I know I’m not the only one worried about tonight’s game. A few bombscare moments is all it takes to crash out of Europe, think Big Dan in Sion (we don’t get to play a joker every year). We now have four games under our belts but there are still lots of cobwebs to blow away.
On the positive side, we’ve never lost a competitive goal to Swedish opposition and this Celtic squad have the wherewithal to raise their game and see this one through. A week ago we said Kris Commons and Georgios Samaras would be crucial, this will be even more so tonight. Georgios is the most effective ‘out ball’ in the squad, while Kris’ ability to prize open defences has, if anything, improved since the summer break.
Elfsborg are at home tonight after four games on the road. Piling away games together always taxes a team. They will be pleased to be back at the Boras Arena but fine tuning is everything in this business, and apart from the seven goal whipping of Daugava Daugavpils in the last Champions League qualifying round, they have not had a tactically-conventional home game in almost a month.
Take them, Celtic.
Ranger Charity Foundation have, unfortunately, reset the dial on what charities can get away with without consequence. One trustee even refused to answer questions from the Office of the Scottish Charity Register (OSCR), who, incidentally, decided to take no action. OSCR had the temerity to lay new guidelines for charities associated with other football clubs. Other football clubs charities are nothing to do with that lot and I hope this incident does nothing to dent enthusiasm for our 1254125 campaign.
Last week, Rangers International chief exec Craig Mather, demanded to know why group of clubs were fined by the SFA following financial collapse, while Hearts and Dunfermline were not. Yesterday the SFA spelled out the considerable difference in scenarios, while informing us that Rangers (sic) actually asked for a financial penalty, presumably instead of a sporting penalty.
Yes, you heard right….. Duff and Phelps, who were appointed to recover creditors money, who attempted to sign new players during their tenure, asked for a financial penalty. Consistent with creditors interests and their considerable fee?
Mather is a ‘keeper’. I don’t know about you but I feel I am getting my £500k per year’s worth of entertainment out of him.
Congratulations (again) to STV’s Peter Smith on another excellent interview with Charles Green yesterday. It was Green’s “You want the truth? You can’t handle the truth” moment, as he appeared to suggest deviousness was a positive attribute.
There were more highlights than we have time to cover here. I am sure Walter Smith was delighted his private view that the current Rangers (sic) team are the worst in history (yes, I am aware of the short history).
Green did his best impersonation of a statue when Peter Smith mentioned the Dallas Cowboys but the former Rangers International chief exec was clear that despite the critical financial challenge ahead, he was not going to cancel pre-contract agreements with players due to join the club in September. That’s the thing about contracts, pre or otherwise, you can’t just cancel them unilaterally.
The eight players Rangers International have signed will join the club and there is nothing Green can do about it. Unless, they fail their medical…. Do you think Charles has been studying the Ricky Fulton book on Rangers management? This is how they used to do it down Ibrox way…….
349 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- »
wdh,
was bob dylan the house entertainment, thinking, the times they are a changin
there was an Asian dinner tec in taking pictures of the dishes, suppose if I took some photies and sold them on ebay I might appreciate it a bit more :o)
Team:
Forster; Lustig, Ambrose, Wilson, Izaguirre; Forrest, Brown, Ledley, Mulgrew; Commons; Samaras
Live updates article will be here at 18:15. Could someone leave a note here?
Thanks.
Paul
Looks like you left a post it note
Good team selection, happy with a hint of defensive caution.
We’reWinning CSC
Not a bad team at all I imagine Stokes is on the bench come on you hoops. H.H.
Good team, kinda what I was looking for, tics all my boxes.
Strong team, delighted Lesley starting.
Ledley even… :0)
no Stokes is a mistake
7 guys over 6 feet – set piece strategy ?
Mulgrew left mid, Samaras up front. WHY!!!
No Stokes ….mmmm
Think its gonna be another physical battle and thats probably best team to combat their style.
Sammi and kris to score
You don’t need two strikers away from home in Europe, – Sammeras up top himself.
Nice change to Setanta Ireland’s schedule yesterday, they are showing to-night’s match. Magic.
Stokes for Forrest for me, hope Lenny has it right
got to work this morning to realise that i was rota-ed for GL close @ 18:00 . Checked time of game and started to put in place plans for the quickest month-end close in history .
8 mins til i start . Planning to be finished in 13 !
Sanna
For those worried about the outcome tonight ( and being Celtic fans that will be all of us ) , William Hill have us at 1/5 to qualify.
JJ
Two strikers away in Europe would be a mistake, the speed and accuracy of passing in that team should be enough.
Brown and Ledley centre midfield, solid.
Plenty of height in that selection. No Stokes, Neil playing it tight.
Off to Gweedore to meet Noel90 in Sean Og’s.
Plenty of verticle movement allowed…up and down to the toilets.
Here goes!!
asonofdan
17:47 on 7 August, 2013
That comment I have saved for after the game.
SannaBhoy, you can be sitting down with a beer in time for the program starting, easy.
Bourne
Still thinking, go into settings on ATV and scroll down the options to configure network, this is where you need to input network info.
Luck amigo!
ttt
Please pass on my regards.
!!Bada Bing!!
17:02 on 7 August, 2013
I guess that’s our situation these days, prospect in Europe, pull out the CL carrot, prospect outside of Europe e.g. Africa, Asia EPL carrot
HH
gsu
doc is neil lennon
17:53 on 7 August, 2013
I will share your optimism for the moment …..but, where are mynsedatives …LOL
EPL stepping stone carrot that is
gsu
Doc , i’m in Coventry – no bbc2 scotland – and even i don’t drive that fast , contrary to poular opinion.
I might pop into Flannelly’s or maybe get the beeb online feed
HH
EDB,
Will do, with pleasure.
Happy with that team. COYBIG
Subs: Zaluska, Matthews, Stokes, Balde, Mouyokolo, Watt, Kayal
Hail! Hail! PMTYH.
Hopefully Sammi can hold the ball up a bit and Commons can find the killer pass. Getting a little nervous.
Just saw the team…is it Charlie out wide left? In front of the back four? Or with *shudders* three at the back?
Felt quietly confident since the first leg. As long as Joe and Sammi are in I’m still feeling the same. Hope I don’t curse it.
So full of nervous energy I might get off the train at Farnborough and run back to Woking!
Mon the Hoops – get intae thum
67Heaven, I’m always optimistic when I’m getting ready to watch Celtic.
This game is huge, but we have big performances in this team, how do I know? We’ve done it before, with this team, on this stage. Confident we can win if we apply ourselves, work hard and keep it tight, hit them on the break, hard.
bazzabhoy
Obviously not seen Mulgrew play the last six months…