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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1,180 Comments- Pages:
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Jamesgang
What’s this we’re hearing?
You terrifying wee fermers for cuddles. ;))
DD
Looking forward to our wee puff. Sorry I missed you must have been close. But hey ho, we’ll get together next week. Our bus normally gets there early which is why I’m normally there sharp. I even beat crc to the coarner on saturday. Lol.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
DD
It was supposed to be a hug but it all went wrong!!!
HH jamesgang
bamboo,
That’s shocking, surely they are breaking rules if they claim it’s free range.
As you posted, weefra is probably the the man to speak with on such matters.
MickTT
Is your mate a blue seat?
jamesgang
22:40 on 18 August, 2014
micktt
Polis?
HH jamesgang
A delivery of Rock when we meet…. You’ll get a lovely surprise too…!
Ayrshire is Green and White
Weefra
Look forward to that wee puff.
Will not make the Maribor game unless I throw a sickie. In Kirkcaldy working till 8. :(
Mick TT , yer a tease….;)
Night all Night wee Oscar my hero God bless x x
Micktt
Undertaker?
Jamesgang
It started with a kiss! :))
weet weet weet(GBWO)
23:09 on
18 August, 2014
Here,s wit the rest of them got
thats quite brilliant, thanks for that i didnt know that existed.
————–
mccann, vigilante aggressor of the celts –
£500,000
ebt
revelled in the day they won a false 9.
got mahe sent off
dived more than boreigter.
his day will come
why celtic let him in feck know
slo, he should be our delmonte,
the supporters say no.
icant get on with a capri sun,
this toom tabard turncoat soup taker says what he wants,
catch yourselves on celtic, dont let an enemy inside the gates.
keep it lit
Micktt
A referee?
micktt
23:15 on 18 August, 2014,
Now you know that rock should be mine and not jamesgangs…it’ll only last an hour with the big yin .
Micktt
Market on Wednesday .?..thinking of taking a dive on Thursday …not much on ….so might have a few :-))
sipsini
I dont know whats going on there. A few weeks after they started their airconditioning failed and the whole batch of hens died .Thousands of them . But now 2 years with the operation well established on the birds seem to be getting out less and less.
A FALSE 9.
copyright saint stivs, date and time stamped below.
Mick TT.
Meant to say, keep the surprise for Jamesgang.
DD
It was only a hug I can assure you. A big manly one at that!
micktt/sips
Ma mammy doesn’t let me eat rock. Bad for my teeth! So I’ll share it with yous all!!!’
HH jamesgang
HH jamesgang
Didn’t you do well, although you missed out Cowboy….. More changes than Mr Ben.!
Sipsini, cheers for the message, yer a gid man.
Ayrshire is Green and White
Mick TT
When you providing the answer?
DELANEYS DUNKY
Any idea who this might have been?
marrakesh express
22:48 on 18 August, 2014
Dallas
I stood near Joe Miller at a junior game four years ago. His phone went off and the ringtone was Fields of Athenrye. While on that subject, I was at Murray Park for an Oldco v Dundee Utd under 19 game. As I stood in the reception watching the United players check in, one of their phones rang, loud and clear, The Celtic Song. The boy just let it ring out amid much laughter and hilarity. The wee dour faced receptionist guy in the Oldco blazer and tie was raging.
Bamboo,
That needs reported, hate to hear about the maltreatment of anything….catholic conscience probably.
MickTT
An administrator
BMCUW
My Godson Chris McLaughlin still has The Celtic Song as his ringtone, as you heard in Cheltenham. :))
You canny take the rebel oot a Clydebank bhoy. :)
….pfayr supports weeoscar
23:22 on 18 August, 2014
Micktt
Market on Wednesday .?..thinking of taking a dive on Thursday …not much on ….so might have a few :-))
—————————————————————–
Sorry no make this one, early rise for me. Which is a disappointment as we have a 100% record. ..
HH
DELANEYS DUNKY
That’s who I thought of immediately!
before a huns cup final at hampden i was outside the main door around half two and a bit of commotion in the huns gathering.
you could see it away up to hampden cabs,
few minutes later, the bold JOE MILLER and a pal appear though the red sea parting crowds.
respendant in dark suit, celtic tie, and a white button hole.
brave tim, and taller than me.
better than james forrest by the way
Right bedtime.
Need my beauty sleep, Lordie don’t I just!
Mrs jamesgang asked a wee question on Saturday night about mibbee going to some games at CP. Can’t believe it given her first was the legia match!
I reckon she just wants to meet her wee fave Leftie again.
Night Timdom.
HH jamesgang
big-cup-winners
23:26 on 18 August, 2014
Mick TT
When you providing the answer?
—————————————————————–
At 23:15 old bhoy
HH
bamboo
I already typed you a long reply, then got asked to sign in. Grrrrrr. Anyhoos, this sounds like barn raised hens, where they are not caged, but allowed out on the odd occasion. This sounds like the minimum requirement to get free range allowance, not really sure. Out hens, in fact all our poultry, are “out” at 0800/0900 depending on the weather and are returned to their coop 1 hour before dusk.(fox watch). Interesting operation and worth keeping an eye on. If you don’t mind, keep me posted on any developments. We regularly buy rescue hens via various animal charities, and the condition of some of these poor hens would bring a tear to you eye. One month on oor ole ferm, and their flying up on to your arm when you go in to release them in the morning. One of the funniest things I’ve seen, is when they feel rain on their backs for the fist time. Hilarious but sad. KTF.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
DD
Shame you can’t make it. Next home game after that will do. :-)))
jamesgang
It’s manners to wait till your asked. Lol. Night.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
BMCUW
Don’t know the story at Murray Park, but I would bet you anything that his mum, my sis would have been outside, waiting for the perfect moment to phone him. :))
jamesgang
23:34 on 18 August, 2014,
Your missus will get her eyes opened when she meets all the handsome tims on here….;)
Wee Bazza ,eh.Oh well,Blackpools loss is Clydes gain.
sipsini
Especially me, ask jamesgang. Lol.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Weefra
You never know? My gaffer is a Tim. :)
Weefra,
Love reading your stories about your livestock….keep them coming. Night mate.