Celtic were not the only seeds to get a bloody nose in this week’s Champions League play-off round first leg games. Lyon and Real Sociedad looked well matched before the game but Lyon’s 0-2 home defeat suggests the seeds were outclassed.
Austria Vienna were the team I wanted this round but despite indifferent domestic form they upset the odds and beat Dinamo Zagreb 0-2 in Croatia. Perhaps the biggest surprise was Schalke’s 1-1 home draw with Poak Salonika.
Our defeat was, apparently, an historic sporting occasion for a country who are only a decade or so into their relationship with the game. Kazak prime minister, Serik Akhmetov, went into the home dressing room after the game on Tuesday to congratulate Shakhter and bask in the fruits of his sports development policies, but I hear there is trepidation ahead of their trip to Glasgow.
Top Russian TV analyst, Vasily Utkin, predicted, “Celtic will solve all the problems before second game, they will learn what mistakes they did in Astana and they will show their real power. If this happens I’m pretty sure Celtic will go through.
“In the previous round Shakhter beat Albanian champions Skenderbeu 3-0 but in Albania they were down 3-0. They are the team whose emotions are very important. If Celtic start the game well at Celtic Park, with all their songs from the stands and support given by their fans, the players from Karaganda may start the game on their knees.
“Their only chance will be on the counter attack. Whether this will be productive is the question for Celtic. A goal for Shakhter would complicate Celtic’s situation.
“I see Celtic reaching the Champions League group games. They are Champions League quality. Whatever Shakhter will do they are not Champions League quality, at least not yet.”
“This… is a question for Celtic” is the key phrase. Champions League qualification is in our own hands. Beat Shakhter Karagandy by more than 2-0 at home is as good an offer as anyone will get to qualify for the Champions League.
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bhoys4ever
Couldn’t locate said programme so not in a position to judge the content, but if you account is accurate, then not only is it unprofessional, it is unacceptable, given that the original decision is currently being reviewed by the ASA. Does not say a lot about the quality and professionalism of the Leith Agency either, if they sent along an Ali McCoist stlye numpty to represent the company.
tractorbhoy
I’m sorry to hear about your Uncle. He sounded like a great guy and wonderful Celtic supporter.
Weefra
You gonna sneak into 111…. no lateral movement please
tractorbhoy,
prayer offered for your uncle and your family,god bless
mcdowellcelt god bless wee oscar
Well done on getting the price and the goodwill gesture.
You are obviously 100% correct, insofar as if they offered the price they should be obliged to honour it, but if you are a regular punter you will know fine that the “palpable error” is the bookies “get out of jail free” card.
My point is that anyone who thought 9/1 Shakhtar to qualify after the first leg was the correct price, took that price with a major bookmaker and expected to get paid out in the event of them winning – is either a chancer or as thick as three short planks
Use your free bet well my friend, hail hail
RIP Mick
Living_in_the_Love_of_the_Commons_People
18:51 on 22 August, 2013
Karagandy will come to Paradise and defend like their life depends on it.
This begs the question, where will our goals come from? We are depending on wingers and midfielders to fulfill the role of a striker, as obviously the couple of strikers we do have are not trusted.
On the evidence of his cameo the other week, Derk seems most likely to unsettle them with his pace and directness. Let’s hope he is fit.
It was always going to be a calculated risk attempting qualification with a weakened squad, particularly an established goal scorer. The prestige of the Club at Champions League level and untold millions of revenue is being gambled upon by the power brokers. Lets hope the team find some form next week and avoid what would be an executive level own goal.
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The gambling was done by Neil Lennon not PL. Electing to play his first team against Aberdeen last Saturday instead of resting them before the biggee? Trying unpaired central halfs. playing the lethargic one up front (and not even a striker at that) against a five man defence? Nuts.
We might yet get through this and with revenue secured and with the attraction of guaranteed champs league games the players will come. If you think a decent player will come to us without that qualification secured youre having a laugh.
Paul67 et al
Great news about the Green Brigade, I knew the offer of the new colouring in books would bring them round.
latchford,
are you at the wind up,you spend 2 paragraphs slating PL then say you don’t want to criticise him :-))
Was trying to bet Swansea HT/FT @ even money ,couldnt get it on ….
Luckywhiteheathercsc
“@themichaelowen: A brand new betting site for all who like predicting match scores is offering a £10 million pound return for a £2 stake on just 7 matches!”
who would this interest
Tractor bhoy
Sorry for your loss… god bless his soul
Latchford – I don’t think any one player guarantees anything but I especially don’t think a 3M pound one would.
Celtic Mac
20:03 on
22 August, 2013
bhoys4ever
Couldn’t locate said programme so not in a position to judge the content, but if you account is accurate, then not only is it unprofessional, it is unacceptable, given that the original decision is currently being reviewed by the ASA. Does not say a lot about the quality and professionalism of the Leith Agency either, if they sent along an Ali McCoist stlye numpty to represent the company.
46mins
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b038hjd9/You_and_Yours_Caravan_MOT_plans_mobile_phone_costs/
Steinreigns..,
Great message for those who have not managed themselves out the rat race, those the CST are asking for a living wage, tough eh ?
Yet aw heart
Ellboy – I am Neil Lennon, YNWA.
19:05 on 22 August, 2013
Hope we move the electric advertising boards a few yards closer to the pitch, this will stop a long run up for their long throw merchants.
