Maribor are currently playing monopoly with the Slovenian league, having won four titles in a row, and have a very settled, experienced, team.
The season before they eliminated Rangers into oblivion in 2011 they defeated Hibernian home and away, who had Anthony Stokes in their side. It’s worth noting that Edinburgh police arrested 30 Maribor fans following a riot in the city after that tie; this lot have an unfortunate reputation for trouble.
They lost away on Saturday, a defeat which was largely a consequence of their defence having a nightmare, however, among others, they rested key central defender, Marko Suler, who Celtic came close to signing four years ago. They were also reduced to 10 men 30 minutes into the game. It’s unlikely they will be so poor at the back against Celtic.
Dare Vrsoc is their creative fulcrum. He also likes to shoot from distance, with some justification. Whoever in the Celtic team is tasked with winning a personal battle with him will have a great deal of responsibility.
If Celtic leave space at the back Mitja Viler will be the player most likely to exploit. He is lightning fast and will have noticed how Celtic lost goals to pace against Legia. The early scare Gary Mackay-Steven gave us on Saturday further emphasises this vulnerability.
Brazilian-Slovenian striker Marcos Tavares, 30, is Maribor’s royalty. He has scored more goals than anyone in the club’s history, but he is a player who has found his level. He has been over the European football course before so will know how to unsettle defenders.
Macedonian international winger, Agim Ibraimi, scored the goals in the last round which got Maribor this far. He had a couple of unsuccessful seasons in Seria A before returning to Maribor. Good player with tendencies to lunacy.
The fans boo boy is goalkeeper, Jasmin Handanovic, who remains in place despite a disastrous last season. Slovenian clubs throw cross balls into the box to put pressure on him as often as possible. Some early attention might turn the atmosphere inside the stadium on Wednesday.
They score a lot of goals from headers: five of the 12 this season, before the o.g. they benefited from on Saturday.
Our man Blaz in Slovenia tells me they are better than they were when they brought the end of days to Rangers in 2011. Last season’s Europa League campaign, when they progressed from a group containing Russian, English and Belgian opposition, before giving eventual winners, Sevilla a fright, gives an indication of what we can expect.
After those performances last season they knew this could be their Champions League year. Drawing Celtic has put them in a state approaching over-confidence. A shift like we delivered on Saturday will come as a shock.
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• gearoid1998
12:14 on 18 August, 2014
Jamesgang
Man bag wearing asst boss at Dundee Utd game. Somebody stole his seat at half time apparently.
AndwhatswrongwithaManbag?????????
TALLYBHOY
Thae wimmen still driving you nuts,bud?
I’ll mail ya later,yours got stuck in my junk for some reason.
I know how that feels,most of mine are junk.
Timmy7_noted,
I can warmly recommend Villa la Vedetta in Florence. Just over the Arno from the centre of town. Beautiful if pricy hotel with the added benefit of a garden and pool.
ger57@11.26
I am reluctant to post this because I do not want to prolong a distraction between now and Wednesday when I expect us to be playing Maribor.
I believe Zbyszek is showing some grace and discretion in not commenting on the blog just now and having to deal with a lot of rubbish being posted about his club and their actions.
Posts, such as ernie’s this morning (produced below) have, I think overplayed the simplicity of the situation. Please note that I agree with ernie’s two opening statements and that his last line is one reproduced, in sentiment, by many other posters, so I do not mean to isolate him. It is just that his post serves as an example of what Zbysek would have to respond to.
Ernie’s post:-
“Natural justice requires the certainty that comes with an even handed application of established rules.
Departing from established rules, or applying them in a quixotic manner, is not natural justice.
Besides which Legia have behaved like a bunch of fuds over the whole issue and deserve disdain not sympathy.”
I cannot escape the nagging notion that, if roles were reversed, our reaction would be remarkably similar to that of the Polish club. I believe we would have protested strongly about the perceived injustice of the rule, a rule that was drafted to prevent more deliberate rule breaches than the one which occurred here. I would not be happy with Celtic being labelled “cheats” or “whiners” because of a severe punishment being visited upon our club when we had beaten another team 6:1 in aggregate and had made an obviously stupid and highly damaging mis-read of the rules on registration of players. Nobody cheats intentionally in the way that Legia did.
However, we have reacted badly because of their attempts to “drag” Celtic into the equation as we see ourselves as innocents (unfortunately tactically innocent too) in these matters. However, I think there is some evidence that our club has not adopted an entirely innocent approach to our good fortune.
