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.
[calameo code=0003901713852289beccb lang=en page=78 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
1,223 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 33
- »
Twists&Turns, i think you are probably right. From my addition we brought in £31m from CL last year as well as £26.5m from Ki 6m, Hooper 5.5m, Wilson 2.5m & Wanyama 12.5m from transfers and as the Club have always said they will reinvest in the team from transfer money! I hope they will, fans want to see good football and that can only come about from good players. Its a difficult one as we should win the league with our current team but unless we are watching good quality football the fans will become bored.
I saw fans leave after the last game of the season without watching the trophy being lifted, are we becoming spoiled? Mirroring the defunct club who saw season tickets decline with no competition in the 9iar era. Is it time to move the special projects model up from the £1-2m bracket to the £3-4m one and see it match/surpass that of Ajax & Porto. I met Mick in Dubai last year and he said the trick was to qualify for CL this year and we are nearly there with the riches that will bring.
I think many fans will see the CL/ less so EL group stages as the only show in town and may will buy these packages as the expense of season books, particularly as the atmosphere may be very flat if the GB are diluted. I like alot of what they have done but no set of fans is bigger than the club, they may not have been responsible for banners etc but need to police themselves better imo.
Tallybhoy
11:32 on 8 August, 2013
‘Simply the best’ must be one of the worst songs ever recorded.
When old Tina was still with that nutter Ike, they recorded some great choons.
*my 7 year old grandson walks about with his I-pad and earphones on singing “do I love you my oh my” it’s the Glee version. Fairly takes his oul grampa back working with Wimpey in Bishpbriggs
hankray-been called worse on here :) HH
….PFayr
Not really any proof that he wanted to play for Celtic either other than folk on here saying he was a Tim
NegAnon2 13:23 on 8 August, 2013
I didn’t read what you posted last night so I can’t specifically comment on that.
Name calling is generally desperate behaviour – but sometimes people get a wee bit passionate and state things they later regret.
The way I see the blog is we all like giving our opinions – therefore it’s silly to be over-critical of people who give opposing opinions.
If you disagree with someone that’s all it is.
Kikinthenakas @ 13;24,
I would have Defoe in a Heartbeat.
Scores goals at every level.
Here’s a crazy mid-transfer notion.
Wayne Rooney, if he’s not wanted at Man U and they don’t want to sell him to a competitor take him on loan.
We can offer him European Football and a regular game.
He’d be great off Sammi or Kris.
Just a thought if we can’t get Defoe.
Hail Hail
Can anyone offer me a view as to the seeming poor attendance at the opening game v Ross County? Was it simply a product of the kick off time or indicative of more? Does anyone know for sure how many season tickets have been sold?
Can anyone explain why an enquiry re an overseas season ticket and two reminders remains unanswered since 11th July?
Regarding Finbogasson, players from northern Europe adjust better to our climate and if we get him for God’s sake don’t let him train at Lennoxtown until after the qualifiers.
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
11:29 on 8 August, 2013
South Of Tunis
11:09 on
8 August, 2013
Astonished to find somebody who remembers “The Left Banke” version of “Walk away Renee”.Try the Sylvie Vartain version.
Take it you know “Sitting on a fence” by “Twice as Much”?
Similar vocal harmonies.
“never thought about that, 2 cracking songs tae, Twice as Much were an Andrew Loog Oldham protégé and Sitting on the Fence was written by Mick and Keef around the same time “As Tears Go By”.
For the young ones on here ALO was the man who put the Stones on the map, locked Mick and Keef in the kitchen until they wrote some songs, first 2 were recorded by Gene Pitney and Cliff Richard.
Chairbhoy
Can we get Suarez on loan as well?
LB
https://twitter.com/JohnDonoghue64/status/365457355397296128/photo/1
Larkhall Academy ?
Not a chance of Lawwell signing Finnbogason, the penny pinching bean counter wouldn’t spend that type of money !
derbyshirebhoy
I would direct those questions to John Paul Taylor.
LB
cliftonville celt
The recent responses from the Green Brigade illustrate to, me at least, the response of a “committee”, or a self-styled self-serving group. Democratic centralism taken to its logical conclusion, leadership by the few, responsibility by none. Damage to over 100 seats is described as “accidental” and crowd behaviour as “trivial and harmless”. The GB cannot claim, justifiably in some cases, of members being targeted and victimised by various authorities, whilst dismissing actual criminal damage at Celtic Park as an irrelevance. Stupidity at best, hypocrisy at worst. The Green Brigade does lateral movement, when what it needs do is lateral thinking.
Afternoon Timland, hot and hun free in the mountain valley.
NA2
Never caught your spat with Paul last night, so can’t comment on it.
Agree with you 100% on your post.
HH
CFC might make an offer for Finnbogason if they can find a buyer for Stokesy.
HH!!
Paul, Is there a hope in hell that Lawwell would finance a deal for Finnbogason ?
We are the walruses
Does anyone have a copy of Glasgow City’s communication to Celtic FC regarding the issuance of their safety certificate?
“Stadium safety is covered by a Stadium General Safety Certificate, which is issued annually by Glasgow City Council in terms of the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975. “
The Green Brigade and wannabe copycats at other clubs came about because scottish football is dying a long slow painful death. These ultra fan groups are trying to bring back much needed noise singing colour and excitment .
