I hear the modest noises which Shakhter manager Viktor Kumykov made after their win over Celtic last week have been replaced by more robust predictions. Kumykov told the most senior local apparatchik, Baurzhan Abdishev, that Shakhter will score a few goals in Glasgow and progress into the Champions League group stage.
I always like to hear confidence like this from the opposition camp. Let Celtic do their talking on the park.
Shakhter are further away from home than any team participating in Champions League history, apart from Celtic who faced the opposite journey last week. The second half on Wednesday kicks off at 01:45 Kazak time; no matter what the score at the halfway point, the latter part of the game will be when the visitors are at their most vulnerable.
Meanwhile Kazak news report that Shakhter have shipped shirts to some Glasgow-based football fans, who will be attending Celtic Park on Wednesday as newly-recruited Shakhter fans.
Did we mention practicing penalties? The entire squad should spend time today and tomorrow doing so, but Kris Commons especially. He is the one penalty taker Shakhter will prepare to face.
Memory of the day:
We lost the first leg of our European Cup, first round, tie against Partizan Tirana in 1979 1-0. It was thought important for Celtic to score first in the return but Partizan doubled their lead and scored an away goal.
Celtic went on to hit four and progress, although none of the strikers got on the score-sheet, Davie Provan played arguably his best game for the club.
Bring it on……..
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Re. Pukki, the footage I have seen of him scoring, seem to show a player who can find the net when counter-attacking. IMHO, I think we need a player who can stick the ball in the net whilst in the penalty box, as our friend Kojo has alluded to recently. I’m thinking he could be another Brattbakk.
Should we make the group stages of the CL, his strengths may be more useful when playing in Munich, Madrid, or London, when we would expect to be under the cosh for long periods of time, and have to rely on the ocassional breakaway.
Just me thinking out loud!
HH
Paddy G
Fine pal hope you are well. Score for Wed please??
Paddy G
Sorry for the slow reply but my Microsoft Security is playing up.
Reports in Holland saying Heerenveen looking for between 8 and 10 million Euros for Finnbogason – so you can forget about him.
I cannot see any business being done by Celtic until after the game on Wednesday night when they will decide what level of striker the can afford. So it’ll either be bargain basement or women’s lingerie on the second floor, you can definitely forget about the 65″ flat screen 3D TV with the Dolby surround sound stereo system on the top floor.
I hope to be proved wrong, but doubt it ;-(.
SFTB, welcome back.
AWE NAW
PAUL67 alluded to the club running at a loss without player sales and CL money. Seems our commercial deals aren’t cutting the mustard,and the footballing side of the operation is being used to shore up the business.
I suggested that PL who is in charge of maximising commercial income might like to ask himself if he really is the genius that he and his sycophants tell us he is.
Still waiting for a reply.
And I think anyone who asks that at the AGM can whistle for a reply too.
BTW
Chuffed for yer bro yesterday,the mad sod.
Canny wait to see the video….
Heard Jonny Russell is homesick. Get in there Neil!!!
By the time Celtic go thru to the C L I should be a millionaire. Ive just bot 3 lucky dips for Wed roll over. Got a right good feel shiver when the guy handed them over!! ))))))))))))
In a good attacking system the goals will be spread around.
What type of scorer do we require?
A tall target man to get on the end of our hopeful punts?
Or a poacher who can pick up scraps and knockdowns?
Either way they should be strong as they will be faced with being outmanned in the forward areas with our cautious system.
BMCUWP
Sychophants all the way up to DD. The hope longing and ambition for the product on the pitch always pruned for the sake of financial necessity just as the dreams start to garner pace. ALWAYS
Aye the lhad done well landed on his feet.Last heard of still running with parachute still attached ;-)
HH
Awe Naw
Forget debt. We don’t have any. What the club won’t do is put in place a cost model that is reliant on annual ECL dough to break even.
Without security of income, we’re in a hopeless bind. It’s toss ha’penny every summer in terms of qualification, with Shakter’s 2nd goal an example of the hazard of relying on calling 6 heads in succession (as we need to do to qualify this year).
