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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1,087 Comments

  1. Delaneys Dunky on

    M McG

     

     

    How they could decide that elbow was only a yellow defied belief.

     

    Wonder what they would have made of Stockley on KT in the FTSFA Cup Final?

  2. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    Big Packy

     

     

    We are all Celts, that’s what matters:)

     

     

     

    HH

  3. GuyFawkesaforeverhero on

    Gene on 2nd July 2017 8:48PM

     

     

    Up to speed now, got you.

     

     

    Attack when you’re being dissed, is the 21st century online default position to adopt according to my son. Not convinced it works in all circumstances. My apologies to you.

  4. Pogmathonyahun

     

    You are not fat, like me you are big boned, and the wrong height for your build ( we smiley)

  5. Re: mention of ‘soup-taker’ earlier.

     

     

    There was a fantastic documentary during the week about the 3rd Marquis of Bute – richest man in the empire.

     

     

    He was made aware that the Catholic poor in WOS would not receive any food from the mainly Protestant charities unless they renounced their faith. Those that did were labled soup-takers. I am aware of it’s usage in Eire.

     

     

    On hearing this he established his own kitchens to provide for the destitute Catholics.

     

     

    I hate the loose usage of soup-taker without first considering the dilemma of those from whom it was first coined.

     

     

    Incidentally, the Marquis was not born a Catholic, instead received the sacraments aged 21.

     

     

    Worth checking the prog out on I-player ‘Richest man in the empire’ or something close to that.

     

     

    Anyway off work this week so the Glen Marnoch is gonna be opened tonight.

  6. anybody remember celtic versus feynoord or maybe ajax. hampden park early seventies standing to the left of the stand. mr cruyff makes a lovely turn and pass suddenly from the stand comes some empty bottles from the stand right in front of me. but oh what a player just lucky to have seen him in the flesh.

  7. What is the Stars on

    proddys out

     

    unless they wear green boots…in which case they are very welcome

     

     

    ok i lied

     

    even if you dont wear green boots you can stay….

  8. TTTT

     

     

    THANK THE HEAVENS THAT YOU HAVE POSTED.

     

     

    I see that it was a troll that posted that Bradley had passed away,and that it was a lie.

     

     

    Sadly it does seem that the poor we boy only has a few short weeks to live.

     

     

    Thank’s for posting.

     

     

    TT

  9. Interesting that we are supposed to be, looking at another Chelsea youngster.

     

     

    Our relationship with Man City has proven fruitful over the last few Seasons but I believe Chelsea offer the best prospects going forward – BTW: I know these relationships aren’t mutually exclusive.

     

     

    Chelsea for many a year have been hoovering up young prospects into various Academies from England and beyond.

     

     

    Some real prospects are on their books… 300 possibly …how many are going to even be squad players 5-10%

     

     

    So this leaves a plethora of talent looking for a Club to carry on their career. If you have a Coaching team like we have at Celtic under Brendan and chance of European exposure this must be a great platform for the lads and opportunity for Celtic.

     

     

    BTW – Would agree with Big Packy’s pal that it is unfortunate that we must talk about Religion when we discuss the Celtic Supporter.

     

     

    But my Thots are… as long as The Good and The Great in Scotland can exploit this for cash and votes we will see this continue. We need real strong leadership in Scotland that would put Bigotry in its place.

     

     

    Hail Hail

  10. embramike supporting Res 12 on

    Just watched the BBC2 George Best documentary and it’s tragic to see an amazing football talent destroyed by alcohol addiction. The boy who lived the dream but couldn’t handle the reality.

     

     

    What a player, what a waste.

  11. glendalystonsils on

    Big Packy

     

     

    I was at that game but didn’t see any bottles being chucked?

  12. magnificentseven,

     

    yeah of all the stories people tell about Cruyff we get one that involves bottles getting thrown at him,strange indeed

  13. glendalystonsils so was i. believe me there was some bottles from the stand go check it out.

  14. thetimreaper on

    Tell you what I’m fair buzzing about signing this new lad if it happens, and what else lies in store, what a team we could be about to assemble! Frightening stuff for the rest, had a bit of banter with a Hertz fan on Twitter earlier, he was saying it’s just no fair.

  15. Pog

     

    Agreed re McMurdo. Horrible man.

     

     

    embramike

     

     

    Alcohol addiction did not destroy his talent. He played at a high level for a decade and won more than most. His addiction might have shortened his career at the top but it did not destroy it.

     

    Goodnight all,

     

     

    JJ

  16. oh ffs. whats this the cqn mafia. i was at the game right next to the stand .there were bottles thrown from the stand.

  17. —–

     

     

    Trouble Brewing Amongst The Latin Contingent At AsbestosDome…

     

     

    Ahead Of Their Titanic Re-Match….

     

     

    With The Luxembourg Galacticos.

     

     

    They Demand The Immediate Reversal Of The Current Ban On Peperoni Sticks..

     

     

    As A Matter Of Honour…

     

     

    As The The National Colours Of Both Portugal And Mexico….

     

     

    Are The Same As Those Of The Wrappers….

     

     

    That Enclose Those Spicy Treats.

     

     

    ——

     

     

    Furthermore, They Insist That Knoxy The Spongeman….

     

     

    Treats Their Knocks And Sprains…

     

     

    Only With Certified Lourdes’ Water.

     

     

    ——

     

     

    Priority No.1…

     

     

    Tierney MUST STAY..!

     

     

    Our Next Legendary Celtic Captain.

     

     

    Broony Leading The Team For Another Three Years..?

     

     

    Get REAL.

     

     

    ——-

  18. That’s my bhoy and his mates heading to zante at 4.00, their first bhoys holiday.

     

     

    I’ve warned him he better text me and not ignore my texts.

     

     

    Checked he has everything sorted. Ffs sake at least he is going to take precautions going by the box that is in his case.

     

     

    On the bright side they all have their hoops on.

     

     

    Some on here might not like that…. So as Tony D would say …giruy.

  19. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    Just watched the clash of cultures in San Pedroburg.

     

    Glad to see that the ” You keep the heid ” culture prevailed .

     

     

    After the elbow assault , the downgrading of the Serbian ref. should be guaranteed , unless of course he was following instructions from his FIFA masters.

     

    That was probably what happened.

     

    They didnae want a riot.

     

    Wouldnae have looked good what with the coming World Cup in Russia.

  20. Big Packy, you can’t remember the game?

     

    Big Oops on that one!

     

     

    If you know the history!

     

    If you don’t jog on.

     

     

    Who did we play in the 1967 European Cup Semi Final?

     

     

    Give me a minute, it’ll come back to me!

     

    Google where are you now!!!!!!!!!!!!

  21. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    THE DONALD on 2ND JULY 2017 10:55 PM

     

    G`day , mate.

     

    Glad to see you`re taking on the fake news press.

     

     

    Hope your next plan will be to focus on the shameful thought police who currently dominate University education. Thereby poisoning the minds of the young.

     

    Che lives…..

     

    In Venezuela.

  22. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    Macjay

     

     

    Seems like a bit of a wild response.

     

    Any evidence to back up your assertions?

     

    And i dont mean the mail, telegraph, or express:)

     

     

    HH

  23. Anybody who attended Hampden in the 70’s will remember that it had a South stand, the main stand, a smaller North stand which was fronted by the large North enclosure. It had two terracings one on the East which was uncovered and one on the West which was covered. I wonder what terracing was the Celtic end?

     

     

    * The above is for information purposes only.

  24. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    Margaret McGill

     

     

    If its not in the Mail or Telegraph, it doesnt count:)

     

     

     

    HH