I thought it would be worth looking at our next Champions League qualification opponents from the Cluj-Maccabi Tel-Aviv tie. The Romanians won their home leg 1-0, leaving the outcome wide open.
With 3.5 coefficient points, Cluj look like a dangerous non-seed. They eliminated Astana, who have 27.5 points (Celtic have 31), in the first round and hold that slim advantage over Maccabi Tel-Aviv, who have 16 points, but there are signs in the detail that these results flatter.
Celtic twice faced strong Kazak opposition in recent years but not only did this Astana team lose to Cluj, they managed only a 0-0 draw in the Europa League qualifiers in Andorra this week. On the face of it, this result looks a bit like Celtic’s afternoon in Gibraltar three years ago, but unlike Celtic then, Astana 19 games into their season. It looks like the fizz has flowed out of Kazak football, to the benefit of Cluj.
Both Cluj and Maccabi Tel-Aviv were in close season over the summer, but their preparations could not have been more different. Before their game this mid-week, Cluj played five friendlies, a Super Cup game, two qualifiers against Astana and two domestic league games. Maccabi Tel-Aviv arrived in Romania having played only three friendlies and a Super Cup game since May.
After 10 games, the Cluj squad would have been near full fitness. After four, not many of the Maccabi squad will have played a complete 90 minute game. Cluj are ready, Maccabi are not.
Celtic will have played nine games, including our opening league encounter, by the third round. Not as many as Cluj, but we will be well up to speed. I remember taking a look at AEK Athens this time last year and getting an ominous feeling. The draw has been significantly kinder this time.
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Lazydinamite = an appropriate apology /’)
HT 10.04pm
I share your optimism regarding our wee Capo …. but £70k @ week is silly money …
I cling to the hope he can get by on £20k @ week …. but the other offer doesn’t change Kieran’s life or changes his whole families life … (I hate the EPL) … what happens if the wee man does get wiped out with a Jayden Stockley (again) or a Curtis Maine … I know every Celtic says we wouldn’t .. but it’s easy to say it when you never have to face the question … I love Celtic but £70k @ week could set my whole family up for life …. and I could gamble my life away :-)
Lazydynamite,
fair play on your apology
Thanks guys , Like us all we are very proud of how our children have progressed from being 2nd/ 3 rd /4 generation of immigrating Irish navvies/ coal miners,. Keep The Faith
Gftb
Gerry, you’re talking about figures of 20-70k/week but do we know that these are accurate?
What I do know is that KT is Celtic daft and is becoming a very wealthy young man playing football where he is. I have no inside knowledge but neither do the vast majority of others who’re making quite ridiculous assumptions.
Johnbay at 8.45
Thanks for posting that link and her web site.
I do like her voice.
I saw all of the awards and acclaimations that Carine has earned which seem very impressive.
Forza Carine.
——
Johnny Walker’s guest today was John Prine and he played this song which John wrote and recorded as a young man. John explained that contrary to most of us when we were young, he liked the company of older people and to hear their stories about their experiences
This is one of the most touching songs i have ever heard.
https://youtu.be/RfwGkplB_sY
HUNDERBIRDS ARE GONE on 28TH JULY 2019 10:13 PM
Cheers mate.
I have to be honest and admit that I have a pretty dark sarcastic humour watermark that is fine when I am amongst friends and family who share similar thoughts and get the context.
However sometimes these things do not translate well online and looking back after another poster flagged my post I realised just how stupid my post was.
If I could remove it I would.
The guy ‘Philpot’ was a monster and the family tragedy that happened really should not be used in any kind of joking term.
Shame on me.[VERY SORRY]
Wont happen againg CQN
Dalglish left Celtic when he was 27,he was too good for Scottish football, and wanted to prove himself against better players, and he done it……as KT will….
GORDYBHOY64 on 28TH JULY 2019 8:54 PM
Thanks mate for putting me right.
I apologise for any offence.
HT- Good to see you back on,and Oldtim’s night was brilliant, keep fighting the good fight amigo HH
Cheers H/Jim she is developing by the day . Will post the full song if i can upload it.
HT 10.23pm
Am with you … the weans love KT and you know yourself how impressionable kids can be … just read Mein Kampf … (that is a wee joke to take the heat of lazydynamite)
HT what is the question with Kieran money or trophies ??? He is already a wealthy young bhoy … but surely he must look at Andrew Robertson and think to himself that he couldn’t lace Kieran’s boots …. again .. I don’t want Kieran our Capo to leave …. but surely none of us should give a bhoy grief for being with us from 7 to 22 …. 15yrs is. Shift
Lazydynamite,
I am not the blog police,
but did find the post in bad taste,
well done on your apology,
we have all posted things we wish we hadnt
Gordybhoy64 10.36pm
It’s probably the best way for the blog to work …
I just panicked as I posted at 8.21pm as long as there is no nastiness it’s the way it should be … I did panic because sometimes we can all post rubbish :-)
Just shows how much I trust my own rubbish CQN can both bring the good & the worst from us all :-)
Bada
Great wee night and it was lovely to get a catch up mate.
