You and I have enough recent experience to know teams we’ve never heard of, or know little about, cannot be underestimated when it comes to European football. We should expect, and will get, a very difficult game tomorrow.
The good news is that Hapoel Beer Shiva have lost goals in three consecutive matches after a solid defensive run which saw them keep 8 clean sheets in 12 games. But they scored four while conceding in two of those games, the only reversal coming at home to Ashdod in the League Cup last midweek.
They shut up shop away from home in their two earlier Champions League qualifying rounds at Sheriff in Moldova after a narrow 3-2 home win, they kept out Olympiakos before winning the return 1-0 in the last round.
Unlike in previous years, we are not facing a team midseason in the playoff round; Hapoel have had a few cup games but will not open their league season until Saturday.
Hospitality for 3 people at Celtic-Hapoel Beer Shiva at Walfrid Restaurant
Celtic sponsor, Intelligent Car Leasing, have given us three tickets for fantastic hospitality at the Walfrid Restaurant, before, during and after tomorrow’s night’s Champions League qualifier. This is another money can’t buy opportunity for three people to watch Celtic in a hugely important game in sumptuous comfort.
Anyone can enter the competition, however, as this prize of so incredible, I’d like everyone who enters to donate a recommended £10 to the good work of the Celtic Foundation.
You can donate at this MyDonate page.
The Celtic Foundation work to improve Health, promote Equality, encourage Learning and tackle Poverty (H.E.L.P.) in Scotland, the rest of the UK and Ireland, and worldwide. It’s your Foundation, you built and maintain its good work.
A few guidelines for the raffle:
Raffle closes at 21:00 BST TONIGHT, so there’s not a lot of time and I’m not expecting many entries. You will not be entered into the competition if you donate or apply afterwards.
Enter with an email address you are going to check later tonight or early tomorrow, add a phone number, if you like.
You can enter two ways:
By making a recommended £10 donation to Celtic FC Foundation here. Then email me at celticquicknews@gmail.com with Walfrid in the subject line, to make sure I can get in touch with you.
Or
By emailing me the names of every Celtic shirt sponsor and official kit manufacturer. Ever. To celticquicknews@gmail.com
One of the above will be pretty easy for most of us. The other will be pretty difficult. Do the easy one.
Great prize. Only open for a few hours so there will be little competition. Go for it!
Thank you, and thanks to Intelligent Car Leasing for supporting our fundraising efforts.
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GM
You making it through fae the Kingdom tonight?
COYBIG
BLANTYRETIM IS PRAYING FOR THE KNOX FAMILY on 17TH AUGUST 2016 2:49 PM
Oldtim and BT reporting for duty outside BV☘
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BT – not sure if you saw my post about watching Hoops in Denia.
Cafe Pub Ole – near the port was where I watched the Imps game
Railway Tavern – apparently sometimes shows games
JAMES FORREST on 17TH AUGUST 2016 3:27 PM
Spot on in the pricing article. Just a shame the board will feel justified when it sells out. And could argue that sentiment isn’t really as strong as you, or anybody else thinks.
Reggie
Good post, mate. interesting points you raise. As the old saying goes: horses for courses. I agree Deila turned Griffiths into the player he is now, and also that he requires to sharpen up certain aspects of his game. Having said that there attributes in Griffiths that set him apart from any other striker we have had in the last 10 years – he can run with the ball and put in crosses (see Hearts), is excellent in the air, and capable of deadly snap shots that catch defenders and keepers off guard. For those reasons I think he can have a place in our European starting 11 (albeit probably at home).
Dembele has the makings of an excellent player and should prove to be a shrewd acquisition, but is he a 40 goal a season striker? Not yet.
I think we will see plenty of matches where both Griffiths and Dembele start – as you say, BR is flexible when it comes to formations and line-ups.
Geordie Munro
Just because I’ve pished myself doesn’t make me the leak…
NATKNOW
I did thanks, passed on info
Tully 57
Sent Paul a text if ticket still available
Tiny Tim has my
Number also
REGGIE on 17TH AUGUST 2016 3:22 PM
He is constantly improving, Ronny Deila made him a far better player than the one who walked through the door, but there are still things he has to work on.
====================================================================
Leigh Griffiths.
What ?
You mean by not playing a proven striker for god knows how long ?
Sad but true.
Ronny was a lousy coach who transported our club to the outer reaches of footballing significance.
Thank god he`s gone.
Long after he was found out.
Leigh is a diamond.
And was.
Long before we signed him.
Dd,
Not making it neebs. Midweeks are getting a struggle for me.
I’m just hoping the big eejit who has my ticket behaves himself. He’s a bit too much into the ol politics for my liking.
Aberdeen will be my next. Are you going the night?
