The day after the opening Champions League qualifier of the season can get a bit tasty on the blog but business has been pedestrian since last night’s professional performance by the men in hoops. If you wanted to be pushy, you could point to a couple of glimpses of goal which fell Cliftonville’s way as a result of Celtic defenders being dragged out of position, but that’s about the measure of an unfamiliar defence at any time.
Congratulations to Georgios Samaras, who scored in Celtic’s first five European away games last season and obliged again yesterday. A remarkable record for a player who is never employed as a penalty box striker.
It would also be tardy not to congratulate Celtic and Cliftonville supporters on their exemplary behaviour throughout the day. After recent disturbances in Belfast there were fears that a group of travelling Celtic supporters could find trouble in the city but the casual observer could be forgiven if he thought we were in Seville again.
Maybe Belfast council should invite us over every July to spread a bit of cheer. We do football very well, in all respects.
Neil Lennon can now kick back and relax with a formality of a second and the next round not for another…. 12 days!! Maybe not. 12 days is not a lot of time to do anything in football, so every day, including match day against Cliftonville, will need to be meticulously planned to ensure we are ready to face an opponent who could well be midseason. Relax, and you’re finished in this business.
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Congratulations to Georgios Samaras, who scored in Celtic’s first five European away games last season and obliged again yesterday. A remarkable record for a player who is never employed as a penalty box striker
Once again, it was Sammi who showed the way in a European tie – his contribution was invaluable, and he has been adding more goals to his game since last season to silence the Hartsons and Macgarveys.
Scott Brown’s season looks very promising after last night, while Forrest, if he stays fit, could bring an extra dimension with his pace.
Kayal still disappoints – lots of attitude, but clumsy in the tackle and too often directionless in the pass. I genuinely hope he gets back to his 10/11 form, but so far so samey from him.
The most encouraging thing I take from it is how good Sammi and Stokes looked up front in the 40 or so minutes they played together as strikers.
Viewfaethewindae
My understanding is losers in this round are OUT
Losers in the next round face Europa Lge play off (eg us v Utrecht 2011)
Losers in final qual round straight into EL group stage
Draw must be tomorrow because last year Helsinki drew us after winning first leg 7-0 with 2nd leg still to be played
Very professional performance last night with the odd defensive lapse.
Earl season rust.
Still think we need better than Kayal and Stokes to replace Vic and Hoops.
Kayal has poor timing and awareness with no ability to find a team mate with a pass.
And Stokes is not a team player.If we make him our number one striker the team will suffer.
Hope JF stays fit as he was sensational and special mention to Efe who just returned and was very good with Wilson
PFayr .
The lady from up north who is Mrs S of T gets pals from the north to send her Barolo.. She is utterly disdainful re Nero d’Avola .. She says it’s too hot in Sicily to make good wine. I think that when Nero d’Avola is good ,it’s good but the cheaper end of the market stuff is dire . Sold at the roadside – 1.50 euros a liter..
The draw for the third qualifying round takes place tomorrow.
HH!!
squire danaher
13:22 on 18 July, 2013
Cheers, Europe of some description is a must.
Off to the pool and a couple of beers, cheers.
fan-a-tic
Stokes needs to improve the mental side of his game – he gets too down on himself if things don’t go his way. A great talent, though, with terrific vision, if he can control his mood.
kane downs@kanedowns11m
Breaking news Wayne rooney is set to join chelsea after his wife has agreed personal terms with john terry
Check that Utrecht 2010
South of Tunis
Do they still make Terre De Ginestre ( possibly sic) , which was the first Sicilian wine I ever tasted- it was a white and a real unexpected pleasure. Used to buy it from Valvona’s in Edinburgh 15-20 years ago.
Jimbo
Best available team for return leg please. 60 minutes to gel for bigger tests to come. 30 mins for rogic, mcgeouch and watt or Balde.
Business has begun. No messing around / every coefficient point needed too, so no stupid draws at home. I expect a 5 or 6 goal win.
Someone frantically buying Sevco shares to stop the price crashing…
All about opinions but I thought Kris Commons looked in good shape for the season ahead. Haven’t seen him get a mention from anybody though so must be just me.
We still need a reliable penalty box striker, one who can compete at a European level.
Stokesy will score goals domestically, but will often struggle against superior opposition.
Balde is not a goalscorer, and it’s a big ask for Tony Watt(goal against Barca notwithstanding) and young Atajic to consistently step up to the mark at this stage of their careers. Their time will come.
Just heard thunder in the distance!
HH!!
When is a Pet “Peeve”, not a Pet “Peeve”?
When it is a …A Pet “Frustration”!
And Ah hiv Two.. Not Pet “Peeves.”.. But..
Pet…”Frustrations”!
And Here they Ur..
Diz anybuddy else Agree?
First One: Why Is Lenny Playing Young Tony Watt, way oot oan Left Field?
