You and I are both optimistic types. So every year on this day, we remind ourselves that ‘these things even themselves out’, and after a run of difficult group stage draws, we expect Celtic to get a favourable Champions League draw this evening.
Pot 3 could make or break the draw. Celtic are in this pot and it is undoubtedly weaker than Pot 4; Pot 3 has only one club from a ‘big five’ league, whereas Pot 4 has six. Drop your cynicism and allow me a few more hours optimism before Uefa’s new computer system determines our fate.
Earlier this week we discussed that Matt O’Riley will become a case study in how to recruit, manage and sell a football player. Within a few days, Matt is subject to another case study. He was injured after six minutes football for Brighton. Today it was confirmed the injury is serious and will require surgery.
This is football. At any point, your biggest asset can be a second away from being finished in the game (not that Matt is in this situation). When you are sitting on an offer for a player, but have a game to play against an ‘industrious’ St Mirren, the potential for things to go wrong is a consideration.
In 2010, Andreas Hinkel was subject to a £1m offer to return to Germany. Celtic were keen to get him off the payroll and recoup some of the outlay on him. Andreas suffered a crucial injury in a reserve game and was ruled out for the entire season. That injury cost Celtic £2.5m (wages and lost fee). Michael Nicolson would have been happy at fulltime on Sunday at more than just the result.
Best wishes to Matt, he will hopefully return for the Paradise Windfall Draw during his convalescence. At least £4m of his fee is performance related; the chances of collecting this portion took a hit today.
I’m also sitting on a lot of optimism for what the next 35 hours will bring. Looking forward to seeing Young Boys and Red Star!
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ekbhoy et al
Read the Alex Gordon article, well worth reading it has to be said, with a good account of the John McGinn saga which shows the efforts our CEO made trying to get McGinn to Celtic Park. (McGinn did not answer Alan Brazil’s question this morning …..surely you would want to play Celtic at Parkhead in the CL). Steve Bruce got him to sign, think he was sacked shortly afterwards.
But one thing really did annoy me about Gordon’s article. While criticising the moron who abused our Chairman pre-match at Paisley, rightly in my view, he goes on to ask how today’s supporters would handle the past (which is another country don’t forget)
“……back in the early sixties when the team and the club were an embarassment?”
No no no we have never been an embarassment, and never a disgrace either using Ian Archer here.
I had a look back;e
1960-61 4th in the League; Scottish Cup Finalists
1961-62 3rd; Semi-Finals
1962-63 4th; Semi-Finals
1963-64 3rd; ECWC Semi-Finals
1964-5 Scottish Cup Winners; LC Final
Not great, but no embarassment at a time Scottish football was full of good teams, Hearts, Dundee and Kilmarnock won the League either side of Rangers three in a row, and Dunfermline under Jock, and Hibs were also terrific teams. Could have should have done better with the players we had? Almost certainly, Jock Stein proved that. Alex Gordon should know better than to misinterpret his early memories.
On seeing the headline P67, there was me thing ‘A few hours of optimism…’ was squarely to do with the transfer incomings.
A few quality ins – the likes of which BR has clearly stipulated – then not as much need for any dreamtime dribbles or duvet drenchings.
As the man that puts the TIM in optimist, I was hoping we’d land a couple of names to make other teams look at us with Euro fears to give them kip conniptions?
HH
@S.S. Was never away from Parklea when i lived up Devol H…..Muirdykes ave Then moorfield ave.
Walked every inch with the Lurchers… Oot the trail to the freshwater burn that joins the Clyde
A great spot for the sea Trout……..Great find wae your ancestors.
The name changes drove me nuts when researching .I found the Gran ,grt Gran grt grt Gran etc etc
Surnames very interesting as well .Coates,Foy,lindsay,Mciver etc etc
I chucked looking when the site i was on bumped the cost up.i got to 1740 odds back in2008.
And never went back to it.I still have all the details of births marriages deaths etc.wrote down somwhere.
Keep searchin H.
There’s yer dinner…
And no, we will not “calm doon.”
https://readceltic.com/2024/08/29/celtic-enter-the-final-hours-of-the-transfer-window-with-it-still-all-to-do-are-we-simply-out-of-our-depth-hereceltic-enter-the-final-hours-of-the-transfer-window-with-it/
Celtic Mac on 29th August 2024 2:01 pm
I tought that was a very good Alex Gordon piece.
I am kinda stuck though that Celtic were indeed from 57 to 65 a really poorly run club, and underperfrming at all levels, not competing at all for the elague, and woefully inept in cup football, with only Jock and the reserves being anything to hope for.
But this is in context to probably the zenith for Scottish football, Hearts twice, Dundee and Killie winning leagues (Killie runners up 4 seasons before they won it) Celtic not even 2nd for any of these years.
Clyde x 2, Heart, Falkirk and Dunfermline winning the Scottish, the longest period without an “old firm” winner.
The jam tarts also won 3 league cups in that time.
Our leage attendnaces were also often below Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen.