HH
Mind that time we just breezed through the play-off round of the Champions League into the group stages?
Actually, yes – it was against Helsingborgs in 2012 (4-0 on aggregate). First and only time we ever made it look easy.
Until…
;)
Had planned to stay on in work but I’d been in since about half 7 and the arse is now making buttons just thinking about tonight.
If fit I’d go-
Gordon
Lustig Kolo Sviatcenko Kieran
McGregor Brown Rogic
Roberts Griffiths Sinclair
MacJay
You doing an all nighter?
Mon the Bonny Bhoys in Green and White!
James Forrest
Well said. The re-creation of the “old firm” only benefits one club. And it isn’t us.
Even King knows this – he can’t give an interview without mentioning Celtic.
PARKHEADCUMSALFORD on 17TH AUGUST 2016 2:57 PM
I read earlier that we, the supporters, will be paying the fine for those who wave Palestinian flags in Celtic Park tonight. I hope to God it is only a fine. I fear we may face worse punishment. I have, however, no desire whatever to contribute to paying the fine for anyone who unashamedly harms Celtic. I hope the Club takes action against each and everyone of them to recoup any monies we lose through their selfishness.
=======
If someone chooses to display their sympathy for Palestine and /or antipathy for Israel then do the decent thing and make your self clearly visible for CCTV . Perhaps, they should have another flag with their name on it.
Yes, let the people of Palestine know that ‘Joe Bloggs’ is on their side and not just some unidentified guy concealed behind some fans.
GM
Aye neebs, meeting The Carnoustie Gowfer pre match.
Will be in 5ways before Dons match wi Mountblow Tim if you fancy a pint.
Pity you miss tonight.
Hail Hail
The smsm will be out in force looking for Palestine flags…I don’t think they’ll find any…
A disappointing damp squib (for them)…nae flags, just goals galore…come on bhoys GIRUT…
DELANEYS DUNKY on 17TH AUGUST 2016 3:44 PM
MacJay
You doing an all nighter?
Mon the Bonny Bhoys in Green and White!
=======================================================
It`s beginning to look like it.
A LONG wait to reach the Holy Grail.
Not going to miss a minute of the lead up.
Supposed leaked team for tonight
Gordon; Lustig Toure O’Connell Tierney; Forrest Brown McGregor Rogic Sinclair; Griffiths
Stan Collymore…..Let the people sing….
A tweet from today…
A braw gesture of support….from a braw bhoy….
Braw
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 17TH AUGUST 2016 3:41 PM
REGGIE on 17TH AUGUST 2016 3:22 PM
Leigh Griffiths.
What ?
You mean by not playing a proven striker for god knows how long ?
Sad but true.
Ronny was a lousy coach who transported our club to the outer reaches of footballing significance.
Thank god he`s gone.
Long after he was found out.
Leigh is a diamond.
And was.
Long before we signed him.
==================
Have you worked on the Celtic coaching staff in the last few years? Are you a confidant of Leigh Griffiths. If not then I’ll take his word over yours. Griffiths has on many occasions when into -in depth- his own improvement under Ronny. There are plenty of other articles I could post but wouldn’t pollute the blog with rags like the record or vermin the the mail and telegraph
http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/13411046.Leigh_Griffiths_reaping_rewards_after_responding_to_Ronny_Deila_s_dietary_challenge/
WHENEVER Ronnie Deila spoke about certain players not being fit enough at Celtic Park, everyone knew who he meant.
The person more aware than anyone else was Leigh Griffiths, for two reasons. Firstly, the player was him, and secondly, his manager would tell him straight to his face that he wasn’t shaping up. The Norwegian just wouldn’t name the guilty party in public.
Griffiths was already sailing close to the wind. His talent has never been in question but his attitude was forever being questioned, and Deila for the first few months of his time at Celtic Park did not know what to do with this particular player.
So they had a heart to heart in October, a few home truths were said and the penny dropped.
Griffiths was happy to admit all of this while promoting the international friendly against Qatar this week and then the vital European Championship qualifier against the Republic of Ireland a week on Saturday.
The fact Griffiths was being asked to represent Scotland at all was proof of how far he’s come since picking up a couple of good habits, while at the same time dropping a few. Some were more easier than others to give up.
“The manager had his reasons why he left me out,” said Griffiths. “I had to go and work on aspects of my game and get fitter. That’s why I’m playing now. It’s not just one thing. It’s getting stronger, working harder in the gym and in training, changing my off-field stuff, changing my diet. I’ve done all that.
“My personal view is that he didn’t think I had it in me to do it. I’m thankful I’ve changed his mind with everything I’ve done. It’s not just my diet. In Norway, there’s a big thing about body fat.
