48 hours ago, Celtic fans were in relative equilibrium. Defeat in the League Cup and an injury crisis in central defence put paid to that. Maik Nawrocki injured his hamstring at Rugby Park. He played until the end of the game, doubtlessly conflicted by the team’s predicament, but as Oh did earlier this month, almost certainly exacerbated the damage.
We are four weeks from our fist Champions League game, with only new signing Gustaf Lagerbielke and Liam Scales fit and able to play in central defence. Neither have been tested at that level, or played together, and they need to navigate another month without injury before being considered for action.
Cameron Carter-Vickers has a chance of returning for then but is by no means certain, and as you and I both know, rushing a player back from a hamstring is never a good idea. Yuki Kobayashi should be ready, in the fitness sense, however, reruns of his Ibrox performance from last season will give Brendan Rodgers plenty to consider. Stephen Welsh will be out until the turn of the year.
Reframe this fortune for what it is. Celtic are lucky; this happened during the transfer window when the club are in funds. It is no more than a normal football problem to be addressed. Brendan will have an idea on when Cameron and Maik can be expected return, he will sign others if necessary.
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PHILBHOY on 22ND AUGUST 2023 1:21 PM
RC on 22ND AUGUST 2023 1:01 PM
anyone believe we would have made the champions league group stage if we had to play in the qualifiers
Celtic fan my arse.
don’t make assumptions.
Reading back today I’m left with the question, is civility in disagreement not possible on here?
People stating valid cases on different sides of the argument is a great thing. Jibes and insults really not needed. It’s not interesting reading apart from anything else.
COSY CORNER BHOY
Some supporters set a low bar on the Europa League never mind the CL probably with good reason, if history is the yardstick. It’s been a long time since MON and Pot 4 in the CL leads to a group of death, no matter what group we seem to draw.
Punching above our weight in the Europa is where we should aim, Neil Lennon’s record is arguably better than BR and definitely AP’s and none of them have avoided a pummelling at some stage. I think on the other hand there is evidence we will win our league, with BR and the core of Ange’s team two games isn’t a measure although we’re top.
Swapping a great run in Europe for losing our league, no thanks, we should win it by default, but no team in the world wins their league every year.
ROBERTTRESSELL on 22ND AUGUST 2023 2:05 PM
Reading back today I’m left with the question, is civility in disagreement not possible on here?
================
Agreed, understand sunday being a rough day for the blog
Today children get it together and play nice
RC
I assumed nothing!
Stated a fact.
Never a Tim.
SAINT STIVS on 22ND AUGUST 2023 1:58 PM
My belief we will win the league is because we have the best resources, hopefully the best manager, he will be backed before the window closes, and will have the mid season window to make corrections if required.
It has been like that for 11 of 12 seasons, why would it not be the same outcomes again ?
—————————————-
As has been pointed out, 4 of those seasons we had a bigger turnover than the rest of the league combined and in the other the huns were docked 10 points, but again it seemed to slip your mind.
‘We have the best resources’… this will be of no use if we don’t bring in the quality needed, as Ange said, its pointless having money in the bank if the team on the park isn’t good enough.
Rodgers admitted on Sunday that quality players were needed.
Just because we have won the league for a number of seasons previously is not a guarantee for the same outcome again.
Injuries aside , Brendan’s main issue is to address the limitations of our playing style , which are centre halves inability to step up and play a forward pass , too much reliance on our captain to build the play , lack of robustness in midfield. And finally , allowing crosses into our box far too easily.
We have started to address the first problem by now having 2 centre halves , Gus and Mickey who can step up , and in time (I’m expecting soon ) a goalkeeper who can be more assured with his distribution.
Full backs AJ is aggressive and tries to close down the wingers , young Greg doesn’t and allows too many free crosses into our box, in the SPL we get away with it , so for me this needs to be addressed but bearing in mind he has little cover in front of him , he can get caught between the devil and deep blue sea.
We need some cover in front of the defence, we are completely wide open against any reasonable quality outfit. We need to pull a rabbit or 2 out the hat to get some warm bodies in before the deadline ….
Tricky stuff this modern football tactics … good news at least we have a manager who knows what he is doing and it will take a few windows to re-balance the squad
HH
EKBHOY @ 2:16 PM,
Exactly, we are still playing 4-3-3
How often does BR play that?
As he made clear, he is working on the structure of the team and working with the players to develop a different style of play
Hail Hail
when someone puts a lesser value on our league titles because “the huns were not there ” hmmm.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE @ 2:06 PM,
It is interesting that fholk are still talking about Celtic in the Europa League
Like it’s an option!?
It’s no longer is.
