Celtic will face Kazakhstan Champions, Astana in the Champions League play-off round later this month, with the first leg at home. The teams faced in the same qualifying competition last season, with Celtic progressing, winning the second leg 2-1 after a 1-1 draw in Kazakhstan.
Astana eliminated Legia Warsaw in the last round, securing a 3-1 victory in the first leg, before holding on for a 1-0 defeat in Warsaw after 8 minutes of added time.
Although Brendan Rodgers will know what to expect, the enormous journey, the heat and the fact that Astana are 21 games into their league season, will give him cause for concern.
On the positive side, our man in Warsaw tells me there is a new pitch at the Astana Arena, which Legia report was excellent and a near-grass experience. He also tells me Legia should have done better in this tie, were the better team home and away, but were caught by Astana’s counter-attack.
They “parked the bus” in Warsaw and showed signs of indiscipline against Legia, which Celtic may be able to exploit.
Strikers Kwumasi and Kabananga, and midfielder, Maevski, are their danger players, while their keeper is “awful”.
It’s there for you, Celtic.
704 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- »
Delaney’s , East Fife posted a tweet yesterday congratulating us fr our result on Wednesday and wished Aberdeen well for last night. .
One reply was from a sev slagging us , the Dons and East Fife.
I work with a Scotstoun based East Fife fan, he is originally from Methil.
I said to him about the tweet and said about the one reply criticising it. I told him the critic was a sevco fan. . He replied no surprise. He realky disliked the sevco fans who attended New Bayview when the sevs were on their journey.
DELANEYS DUNKY
I like this one ,probably when i grow up a close second .
https://youtu.be/3ppiohVRZ0s
Bada , I agree .
Will copies of letters advising Hearts fans about expected behaviour be left on seats in the away end? We all know the answer to that .
Just seen Gordybhoys selection lol.
Great minds eh!
CQN on Lying down at Ibrox – the irony
Dunfermline get a bad rap for that game based on Chris Sutton’s comment, hotwired, at fulltime. Celts who remember that afternoon’s pain will easily remember the Ibrox game was running about four minutes ahead of ours.
Ten minutes to go at Rugby Park 4-0 us huns are 5-1 up, they’ll win the league on more goals scored. But what if we score after they’ve finished? Whistle. Penalty at Ibrox, 6-1.
Forget it being Dunfermline and Jimmy Calderwood. Who was Ibrox referee?
Dallas
A lot of Scotstoun bhoys like East Fife.
No many huns live on Methil Street Scotstoun.
Saint Tam stronghold. :)
GUYFAWKESAFOREVERHERO on 5TH AUGUST 2017 12:26 AM
CQN on Lying down at Ibrox – the irony
Cheating? Check out the penalty Dougal gave them that day, big Chris was spot on.HH
You can’t ban us all
Peter Gabriel
BIKO .
chills and anger consumed me years ago when this came out , racism and sectarianism will it ever be eradicated …….
Goodnite guys thanks for indulging moi :)
Just for Bada Bohem…only kiddin !!
BIKO ;)
https://youtu.be/luVpsM3YAgw
Time for my cot,last one from me
https://youtu.be/_iv3dbDpjCQ
Gordy
Left the best till last.
Rudi Can’t Fail!
Aye, there was a helluva lot of cheating going on that day, some you can prove.
Rangers: Klos, Ricksen, Moore, Amoruso, Numan, Ferguson, Arteta, Caniggia (McCann 45), de Boer, Mols (Thompson 62), Arveladze.
Subs Not Used: McGregor, Malcolm, McLean.
Booked: Ferguson.
Dunfermline: Stillie, Bullen, MacPherson (Walker 70), Scott Wilson, Grondin (Dempsey 45), Dair, Nicholson, Mason, McGroarty (McGarty 77), Brewster, Crawford.
Subs Not Used: Ruitenbeek, McNicol.
Booked: MacPherson, Scott Wilson, Bullen.
Attendance: 49,731.
Referee: S Dougal (Scotland).
That’ll be another 0-3 then.
Scotsman and an Irishman
16 man squad, 12 improperly registered.
Bada Bing on 5th August 2017 12:32AM
… and while we’re chatting about penalties, has any team received more in the last ten games of a league campaign than Dundee Utd in 1983?
