The incentive for Brendan Rodgers and his players is clear, beat AEK Athens and you will face either Malmo or Vidi (known as Videoton until earlier this year) in the Champions League play-off round.
Malmo, who are 16 games into their league programme, will be slight favourites to make the play-off round. They beat Romanians Cluj in the last round and Kosovans Drita in the first qualifier.
The Swedes were eliminated from the second qualifying round last year by Vardar of Macedona – a stage which did not offer the compensation of a Europa League entry.
Vidi recorded the result of the last round by eliminating Ludogorets Razgrad 1-0 on aggregate. They overcame Maltese and Estonian opposition a year ago, before recording a remarkable away goals victory over Girondins Bordeaux. Eventually losing 4-0 on aggregate to Partizan Belgrade.
It all went wrong for Celtic three years ago when former player, Jo Inge Berget returned to haunt us for Malmo. Berget scored twice in the Champions League play-off first leg at Celtic Park in a 3-2 Celtic win, but the Swedes progressed after winning the return 2-0.
Malmo changed manager in June, appointing Uwe Rosler, who was sacked by Fleetwood Town in February, Not a conventional route to Champions League glory.
There are pitfalls if we approach the tie as ill-prepared as we were in 2015, or as Bordeaux were last month, but AEK are by far the strongest team we will face in order to reach the group stage.
It’s all about Celtic Park on Wednesday; the hugest or hugest games.
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2-0 tomorrow night would be an excellent score.
THE HANDS CANT HIT WHAT THE EYES CANT SEE on 7TH AUGUST 2018 1:22 PM
@ BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 7TH AUGUST 2018 1:08 PM
Unsure how my post is lapping up the laptop loyal’s nonsense.
Celtic (read Rodgers) want McGinn. We have made 3 offers. Hibs want more.
Now, whether the AV interest is true or not, we are in a situation where Hibs are playing hard ball and we run the risk of missing out on McGinn. Everything I’ve said seems fairly objective
————
Even if that’s all true it neglects to mention that Huns would rather sell to anybody else but Celtic. They were always gonna hold on til after the English window.
If a deal with Villa isn’t done by the 9th it will be no surprise to see McGinn on his way up the M8 to paradise
Hibs* obviously
So the word from Paul Barnes of STV is that John McGinn is travelling to Birmingham to have a look around and meet with Steve Bruce, but a fee has not been agreed yet.
I’m angry, very angry!
Why was I not offered the opportunity to “drive him doon myself”???
I know I would have to drive up for 7 hours to then drive back down, and I have work today, but please, Mr Petrie, show some respect…
(Stalking horse)
My preference would be to keep Boyata as he’s as good a defender as we’re going to have at the club. However, if he wants to go then I’d take the £12m. We’re unlikely to bring another CH in unless Jozo exits in this window too.
Bitton and Lustig can both play there, in addition to Ajer and Hendry. Not ideal, but the likeliest scenario as opposed to spending big money on a replacement.
I’d sign McGinn,and leave him at Hibs until next summer. He’ll play a full season there which would not happen if he moves to us immediately.
Guys like McGinn are no brainers. The French trio, Boyata and Jozo etc are only here to be in the shop window. We’re never going to get the longevity that we will with Broony, Jamesy, Callum and co. It’s essential for the stability of the team that we continually top up our home based players ratio.
I’m now starting to get the butterflies about tomorrow night. This is our biggest game of the season looming. Win 3-0 here and we are almost guaranteed to have another great season in Paradise.
@ TIMALOY29 on 7TH AUGUST 2018 1:28 PM
And if a deal with AV is done? I wonder if Celtic have any other midfielders lined up, especially as BR sees this as an area that needs strengthening. McGinn was evidently the number 1 choice.
THE HANDS CANT
Everybody (and their dog) knows Brendan Rodgers has said he wants John McGinn because he
said so.
It says in the SMSM we’ve made three offers ( Laptop Loyal?) and a taxi driver told me we’re preparing a another bid, yada yada yada
Brendan also said it was up to ‘the Club’ to conclude the transfer and sort out the price.,
he even reaffirmed to SMSM and Celtic media he didn’t deal with that side of any transfer.
That’s the way it is at every major football club, Celtic included.
He didn’t put the price on Raheem Sterling when he sold him from Liverpool to
Man City?
It’s just more of the same every transfer window on CQN ‘board haters’ ‘board bashers’
Why because ‘they’ don’t like the board.
Who gives a CSC
McGinn is probably going to be a replacement for Grealish who might be Spurs-bound. At the moment Villa and Spurs are a way apart but Villa need money more than Spurs need a Grealish, and Daniel Levy is the king of brinkmanship.
I would take 1 – 0, and 2 – 0 would be a dream.
Bourne,
It’s not the MSM that said McGinn was worth £4m it was Hibs and Neil Lennon. It’s not clear that Villa will pay £4m yet but it’s apparent that whatever is paid the guy will be worth multiple times more the next day due to being under contract and under the noses of the EPL magpies.
