Celtic will face their first Champions League qualifying opponents on either 31 July or 1 August but heartbeats among the scouting staff will quicken tonight and tomorrow when every potential opponent will play in the second qualifying round.
A number of potential opponents from eastern and northern Europe are mid-season but all will benefit from successfully coming through two qualifying games before tackling seeded opponents two weeks from now.
It is crucially important that Celtic are ready for this tie.
The final qualifying round, scheduled to take place during the last two weeks in August, will offer a greater challenge on paper but European qualifying games in July are notorious for catching better teams unprepared.
After a credibly, though ultimately unsuccessful, Europa League group campaign last season Celtic’s domestic form clicked into place and we looked like a team capable of becoming champions. There was some regret that we didn’t hit form early enough to make the most of our European adventure. Neil Lennon will also be keen to avoid the anaemic performance against Sion, who beat Celtic on aggregate but were subsequently awarded two 3-0 defeats for failing to observe rules.
These Celtic players found hidden depths last season but they have a point to prove in Europe. There is also the nagging suspicion that this Celtic team is more talented that the two Gordon Strachan took to the later stages of the Champions League.
Bring it on.
Get your season ticket and saddle up for the ride.
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Beyonce
In There.
hello from berlin
come on you bhoys in green
jam67
missed again,now off to the boozer to get….
EmeraldBee\o/ proud to be an internet bampot on 17 July, 2012 at 11:24 said:
Lol! Have to watch my ma staggering home at night;)
From prev thread…
HH
The preparation has to be good. Success in Europe is a must this season
Som mes que un club on 17 July, 2012 at 11:30 said:
Kitalba
That white looked like it was flying into the top right pocket, and the film was cut just in time. ;-)
Tricky Times for the Champions a few of those teams will be right up for a game against us, let’s hope tonights friendly in Germany increases our desire to be ready!!
C’mon the Magnificent Hoops
So who do we fancy in the 1st qualifier?
“Gonnae dae the fixture list list!”
“Naw am no daein it – you dae it”
“Am no daein it either ma da will kill me”
@BBC
Hoooray, hoooray, hoooray…
Andy Coyle @STV_Andy
Also confirmation from SFA that Compliance Officer will follow up Ally McCoist’s Judicial Panel comments “upon conclusion of other issues”
Retweeted by Patrick McGuire
Guan the Vincent..
Som mes que un club:
I agree.
I hope he stays.
group stages minimum hoops
get it done
I see Weatherseal has confirmed its continuing support for the SPL in the coming season. Doncaster will be raging.
I wonder if this new sponsorship will mean an extended transfer window??
Younger, Fitter, Faster, was that not the mantra of Gordon. Neil must have been listening.
It’s just like ole times -talkin’ about who we might get in the ole Euro-Qs.
Is the #9 Enigma back in trainin’ yet?
SFA – Sophistry, Falsehood, Absurdity
Scottish FA issues Rangers update
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
Now that the status of Rangers FC has been clarified by the respective league bodies, the Scottish FA has compiled the following information to provide clarity and guidance on the remaining issues to be resolved.
When will the Scottish FA consider Rangers application for membership?
Now that the Scottish Football League have made a conditional acceptance of Rangers FC in Irn Bru Division Three we will now consider the club’s application for membership transfer this week.
How can Rangers be considered for membership when they can’t provide four years’ financial statements?
Sevco Scotland Ltd bought Rangers Football Club PLC’s share in the SPL and membership of the Scottish FA as part of their acquisition of assets. Under Article 14.1, Sevco Scotland are requesting the transfer of the existing membership of Oldco. This is different to an application for a new membership, which generally requires four years of financial statements.
When will the Appellate Tribunal be reconvened?
The Scottish FA has been in dialogue with Rangers FC in respect of the outstanding disciplinary sanction. The decision of the Court of Session to set aside the 12-month registration embargo was complicated by Rangers FC’s administration and subsequent request from Sevco Scotland for a transfer of membership of the Scottish FA. Again, now that the club’s status has been confirmed by the SPL and SFL, we will consider the award of transfer once Rangers FC satisfy the necessary criteria.
Will Rangers’ original punishments be transferred to Newco?
The Scottish FA Board has the power to transfer membership under Article 14.1, which states:
“. . . Transfer of membership will be reviewed by the Board, which will have the complete discretion to reject or to grant such application on such terms and conditions as the Board may think fit.”
Will Ally McCoist be subject to a Compliance Officer Reference for his comments about the Judicial Panel?
The Compliance Officer communicated with Rangers FC in mid-June to confirm that the matter has been reported and will be initiated through the normal Judicial Panel Protocol upon conclusion of the other outstanding issues affecting the club.
