A big Celtic welcome to our new goalkeeper, Logan Bailly, who joined from Belgian side Leuven yesterday, and to Nadir Ciftci, who was confirmed a Celtic player this morning, Ronny’s third and fourth signing of the summer. And it’s only 9 July!
Craig Gordon will be difficult to shift as Celtic’s first choice keeper but Celtic rested him regularly last season, his first back in action after three years recuperating, so Logan will expect a chance to shine and stake his claim.
Nadir Ciftci should be expecting the most difficult preseason of his career. The weeks ahead will be an intense step up from what he was used to at Dundee United, but if he responds he stands an excellent chance of leading the line on the third Champions League qualifying round, should Celtic overcome Icelanders Stjarnan. Next week’s second round game might come too soon.
Ciftci’s every move, kick, pass and, erm…. disputed event, has been watched by Celtic for months. They know as much about the player as it’s possible to know without actually employing him. They will also have had the opportunity to take references from Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong. In short, if we have another Pukki-Balde-Scepovic on our hands, we have more acute problems than simply another striker who didn’t work out.
For this reason, I’m sure Ciftci will deliver what’s expected of him.
Delighted to hear former Fifa executive committee member Chuck Blazer has been banned for life by the game’s governing body. Blazer ‘came to a favourable arrangement’ (I think that’s the appropriate phrase on these occasions) with US prosecutors when convicted of tax evasion, money laundering and bribery.
Unfortunately, Fifa’s structure, which gives the Cayman Islands, the Cook Islands and Comoros more combined voting power than Germany and Spain, encourages corrupt patronage to thrive. The money flushing through tiny countries in order to ‘develop the game’ ensures wealthy people are created, given powerful positions, from where they can be relied upon to vote the ‘right’ way.
Still, at least no one with Blazer’s rap sheet would be allowed to exploit the patronage to hand out blazers in order to wreak havoc on a vulnerable Scottish club (laughs away to himself for weeks).
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up_over_goal,
I hope, and think, you will be pleasantly Surprised by Ronny D and HIS bhoys this season.
The structure @ Celtic is strong, despite what anyone says, and that isn’t just the Holy Ground.
Gie Leigh a chance and the ball is in the net in the SPL, transferring it to CL level is the biggie, I think he can do it.
Gerry Hassan @GerryHassan
Tony Blair – loath him or hate him he has given us such comedy gold. Is this what he gets up to in J.P. Morgans? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rER44kwW8FU …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzTYNhWoLZ4
Quick water break –
Champions League Qualifying .
Second Qualifying Round — dross .
Third Qualifying Round — a step up from dross .
4th Qualyifying Round ———– big step up in class / pace / technique and European experience . . Teams like Bate / Ludgoretz / Apoel etc are way better than any of Celtic’s SPL opponents. Add the likelihood of the away leg being played on a very hot night . .Hard work !
bournesouprecipe, 11:11
We should (still) be very afraid.
See McMurdo’s RSL blog is now only showing the message ‘to be continued…’
SoT
Maribor, are they much better than us because that’s who put us out last year?
Nadir Cifti & Logan Bailly welcome to Celtic.
our club is about history,go make it :-)
HH
Second qualifying round lineup confirmed
Published: Wednesday 8 July 2015, 12.09CET
The second qualifying round lineup has been completed after Tuesday’s results, with the likes of Celtic FC and FC Steaua Bucureşti set to begin their campaigns next week.
UEFA site, we are the headline act in this 2nd qualifying round.
Third qualifying round draw live
Ajax, Monaco, Shakhtar Donetsk, Fenerbahçe and Basel will be among the teams involved in the third qualifying round draw streamed live from 12.00CET on 17 July.
As a seeded team we will avoid the teams mentioned above
If we are struggling to make the 4th qualifying round we are nonperforming in a big way
o.g.
Someone should tell John James to be quiet, because Glib hasn’t finished lying yet.
Morning bhoys and ghirls. Reading back proudbhoy I am ” jetting in” to Dusseldorf on Saturday afternoon maybe arrange a greet and meet if possible. Let me know.
