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Up where we belong.
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bring it on !
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Just as expected -- nothing easy at this level!
Bring them on!!
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Paul67.
No PL at the draw.
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We got it reasonably tough, but the group of death is awarded to Rangers' group.
Let's face it, both teams have it tough. We know we can take home points from all of these teams.
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Paul - no mention of the pumpings that will be taking place accross the city?
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It was all going well until then. Not much to choose between our group and Rangers group to be fair. Lyon are on the decline and German teams aren't as strong these days. Not sure if there are any Eastern European experts here but would Shakhtar be considered as good as Spartak? How do they compare in terms of resources?
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Could've been worse.
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Who cares about the teams in our group.
After last night I'm just glad to be there!
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That's OK - nothing easy at this stage. We have a good chance. The order of the games will be important.
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Guys,
here's the group I wrote down that I really fancied....
Milan,
Benfica,
Rosenborg.
3 out of 4 isn't bad. I really didn't fancy any of the sides from the Ukraine. But there you go. Solid at home, lucky away (for a change) and we will be fine.
Paul, away and get someone signed, will you....?
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Brilliant draw.
Bring them all on and really believe!
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Toffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Paul67.
I did'nt notice Peter Lawell at the draw,Could he be away negotiating transfers for incoming players.
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pl was not at the qualifiers draw either was he?
good news is shaktar sold their star man elano to man city in the summer
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Interesting draw, I believe ALL teams can take points off each other (no whipping boys), which may just give us a chance with our quality home record.
Freddiebhoy
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Slightly tougher than average, but not a group of death. Slightly less exciting given that we have faced all 3 sides in the last 3 years.
7 points from our home games is achievable and should be our target; 9 is not impossible but would require yet another incredible Parkhead night. As usual, the away games are crucial. I predict now we will heroically lose 1-0 at the San Siro (unless they have already qualified). Psychologically, it may not be a bad thing that we are returning to two stadiums where we seriously underachieved.
Rangers luck seems to have run out, although Lyon may not be the side they were.
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Shakhtar played 7 games so far for the Ukrainian League. They have 19 points and are first in the table.
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Long time no speak...
Could be better, could be worse. We're capable of qualifying but we'll have to earn it. At the end of the day there are no easy teams at this stage, but would have been nice to have avoided Eastern Europe.
I dont know if anyone is still getting this but the live feed on BBC's mic was left on after the overage had finished and you could hear the commentators dismissing Celtic's chances until a Scottich journalist weighed in saying they have played every team and beaten both Benfica and Donetsk at home, and drawn with AC. Interesting to hear the English journalists attitude towards us... they had no idea we even played Benfica last year!!!
The same results along with just one point on the road will see us through (if we managed the same result at the San Siro as in March we're there) as long as other results go to form.
TBE
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Zbyszek
Who do you think are the better side - Shaktar or Spartak?
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Our group is one of 2 (A is the other) with THREE previous European Champions in it, 2 groups (B & H) have no previous Champions in them
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EDB
For sure Spartak is stronger team.
I'll be back in two hours and can check what Ukrainians say about their group.
... maybe we can wait two weeks for the echos in newspapers?
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Zbyszec
As usual, you will be our eyes
and ears, with regards Shakhtar.
Are they comparable with Spartak ?
Have they brought in foreign players ? are they a better/worse team than when we last met.?
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Brian Quinn is our representative in Monaco.
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Could be worse. We made it through last year and this time we have swapped Man U for Shaktar.
A bit of luck away and some more of last night's CP magic and we can win this group nevermind qualifying. (Sorry getting carried away - first post and still buzzing from last night)
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Dear Paul67
First of all good luck in your group. Last night I watched the penalty shootout. Incredible Boruc. I would like to now if you have any more info on Hemdani-Osasuna. There is a rumour Osasuna might be signing someone else from Spain...
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Not posted for a while - has anything happened recently :))
Anyway, this is a good draw for us.
You have to expect Milan to top the group.
Celtic, Benfica and Shaktar will have a tight battle for 2nd, 3rd and 4th - let's think positive and expect to progress.
I reckon the old currant buns might struggle to take a point from any of their games - and I am serious about that.
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Fitz....And swapped Kobenhavn for Milan......
