Within a few hours the first leg of our Summer Cup Final will be upon us. Make no mistake about it, these are the biggest games of our season.
The players and manager have learned plenty about European football over the last four weeks to know the scale of the task. Maribor will be given due respect but the importance of Saturday’s win over Dundee United cannot be overestimated. Players’ confidence will have received a welcome boost, while some will have realised the weight of responsibility lies with them.
Since the draw I have written enough about the strengths of Maribor, but they are weak at the back – and they are showing all the signs of over-confidence. Having watched us against Legia, this lot will be shocked if a different Celtic turn up tonight. Their fans, media and officials are emotionally spending their Champions League windfall already.
Most of all, we need a disciplined performance from Celtic. No conceding penalties, getting caught in possession deep in your own half, or second yellows. Stick to the basics, stay alert and we have an excellent chance of progressing; this is not a team with irresistible talent.
For a few players, they have the chance to claim a great reputation at the club. What an opportunity…..
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Coolmore
Fully agree that if only one place was offered up in an Atlantic league it would be offered to Celtic. However can you imagine the reaction of SMSM, SFA, SFL etc. The forces would be lined up to prevent this from happening, at any cost, unless we were accompanied. Too many vested interests.
Scotland needs to take a good hard look at itself and decide do we want top class football being played in this country. In my opinion the ONLY way this will be achieved is by Celtic (and possibly another) leaving the current setup to play in a European or English league. I just happen to believe this will never be allowed without them being included in some shape and form. Not saying I want them, quite the opposite, but their inclusion may be price we have to pay to progress.
Turkeybhoy
fortunately my first post was not immediately after the Legia Warsaw game. Suspect I would not have been mistaken for a happyclapper that night!
Mwd
My Tory Hun teachers helped make me the Bhoy I am today!
Aff oot. For a cycle with Jnr. Was worried you were banning cyclists, not cysts!
Mare evidence of my deficient educational attainment. Cannae read proper!
HH jamesgang
twentyfirstofmaynineteenseventynine
We were back the Saturday night and went to Killie early Sunday morning.
We passed many H@n pubs as we dropped off in Harthill, Whitburn and various places in Livingston. Our bus was still jumping though. Losses no matter how big didn’t affect our sing song.
LB
Logged in this morning and had a wee read and logged out again. Even on the morning of a big game the miseries are on moaning and trying to pick fights with anyone who doesn’t share their world view.
1-1 tonight and Celtic Park will be rocking next Tuesday.
I just love how everything is Rosie in the UK economically, on social justice, on NHS, on Bedroom tax, on illegal wars, on nuclear disarmament etc. as once socialist Labour leaders and supporters stand supporting UK government policy broadly across all these issues. No such thing as a proper Labour man or woman left amongst them! A disgrace to the foundations and principles of the once proud Labour movement.
I wonder how many will be turning in their graves shamed by the current Sevco Labour Party?
MWD says AYE
Thanks for the info Lhads, it really is much appreciated .
Livibhoy
Same, its what sets us apart from them, well that and many other things
HH
You know i totally understand the economics of having so many ‘big league’ teams IN the champions league…however i feel that the way in which they are ‘seeded protected’ and ‘country protected’ completely makes a mockery of the competition…..often a man utd or a barcelona e.t.c dont even HAVE to beat a good team until the last eight stage…which is very wrong.
Livibhoy,
I believe lazy d is correct.
Im 99% sure I read during the summer that uefa will award the el winners with a cl place.
Could mean some leagues end up with 5 places too I believe.
I know you’ve all been waiting with bated breath for me to name my team, so here goes. I should say this is based on a combination of the team I’d like to see, within the limits of what I think RD will do (so e.g. no chance of LG starting…)
The Cat Gordon
Lustig Denayer VVD Izzy
Johansen Biton Mulgrew
McGregor Berget
Stokes
4-3-3 in attack, with McGregor and Berget dropping deep into the wide channels in a 4-5-1 to keep it tight when we lose the ball. Will demand a lot of work from those two and would expect them both to be replaced for fresh legs after an hour or so.
