In 11 days we will know our potential opponents for the first and second Champions League qualification rounds. While earning the money available for Champions League qualification is the overriding priority, we also need Uefa coefficient points.
Should they progress, Celtic will be seeded for each of the four qualifying rounds, but they are in position to be bottom of the seed: five points below second bottom PSV Eindhoven, and four above unseeded APOEL Nicosia.
Our place in fourth spot in future years depends on who else qualifies and how successfully we replenish our stock of coefficient points. We earned eight points from our Champions League/Europa League endeavours last season, with a six point season due to drop off next year.
Eight points from one season is a baseline for teams who wish to be seeded in the champions route, but it is difficult to imagine even a modest improvement without a significant pick-up in performances. Chances of us winning two or more games in the group stage feel no more likely than the chances of us winning none, or of finishing bottom of the group stage – equal to our seeding.
The dirty wee secret of European football progress should be acknowledged. Teams from small nations find it nearly impossible to progress through the group stage every year, much like on the international stage when betting on the World Cup, but those who manage to get there more seasons than not, tend to have financially difficult season, where they fail to qualify for the Champions League, but earn a significant haul of points in the Europa League, making subsequent campaigns a little easier.
Despite the general invincibility of the team domestically, I suspect the current levels of achievement in Europe are not stable. We will have to improve, or there will be a season of retrenchment.
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Hunderbirds are Gone on 8th June 2018 1:53 pm
It is a pity UK citizens have to move abroad in order to be able to watch ALL Celtic League games live using Celtic TV or The Celtic Overseas Season Ticket.
Why there cannot be a blackout “footprint” around Celtic Park say 40 miles and when an ST is purchased so too is the ability to view from home on Celtic TV if outside that footprint?
The ST price might even be higher to compensate for possible loss of match day revenue but the ST purchaser has lower travelling costs to offset any increase. (Solves the parking issue too)
The current UK blackout, believe it or not, goes back to the days when Bob Lord was Chairman of Burnley who feared live match broadcasts would affect match attendances of his and other clubs in the vicinity of the televised game, but if the same level of income or even higher is obtained from reducing the blackout footprint, does it matter if bums on seats fall by say 10,000 if the bums have paid to watch (somersaulting the metaphor) and overall revenue does not drop?.
All clubs need to challenge the Bob Lord principle and start thinking out the box.
starry plough on 8th June 2018 2:26 pm
AULDHEID
If the real truth comes out there will be a few being fitted for HM Standard Issue Uniforms, so yeah I wouldn’t put anything past anybody involved in the whole sordid business!
============
They are already doing their level best to preclude that outcome.
Going to see The Rolling Stones at Murrayfield, digs just off Leith Walk near Great Junction St, any advice on pubs, food welcome…..any offers of hospitality, pre/post gig parties will be seriously considered?
Keep reading and hearing about celtics massive wage bill and i get that it is massive but no champions league group does not mean celtics make loss, fact of matter is players get massive bonuses for progression into group and nowt for nowt.
Celtic have managed to bank 30 million from that competition but given that we have that in the bank i think some are going all david king.
Wr also happen to have a shite load of quality young players that could offset any little drop in income.
Lets get our house in order drop the dead wood, get a quality rightback and centreback in and lets improve our chances.
HH
It is a qualifying fraught with difficulty that the Scottish Champions have to play 4 rounds. Our coefficient is enough to see us seeded at all 4 rounds. This is largely due to the crap nation coefficient Scotland has, due to the other Scottish teams.
There was a proposal that each club would work to it’s club coefficient that would mean that we are comparatively better off.
We should be able to win these ties as we are seeded to win them and go into the Group stages.
My argument is that on club coefficient we would be even better off. There are always individual problems we need to overcome for example a Kazak Team full of multi million dollar signings may turn up and derail this
Celtic should have a flexible budget with each scenario priced out.
Not sure what the latest shenanigans at Club 1872 mean but this bluenose has concerns and advice.
https://daviesleftpeg.wordpress.com/2018/06/08/muslim-baiter-and-the-spivs-at-it-again/
The ole strolling bones live at Murrayfield
IMO don’t think our interest in J.mG would help our european cause, no were near the quality we require , we have better already at the club that are not getting a regular game.
Here’s how the Hamilton Advertiser reported the night The Rolling Stones hit town in 1964…………
The temperature at Chantinghall Hotel reached fever height on Monday night.
Inside, 2000 frenzied Rolling Stones fans sweated it out in a condensation-filled ballroom – outside a thousand more, all ticket-holders, clamoured to get in.
