I remember a situation several years ago when we had five full backs and converted-full backs out injured at the same time. The injured count for central defenders is not currently as high but the situation is just as critical.
Erik Sviatchenko joins Jozo Simunovic, Dedryck Boyata and Kristoffer Ajer on the injured list. Kolo Toure is certain to be added to the Uefa squad before tonight’s deadline but will be pushed to be match fit for next week.
Fortunately, the man who has spent more time injured over the last two seasons than anyone else, Mikael Lustig, is fit and able to move from full back into the middle, with Saidy Janko able to deputise on the right.
More words have been written about Efe Ambrose than any other Celtic player this month. It’s quite possible he’ll move on towards the end of the transfer window but he’s set to be given an opportunity to make good his error in Gibraltar by leading an unfamiliar defensive line-up in Astana tomorrow.
If I had a choice, I would prefer Celtic in adversity than Celtic over-confident. We know we will have to protect the defence tomorrow so the match plan should be straightforward.
Astana are not without their concerns either. Kazak media are concerned Astana are weaker than a year ago, due to the departure of Georgi Zhukov the likely absence of captain and top scorer, Tanant Nuserbayev, added to the turmoil at the club this week, caused by Lyon’s bid for midfielder, Nemanja Maksimovic. They will battle tomorrow, but their preparations are far from ideal.
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QUONNO on 26TH JULY 2016 7:37 PM
FOXY on 26TH JULY 2016 7:22 PM
The criticism of PL by the usual suspects is nothing short of pathetic. Sure he makes mistakes he’s only human. He sold Kenny Miller when Strachan and TB begged him not to, which cost us three champonships
However we are where we are and should be grateful for the great shape Celtic are in on and off the park given the incredibly hard financial climate in Scottish football.
If I recall correctly, the problem was not the selling of Miller who hardly set the heather on fire during his time at Celtic.
It was the timing of the sale that left no time for the money coming in to be laid out on a replacement.
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Thought we had a £12m facility with the bank? Don’t think cash flow was anything to do with it.
Keeping Miller (or buying a replacement) would not necessarily have resulted in us winning more championships. It might have though – we’ll never know.
I feel a little optimistic about tomorrow- I’m not predicting a 3 nil win for Celtic – but I am thinking we can contain them and put them under pressure on the break
Efe – I’m not a lover – too many mistakes – but I just feel he wil be MotM tomorrow night
Just stay in the game Celtic – Glalsgow is harder for them than Astana is for us
67ECW
TOMMIE20
Not long up,mate. Work in about an hour or so.
Sean Thornton-
If going to Aruba try get there during the mid-Winter months, as the islands suffers from cruiseship-itis. I’m presuming that you are not on a cruise naturally, in which case be first in line off the ship as the gangway goes down.
Yes, you’ll be fighting with thousands upon thousands of ravenous hordes fresh out of the American Midwest for every resource going on the island.
Also be aware that that the northern beaches of the island are taps AND bottoms aff. :-)
I highly recommend the island too, have visited many times and fell in love with the locals.
NOT go during the winter months that should read.
Maidenbhoy
Spot on mate. The key is to come away from Astana with the tie alive
1 each wud be ideal. I’d even be confident of progress if we finish tmoro’ game 2-1 down.
I don’t have a problem whatsoever with people who say that the manager should be in control of the signings and that he should take his time in assessing the squad, any manager worth his salt would do the same, but FFS, we have to be realistic here, for starters, BR did NOT sign Dembele, the player himself said we were in for him in January and we followed this up.
When the ground rules are laid out, fine, but please be realistic so not to make a complete tosser of yourself :-)
Dia Daoibh uilig
Waiting on one in the last at Galway for £2.50 e/w yankee
8/1 8/1 7/2 winners
Grey Blue Sky
The sweat is on
HH BB
It always amazes me that the same old excuses are trotted out time and again.
Thus far we have once again made a profit in the transfer window. Reputedly we will have an extra 10m this year but no spend.
This is portrayed as a low risk approach when in fact, as we can see once again, it’s the exact opposite.
Time and time again. Same mistakes. No learning. Same excuses.
Shambolic isn’t the word.
