Astra started their season on a historical high, eliminating Lyon from European competition, but their 8 games since August have brought five defeats, two draws and a solitary win against opponents currently 14th place in the Romanian league.
On paper this sounds as straightforward as previous European ties did against teams from Karagandy or Maribor but as we found out on those occasions, European ties are seldom straightforward.
The cynic in me suggests there is more going on at Astra than meets the eye. Any team who can win in Lyon would be heavy odds against shipping three goals in the cup to lower league opponents a few weeks later, which Astra did. They then turned up away to league leaders Steaua Bucharest to keep their only clean sheet since August. Another coupon buster.
Astra, it would seem, are a gift to those who bet outsiders. They are long odds tomorrow, so I’d caution against backing Celtic for a comfortable win. The visitors will apply themselves, just as they did earlier this month against Salzburg, who won by a single goal.
The Celtic books we have published in recent years have been a real labour of love. After a biography of Willie Wallace and a football journey from Tommy Gemmell, we published your story of Seville, a record of its impact on the Celtic Movement.
Today we launch Caesar & the Assassin, the accounts of Billy McNeill and Davie Hay as Celtic managers, told in their own words. It documents the period of our history from when Billy took over from Jock Stein in 1978, through to the end of his era 13 years later, including Davie Hay’s four years in charge.
Most of us lived experienced that period first-hand but it has been an absolute education to read about the games and events which we watched as spectators from the managers in charge. It’s the best CQN book yet.
The first batch of orders will receive a copy signed by Billy and Davie, more here.
If you fancy watching Sunday’s game against Kilmarnock in comfort…….. We have secured another pair of Premium Seat tickets for the Jock Stein Stand from Celtic sponsor Magners. To win the tickets answer the following question:
Which country do Thursday’s opponents FC Astra come from?
Optionally, if you have £1 available, please donate it to Mary’s Meals at this MyDonate page, which will send your £1 straight to Mary’s Meals, then send me your contact details (with or without donation confirmation) to celticquicknews@gmail.com
Competition closes tonight (Wednesday) at 10pm, so get your entries in now and watch your inbox Thursday morning. You can donate more than £1 if you like, of course. Terms and conditions are available here.
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No joke gents but a huge factor in dwindling numbers is wage suppression. Most working people are 15- 20% worse off than they were 5 years ago. There is little prospect of that improving in the next two to five years.
Aye, product, the stewarding, etc etc have an impact but people are getting it tight financially. If you are low waged or unemployed then it’s harder still.
It’s a real factor. People will find the dough for an occasional big game but not so much for more familiar stuff.
The German model is one we need to look at and adapt to our lack of decent TV money.
delaneys dunky
22:47 on 22 October, 2014
Bhoylo
Sussed the flights to Belfast. Just need a Belfast cheap bed, unless it is a Scottish invasion of 24 Hour Party Tims?
DD, don’t worry about a bed, who’s gonnae be sleeping -:))
BTW, DD, you won’t need to worry on that score.
Sipsini
I was the first Catholic apprentice ever, in an east end engineering firm. That was 1971. The place had been going since about 1890. Your right, the older guys were the real bigots.
Mr Z-a few photos after the LZ incident doing the rounds,Fojut of DU is there.HH
When buying the CQN book how can you buy multiple copies, can’t find any way of buying 2 books apart from filling out the form twice?
marrakesh express,
Are you still in engineering?
SMQUC thanks for posting the spiel about Dortmund. Wonderful. How it should be.
Sipsini. Good point. I was initially a bit miffed about BOGOF but on reflection I am lucky enough to be able to afford a ST and shouldn’t grudge someone on a tighter budget being able to take his mrs or a pal.
With regards the CL fitba, didn’t see much as I dumped sky in June. Actually ambivalent to the fortunes of any of them. It would seem that Liverpool were a one man team. Arsenal got lucky and Chelsea are actually quite good although Jose is no miracle worker. His record at RM is very ordinary. I sympathise with Man City insofar as the application of the Russians supporter ban. How come 500 CSKA fans were present and no City fans. It would seem UEFA are much like the SFA. Spineless and corrupt.
Anyhoo. Driving down fae Elgin tomorrow after work with a couple of local tims and may make the BV for a pint and a bite to eat before the game.
