Three seasons of direct access to the Champions League Group or League stage has isolated us from the anxieties of the qualification rounds. Risks come in categories. There are sides who are far stronger and always progress (such as Arsenal). Scandinavians who are midseason, with a vital fitness advantage, and tiny clubs who get everything right for a season or two in the sun (Malmo), some of whom are also midseason.
In seasons 2012, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 we entered Champions League qualification in the second round. That was bad enough. In 2018, 19 and 20 we entered in the first qualification round. This distorted preseason, denied us money-spinning trips overseas, and brought an unhelpful urgency to squad development.
Getting appropriate preseason games was difficult. Every strong club in Europe was either at a lesser fitness than Celtic, or were midseason and not interested in playing friendlies. There was learning throughout this process, but outcomes were disappointing.
This season starts with a league game against St Mirren on 3 August. By then, we will have played six preseason games, three against strong opposition (Sporting, Newcastle, Ajax). We will have two league games under out belt before the first Champions League playoff round game. There can never be too many, but eight games will move the fitness dial to some degree.
By then, Celtic will hope to have further strengthened the squad. The learning mentioned above will be beneficial. Never underestimate the importance of stability. I mention that to give some context to Newco, who have only one preseason game before they play Panathinaikos in Champions League qualification next week (the Greeks have four games).
There is so much change at Newco right now, ownership of planning and decision-making will still be bedding in. Clearly, the last guys did not leave them much in the way of a structure for the new season.
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I thought that was excellent, looked sharp, fit and the conditioning only a top manager and his team can do
Impressive fitness levels at this early point in the season , especially from the 65 minute men . Inamura strong and skillful , definitely not a Kobiyashi . Maybe we’ll see a bit more of him and Kenny in first team action than I originally thought .
Did Osmand make an appearance tonight?
Idah needs to learn every ball played up to him ,doesn’t have to be on the half turn,he needs to stand strong and hold it in….can’t see it happening…
In order to improve my 3 prerequisites were:
1. retain Maeda
2. Exponential improvement in Engles, Idah and Trusty
3. Sign players who hit the ground running quicker than Engles, Idah and Trusty.
Daizen is still here and Nygren and the Japanese lad look good.
As for number 2🤔
To remind, Khun really kicked on last pre-season, that’s what I mean when I say exponential improvement.
Lots of positives tonight.
If I had to raise a concern then Idah would be it.
I know many of you think he is a decent striker but I don’t see it.
!!Bada Bing!!
Nygren and Maeda gave hime a lesson on it in the first half
Kenny to a lesser extent in the second, although he was a master of getting his body between the ball and the defender – and won us a dodgy penalty doing just that
I think Idah lacks belief and confidence – particularly if he misses a chance, take him ages to recover
escaped goat – adam in first position for the nay-sayers.
dearie me.
Excellent showing from Celtic tonight. Our Japanese and Norwegian new bhoys acquitted themselves well, and Dane Murray suggested we have a genuine CB. Kenny looks a better prospect than Idah.
First half was a slick performance, good passing and movement.
I’m happier after tonight’s performance
Looking at hun media, apparently the huns are looking for £17m for…wait for it…Diomande 😂🤣😅
No wonder they can’t sell their dross!
SS- Oh no,no opinions allowed….same old,same old….BTW it’s what blogs are for,to let fans express opinions….
clunks on 16th July 2025 9:50 pm
Nothing dodgy about the penalty, Clunks. The lad didn’t see Kenny getting in front of him and he took his legs away. In a proper game at least a booking.
billc- Murray looks a very good player, only issue as you know is keeping fit
SS – please feel free to bookmark this post and throw it back in my face: we have wasted £9m on Adam Idah.
Seat Stivs (lols, sorry couldn’t resist)
Idah had a stinker tonight
Am sure he will get better’er
Howevah we do need another ready to rumble striker
Idah will get us goals, 20+ a season, but is not yet ready to be our first choice
!!Bada Bing!! on 16th July 2025 9:55 pm
SS- Oh no,no opinions allowed….same old,same old….BTW it’s what blogs are for,to let fans express opinions
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aye i know, it is what i am doing, having an opinion that other opinions are wrong.
celt55
Maybe’s aye, maybe’s naw
If it went against us, I would be fuming
Jonjo got infront of the defender and made the most of the little contact there was
A good penalty to get, much gnashing of teeth if we concede it!
Well played Jonjo
Really enjoyed that tonight. Some excellent performances. We should have scored more.
Very surprised by Kenny he was very effective.
Nygren really looks a player.
The fact is this. Kenny burst a gut to get to the front post. As a striker should do. Idah too many times, waited at back post. Just what I’m observing, I hope idah improves his take of the ball and keeps his head up when missing chances.