Evening all
Anyone else believe Scott Brown is nowhere near the player he once was? I’m not confident he can perform for 45 mins let alone 90. He looked sluggish on Sat. We are clearly struggling at CB but, for me, SB in the centre of the park is a huge problem. I love the guy but he worries me greatly. Think at best we’ll get a draw 2moro afternoon.
Hail Hail
Roccobhoy
THE EXILED TIM
You don’t BR would have been told of the deal and have given his seal of approval…
BB-good luck, I’m on Winter Lion ,yours a wee bit more valuable…
A bit of ambition from whoever signs the players for the club , and gaining entry to the group stages of thr CL should be a given for a club like celtic . It’s not like we’re going to face Real Madrid or Barcelona or man city at this qualifying stage . I can’t fathom out the thinking from our club . a net outlay on a few quality players ,and a few grafters , would enhance the side and not only qualify for the top table , but would also take care of the business domestically . We get this no spend every single season . This make do with what we have . Well it won’t do . We have a raft of players needing moved on , they weren’t good enough last season ,and they aren’t good enough for a Brendan Rodgers team . I sincerely hope this man gets the backing he deserves . But it looks like whoever oversees our budget , and who has overseen our downward spiral over the last 4-5 seasons is committing Hari Kari once again . Not good enough folks . The feel good factor was back . A top notch coach . A stampede for Season tickets ,it was all going well . Then bang the same old same old penny pinching . Whoever is doing this to our club , I’m glad is not in charge of the fire service as they would be issued with water pistols . Disgraceful .
“Shambolic isn’t the word”
No. But ‘Grease’ and ‘the bird’ are. :)
HH
TET –
Obviously Brendan would have been informed of the move for Dembele and clearly he gave it his support. Why should a club’s interest in a player come to a halt just because a new manager is in place, so long as the new manager doesn’t say the player is not for him?
Midfield is key.
Keep it tight and disciplined and we’ll do OK.
Supply the forwards with enough and often to keep pressure off our makeshift back line.
HH
Owen –
Agreed. Some of the reasons for getting stuck into PL on here are hilarious.
There was a regular CQNer on here on Saturday. Can’t remember who, but it doesn’t matter.
Said he got up, showered and dressed to go to Celtic Park, only to be told it was a 5:30 kick-off and not 3pm. Instead of laughing it off in a self-deprecating way, what did he do? He slaughtered PL for “ridiculous scheduling for a friendly”.
I kid you not.
Did Dembele not say it was BR that convinced him to come, so I’m taking that as having his approval.
However, I see the good ole Celtic accounts are being lauded again.
Ffs I thought we supported a football club, at least I do. I wonder if the bean counters on here would be in a dizzy if their precious dividends weren’t forthcoming.
“The love of money is the root of all evil” A wise man was purported to write
OVERSEASBHOY on 26TH JULY 2016 7:36 PM
wife in labour
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Corbyn or Smith :-)
Good luck mo chara HH
Owen –
And yes, there were so-called Celtic supporters on here today, as you say “salivating” at the thought of Celtic losing tomorrow.
Before the away game in Gibraltar, I said Celtic would “molocate” them. We all know what happened, but what I didn’t expect was to have the word thrown back in my face by Celtic fans GLOATING at how wrong I was.
Even a few hours before the home leg I said I thought Celtic would win 3 or 4-0. One regular poster came on to remind me that “last week you said we were gonnae molocate them”.
Glad I was right this time and saved myself another roasting from Celtic fans??????
On Saturday Eric wasn’t in the squad and hasn’t travelled.
Kieran wasn’t in the squad but has travelled, but is he fit?
Geordie that’s what I said. Shambolic is not the word :). The bird is most definitely the word and by coincidence I believe law well and co are giving the Celtic support what I believe is know as the “double bird”……
GM-welcome back amigo, an aspect of European football we always struggle with is getting that ball forward and making it stick,it comes straight back. Hopefully in Dembele,we have a guy who can hold it up,and we can get quick support to him HH
Foxy- I replied to you earlier….