At that time as well, Scottish teams in europe excelled,
Hibs E SEMI FINALISTS, fAIRS CUP SEMI-FINALISTS, home wins against, Barca Porto Valencia x 2, and put on on penalties by the mighty leeds.
Dundee european cup semi finalists in 63, beating Sporting, Koln, Anderlecht and Milan. and a fairs cup semi against Leeds in 68 again not losing the home tie.
Dunfermline beating Everton and Valencia at home in the fairs cup, and indeed reaching the semi final in 68 put out by our old foes Slovan Bratislava, I will need to go research if Lubos dad or doctor jo played in those games
I could add in the old Rangers record in Europe, but beyond the record defeat in a european cup semi final 12-3 on aggregate, and winning a competition that no longer exists, well they are about as relevant as gretna, both deid.
If i ever write a book it will be about scotlands golden european era,
afternoon
Dimbelby is on the beeb just now, BRITAIN AND THE SEA west coast and up the clyde, great watch
Would I be right in thinking that from about 59 to 62 (maybe longer) the reserves used to play on a Friday night, when the big team were playing away on the Saturday.
I remember going often, as did plenty of other young lhads. Can’t remember how much it cost, as I don’t remember being lifted over. That was done by my Dad when we went to watch the big team.
Saint Stivs on 29th August 2024 12:22 pm
Big Jimmy on 29th August 2024 9:16 am
BRRB….
As a wee Bhoy my DA would take me for short holidays to DUNOON. We would use a ” Family Farm Hoose” that was literally 15/20 yards from the Beach at a place called ” TOWER POINT”.
000000000000000
Jimmy, do you mean TOWARD POINT, down at the very tip of cowal peninsula ? beautiful views from there.
https://hiddenscotland-gallery.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp/2020/08/604767c7-2c5b-41b3-9f33-0360011280ba-1024×683.jpg
……………
Damn you Saint Stivs, as I read your Post above and I am now DOUBTING my memory ?
LOL.
Having said that, I am in NO Doubt that my DA and some members of my family DID indeed call it as ” TOWER POINT”….and NOT ” Toward Point” as you mentioned ?
Bear in mind that those Dunoon holidays were over 60 years ago when I was very young, and MAYBE my DA etc got it WRONG by calling it ” Tower Point”, however I have never heard it called ” Toward Point” by anyone that I have spoken to over the years. i have spoken to a few Folks over many years, who claimed to have had some knowledge of Dunoon and none of those Folk ever corrected me when I called it ” TOWER POINT”
Maybe BRRBs good lady who was born in Dunoon can enlighten us ASAP ?
Also, I can clearly remember the Farm Hoose that we stayed in being quite remote, some distance away from the other buildings that are in your PIC ?
The Farm Hoose that I holidayed in was as I mentioned, only 15/20 yards from the Beach, and only separated by a very sturdy Rock Wall maybe about 3 feet high at the most, and a very sturdy wooden Gate.
It was a beautiful built Wall and Wooden Gate.
I can remember the rooms in the Farm Hoose being quite cold ( day and Night) and NO inside Toilets.
The auld Cow Shed adjoining the Hoose was the ” Toilets”, I am guessing that the Cow Shed WAS ADAPTED to have Toilets….I cant remember ?
Anyway thanks for your Post and PIC, and as I mentioned maybe BRRBs good lady could shed some light on ” TOWER POINT or TOWARD POINT ?
Cheers mate.
HH.
https://x.com/plettigoal/status/1829153667867721898?s=46
🚨🟢 Excl | Arne #Engels will join @CelticFC ✔️
Total agreement between @FCAugsburg and Celtic has been reached now! CEO Michael Nicholson and FCA boss Michael Ströll have finalized the deal today as sources from UK confirm.
▫️FCA will receive €13m in total and guaranteed
▫️20 % sell-on clause for FCA
▫️Medical booked for Friday!
20 y/o midfielder was the desired target for Brendan Rodgers. Smart deal for all parties involved.
@SkySportDE 🇧🇪
genuine question, back in the 50s, 60, 70s, did any supporters want the other scottish teams to do well in europe ?
famously the huns chairman met the celtic returning from lisbon,
did anyone support “the rangers” in their 67 cup winners cup final.
as a wee aside i miss garcia lorca tales of lisbon, anyone know how that fella is doing ?
Transfer fee record broken twice in one window.
Micheal working out the details as required in the job description, who’d da think it !
HH
saint stivs
Well I did say it was worth reading. Certainly 1955-65 was an interesting period in Scottish football, and only the first half of the 1980s comes close to it. That said Alex Gordon stated that he was eleven years old in 1964, ergo 7 in 1960, 8 in 1961, 9 in 1962, and ten in 1963. Is he claiming that at between 7 and 10 years old he thought “the team and the club were an embarassment”? No no no, I’m not accepting this from one of our great writers about Celtic Football Club. False memory syndrome methinks.
FAO SAINT STIVS..
Ive just Googled ” Tower Point, Dunoon ” and it comes up as ” TOWARD POINT” as you mentioned.