With the transfer market squeezed into the last fortnight in August, we need to complete our recruitment for the coming season in January each year, and adjust costs at the end of the summer window if results in qualifying don’t go our way.
That of course, is a little easier said than done.
Hey ho.
Here are the list of probable pots for CL and EL
We’d be in Pot 4 in CL and Pot 2 in EL
Some interesting teams are Benfica Pot 1 in CL, Dortmund and Juve Pot 3 CL
Real Betis Pot 3 EL, as well as Swansea and Wigan
Best scenario for CL would be :-
Benfica (1), CSKA Moscow (2), Basel/Galatasary (3), Celtic (4)
EL, my best scenario would be :-
Stuttgart (1), Celtic (2), Partizan Belgrade (3), Ludogrets Razgrad (4)
http://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/seedcl2013.html
http://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/seedel2013.html
Worst case scenario CL
Bayern Munich (1), Atletico Madrid/PSG (2), Juventus/ Dortmund (3), Celtic (4)
Worst case EL
Valencia/Spurs (1), Celtic (2), Anzhi/Swansea (3), Pacos de Ferriara (4)
Notably Shakter Karagandy are the lowest ranked side in both competitions
TBB
I did call for the selling of Hooper in January over the Juve game. We could easily have got in a short term adeqaute replacement. Last 16 ..an easy sell but I guess we were hoping to jang in to him still.
I dont understand why the whole season is geared up to CL qaulification yet the commercial side is.
January should always be our main window.
HH
Hang on to him still
Commercial side isn’t
WilloFloodCSC
THE BATTERED BUNNET
Our income from ticket sales is dependent on perceived attraction of the team on the pitch.
It may be a toss ha’penny as you say,but with £40m to play with,we had a double-headed coin in our back pocket.
PL has put is in a bind by a lack of planning. I hope he sends Neil Lennon a barrel of Guinness for saving his ass on Wednesday night.
And I hope he publicly promises that this shambles of a transfer window never happens again.
If we don’t qualify,we will have the same scenario this time next year,and PL will say the money is simply not there,as we failed to qualify last season.
Either he sharpens up his ideas,or we are faced with ever-decreasing circles.
IMP,he is a brake on the club. His time has come and gone,and so should he.
The battered bunnet…..
Not bothered if he’s a great goal scorer.. As long as he scores plenty, I don’t mind if they’re knee ins, shin ins, tap ins or any other… If they cross the line legally they’re great!!
Ah feel in Ma Bones …….
That..
Teemoo Pukkee wull Come.. n He wull Mak us Furget Hoops..in a Hurree!
He is Speedy…
In days tae come..
The Flying Finn, wull Join the Flying Dutchman.
Ah’d like that.
Noo..awe we need tae dae is Clean oot the Middy..
Broonie, Kayal, Ledley.. Dump the Dozers..
These Guys are the Pits..
Celtic’s Trouble is in it’s Middy..
Oor Lollygagging Mid-Field….needs Renovated.. and the Present Occupants need tae be Evacuated.
We only need Two New Mid Fielders..
Fur.. Adam Matthews, is Ready willing and…mair than… Indecently.. Able. tae take over a Middy Slot
right Noo..
But , wull Neil See that?
Ah doot It..
Fur , he canny even See that Ambrose is No A C.B.
Neethur is Charlie a Mid Fielder
Neethur is Sammi. a Central Wan Man up Front Striker!
Neethur is Tony Watt a Left Winger.
Neether is Neil’s Penchant fur waiting till the Last Few Minutes ,afore he brings oan
a Sub.. when we hiv bin Spinnin oor Wheels.. jist gasping fur A Change in oor Line-Up
Noo that’s Bad.
Diz anybuddy else oan Here,no wonder at times aboot Neil’s Lack o’ the capacity tae
well.. Notice Things that are Going Oan right in front of His Eyes?
Well.. Ah soitenly dae dae.
And it Mystfies the Hell oota Me~
Ah like Neil.. Ah think he is A Swell Guy..
