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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GERRYBHOY
Celtic tv is a lifeline for guys like us in foreign shores.
But it sure can be frustrating.
I missed one of the preseason games when it told me i had no subscription which was puzzling as i had the money taken out for renewal a week before.
Tried to email and they got back to me the following day which was a bit late.
This may have been a beta site problem.
They give me back about $10 in compensation.
It’s been fine since then.
Just watched Brendan interview on Celtic TV.
What do MSM want to know? two things,
1. How bad is Efe?
2. Will the Griff be sold?
Scum even polluting our own TV channel! Hunbelievable hurting huns unable to conceal their hatred. Just keep being successful Celtic; they cannot stand it.
Eurochamps67
Tully
I have the 40 quid deal and it works perfectly well. Tried it now and the page and layout has changed but very user-friendly ( watched the game from last nite Aidan Nesbitt was outstanding)
Anyway it’s free for all subscribers tonight including Uk and Ireland
Brilliant value and money goes to club!
Enjoy game and the 2-0 win ( or 4-0 if Trad88 is about ) I’m on both!!
HH
Afternoon Timland from a seriously hot hun free mountain valley
Nerves were starting to kick in so I spent half an hour of my time watching this, it hits the nail bang on the head, it’s well worth the watch.
The Asterisk Years by Paul Larkin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y2qtsPng5U
Jude
Nah, it should download quicker than that mate.
Not sure what the problem is.
Id say you should cancel the download your trying and attempt it again and IF its the same, perhaps there’s a problem with the provider you are downloading it from and so maybe look for another option on the site to install it from.
Make sure you have picked the correct version for your computer, i.e. the operating system or browser you are using as well.
Hope you get it sorted out soon.
HH
Under 16s into semi final of the youdan trophy in Sheffield they will play either Wolves Seattle Saunders or FC Basel in semis
Under 14s will play either Charlton. Rotterdam r Sheffield Wednesday
Neganon your still an utter clown
If the huns youngsters had put on a performance like our development squad last night the presses would have been stopped.
We would have had six page pullouts as we would have them proclaiming the dawn of a new era in Sottish football and comparisons with Messi,Neymar,Xavi and Saurez would have been everywhere.
The future is bright and it’s green and white.
CELTIC CHAMPS ELECT
Neganon your still an utter clown
hahahahaahahahaahahahahahahahaaa
saltires en sevilla on 3rd August 2016 3:57 pm
I revised it down to 3-0 :)
A bit concerned about Janko defensively if he starts but confident the manager will react quickly if there are any concerns during the game,
HH
Gary67
That’s the same team I have been given
Tonight’s team…Gordon Janko lustig oconnell tierney macgregor armstrong brown roberts griffiths forrest
HH
No Toure? No Dembele? Surely not leaving only guys hes brought in out?
Aye …J.
Got that ….let me know when the Angus royals arrive ….
Braw
Over 50k sold and still selling.
Thanks Burnley78 for motivating me to go.
Get there early folks
Catman,
Unsurprising selection. Should have more than enough there to see the job through.
Gary67,
Who are you thinking is like a man short?
HH
3-0 would be lovely but I’m happy with 0-0. Only one objective – get through!
Not interested in style or nature of how we play, tactics, formations , individual performances. Getting through is ALL THAT MATTERS….
This is the acid test of the risks taken to this point. I sincerely hope they pay off and we get time to prepare for the next stages….
Just do it Celtic!
And clowns suck all the comedy from a room…
I wish him well though…He is a braw lad,cos braw folk have met him…
So there you go…
A comprehensive ragging will do me the night ….
Braw.
Barney67 on 3rd August 2016 4:14 pm
No Toure? No Dembele? Surely not leaving only guys hes brought in out?
======
Would be quite understandable, Toure not played and not completely up to speed, Dembele lacking a bit of confidence and will come on when we’re 3-0 up to bag his first goal,
HH
Forrest will shut a lot of folk up tonight. These are the games when his asset ( mad speed and out ball) come in to play. Just as with the unfairly maligned Sami….
Trust me.
An appalling vista that we should be reliant on a ninteen year old and an unfit thirty five year old.
Celtic Champs Elect
Thought the lad N’Diaye in the under 14’s looked an a fantastic prospect when i saw him in action last season.
Guess ive been wishing my life away to see if he can do the same stuff for the 1st team!
Only about another 5 years to go now…..hope the wee guy makes it and im still cutting aboot to see it :)
Got a free bet and put it on 3-1 Celtic. Hopefully their one comes in the 90th minute with Celtic 3-0 up!
