AEK Athens have played only four friendly fixtures since losing the Greek Cup Final on 12 May. They failed to score in three of those games, beating Galatasaray 3-2 at home in the more recent game. The fixtures have been spread out: with 6 days, 8 days and 10 days between them. There will be a gap of 8 days between the Galatasaray game and their visit to Celtic Park tomorrow, so there has been no intensity to their efforts.
AEK needed to prepare an entire squad, not just a starting 11, during these games. This is not appropriate preparation for one of the most important ties of the season. It feels like an inexplicable oversight, I would be livid if this was Celtic’s preparation for this tie. Such complacency deserves to be punished.
By contrast, Celtic have played five competitive games and five friendlies since our 12 May Cup Final. The fitness strategy contrast between our squad and AEK’s is stark. As a consequence, we have to make tomorrow’s game a multi-ball, unrelenting, occasion.
Even if the game is tight at 80 minutes, how we finish the match could have a significant bearing on who progresses. This is when you would expect AEK’s lack of fitness to be most telling. Players lose concentration and coordination when tired. This is when we should look to push the tie over the edge.
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FAVOURITEUNCLE
Luxury,I believe.
BMCUW always a bit wary of the A34 coming back from Portsmouth. think its because of just the 2 lanes. you take care no predictions from me I’m always wrong.hh.
@ HOT SMOKED on 8TH AUGUST 2018 6:56 AM
The articles in the main consists of quotes and most of BR’s answer don’t their punches. There is no need for the media to put their on slant on it, it’s already in black and white.
http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/why-ntcham-was-bhoy-of-the-match-vs-livingston/
Rogic was clear man of the match with fans and sponsors alike against Livingston. No harm to him, but Ntcham was simply outstanding and here’s why.
BIGPACKY
Wednesdays are just a joy. Swindon-Oxford-Southampton-Salisbury-Market Lavington and a few other back of beyond villages,farm tracks included-Marlborough-Swindon-Oxford-Swindon and a four hour delivery route from there.
Proper job would kill me,right enough!
I heard Brendan Rodgers press conference , he didn,t sound too happy at all . Something is amiss at the club . I would have thought ,that it was obvious that certain positions in the team needed upgrading to keep us top of the pack . This scenario is acted out nearly every transfer window , and as I see it we are trying to reach the top table in Europe ,with all the financial gain that brings, with a reduced squad . No doubt some signings haven’t worked out ,commper being one that springs to mind , but surely the management know what’s happening regards players contracts running down , if players are happy at the club and are willing resign , if no guarantees are there ,then surely new players should be scouted . I don’t care if boyata goes or not ,if he is not happy at the club , then thanks for your service , but surely BR knows if he wants to stay . Having said that I notice denayer being mentioned , not for me , he played alongside VVD ,I could have played with VVD , and I believe he chose to move on after his loan spell , ( I may be wrong with that ) Anyway a few weeks ago I posted that I didn,t think BR had full control on team matters , I may be right in that assumption . But I sincerely hope that’s not the case
CELTIC BY NUMBERS on 8TH AUGUST 2018 8:29 AM
http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/why-ntcham-was-bhoy-of-the-match-vs-livingston/
Rogic was clear man of the match with fans and sponsors alike against Livingston. No harm to him, but Ntcham was simply outstanding and here’s why.
—————–
Can’t argue with facts. So I don’t.
But I feel there is a missing indicator, EV. Entertainment Value. Ok, too subjective to be a real thing but I saw supporters on their feet and applause from those who weren’t, at some of Tom’s magic.
And that is why he got my Motm.
All this talk about Rodgers being unhappy because of the biscuit tin.
Well remember we were always a biscuit tin club
Biscuit Tin then, Biscuit Tin Now and Biscuit Tin forever.
No the real reason for Rodgers discomfort is the fact that he is running scared of the Stevie Gee express train.
But even the mineshafters cant see that and Lawwell has forbidden the media from alluding to it.
Mark Mcghee will be Celtic manager come October….FACT!!!
