Two honourable defeats, away to Milan and at home to Barcelona, confirm that Celtic can compete at this level, but the two points which only just eluded us could prove crucial in determining qualification for the knock out stage. Barcelona and Milan are in the driving seat.
Two home wins, against Ajax and Milan, could change all this. If Celtic can achieve this, Ajax could still be on four points after playing (and beating) Celtic in Amsterdam, but will be odds against to reach six points with a visit to Milan and a home game against Barcelona to come. Milan bloodied Barcelona’s nose last season, but are not certain to take anything against the Catalans this time, although the outrageous decision which gifted them a draw last night suggests we cannot take anything for granted.
It’s possible that Milan could finish with seven points, which is not an unsurmountable target for Celtic. For now, we can ignore all the ‘what ifs’, the only thing that matters is facing Ajax at Celtic Park in three weeks. This is our cup final.
It has been said repeatedly since last night, but deserves repetition, Georgios Samaras’ performance was nothing short of incredible and stands comparison with any individual Celtic performance in Europe over the last 20 years.
Efe Ambrose and Virgil van Dijk looked more every bit as secure as Efe and Kelvin a year ago. Efe can be particularly pleased with the way he recovered his form after shading last season.
Some months ago I heard a numpty on Radio 5 Live describe Fraser Forster as a ‘Match of the Day goalkeeper’, the implication being that he was more show than substance. Yet again Fraser demonstrated that he is by far the best goalkeeper in Britain. I couldn’t care less who in England is aware of this fact. I hear he released Neymar from his pocket late last night.
Adam Matthews and Mikal Lustig are a terrific right-side partnership but from the opening seconds they were taxed to the limit last night. The more they play at this level the better they’ll get.
Despite deserving more from Milan last night Ajax are in a state of flux at the moment. They will not travel to Glasgow with anything approaching confidence but it will still require out best performance of the season to overcome them.
Bring it on.
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Tommysbhoy
I hope so. I would ‘rest’ Broonie from all competition, till after the Ajax double header. Get our midfield for Ajax, primed in the domestic games.
Delaneys Dunky
Lenny has his hands tied in the transfer market….so we need to use the resources at our disposal.
We have nothing to lose by changing it a bit…id rather play with the Paul McStay type cenre mid, than the hard man broony routine….and before I get slaughtered, I know the maestro was unique, but offensive mid rather than defensive will pay off imo.
HH
.
You would think someone would call Me Clever Clogs for Mijn Nederland Pratten..
Summa of JustPutMyClogInItCSC
I have a window that requires licking.
TSD, you busy???
Wee Joe Hart didn’t have agreat night at the ole Etihad.
The MSM will be desperate to sell F.Forster in la fenetre du Janvier.
SUMMA OF SAMMI
Double-Dutch to us numpties,I’m afraid….
DBBIA
Don’t you start wi the foreign tongues!!!!
I dont think Rogic is quite ready yet. If we are lucky we might see more of him after Christma.
Saying that I reckon he will be in contention for player of the year next season.
Give him time to develop. Theres no panic. We have a player here
I once spoke to someone in a fitba.
Apparently it’s a tight squeeze and awfy sare when awebody boots it aroon the perk!
MWD
Summa the ole Clogmeister
The green man
Do you sit near me in the JS stand? My son says my favourite saying is ” We need a Paul McStay in this team.”:)
All Greek to mee
.
Dontbrattbakkinanger
11:59 on
3 October, 2013
Summa the ole Clogmeister
..
Ahhh..*Light’s Cigar on Rocking chair*
My Day is Done..
Oh Wait..
I first heard the Term 34yrs ago..What does ‘Windae Licker’ mean..?
If it’s Not CQN friendly it’s OK..
sUMMA
DBBIA
They’re smashing. That’s my Christmas presents for my sisters sorted-thanks!
Btw,wi all those windmills in Holland,I assumed they are a lot of bread. Well,seemed an obvious conclusion,tbh.
Turns out they were used by and large as pumps. Help out the sea defences.
And if a young lad ever put his finger in a dyke nowadays-as per the famous old tale-he would likely be arrested for a sexual offence….
Are=ate.
Choob= me
Delaneys Dunky
Season tickets are a family affair these days…..ah don’t get there as much now, the auld eyes are letting me down……but that’s a true statement ” We need a Paul McStay in this team”…:)
and if we ever do….watch this team go.
