“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.
LISTEN to the latest CQN Podcast now…
275 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- »
Bankiebhoy 1
Shhhh:)
HH
rpmcelticfan on 16th August 2017 4:45 pm
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……
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Tried singing it, but just can’t get machine to rhyme with kangaroo :-)
Bankiebhoy 1
Wonder if Level 5 drink the Black Stuff:)
Shhhhhh:)
HH
HaHa Yea I had to stick an extra h into green try Ghrreeeeeeenn…….. :) I thought folk scrolled by my posts anyway :) Did you like the Broonie wan ????
” There’s a buzz about the place ”
© Paul McStay
Tickets doing good business but no big queue yet 5.30 Celtic Park time
BBC
Stuart Armstrong is ready to sign a new deal and commit his future to Celtic, BBC Scotland has learned.
Talks between the club and the midfielder’s representatives had stalled in recent months.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers even said the uncertainty was affecting the 25-year-old’s performances.
But talks have been ongoing in the past 24 hours and a new long-term deal could be signed before Saturday’s meeting with Kilmarnock.
Armstrong, formerly of Dundee United and capped twice by Scotland, has been linked with a move to a number of clubs in England’s Premier League. His current deal runs until 2018.
He has made more than 250 club appearances and has won three Scottish Premiership titles with Celtic, as well as the League Cup and Scottish Cup last season.
Celtic’s v Kazakhstani’s 4 games, 2W 1D 1L
* this stat doesn’t include any games against Sevco *
Just had a scroll back there and I’ve assimilated all of the full team selections that have been posted. I’ll wait till 6 for any more (but only serious ones, folks) and then announce the team as chosen by the CQN-committee! 12 full 11-man selections have been offered up since lunchtime. 16 different players have been selected to a greater or lesser degree.
JF is better than Hayes so should be first pick.
If Armstrong is resigning that is a boost for player ,team and fans.He should start.
Hebcelt – condolences to you and all for your pal. As a wee cheerful aside I had a wonderful week on Lewis a couple of weeks ago staying in Garrabost. Loved it.
Nerves kicking in for me too but quietly confident that we will see it through over two legs.
#isitok to speculate on who if it is any individual was a “star witness” in the dossier of evidence for the Rangers Vs Dunfermline amtch fixing allegations? The evidence that the SFA now have.
Hello this is WEE BGFC. CMON THE HOOPS!
Prediction:
Celtic 2-1 Astana
I am not confident
HH
WEE BGFC
Hello this is WEE BGFC. But Da’s cool.
HH
WEE BGFC
AULDHEID…
Surely souness amongst others were not employed by thems whilst getting ebt’s?
Enjoy the game bhoys, I’ll be watching it on my phone in work :(((((
C’mon the hoops 2-0 atleast for me.
Ok, the votes are in.
7 stars featured in all teams chosen – Gordon, Lustig, Simunovic, Tierney, Brown, Sinclair and Griffiths.
Joining them in the strting line up will be Ntcham and Forrest (10 votes), McGregor (9 votes) and Bitton (with 7)
So it’s Bitton in the back 4, Ncham sitting with Brown and a front 4 of James, Calum, Leigh and Scott (the only non-Scot in the front 4!)
Getting nervy…
Video not live for overseas subscribers tonight on Celtic TV?
Says audio only for all subscribers due to UEFA rules.
On TSN4 for Canadian viewers just checked.
Who I think BR will start with…
Gordon
Lustig-Bitton-Jozo-KT
Brown-Ntcham
Forrest-Rogic-Sinclair
Griffiths
CMG unlucky to lose his place, but could do more damage post-60 mins when TR tires (and hopefully Astana players tire)
Similarly Armstrong a good option from bench if we’re chasing a goal, or Ntcham tires.
Rogic will have big say in how we perform tonight. If he’s on form we could be deadly going forward. If he doesn’t get into game, we could struggle to break them down.
HH
JOBO
You forgot our Tom Rogic?
BSR – only 2 out of 12 chose Tom in their starting line up.
Anyways, doors to manual and here we go…….
I wonder of Astana have the same variety of options (e.g. TR, Hayes, Armstrong, McGregor) that we have on the bench?
I would start Armstrong over Ntcham tonight.
Especially if hi has committed to a new deal.
Ntcham is effective with runners ahead of him but with only Griff available we have not done that much this season.
Armstrong is a pass and move player who attacks the last third and upsets defensive formations.
He and McGregor will make our opponents work.
Ntcham and Rogic For last 20 mins.
Dharma
What will be will be, but if Bitton does his metronome impression we will be fine :-)
HH
Bad news for Swansea, it’s a done deal, right from the horses mouth.
Game is on Fox sports2 in USA.
Saves me being pissed off with Celtic tv.
Uefa are crap
HH TET!
On Iron Horse heading to Paradise.
Gordon; That’s it, Brendan. Over to you!
If there’s flares tonight, it better be a fashion faux pas;-))
FTSFA/SPFL/SDUP
Ffs,
awe wrang ….FTSFA/FTSPFL/FTDUP ;-))
Mon wee Jamesy:)
HH
TREBLE winning captains Brilliant news would be great if it could be announced pre K.O. Lift Everyone
https://twitter.com/celticfc/status/897873263732416513
Mon Stuart Armstrong, quiff of legend:)
Who would win in a fight between Gian Luigi Buffon and Stuart Armstrong?
Bada
Well Well Well
Tommy Rogic is due a spectacular game.
Go get them son.
HH
Apols….nerves…..important game ;-))
“we don’t care if we win lose or draw”…..the only ignominy still being involved in European fitbae till Santa ;-))….I know….no draw over the round…..pedants ;-))
FTSFA/FTSPFL/FTDUP