JIMTIM
Careful now. Them’s comments bordering on seditious round these parts.
We have to move quick if we want to secure Mark Mcghee as he has been offered a juicy contract with Halifax Town.
Again Celtic dither and miss out..
CELTICBYNUMBERS
Some set of numbers by Ollie.
Canny help being impressed by them and at the effort you put in,yet at the same time wishing you’d shut up about it-we want to keep him!
Mark Mcghee is the only man who can stop the Stevie Gee express train
We are doomed I tells ye doomed
Our manager is clearly raging.
Q: Did you expect more to be done by now?
BR: “I just wanted quality. We weren’t needing a huge overhaul here this summer. For me it was pretty straightforward.”
“Whatever I feel will remain private”…
His comments on the timing of the Edouard deal are more revealing than anything. We could have got him permanently last season never mind the haggling into this pre season.
Read his comments again – using past tense tells you he wanted deals done and dusted well before now. This is a MON and Brian Quinn situation. Pressure all on Lawwell now and if we lose the AEK tie Rodgers has the finger rightly pointing at Lawwell.
BMCUW 8.39.
@@@@@@
Lol
SUPERSUTTON
I’ll see your Entertainment Value and raise you an ENd Product.
DESPIte the skills little came off for Rogic. 6 chances created is quite rare on the other hand.
So polling suggests that 67% of Glaswegians would support a ban on Orange walks in the city.
A full 10% higher than the rest of Scotland. Amongst other things this tells me that those living outside the Glasgow area are not fully aware of the hate, division and disruption this circus brings to Scotland’s biggest city.
Can the city council continue to disregard the views of its own citizens?
HH.
1. Congratulations to all the high achieving mini cqn-ers
2 auldheid’s comment above ref the gaping hole an injury to Broonie would leave shows he knows his fitba on the pitch just as well as off it?
3 I’ll never lose the excitement I presently feel when there’s no more sleeps till a European night in Paradise.
HH jg
Funny old game,innit?
Fickle,more like.
Two years ago,Joe Hart could easily be rated as the best keeper in the world. Worth outlandish amounts.
New manager doesn’t rate him,spends a fortune finding keepers he does rate.
Now,after Chelsea and Liverpool spend a combined £140m on two keepers I’ve never heard of,he moves to Burnley for about £3m
Morning Tims…
FF must have been quiet last night, most of them were on here by the looks of it..
Congratulations to all that achieved their goal yesterday with exam results, well done the lot of you,wee shades delighted with his results.
Tonight am of to Celtic park to cheer the double treble winning 7 in a row champions of Scotland on.
Grumpy Celtic fans please remember that.
Infiltration huns Read it and Rage .
H.H
Jamesgang,
didn’t we buy Kouassi as back-up for Broonie? He’s hardly had a chance to play because Broonie has remained fit.
50 Shades
I’m normally the happiest of Tims.
That interview has unsettled me big time. The reason for our sucess told us what we would have liked and compare it with what we have brought in.
It is in fact so very similar to so many other transfer windows.
Tonight’s game is so important, qualification will mean 30mplus. Someone has gambled on that, made the odds so much higher.
I’m unhappy as once again Celtic have failed to build from a position of strength.
John Mcginn….. Aye
Jason D…… not on a loan deal, permanent deal….. Aye..
Paddy R …..Same as Jason..
Dedryck…. Keep.
Izzy….. maybe aye maybees naw …
…..
This managerial larks a dawdle, don’t know why you all get upset about it ???.
H.H
Signing Denayer as replacement for Boyata, good move. Loan deal, pointless.
Signing Roberts on permanent deal, great. Loan deal, pointless.
BCW…
No harm in Brendan letting Celtic fans know how he feels.
Maybe Big P might just get the finger oot and do something about it.
Brendan or for that matter any Celtic manager has never been in a stronger position to let the suits know his feelings.
H.H
FASSREIFEN on 8TH AUGUST 2018 9:06 AM
Jamesgang,
didn’t we buy Kouassi as back-up for Broonie? He’s hardly had a chance to play because Broonie has remained fit.
