When we drew Maribor I wrote about their performance in last season’s Europa League, when they were eliminated by eventual winners, Sevilla. Our man, Blaz, in Slovenia, also warned me that this was a settled team who had improved since ending Rangers’ interest in European football three years ago.
I watched Red Bull Salzburg destroy Ajax in Amsterdam last season with some sublime football, and my pal in Austria tells me not to put too much store in their 3-0 humbling by Malmo, who, apparently, rode their luck to an incredible degree. Having said that, on the balance of probabilities, they are by far the top seed we would have chosen.
As Croatia Zagreb, Dinamo Zagreb bossed Celtic out of the Champions League play-off round in 1998, our first attempt at the tournament. Zagreb’s stock has fallen since, so while you could make a good case to suggest we are far from ready to tackle any European team right now, this is a good draw. They are also not Legia Warsaw, which would have been an unwelcome confrontation at this time.
So far, so good. Then we draw a complete unknown from pot 4, who happened to eliminate Lyon in the last round.
Between now and the middle of next month Celtic have to be ready for these challenges. We have an opportunity to progress in the Europa League, earn some badly needed coefficient points, and revenue in the second half of the season.
Bring it on.
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Everyone seems to be lambasting Efe Ambrose and there is no doubt he has had a difficult start to this season.
I hope Ronny tells him to go away on a long, well deserved Holiday – 4 weeks should be afforded to him, and he comes back STRONGER than ever before.
I’m an Efe fan and it is difficult watching him struggle, I hope the Management Team realise that Efe needs to be given a break for God’s sake. ;)
Transfer fees and wage demands should not come as a surprise to PL or RD – they should know the market they are in and pursue targets that fit into that budget.
Petec. Could he also send Izzy away until the start of next season.H.H.
!!Bada Bing!!
16:15 on
29 August, 2014
magnificentseven
16:08 on 29 August, 2014
!!Bada Bing!!
16:05 on
29 August, 2014
LG to Hibs would annoy the huns no end…:)))
Not as much as the “New Company” going into administration and the points deduction that follows :-)
They’ve been punished enough dontcha know?
Seriously,what punishment will they get if it does happen? I bet it will be a retrospective/suspended sentence
Well that opens up the old question again (From the Scotsman)
Rangers would be deducted 25 points should they be forced into administration this season – even though Hearts were given just a 15-point penalty last year.
Under new rules introduced last summer when the SPL took over the Scottish Football League to form the SPFL, clubs which suffer more than one insolvency event in the space of five years will be hit with a 25-point penalty.
The SPFL board believes that, since Lord Nimmo Smith ruled, at a hearing last February, that the current club was a continuation of the same entity which went into liquidation in October 2012 when finding them guilty of not disclosing payments to their players, Rangers should face the heavier sanction.
I just hope Wayne Biggins has retired.
Watch out big peter’s wheelin and dealin again.
10 yr loan deal for a striker from Ashfield juniors.
HH
Hooper was our best striker in a long time but he couldn’t get away from Celtic quickly enough. Apart from his Scottish Cup final swansong against Hibs, he was garbage from the turn of the year until he left.
The amount of dud strikers we have signed in the last five years is frankly incredible. Let’s hope Scepovic breaks that pattern.
There’s no doubt that our club and fans are bitterly disappointed at our failure to reach the CL group stage following a really poor home performance against a mediocre side.
I maintain that the players had an off night and we should have been able to beat Maribor. We were unlucky that SB and JF were injured; they would have made a big difference.
However, there is no doubt that we have a poorer side than 2 years ago and many of us are justifiably asking why this has been allowed to happen when we have a healthy bank balance and the players who have been brought in are not good enough to replace those who have left.
Money has been spent in an attempt to improve the team. It’s simply that the “replacements” have been so poor. NFL is on record as stating that he had the final say on which players the club signed. Therefore he is responsible for the signing of Balde, Derk and Pukki.
