So what did we learn last night? For a start, when we need to, we can defend effectively and shut up shop, last night was our fourth clean sheet in Europe this season. The 4-5-1 formation, deployed for the opening 65 minutes, was not effective at producing attacking opportunities, although this may be as much to do with personnel as formation.
Emilio Izaguirre was swamped every time the ball went near him, which did little to settle his confidence. It was wise for Neil Lennon to hook him and drop Charlie Mulgew back. I felt sorry for Miku, who looked like a player in an unfamiliar line-up. He is not a lone target man but will do well when we get the ball to his feet. He was only asked to play that role due to injuries Hooper, Stokes and Samaras and will only do so again under similar circumstances. By contrast, Hooper looked the part once he came on. He bullied defenders as effectively as he does in the SPL, a real pleasing point for me.
Victor Wanyama needs to improve his sharpness to make the most of his composure and tackling ability at this level. The perpetual motion of Champions League teams means a fraction of a second off-pace can compromise the defensive formation.
Did you notice how every time Commons got the ball he was thinking “goal”? His turn before crossing from the left belied the meagre money we paid for him. He is every inch a Champions League player.
James Forrest was played out of the game by the full back. He/Neil needed to find a resolution to this challenge but it didn’t happen. He tried to knock the ball round the outside and pass on the inside a couple of times, which was over-ambitions, to say the least. I don’t think we saw him drop the shoulder and take the player on with the ball, which is a pity, as I’m sure he had the taking of his marker. Both Forrest and Wanyama will be stronger on Match Day 2.
The first objective from our return to Champions League football was that we would be able to compete at this level. That achieved, we can look forward to Moscow in 12 days time.
Support a Scottish World Champion Boxer: Ricky Burns
On Saturday 22nd September, lifelong Celtic fan Ricky Burns is defending Scotland’s honour against England’s Kevin Mitchell in an unmissable World Championship boxing clash!
Burns puts his WBO World Lightweight Championship on the line, in a fight billed as the Battle of Britain. You can bag yourself the best seat in the house with BoxNationTV (Sky 437, Virgin 546).
Get the CQN discount now!
Celtic Quick News proudly presents to you a special deal for our faithful readers. You can sign up for BoxNation for just £10 a month with no registration fee (which usually costs £10) if you’re a Sky TV subscriber. And there’s no minimum contract, so if you decide you don’t want to keep the channel, you can cancel your subscription with no penalty fees after this huge world title clash.
To get behind a Scottish World Champion as he battles it out in the ring, subscribe to BoxNation now and enter the promo code GOALBOXING (all block capitals) to take advantage of this special offer.
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tully57,
Aye the tickets are like hen’s teeth unfortunately. Myself and the missus are flying back on Sat. We have one ticket between us but I’m hoping to hear some good news later on today. Missus has first claim on the ticket as the occasion has a special significance for her. I’m desperate for one though as my wee cousin Leo starts at centre half forward but if I don’t get one I’ll just be glad to be there for the craic anyhow.
Enjoy the match.
Tír Conaill Abú!
DOWNFALL arrived today …… Can’t wait to understand all the elements ‘under one cover’
Wonder if sally (I want to know the detail / names) has received his copy yet .?…… and if keevins has organised someone to read it (slowly) to him ………. confident jabba won’t be reading it, since he wouldn’t recognise the truth if it jumped up and bit him ………
Becausewecan Ayr 545
If she can go the pace then Boastful in the Ayr gold cup (3.30) is my nap selection today.
Lads, naps here today…
All the best
fleagle1888
Lads, my nap for today is :
Kaldoun Kingdom (2.20 Ayr – Silver Cup)
G’luck… fleagle1888
Trabajo 3.05 Listowel today – Ayr racing too scary today.
SPINATRIX 2;20 AYR
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE
New Youmzain 3.55 Newmarket
HH
Hail hail
NEWBURY 14:05
CAMERON HIGHLAND
Good luck all
Mon the hoops
Ibtahaj
4.30 newmarkret
Nanton 345 new for me good luck all
An Saighdiur in the Ayr 2:20 for me.
And hopefully a lot of money for Wee Oscar!
T4
Fleagle sorry my nag is 355 newm not 345
T4 pfffttttt
Morning all,going for Tajneed 1.45 Ayr.
Good luck
hi guys good luck today !
swiss spirit 3.45 newbury
Mister music 3.10 Newbury please.
Good luck!
Tried to post my tip after the StJohnstone game last week,but couldn’t access the blog.The thing only went and won! :(
Same horse again today.
15:30 @ Ayr – Maarek – NAP!
Good luck everybody! :)
Spinatrix 2.20 Ayr
Amadeus Wolfe Tone in the Ayr Silver Cup at 2.10. George Baker up and a decent price to end my miserable run. 4-0 to the Celts.
Enchanted Forest first race Listowel
Going against the advice of an in-form tipster here (thanks for the 9/1 winner yesterday bud).
Anyway, plumping for TRADE SECRET 2:20 AYR
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
Afternoon all.
Up Ten Down Two
Catterick 14:30
All the best!
I keep forgetting to pick one
this weeks loser is Tariq Too 3.30 Ayr
The Cheka in the 345 at Ayr please be lucky bhoys
LATE ON PARADE TODAY,APOLOGIES.
COURTESY CALL 355 NM
Finally got wi fi connection. In hoops bar, los cristianos, tenerife for game. Watched game via internet so wi fi turned off. Just as well – my earlier selections were 2nd and 3rd…lol.
Now napping…
Mistress of Rome…in 5.45 @ Ayr
Hail Hail
CQN Saturday Naps Competition – Week 8 Results & Standings
green T was this week’s solitary winner (Swiss Spirit @3/1) and as a result moves to the top of the table !
+£ 4.25 green T (3)
+£ 3.88 Rockon Neil Lennon (2)
+£ 2.00 Che (1)
+£ 1.20 TheBarcaMole (2)
+£ 0.03 hunza rugli (2)
+£ 0.00 BULL67 (1)
+£ 0.00 voguepunter (1)
-£ 0.50 Sixteen roads to Golgotha (2)
-£ 3.00 fleagle1888 (1)
-£ 3.00 gerry_bhoy (1)
-£ 3.50 tommytwisttommyturns (1)
-£ 4.00 leftclicktic (1)
-£ 5.00 Glen (1)
-£ 8.00 Bada Bing
-£ 8.00 bobbymurdoch’s winklepickers
-£ 8.00 Cathal
-£ 8.00 Citibhoy
-£ 8.00 gourockbhoy
-£ 8.00 Magnificentseven
-£ 8.00 MHARK67
-£ 8.00 Raymac
-£ 8.00 Som mes que un club
-£ 8.00 Valentine’s Day
-£ 8.00 What is the Stars
*Non-runner : Citibhoy
Cheers, fleagle1888