Good evening friends. Just about to start my new pre-match warm up routine in an effort to last the full 90 minutes tonight whislt standing safely;-)
The start of the routine involves some polish, a duster and a hoover. And if I do a good job I get out to play later.
lateralmovementCSC
I have had CelticTV since it started. The first year was free, if I recall, when it brought out video. Overall, the performance has been good. Response from the techies has been swift through email, and the only concern is occasional buffering….switching streams has helped that in the past. I would be lost without it.
My only real beef is the quality of the commentary, sometimes. When Bertie Auld was on, it was magic, insightfull. I like Jim Craig as well. Most of the guest that co-commentate just praise Celtic and do not analyse the game as Bertie did. One exception was Stephen McManus when he came on. Inwas really impressed with him. He could see what Dembele was bringing to the team and how he wad troubling the CH. he also spotted the holes in the midfield. Much better than the usual, “we just have to keep plugging away and playing as we are, and the goal will come.” Kris Commons was also good but I think Stephen shaded it for me.
CelticTV is not as good as being at the game but for those that do not get that chance, it is a very good substitute.
Recently, I got on to Kodi on my laptop and many of the sports add ons contain Celtic matches. Hypocrite that I am, I do not use Kodi for this purpose. I’d prefer to pay the club, and hope that my contributions are put to good use.
Rebus
IF that is the team and i don’t doubt you guys, my main worry is the lack of height and aerial power to defend at set pieces.
Hopefully they are in to keep the ball on the deck, rip the p, hammer in 3 or 4 and keep the ball off Astana for most of the night anyway :)
There will be no lack of effort on the field tonight, the preparations will be meticulous and we have every chance to go through, as long as we respect the opposition and stay out of their invites to get involved off the ball.
This will certainly be no Malmö.
Paradise will be jumping, and the Astana players will not have experienced an atmosphere like this before, even given their participation in the CL last season.
No scoreline prediction, but I’ll be happy with 0-0 as much as a 3-0 humping of them. Just progress to the next round.
Quietly confident in the Navajo Desert.
Team sheet latest……………………………….Wee Jamesie
Thanks Saltires – took your advice!
QUONNO on 3RD AUGUST 2016 4:20 PM
An appalling vista that we should be reliant on a ninteen year old and an unfit thirty five year old.
I’ll trust Brendan’s judgement over yours mate, he brought them in.
TET….
Thanks for that Paul Larkin link…..
A braw summarization…
What is the smiles tip for the night ????
Braw
Cant make tonight (broken ankle will keep me out of action until September) but will catch the game on Celtic TV barring technological disasters.
I fancy our chances tonight, being quietly confident is not the usual situation in these games.
I guess I wont be that quiet during the game, mucho eff’n and blinding probably but any kind of result that ends with us in the next round will do me.
GEORDIE MUNRO on 3RD AUGUST 2016 4:16 PM
Forrest.
Never had a problem with Celtic TV.
I’ve found the secret is to avoid more expensive hi-def version, and use those savings on subscribing to the fastest/most powerful internet service available to you.
Catman and Gary67,
So it is 433 then! Happy with that but I Have some concern about playing two wingers who are not adept at tackling back. Also Forrest is a gamble, and Janko’s defensive capabilities are suspect.
Crosses into the box will have to be long and wide for in rushing wingers, because there is no height in that front three.
Anyway half of what I am saying is based on anxiety and not logic.
Good luck to the team and to all going to the game! I really want to win through against this team because they are not sporting and seem to be using every dirty trick to further their cause. They do not deserve to go through for that alone.
Rebus
BARNEY67 on 3RD AUGUST 2016 4:30 PM
QUONNO on 3RD AUGUST 2016 4:20 PM
An appalling vista that we should be reliant on a ninteen year old and an unfit thirty five year old.
I’ll trust Brendan’s judgement over yours mate, he brought them in.
Unless I have misunderstood. Brendan has decided against playing them.
Gary67,
Lol. Yer a bad man so you are.
I’m away to check his price for fgs ;)
HH
Tony Watt Bash Street Kid article was absolutely superb…..
Said much about TW but also the absolute litany of shite strikers we’ve signed via penny pinching project strategy which is hopefully now at an end , or at least is no longer being directed by our self appointed bonus grabbing Director of Football.
I can’t help thinking Tony Watt should have been nurtured and dare I say it MANAGED…. Some guys and I include my hero Leigh Griffiths take longer to mature. A natural finisher is worth their weight in gold so 24/7 baby sitting might have been in order coupled with psycholological and mentoring support. You can’t train in raw talent.
I hope the lad does well… Unfortunately it might be for the Jambos. He has left a great memory for every Celtic fan if nothing else.
James Forrest is actually 1.71m Wiki -DBBIA
Catman
The inevitable McGeady rumours are picking up after he wasn’t given a squad number at Everton, anything in it you think?
HH