Because of the issue of forged tickets, well over 3000 young people swooped down on the hotel, but at 10.30pm — after hours of travelling and waiting — the locked-out fans, including bus loads from Dumfries, had to be turned away. Amid jeers, promoter Ronnie Kirkwood of Wellhall Road told them: “There has been a serious forged ticket system operated, and there’s nothing I can do about it. You’ll get your money back if you write to me.”
The angry fans surged forward demanding entry, or their money back there and then, and even their bus-hire money, but a police force, which included reinforcements from Motherwell and Wishaw, linked arms and kept them at bay.
But by the time the Stones arrived — little more than an hour before midnight — the hotel foyer looked like an ambulance room. Fainting, hysterical and weeping girls — perspiration visible on their faces and clothes — were being carried out of the warm ballroom in a continuous stream. Even some of the boys passed out in the heat. Ambulance men and nurses were kept busy treating cases until after midnight.
Inside the ballroom a nine-foot-high bandstand protected by an eight-foot-high steel mesh was waiting to receive the fabulous cavemen-like pop stars.
Their 50-minute appearance was a howling success. As the crowd went wild watching the frantic jerking of the long-haired youths and listening to their equally frantic rhythm and blues music, five bouncers had a full-time job keeping over-eager, screaming fans from scaling the steel barrier. They even resorted to throwing buckets and jugs of water.
Throughout the entire four-hour programme policemen, many of whom had been on duty since afternoon, patrolled the hotel grounds. For a number of young people it was a night without mishap. Said one thirteen-year-old girl: “I enjoyed myself. I didn’t scream and shout and jump about so I didn’t really mind the heat. I just wanted to see the Rolling Stones and that’s what I did.”
For others, though, there were moments of panic. “I thought I couldn’t breathe at one point,” said one 16-year-old.
“I bent down to help a girl in front of me who had fainted,” said another, “and was kicked on the head. I was unconscious.”
Said Ron Kirkwood: “It wasn’t until about a thousand tickets had been given up that we realised forgeries were among them.
“All we could do was to pack as many as possible into the hall.”
Said Hamilton Chief Constable Robert Gordon: “There was disorder inside, but outside my men had things under control.”
Vandalism was rife as well. Said hotel proprietor Mr Isaac Smith: “Mod girls in long dresses were jumping up and down on the satin-covered seats in the hall. About 20 of the cushions have been punctured and ripped by their stiletto heels.”
On their way to and from the dance some of the fans smashed windows and ripped cords from the roofs of buses, and others stoned parked cars.
Scuffles among youths in the hall kept bouncers and police busy. Said Chief Constable Robert Gordon: “Two youths have been detained for breach of the peace and there are other incidents which may be subject to charges.”
Commenting on the situation, Mr Gordon said: “A report is being prepared to be submitted to the appropriate authority.”
During the evening several girls were taken to Hairmyres Hospital.
Mr Kirkwood stated that he had cancelled a visit by the Hollies due to star at a mod ball on June 7. The episode of the forged tickets, he said, would cost him an estimated £200 to refund admission money to those who missed the dance.
Wonder if any CQN’rs were there?
Good luck to Alan Stubbs.
Hopefully he can follow his success at Hibs and use St Mirren as a stepping stone to get another crack at managing down in England.
THE BLOGGER FORMERLY KNOWN AS GM on 8TH JUNE 2018 3:16 PM
Maybe it shouldnt be seen as the be all and end all to get to England, unless of course the money is significantly higher…. It’d want to be as there is a trend now of managers from up here going down there to unstable clubs and finding themselves out of work fairly quickly…Stubbs to Rotherham, Lennon to Bolton, to name a couple… and now Jack Ross has joined Sunderland…
Maybe Derek McInnes has got it right, knocking back unstable ‘bigger’ clubs like West Brom and ‘Rangers 2.0’ to stay with Aberdeen. Must have been hard to say no to a bigger pay day short term but taking the long term picture into account you’d have to say he’s done the best for his family and his career. Granted, there is a fair difference between St Mirren and Aberdeen, but still…
HH
4 qualifying rounds, flip side of the coin.
We often complain, rightly so, that over the years during these qualifiers we are coming up against teams halfway through their season while we are still ring rusty. On paper, the additional qualifier this year is at the first round, the easiest round if you will. Nonetheless, it means that should we get to the all important 4th and final qualifier, we have 2 more competitive games under our belt than we have in seasons past. 2 games sharper, fitter and and 2 extra games where any new signings get to bed in. Assuming there are no significant injuries picked up, it might no be without its benefits.
