Austria Wien have played three league games this season, won one, drew one, lost one. Scored six conceded eight. Stuffed 5-1 by Salzburg two weeks ago. They have only had to play one round of Champions League qualifiers so far, which they won 1-0 on aggregate against the Icelandic champions-cum-day-job-professionals. Send them over, please, Uefa.
Ludogorets Razgrad, from Bulgaria, knocked Dinamo Zagreb out of the Champions League qualifiers last season before going down to Slovan Bratislava in the play-off round. They’ve won two, lost one, of their three league games this season. Beat Partizan Belgrade home and away in last round, beat Slovan Bratislava on aggregate in round before that. They also have to play their home game for the next round at an alternate venue to due to a date clash with a concert. Happy to take this lot.
Legia Warsaw, won all three league games this season, scoring 12, conceding one. Eliminated Molde, after drawing both games, in last round, took care of The New Saints (Wales) home and away in earlier round. Would be a great European tie though not sure if Zbyszek can arrange the result for us.
Maribor, from Slovenia, have won all three league games this season, scored 11, conceded two. Eliminated APOEL Nicosia after two draws in last round. APOEL got to the last eight of the Champions League in 2012, so this team are no pushover. Maribor also have the distinction of being the last team to knock Rangers out of Europe. Ever!
Shakhtyor Karaganda, 12 points off the pace after 22 games in Kazakhstan. Beat Albanians, Korce, in last round and Bate Borisov (who recorded Champions League wins against Bayern Munich and Lille in 2012) in the earlier round. The travel would be an issue; Karaganda is farther east that eastern Afghanistan. If I can paraphrase an Ibrox legend, define Europe. The fact they are midseason and, like Celtic, they’ve won through two rounds already, makes this a less attractive tie, but they are surely not a Champions League team.
Preferences: Shakhtyor Karaganda are the easiest possible opponents but a trip to Austria or Bulgaria would be best.
Would rather avoid: Legia will be the most difficult draw. Maribor will be a similar challenge as Elfsborg.
Lots more to blog about: last night’s performance, Kelvin, Honest Dave King… maybe later.
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Ole
Podium
top ten?
Today’s Scrofularity Index at 12 noon BST is : Pellagrinous
I would prefer we strengthened the squad before challenging any of them to be honest!
Ive paid
You should too if you can afford it
Get the Green Brigade back where they belong!
HH
I would be quite happy with Austria Wien.
HH!!
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
12:05 on
8 August, 2013
The Onlooker
11:54 on
8 August, 2013
Simply the Best ?
No thanks
A good friend of mine, many years ago, summed up the difference between us and the Dead Club as follows…
“A Celtic supporter is someone who loves Celtic
A Follower of the Dark Side is someone who hates Celtic.”
Profound friend.
Like the Orange Lodge.Hatred of Catholicism.Nothing more.
I think all our potential opponents are tricksy.
I wish we were better prepared for the challenges ahead.
sipsini
11:52 on
8 August, 2013
RhebelRhebel @RhebelRhebel 2m
The @RangersMedia are looking for questions to put to Mather, Traynor and McCoist – Pile in Bhoys!
Any one of the five and if we cannot beat them then we would simply be cannon fodder in the groups anyway.
Goal scoring striker please.
EC67
Historically Austria Wein are a very interesting Club, the involvement of the great jimmy Hogan; the disappearance of so many influential players and officials during the Holocaust.
Dontbrattbakkinanger
12:03 on 8 August, 2013
Apologies to any Trotters who are lurkin’, the Flying Pig started at Oldham, not Bolton.
He started his career at WBA where he was kicked out by Ron Atkinson for being in a night club on a Thursady night.
Bom dia,
Currently on a beach in NE Brasil (sadly it’s work related so no shorts, shades n’ fruity cocktails for this bhoy). As it’s NE Brasil it’s pretty much Nowheresville, so internet, phone etc comms is a nightmare.
Missed all of yesterdays “excitement” (although, judging by match reports, that sounds like it may not have been the right word to use) and only got on t’internet this morning.
And what do I find?
A near podium position and I’m a Front page “face” on CQN Magazine (well at least the front page of the website).
Life just couldna be (relatively speakin’) better…..
:-)))
Anybody see the pic of Traynor towards McCoist in the paper yesterday in the Directors Box at Newcatsle game ?
The look he had towards him. Take it Jim doesn’t have time for McCoist either.
Smith and Murray had made a baffoon out him as well.
it takes me that long to write a post on my old phone at work that by the time i am done Paul has a new article up.
.
Song for Section 111..
Russ Abbott..”I Want a Atmosphere”
Summa of SilenceCSC
Some of them look promising ties, the Poles would be difficult I think..
HH
Keep 111 alive & singing
UTLR
Mincey- Wiki/EWLM/EWT do not mention him being at WBA.
