Best news of the day? Kris Commons wants to be involved tomorrow against Barcelona. I doubt Kris is anywhere near match fit, so there’s no chance of him starting on Wednesday against Astana, but a 15 minute cameo, when the Astana players’ body clocks are telling them it’s after 2am, would go down a treat.
I’ve always been a bit more ambivalent about Leonel Messi than most. “He’s not hit the levels of Ronaldinho” is my stock comment, and then there’s the dirty little subject. (Tax).
But his media comments ahead of tomorrow’s International Champions Cup game, “I have a Celtic jersey at home. The games against Celtic were special and I want to remember them”, proves there’s substance to the man.
I’ve a Celtic jersey at home too, Leo. A few of us here do.
Former-Rangers former vice-chairman Donald Findlay is to defend Craig Whyte is his forthcoming trial.
Whyte’s urban legend is going to be difficult to shift, but it’s not accurate. We mocked Rangers fans a few years ago, referring to him as “Our Hero” but he never was. He was the bag man for a very dirty job.
How he handled the SFA, Uefa, HMRC and, most crucially, the insolvency court, when he managed to secure the appointment of Duff and Phelps as Rangers administrators was crucial in the continuation of football at Ibrox.
It was Duff and Phelps who gave Newco the right to use the name “Rangers”, after which point Whyte could claim he was passing on “Rangers”. Everyone else mocked this liquidation fantasy at the time. Until liquidation became a reality, that is.
Whyte left Newco relatively safe in the hands of Charles Green, where it would have thrived, if it hadn’t faced a hostile and damaging takeover bid from its first week of life.
Our auction prize, donated by (the pretty fabulous) Celtic sponsor, Intelligent Car Leasing, closes just after 1pm today.
You can win:
2 seats in the directors’ box
Champagne reception
5 course meal in the Walfrid Suite
Fully expenses bar (pre and post-match)
Half time snacks and refreshments
Car Parking
At the game against Kilmarnock on 24 September.
Money raised from the auction will go towards building a school kitchen in Malawi for Mary’s Meals. It it will be the 5th CQN school kitchen.
Our four existing kitchens feed over 2000 primary aged kids every day. School attendance has increased 30% since kitchens were built, as kids attend for their daily meal. This has an impact on health, education and life chances.
You can follow the auction on eBay here. Thank you.
I’m off to Aberdour now for the 12th annual CQN Golf Open. I’ll be the one holding the jackets.
See you then.
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Good workout and I’m sure coach has learned a lot about squad today.
Keep waiting on Allan to show up?Not surprised he has been on sidelines.
Rogic is a footballer who can play at highest level.But unless he extends he should be sold.
We ned a spine our central defense may be ok once injuries clear and inclusion of Toure may be the defensive leader we lack,
The midfield is an issue .No shape or purpose.Think we should prioritise the central areaA leader and organiser required.
Dembele looks hesitant but i think he will be good.Need another striker though.
Ajer looks to be a good signing but i think his area is midfield.
Would keep Christie.McGregor and Armstrong but the rest could go.
But we are a team who desperately need leadership.
I think Brendan must see something in Forrest Im afraid I dont Dembele looks ponderous tonight Cifti looked the better option. I dont know if Efe got a shout from the keeper when he turned the ball in to his own net but even so he makes to many errors.Tom Rogic looked good but if he wont sign a new contract we should sell him I am sure Brendan will have his team in mind for Wednesday night which is a huge game for the hoops. H.H.
Thank you Ronny for Ajer.
Just watched the game, thought we had some spells of wonderful posession and created a number of chances against the best team in the world…probably the most out of any time we have played them.
Expected at least a hint of enjoyment and expectation on here, but sadly I was mistaken…I have no idea what some posters on here believe would be acceptable?
Oh well that will be that.Thought Rogic and Allan did well 2nd half and Oconnell,Roberts and Broonie did well the first.Jamesie and Calum hid as they always do(very rarely try to take game by scruff of neck, constantly play it back or sideways fulls no-one) except the odd poster on here.Efe must leave soon. Everyone tired of constant mistakes caused by poor concentration and positioning meaning he is always stretching for the ball.If we are left with him or Agger, Agger must play.Anyway big game Wednesday.Come on the tic
dismal 2nd half and mistake-ridden first half – what will BR learn? JF is not an orthodox footballer – more ballyesque and can move on. He can also lose Stu A and NC.. Efe of course (its all been said re Efe). Thats 4 and there could be more! There will be more! Too many of the rest are apprentice-type and work in progress – not what you want to reach group stage CL. So would be looking to see the arrival/departure lounges quite busy in the next couple of weeks! Hail Hail!
