Sturm Graz arrive in Glasgow today in good domestic form. They sit top of the Austrian league, three points clear of RB Salzburg despite playing one less game. Salzburg won 10-in-a-row before Sturm took the title in 2024, then winning again last season. A win this term would confirm Salzburg’s decade of dominance is well and truly over.
Results in Europe have been mixed. A 5-0 capitulation in their Champions League playoff first leg at Bodo/Glimt was a blow. This was followed by another trip to Scandinavia for Europa League game one, where they lost 2-0 to Midtjylland.
Their Europa campaign got back on track with a 2-1 home win over Newco Rangers earlier this month, but that result flattered Sturm. Despite being the away team and going through turmoil, Newco had more shots, more on target and more possession. Sturm scored twice early on and were able to hold out for the second half. If Russell Martin could put them under pressure in Graz, there is fragility to exploit.
Their top fee paid this summer was €2m, which they spent three times, bringing total spend to €6.7m, which is slightly more than the €6m they took in from player sales. A Ferrari, they are not. In any normal times we would be confident of Celtic collecting three points tomorrow. Let’s hope the mood in the squad lifts before then.
Curious fact. Since that infamous tie against Celtic in 1984, Rapid Vienna have won only five league titles and just two this century. Rapid Karma.
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TBB at 7;41,
I have already posted that witty little snippet yesterday.
I think its called plagiarism , lol.
Kudos to the Eintracht fans tonight for their continued support of their team, signing until the final whistle whilst watching their team losing 5-1 at home.
And this, a club that has repeatedly sold its best players each summer, including Ikiteke to Liverpool in the summer.
I wonder if their manager publicly bemoans the fact his squad was weakened from last season…
HH
https://x.com/GalatasaraySK/status/1981073723810549856
CMG
“When discussing the back-to-back losses of Marmoush and Ekitike, Toppmöller admitted that the club would have to “temper expectations a bit overall””
And
As of July 2025, Eintracht manager Dino Toppmöller has commented on the departures of two key forwards, Omar Marmoush and Hugo Ekitike, calling them “bitter” losses for the club.
B78, it’s incredible how you think you are the arbiter of all things Celtic but only on your terms.
You want us to fail. Which means you’re not a tim.
I wonder if Galatasaray will get fined
AI Overview
Eintracht Frankfurt has a self-sustainable business model centered on developing and selling players, particularly strikers, for profit. They attract young, talented players by offering a clear pathway to bigger clubs and providing high-quality development. When a player’s development surpasses the club’s level and a major club makes a significant offer, Frankfurt sells them, reinvests the profits, and continues the cycle by scouting new talent. This strategy has allowed them to consistently perform well in the league despite frequent player sales.
Player development: Frankfurt invests heavily in training facilities, coaching staff, and individual development programs to help players reach their potential.
Transparent approach: The club is transparent with players about their business model, which helps attract ambitious talent who see Frankfurt as a launchpad to elite clubs.
Scouting and acquisition: They scout for players with high potential, often young, who can be developed and sold within a few years, sometimes acquiring them on free transfers.
Strategic sales: When a suitable offer comes in, Frankfurt sells players to “end clubs” like Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, understanding its position in the football hierarchy.
Successful examples: Notable examples include the sales of Randal Kolo Muani, Omar Marmoush, and Hugo Ekitike, who were signed for a combined low fee and later sold for significant profits.
Morning all and EKBHOY:
You seem to rubbish the stats on Liam as ‘utter drivel’ – and say his numbers are down to having more of the ball because the opposition let him. But possession of the ball is only one metric to judge the lad on, which is a form of selective interpretation of data that – we can agree – is ‘dangerous territory’ (your term).
Look at the data of the early games of this season (again listed below) and look beyond Liam’s misplaced passes – I wonder if he’s on a par with Reo on that front ? . We see a defender who often rates better than our resident Rolls Royce CCV. The numbers show Liam:
Same number of tackles as CCV and equal number of interceptions
Made more clearances than Cam: 45 to 33
Made more headed clearances: 29 to 21
Won more duels than his mate CCV: 43 to 33
Been in and won more aerial duels: – 31 from 48 while his team-mate has won 22 of 36
Made more forward passes than CCV: 242 to 192
Successful passes into final third: 88 to 54.