Hail Hail
DBBIA @ 11:40,
“Good ole Barca bhoy, one of my favourite clever clogs to post on here.”
Totally agree…
Just want to know who pulled him out of that Mine enterance;-)
Hail Hail
BMCUW
Hans Brinker CSC Amsterdam.
DELANEYS DUNKY
Clever clogs.
Mind,a wee warning for the Ajax game. This might be worse than The Belgrove.
Proud to be the world’s worst hotel: £18-a-night hostel which boasts about filthy rooms and tells guests to use the curtains instead of towels
Hans Brinker Budget Hostel warns clients in advance of filthy conditions
Guests are encouraged to dry off with shower curtain to save on washing
Advertising slogans include ‘It can’t get any worse. But we’ll do our best’
But 127-room hotel’s honest approach is hit with travellers and students
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 14:14, 14 November 2012 | UPDATED: 08:58, 15 November 2012
142 View
comments
The rooms are filthy, there’s no hot water and the guests are encouraged to dry themselves off with the curtains to save on washing.
But customers of the Hans Brinker Budget Hostel in Amsterdam can never say they weren’t warned.
To prevent complaints, the owners of the $22.50 (£18)-a-night hotel feel it is best to tell people in advance about what to expect, even if that means a potentially fatal disease or mental illness.
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO
Uninviting: The owners of the Hans Brinker Budget Hostel in Amsterdam are happy to admit it is probably the worst hotel around
Grotty: The rooms at Hans Brinker Budget Hostel are, by the owner’s admission, filthy and there’s no hot water
Brutal honesty: One of the hotel’s adverts ensures the customers are in no doubt what to expect
A lengthy disclaimer on their website reads: ‘Those wishing to stay at the Hans Brinker Budget Hotel, Amsterdam, do so at their own risk and will not hold the hotel liable for food poisoning, mental breakdowns, terminal illness, lost limbs, radiation poisoning, certain diseases associated with the 18th century, plague, etc.’
From grotty rooms without a view to dirty bathrooms with no hot water, the owners are happy to admit it is probably the worst hotel around.
The lift is broken so signs point guests towards the ‘eco-friendly elevator’ – or stairs – and by not providing hot water they claim ‘it keeps water consumption moderate.’
They even encourage those who want to shower to dry off using the curtains to save on washing and in turn ‘save the planet’.
Hoping you have a life-changing stay: A disclaimer on the hotel’s website warns of the dangers of contracting a potentially fatal disease
Infectious: Despite the self-damning promotional material, the hotel seems to be a hit with travellers from all over the world who are scrambling to book one of the 127 rooms at the hotel
Life of luxury: Fortunately most of the target clientele, made up of students and backpackers, seem to appreciate the honest charm the Hans Brinker offers
Introducing the ‘eco-towel’: Customers are encouraged to dry themselves off with the curtains
Advertising slogans include ‘It can’t get any worse. But we’ll do our best’ as well as ‘Improve your immune system – stay at Hans Brinker!’ or the modest claim ‘Now with beds in every room.’
But this hilariously honest approach seems to be a hit with travellers from all over the world – who are scrambling to book one of the 127 rooms at the hotel.
SOME OTHER CONTENDERS…
Here is a list compiled by TripAdvisor of the dirtiest hotels in Europe in 2011 according to traveller ratings for cleanliness on its website:
1. Club Aqua Gumbet – Gumbet, Turkey
2. Altin Orfe Hotel – Icmeler, Turkey
3. Cromwell Crown – London, England
4. Corbigoe Hotel – London, England
5. Park Hotel – London, England
6. Hotel de Lantaerne – Amsterdam
7. Hotel Y Boulevard, Amsterdam,
8. Blair Victoria & Tudor Inn Hotel – London, England
9. Hotel Manofa, Amsterdam
10. Hotel The Globe, Amsterdam
Hotel comparison websites are packed with mixed reviews.
One traveller from Australia wrote: ‘For the reputation of the world’s worst hotel, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. Pretty scabby still, very basic. The bathroom was atrocious.’
Another added: ‘I’d read other reviews of the hostel before we got there, so was a bit nervous. Unfortunately most of the reviews I’d read were completely true. The rooms were like prison cells, with rickety old beds and metal lockers that didn’t close properly.’
