We saw a thoroughly professional performance from Celtic in Stockholm last night. AIK were always a team we should have beaten, but ‘should have’ does not always happen, as our previous encounter proved.
James Forrest, Mikey Johnston and Odsonne Edouard were on fire, while Christopher Jullien and Boli Bolingoli looked more comfortable than in previous outings.
Lazio finished eighth in Serie A last season, behind all the big names, but a decent ‘Best of the Rest’. Rennes are off to a flier, top after three wins from three games, including a win over PSG, but finished 10th in Ligue 1 last term. They will be better than anyone we have faced so far this season but this is why we want to be in European football.
Cluj are the team I wanted most of all. They are a strong pot 4 team but we were awful against them and need to put it right. This is a challenging Europa League group providing lots of opportunity to prove a point. Bring it on.
48 hours from now, we will be in action at Ibrox, where we were outplayed twice last season in games that ultimately cost nothing. Those experiences seem to have left some in our number with a bedwetting disposition ahead of Sunday. Steven Gerrard has added ten to his squad while Celtic, if you read some coverage, have done little transfer business of note. This is bollocks!
Gerrard starts from a losing position. His team have not won any major trophies. Celtic have been imperious on a level never previously known, three consecutive trebles!
Of Newco’s ten additions, two were for money (Helander, who they did not pay the reported £3m for, and Edmundson, sending £700k to the English fourth tier in return). Two are loans (Ojo and King), but the bulk are the Tried and Tested Free Transfers route to building a successful team (Hastie, Jones, Stewart, Davis, Aribo, Barker).
Bargain bucket- teams are easier to assemble than teams full of players who command transfer fees, but when the trophies are handed out, they are seldom on the receiving end.
By contrast, Celtic have so far spent £12m reassembling their disrupted defence (Jullien, Bolingoli, Elhamed), with Bauer on loan – and an option to buy him. There is also a quality left back on his way.
Fraser Forster is here on loan (he’s not cheap). We took advantage of the cross-country opportunity we exploited to sign Moussa Dembele, to capture Luca Connell for £350k, and I expect another first team addition (as well as the left back) before the window closes.
Celtic got everything wrong on one game this season but have all of the most productive, successful and valuable players in the country on the field at Ibrox on Sunday. We cannot take any game for granted, and I have seldom gone to Ibrox without concerns, but Celtic will blow Scottish football away again this season. I’m not buying the Newco threat.
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Good evening CQN
My team for mañana at the bigot dome
Forster
Ajer Sumonivic Julien Taylor if signed or (Boli)
Brown. Bitton
Forrest Cal Mac. RC
French Eddie
Rock Tree Bhoy 6pm
Mark Wilson was saying on the radio that Neil absolutely loves big Fraser and the feeling is mutual, he said there is a definite manager / player bond between the two … I think Neil bring the manager was a major factor in the big man coming back … again if Craig Gordon started tomorrow I wouldn’t be disappointed … Craig was our best (only) performer there on the 29th December :-)
Fess believe it or not we have currently brought in a total of 13 including Shved but 5 of them are in the Project Category, so I would say 8 including Taylor who would have a realistic chance of game time,
In my opinion we have lost only 4 players that really mattered, Benkovic, Boyata, Lustig & Tierney but I won;t be shocked if Sinclair and or Hayes are amongst the few that will go either permanently or on Loan tomorrow.
Me, I’m a touchin’ cloth kinda bhoy for these games……………..
Can we not have Big Fraser And Craigie Bhoy beteween the sticks……………..????
:)
I’m serious.
First goals the winner…………………..
I’m torn between starting Mikey or Ntcham. I loath to change our team when it’s playing so well and scoring for fun. However, Ntcham would give us a bit more in what I expect to be a midfield bloodbath, especially in the first half hour.
Whatever decision Lenny makes, it’s vital that he changes things if it looks as if it’s not working.
Get ur dosh on Atletico for La Liga.
Heard it here …..
Adi Dasler
Abosolute bollocks ya banger
An Chan
Agree. Need strong midfield tomorrow and sacrifice Mikey
Chan = Dun. 😀
The thing that gets ma goat is………………………………………….. Madden at the Midden…………
Tha’ts what should unite us Bhoys and Ghirls – as the most pressing, historical baggage that is a blight on our game.
The real enemy is in front of us.
