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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What we need out here in Turkey is Inspector Clujeau. We were burgled at 5:30 this morning- Mrs S scaring the bassa away with shouts/screams of “BURGLAR- there’s a burglar in the house!!!” 9 hours later and the polis have just gone. Lost cameras, Apple Mac, cash and sundry others. Just as well it’s our second last day. Heading out for a large,very large vodka….and a special superdooper very large gin for super thief chaser Mrs S.
GLENDALYTONSILS
I’m on record as saying KT is going nowhere, though i would love
to hear a statement from him to that effect.
I think 25 million has already been waived in front of big Pete but
the arses have been stared down.
What a boost to our club and Scuddish fitba if Kieran stays and feck
the EPL money monsters.
H.H Mick
Ireland all out for 38 the lowest in test matches at Lords
From heroes to zeros
Techy help required- Laptop picture is like frozen interference ….took battery out and back in,no change…
Rodgers just recruited one of our backroom analysts, Jack Lyons, to join his staff at Leicester City.
If Scottish football is so crap why do EPL clubs want our staff?
……..
Mullet & Co
Ref watching games..
In many ways NFL is a throwback to an old school type of manager.
When the players are unknown and accessible to him then perhaps he sees it as his job to be convinced that the player in question has what NFL wants. Maybe he thinks that since he is accountable for performances on the park he needs to be able to say that “Yes, I did watch him play befpre we signed him.”
Did WGS ever watch Willo Flood play before siging him?
HH
BB
https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledge/laptop-frozen-or-unresponsive-fixed/
Scaniel
Sorry to hear that.
We had a similar experience in Gran Canaria.
Holiday complex with doors open to let breeze through and our adult son saw a face behind the curtain, yelled and gave chase. Guy legged it and we never found him.
Reported it to the front desk but they only pretended to take it seriously.
Seeing strangers around is very common and we all assume that they are tourists, staff or contractors etc.
Vigilant CSC
FULL TIME WHISTLE
So the Radger is still carpetbagging our club, feckin man has
no shame.
Disgusted.
H.H Mick
Scaneil ….
that’s terrible.
hope everyone is okay. at the end of the day, that is the most important thing.
Scaniel.
Really sorry, to read that
That must have been a horrible experience.
Be safe.
If KT does not want to leave he wont, NL has already said he wants to keep him, the fees about him and what will entice Celtic are speculation, I dont know where 25m came from but there is no deviation from this figure who is setting it,pushing it wanting it to happen? We cant seems to be able to spend what we have never mind another cash surplus .
DESSYBHOY
Completely and utterly agree, but.. but i wish Kieran would just say
I’m feckin going nowhere.
Now how would that galvanise the Celtic family?
H.H Mick
Melbourne Mick
I’m sure the lad got offered more money and whatnot, but I assume it leaves a gap in our own staffing now.
Proprietary Rights CSC
Does anyone know what the story is with Tom Rogic?
Noticed him in pics from Lennoxtown a few weeks back but not since
WDH- Thanks for reply HH
Dessybhoy
Ref KT
I think this is just part of the dance …before a deal.
KT doesn’t WANT to leave but on the other hand if he was offered the chance to go to a better league for squillions then…
Celtic don’t WANT to sell him but if their valuation was met and the player was not against it then….
Arsenal WANT to sign the player if they can agree on his club valuation…
Any other club watching this dance will know what they have to do to sign KT.
Arsenal will return to the table and KT will join them…
Just my impression from all this pas de deux malarkey.
HH
SCANIEL
Sorry to hear about your buglary in Turkey , good news that your both safe !!
Burglary !!
MM
Seems to be staying in the background doing his rehab, no official comments from him that I have read, NL did say today that the speculation can be unsettling, so it will continue, no doubt about that.
BHOYLO
Aussie meeja reckon Zenit and Southampton are sniffing around; silly money quotes for a part-time player. Super slick on his day but, if we’re honest, Toms injuries means there’s only ever really one day in, what, three?
I like the way Lenny is clearing decks of players who’re not ‘available’ – skill or fitness wise – for the 2yr fight.
Who would you drop from Wed’s game to accommodate a sometimes available Wizard? Cal, Broon, Ryan, Jamesy?
Wht offer would make the club say…OK, deal?
BB
pleasure
FOOL TIME WHISTLE
Big day tomorrow for me and the Melbourne tims so bed now
before we attack the Jetty Road Brewery.
Your analysis sounds about right, but .. without the affection that
KT has for our/his club and following on from Jinky, big Billy et al.
My faith says KT will stay, he knows what leaving will mean to the
young team and us aul yins brought up with loyalty and the Celtic
family.
H.H Mick
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 26TH JULY 2019 1:45 PM
Co Pilot “ Did you see that Fokker coming out of nowhere, like a bat from hell? ”
Pilot “ That Fokker was a Messerschmitt “
—————————————-
Stan Boardman CSC!
Cluj on a roll – possibly the worst sounding breakfast I’ve ever heard described.
Sorry to hear about the burglary here in Turkey.Before I got my Devil dug,I had one.Anyone will know its a horrible feeling.Speaking to the Police at the time,they told me,before they had to adjust to European regulations,they knew,by the crime details,who was responsible.They would go,drag one in,batter 7 bells out of him,and nearly everytime get back the stolen items.Now they cannot do this,the burglars just sit for 24 hours,then get released.They dont really have burglary at the top of their,crimes to solve list,much less attend.
Security,a big thing here.
Quadrophenian
I honestly never thought I’d ever say this about one of my all time favourite Celts but maybe selling big beautiful Tom would be for the best
When he signed his five year deal last summer i assumed it was because he would have a few clubs sniffing around after the World Cup and the club would be able to demand a larger fee
I dont think he is reliable enough to stay injury free for us to turn down a big offer for him
It would be heartbreaking to see him leave but in my opinion imo he would leave going down in Celtic folklore
Ummm… unpopular opinion
But i actually really like that 3rd kit
😍
BHOYLO83
The real question is why do we need 3 kits
Bhoylo83
Really? I think it is the second worst ever- the worst being the Peoples away kit circa 92.
my top 3 best away kits are:-
1983/4 lime (Sporting Lisbon 5-0 top; wore it all the time up the park)
1992/93 Inter Milan style ( i did the full kit w@@@@@ on that one and got slagged rotten at 5s)
2013 black with Irish tricolour under the sleeve (still in my office drawer in case i get a game of 5s)
Coneybhoy
Agree, that black 2013 top was an absolute beaut
I still have mine and wore it to Valencia away last season
I just like how different the new one is…
…. althought the socks let it down
Fair enough, just having a bit of Friday fun and fashion is as subjective as you get ;-) . I wonder if my daughter likes the new one, she liked the dark pink a few years ago
Hail Hail
what’s the script with bayo , kouassi and sheved , we pay good money for these players and either they are no fit , injured or not involved , who scouts these players and recommends purchase only for them to disappear into the unknown category, someone needs their bags packed and pronto.
Gene 3:13
Sponsors money 💰 HH
Very weird shi* happening in Le Tour!
Ron, Bayo & Shved picked up knocks but both are back in training. Kouassi picked up a very serious one last year, as far as I know he is back in training but I see today that he is being linked with a move to Greece.
Nice picture in our local paper of TOHG in 1969 at the church fete in Crieff with the big cup, The parish priest was a big football fan and about a dozen young lads looking on in awe.HH
CORKCELT
thanks
hh
just seen the 3rd kit , sum it up in 2 words , get rid.