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…..
632 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 17
- »
Steinreignedsupreme
12:32 on 20 August, 2014
time for change 12:22 on 20 August, 2014
Fred C. Dobbs 11:41 on 20 August, 2014
“Other than catering what has Murrayfield ever done for us? :O).
“Two home wins:)”
My one criticism of Murrayfield would be the view.
“Celtic won 3-0 and I didn’t see any of the goals…”
It was that new world class striker we signed…hope he’s fit for tonight!
I was reminded recently of this Fergus story. My niece’s school asked her class to write a letter to somebody famous with the objective of receiving a letter back. My niece, being a good tim, wrote to Tommy Johnson, the Celtic striker, (18 goals in 35 games). Not only did she get a letter back but Tommy wanted to read it out personally to the class.
A date was arranged with Tommy but to the disappointment of the class he never showed. A couple of days later the school received a letter from Tommy apologising as on the day of the visit he broke his leg in training but he then invited the class to Celtic Park for a tour to make up for the disappointment. No cost involved.
A couple of days later another letter arrived this time from Fergus pointing out that a charge would be payable.
A couple of days later another letter from Tommy arrived assuring the school that there would be no charge and he would pay any costs involved.
Tommy laid on a bus, plenty of sweets and the class had a great day at Celtic Park.
Is Fergus still as tight or did throw his money about at the weekend?
WK67
Away goals are hugely important in a two leg European tie. I hope we can get one or two. Hopefully 3 so that I can relax and enjoy the return game next week. I really do not enjoy the feeling of nervousness and fear of Celtic losing. This must make me some kind of pervert because I spend hundreds of pounds putting myself through this throughout the season.
Running around naked in Perthshire in February is much less painful.
BSDM CSC
Gordon
Denayer Lustig VVD Izzy
Efe sitting in front of the back 4
Johansen Commons Mulgrew
Griffiths up front for energy and pace
Off the bench 2nd half – McGregor, Stokes/Berget, Biton
————
Don’t let Derk anywhere near this game. Save him for pace off bench at home. Away qualifiers in Europe are no place for unpredictable sand-dancers.
We are privileged to watch the Hoops compete for a CL place. Aside the luck to get us here, the very fact we’re mentioned at the top echelons is a testimony to Fergus’s regime and the benefits it continues to deliver.
Twenty years ago we were just beginning to think the dream of CL competition was a future possibility. Before that it brought only a sigh and regret. Remember that longing if you’re old enough to remember foxes on the pitch and car-park protests
A privilege. Bring it all upon us and fear nothing.
Having read TTB’s comments on Berget I was so bemused I watched the game again. Now I’m even more bemused as for me he showed skill pace and the ability to link well with everyone around him. He stands out for me – especially as a goal threat.
STEINREIGNEDSUPREME
Pouring wi rain at Hampden in those days,his wares would have been splattered wi black ash.
Lovely….
COYBIG
Bhoys any info for either York or Mussleburgh today would be much appreciated HH
derbyshirebhoy. I agree with you on Berget.H.H.
I would settle for a scoring draw tonight of the 2-2 variety or even a 1-0 victory to us but whether we are capable of that yet, against an established team, I am not sure. As much as I love Commons I am in ‘the not the best option in Europe’ camp :-(. I’d play Charlie as long he is kept away from defensive mid-field, he has made too many blunders recently.
Today’s personal dilemma involves making a decision between taking the car to the Celtic Bar Belfast in Dubrovnik and not drinking, or taking the bus in having a swally and possibly missing the bus back! Then there is the bus/taxi back option – decisions, decisions. Why is my life so difficult? ;-)
EMUSANORPHAN 1241
You wanna be careful doing that sort of stuff in Perthshire,bud.
They start the stag-hunting season early up there…
Hi All
This is a strange game for us tonight.
On any other year we would be very confident of going through, but the nightmare that was LW will still be fresh in the players and managers mind. Plus, all accounts seem to indicate that Maribor are a decent team.
RD will be very cagey having been burned so badly last time out, our remit will be keep it very tight and look to counter. The big question is who to play up front, who can hold it up and chase the ball down amongst our front men ? I don’t think Anthony has the first touch for this, and I feel Ronnie will probably go with his new boy Berget up top.
It will be a nail biting night, but as long as we are still in it come 21:35, then I’ll take that …
HH
ernie lynch @ 09.40
murdochbhoy
08:08 on 20 August, 2014
‘Political point …….
NHS Scotland is a separate entity but the repercussions from the recklessly fast privatisation of NHS England will surely follow.’
###
Given that health is a devolved issue, I can’t see the logic of that statement.
By the way, has the GP service not always been more or less privatised, right since the days of ‘I stuffed their mouth with gold’ ?