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The Bald Ego
you make as much sense as a belfast lad i knew called pearse Mc somethin or other! are you him???
if so do you remember me? jimmy mc shane from Tyorne
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Report from uefa
Luck on our side, says Shakhtar hero
Thursday 30 August 2007
by Igor Linnyk
from Kiev
e-mailPrint
FC Shakhtar Donetsk hero Brandão admitted "fortune smiled on us" after the Ukrainian side secured their place in today's UEFA Champions League group stage draw in dramatic circumstances.
Late strike
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg against FC Salzburg, Shakhtar's prospects looked slim when they lost an early goal in last night's return. Although Cristiano Lucarelli made it 1-1 soon afterwards, they still entered the final 12 minutes of the match needing to score twice to progress. Nery Castillo got one of those two goals after 79 minutes but it was not until substitute Brandão struck three minutes from time that Shakhtar could celebrate.
'Prayers answered'
"It was very hard," said Brandão. "I felt that the Champions League was very close when it got to 1-1 because we found our rhythm and kept going forward. In the end our prayers were answered." Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu admitted there were moments when he did not believe his team would come back. "After [Olexandr] Gladkiy missed some good chances, I doubted we would be able to score two more. But after Brandão scored, our joy had no bounds."
President's dream
Even the Ukrainian prime minister Viktor Yanukovich joined in the noisy celebrations that followed, during which club president Rinat Akhmetov admitted to having dreamed about Salzburg's early opener. "I knew that we would concede first," he said. "You might not believe me, but I had a dream about that." The nightmare became a dream, however, thanks to the late contribution of supersub Brandão. "I lost my voice after our third goal," admitted Akhmetov, who can now look forward to his club's fourth group stage campaign.
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Having played Milan and Benfica last season and Shaktar a few years ago,
I wonder will their styles have changed since then?
Ours definitely has, therefore if those teams are playing to a similar system, then we could have a slight advantage over them.
I think the Hemdani escape was dependent on them not qualifying and the need to scrape up some cash before the bailiffs come a-calling.
They'll need him for Europe.
Look out Barcelona, guard your cathedrals.
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A serious question.....
Following on from my assertion that Rangers might get no points - how would no points translate into CL money?
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Just taking a look at Shakhtar's record last year and it's nothing to get us quaking in our boots. Their results were as follows:
Roma 4-0 Shakhtar
Shakhtar 2-2 Olympiakos
Valencia 2-0 Shakhtar
Shakhtar 2-2 Valencia
Shakhtar 1-0 Roma
Olympiakos 1-1 Shakhtar
Apart from the win over Roma, which I may add was after Roma had already qualified, their results are disappointing for a club who have apparently spent millions in order to join Europe's elite. They look no better than Spartak or Benfica and are seeded in Pot 4 for a reason. They will fear us more than we should fear them. It was a Celtic team dying on it's feet that they beat last time and we're a very different beast this time around.
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Pleased to have avoided the Turkish teams in pot 4.
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Any match dates yet? When will they be announced?
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Hamptontim, I'll need to look it up, but I think it's something like 160'000€ per point that UEFA shell out in reward money.
So null points dosen't penalise them at all, but 3 home wins is an extra 1.5 Million€ in income.
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Shaktar Donetsk - some Ukranian internationalists but their best player is Dario Srna of Croatia although there is speculation of a move to Everton.
Benfica have sold a lot of their best players and are left with a very young and very old squad with little in-between. Very definately a team in transition, even more than us.
Milan, well we know a bit about them.
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Also Lyon have bought big and sold big this season, by the time they face Rangers they will be very good indeed.
Best purchase is definately Fabio Grosso of Italy, fantastic overlapping wing back.
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gravesen off to everton on loan
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GG
You're 16.40 was excellent but perhaps not too many caught it before the thread changed.
Any chance of posting it again?
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Right, here's the plan....
Pump out the holders
then pump Chelsea
Then pump Arsenal
Then pump Man U
Then pump Liverpool in Moscow......
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Anyone picked up yey on Massimo Donati returning to face AC MIlan?
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*yet
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BBC just confirmed that Gravesen has signed for Everton on 1 yr loan
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SSN- Gravesen on loan to Everton for the whole season.