I thought about myself. Not sure what the dimensions are on game days/nights but if you take the by lines out a yard or two on either side it might be enough to nullify their run ups for long throws
HH
gsu
latchford 20:02
I have not commented on anything to do with transfers etc
Genuine question though to yourself and madmitch
How much autonomy do you believe Peter Lawwell actually has??
I believe most of his actions are dictated by the agenda of his superior The Absentee Landlord.
gordybhoy64
20:10 on 22 August, 2013
latchford,
are you at the wind up,you spend 2 paragraphs slating PL then say you don’t want to criticise him :-))
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I was thinking exactly the same..
canamalar prays Oscar can do it again 20:13 on 22 August, 2013
“Great message for those who have not managed themselves out the rat race, those the CST are asking for a living wage, tough eh ?
“Yet aw heart”
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I have no idea what you are on about. Care to enlighten me what that all means?
Elfsborg getting beaten 0-1 at home in the Europa League.
if the GB are back in 111, Iand I for one welcome them back, I just hope they and the club have settled the differences and the group go back to what they do best and that is backing the team, the GB in full swing is a sight to behold.
I’d take Becchio at 29 over Doyle or anyone else seriously linked to us.
The boy is nothing but a predator – a natural goalscorer. If he’s hungry for one more crack at the big time we’d be mugs not to snap him up for peanuts and throw him in there.
4-0 swansea.. laudrop has no a bad wee side there.
Greensideup
Can’t alter the dimensions of the pitch (as registered) at start of season/ competition.
A certain moustachioed sevco manager (EBT holder and bulleted 6 times as a manager) narrowed the pitch width – was reprimanded by UEFA.
Sandman
20:20 on 22 August, 2013
I’d take Becchio at 29 over Doyle or anyone else seriously linked to us.
The boy is nothing but a predator – a natural goalscorer. If he’s hungry for one more crack at the big time we’d be mugs not to snap him up for peanuts and throw him in there.
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jesus h….is this what we come too?
Just wait till Frayzzzzzur Wishurt gets to hear about Supper Ally!
I bet he’ll be right onto the news with all his dour currant indignant best………….
I’m also betting he’ll be the first past the post to say the problem is is endemic in the Auldfirrum………………
Aye.
I can not understand the theory that ‘decent’ players will only be interested if we are in the CL proper. So basically a player would only be interested in coming to CP for 6 games knowing there is little chance of progressing past the group stage. Fact is CL or not it is the Scottish league that few ‘decent’ players are interested in playing in.
http://billynowell.com/2013/08/22/desert-island-tims-with-morrissey-the-23rd/
TBJ
I have enough problems moving forward than trying to do lateral movements. Buuuuut, I would just luuuuuuuv to be in with the GB. Just a bit too old noo. :)))
Weefra HH
If any of the horse racing lads are around. I am taking faither to Hamilton Racing tomorrow night, he is the gambler in the family I have not got a clue about racing, if anyone has any fancied rides for tomorrow night I would be grateful for any assistance.
I dont plan to gamble much so my losses will be minimal but my Da will be prepared for a good nights betting if I could keep his losses down I would be happy.
Steinreigns..,
Was a response to you dismissing those not lucky enough to have been been brought up in an environment of improvement, kids and people who were not encouraged by family to try and improve their lot.
They work as security guards and menial jobs because they were not given encouragement, the same people our Board refuse to give a living wage, minimum wage is plenty as far as they are concerned, plc wants Indian wage structure no minimum wage paid.
Sorry if you can’t understand the implications, great news for you and yours, your so far removed from poverty you can’t even contemplate it being a problem in Scotland, did you buy a ticket to pay for the food banks ?
so if the GB are back will vmhan get his seat back also?.
masty
He was linked to Celtic when he played at Elland Rd.
macanbhetha
Thanks for that link, just listened to it. If that is the Leith Agency’s “creative director” I dread to think what the company’s lesser lights would come up with. He does not quite get it does he?
“You cannot rub out history on a technicality”. Well if you call the liquidation of a club which racked up nearly £250 million of unpaid debt a technicality you are stepping into Comical Ali territory. Maybe the Leith Agency will make a pitch for the newco account, sound like they would make a good fit.
canamalar prays Oscar can do it again 20:24 on 22 August, 2013
Tell me what my background is?
Seriously – wtf do you know about my background other than my name?
masty is neil lennon and both of us are supporting wee oscar
20:21 on 22 August, 2013
Sandman
20:20 on 22 August, 2013
I’d take Becchio at 29 over Doyle or anyone else seriously linked to us.
The boy is nothing but a predator – a natural goalscorer. If he’s hungry for one more crack at the big time we’d be mugs not to snap him up for peanuts and throw him in there.
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jesus h….is this what we come too?
====
When MO’N told us to get ready for life in the slow lane I doubt even he envisaged that would be the slow donkey drawn cart lane. Celtic FC reduced to scrambling about the last chance final reduction bargain bins of football. Sheesh only one redemption we aren’t Sevco FC – always someone far worse off then you
Weefree- I was in there 2 years ago at 48- absolutely knackered every week- bruises on both shins from the seats in front and my legs could hardly hold me by the end, BUT- the noise was phenomenal- so much so that I thought the rest of the ground must be the same- when I moved seats I couldnt believe how quiet the rest is
The discussions about them returning must have to and fro’d- because up till earlier today it looked as though Celtic had decided not to have them back- even though this seemed agreed at the start of the week- maybe Celtic need the noise in the CL game?
tractorbhoy
God bless Uncle Mick!