Slippers on and a balanced meal is in store tonight for Celtic players, as they prepare to face our nearest challengers in the league on Sunday. Their opponents have a game which should see them progress to the Europa League quarterfinals. Despite their 1-3 win in the first leg, Fenerbahce are not Queen’s Park, this will be a draining game for both sides.
It is a measurable fact that athletes do not fully replenish muscle glycogen within three days. Two games a week carries an energy burden, putting players into what sports scientists call the “red zone”.
Red zone concerns before Celtic last met Newco might well have cost Philippe Clement his job. Worried about Celtic, he rested players for the games in the week before Celtic’s visit. Newco took one point from six that week, rendering their win over Celtic moot. The league was gone and all Clement had was his “sports scientists” defence.
Celtic should have the advantage, but games are won on the pitch, not with rest and slippers. Three years ago Ange Postecoglou lost his only trophy in Scotland when Celtic lost a Scottish Cup semifinal to Newco, three days after Newco played a Europa League game, while Celtic players rested up.
Barry Ferguson might not know how many vowels there are in the English language, but he’s not stupid. Well, not really. Unlike Clement, he will know to avoid “red zone” chat this week. We can expect lots of running around on Sunday, for a part of the game, anyway.
I could not care less for Real Madrid, but the penalty event which saw them progress to the Champions League quarterfinal last night would normally be considered an emotional trauma. However we are talking about pain for Diego Simeone here. He lacked the courtesy to shake hands with Brendan Rodgers on the two occasions they met last season.
Real keeper Thibaut Courtois got it right with his post-match comments. “I’m always fed up with that victimhood, always crying over things.
“If you’re winning 1-0 in the first minute and don’t go for the second, that’s the fault of their game.”
Simeone and Athletico would kill the sport as entertainment if they prevailed. Fortunately, they never do. The tie was there for them and they closed the game down. And for the record, there was no video evidence of a double touch.
*Update: someone sent me a video clip of the penalty I hadn’t seen before. There was a double touch, VAR was right.
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I think Athletico Bilbao will play the Huns next.
I watched the Athletico game last night and they can be dangerous going forward especially with Nico Williams on the left wing, but they also looked a bit fragile in defence.
I suppose that I could say much the same about the Huns ?
HH.
3
Runner Jacket
No Ordinary Joe
Running last race today. CHELTENHAM.
If they’re so confident and feeling o good about themselves ,it’s time again to show them the reasons we’re champions, the reasons why we compete in the champions league and hammer them again.
Lost a pile betting against the Huns in Europe this year. For the first time in my life I wanted rangers to win today, more than anything. My uncle George a blue nose from Brigton / Gorbals is on his last days. I wanted it for him, he is a mighty man. I hope it gives him pleasure on his way to the other side.
As we go about our business in a quiet and dignified manner picking up silverware -others get themselves in a frenzy after a pen. shoot out.Go CELTIC tear them apart on Sunday…
I watch Athletic Club at every opportunity, they’re comfortably a better side than the Huns and are desperate to land their first European trophy with the final being played in their own stadium.
Sitting 4th in La Liga and with a win already over Real Madrid this season, they should prove far too strong for a poor hun team.
They certainly won’t do what Fenerbache did and only show up for one leg of the tie.
There is a massive gulf between the Champions League and the lesser European trophy’s. However if the very unlikely happened and they won the Europa, would that be a better season than winning a domestic treble ?
I have my own opinion.
—-
Winning a lesser European tournament while Celtic dominate Scotland is sort of their thing.
Athletic Club next, Utd or Lyon await with probably Spurs in final.
It won’t be a debate we’ll be having.
An Dún on 14th March 2025 9:26 am
I watch Athletic Club at every opportunity, they’re comfortably a better side than the Huns and are desperate to land their first European trophy with the final being played in their own stadium.
Sitting 4th in La Liga and with a win already over Real Madrid this season, they should prove far too strong for a poor hun team.
They certainly won’t do what Fenerbache did and only show up for one leg of the tie.
……………
I hope that you are right Mate.
HH.
4 home defeats in a row
4 defeats in a row at ibrox for them.
First time in their history.
Phil certainly has built a legacy of firsts.
ps next home games at Ibrox HIBS then Athletic could really set a record that would stand for
a long time.
McCoist last night just before the Penalty Shoot Out getting himself into an angry frenzy on the POSSIBILTY that Fenerbache were about to change their injured Goalie.
It that were Two other teams OUTWITH the Huns…McCoist would NOT have embarrassed himself as he did.
This was McCoist once again DEMANDING to know names and as we all know he has previous for that kind of behaviour in the past. He should be SACKED and during his RANT he was clearly panicking that Fenerbache were doing something ” Underhand”, and he even asked his commentor side kick… ” DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN” ?
His side kick paused at THAT question before correctly advising McCoist that ” it was probably Fenerbaches team Doctor”. I thought his side kick sounded rather surprised and embarrassed at McCoists question.
That awkward moment when your manager thinks you were playing 3-4-1.
MAYBE Celtic should request that this Sundays game be switched to Ipox just to deliver the Huns a FIVE HOME GAMES in a ROW Stat ?
LOL
HH.
TAURANGABHOY @ 9:21 AM,
Wishing your uncle all the best, hope he has comfortable final days.
GREENPINATA @ 8:26 AM,
AN DÚN…
Yes, we even seen Liverpool put out a weakened team against PSV to prioritise the League over the UCL.
For me that happens much more in the Europa.
By the very definition, European competitors are generally doing well domestically.
Most will prioritise their domestic league.
However, the Europa big boys will now get serious about the competition – eyes on the prize and all that.