HH
KTF
Utlr
SOT
Double trouble ??
Vintage Trouble !!!
Is it a typo from your era :-))
Out of all the elation of those last minute goals, the one that got me thinking about how “THE Celtic” have an impact in my life was the Gary Hooper one against St Mirren,probably one of the least effective in outcomes but a wee tale ,
As my auld uncle John started losing his battle with cancer ,I would go get him take him for two half pints and two halfs while watching “THE Celtic” on telly.
He couldn’t understand how sometimes even though my legs worked I couldn’t make it to Parkhead every game, “If it’s the money you just need to ask” he would say .
I have loads on unc i would say .
At this time my mam landed in the hospital for over a year and as her last remaining bro had never married she had asked me to try and make sure he was ok,
I was sworn to secrecy about his cancer as he did not want my mam to know,
Hows ooor John not visiting me she would ask,”he is not well mam”
Aye but I bet you he is in the pub watching Celtic:)))).
On the day of the St Mirren game I phoned and asked what time he wanted picked up ,”I cant make it son, just go and see yer mam and keep me updated”,
My phone was silent all through the game waiting on updates,just as I had nearly given up Bleep bleep HOOPER 1 NIL FT it said simply, straight on to my uncle
Hooper 1 nil we won i said, “good he said but i’m done son the day I cant make it even to the pub to see THE Celtic i’m done”.
shortlly after he was taken into the Monklands and my mam was In wishaw gen.
” I need to tell my mam ” I said to him “Aye OK”
They couldn’t supply an ambulance so we had to Taxi my mam in her wheelchair to see him then get a taxi back to Wishaw .
Their few moments together were wonderful and in between his morphine haze he interupted her and said to me “Have you got £20 on ye to take me to the pub and see THE Celtic son i dont think I have long to go,ye can take it back out the bottom drawer in my bedroom”.
I canny unc they are not playing today,on the way back my mam said “I wont see him again will I,him and his Celtic” as she smiled.
He passed away the next morning .
His love for THE Celtic will live woith me forever
“When you put that scarf round your neck looking at yourself in the mirror before you even leave the house ,You are now representing THE Celtic” was one of my 1st memories.
Telt ye there was memories attatched to every one of those goals
Maribor were a decent side. If we played them six weeks later I think we would have beat them at CP. We were just a bit of a mess at that point. Too early in Ronny’s time.
Which is a common theme. I’m usually one of the guys on here who routinely defends the board as I am happy with the way it’s run. However, that does not mean I don’t recognize their failures.
The boards decision to appoint Tony Mowbray instead of Roberto Martinez set us back YEARS. Probably over the sentimentality of having a “Celtic man” involved after Strachan.
Their biggest blindspot is also related to new managers. Whenever we have appointed a new coach under this board (Strachan, Mowbray, Lennon & Ronnie) we have been embarrassed in the CL qualifiers. Usually looking like a team of strangers. It’s clear from last season that the lessons haven’t been learnt. It feels as if the most important games come round when we are 8 weeks away from being ready.
I’m hoping this season will be more like Lenny’s second and third. A settled squad ready to do the job.
lionroars67,
I watched most of the Riot Club last night, obviously the Bollingdon club.
Disgusting, it is the way a Child is brought up that Makes him. The Catholic upbringing I received is cherished by me.
the first rule of Riot Club….
hamiltontim
11:06 on 10 July, 2015
Jamesgang
‘Dos’…..is that two pies?! :-)
——
Aye. Tapas pies!!
HH jamesgang
HT
Correct
No excuses ..
Wonder how our budget compares to the teams we may face in the fourth round …..very favourably I would suggest
SoT, I agree the thought of the 4th qualifying round brings me out in a cold sweat.
We were fortunate to come up against Karagandy in the 4th round. And should the previous qualification rounds go with seeding I think our best chance to qualify this time would be if we were drawn against Maribor again.
We should not have lost to them last year and I think we are stronger this year but then I don’t know if Maribor are stronger.
BagofnervesCSC
PFayr
Oopla ! .