But then it doesn’t mention him being at East Belfast Albion either ;/)
.
I’m in a Quarry..
I Have a Football Question that No one will Ever get Correct..
But l don’t want to Ask it..In case someone gets it Correct..
Summa of TheSixMillionDollarQuestionCSC
We are teh seeded club and are capable of beating any of the opponents. I’d rather we avoided the long journey and the travel issues, but apart from that anyone will do.
.
I Think the Ghirls that Sang the Ketchup Song..
Did they Not..Do Lateral Movement..?
Summa
Gordon J- we are seeded based on efforts of last year’s team.
I am fairly apprehensive about the outcome, as I think we have been guilty of complacency over the summer; and have not been pro-active enough.
But hey -ho, it’ll all come out in the wash.
Bulgaira, Slovenia and Poland for me.
The £2.5 mil for Wilson is an unexpected bonus,Heerenveen touting Finbogasson as they say they are losing money every week.Time to push the boat out a wee bit me thinks.
Great article Paul67,
I knew nothing about any of the teams so at least I know who to hope for in the draw!
Thought it was an solid performance last night on an incredibly difficult surface.
Do you know if any of the above teams play on astroturf?
HH
jungle jim
11:52 on 8 August, 2013
Nat Lofthouse?
Nat who? No Nat I know an’ nat, know?
NatKnow.
brnobhoy
01:21 on 8 August, 2013
I wonder how as a Celtic fan for 35 years I am going to survive without the Green Brigade,
I might need to find another sport ……..
Somehow I think the Club wil survive
Brnobhoy
————————-
You are right, of course, that SS Celtica will sail on with or without the GB.
That does not mean than our match day experience will still be as stimulating as it has been while we have had these young enthusiasts. The have undoubtedly stimulated the entire support.
Celtic will also sail on without the talents of Victor & Gary, but nobody would pretend that we won’t be diminished by their loss.
The same applies to the Green Brigade.
They will be sorely missed unless a negotiated solution is found.
Good Luck.
I looked at the 50 questions that the “prominent” zombies are asking of their board, Not one relates to the misappropriation of almost £200k from charity. Hmmnnn!
Was it 48hrs ago that Steak Bake was given 48hrs in the hotseat at Greyskull….. before he done walking away..
HH
Paul 67 –
We will be up to speed fitness wise for the next round – I’d confidently predict none of the other teams want Celtic in the draw.
macjay1 ——-previous thread .
Walk Away Renee.
Sylvie Vartain —— I have her version [ Quand un amor renait ] on an EP . I highly recommend her —- Sylvie A Nashville LP .
Twice As Much never managed to ring my ding . . Bit Peter and Gordon for me .
Saw them on a bill with Vashti Bunyan , many, many moons ago
Dontbrattbakkinanger,
I reckon our current squad is good enough to get through. Additions would be nice of course …
Is it safe to post I retired from podiums after 3 golds :)).
It’s the Austrians for me as well please ,just delighted to be there ,dreadful last night but would take a repeat performance as long as we progressed.
Eight game of Europan football Guaranteed after last night ,2 or 3 signings and a bit of luck and we are back at the top table again.
After reading Vhmans post last night my heart saddened although I have never met him, I know a little of his efforts love and passion for our club, if people like him are to be punished for the alleged actions of others it is a sad sad day for us.
If there is other reasons I wish the board would just be honest with their reasons, I’m sure myself ,Vhman and many others are big and strong enough to take it. As BT touched on last night being evicted because of your neighbours actions is unacceptable in my eyes.
If it is purely a safety issue I will back the club 100% on ensuring that the ground is not closed.
But as judge judy says if it doesn’t make sense it probably is not true:
So today As I sit delighted that Neil Francis and the players have got us a step closer to where we want to be my heart feels for peopke like Vhman.
Just sort it out celtic & the GB ,there must be honesty and common ground for the sake of others.
ps
I hope the zombies resort to type when trying to get their way and force change at boardroom level.
These people dont take kindly to being threatened or intimadated as a way the remove them.
so·ci·o·path
[soh-see-uh-path, soh-shee-] Show IPA
noun Psychiatry.
a person with a psychopathic personality whose behavior is antisocial, often criminal, and who lacks a sense of moral responsibility or social conscience.
Compare psychopath.
IMHO of course
borgo67 –
Cheers.
‘CELTIC’S UEFA Champions League aspirations are alive and kicking after Neil Lennon´s men secured the result needed in Sweden last night to progress to the play-off round later this month.
Every Celtic supporter´s voice will be called upon to provide the thunder at Paradise that will propel the Bhoys to a group stage berth for the second successive season’
=================================
=================================
You don’t need me to highlight the stench of hypocrisy in that second paragraph.
HH