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:
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Philbhoy
BT, I hope! Just cancelled Premier Sports!
We are a lot weaker than last year without Roberts Dembele & Armstrong
West end bhoy
Friars Walk Tavern in Ballyphehane
Philbhoy
TBC UEFA Champions League Play-Off 1st Leg19:45BT Sport ESPN
TBC UEFA Champions League Play-Off 1st Leg19:45BT Sport 3
TBC UEFA Champions League Play-Off 1st Leg19:45BT Sport Extra 3
TBC UEFA Champions League Play-Off 1st Leg19:45BT Sport Extra 2
BHOYWITHSEETHROUGHEYES on 4TH AUGUST 2017 11:50 AM
I think CFC have made themselves very clear on where they stand, as a matter of fact they are the only Scottish club to make they’r stance on a JR.
Unless there is a change of mind from CFC there is no need for them to make the same point again.
HH
Mickbhoy
Really? Then it’s perhaps a good draw for the Israelis.
Asia fgs what next Toronto FC
OVERSEASBHOY on 4TH AUGUST 2017 11:55 AM
We are a lot weaker than last year without Roberts Dembele & Armstrong
Honestly, lol.
overseas bhoy
i nearly took the bait…………..shame on you
!!Bada Bing!! & Bendigo
Cheers, just checked and it’s only 30 minutes walk from where I’m staying…
79 caps
Aye really , Maribor were seeded along with Celtic as qualifying Champions
!!BADA BING!! on 4TH AUGUST 2017 11:53 AM
If we not bringing anyone new in, add Ciftci to Euro squad(i know,i know), MD is out, LG fragile, Rogic and JF through the middle didnt work
Griff did not look “Fragile”to me when he came on.Dont think the injury was anything nasty.A thigh strain,I read.I agree,add Ciftci if no one else.
No problem, in Brendan I trust and the players as well. Hoped the first leg would have been in Asia, still never mind
What time was kick off UK time last year for Astana away?
One thing for certain , we will have to be better at CP than we were against Rosenberg . We as yet are not into our rhythm , hopefully that will come soon , but how we are going to miss the wee magician .
The travel will be a pain but we got a better result last season in worse conditions.
We have a beatable team in front of us. Let’s get into the CL and widen the gap.
JIMTIM on 4TH AUGUST 2017 12:08 PM
One thing for certain , we will have to be better at CP than we were against Rosenberg . We as yet are not into our rhythm , hopefully that will come soon , but how we are going to miss the wee magician .
____
Agreed but Glasgow Celtic looked a different animal with Leigh Griffiths up front. We should have scored 3 times after he came on.
I’m confident that we will do them at home as long as Leigh plays.
Still………. BRING BACK PADDY
Am I losing the plot or am I just an idiot?? I was convinced that after we got past Rosenborg we were in the Champions League proper,doh. How many qualifiers have we to play ffs. And I thought big Chief Chee had gone as well. So, if we lose to Astana, we’re out, me no understand.
All will be OK when Paddy signs today. And if Armstrong does not sign then tell him to GTF. Can’t be arsed with all this greed.
KINGLuBO
We play away at Firhill on Friday 11th so we have 4-5 days free before the home tie which is no problem.
We play away at Kilmarnock on Saturday 19th which leaves only 3-4 days before Astana. I hope that we manage to get the Astana game on the Wednesday to give us a 4 day gap.
KO time over there last time must have been 2/3 in the afternoon here?
3pm kick off last time.
Draw could be worse, we know what to expect at least from last year.
Lol, tell Armstrong to gtf, naaaa, I’d wish him awe the best, and thank him for his service, the man has his choice, you canny be telling him to gtf, cmooooon .lol
TONYDONNELLY67 on 4TH AUGUST 2017 11:57 AM
BHOYWITHSEETHROUGHEYES on 4TH AUGUST 2017 11:50 AM
‘I think CFC have made themselves very clear on where they stand, as a matter of fact they are the only Scottish club to make they’r stance on a JR.’