Anyone else beginning to think that Brendan Rodgers might be a one hit wonder
Auldheid @ 2:15 pm,
When Canamalar was originally asking questions on the WTC and looking to escalate it through the Celtic AGM, I was somewhat conflicted. In the midst of smoke n’ mirrors of the time, this was the smokin’ gun.
But I remember commenting to him I didn’t think it was worth the candle.
How wrong that was but only because of the hard work and persistence of you resolutioners at the vanguard.
Your E-Tims blog shows just how processes (no matter how formal they seem) can be controlled and manipulated.
Its very obvious that Stewart Regan wanted not only to bury any investigation into the WTC and associated events but struck out ANY reference whatsoever to it.
When you think they threw the book at Craig Whyte for anything they could bring up on him, Regan condemned him even before his hearing took place but not his failure to pay THAT tax bill.
LNS both in his SFA Inquiry and his SPL Commission, the SFA compliance officer, the SPL investigation and the SPL Prosecution all failed (or succeeded!?) spectacularly to look into or put forward the events before, during and after the WTC.
A very informative article.
Hail Hail
Bournesouprecipe
Well done to Ms BSR, you will be very proud
HH
What’s in the Stars
Are you coming up to the Belfast Hoot my friend?
HH
Wits
Dubliners are jist jealous of carnloughers
Onemalloy
Would have loved to go but Mother in laws illness has put life on hold for the moment
Pedro Delgado
Ok..Anyone else beginning to think that Brendan Rodgers might be a TWO hit wonder
Is that magnanimous enough ??
BSR- The crowd limping their way to Murrayfield tomorrow, will resemble the bingo mob in Ruggy Main St…?
ARCHDEACONSBENCH on 8TH JUNE 2018 3:36 PM
i have the same opinion that these early games are more likely to prepare us for the later rounds than an extra few friendlies would do for us. Over a 2 game tie, we should not slip up in rounds 1 or 2.
Let’s hope that these are not famous last words.
BIG PIERRES 2 FRONT TEETH on 8TH JUNE 2018 1:08 PM
Second gloomy, negative bull-yadda yadda yadda …. that’s you telt, eh Paul!
Sheesh!
T
Of course D, hopefully she will continue to improve.
HH
Traditionalist88.
Probably too subtle, but my comment was sarcasm.
I agree with you: the grass is often seen as greener down south (undoubtedly due to higher wages).
Oh Dearie me, the door is bad enough, but you would have thought that they would have gotten the spelling right, two at glance ffs.
https://scontent-frt3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/34885664_10155781916518049_8554143676039692288_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=2307c05b7419279f93d246441f8fa717&oe=5BC2D1AD
I agree the extra round in the CL should be to our benefit, the smsm keep telling us the opposite, but they would wouldn’t they, winkers.
THE BLOGGER FORMERLY KNOWN AS GM on 8TH JUNE 2018 4:09 PM
My mistake, just slow on the uptake today…supposed to be working, that’ll be my excuse!
HH
totally agree p67 – we’re fugged when it comes to europe but it ain’t on us – it’s because of moneyball
Thank you for all the congrats to qui BSR.
Not only this she’s just landed a top job in Dijon and beaten Brexit.
Hoopy days CSC
BSR
Congratulations to the wean!
I’m sure she will cut the mustard in Dijon!
HH!!
I’VEHADTO
It’s really coz our manager is a mere ‘ pub team skelper ‘ dontcha know.
£49.00 CSC
BSR
Bravo à votre fille!
HH
Anthony Bourdain rip.
I didn’t know who he was .
Wife is watching THE CHASE, Charlie Bourmaine is on there now.
Spooky or what.
THE EXILED TIM on 8TH JUNE 2018 4:10 PM
Jeeze-oh!!!!
That door just sums up everything about them perfectly.
If any of your children or grandchildren ever ask “…What was that now-deceased club, Rangers, all about dad / papa?…” – just show them that door – it says it all.
HH
BGFC
TET
That door must have been designed by a rippin the piss Tim. Hunbelievable hahaha
BGFC-Delaneys
Yip, right down to the spelling mistakes, received I can understand, but Barcelona….I blame their schools.
HH
BIG GEORGES FA N CLUB – HAIL, HAIL, WEE OSCAR on 8TH JUNE 2018 5:16 PM
at least they got DERRY correct .
In my Catholic primary 1 and 2, i before e except after c was drummed into us with the Catechism. I also blame the schools
HH
Delaneys
That was drummed into me as well, but we didn’t have separate schools where I was brought up, maybes the schools arny to blame, maybes they are just the thickest peepil on the planet, it accounts for a fair bit of their previous
HH