AEK Athens are a far sterner test than Celtic or Rosenborg would want in the Champions League third qualification round. Last year they despatched Brugge 3-0 on aggregate from the Europa League qualifiers before drawing home and away against AC Milan. They left the tournament in the first knock out round on the away goals rule to Dynamo Kiev.
On the positive side, they are preseason and the third round will be their first competitive games since May. Although they are a famous European name, last season was their first domestic title in 24 years, when the interrupted Olympiacos’ domination of football in Greece.
Should we overcome Rosenborg, this would be a big task for Celtic. AEK will be favourites, no matter who they face.
598 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- ...
- 16
- »
Assuming we can overcome Rosenborg to face AEK Athens, we have until 2 August 2018 to sign player(s) for the third qualifying round, (plus the ‘wild card’ option).
AEK’s first 2 competitive games of their season will be against us (their season began on 20th Aug last season).
Surely advantage us, as we will have 6 European games plus our league opener behind us. We will also head to Athens knowing what we need to do to qualify.
We would have Boyata, Lustig (and Simunovic ?) likely available, so with defensive addition(s), I would feel fairly confident. Plus we will also have Rogic and possibly Griffiths fit and ready.
Not overconfident, but quietly optimistic.
Hasn’t Kolo convinced Yaya to join us yet?
EUROCHAMPS67 on23RD JULY 2018 5:13 PM
Stoap that.
Everyone knows it’s somebody at Celtic who gets paid big bucks to answer that question.
THE HANDS CANT HIT
I know what the debate is.
But I never said anything about waiting to see if we qualify.
Whether we qualify has nothing to do with Keiran Tierney, Moussa Dembele, Dedryk Boyata et all, being told by their agents that there are suitors, with better wages and Celtic have agreed a price?
The transfer window is about retaining stars as well as signing players that will overtake Scott Allen and all the other ‘fringe’ players to substantially improve the squad when the window slams shut.
I am confident Celtic’s hierarchy will between them, improve the squad when all of the players incoming and outgoing decide where they want to play from August, like Odsonne Edouard and Stuart Armstrong did early doors.
Revolving Doors CSC
The qualifiers are rarely won by new players. It’s far too early in their development to make a difference (generally)
The match winners are normally those who we have relied on previously like McGregor, Griffiths and Forrest.
Moussa Dembele did win a penalty and score it against Astana in his first season but also played pretty innefectively in the first leg.
TIMHORTON on 23RD JULY 2018 5:46 PM
Tontinetim long shot but did you know bill jeffrey, he was a rcmp guy.
*No, I did know a former RCMP officer whose family came from Linlithgow and he had often visited there, he regaled some of his colleagues by telling them that everyone, the whole 19,000, seemed to know each other’s religion and that was important.
I told him I was friendly with a couple of former Mounties, in the KoC, wanted to know how I knew them, told him they were neighbours.
We don’t need to sign any centre half’s any new players YET.
WE ARE PLAYING PUB TEAMS UNTIL THE GROUP STAGES SO SHUTA FK UP WITH ALL YOUR NEGATIVITY AND UTTER NONSENSE
THE UDUAL CLOWNS EVERY SEASON ALWAYS STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND MOAN MOAN MOAN NEVER EVER CELTIC FANS
As has oft been said, on this blog and elsewhere, a pre-requisite in any signing by Celtic of new players, whether centre half or otherwise, is that they have to want to sign. Much more difficult than it sounds. HH
CCE @ 6.30
Absolute rubbish.
You are easily pleased — we have messed things up before and we look as if we are going to do it again if we don’t start improving the squad and dealing with our known issues.
There is no shortage of players just a shortage of desire to improve the team.
Currently we are being run by a clique of money grabbers.
The Hands,
Forgive me but I believe that it is you who appears confused.
I do not disagree that Celtic are indeed underprepared at Rb and cb for the CL qualifiers.
We agree on the why we are underprepared, ( we require a better defence).
Where we diverge is that you appear to just say “ we are”, whereas I ask you, “how” do you or anyone else, propose to remedy that without recourse to the criteria I outlined earlier?
You appear, to me, to be unable or unwilling to address, my point.
Eurochamps67
Getting players of a certain vintage to sign for the club.
A good start would be to show them pictures of VW, FF, VvD and MD.
Show them whose footsteps they would be following in.
We offer a lot to a lot of players.
@EUROCHAMPS67 on 23RD JULY 2018 6:43 PM
Your previous post requested that those advocating the purchase of a CB provide a name (that fell within the criteria you provided). My point was that the debate concerns the transfer strategy and not implementation of strategy (i.e names of players we should purchase). Therefore it was irrelevant to provide a name of an individual player; however, we seem to be diverging on this point.
Speaking more generally, Sinclair, Edouard and Ntcham must all meet the criteria you provided; they were all purchased for £5m or under (up front at least); and have all substantially improved the team.