As I understand it, the situation is:-
1) The rule re an award of a 3:0 victory for Celtic and, therefore an aggregate victory for Celtic, is clear cut and UEFA cannot avoid its application, unless
2) Both clubs involved agree that this is an unjust outcome and agree to set it aside. I understand that provision is written into the rules and allows UEFA some wiggle room, for circumstances such as these, that the rule did not foresee.
3) Unfortunately, UEFA leave the onus on the “wronged” club to initiate the contact to secure that agreement and it was left in Legia’s hands to contact Celtic to discuss whether agreement could be met. This is where it gets murky.
4) All Legia’s attempts to contact Celtic were blanked, at official levels. Celtic did not directly inform Legia that they were opposed to an agreed solution, or that they were hindered by the UEFA rules from doing so, or hindered by commercial rules from taking advantage of the windfall and “potential” monetary advantage that further CL progress would bring. Celtic did not tell Legia to gtf. Celtic did not tell Legia, “Sorry, we cannot agree”. Celtic just blanked their calls (I am aware of a call between Henning Berg and Ronny Deila but neither of them has the authority to reach agreement). Even if you think we were in the right to do so it will always look more than a little grubby to not have the courage of your convictions to express your view honestly to your opponents. It is a stain that I fear we will carry for a long time.
Now, to make my own position, absolutely clear because I do not want an endless discussion about this on the run up to Wednesday, I think Celtic were under no obligation to offer Legia a re-match, or a play-off or an offer to forego our progress to let them take our place. I do think that, if there is a provision in the rules (cowardly and abdicating though that may be on UEFA’s part) for both clubs to agree and discuss this matter, then our club should have discussed it and told Legia clearly what its views were. We would have behaved more honourably if we had told them to GTF or even, “Sorry- no can do” but we blanked them and that is cowardly.
I am far from comfortable in labeling Legia cheats. Were Celtic cheats because we lobbed a bottle at the pitch in the Rapid game, or let a fan approach Dida in the AC game? Both were breaches of the rules. Both could have resulted in a tie result being overturned.
I do not expect CAS to find any differently than UEFA but I do not want to take that as vindication for our approach in this whole issue. I am happy that we benefited from Legia’s bad luck but I am disappointed that my friend’s club ( a club supported by Artur and Jackie D too) were treated harshly by a badly drafted rule, an administrative body that did not foresee this event, and a club that did not have the courage of its convictions to tell Legia what it thought. I will not resolve my cognitive dissonance by declaring that Legia are cheats or whiners.
We may win entry to the CL as a result and I will still rejoice with every victory we obtain but this event showed us as falling below the levels of class that we should have shown.
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon
12:19 on
18 August, 2014
Fair enough. The only thing I would disagree with strongly is that the potential privatisation of NHS Scotland is a baseless threat.
The mechanisms by which funding would be reduced are well documented whether this leads to inevitable privatisation or probably privatisation is I agree open to debate but it’s certainly not baseless. The changes in the Health bill and TTIP trade agreement are directly linked because it means NHS is no longer a sovereign enterprise and must be open to commercial forces.
If I can find the link I’ll show Scottish patients are already needing proof of funding for some treatments carried out in England.
Paul67,
Any news on the Green Brigade returning for the home leg?
Paradise in full voice could make the difference.
Hail Hail.
Big Joe
I’m sure your man bag goes with your eyes so no fashion faux pas there.
We may win entry to the CL as a result and I will still rejoice with every victory we obtain but this event showed us as falling below the levels of class that we should have shown.
________________________ the old Neil Lennon is a great guy…….BUT?
bognorbhoy
Aye right
Big joe
You were doing so well as a cricket Bhoy. Don’t spoil it with a man bag!
HH jamesgang
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon
12:19 on 18 August, 2014
A wee line from your piece:
“Let’s be clear. A No vote next month does not indicate support for the status quo. ”
Colour it any way you wish, but Aye it is!
Not only will it support the status quo, it will support the future under the iron grip of westminster in whatever manifestation the majority of the “uk” decides.
I don’t think it’s scaremongering to forecast boris and nigel being a big part of this future, but it sure is scary!
Bemused by Keef’s logic that PL can forget about football integrity, due to Celtic being reinstated to the CL.
According to out Award Winning Hack’s reasoning, abiding by the rules of the competition flies in the face of sporting integrity.