A more promising review reads: ‘Hans Brinker is a fun-filled hostel with great facilities, friendly staff and great location. You will not be disappointed.’
Fortunately most of the target clientele, made up of students and backpackers, seem to appreciate the honest charm the Hans Brinker offers.
The owners, who have penned a book available on Amazon about the hotel entitled ‘The Worst Hotel in the World’, insist most guests are pleasantly surprised when they arrive.
Manager Tijmen Receveur said: ‘They love our humour and sarcasm – and they have diminished their expectations to less than nothing.’
Reverse psychology works: The owners have penned a book available on Amazon about the hotel entitled The Worst Hotel in the World
VIDEO: Hilarious Hans Brinker Budget Advertising film
Hilarious Hans Brinker Budget Advertising film
VIDEO: Amazing Hans Brinker Advertising film from YouTube user, ajleek
Amazing Hans Brinker Advertising film from YouTube: ajleek
The green man
We can but dream!
Nice chatting.
Hail Hail
the reason Scott Brown and Paul Hartley scored goals in the SPL was because of the way the teams they played in were set out, also other teams used to attack Hibs and Hertz ,therefore both players could counter attack more easily. In my mind they scored goals like that quite often, coming to Celtic they could not counter attack against teams sitting in deep.
Just a thought.
Delaneys Dunky
Hail Hail
Full review plus videos here.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2232828/Worlds-worst-hotel-warns-visitors-sue-Hans-Brinker-Amsterdam-boasts-filthy-rooms.html
BMCUW. Loved your joke about the little Dutch Boy restraining the flood waters. Its good to get a laugh out of CQN every now and then.
Apologies is already posted but the Guardian is running a poll on who should replace Hart as England goalie http://www.theguardian.com/football/poll/2013/oct/03/joe-hart-england-world-cup-qualifiers FF is winning by a large margin.
BMCUW
Left my bags there for 2 nights for the 1-3 game. Who needs a bed, when their in the Dam? :)
setting free the bears supports celtic’s best fighter- wee oscar knox
10:18 on 3 October, 2013
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy@01:23
“SFTB. Sorry but you’re turning into another Board propagandist. The converse of what you say is that the experts who act on Celtic’s behalf signed Daryll Murphy, Nouioui, the wee Nigerian who plays for Kilmarnock, Bangura and Miku and we are ridiculed for suggesting that Finnbogasson would be an asset?”
I think that’s a fairly serious mis-read of what I said, despite my obvious and rather basic distinction that I was ridiculing the fan’s certainty rather than Finbogasson’s ability. Since I admitted, he could turn out to be as good as Van Nistelroy or Huntelaar, it must be hard to stretch that into a scathing criticism of the player.
Therefore, to clarify to an even simpler level and using your own words:-
I can dispute that he would be a (major) asset but I cannot dispute that he could be an asset to us.
Your scenario is not the converse of what I wrote, strictly speaking. I do not believe that professional scouts and managers get it right every time and make no mistakes. I do know, rather than believe, that they get it wrong.
Our club’s current strategy has been outlined often enough on here that, with the Bosman, Loan and cheap option market, you can take 3 or 4 punts at “getting it right” for every one that you take in the £2.5m to £6m market, where we rarely but occasionally dip our toe. If we made Murphy/Bangura errors in that market, and we would eventually because there are no guarantees, we would lose money at a faster rate. I wish we had the money not to have to implement that strategy but I can listen to and appreciate the reasons why we are where we are. My mention of “professional” scouts and managers, as opposed to amateurs like you and me, is because these guys have a proven track record to get them into that position. If you and me had racing certainties to punt and had such a track record, we would get these jobs too. Sadly, I do not have that track record and I suspect you do not either.
As for Board propagandist, I am on record as saying life would be a lot easier, amongst Celtic fans, on here and in real life, if I just said “Aye, you’re right- shower of capitalist bassas the lot of them!”. I do , as it happens, think that our Board, in common with all Boards, are overpaid and that there are too many of them. I do not believe that if we sorted that, we would be buying two Finbogassons every transfer window. We would still be a sub-elite club in an impoverished league and that is not the Board’s fault. We waste a lot of energy attributing faults to the board and management on areas where we have too little information on which to judge. and, though I should not have to answer the criticism, I am fine in stating that I have criticised the Board for their handling of the Green Brigade, for their handling of the Sevco saga and for their handling of the Boruc transfer to Fiorentina. I try to take a discriminate view on criticism in that I will give it out when I think (not know) it is deserved and I will not when I don’t. I do not strive to criticise the Board as a default position- that would be just lazy. And that is not aimed at you.
