Malmo’s season started well. They were undefeated in their first eight games, recording wins against current league leaders, Gothenburg, and recent champions, Helsingborg, as well as a 2-2 draw at Elfsborg, but form soon slumped.
They’ve only recorded back to back wins in the league once since. Wednesday’s 3-0 over Salzburg is by some measure their best result of the season. Right now, there will be a lot of football fans in Austria wondering how on earth Salzburg are out of the Champions League. There’s a fair chance there’s just as many fans in Sweden wondering how Malmo remain in the competition, but there are clues.
Salzburg lost narrowly to Rapid Vienna days before the capitulation in Sweden, the second reversal in two league games this season. They beat a team from a regional league in the cup (0-7) but that and the 2-0 win over Malmo is the only positives in an early season full of panic.
Preseason friendlies are not to be regarded as an indication of anything, but home win over a weak-looking Southampton was the only friendly in which they avoided defeat in four attempts. At most this indicates their fitness was behind the curve.
The most telling inferences from all of these stats is that the margins between success and failure for Malmo, Salzburg, and Celtic, are tight. We could and should have beaten Maribor a year ago. Dedryck Boyata’s late goal against Qarabag transpired to be all that separated us from them. We are looking fit, and organised, but you and I both know we’ve yet to spark up front. We have a lot of work to do in the margins before the end of the month.
663 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 18
- »
Delayed thoughts on our midweek victory
Pleased we went through, even more pleased that RD seems to recognise the importance of keeping a tight shape, that 4231 can leave us exposed , and, that statistically we are relatively more likely to score at set pieces.
I still don’t think we are right up front, Griffiths isn’t strong enough or fast enough to make an impact in Europe, until late on when defenses tire. Scepovic isn’t fancied, and Cifci needs to be fitter, improve link up play and attack the ball in the box.
We should beat Malmö,if we play same tactics as we did against Qarabag, but I do recall a Norwegian striker coming back to haunt us many years ago, so let’s avoid similar
FAN-A-TIC,
Lot of truth in what you say. I think it is because, at least in part, leagues like the EPL have so much money and are hyped so much. They pay fortunes for fairly moderate players, who can’t measure up to their transfer fees.
the first programme that celtic have to produce , if we ever play the sevco, thats the time to nail it.
“we welcome todays opponents on their first ever visit to celtic park ,,,,,,,,
and the inside pages should have no guff whatsoever saying anything about the previous old firm fixture as a reference to the new fixture”
and to go further, absolutely no reference to the false trophy collection, they didnt buy that.
thats where we need some DIY Bo*&^cks
can’t believe there are still tickets left for theeeeee Glasgow derby tomorrow
a lot of our fans must be waiting on another Glasgow derby taking place.
M6BHOY,
You are on the mark, the huns are coming back and they are huns despite some trying to defend use of that word. They have cheated, been completely liquidated, like Parma, Accrington Stanley, Hereford and all those others, there are no separate rules for them. They are coming back as a new identity with the same horrible huns supporting them, with the same horrible cheerleaders in the press as always and with the same favourable officials within the ruling body providing their unique slant on the rules. I totally agree with you. But, those in positions of influence at Celtic at present are merely custodians and they do not necessarily represent us, recent AGM’s show that clearly. We cannot allow the team to be overwhelmed by these huns. As you will be no doubt aware, if we walk away, they and their triumphalist sycophants will take great delight in trying to destroy us, we the Celtic fans cannot let this happen. I respect your views and your feelings of being let down by our current custodians but I will not see our Celtic be overcome by those hateful hordes. Never.
Hail Hail
ps,
in the programme notes it should end with the now time honoured
Lurkin Huns GIRUY.
hahahhahahahahah TD copyright.
can i guest write the programmes ?
FOGHORN LEGHORN on 8TH AUGUST 2015 3:30 PM
can’t believe there are still tickets left for theeeeee Glasgow derby tomorrow
a lot of our fans must be waiting on another Glasgow derby taking place.
