Warning signs observed, creative issue lies ahead

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What warning signs there were, were observed. Last season Qarabag beat Salzburg (who then won at Celtic Park), drew home and away with Twente and Saint Etienne, drew at home with Inter, and beat Europa League finalists, Dnipro. Remotely disrespect their challenge, and you’d leave Baku empty handed.

I think we would be over-generous to either team to make too much of the chances on show. James Forrest had the goal at his mercy, before choosing to make a pass, which, if it got through the immediate defender, would have found a heavily marked Leigh Griffiths, but shots from distance don’t count.  This was a game without real chances.  It also provided some evidence that James Forrest’s confidence is not where it once was.

The defence scarcely put a foot out of place but the performance of Stefan Johansen and Scott Brown was pivotal to the outcome. Johansen disrupted Qarabeg high up the field, showing incredible energy levels in that heat. Scott Brown held a deeper position throughout and got himself in the way of Qarabag repeatedly.

We had nothing going forward. Gary Mackay-Steven was put on his bum a few times early on and looked to be suffering heat-exhaustion more than anyone else. Nadir Ciftci was isolated, again, but the hoped-for link play didn’t materialise. He needs a link player. That’s a problem for another day. Between now and then, you and I have a Champions League play-off draw to worry about.  Once we know our fate we can worry about being more creative.

It was an absolute treat again to see the Celtic FC Foundation logo, this time on the first choice jersey.  Magners could have put their bottled water brand there instead, but they get what this relationship with Celtic is all about.  The help they’ve given our Mary’s Meals, school kitchen appeal is further evidence of this.

Our competition where you can win a Celtic third choice (bumblebee) top, courtesy of Mangers, closes at 14:00 THIS AFTERNOON.  To enter, email celticquicknews@gmail.com with the name of the country Mary’s Meals have built four CQN school kitchens in the subject line of your message.

If you can cope with the excitement of also sending a £1 or £2 to the appeal while entering, you can do so here.  Thank you.

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  1. Bigchips at 12:45

     

     

    That record is really impressive; I was astonished at some of the reporting following our loss of a single goal in an away tie in a CL qualifier – several column inches dedicated to how we must improve our defence – completely ignorant of our record and how we are performing overall – remarkably stupid, even for the MSM

  2. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    Jungle VIP on 6th August 2015 12:47 pm

     

     

    God.

     

    I thought you were joking.

     

    Obviously we`re going for a draw in this Test to retain some interest for the next test where the Ashes shall be retained.

     

    It`s the Aussie way.

  3. Turkeyboy

     

    Good summing up.

     

    Just heard that Arthur Dailey has passed away. He was a hoot.

     

    Fingers crossed for fair draw tomorrow.

     

    HH

  4. Great display “the European Way” last night. That kind of thinking will/should get us places.

     

    Have to say, I still feel we really need ” a Lubo” and reckon “Chiefcheese is not an answer up front.I keep saying but Leroy Sane’s the bhoy for me.

     

     

    Hail Hail

     

     

    KINGLuBO

  5. Andrew Kerins Green and White Army on

    Sad news about George cole always liked him , even in st trinians – no I’m not that bloody old

     

    Theworldisyourlobsterterencecsc

  6. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    In my opinion we wont bring in any new players until or if we qualify for the Champions League proper.If Cifti is the answer up front what was the question ? H.H.

  7. The hand of God on

    I believe that some posters need a reality check.There a very few easy games in European football nowadays and many teams in eastern Europe have either rich benefactors or huge companies sponsoring them sometimes both.Its not easy to attract decent never mind top footballers to Celtic these days and unfortunately one of our selling points to players is that if you do well with us its a gateway to the riches of the so called greatest league in the world.We have done pretty well going down this route recently with a few notable exception but you win some lose some.I think Celtic are doing as well as can be expected in the circumstances the club finds itself in.I pray that we qualify for the Champions league and maybe attract a good up and coming striker and hold on to big Virgil.If we do get into the group stages and win the league i will be delighted domestic cup success is a bonus.

  8. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    Kerins

     

     

    Pre Trinians…………..Dickens`Oliver Twist?

     

    Bloody older. O.K.

  9. bournesouprecipe on

    Paul67

     

     

     

     

     

    Very good lead, especially on who we’ve just beaten

     

     

     

     

     

    All Celtic fans delighted to be in the draw.

  10. PARKHEADCUMSALFORD on 6TH AUGUST 2015 12:52 PM

     

    Afternoon all.

     

     

    Just had to share with you my auld Dad’s summing up of last night “I’m proud of the team” says he.

     

     

    :-)))

     

     

    HH

  11. glendalystonsils on

    foghorn leghorn on 6th August 2015 12:33 pm

     

     

    Oooooooo……er,

     

    Matron!

     

     

     

    BallcontrolCSC

  12. GlassTwoThirdsFull on

    Balotelli is a good player in the one game in ten he decides to turn up in.

     

    Totally unmanageable. Would not have the attitude or work-rate to fit our system. That’s a “no”!