Hoping Scepovic gets a start but suspect Commons may get the nod. Could be a mistake. If ML feels the need to play, he should. Otherwise same as Saturday for me. Hit them hard from the very start.
I’ll Nae doubt see some of you there.
HH
Sipsini
Nae probs. I will be visiting Mr Caltontongues in his wee hoose after with my mate. :)
On a 7.05 flight to Belfast tomorrow morning so bed time for me you handsome devils and gorgeous lasses.
Night Timdom
HH jamesgang
Saint Stivs
Ive never read of any Beatles following football.
McCartney and Harrison were baptized RC. Lennon Anglican. Ringo?
Cilla…RC and Liverpool
Bobby..?
Best..Man Utd?
CT
Will you be in Bar67 on Sunday?
Ma mate James is dying to see Ziggy again. :))
surely pete best wisnae a man u fan ?
Jamesgang. …… re allotment, I’m a dark horse full of surprises. What else have I got in the tool box..? Och no much am a bore.!
Ayrshire is Green and White
DD,
Is it a shebeen :)
Went to one before a game years ago, watched the game with my hand over one eye to focus.
Caltontongues, only joking :)
Marrakesh Express
23:09 on
22 October, 2014
Saint Stivs
Ive never read of any Beatles following football.
McCartney and Harrison were baptized RC. Lennon Anglican. Ringo?
Cilla…RC and Liverpool
Bobby..?
Best..Man Utd?
*Ringo’s mother was in the ol.
Sipsini
As a west end bhoy, I learned early in the toon, not to mess wi the Caltontongues! :)
https://twitter.com/tedermeatballs/status/525045918865715200
The Kray Twins tell King to get tae…………
hoops_neil_lennon_diditagain
You need to do it again at moment! Sorry for the hassle!
If you want personal messages added to the books please email me
David@cqnmagazine.com
Micktt
You could have knocked me over with a feather…..or as it transpires a trowel!
HH jamesgang
micktt
23:12 on 22 October, 2014
Jamesgang. …… re allotment, I’m a dark horse.
_________
Yep, I could see you pulling a plough… A starry one that is. HH
Was a bit disappointed when I read this morning that Jackie was citing the Paisley Plonker and John Rankin as positive examples to the youngsters at Tannadice especially as JR is the PFA Chairman…….later I was sitting here thinking (c) Charlie Nick……wonder when this interview was carried out….and if it was a few days ago….why did the scurrilous Beeb run it now.
Sipsini
Engineering lecturer now mate. Not as grand as it sounds.
No Catholic Pig or his litter will get a house in Markethill while I am alive,
Sorry better explain
Watching an interview on RTE with Seamus Mallon (of SDLP fame) recounting his life growing up in Markethill Co.Armagh,
Chronic overcrowding for catholics and the above qoute was the answer given when a catholic approached a local Unionist councillor asking to be allocated a house,
Mad stuff really
Tontine
John Rankin is a very positive example and mentor for my nephew at DU.
Good guy I hear.
Sorry that was back in the 1960’s
So dumb and dumber have knocked back the lying king , what next for the hoardes?
marrakesh express,
A bloke just left a couple of weeks ago to take up the same position, not sure were though.
I went to anniesland, think I went back the way after leaving school, I was usually still half cut or half asleep as my college days always fell on a Monday or a Friday.
That’s if I made it…live and learn :(
ohits
A wonderful bizarre next twist might see Ashley taking a controlling interest in Gregg’s the Bakers.
Sleekit would huftie come off the fence at that point!
HH jamesgang
Ah, well, Ryecatcher, at least you got the “wipe the floor” bit right.
jamesgang
23:36 on
22 October, 2014
ohits
————–
twitter alive with ally is walking.
ohits,
Do you have a link to that mate?
to his pal from the all night garage for a cupofbeans.
cc alanpartridgecsc
If Ringos mother was in the ol was she called Eastern Starr?
bt,
i was gonny go for that one earlier and thought naw he is setting me up.
Stivs couldnae resist.. O))
BT
Eastern Starr – Very quick.
Still delighted for Wilko Johnson.
Told he had terminal cancer, months to live, refuses chemo to prolong life a bit, and then a “little miracle” comes along.
One op later, massive one, right enough, and he’s cured, it’s gone.
Always great when anyone beats that “Emperor of all Maladies”.
Dr. Feelgood, indeed. Roxette.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaybV46MA6E