Helsingborgs IF are sixth after 17 games in the Swedish Allsvenskan, seven points off Elfsborg and Malmo, who ended Scotland’s interest in the Champions League last season. Our opponents clearly play it tight on the road, they have lost only eight goals away from home, considerably fewer than anyone else in the league (Malmo: 19), although their home goals for and against are not unusually low (scored 14 to Malmo’s 16 at home, conceded nine to Malmo’s one).
Helsingborgs have lost only three league games, fewer than anyone else. Four draws from nine home games appears to have cost them most ground in the title race.
Celtic can expect to face a tight defence who are well versed at shutting teams out in the second leg in Glasgow where they will need the creative talents of Kris Commons with perhaps Paddy McCourt p[laying a role. A big European-night atmosphere at Celtic Park will be invaluable.
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Wee heads up – Aiden on ESPN now
ch 417 zenit v spartak 0-0 13 mins gone
theweegreenman on 11 August, 2012 at 10:37
If it’s no on Alba it’s no worth watchin.
Sevco CSC
Gordon_J
I saw that Craig Beattie signing and reckon he has a tale to tell about the fabled £5000 a week wages ( and we’ll be in the SPL next season ) contracts CG is handing out like confetti to Scotland’s freebies, crocks and nearly weres.
Then again maybe the contracts are MSM myths, given wee St Johnstone can top them from all of three divisions above.
I’ve been to Peterhead once.
Don’t think I’d go there for a holiday.
:0)
Hamiltontim.
The wee Rovers play at CLIFTONHILL! and they are a division above ‘them’!
I despair.
Mind you I would go to that one; I suppose if the Rovers drew a home game against them in the cup, they might consider moving it to a larger ground…..say Celtic Park. :-)
hail hail
Estadio
I don’t think I’ve ever been to Peterhead but I’m sure there are plenty of sights to see, like er the boats, maybe? I’ve been to Philadelphia many times and it is a quite wonderful and historic city. I hope any of the bhoys who are over have the time for a bit of tourist fun while they are there, The Constitution Centre, Independence Hall, City Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Art Gallery with (the Rocky steps), the Rodin Museum, South Street, reading Termonal, the Italian Market and much more.
Foxy
He said Celtic were vying for his sig before he opted for Cardiff, maybe a wee Euro booster for us after Christmas at CP.
Phil
stayed in Eftalia aqua park hotel..
having read trip advisor I was very unsure but we had a great time.. place was spotless and staff friendly, kids enjoyed the slides…
one night on the Raki was one too many..
bt
How’s the back?
Did the raki no help?
BT
The raki is fine, it’s the Maynard Keynes that gives you the headache ;¬)
phil
the jet ski helped the back no end, who need a chiropractor?
TBB
we don’t do dignity like thems…
Those naughty third divisioners at it again..
Family Faith Footbal @stpatricksbhoy
Sum things just don’t add up http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/sum-things-just-dont-add-up/ via @Pmacgiollabhain
estadio
I stand corrected, on several counts!! I believe the Accies voted for newco to go straight in to division 1 so I won’t be going there :-)
Really great to have both your wit and wisdom back on CQN mate, keep well!
TBB
you still away?
I took a trip to the Signal Iduna Park, home of Borussia Dortmund last week. I couldnt get in because a jobsworth security guard would allow it, saying there was building work going on and its was an H and S issue. Anyway I managed a peek through a side gate. The stadium really does live up to its title of the worlds best football arena. And yet it only beats CP on three points. It reaches an 80000 capacity due to standing areas which, if allowed here would give CP an extra 5-10k capacity. The Signal Iduna is fully developed to the same height, unlike CP which still has the old stand, which if developed to the level of the newer stands would increase capacity even further. BD have 5000 fans doing hospitality every home game and the stadium has huge corporate boxes all the way round.
All of these extras are well achievable for us. Although I’m not sure about the open-air swimming pools behind one end. Another nice touch was the club owned/franchised beer and hot-dog kiosks all around the park.
I think CFC have a lot in common with BD, having a working class support from an industrial city and see the establishment club Bayern as their main rival, although Schalke are their main derby.
As Celtic are again invited to a play a glamour friendly, it reminds us that we are still welcome at the top table of world football. Our club history, especially our glory period of 67-74, and our worldwide fan base will ensure that one day we’ll be allowed into some new Euro league. Scotland is holding us back but everythings in place when the call comes and I’m convinced it will, maybe within ten years. The CL is a closed shop for about 10 teams, Man City the latest member. This will prove unhealthy in the longer run and SKY/UEFA know this. Too many huge clubs are being kept out and that includes the likes of CFC, Ajax and Benfica, and even Dortmund and Schalke who dont have the TV income of English clubs.
I see the regeneration of CP and surrounding areas as coming a significant time.
Here’s hoping.
hh
Morning from a sun blessed Prestonpans at 40c. I stopped drinking at 4 this morning……………………………………….
prestonpans bhoy
…..do you not mean 40 degrees fahrenheit?
:0)
The Helsinborgs draw presents Champions League football on a plate to Lenny and his young team. Don’t misunderstand: I’m not suggesting Helsingborgs are a walk over. But if Lenny and the Bhoys have any ambition at all, they will wake up this morning and know that two good, professional performances will see them qualify for the top club tournament in the world. All this on the day they face Real Madrid in a friendly match.
