Technically, this remains our biggest game of the season, our Summer Cup Final. The match against Aberdeen at Hampden in May will live long in the memory, but qualification for Champions League football will have a more profound effect on Celtic than any other game this year or season.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t feel like that. For the third time in our history, we approach a play-off second leg relaxed, cautiously expecting to increase our aggregate advantage.
The only two occasions we didn’t anticipate a second leg of this round, with anything other than what could be described as a nervous disposition, was last year, when we brought a 5-2 lead to Israel, and our second-ever play-off round, in 2001, after we took a 1-3 win home from Amsterdam.
Ajax opened our eyes in 2001. They were a far better team than their inept performance at home suggested. The 0-1 victory at Celtic Park was the least they deserved. Hapoel Be’re Sheva came within a goal of knocking us out 12 months ago. Craig Gordon’s penalty save was of enormous importance.
Analysis of our 5-0 win over Astana six days ago is difficult. Brendan Rodgers was a tad prickly when a Kazakh journalist asked if the gap between the sides was less than the score-line suggests. The remarkable stat: five goals, but three attempts on target, suggests it is. Despite creating two good chances early on, Celtic struggled to impose themselves before the opening goal on 32 minutes.
Astana are better than any other Scottish club. They pressed high with confidence, however, Celtic were good enough to pass through them. In addition, we exploited the weakest goalkeeper we’ve seen in some years.
This afternoon, playing on their own artificial surface, with body clocks adjusted to the norm, they should be able to put on the kind of performance we saw from them last year. We will make the next round with ease, but I’m sure chat like this will be limited to blogs, and kept well away from the dressing room.
After we are comfortably into the group stage, keep an eye on Rijeka’s game against Olympiakos, which kicks off at 19:45. The tiny Croatian club stopped Dinamo Zagreb’s run of 11-in-a-row to take their first title last season. If they eliminate Olympiakos, Celtic would move up to Pot 3 in the group stage.
I watched the first leg. Rijeka were excellent in a hostile environment, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat in the 93rd minute, when they were down to 10 men. They eliminated Salzburg to reach this stage, so they know how to compete against better-resourced opponents.
Celtic sponsor, Intelligent Car Leasing, have offered four full hospitality tickets for Saturday’s game against St Johnstone. You and three friends could benefit from a stunning pre-match meal in the Walfrid, halftime refreshments, as well as a complimentary bar before and after the game.
You will also watch the game from the Directors’ Box. In collaboration with this raffle, we are raising money for Mary’s Meals. Over 3,000 children in Malawi and Liberia eat each school day in a kitchen supported by Celtic Quick News readers. You can donate a minimum of £5 here.
To win, email your MyDonate confirmation to me, celticquicknews@gmail.com with the answer to this question IN THE SUBJECT LINE:
How many Champions League qualifying games have Celtic previously played in the Astana Arena?
Other emails with the correct answer will also be considered. Competition closes at 14:00 Thursday afternoon. You need to be able to collect your tickets in Glasgow on Friday. Please ensure you leave reliable contact information on your email. Good luck!
I was in the Walfrid on Wednesday for the first time since the day we lost to 10- man Motherwell in April 2008 – I’m sure you remember it. I’m very sure you remember the fight-back which followed. The Walfrid was a fantastic experience, you’ll love it. This is worth entering; you, three pals, Celtic. Fill your boots!
NEW CQN PODCAST – PAUL DYKES PRESENTS WITH FORMER CELTIC CAPTAIN ANDY LYNCH AND SPECIAL GUEST PAT STANTON
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Daily Rectum online today,
” Watch how Rangers strips have EVOLVED over the last 25 years !”
Rangers strips ” Evolve”…………….and their support can’t !
HUN beleivable
A walk in the park this afternoon, we WILL score a goal, then they have to score 7, not happening, I’m prepared to be under the cosh for a large part of the game of that I have no doubt, they have nothing to loss they will be guns ho on the attack, and we will pick them off playing the waiting game, IMO of course.
HH
The little hint of fear of a bad result is not helping me. At 4.30 this afternoon, I have my six monthly check up with the Cardiologist. So lhads take it easy. Bad enough sitting in that wait room with no way of finding out what is happening at the game without other distractions. Just hope the blood pressure is okay. Do not want to give false readings to the Consultant.
We need to start improving our away record in Europe.
Could be an opportunity for Brendan to experiment a bit – possibly more in terms of playing style rather than personnel.
I’d like to see us playing with a condensed 4-3-3 with a more counter-attacking style. Front three breaking as a three with pace.
Gordon; Lustig, Simunovic, Ajer/Bitton, Tierney; Ntcham, Armstrong, McGregor; Forrest, Griffiths, Sinclair.
Think we can win this game. 2-1.
Anybody else scunnered that Brendan and the bhoys have totally ruined the ususal cardiac arresting tension of these 2nd legs with their selfish 5 goal victory last week?I demand stress. ;)
Feels great having such a lead,think we’ll win today too ,not had such confidence since the MON days.
Good wee read back this morning with the musical posts.I always enjoy SoT’s input,an education laced with entrtainment.Here’s a wee tune my bhoy put me onto.Best busker ever!?
https://youtu.be/6vB5ynK73mk
It will be interesting to see what tactics are used to defend a five goal lead.
Park the bus or go for an early goal?
Pretty sure BR will ensure we keep a high defensive line so as not to invite them on to us. After that if we can stop any quick interplay and be alert to runs in behind we will not lose the game.
We’ll definitely have a couple of chances of our own, maybe even more than last week.