IMO, directing our anger and abuse at PL for well paid professional footballers’ failure to produce even competent performances is misplaced. He may well be guilty of several things but he doesn’t pick the team, decide on tactics or man manage the players. RD has that responsibility and so far he has failed. He’s new and mistakes are inevitable; he is entitled to some time to show if he can improve.
I am sad to see posters abusing each other because they don’t agree on issues affecting the club, or indeed any issue, eg the referendum. Blaming fellow bloggers for the team’s failings is plainly ridiculous. Some of the recent comments really are OTT and must give great amusement to any hun lurkers. Think of the laughs we get from the rantings on FF when Monaghan1900 posts them.
Quite a few of us want to “get out of Scotland”, either to England or some pan European league. I have stated my view several times that I do not want Celtic to play in a TV money bloated circus, paying obscene wages to so called superstars, many of whom couldn’t even spell Celtic. Rather than asking the blog who the hun lurkers may be, how about a sensible debate on what we would like Celtic to be? PLC or fan ownership? How can any changes be effected?
This blog is terrific. I have met several fellow posters and all are good Celtic fans. Some of the comments to Paul are well out of order. If you don’t like what he says, make your point. Play the ball, not the man. The Celtic way.
HH
Gene’s a Bhoy’s name
16:20 on
29 August, 2014
===============
I know UK staying in the EU is not a given mate.
One of the Nats arguements is that Scotland is in danger of being voted out ofthe EU by the English.
But Independence means Scotland is OUT of the EU.
Strange arguement to me.
Keyser soze
16:26 on 29 August, 2014
Petec
This is the future and what RD is all about
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I think so, these very promising youngsters deserve the best possible help to achieve as much as possible, that means investment in quality “seen it, done it” players to help them as much as possible.
joe filippis haircut,
Absolutely! Let’s judge him in 8 months time, hysteria on here at times.
themightyquinn
14:58 on 29 August, 2014
Liked that!
HH jamesgang
One of the questions I would have liked hear PL answer was why does he and his scout continually overlook young, talented players in this country in favour of second rate foreign punts? We understand the prices down South are mental and we can’t compete but why overlook what’s on our own doorstep?
Last summer we bought Balde & Pukki at around £4m and didn’t go for Russell at £700k. Who’s decision was that and why?
ger57. A good post fella.H.H.
the glorious balance sheet
16:14 on 29 August, 2014,
Excellent post and puts our tranfrer dealings into perspective.
Joe Filippis Haircut
16:32 on 29 August, 2014
Petec. Could he also send Izzy away until the start of next season.H.H.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harsh, I reckon Emilio could do with a wee break as well. I’m hoping the new laddie Wakaso will lighten Emilio’s burden.
The nats want us to believe that the UK will leave the EU.
Presumably therefore they think that prospect is more likely if Scotland leaves the UK.
So Scotland would be in the EU but the UK wouldn’t.
The problem though is that they are also telling us that there’s going to be a currency union. We keep the pound, with the Bank of England dictating monetary policy.
We, as EU members, would be in a currency union with a non EU state.
Yeah, that’ll work.
Petec,
The question for us though is how much does a seen it done it player cost?
Maybe out with our reach
ger57
16:32 on 29 August, 2014
Well said!!
Gary67,
I’m not wanting to start a lenny bash but do you think he asked whoever it my concern to go all out and buy Johnny R?
Petec
Hiya,palomine..??
As Alwiz.. Great tae See Yer Smiling Face…
You goat the Message.. pal..
Shout it fae the roof taps..
“Yoof,is/Ur the Light N the Wey!”
Alwiz , said that.n.. Ah firmly believe it..
Obviously, Neil ,,,DIDNAE..fur if he did..
He widda Gien Mair or ur Up N Comers Fae Bhoys Town.. Mair Exposure..
Last Season..
but,he wiz Mair Interested in Cockamie.. n.. Useless… Records.. than In Advancing oor Kids..
Noo. we hiv a Manager.. who. so Ah am Told..
Diz. Believe in ..
“YOOF, Is/ur the Light n The Wey”
Go Ronny, Go.. Boy…
Let’s Bring a Few Mair.. of the Kiddies..
