Europa door ajar for Celtic

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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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  1. bournesouprecipe on

    Joe

     

     

    It’s a day or two old quote from a dreadful source. Pretty sure it’s a done deal, and Keevans was hot airing as per his usual.

  2. I have previously castigated BillyBhoy05 for the way he was unable to engage with Celtic fans and in the case of Andy Murray, re, his comments on Alec Salmond’s flag waving at Wimbledon, BillyBhoy05 was simply telling lies and I posted to this effect after I fully researched what was actually quoted.

     

     

    I was very pleased when he left this blog as he was damaging the Yes side.

     

     

    Regarding my previous post, I do believe if you vote No, you are supporting the continuation of the union and the corrupt Westminster parliament. To my mind you are for the union, a unionist.

     

     

    I have no problem with people who are aware of the facts of what this entails, and knowing this have decided to stick with the status quo except do you really think things will remain as they are following a No vote.

  3. GerryBhoy

     

     

    To me it’s about the Economy and I’m allowed to base my decision on that, right?

  4. auld bertie

     

     

    18:05 on 29 August, 2014

     

     

    ‘Can’t recall a campaign by PF Ayr for the resignation of the PF at Edinburgh or The Lord Advocate to resign after the Lennon verdict. The charges were ‘loaded’ on a not guilty verdict an ‘honest mistake’.’

     

     

     

    ###

     

     

    That’s probably because, unlike you, he knows his arse from his elbow about these things work.

     

     

    And I though you would have more respect for the opinions of the Scots who made up the jury.

     

     

    Oh, and see the earlier comment about people who refer to former managers by their surname alone.

  5. TBB

     

     

    Thanks. So if it’s £10m that allows gates to drop by 5k fans a season for the next two seasons after this.

     

     

    Maybe by that time some form of domestic competition will have emerged to reverse the trend…..

  6. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    bournesouprecipe. It is certainly taking a long time for Celtic to release any information.H.H.

  7. Yogiy

     

     

    18:08 on 29 August, 2014

     

     

    Is it OK to refer to people who want to be members of the European Union as Unionists?

  8. BFSDJ soon to be talking so high only the dugs at Shawfield will hear him,DL even putting him right ffs

  9. Alasdair MacLean on

    Martim1980,

     

     

    I knew what you meant…at least I think I do.

     

    What you meant was that SOME POSTERS employ tactics of generalising, grouping and labelling peoples views.

     

     

    I have seen that, but I actually see it coming from both sides.

     

     

    Have you not read the contributions from that arch anti-Scottish independence zealot Ernie?

     

     

    Not that I discard everything he says – he makes loads of good sense and arguments, but for me they are tempered by my realisation / belief that he is is staunchly prejudiced.

  10. Yogiy

     

    Fairplay, I don’t see any difference between the Parliaments.

     

     

    I’m basing my decision based on the Economy and what I believe is best for Scotland I’ll not bother telling you why,. I’m not here to even mildly attempt to swing anyone’s vote. , I respect your decision but don’t need to know why you’re voting. I just don’t like being labelled, especially not a Unionist. Again with respect that’s why I challenged the statement.

  11. Alasdair MacLean

     

     

    Yip have seen it too. Seen a lot more labeling the other away, sorry!

     

     

    I

  12. Lawwell pedalling rubbish on STV” we would spend 6 mil on a striker” at least be honest with us ffs

  13. Ernie lynch – on the independence debate I salute your indefatigability!

     

     

    You will be glad when it’s all over.

     

     

    I don’t agree with you but genuinely – fair play for your efforts. It has been relentless. I’ve often chucked it when I’ve been taken on by the raging right on here. Too draining.

     

     

    Keep er lit Ernie. I look forward to post referendum Ernies contributions to cqn.

     

     

    Hail hail

  14. Two Ex huns on Clyde piling into Ronny Deila.

     

     

    Dalziel baffled.

     

     

    How easy is that?

  15. Living_in_the_Love_of_the_Commons_People on

    The fractious debate on CQN has been taken a step too far IMHO. The lack of good manners has reached an appalling all time low. There are a few of you out there that I know are Tims, not hunterlopers, let youself down on a daily basis with your petulant insults. You wouldn’t throw those insults around walking down Sauchiehall Street, so why would you think you have open liscence to behave aggressively on the blog?

     

     

    Paul is and always has been very pro Celtic Football Club and his blog will remain so. In this opinion based universe this editorial slant will, of course attract dissent and disagreement and Paul is, no doubt aware of this. This doesn’t mean open season on anyone who wants to offer an alternate view to your own, with nastiness and often times venom.

     

     

    There are a bunch of contributors that need to have a wee lie doon and reconsider their behavior.

     

     

    This is all in my opinion and I’m aff oot in the middle of a busy workday, so I won’t read any replies. Just wanted to get this off my chest.

  16. !!bada bing!!

     

     

    The deflection on Snyde is hysterical… Two currents concerned our manager is not up to it, while kill billy 2 is playing out…magic.

  17. Martim1980 thank you, you are a gent, I appreciate your post and hope everyone votes after doing their own research and not from the mainstream media.

  18. ernie lynch

     

     

    17:57 on 29 August, 2014

     

     

    GerryBhoy

     

     

    17:35 on 29 August, 2014

     

     

    If you don’t mind me saying so, that is a bit splapdash. Is it the best you can do?

     

     

    The problem is that the whole nat bandwagon is being driven by zealots.

     

     

    They want a separate Scotland whatever the cost.

     

     

    No matter how bad it might be for the people of Scotland, for the nats, it would be a price worth paying, just to get a separate Scotland. They regard it as an almost sacred goal, an end in itself.

     

     

    We got a taste of it last night from a poster who, frankly, sounded utterly demented, wittering on about Ukraine and whatnot.

     

     

    That’s why they’re so short on detail. The detal doesn’t matter. The consequences don’t matter. Say anything, do anything just to convince people to vote yes.

     

     

     

    ernie lynch

     

     

    17:57 on 29 August, 2014

     

     

    GerryBhoy

     

     

    17:35 on 29 August, 2014

     

     

    If you don’t mind me saying so, that is a bit splapdash. Is it the best you can do?

     

     

    The problem is that the whole nat bandwagon is being driven by zealots.

     

     

    They want a separate Scotland whatever the cost.

     

     

    No matter how bad it might be for the people of Scotland, for the nats, it would be a price worth paying, just to get a separate Scotland. They regard it as an almost sacred goal, an end in itself.

     

     

    We got a taste of it last night from a poster who, frankly, sounded utterly demented, wittering on about Ukraine and whatnot.

     

     

    That’s why they’re so short on detail. The detal doesn’t matter. The consequences don’t matter. Say anything, do anything just to convince people to vote yes.

     

    ———————————————————————————————–

     

     

    “The problem is that the whole nat bandwagon is being driven by zealots.

     

     

    They want a separate Scotland whatever the cost.”

     

     

    Who cares??!!

     

     

    The people of Scotland would make the important subsequent decisions about how an independent, sovereign country would be run. I’m absolutely no fan of SNP or of the current First Minister. That is of no consequence. What is of significant consequence is that we will no longer have the Tory chums and their supporters deciding the fate of the Scottiish nation. They have no support in Scotland but nevertheless, get to make important decisions regarding Scottish issues. I’m not accusing No voters of being Unionist…..but a No vote will get you a union, that has no benefits for Scotland.

     

    The currency/monarchy issues will be solved by the Scottish 5 million population/ electorate; not by a 50 million English based population/electorate. That is the real “once in a lifetime” opportunity. It is not an SNP-Salmond issue at all. Although that is what the bitter together folks want us to believe.

  19. Snake Plissken on

    Martim 1980

     

     

    If you’re not a unionist does that mean that everyone voting YES isn’t a nationalist?

     

     

    If you think so you should tell some people that because they like to throw the word around like it is an insult as well.

  20. I am beginning to wonder if blogs and forums like this are contributing to smaller attendances.

     

     

    Momentum in collective human action is hard to start but much harder to stop and once a thing gets going lots of things, small and large, van add significantly to it.

     

     

    Just thinking….

  21. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    Bada Bing. I thought he spoke well and made sense. I took out of it we could afford to spend 6 million but if it was on one player it was very unlikely because of the salaries involved.He clearly said he did not buy players it was the managers decision ( despite what some on CQN say ).He also said the club were fully behind Rony so for me I was pleased with what he said.H.H.

  22. Jimmibhoy

     

     

    Aha… Lad.. Ah am Impressed with Whit ye say..

     

     

    Aboot..well.. the fact ,that you… Usually.. liked

     

     

    Ma Submissions..

     

     

    Ah am Very Impressed that They hiv ..well….Impressed you..

     

     

    Noo . Aboot the Three Days ,according tae reports, elsewhere, which Mr. Lawwell Wiz BIzilee Engaged.. in Negotiain fur the Incoming transfer of .. The Serbian Kid..

     

    tae Celtic.

     

     

    well..

     

     

    Whit aboot it?

     

     

    Like Ah done told Ye..’

     

     

    Negotiating, wi all the Incoming Transfer Targets… is is a Major Factor in Mr.Lawwell’s Raison D’Etre.. In His Capacity as C.E.O.. n . Money Man.

     

     

    He is the MONEY MAN… He Pays oot the Lolly..

     

     

    Howevahh..