Looking Glass thinking, methinks.
What is the situation re Derk? Has the referee admitted that he made a mistake or that he was duped? He was only a few yards away and gave it.
For me, he was clipped by the defender and he fell over. Soft penalty award but I’ve seen plenty softer.
HH
Richie #TeamOscarForever and Rubicon.
Thanks!! I’ll check them out.
weeminger,
The NHS debate is a strange one. For a start funding for health has actually increased over the past few years in England and therefore Scotland’s allocation has increased too. And whatever the allocation, the Scottish Government makes the decision on the budget for Scotland in any case. It is not bound to follow England, it is a devolved government.
Even if there was to be a future reduction in funding, that would not inevitably lead to privatisation. The only way the Scottish NHS could ever be privatised would be if a Scottish Parliament voted to do so .
Malcolm Chisholm explained the position with TTIP in the Scotsman on Friday – a Labour government would exempt health and it wouldn’t apply to the NHS in Scotland anyway.
(http://www.scotsman.com/news/malcolm-chisholm-yes-camp-scaremongering-on-nhs-1-3511151)
Proof of funding is common in out of area treatments – it happens within Scotland too when patients, for a variety of reasons, are treated in a health board other than the one where they live.
Saint Stivs
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hidjzqw4wl6122m/Train%20Song.wav
Let me know if that is ok for you
HH
because i am easily distracted, having looked at the Brian Blessed you tube, I am now watching the David Tennant one, very good , interesting about his granda playing for Derry City,
Archie McLeod – top goalscorer and super star – 57 goals in a single season
Paul67
Great bit of research. Their experience over our regime change is also a potential advantage as we have players still introducing themselves to each other.
Legia performances were a disaster of epic proportions, St Johnstone was a step change in improvement and DUFC has blown us away. The learning curve for Ronny is massive for a very different environment where we must be disciplined and not gung ho or we could take a battering again.
Which Celtic will turn up on Wednesday ?
And is it just me or are the european clubs now all adopting a crazy element to the ranks ? Remember their attendance is down to 9,000 from 12,000 from previous. They have a racist element it appears and we have a few black players.
Given everything we’ve seen in the champions league so far a simple 0-0 boring fest would do me.
For some in here with the pain and guilt complex, the SMSM , and lurking Huns have a wee read at this it may help, if not then all I can say is GIRFUYs
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Pain/Pages/10painself-helptips.aspx
Richie #TeamOscarForever,
The relationship between Scottish Parliament and UK Parliament will change after a No vote – I’m referring to the constitutional rather than political set up. We of course don’t know what the government of the UK will look like come 2015 … but all three main parties have pledged to give our parliament more powers.
Nether Farage or Johnson are even MPs at the moment. It is possible that either or both could be and might have some position of influence. But then just about anything is possible,
• gearoid1998
12:37 on 18 August, 2014
Big Joe
I’m sure your man bag goes with your eyes so no fashion faux pas there.
And………………………………
• jamesgang
12:39 on 18 August, 2014
bognorbhoy
Aye right
Big joe
You were doing so well as a cricket Bhoy. Don’t spoil it with a man bag!
HH jamesgang
Haha………………………………..
Got one last year……………..
WouldentbewithoutIT
Gearoid 1998.
Did you go to the game on Saturday?
Might be in Belfast on Saturday the 30th of August.
Would you be up for a few scoops on the Saturday night if this comes to pass? Might even bring she who must be obeyed!!!
LiviBhoy
If it’s beaches you are after, sorry can’t help.
If it’s peace and quiet in the sticks, I can, there are plenty of caves for rent here, cheap, bars are cheap as is the food, feck all to do mind you >}
HH
Remo Freuler, Swiss Central Mid, apparently on his way for a medical.
I retain a degree of nerves in relation to Maribor on Wednesday night…. Probably the scars of Warsaw still fresh in mind.
That said, concentration, discipline, shape etc. are the key factors. Keep things tight, and we’re capable of scoring. I know it’s old cliche’s, but it’s a must…
A 1 each draw will do me…. But I could live with a 2-1 defeat. That’s not pessimism, more realism
Tony d
“the old Neil Lennon is a great guy…….BUT?”
Yep, true.
I did make an attempt to be balanced and see the shades of grey rather than just go black or white.
And as for your sentence, it can be ended in a way you might not have anticipated.
