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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374 Comments

  1. fergusslayedtheblues on

    Sorry I just read the last part of my last post there and realized I must have already had too much to drink

     

    H hic H

  2. !!Bada Bing!! on

    Pretty sure John Clark unfurled the flag recently…..there’s been so many…?

  3. fergusslayedtheblues on

    Agree regarding Danny McGrain unfurling the championship flag

     

    The man is a Celtic legend IMO

     

    HH

  4. big packy 1 on 27th July 2018 9:57 pm

     

     

    2 of us are fine and one of us has rhubarb poisoning

  5. fergusslayedtheblues on

    CELTARELLA on 27TH JULY 2018 9:49 PM

     

     

    Headline in the Daily record ………….

     

     

    DIRECTOR FARTS DURING CRUCIAL FINANCIAL CONFERENCE CALL MEETING .

     

     

     

    Today a company director let rip an audible fart at a very sensitive time during a meeting in which the very existence of the company he worked for was being discussed and just as his boss laid out plans for his investment to save the company .

     

     

    when asked why he chose that precise moment to let rip he replied

     

     

    I thought I would add some authenticity to the bulls**t I was hearing .

     

     

    no one at RIFC would say if he will be disciplined

     

    HH

  6. Delaneys Dunky on

    Time for a magic auld joke.

     

    Knock Knock who’s there.

     

    Aura.

     

    Aura who.

     

    Aura Sevco are shite.

     

    So feckin shite.

     

    YNWA

  7. FSTB. Agree on all points even that you have had too much to drink ??

     

     

    HH ?

     

     

    D :)

  8. Very novel idea from the Dumb and Dumbers over on Scum Media.

     

    Because the Taigs/Fenians/ Tarriers/delete where applicable,have taken away their Scumzone,””The Rangurs should just open the park up early,and hiv the Fanzone oan the pitch.Whit a dream fur awe the weans running aboot oan it.See howthey like that”

  9. fergusslayedtheblues on 27th July 2018 10:13 pm

     

     

    For their next directors meeting they’re preparing the tear gas.

  10. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    He seems to have cost a lot of money by waving a flag. If he hadn’t waved the flag, maybe there would have been more money for schools and hospitals.

     

     

    MSP John Mason response to young lad being up in court 5 times under the now scrapped bill brought into even the score

  11. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Hrvatski , thank you.

     

     

    Danny’s statement after the announcement summed up what a humble and great man he is. He talked of his and his family’s pride at him unfurling the flag then concentrated on our current team. He is an inspiration.

     

     

    Bada , you’re right about John Clark.

     

     

    Charlie Gallagher was sitting close to me on Wednesday night. He is another who could be considered for future unfuling of a league flag. Charlie took the two most importsnt corners in our history leading to our winning goals in the 1965 Scottish Cup Final and in the Vojvadina game.

     

     

    Good night all and sleep well .

  12. Delaneys Dunky on

    Mahe

     

    Frank is good Bet he is happy that his fellow Drumchapel Bhoy Daniel Fergus McGrain is unfurling the flag next week. Drumchapel Tims are my favourite type of Unrepentant Fenians. Heavily outnumbered but still run the scheme.

     

    Tiochfaidh ar la

  13. Delaneys Dunky on

    WBC

     

    That is my favourite Pogues song. Just beating A Pair of Brown Eyes. Shaun McGowab is a lyrical genius.

  14. Twenty thumping rebel foot stompers recorded live at The Royal Albert Hall

     

    featuring Rod Stewart ( sings Grace ) and Bhoy George ( gives it Kevin Barry )

     

     

    BBCTimPlayer CSC