####
You mean this?
‘We are sure now that the footballing authorities in Scotland will wish to review this matter. Celtic awaits the outcome of their review.’
Celtic knew when they released that statement that there was going to be no revisiting the LNS sham ie there would be no review.
So far as I know Celtic FC have said nothing about a Judicial Review, so your assertion that we all know exactly where they stand on the issue seems to be little more than wishful thinking.
Here’s a wee link for those of you on holiday or away visiting yer fancy wummin that want to watch Celtic games when your away from yer local
Looks like i might need to head to Logan’s
http://www.celticbars.com/barsc.html
4TH AUGUST 2017 12:19 PM
Am I losing the plot or am I just an idiot?
Yes
Aye, those teams from the East.
First was Spartak Moscow who had brothel at the back, then it was Legia Warsaw who had “Martha, my Dear…”, now it’s FK Astana who have Shitov in defence.
Some fholks filing cabinets must be near too bursting
JUNGLE VIP on 4TH AUGUST 2017 11:48 AM
Curly
My map app is telling me that (if I set off now and don’t stop on the way) it would take me 71 hrs and 6 mins to drive to Astana (or 68h 35′ without traffic).
Maybe best not to go by car …
Obviously not paying attention to my travel tips on getting there.
This will be tough. We were absolutely dreadful in the away leg last year and were lucky to escape with a draw. Astana have a very good home record in the CL. Not sure I buy the Legia Warsaw hard luck story – it was a two legged tie and they failed.
We are obviously a better team now than when we played there last year but it will be a long night if we don’t take a commanding lead from the home game.
We must sign an experienced striker, even if only on loan until January. We cannot simply hope that Griff will be fit and available for both games. There’s too much at stake here. We got away with having no striker for most of the 180 minutes against Rosenborg but it would be crazy not to have proper back up in the play off round.
Nae predictions here from me,it worked last season.
(Not at the bookies,though…)
Just a very simple fingers crossed to beat the goatkillers and wend our merry way towards another 30 odd million while the other lot sell their top under-35 scorer over the last few years for a day’s wages after tax for Neymar.
Or was it as much as that?
The above isn’t hubris,btw. It’s the truth.
The truth will set you free.
And it will in time all come out.
As always.
ERNIE LYNCH
Well! Let’s just say like most things I post, my view differs from yours, and that’s your opinion. And I have mine.
Normally I would wish the 2nd leg at Celtic Park, but this could be a blessing in disguise having 1st leg at Celtic Park ?
IF/WHEN we take 3/4/5 goals off of Astanta at Celtic Park….it more or less renders the away leg meaningless ? Therefore, IF we put ourselves in a good position from our home leg, then given the travel problems, heat and possible bad pitch etc etc, Brendan could maybe send a weakened Celtic team out to Kharit …Khrati ….ASIA, that would ensure that we could leave our main Bhoys at home with their feet up for the 2nd leg ?
Easy Peasy…Simples ?
Question…how does one put their feet up, with only a 2nd leg ?
COYBIG DO this mob Celtic…show them whos the feckin daddy.
I’m afraid at this stage of the tournament you very rarely get a commanding lead, imo the trick is don’t loos a goal at home and score away, we didn’t do that last year and qualified, sorry for picking up another positive, but hey! That’s just me, the rest of you find the negatives, you’ll find them of that I have no doubt.
GENE on 4TH AUGUST 2017 11:59 AM
Asia fgs what next Toronto FC
I’m blaming you for that post the other day-))
Same question as last time….When did ASIA become part of Europe ?
Did it do a moonlight flit ?
Explanation please UEFA….I wont hold my breath.
HH
Pedro claimed last season that he had best team, squad, club, etc etc……….Explanation please Pedro ya maddie, why have you sold or let go many of that squad from last season…if they were the best team, sqa….of feck it ?
TD67
Just get £100 on Celtic and we will be fine
dontbetmyselfCSC
GLENDALYSTONSILS
But you started it :)