Poor old Peter Lawwell didn’t sleep at all last night though. He too can smell the Champions League, but the aroma is altogether different for him. Peter knows that this draw presents him with an opportunity to place the Celtic business back where it was 5 years ago in terms of revenue, but with a cost base significantly reduced from Gordon Strachan’s time.
Here’s what Peter sees this morning:
Final Qualifying Pool: €2 Million (Est)
Home Gate: €1.8M (Est)
Scottish share of UEFA Market Pool: €9.3 Million
Participation Bonus: €3.9 Million
Match Bonus: €3.3 Million
Performance bonus (Est 2 wins, 1 draw) €2 Million
3 home gates: €5.4 Million (Est)
Total Revenue from beating Helsingborgs: €27.7 Million = £21 Million
Wisely invested, this windfall will deliver Champions League football at Celtic Park for the next X years. I don’t know if X is a Generation, but it’s a lot of years. There is clear water ahead provided Lenny and the crew can negotiate the Helsingborgs rock in their path.
No wonder poor Peter can hardly contain himself.
anyone been able to book ticket online for helsingborg?
Morning all, not been on here a while. Hope all is well with you and yours.
Are we kicking off at 1845 CP time tonight?
HH
Giggs
TBB
Are the players incentivised (is that a word) for getting to the group stages?
Philbhoy – It’s just the beginning! on 11 August, 2012 at 11:12 said:
The state I’m in this morning it doesn’t matter :-)
Giggsybhoy
Yes and on ITV4.
There’s a welcome in the Hillsides
BT
Yip, one week down, another to come.
Been sorely whipped round the golf twice in succession by young Bunnet.
Here’s a wee peek at the course:
http://www.anfi.com/en/virtual_tour_golf.htm
Extraordinary course. Quite mad in places.
TBB
TBB
Should Celtic speculate on buying a couple players that would enhance their chances of qualifying,but would not guarantee it?
A67
Philbhoy
I’m quite sure they’re bonussed for getting through, but if we’re relying on cash incentives we’ve got the wrong players at the club. cf Zagreb in ’99…
Good morning fellow Celts another fine day in Renfrewshire
There may be more Olympic drama today, but for me the outstanding performance of 2012 was Ed Clancy turning himself inside out for two full laps of the track to lead out the men’s team pursuit v Australia
The oz boys just collapsed- with 3 laps to go their 4th man was dropped due to the sheer intensity of the pace
anyone who has ever riden a bike will appreciate what the bould Ed left out on that track
awesome stuff:
men’s Olympic team pursuit world record 2012
tictactic
great site with interesting views on technical aspects of games
total agreement on the impact Joe Ledley had in Helsinki I expect him to be much more assertive this term- believe in his ability to influence games more.
The lack of tracking by my personal favourite Sammi and also by Kris Commons was highlighted and we were indeed fortunate not to be punished. My overall sense is that due to the general poor standards in SPL some of our players fall into a mindset that they don’t have to work back in some instances because the SPL opponents will mess up any chances they get -not suggesting that is a conscious decision- but its easier not to make a tracking run sometimes. As we meet more capable opponents that becomes a serious issue
I feel our team as a whole do not work hard enough in games -some individuals do – but closing down and moving into space to present passing options is a problem -also some of our lads do not look fit/wrong shape or physique. Sometimes when we line up against top teams we look less athletic/imposing. That can be an immediate disadvantage as opponents get a wee lift from that and maybe our guys might feel slightly inadequate -not sure
As I said I think this is a challenge due to the poor standards in SPL where mistakes are easily ‘forgiven’ due to the general incompetence of most opponents.
In Europe we get found out.
We do have good levels of skill but seem to lack vibrancy and energy.
HH
A67
It’s unlikely (imo) that a signing or two this week will alter the outcome of the game next week. Too little time to make it work on the pitch. The time to do it was 4 weeks ago.
Big challenge tonight. Madrid have beaten LA Galaxy 5:1, Santos Laguna 1:1 and
AC Milan 5:1.
They have been playing their strongest team to prepare for league opener.
Sevco complain Peterhead’s FUBAR “taunted our manager” at team hotel during late night session.
Bigotry claims are to be “thoroughly investigated” – David Longmuir,.
Longmuir distanced himself from the “Read my lips, not one League Cup” chants, as he took the floor and appealed for calm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyuT2NrA0qY
Should have been:
have beaten Santos Laguna 2:1
Just been watching the final episode of “The Great British Story: A People’s History”. Best TV I’ve watched this year.
bournesouprecipe
11:26 on 11 August, 2012
>>>>>>>>
Ah….the highways agency doing its work.
Brilliant!
giggsy
welcome home young man… o))
TBB
looks fab….enjoy…
Miss Prestonpans asks if I’m watching the sevco game, no I’ll paint the fence instead. Just as interesting…………….
TBB
if you go into Peurto Rico and have a beer in boogie boogie say hello to big Tony from me…
Philbhoy
Much appreciated. Knew it was ITV4, but heard conflicting reports for the kick off. Suits me fantastically – finish work at 5pm, just in time for a family BBQ, then settle down for the match with a glass or 3 of wine. Magic.
HH
Giggs