It has been nine years since we came through the Champions League qualification rounds successfully. After a bizarre first leg against Astana in 2017, which Celtic won 5-0 having only three attempts on target, they lost the return game by a single goal and progressed with little fuss.
So it is understandable that you have that nervousness about you today. None of that counts tonight, however. Different managers, different opponents and significantly different Celtic players were involved previously. The most observable thing about this Celtic team, is it is fresh.
Kasper Hogh, Camilo Duran, Mika Baur and Haissem Hassan are just in the door and each have great purpose about them. Seb Tounekti and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were not involved this time last year. More importantly, neither was Martin O’Neill or Shaun Maloney.
Publicly, the other players will say little, but you can be sure Callum McGregor, Cameron Cater-Vickers, Liam Scales and Auston Trusty all believe they are winning this tie. The squad are here to create history and reach the top level of club football. That hangover you have from previous years does not exist among the players.
That’s not all that’s important, though. If Celtic progress, we will be a huge part of it. The largest stadium in the Austrian league is half the size of Celtic Park. Celtic supporters can be one of the most formidable hurdles in football. We can lift our side to greater things and create an environment where no visiting player wants the ball. Let’s do it!
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Vale Bhoy on 19th August 2026 2:13 pm…👍
There’s hope in the hooped shirt…
Hope is the antidote to negativity.
Since we are playing an Austrian team then I will refer to Victor Frankl, Austrian psychiatrist and philosopher. He survived Auschwitz and maintained that those who had hope for a better future were more likely to survive than the fatalists in the camp.
What has that to do with the Celtic game tonight? Nothing…Absolutely nothing. But hope costs nothing. Absolutely nothing…COYBIG
Weebobbycollins
I live in hope…always!
Bhoys Town on 19th August 2026 4:02 pm
My God, what a read back. I hope the players on the fringe of our first 11 don’t read this, (or presumably other ‘fan’ media). If they did they’d discover how crap they are. Jeez.
I take it that’s for me,I would say if anyone can’t handle someone not rating them on a blog,I would say they’re not the types we need.HH
I don’t understand why the Board do not appear to use that well known Management Theory – ‘The Seven Ps.’ We have used it for years prior to major engagements. I have even passed it on to my Grandchildren as they prepare for exams etc..
It is – “ Proper Preparation and Planning, Prevents Piss Poor Performance!”
Mgmt 101 CSC
HOT SMOKED on 19TH AUGUST 2026 4:20 PM
Happy clappers & Mine shafters what’s changed?
My concern for tonight is the amount of self inflicted goal scoring opportunities we give the opposition from our side to side passing from our bye kicks within our box followed up with a pass to our captain who is pressed into losing possession other than the opposition creating their own , get it sorted CFC
What can a quiet man like I say to come in and meet a legend from CQN who has yet to buy a shandy whilst my bank account becomes lighter and lighter while we converse . Sure enough he had a sip of all those alcoholic beverages whilst I as usual remain on Diet Coke
Ffs heard it aw noo.😳
https://videocelts.com/2026/08/blogs/latest-news/ibrox-club-refuses-to-hand-over-scottish-cup-ticket-money-to-celtic/
THE BADA BING on 19TH AUGUST 2026 4:45 PM
Bhoys Town on 19th August 2026 4:02 pm
My God, what a read back. I hope the players on the fringe of our first 11 don’t read this, (or presumably other ‘fan’ media). If they did they’d discover how crap they are. Jeez.
I take it that’s for me,I would say if anyone can’t handle someone not rating them on a blog,I would say they’re not the types we need.HH
I would put a caveat in there – it has been demonstrated quite a lot of times that being really motivated can help players/competitors perform to their peak, whilst being undermined and demotivated can lead to performance at lower than usual levels. Plenty of evidence of that (and a number of studies to show it).
On the eve/day of a big performance let them know we appreciate them and help them give of their very best.
blantyretim is praying for the knox family
Long time no see no hear
BRRB’s name is not Bill by any chance…..?
The unpaid Bill…..
B-B- I totally agree, I was speaking I generally terms re the strength of the squad, a few that I mentioned could get moved on to fund Mulligan and Ferry, an upgrade .
BT
Good to see you back on. Hope you and yours are all well.
WBC, Viktor Frankl is a good shout. From the Austrians I can also recommend Thomas Bernhard, the funniest most scathing, and most unrepentant anti-fascist novelist ever.
We should steal the Aston Villa right back the Huns are in for. Similar player to AJ , good height , pace and technical. Send Donovan on loan. Our team is too wee!
Can’t believe the board have let MON down again – we’ve known for months Engels was leaving – a ready made DM should have been brought in immediately. Nicholson has done ok (bar set really low) but no where near where we need to be as champions and champs league aspirations.
stebhoy- seems we are in for Sigur from Hajduk Split, plays with AJ for Canada, can play RB and MF, only 22…..looks like we have a pecking order for guys we need,depending on CL money
Fassreifen on 19th August 2026 5:52 pm
Yes…didn’t he write one about Derek McInnes? ‘The Loser.’ :-)
WBC, :-D :-D
CELTIC: Sinisalo, Donovan, Trusty, Carter-Vickers, Tierney, McGregor (c), Baur, Nygren, Yang, Durán, Høgh.
Subs: Doohan, Scales, Balikwisha, McCowan, Tounekti, Osmand, Hassan, Kenny, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Ralston
Think the team will need the 12th man tonight.
live updates up
Seems the cesspit in Duke St,The Bristol Bar is closing next week