In what round will Rangers Newco join the William Hill Scottish Cup?
Under the Scottish FA’s Cup Competition Rules, Rangers FC as a third division club will join the William Hill Scottish Cup at the second round.
Why have the Scottish FA blocked the transfer of Rangers players to other clubs?
The Scottish FA issued a guidance note, based on legal advice and without prejudice, to both Rangers FC and PFA Scotland. Certain players have now chosen not to transfer across under TUPE regulations and, instead, agreed contracts elsewhere.
On a procedural basis, the Scottish FA cannot process an International Transfer Certificate via FIFA’s Transfer Management System where there is an ongoing contractual dispute.
Rangers FC have confirmed that there is such a contractual dispute. In the meantime, the new club(s) can request a temporary transfer from FIFA in order that the player(s) is free to play while the dispute process unfolds. This process has commenced in relation to a number of the players in question.
At the request of one of the parties in dispute, the Scottish FA, through its Articles, can convene an Arbitration Panel, with either side selecting from a list of Panel members, with the two appointees subsequently selecting a Chair of the panel. Rangers FC have made such a request to the Scottish FA.
We would naturally seek an outcome as soon as possible.
Does the Scottish FA have a fit and proper person report for the new Rangers owner(s) and do we know who the main investors/directors are?
The Scottish FA has received private and confidential documentation from Sevco Scotland Ltd relating to the above. We have asked Sevco to provide further supplementary information and will consider that information this week.
Under new Scottish FA rules, it is a requirement of the outgoing club directors to conduct a full investigation under the Fit and Proper Guidelines. Given Rangers FC’s insolvency event, it has been incumbent on the administrators, Duff and Phelps, to carry out the necessary checks on the proposed new directors, as well as our own investigations.
What is the status of the investigation into use of Employee Benefit Trusts?
This is an investigation under the jurisdiction of the Scottish Premier League specific to player registrations. The SPL have recently confirmed they have prima facie evidence but as the potential appellate body, we cannot comment further at this stage.
Kitalba
Absolutely.
EmeraldBee\o/ proud to be an internet bampot on 17 July, 2012 at 11:24 said:
Pigeons, home, roost…
HH
Paul67, indeed definitely more talent there than the Strachan squad, am hoping to see it flourish on the European stage.
‘Weatherseal’ ?
That’s a clevertrick, more impressive than catchin’ fish and clapping your flippers.
Let’s get his lordship back on the case. No transfer ban, so what comes next??
I can’t wait for the champions league nights again, when McDonald scored against Ac Milan in the last couple of minutes what a feeling.
Technically, if the disciplinary case against Rangers is continued until after 25th August, when the first round ties are completed, Sevco could accept being ‘ejected’ from the Scottish Cup as they enter at round 2, rather than the alternatives, suspension or expulsion.
Got Inter ticket through this morning,C’mon you Bhoys in Green.
TBB
Too right. This is my favourite:
Will Rangers’ original punishments be transferred to Newco?
The Scottish FA Board has the power to transfer membership under Article 14.1, which states:
“. . . Transfer of membership will be reviewed by the Board, which will have the complete discretion to reject or to grant such application on such terms and conditions as the Board may think fit.”
—
This reads like the work of Broadfoot. You come across this kind of straight-bat answer to tricky questions all the time. The laugh here is that it’s the SFA’s own question.
stevebhoy on 17 July, 2012 at 10:08
If anybody knows about domestic security cameras, I would be grateful for any links/advice.
**********************
I’ve just installed a camera in my home, a Foscam (get them on Amazon UK) for about £70.
The Foscam FI8918W Wireless IP Camera features high quality video and audio, pan/tilt, remote internet viewing, motion detection, night-vision as well as a built in network video recording system.
It takes about 5 mins to set up and you can watch it on your phone or any PC with internet access
Hope this helps
I wonder if “it’s all over in October” Jello will be playing.
Firhill tickets now on sale
By: Newsroom Staff on 17 Jul, 2012 11:10
TICKETS for this weekend´s ARR Craib Cup tournament, which the Celtic Development Squad will compete in along with Partick Thistle, Airdrie United, and an Everton XI, are on sale now at Firhill.
The action kicks off on Saturday at 12noon with the Celts playing hosts Partick Thistle and then at 2.45pm Airdrie United face an Everton XI.
On Sunday, the third versus fourth play-off kicks off at 12noon with the winners from Saturday’s games going head-to-head to get their hands on the trophy at 2.45pm.
Anyone wishing to buy individual Day Passes – for the Saturday or Sunday – or a full Weekend Pass can do so at the stadium offices between 9.30am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Don´t worry though because for those who can´t make it in during the week, there will be cash turnstiles in operation on both days (Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22).
