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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macjay1,
Sorry if I have offended you dude. God Bless you and All yer Crew.
God Bless.
PETEC on 29TH JULY 2019 2:52 AM
No way , Pete.
I appreciate your message. I just feel that it carries more weight with the phrase which I used.
As I said , each to his own.
:-)
Macjay1,
Ryan Christie is Energetic…
It is Time for him to Learn where to be to make Maximum Effect. Should be Easy Domestically.
Tom Rogic isEasilythebestplayer in Scotland. He just isnae cut out for Agricultural Scotland.
NFL is quite right in getting asd much as he can for the AMAZING LEGEND.
Despite his current contract and his reported 20k a week, if I were KT, I would be in the manager’s office regularly looking for a salary increase.
How many 25+ million players are “ONLY” on 20k per week?
How can he be refused?
‘GG,
Something inside so strong.
Like the Great Hamilton Tim suggested.
Who’d not want to b there?
Ibrox No Tierney on the Pitch?
Imagine KT on the Teamsheet first game against the Stevie G BACKED up Huns.
I know my Dad is getting on a bit, He says Kieran is a Mega player.
He Witnessed the Greatest Ever.
KT will be There.
‘GG on 29th July 2019 3:06 am
utter nonsense
Sorry.
Connolly was there, KT might be there.
Brave Brave undaunted.
Brendan was Wise – He told our players to stay Down rather than be Brave Brave undaunted.
What Time does the Barrow Bus Leave for the Holy Ground?
Midweek games?
PETEC on 29TH JULY 2019 3:03 AM
Can`t disagree with any of that.
CL group stages
Win the League.
That`ll more than do me.
macjay1,
Tom is MEGA in the Celtic Hearts.
He Loves his Country as much as his Club. RESPECT.
Not for Celtic I think, especially given the amount of games CELTIC play.
Easily the most Skilled player in Scotland. His Love of Australia Ultimately is a hinderance to how he should be as wan of the Greatest Ever @ Celtic.
PETEC on 29TH JULY 2019 4:03 AM
Tom , when injured , turned up at this Sydney Celtic Bar to join the punters for a big game. Huns maybe.
I wisnae there that night :-(
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCvNfC6TG2g
I’d Love to see the NFL get the very best out of Tomahawk Rogic.
There is næ doubt in my mind NFL is a better tactician than BR.
Sometimes.CSC
PETEC on 29TH JULY 2019 2:10 AM
———————————————
What da fkn hell is that?
It is going to be very hard to get 9 in a Row.
I hope we can do it.
Allow it
Gerry Cinnamon supports Celtic, so he must be good?
Sings Discoland and all that there and all.
Discoland was gank from the very beginning ffs.
Horrendous.
HH. 🍀
16 roads. on 29th July 2019 4:22 am
PETEC on 29TH JULY 2019 2:10 AM
———————————————
What da fkn hell is that?
*
++++++++++++++++++
Sorry BIRhthym
Jamesie Bhoy, My Son likes the dudes sonics….. If you have Time please Pray for my Mum, She is forgetting Everything now Big Time.
Gertrude is the Greatest ever.
Tune
Petec – Consider it done mo chara.
Who da funk in their right mind listens to Gerry?
It’s not good.
Even tho the singer supports Celtic
And fair play to the chap for earning himself a living….
Gank.
petec in Downpatrick
An incredible place,
Magical.
PETEC on 29TH JULY 2019 4:47 AM
———————————-
Powerful.
No arguments.
HH. 🍀
As I said to Jamesie – The place is just so GREEN.
He might not have remembered.
Wow We are ALL so Lucky to have what we have.
The Hard Work of those Before us is MEGA.
That Number 7
KT should, IMO, stay for a few years more. And I think he will.
NFL needs to be very Strong and phase oot the Broonstigator – Building the team around him isnae progression.
Callum was Excellent against the Bundesliga outfit Defensively. He worked his bollocks off and Celtic got a cracking result.
NFL – You must be Ruthless.
Hopefully mair BEACHBALL
It’s always good to see Celtic supporters do well for themselves, no matter what.
Gerry Cinnamon best since Elvis, Celtic supporter and all.
16 roads. on 29th July 2019 5:47 am
It’s always good to see Celtic supporters do well for themselves, no matter what.
Gerry Cinnamon best since Elvis, Celtic supporter and all.
……………………………………………………………………………………………….
And thats the Bottom Line.
Be it Islamists, Talmudists or Masons.
Their own doctrines, codes and oaths – permits and encourages them to practice fallacies in the furtherance of their beliefs.
They warn us.
Should we not take them for their own word?
Truth right there.
17-4-17.
Best goal ever:
https://youtu.be/edWa6D45RdY
HH. 🍀
16 Roads,
The Star of David troubles my mind Jamesie.
It is Kabbala jibber jabber. Man over God – that is Gnostic to the core – utterly anti Christian.
Dinnae get too involved in Israel Flag stuff. it is very deep and noone should go there.
That takes out 2/3rds… of yer first sentence.
We are in the End Times, it is Brutally obvious.
The Dark one will never be more powerful than he is right now.
At Least you know the score.
Hunderbirds 12.21am
I can assure you I went to bed with MrsGFTB and nobody else :-)
Good morning, friends, from a grey, cloudy but dry East Kilbride. 5 more sleeps till Flag Day!
GERRY
So you say, so you say 😂😂
🍀⚽️
Gerry Cinnamon is a belter
Hunderbirds 8.36am
Never mind my sleeping situation is KT staying or going ?
Off topic but the next Monday I have to be in work is 16th September … that sounds sooo good …. since we are still in July :-)
Hello this is WEE BGFC. Me and Da on the way back hame fae hunnurs a nudie german chicks in a spa. Whoo hoo!
And aye gerry cinnamon is not my cup a cider , but DD likes him.
Enjoyed petec posts as always.
Scary stuff however true.
HH
Hello this is WEE BGFC.
Rise and shine bhoys :)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_OXaiILmvYE
HH