Fix Fitba’ Empty Hampden.
It’s rarely about 11 vs 11 anymore keep the midfield compact for an hour and if we’re not 2 up by then bring on one of our 40 or so wingers
Out of interest..which celtuc fans were offeref tkts for tmoro ?
Celtic
I read a few posts saying Ncham should start … his ability is not in question .. but not for me, Broony & Calmac in their usual positions with Christie marauding in front of them, the not so invisible Jamesy F on one wing and on the other ??? I will leave that to Neil av picked the other 4 for him :-)
Evening all,
Before all the drama of tomorrow’s Glasgow Derby kicks off, i have the pleasure of announcing the launch of Last Man Standing 13.
This will take place following International weekend, when we return to domestic duties. ( we did think about launching with Internationals next week, but a quick look at the fixtures next weekend changed our minds )
Fixtures for round 1 will be posted tomorrow morning, before the fun starts at noon.They will also be mailed to each participant, along with a full set of rules.
The main beneficiary from the competition will be announced shortly.
If you wish to play, just drop us a mail at cqnpredictor@gmail.com – if you haven’t already done so.
Celticrollercoaster and Bateen Bhoy
31003
Saved
Daftie
A Gordon for me
A Gordon for me
If he’s no a Gordon
You’re no use to me
Kenneth McKellar CSC
Paul67 et al
From what I’ve seen of the huns, Killie away, Progres away, St Mirren away and Legia at home I have not been impressed. At Ayebrokes they like to push wide and fire in high crosses, but will occasionally push forward from the back. No revolutionary style of football there. If I was a player would I be worried about playing against Davis and Jack? Au contraire, I would be looking forward to it, both guilty of turning back against themselves in midfield, easy pickings for those well prepared for the match. I do have a concern re Lenny’s latest comments re the season thus far; “we have only had one bad half” that kind of thing. The problem there is that Lenny thought that half was the first against Cluj, when we lost a goal, not the second when we lost the lead twice, at 2-1 and 3-2, and subsequently lost the game, the tie and the chance to replace Prague in Pot 4 of the CL. That is the kind of thinking we do not need. That said, Lenny has a half decent record there, and as I said yesterday, win tomorrow and we will top the league until the end of the season. Let’s get that message out there.
Is the left back signed
Howdy bhoys,
Quiz starting shortly over on Sentinel Celts.
Hail Hail
Enter the Colesseum as gladiators and slay the beast. The bravest will win tomorrow and we shall prevail! This is a moment of truth and we must be positive – COYBG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What’s the word on Big Kris?
Further to my post this morning about all currant bun columnists backing Sevco to win tomorrow the Daily Sevco has now followed suit with all bar one of their columnists doing the same…one is even predicting a 4-0 humping. Please Neil, we know the way they will set up, their hand is known…set up accordingly and we can lay down not only a marker but one hell of a beating…
LARSSONSE7EN on 31ST AUGUST 2019 11:39 AM
Thanks mate I appreciate the recognition of posting more than you might think.
Perhaps being paranoid but sometimes these days I feel pretty invisible apart from a couple of posters who exchange with me.
It feels like I have been relegated into ‘potential rangers fan in disguise’ camp.
But perhaps I am being paranoid and of course my posts are just not interesting enough.
I did leave school at 15 with no exams and I have only really used computers in my life for football,music and porn [of course lol] !!!
But thanks LARSSONSE7EN for taking the time again.
mon the hoops ……..don’t think I will sleep much tonight.
lazydynamite on 31st August 2019 8:17 pm
——–
Making us feel bad now :O)
For what it’s worth, I read and agreed with your post. I’ve posted similar in the past, if our Euro campaigns started in the winter we’d stroll through the qualifiers
If Ajer is fit then I think he will play at CB alongsideide Jozo as the RB berth is a more strenuous ask. Therefore my team for tomorrow would be….
…………………… ….Forster
Bauer….. Simunovic…….Ajer…… Bolingoli
…….N’cham……. Brown….. McGregor
……. Forrest…………………Christie
……………………….Bayo
Subs.. Gordon, Ralston, Julienne, Hayes/Taylor(if signed) , French Eddie, Griffiths, Johnston.
