Falkirk made the same journey to Celtic Park on League Cup duty this time last year. Newly promoted to the Championship, they led until the 70th minute, when legs eventually failed them. Brendan started that game with an unfamiliar defensive line-up of Ralston, Welsh, Trusty and Valle, an experiment which was not repeated. A year on, the visitors are newly promoted to the Premiership and will be better prepared for the trip to Glasgow.
Falkirk played at Celtic Park three seasons in a row in this competition from 2004. That year Celtic won 8-1, a year later we advanced after extra time, but in 2006 Falkirk striker Anthony Stokes equalised before the visitors progressed after penalties. Celtic started that game slightly off the pace, allowing Falkirk to settle into an unshakable rhythm. Penalties were on the cards from the moment the equaliser went in.
Home games against smaller clubs in the early rounds of the League Cup are ideal opportunities to give fringe players a run. I would be reluctant on this occasion. Win the game and improve fitness for those likely to start against Kairat. We were mugged at this stage of the League Cup by Kilmarnock two years ago, given a thorough exam by Falkirk a year ago, let’s hit them with our strongest 11.
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Broadsword calling Danny boy
Gerrintaethum Celtic!!!!
Totally agree Paul.
Looking forward to tonight
Friday!! .
Work for that victory.
HH
Friday night football usually provides a good atmosphere , lat one I remember was at Hampden, scottish cup 1995
Last #
Kilmarnock were the opposition, 1-0 Victor , I think.
Misplaced one’s glasses
Where’s Aipple?🤔
Celtic are highly recognised as being a very well run club in Scotland.
But we have much to learn from our Euro counterparts a quick look at Transfermarkt Club profits from 20/1 – 25/6 reveals Celtic are merely 83rd in the rankings. Well behind (1) Lille – Ajax – Benfica – Salzburg – Porto who all show a £ 200m+ profit compared to Celtic £ 35.6m
I think we can & SHOULD be beating sides like AZ £ 188m – Brugge – Feyenoord – Villareal – Genk – Union St G – Gent – Lorient & Twente …speculate to accumulate, build on solid foundations, think big
Our priority should always be 1) League Title 2) Qualify for Group Stages CL & Progress to last 16 Minimum !!!
Freshen up the team BUT also Freshen up the board room
Ben Doak to Bournemouth £25M
WILLIEBHOY on 15TH AUGUST 2025 12:40 PM
…..
The teams you mentioned play in league which are more highly regarded than the SPL, it would be incredible for Celtic to overtake these teams in terms of transfer income , however we should be aiming to be better than these teams.
HH
BACK TO BASICS
Big chance missed by United.
Our clubs just can’t seem to get over that hump.
For me, this is looking like just 3 clubs in the league stages … yet again
You’ve overlooked Aberdeen.
They go straight into the Europa League play-off next Thursday and are guaranteed at least Conference League participation.
4 out of 5 for Scotland.
tom,
hibs can still be put out of europe
BSR
Yippee, we’re in line for a solidarity payment. 5% of the transfer fee goes to clubs who trained the player between the ages of 12 and 23. That’s us. And Ayr Utd.
This is great, isn’t it.
Respect to the CQNer whose finger was on the pulse of the Dango Ouattara transfer to Brentford … in response to my speculation about Daizen.
Apologies, it’s been a long two days at work and home, and I cannot recall who it was …
… but they nailed it.
PS – when determining transfer fees, the perceived value of the ..
“trained by EPL club / played minutes in EPL / did a loan stint in the Championship” model
… cannot be overstated.
Ben Doak for £25m?
Jings, crivvens, help ma boab.
I’d keep wee Jamsie on the bench tonight and only bring on in case of dire emergency…. Save him for Wednesday … maybe same for CCV ?
HH
THE BATTERED BUNNET on 15TH AUGUST 2025 12:59 PM
BSR
Yippee, we’re in line for a solidarity payment. 5% of the transfer fee goes to clubs who trained the player between the ages of 12 and 23. That’s us. And Ayr Utd.
This is great, isn’t it.
———
£1.25 Millions
Kerching CSC
SAINT STIVS
I stand corrected.
Thanks.
