Yesterday Uefa announced a series of revisions to the Champions League from the start of season 2018-19.
The headline initiative, which was trailed in the media for some weeks, is that the top four qualifying nations are guaranteed four entrants in the group stage. At the moment the top three nations are guaranteed three entrants each, with a fourth team entering the tournament at the play-off round. The fourth placed nation is guaranteed two in the groups, with one more team in the play-off round.
In effect, all this means is that Italy gets one more team in the tournament, while the likes of Tottenham don’t need to go through the anxiety of a play of qualifying, even if the outcome is pretty much inevitable.
How teams earn coefficient points, and how they earn money are both changing, with Celtic standing to gain more than any other team in Europe. At the moment part of each teams’ coefficient is made up of an average of their nations’ entrants over the previous five years.
This penalises Celtic more than any other team in Europe. No other country has one team in the Champions League group stage, while all other teams failed to qualify for all group stages over the previous five years. From 2018 coefficients will no longer be dependent on the performance of other teams from your national association.
There’s also a Lisbon Lions Dividend. Teams who have won the European Cup will earn four monetary coefficient points. If they have won the Champions League within the previous five years, the bonus will be 12 points, and if they were European champions earlier in the Champions League era, the bonus will be 8 points.
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lisbon, it is astonishing that the achievement of those men is still bringing benefits to Celtic in ways no one could have dreamt of back then. I’ve said it before, but it’s impossible to overestimate what they did for Celtic. Without them, we would have been as relevant to Scottish football as Hibs.
475 Comments- Pages:
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JOBO
Great stuff, fair rubs my nose in it right enough. Where would 29 mins leave me in the older group?
Barca score a goal nearly as good as our 4th last night.
TurkeyBhoy,
nooo….if only the SFA….wiz in his sights….he’d huv Bingo/House…..then there’d be a complaint aboot how he wiz the only seer ;-))
FTSFA
H.H.
JMCCORMICK –
My sincere apologies friend and that wasn’t my intention. If there are any mods about please remove the post at the foot of page 1 please. A bit of totally unnecessary ‘look at me’ post that I shouldn’t have made.
But to answer your question, a time of 29 mins would have seen you finish 121st out of a field of 175.
Off to put up my Christmas tree……………
Starry Plough
Never done the entire WHW however I know a good few who have.
Midges will not be an issue in April, hypothermia will probably be the concern. It is a fair slog and has a few long climbs, if taking kids it would be best to take the bag carrying service which will take your heavier stuff from digs to digs. Take easily layered clothing, waterproof outerwear and footwear.
My colleagues intended to blast it in three nights, one of them wrapped it after one and the others took 4 nights to complete.
They did enjoy it though.
Good luck.
Hamilton Tim,
Apologies for the late reply, pesky work called.
When I mentioned detrimental, I was mainly referring to image. Will singing about the Provos help attract the new generation of Celtic supporters. Will it help attract and retain players / managers. Will it help attract sponsors.?
IMO the answer is no.
Does it make many Celtic supporters uncomfortable, ? Yes.
Do we get embarrassed hearing it when watching in mixed company. Often.
Is it compatible with a progressive, multi faith ( and none) multi cultural, multi racial society in 2016.
We will never be rid of the “old firm ” label if we are seen as the other side of the coin. And to many non Celtic fans hearing these songs, that’s exactly what they think.
I love a good sing song in the Gallowgate after games. If you don’t like it, then don’t go. But I remain convinced that a football match is not the time or the place.
it’s time to move on, and embrace our future as an all inclusive club, that is truly open to all.
HH.
✖
Neganon 2
Can you point out exactly what is wrong about Celtic having a European coefficient based entirely on their own efforts and completely encumbered by the poor efforts of other Scottish clubs at European level or by the lack of success by the Scotland national team at International level?
Do you not think that Celtic should be rewarded by extra coefficient points for having won the European Cup previously?
It seems to me that these are two developments that should be celebrated by all Celtic supporters as they recognise the previous efforts and achievements of our great Club.
You really seem to be a glass half empty sort of fella.
JOBO.
Absolutely no problems. You are right to be proud of your efforts. I am a recent convert to the 5k thing and used to watch the Strathy runners from the gym down there.
