While the World Cup is a nice summer distraction, the serious business of Champions League qualification gets underway for Celtic one week tomorrow. Right now, the temperature in Yerevan, Armenia, where we will face Alashkert, is an egg-frying-on-the-patio 38°C. It’s to be higher-still at 7pm.
Brendan Rodgers may consider it wise to send his players out to pace themselves for the first 89 minutes or so. Playing in heat warmer than body temperature is not something you can acclimatise to in a few days. PLayers’ bodies will react in a way they will seldom, if ever, have experienced before. I would bite your hand off for a draw and no remedial medical attention required.
Best of luck to Dedryck for Belgium’s round of 16 tie against Japan tonight, although I’m beginning to cross-reference World Cup Champions League dates. You would not bet against Belgium remaining involved until the last weekend.
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Well, that’s the possession stat looking less of a wow point.
Amazing what can happen in football.
Vertonghen having an absolute nightmare of a game and then comes up with that cracking goal.
And he might even have meant it.
STARRY PLOUGH on 2ND JULY 2018 9:00 PM
Uruguay are the only team that look solid in defence. Brazil not too bad either but the rest always liable to a; error or two.
A great second half of football.
For a few years, Belgium have had as good a team as anyone, but just seemed to lack a bit of self-belief. Hopefully, this win will give them that.
DeBruyne’s run, vision and pass for that final goal … world class!
Kompany, imo, is not match fit.
GARY67
Uruguay v France …Tasty:))
Is that Englands side of the draw???
Thought Brazil defended well today, tough wee guys:))
Brazil to me seem to be picking up pace.
Decent World Cup so far..
From earlier, Im in central California, close to Yosemite which is stunning.
When you see the size of a cougar it really makes you think. With the heat its natural to want to walk in the mornin or evening when cooler but that is the times a lot of these animals tend to wake and move.
We did have a rattlesnake scare which prompted this anti serum and a local showed how to get it to move ( handfulls of gravel and stones,,throw about ten feet away and progress inwards and it will sense the danger is getting near and bail. You shouldnt actually hit it. )
And again it comes out early to lie on bare earth ie the trail and warm itself but yet thats when the trail is busy, morning times.
I guess we are all just trying to get along in tandem.
Last week me and Hamish got followed for a while by a loose pitbull and I did start to wonder if things go south whats my options here.
I dont encounters bears here where I live but I do visit an area where they are common and see a lot of their scat ( poop ) there and perhaps you would be interested you know that plastic bags pass right through them, its very common to have an entire plastic bag in the pile.
THeres a town called Jamestown about 10 miles away. You wont believe this one. Early on it was inhabited by a certain mr James. He proceeds to name the town after himself. Becomes the mayor as its his town, and opens the towns only bank.
And one night elopes with every single penny of that towns savings and their gold.
What cracks me up is they didnt even change the name, its still called after the thieving bassa.
https://www.sierranevadageotourism.org/content/jamestown-no-431-california-historical-landmark/sie4905a4038a5168ad6
http://jamestownca.org/history.php
These parts are known for the biggest vein of gold ever discovered ie the motherlode which the area is referred to by all, and for being Mark Twains playground. He had wrote about the area , hung around here and had cabins here so in tribute to the man himself theres is a frog jumping competition each year. I believe its the longest jump and highest jump .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Celebrated_Jumping_Frog_of_Calaveras_County
https://www.gocalaveras.com/travel-directory/calaveras-county-fair-jumping-frog-jubilee/
What a finish to this game well done Belgium
GENE
We’ll done on your exertions today
Following on from my post last night seeking a video of the Feyenoord 70 ECF, I have went with the eBay German commentary one, as can’t track an English commentary version down.
I did watch the 90 minutes version on you tube last night, and will watch the extra time tied to the chair later.
Although I agree with your comment about us being outplayed, I did notice we had an awful lot of the ball and didn’t do much with it, too many stoppages, and booted baws up in the air.