“Neil Lennon is a great guy, BUT, he is an even better team manager”
“Neil Lennon is a great guy, BUT, he is still ginger”
“Neil Lennon is a great guy, BUT, he was no perfect saint”
Look at the last one, tony, and tell me if this is one of our proud moments.
Here’s an auld wan, ma auld grandas song.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=6ZXy-LmDxk8
Saint Stivs
Here is an mp3 version if you cannot get the wav file to play
https://www.dropbox.com/s/j458xoeau8k06dj/Train%20Song.mp3
Phils up
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/the-need-for-pain-at-ibrox/#more-4978
SFTB
Smashing post sir. The saddest thing about this is the ramification for Mr Z. Must be a tough one to be a Celtic loving Legia guy in Warsaw.
Like you, cheating accusation is nonsense. We won a gold watch off the back of an administrative rule break. I’d be heartbroken if the reverse happened.
setting free the bears for Res. 12 & Oscar Knox but saying no to CQN racists
12:31 on 18 August, 2014
We may win entry to the CL as a result and I will still rejoice with every victory we obtain but this event showed us as falling below the levels of class that we should have shown.
===========================================
I can’t agree to your level of remorse.
Relinquishing our 2nd chance at the prize would have gained what? A few nods of approval among those in the football world who are aware or even care about the situation? The praise of an agenda-driven hypocritical SMSM who would cover their glee with platitudes? Who among us craves their endorsement?
Legia’s guilt should not be assuaged by Celtic charity.
Legia made a basic administrative error which has cost them circa £5, and that loss is our gain.
If PL hade been party to the same mistake he would/should have been sacked on the spot. If he was now seen to cost Celtic £5 million by forefitting our reinstatement he should also be sacked on the spot.
Legia must look inward. Had they played 12 men for the last 5 minutes would we still complain? Their mistake was on that level of incompetence. It’s not as if there are no precedents for stupid beureucratic feck-ups; dotted aorund recent history there are ties lost through lack of attention to detail. It happens everywhere – someone forgets their paperwork disciplines and many suffer.
Add Celtic to a list of fortunate teams who have benefited because someone didn’t do their job properly. But don’t wish martyrdom upon us in a dog-eat-dog world of imbalanced finances and an ever-dissatisfied support.
We got a break. Feel sorry for Legia and their fans but leave it at that – our charitable foundations should not reach to sacrifice for fools.
Enjoy our sheer good fortune and move on.
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon
12:42 on
18 August, 2014
I’m aware that none of the English changes will be directly matched in Scotland, but I think it’s inevitable it will drip through. There’s something like £18Bn worth of direct healthcare contracts already in place or agreed. Most patients don’t even realise they’re at a private facility because the providers have to use NHS badges etc – I’m reluctantly using this link as it doesn’t provide sources for the quotes but I’ll assume the GP that wrote it isn’t lying some stuff you already know I’m sure
You’re prepared to risk we won’t be affected, and that’s fine. I’m not.
Timmy7
There is not much in Pisa at all other than yon tower. Spend as much time as possible in Firenze. (Florence) it is absolutely stunning.
Enjoy….
HH
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon 12:19
We are repeatedly told that a No vote to the privatisation of the NHS. Without any shred of evidence or even an argument of course – just yet more baseless assertions.
Read your blog, hope you will read what this GP has to say regarding the lack of evidence about the threat to our NHS
http://weegingerdug.wordpress.com/2014/08/17/free-cradle-to-grave-healthcare-in-nhs-scotland-or-the-great-british-nhs-sell-off/
STFB
Many thanks for that synopsis. I was completely unaware of the UEFA “rule” whereby the two clubs could agree to “ignore” the wrongdoing in the interests of sportsmanship.
Surely the Celtic board’s primary responsibility is to the shareholders, who would be most unhappy at giving up £17m when the rules, albeit “unfair”, say otherwise. In fact, there is case law where directors have been held liable for the shareholders’ losses in such circumstances.
In the old days, Bob Kelly would have “waived” Legia through.
I still hope Mr Z isn’t away for too long.
HH
Team for Wednesday
………………Gordon………………..
Lustig…Van Dijk…Denayer…Izaguirre
McGregor..Kayal..Johansen..Biton…Commons
…………………Berget…………………..
Gordon_J
There is no constitution, and you can be sure that the powers that be will give up nothing of note. A promise from a politician? Not even a thing.
Yogiy
13:03 on 18 August, 2014
Is that GP a member of the SNP?
That’s assuming Lustig is fit