Historic Kazak win, view from Russia

1082

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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  1. Estadio,

     

    I don’t often comment on here, but have been reading for years and I have to say that your writing is the most enjoyable. Have you written any books? You have a unique style of expression. I often wished I could have a pint with you just to listen to your musings.

     

    I sincerely hope that you’re writing here for many moons and giving us continued pleasure.

     

    Hail! Hail!

     

    Yogihughes

  2. Phil’s latest contains a worrying reference to the “Ibrox mineshaft”.

     

     

    I know that ludges were always rumoured to be in there but, Jeezo, mineshafts ?

     

     

    Is this connected by tunnel in any way to CQN’s ?

     

     

    An Old Firm mineshaft in other words.

     

     

    Celtic Underground has no mention of it.

     

     

    I think we should be told.

     

     

    And , in advance, I shall blame Peter Lawwell as that seems the thing to do.

  3. A Stor Mo Chroi on

    Son to father…

     

     

    “Da, you’ll never believe it, but that’s the queen on the phone”

     

     

    Father to son…

     

     

    “What does she want”

     

     

    Son to father…

     

     

    “Well she says if your really stuck she’s got a couple of corgis you can have that are no bad at kickin their baws”

  4. RobinBhoy - Supporting Wee Oscar and Mackenzie on

    Estadio,

     

     

    Perspective is a great thing. Football is, really, just a game.

     

     

    Take care my friend in Celtic.

     

     

    RobinBhoy

  5. I'm Neil Lennon (tamrabam) on

    Pigalle

     

    i can confirm that the mineshaft is 100% hun free

     

     

    i should know ive been doon here sine MON left

     

     

    japanese soja csc

  6. I have followed and supported Celtic Football Club for over 60 years- through some great times and some desparate times. I have very vivid memories of travelling on our Sarsfield ( Gorbals ) Celtic Supporter’s Club bus to games all over Scotland and England and a hallmark of those days was the passionate arguments which took place amongst some of the most committed Celtic fans you are ever likely to meet. They argued over the merits of a young Bobby Murdoch, Alex Byrne, John Divers, Jim Conway, Alex Rollo, Bobby Lennox, Bertie Auld ( on his return to Celtic ), Willie Fernie ( on his return to Celtic) and even Billy McNeill. They always debated and fiercely argued the merits ( or otherwise ) of the management of Celtic.

     

    By far the greatest hallmark of those people was their ability to put their differences aside and focus on the task at hand.

     

    We are where we are in this tie and Celtic are 2-0 down but it is only half time. We all have seen great Celtic fight backs and despite the hole we are in fully expect a good supportive crowd to arrive at Celtic Park and do what we have always done down through the generations. Cheer the boys to victory.

     

    Let’s leave the forensic stuff till late next Wednesday night.

     

    Train booked for Tuesday morning, London Euston- Glasgow Central.

  7. lilys grandpa-Me and Lily backing Oscar on

    A Stor Mo Chroi

     

    14.40

     

     

    Son to father….

     

    Dad thats A stor Mo Chroi on the phone…

     

     

    Father to son,

     

    Jist hing up son!

     

     

    :-)

     

    lilys

  8. leftclicktic oscar in our thoughts on

    Raman Bhardwaj‏@STVRaman55m

     

    Ally McCoist reckons footballers betting on games is rife:”I have a list of over 100 players & officials who have a bet on their own team”

     

     

    ——

     

    Raman Bhardwaj‏@STVRaman46m

     

    McCoist refused to comment when asked if he’d asked Ian Black if the midfielder bet against Rangers. Says it’s a private matter.

  9. glendalystonsils on

    Recongratulations and celebrations

     

    I want the world to know my taps as good as new

     

     

    Recongratulations and refridgeration

     

    I think I’ll try it wi’ ma sevco tammy too……………

     

     

    Cliff CSC

  10. desertbhoy

     

     

     

    14:29 on 22 August, 2013

     

     

     

    They’re in secret cahoots with NIKE… Specially made to dethreadilize so the twats buy a new one, then another, an annura ad nauseum……

     

     

     

    The one guy mentions the Puma kit the other guy comes back with Nike, couldn’t be that one of them is a knock off could it?

     

     

    Very funny all the same, cracking up about the tin foil though and the re-congratulations

     

    :)

     

     

    HH

     

    gsu

  11. árd macha

     

     

    14:37 on 22 August, 2013MickTT,Cill D’Fhinnein – Church of St Finian. Why not use it I’m sure the locals are very proud of it:)In the same way the loyal residents of Sean Chill (Shankill) are proud of their Gaelic heritage:)Árd Macha

     

     

    I know what yer saying… the local residents so proud, one of them used the post box to post letters… the irony..

     

     

    HH

  12. Everyone knows that Ah luv a Guy who Kin Run like a Linty.

     

     

    And, Because of This…

     

     

    It seems that Ah wull be delighted ,if ..

