You and I know how fans of other Scottish clubs feel about their performances in Europe; at best, it is a source of national frustration. Everyone else is cleared out of Europe in the qualifiers by teams who themselves seldom reach the Europa League proper.
All of this matches the Scotland national team, who only this year started to look competitive. A malaise has crept in, everyone comes to expect failure and copes without undue distress (for the most part).
In this respect, we have nothing to lecture Belgian football on. The Belgian national team is one of their nation’s best ever, a decent outside shout for next year’s World Cup. But domestically, Belgian football has rapidly fallen apart.
Anderlecht, like Celtic, are their country’s last remaining competitor in European football. Brugge were bumped from the Champions League qualifiers by Basaksehir, then the Europa’s by AEK Athens. Oostende lost to Marseille, no particular surprise there, but Gent exited the Europa qualifiers to Altach, currently seventh in the Austrian table after nine games.
The pain of humiliation in European club football is being felt acutely right now in Belgium, while their most successful club, Anderlecht, acts as the flag bearer.
Anderlecht’s fall from grace has been steep. On the way to winning the domestic title, they produced one of the greatest wins in their European history last season, 1-6 away to German club FSV Mainz on the way to a 3-2 aggregate quarter-final defeat to eventual Europa League winners Manchester United.
Now they sit seventh in the table, nine points adrift from Brugge, having sold their top talent from last season, and sacked their manager this month. This is a dysfunctional team in a newly-dysfunctional league. They fear Celtic.
So far, so encouraging, but you and I have seen this movie before. Larsson, Sutton and Hartson had Anderlecht on the canvass in 2003. Dominating possession in Brussels with the home team down to 10 men, but we still contrived to lose the game to a team we would sweep aside with ease at Celtic Park.
There are reasons to be hopeful. Our previous two away games in the group stage, (Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach), produced highly credible draws, we looked like a team who knew how to survive in this environment, but you and I would be delighted with a draw tomorrow night.
Notwithstanding the fact that a draw would be a satisfactory result, this is a game we should look to win. Anderlecht’s deficiencies are many and evident. They cannot buy a performance right now. If Brendan and his players secure three points, they will take a huge step towards European maturity. Don’t bet against them.
Celtic FC Foundation, Great Scottish Run
A number of us will be treading the streets of Glasgow in Celtic FC Foundation regalia on Sunday with the Great Scottish Run. I am doing the 10k (either because I fancied the shorter distance, or because I forgot to register for the Half in time…. hopeless).
Being able to do things for the Foundation is a significant part of my Celtic relationship. It is appropriate to follow in the footsteps of those who 130 years ago decided to form a football club to help those in need.
What the Foundation does will never grab the headlines of what the football team does, but it is difficult to imagine a football result having as profound an impact on people’s lives as the work of the Foundation, when it feeds the hungry, or provides respect to the downtrodden.
If you are able to support the work, please do so at this MyDonate page.
Thank you.
——–
The CQN Podcast: A Celtic State of Mind (EP14) Champions League Special
A Celtic State of Mind offers an insight into the culture of Celtic Football Club, the city of Glasgow, and fans of the reigning invincible Scottish champions.
Each episode includes interviews with ‘Celtic-minded’ figures from the world of sport, music, film, art, broadcasting, literature or politics.
Ahead of the crucial Champions League match against Anderlecht, ‘A Celtic State of Mind’ goes behind the Champions League curtain for Celtic’s opening match against PSG.
Kevin Graham provides pre and post-match discussion with members of his CSC, as well as in-match analysis in what will be a regular Celtic State of Mind feature.
Enjoy!
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Notts Forrest 1-3 Fulham. A goal for Johansen. The magic hat is on a shoogly peg.
Shhhhhhhit
Had -2 Napoli and -2 Seville double
92 min go and get bins in
Bhoylo
Great to see you back posting mate.
Glasgow pubs at Easter weekend will be the same opening hours as any other weekend in Glasgow. Hope we catch up for a chat again.
HH
From the Clumpany.
Nice little juxtaposition.