R2ngers had the advantage that their Espanyolification is complete and only had Europe to prioritise.
Hail Hail
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 13th March 2025 12:55 pm
Sorry the Staples thing has gone over my head
67ECW
The ultimate indignity Jose is so washed, if only he could have called Queens Park.
Chairboy
Undoubtedly, clubs in the big 5 leagues will prioritise their league over the Europa, especially in the earlier rounds.
However, Athletic are desperate to make history in their own stadium, the San Mames was jumping last night. They won’t be resting players against rangers – unless they trounce them at Ibrox.
The likes of Utd and Spurs will probably prioritise the competition also given their league standing.
AN DÚN @ 10:46 AM,
Yes, agreed, the competition gets serious now, Bazza, who once won a European game, will have his work cut out.
BSR –
Can’t believe how poor Fenerbache were over the two matches – when they could be a$$ed to play, they looked a very good side and certainly head and shoulders above Fergies Ibrox Invincibles.
Hail Hail
bbc
It is the first time Rangers have lost four successive home matches in their history, but the overriding emotion was that of joy and relief at Ibrox after Ferguson’s players held their nerve.
—————————
joy ? celebrating after a 4th record defeat in a row.
relief at still being in the competition aye, but those celebrations dearie me.
the real rangers will be spinning in their grave.
67 European Cup Winners on 14th March 2025 10:35 am
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 13th March 2025 12:55 pm
Sorry the Staples thing has gone over my head
67ECW
Peter decides everything. You have to ask permission to buy box of staples .He also decides what colour of green everything gets painted.
I thought if you were a fan of his you would know that.
Big Jimmy,
I has an each way winner at 22/1, and a placed horse at 3/1.
I then put a £2 accumulator on the football that i cashed out at £35?rather than hold off for £45.
I only put a couple of quid on at a time as Im not really a gambler but that will see me in profit for this Cheltenham week.
the big leaguers talk about winning the europa …….. so as to be in next seasons champions league.
Good morning all from the Brazen Head. Expecting to see BelmontBrian and his son The Drummer today. Let the good times roll 👍
How can you show ‘character in abundance’ in a 2-0 defeat against a team you had beaten a week previously?
Celebrations I shall remember…Pedro Caixinha at Firhill…Phillipe Clement after a 3-3 victory at Ibrox…Barry Ferguson and his staff and players after losing 2-0 at ibrox…
Joe,
I’d have got it one earlier but thought he had came up before.
Its just luck. Where i struggle if there’s about 10 letters and i get a couple early on.
I find it hard enough to think of a player with 10 letters in their name without having to fit and “F” & “T” in there too.
I’m glad you are enjoying them 👍🏻
Chairbhoy
FWIW Dreadful old team, and arrogance caught up with the special one, long before he went to Turkey.
It’s a Europa dumping ground where the level has dipped a gap opened to the new CL format, and parachute sides no longer land.
I hope Sevco are rested up and all fit for their next humping.
WBC –
When they celebrated the 3-3 “win” it reminded me of a time when we beat them, to pretty much clinch the league…
The crowd were going crazy and the atmosphere was building and you could see the players begin to get caught up in it, but Callum mcGregor went up to Joe Hart and said they had to make sure the players played it cool – the leagues not won until it’s won.
That’s excellent on field management from the captain and probably comes from the experience of winning the league as often as he has.
There was a game fairly recently against der huns where we had at least an extra day rest – potentially more.
I also think they were playing away from home in Europe on the Thursday.
But come the Sunday we were the team that looked like we had played less than 72 hours before.
I think we ended up drawing the game but we were poor that day.
The one advantage the Huns have on Sunday is the referee will allow them to slow the game down via fouls and time wasting. That should preserve their legs.
I just hope BR has had them on the training pitch preparing for Bazza’s new tactics. Thats whether they go
4-3–1… 4-2-3… 4-1-1-3-1-4…
https://x.com/henriks_tongue/status/1900453517002694817
GREENPINATA on 14TH MARCH 2025 8:26 AM
My friends in Celtic,
The huns got lucky last night. Luck will not be enough to progress further
There is a massive gulf between the Champions League and the lesser European trophy’s. However if the very unlikely happened and they won the Europa, would that be a better season than winning a domestic treble ?
I have my own opinion.
—————
Agree on the gulf and I think now, by and large , Der Hun are going to be facing teams that are really more
CL standard than EL. I certainly hope Bilbao are and put them to the sword.
Pains me to say it given that they are still in Europe ( and I couldn’t stand the thought of them being anywhere near another final) but, especially given that winning it now gets you into the CL ( I believe) , winning the EL would trump a treble and I’d swap it for one, unlike the UEFA conference league which is a bauble you can keep.
https://x.com/henriks_tongue/status/1900453517002694817
a gig awaits on countdown for the bold barry, good at numbers and knows all the glasgow vowels.
thurz an eh
and an aye
an an e
an an oh
and a you
and a how.
The new Ted Rodgers……..
dustybin CSC
Awe Naw Nae Noo Article Oan Anaw Noo
The new year game when they tore us a new one will be the same plan , get stuck into our timid midfield . We have some smashing midfielders but roughen them up and out the window goes our engine room . Unfortunately Kuhn and jota fall into the same category , a touch of the rough stuff will put them out the game as they don’t like it . Quality wise they don’t have players we have ,but they have the hammer throwers to nullify our quality players . We do not possess a battler ,and you can be certain that wee bigot Ferguson knows this and will send them out to lay the boot into us , knowing only too well a blind eye will be turned to the goings on . Brendan has cited we lack physicality in the team , the chance was there in January to buy one
Hopefully on Sunday we won’t rue not having a battler .
new article posted.