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Paul67 and all,
Last night was memorable. However, it was close!! I think we should remember if Celtic have aspirations to qualify for the last 16 and not be content just to be there then the problems we know that need solve especially a dominant centre half will need to be addressed.
We should be looking to build upon last night success. Let's get the problems solved so we can have a right go at this CL this year.
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Sparkypaul....Would prefer to sell him although if Everton take up his wages that'd do me. Hopefully he'll play really well for them and put himself in the shop window.
Now who wants Jarosik and Balde?
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new article posted.
Comments will not feature on the new article and will continue on this article.
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Heres hoping he has a good season and maybe have a bit of a bidding war from some teams down south at the end of the season. Could work out good in the long run for everyone
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geebee1978:
er...yes. See still buzzing and talking mince! First post and I mess it up. Hopefully I'll get better.
SlightlyEmbarassedCSC
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Tommy G out on loan
It will free up the wage bill, but we will not recieve a transfer fee.
Someone more astute than I, please point out the thinking behind a this deal ?
Is this Tommy's prefered option?
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Good luck to Gravesen, I do like him but he's not good enough. I'm not really sure why Everton want him though, I know he was good for them but he's pretty similar to Arteta in still but Arteta is by far the better player. I suppose they need a bigger squad. Hopefully he does well there and gets bought by them.
Our group isn't too bad now I've had time to digest. We can get second if we play to our ability.
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Bye and good luck to Tommy G.
Who would have thought a year ago that this would happen? I, like others, was delighted when he signed and expected him to make a big impact.
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Paul,
You are confusing the hell out of me - I dived out of this thread looking for a first post in the other.
Do you know if we are getting a loan fee for Tommy G?
I seem to recall us paying a fee for Henri Camara.
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The Gravesen loan deal will mean we will avoid having to pay a substantial 'loyalty' bonus . The players hold all the cards and this explains the club clarifying that none of the bodies mentioned earlier in the week had been transfer listed .
Transfer listing a player means the club shows it's hand first and the players are due all monies written in to the contract .
I still feel the Bobo Balde deal is PL's poorest hour in an otherwise fine tenure.
Boo Boo, Bambi and Mugjic next .
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I like Gravesen's attitude. He hasn't once been critical of Strachan's treatment of him. He's probably been surprised by the quality of the Celtic team and been disappointed by his inability to adjust to the discipline he needed to be a success.
Good luck Tommy, really unfortunate you couldn't make it at Celtic.
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i wonder if everton have taken on all of tommy's wages, surely they have with the money prem teams have
also wonder if there would be a loan fee
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Notafanofstan
Thanks for the explanation.
It's a pity the way it worked out.
This time last year we thought Tommy could go on to become a cult hero at Celtic.
Fair play to the Board for giving it a try.
I hope the change is what you need Tommy.
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It's A Grand Old Team........
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that's been posted several times already, Noel. first of all by me last night.
Ya slowcoach. :-p
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Just got back from last night.
A memorable CP experience - up thee with Voivodina and St Etienne.
Now that i have calmed down, I have one question to ask-
Not who will partner JVOH but who will REPLACE him?
Nice big guy but sould be an estate agent.
Hail hail
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HamptonTim
The Loan Fee:
It depends on the nature of the agreement, between the two clubs.
If the acquiring club is the initiator and the driving force in the matter, then a Loan Fee could be demanded by the club holding the player's contract.
Also, the matter of the player's emolument which he is contracted to receive, can/could be shared by both parties.
The matter of the actual dollars and cents, would of course be a private matter between all parties.
This is the best that I can do, in attempting to answer your question.
In essence:
Celtic, are still in hock for at least a portion of Tommy's wages.
Half of a loaf and all that...
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Shakhtar away in the first game
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I'm pleased with the draw.
Football is a strange sport eh? This time last year, Milan, Benfica and Shaktar would have been a very difficult group for us. This year, I'm not so worried. Then again, this time last year I was salivating at the prospect of Tommy G signing. Good Luck Tommy.
Does anyone know when the fixture dates will be announced?
Lubo.