*************
Ernie,
Although NHS Scotland is run as a separate entity it’s current funding is tied to a percentage of government spending in England, the more services in England are privatised the less the future funding, if of course, Scotland votes no to Independence.
http://worldofstuart.excellentcontent.com/WeeBlueBookDesktopEdition.pdf
GP’s are indeed self-employed and have contracts to provide their services to the NHS which makes it all the odder this government decided to take funding decisions away from NHS employees and hand it to GP consortiums.
If Scotland votes yes will that be the end of the union jack fleg :)
WilliamKentigern67,
We have all heard enough stories about wee Fergus being tight with his money at various times (overly tight some may say) but i do seem to recall he splashed out circa £9million of his own dosh at one point…
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
NL on a Question of Sport tonight
Robert88, I thought Rooney was Vice Captain. ;)
Van Gaal would have him replaced. He’s a Celtic supporter with severe health problems in the recent past. It’s only daft if you don’t ask. Steven Fletcher is a daft suggestion and I interested in how that could ever be possible with the fees now being paid. Is he about to go out of contract in Jan or something?
Ambrose in the middle of the park tonight might be a wee chance worth taking to give us some penetration. Johansen and Kayal maybe with Mulgrew and Berget wide.
3 -1 Maribor.
Sticking my neck out but I think Berget would be a better number 10 than Commons in the longer term. Watching him v St Johnstone he was more mobile and offered more protection for the midfield. Not tonight though. Too many changes already.
BigPhil
Would be the end of the blue in it.
Mullet and Co
are you saying if we take the risk and play the team you suggest then the best we can expect is a 3-1 defeat?
Perhaps no Efe in midfiled then?
The Token Tim
Which he then sold for £40m.
WK67
Gordon
Lustig Ambrose Van Dyke Izaguirre
Bitton
Kayal Johansen
McGregor Berget
Commons
Solid with goals.
Joe Filippis Haircut
I agree with that view JFH. Sammy was always our outlet in European away games when the ball had to be punted forward by Forster. I was at the away game against HJK Helsinki 2 years ago and he was fantastic that night as the main outlet for us and to hold the ball up. So far, I haven’t seen anybody in our current team who can do this job for us. In the away game in Legia, Berget was asked to do it but couldn’t. Maybe his fitness and touch has improved since then.
Marti
The Battered Bunnet..
Interesting team choice… i made the point earlier about Kayal.. and same applies. You opt for Griffiths and Boeriggter in your line up. I take it this is your personal preference as appossed to what the likely team will be.
Because much like Kayal, i’d be very suprised if Ronny, takes peripheral players like the 3 mentioned and puts them in his starting 11.
TEAM : 4-5-1
C.Gordon
Lustig or Ambrose Denayer Van Dijk Izzy
McGregor Biton Mulgrew Johansen Berget
———————- Stokes ————————–
As i see it there are only a few positions to be questioned.
Start Denayer or play Ambrose beside VanDijk
Go with 3 central midfielders (defensive : Biton, Mulgrew, Johansen) or
Go with 3 central midfielders (attacking : Commons, Mulgrew, Johansen)
For me the biggest dilema facing Ronny, in a Euro tie away from home, is whether to start Commons.
Commons is a player with undoubted ability, but lacks pace to fill any of the wide positions. He also has defensive limitations if chosen to play centre mid.
To retain a strong and tight midfield, personally i would not start Commons. Play Biton, Mulgrew, and Johansen.
BOOM !
murdochbhoy
12:47 on 20 August, 2014
Wee blue book.
How appropriate.
That’s produced by that cybergnat guy who is so patriotic he lives in Bath, am I right? He’s not daft though he’s managed to get nats to keep him in the style appropriate for one who chooses to live in Bath by having them send him donations. And the mugs have fallen for it.
As I understand it the NHS budget in England has increased year on year.
http://www.nhsconfed.org/resources/key-statistics-on-the-nhs
The ‘vote yes or lose the nhs’ line is just another nat lie. It’s pathetic.
steinreignedsupreme
12:32 on 20 August, 2014time for Change
12:22 on 20 August, 2014Fred C. Dobbs
11:41 on 20 August, 2014“Other than catering what has Murrayfield ever done for us? :O).“Two home wins:)”My one criticism of Murrayfield would be the view.Celtic won 3-0 and I didn’t see any of the go.
—————————————–
Plus the big wide surface that makes teams play subs they dont need to :-)
Long time lurker, first time poster….
Rather than playing it safe I thought I would don my tin hat and go for broke. Here are my thoughts on all things Celtic.
1. At the risk of upsetting most on here I actually think PL and the board are doing a good job in near impossible circumstances. Regardless of our proud tradition and history the reality of the situation is we come from a tiny backwater league where our nearest and only genuine rivals self imploded.
