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You are at:»»Turn in Uefa’s rich and poor battle, Messi will be ready

Turn in Uefa’s rich and poor battle, Messi will be ready

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

Amid the noise ahead of our Champions League duties the most important news in European football went largely below radar. Angel Maria Villar Llona pulled out of the race to become Uefa president ahead of next week’s election. This leaves former Ajax chief, Michael van Praag and Slovenian FA president, Aleksander Ceferin, left in the race.

This is good news. The big Spanish clubs have been prime movers in clawing as much power for Europe’s richest leagues, their cause would have been boosted if Villar Llona was elected. By contrast, van Praag’s Ajax heritage reflects those marginalised by smaller TV deals, including Celtic.

We don’t want an inextricable slide towards a Champions League where meritocracy is replaced by the rich looking after themselves. This is the desire of rich clubs in Spain and Germany, who worry about the commercial drift towards the FA Premier League.

Instead, regionalisation of Europe’s leagues is a far better option, even for the Spanish, who if they want to earn commercial deals comparable to the English and Welsh league should team up with Portugal and France.

Every month I’m asked by an 11-year-old, “Will Celtic win the Champions League in my lifetime?” If we want to be champions of Europe again we need to end the national league structure which has disenfranchised more than half of the continent already, including many former powers in the game.

News that Leonel Messi has returned to light training after injury means he is almost certain to start against Celtic on Tuesday. His base fitness and lifestyle is such that a few days training is all that he’ll need to be match ready.

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  1. EnnisBhoy on

    COWIEBHOY @ 2:17

     

     

    I must admit to having doubts about Nir to be honest but I always prefer a tall deep-lying midfielder to win balls in the air from goal kicks. Although, incidentally, I think we are terrible at distributing headed balls in midfield, I hope Brendan is working on that.

     

     

    Good shout about formation change and getting Gamboa a run out. As others have said, they would prefer he started on Sat and Lustig on Tuesday so it’s a tough call.

     

     

    Wee Jamesey off the bench late on to score another one of his outswinging belters! Dembele for Rogic.

     

     

    Enjoy your walk and don’t mention Timmy Hortons, you’re making me hungry!

     

     

    HH Ennisbhoy

  2. MoonbeamsWD 'Stand up on 15 for the GB' on

    Ennisbhoy

     

     

    I can count on my wee pinky toe on my right foot the number of times Nir wins balls in the air. he has a talent at chest height unchallenged, controlling and bringing ball down though.

     

     

    For me he is just far too slow of mind for the Scottish game. Would probably make it in the continent though.

     

     

    MWD

  3. Turkeybhoy on

    Dont know about Messi being fit for our game.The wee man sad himself his groin was a mess,not his hamstring,after the International.

  4. Barney67 on

    Roberts will be itching to get a game on Sat as I’m sure he felt he didn’t do himself justice in the semi, he shouldn’t beat himself up though because he wasn’t the only one.

     

    I expect him to start on Sat ahead of Forrest, and the reverse on Tue.

  7. The Token Tim on

    MWD,

     

     

    firstly, how you doing big fella? Long time etc….

     

     

    I know you are not the only one who feels that way. But I like Bitton as a player, mainly due to those qualities i mentioned earlier. And he can strike a ball into the bargain. Too one-paced admittedly. However, I prefer him to our alternatives for various reasons (that I cant be bothered going into more detail on right now, but will do if so desired) and thats why he would be a starter for me.

     

     

    HAIL! HAIL!

     

    Token

  9. Davidopoulos on

    If you were Barca, would you not be confident of beating the Pot 4 team in your group without that Messi fella? If I was Luis Enrique I would rest him.

     

     

    D-d-d-definitely…

  10. fan-a-tic on

    THE TOKEN TIM

     

    (Think big Nir has to start due to superior his ball retention and passing ability, to that of the busier McGregor.)

     

    Now that is funny.

     

    And the myth of Bitton continues.

     

    If he plays against the huns then the speed advantage all the experts have said will be nullified.

     

    He is the great disruptor.

     

    Was not coincidental that we took control of the game against the dons in the second half and scored another two goals when he was subbed.

     

    He was decent in the first half but once dons pressed higher became a liability and gave away a few free kicks in dangerous areas.

