“I’m so tired of being alone,
I’m so tired of on my own,
Won’t you help me, girl,
Just as soon as you can”
Al Green’s lament is written for those tired and distant from homely comforts If you and I do our job tonight, the Astana players who take the field will know what it feels like to compete in what is the wee small hours of their internal body clock. They will be tired, and the crisp Glasgow night will feel nothing like their central Asia base. Home advantage is worth nothing if you don’t make the most of it.
Astana’s Bulgarian manager, Stanimir Stoilov, promised his players are ready for tonight’s game at Celtic Park.:
“Discipline will be key. When we were here last year feelings were running high and we could maintain composure. We just have to remember two games will decide who gets to the group stages of the Champions League. We need to keep our nerve for both games.
“I have no words that can describe what it would mean for Kazakhstani football for us to reach the group stage. I am pretty sure the players know what it will mean for them, they are focussed on success.
“Celtic have risen up in recent years under Brendan Rodgers. He has done a good job and Celtic are stronger.
“We need to score [tonight]. If we don’t, get a goal, the game in Astana will be tough. We must try to be ourselves and play our football, no surprises.
“Any team which doesn’t lose in eight months deserves huge respect. We will be very happy if we win. On the other hand, there are defeats in football too, but we will see what happens.”
One interesting fact emerged from his Celtic Park media conference yesterday: the Astana board publicly set a target for their team to reach either the Champions League or Europa League group stages this season. This was achieved with the win over Legia Warsaw in the last round.
Given a choice, I’d prefer to play a team who’ve hit their targets, than one whose very essence replies on them beating you.
Let’s get stuck into them, Celtic.
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marspapa Do you honestly think Ajer will play or is that just the team you would play ?
Hebcelt….condolences to yourself and the family of your good friend….YNWA
A massive Hoopy Birthday to Lisbon Lion & TOHG John Fallon….hope tonight’s result tops off a great day ;-))
and it should….how else do you interpret pins and needles in your left foot all day….that’s right….Griff & Hayes both to score tonight, 2-0 the guid ghuys ;-))
H.H.
Hope the GB are not sulking and do something daft tonight, we need them at their inspirational best, loud and proud.
https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/s/suntzu384542.html?src=t_victory
All hands to the pump.
I think the only debate is the middle of the three and it will go to Callum GORDON LUSTIG JOZO BITTON KT BROONIE NCHAM FORREST MACGREGOR SINCLAIR THE GREEN GOAL MACHINE :)
BELFASTCELT
The Ultras future is in they’r hands tonight, our continuing in the CL group stages are in the players hands, and the best of luck to both of them.
Song for Griff ( Skippy the bush kangaroo Tune ) Griffiths , Griffiths , this bhoy was born to wear the ghreen…… Griffiths , Griffiths , Griffiths our green goal machine……
TONYDONNELLY67 on 16TH AUGUST 2017 4:44 PM
BELFASTCELT
The Ultras future is in they’r hands tonight, our continuing in the CL group stages are in the players hands, and the best of luck to both of them.
Spot on Sir
Belfastcelt
What odds a flare or two
PANIC (The Smiths ) Panic in the heart of Hampden , the red top rags and the louden , we’ve got the trophy’s to ourselves , all because of Rodgers , Hail the blessed Rodgers , cos the Celts win every game that they play ., Panic in the Scottish M.S.M. cos the Celts are heading for No. 10 , (with) Brendan Rogers X3 Brendan Rogers X3 BREN-DAN RODGERS CELTIC CHAMPIONS , BREN-DAN RODGERS CELTIC CHAMPIONS Brendan Rogers X3 Brendan Rogers X3 BREN-DAN RODGERS CELTIC CHAMPIONS , BREN-DAN RODGERS CELTIC CHAMPIONS
RPMCELTICFAN on16TH AUGUST 2017 4:38 PM
marspapa Do you honestly think Ajer will play or is that just the team you would play ?
RPMCF…i would go with that team….it will probably miles off what BR will choose.
Ajer, although young , has played a season at CB albeit at Killie .
I dont think Astana will sit off us to much and this is where NB could struggle ,
anyhoo , its just a bit of fun .
Who would you like to see as our starting 11 ?
https://twitter.com/Record_Sport/status/897838706970767360?s=08
DR link- Armstrong signing
Saint Stivs on 16th August 2017 4:27 pm
Without starting a middle east debate, Nir is Israeli, I am sure he has seen more combat that most.
====
Didnt stop him jumping out of 50/50s under Deila
HH
MarsPapa Yea I agree with you I would allways play players in their natural position and as you say Ajer has had a full season playing there for killie however I donk think he is a natural central defender and is only considered for that position because of his height :)
GENE on 16TH AUGUST 2017 4:47 PM
Belfastcelt
What odds a flare or two
Hope not
I’ll be watching through my fingers
Right am off ti the Brazen, have a great night and enjoy, HH
Lurking Huns GIRFUYs PS gonny wanna yez tape Corrie fur mi?