If Forest wanted to sign I’d sign him.
He’s gotb’issues’ but he’s got the kind of pace we need at a higher level.
He strikes me as an odd lad ..
Maybe he needs a lot of encouragement..?
KevJ
Like Nye said????
HH
Watched the game on a dodgy internet site … in Arabic.
Decent picture quality … didn’t undersatne a word apart from that sweary word…. “Ran*ers” … from time to time.
Very disappointed with Celtic TV tonight … no video BUT promised AUDIO for ALL.
Try as I might – with a few mails to the help desk – I couldn’t get the AUDIO coverage.
I have been a CTV subscriber from the year dot.
Why do I bother ?
I can get better quality images with unintelligible commentary for nowt …
Unhappy with their service tonight & not for the first time.
Oh well, I’m sure Wednesday will be better (ahem…);
“LIVE AUDIO only to all. Coverage TBC.”
Yupiii !!!
All in all a good exercise for Wednesday night which should stand us in good stead for FC Astana & for the final qualifying round of the CL. BR still not sure of his best 11 yet I don’t think. Some players blowing hot & cold and not consistent enough
Further to my half time comments about game intelligence, or lack of it, good players can think quickly under pressure and execute well. They are also aware of where their teammates are and the opposition. A look at the ‘passes to a teammate’ stats would have been interesting.
Even Barca’s young players always found a team mate in space. They are always moving off the ball, finding room ready to receive a pass. Too many of our players stand or stroll and then accelerate – much easier if you keep moving.
It’s just a shame for Efe that we have so many midfielders, he would be brilliant as a defensive midfielder.
I believe we will be having talks with a mid field general type later in the week. I am told it is down to wages and if we can agree monetry terms we the Celtic support will be delighted. H.H.
Sixtaeseven
I didn’t even bother with CelticTV again tonight……last 3 games I’ve watched “live” on YouTube. Picture and soumd both great.
A useful alternative to some of the streaming sites
HH
themaestro72 on 30th July 2016 8:18 pm
It’s just a shame for Efe that we have so many midfielders, he would be brilliant as a defensive midfielder.
————-
I’ve never really understood this angle, Efe has played for lots of managers at club and international level all have played him 99% of time in defence. Why is it only internet land that think he would make a good midfielder?? :o)
Kev J
I hope everything is well with you. I still remember you in my prayers. Put our minds at rest.
LYMMBHOY
Thanks for your comments.
I am getting seriously fed up with their amateurism….
How many fans around the world are being equally frustrated ?
JFH
In what league does this guy ply his trade just now?
Efe is by no means anywhere near the worst defender ever to have walked through the Parkhead gates.
But he may be one of the unluckiest.
HH.
Goodnight Timland.
Family duties call,hope all’s well with oor
Kevj….will try and look in the morra.
Stringer Bell. He is a free agent at the moment but he did play in the EPL. H.H.
JFH
Is this a guessing game ?
HH
Ajer looked like a footballer.
So did Dembele (though the one he looked most like is called Balde)
I don’t think Efe plays centre back with his country.
BR better have a social work degree and ACAS on speed dial.
We have a squad but not a team.
Not even just a case of a dressing room riven by cliques.
We have loners not even working for themselves.
Lots of work to do.
themaestro72 on 30th July 2016 8:34 pm
I don’t think Efe plays centre back with his country.
——-
He played right back and centre back
The Maestro72. He plays right back for his Country most of the time. H.H.
For the parish!!
http://www.independent.ie/sport/leftfield/pic-gaa-hero-breaks-hand-tapes-it-to-hurl-and-scores-23-in-awesome-act-of-defiance-34925238.html
Interesting how many of our team play with little or no energy.
Biggest difference between us and Barca.