——-
Best 45 mins of midfieldery I’ve seen was v hertz at CP when BOTH played. I’d like to see that more often.
I’m a big EK fan (not East Kilbride – sorry jobo!!)
HH jg
Still cant find any clear indication on the road-traffic situation around Celtic Park tonight.
Will I my drive in from the Stirling direction be impacted?
Are any roads closed around the ground?
Big Hoopy 70th Birthday to Praecepta, have a hooptastic day out JT.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Important travel information for AEK Athens game at Celtic Park
http://www.celticfc.net/news/14734
What time is Phil MacG’s “Heated Driveway Productions” article due? Or have I missed it?
Look, it’s undeniable that Brendan Rodgers’ comments are a shot across the bow of Peter Lawwell. Brendan is a man worth keeping happy, not at any price, but at least at the price of a John McGinn.
Personally, I don’t get all the hype around John McGinn, but Brendan does, so…just sign him…
The noise and distraction that has surrounded this transfer has just not been worth it.
Anyway, more important things… tonight is massive. On paper it is a very hard tie, but AEK have not had an ideal summer and have not had anything like the level of preparation that we have. We need to make this fact count in order to get the cushion we will inevitably need to defend over in Athens. A lot of concentration, discipline and intensity required.
70!!!
Obviously an easy paper round. Handsome bassa
Jamesgang,
Indeed. And Brendan clearly rates him.
CRC – well done to Caity and Deccy CRC and both of you proud parents
Neg2 – well done to your bhoy and also the proud parents.
Also a word for those who may not have acheived their desired results, there is lots of time ahead of you to acheive.
HH
This is a long post, replying to Male the Madman. Please scroll by if not interested.
“his words say precisely what they say”
No,,a diplomat and a leader chooses words carefully and they will ,, often not always,, have a innuendo or point to them.
The words can only mean what they say. Any inuendo, or lack of clarity can only be speculated upon by commentators other than BR himself. Remember, last wek- when “ I don’t know about that” was being interpreted as meaning “That devious bass PL is doing the dirty on me and I wan’t the fans to know this by means of secret coded message”- Well, a few people had to dial back from that interpretation when BR explicitly responded to the nonsense he had been reading.
Look, this is not a point of disagreement. I do accept and have always accepted that we do not get full and unambiguous clarity from our managers and leaders. The difference is , I think that’s largely a good thing.
“ he is NOT saying “
If you didnt understand the above,,you dont know what hes getting at .
Well, true, but that point applies doubly to all those ascribing themselves with the special powers to decode for them. Can we agree that I cannot discern what BR is leaving unsaid and neither can anyone else apart from BR.
“ Good or bad feelings- he is not going to conduct a war with the Board or a love-in with the Board via the Press. “
Youre wrong if youre suggesting he will not be using the press. THats already started .He had a love in over the 4 January signings.
He did so, after our business was complete during that transfer window. Even though we hadn’t signed any superstars. He declared himself and the club happy with what we achieved but many fans still felt we could have done better. We were in the same position then as we are now in regards to LB and CB cover- we haven’t lost any of the people available to play those positions
Hes now put pressure on via the rags “ We need to complete deals. It is as simple as that. “
See! It is now being stated, not asserted, that he IS putting on pressure, via the rags.
And, apparently, it is SIMPLE to see that.
Especially, I would say, when it accords with the belief that you already had.
I see it in the same way as I saw last week- which is- we still have work to do in the transfer market- I wish it was moving faster and more smoothly- but these are the frustrations which come with the job. And it really is simple to consider that this is as valid an interpretation of his unhappiness/frustration or whatever his mood actually is.
BR has the right to self-define his words. He does not need other people to interpret his thoughts and words for him
Dont tell me he wont be using the press. And like I pointed out the other day the only managers that slam the owners are ( theres always exceptions but in the main ) those who dont need them- he will get a job in the prem no worries no matter what happens north of the border.