Bada
the record – must be true then :)
If I was boss eleven 3 4 3 Attacking 5 4 1 Defending GORDON LUSTIG AJER JOZO RALSTON BROWN ARMSTRONG KT HAYES GRIFF SINKY Nae laughing now :)
Ajer is a midfielder like Bitton except of course he hasn’t got Bitton’s experience, Johnny Hayes before James Forrest one of our most experienced CL campaigners and who’s goals put us through on more than one occasion:)))
There’s panic in them thur stands:))
Team List Wee James copywrite BSR..
HH
Gordon
Lustig
Jozo
Bitton
Tierney
Brown
Ntcham
Forrest
Rogic
Sinclair
Griffiths
Brendan’s named his team for tonight
CELTIC
BSR
think you are pretty much spot on but maybe Callum for Tom
BSR
I agree with Gene that Calum will prob start instead of Tom.
Any result to nil will do for me
HH
Tet,
Although I would like nil nil the least!
That evening times non story in news now Celtic is really annoying. It says Patrick Roberts signs for Celtic and takes you to a “missing page” message.
bournesouprecipe I think callum will get the nod rather than Rogic , callum is steady eddy compared to magical but sometimes misfiring Rogic you could also play Armstong there as someone suggested but we will soon find out mate :)
Sorry TET,
Meant to say in my last post that i agree with you about the score
You lot in the Blane Valley fancy giving this an airing …….Song for Broonie ( Golden Brown , The Stranglers ) Captain Brown , skelper of Huns , laden down with medals that he’s won , oh what a sight, up for the fight, never backs down our Captain Brown , Doodoodoodoo , Doodoodoodoo , Doodoodoodoo , Doo Doo Doo etc……
From Michael Stewart on twitter
Watched Sportscene again & I appreciate I gave total wrong impression. My mistake. I only wanted to refer to Lennon actions as banter.
Apart from the GIRUY, which still think he shouldn’t have done, but under no circumstances was the sectarian abuse he received ‘banter’
It is anything but banter. It is reprehensible, disgusting and shameful that these things still occur in our country
BSR has team spot on…
CelticQuote @CelticQuote 30m
30 minutes ago
“The noise on a Champions League night is absolutely amazing. It’s one of those games that every player wants to play in.”
Scott Sinclair
I don’t think Scott Sinclair has shone in our early games but tonight I expect him to light the place up.
C’monnnnnn the HOOPS
Bada,
great news from the red rag if true.
I know Brendan has been banging on about SA’s loss of confidence but he hasn’t been playing a lot either. But if SA is signing that would be great news followed by Paddy on Friday
HH
gsu
JOBO BALDIE on 16TH AUGUST 2017 4:36 PM
Team selections is it?
Well, I’d imagine we agree that the following 7 will start – Gordon, Lustig, Simunovic, Tierney, Brown, Sinclair, Griffiths. The remaining 4 spots to feature the following contenders –
As part of the back 4 – Ralston, Ajer or Bitton (my choice – Ajer)
Sitting alongside Broonie – Ntcham or Armstrong (my choice – Ntcham)
Wide right – Forrest or Hayes (my choice – Hayes)
Supporting Griff – McGregor, Rogic (my choice – McGregor)
Those of the above not starting will be on the bench along with De Vries and Benyu
And I’ve assumed Gamboa isn’t fit ;-)
————————————————-
Agree with the 7 definite starters (assuming fitness) Jobo – and a very sensible way to look at it, I must say, sir!
Of the remaining 4 options you have mentioned, I would probably go with:
– Bitton (although torn between him and Ajer – I thing BR will also go with experience)
– Agree re: N’Cham (N’Cham been getting better by the game – Armstrong been a bit under-par, but still a good energetic impact sub if needed)
– Prefer Forrest to Hayes – Jimmy has the successful experience in CL – Hayes good, but still finding his way a bit into the Celtic team
– Agree re: McGregor – more pace, covers more positions, with TR a great potential impact sub
Don’t think either of us will be a million miles away, though.
HH
BGFC
T-Minus-50-Minutes-ThenOffToParadiseCFC
marspapa on 16th August 2017 4:32 pm
Yea, Everyone good her.. Yep, yer Team wont be far away… I fancy McGregor though to start with Armstrong starting on the bench.
Nearly time to get the oul scarf oot, dust down the badges, get ma pocket money and head for Paradise via The Vogue. Always, ALWAYS get nerves before a game like this.. But you know somethin.. Its the greatest feeelin ever, and I Love it!!
H H, C’mon the Hoops.
Just seen the Jimmy Calderwood Level 5 piece………..
Horrible night,hope it adds to Astana’s discomfort.
Everybody enjoy the game and just support the team,that’s all we have to do.Brendan will get the bhoys to take care of everything else.
30.48cm ;)
COYBIG
If Armstrong is signing, grain of salt needed, good news and he will be on the bench tonight.
Gordon
Lustig Bitton Jozo KT
Broony Ntcham
Forrest McGregor Sinclair
Griffmeister
Mon the Hoops!
ANDYR53
I love the fact that the team is so flexible in terms of selection ….keeps us on our toes :))
Nerves is a big part for fans and players its how you deal with them ….i just have a couple of double Bacardis …other spirits are available .
I’m sure you along with 60,000 others will have a wonderfull experiance tonight …God Bless and take care ;)