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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Striker by 11pm tonight please. Would top of a good day.
HH
SSN History channel confirms breaking news that Celtic will be in the ECL against Maribor.
NaesmilesabootthatCSC
And breath…..
charles kickham
Just doin’ my bit :-)
Richard Wilson currently self-harming in BBC studios. Administering Chinese burns to himself and grinding down molars.
can they appeal against the appeal against the appeal against the decision to chib them out :-)
p.s. no excuse whatsoever for homosatchels – rucksacks aye, manbags a big no-no
Legia,s appeal rejected sky sports
Right, Good. Route One to Maribor.
Bring it on.
Also hope that this draws a line under the Legia saga once and for all so that our Polish poster returns.
Livibhoy – I think if Legia withdrew from the EL UEFA would throw the book at them in particular and Poland in general.
Must make a point of listening to snyde at 6 now. You could feel their pain last week.
BBC, STV and SMSM sports journalists helpline being set up as we speak :))))
Banner Headline on the Herald Site:
Glasgow Rangers – Up to 70% off Glasgow Rangers Fc
Let me write tomorrow’s headline:
Glasgow Rangers – Up to 99% off Glasgow Rangers Fc
They’re taking the news well over on FF – “If it was the UEFA delegate that saw it first it only became ‘actionable’ when Bheast FC made an official complaint. Moreover, if the UEFA delegate saw it why did he not caution LW before the game that they were potentially making an admin mistake worth 20m quid?
The reality is that Bheast FC habitually -after Sion- employ ‘low-level paper gatherers’ to plumb these depths because they go about their business in a way that sickens normal folk.”
Great news.
The whole of Scottish football will surely be delighted with Celtic having the chance to reach the CL Group Stages.
After all,if we do,that would mean a windfall of around £200k-£250k for each of the other SPFL clubs.
No doubt the SMSM will be the first to recognise this positive development at a time of significant financial difficulties being faced by clubs due to one club dying….
…..aye,right
hrvatski jim
That would not surprise me, as I have some relatives who I can’t bloody stand!
Cousins mainly.
Feckin erses!
HH!!
GerryBhoy.
SKY gave the news on the first Uefa decision at about 10:20. STV reported it at 09:45.
For such a massive media organisation they really are behind the times.
I certainly hope we do make 20 Million from the CL. H.H.
FOOTBALL – UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2014/2015
LEGIA WARSZAWA REQUEST FOR PROVISIONAL
MEASURES DENIED
Lausanne, 18 August 2014 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has denied the urgent request for provisional measures filed by the Legia Warszawa SA in the course of its appeal against the UEFA Appeals Body decision of 13 August 2014.
The UEFA Appeals Body had confirmed the result 3-0 (forfeit) in favour of Celtic FC against Legia in the second leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. The UEFA considered that Legia had fielded an ineligible player (Bartosz Bereszynski) during the match.
Legia Warszawa filed an appeal to the CAS at 17:30 on 15 August 2014 together with an urgent application for provisional measures requesting that it be provisionally admitted to participate in UEFA Champions League matches until the CAS renders its final arbitral award. The appeal is directed against UEFA and Celtic FC which were invited to comment on the Polish club’s request until 13:00 (Swiss time) today.
The President of the CAS Appeals Arbitration Division considered the parties’ written submissions and has denied Legia Warszawa’s request. Accordingly, Celtic FC remains qualified to participate in the UEFA Champion’s League 2014/2015 and will play its next match against NK Maribor on 20 August 2014.
The CAS arbitration will now continue and a Panel of arbitrators will be constituted to examine this case within the next weeks. On the merits, Legia has requested that no sanctions be imposed on either the club or the player Bereszynski and that UEFA be ordered to pay a financial compensation to the Polish club.
Good to see justice prevail. Let it be done though the heavens fall. Good by Legia & good luck in the Europa.
Natknow@15.09
Thanks for that comprehensive and idiot proof analysis. Brill. Came back there to find Judgement given. Even though you know there are no grounds for an appeal you are still apprehensive until it’s given.
Probably too immersed in the SFA/SPFL way of doing things.
HH the famous Glasgow Celtic.
No doubt the Hun lurkers will be on soon demanding that in the interest of sporting integrity we lie down on Wednesday.
Only one riposte a TD67 GIRFUY
Sky still reporting it wrong saying Legia were thrown out they were not ,we were awarded a 3-0 win and THEY went through on away goals
PRESS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE A BUNCH OF FUD,S
Incredible beginning to the season, never a dull moment!
Fully expect us to qualify for the CL now.
On another note has Freuler landed yet? Flight seems to have taken the scenic route…
HH
The Polish FA will be telling LW to take their medicine
Excellent.
Rules adhered to. Common sense applied. Legia can now blame themselves for their ineptitude.
Greetin faced do gooding Tims can weep for Legia and wish for rules to be broken in the future.
Smsm in meltdown!
The sound of weeping and gnashing of teeth audible even over here in Italia.
HH!!
So the case against the ineligible Declan Sanchez was thrown out?
LMAO – SSN announce the decision, have the Legia owner on the phone, go to add break with sad faces and upcoming explanation of why decision taken.
And the adds lead off with Churchill dancing to JCGE, hahahahahahahahaha.
Hun janny at mines is nearing the point of spontaneous combustion while attempting to lecture all the Tims about morality, and fair play
As Tony Donnelly would say
GIRFUYs hurting Huns.
Here I never realised the big guy at the back for DU was the Pole we signed on a pre-contract in 2012!
He didnae look too great!
The roller coaster ride that is Celtic takes another upward turn
Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooossssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Squire@16.28
Scrolling back.
As always many thanks.
As lucky as we are to be near the big table, as a mark of solidarity, why dont we adopt the team colours of Legia and wear it in the Champions League, should we get there, at least that way it will appear that they made it.
Andrex tissues in transit to BBC Scotland HQ as we speak. The Clyde’s gonna be busy tonight
Phelim Brady
16:42 on
18 August, 2014
over on FF… ” they go about their business in a way that sickens normal folk.”
Jesus wept. The self-delusion is staggering.
Yeah – we should take a leaf out of the dead Huns’ book in decent, transparent, morally-unimpeachable business practice.
traditionalist88
He wasn’t on the flight.That picture was from before. We may be interested but somebody was on the wind up.
HH
Steinreignedsupreme – not successful then, but I do remember, it was an excellent try.
Would everyone please calm down.
The big story today is that Rangers play Clyde in the Petrofac Training Cup.
Keep yourselves in order.
Hooptastic
16:53 on
18 August, 2014
traditionalist88
He wasn’t on the flight.That picture was from before. We may be interested but somebody was on the wind up.
HH
===
That would make sense!
HH
Will Declan Sanchezs’ loan now become permanent?
Striker needed.
No excuses. Good players will come.
Maribor can be defeated. Happy days. Unless you don’t like rules being adhered to. In which case, enjoy the telly while the rest of us enjoy watching Celtic, a club which professionally sticks to the rules.