Rodgers wants McGinn but it’s not his remit to agree fees. A player is worth what a player sells for.
This could play out badly if we lose out on McGinn at wages we can afford and a fee we can afford then Brown or Ntcham get injured.
We bought Compper and Hendry and let Sviatchenko go. Compper has played 1 competitive game. Hendry is as raw as the meat on your arm. We spent £2m on both but I have no idea if they were replacements for Sviatchenko and Boyata? If they were then Compper is a complete disaster of a signing and an outlier in recent scouting and successful recruitment. As someone else pointed out – stop measuring us with having to pay EPL fees value can be had in Europe. Goodness, Compper with his pedigree is testimony to that as he would be worth £6m had he come from the likes of West Brom.
You accuse folk of reading the Daily Record when patently this cannot be true.
It is entirely valid to question the strategy for signing a centre half and a back up plan to replace Armstrong who may also be an able deputy for Brown or Ntcham.
THE HANDS CANT HIT WHAT THE EYES CANT SEE on 7TH AUGUST 2018 1:32 PM
McGinn wouldn’t get in the team ahead of our first choice midfield. I doubt signing him is a priority when we have better already, and he doesn’t fit the profile of players we normally look to sign. He’s not a CL player and probably never will be
Bourne,
I think there are some who question the actions of the board or the club because they are engrossed in just hating the board but you have to admit the players we need are a centre half or a player like McGinn?
If not would you just leave the team as is and be super confident we are better than last year?
Rodgers wants quality and you Dont?
Regarding John McGinn, – for the three central midfield slots Celtic have SB, ON, CMcG, TR, and EK. We also have SA and RC. Is strengthening this area really a priority?
@ BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 7TH AUGUST 2018 1:36 PM
I’m sorry, but I’m unsure what point you are making. I’m not claiming Rodgers negotiates transfers.
MULLET AND CO 2 on 7TH AUGUST 2018 1:38 PM
This could play out badly if we lose out on McGinn at wages we can afford and a fee we can afford then Brown or Ntcham get injured.
We have Kouassi, and if we sign McGinn purely as cover that’s 2m+ wages less to spend on a player who’ll genuinely challenge those two
TIMALOY29 on 7TH AUGUST 2018 1:28 PM
THE HANDS CANT HIT WHAT THE EYES CANT SEE on 7TH AUGUST 2018 1:22 PM
@ BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 7TH AUGUST 2018 1:08 PM
Celtic (read Rodgers) want McGinn. We have made 3 offers. Hibs want more.
Now, whether the AV interest is true or not, we are in a situation where Hibs are playing hard ball and we run the risk of missing out on McGinn.
how are we running the risk of losing J.McG when according to those in the know on here he only wants to play for one team ,so he can see out his contract with Hibs and sign for his favourites , Hibs can not sell him to someone he does not want to play for , or are the wages to temping to change his mind from his heroes.
Its August 7th, we’ve got over 3 weeks left in the transfer window.
@ CELTIC40ME on 7TH AUGUST 2018 1:42 PM
“McGinn wouldn’t get in the team ahead of our first choice midfield. I doubt signing him is a priority when we have better already, and he doesn’t fit the profile of players we normally look to sign. He’s not a CL player and probably never will be”
We have lost Armstrong so clearly we need another CM to replace him. As Rodgers pointed out, we play 60 games as season and injuries and suspensions take their toll. Even with injuries, Armstrong played 39 games last year.
Also, how does he not fit the profile of players we sign?
TB @ 1.06
No matter the laundry list of “positives” you can come up with we will still be watching the AEK game from behind the proverbial sofa.
Some of that is luck but most of that is poor planning and poor squad development.
If this has been a good example of CL preparation and club progression then I would hate to see a poor one.
If John McGinn was coming to Celtic he would have been here by now,if his Chairman is playing Hardball he is quite right,if Celtic had played hardball,with players like Van Xyke, Forrest Armstrong Wanyama etc , but no.we let them go on the cheap,so Hibs are quite.right to up there price for McGinn,and I said a few weeks ago that Brendan Rodgers,will not sign any new players in this Window,he will wait till January when he can bring in the Quality Players he wants to sign,aye that’ll be right,mark my words.even if we get 8 in a row,he Brendan won’t be at Celtic next season.
https://twitter.com/ClydeSSB/status/1026809749600436226?s=08
Oli fit, Boyata bid knocked back
@ SCULLYBHOY on 7TH AUGUST 2018 1:43 PM
I agree that defence is more pressing. But BR said we need to replace Armstrong (who played 39 games last year, notwithstanding his injury issues) and McGinn is the player he evidently has in mind.
As for others, Christie and Allan play in different position to McGinn and don’t look like they are going to make it (Morgan and Johnstone are getting more opportunities than both of them), as does Rogic. McGregor is usually played out wide and is used all over the pitch due to his versatility.
We have three true CMs: Brown, Ntcham and Kouassi. We need more cover.