But..
He is still Too Wet Behind the Ears, fur such an Important Appointment that he hiz.
The Boy Needs Help. He needs an Auld Grey Beard..or Green Beard.. tae
Whisper in his Ear.. in the quiet manner of… “The ..Ins and Out of Gentle Guidance”, as it is Taught in Room 101..Noo and Again..
To Set Him Right..
Maks sense tae Me.
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
Kojo
Personally think its the tactics and system’s employed rather than the above players that’s the problem.
Spacing and tempo issues nullifying players strengths.
Poorly implemented by an incomplete coaching staff.
I have no idea what the score will be on Wednesday.Not a clue,so no bolshy predictions from me.We will have to be razor sharp,because we cannot afford to miss chances.As for the team,who knows.Certain players will not be too suited to playing a packed defence,no space behind to run into,etc.All the experts agree that to beat this you must get to the byeline and cut the ball back.Mathews,Forrest,Sammi,Derk(if fit)seem our best chance of doing so.Alas,who will put the hoped for cutbacks in the net.We are woefully short in this department,but then again,Charley scored from one on Saturday.
We can beat this team.Of course we can,we are Celtic at Celtic Park.We will have to be at our best,probably for the first time this season.
delighted SK are blasé – they have a huge psychological hurdle to get over – they think they’ve already done the hard work. We know we were poor. Afternoon sftb : )
Sftb welcome home.
Just back from ticket office ,
There was two of us going, car full now Just the way it should be.
Usually require a few wee nips to keep me awake till kick off… Maybe should have finished the bottle b4 last weeks kick off…..
Anyways, onwards and upwards…. Real and Porto for me in the group stage.
KTF
NegAnon2
13:35 on
26 August, 2013
Hi SFTB – welcome back to you. As you can see I have persisted with generally upsetting everyone!
Actually I hadnt thought of the lazy journo approach – you are probably right.
Still think its our expectations that are being carefully managed though :
You never upset me mate.Every word you say is on the button.The lack of a striker for the qualifiers,could go down as the biggest f—up in our history.Happy clappers can say what they like,its a disgrace to go into this game in the state we are.
Patrick27
Thanks for that, very interesting.
Had a wee look at the Champions League positions. If we qualify we will definitely be in Pot 4 again. We’d need 5 teams with a coefficient higher than us not to qualify from the qualifying round. That’s not possible as there are only 3 ties of the 8 where that can happen. I think.
If we qualify and even if we do as well as last year then next year our coefficient will only take a small boost as we will suffer for 3 years more with the 2010/11 Brag/Utrecht points disaster.
I would choose last 16 every time but in the long game a 3rd place finish and run in the UEFA is incrementally more beneficial in terms of the CL draw when you get there. Benfica almost doubled our total coefficient last season and we scudded them out the group.
It’s a funny old system. And Bert Kassie is a genius.
LEFTCLICKTIC
Enjoy,enjoy,enjoy.
A CL night at CP and a full carload.
Brilliant stuff,I hope the car gets pulled over on the way home for being joooost too darn noisy!
Awe Naw
I knew what you meant, but thanks for the clarity :¬)
BMCUW
The attraction of the team for too many is not the quality of the football or the skill of the players, it’s the standard of competition. We have around 45,000 fholk who support the team irrespective of who plays in what style in which competition. We enjoy the life long adventure that is being a Celtic supporter.
The remaining seats at Celtic Park – when sold – are filled by people who want the thrill of the big game, but too many of whom lack the essential nature of support for the club, which in my view, is evidenced in the reduction in season book sales coincident with the death of Rangers, irrespective of the fact that the current Celtic squad is one of the most enjoyable to support in a long, long time.
Scottish football is by no means an exciting environment match to match, but it is hugely rewarding watching on as this young Celtic squad matures. (Notwithstanding the regrettably tardy approach to closing inbound transfer deals lately)
fan a tic
You wul get no Argument fae Me..oan THAT. pal.
