It was a hard shift for Gordon Strachan’s Scotland last night. Germany are on a different level, possibly from all other teams, at the moment, but Gordon’s been through similar tests as Celtic manager. What I liked about the display was that German were afforded few genuine chances, while the goals they scored, a deflection and two which hit the post before crossing the line, gave David Marshall no chance.
Scotland failed to collect a point as they found it impossible to concentrate at the level required for the entire 90 minutes. We’ve seen Celtic teams do this successfully in the past – and not just against Barcelona. We took Milan to a 0-0 after 90 minutes in the San Siro, while teams from Manchester and Munich, and lesser locations, chased the oxygen out of Celtic players’ lungs but could not find the space required to turn Celtic over.
During the previous two seasons Celtic recorded impressive domestic defensive records, but this was not due to imperious levels of concentration, we were simply better than the opposition by a sufficient margin. When that wasn’t the case, in Europe, we often didn’t display the levels of concentration which was on show, even from Scotland last night.
Great players can score wonder goals against you at any point, but don’t dive into tackles, watch what’s going on off the ball, make the right choices on how to press the ball, and even the greats will struggle to make an opening.
The biggest challenge we have ahead of the Europa League campaign is incorporating this season’s defensive arrivals into a coherent defensive strategy. It’s a concern that Craig Gordon looks like a better goalkeeper playing for Celtic in Europe than David Marshall did playing for Scotland against Germany. Marshall is a good enough keeper, but his defence didn’t expose him too often. Craig is called upon too often in Europe.
With all that’s going on in the world at the moment, in particular with the Foundation, Celtic sponsor, Intelligent Car Leasing, have offered us a fantastic auction prize: Corporate Hospitality at Celtic v Dundee, on 20 September, lunch and drinks in the Walfrid with great seats in the Directors’ Box for three people.
This is a very rare opportunity to enjoy a money-can’t-buy experience. All proceeds to raise funds for Celtic FC Foundation’s fantastic work to improve Health, promote Equality, encourage Learning and tackle Poverty. Get bidding and keep an eye on the auction here on ebay.
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Timaloy29
Hampden Park used to be on of the great football arenas -now its a crap stadium. They ruined it with a half-baked renovation instead of a new modern built-for purpose stadium. Last time I went I could see the whole pitch and I was sober.
well done the republic,keep up the good work,the French people do not deserve the racists in skirts in their beautiful country,the poor sods will be pissed off as it is with the English scum,and unfortunately probably several thousand ORANGE SCUMBAGS,from occupied ireland
I would play Mulrgew with Boyata at CB v Aberdeen,a bit much to throw the new bhoy in to this game,he hasn’t even met his team mates yet,never mind a training session.
Blantyre Tim
BRTH is currently working with the Foundation checking all the legal issues before we can run a raffle with the Foundation on CQN.
We used the raffle successfully to crowd fund the Sunday Herald ad and assist TBJ re the CQN stone so it can be done and we want to do it.
When BRTH has the all clear we can proceed.
Glasstwothirds & BT,
Exackerly.
HH
Good Afternoon.
There was much discussion last week about the “business” that is Celtic and how the club cannot or does not compete with clubs which where were once rivals in financial terms but which are now out of sight because of “non footballing revenue” including media rights.
For a long time, I have banged on about the fact that media and broadcasting is changing, and that with the advent of the internet the ability of any business — be it football club, charity, retailer, manufacturer, professional firm or whatever — to broadcast independently of any scheduled network.
These days, many networks don’t actually make their own shows. They may commission shows from a third party production company or they may not commission or make anything at all and instead simply provide a viewing platform and nothing else.
Many people think of broadcasting as TV. However it is not. Today Broadcasting is video, audio, apps, podcasts, blogs, social media, online shopping, infomercials, digital magazines and papers – in fact anything that is digitally produced and served up on the net.
So where am I going with this?
Last week I also mentioned the supeclubs and how UEFA are doing everything within their power to make them richer and the rest poorer.
The Superclubs are those defined by those clubs which particpate in the four big leagues of Spain, Italy, Germany and England which leagues are all only “Big” because of the TV monies and the branding and revenue opportunities that follow from such media exposure.
In the course of the week I also mentioned Celtic and their large travelling fanbase and how potentially this was their greatest business asset – and with that asset came a real opportunity for Celtic to recoup some ground on the Superclubs. I argued that where Celtic go in numbers in Europe money follows and that after Seville many local authorities wanted Celtic to come out of the hat and face their teams as it was good for the local economy.
