In a departure from the usual pre-match niceties, Astana chief executive, Kaisar Bekenov, did his best to send a message to Romania referee Istvan Kovacs, that he expects Celtic to try to provoke his players into getting a red card tonight.
For good measure, he informed Kazak media that all referees he spoke to about the “Griffiths incident” and everyone in Glasgow he spoke to since he arrived, told him Leigh should have been sent off. I suspect his sampling technique isn’t entirely scientific.
He’s right to be cautious about picking up red cards, they can determine the outcome of any game, but I’m sure this is an indicator of the manner in which Astana plan to play tonight. They will get ‘stuck in’, in particular to Patrick Roberts.
Roberts won’t be the first Celtic right winger to face some robust action in European football but this is all new to him, how he deals with it could be a major factor in the game.
Two other players worthy of note are Scott Brown and Leigh Griffiths. Astana will note how Scott was lured into a needless booking in the final seconds of last week’s first leg. If I was their coach, I’d send my players out to test Scott’s discipline.
Like all European strikers, Leigh will have to deal with being pulled inside the box. How he breaks free will result in scenes of drama, as Astana attempt to right the wrongs from the first leg all those Glaswegians spoke to Kaisar Bekenov about.
Celtic have the advantage of not having to chase the game, but we are likely to press forward from the off. How we defend will be crucial. Ronny Deila’s great undoing was the porous shape of his team when they lost possession in Europe. Tonight needs to be about defensive discipline above all else – and yes, that means patience.
It will be close to 3am Astana time at 90 minutes when the effects of jetlag will be greatest. The latter part of the game will be when Celtic have most advantage. Keep it tight, draw them out and finish strong, Celtic.
Well done to Dundalk in qualifying for the Champions League play-off round by eliminating BATE Borisov last night. BATE are accomplished qualifiers for the Champions League, having progresses through the champions group more than any other club since qualification reorganisation.
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B.B. Many thanks for for that
THUNDER ROAD
DOWNLOADING AVASTA JUST NOW AND HAVE BEEN FOR THE LAST 3 HOURS IS THIS NORMAL??
I read on the Kazakh website that the game will be shown on two their chanels online. I will post the links before the game .
You have five hours to learn Kazakh language.
JUDE2005 IS NEIL LENNON \O/ on 3RD AUGUST 2016 2:18 PM
That is most definitely not normal unless u r still on dial up.
I use AVG there is a perfectly good legal free version available from their own site.
I’m out coaching pre season tonight.
I should get in by 9pm.. That’ll be enough stress to contend with if we are 0-0… Which I feel is a likely score and fully acceptable.
Reflecting back on first leg… We took our only real chance and it was a great finish. Astana on the other hand forced Gordon in to saves , hit the woodwork etc…
I think they are solid and defensive – we need to be the same. If any team scores 2 they go through so it’s 0-0 or 2-1 for me.
A mini bus of West Highland Tims stopped for petrol in Clydebank there. They bhoys n ghirls are up for it!
Let the people sing!
“Anyone going to a Real Ale place in town?”
JJ,
Preferably with free veggie pakora :))
HH
ID PREFER CHRISTIE TO MC GREGOR MORE CULTURED PLAYER!! 3 NIL TONIGHT BTW
TA BARNY WILL TRY IT
H H
Right Bhoys, off out in a few mins.
Couple of jars before boarding the Burgh bus to Paradise.
COYBIG
IS THE GAME ON LIVE ON CELTIC TV??
Hebcelt
Meataphorically speaking I’m literally Scottish actually ironically. So much I don’t care for foreign English grammar speaking so to.
Passed my tix on to a worthy Astana can for the evening.
:-]
MWD
Paul – while it is easy to dismiss the Griffiths sending-off “debate” as mind games, Leigh needs to be able to keep cool. Recall an incident last year (Malmo?) where he got away with one. If opponents spot a weakness they will target it.
Winning Captains
Any update on Tommy G?
Is the Kerrydale open tonight?
#justleavingworkcsc
An uplifting win tonight for all those Celts struggling with health issues…
Liking Brendan Rodgers comments about it being our pitch and telling the players to own the pitch tonight and in every home game.
We’re too often a soft touch, hopefully no more.
Celtic 3-0 Astana, minimum.
HH
http://fusion.net/story/206420/fc-astana-uefa-champions-league/
Interesting wee piece from last year on tonights opponents.
Especially if you are of the impression they are some wee goat worrying nobodys.
HH
JUDE2005
Live for oversea’s subscribers.
I fully expect the tie to be over with for Astana by. half time tonight.
HH
Heading off to the BV then Paradise.
Hope to see a few CQN guys and 60,000 in the ground tonight.
Hail Hail
Burgas,
Its free to all subscribers tonight.
Jude,
ITS FREE TO ALL SUBSCRIBERS TONIGHT.
HH
Jude2005/Burgas Hoops
CelticTV live to all subscribers tonight.
HH
less than 650 to sell …………………….
Hail Hail From Sunny Portugal Bhoys
Does anyone know if a £40 CelticTV subscription taken out today would get you the game tonight – i.e. would it only work in UK/Ireland but not outwith that?
Just tried to log on to Celtic TV; a disaster! It was working fine yesterday and now I get a blank screen. They have fecked with this right before a big game. Unbelievable incompetence. Living overseas, I choose to give money to the club via Celtic TV, when I could access other streams. I’m getting close to giving up on Celtic TV. Even sending them emails doesn’t work. Rejected as a bad address, even using the one they provide today on the club home page. Jeez…….
TULLY57 on 3RD AUGUST 2016 3:28 PM
Hail Hail From Sunny Portugal Bhoys
Does anyone know if a £40 CelticTV subscription taken out today would get you the game tonight – i.e. would it only work in UK/Ireland but not outwith that?
See my comments above. That will make you a happy Bhoy…..NOT!
GEORDIE MUNRO on 3RD AUGUST 2016 3:20 PM
Burgas,
Its free to all subscribers tonight.
Jude,
ITS FREE TO ALL SUBSCRIBERS TONIGHT.
HH
LYMMBHOY on 3RD AUGUST 2016 3:22 PM
Jude2005/Burgas Hoops
CelticTV live to all subscribers tonight.
HH
I’m a subscriber and all of a sudden, today, it no longer works. Who is in charge of this stuff. Close to giving up on technical competence; sadly.
Electronic Tims @ETimsNet · 44m
Tonight’s team…Gordon Janko lustig oconnell tierney macgregor armstrong brown roberts griffiths forrest
Hopefully not true, don’t think starting with 10 men is a good idea
Apologies Bhoys i just assumed instead of eh…………………………………..looking.
Me bad
GERRYBHOY
Ive just logged on and CTV is hunky dorry i even left a mon the hoops on the “Wall” -)
Gerrybhoy,
You’re not missing very much action at the moment.
If it’s still off at kick off I’d kick off.
HH
So it’s Janko in and Efe out
I doubt many people will be unhappy about that.
Gary,
What am I missing?
Confuseddotcom
HH
Burgas……du no bad..!!!
Du Braw……smiley thing …..get prepared for the handshake !!!!!
Hahahahaha
Braw
That was a great article about Tony Watt. Really well written.
NEUSTADT-BRAW
LOL did yi get my email?
And good luck Celtic tonight – early goal and then a barrage please!
Thanks GerryBhoy,
Here’s hoping it gets sorted soon….I am also getting knock backs when I attempt to send a message.
It’s enough to make you bugger off for a cold beer and ponder tonight’s team.
Think I’ll do just that.