“This blog is about giving opinions and in our opinion Alfie would do a hell of a lot better than some of the duds who have appeared in Celtic strips in recent seasons.”
Substitute could for would and I am all in agreement. I merely added that he could be just as bad or worse than them but cost us more, just as the high value transfers of Gravesen and Scheidt did. You gave your opinion and I gave mine. What was that you said about tolerating alternative opinions?
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy@01:10
We could have got Finnbogasson for £5million
“That is what the papers and some insiders stated. I happen to take that with a pinch of salt. Whichever of us is right, the fact remains that nobody from the 54 top football leagues of Europe and around 700 top division clubs bought him for £5m.
EIther he was not “judged” to be worth that much or his actual cost is much higher and he was not judged to be worth that or there is something wrong with the player, of which we are unaware. Ajax did not buy him either and they had money to burn from 2 major sales. They had seen him score against them. Does it give you not even a little pause for thought as to why they did not buy?
“– the going rate for a decent striker. We weren’t asking for Neymar or Aguerro.
There is no going rate and nobody established it at £5m. Good forwards can be obtained on a Bosman, for £650k (Larsson) or for £40m (Aguerro). It does not matter what the quoted value is- some are too rich for us or too troubled or too risky. I don’t know which he is- maybe none of the above. If you really “know” rather than merely “think”, as I do, then you will be right. But you have already told me that yours is an opinion and you cannot “know” an opinion.
“God love us. I love all you goody goody guys who have a go at Celtic supporters who actually have some ambition for the team.”
I don’t think you’re a baddy-baddy so I am puzzled as to why you think I am doubly good :-)
I never have bought the “more ambitious than you” argument. I see the main definition of the word is “an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as wealth or fame, and the willingness to strive for it.”
Now, it is neither you nor I that are really doing anything, other than bumping gums on t’internet, to strive or acheive the purchase of Finbogasson or progress in the CL. Neither you nor I are willing to pay for him. Even if we asked Celtic to use the money that you and I contribute personally or better yet, all the Celtic fans who think buying Alfie is a no-brainer, we could still not afford his wee toe.
No, your ambition seems as relevant as my ambition for Cheryl Cole to find me attractive and keep me in the style I could become accustomed to. I cannot bring myself to demand that others fulfill “my” ambition.
I want Celtic to try. I want them to improve. But I recognise that it is not always their fault when we do not get what we want.
…………………………………………………………………………………
Just read your post above. I got home late last night after a fairly nightmarish drive down the M9 and through some East Dunbartonshire towns – driving rain and badly flooded roads. I’ll apologise now for my angry tone in the couple of posts I made before I went to bed.
I’ll get back to you later on what you’ve said above.
Forster, un portero que solo le costaría diez millones al Barça
Spanish papers urging Barca to sign The Great Wall..
I agree with SFTB. The logic is compelling – a perfect antidote to the ‘Why didn’t we get Ronaldo?’ tendency.
FF to leave Scotland and celtic fans are against it……who’d have thunked it?
While watching the match on Tuesday I was longing for a Paul McStay in the centre of the pitch. Someone who can keep a ball, shield it, turn away from opponents and pick out a pass. All with his head-up and composure.
There is no-one in the current team who could lace his boots
BobM, have a safe trip doon the road. Good catching up again at the hootenanny.
A couple of things:
Wee bro said you flounced on the beer invite for last night. Tut, tut, tut. You’re going soppy in your old age.
Tell faither winklepicker I’ll see him in Barcelona.
Fle thi fleg:_))
Hail Hail bruv
While watchin’ most games I long for a Paul McStay as well.
It’s interestin’ to speculate how he would get on in the current game; if the Hotline CSC would give him pelters for every pass that went astray.
He is a genuine all-time Celtic great, and although the end of his career was blighted by injuries and bein’ surrounded by a collection of lacklustre journeymen, when he broke into the first team his team mates were solid, hardened professionals in a team that was going well and playing some good stuff.