At least one poster took the view that this argument was foolish and that none of this mattered as UEFA simply did not care and that other clubs have a bug following as well. Which they do.
However, Celtic has a potentially huge following if only they could tap into it, whether that following be in Scotland, Ireland, Europe, Australia or the USA and Canada.
But there is no means to connect all these people for the benefit of Celtic Football club – or at least no concerted attempt to do so. Yet!
However, the Superclubs are attempting to do precisely that and I predict that other clubs will follow suit.
At the bottom of this post, I provide a link to an announcement that has been made today by Manchester United who are independently setting up their own lab with a major digital provider based in India so that the club can connect, interact, retail, and generally engather their fan base by way of a digital offer which emanates through the club.
If they do it correctly, companies will want to advertise on it and producers of content will want to link to it, pay into it and make it profitable.
You will see that precisely what is going to be on offer is not revealed and that there is a degree of secrecy about the detail.
However, the fact is that Manchester United will ultimately offer their fans a whole host of new offers and technologies by way of digital and it will make money so doing.
In Scotland, there is a vibrant digital industry, scores of production and gaming companies some of whom are world renoun, and there is assistance from the Scottish Government for companies who wish to carry out some research and development in high growth technical and digital markets.
There is even financial support for international marketisation of inter alia digital services and products etc which is all designed to boost sales and income.
Some of the people involved in these sectors even post on these pages.
The point is, that while a few years ago it was not possible to boost “media” related strategies without going through the SFA communal bargaining hoop, today businesses with a large client following and market reach can move forward independently because of digital technologies and smart use of the internet.
Celtic are undoubtedly one such business as it must be evident that they have many “customers and potential customers” who are “on line savvy” and who can access the clubs digital offers.
Commercial partnerships with other companies who would wish to gain access to those – fans, customers, followers or whatever – scattered around the world makes commercial sense.
As individual clubs grow digitally so, it is argued, the need for the huge networks dilute as fans can tune into matches without going through SKY or BT or the BBC.
Yesterday the Director General of the BBC announced that BBC Iplayer will carry the content of other channels in the future because he sees the writing on the wall. Content is king and those who control their own content will find a channel to broadcast on easily these days.
For the BBC and others such as BT and Sky the future is to partner with the content owners.
The Manhcester United deal represents their taking a step forward in their digital broadcasting future. Celtic should aim to follow and quickly as they have potentially far more to gain in percentage terms.
Unless of course Celtic think that the likes of Manchester United have got it hopelessly wrong ………….
https://econsultancy.com/blog/66892-manchester-united-kicks-off-digital-transformation-plan-to-improve-fans-experience/?utm_source=Econsultancy&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=6128459_1912-daily-pulse-uk-2015-09-07&dm_i=LQI,3NCQZ,JC2MV1,D4ADS,1
Cheers WC
I cautioned some fellow Irish supporters on their optimism last night. Scotland can win the remaining two games and a certainty to get three points at least. Ireland are unlikely to get two points, in my opinion.
I hope I’m wrong though.
Árd Macha
BT & anyone else
At the suggestion of another CQN’er I approached the foundation a number of weeks ago about the possibility of rasing some money for the foundation and discussed a number of possibilities including the utilisation of the paradise windfall draw on certain occasions with the ticket holders winning a pretty unique prize and the usual money prize going to the foundation.
However, there are legal and contractual issues with this and so that is not possible route.
The whole purpose of the discussion was that in the past when things are auctioned then only those with substantial spare cash can actually win the prizes on offer and so this process excludes many within and without the Celtic support.
This was taken on board and I have been asked to look into an online raffle conducted through these pages but spread throughout the online support by having it featured on all available forums, blogs, newsfeeds etc etc
An immediate prize was discussed and agreed — and it is certainly something that is a complete one off.
I have also suggested that there should be some other prizes too so that there is not just one winner.
There are some timing issues and some legal matters to deal with but hopefully Paul will be able to give out the details soon enough.
Hopefully, the foundation will raise some money and the prize on offer will be attractive to and within the reach of every Celtic supporter.
What started out as an idea has turned into a full time bloody project but once it is done once then it should be able to be repeated on aregular basis without too much organisation.
I will know to shut up in future!
In
BRTH
Do you think that PL and DD are aware of the benefits which internet broadcasting can offer Celtic? Surely failure to tap into this market must be a sacking offence for both?