–
the celtic sections are sold out, so i say bhoy, i say bhoy, whats that
Afternoon Bhoys and ghirls,
Don’t post much always lurking though, I thought that a lot of the lhads got a bit of stick
last night about Thomson Penalty miss at Bigotdome saying he meant to miss it , I
have never liked him as player more so when he played for the that team that died, I
thought very dirty and sleekit when he played against a Celtic back four, but his penalty
taking record is very good never has he before put a ball any higher than 2 foot off the
deck. in my humble opinion I our lhads made a point last night, here is just 2 of his
penalty’s
https://youtu.be/-2y_-byfIY4
M6bhoy
Agreed, but that’s why I said ‘direct’ competition, hoping that may cause a rethink.
It takes us back to where you started this morning.
If supporters are turning up in their droves, why would they say anything?
So maybe the threats of 2012 need to be repeated by supporters, especially now that the armageddon scenario has been so discredited.
Away now.
Hail! Hail!
LENNYBHOY @ 2:00,
Well that’s an interesting in post from my perspective.
My Father had a mobile shop – actually an Ice Cream van that served everything, from fresh rolls to Elastoplast.
But I didn’t live in Dykehead Rd, was often up there, especially on School holidays. From Burnfoot and I went to St Andrews, left circa ’74.
Hail Hail
Choirboy
8augustv1 21
My ghirl runs the west end bar during the day
I go into it occasionally its no a bad pub HH
general interest – celtic league attendance averages –
http://www.fitbastats.com/celtic/club_records_league_attendance.php
Chairbhoy
Agree with all of that, again well said.
Celtic were correct to say nothing, it’s what we record or don’t say in future
that matters, when off the record Celtic concur that LNS for eexample was a sham, and it’s why Resolution 12 and especially the Five way agreement, are paramount, in letting Celtic fans into the know.
John Reid’s finest moment and his ‘we will not be treated differently’ speech was a watershed moment, but unfortunately it didn’t go on to completely ‘cleanse’ the SFA.
There is a new daisy chain of Dougie Dougie’s and Hugh Dallas’s waiting for the return of the ‘old firm’ and phoney balloney ‘refereeing ‘ really hasn’t gone away, even in the years we won, we won despite cheating not dissimilar to the present four in a row, where honest mistakes don’t matter because we are so superior to our nearest rivals.
Anti Celtic bias however has a new strain, virulent since 2012 and manifests itself in every facet of the game, and it’s coverage in Scotland. I give you the ‘seen unfenian hand’ in the ICT game as a mere example, not just that it happened, but how our dismay, was treated with utter contempt and no finality, by the SFA and the maelstrom of bias that followed via SMSM.
HH
SAINT STIVS on 8TH AUGUST 2015 3:34 PM
——————————————
FOGHORN LEGHORN on 8TH AUGUST 2015 3:30 PM
can’t believe there are still tickets left for theeeeee Glasgow derby tomorrow
a lot of our fans must be waiting on another Glasgow derby taking place.
–
the celtic sections are sold out, so i say bhoy, i say bhoy, whats that
———————
well i say bhoy, i say,
that the ticket office have put on the web site today that there are still tickets left
at no time this week have they put on the site that they were sold out, so they must still have some left today when they put that message on, and at no time were they sold out
unless it’s just for the rooster section, which is the place to be!!
general interest, celtics hatrick heroes,
http://www.fitbastats.com/celtic/player_hattricks.php
henrik larsson scored 3 or more on 15 occasions. wow
Sorting out Celtic’s ‘problems’ is easy. Just copy what the Warbmeister is doing – he knows all. SImples.
When Celtic won the league in El Glasico at Firhill the Celtic sections were full, but ole EuroChamp67 got tickets for the Partick End on the interweb.
When Stokesy opened the scoring even the ‘Thistle supporters’ were cheering.
bobby lennox scored 3 or more on 18 occasions
Going like a Buzzbomb – We shall not be moved.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 8TH AUGUST 2015 4:02 PM
When Celtic won the league in El Glasico at Firhill the Celtic sections were full, but ole EuroChamp67 got tickets for the Partick End on the interweb.