Passes into the penalty box: 15 compared to 1
Chances created: 8 in total versus 1.
Every player has their limitations and Liam’s errors are there for all to see. He does many other things pretty well
We’ve taken a look at the stats behind Scales’ start to the season to see if Rodgers is justified in his loyalty to the centre-back.
Defensively, Carter-Vickers and Scales measure up on almost all metrics but there are a few key areas where the latter has excelled.
In terms of tackles, both Carter-Vickers and Scales have made six so far while the American international has won five to his team-mates’ four. However, the pair are joint for interceptions (10) while Scales has made more clearances (45 to 33), headed clearances (29 to 21), all while having faced six more shots than his counterpart.
Scales has won 43 duels while Carter-Vickers has won 33, giving them a duel success rate of 64.2% and 56.9% respectively. In terms of aerial duels, Scales has won 31 from 48 while his team-mate has won 22 of 36.
While the moans and groans from Celtic Park can be heard across the country every time one or other of the defenders passes back to goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, Scales has been putting in the work going forward.
Scales has made 242 forward passes in his seven games compared to Carter-Vickers’ 192.
Looking at successful passes into the final third, Scales’ 88 vastly outnumbers Carter-Vickers’ 54. The Irishman has also made 15 passes into the opposition penalty box compared to Carter-Vickers’ one.
Scales has created five chances and three big chances while his regular centre-back partner has created one of each.
HH
celtic40me on 22nd October 2025 10:43 pm
AI Overview
Yip I used AI too on those ” Successful examples” specifically asking what their manager’s reaction was, in relation to CMG’s question 👍
Delighted to read those comments by BR today (press conference), music to my ears. The rest of the SPFL should be afraid, very afraid.
Let’s hope the Celtic support respond in kind to the positive intentions of both Dermot Desmond (Celtic Board) and Brendan Rodgers.
Would make a difference if the support got behind the team, especially the Green Brigade whom make the most noise! Perhaps fewer songs about modern Irish history and anything motivational would be great (asking for the players).
Ave Ave
SIONNAIGH
Fewer songs about the bad ol ra
But as many as you like about the good ol ra
Well seen you go on bout being assimilated
‘Fewer songs about Modern Irish History’
Is confirmation your assimilated.
GTF wi that pish and guilt
It’s all irish history.
Just watched presser.
All of it minus the last question posed by some idiot.
I didn’t see a calamitous performance by Brendan Rodgers.
He looked a fed up, sounded fed up, and, on occasions, dredged up some stuff that didn’t need said any more.
To be fair to him – if he feels empty (a phrase he used previously) … on a human level if must be hard to go out and project positively let alone raise the players spirits.
This needs a line drawn under it but I’m not seeing anyone at Celtic owning that.
Brendan is the only person who speaks publicly and he’s not shutting down on his problems.
We need to stop all references to the transfer window, Kairat, Daizen’s locker, speed and the rest of it.
Plus, no more protests in stadiums.
Cancel your HCTS and skip the merchandise by all means … but the team need supported.
QUADROPHENIAN on 22ND OCTOBER 2025 10:45 PM
Morning all and EKBHOY:
…..
I am not doubting the stats but rather the interpretation of the stats, most teams will attack the weakest link in the defence, therefore they tend to end up heading it and clearing balls more. Same is true of full backs virtually ever team last season attacked Greg rather than Alastair. Back in the day , Mark Wilson at left backs stats must have looked good as the opposition decided they couldn’t get any change out of Andy Hinkel.
Scales is an honest trier but really should be the back up rather than a first pick. Tomorrow’s game just count the number of touches Scales takes controlling the ball , messing about with it and finally passing it , ideally it should be 2 ( unless he has decided to break the lines and push into midfield) , more often than not touches are > 2 , everyone marked up , so the horseshoe starts again.
Last example , Anton Rogan was always left free by the opposing team , he would have good stats if he’d been playing nowadays.
Goodtochatcfc
I wonder what Dundee’s sustainable model is?
Who could cobble together a team from Spl players, win the league, CL money, build sensibly, and shock troop Celtic to a European trophy?
1. Rodgers 2. Lennon 3. Pressley 4. McInnes????
How many games will Celtic win without Maeda?