Why then is it beyond our gift to spend equivalent sums on our defence? The issue with the defenders purchased so far is that they all cost £1m or less; and that it is borne out in their quality.
EC67 @ 6.43
Want a better team on the park — where to start?
Give PL a boot up the erse and tell him we are waiting on the next instalment of our growth agenda.
He has been very lucky over time to have such a patient and understanding boss as DD.
So many mistakes yet he still has his job, his bonus and his heated driveway.
BIGRAILROADBLUES 6:01
I don’t know Killina parish at all (is it closer to Moate County Westmeath?) The only Cummins family I know come from a parish called Dysart in South County Roscommon.
WHAT IS THE STARS
I grew up in Priorswood area of Coolock and moved to Navan when getting married as we couldn’t afford the house prices in Dublin in 2001.
I used the moniker Navanbhoy as a wind up to a lot of Celtic fans from around County Meath who were trying to tell me I should be a Meath man as we had moved to Navan. No Chance!!!
They used to really love me when I told them that Navan had become a suburb of Dublin!!!!
We have since had the good fortune of inheriting a bit of land to build our own house in county Roscommon from the in laws but I didn’t bother changing the CQN name.
Celticchampselect
What about “Cruachan”??
Haven’t read any of this blog, interweb been down till now, I see if we get past Rosenborg it disny get any easier, with the squad we have and the continuity in the team should see us through, if not then we can and should start asking questions of the policy of hoarding cash to the detriment of the team, imo we have been blessed the past two seasons, hopefully we are again, as ever time will tell.
A fools policy imo, I am under no illusion that whatever we spend will see us progress in the CL, but investing to give us a chance of getting there should be a no brainer, wages are what we would need to spend, transfer fees are not necessary, but a hefty wage would be for the right players.
ThebiscuittinrulesCSC
Navanbhoy
Priorswood, a leafy tree lined suburb close to all amenities ,much sought after etc.
The Hands,
Sorry but you seem fixated on a price that Celtic will pay, be it under £5m for the players you named, or circa £1m for “low quality “ defenders.
You seem to dismiss the idea that Celtic would pay more, for quality defenders, if they were available.
We paid £9m for Odsonne.
Do really believe if there was another VVD out there, that we would not try to buy him.
You can’t always get what you want.
Eurochamps67
JaggerandrichardsCSC
Has anyone established if we have paid anywhere near £9mill for OE? Consensus is that actual amount changing hands was significantly less than that however it could rise should certain trigger points be reached – Eddy receiving a full international cap or a percentage of any future transfer fee etc etc.
Also surprised someone has claimed we will be meeting pub teams until we reach the group stages. AEK a pub team? I wish.
Every transfer window is the same on here.
Angst Ansgt encore Ansgt et Toujours Angst ( to paraphrase me aul pal Danton)
What’s the point in stressing. What will be will be.
I personally think that the current custodians are doing a fine job…
WHAT IS THE STARS
Ah you must know the place well then!!!!
How hard can it be to get an experienced Centre half in ?
Just make an offer they cant refuse.
I mean the last two seasons Sevco showed they way to do it with
Phillip Senderos and Bruno Alvez
thumbsupthingy
We’ll talk about bad taste
Mel Brooks CSC
We’ll = Well
Navanbhoy
Played a few matches against teams from Priorswood over the years.
Some angry young men involved!!!
But there’s good and bad everywhere.
My wife grew up in Coolock not a million miles away. I of course come from good Anglo Irish Gentry stock, butlers chauffeurs chamber maids etc…oh the chamber maids, happy memories watching cricket on the village green, cucumber sandwiches and G &T. That was back before the damn natives took over!!
Hellbhoy, welcome, glad you are on the mend. HH
Ok how did sadiq the new hun get a visa to play here, SFA at it again
MIT, so glad you, your mum and our bhoys as well as others are safe and sound.
Man is the only animal whose desires increase as they are fed; the only animal that is never satisfied.
Henry George
We’ve signed non EU players who didn’t tick all the boxes.
@EUROCHAMPS67 on 23RD JULY 2018 7:14 P
Celtic have a history of underspending and failing to strengthen from a position of strength.
The angst that currently permeates this blog originates from our current lack of transfer activity. The old “we would spend the money but no one is available/won’t spend for the sake of spending” has been rolled out time and time again to appease discontent. People don’t buy it.
We have had ample time to scout players and remedy our issues.
Silver
He’s Nigerian
Ops lost internet there and no where ticks a box
Experienced Centre Back Marvin Compper ( 33 ) ( currently injured ) cost Celtic £1M in January 2018
and he has played for 83 minutes against Morton.
Bsr
But every minute was worth 12k, I’ll remember it all my life ?
The Hands Cant
Celtic have a history of underspending and failing to strengthen from a position of strength.
Daily Record Hotline?
john mcginn
231 games …………………………………… sent off ?
Once.
How long of a walk is Barrowlands to CP?