Salzburg are the real deal. For years, backed by sponsor Red Bull, they have deployed one of the most expensive wage bills outside of Europe’s big five leagues. They are in the Europa League due to an away goals defeat to Red Star Belgrade (who drew their opening Champions League tie with Napoli), but the Austrians have won their six games since, scoring 21 goals in the process.
That run included a 2-3 win at Leipzig, one of only two defeats the Germans have suffered in 17 competitive games stretching back to April. They sit seven points clear at the top of the Austrian Bundesliga after a flawless nine wins from nine.
From a technical perspective, this will be a new challenge for Celtic this season. Our biggest problem, both domestically and at home, has been breaking down packed defences, Salzburg will have no such inhibitions. They attacked throughout in Leipzig, successfully chasing an 89th minute winner while most European teams on their travels would settle for a point.
I have been critical of how open Celtic were against Barcelona (7-0) and PSG (0-5, 7-1) in recent seasons. Whatever it is that St Mirren could conjure against Celtic last month, we were unable to find the same fortitude when facing a similar disparity in resources.
Salzburg are not Barcelona or PSG, but they will comfortably despatch any team who are defensively soft. We might not win, but we should aim to be competitive tomorrow night.
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Hot Smoked
I agree that the present situation is less significant than some of the previous issues, but I do not agree that the principles are any different.
But, if the present matter is so serious as to warrant an allegation of ‘discrimination’ by Celtic then that suggests that there is more to this than I am aware.
But, even if that is not the case, the issues involved (decisions being made unfairly and/or without consultation with Celtic) are similar, and the remedies (appeals/judicial review) would be similar, so, I think the issues are more similar than not. So, I think my initial view maintains.
But, that letter is certainly the most strongly worded letter that I have seen from Celtic. If it were to be the harbinger of the club finally standing up, I am sure that all of us (mineshalfters and happy clappers alike) would, for once, all agree that it would be a welcome step.
The Board on ” the statement “.
Damned if the do.
Damned if they don`t .
Perspective :
The damners on CQN represent no more than a miniscule proportion of the Celtic support .
If the board are really that bothered about the semi final venue choosing process they should let the SPFL board know that Celtic will not take part in any advertising/media events for the game, there will be no per match press conference by the manager or anyone from the club and there will be no pre/post match interviews given. In addition the Celtic board should not attend the game and the club should not handle any tickets.
It’s then up to supporters to decide whether or not they want to attend.
16 ROADS. on 3RD OCTOBER 2018 10:19 PM
The Celtic Football Club Stands Alone – Righteous and Principled.
F Them All.
HH. ?
########
I’m hearing that those, righteous principle’s are available for, £49.
(Said in a Dirty Harry, voice ;)
House of cards FC.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
MacJay
You are just an Antipodean, Tory, Racist git.
What do you know?
Haha
Little do they know.
God bless J
YNWA
Brendan Rodgers is adamant he will not risk Scott Brown’s long-term health by taking a Europa League gamble on his struggling skipper.
The Celtic captain is a huge doubt for Thursday’s Group B showdown against Red Bull Salzburg.
Brown sat out training on Wednesday morning with a hamstring issue and, although he arrived in Austria last night with the rest of the squad having boarded the team flight, Rodgers says it’s touch-and-go whether he faces the hosts.
Tom Rogic, Kristoffer Ajer and Filip Benkovic are definitely missing,
Hello again all you young rebels.
There it is, another slap in the puss for our club, normally placid
and patient fans are lashing out in all directions whether it,s
Peter Lawell, Brendan Rodgers et al getting crucified or fans
jumping down other fans throats for just wanting to support their
team, a unifying decision needs to be taken now by our support
leaders the CSA to bring us together to expose these charlatans.
Time for action and i’m afraid some of our fans will need to go
against their beliefs with a show of action from everyone to rid us
of them.
The straw that broke the camels back was a long time ago so where
are you CSA?
H.H Mick
Agree with Timbhoy2 on this one. Delighted we are not playing at Hampden, looking forward to a welcome change of scenery & a tasty Atmosphere at Murrayfield .
Lots of faux outrage from both club and fans on this one when we have had silence on much bigger issues.
!!BADA BING!! on 3RD OCTOBER 2018 10:54 PM
Step forward Youssouf Mulumbu
E-mail sent to JPT:
Dear Mr Taylor,
Having read the Club’s statement regarding the SPFL fiasco surrounding the League Cup semifinal, I would like to know what the Club intend to do about it?
Inaction, once again, against corrupt Scottish football legislators will leave the Statement as nothing more than a sop in an attempt to placate the Celtic support.
To quote our former Chairman John Reid:
“We don’t seek special treatment for Celtic.”
“I have never claimed we are better than anyone else. But we won’t be treated as less than anyone else – those days are gone.”