HH
Ernie Lynch
Jamesy from the off, high up the park, pulling defenders out of position.
Keep pressing, making it difficult for them to get a grip, battling performance. 0-1:)
That would be good.
HH
Astana are 50-1 to qualify. They need to win by 6 clear goals or 5 goals to nil to take it to extra time and penalties.
I can see us scoring at least 1 goal.
Mark Daly has asked George Turner of offshore game report fame to contact him on Twitter. Might be worth watching that space.
Any news on progress on JR?
MULLET AND CO 2 on 22ND AUGUST 2017 1:57 PM
Any news on progress on JR?
===
Nope.Sue Ellen says he’s still a mysoginist pig.
Four wins from four, full points in the league and CL league qualifier number three perfectly set up, despite key players being out injured, and a young Celtic side comfortably negotiate Kilmarnock away.
CL packages set to be announced ( £90? ) one in, one out at CB, pivotal player’s contract extended Peter Lawwell down in Mqnchester to give Patrick Roberts a lift back up the road, and BR eyeing a third top class striker?
The scoreline in the first leg at Celtic Park put us in a unique position in more ways than one and todays game is Astana’s Artemedia effort, where they need a minor miracle. On the evidence of the CP game they don’t have the players or team to do it , and they’ll be playing for pride.
Unlike the MTK Budapest story, as Yogi Hughes says there will be no Bob Kelly tactics and a non event will suit us just fine . BR’s will use the match to gain experience in our counter attacking style we see only glimpses of in the SPL.
Onwards to the draw on Friday and avoiding Madrid and Barca
Astana 1 Celtic 1
Hey Ho –
Wee TV item re Steve Bannon’s Alt Right media outlet linking its Barcelona atrocity news with an item re people smugglers using Jet skis to move people from Morocco to Spain . Nice photo of an example of the crime . Small problem -turns out the photo comes from Brazil and features an on holiday Lukas Podolski.
BSR- I think you will see a lot of 1st team squad signing new deals on improved terms.
Gordon
Lustig
Jozo
Biton
KT
Brown
Ntcham
Rogic
Forrest
Sinclair
Griffiths
140 min to kick-off…..plus 90….for the panty wetters to relax…..this tie is sewn up already ;-))
Astana 0 – 2 Celtic…..is my unscientifically calculated prediction ;-))
H.H.
SOUTH OF TUNIS on 22ND AUGUST 2017 2:05 PM
Fake news. Sad.
SOUTHOFTUNIS
Porcupine liver is a delicacy in some African cultures,and the rest is highly prized.
Dunno how difficult it is to skin them though.
Cant believe i’m still nervous :))))))
Agree with BSRs team and think they will miss yon big fella who is suspended,when he went off after his clash of heads with Tom they went to bits at the back.
Mon the Hooooooooooooooooooooooooooops
!!BADA BING!! on 22ND AUGUST 2017 2:08 PM
BSR- I think you will see a lot of 1st team squad signing new deals on improved terms.
————
After Roberts that should be the priority. Don’t think anyone could argue that Tierney, Rogic, Jozo, Griffiths and McGregor aren’t seriously outperforming their contracts.
PL to be announced as Man Citeh CEO – you’ve heard it here first
Gene
PL upgrades to a heated runway?:)
HH
ERNIE LYNCH .
I imagine Podolski can afford a good lawyer . I hope he sues their ass off .
Googling turned up this apology from the alt right zoonsters –
“There is no evidence that Mr Podolski is a migrant gang member , nor being human trafficked “
BMCUW .
Ate porcupine once .
On the rabbit / crap chicken spectrum .
Bland and boring .
SOUTH OF TUNIS on 22ND AUGUST 2017 2:05 PM
Hey Ho –
Wee TV item re Steve Bannon’s Alt Right media outlet linking its Barcelona atrocity news with an item re people smugglers using Jet skis to move people from Morocco to Spain . Nice photo of an example of the crime . Small problem -turns out the photo comes from Brazil and features an on holiday Lukas Podolski.
—————————————
Read that last night. Podolski has asked his lawyer to take a look… :-)
BSR….yep, think you’ve called it right re the team…..broken clock n all that ;-))
Welcome to Celtic – Rivaldo Coetzee….bhoy looks like he can ping a pass….hope he can tackle & read the game just as well ;-))
Simple really, Brendan know what he has to do, the players know what to do, and we are better than them, no doubt about it, so panic ye not.
OK, so they will coming at us with all they have, but hey, we can deal with that.
2 – 1 the good guys
KINGLuBO
Reggie- the aim is a smaller squad with better quality, with that comes higher salaries, the guys who have done it deserve a better deal IMO HH
BBC set to unveil full team of EBT recipients?
I’ll stay nervous if you don’t mind
No good can come of all fans being super confident
Players being confident; that’s different
But I hope the confident guys are right
Anyway celebrating youngests 18th after the game
And I think I’ll bett Rijeka
Hail hail comrades good luck
BSR
That should be easy most of them are on the beeb
Pedro
I’m with you :(
BSR
I remember the MTK Budapest game.
I was on a school cruise, the MS Dunera when the second leg was played.
Master at arms, an Englishman told us we had lost 4-0.
Didny believe him.
Gene
Yip they are working up to it by backing the cheating years
Phil
I was way too young for that game Yogi’s article in CQN magazine is very insightful ;-)
Who would win in a fight between the CQN nightshift and ole Petec?
this should be a comfortable game today , keep our discipline and 11 on the park and we will do fine.
Gene
Are you coming to the Chinese wi us
We’ll see ye there