I hear the modest noises which Shakhter manager Viktor Kumykov made after their win over Celtic last week have been replaced by more robust predictions.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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“Schalke’s general manager, Horst Heldt, confirmed they are negotiating, but added: “Celtic are very persistent in trying to make the deal happen.”
Hmmm…. doesn`t quite tie in with the oft expressed view on here re. Celtic`s supposed lethargy this window.
JJ
I would take any reasonable offer for FF as he is quite simply not good enough. His kicking is poor amd this caused the loss pf the first goal last week. Also his reluctance to come off his line causes panic in the defence. If Craig Gordon proved his fitness I would love him at Parkhead. Celtic have had very few outstanding goalies over the years, with the Holy Goalie being the exception. Brian Clough was right in making the goalie position a priority for excellence. I hate to say it but the defunct lot have had some crackers.
Bobby Murdoch
We gained 16 points last year but are going to drop off 7, which is our highest of the other 4 years that make up the current total. The only increment we get this year will be however many above 7 we get. If we get 16 again the increment is 9. In terms of pots for the group stage it would not actually move us up even 1 position let alone pot in the rankings as they are this year.
When we drop off the 5 points of 9/10 and replace it with another 16 we’ll be challenging pot 3, and definitely pot 3 if 10/11 goes and replaced with even 10 points or more. If we can regularly qualify and finish 2nd or 3rd you would be looking at pot 2, ONLY if you can do that year on year, which is easier when your coefficient is higher, and the circle completes ad infinitum.
I used to think football was about 11 v 11 !
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon, supporting WEE OSCAR..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
15:35 on 26 August, 2013
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
****
And then there was the voice of reason.
BK
He is indeed ;)
Aye, we’re on similar coefficient to last season as the one that dropped off was 07/08 season score, which was similar to 12/13 as both seasons we reached the last 16.
We have CL groups 08/09, EL groups 09/10, EL play offs 10/11, EL groups 11/12 and CL last 16 12/13
As you say though, for coefficient, a run in the EL will be great, but only really via a 3rd place in CL groups, as that’s were we made our chunk last season!
True with Benfica, but also they have extra for being in a better league, think they got 19 pts for EL final, and we got 16 pts for this season
HH
Pierre wull get his Man
He is negotiating.
The Germans are Negotiating.
It is Jist a Matter of Reaching an Agreement.
As long as The Two Parties are Negotiating.
That is a Very Hopeful Sign.
Kojo
Still, Laughin.
jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/
4-0
JUNGLE JIM
Our supposed lethargy may have something to do with the fact that there are five days left from a sixty one day window.
And that doesn’t include the previous six month opportunity to sign players on a pre-contract.
Just in case Gerald 766 is still tuning in, there are still some of us on here who support the manager.
I would not take the footballing opinion of the Sage of Airdrie too seriously. If you do not like today;s anti-NFL post there will be a pro-NFL post along shortly as soon as the wind turns.
He’s as constant as a hyperactive nymphomaniac.
Hmmmm
Celtic in negotiations with Shalke…Germans playing hard ball…Celtic take their interst elsewhere…..Bale transfer to Madrid in question as un-named club bid for his services?????
Wishfulthinking CSC
Blantyre Kevin… 11v11?? Not when we played the corrupt bunch!
Morning/afternoon/evening all.
Not been on for a week or so. Miss Tally visited for a few days days, so my wallet is a good deal lighter. Great to have her tho’ – had not seen her since January.
On a more sombre note – my old dad was rushed into hospital yesterday afternoon. Appears to have problems with his plumbing – still carrying out tests, and they may have to operate.
Keep him in your thoughts and prayers bhoys.
Thanks.
HH!!
Mort
Was away there topping up my caffeine levels…
Aye, your making a strong case for Mr Pukki there,
The boy’s talented no doubt.
I’m beginning to see why NL
and the rest rate him are so keen to get him onboard.
Forster ,is a Very good Goal Keeper, No question of that.
Howevahhhhhhh..
The bad part of his being so good,is that He is attracting the attention of Ithers.
He is Not Happy, being with a Scottish Club..
in Playing North of the Border.. he feels.. Isolated ,frum the International Action.
He wants to play for England..
Unfortunately, we must become reconciled ,tae the Fact, that we wull lose his Services..
Mebbe, a loat Sooner.. than a Loat Latah.
We wull demand a full pound of Flesh, from any Suitor.
Ah am sure of that..
Four Million Pounds is .. frankly. a Laffable offer .
He is Worth. Ten Million.. but. .Ah widnae Balk at .. Eight Million.
That wid be Ma Price.
Kojo
Still Laughin’
BLANTYRE KEV
My best bud-joint-in London in the 90s was an Audit Manager with BDO Binder Hamlyn. His theory was that one plus one equalled whatever the client wanted,within reason of course.
I think someone of his mindset has been buggering about with the beautiful game,because 11v11 is something only the grey brigade can remember.
Money goes to money,as my oul’ Auntie Mary used to say. Regularly.
Looking at the way the pot is divied up nowadays,wi the big teams virtually guaranteed success via seeding,she was right.
Ironically,this was a pet project of SDM.
UEFA would perhaps do well to look at how his pursuit of that idea worked.
A wasteland domestically,and bankruptcy,admin,liquidation to the fore.
Ach,they don’t give a monkeys about anyone except the big clubs.
Neither did Scotland. They won’t learn.
Do you think a hyperactive nymphomaniac would score?
Tallybhoy
Sorry to hear about your Dad
KTF
HH
PG
Certainly in the lower leagues.