When Stokesy opened the scoring even the ‘Thistle supporters’ were cheering.
—————————————-
yes, i was in the so called thistle end that night as well, down beside the tunnel.
a great night, until the stadium announcer piped up after the final whistle telling fans not to invade the pitch, which just reminded some fans that they should invade the pitch, so no lap of honour!
this is quite unbelievable stat –
james mcgrory scored 3 or more on 59 occasions !
we know about the 8 v dunfermline, but also these –
4 goals in a game on 11 occasions
5 goals in a game on 6 occasions.
foghorn leghorn
I said exactly that to EuroChamps67, why did they effectively invite the Celtic fans onto the pitch?
i was in the mainstand at firhill when we won the league, a great night was spoiled not by the invaders but by the firhill over zealous stewarding and the nice jags fans in there who reacted very badly to a celtic win.
it was fun though.
girut as well
I called the Celtic ticket office on Tuesday for tickets for tomorrow’s old firm game, and they told me they where sold out, I got sorted out else where, but on Tuesday they had none, and now some are say that there are tickets left?
7 in one game !
alex king 1896 v clyde.
john campbell 1892 v 5th krv
5 in one game
dixie 1973 v partick
TONYDONNELLY67 on 8TH AUGUST 2015 4:18 PM
I called the Celtic ticket office on Tuesday for tickets for tomorrow’s old firm game, and they told me they where sold out, I got sorted out else where, but on Tuesday they had none, and now some are say that there are tickets
left?
———————————–
well i got mine from the ticket office on thursday
and all week the web site had the message saying tickets were on sale to season ticket holders
but today the message changed to saying a limited number were available
so i guess there are still a few left, but the ticket office is open tomorrow so hopefully they will get sold
Celtic are boring to watch. The lack of goal scoring chances made is terrible.Super Ronny wouldn’t know a footballer if he fell over him.
original hun skelpers – attrick eros
harry hood – `1973 league cup
bobby lennox – 1966 glasgow cup
stevie chalmers – 1966 league.
billy mcphail – 1957 league cup.
malky mcdonald – 1938 league
jimmy quinn – 1912 – league
jimmy quinn – 1904 scottish cup final.
shame on henrik and mcgrory, all thos goals and never a 3 against the original huns.
I would just like to thank all the kind words I received when my grandfather died a few weeks ago. I’ve never met any of you but it really meant so much, so thank you all for your support, thank you.
Poor decision by red in Norwich game to disallow goal for dangerous play by Jerome
Ref
Thistle have given us the Jackie Husband stand (the one opposite the main stand) so we have an increased allocation. That and people still on holiday may explain why there are still some tickets left.
PARKHEADCUMSALFORD on 8TH AUGUST 2015 10:48 AM
I was saddened by Alex Thompson’s piece yesterday putting us on a par with the deid team as regards “bullying” the media. His word. I am all for journalists doing their job properly but few if any would get work in Scotland if they were to do that with regard to us. The readership can’t handle the truth (neither can the “journalists” often enough). Thompson should be well aware of the situation in Scotland. I thought his piece wallowed in lazy journalism. Shame really.
========
I was disappointed in the whole item for reasons I commented on and set out on Scottish Football Monitor at
http://www.sfm.scot/why-we-need-to-change/comment-page-47/#comment-61428
On your point there was no in depth look at the reasons for the bans giving them all equivalence in terms of being unfair to journos.
Auldheid on 8th August 2015 4:40 pm
I opened up a dialogue with Alex last night on twitter about his article – he responded but disappeared quickly – obviously didn’t like my questions
Just read that Iona Abbey and the nunnery next door have been vandalised. Who would damage what is probably the most sacred place in Scotland? Sad.
Referee denied a last minute penalty claim by Norwich – decent claim – referee not going to be a favourite in Norwich after this performance
Auldheid/Charles Kickham,
The sad thing, to my mind, is that we are tarred with the same brush as Sevco, without any examination of how the journalists have been acting. There was a chap interviewed outside Celtic Park called Holleran (I think). Is he a union rep or something of that order?