Also, did anyone see BR’s interview about his greatest Celtic 11? He made a comment that when it comes to midfield, he wants 1 ball winner, 1 passer and 1 player that can play box to box (Brown, Ntcham and Armstrong all fell into those categories), hence why McGinn is wanted to replace Armstrong.
Does not help that the scottish media have continued to inflate the price of Mcginn despite him having 9/10 months left on his contract……personally I would like to see him play for us but only if that is exactly what HE desires and wants.If he signs for villa and english second tier football then clearly we were not his ambition all along….so good luck to him and happy to move on to someone else…….p.s..I do not blame our board one shred.
Its August 7th, we’ve got over 3 weeks left in the transfer window.
——–
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at that one…
Long Hot Summer csc
CELTIC40ME on 7TH AUGUST 2018 1:46 PM
Its August 7th, we’ve got over 3 weeks left in the transfer window
……………………………..
Hoy! Nae sensible posts the day!.
We are doomed I tells ye doomed
MULLET AND CO 2
Don’t recall reading that Hibs said they want £4M for John McGinn, I do recall Neil Lennon saying the Hibs board had a price.
The figure of £4M is in every SMSM portal thanks to SMSM alone.
Whether we need a centre back and how badly we need one, or not remains dependent on whether we sell a) Dedryk Boyata or be less likely B) Jozo Simunovic.
With the window open until 31st August, I’d imagine we’ll have signed two, if not three new players.
As ever CSC
Celtic fans are at loggerheads because of the split between Brendan Rodgers and the Celtic board.
Some fans are demanding the board open the biscuit tin and spend the £4m to bring John McGinn to Celtic Park, whilst others say they don’t need him and the money should be used to buy a proper CH to play alongside the very inexperienced Kristoffer Ajer. They think bombscare Boyata should be sold for £12m and replaced with more quality. But as the McGinn saga rages on, the Hibs midfielder may put an end to it all by signing for Aston Villa. He is already on his way to speak to Villa’s Steve Bruce who will probably convince him to sign by offering wages that Celtic couldn’t possibly match……Meanwhile no such problems at Ibrox. Steven Gerrard’s Rangers have again swooped to sign Croatian International Blahddy Blah Blah….(you know the rest)…
Oli fit…
Best news of the day. Brillant. Team picks itself.
Gordon
Lustig Ajer Jozo KT
Forrest Brown Oli Callum
Rogic
Eddie
THE HANDS CANT HIT WHAT THE EYES CANT SEE on 7TH AUGUST 2018 1:48 PM
We have lost Armstrong so clearly we need another CM to replace him
Not clearly, and not with Mcginn. Armstrong didn’t start many games after January of last season, and we managed ok without him. Armstrong is a goalscoring midfielder, McGinn isn’t.
Also, how does he not fit the profile of players we sign?
For that money we look to sign players who we can develop into first teamers or CL standard players, not squad players.
I wouldnt mind us signing him, I think he’d do a good job for us in Scotland but he’s not good enough to spend too much time worrying about if we don’t get him, and I think we could spend our money better
THE HANDS CANT
Sorry, no you didn’t in your general daily negative agenda.
As ever CSC
McGinn is a long term replacement for Broonie, he isn’t a replacement for Armstrong. He has an almost identical scoring record for Hibs as Broonie had
Btw…any smsm guys looking in (’cause we all know you do)…I turn my back on you, lower my trousers, bare my arse and fart in your general direction…GIRUYs
Timbhoy2 on 7th August 2018 1:52 pm
We’ve signed 2 players this window, 1 for a club record transfer fee.
Don’t let the facts get in the way of your daily drivel!!
BSR @ 1.08
And your point is?
We have gotten ourselves into a terrible guddle regarding the CB roster.
We tried but have seemingly failed to introduce experience into the mix.
Therefore should we not have had another go at it?
DB has 12 months left on his contract plus he played well in 3 games at the WC.
Surely that should have alarm bells ringing regarding him being for the off?
If yes then we should have benn in the market window shopping.
Great what €3mill will get you — just ask Anderlecht.
JS has his issues on the park and he seems to have a history of shaky August’s.
Again some planning would seem to be the order of the day — just for safety’s sake.
All this points to us being very undercooked for the AEK game.
Would you want to put DB into the team on Wednesday if he has been house hunting in SW16 or thereabouts? Would you trust JS not to have another ninja tackle on some unsuspecting AEK player?
Gary67
`Drivel` ?
Drivel is poetic adoration of Celtic compared with that which Timbhoy2 pens :-))
JJ
PB @ 1.57
The AEK game is in less than 30 hours.
Quite a few horses will have bolted befor the transfer window shuts.
It is all about timing.
I am not sure why ( the workings of the mind on a subliminal level are hard to understand) but I am quite confident of going through against AEK. I would be even more confident if Moussa was available but Eddie is looking good enough to inflict damage.Likewise, Mcgregor, Forrest,Ntcham and Rogic are all looking good. Perhaps most important of all, Broonie looked more like his old self on Saturday.
JJ