Eddie and Mikey to come on after Bayo’s rummelled up the dobs defence
HH☘️
It looks like Hibs fans have turned on Heckingbottom. It could be that the new faces he’s brought in are taking a while to settle but it doesn’t look good for him at the moment. Lenny could be forgiven a wee smile given some of the comments from some of the players after Lenny left and Heckingbottom took over.
They’ll have a long wait for a manager as good as Lenny again
Lazydynamite 8.17pm
I read your post and nodded my head in agreement … I think the majority of posters, if they agree, don’t actually respond, sometimes it’s only when somebody disagrees a response will be made :-)
So long as I’m not scratching me head tomorrow at 11am reading the starting line up then I think we’ll be ok. At least a draw but a probable win.
Please Lenny do not pull any rabbit’s out of a hat.
Cheers HUDDLE and GFTB
I do the same many times.Read a post I agree with and scroll on whilst often spend more time on posts I dont agree with ..haha
Anyway I will shut up.
I think perhaps I was just a bit paranoid thinking I was being sent to coventry because everyone thinks Im a rangers fan.
p.s
A wee like and dislike button for posts would be a great idea for this site.?
Would give positive feedback and negative feedback wherever required.
BTW could you please stop talking about bedwetters. I wet the bed until age 12. Try coping with that and having three older and three younger brothers. On top of that attending a school in Belfast at the height of the troubles. So on behalf of all the bedwetters – let’s beat the Huns tomorrow – even if it brings back sad memories of the awful embarrasment of waking up covered in your own urine – in fact if someone could promise me a win tomorrow – let the urine flow tonight!
LazyD 8.52pm
Staying quiet is rubbish for the blog :-)
Although helps with our sanity at times
I realise the Sevco / Rangers / The Rangers or whatever their legal name is…. but whether fans like it or not they are our biggest rival and a very large majority of our fans look forward to these games whether it’s enjoyment or worry … strange feelings to have for a new Klub ….
I always liked the analogy … “different shoite same flies” another poster mentioned today many football clubs re-invent themselves after money troubles … in my life they might still be Huns but I do try and remind them tge meaning of liquidation … that in itself separates us from them … I would be devastated if Celtic liquidated then tried to kid on Celtic was still the same Celtic … a lot of other fans of (& media) love to try and say we are alike but for me the proof is in the fact they aren’t even embarrassed about their long & short term history :-)
So as always the lead up to a game at Ibrox involves very little else being able to occupy my conscious mind for the final 48 hours pre kick off. By the time we get to kick off tomorrow the usual stomach wrenching feeling will be in full flow.
I remember my old man, around about the end of the centenary season, telling me how lucky I was. How he had went to nearly 40 games at Ibrox in his lifetime and only once seen Celtic win, the year before the Ibrox disaster, which was the last time he went there. He had also seen us win the league there in 67 mind you. He missed the only other win we had there in 1958 I think it was.
Not many good memories to match my (at that time) record of personally seeing us win there on 7 occasions vs them and seeing 10 men come back to draw 2-2 in what felt like a good victory in 1979.
Now that I am the same age as Dad was then and I have to say that in my own time supporting Celtic we have been much more successful. Granted we now play twice the number of games but in my time I can actually name 20 amazing games / results which have been up there with my all time favourites as a Celtic fan. Sure I have heard that ugly roar more times than I care to remember. The 3 worst were Judas in the 90th minute, the darkest hour 4-0 defeat just before MON arrived and the game Sutton chucked it after Thomo was sent off.
Set against these negatives are an incredible list of positives which I am lucky to have witnessed first hand. I have watched these from all 4 stands and indeed the old enclosure, in various guises. Some amazing memories shared with some great friends and with more than a few Hail Mary’s and prayers said along the way.
In no particular order my favourite 20 which I have attended are :
Beach Ball Sunday, despite ultimately winning nothing that season we were all on such a high getting back from Boavista that winning there was almost incidental in the most amazing party atmosphere / piss take ever. Beach Balls / Lilo’s and even Scuba diving outfits were the dress code. What a day and a 2-1 win I recall.
The famous Charlie Nic game I witnessed from the Copeland Rd with my scarf up my jumper. It was easy to get tickets for their end back then and not so easy for our end. What a happy new year that was. 2-1 again.
The 4-4 draw was, in the end, a huge turning point in our season in 86. Although not a win, it felt like it, after being down to 10 men for so long.
