As Ronny Deila chose to leave first team players to their training duties, instead taking a fringe squad for Saturday’s friendly against St Pauli, Norwegian compatriot, Henning Berg, had a league game in Cracow, which Legia won comfortably.
Playing games is the best way to improve fitness but two games per week comes at a cost, fitness metrics are never as high ahead of the second game as they would be if pre-match preparation was a week long. With a day already lost to travel, Ronny clearly decided the players needed preparatory work for Warsaw more than the disruption caused by the pre-match-day preparation for St Pauli, the game itself, then post-match rest-day brought about by Saturday’s match.
Henning Berg rested most of his first team ahead of their second leg against St Pat’s (resulting in a home defeat in the league), and, perhaps mindful of not showing too much of his hand to Celtic, rested four players on Saturday. His team are also a couple of weeks’ training ahead of Celtic, which will be the major benefit Legia will hope to exploit.
While Celtic moaned about having to play three qualification rounds I’m sure Ronny will be happy he saw his team in competitive action against KR ahead of tonight’s game. There was enough about the first half in Iceland two weeks ago to remind him that an edge is needed, and it is not straightforward to find, even against such lowly opposition.
While Celtic progressed to the group stage in each of the last two seasons, the corresponding fixture to tonight caused some concern on both occasions. HJK Helsinki were eventually overcome 2-1 after taking a lead at Celtic Park two years ago, while we took an equally narrow 1-0 to Elfsborg last season. Celtic would go on to produce memorable and record breaking seasons, but the preparation gradient has proven to be steep.
Celtic’s major advantage could, conversely, be the partisan home crowd, who are sure to be switched on from kick off, but Berg’s team have not won any of their three home games this season. The natives are getting restless and could easily become frustrated, increasing the tension already evident on Legia. The first goal could be crucial.
No passengers tonight, Celtic, especially late in the game, when limbs tire.
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COWIEBHOY
How is the southern version of Stonehouse?
Quiet,innit?
Nice wee place though. Got off the train to Cheltenham there once as the toilet was busted and so was my bladder!
We stayed for the rest of the day,I doubt the locals have recovered yet!
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
12:03 on
30 July, 2014
I`m not the literary critic for the Sunday Times, but it sure hit the spot for me.
W.G.used to regale us with tales of yore.
Blantyretim , should be there about 7 tonight . Do i need to buy TOHG an Advocaat + Lemonade (as it’s a wednesday ).
Podium?
Whoopseeeee…
roy croppie
Aye you’re not wrong….. also Barry Johnston the first to call me a FB (but not the last) 8-)
HH
***LUNCHTIME QUIZ***
On a magical Champions League date, a related quiz question.
Which current EPL captain played all 180 minutes against Celtic in the Champions League (proper) at the tender age of 17?
***The rules of the game are always the same.
No search engines please, you’re only cheating yourself***
MWD
I called kellys and its on there.otherwise its columba club in blant’R or malones in embra lol
Yes
HH
Man City captain Vincent Company
Roy Croppie –
I fair enjoyed that wee tale of yours ;-)
Kompany -Anderlecht
IGC
Was it Vincent Kompany when he was at Anderlecht
MWD- Alfredo’s mentioned on here last night showing game
Can’t believe that Commons has not been signed up yet.
Did Kompany not get sent off?
Naw?
Wish he had been. He was like Davie Crockett and Jim Bowie that night.
IGC. I dont think he played 180 mins did he not get sent off at Parkhead or am I thinking of some one else ? H.H.
roy c
For our Gran….. Maggie http://youtu.be/swIip6fg2uU
HH
I note that my ticket has been changed from Upper Tier last week to lower tier next week. It does look as if the club intend to sell out the lower tier first.
Lisbon1967. It was discussed yesterday and it was interesting to say the lease.H.H.
lease= least.
Boeck, or some name similar to that, was sent off in Brussels
Im fairly confident that Kompany was sent off at Parkhead.H.H.
