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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https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45075337
Rob McLean chooses his team of the week.
Only Tom made it and yet three Huns who featured in the ball torturing spectacle in Aberdeen are in his favored side.
Our Bhoys need to try harder.
WeeBobbyCollins you are spot on Kenny Macintyre Senior was a gem of a man worked with Mrs Hebelt,As straight as a die and honest as the day is long everything his son is not. H H Hebcelt
Hebcelt….”Just how thick is C Adam???”
Aye, and just how bitter does he sound? Not the sort of guy with whom I could share a pint…
Charlie Adam,
…………….as thick as Chic, in the neck of a bottle……….
;)
( thull no’ like that!)
Good.
!!BADA BING!! on 6TH AUGUST 2018 8:01 PM
Ron- would be a hoot if we nicked the left sided guy from under them…
now are talking , maybe put them right over the edge.
Almore
I met your friend Christy fae Dublin and his friend Michael fae Germany (Saint Pauli fan) They were both at the GAA do Easter 2016. They were asking after you and your big wee bro R.
They were over for the Livingston match on Saturday.
YNWA
Charlie Adam is a thick Dundonian.
Will not comment on his sister’s clothing. ?
There’s an awful echo of Pedro clownxhino in Stevie G’s comments about the match. I reckon there is an induction at poxville – this is where we are, we ain’t got much money, we ain’t got no capacity for development, we need the fans with us – spout no surrender shi^e and that might get you 6 months- otherwise pray (oh not in a Catholic Church Stevie, they tend to attack people who do dat).
AEK Athens captain, attacking midfield player Petros Mantolos has been ruled out of Wednesday nights game.
Hail Hail
Michael Stewart well and truly marked his card at the start of the conversation when he referred to Charlie Adam as a “Dundee fan” .
Michael was well prepared for what was to come.
Legendary ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley reckons Celtic Park has the best atmosphere in European football, coming just in-front of Liverpool’s iconic Anfield Stadium.
Having been a broadcaster for more than three decades, Tyldesley has worked on some of the most memorable football matches in British history, including Manchester United’s famous treble win in Barcelona back in 1999.
He’s sampled atmospheres all over the continent, but Tyldesley reckons nowhere beats a European night in the East End of Glasgow.
Hi garry and davie my knightswood tim bhuddies, hope you both well. I have been keeping an eye on you ghuys or (spying as garry says lol). I’m more of a lurker than poster as typing on this fone is a nightmare, in fact I started this about an hour ago. Was talking to big drew in the smiddy after the cup final. He was in good form. Anyway here’s to a new season with hopefully C L qualification and the treble treble or is it triple treble?
Hail Hail
Hebcelt…picture the scene…a throng of media people, including the network ‘big’ guys from London, outside the Marriot Hotel in Glasgow. Prime Minister John Major descends from car and walks past the journos who are throwing questions at him. He smiles courteously but says nothing….well, except two words….”Hi Kenny.” as he enters hotel…
HJ
Hopefully see you at Paradise on Wednesday.
Jetsetter CSC ?
Thanks again pal.
Someone has been pouring gravy over my allotment for the last few nights.
The plot thickens.
HH!!
We’ve received a £9m bid for Boyata.
Says who?
Sevco will ‘pay’ £2m for a Croatian LB.
Says who?
Apologies for being repetitious but ….
If it comes out of the backside of a pig, cat, dog, sheep, cow or chicken …. its probably excrement.
Likewise if it comes out of the DR, ET, Hootsman, Herald, STV, Clyde or elements of BBC Sport Scotland.
Hail hail
D66 Del good to hear from you pal.
Hope you are well, give everyone my regards when you see them.
Hail Hail
Ps please try and post more often
D. :)
D66
Was in the Smiddy a fortnight ago. Was a Saint Tams reunion night I felt. Went to Saint Tams wi all the auld yins, and went to Saint Tams wi all the young yins faithers or mothers. Great night.
West End Fenians rool! ?
I’ve just watched what BBC Scotland refer to as the highlights package on Sportscene. I wasn’t remotely impressed with the Dons/Sevco footage but it wasn’t till I saw the quality on show from Celtic, Hibs and Hearts that I realized just how poor the “big” game was.
With visits to Motherwell, Maribor,Killie and Celtic this month if he thinks the world is against him today……….!
He could be out of 3 competitions by the end of the month.
D66. do you think we will buy mcginn.hh.
Didn’t listen to the radio this evening, but the comments about Michael Stewart don’t surprise me. As pundits go he is very good, you can tell he is quite intelligent but savvy at the same time. Always found him very impressive on Sportscene and his influence actually rubs off on Steven Thompson who is surprisingly decent too.
I love Michael Stewart (in a manly way) the best pundit in the world.
BP1 is that to David66 (me) or D66?
If me I think we should go for him, I think he could become a legend with BRs coaching and development. But I would wait and get him for free. Feck Petrie
HH
D. :)
DAVID66. it was toD66 I’m bloomin confused. but I value both your opinions.hh.
10iar 10iar
Hello
Hello
AEK Athens on show
Hello
Good to beat crap
Good to be crap
Hello
Hello
BP1 ??
HH
D. :)
#AEK captain Petros Mantalos did not pass fit and stays out of the squad to face #Celtic in Glasgow. Boye likely to replace him in the starting line-up
DAVID66 and D66 this is to both of you. will we keep boyatta.hh.
Hello
Forget what Gerrardhinio says
He’s just another English mercenary
BP1 £9 million with a year left on his contract…..
I will run him to the airport myself.
HH
D. :)
DAVID66. ithink the other david agrees with you.hh.
BP 1
I hope we get mcginn, I know he’s desperate to come to us as confirmed by his cousins whom I socialise with and both DD and David 66 know too. Petrie just being a fanny, nothing new there! Boyata, I’d like to keep him but if there’s a 10 mill on offer then cheerio
Garry and Davie, your regards are always passed on when I meet the troops
Hail Hail
BP1 the other David is actually Del
D. :)
CELTARELLA. how are your brothers keeping.hh.
DAVID66. now I’m really confused.smiley thing.
D17
I know ST personally. Him and my cousin were a couple before he left Houston forDundee Utd. Crackin big Saint Mirren fanatic, who said he prefered Celtic to Rangers. He was possibly trying to find favour wi my fenian family? I believed him.
jimthetim53
Evening Jim!
Doing a bit of reading back and spotted a comment from you that ye got some good news! Delighted for ye mate.
HH
TC45