Game was there for the taking, but it’s a point that could prove crucial in the long run…
There’s no getting away from it, last night was very disappointing as the game was there for the taking against a depleted and very poor Zagreb side.
We controlled most of the game but were very passive and toothless in front of goal. Indeed if it wasn’t for Kasper Schmeichel it could have been a whole lot worse, as the Great Dane pulled off an incredible stop late in the second half to make sure of our point.
That’s a point that could prove crucial in the long run when we’ve concluded our games come the end of January 2025.
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Nine points from six games is not to be sniffed at. If you were offered that before a ball was kicked you would have snatched at it, no questions asked. Or maybe ‘reasonably happy’ would be a more accurate description.
Yes we could have been in a much better position if we had taken all three points, the same could be said of our last game against Club Brugge, but this is the highest level of football after all, and we’ve got to look at those two points as points well earned.
We have two games remaining and a win will guarantee us a play off spot. Our next game is at home to Young Boys in what is a very winnable game. As disappointing as last night’s result was we are still in a very good position.
If you read Matt Corr’s ‘Six Decades and Counting’ article posted from Zagreb ahead of kick-off yesterday afternoon you’ll know that this actually was the first time Celtic has taken anything from Dinamo Zagreb on their home soil.
The draw leaves us a point ahead of last night’s opponents who have a much tougher remaining fixture list. Celtic must win against Young Boys and frankly if we can’t do that then we’ll have no-one to blame but ourselves.
Brendan Rodgers stated at the start of the season that making the knock-out stages was a priority target for the season in terms of European football and he can secure that with a win at Celtic Park against a side with nothing to play for but pride and who are more than likely coming to Paradise pointless.
🗣️ 'In the Champions League and you get a clean sheet and take a point away from home, if you’re not very happy it shows you how far the team is progressing'
Brendan Rodgers on Celtic's goalless draw against Dinamo Zagreb.#BBCFootball #UCL pic.twitter.com/IYE79HHgYw
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) December 10, 2024
Now who do we play next? let’s make sure we have our shooting boots on…
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
I’m very happy overall. I understand the frustration at the seeming lack of guile and killer instinct in last nights game, but looking back on the point in Bergamo and the point v Brugge at home, and the chances both of those teams had (especially first half) and there’s no way we’d have gotten 2 points from those games in previous years. Not a chance. So on balance very happy with 9 points and a chance to go to 12. Bring on the Swiss…