I’ve been trying to interpret the Champions League group all evening. It’s an exciting draw. The world’s biggest box office team will come to Glasgow, a chance for us to marvel at, and test ourselves against, Messi, Iniesta, Xavi and the rest. We also have a sporting chance of finishing second or third, either of which would be acceptable.
For me most of this analysis is irrelevant for now. The two most important games are the first, Benfica, and the last Spartak Moscow, both at home, so for now, all that really matters is the 90 minutes at Celtic Park against Benfica on 19 September. Beat Benfica and you go to Moscow in the following game with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Can we beat Benfica at Celtic Park? Benfica have lost all three games they have played at Celtic Park, twice in recent Champions League history, but they are not a pot two team and we are not a pot four team for nothing. They have played only two league games this season and did not benefit from being tested by a Champions League qualifying competition.
In short, playing Benfica in the first game, when we will have played twice as many competitive games as they have, is ideal. We will be ready for them.
Tomorrow is a big day. Who was it said ‘perfect day to bury bad news’? While some of us are busy trying to keep a server online as transfer speculation reaches its annual crescendo, what chance last year’s accounts will be released?
If they are (and I have no information on this), you can count on some very bad news. Losses will be frightening, which sheds some light on some of the earthy tones from Neil Lennon today on just how big a result the win over Helsingborgs was.
We needed that win. We needed Messi and his pals to help us sell 60,000 ticket packages, and to prompt Celtic fans to go out and buy some of the many thousands of season tickets still available.
Let me leave you with a word that came out from the Spartak camp tonight. Andrey Tikhonov, Spartak player until he became a coach at the club last year, said, “Barcelona are favourites from the group. We and Benfica will be fighting for second place.
“Celtic are outsiders. The Champions League competition is about very good technical football. It has nothing to do with running after the ball that somebody kicked forward.”
Beat these clowns, Celtic.
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Cant be many times when the Republicans have lost the election in August.
Clint Eastwood reiterating all that is wrong with America. He obviously inherited Charlton Heston’s jumper and stuttery oritory.
Once again, can’t believe the Republicans have blown it, but they have,
He he he
Bigots need not reply.
miki67
I’m sure we had 2 teams with automatic access to the CL group stages at least 1 year possibly 2 when our coefficient was good.
When they are found guilty, and they will be, Celtic must claim serious financial damages against the Governing Body. I hope whoever was 3rd each season, and I hope it wasn’t Hearts, boosts their own coffers also.
The Comfortable Collective
I always liked Heston’s comment about political correctness, and I believe it to be true.
“Political correctness is tyranny with manners”
HH
For those that like to go off that beaten track.
http://www.redmoonrising.com/
The MSM is totally controlled.
All the Spheres of influence are now totally controlled.
Catholic and Protestant Churches……………
……If we were even aware of the problem.
Just remember, it is never too late.
“God gives us people to love and things to use, not things to love and people to use”
scottimac
02:10 on
31 August, 2012
——————————
You are right to be concerned, as the scenario you relate could come to pass if:
*Sevco finances hold up for the season without them going into administration again
*HMRC forgive Rangers’ successors their tax dues, interest and penalties
*HMRC allow SEVCO to identify themselves as the OLDCO without punishment
*SFA/SFL turn a blind eye to the multiple contracts delivered through EBTs
*FPLG delivers a winning team (oh my aching sides)
‘GG
Morning/ G’day Celts…… Happy Friday to ye all!
Off to work early wae a Celtic smile on my face…… Whistle while ye work.
HH
The joiner was just round checking my windows to ensure they can close quickly and with a bang at 7pm eastern time tomorrow.
My F5 button has been well rested, and the crumbs cleared from beneath the keyboard. (The better half wasn’t too happy at me using her makeup brushes.)
Just checked my Twitter account and I am still following @CQN in case the site collapses under the weight of refreshes.
Alarm is set for an early morning rise, well early for me, 8am.
So Peter and Paul you need to make a feast of it tomorrow and not a fist.
A big dominating fierce no nonsense centre half and a cute nimble and cheap 30 SPL goalscorer who can do it in the CL will bring a welcome start to the Fall.
Or am I baying at the (full) moon?
‘GG
‘GG
A different angle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJyboPvpfvM
As ever, and always.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEhbsHD7IEY
I want to see more of this…..
https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ8m5Pk-QtnM9dIaKgR2pMSrpXY84tMRTQrBEPOo7iWgAenJt29BQ
This young Champions League coach is strengthened by the hostile press and Sally doesn’t realise it yet but the press are making him feel artificially important to a bunch of Bigots.
