A 2-0 lead from the first leg at home is a reliable indicator that you will progress to the next round in Europe. But make no mistake, AIK believe they have a chance of overhauling Celtic tonight.
Towards the end of last week’s first leg, AIK and Celtic both were content to settle on what they had. AIK were worried they would lose another goal and give themselves an impossible task, Celtic worried they would lose that crucial two-goal advantage.
On BBC news last night, James McFadden explained that Celtic were stronger than AIK in every department and should therefore go through. You and I have watched more of Celtic in Europe than the optimistic McFadden. We have schooled teams at Celtic Park before but looked like innocents abroad in the return leg. There is a lot of work to do tonight; we will need leaders throughout the team. There will be goals.
I see some of the dying media digging up Celtic for signing Moritz Bauer on loan, without mention of the fact that we have an option to buy the player. Celtic try to get this arrangement with every new signing. If they get a deal they are happy with, they will ask for a loan option, as they did with Odsonne Edouard.
There generally needs to be extenuating circumstances before the selling club agrees, in this case, Stoke City are financially motivated to get his significant wages off their books before Premiership parachute payments decline further.
By all accounts, he was a star at Rubin Kazan and during his six months in the Premiership with Stoke. We had a false start at right back with Jeremy Toljan, there are no guarantees in life, but on paper, I’m happy with this.
The Newco statement on their second citation from Uefa for sectarian offenses was clear. No equivocation on the nature of the offense, or whataboutery, just straightforward, “You are endangering your club” sentiment. The problem is, the perpetrators are not endangered. This is a free hit to them. That their club may sufferer is inconsequential.
The thin blue line may hold tonight, but there’s no chance of that being the case on Sunday. Scottish football may yet be shamed into action by Uefa, but you can count on a whole lot of whataboutery before then.
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Guys,
We are under the microscope, no doubt about that.
Why oh why are we giving them ammunition. Just saw some footage from Stockholm. Cut out the orange bs references.
Unlike the huns we have plenty of witty inspiring Celtic songs.
HH.
Cheers Jobo
He’s not a favourite of mine the oul Ntcham fella .I think Johnstons workrate is far better than Ntchams , if we go 3 up by all means bring Ntcham on ;)))
I envisage another nervy night with a couple twists…..COYBIG !!!
PS , Hope all our bhoys over for the game are protected from the AIK thugs.
So we now know the 18 players that may potentially receive your 3 votes for best performars during tonight’s game – Gordon, Ajer, Bitton, Jullien, Bolingoli; Brown, McGregor; Forrest, Christie, Johnston , Edouard, Hazard, Ralston, Hayes, Ntcham, Morgan, Bayo, Griffiths.
Remember after the final whistle to send your 3 picks to CQNPOTY@GMAIL.COM .
CELTIC: Gordon; Ajer, Jullien, Bitton, Bolingoli; Brown, McGregor, Forrest, Christie, Johnston; Edouard.
Subs: Hazard, Hayes, Ralston, Hayes, Morgan, Griffiths, Bayo
hayes x 1 plus ON
This will be a tough 90 minutes – AIK are undoubtedly better than what they showed at Celtic Park. A no clangers performance will see us through.
Strongest possible line up with the players available
jobo
Since i always highlight where we could be better , my submission will be the three areas/players
that need to up there game ….. its easy picking the three best :)))))))))))))
If we score 1 goal in the 90 minutes, then AIK need to score 4 to win through. I’ll leave it at that.
Tonights Lineup
CELTIC: Gordon; Ajer, Jullien, Bitton, Bolingoli; Brown, McGregor, Forrest, Christie, Johnston; Edouard.
Subs: Hazard, Hayes, Ralston, Hayes, Morgan, Griffiths, Bayo
Too attack minded team for me. Would have had ON instead of Johnston
“EMBRAMIKE on 29TH AUGUST 2019 4:55 PM
If we score 1 goal in the 90 minutes, then AIK need to score 4 to win through. I’ll leave it at that.”
That`s the spirit :-))
EMBRAMIKE
Indeed , so 3-1 defeat and we still go through .
Post sent not finished .
Surely we cant mess this up !!
Why is there two Hayes????
EMBRAMIKE on 29TH AUGUST 2019 4:55 PM
If we score 1 goal in the 90 minutes, then AIK need to score 4 to win through. I’ll leave it at that.
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no chance any team will take 4 goals off the celtic, thats not happened in em, donkeys ye ………… em days ago
“MARSPAPA on 29TH AUGUST 2019 4:23 PM
Rangers to go through comfortably .
Us to go through on away goals……..”
and
`…..3-1 defeat and we still go through .`
Phew ! That`s reassuring :-)))
peter lawwell rumours.
he hasnt travelled to sweden.
and he is hold up working on the deadline.
going through all the players old contracts looking for PPI.
*** LOOKS LIKE LIVE UPDATES IS UP ***
HOT SMOKED
Looking forward to how we cope with high press and intensity . as it will be on Sunday…imo
We have the offensive players to hurt them and hit on the break if need be .
anyway old son , an interesting few hours ahead , enjoy :)))
According to the Aberdeen Manager, McKenna has torn his hamstring and will be out for about 4 weeks, similar to Turnbull then I think, he wouldn’t pass the medical. Mind you, KT isn’t playing and apparently he passed his medical at Arsenal with flying colours.
EMBRAMIKE on 29TH AUGUST 2019 4:55 PM
If we score 1 goal in the 90 minutes, then AIK need to score 4 to win through.
Whit?! Us concede 4 goals in a Euro qualifier?! Dont be ridiculou……….oh,oh…..
TIMJIM on 29TH AUGUST 2019 5:04 PM
Why is there two Hayes????
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Gabby grabbed one of the extra seats on the plane. 👍