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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Someone reading the Record again.Falling for the”Lets upset the Tims again”agenda.Izzy back at Celtic?Not a hope in hell.
You want steel in the midfield.?Cifuentes is the guy.Can play a bit too.Him and Broony would be some force to reckon with.Getting near the English deadline.Signings will follow for us.
From today’s media stories
I want Kieran to Stay
Kouassi, not been given a decent chance (was ill ( malaria) on joining us, then picked up 2 injuries, last one putting him out this pat 6 months), so maybe a loan to get game time ??
I am a fan of Scott Sinclair, even when not playing well he never hides and has a very good goal scoring record, which we need
I am also a fan of Tom Rogic, very talented
But
We should consider offers for both Scott and Tom – no longer garaunteed starting positions, so team freshened up by moving them on
A few players in current squad could or are currently replacing both of them
Jack Hendry, we should have been coaching as a right Back, he played regularly there for Dundee, but looks likely he will not make it with us, so another who can go ?
Jut my thoughts – on current media stories
The English transfer window closes on 8th August
When do they then need to name / declare their squads ??
Maybe loan deals and players freed up once that happens
Norriem
Imo
Jack H doesnt have the pace for RB
Izzy? Naw he Izzny!
Copyright someone else 😀
HH
Some fret too easily with the so called ‘reports’ of players coming and going. These ‘journos’ are guessing/hoping/inventing/lying…it’s how they operate…they deal in facts only when giving the football results…all else is ‘imagination’…by that I mean they come up with a fantasy headline and ‘imagine’ the fans’ reaction to it…or…in some cases they are fed stories by agents looking to raise the profile of a particular client…it’s a crazy time of the year and the main reason I dislike the transfer window…there is so much money involved nowadays, it’s obvious the game is bent at every level…some are just more bent than others…
Fifa-Uefa-Sfa-Huns-
Chase the money…
Benitez to China…Bale to China? Rodgers learning Chinese?
Aye! Money shouts alright…
Desperate stuff from thems re nothing story about expansion of stadium, must be looking for investment or dodgy lending or to reassure those owed money- “nothing to see here, please don’t ask for, request, attempt to ring fence your money ” If you were owed money from them you’d be looking payment- not stories, not invoice/ turnaround time/cycle period excuse just payment, quickly.
Looking forward to the season ahead and plan to enjoy it. Quite happy we’ll have a diverse squad of player type, experience and style. Neil didn’t have as many options last time around and think along with JK and DD we’ll vary formation to suit opposition, pitch size etc. Neil liked 4312 formation in tight matches before but like any good student of the game, he’s developed as a manager. This time around we have quality youth players coming through, whereas there was really only Forrest who coped with the step up last time.
My main hope for the season is Neil and Bhoys can enjoy their football whilst delivering with style. I suspect sevco and the sfa will be throwing everything at us. I think that’s why they get built up so much at the beginning of the season, so that when they get late penalties and their usual protection it looks like they should be in second place where, in reality, they are bang average with a below par manager and don’t really have any variation in their game. Only refereeing and compliant press and media will have them anywhere near our standard this season IMHO.
Enjoy the season ahead Bhoys and Ghirls!!
Oh and I think a blog rule (would be great on twitter too) before you moan when a team dares to show up against and score for instance- you should have to declare whether you have a bet on the match/Celtic. Then we could be spared your financial angst which I think often gets directed at Celtic unfairly. Other teams are allowed a chance! I avoid betting on Celtic on big matches.
HH
Am ok FTW….thanx…
CatharticrantCSC
If it is true that Izzy has been offered a 6 month deal, then the person responsible for sanctioning it should be sacked immediately
Martin1980 – regarding your last paragraph, when I bet on Celtic it’s only on something that I’d be happy to happen, or better. By that I mean I’d never bet Celtic to win 4-0 because once the 4th went in I’d hate to be hoping we don’t score another. So my bets tend to be things like Celtic to win, or to score at least x number of goals, etc. I never bet us to keep a clean sheet for the very reaon you allude to – I don’t want to come away from an 8-1 victory disappointed!!.
Today, my other team, EKFC, have a chance to win their League Cup section. They ONLY have to win away against Dunfermline. Very unlikely, but one game away from the last 16!
THELURKINTIM on 27TH JULY 2019 2:29 PM
Very glad to hear your’e ok.
On venting and stuff…
Mrs FTW sometimes asks me “Why do you swear like that?” usually when a referee waves play on when a Celt has been blootered.
I always remind her that “Sometimes only certain words will meet the need to release the built up tension.” I mean “Oh Bother ref, what a poor decision.” doesn’t meet the emotional demand of the moment.
She gives me one of those looks.
I remind her that if I didn’t let it out – it’d all just be still inside when the game was over.
Catharsis Emerald CSC
The Izzy Return rumour comes from the president of Izzy’s old club in Honduras.
He claims that after speaking to Emilio’s agnts that Izzy has offers from many places – inlcuding one from Celtic for 6 months only. According to El Sol & Celtic Star he says this
“We spoke to Emilio Izaguirre’s agents this week and he has offers from clubs in the USA, Japan and Australia.
“There is also the possibility of him returning to Celtic, but that is only for a short time of six months.”
So there’s nothing to this story at all.
Someone who knows Izzy spoke to someone else who represents him and related what he recalled about the man and offers that he’s had. It was a deflection when he was asked if Izzy was returning to play for his team. There is zero evidence of this nor any comment from Izzy, his agent or Celtic.
