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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blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
19:04 on 18 July, 2015
Still 80′s and 100 with bet 365
================================
Got him at 200s yesterday at -2.
A huge quid each-way ;))
That should give us, the team and the fans, a positive boost before Wednesday night.
Eibar are a cut above the Norse men.
My only fears are that Brown may have played too long today and that he will fade a wee bit late in the game. Admittedly it should be over by HT.
An early goal will put the tie to bed and let us play relaxed football.
Good second half from the hoops,
on the downside though nae Guinness break. :-(.
Onwards to Iceland.
Liked the new Keeper, held cross balls and commands his 6 yrd box.
I thought we were in for a wee cracker of a quiz question when Eibar got their second pen, but alas not to be .
Have we ever had a keeper save 2 pens in 90 mins on his debut?
I can’t see Eibar getting 20 points in La Liga next season. Not having a go at them, they are struggling to attract players after losing so many when relegated last season. Their reprieve means they are building a team from scratch, and will rely on loans to construct a squad. Good luck to them.
Bournesouprecipe
Thanks for posting the goals. You’re a scholar and a gentleman :-))
Good result for Celtic
Eibar looked no better than a middle rate SPFL team, but for the first 50/60 minutes they clearly didnt want to lose their anniversary game and gave us a decent run out.
I suspect that , IF , we beat Stjarnan, games like today will be excellent preparation for our next away game in Europe.
Our line up and substitutions were notable
Fisher got the nod before Janko, Johansen didn’t figure ( naughty seat ?) whilst Scepovic travelled all the way to Spain and didnt get off the pitch.
My take on Scepovic is that it could be one of three things
– niggly injury
– not showing enough in training
– RD wants him out, and is trying to force Scepovic into making the first move to avoid having to pay him off ?
50 shades- that’s one for BT’s old mhan! :-)
Call me critical but don’t think keeper can pass out to his right. Leaves us a bit one dimensional in that respect and therefore predictable.
Otherwise decent debut.
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
18:54 on
18 July, 2015
Where’s dena? 8))
I’m here
whats up
HH
Bournesouprecipe
Thanks for posting the goals. You’re a scholar and a gentleman :-))
Thank you from also.
Have posted on to CQN/FaCEBOOK.
Cheers
clashcitybhoy
I felt that Eibar were a Kilmarnock or Falkirk level, the difference being they did not have 10 men behind the ball all the time, good preparation as you say.
As for Scepovic, he is not going to feature, the evidence suggests this. Fisher is a tidy player, Janko will be better , only if he shows Fishers attitude Darnell will be a good player for us and any championship side. Johansen will start on Wednesday and Saturday and Wednesday and Saturday and….
50 shades of green
1st penalty was struck well and was pretty much going for the bottom corner but he got down low quickly and managed to stretch a big strong hand behind it…..great save.
The expectation levels were cranked up for the 2nd one…..then deflated as it went straight down the middle and would have been easy but he had made his move!
Good debut though apart from his wee foray to the edge of the box to collect that cross.
Dena
Just checking you got to the end of the match
Think your stream was still in 1st half
clashcitybhoy
19:16 on 18 July, 2015
Seen Scepovic play for our Development Team at Man City and was not impressed.
He was the overage player in a knockout match in Europe at that level.
He did not lead the others or seriously impact the game.
In the previous round Griffiths played a scored a hat trick.
He has been in RD plans since.
Lack of Positive attitude is the issue.
Is Liam Henderson injured? Thought he would have featured tonight
Meant to say….pleasure to meet ole BT on Thursday.
and Canamalar….the Smiddy loo should carry a health warning!
Scepovic will be Bangura’d. Sent out on loan until his contract runs down, then will be released. Probably be back in Spain by end of August.
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
19:27 on
18 July, 2015
Dena
Just checking you got to the end of the match
Think your stream was still in 1st half
I think you were right I gave up at 84 mins and went to make a cuppa :-)))
good result and a good workout for next week
bring on the icelanders
HH
What a ball by Virgil for Sparky’s third.
If there’s any bloated EPL behemoths watching, that equates to another £3 million on top of his current £20 million valuation.
Well done Celtic on the win,Well done Lee Griffiths on your hat-trick,well done the keeper on saving a penalty. Well done Janko he impressed me.
Well done Well for keeping the hun in the Championship,
Oh my Lord….And they think this is ‘banter’. ….
Spackman on Rangers not allowing anything green at Ibrox – YouTube
▶ 2:31
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTiWpzr_WP4
20 Apr 2011 – Uploaded by Celtic Bhoy
Spackman on Rangers not allowing anything green at Ibrox. Celtic Bhoy …
Scepovic must be scunnered.
