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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Armstrong must stay
You would be hard pressed to find a player of his quality for 4 million
On Stuart Armstrong. On his day, he makes some nice late runs from the midfield, and injects a drive that other midfielders don’t. However, we haven’t seen nearly enough of that from him… certainly, not week in, week out.
After the last round of contract talks, I felt like he was already thinking about his next move
It may be that is just his personality is quieter, more laid back… I don’t know… or, he does seem to have interests outside of football (for example, law).. or He wants a fresh challenge/more money ….
CL qualification is only becoming a tougher proposition, so we need players who have talent and are 100% Committed (KT comes to mind)..
If SA wants to go, take the money and wish him well. If he stays, he needs to show more often to earn a starting place
£5m for Armstrong ? Emotions aside, that’s probably a reasonable price for a player entering the last year of his contract, I think we’d have been looking for more if he’d moved on at this time last year, off the back of a very impressive season. Injuries hampered his progress, and it’s unknown how much more he’ll progress at Crystal Palace, or anywhere else, for that matter.
IF he thinks that Palace is his level at the moment, I think he’ll go. If not, he might hold out for a more ambitious club, which might be good for us, or he might decide tomsee out his contract and pocket a big fat fee.
If he moves, it’s for money, especially to a club like Palace. Sad that we can’t compete with that, but we all know why. Can’t blame him for that.
Would like him to extend and stay with us. He was very good in Brendan’s first year, but would say thanks for your time and good luck if he goes.
I wouldn’t take 4 million for his song never mind him.
His hair is mighty fine, he scores belters all the time, that’s why we sing this song…£4M for Armstrong… are they having a laugh???
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rXp96Um-TAs
:)))
HH
MIKE IN TORONTO on 9TH JUNE 2018 11:13 AM
On Stuart Armstrong. On his day, he makes some nice late runs from the midfield, and injects a drive that other midfielders don’t. However, we haven’t seen nearly enough of that from him… certainly, not week in, week out.
After the last round of contract talks, I felt like he was already thinking about his next move
It may be that is just his personality is quieter, more laid back… I don’t know… or, he does seem to have interests outside of football (for example, law).. or He wants a fresh challenge/more money ….
CL qualification is only becoming a tougher proposition, so we need players who have talent and are 100% Committed (KT comes to mind)..
If SA wants to go, take the money and wish him well. If he stays, he needs to show more often to earn a starting place
—————–
Spot on. If he doesn’t want to sign a longer term contract, then he needs to go now. He’s probably worth more than McGinn, given his experience. I’m not sure who the better player is but McGinn has more dig and has Celtic in his blood.
Batteen
I would expect that a move to even a team like CP would probably double his wages, with a chance to earn a move to a bigger team on even higher wages if he does well … so, I cant begrudge the kid his decision, if he decides to move on
BATEEN BHOY on 9TH JUNE 2018 11:16 AM…
Who is this tomsee you speak of?
Hope all the bhoys in Belfast have a grand time as I’m sure will.
MIT,
Hasn’t he been studying Law ?
We all know what money-grabbing, unscrupulous, robbing barstewards they are, don’t we ???
Hope you’re well, and your wee pal is keeping you on your toes ?
Sipsini.
Thanks. ?
Typo’s make me look more stupit than I really am. Honest ?
Wanted to go to Belfast, but timing was not quite right. Should definitely be available for another Euro adventure, if we’re lucky enough to get the chance again this season. ?
Ziggy
It seems rude to disagree with you, after you agreed with me… so, apologies … but I just don’t see the McGinn thing …. whole hearted, for sure …. tough, check … but don’t see much more in him … seems well suited to rough and tumble of SPL .. but European football is not only of a higher standard, but it also seems to require a different type
…..for me, I don’t see the level of ball skills or football intellicence we need in our mids if we are to make a real mark in Europe…
But I have a touch of insomnia, and have been awake since 4am, so May be a touch delirious and talking pish … ?
My friends in Celtic.
Stuart Armstrong : We must not let his transfer / contract discussions dominate our pre season plans again. No 1 year contract extension like last year’s fudge.
If he wants away, then fine, but make it quick.
I would bet he lives to regret it.
HH to all.