  13. DELANEYS DUNKY on 6TH AUGUST 2015 12:44 PM

     

    It struck me in January that Stuart Armstrong and GMS were not as fit as the rest of the Celtic team. It looks the same with big Nadir now. Ronny and our coaches will get all three up to our high fitness levels soon.

     

     

    – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/warning-signs-observed-creative-issue-lies-ahead/#comments

     

    ———————————————————————————–

     

    One thing I’ve nor can d about GMS, irrespectively be of how well he’s playing, he puts in a real shift.

     

     

    I wouldn’t take Balotelli if we were paid to. Its all about him, not a team player.

  14. I will need to upgrade my vpn blocker thing, been barred again from an ex pat blog for telling the truth, pain in the bahookie having to keep registering in different names.

     

    All good fun winding them up, had a ball when Thatcher snuffed it.

     

     

    Seems like they don’t like being called racists, when they are out and out racists, they really don’t like what’s happening at Calais.

     

     

    HH

  15. antipodean red on

    Overall, a very good tactical performance last night and I have to give full compliments to Celtic TV, the pictures last night were the best I have seen at any time since I’ve been on there, maybe 15 years.

  16. bournesouprecipe on

    What happened to the Stefan Johansen to various clubs in the Bundesliga money?

     

     

    Daily Record csc

  17. glendalystonsils on

    bournesouprecipe on 6th August 2015 1:47 pm

     

     

    C’mon now……….you know very well it goes straight into PL’s bonus

  18. I want Malmo in the draw. I am not sure how good the other teams are but we have proven we can deal with Scandinavians

  19. I know ballatelli is seen as a bit of a misfit.

     

    But does any body think that after seeing our fans, a good chat with Ronnie and getting a history lesson on our club and the good charitable things we have done, and still doing.

     

    He wouldGET us?

     

    Just like sammy and lots of other players have done before as well.

     

    Wee JAY would melt his heart and the big guy might just run through brick walls for him ,and Celtic.

     

    Tin hat on

  20. Reply from BT sports

     

     

    Hello William,

     

     

    Thanks for taking the time to contact us with your positive comments about last night’s Celtic match.

     

     

    As it was BT Sport Europe’s first coverage of a UEFA Champions league game, it’s good to receive such encouraging comments and feedback.

     

     

    We hope you continue to enjoy the rest of our exclusive coverage of the Champions League and all that BT Sport has to offer.

     

     

    Thanks again for your feedback.

     

     

    Best wishes

     

    BT Sport Team

  21. thomthethim for Oscar OK on

    tully57,

     

     

    Always good to read your thoughtful, measured posts.

     

     

    Last night was a very difficult experience for us. One fluffed clearance, or a pin ball in the penalty box,both of which happened, going against U.S. and we were in trouble.

     

     

    We had no weaknesses. Everyone did their job…and more and, best of all, we finished the game the stronger and fitter team.

     

     

    Personally, I was exhausted just watching.

     

    I had it on “record”, as I was later coming home. I was about ten minutes behind the play and was sorely tempted to jump to the ” live” broadcast with about ten minutes to go. Couldn’t stand the tension.

     

     

    However, just at that moment, I got a ” Job done” Whatsapp from my son!

  22. bournesouprecipe on

    Glendalys

     

     

     

     

     

    If and when we qualify for the group stages, the ‘we don’t need to sell’ spiel may be tested to the full, should the fabled VVD bid materialise.

     

     

     

     

     

    Interesting Times csc

  23. Just think of the songs we could sing about him.

     

    Big ballatelli

     

    The man own the telly

     

    Scores goals for fun

     

    And he thinks the Huns are smelly.

     

    Disclosure, he would have to score goals for us , and play for us.

  24. THE EXILED TIM on 6th August 2015 1:43 pm

     

     

    The irony of ex-pats criticising people for trying into a foreign country for a better life is clearly totally beyond them.

  25. I sent an email to BT praising their coverage last night and a Ms Jill Douglas has replied, thanking me for the positive feedback.

     

    One of my points was that Messrs Lennon and Hartson were way superior to Tanner and McCann, their Sky competitors. We’ll see if their future coverage continues in the same vein.

     

    HH

  26. Weeminger.

     

    They even took exception to me pointing that out to them.

     

    Still it’s light relief, they are so hun like in their outlook, thick as and a joy to see them infighting, winkers.

     

    HH

  27. Hello all, wondering if anyone can advise. Heading to Sao Rafael near Albufeira for a week; any recommended pubs to watch the Hoops?

  28. glendalystonsils on

    Bournes

     

     

    Supposing we qualify for the CL and the player wants to stay and we decide to cash in nevertheless?

     

     

    We will already have secured the CL windfall ,so there would be no excusing the lack of ambition.

     

     

    All supposition, of course.

  29. Chico dung said last night Mcinnes has done more at Aberdeen than Ronnie has at Celtic,

     

    Can’t remember the sheep winning anything last season.HH

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