BLANTYRETIM IS PRAYING FOR THE KNOX FAMILY on 8TH SEPTEMBER 2015 1:24 PM
Start the bhoy , we payed good money for him so the quicker he beds in the better
———–
Agreed play him..start now as we will need him in Amsterdam next thursday HH
Team for me
GORDON
LUSTIG
BOYOTA
SIMUNOVIC
IZZIE
ARMSTRONG
BROWN
BITTON
JOHANSEN
ROGIC [3 Goals in last 3 games]
GRIFFITHS
HH
It might just be me, but charity auctions are a bit beyond me.
They seem to be suited to those who are already well off and instantly lose my interest.
If it was a raffle, I would have chucked a fiver or tenner in. An auction? What’s the point. Somebody who can afford it will come up with a big sum, beyond most of us.
Just an observation from someone who cares…..
Just collected free tats from office.The lady who served me said ‘ There will be another free game so do you want to use both season tickets or keep one for next freebie?’ First I had heard of it but took only 2 tats. Maybe the next free game will be Sevco:):)
Obviously predictive text does not shorthand for tat read tickets!:)
Ard Macha
Scotland need 3 points against Poland assuming Ireland get nothing from the Germans..
The final match could see Ireland and Poland being content with a draw.
One of the 70%
Olivia got the all clear at the hospital today!
Many, many thanks for your prayers, well wishes and support during what was a horrible few months for our family.
We will remember you all in our prayers.
Great news philbhoy
HH
Good to hear good news Philbhoy.
Clink\o/
Agreed.
Árd Macha
Good news Philbhoy.
Árd Macha
Philbhoy
Congrats! Great news!!!!!!
Hmmmmmm, nothing going on today I see, apart from Philbhoys good news, nice to hear that.
Lurking Huns GIRFUYs.
Clink\o/ on 8th September 2015 2:45 pm
that would mean Ireland would finish 4th…(assuming Scotland beat Gibraltar)
Philbhoy…great news……I can visualise the smile on your face.
BRTH ……You could always have a word with the Finance guy at Celtic….ask him if the club would like to donate a share of the added cost charged for my telephoning to order 3 sets of Tickets for the Europa games….9 seats booked….no tickets being posted, just use our ST’s..
Cost £1.50 per seat = £13.50……
Paddy T
Philbhoy,
Outstanding news!
HH
gsu
Sorry.. just noticed.. great news Philbhoy…
Philbhoy,
Wonderful news.
Deo Gratias.
BRTH,
Sounds like a good venture but initial start up investment will be required, it’s ok saying we will get great rewards if it all works out but the fact is most would likely prefer any money spent on the team to improve the primary product. A world class marketing system selling an average product will not necessarily improve the product or even lead to an improved product, in fact there is the threat that it might lead to reducing the quality of the product because the original customer base power would be reduced through alternative income streams replacing them as the primary source, I do honestly believe this is where the current corporate philosophy would take us.
Just catching up
PHILBHOY
Fantastic news mate .
Pass on my best wishes to your family.
Hope to catch up with you on 10/10 if you can make it .
HH
FOURGREENFIELDS on 8TH SEPTEMBER 2015 12:51 PM
Any word on how TCR is ?
—————————————–
He’s in good form mate,all things considered. The family and himself have been getting a lot of support from friends, family and the local community.
The Dublin game he watched Saturday evening, probably delighted they win the thing.
Also TCR still insisting that Joe McBride was the greatest Celtic striker that he’s ever seen!
HH.
PHILBHOY @ 2 59…
Good to hear some good news.!
Philbhoy,
Never knew anything about it but glad the first I heard was good news.
PhilBhoy – Delighted for ye and the family mo chara.
:)
HH.
16 ROADS – CELTIC ÜBER ALLES…
Thanks mate that’s good news , are you coming over on 10/10 for the Day Oot ?
GREAT NEWs PHILBHOY
Good to read something positive on the blog
Philbhoy
That’s brilliant news mate…
Starry
Realistically, Scotland were always going to be vying with Ireland for that play off spot, which meant getting their noses in front of Ireland. They managed that only to feck up royally when faced with the slightly easier obstacle of Georgia.
A bit like the Particks and Hamiltons of the SPFL. They don’t budget for beating Celtic, but try to push their way up the table by picking up as many points as they can against teams of a similar standard.