Bateen
Not quite…
I think he studied law… but don’t know if he actually qualified …
most law students are idealists who think they are going to save the world …
We don’t become ‘money grubbing, unscrupulous bastards’ until we get called to the bar!
So, it may not be too late for him to save his soul!
?
And Seamus is great. Love the little guy! He keeps me sane … or as close to it as I get!?
Hope the Belfast hootenaniers(?) have a ball this week-end.
…but in the words of our esteemed (sic) chairman…
“Behave yourselves!”
HH!!
MIKE IN TORONTO
I’m not sure about McGinn, as I’ve not seen enough to say sign him (without it being a gamble). I do think he offers a toughness that we lack, other than Brown.
If Armstrong goes, then we do need another one in midfield. The little I’ve seen of Christie, I’ve not been impressed. I hope I’m wrong there.
BATEEN BHOY…
I checked flights for the Shamrock Rovers game, really good but the accomodation is heavy.
I was going to take my bhoy as part of his 21st. Pity.HH
Sipsini- try Air BnB for digs
Almore
Make my own way pal we’re out and about.
Bloody roasting
HH
RC: no bother
Will do BADA. Cheers.xxxxxxxxx
Sipsini,
Can’t seem to find Shamrock on the map. ???
No direct flights from Aberdeen to Shamrock airport either ?
Sips
Try bed and breakfast places in Dublin. Plenty in Drumcondra (near airport) .other side of the city from Rovers ground but you could get the Luas (tram) from City centre right to the ground
J.McG give it a rest, nowhere good enough currently or with any further coaching , we have far better players within our squad just know , if we are going to freshen up our midfield lets buy quality with a capital Q and not another project.
I would imagine Armstrong earns somewhere around £20k per week with us. A move to the EPL would triple that with a signing on fee of seven figures. The average wage down there is over £50k per week.
Auldheid,
Just read your article on etims. Brilliantly researched and put together. Hat tipped. The more people that see it the better.
David 17, there remains a massive gap between top and bottom of the epl so plenty of top players getting 100k a week but also plenty players picking 20-30k a week in the bottom tier of the league.
Amstong qill get 35k max diwn there in the bottom tier, would not want celtic to give him that tbh
HH
David 17, there remains a massive gap between top and bottom of the epl so plenty of top players getting 100k a week but also plenty players picking 20-30k a week in the bottom tier of the league.
Amstong qill get 35k max down there in the bottom tier, would not want celtic to give him that
Armstrong has it in him to be a top class player but has been far too inconsistent in his Celtic career.With qualifiers coming soon a quick decision is needed.
I would like to hold on to Armstrong. Gives us something different with his runs beyond the striker.
Didn’t look like he wanted to stay when he only signed a one year extension last year.
Since then he has seen two former team-mates getting to the CL final so he might see a move to a club like Palace as a stepping stone to something bigger.
Armstrong, like most of our midfield, blows hot and cold. World beaters one week, bang average the next.
Brown and JF only two MF players who showed up in majority of games, then perhaps Rogic. So if he is for the off it will not be as big a miss as some are suggesting. Would prefer to see McGregor getting the chance to keep his place in the starting XI.
Kenny Misser – Barry Ferguson is the best Scottish player of the last 30 years!
Oh dear…..
Not sure if Armstrong has finished his law degree yet, however I dont imagine he will aim to be opening a solicitors office after football.
A natural fit for an ex player with a law degree would be Football Agent.
England is where all the money is sloshing about looking for players to squander it on. Getting his name known in England would be a logical step toward that career …. a team in London….even better…not being too closely associated with any of the big clubs (which may be awkward if your player thinks you may be conflicted)
Therefore Crystal Palace ticks all the boxes.
The Onlooker
ShowmethemoneyCSC
I was lucky enough to see Kenny play in the hoops. One of the very best. Was so disappointed when he left for Liverpool. Congrats on his honour.
If Armstrong won’t sign a long contract then we have to sell him now. I hope he stays. If he played already in the EPL, he would easily cost north of $10m
Kenny misser on shortbread opens mouth and confirm s he is a nugget.
Thicko.
Who are the 2former team mates of Armstrong. To get to cl final
SS
VVD and Robertson
Anybody posted………… ‘I’d drive him to the airport masell if we get £5M? ‘
GiveItTime CSC
Doh. I forgot about Virgil.