Celtic in advanced spreadsheet talks.
BSR
What do you thing is replacing the old banners outside the stadium-))))
We all know, Celtic, is a massive brand the world over massive.
We know also we are in a Mickey Mouse league and I can’t see that change, wish so but, can’t see it.
I want our board to ensure we remain massive, we won’t unless we win something big, but as long as the board remain loyal to just being ahead of the Ipox scum, ain’t gonna happen.
I want us to THINK BIG for a change and remember the success we had .
kinglubo
Sorry to use the loyal word !!!!
The next 3 games are more important than Falkirk in the League Cup.
If we don’t play the squad players then they get rusty and when needed to step up they are not match ready. If you don’t play them against Falkirk then when will they play them.
Rest CCV and Calmac at the very least. Maeda and Hatate maybe as well. The Man City youngster needs minutes. I would have no complaints with Schmicheal sitting it out. The Finnish keeper needs a game.
Falkirk at home
kinglubo
I’ve just ended a conversation with a Celtic fan, and his conclusion to our transfer ‘activities ‘ as one of being just ahead of the huns and no further!
Tom – could still be four.
Here’s hoping.
After my more negative prediction last night … I took a look at Bert Kassies this morning.
Legia’s progression to date has been unimpressive.
Squeezed past 2 low pedigree teams.
Beaten with room to spare by Larnaca last time out.
Hibs might have a better chance than I originally thought.
Frustrating nonetheless.
Dundee United could have faced Rapid’s next opponents with confidence.
Midtjylland, who edged out Hibs in Europa League qualifier, swept aside their Norwegian opponents last week and earlier this.
‘We were mugged at this stage of the League Cup by Kilmarnock two years ago’
That wasn’t by players from Kilmarnock if I remember correctly but by a referree and a VAR!
BTW – a genuine hat tip to the aforementioned Bert Kassies.
The best amateur football data site out there IMHO.
Amateur only in the literal (unpaid) sense.
A really high quality offering from a person who, clearly, is intelligent and loves this aspect of the game.
Puts so-called professionals to shame.
“The best amateur football data site out”
Apologies. Poorly expressed, open to different interpretations.
Perhaps …
“The best football data site by an amateur”
… is a better way of putting it.
Prestonpans bhoy
Exactly
KINGLuBO
So shortsighted
Good afternoon all from the Brazen Head. Very warm in old Gorbals parish and a pleasant walk to Paradise. With a few stops.
I think P67 is right; the Falkirk game gives us a chance to find the rhythm with our best time fielded.
Besides, if we had an adverse result, the blogosphere would largely lose its collective shit given the lack of a big name Johnny style of signing (despite the retaining of players on a cannily modest outlay).
Shame it’s at 4.45 am for us here in Oz.
Mon the tic!
I agree with paul 67
I am sweatie bettie
Not ‘amateur’ (we know what you mean) but someone very knowledgeable about European football who absolutely makes our ‘so called’ pundits/commentators look worse than amateur/uninformed dolts.
Which is actually what they are.
https://x.com/_LiverpooI/status/1956354235223658824
NOT an official club account
PLUS …
.. the figures may not be 100% accurate.
But the principle is sound.
Liverpool are very efficient when it comes to selling assets.
Sure, they’ve taken a hit on Nuñez .. but have also scooped around £50m for four guys who made negligible contributions to their League and Champions League campaigns.
That efficiency creates financial capacity to navigate PSR (England) and FSR (UEFA).
When it comes to the
“players as assets, not people” routine
.. All the EPL clubs are at it.
Chelsea, Villa, Forest and Newcastle perhaps most visibly.
Must admit I fully concur with Paul, we also need games under the first picks belts and Falkirk a well known enemy like the calvinists and huns will be no pushovers, now I know that we like their current manager as he worked for us for a spell and both Jimmy Delaney and Patsy also played for them but they were never, the support that is, Celtic friendly.
If we put out a shadow side I can just hear the away dressing room with cries of who the donald duck do they think we are, treating us like cuntry bumkins, they will be pumped enough up without us giving them more ammo.
Put out a strong side to start with and then when we are a few up pull off the ones who are carrying wee knocks or just injury prone.