Will the PLC be able to hold their laughs in when they meet TCC?
Will Celtic or Rangers finish in the top 6?
If they don’t is it not about time that Parkead and Ibrox were demolished, and the 2 teams went to Hampden ala Inter and AC Milan stadium share?
With both the Celtic and Hun ends moved closer to the pitch, and made standing only with 20,000 capacity behind each goal net?
Instead of boohooing why don’t we admit that Celtic and Rangers have been munchkins pretending to be giants for the last 20 years?
Although the Huns have been to 2 European finals in that time, whilst Celtic have been in bed with a balance sheet.
What a time to be alive!
PS. Lennoxtown waste of space could go to Queens Park as part of Hampden deal?!
HH
oot.
An Tearmann on 22nd October 2025 11:44 pm
…….
Irish history?
How far back?
How about yesterday?
Anything significant happen?
Nobody would think so if they watched or read the Irish news.
Just Lobby controlled Media and TD’s smearing the only Irish people left with souls.
HH
oot.
EKBhoy on 22nd October 2025 11:48 pm
Yep; we agree that the stats are factual (Liam numerically outperforms other defenders atm) and yet you’re also right to raise concerns on how any data is interpreted (data like Celtic’s current form or BR’s demeanour means the club is a total bin-fire and that Hearts will win the Champs League in two years ;))
Plus, there are likely more variables at play as well in assessing any player’s capabilities; ie the opponent’s formation; the opponents’ ‘stronger’ players; the opponents’ transition preferences; who LS is paired with at LB; whether Scales’s midfielders and forward team-mates are making the right runs for him to pass to, or creating enough space for him to make a safe and positive pass to (if not, he may need to take a few extra touches).
When you state Liam should be a back-up at best I dont agree but… what if we had an exEPL defender who has played at LB in 30man Gooner defence, and also left centre back for his country… ? Most would – reasonably – expect BR to go with the ex-EPL star over Scales. But he doesnt.
I wonder what the data tells us about Kieran vs Liam. Or Kieran’s data against the seemingly most targeted left back in the history of football, Greg Taylor ??
GoodChewinTheFat CSC
3-man, not 30man – apols.
no chance.
celtic supporters supporting celtic.
on a thursday night.
in europa.
lots will be on the internet howling at callum
https://observer.co.uk/news/sport/article/cathedrals-of-capital-europes-stadium-arms-race-escalates
King Charles to become a papal knight.
Kevracist
How far back- Do you think you are the first so called reb to sook the union fleg and have British unionism have their have tight up your racist shiter?
He one was a reb but its a brit pup.
Yeh how about yesterday,a rape occurred and was being dealt with by police until a shiteful of kevracists thought they as per usual ignore the majority of sex crime in Ireland carried out by white misogynist like you.
Folk in Ireland ignore you less than1% racist scum.
Not a word on ConorMcRapist,he is a white rapist
Lobby controlled- like the genocide apologist you put on these pages the other night.You would have GrifterGeorge sending back yir tenner if he knew you were posting zionist vomit.Truth is kevracist You dunno half the racist scum you post.
Simple Racism,
Even trying to weaponize rape for your hillbilly racism,aye you are crippled awrite
You can’t hide,when yir crippled inside.
An Tearmann
……….
Maybe ask Brendan Rodgers about Connor McGregor?
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/14971235/celtic-brendan-rodgers-ufc-conor-mcgregor-holiday/
He seems to know him rather well.
Apolgies for the link.
Or ask Super Ali the Black Superman about race mixing?
@RealDonKeith: “Muhammad Ali had an opinion on race mixing.🤔” https://x.com/RealDonKeith/status/1980602031858405538#m
Super Ali put Lobby controlled Parkinson’s nose oot ae joint. lol
Said the same as Kojo.
If Ali posted on CQN a lot of empty heads wouldn’t be so empty.
I’m only interested in Irish unionism, which you voted against 3 times, Jeremy Corbyn 2017/2019 and Brexit 2016.
No Deal Brexit = Irish/English/Welsh/Scottish/Republics.
No Royalty in any Republics.
WPB will get a No/deal/Brexit on day one if they became the Uk Government by pulling out the Eu plug.