We are in the UCL this season and if we are good enough and win the league we are in the UCL next season and so on
The only way we get the Europa League this season is by being third in our UCL group
The only way we can get the Europa next season is if we come second in the league and fail in the qualifying competition.
That means Sevco Rangers get the UCL in the new format and race away from us in income.
Hail Hail
Mr Mod et all
There is a healthy debate ongoing with a bit of tongue and cheek.
I cannot detect any animosity. I believe evey person on this article has Celtic’s best interests at heart.
We all have differing opinions on how to achieve those best interests.
HH.
You don’t need to win the scottish league to make the champions league & all its money.
You can also finish 2nd, get to a Europa final and still break even with the league winners, in revenue.
You do this a few times and over time you surpass the current league winners, buying better players in the process, and just being more ambituous in your sell to newbies.
You then win the league and qualify automatically, getting bigger prize money guaranteed.
For the hard of understanding, taking Europe seriously is not an optional extra. It is now an essential part of stopping the team from standing still. If your rivals seize the Euro opportunity better than you, then your last place in your 2 horse race.
It’s not a choice. Only an idiot would suggest it was.
HH
PHILBHOY
I assumed nothing!
oh yes you do
Chairbhoy,
Bingo fella.
Those thinking the 2 aren’t intrinsically linked are making eijits of themselves.
HH
BW –
are you suggesting Celtic should finish 2nd , fail in the champions league qualifier, so that they can get in the europa league , where they will have a better chance of playing to the latter stages ?
Top 10 jokes of the 2023 Fringe
I started dating a zookeeper, but it turned out he was a cheetah – Lorna Rose Treen
The most British thing I’ve ever heard? A lady who said ‘Well I’m sorry, but I don’t apologise.’ – Liz Guterbock
Last year I had a great joke about inflation. But it’s hardly worth it now – Amos Gill
When women gossip we get called bitchy; but when men do it’s called a podcast – Sikisa
I thought I’d start off with a joke about The Titanic – just to break the ice – Masai Graham
How do coeliac Germans greet each other? Gluten tag – Frank Lavender
My friend got locked in a coffee place overnight. Now he only ever goes into Starbucks, not the rivals. He’s Costa-phobic – Roger Swift
I entered the ‘How not to surrender’ competition and I won hands down – Bennett Arron
Nationwide must have looked pretty silly when they opened their first branch – William Stone
My grandma describes herself as being in her “twilight years” which I love because they’re great films – Daniel Foxx
SAINT STIVS on 22ND AUGUST 2023 2:26 PM
when someone puts a lesser value on our league titles because “the huns were not there ” hmmm.
——————-
Hmmm indeed.
My point being that considering the other 11 combined didn’t come close to matching our turnover then if we had lost a 38 game league to any of these clubs then I would suggest that the PLC you idolise would have had to build a bunker to hide in.
As i said, you should take up bowls or snooker instead because you have zero ambitions for Celtic.
SAINT STIVS on 22ND AUGUST 2023 2:40 PM
BW –
are you suggesting Celtic should finish 2nd , fail in the champions league qualifier, so that they can get in the europa league , where they will have a better chance of playing to the latter stages ?
——————–
I would have thought that would be right up your street considering the doom and gloom that you predicted for how we will do in champions league.
Agreed Big WAVY…
The days of not preparing for the UCL are over…
The other option to that is being the second best side in Glasgow
Hail Hail
Celtic in the Champions League –
we are mere cannon fodder , there to make up the numbers, that is the reality.
Some of our teams with real star quality got as far as the last 16.
In the current format we will barely make a mark, barely get a win,
The fans enjoy a trip abroad, Even have a song “this is the day that we won away” to celibrate the rare achievement.
Spend all the money, it will not a make a difference,
our highlight last year was Jota scoring in the Bernabau.
In the future 8 game home and away against 8 different teams we might win some depending on the draw, and we might get in the playoffs.
But I doubt it.
SAINT STIVS on 22ND AUGUST 2023 2:57 PM
Celtic in the Champions League –
we are mere cannon fodder , there to make up the numbers, that is the reality.
Some of our teams with real star quality got as far as the last 16.
In the current format we will barely make a mark, barely get a win,
The fans enjoy a trip abroad, Even have a song “this is the day that we won away” to celibrate the rare achievement.
Spend all the money, it will not a make a difference,
our highlight last year was Jota scoring in the Bernabau.
In the future 8 game home and away against 8 different teams we might win some depending on the draw, and we might get in the playoffs.
But I doubt it.
———————————–
Well if we don’t strengthen then we will be cannon fodder, but with plenty of money in the bank then the PLC have no excuse for not doing so.
Brugge, Eintracht Frankfurt and Porto all qualified from their groups and their turnover is not that different to Celtic’s.