As a sprightly 57 yr old, I fear my podium dreams are gone but I can still be a competitive old shite. Hence my question. 121 out of 175 is pretty pish. Better get faster once the hammy is repaired. HH
I don’t think Neganon is wrong about the CL changes. I’d like to see all the details. Giving automatic places to the top four in the 4 big leagues will surely make it harder for Celtic to qualify?
Right, am off to get ready for the pub, .
Oh! PS
Congratulations to Rouken Glen park in Glasgow, for being the nicest park in the U.K., well done to all involved.
I’m wondering if Ally got himself a couple of wee shifts in there during his gardening leave from thems.? :))
Starry, when you say she’s driving. Does she intend to drive the WHW? ;-))
Jobo
Nonsense. Leave your post in place. What you’ve done is a great achievement. I love reading about people who achieve by constant practice and self discipline. I’m sure your fellow runners on CQN and non-runners like myself will raise their hats to you. Some may also be inspired to take up running.
Well done.
AN TEARMANN & JMCCORMICK
Thanks Bhoys, building up quite a wee dossier for the lassie noo:))
I haven’t been up there for 30 years so your advice is well appreciated.
HH
Is it wrong to want the Jambos to win:)))
79 Caps.
Yes 13.27.
Yes, it could make it harder for Celtic to qualify.
The Champions Route, which is our route, has been reduced from 5 to 4 places. A 20% cut.
This season only 2 out of 5 top seeded teams in the Champions Route, us being one, made it through.
Make no mistake, the revamp is all being done to help one nation in particular, Italy.
POGMATHONYAHUN AKA LAIRD OF THE SMILES
Walking I think in search of the perfect roll and square but as far as I know she’s driving from here to Scotland, tough lassie, one of ma few pals here:))
Jobo
Like reading your posts about your running while I am usually nursing a hangover! Still might beat ye on ma bike! Went round Strathy twice on my bike n my bhoy was running he was 28 seconds behind me n hardly out of breath..bassa!
JMcCormick
As you’re from the Shire n the same age as myself I feel we will have met. I was at olhs in Motherwell.
Kikinthenakas
jobo,
don’t listen to me…..if i’d ran 895 klicks…..it would be in another universe….gawn yersell…..
followthesightsCSC
FTSFA
H.H.
2 views on the Champions League changes:
1) the romantic days of open draws and teams like Celtic going all the way are gone (sadly). Everything is so intensely stacked to ensure you’d need to beat one or two of the “big guns” in the group stage, plus another at q/f, s/f etc. Genuinely can’t see a team outside of these big guns ever winning it again.
2) it’s purely now then about getting as far as possible and making money, any mechanism (whether morally right or wrong) that benefits Celtic, I will gladly take. Provided it is by a legal means.
Ps wonder if winners of the other European Comps get a “bonus”. Cant wait for the debate about *who* gets the dead Rangers coefficient bonus for winning the ECWC. ;-)
I’m just astounded of forehead to read that Jobo isnae a mod. ☘️
Listening to pick of the Pops December 69. Memories flashing back of a Celtic team as good as the lions.
All the hits played over the tannoy.
Next season will be the last one where we get the co-efficient points from the 2012-13 season. We could do with a good campaign to “replace” these points for future seasons.
Maybe a third place in the CL group followed by a few rounds in the EL.
So could someone do a wee future possible ranking for us once we reach the 2018 format.
Are we likely to be a pot 3place?
erskinetim,
you’re entirely too sensible…..it’ll never catch on ;-))
Ivehadtochange,
WTF….one is entirely happy. to read that one is not alone…..one is exstatic? to note that there’s an infinity of number ones on here ;-))
royallyCSC
H.H.
Let the People sing eh ? Well here’s the lyrics (not the bastardized pc version *):
For those who are in love
there’s a song that’s warm and tender
for those who are oppressed
in song you can protest
so liberate your minds
and give your soul expression
open up your hearts
i’ll sing for you this song
let the people sing their stories and their songs
and the music of their native land
their lullabies and battle-cries and songs of hope and
joy
so join us hand in hand
all across this ancient land
throughout the test of time
it was music that kept their spirits free
those songs of yours and of mine
it was back in ancient times
the bard would tell his stories
of the heroes, of the villain
of the chieftains in the glen
through Elizabethan time
and Cromwellian war and fury
put our pipers to the sword
killed our harpers and our bards
chorus
Ireland, land of song
your music lives forever
in its valleys, in its mountains
in its hills and in its glens
our music did survive
through famine and oppression
to the generations gone
i’ll sing for you this song
chorus
The lyrics are actually a good mantra to apply to our choice of songs, if you take my point ?