     

    That is exactly what the huns will play for with Taverniers free kick prowess.

     

    Brendan will decide but personally i would have him a sub at best.

  14. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    I wouldnt be blaming Nir totally for a insipid midfield displays.

     

    Scott Brown is just as likely to have a bad game.

     

    McGregor….blows hot and cold.

     

    Armstrong….Just not happening

     

     

    Id give Liam a run, see how he does,…..he is tough enough.

     

     

    Hh

  15. THE EXILED TIM on

    Afternoon Timland from a far too hot hun free mountain valley.

     

    Hottest day of the year so far, we were told of an incoming heatwave, but ffs, 52.6 as I type.

     

    Anyways, education, I would be as thick as the proverbial, left school at 14, we could leave when we were 15 in them days but due to a teachers strike that happened just prior to my 15 th I never went back, have no qualifications, can’t spell etc, yet don’t feel the need to slag of those who are educated.

     

    I bet every single member of our board have been to the Uni or a college, the same board who are fawned over by some, yet their Uni education is never mentioned, strange that.

     

    Those who are getting slagged for giving out to our uneducated poster didn’t start on him for no reason, posters should maybes ask why they responded in the way they did.

     

    Our self confessed uneducated poster had his account pulled a while back for the same kinda postings, never learned his lesson, but for those of us who as as thick as, lessons are hard to learn.

  16. fan-a-tic on

    BARNEY67

     

    I hate to say it about any Celtic player but i cringe when i see his name on the team sheet.

  18. Turkeybhoy on

    Biton every time for me.A class act.Fantastic at retaining possession.

     

    Brian Clough statement”If your team has the ball,then gives it away to the other team,it was a waste of time having it in the first place”.

     

    Of course you can always get players who will hoof it forward,at speed,to the oppositionOr pass it ,at speed,to the opposition.This seems to be the more favoured option on here.

     

    Funny how everyone knows that he is not a player for Brendans system,yet he plays him when fit.As he will on Saturday.Brendan,what does he know about football?.

     

    Bitons counterpart at Barca,passes the ball only sideways and back,but is a first pick for them.Same as Brendan,what do they know.

  20. traditionalist88 on

    fan-a-tic on 7th September 2016 2:38 pm

     

     

    Agreed – far too timid, and as hes not the creative type either it really begs the question about what he brings to the team,

     

     

    HH

  22. jimtim on

    Don’t know about you bhoys , but I would be more confident with a Wanyama type in the midfield . Also would like to see lustic in , as we need some height in that defence .

  24. fan-a-tic on

    Turkeyboy

     

    (Biton every time for me.A class act.Fantastic at retaining possession.)

     

    Despite plenty of evidence to the contrary good for YOU IN YOUR SUPPORT OF HIM.

     

    In the first half of the Ross ct game at Celtic pk in late season fixture i closely watched and took his stats as i felt i was harsh on him.Of 9 forward passes 7 went to opponents.

     

    Against Happoel away he either gave ball away or passed to a team mate under pressure.

     

    Against Aberdeen in second half he struggled to make a pass and gave away fouls in dangerous areas.

     

    None of the above bolsters your assertion.

  25. dr ramesh and the love potion on

    If Bitton plays I hope he has a great game but I don’t think he helps with possession at all. He constantly passes to players who are under pressure often resulting in them losing the ball. He can’t tackle. If he has time and space on the ball he can see a pass or a shot but if he is closed down his use of the ball is poor. IMHO

  26. BABASONICOS71 on

    If Brendan thinks Nir’s not up to it he would have been sold,imo.I am not too keen on Brown/Bitton pairing but I think Brendan sees something in it,hence the reason I suggested Nir for a start in one if my predicted 11s.

     

    With regards to him slowing the play down,as Sevco aren’t exactly pacey I don’t see it causing us problems,I reckon he’s likely to be fouled and win us free-kicks rather than enable a team who made Boyd look quick to win possession and break.

     

    If possible i’d rather have another option to Nir,other than Callum,but it is what it is and if Brendan picks him then so be it.The standard of opposition player we’ll face has to be considered.It’s Tuesday when we will face quality.That’s not me being arrogant,but if we are genuinely concerned by what thems have to offer then there’s too much respect being shown.I say again,imagine we were away from home with their squad,would we have any confidence other than bravado?