Well are they gone or do we just acquiesce as per usual to cheating and corruption?
I have been a Celtic supporter both man and Bhoy for most of my 63 years on this planet and believe that it is time for our current custodians to stand up and look after the supporters’ interests instead of treating them like cash cows.
I am both a shareholder and a season ticket holder, as a member of Club Celtic, but may have to reconsider my financial support of the Club if the current Board fail to act in this matter.
Yours sincerely,
**************
G67- I would have started both but great chance for him now.
With the boards silence on so many other issues and appearing to be less than supportive of the Res 12 bhoys, I wonder if this statement has been issued mindful of the fact that an AGM is weeks away.
They usually issue some sort of statement before an AGM to try and take the heat out of things, AGM over, normal service is resumed.
Hope I’m wrong and the statement is only the beginning.
I’ve just seen the Theresa May entrance to the Tory party conference. Between that and Neustadt Braw’s comment about it earlier – I don’t think that I’ll be able to sleep tonight ???
Strongest worded statement I have ever read coming out of Celtic Park in my history of following Celtic.Bedwetters should actually read it again.The language used is as strong as they could legally go.
No idea where we go from here.A boycott helps our enemies.Theonly way to beat this parcel of rogues,is to win the cup and rub their noses right in it.
We can complain as much as we want,but unless we are backed by other clubs we are pissing against the wind.
Just go out and gub them.
Just reading back now and seen the Celtic statement.
Now is the time for unified action, where are you CSA?
H.H Mick
Some amazing goals tonight.Performances from Messi and Neymar out of this world.Barca game,great entertainment.Looks like they have unearthedanother diamond in Arthur.Class act.
TB,
With all due respect, gubbing them in their competitions does absolutely nothing about the corruption in Scottish football. We’ve gubbed them in all competitions for the last 2 years and they are as corrupt as ever, if not more so.
It is time for action from the Board not just strongly worded statements. Words are meaningless without the appropriate action to back them up. Leave diplomacy and statesmanship to those who don’t want to rock the boat!
bedwetterscsc
To be honest, I’d rather we play on a tidy Murrayfield pitch than a churned up Hampden. It’s a worse deal for most of our fans but not all of them.
Ps,
I have absolutely no problem with gubbing them in their competitions as well. ? ???????
Strange blog is CQN, post after post calling the board for what they are, spineless etc, yet when a newbie like me calls them out I am rounded on and ridiculed for having the audacity to question the god that is our CEO, I also have to supply proof for what I am posting about, pathetic if I may say so.
One rule eh, some of you need to look in a mirror.
SILVER CITY 1888 on 3RD OCTOBER 2018 11:37 PM
The problem is how the whole situation has been dealt with. I think most Celtic fans would be happy with a trip to Murrayfield had a ballot been drawn and that was how the venues were allocated. The problem is the way the SPFL and basically Scottish football has gone about this with a total disregard the Celtic and the Celtic fans.
The other Clubs don’t mind taking our money to keep their shitty clubs afloat but are unwilling to support us in honest governance of the game.
Pog @ 11:05
A well written letter
FJ,
I think you might just be having a ‘bad day at the office.’ You, like everyone else on here is entitled to have an opinion. Sometimes opinions are factual most times they are just personal but often when you put 2 +2 together it equals something other than 4. I never take anything I read on hear as gospel and that includes official team sheets issued by the Club. ?
MIT,
Thank you.
Nytol.
HOT SMOKED on 3RD OCTOBER 2018 3:59 PM
Dbhoy
“Just my opinion, never was one for following others .”
I have occasionally wondered who was CQN`s first poster.
——————-
You have taken only a part of my post .
I don’t like my posts being taken out of context for a cheap dig , please refrain from doing so in future.
There should be a question mark at the end of your post, tut tut , you must try harder.
POGMATHONYAHUN AKA LAIRD OF THE SMILES
No, not having a bad day, just saying it like it is, imo, obviously, I call out the board and get rounded on, the regulars do the same and nothing, doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work it out, a half wit hun could come to the same conclusion, had I been a long standing poster, no problem, like everyone else I have an opinion, some seem to think I have to quantify my opinions with facts before posting, thing is, I will not back down nor will I take their garbage, I will attempt to give as good as I get, I have my beliefs, I see the present day board as conspiring, thieving, money idolising gombeens, I am open to being proved wrong, as yet it hasn’t happened.
Oh, forgot to add, IMO.
So the board call the decision discriminatory (which it is). This is the culmination of allowing the authorities to do what they like. Guess what? They do what they like and show complete disregard for the Celtic support.
So the question is what are you actually going to do lawwell and co. Or is that it?
TURKEYBHOY
” No idea where we go from here.”
You got that bit right , as its only Celtic that are now irate with the draw we are indeed a standalone club.
We will not be treated differently © John Reid
Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Cool heads and a united position needed.
