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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Come on guys personal pronoun abusers rule no. 1
HH
Bada
NP.
Fact is, while youth development squads progress by year group, there is no Under 16 level, and the U17 level is consequently a dual age band of younger boys coming out of U15, and older boys taking their second year at that level.
As a consequence, on average half of the players at U15s at every club are released since there is a limit of 20 players in each squad.
The same thing happens at the end of the U17 period, when the older boys compete for squad places at U19/20 level. Half of them miss the cut.
Of the 20 players in the U20 group, only 2 or 3 are likely to get a 2nd pro contract, indeed 2 or 3 is an outstanding success. For the many others, it’s the end of the road at that level.
Because the development of boys – both physical and emotional – is so unpredictable, many kids released at 15s (and 17s) often find that they’ve overtaken their peers within a couple of years. Robertson took 3 years or so from what I can gather, and boy has he developed into a good player.
The development curve doesn’t stop there. Boys continue to develop physically until around 21 years old, and emotionally… well do we ever actually grow up ¬)
Brain development continues until around 25 years old, and the changes in brain structure between 18 and 25 are quite profound. You get a hint of this when following the careers of the great playmakers. As young players they were very good, by their late 20s they are maestros.
This is one of the reasons why guys like, for example, Barry Robson are cut loose at 17, continue to plug away with clubs at the bottom of the hierarchy, and find themselves in due course – sometimes 10 years later – playing at the very top level of the game. Robert Snodgrass is another great example.
I have great respect for these guys.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a youth development programme in the world that can adjust to accommodate them, largely because, in these examples, it’s actually Adult Development, most of it at the School of Hard Knocks.
TBB
AWE NAW 1403
Never a bother,mate.
We don’t open your links anyway!
Did you see the one from yer bro being an unashamed groupie at Kelvingrove?
There’s a fella who knows how to enjoy himself….
lymmbhoy
11:58 on
30 July, 2014
roy croppie
Clever way to sneak a podium.
Great story, 1yr on I wasn’t allowed to go to The Cup Final with you our Dad and Fr Power but I did get my first Celtic strip and a trip to “the shows” behind Chapel St. before watching us beat Airdrie.
*now this was my last Scottish Cup Final against a team that had went tae hades the week before and won 1-0 through a goal by Kevin McCann against a side that was celebrating their first League title in 11 years.
I was with my mate in the enclosure beneath the “new” stand, nae colours just a wee Kerry oot.
In come a bunch of Broomfielders, “cmon Airdrie intae these Irish bast***s”, now me no being a shrinking violet retorted with “cmon the kafflicks, cmon the Popes 11”.
Guess what, they ran away, but as they were leaving one of them said “nae offence pal I’m a kafflick masell, just here tae support ma local team”.
Paul Wilson’s opener was equalised by the same Kevin McCann, however Paul grabbed another, this on a week that his mother had passed away, while wee Fat Pat completed the scoring via a penalty.
The following Saturday was my last Cup Final, the Glasgow version against the deid team, Paul again scored a brace, both in the hun end, in a 2-2 draw on a day when the heavens had opened.
The horrible mob were chanting about Paul’s mother passing away and also that he was a “darkie”.
James Sanderson went tae town on them on the Monday saying that their bigotry was bad enough but this was a new low.
I was working on the motorway extension to Glasgow Airport at the time and a wee hun jack the ripper on the site justified their chanting by saying that Paul had blessed himself after his goals…..nae answer tae that really.
Roy C et al
Off to bed, early rise tomorrow !
Glasgow’s a go go. Original video.
http://youtu.be/S0zW_HnC5C8
HH
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
14:03 on
30 July, 2014
I use a paid for app called Puffin to display any flash websites. It seems to work fine. I’m not sure if this is a WordPress blog, if it is but you could maybe have a look at this. http://apps.wordpress.org/ I havnt tried it myself though.
HH
Are any pubs in Coatbridge showing the game tonight?
I assume the Segton might not be, but anyone know if any others are?
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
14:03 on 30 July, 2014
I am not much of an Apple user (except for the Mac) and I dont use Ipads or android Ipads such as Samsung.
So a question to the floor for you guys that do;
How do you users get buy on CQN without using adobe flash player ?
HH
—————
I don’t have Flash turned on in my phone web settings, drains the battery, but never have any issues with CQN showing up.
TBB- Thanks for that, quite a few cut loose at 15 years old.HH
Jude
A garage full of Stout and always a bottle of Low Flyer at ma aunts. :)
…another non-tip!
one of the Lamont horses, Sweet Lily Pea, is running in the 14:40 at Redcar. This was the message from the syndicate owner:
SLP arrived at Redcar yesterday and is in fine fettle, if she breaks better we think she will go very close so at 33/1 we have terrific value e/w.
She has a light weight and the draw at Redcar has no advantage, she is in best possible condition and everything appears in her favour.
BMCUWP,
I have seen that video thousands of times and for decades. Glad he is enjoying life.
Just another Tim I know of a browser that will do what you need. I will get back to you on Friday. I installed it for the wife about a year ago
But as Adobe has dropped support for mobile devices I wonder why Paul67 is still persevering with it.
HH
The huddle,
ok clearly that will work but I cant help but feel its a bit of a luddite approach.
HH
Could anyone advise if there are any pubs in Partick/Byres Rd likely to be showing the game tonight.
