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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Call me a troll or an attention seeker or anything else but I am just fed up with the gambling and conservatism from Celtic.
Feckin Maribor.
We can defeat them but I worry about our lack of bottle and heart when things go wrong.
Re. Problem with playing Ghanain against Maribor as described onSTV online
“UEFA rules state he must be registered with Celtic by 11pm on Tuesday but would then only be eligible to play in either leg against Maribor provided he was also registered with the Scottish FA before that deadline.
The requirements for domestic registration include a work permit to play in the UK.
In order to be automatically eligible for a work permit endorsement, a player must have taken part in 75 per cent of his country’s competitive matches in the last two years.”
Did Oldco not play Bocannegra against Maribor whilst his Work permit was stil in limbo ?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2029406/Rangers-rage-eligibility-row-Bocanegra-Maribor-appeal-UEFA.html
Oh,
I don’t give a damn about Rangers crap or Phil crap. Only Celtic.
LiviBhoy
15:59 on 18 August, 2014
NatKnow
I think team sports are slightly different to athletes and it is not realistic that they won;t drink at all but they should not be drinking into the early hours.
We all know how hard it is to recover when you are up half the night.
I did read somewhere once that every hour slept before midnight is the equivalent of two after midnight. Not sure if that is a myth or not but from my own experience I know the later I go to bed the worse I feel the next day no matter how many hours kip I get.
The key for Ronny is to get it drummed into the younger players now. They will not know any other way. Players used to having their midweek booze session may be difficult to change but the like of McGregor can be educated before they go down the route and get used to it. It is easy for us to state that they should do without a drink and it’s a short career, etc, etc. I think it would be different if you were used to good cash as a footballer and the chance to go bevvying twice a week. I think the reality is that the players either adapt or hit the road. I doubt Ronny will make exceptions for anyone.
LB
——————————————————–
Didn’t manage to reply to this yesterday dude…
I’m not sure if I buy the idea that players booze because football is a team sport. I can think of a number of team sports where players socialise in order to bond but alcohol doesn’t come into the equation – it is not required. If fact, further to that, I’m sure there are plenty of examples of football teams where booze is not tolerated and yet they not only manage to bond as a team, but perform. These would be professional teams where the players are properly monitored and rules are enforced.
I am a believer in ethos. Different managers have different styles. The ethos of the management team flows down to the players. I think it is perfectly realistic and reasonable to expect to our highly-paid players to act as professionals. If they don’t do it
then the manager has a decision to make about their future. I recognise that boozing culture has long been part of the culture of British football, but I don’t believe that can’t and shouldn’t be challenged.
Aside from the alcohol issue, what surely is unacceptable is players diet including Irn Bru and Coke?
NATKNOW
Nae skoosh?
Broonie will be looking for a new nickname.
Looks like we are not going to have a new wild card loan signing for the Maribor game.We will just have to beat them with what we have got. H.H.
Capn beefy @0948
I wouldn’t say you were a troll or attention seeker for saying what you’re saying.
The frequency of them is another matter.
captain beefheart
09:45 on 19 August, 2014
Every team worries about playing every other team …. that’s football ….!!!!!!!!!
re sleep
I agree..
I had a party on Friday night past
Didnt get to my bed til around 7am Saturday morning (i was told)
Its bloody Tuesday….and
Still not 100%
cantpartylikeiusedtocsc
……….oh, oh……..
captain beefheart
09:45 on 19 August, 2014
……and it’s all very exciting, apart from the bhuns ……. !!!!!
chrisvancoupon
Agree about Stokes. Too workshy & still takes the wrong option. Anyone else notice he wasn’t caught offside on Saturday for the first time in a Celtic jersey? RD must be doing something right for that to happen.
Stokes is our best striker by a country mile, and has improved year on year since coming to Celtic. He isn’t ‘the full package’, but nobody is. I was having kittens when the mad wing of CQN was talking up Pukki and writing off Stokes. Thank Ghod we’re returning to a semblance of normality.
He has got ‘cuter’ in his play, but that was before Ronny came. I hope he continues to progress and develop new aspects to his game under Ronny.
The Token Tim
09:41 on 19 August, 2014
BT (and for MWD’s benefit),
you need to get yourself to Tokyo mate. Just to enjoy trains running on time.
Dont expect much space to be able to type your post on your phone though….esp with your frame mate ;-)
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
——————————————————————————————————————-
Token/all, from the Metro this morning, hmmm….
`A kitchen hand who allegedly vomits over women for a sexual thrill has been arrested. Toru Sugawara (aka Token) rifes past women on his bike and throws up on them deliberately, it is claimed. The 30 year old was caught when his DNA was matched to vomit on a 23 year old victim, police on the Island of Hokkaido said `We are looking at four similar cases,’ a spokesman added.’
A repeat offender then!
Coat, hat and apols Token… :-)
Bhoylo83
Everybody hits that stage.
In your early 20’s you can drink for 3 days and suffer for 1.
Then all of a sudden it’s drink for 1 and suffer for 3 :)
NatKnow
I think a glass of beer or wine with a meal is acceptable.
I also think as finely tuned athletes they should not be staggering about drunk anytime but we know that they need to let off steam or it can end in tears.
Ronny can’t change the thinking over night. He can install good habits though and through time he gets the players who want to live by his rules and train by his methods.
