LASK arrived in Glasgow yesterday looking for their first European win since March 2022. Since then, they have recorded four draws and eight defeats across single campaigns in the Europa and Conference Leagues, while they failed to qualify for Europe last season, or in 2022-23.
They shocked the established norm to take their second Austrian title last term, the first arrived two months after Jock Stein’s appointment as Celtic manager in 1965. That season, Kilmarnock won their only Scottish title, the reverberations in Austria in May were no less significant than had Killie done the same here. A season without European football helped LASK as much as it helped Hearts stage a title attempt in Scotland, but Salzburg and Sturm Graz had poor seasons; both were eliminated from the Europa League at the league stage.
Odds are generous on LASK taking the title again this term; they are joint-third favourites alongside Rapid. They have a degree of stability in their favour. Few of the title winning team have moved on, and they have started the league campaign with three wins, albeit against weak opponents.
Having the second game in Austria gives them a straightforward gameplan for tomorrow. A team who play on the counterattack in domestic football are unlikely to press Celtic too high tomorrow.
They will play for corner kicks, throw-ins and free kicks anywhere inside the Celtic half. Push men forward on these occasions and see how we cope with a physical challenge. Their job tomorrow is to get the tie back to Linz alive and hope to intimidate Celtic there.
Although this will be LASK’s most difficult game of the season so far, the same is true of Celtic. Hearts were humbled 6-0 on aggregate in Champions League qualification by Sturm Graz, providing an arresting comparison between Austrian and Scottish football standards. Celtic start favourites to progress, but as we know to our cost, that is not a reliable indicator of the outcome.
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Fine margins.
I was rueing Celtic’s luck of the draw after Dinamo went 2 up after 10 minutes against the Vikings.
Dinamo almost went 3 up as a shot came back off the inside of the post and in to the keepers arms.
It’s now 2-2, with the Viking equaliser having gone in off the inside of the post.
AT 6:03 pm
Reads like FF on any weekend.
A novel football match, I am informed, will take place in the Celtic Football ground early in September when eleven priests of Irish extraction will play a match with an eleven of their Scottish brethren. The Archbishop will be referee. Father McGinnis keeps goal for the Irish and likely Monsignor Munro will do the same for the Scotch. The gate goes to the poor.’
AJ injury worse than first thought
St.Stivs
This little graphic illustrates the level of Dos&ebt cheating. 92.01% of players used 99to -2012 were recipients of either ruse.
Folk like David tended to know the latest swerves Stivs,it makes me wonder thinkin back what would be the ruse before Dos,which ‘offshore’ policy,thinking back on the likes of Stevens(2),steven,hateley,it reeked imo
Not seen heard tell of Drambowie Celt post recently?
HH
https://x.com/i/status/2041914432373076307
David Murray stole EBT money and Rangers died because of it.
Celtic PLC and their fans engaged in an old firm ticket swindle that suggests Rangers didn’t die.
Who are the good guys?
Who are the bad guys?
Or are they both a shower of frauds?
A marriage drowning in deceit.
Just my opinion.
Evening all
Long time absentee…
Can Hatate really come in from the cold and contribute to our progress into League Phase??
cigaa
craggy island gaa
Well he could….but he hasn’t featured much this season thus far, Martin says he is happy if he stays, but surely he would need to contribute to team/squad. With Engels gone Bernardo out on loan, Ox suspended need someone in there but with Baur looking good in his cameo, think the German will get the shout. Reo may make a sub appearance later on to put in a shift. Hope he makes an impact whenever/wherever he plays….
Good Morning Fholk – Grand Day To Be A Tim
Yes, who joins Camac and Nygren in midfield?
It’s a lot to ask of him but Mika Baur seemed to have the self confidence to take on the challenge – so for me he gets the nod.
Celtic after a faltering start to preseason, seemed to remember they’re a football club preparing for an important tie…
Strengthening the team
Canx’d the weekends game
Taking the opposition very seriously
Pretty axiomaTIC in terms of fitba’ but a corner turned for Celtic Glasgow…
So pretty optimisTIC…
Celtic 2 – 0 LASK
COYBIG
Hail Hail
Good morning all. Gerrintaethum Celtic!!!!