” Ibrox boss Pedro Caixinha was left seething for no apparent reason, however he accused Brown of aiming an elbow at his player. Or was it an arse? Pedro doesn’t know one from the other. “
TTR
Lovely free kick goal fae SJ. Is wee Barrie getting a game for Forest?
MacJay
Pedro is a conman. He is a ham actor, in a bad movie.
Long may he reign in doomdome!
The Magic Hat could disappear again
Budge ” volunteers ” John Hartson.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41239996
JC2- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggghhhh
FULL TIME: Rangers 1 Leicester 6
A cruel lesson for Murty’s young troops but in truth they were up against a much stronger outfit.
Positives will be taken from a superb first half display where the Scots held their own but ultimately this will be a sore one for the youngsters and their gaffer.
…………………
Graham Murty….tactical feckin genius !
Murty is the Chump who got lucky at Celtic Park…and STILL they appointed feckin Pedro !
HaHaHa.
HH
DELANEYS DUNKY on 26TH SEPTEMBER 2017 9:49 PM
His C.V. is not impressive. That`s for sure.
Nor are his signings .
And yet , football being what it is , if Morelos header had gone in , they might have sneaked a result.
Viz. the cup semi final loss on penalties.
Having said that , I hope Pedro stays at least until the end of the season.
Meantime we continue to track upwards while bedding in several new signings.
Hopefully an acceptable result tomorrow in what will be a tough away venue.
Good run out for Huns development squad tonight
huns 1 Leicester 6
Sure they learned a lot
Vogue bahahahaha
Delaneys, thank god for that had a cold blood rush when i realised.
Could defs meet for a pint when im over, im bringing a whole squad with me!
B-)
Have they not suffered enough ?
http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/15559412.Rangers_Colts_1_6_Leicester_Under_19s__Tough_test_on_a_disappointing_night_for_Graeme_Murty__39_s_side/
http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/15556328.Celtic_manager_Brendan_Rodgers_criticises_Pedro_Caixinha_for_how_the_Rangers_boss_squared_up_to_Scott_Brown/?ref=ar
DELANEYS DUNKY on 26TH SEPTEMBER 2017 9:46 PM
TTR
Lovely free kick goal fae SJ. Is wee Barrie getting a game for Forest?
——-
Didn’t get off the bench. January raid?
Bhoylo83: Fáilte romhat ar ais. The licensing laws – is that your main concern?:-)
TOMMY JOAD on 26TH SEPTEMBER 2017 2:23 PM
*great post Tommy, you went back tae a time when the game was a working class one including players and managers, Read recently that deidco and national team captain ian mccoll was a part time player as he worked as a civil engineer.
Macjay
If their goalie didnae make a good save fae Tom Rogic in first minute, if Griff didnae miss a sitter of a header and if Stuart could have stayed on his feet one on one wi their goalie, it could have been 0-3 at half time.
I thought idea was to play older teams
Talking about Development game at ibrox
RM
They are using 9 x U19s, 5 x U18s and 2 x U17s as a squad.
We are 1 x U21, 6 x U19, 8 x U18 as ours.
Bhoylo
Will make a point of hooking up with you next Easter, for at least one pint. :))
TTR
You think the huns would take wee Barrie back?
He widnae get in our Under 20 team.
TONTINE TIM on 26TH SEPTEMBER 2017 10:34 PM
At one stage two of the Lions were on half wages because the Club regarded them as part time players.
Big Jimmy @10:09
I am sure they win learn from that and get beat 5:1 against their next opponent :0)
Dear Mr Moderator of the general assemblage.
My apologies for my wee sweary outburst last night.
Mea Culpa
:-)
Love, copyright SOAL.
DELANEYS DUNKY on 26TH SEPTEMBER 2017 10:35 PM
You`re right of course.
I recall a number of games when we were ” all over them ” but lost .
**** LAST MAN STANDING 9 – AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! ****
We have been completely overwhelmed by the level of support for our forthcoming competition (more on that below!) and so far, we have had 108 (one hundred and eight!) entries. And there are still 3 more sleeps before we kick off!