Which teams from these pots will Celtic beat ?
if we buy proven experienced winners, no projects, who will we beat ?
We could not beat Lepizig or Shaktar with “a better team” last season.
What are the pots for the 2023/24 Champions League?
Pot 1
Manchester City
Sevilla
Barcelona
Napoli
Bayern Munich
Paris Saint-Germain
Benfica
Feyenoord
Pot 2
Real Madrid
Manchester United
Inter Milan
Borussia Dortmund
Atletico Madrid
RB Leipzig
Porto
Arsenal
Pot 3
Shakhtar Donetsk
Red Bull Salzburg
AC Milan
Lazio
Red Star Belgrade
One ‘League Path’ winner
Pot 3 or 4
Celtic
Real Sociedad
Two ‘Champions Path’ winners
One ‘League Path’ winner
SAINT STIVS on 22ND AUGUST 2023 3:06 PM
Which teams from these pots will Celtic beat
You would have to wait and see who we buy to answer that question, that’s on the assumption that we buy anyone.
Good afternoon all.
SAINT STIVS @ 3:06 PM,
This would be a good draw, we could beat all those teams
Feyenoord
Red Star Belgrade
RB Leipzig
Sevco Rangers beat Red Star Belgrade and RB Leipzig on their way to the Europa Cup final.
Hail Hail
The stars align, scouts are cookin’ and we enter the ECL with this team:
Forster
Frimpong > CCV > VVD > Tierney
Sinclair > Rogic > Wanyama > Jota
Dembele > Edouard
Bit of ambition csc
HH
BIG WAVY on 22ND AUGUST 2023 3:23 PM
The stars align, scouts are cookin’ and we enter the ECL with this team:
Forster
Frimpong > CCV > VVD > Tierney
Sinclair > Rogic > Wanyama > Jota
Dembele > Edouard
Bit of ambition csc
————————–
Genuine question, at their very peak for the Hoops whom of these players excelled in a European match such that they go into the annals of the great performances ? Like a Jinky Red star ?
Jota scored in Madrid.
Wanyama scored against Barcelona.
Foster made several saves against Barca.
Dembele scored in Barca, then we lost 6.
Edourd played in the Lazio win in Rome,
beyond that I am struggling.
BW
Did you watch Crystal Palace last night? I only saw the last 20 minutes and French Eddie was pish and that’s a complement …..
BIG WAVY on 22ND AUGUST 2023 3:23 PM
Just thinking about the team that beat Barca !
Tactical approach needs to be allied to square pegs in square holes
PRESTONPANS BHOYS on 22ND AUGUST 2023 3:30 PM
BW
Did you watch Crystal Palace last night? I only saw the last 20 minutes and French Eddie was pish and that’s a complement …..
—
Jaysus. I wasn’t looking for a critique on my dream :) . Swop him with Kyogo, the point stands. We invest, like a club like Brighton, in truly upping our game in the scouting and recruitment front (with our hard-earned cash) we build quality into our teams that can survive big trades and continue to have us make an impact. Squeeze the life out of every pound spent on the club to push on.
Above shows that we have done it, but not consistently.
Make it consistent.
HH
Mod
Have you deleted any posts of mine?
CL = ££££££££
EL= £££
ECL =£
As long as it’s the case we want to play in the CL
Competing is another thing
CB,
Leipzig beat us home and away in last seasons group. We missed some good chances in both games, but were too open to the counter, and got punished. Maybe we get 4 first teamers in , and we might beat them.
Then again ,,,,,,,,,, maybe not
Feyenoord early season form 2 draws, Dutch champions still means something, Europa League QF last season, so maybe we are in with a shout there.
RSB – I know nothing about them currently, maybe we can beat them.
—————
If however we get City, Real, AC Milan, i am scared of embarrassing outcomes. I cant think of what 4 first team ready players changes that.
SAINT STIVS on 22ND AUGUST 2023 3:06 PM
Which teams from these pots will Celtic beat ?
if we buy proven experienced winners, no projects, who will we beat ?
We could not beat Lepizig or Shaktar with “a better team” last season.
What are the pots for the 2023/24 Champions League?
Pot 1
Manchester City
Sevilla
Barcelona
Napoli
Bayern Munich
Paris Saint-Germain
Benfica
Feyenoord
Pot 2
Real Madrid
Manchester United
Inter Milan
Borussia Dortmund
Atletico Madrid
RB Leipzig
Porto
Arsenal
Pot 3
Shakhtar Donetsk
Red Bull Salzburg
AC Milan
Lazio
Red Star Belgrade
One ‘League Path’ winner
Pot 3 or 4
Celtic
Real Sociedad
————————-
Feyenoord, Porto, Benfica, Shaktar Donetsk, Red Star Belgrade, Red Bull Salzburg, Seville, Dortmund,
EKBHOY on 22ND AUGUST 2023 3:39 PM
Absolutely. For the outsider looking in that night, we were McInnes’s Killie…
And had a keeper who won us points at the elite level.
