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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Premier sport on Virgin channel 551
jfh,
Think that would be unfair, the bhoy might have had a stinker but the penalty thing was IMO down to adrenalin and I’ve no problem with players wanting to take everything.
Canamalar……..if the top tier in Scotland is enlarged then
the game is over, we should go back to 10,the SPL came
into creation in a bid to break the dominance of the big 2,
it was working, Aberdeen and Dundee Utd won title’s.
The problem for the smsm was that the team that sells all
the papers was shit, the Sunday Mail ran a headline” whats
wrong with Rangers” the beast arrived at Ibrox, the madness
began, young Scottish talent was stifled.
Back in the day Scotland qualified for finals,Celtic are not
blameless in what occurred,it drove us to the edge of extinction,
it killed Rangers 1872
Paul 67
“Baku, where Azerbaijani club Qarabag reside, is not as far west as Astana, where Celtic played two years ago,”
Yes it is. Baku is actually a long way west of Astana – which lies on the other side of the Caspian Sea (and beyond).
Second deliberate mistake??
prestonpans bhoys……hope yer having a ball,see you
on flag day.
Tictaewin
Also encountered a hun who thought they were in good financial grounds with the liar in command. Decided that (a) he was at the pish or (b) thick. Concluded both after 5 min chat he was both :-)
Coming up tae dodgy stream time!!!!!!
nye bevan…,
With the secret 5way stuff I’m suspicious similar is being lined up which of made public could have supporters dissent at least aired before they think they can get away with it as a fait acompli.
Saint Stivs
15:56 on
18 July, 2015
these former soviet republics, they shoouldnt even be allowed to play in UEFA competitions, its a farce.
ps.
Why not.
After all English satellites such as Scotland and Norn Ireland ad Wales along with former British colony Eire are allowed to compete?
Just saying.
Se7en, I met him once. I’m sure he did the big sculpture that sat outside the Special Unit in Barlinnie. I don’t remember a book though. Boyle was there at the same time.
Canalamar. I dont think it would have anything to do with having a poor game that happens to every player now and again.I think it would be for indiscipline over the penalty he would know full well who the penalty taker was and it was not him.I think Joe Hanson would certainly have made the penalty taking more tense than it needed to be and Joe did not show any team spirit or togetherness with his team mate Griffiths. H.H.
Quonno,
Good point even Gibraltar are playing in European championships
quonno
16:46 on
18 July, 2015
Saint Stivs
15:56 on
18 July, 2015
these former soviet republics, they shoouldnt even be allowed to play in UEFA competitions, its a farce.
ps.
Why not.
After all English satellites such as Scotland and Norn Ireland ad Wales along with former British colony Eire are allowed to compete?
Just saying.
——————–
simply geography, these places are not in europe.
canamalar
who knows what is being thought up behind closed doors, I seem to remember PL saying that he woulld not accept the placing of teams in higher leagues and it had to be on merit through gaining promotion, if this is to be change I hope he sees this for what it is and oppose it.
Canamalar……I hope yer suspicions are wide of the
mark,if not the games done and there will be hell to pay,
even mugs like me who just turn up and watch Celtic
will rebel……ole jungle bhoy style!!!!
jFH,
I was thinking it was all part of the same problem, his head was not in the right place, a quiet word and encouragement would have a better effect but don’t see how dropping him for a friendly will drive any message home.
I’m just hoping he is not injured, regardless of his last performance he is and would be one of the first names on my team sheet.
COYBIG
Saint Stivs
16:51 on
18 July, 2015
First off. Since they departed from knock out format EUFA competitions have been a farce.
However non European geographic oddities such as Israel have been competing for yonks.
No point complaining when Celtic draw the apparently short straw.
blantyretim is praying for the knox family
16:39 on 18 July, 2015
Premier sport on Virgin channel 551
—————————————
Nice one.
A channel I didn’t even know I had and it’s showing the game.
cv
Piper getting an ovation from the crowd.
Scotland the Brave being played
dessybhoy,
And we are still awaiting comment on them being placed in the professional set up before clubs that actually qualified.
one interesting comment on shortbread was that there is a possibility aberdeen will play thier next leg on the thursday night, in a time zone that is SIX HOURS ahead, then will travel back the day after to go straight to tannadice,
its just ridiculous.
BT,
brilliant catch bud, got in on the big telly now.
some right handsome celtic supporters there.
Nye Bevan
Will see you then, 7 pm here restaurant open for food and drink :-)
Rifles of the IRA volley?
quonno
16:56 on
18 July, 2015
Saint Stivs
16:51 on
18 July, 2015
i am complaining not because celtic get the short straw.
i am complaining that the competitions in general have no benefit in including these far flung countries.
its farcical.
you can forget about that mate, they merged the leagues as well a supposed one body running the leagues, wonder who that suited after the LNS judgement came out and its narrow remit in the first place.
Strong side starting.
Bailly in goal, Fisher at FB
Pyro /smoke bombs
Rifles and cannons …
Cannon is quality cmon the hoops
Just got in Bhoys what time is the KO tonight???
HH
TIA
CELTIC goalie Logan Bailly will make his debut for the Hoops in their friendly against SD Eibar tonight (Saturday) as the Bhoys help the La Liga side celebrate their 75th anniversary in the Basque Country.
The Belgian shot-stopper joined the Celts earlier this month and will make his first appearance as part of a strong starting XI at the Ipurua, Municipal Stadium.
Leigh Griffiths will lead the line up front, backed up by Nadir Ciftci in the No.10 role, and Dedryck Boyata will partner Virgil van Dijk in defence.
Kick-off is 5pm Celtic Park time and there will be pre-match build-up and live updates from the official Celtic Twitter account, @Celticfc
CELTIC v SD Eibar: Bailly; Fisher, Boyata, van Dijk, Mulgrew; Brown, Bitton; Forrest, Ciftci, Armstrong; Griffiths
Celtic subs: Fasan, Stokes, Lindsay, Tierney, Izaguirre, Janko, Scepovic, Rogic
The boys out there have an unusual pre match routine, soldiers & cannons ah shure we have the huddle.
thats nice the basque nationalists celebrating the scots nationalists, buy letting off a cannon and waving the saltire ……
lights touch paper,
and stands back …………
Booom
Cannon fired much to the amusement of the commentators and crowd
Holy God, they fired the cannon, keep the crows off the field I suppose.
Jungle Jim Hot Smoked
14:20 on
18 July, 2015
MurdochauldandHay & Wee Oscar
Is that rumour likely to have any substance?
JJ
————————————————————–
JJ What Auldheid said earlier is just about all I know I had seen it on twitter earlier
Starry
Now mate.
Firing all these guns on the Eibar pitch pre match – not against cannon law ??