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Milan at home to Benfica in first game
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some of the other sites posting
the dates
Shaktar 18 Sept Away
Milan 3rd Oct Home
Benfica 24th October Away
Benfica November 6th Home
Shaktar November 28th Home
Milan December 4th Away
I have NOT CONFIRMED these yet
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Fixtures from acmilan.com
Milan v Benfica 18/9
Celtic v Milan 3/10
Milan v Shakhtar 24/10
Shakhtar v Milan 6/11
Benfica v Milan 28/11
Milan v Celtic 4/12
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Estadio
peeked in under the bridge today.
Must have missed you.
I mentioned recently the Shaktar ten man performance at Parkhead was one of the most terrific pieces of fottball I have seen.
Spartak first half last night plus ten.
What we aspire to.
For those of you fortunate/un to know me and understand my memory faults.
I vividly remember that 10 man Shaktar.
It was that special
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There's only 1 week between Shacktar and Milan game.
As Milan are playing in the Super Cup the following week.
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That looks correct according to this, dave:
The following match sequence applies:
1st match day: 2 v 3 4th match day: 1 v 3
4 v 1 4 v 2
2nd match day: 1 v 2 5th match day: 3 v 2
3 v 4 1 v 4
3rd match day: 3 v 1 6th match day: 2 v 1
2 v 4 4 v 3
if we assume the Official AC Milan site is correct.
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wdh
They went down to 9 men.
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What odds would any of you give me for an all Glasgow Champions League final within the next 30 years?
Tricky draw even though we have played them all in the last 3-4 years. When are we going to get real madrid? guess we have to wait another year.
Paul, since its been a mad week and we are all cock a hoop, do you know the score on next years qualifying, when we win the league do we go into group stages proper? or do we have to qualify again? and what is the situation that platini has started that the 2nd place team no longer will gaurentee(sic) entry and that national cup winners will enter the comp instead. any info on this?
nakagod
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Frrom the fishal Uefa website
UEFA Champions League fixtures
Lubo.
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Last game away to Milan could prove a real bonus - it is very possible they will have already qualified and will have nothing to play for, although this is less likely if we have beaten them at Celtic Park. Shatkar away as our first game isn't too bad either.
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Looks like WGS comment about no further signings is in the frame.
After last night, and I have given the team the first few weeks to settle down, I think we need a left full back and a quality TARGET striker. Sorry Lee and Jan but we cant afford a left back who is 'skinned' regularly nor a 6ft 3ins 'striker' whoi my granny could beat in the air.
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matt
If your right, why do we always leave the most important matches to the last, ie man u last year 2nd last game. Cant the powers at the club grow some b's and have the big teams at us towards the end, or are the fixtures automatically generated by uefa, if they are i feel such a fool.
nakagod
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The group is OK - but maybe not so great on the order of the fixtures. It's probably the toughest first three games we could get and could be difficult to get a bit of momentum going.
The thing is not to panic too much if we only have 1 point at the end 3 games - 8 points could be enough for second spot.
We are Celtic - We are Gordon Strachan.
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Well we could be the first team to qualify for the next round , as our group finishes a week earlier than anyone elses.
Nakagod, who would you prefer, in that final, Queens Park or the Jags
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jinkyredstar
Who are these quality players who are so desperate to come to the SPL?
They can get the money we would pay them, and more, in the lower reaches of the EPL.
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If anyone wants to go to the game in Milan they can fly with Jet2 from Leeds for under £35 return (if they book it NOW), and I can recommend this hotel for 180 euros for a twin/double room for 2 nights. It's clean & functional, and situated at the end of the racecourse (about 3 minutes walk from Lotto station), just 15 or so minutes walk from the San Siro.
LS391 LEEDS BRADFORD to MILAN (Bergamo)
3 December 2007 Dep 07:05 Arr 10:20
LS392 MILAN (Bergamo) to LEEDS BRADFORD
5 December 2007 Dep 11:00 Arr 12:15
Outbound flight per adult/child
Fare £ 0.99
Charges £ 19.00
Total £ 19.99
Return flight per adult/child
Fare £ 1.99
Charges £ 12.90
Total £ 14.89
Total per adult/child £ 34.88
Email me at yahoo.co.uk if you need any more info.
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Fixtures confirmed
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Don't know if it's the case of the downer after last night's upper, but I'm a bit non-plussed at the draw. It's perfectly do-able I reckon, with 8 points maybe being enough. It's just not as 'glamorous' as it could have been from a fan's perspective with teams we haven't played before, but decent from a club perspective. The glamour comes from being there, the theme ringing out, the prestige. And the fact that it is, after all, a League for Champions.