We are going into this game down the legs in midfield with Engels sold our best right back injured again and AOC suspended , we now have very limited numbers in the middle of the park never mind quality, if what the manager said is true about the opposition big strong pacy at the back and up front then this game will be closer than I initially thought, to go through I think we need a 2 goal lead going to Austria, hope I’m just feeling anxious.
Good morning CQN
Last nights tree ties in the C/L all ended in draws
We are playing a team on the up in Lask, with a vastly experienced 55 yr old Dietmar Kühbauer in charge Lask from 10th place surged to a domestic double and have started this season in fine form
MO’N Shaun and coaches will not underestimate the size of the battle they face, by now the data analytics should have been completed videos watched weaknesses and strengths of the opposition identified
Sadly the resources are stretched for this perennial task, it was ever thus
Looking forward to cheering on the boys in the stadium tonight, where it matters most, bravado forecasts to confirm your Celtic credentials are meaningless
If you looking to calm the nerves, a distraction before the this evenings big game
A very interesting look at “The troubles” its guaranteed to inform infuriate as you watch
Over two hours
The rest is History
How Northern Ireland Collapsed Into The Troubles
https://youtu.be/nf_wJ4DtIWc
aff oot
Glad MON was realistic yesterday re capability of the opponent. This is the hardest tie we could have had by a mile.
Challenges are simple :
Vs a Real form team with belief
Opponent has a unique style (think Wimbledon 90s in physicality but with some skill).
Engels unexpected cop out.
AJ injury
Ox ban
However we have many positives :
Our own momentum and feel good with new signings.
Experience of several key players in the squad at this level.
MON and management team.
55,000 or so tonight roaring the team on.
MON good record in away second legs.
Really smart new signings freshening it up positively.
It’s in the balance for me. Any win would do tonight. Let’s hope our fans really do add to it tonight and play a positive part.
Looking forward to the traditional pre game Coia’s in good company ????And heading to Paradise convinced we can go all the way.
B78
We knew about the Ox, or at least should have. Engles transfer was within our control but I do agree that we don’t want a half hearted player in the side.
We’ve needed a defensive mid forever.
My only prediction for tonight is that it’s unlikely to be nothing each.
Hoping for another memorable European night under the lights
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Oh, and the opposition.
I have no qualms about the support from those fans in the cheap seats tonight
At their best they are renowned throughout European football for their passionate support of their beloved hoops
No doubt the credit cards, borrowing of money from family and friends to go to Austria has already been done, as Tommy Burns said “They’re there and they’re always there. And God bless every one of them.”
Bizarrely only on this site can it be doubted
On the issue of the Ox elementary house keeping before finalising any paperwork on an a contract should be checking for previous overlapping suspensions, in this instance an e mail to EUFA would have easily got us the info, no excuses
On the Engels situation it is again a failure to plan for all eventualities, we had the money in the bank, no excuses, the earlier a replacement was in at Lennoxtown the better
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clylqd0lky5o
A rigged game.
Private vs Public
Professional sharks vs well intended amateurs
The engagement based on defined parameters handed down from government …
… who were sold them by professional sharks
CHAIRBHOY
Mika Baur,
We relied heavily on Reo Hatate when Arne got injured, but his ship appears elsewhere. Arne rewarded us with helping to win the league again, when he got fit.
Most Celtic development signings will be given assurances that when a ‘big move’ and bid comes in, the club doesn’t stand in their way playing in the CL is a carrot but money being doubled or trebled, is a bigger carrot. I imagine Arne was assured in January.
I’m ignoring the midfield issues, MON will decide what’s best, we knew in January AE was for the off, the board carry the recruitment can ,always do they decided to sell.
‘Replacements’ are a recurring theme at Celtic especially when we now have so much money in the bank. Forward line better, midfield smaller, defence so, so with AJ injured.
Enjoy the match
Hail Hail
PFI – Blair and Brown legacy, went something like this
Let’s keep government borrowing down and get the private sector to put up the capital. But won’t that cost us far more in the long run – that won’t be our problem.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70gl0wwggdo
——-
From the article …
When asked if increased airport parking capacity will bring parking prices down
… Chris Woodroofe, MD of Manchester Airport Group said:
“We’re always going to operate in a world where we are pricing our car parking in a competitive marketplace.”