My suggestion for a solution to the current sad situation is to split the GB into pockets of150 spaced right round the stadium.
You could then get competing sections of the ground trying to be the loudest.
Soon everyone in the ground would GBers.
Tallybhoy
Then we will still only have 1 striker! How much extra a week would have kept Hooper? His loss looks worth much more than £5m to the team.
LB
derbyshirebhoy
It was Taggsybhoy’s 50th birthday in Aberdour, I counted 9 season ticket holders who couldn’t attend the match once the kick off was moved.
Hope that helps.
bamboo
That’s what Celtic are trying to do. The GB don’t want to be split up though.
LB
LiviBhoy
14:21 on 8 August, 2013
You naughty GB’rs sitting at the back…come doon here and sit in front of the teacher.
The GB don’t want to be split up in case they don’t get to take their top off and jump on top of their bestest ‘friend’.
atthewindup csc
.
Hunble Apologise..
Too..
DontPatMaDug..And DontPatMaDugInAnger..
Just realised you are Not the Same Posters..
Summa of DisSexyLicsCSC
Livibhoy @ 14;12,
why not?
Wee bit of baggage but Liverpool would be aff their head to sell him to Arsenal.
There will be half a dozen FAPL teams after CL places this Season, Suarez to Arsenal will change things hugely.
Hail Hail
Hullo der PL. I’m resigning as chairman tomorrow so you might wanna make that lateral movement problem of yours a bowel one. I’m just saying. Israeli settlement tactics. Ken.
derbyshirebhoy @ 14.07
Was that enquiry sent by letter or email?
may67
12:01 on 8 August, 2013
Since we’re on about songs……. I hate the ten in a row one – smacks of the kind of supremacy that we criticise the we arra peepil mob for.
*we sang it first in 1975 “oh oh oh it’s magic you know oh oh, gonnae be 10 in a row”.
No mention of Finbogason or Doyle today on the rumour front, there is a mention of Capuano, Italian under 21 CB, currently with newly relegated Pescara
gsu
I am the wallree
Summa
.
What is the Plural of Walrus..?
Summa
Who needs more than one?
chairbhoy
14:05 on 8 August, 2013
Ha, if only…..Defoe is not wanted at Spurs and would do a turn for the year. Lenny only rates Stokes as a SPL player judging from previous teams in Europe….I think he is ok…..but we need a bums on seat type…Defoe and Finnbogson ……too much?
Kikinthenakas
If we want to get in to the CL stage we urgently need t sign the following
A dominant CB capable of heading the ball
A proper defensive midfielder to replace big Victor
A CF who wants to play in our opponents six yard box
Like many I would love to see another Lubo or Naka but that would be an extra to what we are in need of right now!
I see that some of those espousing the GB ‘s cause are now reverting to the classic whataboutery. – what about the Huddle? – what about the goal celebrations?
Last time I saw it the Huddle – which perhaps has had it’s day anyway – did not involve any real movement people’s feet at all
The club asks all supporters to abide by a few basic rules – if the GB feel they deserve better treatment than the rest – that’s their problem
Some now say the overcrowding is a fault of poor stewarding/supervision but for months they have complained about over zealous stewarding – so what do they really want? more or less?
These issues can be resolved but the legal requirements that the club faces in order to guarantee the safety certificate must be met.
If the GB cannot or will not meet these requirements – then their time has come and gone
The board cannot allow a small shadowy group to dictate what happens to the club
Likewise if the GB are prepared to abide by the stadium regulations – then the board should be prepared to back the GB and others in the complaints about Police Scotland’s recent actions
HH
The first thing the club should do re the GB, is to employ our own stewards.
That would go a long ways to appeasing everyone.
HH
croppybhoy
14:30 on 8 August, 2013
If we want to get in to the CL stage we urgently need t sign the following
A dominant CB capable of heading the ball
A proper defensive midfielder to replace big Victor
A CF who wants to play in our opponents six yard box
Like many I would love to see another Lubo or Naka but that would be an extra to what we are in need of right now!
I see that some of those espousing the GB ‘s cause are now reverting to the classic whataboutery. – what about the Huddle? – what about the goal celebrations?
Last time I saw it the Huddle – which perhaps has had it’s day anyway – did not involve any real movement people’s feet at all
The club asks all supporters to abide by a few basic rules – if the GB feel they deserve better treatment than the rest – that’s their problem
Some now say the overcrowding is a fault of poor stewarding/supervision but for months they have complained about over zealous stewarding – so what do they really want? more or less?
These issues can be resolved but the legal requirements that the club faces in order to guarantee the safety certificate must be met.
If the GB cannot or will not meet these requirements – then their time has come and gone
The board cannot allow a small shadowy group to dictate what happens to the club
Likewise if the GB are prepared to abide by the stadium regulations – then the board should be prepared to back the GB and others in the complaints about Police Scotland’s recent actions
HH
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
100% Agree with all the above.
neganon2
13:23 on 8 August, 2013
I honestly feel your views would be taken more seriously if you peppered them with a little positivity ….. your moniker leads to the assumption that you like being (nega)tive all the time…?