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.
688 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 19
- »
Livibhoy
I believe that JPT stated on Twitter that ST holders had had their ‘reward’ in the way of the £100 reduction on the cost of ST.
However, there may be additional ‘benefits’ to come.
Bada Bing
The Adobe upgrade warning has been going about for a few days.
I have been checking the bookstore site and nothing is coming up and I can see the orders going through but will check it out.
I have just gone in to do a test order and received no warnings or Adobe upgrade requests.
Hamiltontim
Depends on Lustig’s character. May want to get out to work. We are all different in these situations.
Hope his wee girl is OK tho. My Bhoy has the cauld the now and it terrifies me!
LB
Philbhoy
It is, it’s just under an hour from me, only about 25 mls as the crow flys, their is a town next to it called Albox, a bit of a dump IMO, full of brits, most of them are twats, hence the locals have no time for them, and Guards have a field day with them.
There are some really nice folks down there, in the minority I’m afraid, she will find out soon enough.
Is she going to live there full time ?
If she hasn’t already, tell her to check out this forum, some very good info on it, she may need it.
She will no doubt hear all about the illegal builds, this site can tell her everything, and Roger the deputy mayor in Arboleas will keep her right.
Many places have all the correct paper work, and are scheduled for demolition, 90% in the Arboleas area, I hope she has already seen or spoken to Roger.
Hopefully she has bought well.
HH
Hamiltontim,
For once we agree. I feel Lustig should be allowed to be with his child at this time, which seems to be in the hospital. Mathews should be our RB.
Hamiltontim
Very fair point. The Killie fans have a very grudging thanks regarding this offer and some who have not been in Paradise since the 70’s are taking this offer up. I suppose a bigger attendance suits Celtic and Killie. Think the game has the makings of a cracker to be honest.
Was impressed with Killie on Sportscene this week but Celtic should still win fairly comfortably.
LB
Oops, forgot the link
http://www.arboleas.co.uk/forum/index.php#1
HH
parkheadcumsalford
Ha there must be a purple sky sir :-)
Yes it would seem the most sensible decision to me too.
Livibhoy
Will they need a bigger ‘barra to get them all there :-)
Right offski for now.
Cultsbhoy,
We’ll have to agree to differ about him. I think Celtic were more than generous to him, during his career at Parkhead. Imo, he didn’t reciprocate.
For me, it has to be the following starting 11 :
—————————-C. Gordon————————-
Lustig or Matthews Denayer Van Dijk Izzy (if fit)
————-Brown Mulgrew Johansen———–
———- McGregor Commons Stokes———-
only change from Saturday really, is Commons a direct replacement for Gudetti..
I was tempted to say Scepovic should replace Gudetti… but without proving himself thus far, i see it as too big a gamble.
TET
They have indeed bought!
She moved in last month so lots of paperwork still to be done no doubt!
What forum?
She loves her house and it’s on top of a hill with great views, and not many houses roundabout.
In the local town last week she met a neighbour who lived in the same street as her in Mount Vernon 40 years ago!
They have arranged to meet up so no doubt she’ll get the low down.
My brother in law is a good lad so hopefully not too many problems!
I’ll keep you posted!
TET
Got the link thanks!
Tet,
Albox not that far removed from ibrox then? :)
Does anyone else have to relogin after every time they post?
No problem fir me rasp…
Hmmm says it all really, apologies if already posted.
https://twitter.com/jobbytash/status/524883543722557440
BT
Probably this phone
Any reviews on IngramWynd? Tomorrow’s pre match venue.
Philbhoy
Tell her to talk to Roger, he will tell them the low down.
HH
…………………………
GM
Aye, it’s Ipox to me, has about 60% brits in it, we used to go there cos there a few shops that sell brit stuff, was the only reason we went, the Mrs can now get the stuff from a market stall at the car boot sale, so no need any more, the Guards are pure winkers down there, I still drive a brit car, up here they don’t give a, there they stop you constantly, and you either have to change to Spanish plates, or they take the car off you, it will come up here, but hopefully not for a time, they are just glad we spend our money here, very few brits around so we don’t have a bad name.
HH
Raspberry
trip aadviser seemss very favourable, seems thry do 5pm .com abd groupon, have a look.
So Johansson was asked by a BBC journalist last night if he was afraid and now RD has been asked if he has warned the players about the dangers of what can happen if they go out!!!
If I didn’t know better I’d think there was some sort of subliminal intimidation campaign!
TET
I’ll pass the info on to them!
Many thanks!
Bt
Doing a groupon, as it’s my turn to pay
HT,
wasnt so much a dunt I was thinking of, but the boot to the haw maws is always worse!
:-)
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Need my glasses, where are my glasses. ?? 8))
Wed 08th Aug 2001-Ajax 1-3 Celtic
Wed 30th Jul 2003-fbk Kaunas 0-4 Celtic
Wed 13th Aug 2003-mtk Hungaria 0-4 Celtic
Wed 05th Aug 2009-Dynamo Moscow 0-2 Celtic
Wed 08th Aug 2012-hjk Helsinki 0-2 Celtic
Tue 21st Aug 2012-Helsingborgs if 0-2 Celtic
Tue 02nd Oct 2012-Spartak Moscow 2-3 Celtic
Wed 17th Jul 2013-Cliftonville 0-3 Celtic
Tue 15th Jul 2014-kr Reykjavik 0-1 Celtic
Frankmarker
Coconuts have gone off!
I only mentioned it cos they will hear about things on the grapevine.
Piece of mind n awe that.
HH
Forgot your moniker this time ffs.
Philbhoy
HH
TTT ;-)
Icg – I will get back to you tomorrow
WeeFra and MT have kept you both in my prayers today hope all has went well.
BT hope you’re recovering better now your ghirls are home
Much obliged Minx.
I do appreciate it.
minx
Noticed a certain person inferring you spend a lot of time on here. Wasn’t wrong was he:o)
minx1888
Are you going to the game tomorrow,I’ll be in the blane Valley around two,I know the teacher can’t get away before four but the headmistress may squeeze in a few before he arrives.
Minx
Are you able to get my email from Paul?
Save me tracking the blog all day when The Mob expect me to work
Latest TV fixtures
http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/latest-sky-amp-bt-live-games-73/
igc
Email me and I will pass it on through hamiltontim lennybhoycfc@gmail.com
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Igc – will do
Oldtim – if I get the chance I will but don’t tell HT ;-) I’m in Edinburgh all day.
EDB ;-)