Maribor slight favourites

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Celtic will face Maribor from Slovenia in the Champions League play-off round.  Maribor, of course, played a critical part in the death of Rangers, when they eliminated Ally MsCoist’s team from Europe a few months after Craig Whyte took over from Sir David Murray.  Having heard the 6-1 aggregate result against Legia, they are already celebrating the draw.

Maribor gave Wigan two hard games in last season’s Europa League, winning their home tie and causing the FA Cup holders more trouble than expected in England.  They progressed to the knock out round before going out 4-3 on aggregate to Sevilla – a feat Celtic would not have been capable of. Right now, they should be slight favourites.

If you missed it, today’s earlier article on Lady Luck, HMRC and money is here.

Join the Celtic Graves Society, Fergus McCann and many more at Kilsyth Cemetery on Saturday, 18 August, to commemorate the final resting place of the great Jimmy Quinn. Full details below or at Celtic Graves.

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2,143 Comments

  1. Steinreignedsupreme on

    ….PFayr supports WeeOscar 09:46 on 9 August, 2014

     

     

    I think there is a strong possibility Celtic will be knocked out by Maribor and we will make a sluggish start in the league.

     

     

    While there would be some embarrassment at a second knock-out in the qualifiers, I believe we face the prospect of getting leathered in the Champions League this season, which I’d rather avoid.

     

     

    The Europa League is our level at the moment and it would be good for Deila to learn at that level, as it was good for Lennon.

     

     

    I think Deila deserves a chance though and he is not totally to blame for the Legia shambles. Some of the players need their arses toed.

     

     

    While his tactics were questionable, so too was the attitude and commitment from most of the players, when you consider the experience they have.

  2. 67Heaven ... I am Neil Lennon ....The angels are with Wee Oscar in Heaven.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors on

    neganon2

     

     

    10:05 on 9 August, 2014

     

     

    There’s NO chance of that…… :)

  3. Jc2 @ 9.38

     

     

    Interesting story.

     

    I would however and an extra dimension to it.

     

     

    The SMSM media do not like the club but they hate NL.

     

    Bigging up RD his methods and rge squad’s reaction to them is a way of getting at NL.

     

     

    Just a thought.

     

     

    I have not seen either of the two Legia games — lucky me — so cannot comment on the players attitude and efforts. The consensus on here appeared to suggest a lack of effort, intelligence and intensity from some — I have asked the question if the traing regime had intensified were some still suffering from these exertions.

     

     

    Another 2 weeks should se the squad much more used to RD’s training and tactics.

     

    Surely we cannot be as bad as this again.

     

     

    On for PL on this.

     

    If we get beat you have to go.

  4. So PL and the board think the return of a Rangers will be a huge revenue driver. I have no doubt our fans will prove them right.

  5. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    NegAnon2 I didnt say what happens on the pitch doesnt matter they are your words not mine.Your arrogance that you could run the club better than our CEO is just laughable Peter is the best CEO we have ever had.I am not sure a PL acolyte is the correct word but I am a great supporter of both Celtic and Peter. H.H.

  6. ....PFayr supports WeeOscar on

    CQN Line

     

     

    Me….Preston

     

     

    Lennybhoy..Derby

     

     

    POG…Dundee

     

     

    AWALK…Leyton Orient

     

     

    BT…Wigan

     

     

    Jobo…Hamilton

  7. Lads, on a non-football note…

     

     

    does anyone have any insights or experience of expat life in Bangalore, India ?

     

     

    Cheers, fleagle1888

  8. Tom apologies you are taking my posts personally, they aren’t meant to be. It’s hard to convey a message properly over this medium.

     

     

    Anyway I do jut want to wake you all up.

     

     

    Must get back to life now………

     

     

    Will return later to annoy you all when you are feeling all cosy about them Forster money.

  9. Sydney Tim –

     

     

    Yes, real curries. Know exactly what you mean. Had quite a few since my return. Superb.

     

     

    Enjoyed pre and post-match drinks at both Murrayfield games.

     

     

    Still following NRL on Premier Sports. As I write this I am watching Newcastle Knights v Melbourne Storm live.

  10. Good luck to ff….was a good player for Celtic, and we done well to get a good fee for him.

     

    However, pl should be sacked

     

    Im amazed people praise him, running Celtic in to the ground with his strategy.

     

    If we are downsizing. ..let start with executive salaries.

     

    Peter…do right by the Celtic supporters, or face the anger.

     

    Your move.

     

     

    HH

  11. 67Heaven ... I am Neil Lennon ....The angels are with Wee Oscar in Heaven.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors on

    neganon2

     

     

    10:04 on 9 August, 2014

     

     

    Hahahahahahaha ……. Wouldn’t like to be the steward who tried to throw you oot ……..you’d beat him up wae yur tongue ……!!!!