Maybe my DA etc got it wrong although there was a LIGHTHOUSE ( According to Google), and that was referred to as being ” THE TOWER” ?
I cant remember ever seeing a Lighthouse, but then again maybe I have just forgotten about it ? I was very young, maybe only 5 or 6 years old.
HH Mate.
Frimbong to Madrid £60 mil .Worth £13mil to Celtic 🤫HH
If the Engels storey is true then top Marx to all concerned.
HH
fanadpatriot on 29th August 2024 3:10 pm
Frimbong to Madrid £60 mil .Worth £13mil to Celtic 🤫HH
i have been thinking for a wee while, there will be a window sometime where we will make more money from sell ons than we do from selling players first time.
FCA will receive €13m in total and guaranteed
That’s just short of £11m, no messing about!
Chib Marx was a Glasgow relative of Groucho… goucho ya bass
Sin City
I hate these clowns who make money for themselves by running down Celtic.
They are now worse than the old parasites with no experience of doing anything but loaded with opinion based on f all personal responsibility or expertise.
Delighted we are going to be in a stronger place off and on the field post this window.
Saint Stivs on 29th August 2024 2:53 pm
genuine question, back in the 50s, 60, 70s, did any supporters want the other scottish teams to do well in europe ?
famously the huns chairman met the celtic returning from lisbon,
did anyone support “the rangers” in their 67 cup winners cup final.
………….
In the last 25/30 years or so, whenever some Hun suggests that Celtic supporters SHOULD support the Huns in Europe, I have asked them ” Did YOU or your Fathers/Brothers/Uncles etc, support Celtic in 1967 in Lisbon and in Milan in 1970″ ?
Also, ” Did YOU or any of your family support Celtic on their way to SEVILLE in 2003″ ?
NOT ONE Hun supporter has ever claimed to me that THEY and/or their Family members had EVER supported Celtic in ANY European adventure over many years, I would suggest to those that I have spoken to, that THEY ALL wanted Celtic to get GUBBED every time.
I have asked some Hun fans…” WHY should I support a VILE , BIGOTED Cheatin Club like Rangers in Europe or any where else ” ?
NAE CHANCE !
In 1972 when the Huns ” won” the Cup Winners Cup I was almost 17 years of age. I seem to remember that there was a strong suspicion that the Huns winning Goal was ” OFFSIDE”, and several of the Moscow Dynamo team did indeed strongly protest to the Ref and linesman. The Huns ” won” 3 – 2 that night, and I seem to recall that the Ref and his linesmen were just happy to finish the match EARLY, due to their fears of Hun supporters invading the Pitch again ?
HH.
Some doing getting the deal done.Nicholson,new cult hero?
Well,maybe not.If Brendan gets his way,he might end up one.
Now,onto Trusty.Cant see that not going through.Sanchez,hope so.
So happy,they did not sell Palma.For me,he is a CL player.No offence to Maeda,who has improved in lots of aspects,but he has done zilch in any CL games.
Hope Big Jimmy and David 66 are OK to enjoy Sunday.
Great news re Engels. Perfect fit.
Turkeybhoy
Maeda through the middle in CL. Esp away. It’s how he does perform for Japan.
“We don’t need to manufacture our own stress when there’s no need. But we’ll be calm this week we’ll look to get the players in that strengthen us.”
– Brendan Rodgers
Well done that man 👍 Centre Back next up.
Keep the draw details coming tonight please.
Burnley,
Yes ,have always said that about him.A pain for any defence through the middle.He has come on a ton last season and this.
At Celtic Park,on the left,did nothing in CL.Horses for courses.
Enjoy the draw.
Vilkommen Engels
celtic40me on 29th August 2024 2:53 pm
Transfer fee record broken twice in one window.
It’s shambles and a disgrace. The recruitment team are not for purpose! (sic)
https://x.com/Bigirishcelt/status/1829156233200521466?t=kYIjUU07QyW2jwOysIbC1w&s=19
🇧🇪 Bhoy
mon the michael nicholson
We’re on the Marx with Engels
Well done Celtic if the new Bhoy ” ARNE ENGELS” turns oot to be a guid yin ?
I can only suspect that ARNE will possibly only make the Celtic bench on Sunday v The Huns ?
I also have a Gut feeling that Celtic will start with KYOGO up front with Adam Idah on the bench ?
Then again, whit dae I know ?
LOL
HH.
Turkeybhoy on 29th August 2024 3:27 pm
……….
ME and DAVID66 will be ready to PLAY on Sunday IF Brendan really wants us ?
Brendan has our numbers.
LOL
HH.
quality gene!
I’m that excited I might cuddle into the wife tonight 😂…..God I hope he can play 😃😃
Well done Celtic. Engels looks like a technically gifted player , versatile and not shy to work and tackle for the team. He stood out against Dortmund and has plenty development under Rodgers.
If we get Trusty or similar over the line I’d be delighted – that’s the area to assist and cover ccv in case of injury. Lad can play LB too depending on how Valle settles.
Looking forward to my donation ;)