the whole issue simply disappear.
If the SPFL want to do something to truly eradicate the problem they should hammer the club with not only a hefty fine but backed up a lifelong automatic punishment for any reoccurrences.
The club and the fans need to be told in no uncertain terms that their antisocial behaviour, not just the singing, will no longer be tolerated.
James
Yes I know.
It will happen, and we will both be happier for the experience. ;)
Oh, just before I hit the cot, that’s me 15 weeks off the fags. Bet big jamesgang is dead proud of me. Lol.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
ordon64
23:09 on 21 February, 2015
charliemac
Thursday night was very similar to the Salzburg game
which was similar to the Zagreb games and the Legia games.
Before Thursday Craig Gordon had been our outstanding player in the EC.
In europe we have problems defensively.
===================
In those games we were a shambles defensively
Whilst Thursday wasn’t the advert for defensive performance it was a mile away from those other matches where we were overrun.
We can improve defensively but how ‘tactically’ can you legislate for individual errors – especially from CG
Gordon 64
You are correct, we do have problems in Europe defensively.
IMHO we just don’t have the calibre of player to line up with 4 players in attacking positions.
I always think that clubs who over achieve, do so by playing to our strengths.
Our strengths are team spirit , a never give up attitude and height / strength at set pieces.
When NLs team competed against Barca, we did so by building on these strengths.
The following season we fell into a grey area, where we started to think we could compete tactically and our set piece strength was rumbled.
Until we stop conceding the best we can hope for is moral victories.
G64
I volunteer you to back up Izzy! Sorted! ;)
Jamesgang
I was sitting with BMCUW and his Da and asked him if he was goin out for a smoke. He looks at me and says…
“Here il get ye a smoke…”
(turns around and shouts to Delaneys)
then turns back to me and says…
“this guy will get u a smoke”
Hahaha
petec,
Playing catch up but,thank’s for THIS :O).
Hail Hail.
Weefra
I was born proud of you. Just hadn’t yet me you!
HH jamesgang
Clashcitybhoy, I had my fears about Ronny too but was prepared to give him time.
First impressions can cause a reason to find fault and after the Legia & Maribor games, some of our support were fearing the worst.
I feel now he has settled in, I’m more confident he will do better but if we win the league, the champions league qualifiers next season will be a huge test.If we do get into the champions league next season, we will have moved forward as a team. However, if better players leave and are not properly replaced, we might have problems getting into the champions leaguewhich I hope won’t be the case.