A Day Pass for either Saturday or Sunday costs £15 for adults and £10 for concessions with a Weekend Pass costing £25 for adults and £15 for concessions.
Please note that proof of concession must be shown.
A fantastic weekend of football is guaranteed – so get along to Firhill and get behind the Hoops
Billy No’Well @billynowell
Dedicated to those trying to keep the cheats history League With No Shame by Billy No’Well.: http://youtu.be/JgKXfEcZlMY via @youtube
Notice that tonight’s European opponents are likely to field an Italian called Marco Calamita.
Name translates as —–
Mark Calamity / Disaster / Misfortune
Mark Magnet.
A yo yo 2nd / 3rd division team . Includes the seemingly obligatory Argentinian / Brazilian.
For the record… The Craib Cup is not a ‘diddy cup’.
Who are we playing tonight and what time is the ko please?
Sellick team which beat AC Milan-
Boruc,
Perrier Doumbe (Kennedy 79), Caldwell, McManus, Naylor,
McGeady (Nakamura 85), Hartley, Donati, Jarosik (Killen 84), Scott Brown,
McDonald.
Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Riordan, Sno, O’Dea.
A bit of a mixed bag, well done the ole Ginger Helmsman!
STV:
The Scottish FA says Sevco Scotland Limited do not have to provide historic accounts in order to inherit Rangers’ membership of the governing body.
Charles Green’s newco have applied to take over the club’s membership, having purchased it from oldco administrators Duff and Phelps in June.
It had been claimed Sevco would not qualify as they are unable to provide their own historic accounts, having only formed the company in 2012.
The Scottish FA however say they will be able to use the oldco’s financial documentation as a new membership is not being requested. The organisation was unavailable for immediate comment on whether the most recent accounts for the membership had been filed by the oldco.
In a statement, the governing body said: “Sevco Scotland Ltd bought Rangers Football Club PLC’s share in the SPL and membership of the Scottish FA as part of their acquisition of assets.
“Under Article 14.1, Sevco Scotland are requesting the transfer of the existing membership of Oldco. This is different to an application for a new membership, which generally requires four years of financial statements.”
Further talks between Sevco and the Scottish FA will take place on Tuesday, as they attempt to reach a compromise over conditions attached to the transfer of membership.
The Scottish FA want Green’s newco to accept a previously imposed 12 month registration embargo, which was ruled at the Court of Session to have been imposed outwith the organisation’s remit.
If a deal can be struck, the governing body will then consider whether to reconvene its Appellate Tribunal, and also says any punishments attached will apply to the newco.
“The Scottish FA has been in dialogue with Rangers FC in respect of the outstanding disciplinary sanction,” they said. “The decision of the Court of Session to set aside the 12-month registration embargo was complicated by Rangers FC’s administration and subsequent request from Sevco Scotland for a transfer of membership of the Scottish FA.
“Again, now that the club’s status has been confirmed by the SPL and SFL, we will consider the award of transfer once Rangers FC satisfy the necessary criteria.
“The Scottish FA Board has the power to transfer membership under Article 14.1, which states: ‘…Transfer of membership will be reviewed by the Board, which will have the complete discretion to reject or to grant such application on such terms and conditions as the Board may think fit.’”
Further information has been requested from Sevco over who is financially backing the company, in line with the Scottish FA’s fit and proper person guidelines.
“The Scottish FA has received private and confidential documentation from Sevco Scotland Ltd relating to the above,” the statement read on the matter.
“We have asked Sevco to provide further supplementary information and will consider that information this week.
“Under new Scottish FA rules, it is a requirement of the outgoing club directors to conduct a full investigation under the Fit and Proper Guidelines.
“Given Rangers FC’s insolvency event, it has been incumbent on the administrators, Duff and Phelps, to carry out the necessary checks on the proposed new directors, as well as our own investigations.”
The thought of Champions League participation, especially the Group stages, is already getting me excited.
However potentially 2 very difficult ties in front of us…..but hopefully the players know what theyw ill miss out on should they fail and use this as their motivation.
I know i cant wait and the prospect of the group stages (preferably with some new faces coming to play us – ie no Barca, Man Ure, Shakhtar etc) is one that i relish.
Have to admit that with the odd exception in recent years, I felt that Celtic Park was jumping more on CL nights than for even The Team Who Are No More’s visits. The atmosphere was definitely less poisonous given the 7500 of thems were missing!
Fingers crossed for decent draws in the 2 qualifying rounds.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
It will be a long season if we don’t have the CL.
Looking forward to the Norwich game next week.
Odea et mite Sno