I felt sorry for Bobby Lennox when his goal was ruled out for offside, looked on to me. I also thought the ref let a lot of fouls on Jinky go unpunished but to be fair we dished out a few ourselves. The QSG book seems to point out one of the main criticisms of Stein’s team selection was not playing Connelly from the start, considering the part he had played in the earlier rounds. There is no doubt Feyenoord could play a bit and they missed a few chances and hit the woodwork.
I reckon the main difference between the Lisbon performance and this one was the way we controlled the game in Lisbon as opposed to seeming to hurry and misplace our passes as well as Feyenoord putting much more pressure on our players than Inter did.
As I said last night, I really felt for Big Yogi with that extra time miss, as he was my boyhood hero, and I can still remember ma maw sowing the number 11 from green ribbon onto my footie shorts.
Also seem to remember asking for and getting one of our best performers on the night,Evan Williams’ autograph at his house a few weeks after that game.
Hail Hail
Kentucky Bhoy
STARRY PLO
winners of Uruguay v France. Quarter final will play the winners of Brazil v Belgium. England are in the other side of the draw
* STARRY PLOUGH
The Roll Shop in the earlier picture was a favourite stop off and return pub on Hampden vivits.
It was off course “The Spur” in Polmadie Road….closed down without fanfare and unexpectedly around 2007.
Anyway I’ve completed tonight’s Tunnock’s terrific example of Origami ….and I think I may have surpassed myself with not only my dexterity but also my imagination.
It could be any one of an alligator, a newt or my own personal interpretation….a salamander.
Not only can you judge for yourself but you can also see who ascended the podium to allow the Salamander to sport his name….it’s all here at….
http://alturl.com/nus3e
Hail Hail
Matt
p.s. On reflection I think “Turkeybhoy’s” wee sculpture last night has the look of the ‘Reaper’ about it. :)
GARY67
England, Colombia, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia and Croatia, now I can see why their media are wetting themselves, all the ” big” teams are on the other side.
With all due respect to the teams in the brits side of the draw, if the brits don’t make the final it will imo have been a fecking disaster for them.
Maybes just as well Martinez has dropped Dedryk, a few more decent displays and ol Pedro would be having sleepless nights, naw, bring him home.
Kentucky Bhoy
Great memory of your mum.
I was a right back and, when I got my first Celtic strip, my mum sewed a black number 2 onto each side of my shorts. Of course it should only have been on one side and I got a bit of ribbing from my pals but,for me, this was “My Coat of Many Colours that Mamma Sewed for Me”.
The technique of the Japanese players compared to most Scottish players is stark.
The SFA are solely responsible for the state of Scottish footall and the Scotland team through their ignorance, bowling/golf club committee attitude along with their pandering to the Ibrox clubs.
Unfortunately, like many others, I dont see it changing .
TET- Engerland could get papped oot tomorrow, beat Panama Jax and The Tunisian Arms, horsed by Belgium Reserves……the hysteria and delusion going to new levels now….
Kentucky bhoy
I would rather walk over broken glass than watch that game again – so more power to you
Dallas
Loved your tribute to Temple Tim Billy Stark. He may not have been a Tim when he grew up in Temple, but he sure became one. I love converts to Celtic.
YNWA
Sven Goran Erikson was interviewed on Radio 5 Live yesterday. Very interesting what he had to say about England’s chances, if they beat Colombia. He reckoned Sweden would beat them, because they are so well organised. Mind you, Lustig’s 11 would have to get past the Swiss first, not the easiest.
Bada
Like 66 where everything went their way and every game played at wemberley – this one could be going the same way – so I hope you are right and they get beat tomorrow
Dallas D
Why would they want to change???? if they did Timmy would be in control and that’s no gonna happen any time soon, sadly.
The draw for the prize raffle will be taking place soon, third prize a holiday for two in the Bahamas, all expenses paid, worth £5000, second prize a small city run around car, worth £12000, first prize a week on the committee.
HH
Bada
They could and I hope they do, but I just canny see it, I have a bad feeling about them, I will be happy for the players but jeezo, the gloating will be unbearable.
HH
Matt
I expected to see oor Griff in the teacake photo. As a kid I made wee Tunnocks Teacake Cups to win in oor Subbuteo tourneys.