I spent a couple of hours lurking yesterday. CQN made for depressing reading, mainly due to the nefarious ramblings of the bitter attention seeker that is KevJ. The baiting and constant negativity was quite soul destroying.
What a contrast today to log in and read the beautiful, erudite writing of Roy Croppie. That is an example of what makes CQN so special, most of the time.
An absolute joy.
Thank you Roy for restoring my faith in CQN.
Hail Hail.
We’ll never please everyone but it may be time for Celtic to make a statement when it comes to player acquisition.
The biggest club(s) in most leagues tend to hoover up the best talent in their own market and supplement with numerous foreigners – though the balance has shifted somewhat to involve more foreigners in recent years. Celtic do well compared to clubs in the EPL because we find foreign players before their value reaches 20m.
Where I think we haven’t been doing so well is in allowing homegrown talent to be hoovered up by clubs down south. We need a certain quota for Europe too. I’m not saying we should have paid 2.85m for Andy Robertson but Johnny Russell and James McCarthy should have been regarded as definite purchases. I bet Celtic regret haggling over a couple of hundred thousand and a sell on clause for McCarthy and Russell could have been a long term replacement for Commons.
Gauld would have been the one for me but why is the best talent in Scotland being ignored even when they are available for around 1m?
HH
Jonny the Tim
11:50 on 30 July, 2014
I’ve never seen a game in Sweeneys is it a mixed group? It used to be a really shit hun pub years ago,I lived up the close next to it and some nights were memorable,not in a good way.I normally pass it on the way to Kellys/Heraghtys never thought about going in may well do it tonight.
UNDER-20 striker, Denny Johnstone has joined Birmingham City after signing for the Midlands club today.
Denny has come through the ranks at the Celtic Academy and all at the club wish the 19-year-old the best of luck in his future career with the Championship club.
Longshot CSC
Anyone know of any bars in Sorrento likely to show the game
Nothing in CelticBars
Grazie
Congratulations and celebrations, I just can’t believe it… Peter Lawwell annointed into the SFA big boys lodge, feck me, it’s almost as good as winning the big cup again, maybe even better.
Southampton looking to make a double offer for Forster and Van Dyke they apparently offered 4.5 million last week which Celtic called derisory they are likely to increase there bid to 6 Million source News now Celtic. H.H.
4.5 million was for forster alone.H.H.
bit pissed off if im sent tolowers tier,as my season book is in the top tier of the north stand,an i was in the top tier of the ground against the whale killers,it was not me who sold out to the imperialist games,and allowed huns and royal scum into our stadium,and forced the fans to travel to an egg chasers ground,also upset that I heard the ground was bedecked in red blue and white when the old scrounging windsor cow was there
Timmy 7
We usually have our night out in Shawlands, hence the reason I chose Sweeney’s. It’s not a Celtic shop by any means, but certainly, Celtic-minded.
HH
End London rule. YES.
Joe Filippis Haircut
What was the summary?
Lucky fitba socks = Check :)))
Wee wager on Efe = Check
Let the people sing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&feature=related&v=zhkdy0AOpaM = Check
darwinsbeautifulidea
12:47 on
30 July, 2014
Bitterness is hunnish.
Does the cap fit?
Roy Croppie
great piece of writing.
Part 2 to come??
T88 @ 12.37
What is the story behind AR?
How much of a talent was he 12 months ago?
Has JMcN made him a player in 12 months?
I do agree with you in that we should make more of the SPL talent we play against?
Bring in one a year to liven up the squad and keep the SPL on side.
Saints bloke with the dodgy hair vs LG — I fear we have got that one wrong.
When we do make a move we always seem to wait a year too long.
Or in the case of BTM got it totally and shamefully wrong.
Plus BQ and his “Faddy” faux pas.
A few felt he would be sold to Leicster City or would have to settle for a reduced contract if he wants to stay at Celtic. I dont think if my memory serves me right that many were confident that he would get a new deal. H.H.
Even though Police Scotland have cancelled all leave,and resources are stretched to the limit,it’s very re-assuring they sent a few guys over to Poland to look after the Celtic support….