He was giving a press interview. It’s not his first and it’s not unusual to do so. It was not specially arranged to tel us he was leaving.
And yet, here we are- on the very day of a major qualifying tie, ending up in knots of fear and worry because, suddenly, BR is for the off- that was clearly stated by several CQN posters yesterday. Imagine how that will translate tonight. I have no doubt we will get great support for the team as we begin the match tonight. But, say, we go 1:0 down, like we did vs Rosenborg. Do you think that the mood caused by that setback will not be exacerbated by the interpretation placed on unsaid words? I know, from attending regularly, that BR is already getting regular criticism from the usual confident loudmouths around me who know exactly what he is getting wrong- selection, subs, playing style etc;
On Mc Ginn ( never seen him so no opinion ) he would have done the deal,,no doubt about it.
THE deal- what deal is that? Would he have done Petrie’s deal? You know that how?
“ That is the gamble you take if you wait.” on going down to see Villa.
Yes, and it is the gamble you take when you don’t do exactly what the selling club asks. That is the “just give them what they want” school of Celtic financing and trading. It would have us bankrupt within 2 transfer windows. Both Br and PL will want John McGinn. Neither of them, as intelligent men, would want him at any price.
“ He knew what he was buying into when he agreed to come here- nothing has changed in that regard “
Sorry if you have to resort to the press to put pressure on your CEO then a lot has changed.
Again, an interpretation is being presented as fact. If he IS frustrated by our transfer progress, as both of us suspect, but do not know, then why should that translate into “he is frustrated by our CEO and his role in this. Do you not agree that, if he wanted this to be his message, he could have actually used the words. “I am frustrated by our progress and I hope our negotiators work harder and better to see these deals through”. Those are not sackable words but they are words where wiggle room is reduced. Unfortunately, or in my case, fortunately, he did not use them.
For the first time seemingly our gaffer is unhappy and that is a big change.
Is and seemingly in the same sentence is both certainty and doubt, therefore the conclusion of “big change” fall for being a subjective judgement.
“ We will not be told that he used the Villa interest to get a couple of thousand extra on his weekly wage but that might well be the truth. “
Hold on,,the only reason he is still available is because we never paid the asked fee ( not saying thats wrong or right ) so he can hardly use Villa when he thought he would be a Celtic player. He should have never been near Villa and I doubt he himself thought he would be. It seems our CEO has now matched Villas offer. He shouldnt have been anywhere near Villa,,,if we were gonna pay it,then pay it We will not be told I effed up either by the CEO I suspect if he gets away.
It’s beginning to get confusing here. You are not saying it’s wrong or right but you are saying “if we’re gonna pay it, then pay it”.
We ARE being told that we have matched Vila’s offer. We are not being told that Villa’s offer meets Petrie’s original values. There is an alternative interpretation i.e. that we have used Villa’s offer to call Petrie’s bluff. If, say Petrie waned £4m and Celtic offered £2m knowing J McG desperately wanted to come here but Petrie gambles on a bidding war. Villa look at it and say- ok- here’s £2.5 m and Petrie wants to bite their hands off- but before he can get the deal over the line- J McG keeps Celtic in the loop and we offer the same deal- well Petrie’s leverage is reduced. He cannot make J McG sign for Villa. In this scenario, Celtic save some money (over the just pay Petrie fee scenario) that can then go to J McG’s wages or other matters. Then, letting J McG go to speak with Villa becomes a clever tactic and BR is using the press to bluff Petrie into accepting £2.5m or £3m, whatever it was, rather than hold out for more. All these scenarios are possible but they cannot all be true.
“ we are never happy with what we’ve got- we’ve played with those toys and we’re bored.”
You might honestly think that but I see fans asking for the same positions to be filled because we know they need filling . We dont seem spoilt or bored to me and Im glad everyones on the same page that we need a LB and CB. No ones asking for buys for buys sake,,just fill the gaps. And as the fans know we have funds they expect gaps to be filled.