Sorry , in mitigation , I cite a sun / heat addled brain and the fact that sore heads cause me to abstain from alcohol when it is Scorchio.
I too, like other posters have said hope we play a properly structured practise match tonight with no more than regular subs etc, so we can get a game plan tested for the real thing.
The CL qualifiers regardless of who we play are too early in the season, make better use of the bounce game, beyond giving players ‘a run out’ when RD clearly knows what his starting eleven will be.
Scott Brown congratulated Leigh Griffiths after the Celtic striker was rewarded for his impressive last season by getting the number 9 jersey at the club.
The Hoops hitman scored 20 goals in all competitions last season as Ronny Deila’s side won the Premiership and League Cup.
That’s an even more impressive total when you consider he spent the first few months of the campaign playing backup to John Guidetti.
But after seeing off the challenge of the Swedish striker, Griffiths has also managed to grab his old number at the club – indicating that Deila sees him as his main striker for the coming season..
Guidetti wore nine while on loan at Parkhead last season, but is now on the lookout for a new team after his deal expired at both Celtic and Manchester City.
Now club captain Brown has dedicated a message on Instagram to his friend after he got handed the iconic strip:
@leighgriffiths28 wow number 9 well done weeman
leftclicktic
11:39 on
10 July, 2015
Absolutely magical.
Little cameos of my own family come streaming back.
Was it wise to give Ciftci the number seven shirt ……no pressure
PF
None whatsoever after Miku, Ljungberg, or Zurawski.
Leigh – Delighted.
Numero uno is like the 9’o
50 goals for Leigh this season, if he stays Brad Pitt. ;))
South of Tunis,sorry for my late reply.
I rememberyou saying a while back Mick Hucknall wasn’t a favourite of yours.
There is a lot of mixed opinion about him and he’s a Man U fan.
His musical hero is Bobby’blue’ Bland.
I will give him this, he has an excellent taste for having Bobby Bland as his music icon.
Enjoy the cool sea once your work is done.
Hamiltontim .
Maribor –no mugs .
Last year ? Celtic got a draw in Maribor . Could have won but didn’t . Got an away goal.. Made lots of mistakes which weren’t punished . Home game ? Dominated but couldn’t score , they did . ——-Oot .
I think Maribor got 3 draws in the Group Stage -Chelsea / Sporting Lisbon and Schalke . Think they were humped in London ( 5 /6 -0 ? ).
If we draw them this year , they will give us a game
Leftclicktic
Magic sir.
People saying Griffiths ain’t cut the mustard in Europe. He got 10 minutes action over the 2 legs against Maribor, hardly a lengthy time to prove whether you can make the step up.
SoT
Offski so will reply later mate.
Leftclick
Beautiful tale of true Celtic family , proud to be on same site as you.
new article posted.
SoT
The boss ain’t quite ready.
Maribor were/are no mugs and yep they did pick up some points in their qualifying section despite being walloped by Chelsea.
I still think given the resources at our disposal we should be beating teams like that. Last year over the two Ronny was out thought that’s what cost us a place in the CL proper in my opinion.
leftclicktic
11:39 on 10 July, 2015
Out of all the elation of those last minute goals, the one that got me thinking about how “THE Celtic” have an impact in my life was the Gary Hooper one against St Mirren,probably one of the least effective in outcomes but a wee tale ,
As my auld uncle John started losing his battle with cancer ,I would go get him take him for two half pints and two halfs while watching “THE Celtic” on telly.
He couldn’t understand how sometimes even though my legs worked I couldn’t make it to Parkhead every game, “If it’s the money you just need to ask” he would say .
I have loads on unc i would say .
At this time my mam landed in the hospital for over a year and as her last remaining bro had never married she had asked me to try and make sure he was ok,
I was sworn to secrecy about his cancer as he did not want my mam to know,
Hows ooor John not visiting me she would ask,”he is not well mam”
Aye but I bet you he is in the pub watching Celtic:)))).