Noel - that picture is my background now. If I was a wee boy it'd be on my wall. Actually, what's stopping me :)
In other news, in that wee diddy competition we could have qualified for last night, the latest score is 1-0 to Haken v Dunfermline. Jim Hamilton sent off, two yellows for dissent. Hard to muster a monkeys, unfortunately. Co-efficient? What co-efficient?
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Tough start for the Bhoys.
Away 1st and then Milan at home then Benfica away.
On our recent CL form we will be looking at possibly only 1 point from those 1st 3 games (Milan at home). With the final game against Milan over there we must better our recent record and win at least 1 game away beforehand to ensure qualification to the last 16, presuming we keep up our proud home record. Its going to be interesting...hopefully those who can take action will provide the fans and manager with a new CH, FB and proven finisher to help out the existing squad.
Or perhaps i just need some more faith!
Best of luck Celtic on the new CL season! The fans expect the last 16.
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Nakagod, as I understand it, this Season's SPL winners go straight into next Seasons CL Group stage if the defending CL Winners have qualified domestically already straight for the group stage. Other wise, the SPL Winners will enter at the 3rd Qualifying Round.
Irrespective of where the winners enter, this Season's SPL Runners-up will enter the CL at the 2nd Qualifying Round next Season.
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jinkyredstar
Target striker? I think it depends where you see GS ideally going. I think a target striker is the last person we will be going for - and no, Chris Killen doesn't fall into that category, he's comfortable with the ball at his feet, and that indeed is the way I reckon GS will have us play. Without a shadow of a doubt it's the way I'd like us to play - ball on the carpet please. Hearts on Saturday was the template and I absolutely loved it.
Bet your granny couldn't pass and move, at pace, linking with Aiden and Naka with Scott and Mo marauding from m/f. If she can, it's not exactly the 'wow' signing but it'd generate debate.
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EDB
Fair point. I was just saying that it looks as though Gordon was being straight up the other night when he said we weren't going to sign anyone. I can live with that. I still think we need a striker (ie someone who can score in the 6 yard box) and a left back. If we can't afford said people then fair enough but I think we should limit our ambitions to EUFA cup and SPL. Sorry but I have watched Celtic in Europe since 1966 and I just want to state my opinion.
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Have to agree with WGS that it would have been preferable to come up against some new teams - one reason being the higher degree of trepidation for sides visiting Celtic Park - how often have we been drawn with the cup-holders?
Shakhtar away in the first game will at least mean travelling there before the big freeze - I guess they me in a mid-season break for the return game at the end of November?
My ambition will be to remain in Europe after Xmas and to enjoy a young team maturing against first class opposition
I fear our city rivals will struggle to reach 3 points
VertWolf
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EDB
never knew it was 9.
Just about to send you a mail.
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jinkyredstar
Of course you must state your opinion.
Gordon is very clever, it would not surprise me to find a signing or two at this late stage.
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Bloke 109
Completely agree reagarding my use of the term 'target' - wrong on my part.But...a big guy should be able to moutjump ma wee guy 90% o the time and Jan just doesn't do it - I am dissappinted in Jan but I wish him all the best.
My Granny could not pass or move as you say but she could make a great dumpling!
Hail hail
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JinkyRedStar :- I think JVOH makes a great dumpling as well ;-)
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Zbyszek, I was talking to Polish girl today who said that her mum had been on the phone praising Boruc. She said it was all over the Polish press that Boruc stepped in to help a pregnant woman who was being mugged by some guys. Did you read this? Maybe it's just because I don't really buy papers, but I haven't heard anything about this! Just wondering why it hasn't been covered here? Obviously wouldn't sell as many papers as stories about him crossing himself...