Here is the translation from the French magazine that Phil Mac tweeted last night. I see the Herald and Evening times are running it as a story today. The article was dated 22nd May 2013.
A few points seemed to have been ‘lost in translation’
<<>>>>
Charles Green has bought the castle Marcei , near Argentan . The businessman left the presidency of the Scottish club Glasgow Rangers to pursue his passion for horses .
history
Football and horses are both passions of Charles Green. Last year, he became the patron saint of Glasgow Rangers. By chance . ” In March 2012, I was contacted to take over the club that had been placed in receivership , but I refused : I just wanted to buy a property in Normandy to live with my 30 horses. ” He even found the perfect place to Marcei near Argentan , but the sale dragged . So when the stimulus in May to lead the consortium to buy the club from Scottish football, this time he said ” yes .”
49,000 spectators for a game of 4th Division
” The club had a debt of 100 million pounds ! A round table with investors gathered 25 million , the directors agreed to pay off the rest . ” In June, he and the head of a mythical club (54 national titles, a European Cup in 1972 ) but … administratively relegated to fourth Scottish division.
The challenge is twofold : to give a financial base and a club level sport worthy of its standing. “In December , I introduced the club traded in London, was obtained via 25 million pounds of investment funds , and 6000 added 5.5 million fans by becoming shareholders. ” An IPO is already applied to the English club Sheffield United he directed between 1996 and 1999.
The bet also works in the field, the fans and the club after recording a world record attendance for a match of 4th Division , with 49,118 fans … The next season , the Rangers will play well in 3rd division, but Charles Green will no longer be president .
“It was not easy ,” he admits. He failed in his plan to transfer the Rangers to the lucrative English league, ” while the Welsh clubs Swansea or Cardiff will play well ! ” A trial with former club owner does not help. “There was a constant daily pressure … Save the club was a challenge that I do not regret having conducted , but once the rise in 3rd division acquired , I resigned (April 18 , Ed .) My life is out there … ”
Specifically in Normandy. “I’ve always been fascinated by the thoroughbred . Normandy is the epicenter of the horse world , this is where I decided to start a new life . ” For two years, the Mont -Saint- Michel to Lisieux , he visited thirty properties and falls under the spell of the castle to Marcei Cordey , town of 200 inhabitants in the Argentan output . “In each of my visits , it is as if the castle told me :” Buy me ” ,” smiled the young sixties .
For a little more than € 400,000 , he became the owner of this little castle of the eighteenth century and the 27 acres of meadow and woods that surround it. ” I hope to finish the work within three months and bring my horses. ” Not a chance to see him plunge in French football , then? ” Passing the Argentan point my son teased me saying that it would be a nice challenge. But it was just a joke . ” If he says …
While watching the match on Tuesday I was longing for a Chris Sutton character to lead the line.
Our attack is decidedly blunted. Even when Hoops was here, I don’t remember scoring with his napper that often.
Keeping fingers crossed for Balde and Pukki to make their mark, but I have my doubts.
DBBIA
Even towards the end of the Maestro’s career, we had the pleasure of him and John Collins operating together.
Hi All,
I would like to thank the following CQN’rs who donated money on Tues night and to let them know that money £150.00 has now been donated to my just giving page
patrick-mcginley1
I hope to raise £1000 for cancer research by partaking in the great Scottish run 10k this coming Sunday.
So thanks again to Johan Murdoch, Kickintheknakas, Crc,Skysalandfill, Oldtim67, Blantyretim, bmcuwp, the token Hibee
a couple of weeks previous I had the pleasure of playing golf with anothe great bunch of CQN’rs and would like to thank you ghuys also.
Rubicon, Ayrshire tim, Bents bhoy, Doug C, Ian S, Larsson7. ferrytim
Please forgive me if i missed anybody out but I would just like to say, it has been a great privlige to have met and got to know you all over the last couple of years.
Thanks again Paddybhoy1888
dontbrattbakkinanger
12:52 on 3 October, 2013
“a collection of lacklustre journeymen”
One of whom I heard on Radio Shortbread the other night reiterating his view that Scott Brown was never a first team pick never mind a captain for Celtic.
Some journeymen apparently on a different bus these days – but still plying their trade to the club’s detriment.