2. The strategy while not popular is understandable. We simply cannot compete with the inflated transfer market and wages paid by the big leagues. We need to rear our own talent and I’m sure that is the reason RD was appointed. I think that appointing a progressive coach and using every small advantage we can (fitness, sports psychology, diet etc.) is the correct way to go. Let’s give him the time and space to work as it may take months to reap the full benefit of these changes.
3. I believe it is within our purchasing power to spend each year in the transfer market. I would prefer this to be concentrated on 1 to 2 quality acquisitions rather than a larger number of projects.
3. Are Celtic hoarding cash? Yes they are. I suspect the reason for this is as a contingency against another insolvency event happening on the South side and the league becoming even more unsaleable than it is today to TV and supporters.
4. The board are custodians of the club. They have a responsibility first and foremost to ensure that Celtic are here for generations to come. Their second priority is to be successful and win trophies. I would be willing to bet that fans of a certain other team wish their directors and owners had adopted a similar approach and set of priorities.
5. To grow and develop as a club Celtic need to get out of Scotland. I suspect the price for this (if it ever happens – and I believe it eventually will) is that we will be accompanied by them. What a moral dilemma that will bring ….. our freedom could be their salvation. We can turn up our noses in indignation but if that is the only way for our club to move forward and thrive on a bigger stage then I believe it is a price worth paying. I don’t care about them and never have. The health and longevity of Celtic is all I care about. But we are kidding ourselves if we believe that Celtic on our own will be allowed to prosper in another league without them in some shape or form.
6. I fully support and commend Auldheid for his Stirling work on res12. Where I perhaps deviate from others is that I’m not looking for compensation or league titles. Just an acknowledgement that what happened was wrong, an apology and steps to be taken to ensure proper governance of football in this country going forward.
Finally I’d like to thank our host, Paul67, for a fantastic platform to debate all things Celtic. I can’t say I agree with every word he writes but he encourages debate and takes the flak that is directed at him with good grace and humour. I have lost count of the number of inspirational posts I have read on this site which constantly remind me that Celtic are indeed much more than a football club.
Sits back and awaits traditional CQN welcome.
The Green & White Tiger
Has anybody got the contact details for PJBhoyNYC?
We should get past Maribor over the two legs, but like others, I’d be more confident if big Sammi was playing.
Did fergus no tell andy walker
Tae pay for his strip when he was paraded at paradise for the second time
HH
No way would I entertain stokes leading the line tonight, he not got it at this level
If ever there was a game for organised defensive work and effective counter-attacking it is tonight.
bigphil47
12:48 on 20 August, 2014
‘If Scotland votes yes will that be the end of the union jack fleg :)’
####
Whatever will the do up the Shankhill?
Probably just keep flying their saltires like they do at the moment.
Gordon
Lustig, denayer, VVD, izzy
kayal/biton johansen, mulgrew
berget, commons/mcgregor
stokes
i would say ronny has prepared the team without ambrose as he thought he was inelegible so can tsee him startin. i can either mcgregor or commons missing out for a more defense minded sitting midfilder like kayal/biton. Can also see stokesy starting up.
Id take a 1-1 now. HH.
weet weet weet(GBWO)
13:06 on
20 August, 2014
Did fergus no tell andy walker
Tae pay for his strip when he was paraded at paradise for the second time
the wee man was a clairvoyant anaw :}}
The Green & White Tiger:
Why our aversion to an orthodox striker?
Somehow I have a good feeling about tonight.
Weird considering we’ve had one good performance (against a minging Dundee Utd) out of several games. Though for the first maybe 15 mins away in Legia I thought we looked good; kept the ball well and looked dangerous up front. But Legia quickly pressed us higher up and niavely we kept trying to play through the midfield.
We’ve got to ditch this total football philosophy tonight and play long balls then we can play possession football in their half. Of course we no longer have Sammy to hit from deep. So the main problem we will have tonight is getting a hold of the ball high up the pitch.
Playing fast passes into Mulgrew, Johansen etc in front of our 18 yard box will be the death of us as it was in Legia. So its got to be long balls then take it from there.
For this reason i would consider putting Mulgrew left midfield (as Lennon did on a few occasions when we had to keep things tight). He would give us someone to hit with high balls and would be strong defensively on Izaguirre’s side.
I would play Ambrose at right back (less chance of a bomb scare out there & he’s more comfortable on the ball than Lustig). Midfield; think we have got to go for defensive minded & experience; no room for fancy dan’s like mcgregor IMO.
Gordon
Ambrose Lustig Van Dijk Izaguirre
Johansen Kayal Biton Mulgrew
Commons
Stokes
Green and White Tiger
Your’e obviously a …
The Green & White Tiger-are you a hun? obviously too well written for a hun,even though i don’t agree with it all :} welcome
Whitedoghunch 12.32
Shrewd observation. Maribor have confidence in that home record .:-)
Is Part of their stadium is shut tonight?
HH