  12. Neg … 2 @ 9.21

     

     

    I am interested in squad management and balance sheets — boring I know.

     

    I have worked in financial analysis / management roles in the past — in Sunny South East Essex for one of Uncle Sam’s poster children.

     

     

    However I like to see the job done well.

     

    And as we all know PL’s attempt at “Moneyball” has been a shambles.

     

     

    There is a growth agenda out there just a case the current board could not find it with a sat nav.

  13. The board should expect and indee have earned some ridicule but some of the comments are really way OTT.

     

     

    The manager, any manager, will expect criticism but good lord after 4 competitive games some comments are ridiculously OTT.

     

     

    The players deserve all the merde thrown at them….not OTT!

  14. SFTB

     

    You have my every sympathy. Very, very sad news. I am going up that way next week. My thoughts will be with your friend.

     

     

    JJ

  15. 67Heaven ... I am Neil Lennon ....The angels are with Wee Oscar in Heaven.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors on

    kevjungle is a celtic fan…not a supporter.

     

     

    10:11 on 9 August, 2014

     

     

    That’s because you’re always ‘OOT THERE’ …… :)

  16. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    NegAnon2

     

    10:01 on

     

    9 August, 2014

     

    Ah macjay1 you advocate no spend. Splendid. Tell me what shall we do with the money?==================================================================

     

    Disappointing,pal.

     

    I referred to knee jerk spend.

     

    As an accountant,you surely understand the difference.

  17. 67Heaven ... I am Neil Lennon ....The angels are with Wee Oscar in Heaven.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors on

    joe filippis haircut

     

     

    10:10 on 9 August, 2014

     

     

    Brilliant, just brilliant …. \ o /

  18. Foster sold for 10 million, oh well he was very good for us on and off the field. good luck big man hope you have a great career Watt sold for 1.2 million, not so sure that was a good deal. Sammy’s exit was poor

     

     

    I’d be more impressed if PL could shift Balde, Pukki, Dirk, rogic, atijic and mcgeogh none of whom are good enough

     

     

    Mathews is wasted on our bench as lustig is better, sell

     

    don’t see where commons fits into a pacey footballing side, sell

     

    Charlie M is same as commons but with less ability, sell

     

    stokes falls into same category, sell

     

    griffin, jury out

     

     

    and there in lies RD’s biggest problem to many player’s that cant play his style of football. RD wants to play 3 up top but only Forrest ‘fits’ and he’s never of the treatment table.

     

     

    PL needs to start earning his money, no point is buying into RD then failing to give him the tools to get the job done!!!!

     

     

    two quality attacking midfield/ (second strikers)/ one quality striker and one quality centre back required

     

     

    HH

  19. Fleagle young fella

     

     

    I have some. Not exactly by living there but placed a lot of work in Bangalore and Hyderabad that involved expat problems to solve.

     

     

    You still got my e mail address ?

  20. MadMitch –

     

     

    My eldest son is a close friend of a Celtic first-team player.

     

     

    He told my son after the Reykjavic game at Murrayfield that the training under Deila and Collins is a joy and that the players are loving the new set-up. He also said it will take a wee bit of time but when it clicks, watch us go.

     

     

    Doesn’t sound like the dressing room has been lost.

  21. The Kano Foundation Bucket Collection 2014

     

     

    Folks as you may remember , we set out an ambition/hope to try to minimise the amount we imposed on the fans while maximising the return . For that reason , we try to only reach out with the begging bowl a couple of times a year – well next Sunday is one of those times .

     

     

    For the 2nd year in a row , we’ve obtained the collecting licence for the environs around Celtic Park for the flag raising day . As a result , we need to ask for help for volunteers to help with the collection next Sunday 16/8.

     

     

    Because of the early kick-off, we need to ask for volunteers/helpers from 10:00 am .. If you can help ,either with the collection or with the counting afterwards [after the game obv], please drop a line to bucketcollection@thekanofoundation.com including your name , address , dob and whether you can do before the game or help with the count afterwards.

     

     

    As an added incentive , you’ll get a kano t-shirt and free entry into the Kano Karaoke we are holding in Arena from 7pm after the game.

     

     

    Anyone else is welcome to attend (5gbp entry fee).

     

     

    For anyone attending the game , please bring along your loose change – we averaged 10p per fan last year – a repeat of that would be great .

     

     

    Hail Hail

     

     

    Sanna

  22. Everything in the accounts suggest we could spend 20-25m without going into debt even with no Euro football and no FF sale.