A lot of teams who play once a week or even twice a week enjoy a social drink or two. Rugby players certainly do. I think the key to this is moderation and I suspect that the players will be drinking much less than before because the men we have in charge of the team will work them hard, very hard. They want a very fit side and they are looking at every aspect to gain that 5% or 10% advantage. It all appears to be very mechanical but the coaching staff appear to want to give themselves every chance to succeed. I have no doubty there will be players unhappy but success should be their goal not a night out drinking. Neil Lennon had a different approach and he got success. Ronny has a different style. If he has the same level of success as Neil he will be doing well.
LB
Natknow.
Irn bru is bad enough for an athlete…surely not coke though…..;)
Tallybhoy
09.48
Can’t disagree with that.
The Maribor ties have to be the focus for everyone now but when the dust has settled after them I’d like Celtic to explain how the club structure is going to work this season.
Seems to be only two professional leagues this season where there were three last season. Our 17’s played in the under19 league then, which has disappeared now.
Suppose they’ll have Glasgow Cup competition but is that not just 10 or so games?
Will our 19’s be playing in the new under21 European competition that’s been suggested?
More than ever this season, there’s a case to be made for amending loan rules to send five or six of the 19’s squad to one of the middle-standing Scottish Championship clubs to play a full professional season.
Reggie and Ronnie must surely give fat sleekit Ally a new longer contract after last nights thumping of the giants of Scottish football Clyde.Fat sleekit Ally and wee Bazza were seen staggering out of Ibrokes together last night after they both celebrated the Rangers win Fat sleekit ally was heard to comment Bazza is a real sport. H.H.
Geordie
What about the whole….
Contemplating life,
What’s it all about…
This has to stop
Fear,
Nausea,
Anxiety….
B-)
Bazza is a durty wee orange Bazza
Fair point Geordie but at least the posts are usually short.
Are you content with our dealings so far?
Have a fruitful day all.
TonyD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JXVO_4iUzU
B-)
joe filippis haircut
10:08 on 19 August, 2014
He will have whispered it in his ear……. Hahahahahahaha
Captain Beefheart
09:50
Don’t forget, you don’t give a damn about Celtic Nation crap as well.
Since August, neither do Frank Lynch, Willie McStay nor any of us. It’ll probably revert to Gilford Park again.
Geordie Munro
09:56 on
19 August, 2014
Capn beefy @0948
I wouldn’t say you were a troll or attention seeker for saying what you’re saying.
I would.
Tony Donnelly.10.12 Stop faffing about and tell us what you really think of Bazza lol. H.H. :-)
quonno
09:38 on 19 August, 2014
Doooooooohhhhhh….!!!!
RD has already said he doesn’t favour loan signings.
PL appears not to favour the manager’s opinion.
This conservatism is extreme and it is dangerous.
We are hardly making unrealistic demands. It’s a bit like us standing politely outside Celtic Park with our banners and (toned down) loudhailers chanting (quietly):
“What do we want?”
“Moderate investment!”
“When do we want it?”
“As soon as is reasonably practicable”
Capn beefheart,
Content!? Hmm not really.
But I know by now that moaning on here and getting upset isn’t gonna change much.
Broony back and Chris Martin signed and I’d be content:)
joe filippis haircut
10:18 on 19 August, 2014
Tony Donnelly.10.12 Stop faffing about and tell us what you really think of Bazza lol. H.H. :-)
______________________________
It was a watershed moment ;)
“RD has already said he doesn’t favour loan signings.”
Dexter,
I thought he said he doesn’t favour loan signings with no option to buy.
Morning Bhoys
Certain posters highlighting RD’s wish not to sign Loan Players, however I think, please advise me if this is not the case, but every signing we have made has been a loan with an option to Purchase, Like Fraser Forster.
If this is the case then a figure that PL will be happy with will have been agreed and then if he’s liked and fitting in and playing well the player can be worked on as if he is ours and can be hunted if it doesn’t work IE Bangura
There’s nothing not to like here!!!!
Kittoch
BMCUWP
Thanks for posting the Ice Bucket challenge stuff in the wee hours.
All of that cheers Tony up no end.
Tried to find one of Tom Watson doing it but not yet on YouTube. He has challenged the whole US Ryder Cup team to do it now.
Thanks too for words on the site.
Beautiful stuff.
HH
Dexter
10:22 on 19 August, 2014
RD has already said he doesn’t favour loan signings.
PL appears not to favour the manager’s opinion.
This conservatism is extreme and it is dangerous.
We are hardly making unrealistic demands. It’s a bit like us standing politely outside Celtic Park with our banners and (toned down) loudhailers chanting (quietly):
“What do we want?”
“Moderate investment!”
“When do we want it?”
“As soon as is reasonably practicable”
————————————————————
– “Down with this sort of thing!”
– “Careful now”
#FatherTedCSC
Dexter – That’s fast growing into the biggest myth being perpetuated around Ronny.
Us, like other clubs (Everton for example) are seeing the value in this approach. Try before you buy is something we’d give our arm for when Bangura and Balde and Derk stepped through our doors.
Some of these loanees will not work out, some will but we will be much wiser in our investment budget at the end of the day.
I think the loan signing idea could work and stop us getting landed with as many duds as we have been in the past .Ultimately we will have to spend money if we want to keep any of the loan signings.I feel though many on the blog would be happy if we had spent 8 million on the loan signings but then we would be taking a larger risk I would like to see Celtic reduce the number of players on the books we have to many players that will never be first team regulars and are costing a fortune in wages. H.H.
https://twitter.com/sheelaghmclaren/status/501659535179005952
Bada Bing
Looks like he’s definitely coming then?