Couple of things to ponder
Semi final gate receipts are shared equally.
How annoyed would the other three be if they get a quarter of 80,000 tickets sold instead of a quarter of 115,000?
That annoyance would be compounded by the fact Celtic would get a quarter share despite selling a single ticket
Imagine the BT Sport images – a panoramic sweep of a half empty Murray field.
Betfred would be on the phone to Doncaster the next day to say well done. You’ve maximised our brand exposure Neil – have a bonus.
The board, CSA, The Affiliation, the Indies, Celtic cyber space leaders – get in a room.
Hail hail
The statement is a welcome change from our club. I’m hoping there is more to follow from us but not overly confident it will come.
Like others have suggested. A united front of CSA’s and fan groups to coordinate a targeted boycott would be effective if done properly. Trying to organise such a thing will take a big effort from all involved.
HH
. Trying to organise such a thing will take a big effort from all involved.
Is the reason it will never happen, there is no desire to, the scramble for tickets will be obscene, the support have no truck with anyone, they only think of themselvs and fluck the rest, justice, don’t make me laugh, it might bust my hernia.
Back to basics
Hadn’t read yours before posting mine.
HH
celtic plc are gutless and are the problem because back of the bus is comfortable and plc profitable
some people make me sick making excuses for a corrupt plc that dont care as long as they can fleece us.
The challenges of a boycott or protest are difficult but not insurmountable.
Below is a recent example of fan power forcing policy change in England.
Liverpool owner backs down on ticket prices and apologises to fans
• An estimated 10,000 Liverpool fans walked out on 77 minutes on Saturday
• General admission prices frozen at 2015-16 levels for next two seasons
Here’s the article for anyone interested…
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/feb/10/liverpool-back-down-ticket-prices-77
HH
DELANEYS DUNKY on 3RD OCTOBER 2018 10:49 PM
MacJay
You are just an Antipodean, Tory, Racist git.
What do you know?
Haha
Little do they know.
God bless J
YNWA
====================================================
Antipodean, Tory, Racist FENIAN git……….
If you don`t mind.
May God bless you and all yours too .
Hang on . I get the distinct impression that he has .
POGMATHONYAHUN AKA LAIRD OF THE SMILES on 3RD OCTOBER 2018 11:46 PM
The problem is how the whole situation has been dealt with. I think most Celtic fans would be happy with a trip to Murrayfield had a ballot been drawn and that was how the venues were allocated. The problem is the way the SPFL and basically Scottish football has gone about this with a total disregard the Celtic and the Celtic fans.
—————————
POGMATHON – that’s essentially what I was saying earlier – not too much of a problem with the destination, but a highly dubious route to get there.
Been sitting here thinking about the Boycott discussion – I agree with CORKCELT’s post earlier which proposed that the only way for a Boycott to be effective is for it to be well-organised and backed by the CSA (and, idealy, the Club) – I agree with that.
Just for people to consider – stopping going to support Celtic is NOT easy, especially if it is something you have been lucky enough to be able to do for a very long time, or if love of and support for Celtic is something you have nurtured in your weans for many years.
Going to support Celtic at the away grounds in Scotland has been a hostile, extremely unpleasant and threatening experience in recent years – much worse since we have had a single Police Scotland.
The way we are treated makes it all the more special when we can help the team ram it right up them.
What IS easy is to put out throw-away lines like ’empty the stadium’, or ‘back of the bus’ – especially when stopping your support makes no practical difference for some who are making that demand of others.
That said, I do appreciate that the argument, and belief in the tactic. is sincere for some – I have no problem with that.
However, if we are going to call for a Boycott – if we are going to stop going to away grounds to support the Celtic team, Breandan and his coaches, if we are going to abandon them in hostile territory to fight our fight on their own – then it better be for a bloody good reason.
Small-scale gestures are meaningless in this situation.
We need:
– a 70% – 100% Boycott of away games -focussed on a very specific end-result (and not something like “We’re not happy about how the semi-final game venues were decided” – ffs, I’m not happy about a lot fekin more important things than that – don’t aim so low !!!).
– it must be vocally backed by the supporters clubs / CSA
– the club must decline to distribute allocations for away games
Other than (at least) the first two points (third point might never happen), calls for a Boycott, like those on this website, are doomed to fail.
If we are going to go – we need to go all-in. And when I say ‘we’ I don’t mean the contributers here – it needs the CSA / Celtic Trust / independent supporters clubs, etc. to speak to each other and organise.
Wee BGFC will not be happy, but if we get organised, if a Boycott can be effectively arranged via the CST and CSA ( and the club, please??!!??) – then there is a chance we can force change. I’d be up for that – anything else is pissing in the wind.
HH
BGFC
– Celts For Change 2018.
Apart from his styoopit statement about the ‘holy wullies’ what else did, John Reid bring to Celtic’s table ?