If it’s a choice between a trip to Macedonia or Azerbaijan, Celtic would doubtlessly prefer the former. Baku, where Azerbaijani club Qarabag reside, is not as far west as Astana, where Celtic played two years ago, but it’s east of Iraq and it’s not a city which appears in many tourist lists.
Rudar Pljevlja returned from Baku midweek with a 0-0 draw. In days gone by that was regarded as a great away European result, but the lack of away goal will much of the second leg is played on a knife-edge.
One large note of caution, Qarabag went out of Europe last season by a one goal aggregate margin to Red Bull Salzburg, who lost in Baku, but won in Glasgow a few months later. They have twice eliminated Polish opposition in the last five years.
My hunch is that Celtic are better than each potential opponent, but if we’re short of fitness or preparation, we’ll have more trouble than we want.
The good news is that neither club plays summer football, so they should be no better prepared that Celtic. Rudar finished competitively in May, Qarabag a week later, while both played their first competitive games of the season on Wednesday. From what I can tell, both also play on grass, so we’ll avoid the Scandinavian bounce.
Before concerning ourselves too much with the 3rd Champions League qualifying round we need to use today’s game against La Liga side Eibar to sharpen fitness, and take care of business in Iceland on Wednesday.
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Efe!!!
Efe on Stokes on.
May heaven keep the 4 Chattanoogo martyrs.
God bless the United States of America, Celtic and Ireland.
How sleep the brave.
HH.
Efe Stokes and Izzy on
New goalie gets the thumbs up from me. Comfortable with ball at feet. Looks to have a presence and looks like he’s got pace. Made a boo boo, but so do all players.
Kick off
Stokesy and izzy on to save the day :)
Just heard on SSN that Manchester CIty are offering £11m to Fulham for a 19 yr old winger, two appearances last season, no goals ……the EPL, don’t you just love it?
Careless tackle by Fisher
I like Darnell
Darnell fair likes a tackle!
Commentator on premier sports only mentioned 1 sub so far
Nice to see that those indulging in the hospitality at the gowf are still able to stand on their own two feet after having nothing to watch all day
Canamalar
I was just saying that to my pal.
Fisher is a player
And as someone said the other night, he looks like he’s grown taller since last season
James beats back and brought down
FK wide right
GOAL EFE
Big Efe!!!!
Efe……
Efe!!!!
Goal effe
jmccormick
18:10 on 18 July, 2015
Wonder if Fulham will use half of it to finance a move for VVD
Efe somersault a real throwback
Efe!!
Only one effin Efe. Love ya Big Man.
SuperSutton
All about opinions but I have seen very little off the ball movement.
We need to learn to be proactive rather than reactive.
There never seems to be runs in anticipation of a pass merely reaction after pass.
Goal Efe
Efe
Big Efe 0-1
Efe! Efe! Does what Ciftci should have done.
There’s only one F in EFE. Goal
Goallllllll
HH
Inspired substitution from our genius manager
Efe nodded free kick down past goalie
Canamalar
18:09
Thanks!
Young EFE scores and gets 10/10 for gymnastics
1-0
:o)
Efe Ambrose
Gwan the African Tim.
Splendid.
:)
HH.
mickbhoy1888
I hear that Newcastle are in the mix, McLaren said to have been keeping tabs.
Anybody who’s a certain starter for Wednesday shouldn’t still be on the park.