Can’t blame him for not having enough positivity about him when he had to sit and watch the lumbering impostor Guidetti command a start for months despite his attitude, fitness levels and reluctance to commit to Celtic. RD had a big blind spot there. We gained nothing by letting him occupy a shirt for all that time.
Scepovic cannot be judged until he’s been given the same amount of starts as Guidetti. You’re not going to tell me Scepovic’s application in training is what’s costing him – Guidetti looked as though he did his training in KFC.
So – Charlie or Izzy at LB ?
What is the Stars
Hope you are keeping well mate. Give me a text soon ( I dont have your number but you do have mine) and we can meet for a beer soon in Dublin’s fair city. You any trips planned to Glasgow in new season? I’ve booked up for about 6 games including for first game in 2 weeks.
HH
Roccobhoy
Would also add that I thought the ref was ‘ good learning exercise’ for us tonight.
Very inconsistent, looked a bit petty on some things, but not others., and exactly what you will get away from home in Europe.
I always think we should ‘scout’ referees in the same way we scout opponents.
UEFA announce referees 4/5 days before big games, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to grab a few videos, run a few stats , and brief the players on things they will and wont tolerate.
Pretty sure I saw a female Sevco fan in amongst the Celtic supporters celebrating Griffith’s third goal.
BIG-CUP-WINNERS
19:41 on
18 July, 2015
Pretty sure I saw a female Sevco fan in amongst the Celtic supporters celebrating Griffith’s third goal.
are you on the wind up?
HH
Roccobhoy
Sorry I will text you. Meant to do it a few months back .I plan getting over a few times this year. Haven’t been over in a while, might hit cqn corner
Roccobhoy: a few of us going into Bad Ass Cafe on Wednesday night for game.
Scepovic..Maybe he dont like Scotland, Maybe he dont like Glasgow,Maybe he dont like Celtic..Maybe he dont like all of the afore mentioned..Forget about him, He will be punted soon as we can find a big enough mug…End of…
sandman
19:32 on 18 July, 2015
What a ball by Virgil for Sparky’s third.
If there’s any bloated EPL behemoths watching, that equates to another £3 million on top of his current £20 million valuation.
Don’t think so mate…..EPL managers remember Boomsong unfortunately….
Maximum value for an uncapped SPFL defender would be seriously less than 20 million.
Fisher, Janko, Lustig. Only 1 right back position. Which is a shame because they are 3 quality players.
After our midweek in Iceland, we are Home to Rennes in a friendly, Home in the first leg of the CL and then Home to Ross County on the season opener.
Even if we have a fair hike the the CL 2nd leg we should be ready, not over travelled and hopefully with a good result to take with us.
Our preparation has been right this year and we have lots of players competing for places. If we pass well, press high, take our chances up front and no chances at the back, I look forward with some confidence to our CL play off matches regardless of our opposition.
Would feel even more confident if we had another Left Back, and swapped Scepovic, who seems to be right out of the picture, for another striker.
Enjoyed game today, however let’s weigh it in the balance with Dukla – no getting ahead of ourselves.
Concerned that if we get through in Iceland, we may not overcome Qarabag, who I expect to get through.
Qarabag have beaten better than us recently, so very very apprehensive.
I really can’t gauge where we are, I would be surprised if any of our support does.
So there is only hope, certainly no real measure of confidence – holding my breath at each hurdle.
almore, sound mate. You with Naoimh Padraig CSC? I’ll probably drop in? I heard that is their new base??
HH
Roccobhoy
What Is The Stars.
Sound mate. Give me a txt and definitely meet for a beer in Dublin and or Glasgow.
HH
Roccobhoy
Anyone been in Oliver St John Gogarty’s in Temple Bar recently?
The young banjo player is incredible……Stardom awaits….inevitable
Incredible vibe in the pub generally.
dena29
No…….
I might be mistaken,at the time I was thinking surely not too.
Then I started to think maybe the GB got it wrong with their banner “their grandchildren will be Celtic supporters”.
Maybe this Sevcoette had been watching this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enSae4tVYis
and decided to be a different type of gallant pioneer……..
Thoroughly enjoyable afternoon watching the Hoops play in Basque terrority! !!
Griff must start on Wednesday !
Dear oh dear goons wiped the floor with the mighty blues this avo long long season ahead me thinks But …….
The Rebels are well in this Munster final replay
Ciarrai 0-08 Corcaigh 1-04 Ht @ Fitzgerald Killarney .
Rebels haven’t won there in 20 Years time for the Blood and Bandage to wipe out this Hoodoo !
Ooh ooh to to be ooh to be a Rebel ;)