Celtic won’t copy Scotland tactics against Atalanta but perhaps should

The Celtic Star

·16 de outubro de 2024

Celtic won’t copy Scotland tactics against Atalanta but perhaps should

Scotland snuffing out a decent Portuguese side. Maybe Brendan should take note with Atlanta approaching…

Scotland v Portugal – Anthony Ralston and Diogo Jota battle for the ball during the UEFA Nations League Group A1 match at Hampden on Tuesday October 15, 2024. Photo Jane Barlow

Dogged and determined display

Scotland produced a dogged and determined display against Portugal in the Nations League last night to earn a credible 0-0 draw. Despite the Portuguese featuring a side packed with talent such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Jota, and Bruno Fernandes, Steve Clarke’s Scotland side didn’t buckle and snuffed out the attacking threat of Roberto Martinez’s talented team.

Vídeos OneFootball

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6th October 2024; Victoria Park, Dingwall, Scottish Premiership Ross County versus Celtic; Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers greets Ross County manager Don Cowie before the match.

Scotland parked the bus

Scotland’s back line consisted of our very own Anthony Ralston, Norwich’s Grant Hanley and theRangers centre-half John Souttar, players who are honest pros, but well out of their depth at this elite level. Yet they more than matched the might of the Portuguese through sheer belief and determination, helped by Steve Clarke getting his formation and his tactics spot on.

It wasn’t pretty to watch, but it was effective and got a positive result. Something that Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers should take note of when it comes to taking on the elite sides in European competition.

Serhou Guirassy celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Borussia Dortmund and Celtic FC at BVB Stadion Dortmund on October 01, 2024 (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Atalanta might be better than Dortmund

We play Atalanta next week and the Italians are loaded with talent as well as being renowned as an attacking side. For me the Europa League winners from last season are an even better side than Borussia Dortmund, and we all know how our trip to Germany turned out. Badly.

Brendan could do much worse than take a leaf out of Steve Clarke’s book when it comes to frustrating the very best teams in the Champions League away from home. Our offensive approach while bold, is hurting us more in the long run. There’s no shame in shutting up shop against sides who have better players all over the park than Celtic.

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UEFA Champions League Press Conference, Celtic 30 09 2024 Brendan Rodgers Celtic. Photo BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Buriakov

Brendan won’t change tactics

Of course Brendan has been very clear that his team will go into all Champions League games intent on playing their own game and imposing themselves on the opposition. Yes, Celtic can play much better than that awful night in Dortmund. But we’re still asking for another high scoring defeat. Hopefully I’m wrong but I’d take a shut up shop, goalless draw against Atalanta now if it was offered.

But Brendan has been very clear that he won’t be changing tactics to buckle up.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy