Europa failure would compound acute challenge for also-rans

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I’m not going to laugh at results against Luxembourgers or Lithuanians – it’s not so long since Gibraltarians bloodied the nose of a team who went on to become invincible treble winners. Scottish clubs have a long history of pitching up in June and July wholly unprepared for European football.

These results only retain the ability to concern if they are not resolved by remarkably improved performances. Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic grew in stature last summer until they became a competitive Champions League team in the autumn. Others may do the same this season.

What will be clear long before the lottery of the European play-off rounds, is where the gaping chasm exists in Scottish football: are Celtic our only team competitive in Europe, or is there at least one other?

Neither you nor I care who competes in the Europa League, but failure there if Celtic progress to the Champions League will compound an already acute challenge for the Scottish also-rans.

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Episode 2 of ‘A Celtic State of Mind’ finds Paul John Dykes and Kevin Graham discussing a variety of topical subjects concerning Celtic Football Club, including:

* Callum McGregor: The Youth of Today;
* Death of the Cult Hero;
* Norwegian Wood – Ronnie Deila’s Exit Interview;
* Farewell to The Stone Roses;
* Hillsborough: The Truth.

Paul John Dykes also chats to SFA President, Alan McRae, to challenge him over recent comments made about Celtic’s domination of Scottish football.

Connect with A Celtic State of Mind @PaulDykes and @CQNMagazine or just listen using the link below…

 

 

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  1. Why does that total disaster not surprise me.Boyatta and Gordon contrive to sum up the whole 1st half.

  2. I keep saying it, two weeks off and we are unfit, something is no right, these players should be at the top of their game, no excuse if they are not, none whatsoever.

  3. thetimreaper on

    Second season syndrome kicking in. Sinclair useless, Brown finished, Armstrong can go to Burnley he’s been anyonmous. Boyata up to his old tricks, Dembele set to be sold. Clearly this team is nothing without Paddy. Just give the Title to Aberdeen now.

  4. Rapid Wein finished a poor 5th in a ten club league. Hardly fecking superstars more your Austrian version of Hearts

  5. I know the result today is meaningless. Nevertheless, given that we havent lost a single game in 2017 I hope we can pull this one back.

  6. embramike supporting Res 12 on

    Loads of possession in our own have but way too many slack passes yards long or short. RV only 1-0 up – could have been more. They are sharper and finding spaces deep inside our half.

     

     

    Our movement off the ball is ponderous and we haven’t really created anything of note. Maybe some left it on the training pitch this morning.But all about personal and match fitness plus avoiding injuries as can be seen by some of our challenges.

     

     

    Freshen it up in the second half and pick up the tempo. Crisper passes and more movement might shift the momentum in our favour.

  7. Nye Bevans' rebel soldier on

    Getting beat at HT in a pre -season friendly and the fcukwits

     

    are wetting their panties.

     

     

    willloginwhentherealstuffstartsCSC.

  8. THETIMREAPER on 1ST JULY 2017 4:43 PM,

     

     

    Not “Rodgers out”but no use trying to make anything good out of this game.They are dire.The penalty just summed up the 1st half.Anyone saying anything about that half was even OK,must have been watching a different team last year.They could be 5 up.

     

    I dont care if its a friendly or not.No soft soap from me.Dire 1st half.Not one player getting a pass mark.

  9. Game being played at snail’s pace. Someone mentioned how quick the players lose their fitness, which is evident. Gordon frustrates the life out of me with his attempts at chipping a pass. Almost caused a goal. Some poor passing over all and of course the one from Boyata. The player dived, as he played it too far but Gordon did touch him.

     

     

    I should really extend my not attending home friendlies, to not watching any at all :)

  10. Do we have to play these pointless games abroad? If the purpose is to regain match fitness that could be achieved by playing a few closed door ‘bounce games’ in the UK – likely against better opposition than Rapid Wein.

  11. Stairheedrammy on

    poor half for us, they had about 10 decent chances and we look well off the pace. I’m hoping they are ahead of us in their preparation for the coming season. Some reliables In our team looking well rusty.

  12. Stairheedrammy on

    Why did Gordon pull the Vienna player down, looked like he had put the too wide to score

  13. Margaret McGill on

    First half no problem……..

     

     

    Second half ………

     

     

    “Rapid Wien vs Celtic LIVE T…” This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Celtic Football Club Limited.

     

    Sorry about that.

  14. THE EXILED TIM

     

    Scot Browns stats in last seasons Champions league suggest your wrong.

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