Kentucky bhoy, the 70 final was close to my seventh bithday . I was promised my first ever Celtic strip if we won.
I was in tears after the match , not because we had lost but I thought I would not get my first ever Celtic strip.
The night after the game , I went to the airport with my dad to collect some friends who had been at the match.
Two flights from Milan came in within ten minutes of each other. Two plane loads of Celtic fans came through the arrivals , everyone looking thoroughly dejected and scunnered with our performance and the delays at Milan airport.
It was then I first realised what Celtic meant to our support as those I saw were so disappointed by the result from the final.
I was at a lunch at Celtic Park years ago. Evan Willams was at our table . He was still annoyed we never won the cup again despite his man of the match award. Evan said if the game went to a replay , we woud definitely won it
If i was Celtic and seeking defenders i would look at Uraguay as those chaps seem excellent at this long lost art.
For midfielders Japan would be a venue of choice.
Everybody on Engerland’s side of the draw would be happy to face them I reckon. Hope Colombia destroy their ego tomorrow.
The Exiled Tim, you’re right the SFA will never change and there seems no desire from the clubs to get it sorted.
Uruguay.
GENE on 2ND JULY 2018 9:49 PM
Kentucky bhoy I would rather walk over broken glass than watch that game again
*aye me tae, Seville as well. Milan apart fae the result was a great day out, we got on great with the Feyenoord supporters, must be they Ajax supporters that are the bams. So this love in with Seville does ma heid in, bet you Henke disnae look back with nostalgia.
Delaney’s at 9.51, thanks , Billy a so much better player than I ever thought he was . In fact, I was dismayed we signed him as I thought he was a bit of a sand dancer.
How wrong was I . When we played Morton in our first game that season, I was impressed by him then in our next couple of home games against Motherwell and Aberdeen , I realised what a good and clever player , Billy was . A top man also.
Near the end of the Centenary season, I had gone home after our game then about half seven , I was on the 6 bus on Alderman Road. I spotted Billy in his Celtic blazer with hisc wife in the doorway of a house close to the junction with Anniesland Road, possibly collecting their children.
!!Bada Bing!! @ 9:44 pm,
That’s exactly what I thought when it was reckoned Southgate had played it smart…
Lose to Columbia and how good does beating Tunisia and Panama look?
My team for Champions were Belgium but I have a soft spot for Japan, glad they made a good account of themselves.
Now, Belgium coming back from 2 down to win – looking like a tournament team…
Still think they can do it.
Hail Hail
DELANEYS DUNKY on 2ND JULY 2018 9:56 PM
Matt I expected to see oor Griff in the teacake photo. As a kid I made wee Tunnocks Teacake Cups to win in oor Subbuteo tourneys.
*about 30 or so year ago I went down tae TO for an Ontario Government course, it meant 1 week there, 1 back at work and another week tae finish it.
As we finished the 2nd week and over a few don revies one of the participants, Glenn fae Ottawa, approached me and said his grampa was Scottish and came fae a place called Uddingston.
There were a couple of brothers, one was an undertaker, the other a baker and his grampa had emigrated. Glenn’s surname was Tunnock. He had no idea how big his family were and how much of a fixture they were in Scotland.
Matt Stewart
Many thanks for the origami trophy.
It will stand comparison with Sevco’s Petrofac Cup triumph
hi bhoys, delaneys dunky just want to apoligise for my rant at you, and for swearing at you, had been drinking all day but that is no excuse, anyway very sorry, but one thing never have been and never will be a hun, garry if you don’t want to accept my apology no problem, hope you and your family are well.
https://mobile.twitter.com/scotlandsky/status/1013894769905487873
Bid for McGinn rejected, be here soon…
Dallas Dallas @ 9:42 pm,
That is very true, the greater the Rangers obsession has become the poorer Scottish football in general and the National team in particular has become.
If it hadn’t been for Celtic and the guys who went to learn their trade in England at a young age – Scotland wouldn’t even have a team.
Hail Hail
Was thinking about this,
Brendan Rodgers said has already admitted he would not attempt to talk Tierney out of a move to England, given his “moral” obligation to the club and the player.
No mention of any moral obligation to the fans.