I’d like to fit Kris in there, but it would need to be up front as a “false 9” and I don’t think that is going to happen.
lazydynamite
Yep we can all agree with that but Platini tried to change it and has made small in roads like making sure Champions have their own qualifying route which means we avoid the likes of Arsenal.
The whole of football is geared to the big name money making teams. It won;t change any time soon. The TV bubble has to burst for that to happen.
LB
Back problems eh?
Mine were solved when I, yes me, discovered that it was all related to my HAMSTRINGS. Had never had a hamstring injury, was a very fast runner in my day. But all I needed to do was stretch my hammy, keep em supple and hey presto, back pain gone.
Not going to jinx myself by saying how long I’ve been back-pain free. When I detect the slightest niggle in my back – hammy stretch.
18 holes of golf, loosen off before 1st hole, stretch intermittently on the way round, usually stretching before every shot by the time I get to the 15th.
Next day, no problemo.
I agree 100% livibhoy
GM
Remember on my first day at work in Kirkcaldy, I said to a female work colleague, “Good morning, how are you?” Her reply, “Good moarnin ya hoor? Av a sair een n its freezenin oot!” :))
Geordie Munro
I didn’t disagree with that point. It may benefit a EPL or German smaller side but Celtic will be vying for a CL place anyway next season.
Can I just clarify. The EL winners go straight in to the group stages?
Does this mean that if an English team wins the CL and one wins the EL and doesn;t finish in the top 4 that only the top 2 would qualify for the CL?
I know it is unlikely but after Liverpool won the CL I’m sure UEFA capped the number of entrants from one country at 4 teams as they were 5 that season as Everton had finished 4th and Liverpool were outside the top 4.
LB
I can’t help thinking, that the apparent oversight about EFE now being eligible.
That one of the brothers at the sfa is taking one for the team.
That it will turn out that he should not have been available.
They are that bitter.
I hope celtic have thoroughly checked and rechecked every detail.
lazydynamite
I remember in 1980 we beat Dundalk (just), Timosoara of Albania (excuse the spelling) and that was us in the quarter final. That kind of thing wouldnt do for the Murdochs of this world. It’s all about the money and I dont expect to see any shock winners of the CL anytime soon
HH
Madmitch. I made it through to the end of your post perhaps for the first time ever. Usually give up because I can’t be bothered trying to work out your abbreviations. CWG almost made me quit but I hung in there and I agree 100% with everything you said.
I feel we have a much better chance of beating Maribor than Legia. All down to the timing and circumstances around the games.
I will be going into an internet lockdown now until I get home much later tonight so I can watch the game without knowing the score
Good luck to the Bhoys. I think Berget will get us a vital away goal.
SuperSutton
16:56
I think deep down I know I’m the same. Tight hamstrings and hip flexors pull away on the back and hips. I’d imagine it’s the same for many, sitting at a computer or desk is probably the cause.
twentyfirstofmaynineteenseventynine
You have just illustrated my favourite argument with the Zombies/H@ns
Zombie/H@n: You only won the European Cup because it was easier back then!
Me: Aye true you have had more entries than any other Scottish team and you will never win it.
Zombie/Hun: Ah but….but…but…
Me: Never even made a final. Even in the easy years. Shameful.
LB
twentyfirstofmay
I know what you are saying..infact i believe a couple of the ‘great’ liverpool teams of the 1970s-1980s easy opposition all the way through to victory was quite shocking…..but it was what it was…like i said i completely understand the crucial need for many big league teams..its just the ‘country seeding’ [cant play teams from same country] that really grates me.
See FIFA have thrown out Barcelona’s appeal against their transfer ban – something about them breaking the rules.
Poor Jim on SSN, just let it go Jim.
If we can play half aswell as we did in that first half on Saturday we’ll be ok tonight. Glasgows green and white HH
Man ..
Is Kojo the only wan ,oan here..or..oan there..
Who Says:
Commons , Stokesy n Mulgrew ur
Three Albatrossi… who Should NEVAh ever get the Chance tae Hing Aroon
Oor Necks.. when we Play in a C.L. Confronto?