If we Unearth..only Wan or Two a Year..
As Quality Streeters.. Then Soon we wull be Knoaking oot oor C.L. Opponents..
Right n Left..
Fir it is A Cinch that We are Very Under Manned.. Ill Equipped…
Toofless.. in fact..
At this time,in oor History.. whenevah we hiv the Awful Prospect of
Facing a Toap C.L. Side..
We need Far mair Quality…
Nice Chatting
as Per..
Kojo
Still,Laughin
The Europa League fixtures offer us some good, competitive games. Games that we have a chance of winning. There should be some good nights ahead for Celtic Supporters.
For those of you who keep repeating that you refuse to go to the games….we heard you. Stop repeating yourselves. You have already walked away. You can only walk away once. Good bye.
Petec. I agree it is harsh but he either as you say he needs a good holiday or a rest from the team as his performances of late have been shocking imo.H.H.
geordie munro
16:39 on 29 August, 2014
Don’t know but I did hear NL on at least two occasions praise Russell, and James Forrest, as proof that young talented players were being produced in Scotland. That is why I was surprised that we didn’t even seem to try to sign him. Especially at that price.
Meanwhile..on the balcony of his golden temple, Big Nero fiddles while Rome burns, and hears the unmistakable sound of hooves approaching.
Nero smiles…and thinks to himself, I rule the world…let them eateth crap pizza.
To be continued.
HH
Ger57. Could you expand on this statement: However, there is no doubt that we have a poorer side than 2 years ago .
Thanks,
JJ
THANK GOD for elasticated waistbands……
I was thinking about Zagreb as my away trip this year, anyone know if its a safe venue?
The mood is lifting!!
Hailbhail
Gary67
16:36 on
29 August, 2014
One of the questions I would have liked hear PL answer was why does he and his scout continually overlook young, talented players in this country in favour of second rate foreign punts? We understand the prices down South are mental and we can’t compete but why overlook what’s on our own doorstep?
Last summer we bought Balde & Pukki at around £4m and didn’t go for Russell at £700k. Who’s decision was that and why?
Is this the JR who has scored 52 senior goals in 7 years??
The Green Man.
We are a billion miles from Wayne Biggins
But thanks for the panic attack :-)
FoxdoonthiwingCsc :-)
Bawsman
16:33 on 29 August, 2014
I believe that there is no chance of an independent Scotland being left out of the EU. Just more scaremongering from Englandshire and their “associates”.
I truly believe that UK will vote to leave the EU in the referendum promised by the Cameronians. Where would that leave Scotland if still remained within UK?
Why are they so hell bent on keeping Scotland within the UK? Answers on a postcard…..
Re Johnny Russell , our coaches saw him at close quarters and decided he was not good enough , I agree.
A couple of goals on Sportscene is no way to conduct a transfer policy.
Stokes is streets ahead of Griifiths who is light weight and best suited to playing teams who hit on the break. Should never have been bought.
HH
Gary67,
I feel our board would love our manager to want spfl players.
Of course if Scotland votes no and then votes YES to stay in the EU while England’s electorate vote to leave where does that leave us?
Weeron
For those of you who keep repeating that you refuse to go to the games….we heard you. Stop repeating yourselves. You have already walked away. You can only walk away once. Good bye.
——–
Well said that mhan! Question is, why do they have to repeat themselves? Is it seen as some badge of honour?
ger 57,
I agree with some of your post but…..
NFL is on record as stating that he had the final say on which players the club signed. Therefore he is responsible for the signing of Balde, Derk and Pukki.
——-
Yes NL did say he had the final say…what’s bothering me is, what were the other options offered to him?
Mag7
How many were v celtic and not deflections?;)
prestonpans bhoys dam justice for the 5
I was thinking about Zagreb as my away trip this year, anyone know if its a safe venue?
I’ll be heading up for the away game ppb, keep in touch on here if your going.
It’s as safe as any country bordering the Balkans -))))