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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btw. the blessed marting interview today, he tries very hard not to laugh when asked “have rangers got a chance on sunday”.
Celtic Mac
I can understand your resentment at Alex Gordon’s references to Celtic in the early 60’s as ‘a disgrace’ and as ’embarrassing’. But I must say that for supporters who lived through those times ‘disgrace’ and ’embarrassment’ would be the most polite of their judgements.
The St Mirren semi at Ibrox summed up the Celtic of that era. Days before Celtic had thrashed the Saints in Paisley. But at Ibrox Bryceland and Baker tore Celtic. The game was virtually over by half-time. The off-field entertainment included freestyle bottle throwing and a pitch invasion.
The Rangers semi replay was another case in point. The teenage Johnstone had played a blinder in the first game so, obviously, he was dropped for the replay. Celtic, as always, couldn’t string two decent games together. Rangers hammered us in an altogether humiliating game.
Now, here’s an interesting thing: most of the huge Celtic support at that latter Hampden game left at half-time. Some say that this was pivotal. The mass desertion that day at last convinced the Board that change was necessary if the club was to survive.
Not getting too carried away because every one of the games will be tough. There are no weak teams and Celtic are one of the sides who need to punch above their weight to get through. But, the draw is giving us hope.
TexasTim – Take care pal. Get some rest and have fun on Sunday.
MNCELT on 29TH AUGUST 2024 7:44 PM
It’s a valid point. With our European record, quite a few teams would look at us and call it “winnable”.
FRITZSONG on 29TH AUGUST 2024 7:44 PM
That St. Mirren game was the first ‘big’ game my dad took me to . Dodging the hail of bottles at the end is something I won’t forget in a hurry!
When she found out about it ,my mother wouldn’t let me go back for a while after that but luckily she relented in time for the 65 cup final!
qf,
https://x.com/TamseIIicsonIII/status/1829202852935336205?t=ZHIgvBhP6qAfiloTBjWVwQ&s=08
Tonight I am supporting the Jambos.
Wipe another £2m off the rangers potential reeling for the season.
Killie winning 1-0 v Copenhagen
b78.
minority of one, but i am still highly quizzical that if the works are ongoing at the badgers den and they are going back for the end of september, that their ceo has not yet officially announced this.
the banter years continue, heheheh
as an aside, looking at hertz historical record in the 60s, they have always been shite in europe.
aussie rules fitba for the purple huns, wtf even is that
O’Neill ‘doesn’t think Rangers are strong at all’
01:53
O’Neill ‘doesn’t think Rangers are strong at all’
Close
Former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill believes Rangers are “not strong at all” going into Sunday’s first Old Firm derby of the season.
Subsection
Scottish Prem
Published
2 hours ago
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/c86lyq4plyxo
the gorgie ultras, more black shirted fascists,
hard to try and wish their team to win
I thought we would romp the cup final, I know we won but it was a tight game – I’m not over confident about Sunday
Re sequencing of fixtures , I’d prefer to get the harder seeds first before they are fully into their season , and to avoid Red Star in the winter.
HH
I’m a convert to the new format. It might be the draw but it feels like there’s something for us in every game
Like everyone I’d love to go to Dortmund but there’s some great new trips in the other games as well.
Villa,a good game for us.When was the last time an English team beat us in Europe?.Drew at City,won at Liverpool,and Black burn,gubbed Man U.One of game.
A lot of difficult games.Dortmund weaker away,Sancho away, CF away,both excelled for them last season.Also lost their CH.A fighting chance to get through.
BRs tactics away,crucial.
On to Sunday.
In the CL play-off round 9th plays 24th, 10th plays 23rd, 11th plays 22nd etc with 17th to 24th at home first.
Decent draw and without being over confident we should a least see some points gathered at home. Maybe even a sneaky point or so away.
Mate told me today from Tenerife,he was in Hoops bar last night,and a couple of Tims from Dundee told him,Cowan was joining us on Friday,definite.
Let’s see.
Looking at this hertz game think they’ll get beat on the break. If they overcome these guys then they half the tv pot with the huns in the group stage. Every cloud ☁️……
hi, all.
Brilliant set up this new CL.Really like it.Fighting chances all round.
We will have the makings hopefully,of a team very capable of qualifying from Champions path next season.Time to add to it as well.
hard luck killie
TURKEYBHOY on 29TH AUGUST 2024 8:53 PM
Arsenal 2010. To be honest, the financial gap is far bigger than it was back when we beat Liverpool and Blackburn.
I too was at the Slovan Bratislava game in the old enclosure now the front stand. Lifted over, first time I saw floodlights and how ‘green’ were the Hoops.Then came all green strip from Lumleys in Glasgow, the greatest Christmas gift a sixties schoolbhoy could ever have.
The local kids would say to my Dad ‘ Can I watch yer motor Mr? ‘ then came Jock Stein the crowds got bigger, the queues longer to see Celtic in Europe. Cars and buses along TheLondon Rd before long Jimmy Johnstone did the rounds of Lanarkshire schools and he brought a big Cup. They were braver Directors in those days, letting Jinky loose with the coveted trophy.
Hope to make the trip to see that green in Birmingham.
What a time to be alive CSC
I quite like the fact that although we play Sevco on Sunday, there have been very few posts about that match !
I realise the CL draw was a major distraction but I have still enjoyed what appeared to be the `just another game` approach to our next League match:-)).
I am sure that will change tomorrow but I see it as a sign of the growing gap between ourselves and the Ibrox team.
On another ( but equally small-minded ) note, I felt the draw showing SEVEN teams that we will be playing in the Champions League games will have made the permanently angry Hun support even angrier.:-)))
Hun watching the draw.”Who thought this up,it’s too complicated”
Guy next to him” What’s complicated.Theres 4 pots and your not in any”
Re sequencing of fixtures , I’d prefer to get the harder seeds first before they are fully into their season , and to avoid Red Star in the winter.
—
we have already managed that because we have avoided Red Star altogether 😉
Naismith totally clueless at any level.
Just heard from Stuart. His mate’s nephew plays for Dundee youth team. Says McCowan signing for Celtic tomorrow.
TURKEYBHOY
Just saw your post. Sounds like a done deal. 👍
hard luck minis
Would love us to sign diawara from Lyon (rumour only of 8m ) reminds me of wanyama.
Hot Smoked on 29th August 2024 9:10 pm
According to Souness there’s still not much between us and thems, Oh and the huns were the better team at the final and should have won 🙄
Prestonpans bhoys on 29th August 2024 9:27 pm
He really knows his stuff does the unbiased MrSouness :-))
`night all.
Test
HH
…I meant to type `hunbiased` !
Hearts
Are
Dreadful