BERGAMO, ITALY - OCTOBER 23: Brendan Rodgers Head Coach of Celtic FC during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
Nine days before facing Celtic in the Champions League Dinamo Zagreb have lost 1-0 away to Haduk Split.
With Celtic on eight points and Dinamo on seven the winner of the December 10 match will put themselves in with a great chance of progress into the Round of 16 Play-Offs when the final two fixtures are played in January.
While Brendan Rodgers’ side are in top gear domestically Dinamo are now sitting in third place in the Croatian League, seven points behind Hadjuk and four behind second placed Rijeka.
Canadian striker Niko Sigur scored the decisive goal in the 54th minute, a message or two may be exchanged with Alistair Johnston before Celtic kick-off in the Croatian capital.
Kraj utakmice. pic.twitter.com/zWUg2eU3qQ
— GNK Dinamo (@gnkdinamo) December 1, 2024
Zagreb are now on a run of four matches without a win but will have an edge in preparation over Celtic before the Champions League tie.
While the hoops face Aberdeen on Wednesday and Hibs on Saturday the Croatian champions will only play Slaven Koprivnica on Friday ahead of their match against Celtic.
Dinamo will be at home for Friday’s match, looking for their first win in five against opponents currently sitting in sixth place and on a three match winning run.
Celtic’s next home match in the Champions League is on January 22 at home to YB Berne who beat St Gallen 3-1 today.
YB are currently in ninth place in the Swiss League with a break between December 15 and January 18 before they face Celtic.
Marcus Tillman on his way to Villa and will play against Celtic in the Champions league,apparently he is mow worth £120 million with sevco due a 10% sell on clause.