     

     

    Neil’s Latest Person of Interest..

     

     

    is .. Captured.

     

     

    His name is..

     

     

    Emeghara .. and he is Soitenly a

     

     

    Wee Barra!!

     

     

    Noo , A Wee Barra is Great,,,,

     

     

    it’s the Big Stiffies..

     

     

    Ah Hate!

     

     

    We hid Collins and Jinkie

     

     

    Baith Wee.. as Fraser’s..

     

     

    Pinkie!

     

     

    Though Small In Dimension

     

     

    It’s Still Ma Contention

     

     

    Baith Showed that They Could

     

     

    Run Rings roon Any Big Dude!

     

     

    So Neil, Please… if ye Dare

     

     

    Get oota that Chair,

     

     

    And Scoop up This Colt..

     

     

    who kin Run

     

     

    Like..

     

     

    Usian Bolt!

     

     

    Kojo

     

    Still Laughin’

     

     

    collie.. eat yer Hert Oot!

  13. Delaneys Dunky on

    HrvatskiJim

     

     

    Lovely story about your father. You will feel his presence in St. Aloysius tonight

  14. A Stor Mo Chroi on

    Father to son…

     

     

    “Who was that?”

     

     

    Son to father…

     

     

    “Wrong number da, just some geezer called striker who said he wants to play for us”

  15. Celtic Mac

     

     

     

    Agreed, that’s my niggling doubt for a rousing comeback next Wednesday. We have not demosntrated recently enough that we have the know how or personnel to do it.

     

     

    Back to work (well sort of).

     

     

    Árd Macha

  16. leftclicktic oscar in our thoughts on

    Nick Littlewood‏@NickPLittlewood47m

     

    @STVRaman Surely the SFA must now write to McCoist asking him for this information about widespread breaching of the rules?

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Raman Bhardwaj‏@STVRaman33m

     

    @NickPLittlewood No, other way around – it’s up to people to provide evidence to SFA..

  17. A Stor Mo Chroi on

    lilys grandpa-Me and Lily backing Oscar:

     

     

    It’s how you tell them.

     

     

    Even in the darkest hour you’ve gotta laff.

     

     

    And remember…

     

     

    Some things in life are bad

     

    They can really make you mad

     

    Other things just make you swear and curse

     

    When you’re chewing on life’s gristle

     

    Don’t grumble, give a whistle

     

    And this’ll help things turn out for the best

     

     

    And always look on the bright side of life

     

    Always look on the light side of life

     

     

    If life seems jolly rotten

     

    There’s something you’ve forgotten

     

    And that’s to laugh and smile and dance and sing

     

    When you’re feeling in the dumps

     

    Don’t be silly chumps

     

    Just purse your lips and whistle, that’s the thing

     

     

    And always look on the bright side of life

     

    Come on!

     

    Always look on the right side of life

     

     

    For life is quite absurd

     

    And death’s the final word

     

    You must always face the curtain with a bow

     

    Forget about your sin

     

    Give the audience a grin

     

    Enjoy it, it’s your last chance anyhow

  18. leftclicktic oscar in our thoughts

     

    14:46 on

     

    22 August, 2013

     

    Raman Bhardwaj‏@STVRaman55m

     

    Ally McCoist reckons footballers betting on games is rife:”I have a list of over 100 players & officials who have a bet on their own team”

     

     

    How to win friends and influence people by FPLG

  19. Kojo

     

     

    It’s becoming clear we’re looking at what could be described as pacy wide forwards for a 3 up top formation… but for this to work you need the out and out goal-scoring striker or top drawer target man. We have neither and spending on pacy forwards without this is a waste of money.

  20. LiviBhoy - God bless wee Oscar on

    Wonder who Swally’s contacts are at the bookies?

     

    Seerms an admission of guilt that he gambles too. Players and officials making a fotune at Sevco FC betting against their team?

     

     

    LB

  21. Zbyszek mówi, trzymaj się Oscar on

    !!Bada Bing!!

     

    Thank you. Yes, it was good result. We could win but no cmplains.

  22. THM

     

     

    I can’t let you away with that

     

     

    Sorry to the other posters

     

     

    [ You had a go at posters while declaring that it is forbidden to have a go at posters.]

     

     

    I never forbade anyone, I posted my feelings on the subject of posters having a go at other posters, end of.

     

     

    If you show me where I forbade anyone on what or how they post, you will never hear from this thick Tim again.

     

     

    That is a promise.

  23. A Stor Mo Chroi on

    Bed time for me Lilys

     

     

    Keep the chin up men and always remember… you’re Celtic men. Behave accordingly.

     

     

    Ring. Ring. Ring Ring. (that’s the noise a telephone used to make)

     

     

    You can answer that Lilys grandpa, I’m knackered.

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