Three Useless Sons of a Lady Dug..( In Europe) they ur!
WHEN IT COMES TAE FACING TOAP CLASS OPPOSITION..
Noo.. Why is THAT?
Well, Virginia.. It hiz Awe tae dae Wi How Fast a guy kin Move.. Run…
Awe these guys are Far too SLOW.. tae Hiv the Cheek tae Appear oan a Fitba Field..
Alangside.
Slick. Fast.. Organized… C.L. Combatants.
If Ronny Plays AWE THREE, Tonight.. oor Fate wull Be sealed..
Whit’s the Use ,though..
It seems that Kojo ..
Is Really the Only Guy Aroon..
Who Thinks these Three Guys are Pure Poison.. ( But, Fur the S.P.L.. these Three kin Hack It Pretty Good.. Ah Must Admit.)
But… We urnae talkin aboot the S.P.L. Here..
Right?
Kojo
Still,Laughin.
My guess is Ronny will go with
Gordon
Lustig
Deneyer
VVD
Izzy
McGregor
Kayal
Johansen
Mulgrew
Berget
Stokes
Kojo,
I fear you are right and deep down most of us on here know it.
It pains me to say it about KC as he and his good lady have been a credit to Celtic and epitomise the ethos of Celtic.
I know sentiment should have no place in football, but for KC I would make an exception and I believe he should be given some role when he decides to hang up his boots.
HH.
BBC National………….Celtic set for second bite at CL cherry after their reprieve.
Compare with BBC Scotland?
Jeg er Delia Smith
I’m with you 100% on ur predicted line-up.
I also see no room for Commons. That said, i have funny feeling Ronny might try and shoe-horn him in to the starting line-up..
and if he does the team will take a more 4-4-1-1 shape, with Commons behind Stokes, and Berget and McGregor played wide. Biton would drop out the side, leaving Johansen and Mulgrew as 2 sitting centre mids.
I think the team needs 3 centre mids to be more solid… therefore Commons benched
Here is Some food fur Thought…
Hiz Ye ever Figgered oot..
WHY… Sammi.. (Who Wiz a Dunce..in M aist S.P.L Games..)
Turned intae .. A Match Winner..
Actually.. oor ONLY BLOODY MATCH WINNER…
When He Appeared fur Us..
In the C.L.??
Well.. Hiv Ye?
Well.. Ah hiv..
And it’s This..
Sammi, Fur awe his faults..
Wiz FAST!
Yes, Virginia.. Sammi, could MOVE.. Sammi, Wiz oor ONLY oot..
oor Weapon of Destruction.. whenever we Played in a C.L. encounter..
Of Course.. The C.L.ers Eventually, Figgered oot.. Whit Ah hiv Jis done Tole Ye , aboot Sammi’s Worth tae Us..
N.. well. they Took Steps tae Blot Him Oot..
N..they Did..n..well..
Sammi, wiz Nae Longer.. oor Secret Weapon..
Noo Ye Know.
Kojo
Still,Laughin
Livibhoy
thats quite a common response from them whenever presented with any sort of reasonable argument.
lazydynamite
agreed mate, though Liverpool were a great team. Forest won it twice having only been champions on one occasion, but again had a really good side. I preferred the football back then but theyre not coming back
HH
Team sheet latest ………….Beram Kayal
Kpjo. Also speed of thought is important we need to move the ball faster and move to collect a pass faster.I believe the three players you mention dont have the speed of thought to play the European game like you I wouldnt play any of them in Europe. H.H.
Kpjo =Kojo.
MWD CQN’s most consistent iPaddy.
DD,
They are right classy through there so they are ;)
Aw man the pmt (pre-match tension) is getting scarily high.
I’m not sure if some of auldheids have escaped or if it’s just some moths that have made their way from my wallet.
Kayal or Biton….? Close call……
Drambowie
Have you slept with a pillow below your knees?
I was advised this.it worked.it stretches lower abdomen as hips are arched and
are stretched while you sleep.
Stretching is important, not only the easy ones :-)
HH
GieyirkneesahugCsc