No discussion just tell Eu to go and do one!
No debating with Lobby plants.
They can sing for any due debts as well.
Just think about this:
Snp/Green/Lab/Lib/Con/Ref/FF/FG/SF/Corbyn/Zara
All share the same Lobby as Tommy Robinson and the EU.
The Workers Party of Britain = ZERO/Lobby/EVER
WPB/ALBA/Party/Scotland only Lobby Free options available in Britain or Ireland.
Take it easy mann.
HH
oot.
Kev racist schizophrenia on show.
Talk jobby bout the lobby then does all their racist spadeworks.divide&rule
Talks of Palestine without checking out the rancid zionists racists he posts.
A proper little Brit pup,comfy feeli the hand of the union tweak your bowel.lick your fingers kevracist
Understand racist unionist scum like you never have a say in Irish history.you ferment division continually and paint over your genocide
An apologetic Britpup posting division
An apologetic zionist poster,even tho it dont know half the pish its posting.
Seek out division,its the Galloway template,its why he is unelectable,and youv not explained the party underbelly of wee tommy10name cranks/racist scum like you who follow his car crash of chaos.
It won’t get elected,dont you worry bout going2theLooforra1or2 and other wee mean nothing catchphrases,they are said to get bangers like you sending him a tenner.
Oh BTW immigration won’t affect yir disability.never has.
Sook yir fleg britpup
An Tearmann on 23rd October 2025 2:31 am
…….
Have you not watched any Keith Woods stuff yet?
Fine young Irish Journalist.
Keith Woods https://rumble.com/c/keithwoods
You call me crippled and disabled yet its you who hasn’t a leg to stand on.
Even when you post to me your English dictionary gets switched off and gets replaced by a Craiglang dictionary straight from honest Boaby behind the Sentinel Celts bar.
Maybe he thought he was sending it to Nabbla.
Imagine that.
Have you heard about what is being sprayed overhead out of Aeroplanes in USA right on top of Millions of innocent People?
No doubt it’ll be coming to EU/UK/IRE next.
TPV Sean
@tpvsean
https://x.com/tpvsean
Bill Gates Caught Carpet Bombing Americans With Lab-Made ‘Frankenstein’ Rabies Virus They told us it was all just conspiracy theories.
Chemtrails – a hoax.
Forced vaccination – paranoia.
Government experiments on civilians – impossible.
That’s what they said, until the evidence started falling from the sky.
Because right now, the U.S. government – through the USDA – is quietly spraying a live virus over American soil.
A virus built in a biolab.
A virus they call a “vaccine.”
HH
oot.
Why would I want to read a failure that is keith ‘its not irish they hate its white skin’ woods
Nowt more banal than an irish white supremacist.
He’s full of your cuckoo kagleri shite.put it in a book and…get fellow racist saps like to buy it
Book after book of racism
Podcast after podcast
You are crippled,you are a racist scumbag,crippled inside the mind
You are a britpup,lick your fingers kevracist.
Obviously you were drinking the vaccine neat ya banger
Stop posting other folks racist shite,it shows what a sap you are.
it does not explain how a reb once of the jungle is a racist ignorant gullible recipient of every racist trope goin.a proper right wing sap.
Kev racism I am highlighting your scum racism,cite whichever racist vermin you want it does not explain your racism.
The USDA does not cover your racism.
A proper rent boy to your billionaires
Post their racism it dont explain yours,…sap
My anger from the night of September 1st has abated ( and I was raging MN would have been very happy he wasn’t around me)
I’ve decided to bite the bullet and go to the game tonight!!!
I didn’t buy package but ticket has become available. I reckon the team needs support more than ever !!
Daily Mail headline this morning: “So, can Brendan Rodgers get his Honda banger fired up against Sturm Graz?”
Brilliant. The SMSM has a trash line that they can use all season to pile the pressure on the team, run down our players and talk down their value. Given to them by their leader.
Good morning CQN.
Game day … and shaping up to be a good one out there.
They are Sturm Graz. We are Celtic.
Bring it on.
Vinniethedog @ 8:14 am.
Respect. 👏👏👏
So the playing squad have been adversely affected by the board’s direction?
Maybe. If so, past tense.
So the playing squad have been adversely affected by the manager’s public utterances and his projection onto them?