Pau 67
Did you see that the business section of the sunday times yesterday had a bit on the cooperative bank with a picture of neil lennon. It criticised their ending policy stating that Celtic have debt/overdraft facility of £34 million and such ending has undermined the bank. Made us sound like the now defunct rangers.
HH
lending not ending!
That should be lending not ending!
Turkeybhoy
15:41 on 26 August, 2013
I would snap up the money for Forster from Benfica.A big raw work in progress keeper
I completely agree with that analysis.For his stature and time in the game he just does not punch his weight and has been a bit bombscarish in positioning and kickicking since he signed his contract. Does not dominate his area. 4M is rumoured; would bite their hand off and run.
Setting Free the Bears
Glad tae see You are back.
Goat over yer Tizzy?
That’s fine.
Ah see ye hiv wasted Nae time..
In
Spouting yer Sarcastic Remarks…Directed ,exclusively … at Poor old Me.
you should thank Godot, that Ye hiv Kojo tae denigrate..
Fur..
Kid..
Whit wid ye Hiv tae write Aboot.. if Kojo wiznae Here?
No Much!
Right?
Of Course Ah am right..
Ah alwiz. Am
Kojo
Still..Laughin’
BMCUW
With equally the greatest respect, I made a point regarding our binary bind.
You replied saying: “Our income from ticket sales is dependent on perceived attraction of the team on the pitch.”
I addressed that rather comprehensively I think.
For the record, given our environment, I fully support the high level strategy of talent development as a key element in the business model. This comes with the corollary that we will trade on our best players as their value rises.
Also for the record, I am scunnered that we have been unable to backfill for the foreseeable loss of Hooper. (Wanyama is a one off)
Turning to commercial income, I have been a drum major for developing income from non-football sources. Perhaps we will have the financial wherewithal to do something interesting given the cash we have in the bank.
Fact is though, few businesses are interested in meaningful investment in football directly hence for example the explosion of low value brands taking EPL shirt deals recently. Fewer businesses yet still are able to extract meaningful value from Scottish football while it remains isolated from the wider consumer market.
We desperately need innovation in our business, but if you rationalise it, in the absence of meaningful TV rights and associated sponsorship opps, the fastest, most valuable and lowest risk return is actually to repeat the Ki/Hooper/Wanyama/Next trick.
I disagree that this amounts to ‘raping’ the football team as you put it, to support commercial marketing failings, albeit I do not dispute that better commercial deals and more of them should always be sought.
Issue now turns to backfilling for those who have left, something I referred to earlier when I suggested our summer business should be completed in the January of each year.
Fact is, next summer’s business might very well be completed at the end of this week.
Cheers.
PaddyG.. Countless times I would expect!!
Kojo
I’d imagine FFs future will be determined late on Wednesday Night.
Edinburgh
I was listening to “Just a Minute” on R4 yesterday – the show where you have to talk for one minute without hesitation, repetition or deviation from the subject.
Sue Perkins was asked to speak about “Auld Reekie”
She opened with the line “Auld Reekie comes from the ancient Gaelic – meaning City waiting for Trams”
TBB @ 14.51
We are not talking about spending this year’s CL / EL revenue it is a case of spending last years revenue / CL monies.
If things are so tight that all that money and the fees from transfers are already accounted for / needed to keep the ship afloat then PL has to go.
We are in a better position than this.
All the flannel and techno babble around not doing a “TFOD” is just that.
The bleating a and excuses of a management team that has failed.
No CL football and PL has to go.
If we fail to qualify FF will leave by the end of the window. £5m bid and he’ll be gone. He wants to go to the World Cup with England (if they qualify) and a move to the EPL will better his chances of getting on the plane to Brazil.
If he does go we should get Shay Given on a one year deal whilst we scout a longer term replacement. Given’s experience will help our inexperience defenders. He’s a shouter, an organiser who commands his box.
Gerry/Turkey.. As would I .. Been banging on for weeks, not dependable. 6’7″ b4 raising his arms!!
TinyTim
15:36 on
26 August, 2013
How much of the Bundesliga opposition would have weaker than what he’ll face with us?
Setting free the bears.
Welcome back,I feel rather daft saying that, you should know that’s a given.
Ohmni
Possible.
Things,in Forster’s case, certainly are coming to a Head.
When he does go..Unlike. Victor..
He will Be Missed.
Ah like Him aloater.
But,the Lad is an Englishman.. Loyal and True.
Whit Kin Ye dae.. ?
Nuttin’
We wull get a Nice wee bundle of Cash in Consolation ,when he goes.. and that is alwiz a welcome sight.
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
I’m more concerned about the utterings from our own camp than their’s. Both manager and players have bemoaned their lack of luck in the first game and confidence in making good.
Shakter by comparison have been nothing but complementary and self-deprecating in public. My big fear is that they are much more focused and much hungrier than we are on the night.
We’ve done far too much talking off the park on this tie for my liking.
Time to focus.
HH
Tallybhoy:
I hope and pray your Da makes a speedy recovery.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
K33- possibly a loan for Given ,he’s on funny money.
SFTB
Very welcome back from your very own 1254125
Right off oot to Cumnock to get a new wee Cocker Spaniel, Cumnock ? Hope it’s no a wee Hun dog, soon to be converted
Hail Hail
TBB
What if Jan became the summer equivalent by changing the season around?
Scotland adopts something like the Nordic model meaning we have not just come back from a break where we have lost the best of the previous season and are as fit as our opponents trying to qualify.
Tie season into CL/ EL cycle with close down Dec to end Feb. (FIF A would love that for 2022 in Quatar.)
But hey why address structural reasons why our game is a mess? No one has so far.