When.. Ah no only believe.. But Ah KNOW ….that Playing the Kid Way oot of the Loop.. is tantamount tae.. playing Scouts Pick.. wi’ Boxing Gloves oan!
Tony Watt,is a Natural.. Hustler and Bustler.. Rummel ‘ Em Upper.. Thru the Middler!
His Strengths Ur Being totally Muted n Stifled as a Left Winger.
Number 2: Why is Fraser allowed tae Persist in .. Lumping his Bye Kicks and Hand Held Gatherin’s .. Up the Park??
Didnae Ah several times.. Inform Neil and his Back-Room Boys,aboot this Stupid Tactic thae tae which Thur Goalie is fully Committed ?
.. which in daeing so.. Is Tantamount tae Throwin’ a Boomerang.. at a Destructive Kangaroo..and then hiving tae run Like Hell.. When the Boomerang Comes ZOOMIN’ Right Back at ye … Missing the Kangaroo.. but noo Arrowin’ like a Guided Missile….
Straight fur Yer Heid???
Neil.. get wit the Programme..
Pay Attenshun!
Issue a “Cease and Desist” Warrant . tae yer Recalcitrant Employee.. Forthwith!
Fraser, should Always.. eethur… Side Foot or Throw his Clearances tae a Nearby Colleague..
So Wan of Fraser’s Blooters up the Park . did manage tae meet wit Astounding Success( See .. Tony Watt’s Goal . Agin the Barca)
But, a Solitary Wan, oota One Hundred Tries..is just NO a very good Average!
Kojo
Still Laughin’
Fan-a-tic
Not a team player?
Would Hooper have scored as many goals if Anto hadn’t been his playing partner
Up over goal
Stokes has some really great skill and sublime moments.
Last year on his return to the team he had a few great games but then returned to his selfish ways and both he and the team struggled.
If he keeps his ego in check and plays like a member of the team we have a very good player .
But I fear if we make him our number 1 striker his selfish side will take over to the detriment of the team
jimbo67 @ 13 29 .
Terre di Ginestra white .
Yes ! .
Experts claim that a company called Calatrasi produce the best Terre di Ginestra.
Kojo/Pasquale
Ciao!
Agree totally with you there!
Is that a first? Mibees aye, mibees naw.
Posted on here earlier today that I felt that Tony should be played more through the middle – that’s where his strength lies imo.
As for big Fraser – fantastic shot-stopper, but his distribution needs to improve. Noticed it quite a few times last season when instead of playing the ball short to a defender who was in space, he persisted in blooterin’ it up the park – often to an opponent.
However!
His ‘blooter up the park’ against Barca had a happy ending after Xavi’s (of all people) blunder allowed Tony in to score the goal of the season.
Hope Tony starts next Tuesday – through the middle!
HH!!
Samaras is our No1 striker. If we have a goal scorer who can play with him we have a deadly partneship on our hands!
LB
fan-a-tic, 13:44
He certainly deserved a goal last night for his efforts over the full 90 mins
The boy jinky
My thoughts as well, when reading Paul’s post.
With those green tinted specs, maybe he’s after a pundits role on Celtic TV
;-)
hh
Clink\o/
Who knows?
The Scottish cup final he benefitted from 2 great assists.
But on many occasions in games he was in great positions but Stokes took the selfish option to take a poor shot.
It’s a debatable point as if someone else played would they have contributed to goals.
As I have said on here often he has moments of sublime skill but he also can be very selfish which is to his own and the teams detriment
Stephbhoy 13:07 (and all)
Possible opponents for Q3 as follows:
Sheriff Tiraspol (Mol) or Nicsik (Mon) 1st Leg 1-1
NK Maribor (Slo) or Birkirkara (Mal) 0-0
Slovan Bratislava (Svk) or Razgrad (Bul) 2-1
IF Elfsborg (Swe) 7-1 (assume through)
Maccabi Tel-Aviv (Isr) 2-0 (a) (assume through)
Molde (Nor) 1-0 (a) (assume through)
HJK Helsinki (Fin) or Kalju Nomme (Est) 0-0
Ekranes (Lit) or Hafnarfjordur (Isl) 0-1
Netftchi Baku (Azb) or Korce (Alb) 0-0
Dinamo Tbilisi (Geo) 6-1 (assume thru)
South of Tunis
Thanks. Need to try and get hold of some. Beautiful stuff- and in those days not too dear. I do prefer the Barolo to the other Italian reds. According to pfayr this makes me some sort of girlie but hey ho.
Jimbo
Jimbo
fan-a-tic
Selfish or not after Commons nobody sets up more goals then Stokes and the stats back that up.
My issue is he should score more, work on that Anto!
jimbo67 .
Ginestra .
Ginestra is near Palermo . Scene of a massacre in 1947 . 11 people shot during a demonstration re land reform . Perpetrators of the massacre were separatist/ nationalist bandits frightened by ” communism “
Some real pace and delivery on the flanks with a true 6 yard box predator and we are there I think…..