El Sol rubbish that gets circulated by daft Celtic sites who hoover up every bit of nonsense that churnalists invent as a story.
Relax CSC
I see and hear reports that Arsenal have agreed to pay Lille £72 mill for winger Nicolas Pepe something which would blow a David Murray hole in their £40 mill transfer budget. Lets not hear any more about their plans to buy Kieran with the change out of the ol’ gas meter. A fit and focused Tierney would be a great asset for the Gooners, but if he was able to help us, at any stage, to qualify for the CL that would be worth more than the South London club are apparently offering for him.
According to what I am reading,the EPL must have their squads registered on the 8th of August.Last season,it was the day after the window closed.Should be plenty of disappointed players around.
Jobo- see that result isn’t quite going to plan…… EK have done well right enough.
Only lurk now but just trying to work out where the crazy reactions come from at times. I hate losing cheap goals but if a team has played well, shown a slick move or some tekkers I applaud them.
Good luck!
I love Scott Brown.
https://amp.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/27/boris-johnson-yet-to-make-a-phone-call-to-irish-pm-leo-varadkar
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.irishtimes.com/opinion/brexit-britain-the-more-demented-our-neighbour-looks-the-saner-ireland-appears-1.3967235%3fmode=amp
Johnson is a blustering dilletante and will run out of stunts within a week. Sinn Féin are stuck trying to figure out how to reach the future from the past despite phenomenal local and community socialist work. The DUP are rabbits in a headlight and are afraid to face the obvious. I never vote Fine Gael whilst in Ireland (started on Fianna Fail, moved to Labour and would now vote Sinn Féin if I lived there) so find my admiration for Varadkar unusual – stay straight and honest and do fugg all else- think he’s playing a blinder!
Just wandered to NewsNow Celtic for any “latest”.
Clearly no big news today but sad to see a so called Celtic website giving free publicity to a betting company who shamefully mocked our best ever captain when he was afflicted by a terrible disease.
Even more ironic given the surname of the guy who put his name to the story.
Hail hail.
Madden & co getting their excuses in early for next season, blaming not having var for the no doubt gazillions of honest mistakes that Will favour one team.
Stopthetencsc
Seeing as someone brought up my Darts yesterday,and reading about Bales £1 million a week contract in China,I thought I would share my transfer windfall.I have been poached,ot attempted to be,by our biggest rivals.The Turkish owner is offering me,3 free pints a week,if I join up with them.Like the KT deal,there are add ons.If I win my doubles,pint.Singles,pint.Foursomes,pint.If I lose any,the pints total falls.
What a quandary I am in.Should I demand the add ons are droppedLA big step in this stage of my carreer.
Thinking of contacting PL for some advice.
SOUTHSIDE,
And saying he can see a lot more penalties being awarded.GOOD GRIEF,whats the record awarded in one game?.
I’m on hols in Agios Gordios, Corfu if anyone about and fancies a pint. Got a wee bit caught with the sun today so tomorrow a day off lying about!
Is James Forrest (the Blogger) ok? The Celtic Blog hasn’t updated since last week.
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HAG @5:27
Yip noticed that too, could be on holiday although he does have a few guest contributors who could add a thread or two
PPB
Cheers. Just wondered.
I am on a train from Manchester to Haymarket, watching the young Stickies get beaten up by the young Manure on BBC Sport website, 2-0, only fifteen minutes played… which is nice 😀
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Kilmarnock couldn’t beat Connahs Quay. Hearts couldn’t beat East Fife after scraping past Stenhousemuir and St Johnstone lose to Forfar. Dearie me.
Hertz fans calling for Budge and Levein to go. Huns will be worried they wont get their obligatory 12 points this season.
Turkeybhoy-I see your sense of humour is still lacking.
Still like to dish it out though eh
https://twitter.com/glen_kilcullen/status/1155137988092977153?s=08
Hard to see the score now, cos my iPad screen looks like it’s coated in a half inch film of Vaseline. But the second half just started and Manure just scored again, so I think it’s 3-0 to Manure. It’s important the Stickettes get accustomed to getting thrashed early in their careers. It will mean it’s less traumatic for them when they are senior players and Celtic clinch 55. 😃
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And it’s four. Manure have hit the bar at least three times too 😁
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And (a) Celtic team lost to Arbroath. Just saying like, for balance ye ken.
HH
Young Sevco’s number 9 somehow manages to miss when put clean through by a wayward backpass. Sevco’s weaker players tiring badly, but this is offset by officials feeling sorry for them and giving them a free kick every time they fall over. It was ever thus…
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Freisdorfer
Should have added that the Arbroath first team lost to Alloa – mmmmm
Romaine Sawyers signs for West Brom for 3 million.
He was previously at West Brom as youth player and supported them as a boy. He wanted to go back to them because he had unfinished business there.
Faced with that context, we never had a chance of signing him once West Brom called.
Some Brentford & West London bhoys said he was a decent player but had periods when he just drifted out of games. NFL would have had him doing twice daily sessions to get fit.
Good luck to him though.
Turkeybhoy…stay where yer appreciated…a mean…how attractive are those drinks without yer mates…
AcquiredTastesCSC
H.H.
FTW….so it’s better out than in…lol
ShartedCSC
H.H.
Is this a dream or a prank?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48998314
ADI_DASSLER on 27TH JULY 2019 1:47 PM
Norriem
Imo
Jack H doesnt have the pace for RB