Yes, we remember Ralph Milne’s left foot drive into the roof of Dundee’s net (Sportscene title credits for about 25 years). That didn’t win the league. Another Bannon penalty for 2-1 did though, negating our 4-2 win at Ibrox
Beatbhoy
Therefore, 3-0 to Dunfermline.
Still, be polite to that Mr Doncaster today, mind!
Delaneys Dunky
Got that at the bottom of my post, DD!
Gimme some credit!
Guyfawkes
That Figaro chippy in OK does a crackin fish supper. Fed the family tonight. Quality.
Beatbhoy
I will be shouting to Mr Doncaster today, down with you and your cronies you bounders.
DD
Bit strong, there, old chap!
“Down with that sort of thing!” might be worth risking.
Careful now!
Delaney’s Dunky on 5th August 2017 12:54 AM
Good stuff. Bring them through to the ‘little italy’ cafe next door for breakfast sometime. Strong coffee, french toast and all the addons they can imagine. You won’t need to buy them dinner for a week thereafter.
Guyfawkes
I send the weans in the cafè. I head opposite direction to Twisted Thistle.
Sounds like a cunning plan. :))
Never be a better opportunity to send a loud and clear message to Doncaster and his cronies than today.
Carpe diem.
The ” dies ” is today.
Brendan Rodgers has insisted that he does not need a challenge from other teams to get the best out of Celtic.
The Celtic manager led the club to only their fourth domestic Treble last season and as he bids to repeat the feat this term, he has insisted that he is not interested in what is coming from other teams.
Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha has re-affirmed his belief that he has the best team in the country but Rodgers’ focus is on his own squad.
“I don’t need to worry about that,” said Rodgers. “My worry is to make us the best I can.
“It’s all theory. Do your talking on the pitch. There are lots of squads, lots of talk, lots of theorists – lots of things that go around. Time will tell.
“You show your strength on the field. You play your games, you get your points, get your wins and get your performances consistently.
“Our measure is that we want to be the best we can be. We know what it takes to compete in European football. That’s our measure.
“Some people will say we need a strong Rangers, strong Aberdeen, strong Hibs – but that’s no good if you’re not strong.“We can’t weigh it. Our standard we set ourselves, no-one else helps us set it. That was my approach last year when I came in and it was exactly the same throughout the season.
“For people on the outside looking in, there’s maybe not so much to write about when the gap is 20 points or 39 points. But for us we set our standard.”
Asked if stronger opposition and a more competitive league would bring out the best in Celtic in terms of their desire to compete at European level, Rodgers was equally dismissive.
“Not really, no,” he said. “So then why is a team from the English Premier League, the most competitive league in the world, not winning the Champions League every year?
“I’m not crying for it. It’s great if it’s there. But it can’t define us. It’s great for the game if you have that, one team a point ahead and helicopter Sunday and all that stuff. But it’s not going to define how I work every day.
“I always try to work at a world class level and that’s the demand for the players. With all due respect, I don’t need to know what Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibs, Hearts or St Johnstone are doing to motivate me.“I’m not going to have a lazy day because we are winning by 20 points.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers has intimated that he would like Stuart Armstrong’s position sorted as quickly as possible.
The Hoops midfielder has been in negotiations with the club over a new deal for more than six months but so far there has been no agreements between the two parties.
“I’m hoping that very soon that can be resolved either way,” said Rodgers. “I don’t think we are too far away now. I hope for him and the club it can be resolved.
“We haven’t had any offers. It’s something I’d be hopeful of. I have a lot of time for Stuart. I saw him when I first came in, I’ve seen the progress he has made, the confidence he has played with and I want to help him sustain that. I know what his goals are, I know where he wants to be and I think we can help him achieve them here. If that’s the case, he’ll sign. I think stability would be good for him. There are not too many players feel good about entering the last year of their contract. So I am really confident we can get something organised.”
Great interview by Brendan
Anyone watching BBC Alba a couple of hours ago would have seen Chrissie Hinde….and the Pretenders….live at Belladrum festival…beside Beauly. Had a ticket but torn loyaltirs meant I watched here in north Sutherland. My wife, who is there….said she and the band were brilliant.
