Do you remember who we played this round last season, Helsinki or Helsingborg? The ones you win often blend into the background noise. Not so in 2007. The defeat of Spartak Moscow on penalty kicks will live long in the memory.
The last Champions League qualifying round reversal was THAT game eight years ago. Gordon Strachan was sill unpacking his white tee shirts when the team collapsed in Bratislava. A historic recovery was on the cards a week later when Celtic took a 4-0 lead with 20 minutes remaining but it wasn’t to be.
Before that MTK Budapest were humbled 0-4 at home by the Sevillians making the return leg a formality, not that the Sevillians were masters at Champions League qualification. Basel knocked them out the previous season on away goals, paving the way for that memorable season in the Uefa Cup.
Which brings us to Ajax. If you are my age, winning 1-3 in the Ajax Arena was something of a landmark in your life. We were back at the top table. We were also pretty shocked at that fact.
It was Helsingborg in the final qualifying round last season. Let’s hope Shakhter Karaganda fade from memory quickly as an inconsequential stop along the way.
Get tore into them, Celtic.
If you would like to advertise in the forthcoming CQN Magazine get in touch, celticquicknews@gmail.com.
[calameo code=00039017126b6a648d717 lang=en page=128 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
250 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- »
Team news at 3
HH
I wonder if Neil has convinced the Karagandy manager that Celts will be like a lamb to the slaughter
HH
gsu
playingpossumCSC
Hail! Hail! The Celts are here in Kazakhstan
By: Mark Henderson in Kazakhstan on 20 Aug, 2013 14:18
IF you go to Kazakhstan you will see us there – perhaps that should be a line added to the popular Celtic song, ´Over and Over.
For, despite the immense difficulties in obtaining a visa on time, the vast logistical problems and the daunting journey, a group of dedicated Hoops supporters have made it to Kazakh capital to watch the Bhoys take on Shakhter Karagandy.
When Neil Lennon´s men run out the tunnel tonight in the Astana Arena they will be greeted by the sight of green and white shirts in the stands.
And that´s certain to give them a lift as they aim to overcome Shakhter and reach the UEFA Champions League group stages for the second year running.
Before the game, the official Celtic website caught up with some of the Hoops faithful who had journeyed over for the game.
Glenrothes Bhoy Mark Cameron flew from Edinburgh via Gatwick and Kiev before arriving in Astana this morning. His gruelling journey lasted 27 hours but Mark, who is a member of the Lochgelly CSC, insisted that he and the rest of the fans were in high spirits.
“It´s been worthwhile,” he said. “I arrived at 7am this morning and had breakfast, bed and then showered, so we did everything in reverse order. We got our match tickets and all the guys are in good spirits with a couple of hours´ sleep.
“We are good to go and looking forward to the game tonight. It´s an incredible city, the weather is great and we are all really looking forward to it. Hopefully we can get a real good result tonight to take back to Celtic Park.”
Father and son, Allan Ingram Snr and Allan Ingram Jnr, both hail from the Highlands – Fort William and Inverness respectively. They faced a logistical nightmare in getting a visa but were desperate not to pass up the chance of watching the Hoops in such an unusual location.
Allan Jnr said: “The chances of going here again are pretty slim. No Scottish club or the national team has ever been here. It´s a new experience and you want to go somewhere different, and you are following your team as well. It´s got to be done.
“We are in the unknown a wee bit but I would be happy with a score draw but I feel we are capable of getting a goal with guys like Samaras in the team.”
Allan Snr added: “We go to every game, home and away in Scotland and in Europe. We just wanted to come as we are always there. It´s different, the weather is fabulous and we are looking forward to it.
“I´m always very apprehensive, I would be quite happy with a draw, especially a scoring draw. If we are tight at the back, we could maybe sneak a win. The plastic pitch won´t worry me too much and they play on grass normally anyway.”
Supporters have not only travelled from Scotland, Ireland or England but also the likes of Poland, Siberia and Kazakhstan itself.
Zhanibek Karshalov, who is from the former Kazakh capital of Almaty, said: “When I first saw a Celtic game I was impressed by the passion and culture of the fans. And I like the colours – green and white.
“I know one other supporter from Kazakhstan but he is in the USA studying just now so he is going to miss the game and is disappointed about that. This will be my first Celtic game so I am very happy!”
Siberian Celt, Andrey Vasilenko spent two days on the bus to Astana in order to see his heroes in action He said: “Some years ago I read the history of Celtic and Rangers and then I started to support Celtic because of their charitable history which Brother Walfrid started.
“This will not be my first Celtic game as I went to see them play Spartak Moscow in the Champions League last year.”
Harifuzz
Say hello to ponytail Alan, big Mick and the rest of the bhoys from me. HH
Patrick27
If Emilio starts, I hope you are right. Getting a touch nervous now :-)
We don’t know how they will play hence not sure about izzie..
Im confident our staff will know how they will play..
Aye Amsterdam and the Ajax games, I was at both that Celtic won, fond memories of both. The second one sticks in my mind for two reasons, firstly the result and secondly the hotel Ibis where I was staying. My room was on the top floor, 3 floors if I remember correctly, and after the game I had a couple of celebratory swallies. I woke up about 2am needing to go for a leak, half asleep I walked through the ‘toilet’ door only to hear it slam behind me! I quickly came to my senses realising that I was standing in the hotel corridor bollock naked. I had to take the lift down to the reception and back wearing nothing but an embarrassed look on my face. The guy on reception reassured me by saying ” Never mind sir everything is possible in Amsterdam”.
Excited about tonight, COYBIG.