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Here you have only few informations about Shakhtar:
Last games for the league:
Dynamo 2 - 2 Shakhtar
Shakhtar 1 - 1 Dynamo
Naftovik 0 - 3 Shakhtar
Shakhtar 3 - 0 Zorya
Zakarpattya 0 - 1 Shakhtar
Shakhtar 2 - 1 Vorskla
Metalist 1 - 3 Shakhtar
Votings for the best player of August:
Oleksandr Gladkyy 324 (36.61%)
Fernandinho 184 (20.79%)
Cristiano Lucarelli 90 (10.17%)
Brandao 88 (9.94%)
Darijo Srna 64 (7.23%)
Oleksandr Gladkyy
moved to Shakhtar in June 2007
best Ukrainian league striker 2006/07 (13goals)
Cristiano Lucarelli 32 years old
moved to Shakhtar in July 2007
played for Lecce, Torino, Livorno
Fernandinho
in Shakhtar since 2005/06
15 matches, 1 goal in Ukrainian League
As you see there are no famous, excellent players.
Sorry, there are no official comments on their sites yet. Only information about the UEFA groups.Informations will appear tommorow.
I read the comments on their forums. They all say, they were very lucky with Milan, Benfica and Celtic. All contibutors set their team after Milan in a group.They are hundred percent sure they will go out of the group.
Curiosity of Shakhtar club:
Supporters do not pay for the tickets. Sponsor organize trips for away games. They pay hotel bills.
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jinky
Get her to limit the carbs on the dumpling and it could be a pre-match meal - there's room for her at CP!
I'll forgive quite a bit from many if not all our team last night for demonstrating strength of character and no little skill. I'm not quite with the apparent hero-worship of Deek, but he'll do for me, sticking that pen away so comfortably. Lee has proven he can handle it last season so likewise I think deserves a bit of slack. And JVOH has proven himself for us on a number of occasions. I share your concern as it goes as JVOH I feel owes us a little in CL, given last season's injuries (Man U away notwithstanding).
I don't claim to have inside knowledge or any of that nonsense, I just have a 'sneaky' we will sign someone decent in the next 27 hours.
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Teddy
In my Grannnie's dumpling even Jan could get a tanner!
But you would really have enjoyed her Current Buns!
Cheers
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Vert Wolf
Sorry no.Shaktar have fixtures right up to 1 Dec.
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Touche Ed
What do you think of your draw ?
Where do you see your team getting points ?
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Rossio, I read something about AB stepping in to save a young mum about 4 or 5 months ago.
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B109
Low carb dumpling!!
I walked back from CP to Babbitiy's last night as though I was 16. Don't get me wrong - I love our bhoys, but I think Jan needs to move his ar*e a wee bit. Two signings and 'good' could become 'great'
All the best
Jinky
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rossio67
That was true story. I knew that. That happened about 2 months ago. I didn't want to say that in here. It's not a place to mention about few stupid ......Those kind of people you will find everywhere. It was the racist attack.Artur was alone against two or three man and one woman. After that attack, pregnant lady was driven by Artur to the hospital.She spent there a few days.
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Matt-
"were you at game caller?"
Didny think so.
Jimmy Sanderson CSC.
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quick google search and I have it for you, Rossio. It was in the Sunday Mail of all Papers on April 22nd (Can I just point out I don't read that rag, it must have been copied and pasted onto a forum somewhere):
22 April 2007
EXCLUSIVE: CELTIC STAR'S THUG FURY
By Lynn Mcpherson & David Taylor
CELTIC star Artur Boruc was hailed a hero last night after rescuing a pregnant Pole from racist thugs.
The brave goalie saved Magda Kucko, 27, who is due to give birth within days, after she was attacked by three louts and their vicious Doberman dogs.
Last night, she said: "Artur is a very brave man, a hero. I cannot bear to think what might have happened if he had not been there for us. We will never forget his courage."
The thugs taunted Magda with vile racist abuse before assaulting her as she walked through a Glasgow park with her sister and brother-in-law.
By chance, Artur was nearby. He angrily confronted the gang - one woman and two men who threatened to release two snarling Doberman dogs - in Elder Park, Govan.
Magda's terrified brother-in-law Janusz Lizok, 39, had his ear bitten by one of the men, who then punched him to the ground.
And Magda fell after being struck on the back of her head by a beer can thrown by the female thug, who kicked her in the back.
Her sister Halina, 39, was punched in the face.
But 6ft 4in Artur, rushed to the group's aid after hearing desperate Magda's cries for help during the attack in Govan.