And we worry about that shower of cheaters (they are genuinely deid to me), the Court of Scotland will never forgive their Sins, especially when their media men spin the same excrement continuously.
Vmhan
Have an amazing day at work m8ty.
Get a pass out, hit the the pub and gibber about how well Celtic will compete in the Group stages.
We will do very well, IMO, btw. ;)
Summa of Sammi….
01:56 on
31 August, 2012
.
What has Peter Lawwell done with the McGeady Money..?
AND SydneyTims posts..?
Summa
—
hmmmmm mebbes the only money PL spending is on a contract to gag Sydney Tim?
It’s a cunning plan and he might just get away with it :-)
HH
saltires en sevilla
We have seen Rangers liquidated, perhaps ST is just driving this whole agenda.
If Pedro Laywell cannae out-think a malcontent fae down south, after all is said and done, perhaps he should chuck it and stop scouting Vicky Wanyama etc.
It is always important to ? Everything.
Petec
relax man
I doubt PL knows or cares about ST anymore than he will be worried about C Green ;-)
HH
saltires en sevilla
ST is a good guy as he chats away when online.
I disagree with most of his opinions about Celtic’s financies but he is unlikely to have read or listened to the Armageddon stuff I have let through my ears.
Theres a really BIG BALL that has been expanding continuously, theres a solution that was never going to be able to be implemented without a CATASTROPHE to bring it about.
The Solution was the Plan.
Theres no agenda with ST and thats why he will gibber to me when I talk to him. He is totally marginalised because he has a really unpopular view. I will ALWAYS talk to ST and most likely disagree with him most times hehe.
Good morning fellow Celts from Renfrewshire…it’s dark, dry and not windy
Delighted with the performance over two legs to see off the challenge of the Swedish champions
I see there are a few who are knocking our technical skills -and agree we sometimes give the ball away too easily and knock it long to chase too often – however, we are getting much better ….much, much better at the technical side of the game and not losing daft goals in CL which is a huge improvement ….3 clean sheets and two of those away from home!
Expect to see some players coming in today. Frankly I have given up any hope that they will be the type of players I wanted at the end of the season. That is because I am less concerned about the gaps now.
Something is nagging away at me, telling me it would be superb if Lenny could take the current squad, and I include the young bhoys, into the last 16 – A tight unit all in this together lads let’s just show them what we can do! etc.
Heart ruling head… of course …
This Celt will not be heartbroken if we go into the CL with the current squad and a strong sense of purpose …of destiny!
HH.
Petec
good point – I like to hear what ST has to say and I’m sure most realise he is speaking from the heart
a good Celt
HH
saltires en sevilla
We are on the Road again. It has taken a wee bit of time but we are back on that road.
Film?
Dejavu.com
Good morning, if you are a follower of sevco 5088, it is Friday. For those that follow CFC 1888, it is the dawn of an exciting period in the UCL…bring it on.
Looking forward to a busy day and I don’t mean at work.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
There is nothing stopping us winning this Champions League.
The players we have can play football.
Let’s play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2ZKQfp7D6U
If my coach (Neil) is saying it is possible we could win it. I’m All in with that.
Celtic – The name is special.
The whole background is unique.
The Story is set.
You ain’t seen nothing yet.
Sammi and Broonie, a shockaroonie to make yer cockles warm.
The Celtic Massive are amazing but sometimes it being so massive is not great for players personal developments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDRbBnAFxAQ
The GB take all the players into their comforting bosom and make them stronger than ever.
Paul67 –
How could this be?
Some posters yesterday were claiming that every CL club were praying that they would avoid Celtic in the draw.
When I rubbished this, I was accused of heresy and thrown to the lions.
Helsinki were delighted when they drew us.
Helsingborgs were apparently doing cartwheels when they heard the play-off draw.
That Celtic put them both to the sword is irrelevant. That is how they perceived us prior to the event.
Now a Spartak player dismisses us as also-rans.
To believe that clubs throughout Europe were crapping themselves at the thought of being drawn in Celtic’s group is delusional in the extreme.
If I were a club manager awaiting my fate in the CL draw and wanted to avoid a stadium with a red-hot atmosphere and noisy, passionate supporters, I’d be looking no further than Dortmund.
