Historic Kazak win, view from Russia

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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. I don’t bet and admit to not knowing very much about how it works.

     

     

    I thought it was the amount of money being wagered that set the odds.

     

     

    Emdy.

  2. Philbhoy

     

     

    Naw, he wins, he has a better way with words than I do, he interprets them as he sees fit just to have a pop.

     

     

    He didn’t agree with my post so he acted like any hun would do, attack the messenger and not the content.

     

     

    I could have called him names, I could have done the same as he did and acted like a hun.

     

     

    He defended all the green hun posters on here.

     

     

    No for me.

  3. The Spirit Of Arthur Lee on

    McCoist wants clarity on smuggling drugs through Peru. Is it legal or not, we should be told.

  4. CelticFirst-it was a Ladbrokes advert with Ian Wright & Chris Kamara.

     

    Not like Sally not to want people named….?

  5. Oh dear le sulk has done.. Well a sulk and retired from footbsll. He could sign for the huns then :)

  6. The Honest Mistake loves being first on

    F-sake.

     

    In my head that translates as:

     

    I’m naw going to stoop so low as to call that snobby Hun names.

     

    That’s a winner alright.

  7. Anelka’s left?

     

     

    Ask him if he fancies a kickabout next Wed. You know, just for laughs

  8. 67Heaven ... I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors on

    Decided to buy my grandson a season ticket for the Investor Club today……reaction “cool”

     

     

    Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha….children….!!!!

  9. Le fat pie man up next on ssn to discuss chortles verde (so they say) and i always claim never to watch soaps

  10. McDowellcelt god bless wee oscar on

    Twists an turns

     

    Definitely a massive error. I stuck 20 quid on there. No lose gamble when they realise mistake no doubt they will say administrative error and cancel all bets ppl placed at the 9/1 price!

  11. There is no evidence

     

    To suggest we have

     

    The squad

     

    The players

     

    to get through on Wednesday

     

    Quite obviously a rebuilding

     

    Process Lennon is doing

     

    The whole spine if the team was sold

     

    Hooper should have went in January

     

    A replacement should have been earmarked then

     

    Wanyama and Wilson should not have gone till next week at the earliest

     

    12.5 for victor was what we would have got for him January 2014

     

    europa league group stages the best we could hope for

     

    Last 16 champions league?

     

    I don’t think

     

    we should have been

     

    Thinking last 8 this year n

     

    and why not

     

    No ambition from the PLC

     

    i hope to eat humble pie

  12. That FF article is wonderful.Their stupidity knows no bounds.

     

    Read a lot about Lenny getting the team wrong.How could he have changed the line up?.Put Efe at CH.He cant jump.Brown Ledley Mulgrew,in midfield.Hard from the players available to make this area much better.Of course we all have our opinions.The main problem was Sammi had a howler,as did Forrest.Nothing up front.Lennys mistake was not playing Stokes.Then again,many dont rate Stokes.

     

    Lenny was hamstrung by the transfers out.The spine of the team ripped out and no time to sort out the gaps.Had to play it on the hoof ,which is not a great way to have to go about such an important game.I never moan about individual players.Pointless.They are what they are and what we are willing to spend.Forster apart.He is being touted for international honours.Not for me.He still looks like a work in progress keeper,and after the time he has played I am afraid his inability to command his area is a flaw that aint going away.

     

    We can win next week.They were technically poor,but as we all know,put 9 men behind the ball and most times we struggle to overcome it.Lets hope they DO travel badly.

  13. Celtic are 4 to 1 on to win match next Wed. and even money to qualify for Group Stage CL. Sounds about right to me.

  14. The Spirit Of Arthur Lee on

    Kieran Caw‏@Kieran_Celtic2m

     

    Emeghara has signed for Livorno. Praying we don’t go back in for a certain Irishman playing in League 1.

     

     

    Another wan bites the dust

  15. Guys,

     

     

    been letting off a bit of steam over the past few days about PL’s failings and agree with many including Dexter and TET that we shouldn’t be in this position.

     

     

    But to keep this in perspective, we are 2-0 down against a crap team, so we can do this.

     

     

    Great atmosphere at Celtic PArk, an early goal, equaliser in the last 15, place goes mental and Broonie scores the winner in extra time.

     

     

    Its going to be a Roller-Coaster but we’ve been there before.

     

     

    In these dark days, after the initial hurt has settled, I try to keep things in perpective …

     

     

    Imagine how it feels to be a hun right now!!

     

     

    Knowing that we are so close to CL qualifcation and their club is dead and their tribute act isn’t working.

     

     

    Their already out of the League Cup and their latest headline on Newsnow is that f they beat Berwick Rangers then they have a tough away game to Queen of The South in The Ramsdens Cup.

     

     

    Can you just imagine how much that would hurt!! :-)

     

     

    C’mon the hoops.

  16. ITV4 @ 5 ,Double bill of EL Swansea and Spurs,where we could be if we dont get our act together,6pm kick offs etc

  17. Was it Barcabhoy or Celtic_ First who referred to an article in the FT on football finances. I forget the author but would remember it if I saw a name.

     

     

    Grateful for any help in locating it.

     

     

    Go raibh maith agat.

     

     

    Árd Macha

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