Celtic and AEK’s contrasting preseason preparations

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Every week, every game, counts at this stage of the season, when players are fighting for full fitness.  Hibs’ remarkable comeback last night after going 0-2 down to Asteras Tripolis will have their Greek opponents wondering if three preseason friendlies was sufficient preparation for a game of that importance.  Hibs have played five games in total.

AEK Athens, who lie in wait for Celtic or Rosenborg, have also played three games since losing the Greek Cup Final on 12 May.  They play a fourth on Tuesday against Galatasaray, their final match before the Champions League third qualification round.

By contrast, Celtic have played five friendlies and are in their second qualification round.  If they overcome Rosenborg, they will face AEK having played 10 games, including the league opener against Livingston.  The difference between four and 10 games is significant.  Four games is nowhere near enough to get a squad ready to perform at their best.

I know no one at Celtic Park or Lennoxtown likes having to come through four qualification rounds.  It provides unnecessary hazard and denies the club access to lucrative friendly competitions, but there is nothing like a competitive focus to get players in shape.

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  1. Gerryfaethebrig on

    DD 2.18am

     

     

    I just smile in the wee Sevco scheme I now reside …. the difference between me and them …. they hate everything about me because of Celtic … before my wee yin was born I used to get wound up by them, these days my smile cuts them (the Sevs) in two :-) happy days

  2. Loving it being sung when we are ahead.

     

     

    Need the Sonics that will lift the players in Important games.

     

     

    Paul67 could ask the players the Sonics that give them that wee bit extra…. Is that primitive?

  3. The Celtic Symphony is the one that gets the Support really energised.

     

     

     

    What about the players on the park?

  4. I wonder if we’ll still be allowed to play in Europe after brexit ?

     

    Or, is that bomb not allowed to fall out the sky, until we’ve brexited, and there is no way back ?

     

    Bye.

  5. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Aye, am sure Uefa will bother about Brexit …. they still think Asia is in Europe …..

     

     

    Aff oot

  6. Taurangabhoy on

    JIMMYQUINNSBITS Keep them coming mate, great stories laughing out loud stuff, I like your style. Who thinks Rosenberg away will be a training exercise in defending away from home in Europe. Can see one or two of our musketeers staying away from AEK scouting eyes, and injury. Mon the hoops.

  7. GFTB

     

    ALL Hoops games are shown in The Market Inn in Ayr. It’s close to the railway Stn and at the edge of Morrison’s car park. HH

  8. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    Jimmyquinsbits

     

    Loving your yarns, keep them coming

     

     

    Remind me of Winninggemmel’s tales of the woods all those years ago

  9. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    Ger

     

    I’ve promised PF and Angel Gabriel that I’d get to the market for a game one of these days

     

     

    Hope to meet you and the Ayrshire Tim’s soon

  10. GFTB

     

     

    Ger57 is correct.

     

     

    The Market Inn in Ayr has Celtic TV and shows all the games.

     

     

    It’s right next to the station – cannae miss it.

     

     

    Been in loads of times, as have many CQNers, and it’s a great pub.

     

     

    HH!!

  11. Delaneys Dunky on

    BT

     

    Give me a shout and we will have a day oot at Ayr for a Celtic away game. A wee paddle in the Clyde then a few Guinness watchin Celtic in the Market, would be a crackin dayoot. Some of the best guys on here are Tims fae Ayrshire. AngelGabriel, Tallybhoy, BMCUW,CCB, PR67. Miss Ayrshirtim and Mick fae here.

     

    YNWA

  12. Delaneys Dunky on

    Ger57

     

    Sorry I missed you on the Ayrshire Tim shout out. You are a Lanarkshire bhoy, and you know I love you anyway. Hope to see you soon bro.

     

    YNWA

  13. Delaneys Dunky on

    BT

     

    I used to love a daytrip to Ayr. Want to do it again soon. Would be great if you came with me.

     

    YNWA

  14. Good morning CQN from a damp but dry at the moment Garngad

     

     

    GFTB, MIT. Sorry guys I fell asleep.. Dreaming of the good old summers ??

     

    Gerry ano the memory does play tricks regarding good times, but let’s go with the flow. ??

     

     

    Mike I googled the wire it’s not the one I was thinking about with MC in it, looks good though, so I will try and get it on Netflix or Amazon prime.

     

     

    HH.

     

     

    D. :)

  15. prestonpans bhoys on

    DD @8:21

     

     

    Whit about me, yur tea is oot ?

     

     

    Ayrshiretimsinexile.csc

  16. Neustadt-Braw on

    paul67 …try disengaging Java and downloading ADBLOCK…

     

     

     

    smiley spoonfull of sugar thing

     

     

    Braw

  17. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    DD

     

    I’m sure a 12.30 Saturday ko could be around the corner soon

     

    Already made arrangements for Friday night v. st mirren or that could have been a plan

     

     

    Text sent to P67 re

     

    Lack of article

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