     

    Whatever 11 Brendan picks will be superior to last season’s Scottish second tier’s best team,even with their new,old signings.So,excuse my lack of deference for this infant team we’re about to play but apart from SMSM hype,hun hyperbole,and residual fear of old club jamminess/cheating there is very little to worry about.

     

    It’s all about US.

     

     

    IN BRENDAN WE TRUST!

  27. Davidopoulos on

    I’ve heard a rumour that the training pitches at Lennoxtown are littered with wet paper bags that Nir Bitton failed to tackle successfully.

     

     

    Somebody should really pick them up…

  29. proudbhoy on

    Rocket man

     

     

    Staying in Belem on honeymoon , probably spend most time in Lisboa city.

     

     

    Doesn’t seem to expensive to get in and out from Belem

  30. traditionalist88 on

    fan-a-tic on 7th September 2016 3:06 pm

     

     

    Its the pulling out of 50/50s that done it for me – a great example against Ross County in April(1-1) the ball broke at the edge of their box between Nir and a County player, no favourite for the ball until the slightest hesitancy from Bitton saw the County player get there first and Nir clumsily bundle him over a second later.

     

     

    Its the small things. No reason to hesitate.

     

     

    Would you want a guy like that beside you in midfield?

     

     

    The fact he passes it short may be more of an admission that his range of passing is also poor rather than any great tactical nous. I certainly don’t see him communicating this much with team-mates if it is the latter.

     

     

    HH

  31. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    All this to and fro about our midfield players.

     

    Maybe we should have bought one to suit, when we had the chance:)

     

    Bitton, McGregor, Armstrong…..not getting good reviews on CQN.

     

    Play Liam Henderson then.

     

     

    HH

  32. Barney67 on

    Barton will get sent off for a really nasty challenge on Bitton. Cos he’s the only one he could catch.

  34. thomthethim for Oscar OK on

    MWD

     

     

    Show me where I said what you are accusing me of.

     

     

    I will say it again.

     

     

    Tony’s perceived poor level of education is thrown at him as a reason for his views and deliveries.

     

     

    What excuse is there for, assumed ” better” educated posters for responding in kind?

     

     

    In no way have i endorsed his style of delivery.

     

     

    Got it ? No ? Then I give up.

  36. MoonbeamsWD 'Stand up on 15 for the GB' on

    Sometimes Nir footwork is brilliant and deceiving for such a big guy. But he does get caught on the ball a lot and rarely wins a header when challenged in the air. The same can be said of Rogic with regards challenged headers in the air.

     

     

    Both can fair strike a baw on target fae a fair yardage though.

     

     

    No matter. Who ever plays on Saturday, Brendan will have Warbs sussed and it’s gonna be 6-0. IF it turns out to be only 1-0 I’ll be happy.

     

     

    MWD

  40. Rocket Man on

    PROUDBHOY on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 3:12 PM

     

    Rocket man

     

     

     

    Staying in Belem on honeymoon , probably spend most time in Lisboa city.

     

     

     

    Doesn’t seem to expensive to get in and out from Belem

     

     

    One of my fave cities! There is an area on your way into Lisbon city proper called Santos (there is a train station there too if you are travelling in by train) that is pretty lively at night. Lots of pubs. A wee bit quiet through the day though.

     

     

    Cais Do Sodre is at the bottom of town next to the river and there is an Irish bar that my bro-in-law swears by called Hennesseys and another one called O’Gillins that should be showing the football. Another lively area at night. Also the Time Out Market is near here which has some of the best affordable food in the city.

     

     

    Hope this helps and hail hail!

  41. MoonbeamsWD 'Stand up on 15 for the GB' on

    ThomTheTim

     

     

    Simply by ignoring TD’s musings, attacks, name calling of the individuals and groups and having as go at those replying to him with your faux offence is enough.

     

     

    Replying to his ill educated posts with ironic jibes with regards his obvious hatred of these groups i.e students, teachers, the educated is nothing more than what it is turning his stupidy directly back on him.

     

     

    As I said earlier. If he wants to give it out then he sure can suck it up.

     

     

    MWD

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