Good players have reliable technique, it allows them to take the ball in tight situations and find one of their own players , not all of our players have this so we look panicky at times, particularly in midfield some are frightened of losing the ball under pressure so take the easy option of hoofing it or passing it back, not sure how a first team coach can improve that,we scored when we pressed them into a poor touch, however I hope we have enough to get through on Wednesday night but it will not be easy.
Cultsbhoy, forrest has pace but never seems to use it to our team,s advantage. I,d love to see him knock the ball past the defender and use his mythical pace to run on to it.
I love the wee coifured guy but he frustrates the hell out of me. He needs to sort his shit out.
KevJ
I don’t always agree with the tenor of your posts but sincerely hope that your health is OK as I found your reference to be with Kojo unsettling as I understand that Kojo is no longer with us.
Please be assured that CQNers care for others even when we disagree with their views. Take care and HH
Panto stuff………………………
AN TEACH SOLIAS. What do you mean KOJO is no longer with us do you mean no longer on CQN or more than that ? H.H.
just watched the game. Good workout, and some good positive passing at times from Celtic. Can absolutely see a different style emerging – passes aimed to break the lines of teh defending team.
Some of the passing was slack – Stuart Armstrong gave away a few – Scott Allan gave away many (I think he will not be kept by BR).
Efe was let down by the lack of communication from his three defensive colleagues at the OG, but played well in the first half.
James Forrest – not the worst, but just doesn’t look 100% involved in the team.
Broonie was good.
Wee Paddy Joe was mega.
Dembele looks like a poor man’s Cifti, but I will certainly get better.
Disgrace of the day was hearing people boo Efe when he got the ball after the OG.
Hun behaviour, and any Celtic ‘fans’ involved are utter lowlife scum in my books.
Other than that – good exercise in sharpening-up the squad for the big game on Wednesday.
HH
BGFC
Well that was the International Champions Cup that was, not that you’d have noticed it was happening if you were a Celtic fan, and used Scotland’s sporting coverage.
A great day for the local Celtic fans in Dublin and an object lesson in how to sell Celtic for somebody?
Pity we’re nearly sick of watching some of BR’s Celtic side and the season hasn’t even officially started. The highlight was up for it, loan star Patrick Roberts, who managed to out Messi – Messi in the first 45 minutes, but we’re are so short of class we are nearly average.
Only effervescent Efe could have scored with his right foot from the angle he found the net , and then he topped his day when he couldn’t close his legs in time, to prevent a Barca tap in. No wonder there’s a world record attempt to have a 35 year old Bosman fit in time for nothing less than a Champions league qualifier, balanced on a knife edge.
Wee Jamesie started again to the delight of the internet, and a week before the season starts he’s once again odds on for main man, wide left, in Celtic’s problem position ( or one of them ) . He must have overtaken Stuart Armstrong whose done well for three seasons now to keep his hair so nice, even when he was moved more centrally for todays second half.
He’s also skipped ahead of the Christie and Allan duo, not to mention Liam Henderson who must be shaking his head in Glasgow, while waiting to hear from Neil Lennon. Jamesie with job done, hung about near the bench for the last trough of subs, then applauded himself off.
Calum MacGregor and Scott Brown ghosted through the first half and went off to rest for Wednesday, whilst Mikel Lustig was presumably wrapped in cotton wool along with Keiran Tireney.
Celtic in Dublin against world class opponents, juggling every player on the books looking for a team, and a new system, – at least the transfer window is still wide open, but no more stop please, think, we’ve too many that look like footballers and that’s where it ends.
James Forrest’s mani thing for me is he plays all of his football outside of the box until he commits players and drives into the box which defenders hate he will always remain a fast runner who runs along the edge of the box or the wing..
Good 80’s Haircut 100 though…
Missed the second half as I was on family taxi duty, seems like I missed very little. Glad we got away without a doing. Obviously the Barca youths will look comfortable on the ball, they are brought up to play a system and even if quality 16 and 17 year olds are asked to join, they are vetted to ensure they will fit in.
I saw Thierry Henri talking on Sky about how he had to learn the system when he signed. He was telling tales of going home at night and thinking of nothing else but where he should be on the park when Xavi had the ball, where he should be if the opposition were in posession, where he should be when Barca were in posession in various parts of the pitch, and so on.
This was a guy who had been coached by Wenger for years and won trophies everywhere and still he had to conform. Such was the discipline of the Barca system.