If there is a better atmosphere in World Football, I’d sure love to see it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPtGFYdwPIk&feature=related
Symbiotic relationship if ever I saw one.
Paul67
On the subject of the accounts, are you playing the game of expectation management?
Just where are you getting your information regarding our poor financial position?
Given the discussions of 12 months ago, my warnings that PL was presiding over a train wreck and that we owed a huge debt to the Sion Nutter for gettings us into the EuL and the £6mill we desperately needed.
Your comments on the accounts remind of the TFOD mentalists who scream about their current predicament without talking about SDM and his involvement.
Talking about our poor financial position without talking about PL and his bonus driven shambles is a very poor show.
petec –
You’re right. I have had a beer or two with Sydney Tim and while I don’t always agree with his views on CQN, he is a Celtic man through and through and as passionate as anyone who follows the team.
Tom McLaughlin
We have to make new Legends, we are about to do it, IMO.
We are in pot 4 for a reason, it may not make sense right now but let’s put on the seat belt and see what happens m8.
Good morning friends and a Big Happy Friday from a bright, sunny but chilly East Kilbride.
F5 Friday is here!
Jobo
Jobo Baldie
What’s the forecast for Sevco, as we head out of the Summer? ;))
petec –
may I respectfully point out that I don’t do forecasts, I only report the facts! But in answer to your question the word irrelevant springs to mind.
I’d add that the decision by our Board to offer the 3 game package for £84 was a very pleasant surprise. And it’s maybe further evidence that financially we really do not to rely on having rivals in the same city.
Jobo
Jobo Baldie – Consummate Professional.
Off the record? are they hitting hurricanes or typhoons?
60000 is essential, every game. Great pricing and I even suggested they could have cut more off the season books and added on to the non SB.
When I seen the prices I was very happy as Neil should get the Full Roar that frightens every Club side in the World.
Have a Top Friday JB.
So!
How does this thing “business” work?
Season before last –
Nothing of note.
No Euro footy to talk off.
No league title.
Crowds down.
= Profit.
Last Season
Title won.
Europa League
Crowds down.
= Frightening Loses
Someone please point me to the bit I’m missing?
MWD
Scootimac 2.10am
2012 fc did not get BANNED from Europe for 3 yrs ,what had they done to get banned they have never even played a game in any European competition .ragers (oldco) were banned from Europe for 1 yr for not producing audited accounts for 2012/2013 season
Sevco (2012 fc) do not qualify to play in Europe for 3 yrs because they are a NEW CLUB and every NEW CLUB have to show three yrs of audited accounts to be able to play in UEFA competitions .
Ragers (oldco) were not demoted to Div3 ,Sevco (2012 fc ) were allowed into Scottish football at Div3 level (ahead of other more deserving clubs ) and against the existing rules .
IMO you are wasting your time asking the SFA anything about 2012 fc as you will never get a straight or honest answer.
MWD,
I know what you mean! To be fair, though, the business year is not April-April, I think. Corporates are definitely down, the leather seated brigade are fewer, and no doubt, adding in expected spend inside the stadium by these people, there is an impact greater than the number of seats might suggest. Do you agree?
Anyway, there will be money made this year, for sure!
HH
Moonbeams,
Speculation.
We could be using the main fans site to drive down the price of a player.
As others have pointed out the article is out of character.
Relax, Big Chap
Radio Scotland sport report.
Hearts unlucky against Liverpool ,
Blah Blah Blah, Templeton scores
Blah Blah Blah ,
Deadline day for transfers,
Yes, now yer talking ,
Then it comes,
Rangers will try and get the signature
of David Templeton today,
Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah.
Has know one told them that there is
no Rangers ,
Then then we get Sally banging his gums .
Next is Hatchet haircut McCall ,
talking about murderwell, Blah Blah Blah Blah,
Now we get a bit part about the
Bhoys.
Bitter Bitter huns
.
A SydneyTim debate is Like a New Sammi Debate..
Wee Sydster is One o the Best..
And Mrs SydneyTim..whit a Manager..and She is Bigger than WGS..;0))))
Summa of SydneyTimsCSC
Wonder who the striker will be that we’l sign…
https://twitter.com/AlsBoy/status/240866804598185984/photo/1
Enjoy Page 7 – this Bhoy’s off to work (**whistles…**)
Morning all!
Still excited at the draw – feel we have a good chance of making the last 16.
!st and last matches at home are crucial.
Hearing that Southampton are now in for Del Piero.
HH!!