——
Translated from bull5h1t to English – “No”
Gene @ 10:10am – aye.
I remember having a conversation decades ago with a guy who was a bona fide expert on debt.
His headline went something like this
Add up ALL of the
– Central Government debt on the books
– Central Government debt off the books
– All other public sector debt including local authorities, quangos, ALEOs
– personal debt owed by ordinary citizens ?
… Basically, we’re screwed
I see Chairboy & Chums are setting up for a win/win tonight.
I’m just hoping Celtic win and ??? plays really well.
Looks like a rainy day in Glasgow right through to the 8pm kick off. Not talking AC Milan weather from back in 2007 but we are definitely talking about a wet pitch. Which may well suit us if we can move the ball quickly from midfield to their 18 box. Just three weeks ago in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in the pouring rain four athletes ran under 10 seconds in the men’s 100m final, the winner in 9,83 and second in 9.85. In the women’s 100m final the top three ran the final in under 11 seconds on the same day, the winning time 10.93. All superior times than the Euros in balmy er Birmingham. The Bhoys looked good in training yesterday, sharp, and in good fettle with some good little training routines. We can talk all day about where we could and should be stronger, and the balance of the team, but we do have some very good players in every area of the pitch and good options off the bench who can keep our energy levels up towards the latter stages of the game. It’s a big ask for us I know but it is a bigger task for Lask.
Lets keep that in mind.
Gene
Sadly we don’t operate in the window at the level we are at in splendid isolation.
Not seeing many other CL qualifying champions level teams coming close to spending as we are in the market place though. Maybe only the Turks spending more.
That is the problem. If we are genuinely upping the spend then the level of players targeted will want to explore their options fully and wait until post qualification rounds potentially.
Engels / Ox are unfortunate for sure and we should have known the latter. Would we be in a better place and could we have done anything ? Not really sure.
We have made progress though with good signings who can make a difference.
bang on celtic mac
It’s going to be a packed Paradise tonight (August 19) as the Hoops face LASK in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off tie.
So, please take the time to make sure that you are familiar with all the important information for the match ahead of arriving at the stadium to make sure that your matchday goes as smoothly as possible and you miss none of the action as the Bhoys look for a strong start in the tie.
If this is your first match at Celtic Park, or if it’s been a while since your last visit, please also take a look at our first-time fans page for further information to help your matchday go smoothly.
The stadium will open from 6:30pm. Please arrive early and enter the stadium in plenty of time ahead of kick-off at 8pm, especially if you are sitting in the North Stand or Lisbon Lions Stand. We recommend that you are in your seat for 7:45pm to enjoy all the pre-match entertainment.
The away support will be situated in the south east corner of the stadium and will be able to enter the stadium from 6pm. It is expected that all gates around the stadium will remain open to ensure that fans can make their way to their turnstiles as quickly and as easily as possible.
As with previous high-attendance matches at Celtic Park, there may be an airport-style queuing system and ticket checks at your entry point, including extended queue lines on Janefield Street for those entering the North Stand at turnstiles 6-13 and 32-39. This has proved successful in the past in allowing fans to move through the turnstiles quickly.
For those supporters walking through the Janefield Street underpass, please follow signs and steward directions by keeping to the left. This will allow for supporters moving in either direction to safely and quickly move through the underpass.
Our stewards want to get you to your seat and ready for the match as quickly and safely as possible, so please follow their instructions at all times.
At the end of the match, please leave the stadium by your nearest stairway and exit doors. It will not be possible to move all the way from one end to the other of the underpass beneath the North Stand to exit the stadium footprint.
It will be a daunting task for the Austrians tonight. Of course it will be a tough match for us too but I fully expect us to pull through, hopefully with enough of an advantage to make the return less stressful. Anyway, I’ll be there with my son giving the bhoys encouragement to get the job done. I hope the new players enjoy the experience of playing at Celtic Park.
My concern for tonight is the amount of self inflicted goal scoring opportunities we give the opposition, from our side to side passing from our bye kicks within our box followed up with a pass to our captain who is pressed into losing possession other than the opposition creating their own , get it sorted CFC
new article posted.