He had been visiting his cousin - a neighbour of the family - and managed to free Janusz, 39, before angrily confronting his attackers, who fled.
The big-hearted star insisted on driving Magda, whose baby is due on Wednesday, to hospital in his car. Last night modest Artur, 27, played down his courage claiming: "I am not a hero. I just did what any ordinary person would have done."
Shocked Magda, who is still too afraid to leave her house, said: "I had no idea who he was.
"My husband Woitek told me later he was a famous footballer but I am very grateful to him.
"I know my husband wants to say a big thank you to Artur."
The attack happened as Magda, whose sister and brother-in-law were visiting Scotland for the first time, walked through the park near her home last Sunday at around 3pm.
She said: "We were walking from the underground to meet my husband, who was with our 18-month-old daughter Maya.
"We could hear the group singing songs. They had beer cans and were obviously drunk, so we avoided eye contact.
"But they ran after us. They must have heard us speaking Polish because they shouted, 'Why don't you go home', and, 'Stop stealing our jobs.' They jumped on my brother-in-law and started to beat him up.
"One of them bit him on his ear. I tried to call the police and the girl attacked me. She hit me on the head with a beer can. I was stunned and fell to the ground
"She knew I was pregnant, because at first she had shouted to the men to leave me alone. I think she was on drugs, because she was smiling the whole time.
"My sister came over to try and help me and the girl punched her.
"I don't even remember shouting for help as I was in shock and couldn't see out of one eye but Artur Boruc came rushing over.
"He took off his watch and gave it tome as if he was going to launch in and fight the men. He managed to get my brother-in-law away from them, split them up and then calmed down the situation.
"The gang had two scary-looking Doberman dogs with them and threatened to release them."
At this point, Magda's horrified husband, construction worker Woitek, 26, arrived. He said: "I've been in Scotland since January 2006 and have never come across anything like this before.
"Magda was in shock and Artur insisted on taking us to hospital to have her checked out.
"He contacted us later to check she was OK. It's good to know there are people like him around." A traumatised Magda, originally from Ketrzyn, near Gdansk, was kept in overnight at Glasgow's Suthern General Hospital by medics worried about her high blood pressure.
She has now been given a clean bill of health - and the couple have pledged not to let the experience put them off Scotland. Magda, who has a degree in child psychology, said: "We think the Scots are a great people, and they have been so friendly to us.
"I hope the police catch the people who did it as until they do I won't feel very safe."
Police confirmed they are still investigating the incident in Govan, which has a growing Polish community. Glasgow's Polish community leader Aleksandr Alfer, 66, said: "This is a rare incident. Scottish people have been nothing but welcoming to Polish people."
Polish international Artur, 26, lives with his stunning blonde wife Katarzyna in a Glasgow penthouse. The glamorous couple have been labelled Poland's Posh and Becks.
He has been a sensation for Celtic since his arrival from Legia Warsaw in July 2006.
A Celtic spokesman said: "Artur did what he felt was the right thing to do and we are pleased he was able to help."
'They heard us speaking Polish and shouted at us.. then they jumped on my brother-in-law and one bit him on his ear'
SUNDAY EMAIL
l.mcpherson@sundaymail.co.uk
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Dunfermline have just been knocked out of the UEFA Cup qualifying round.
Helsingborgs are 0-0 at home to Drogheda with 20 minutes to go. It was 1-1 in the first leg. Time for Henke to step up methinks.
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Right CQN Bloggers,
Who thinks we will sign at least 2 players before the dealine shuts tomorrow?
If so who do you reckon it will will be?
Let's see if anybody can guess correctly!!
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Edward,
My big regret was that Rangers didn't get Group F.
Visits to Manchester, Rome and Lisbon would see your lot banned for at least a millenium.
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Funnily enough, Noel, I wasn't. Sadly. I'll be at the ICT game, though. And in Embra the night of the Shakhtar away game (I was hoping it'd be a home game on the Wednesday) the same week. I'll also be in Embra the day of the Hibs game the following week, but I ain't paying 26 quid to get in and then leaving half way through the second half (I have a ticket for Scotland v the All Blacks at Murrayfield at 4pm that day).
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Paul67,
Heard today that SM was watching the match last night.
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wgs, Gudjohnsen and Van Nistelrooy.
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Matt