  23. test

     

     

    The Kano Foundation Bucket Collection 2014

     

     

    Folks as you may remember , we set out an ambition/hope to try to minimise the amount we imposed on the fans while maximising the return . For that reason , we try to only reach out with the begging bowl a couple of times a year – well next Sunday is one of those times .

     

     

    For the 2nd year in a row , we’ve obtained the collecting licence for the environs around Celtic Park for the flag raising day . As a result , we need to ask for help for volunteers to help with the collection next Sunday 16/8.

     

     

    Because of the early kick-off, we need to ask for volunteers/helpers from 10:00 am .. If you can help ,either with the collection or with the counting afterwards [after the game obv], please drop a line to bucketcollection@thekanofoundation.com including your name , address , dob and whether you can do before the game or help with the count afterwards.

     

     

    As an added incentive , you’ll get a kano t-shirt and free entry into the Kano Karaoke we are holding in Arena from 7pm after the game.

     

     

    Anyone else is welcome to attend (5gbp entry fee).

     

     

    For anyone attending the game , please bring along your loose change – we averaged 10p per fan last year – a repeat of that would be great .

     

     

    Hail Hail

     

     

    Sanna

  24. Steinreignedsupreme

     

     

    Would you class yourself as a happyclapper? So you want to go to a far inferior league giving up 15M in revenue, Sunday football because of the chance we might take a few beatings. We might take a few beatings in Europa then how would that look. Your post reeks of a losers attitude. HH

  25. 67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon ….The angels are with Wee Oscar in Heaven.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors

     

    ___________________

     

    Hail Hail fella.

     

    Do you think that, with chuckie bhoy back on the scene that, there’s a good chance that yer monicker might be realised?

     

     

    Or, do ye think, like me that…the hun-neck will slip from another noose? :))))))

     

    HH

  26. Farewell FF. Great keeper, great servant.

     

     

    Ultimately, a good price.

     

     

    Must – must – be reinvested.

  27. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    Just wondering how anyone who aimed a diatribe at Neil Lennon only the other day calling him a coward and a disgrace can then term another poster as a classless buffoon.

     

     

    Still,starts the day off wi a laugh….

  28. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    Tom McLaughlin

     

    10:19 on

     

    9 August, 2014

     

     

    That`s very reassuring,Tom.

     

    Watch your use of English,pal.

     

    A “lost dressing room” is apparently beyond the pale.

     

    It was the phrase used by a poster on here who claimed that Ronny had indeed “lost the dressing room.”

     

    Glad to hear a contrary opinion.

  29. Tom McLaughlin 10.19 I’d just love that to be the case. Hopefully your son’s pal isn’t Callum McGregor cos I’d expect him to be biased. Without knowing the first thing about training, I’d expect the younger lads trying to break through to first team would be overjoyed at the new regime but its the older pros I’d be worried about.

  30. If Fraser Forster really is for the off at £10 million then I am OK with that. Craig Gordon was a very good ` keeper and I am confident he will prove so again.

     

    On a slightly different note. The problem with everyone being `entitled` to their opinion is that ill equipped people make all sorts of ill informed statements which simply reflect the MSSM agenda. It doesn`t matter to them that analysis of facts destroy their arguments concerning players being fat, unfit, slow,uncommitted,stupid or downright useless. They have an unshakeable opinion and being right is all that matters.

     

    My own very shakeable opinion is that we have a very promising manager and a bunch of good players. Given the chance, and with two or three ins and outs, I expect us to do at least as well as can be reasonably expected of a team within the confines of Scottish Football.

     

     

    JJ

  31. Fair play to Fraser his work on the goaline at the Legia penalty kicks ultimately helped us through to the Champs Lge playoff game not forgetting the unbelievable incompetence of the Legia admin.

     

    Good luck Fraser

  32. Sannabhoy just a wee point your post should have read SATURDAY 16th not Sunday16th. Hail Hail Hebcelt

  33. FF sale — Best thing all round.

     

    He came, he improved, he was appreciated, he proved some brilliant saves.

     

     

    We cannot let the squad stagnate — look at the AB situation.

     

    We need to keep the football machinery moving forward.

     

     

    DM is a bigger issue for me — why did he stagnate with us?

     

    Then we need to do something with LZ — is he improving with us or is he just fat and happy?

  34. Calls for RD to be sacked at this stage is premature imo, judge him on next season qualifiers, wether lennon or RD was in charge it was obvious we need to strengthen throughout; I believe we judge RD when it’s his own team playing the way he sees it! I also believe money will be spent in the next few weeks which will see through to the CL, p.s on a lighter note it’s tremendous how the huns are hurting due to the uefa decision lolol the gift that keeps on giving HH