Hail! Hail! PMTYH
Well this just about says it all about our board…
From reuters.com/sports
Celtic wildcard snafu
The Glasgow Celtics are reeling from an administrative bombshell when their hastily drawn up plan to sign a ‘wildcard’ in time for their Champion Leagues game backfired like a bombshell would.
The Celtics had hoped to sign Zheng Zhi, presently in China recuperating from a successful operation to transplant metal legs on to his body. It was thought his travel time to Karagandy’s stadium, of 35mins, would negate the need for jetlag therapy. It turns out though in their eagerness to sign Zheng Zhi they overlooked the fact that the player’s inclusion in a ‘bounce game’ for The Shanghai Shou Shou Radars does technically ‘cup tie’ him to Chinese leagues footballing.
It has also been reported that the Champion Leagues rulers don’t allow any players with metal, or indeed, stainless steel legs since the ‘robot debacle’ of ’98.
More to follow…
Bada Bing
Colin Murray is a big Liverpool fan! Remember him interviewing Ian McCulloch and all they talked about was Liverpool beating AC Milan in the big cup.
Would hold no animosity to us as such but growing up in the six counties he may have had some bad influences.
FORZA Siberian Celt, Andrey Vasilenko.
Any numpty can be born a Hoop. To become one as he has is admirable.
To say the least….
Same goes for such as WEST WALES CELT,who gravitated to us for similar reasons to Andrey.
Cap doffed to all Celtic fans who found us the hard way.
I cannot believe so many CQNers have Ambrose as automatic pick.
Our biggest liability by far
We will have to play with another attacker with Sammi,be it Balde ,Stokes or Watt.If we don’t we could give them a major possession advantage.Balde for me.
Tim T-think that sums it up.HH
Heard the bhoy Liam on the radio whosaid they had met a few St. Mirren fans and other Scots who were working over there in Kazakshtan and they were going to the game to support the Bhoys.
Good to hear if true!
Torontony, Ohits & Paddy Gallagher still posting?
Paddy g on facebook serge. toronto tony and ohits still posting though.
Any financial advisor guys on?
My excuse for not doing the lawn, just didn’t cut it.
Dexter,
He’ll look even more of a liability if he plays behind your suggested midfield.
DEXTER
I know there is a player in Efe,as do you.
But tonight is too important to play players who lack confidence,or potential bomb-scares.
Let him regain his confidence in somewhat less important matches.
When it comes to Europe Lenny is a creature of habit. He plays 4-4-1-1 and certain players in certain positions (eg Charlie at left mid)
Team will be
Forster
Lustig Ambrose Mouyokolo Izaguirre
Brown Kayal Ledley Mulgrew
Commons
Samaras
BT
Thanks for that glad to hear they are all safe and well. HH
re Amsterdam
I remember coming back from a wee break in the dam with a few mates. One who was living in leyden decided to get us out to the airport, as he was familiar with things he suggested we just head upstairs on the train into 1st class.
a few minutes before the train left the conductor comes up and says tickets please. we reply 3 singles to airport and one return. “ok bhoys that’ll be 240 euros”. coughing spluttering and sheepishly looking at each other. we turn to our dutch based mate who starts giving the conductor some local lingo.
“ok ok bhoys, where are you from?”
Glasgow says we.
Ah Glasgow i see green or blue?
Green for all us we say. and you
ah for my sins i am feynoord. Anyway lets just say 150 euros.
more dutch lingo from mate.
ah the great feynoord says we what a team they must be to practically give away the best player in europe.
“Ah thats true bhoys”. i remember the euro final against the great celtic.
Well we were too young but we have all heard the stories about how good feynoord were.
“Ok bhoys fair enough i have just found some special tickets here lets call it 50 euros.”
that sounds brilliant big man hope feynoord have a great season.
hail hail
…& yourself! HH
rumors of a 93 million pound deal for spurs to sell Bale to Madrid…
if true… only word for that is obscene…
Glasgow Celtic Championssssssssss.
2-1 to the Hoops
Forster; Lustig, Mouyokolo, Van Dijk, Izaguirre; Forrest, Brown, Ledley, Mulgrew; Commons, Samaras
Blantyretim
True, Lenny and his staff will know best.
Zaluska, Amido, Kayal, Stokes, Rogic, Matthews, Ambrose
Starry Plough
STV are streaming the game.
I have Irish tele, or it would be in the first row for me.
HH
Nerves getting to me…..
Due especially I think because of the unknown factor with this mob….
Like Paul67 references, I’m thinking of the extremes of Artmedia (dead after 1st away leg), Helsingborg (tie won after 1st away leg) and Spartak Moscow (in the balance after 1st away leg).
I would gladly settle right now for Spartak type – in the balance result…..even slightly worse than Spartak…..I would probably take a 2-1 defeat right now.
COYBIG
(ah luv yez)
COYBIG!
2 new boys start at centre half! Glad ambrose ain’t starting! COYBIG. Lets pump this crowd and finish the tie the nite!
Right enough of this work malarky, time to bail, quick bus, train and taxi trips to get me back to the apartment before 17.00 CET.
Come on ye Bhoys in Green.
Andrey Vasilenko ?
This one is also very good.
Russian TV Sport commentator.
http://thenews.kz/2013/08/20/1440290.html
Massive call by Neil to go with untried (apart from 15 mins on Sat) central defense pairing….and reflects EFE’s increasing bombscare moments.
Mon the Efe
Ah sorry for the premature ejaculation, I realise there’s still an hour to go.
ModernTimeZonesAreRubbish