As it stands we don’t have a champs league level striker.
A really pleasing number of defence splitting forward passes tonight . Dane Murray hit a few crackers .
Refreshing to see .
!!BADA BING!! on 16TH JULY 2025 9:39 PM
I thought that was excellent, looked sharp, fit and the conditioning only a top manager and his team can do
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Agree, – Brendan Rodgers did the same last season for the USA tour.
Both Tierney and Inamura could have saved us a fortune in spend at left back. Hatate’s return reminded me of how we managed to lose the CF. Kieran would have had two assists had the chances been converted. Nygren looks a classy player and McCowan looked sharp, and great to see Maeda excel in his natural position wide.
Think Brendan will loan out Kenny or Osmand, with Yamada and Kyogo’s replacement along with Idah all vying for one central start. Interesting where Nygren will play, tonight he was inside, there’s room for another wide right player.
Match day 4 and first enjoyable watch.
Hail Hail
SS- It’s the blind loyalty to the….don’t even think again criticising anything Celtic….Kenny done much more,and I’m not saying he’s the answer, take a step back….I know it’s only a friendly, we all want our players to do well,sometimes it doesn’t happen
BSR
I think we can take another 2 wingers one to cover on the left and a starter for the right, love forrest but not sure he can take the strain and play as much in a full league cup and champions league campaign (Yang may leave, so we could make that 3)
We have Kyogo’s replacement jetting over now
That leaves a centre half and possibly another midfielder, preferably a playmaker/enforcer – the type we cant pay for nor attract lol
Tis a quandry for sure – where was barnardo tonight???
hadi sorry idah is a big no no , never in a month of Sunday’s a goal scoring centre forward.
I’ve been without Internet for much of today, so only catching up now.
Pleasing read back and glad to see some of our new signings look close to being oven ready.
We know we’re likely to be competing in 3 trophies domestically, with aspirations of as many Euro games as we can.
It’ll be another hard season.
Hopefully, all at CP are fully focused and aligned
Glenowen
Hopefully, all at CP are fully focused and aligned
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I hope we are thinking outside the box, whilst still being a cube
Fecking corporate speak can suck a d!ck ;)
CLUNKS
Bernardo gets extra time off because he was playing for Portugal under 21’s
You’re probably right with all of that.
NITOL CSC
Good night all sleep tight 😴
Also
We are only half way thru July
The early signings we have made, have so far been excellent
And some of the kids/b team have looked decent too
Though we must remember, we are right in the middle of close season angst
Like a teenager just realising he could get that hot chick
We must hold our nerve
And resist the fat burd at 2.25am
And her sisters lol
Bloody Idah! Of all the games to miss two sitters!
T
Congratulations to Shelbourne for a great aggregate victory over Linfield. To be honest the score did not reflect the superiority of Shelbourne. They were terrific and by far the superior team. They played excellent passing football, created loads of chances and their fans were very loud and very passionate. For every Tricolour burned on a bonfire at the weekend the Shelbourne fans seemed to have one hundred. Well done Lads.
Excellent performance by Celtic tonight in Lisbon. Our football was great and inventive and we created about five or six real chances in front of goal. The team that started could have scored four either way some great performances I thought when the wholesale changes were made around 65 minutes that Sporting might peg us back but the subs played really well and we scored an excellent breakaway goal where Jonny Kenny was instrumental in setting up the chance for Luke McCowan who finished with aplomb. We are progressing well. Hopefully we’ll be up to scratch for the play off round.
TOBAGO STREET on 16TH JULY 2025 10:45 PM
Bloody Idah! Of all the games to miss two sitters!
T
……………..
To be fair they both came to his left foot. He should have headed the second one though.
Is it me dreaming?.I thought that duffer Idah scored 20 goals,mainly from off the. Bench last year. I incredible stats.2 goals against Vvilla,and his fantastic run and assist against YBs.
Too many wanting too much too soon.His goals the previous season won us the Treble.
Away and goes fekin peace.Too many getting their heads turned.When he stops scoring goals let me know.Until then,shut the fek up.Go and pick on Engels or Trusty.
Celtic Media Readers,CSC.
TB
Idah is a 20 goal a year spl striker
Which is fine for the rest of the spl
But he passes up chances that would make him a 35 goal a year spl striker (which is what we need for europe)
That is the conundrum, do we stick or twist
I reckon we twist
And keep the 20 goals a season in our back pocket, to come off the bench like the last few years
Hai?
Idah will score 30+ this season. You can take that to the bank.
Brendan Rodgers On The Match
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvTRv8i9ZU4
“The importance in performace, thats our mantra”
Was a great performance tbf
More of that pls