I don’t see everybody on the same page, apart from wanting to upgrade, if at all possible and within budget. When KT broke into the team everyone expected that he’d be in and out again and his first team place would not happen until he was a lot older. Many a Celtic career has been launched by being given a chance. Many others (McGlinchey, McGowan, Watt) proved false dawns and we had to buy for replacements rather than develop.
But, all it takes to disabuse you of the notion that we are not spoiled or bored is to listen to some of the voices at CP league games.
“ But it becomes a disaster if we lose Armstrong, Boyata, and either Griff or Dembele, and we replace with lesser. That’s how fine the margins are. “
Disaster for the fans maybe but no for the balance book and if we were to downgrade in three positions in one window while seriously flush I expect you to help me getting the CEO out asap.
It’s a disaster for both, obviously. The balance book worship jibe is water off a duck’s back. It’s a “Fox and the Grapes” type response to not getting your bling. An intelligent football club needs to look after both its playing success and its financial success. We can always do better at both.
LIke yourself I will assess when the window is closed and yes I expect a few faces.
No matter what happens here though a few things,,was it wise to upset the probably the best manager we can get ?
And I believe BR will do the same rather than throw tantrums midway through the window.
The CEO has become divisive whether you believe the tag is justified or not . He will probably be looking at the 10 though and thinking going nowhere until thats done.
I suspect the gaffer will do 10 and walk also.
The CEO has always been “divisive” and if it’s not to be him, it’s the suits or the Board. They are the lightning rod for all recruitment failures. They get the blame for the ones that got away and the popular manager gets the credit for the ones we landed. I have never seen a Celtic Board member or CEO applauded when they are here. It took about 5 years, after Fergus left for him to become appreciated but there are still many dissenters on the role he played here.
However, if you believe that BR and PL are both here for another 3 years- WHY ARE WE BOTHERING WITH ALL THIS ANGST? :-)
However if ( before the 10 ) the gaffer takes an EPL job when the position becomes open,,,I know who I will blame and its not Stevie G.
What, even if his wife becomes ill?
Hail Hail partner and hope youre feeling better.
Glad to see you were not badly affected by the wildfire situation too, which was more dangerous than my man flu.
Feeling chilled now but disappointed about missing Danny raising the flag. I got a wee boost when Marspapa, who had my ticket came round to tell me about the occasion and stayed to tell me a few very interesting stories about his own footballing past. Cheered me up no end.
Anyways, I am off out again until I hit CP tonight
Alas, BR has gone down in my estimation.
You simply should not air this stuff in public ahead of such a big game, never mind give the SMSM ammo on a plate.
Someone should remind him he is actually part of ‘the club’ and no one is bigger than it.
GARY67. 917
I have no idea what has gone wrong with Jason Denayer since he left us.
He was virtually ever-present four years ago,broke into his national team,world at his feet.
Winning awards and medals,living the dream.
Barely played 50% for his various clubs since,not kicked a ball for Belgium since Wales ripped him a new one two years ago.
At 23yo,proven class,he’s worth a punt-as damaged goods to be rehabilitated,fee and wages to reflect that.
Otherwise,not for me.
And as for our other Belgian CH,at the prices quoted and the likelihood of him effing off for free,see ya.
50 shades
Yes, thats right, agree with all that mate.
Its the divergence and Brendan affirming the divergence that is the problem.
Pedro has been accussed of this before, here we are again.
I just don’t get the financial inaction.
More so, Brendan has stated his aims driving the club forward. This is a repetition a failing.
Taking such a gamble with the CL was and is incredible.
Q: Would you have liked the Edouard deal done quicker?
BR: Of course, a year earlier when he was available, there was an availability there for that. But, like I say, it wasn’t done. The most important thing is that it got done. You see then when you deliver that quality, that level.
At £9-12m Boyata will be sold by tomorrow’s teatime. He’s a good defender, arguably our best (faint praise), but not that good that we can’t replace with better/potentially better. I’d put Denayer in the potentially better category so if you sign him for less than we sell Boyata the next that’s a good deal.
Villa Talk forum seem to think McGinn is a done deal to them, medical today.