     

     

    that is His SOLE FUNCTION.. in engaging in these Negos..

     

     

    He diz Not Control the Horizontal..nor. Dis He Control the Vertical..

     

     

    He Jist ..well. Negotiates, wi the Selected Incoming Target’s Representitives..

     

     

     

     

    That is Whit Mr. Lawwell diz.. He Negotiates..

     

     

    N..well.. Ah see Nothing Peculiar or Unusual. in his Taking.. Three Days in… well .. completing those Negos, with the Young Lad’s Advisors.

     

     

    If…

     

     

    Mr. Lawwell , took Three Days ,in which tae reach A meeting of the Minds , between Celtic.n the Young Kid’s .. Team .. who wur..well.. Negotiatin oan behalf of the Kid.

     

     

    That is jist the time.. it took. tae Finalze.. the Negotiations.

     

     

    It is NOT The Manager’s Joab.. tae Engage in These Negotiations.

     

     

    But..It IS…. the Manager’s Joab, tae tak Full Responsibility fur issuing the

     

     

    O.K. fur Negotiating Proceedings…tae tak Place..In the Firsr Place.

     

     

    well.. that..

     

     

    Maks sense ,tae Me.

     

     

    Nice chatting,pally..

     

     

    N.. Yes.. Ah hiv Stricken Young Amido frum the List of Ma Fair Haired Bhoys..

     

     

    Owing tae The New Set of Circumstances..which ur noo in situ.

     

     

    Whenevahh.. Circumstances Change..

     

     

    Ah mak the Necessary Adjustment. tae Ma well.. Former ..Judgment.

     

     

    Disnae Everybuddy??

     

     

    Seems ,Eminently Sensible.. Doncha Think?

     

     

    Kojo

     

    Still,Laughin

  23. joe filippis haircut

     

     

    18:24 on 29 August, 2014

     

     

    Bada Bing. I thought he spoke well and made sense. I took out of it we could afford to spend 6 million but if it was on one player it was very unlikely because of the salaries involved.He clearly said he did not buy players it was the managers decision ( despite what some on CQN say ).He also said the club were fully behind Rony so for me I was pleased with what he said.H.H.

     

     

    You must believe in Santa Claus more than i do my friend.HH

  24. Yogiy

     

    18:21 on

     

    29 August, 2014

     

    What will be will be same to you ;-)

     

     

    Snake Plissken

     

    18:22 on

     

    29 August, 2014

     

    I did say that it happened both ways. I can’t speak for others. No-one should be labelled incorrectly.

  25. Alasdair MacLean on

    Snake Plissken,

     

     

    I find this “nationalist” one the most insulting and annoying one of all – the not so vague hint that anyone thinking Scottish independence could be a good thing is equated to a member of the Nazi SS or a Serbian death squad.

     

     

    And this, (in my experience), usually from ill-read, historically ignorant people with an entrenched, brainwashed ideology.

     

     

    I would like to point out that this experience is from outside of this forum!

  26. Oh aye, Ernie and a lot of people are flummoxed by your craven persona in real life. Your salary could be coming to an end Ernie, more Ernie than Che. Thank God for Wendy Alexander the touch paper for the decline of Scottish Labour. And Wendy does not feel betrayed, oh dear.

  27. It strikes me that the the Yes people are getting more and desperate which is surprising since they claim to be winning hands down

     

    Jim Murphy might not be everyone’s cup of tea but we are on a slippery slope when debate begins to give way to physical abuse

     

    Add that to Wee Eck’s last blatant lie that every family might be £5k a year better off is sheer bribery

     

    The sooner this is finished the better – although it looks as if the Yes people are already making their excuses for not winning – which is very disappointing

     

    I take it that if we vote Yes then that will be the end of the matter and I would hope that it will be the same if we vote No

     

    Hopefully there will be a clear margin of victory one way or the other as a close result would be a recipe for even more recrimination

     

    I would also hope that debate on here if we really need to have it is kept to the civilised standard that we are used to

     

     

    HH

  28. joe filippis haircut

     

     

    18:31 on 29 August, 2014

     

     

    Bada Bing. Your not suggesting he is not real ? H.H. :-)

     

     

    Aye, PL…..:)

  29. auld bertie

     

     

    18:32 on 29 August, 2014

     

     

    You’re not really contributing much to this debate, are you?

  30. Tom McLaughlin.

     

     

    I was making no grand statement. But I do know thousands and thousands will do the same. That will make a huge difference.

     

     

    If PL doesn’t recognise change is needed then we need to act to bring change.

  31. We’ve been bombarded with party political broadcasts, debates, leaflets etc. People will vote yes or no having weighed up the arguments and will decide on what’s best for themselves.

     

     

    Why can’t we just leave it at that, respect each other’s wishes and accept the result on 19 September?

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