Yes. oor Coaching Staff.. ur Totally , oot of It. when it comes tae.. well
Coaching!( Say. Wid ye Kindly run that Again..fur me,please..Ah am no sure Ah hoid Right.. ed)
Sointenly..
Yes,oor Coaching Staff.. Ur Totally,oot of it.. When is Comes Tae.. well
Coaching!
Frankly, it amazed me that Several Complaints hiv no bin Made tae the Front Office.
aboot the Complete Failure of the Coaching Staff.. tae Inform oor Goal Keeper
Tae
Stop… Hoofing Bye his Kicks Up the Park..
This is an Example of Insanity ,as described by
the Perspicacious Albert Einstein.
Our Goal-Keeper should Always.. whenever he gains possession of the Football.. Pass it to a Nearby Colleague,instead of Kicking it to an eager opponent,
which will Happen ..Ten Times oota Eleven, if he elects tae Hoof it Up the Park.
Ah agree Pal.. You are so right.. it Hoits.
Kojo
Still,Laughin
Kojo.. Linty still singing!
BLANTYREKEV
No reason to doubt your analysis as BRT&H vouches for your ability on the oul’ number-crunching.
Our 10/11 coefficient is a bit of a bummer,holding us back.
But aren’t our stats for the previous year pretty shocking too-and about to be jettisoned?
Joooost asking,as genuinely not sure.
I like the look of pukki. Guidetti is who I’d love though
We are going to hsve the above (justifiable) debates / views until we get out of Scotland … meantime we need to accept that we need to be VERY careful with the finances ….. gambling on buying expensive / quality players is a no no …… the CL is a bonus each year and, as witnessed with SK, is not a ‘given’…… however, if we get through, I will be expecting 2 strikers in this window……if not, 1 striker for the EL ……. then we need to give all the new signings our full support…..
Mort 14.19
Is it not the case that Pukki was played against weaker opposition and therefore it is easier to score?
TT
TT 15.36
The goals I saw him score were versus Hamburg, Hertha and Spain amongst others.
I’ll take scoring against that kinda weakness!
DesertBhoy
Pal. Ah agree with you..
A Linnet Sings..
But..
a LINTY.. Runs!
You hiv mistakenly Thought that Ah was talking aboot a
LINNET..
Na..
Ah am Talkin aboot a Linty..
They are An Extinct Species.
They ran so Fast
That
The Males couldnae catch the Females..and Vice Versa.
That,of Course..
Explains , why the are Extinct!
Terrible Tragedy.
Yep. a Linty sure Wiz a Fast Runner!
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
If we were to go out narrowly to Shakhtar on Wednesday life will go on and we will have to make do with the Europa league this season.
The proof is in the pudding though and in this scenario when Shaktar Karagandy go through to the CL and get pumped 6 times THAT will be when we realise what a chance we’ve passed up.
No excuses, either on the pitch or in the boardroom.
HH
THE BATTERED BUNNET
With the greatest of respect,I don’t think you answered a single point which I raised,other than to say that everything on the garden is rosy.
Are you content to have the footballing operation raped in order to shore up a lack of success from our marketing team?
That is what is going on at the moment. The commercial side of the business is supposed to back up the football operation.
Not the other way round.
As long as we have a sufficient number of people buying tickets despite this obvious problem,the business will thrive,but the team will suffer.
They won’t buy tickets forever,NOY under those circumstances.
So,then what?
I would snap up the money for Forster from Benfica.A big raw work in progress keeper,who judging by the time he has already under his belt,should become an all round good keeper by the age of 47.Hopeless at commanding his area,hesitant to come off his line,terrible at cross balls.As I said before,he is a shot stopper,as are most keepers.The rest of his game is poor.
Just where this “Fantastic keeper”comes from is beyond me.A great game against Barca,a couple of penalties saved,does not make you a great keeper.David Marshall had an unbelievable game in the Nou Camp.
Sorry,the present England manager has looked a few times and said “No thanks”.And he has got a dumpling in goals at the moment.A myth being built out of nothing here.