None of this is easy & whilst we have a board full of old men, old thinking and nepotism, I do fear we won’t take the next steps necessary.
HH
StStivs.
I posted in support of you in your communication with Lambert14. My post has `disappeared`.
Trivia2012-11-07: Celtic 2-1 Barcelona, European Cup – Pic
Champions League 2012-13, match 4.
Celtic are second in the group. Victory v Benfica would guarantee group qualification. Seven points at moment, Benfica on four, Spartak three.
One of the greatest games in Celtic’s European history. Defeating what is regarded as one of the finest sides of all time.
Barcelona’s first group match away defeat for six years! An incredible record shattered.
Benfica 2-0 Spartak in other group match.
Celtic celebrating 125th anniversary celebrations, meeting at St Marys that led to formation of club was on Nov 6th 1887. Special Mass held in St Marys to commemorate it day before.
Celtic with Green Brigade stage a massive all round stadium incredible Tifo. One of the greatest yet created anywhere. Hats off to the Green Brigade and Celtic for this display.
Injuries: Izaguirre out for six weeks! Hooper, Forrest, Rogne and Brown also out.
Debut Champions League goal for Tony Watt, and it’s actually his first at Celtic Park. What a debut home goal!
Messi finally gets his goal v Celtic! Too little too late (thankfully).
Celtic top news billing in all sports bulletins across the UK and much of the world!
Forster dubbed by Spanish paper Marcana as ‘The Great Wall’ after his exceptional performance in goals.
Celtic’s Champion squad cost £7m to assemble. Barca’s non-champion Champions League team brought on 2 subs who cost £70m.
Celtic’s possession percentage is reported to be the lowest yet recorded for a side winning a game in the Champions League group stage.
Quotes
Joe Ledley: “Got to say I know every player says it but today was the best atmosphere ever… Thank you”
Joe Ledley: “Boomtown greatest moment of my life! We have just beaten the best team ever!”
Daily Mirror: “Shock aye the Nou! Wanyama and Watt help Celtic stun Barcelona…and everyone else”
Arch Bell (Marca.com): “There is perhaps no greater home pitch advantage in all of football than a Celtic home match at Celtic Park as Barcelona learned the hard way in their Wednesday night Champions League defeat 2-1.”
Vilanova: “I don’t like to lose, but if we have to lose, let it be this way.”
Vilanova: “I have been lucky in my career to have been to many grounds, but I have never seen anything like it. .”
Xavi speaking on Catalan TV – “The stadium was marvellous, the fans, the people. It is an example for everyone.”
Fraser Forster “The Great Wall” (front cover of @mundodeportivo)
Kenneth Dalglish (@kennethdalglish) “What an unbelievable result for Neil Lennon and all at Celtic.Only Lisbon beats it.The noise was deafening. Enjoy tonight.”
Neil Lennon: “I haven’t bettered this Barcelona win in my life”
Philippe Auclair (@PhilippeAuclair) (eminent journalist and footall analyst): “Regardez les fils twitter des joueurs du Barca parlant de l’atmosphere a Celtic Park…’incroyable’…’indescriptible’
Gabrielle Marcotti: “Then again, this Celtic beating this Barca prob more improbable than even 67. (Except for the 11 Glaswegians bit, which remains stunning)”
El Pais: “Triunfo memorable de un club histórico: El Celtic … siempre será el Celtic, imposible olvidar un estadio como el Celtic Park: 125 años después de su fundación, el campeón escocés sigue siendo un club reconocible y admirable.” “a memorable triumph of a historic club: Celtic … will always be celtic, it’s impossible to forget a stadium like celtic park: 125 years after their inception, the scottish champions remain a renowned and admired club.”
Paul Hayward (Daily Telegraph Chief Sports Writer): “Somewhere between madness and love, this fanaticism did for Barcelona on a night when the Celtic team and their disciples were indivisible. Money can’t buy you that.”
Messi looking back on the games v Celtic (Apr 2015) – “The games against Celtic were special and I want to remember them. “The performances of Fraser Forster against us were talked about for a long time. There was one game in Scotland where he was not human, it is the best goalkeeping performance I have seen.”
God bless Neil Lennon, bring back pragmatic football for European games,
HOT SMOKED on 22ND AUGUST 2023 3:49 PM
StStivs.
I posted in support of you in your communication with Lambert14. My post has `disappeared`.
I seen it bud, non-runner was funny.
Oh well.