Fellow Celts
Good night n god bless
Our Celtic supporting lives could be different
🍀🍀🍀
🍀🍀🍀
🍀🍀🍀
There’s your trebles :-) 🏆🏆🏆
Did everybody else go to bed wi Gerry? 😂
🍀⚽️
Watching a documentary on Amazon Prime.
Great grandchildren of Jerimiah O’donovan Rossa visiting Ireland.
Interview a few of those obnoxious types, one of whom does have the obligatory purple hair.
It’s near to a stone monument of Rossa,somewhere in Dublin.
The relative is friendly, and simply asked – had any of them heard of Rossa?
No, we are far too cool to know anything about Irish history attitude. One goes on a little rant about England and how no English person ever did him any harm.
The chap didn’t even mention England.
Next up another young, cool imbecile starts questioning the fella somewhat aggressively.
Do you think that you’re Irish?
No, I’m a New Yorker.
Where you born in Ireland?
No, I was born in New York.
You Americans need to know that you aren’t Irish.
I get that says the relative of Rossa.
Then someone, I think is was the cameraman, suddenly asks the cool imbecile – where you born in Ireland?
Yeah is the automatic reply.
Then why do you speak with an American accent?, asks the cameraman.
Do I? The bemused fool asks.
Then a bunch of his cronies are filmed laughing and answering for him… Yes you do!!
Gold.
Obnoxious studenty types should read.
Jamesie,
Mikey J is gonnae really cement a place in the First Team this Season, IMO.
Brendan, played him because he Believed in him. I thought he showed the bang on attitude that Ne’er day, I said it to my Dad as well. Yeah we got beat but it’s about the Future.
I hope you are doing Good Bro.
Michael Sheen on BBC Hardtalk….great actor, and a great man.
From http://www.sharedireland.com.
A great wee podcast
Rev David Larimer of first Derry Presbyterian on his friendship with Martin McGuinness
Well worth a listen
http://sharedireland.com/
HH
The Fighting Irish and also Scottish is a label for a reason.
Neil, I hope, Schools Stevie G. I know he is up for it.
The Establishment will be Harder than ever core behind Stevie (G)nostic.
I reckon a No Deal Brexit will stop the SFA REF shit by 10%.
Praise the Lord Almighty – ALWAYS
Struggling on thanks Peter.
You are correct.
Brendan Rodgers recognised how talented a footballer MJ is, and had no hesitation starting him in one of the most hostile environments on the planet.
As did Lenny.
It will stand him in good stead, the experience of playing in that cesspit.
MJ will exact revenge on the zombie.
Brendan Rodgers was a genius nevertheless.
Lenny is going to come down hard on the zombie club, and Lenny hates losing to anyone and them in particular.
The players are going to thrive now Lenny is leading again, the Scottish troops in particular.
HH. 🍀
An Tearmann
Love is the Law Brother in Rhthym.
Checking it out now.
Together – we can do so much.
Rossa’s grandsons his the road to Ulster, where the great O’Donovan is much more significant and appreciated.
One of the grandsons comments about the difference:
“And to think those kids in Dublin didn’t even know what a Fenian was.”
Jeremiah O’Donovan Ross was the original unrepentant Fenian bassa.
HH. 🍀
16 roads,
When Injured – Kieran is put on the bench to scare the Sevco.
Not having him there on the Field is the Big Factor. Need Another Quality LB from our Club coming through.
I don’t expect Kieran to be Anywhere near London or Milan. Not able to afford This Bhoy.
Whos the new guy saying so much?
In 2 Years Kieran will be £50m directly.
CELTIC
Petec – Never a truer word spoken.
I hope that KT stays for another two seasons at least :
https://youtu.be/EVpRsfpfG7s
HH. 🍀
PETEC on 29TH JULY 2019 1:13 AM
A no deal Brexit in all probability ensures the border remains open , unless Leo bows to his masters in Brussels and decides to close it.
Ultimately resulting in Irexit and subsequently , the reunification of Ireland .
A consummation devoutly to be desired.
Unless , of course , you socialism trumps ( Oops ) your patriotism .
Need An IRON MAN to make the WORD – BIBLICAL – For 9 in a row.
10.
Never Give up.
Never Give Up.
macjay1,
1800 years,
That Tosser.
Who knows anythng.
Satan is jammimng.
Satan is empowereed.
Praise the Lord Almighty – ALWAYS
Knobend Trump is stopping Abortions as much as he can.
Think hard about that CQ………………………………………………..N
Think about things.
The Lord Yeshuah, Thank You.
Judge not lest ye…..
Love is the law.
Jibber jabber.
Serious Jibber noo – Time the Barrow Bus goes to the Champion/Europa League games?
PETEC on 29TH JULY 2019 2:03 AM
Instead of Satan ,
I prefer to use the phrase
” The power of evil “.
As opposed to the power of good.
Each to his own.
My Mammy is losing her mind. Yeshuah is the Word. Jesus she responds to so well.