BIGBONES8867 SUPPORTS MO’N AND IRELAND on 26TH JULY 2016 8:18 PM
nae luck mo chara. I was waiting on Winter’s Lion for a nice e/w yankee…..still waiting :-)
Disapointingly it would appear we have gambled Champions League qualification again.
We know that Jozo and Eric are the preferred central defensive pairing.
We knew Jozo wasn’t fit in May and wouldn’t be for the new season.
Why have we not bedded in a centre half?
Why was Toure not signed in May?
Now Eric is injured and an already fragile back line is really up against it
She we play the untried O’Connell?
Error strewn Efe?
Injury prone Lustig?
Yet again I feel let down by our lack of preparation and ambition.
My fear is Brendan won’t take long to suss out Lawwell and co for the penny pinching amateurs that they are and be for the off.
I hope against all logic we can somehow pull it off but fear the worst
HH
GM
Agree totally. Mid to front was a let down in Europe last season, when nothing seemed to stick to Griff. Good passing from midfield and good hold up play from the forwards, could win us this match. The defence will take care of itself as a result.
NATKNOW on 26TH JULY 2016 8:11 PM
Selling Miller was and will be’s Lawwell’s worst mistake ever at Celtic. The out ball was no more, plan B no more, and there wasnt a player who could give you what Miller had for 10 times the amount we sold him for.
Selling Miller cost us three championships.
Rogic, Johnson, Brown, Bitton, Armstrong……….for me Henderson is better than all of them and should be in the team now. Unlike all the rest, he can tackle, is not bullied off the ball and has no little skill…..remember the dink to GuidettI for the goal against Inter.
He has had an unnecessary loan at Hibs…get him in the team now!
As for Paul 67 talking about Celtic over confidence. When was this? They haven’t even been halfway to confident in years…….mentally weak.
AULD TAM on 26TH JULY 2016 8:32 PM
Owen –
Agreed. Some of the reasons for getting stuck into PL on here are hilarious.
There was a regular CQNer on here on Saturday. Can’t remember who, but it doesn’t matter.
Said he got up, showered and dressed to go to Celtic Park, only to be told it was a 5:30 kick-off and not 3pm. Instead of laughing it off in a self-deprecating way, what did he do? He slaughtered PL for “ridiculous scheduling for a friendly”.
I kid you not.
————————————————
that was me. i need to start adding subtitles for the hard of ironic people.
i was having a go at myself for not knowing the kick off time,
obviously didnt come across as i intended.
Bada,
Cheers. Totally. Everyone and every team make mistakes but if we could only cut down on the silly ones and unforced errors as they say in tennis, we’ll do OK.
Wee leigh was superb last season but away from home in Europe he falls way short imo. Hopefully Dembele can play the supporting role that helps him kick on.
HH
Johansen
FAN-A-TIC on 26TH JULY 2016 7:29 PM
GARY67
I take your point about Izzy bombing forward but unfortunately once the gets there the only person liable to get on end of his cross is the far side linesman.
—–
Often only a very tall linesman at that!!
HH jamesgang
Possible opponents in a CL Play Off tie playing tonight:
FT BATE Borisov 1 – 0 Dundalk
FT Ludogorets Razgrad 2 – 2 FK Crvena Zvezda
50′ Dinamo Zagreb 2 – 0 Dinamo Tbilisi
Whatsapping Dd? :)
Good to see you posting.
I’m just off the phone to a mate and made that very point.
My only worry for the defence is a weak middle to front. Get that right, still be in the tie at 90 and hopefully the return will take care of itself.
HH
!!BADA BING!! on 26TH JULY 2016 7:24 PM
FOXY on 26TH JULY 2016 6:56 PM
To say Efe has past the point of no return is just nonsense.
Efe has everything you want in a centre half and in my estimation will be worth 20m plus in years to come.
Yes he’ll make mistakes, every centre half does.
GM
Ditto! Always enjoy your posts, since they tend to agree wi mine. :)))
Catchye soon for a few pints.
Fiveways maybe?
JAMESGANG on 26TH JULY 2016 8:53 PM
I was sitting 3 rows from the front, by the byline once and headed an Izzy cross back intae the middle for wee Leigh to score a stoater.
Unfortunately ,the linesman flagged me offside.-:))