AS A SMALL THANK YOU WE WILL BE AWARDING 3 ADDITIONAL FREE ENTRIES. The draw will take place on Thursday and we will include everyone who tells us they want to join in before midnight tomorrow night (Thursday).
So please feel free to copy or send this message on to anyone else who you think might be interested, whether family, friends, workmates, etc.
The usual ‘advert’ now follows!
Jobo and CRC
____________________________________________________
****CQN Last Man Standing 9-new competition starts Friday 29th September 2017****
Deadline for entries – 7pm on Friday
We are now welcoming entrants for the return of our Last Man Standing competition which starts this Friday 29th September 2017.
The competition will follow the same format as before and to win the entire prizepot, all you have to be is the Last (wo)man Standing at the end of the competition.
Not played before? Simply, select a uniquely different team from the list of football fixtures provided by us each week, and if you are the last (wo)man standing, then you win the prize.
Remember you can only pick the same team once in any competition, so you need to decide when to play the big guns!
The cost to take part is £10 per entry (you can have more than 1 entry if you wish), and just in case you falter in any weeks 1 to 3, then we even allow you to buy your history back for a further £10.
How easy is that? Surely you must win it!
The prizepot is 50% of all entrance and “history buyback” fees, with the remaining 50% being paid over to good causes.
For LMS9, the remaining 50% will be split equally between “Walk With Shay” and “The Oscar Knox Fund”; two causes very close to our hearts. https://www.facebook.com/OscarKnoxFund/ and
https://www.facebook.com/walkwithshay/
So if you want to take part please send us an email to cqnpredictor@gmail.com saying ” Count me in” and we will send you the first week’s fixtures, with the rules and payment details.
Please also feel free to pass onto family and friends as they more that take part, means a bigger prizepot and more monies raised for good causes
HH
CRC and Jobo
Almore
Ahhh, how do i put this…
AYE
B-)
Good late evening Jobo
Wow, 108 entries is simply amazing. Thank you for all your hard work and to all that are taking part. We even have Wee Oscar’s daddy taking part for the first time in LMS, so a privilege indeed.
And for those that love the Goals for Shay comp, don not worry GFS3 will follow LMS9.
Simply, thank you
HH
CRC
DELANEYS DUNKY on 26TH SEPTEMBER 2017 9:49 PM
MacJay
Pedro is a conman. He is a ham actor, in a bad movie.
Long may he reign in doomdome!
———————-
itsa not a mirage
its a ham bush
Macjay
I was at every Celtic game that Tommy Burns Celtic played against Rangers. We outplayed them most games, but we lost most. Frustration era!
Saint Stivs
Hahaha. Do you get Portuguese spaghetti westerns?
Pedro is the man for that job.
No Pasaran!
Hey Doc,
HH bruv
Sorry if its been seen
couldnt resist
http://www.thickaccent.com/2017/09/27/video-paddy-power-dropped-one-of-their-finest-editions-of-fandenial-after-rangers-2-0-loss-v-celtic/
DELANEYS DUNKY on 26TH SEPTEMBER 2017 11:40 PM
Macjay
I was at every Celtic game that Tommy Burns Celtic played against Rangers. We outplayed them most games, but we lost most. Frustration era!
==============================================================
From the 7-1 game until Jock we frequently used to outplay a very good uncompromising Rangers team .
I think we won a Charity Cup game and a Glasgow Cup game during that period.
Am I loving this period of utter dominance ?
Unapologetically .
Just a bit.
Macjay
I watched the video report last night re aboriginal children (lost generation) etc
It happened
On no it dinae
oh yes it did
Whats the point in that type of discussion.
The aboriginal people are living in abysmal conditions,their children are suffering
Lets agree the last 2 statements are facts .
What happens now.
Why are those 2 statements factually correct.
Is it because the Abo’s are drunken bowsies or is it because the White Anglo Saxons are imperialist exploiters,
Or is there an explanation somewhere in between
Red bull Leipzig quick news is in meltdown after tonight’s result.
Apparently it could. All have been different if the board had been premiered to go the extra 1500 metres to back the manager and pay the 6million pounds to get Barrie McKay.
Sorry, prepared
Curse of predictive text strikes again