On the day of the St Mirren game I phoned and asked what time he wanted picked up ,”I cant make it son, just go and see yer mam and keep me updated”,
My phone was silent all through the game waiting on updates,just as I had nearly given up Bleep bleep HOOPER 1 NIL FT it said simply, straight on to my uncle
Hooper 1 nil we won i said, “good he said but i’m done son the day I cant make it even to the pub to see THE Celtic i’m done”.
shortlly after he was taken into the Monklands and my mam was In wishaw gen.
” I need to tell my mam ” I said to him “Aye OK”
They couldn’t supply an ambulance so we had to Taxi my mam in her wheelchair to see him then get a taxi back to Wishaw .
Their few moments together were wonderful and in between his morphine haze he interupted her and said to me “Have you got £20 on ye to take me to the pub and see THE Celtic son i dont think I have long to go,ye can take it back out the bottom drawer in my bedroom”.
I canny unc they are not playing today,on the way back my mam said “I wont see him again will I,him and his Celtic” as she smiled.
He passed away the next morning .
His love for THE Celtic will live woith me forever
“When you put that scarf round your neck looking at yourself in the mirror before you even leave the house ,You are now representing THE Celtic” was one of my 1st memories.
Telt ye there was memories attatched to every one of those goals
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Big Guy, I have photographic evidence of a dearly departed, my Sons other Great Granny leaving, the story behind it is pretty bland but the clouds parted. It was incredibly powerful, I know you shouldn’t use your phone when driving, I done my best to get the picture, mainly to comfort the wee guys Mum.
HH Great Celt
ger57
00:44 on
10 July, 2015
ThompsonTwin/Alfie Noakes
What a twat. Take your scripted level 5 bile elsewhere.
Your attitude towards the sick, disabled and unemployed is a disgrace. If you are a Labour Party member, it’s hardly surprising they were all but wiped out in the last election.
————————————————————————————————————-
I support 100% the GENUINELY sick, disabled and unemployed. I want them to have as much help as they need and deserve.
Those who were given a ‘free pass’ bribe on the doorstep by the SNP, to come out of their poll/council tax-evading bolt-holes, to register and vote for them, promising that they would get a ‘Salmond Pardon’ and a benefit Nirvana – these are the people, the HYPOCRITES, who DO NOT and DID NOT support the disabled and sick – the rest of us paid the hated poll tax, and now our council tax, it was/is the only way to keep local services running for the less fortunate in society.
1979 – SNP played the LEADING ROLE in the rise to power of Thatcher, Thatcherism, Monetarism and the decimation of industry in Scotland.
2015 – SNP is now playing the LEADING ROLE in the destruction of the Welfare State – if the Tories get in again in 2020, there will be no Welfare State.
SNP care nothing about the working-class the length and breadth of the UK, all they care about is there outdated, discredited and illiterate independence DOGMA.
They are even now backtracking on their FULL FISCAL STUPIDITY, because they haven’t a clue how to bridge the £10 billion BLACK HOLE, which would lead to massive Spending Cuts and/or Tax Rises in Scotland.
SNP are the sediment of politics – they’ll say anything to get independence.
What have they ever done for the working people of Scotland? – NOTHING
What can they do now for the working people of Scotland? – NOTHING
All the name-calling, so-called SNP converts on here, you ask what Labour offered – they offered a track record as the ONLY party EVER to help the working-class – there would have been NO wanton destruction of the Welfare State, built proudly by Labour, had they been returned to power.
Even in coalition, the LIBDEMS have done more to protect the working-class, than the SNP ever have done – because the SNP have done NOTHING in all their 80 YEARS.
Let me ask you – you were GUBBED in the Referendum – so EXACTLY what did the SNP off YOU, YOU, YOU, YOU, and YOU, to win your vote in the General Election?
Don’t delude yourself that the SNP are a ‘left-wing’ party – they are about as left-wing as the land owners and estate owners, that they were born out of – you have been conned, or have you????????
I KNOW the real reason some on here voted, and espouse, for the SNP, and it has nothing to do with social justice – it is hatred of the Rangers and the Union – a selfish ‘stick to the huns’ attitude that ignores your fellow working man and the poorest in society.
SHAME ON YOU.
Give me just ONE concrete, costed and viable policy, or, proposal – just ONE.