It’s hard playing away from home in Europe, statistically, the hardest thing we do (harder still than guessing what bizarre nonsense Craig Thomson will get up to next). For all our great Champions League nights, our record on the Continent (or any other continent, as the case may be) is poor.
Hapoel Beer Shiva’s expectations will be low, but their job tonight is remarkably simple: score, then score again, then see what happens to Celtic. They scored twice in two minutes at Celtic Park, and if they can do the same in 80 minutes in Israel, that +£20m pot you’ve been reading about it anyone’s.
We need big performances from our big players, most notably Craig Gordon and Kolo Toure. I’ve no concerns we’ll get what’s necessary from Leigh Griffiths, James Forrest and Scott Sinclair. Therein lies the tactical problem for Hapoel.
They would prefer to play this game as they played Olympiakos: on the break. Instead, they have to chase the tie, which will leave space for Celtic’s fast front three to exploit.
Tactically, this is a very difficult task to prepare for the home team to prepare for, which is why Hapoel are 9-1 against qualifying, high odds for a two horse race. They need to play the opponent, so should defend, but they also need to play the aggregate score, so need to create lots of chances.
Teams who attempt to square this circle often lose the match. Let’s hope.
1-2, Celtic, on the night.
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UPDATES ARTICLE UP
MWD –
Going for 2-2 as well.
£10 on @ 7/1
Bring it on.
Celtic to win both halves (and so qualify with at least 5 goals to spare!) 10/1
Right, off to my Bhoy’s flat so that it’s not my own telly that gets thrown oot the windae at 9.30…. ;-)
NEUSTADT-BRAW
Hi A ……………………………….you have mail :-)
Heading off to my local, mac in hand, for the live stream…only 38 degrees.
For some reason I have ‘Hail Glorious St Patrick ‘ and ‘Sean South’ buzzing around my head.
Things you won’t read on SMSM….. Celtic 5-2 up in £25,000, 000 showdown
MON THE CHAMPIONS CSC
Whilst in hospital last week my consultant was concerned by my very high blood pressure.
Despite being on daily medication ,I am supposedly in the high risk zone.
Skip forward to tonight and I feel like my heart is going to explode .
The worry is killing me.
Celtic to score first but we still crumble and get beat 4-1 ,was my last panic attack thought.
There are times that I wish I had no interest in Celtic.
They are responsible for most of the anxiety in my life ,and have been since Milan in 1970.
The high joy of winning is never as low as the depression of losing.
And yet ,I am hooked ,addicted ,obsessed.
I am upstairs lying on my bed ,iPad in hand.
Mrs TT is downstairs BTSports 2 on waiting on the match starting.
I have left the living room door open so I can hear the muffled sound of the commentary.
I will no doubt hear her roar if we score ,or hear her disgusted shout if we lose a goal.
My heart can barely take the tension.
Celtic first ,Celtic last ,Celtic over all.
TT
SFTB, ha ha. Brilliant
:_)
My rudimentary knowledge of the game tells me there are staff at Celtic who have found their spiritual home.
We’re going through.
Just in from work and seen the team.
Brendan knows what he is doing.
The Israeli’s have nothing to lose and everything to gain, which is not good for us although I am very confident we will play well tonight and be in the draw on Friday.
All 14 playing tonight will know exactly what to do.
Over 3.5 goals would be nice for the accumulator but I really don’t mind a 0-0 (I really doubt that will happen).
C’mon the Mighty Celts.
St. Brendan the Navigator steer an unerring passage to the Isle of the Blessed tonight.
Burgas Hoops…. Hail hail…
Tinytim…gute besserung…..
Let’s get stuck in aboot them…two up by half time ….enjoy ma diiner etc etc etc ….
Braw.
TINYTIM
Take it EASY mate, i know the feeling only to well.
Auld Tam
If I was a gambling man I’d have a bit of that.
MWD
TinyTim on 23rd August 2016 7:16 pm
Take things easier m8 – try not to get stressed about things that don’t matter, obviously Celtic does.
I hope we get an early one to stop you worrying. ;))
HH
MON THE HOOPS
‘MON THE ‘TIC !!!
Wtf is the goal keeper wearing.
Who agrees to these things
And exhale.
Not a knuckle left on my hands.
Janko……
Good lord.
He’s doing a Blackett
Hopefully sub McGregor, (who has done zilch) for Rogic
no blog…?
I’m thinking,having not kept up with the blog that for a start,why does our goalie have a blue strip? I’d say disgraceful but the delicate balance of the ole molecular structure has seen to it that he’s saved a penalty with it in so….
My other observation from a teletext updates type supporter is how the feck was there no and for every corner,a man on each post regardless of the formation? What the feck is that all about?
Anyways,it’s been backs the wall stuff but credit to us we’ve weathered the storm and I think we finished quite strongly.
No uneducated bravado from me now but do I sense they’re tiring a wee bit?
We’re a fledgling force but this game is gonna make men out of us and I believe the fruition of yon force will be witnessed.
This us harder than the group stages considering what’s at stake.
Mon Celtic,cheeky wee goal,if no,were good enough to keep them out our trenches.
My thoughts are with Tiny Tim’s ticker…..
Where’s out midfield ffs!
Small mercies
We won’t get a harder hame this season,I’m praying for a rope a dope sucker punch….
Hail Mary,the Lord is with thee…..