Cheers
Tom McLaughlin @ 1309.
I’m afraid that’s not true.
C. Sutton & J. Hartson were offered new contracts on ‘vastly’ reduced terms.
Sutton stated the offer was derisory.
AWE NAW
Whit,is that clip decades old?
Shucks,poor sod must have had a hard paper round…..
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
Sure thing, always appreciative of technology that makes life easier :)
Not sure why Paul might be holding onto flash. I’m not too clever when it comes to website administration. The only thing I can think of is that WordPress doesn’t support html5 for mobile at the moment.
HH
Trad88 @ lunchtime
The LB position should be a test case for talent management.
EI = Man in possession.
No other specialist LB in the senior squad.
First season he was a revelation.
Injury and a loss of some form means he struggled big time.
Now looks to have bulked up: muscle or timber — not sure myself.
However played well last season but we are exposed in this position.
Reserves = JC / 21 yrs old.
From memory he is a big lad, could play CB.
Few gains with the seniors — not sure about his fitness / injury history.
No or never regarding getting some senior game time.
Youths = CW / 17/18 yrs old.
Big talent by all accounts but struggled I think with an injury last season.
Bit of an outlier as he seems to a wee guy doing well in the youth set up.
Not sure where we are with the 97 / 98’s.
Consequently what should be our next steps at LB?
Can we afford a £5mill asset in this position?
What level of wages can we afford in this position?
If you are good enough — DW style — at 17/18 should that be the way forward?
If not 17/18 then at what age?
The base question in all of this is whether or not the AR of 12 months ago would have made it at CP? If not then what do we need to do to make sure that we don’t have this situation in the future?
My thoughts are we need to work a “B team into the SPFL set up.
Failing that then their is always the ghost of Parkhead Juniors to re-visit.
Arch
Smiddy, Dolphin and Tennants will all be showing the match tonight.
stringer bell
Big Tree Whiflett or the Columba Club
HH
Thanks Delaneys, expect I will be Tennants bound then as that’s the old man’s hostelry
of choice.
Lymmbhoy
Thnks, will check them out
any transfer news ? in’s or outs ?
all the bhoys fit for 2nyt ?
really nervous as usual.. without a doubt will make or break our season as we’ll as our personel ..
ceeeeltic
Tom McLaughlin said
Celtic FC have never and will never offer a renewed contract to any Celtic player on wages that are lower than the expiring contract.
Tom, I wonder how you know this, it was my understanding that more than a few players have signed lesser contracts, particularly as they got older. I understood that it was common practice (no pun intended)
TBB @ 14.13
Are you in the excuses game?
You keep making the point over and over again to try and excuse our poor youth set up.
All the points you make have validity but this does not stop ever major team in the world running a youth policy to develop their own players. As you note we do this with very patchy results. We cannot buy success so we need to work the system and the resources to our advantage.
You have to ask why Soton get it so right?
To answer my own question my understanding is that they do not chase “pots.
Every year / age group they focus on 2/3 first team stars and surround them with stiffs who will be let go at 18 / 19 / 20.
The delivery of first team regulars is the goal — nothing else.
The situation was explained to me in 2005 by someone with links to the club.
If we don’t have the heart to be this focused with our youth teams then we need to try something similar one step removed — Can we buy DU legally at the moment?
BMCUWP,
Golf Accessory Salesman But paper boy involves waking up :-)
Just another tim
Anyway solved my issue only thinking of others
btw I downloaded Adobe and used it with a free browser dolphin.
I think you can use opera as well But opera has no encryption
HH
Is next week’s game included in the ST?
Arch
Enjoy, Horse & Barge Dalmuir for me tonight. :)
Afternoon all,
Apologies if already raised.
Can anyone give me a steer on the cheapest way to get the game on Premier tonight.
Is it possible to buy as a one off “pay per view” type basis.
Cheers
Tlwio
roy croppie
11:19 on 30 July, 2014
Brilliant
And not just because you’re the first one on CQN who knows ‘Gavil.
GG (‘Gavil Guy)
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
I’ve noticed one thing missing from here is a support section. Maybe our Orwellian friend & Big Brother winning captains could look into that if he is the site administrator.
I have the Dolphin browser. Great browser, reminds me of Chrome. I’ve never tried Opera, not met anyone who uses it or even mentions it, so I’ll stick with Safari, Dolphin & Puffin, they seem to work on almost every site ok.
HH
the long wait is over
If you get it for your Sky/Virgin Tv it is £9.99 per month. Minimum 2 month contract although there is a 30 day cancellation period.
Here is their FAQ
http://www.premiersports.tv/info/faqs/
Livibhoy,
If you’re around, thanks for the first win of the day with the tip you forwarded. Push me came in with no issues.
2 in a row now for me.
Drunk and getting some money back.
Mucker
Stringer
Ksc should have it on.
Awe Naw
What makes you think that the “luddites” never used adobe flash? :) por cierto
Push Me wins at Perth.
Just for anyone who followed those tips this morning.
LB
Abmucker
Brilliant mate. Don;t go mad on the 2nd one. Not convinced myself. May have place value tho. Enjoy!
LB
There’s been a lot of bitchin about losing a young striker, not just here but on other Celtic boards and yet not a peep about another striker who has left for the Championship even though allegedly we wanted to keep him the lhad chose to move on….and according tae Ronny so did TWatt.