Long day and now just setttled…after 2 cans of stella, bottles of red wine….no whisky as…well that stùff is scarily too “moreish”…
And this all to do with supporting big sis looking after Ma.
I’ve had the youtube mix of Luke, followed by the same of the Wolfe Tonnes as I tidied up. Then, given the location,, The Summer Walkers by Runrig.
Came on here looking for inspiration…
Aye, my wife said Chrissie wad brilliant….as opposed to herself…..Which she is…
How deep is this hole?
o ffs..
16roads
You are correct J. The world is drying up and dying of thirst. The big fight at the end will not be for oil but water. Scotland’s fresh water Lochs could supply the world forever. How deep and large is Loch Lomond along the road fae me? Loch Katrine tastes better though. :)
Hello good people – a tip for the Hoops – spread the word if you have connections.
Me, Wee BGFC and the gang were in Holland this week on hols. We met (as a result of Wee BGFC wearing his Hoops) and got friendly with a young English footballer, Daniel Crowley.
Dan has just signed for Willem II from Arsenal.
He invited us to the Willem II training session on Tuesday and we had a great time – talked to the players, coaching staff etc.
Anyway – Daniel Patrick Crowley, as it happens has, dual nationality – English and Irish (on grandparents’ side). He has played at youth level for Ireland and England, but is picking Ireland if selected at senior level (he is a stick-on to be selected on the basis of what we saw – a cracking wee player).
Nice young fella – check him out on t’internet. Extremely deft and subtle touch – a bit like Paddy in build and style – seems to be someone who could break a tight defence from no. 10 position.
Did I mention that he is a raging Tim and huge Bhoy’s fan?
Someone should check him out – if anyone has any contacts in the scouting network at Celtic, I can pass on some details – contact me here, or get my email from BlantyreTim, CRC or Paul67.
HH
BGFC
… I should probably re-post that at a more respectable time in the day… :-)
Alasdair
I reckon Jim Kerr was a lucky man to marry and spend years with Chrissie.
DD,
For a woman of 66 (?) she was..
ffs. take a chek eck. She was her brilliant usual self.
I’ve been looking at videos there though of my favourite singer at the present…probably of all time for me.
Grigor Lourie…can’t spell ot the way he spells his name.
The kid refuses to speak English unless absolutely necessary….love his St Pauli t shirt ad he sings with the already famous band Daimh (?)……from Mallaig. The Heart of Scotland’s Jacobite rebel territory.
Try this….and then check out the rest of their stufff..
Take your time … he’ll grow on you.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KKL0NeazMuo
And for persistance beats resistance….
Listen to this Gaelic inspired rap..
Who came up with line first?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cuARzpTlTlU
Ah mean, Whits the point in…..
paying 600 n odd quid, tae shout at Doncaster….
whilst him, and his PLC pals sip awe the executive…..
champagne, that use awe paid for ???
“How easy does this get ?” said, Lawwell to Dung.
Look,……
nothing,….
nothing,….
nothing,….
will change,….
tae yeez empty the park….
awe the parks !!!
Inquiry….
Review….
Judicial review….
Public judicial review…
Second public judicial review….
etc,…..blah,…blah….
Look,…..
Joost, empty the park….
I saw plenty of animals in the JUNGLE….
Yet, I never seen any Scooby Doo’s….
maybe, the Scooby Doo’s, hung aff tae the seats…
got installed ?
Whatever,…..
Wake up…..
Yeez are being shafted by the Rory Bremners of the PLC.
which is sad to watch,….so sad…
The PLC know that yeez hivny go the cuteness.
Skelp a conveyor belt of pub teams…
and yeez are all hooked…..
ye couldn’t write this stuff…
Ah mean, whit will it be next ?
The review canny conclude till we find out who owns Ibrox ?….
or, some other set of roadworks ?
Yeez are being played like an old firm fiddle / violin…
and yet, yeez canny see it, chortling at the gullibillies, really ?
Ach, ye know,…..
Ach,……whit difference will it make / off-oot.
Hearts Celtic 1-2 Opening day Aug 2016.
Coincidentally, we had just beaten Astana 2-1 the prior Wednesday.
I’m sure we’ll will have a more comfortable day tomorrow.
https://youtu.be/sQJHSyIR-vk
I think it will be as comfortable as this
https://youtu.be/UfQvTPu9zsQ