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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Together
The Rosenborg team done a really Tight nit Huddle. That strategy failed because Celtic were far too clever and strong in the end.
Celtic have to realise a Red over there is a different kettle of fish. I don’t expect Jozo to play another high profile game unless he has to. A cracking CH as well. :(((
K
GFTB
How good is Olly Ntcham?
How good was his wee drag to the side then boom tap corner?
Lovin it Gerrybhoy
YNWA
Another spelling error nit = knit.
Sorry.
JQB@11:56
Subjective I know, butBroad Majestic Shannon stands alone, as Bertie Wooster would say. Nothing to do with me being pissed, but got it on repeat and it gets better every time
Callum is starting to win my Dad over.
:))
I now declare that Olivier Ntcham is my favourite fitba player in the world. This bhoy is a superstar. Magic
YNWA
DD 1.19am
Just as impressive as young Odsonne taking the ball in and switching his feet at his first goal and his Gary Hooper/Kris Commons dinks against the dead Klub …. never a Larsson “chip” Henrik used a sand wedge to outclass Klos…. am still stealing your French analogy that they must be done team if “our” musketeers can’t get a game …. yet :-)
Scaniel
Great to see you post.
Mon the Dunky’s ??
Ray Donovan , and The Affair are exceptional IMO
Garry, he has so much in his locker.
Looks Like a Big Game Player to me, Like a few Celts.
I bought Aidan the new away top and asked who he wanted on the back. Last year it was Ntcham. He currently has noone on the back of his new top.
He is wise.
DD : first time I saw Olli in the flesh compared him to the one an only Bobby Murdoch, my favourite Celt. N.B. Compared- not better or as good as, just compared . The Bhoy is something special.
As is Billions….
GFTB
My weans say that there is sometimes some intelligence in the shite I talk. Heyho.
God bless you and the Coatbrig rebels.
Clydebank like Coatbridge is Green and White and Fenian through our core.
YNWA
Gerryfaethebrig,
Whoever sanctioned the £9Mill for OE, its ok to take the mask off now. OH my Goodness gracious.
Earlier in CALLUMs career he had an unerring knack of passing the ball into the net – he had that confidence eroded along the way.
OE – Wow He has it all.
Pete
Carroll is the only name young A needs.
God bless you all.
DD – Never mind C’mon the dunkys, when are you getting your erase doon here . The wee yin would love these miniature shetlands we have rescued …as well as the donx . Now listening to Ramones version of Baby I Love You. Time to hit the cot
Take me to the Top
Garry,
We never Married so the wee guy is more aligned to King Billy and his Pub just off Victoria Road.
CELTIC
DD 1.34am
I finished up work yesterday off till the 21/08/18 …. partly because of summer holidays, my daughter was watching “wanted down under” this morning her words “dad, Australia looks amazing would you move ?” My answer … I will never leave Coatbridg Australia might look amazing but all your family is here …. born in Coatbrig and will hopefully pass in the sane scheme …, before any of the Bellshill maternity bhoys come on I was born in Alexander hospital ML5 :-) I got a nose bleed when I moved schemes :-) never mind continents !
Can’t go to the cot without saying a big hail hail to GFTB – one of the stand out ghuys here- saying that all you other ghuys are just great too. I hang on to all your inputs. Just don’t get round to saying thanks often enough.
Scaniel
My dad Robert fae Kilchattan Bay, Isle of Bute’s favourite ever player was Robert Murdoch. Robert Collins was a close second. Robert Evans and Robert Auld were his other two favourite players. Like my dad they were all called Robert. ??
Scaniel 1.44am
Do I owe you money ?
Have dipped in and out the blog all week, try my best not to post as sometimes if nothing good to say we’ll I should type nothing… Friday night to Monday morning I like my CQN shift …. hopefully catch up for a wee shandy one day :-)
The Benson crew. They Love the Celtic.
CELTIC
John 14
Is there anybody out there?
Pete
I usually enjoy your cryptic messages.
Huvnae a Scooby what your last post was about pal.
YNWA
What 1?
:))))
Not quite as good as Jimmyquinsbits the Portuguese travel guru … but if any CQNers are in Craig Tara next Saturday and fancies a cold pint although I doubt any boozer in the Ayr vicinity will be showing the champions at 3pm against Livvy but the following weekend am sure a boozer might be showing the wee huns v the Champs in Costa Deccy (sic) any pointers will be most helpful …. I will have CRCs badges on my Celtic skip hat in the nearest watering hole showing Brendan & the bhoys (& hopefully the Greeks and not the Cork bhoys on the Wednesday :-)
Pete
The King Billy Victoria wan.
Sorry
Gerryfaethebrig,
Njoi a Great home Holiday GFTB.
I remember seeing an Amazing site in the Pool at the Holiday resort a long time ago.
A new born baby being flung under water. I didnae have any idea what was happening. The Baby Floated like a Butterfly. Incredidididididididible to see.
Incredible Place efter witnessing that.
Move yer Body – eh
Have a Wonderful Time.
G-Thang,
Aidans Granda was a regular in Billys pub just aff Viccy Road.
The Real King Billy.
GFTB
I live in Dalmuir, Clydebank. We say OOH A UP THE RA.
Clydebank Sinn Fein
Pete
Got you bro.
There’s only one King Billy, he’s McNeill.
I Like the jibber jabber
Undisputable