Maybe. If so, past tense.
Over to us “ordinary fans” to make sure we don’t complete a triple whammy … by adversely affecting them further tonight.
Our unconditional love for Celtic far outweighs anything a (Celtic loving) board and/or a (Celtic loving) manager can muster.
I hope we all support them to the hilt tonight
Brendan?
If I may?
… Speaking totally as a brave who has never walked a mile in your moccasins? …
At the start of every presser for the next month, give them that (genuinely) lovely smile of yours and say quietly but firmly …
“Hello. I’m hear to answer questions about the team and our specific readiness and objectives for this game …
… if you ask me anything about future matches, recruitment, or protests I’m simply going to shake my head and move on to the next question.
Oh, and guys …
… keep the questions short will you?”
Here.
Timmy 7
I think you have me confused with someone who blindly listens and is taken in by the ‘David Brent type’ words of a guy whose only interest is self. He could have shut all the crap down and motivated his players ….even yesterday at the presser. He chose not to
I never want Celtic to lose. I support Celtic every game they play. Positively and passionately.
Personally it’s not just the short term dopamine hits (they are great) but I want Celtic to win for the long term. To be the best the club can be sustainably. To dominate where we were once underdogs or just treated as dogs. We have done this for 25 years.
The football structures are not fair ones as the balance of power sits with the bigger leagues and one in particular. We need to recognise where we are in an evolving football world and plan accordingly. Our maligned domestic rivals have now belatedly done this. We had actually also started that journey very well post Covid.
Our major shareholder has made a huge cock up. Understandable as Ange leaving did create a bit of panic and we had been on such a high. Sadly he chose the wrong guy for the model we were creating.
BR did give us an experienced pair of hands to eke out the good from what Ange left (there was plenty). Sadly he did not help us recruit and develop as we needed to. The short term hit and winning now were always his thing. The harder work that he put in first time and the development of players was not of interest despite his public utterances.
We are now in a real mess. The majority shareholder may never admit his mistake although he will absolutely now realise it but he has left the executives with no real hiding place. An impossible task. Likewise the Chairman has no real power. These guys get the abuse but until the guy is removed or indeed gets another gig then we are where we are.
Sadly the latter is less likely with every pathetic football performance and every pathetic media utterance.
The fantastic lead in football and financial terms, gained over 25 years will be been easily eroded.
I desperately hope for a win tonight and Sunday and most of all next Sunday but most of all I hope for strong leadership and decisive action from the majority shareholder before it is too late.
Just my views ok. No expert. Just a fan who will be there with 50,000 others in one of the biggest crowds in Europe tonight.
I think he is the chap who runs the State of Mind blog. Anyway, he spoke about our manager very well this morning. I agreed with every word he uttered.
What is the difference between this season and last…..feel good factor…..so easily could have been fixed ……two weeks before the end of the transfer window last season lawwell was accosted by fans he replied by saying we will sign players …AGAIN we were dragging our heels
Yes we probably paid over the odds for trusty ( not much). Engels probably 3 million and idah the same ..BUT the support was buzzing..we were seen to be trying..the team in the CL opened with a 5 1 victory….in the CL mind
Football isn’t rocket science…its straight forward…better players win matches …the club united win matches…..I hope in January for two outstanding football players to lift the team and more importantly the support and club
Same old shite,the manager doesn’t sign the players……
VINNIETHEDOG on 23RD OCTOBER 2025 9:46 AM
straight forward…better players win matches
…….
Up to a point , if the manager is shoe horning players into a crazy system/ approach then your gubbed , which is the stage we’re at just now.
Hoping for a result tonight but not expecting one , sadly.
HH
who would win a fight between “the manager doesnt sign the players” and “new manager bounce”.
we always hear about a new manager bounce – but how could that be possible when a new manager hasnt signed those players, so according to some folk a manager cant be expected to get a group of players to play well if he hasnt signed them?
a manager worth his salt should be able to get a squad of good players to perform at least to a decent standard even if he hasnt signed them – it may not be an ideal scenario, but it must be possible.
at the moment i dont care who was or wasnt responsible for signing each individual player in our squad – what we are seeing on the pitch from that group of players at the moment is totally unacceptible considering the wages they are on.