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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ROWLEY BIRKIN QC on 23RD AUGUST 2016 6:16 PM
Can anyone tell me why the first 3 rows of seats in the stadium are left empty for CL games and why the second row of seats in the dugout always have a sign on them saying “not in use” at the same games?
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Just coz YOOEFFA are knobs. ;)))
Rowley Birkin, I was asking JJ the same question about the front three rows being empty.
Daft auld bugger said he hadnt noticed:_)
cowiebhoy. I believe one of my grand daughters may well be in her class. H.H.
SOZ @5:55 re:Jim White = Max Headroom
Brilliant – made me laugh and ease the pressure somewhat
COWIEBHOY on 23RD AUGUST 2016 6:23 PM
Has a totally natural way in both roles, and was up beyond midnight with her sister,
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Enthusiasm, dedication and preparation are important but a good night’s kip is needed eventually.
Good luck to her
The front two rows are left empty so they can have higher advertising boards.
I was impressed to see the wheel chair spaces along north stand were on raised plyboard platforms.
I sit in 122 corner. 3 from front. Only realised I couldn’t see tho goaline in the second half when someone forced a shot.
Three hours from now and we’ll all finally be happy.
Celtic might also get through….
Embramike be on in a minute :)
Max headroom is more believable than the skinny zombie. Sleverrin presenter
Bhoys it’s now Celtic time, but thanks
JfH your granddaughter is in for a brilliant experience :-)
What others don’t see, and I’m sure other teachers are aware, she spent all last week getting class prepared etc, and has spent a fortune of her own money ( OK mine :-)) in items to enhance their learning experience
Right it’s Celtic time now :-)
Has the team sheet been leaked yet?
cv
Marrakesh
Whit are you like?
I can understand not being able to look at a last minute penalty being taken but being tooooooooo nervous to watch ANY of the game?!!!!!
Man up man!!!!! :)
I just couldn’t miss it and cannae wait for it!
As a teenage i would stand in the jungle trembling with nervousness for about the 1st 30 minutes before they settled down and nowadays its only about the 1st 5 minutes that im like that so somehow ive chilled a bit.
Sounds like you have maybe went the opposite way!
Have you always been like that?
Its strange how we can be affected so badly with something like this and as much as i think you are mad……i guess it shows how much it means to you!
Never mind IV………get Whole Lotta Love on because while you are listening…..we will be giving Hapoel a right good humping as wee bit of foreplay before heading into the champions league honeypot :)
HH
broonie’s gonna score with his left foot from 30 yards !!!!
Liverpool are facing Burton Albion this evening…..
Can’t wait for this. Obviously as a Celtic fan my mind has drifted towards disaster but quickly I have pulled it back. We’ll score and that will be that.
InBrendanwetrustCSC
CELTIC starting XI v Hapoel Be’er Sheva: Gordon; Janko, Lustig, Toure, Tierney; Brown, Bitton, McGregor; Forrest, Griffiths, Sinclair. #UCL
Celtic team v Be’er Sheva tonight ko 7:45 pm …
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 24s24 seconds ago
CELTIC starting XI v Hapoel Be’er Sheva: Gordon; Janko, Lustig, Toure, Tierney; Brown, Bitton, McGregor; Forrest, Griffiths, Sinclai
Is the game on BT 1 or BT 2. ?
Or am I up the wrang dreil? Again
Braw.
CELTIC substitutes: De Vries, Izaguirre, Dembele, Armstrong, Rogic, Roberts, Sviatchenko. #UCL
2
2
Big Mik moves over one…
The rest pretty much as predicted..
We’ll have a strong bench too…
Nice one Brendan..
CELTIC starting XI v Hapoel Be’er Sheva: Gordon; Janko, Lustig, Toure, Tierney; Brown, Bitton, McGregor; Forrest, Griffiths, Sinclair
CELTIC starting XI v Hapoel Be’er Sheva: Gordon; Janko, Lustig, Toure, Tierney; Brown, Bitton, McGregor; Forrest, Griffiths, Sinclair.
NEUSTADT-BRAW. BT 2 Fella. H.H.
O’Connell not even on bench
No O’Connell,ah well,in Brendan we trust.
Time for me to make tracks,next time I post we’ll be in the CL.
Relax fholks and enjoy.Laters.
COYBIG
CELTIC substitutes: De Vries, Izaguirre, Dembele, Armstrong, Rogic, Roberts, Sviatchenko
4-3-3???
Surprise line up no O’Connell and McGregor’s fresh legs beat Tom Rogic to start.
Looks like Lustig and Toure in a safety first job.
COYBIG CSC
BT
Must be injured Shirley?
Five at the back, that’s a surprise but someone did predict the line up earlier
Thankyou Joe…
Toot toot…..
No surprises in the team….I like that …
Braw.
Brilliant, any starting 11 from that squad is good enough to do the job tonight IMO.
Mon the hoops.
superstar lined up for the glorious Ragers to get them back where they belong
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/scotland/37163487
Wound have had Rogic in before McGregor.
One comforting thought is that Celtic have scored fourteen goals in the last three matches and surely the team will get more to-night.
Lustig and Toure is a belts and braves thingie.
Oops, missed O’Connell out
* braces