The King Kenny Trinity. The new king announced his arrival and my Uncle Paul took me to all 3 games that late summer. We played our 2 league cup sectional games and first league game of the season there within a month. It was just after Ibrox disaster and my Dad had decided not to go there again but I had seen Kenny in the reserves and just adored this guy as he made his mark, we won these 3 games 3-0, 2-0 and 3-2 and I still have the programmes. I actually don’t recall seeing much of the games but remember being thrown around by Uncles friends when Kenny scored a penalty and not getting home until 8.30pm at night to my mums disgust.
The 2-0 Alan Thompson game was so special. We totally owned them but kept them hanging on till near the end before, like a great matador, our left back put them to the sword.
The Brian O’Neill game under Frank Connor was also great in the context of a dismal time for the club and wee Fergus was sat a couple of rows behind us.
Hartson 1-0 was viewed from the directors box and I think we were the only privileged ones back out from the Blue Room in time to see the big guy deliver.
The 5-1 vs Pedro’s team was the only time I have felt something close to pity….for as nano second. What a game, what a score.
2-2 game mentioned above with 10 men after they were 2-0 up. This was straight after 10 men had won the league the season before at CP.
Paul McStay scoring the 2nd under TB management as Duncan Ferguson stumbled chasing the maestro back.
The 3-0 Lub and KoK game. If ever a score didn’t reflect the total domination then that was it. Actually sweeter watching from the Govan stand as it emptied rapidly.
The 3-2 Eddie 10 men win was right up there as they really did believe they would win it. Red Card Red Card Red Card.
2-2 with KoK equalising header was a truly memorable one as we got nothing there at that time and were finally competing. We had won 5-1 at CP earlier that season.
2-0 and utter dominance in Brendans other game there which really could have been 5 again.
2-1 when KoK scored and they got a glimmer of hope via Thompson in the 89th minute…oh what might have been as the hope killed them again.
4-2 in Charlie’s last game …mixed emotions though as we lost the league and big Billy.
2-1 with Andy Walker and Paul with his right foot helping us toward the centenary double.
So many great memories of games I have been lucky to attend.
Now I am the same age as my Dad when he had seen just 1 win after following Celtic for as long as I have. How lucky am I and how lucky are we to support Celtic in these times.
I have not yet been as one of the 800 or so in the wee corner. Tomorrow I have been lucky enough to get a ticket. Hopefully it will be special but whether we win lose or draw I will go along to visit my wee Dad who now has the dreaded Alzheimer’s and spend an hour looking through old Celtic books. Wee Jinky and Big Billy are the only things he really connects with. That and good feelings and emotions. Hopefully he will get that feeling tomorrow.
I hope we all have a special and hopefully safe and very happy day…..HH .
Burnley 78 9.09pm
Enjoy your day tomorrow hope Neil & the bhoys give you another memory to add to those…
Av only been at two Celtic games st that stadium 5-1 & 4-1 to them, Macavennie scored 1st in one game and Chris Morris scored first in the other one … I think if the net wasn’t there Ray Wilkins rocket was hitting me in the coupon … still think Ian Andrews was destroyed that day and big Roughie should have started … anyhow my point is the Celtic fans in the broomloan road both days never stopped singing .. a few bhoys went to leave as the goals were raining in (understandable) but the majority stayed and sung … win, lose or draw it’s only 3pts tomorrow and your posts in the last few weeks have been spot on … we reside in great Celtic times
GFTB on 31ST AUGUST 2019 9:06 PM
Great thoughts.
And yes I agree.
To lose the sense of identity and our history would mean everything to me.
Our history [especially 1967] is EVERYTHING to us.
To lose it would have been the unthinkable of unthinkable’s.
Many poor decisions got made in the early 1990s but unltimately we did not sink to those levels.
I believe if we had we would never have been allowed to operate in a new company with the same history by the SMSM.
You see our ‘history’ is a constant reminder of the brilliance and pinnacle of world football that we reached.
We did not win some tinpot 3rd rate european trophy that likes to get talked of as if it was huge when it wasn’t.
We won the big boy.The big bollocks European cup and they would never have let us speak of it again as OUR feat.
We also reached another big bollocks european cup final a few years later…no other scottish club has come close.
Burnley………….
Enjoy yer day.
HH.
Burnley
Smashing post👏👏👏, the brave 800 Spartan’s will be bouncing 2morra. 2:1 to the hoops⚽⚽