Theres enough quality in midfield to protect the back four……….and we learned some painful lessons against Juventus last season too….it wont happen again.
Life is good for Tims………
Another title
Another cup or (two)
Good run in CL
Skip loads of money in the bank
RIFC (whatever their name is this week) about to erse up again
Yep…its good to be Tim
South of Tunis
Thanks for the info re Ginestra. I have been seduced by episodes of Montalbano into thinking Sicily is a paradise ( actually one or two of the episodes are quite dark) and somewhat apart from the political lunacies of the mainland. But no.
Jimbo
TallyBhoy
at 13.34.
Hiya,palomine?
Nice tae greet ye..
You are Correct.
We need ,at least… One.. although, Two, wid be a Mair Sensible Figure.. Tried and Trew .. EXPERIENCED.. Striker/Strikers..
I ,like yer guid Self.. Do not believe that we wull be able tae Survive the early Rounds of this Season’s European League Championship … With bringing in One or Two New Tried and Trew Strikers.
We hiv… A short window of opportunity, in which tae Achieve this goal.
Ah hiv Three Suggestions fur Neil.
He should..
Bring in… The “Rifle”… Forthwith.
Or
Bring in.. Charlie Austin.. with a BIG…. Forthwith~( Predicated oan the fact, that He Is capable of Succesfully Surviving A Stringent Medical Examination.. of Course)
or
Bring In..As a Desperate Measure.. which, it may well be.. but, Ah don’t care!
Johnny Russell.
or
Bring In..
All Three!
NIce Chatting Pal
Kojo
Still Laughin
jimbo67 .
I live in Montalbano land . Relatively Mafia free for a variety of reasons [ not part of the original star / no shortage of water and the men of honor like neutral areas in which to safelymeet and discuss business . ] .
No shortage of corruption in Sicily !
Thought sammi and James linked very well in the first half, james looked dangerous but this is a big big season for him, espcially in europe.
Efe and wilson both had few slips in concentration but overall did well, i dont see efe as a midfielder at all.
Kayal and efe aswel need to be backed 100%, what we put samaras through a couple seasons ago makes me cringe. These two like sammi will be very important players or us i hope.
Mcgeouch, watt,rogic hopefully play the next too games. To start 2 games in a row will only give them confidence and hopefully the hunger to stay in the 1st team.
Season is underway..thankfully.
HH
Comedy spin as today’s Martin Williams inspired Herald article reads- Sevco share price crash is GOOD, it points to efficiency .. I also note this story placed front page with big Sevco crest and BEFORE CELTIC STORY..
The Herald is such a hurting Sevco rag.
clink\o/
Hooper would probably have scored even more goals than he did with another partner
in 45 years man and bhoy i cannot recall a more selfish Celtic striker than Stokes in terms of shooting for goal when a colleague is in a better position to score
Kayal wull Not do the Biznezz..
Why?
Because Ah said It!
He is not Celtic Class..
Howevahhhhhhhh… As an After Thought..Ah am Prompted tae ask…
Who Is?
Hmmmmmmm
In Any case, That Unanswered Question…Notwithstanding..
Kayal, Simply…… does Not Contribute… Much……
Case Closed,
Ah wid Bring .. Efe, intae the Middy.. Or..
Ah wid Gie Our Young Aussie.. although, he is Not a Natural Right-Footer.. A Chance at Filling… the Not so easily filled Boots ..of Wanyama.
The Young Aussie?…Ah thought ye’d Nevah Ask!..
Being.. Jackson Irvine. tae mak masel Clear.
Joe Ledley’s Joab is Hingin’ by a Thread. Fur he jist Does Not Do well.. against
European Opposition..
that is Ma Opinion,of Course..
Anyway.. Tom Terrific, has a guid Chance of Evicting Mr.Ledley, from his Hitherto from
Mid Field Sinecure…or.. From… his Sinecure ,in the Mid Field..( Ah like that Bettah…ed)
We have the Men already oan the Payroll who could Fulfill all of Our Outstanding Requirements in the Mid-Field..
‘
Ah see no reason ,at All.. .tae needlessly Add..
A Pint or Two… of Fresh Blood tae Celtic’s Mid Field Blood Bank..
Ah hope Neil is Listening.
Kojo
Still Laughin
Bejasus, I know you shouldn’t laugh at the afflicted, but I challenge you to take a look at the graphs on this share-page for Sevco and not have a wee chuckle.
http://www.lse.co.uk/SharePrice.asp?shareprice=RFC
Tallybhoy
Well, Neil would be in good company there. The late Ludovic Kennedy was blackballed by Muirfield when he applied for membership of the club. Could have been his many campaigns against injustice both North and South of the border. Ludo might have got a knighthood, but maybe not quite establishment enough for the Edinburgh Burghers!