Like most, I’ve sung them in the past, still do on occasion. Some I find nonsensical at this point-in-time as Ireland moves towards unity.
That leaves me feeling uneasy with some of the songbook. If I’m honest, I think the choice is more, Let the Peepul sing; than, Let the People sing.
I could be wrong, but a lot of the songs, venues etc seem designed to offend.
We’re better than that.
* What an insult that was, have some forgot what makes us strong ?
In the new year they should play some of the hit songs from 67 over the tannoy.
It was a great year for music too.
Messi at his brilliant best.Unstoppable.His second goal ,a thing of beauty.
Kikinthenakas
Maybe, OLHS was my dear dads and Billy McNeils grammar school. It was also the school we pumped every year at football. HH
TURKEYBHOY
True, totally mesmerised the entire Osasuna defence then flicks it home. Classy footballer
Neganon2
We are all hypocrits depending on the circumstances.
A more equitable solution can be read here
https://www.sfm.scot/peace-not-war/?cid=152495
but such a solution would have to come from ALL clubs to make it equitable but the bigger nations prefer a CL Hell to a CL Heaven.
It’s a matter of choice and human nature seems hell bent on making the wrong one thus creating hypocrits.
BLANTYRETIM
Aye , me too. Always had him down as an old rocker
Since when did Alec Baldwin become Watford manager?
JMcCormick
Hahaha
Not when I was there yeez didnae…won the Scottish and beat everyone in sight for two years. Willie Young and Colin Boyle ran the team…we were brilliant!
All the best kikinthenakas
Jobo Balde
As someone once said (no prizes if it was not Humphrey Bogart)
“Here’s looking at ya kid”
Do it when you can before you can’t.
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPY BIRTHDAY to lennybhoys bhoy CONALL
And MWD
Charlie Adam – we played with three banks of four……
Paul67
Without doubt money driven but an interesting UEFA development that in theory could/should benefit Celtic FC despite the loss of one place in the ‘Champions Route’ (currently 5).
The Scottish National coefficient factor (20% of the collective) has acted as a minus handicap for us for a number of years. There are various examples of this ambiguity on the UEFA Co-E site. Take Southamton for example – like us out of Europe having gained 0.89pts less than us (& 49 places below us). However they will garner further points from the progress of; Arsenal, Man City, Leicester and Man Utd thus closing the gap between them and us.
Other examples of teams around us in the UEFA table include; AC Milan and Malaga (neither qualified for Europe) but again will benefit from Serie A/La Liga team’s progress to our detriment. Inter Milan (one place below us) with 4.09pts less earned 2016/17 – could end up going above us dependent on how well; Juve, Napoli, Roma and Fiorentina progress in Europe and how many National Co-E points are gained.
Said my piece on this before – I don’t like the proposed UEFA model. 4 Nations will get 16 places (+ possibly a Europa winner) and the remaining 49 (less the likes of; France, Russia and Portugal and maybe Ukraine, Swiss and Greece/Turkey) means circa 40 Nations get to fight for 8-10 max places. We are currently 44= (with our highest points tally dropping off next season) – IMO CL qualification will be imperative these next 2 seasons to ensure seeding in the ‘Champions Route’ new format.
My worries are two-fold. UEFA are seriously TV driven and are unhappy with falling TV Audiences – there are already talks about splitting CL TV kick-off times 6:00pm & 8:00pm as with the Europa Cup. My greatest concern is hypothetical – but I envisage a day where one of the Big 4 (despite seeding) fail to make the Last 16 (maybe more than once) and UEFA concoct a draw that ensures that at least one team from each of; Spain, Germany, England and Italy reach the last 16!
Much for the Board to ponder and Brendan to deliver these next 2/3 seasons.
In a country where our very existence is offensive to the vast majority we should be sensitive to what hurts their poor delicate ears?
Should we remove green from our strips as well?
And take that offensive tricolor down from our stadium?
Be proud Celtic supporters as in the face of adversity and establishment cheating throughout history you have defiantly prospered!
I could have sworn I wished Monnbeams a Hoopy Birthday last week …………oooppsss
HH