“My body fat probably wasn’t up to his standards. I’ve never been the fattest of guys over the years. I’ve tried to work on keeping my body fat down and not eat as much as what I should’ve been eating. I’m trying to eat the right foods.
“I was a sucker for fizzy juice – I have a sweet tooth for Irn-Bru – but now it’s all about diluting juice and water. The manager made a comment about my off-field antics and what happened over the last few years. I think he just wanted me to change that. He said he saw potential in me and if I cut all that stuff out I could be a real top player. I think, since the middle of January, I’ve started to show what I really can do.”
And how is the body fat now?
“I am not answering that. It could still be better. The manager said that before I left. I did get the body fat count down in the second half of the season because I worked hard.”
Griffiths is a good interviewee in that he is open, perhaps too open, and always answers questions in a forthright manner. For example, he was happy to admit that Deila clearly didn’t think the 24-year-old was up to giving up the Irn-Bru and fatty dinners.
“The way he was looking I guessed he was thinking that he wanted me to change, but didn’t think I had it in me,” said Griffiths. “I went out of that room after a meeting with him determined to get my place back in that team.
“I spoke to Neil Lennon about it last season when something happened and he said that if I wanted to be a Celtic player then I would have to put all that stuff down. I was disappointed when he left but the manager came in and after pre-season I obviously wasn’t fit enough to be in the squad. And since October I haven’t missed out on a squad.
“You can’t be chosen for Scotland if you are not playing for Celtic. I had no problem not being in the squad, but since the turn of the year I’ve hit a good run of form. I was disappointed to miss out on the last one, but I’ve got myself in now.”
Griffiths went on to have a fine season after he and Deila’s chat. He found his goalscoring touch but more than that, his all-round game improved immeasurably.
Chances are, Gordon Strachan will start him against Qatar and go with Steven Fletcher in Ireland. If the Celtic man does get his chance, he is in a much better place to do himself justice for his country, something he did not do when he led the line away to Croatia a couple of years ago.
“As a lone striker at Celtic you need to work on all parts of your game,” he said. “It’s not just about scoring goals, it’s about link-up play and movement and stuff. The manager wouldn’t have put me in against Inter Milan and teams like that if I wasn’t ready.
“Gordon wanted to go with form in that (Croatia) game. I’d played as lone striker at Hibs. I wasn’t as experienced as I am now so hopefully I get the nod on Friday. If so, I’d be ready to go.”
First result of the evening – my other half’s pal isn’t coming round for dinner meaning I can pace up and down the living room before kick off unencumbered…
I am a hopeless pacer….
Clink clink
Braw
MacJay
Haha. Good man. You can take the Bhoy out of Glesga…………… :)
Neustadt-Braw
Krombacher?
looks like brendan keeping things tight and then having the option of bringing on dembele if we need a goal later
big vote of confidence in griff
please don’t concede early doors, celtic, we need celtic park to be fully behind the bhoys for as long as possible
We have made the big time ……..Gary Lineker at CP tonight for BT Sport……
If Forrest is playing at least that gives us some attacking width on the right, so we will not be so dependent on Lustig getting forward, which might cause problems at the back.
I quite like the look of that team.
My only caveat would be it’ll require a disciplined performance from the midfield /wings or Broony could be in for a long night.
HH
(unless they are gash)
OK, I had more than one caveat. :)
BLANTYRETIM IS PRAYING FOR THE KNOX FAMILY on 17TH AUGUST 2016 3:36 PM
NATKNOW
I did thanks, passed on info
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Cool! Just in case you’d missed it!
Davidpolous makes comment about not being able to pick the team.
Then (apparently) names the exact team…
Lottery numbers please bestest pal :)
HH
!!BADA BING!! on 17TH AUGUST 2016 4:06 PM
We have made the big time ……..Gary Lineker at CP tonight for BT Sport……
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Hope he’s got his trousers on. That’s all we’d need – him a Wee James would get us a UEFA fine for sure…
GM
Chris Davies??? :)
GEORDIE MUNRO on 17TH AUGUST 2016 4:13 PM
I quite like the look of that team.
My only caveat would be it’ll require a disciplined performance from the midfield /wings or Broony could be in for a long night.
HH
(unless they are gash)
OK, I had more than one caveat. :)
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With the right result tonight you can treat yourself to a while bottle…!
DAVIDOPOULOS on 17TH AUGUST 2016 4:02 PM
Neustadt-Braw
Krombacher?
Aye…..been in my fridge since yesterday…..oh ….just watching the beads of watter slipping doon the glass…
Awfy bonnie……
Braw.
IKI on 17TH AUGUST 2016 3:46 PM
‘If someone chooses to display their sympathy for Palestine and /or antipathy for Israel then do the decent thing and make your self clearly visible for CCTV . Perhaps, they should have another flag with their name on it.’
###
Likewise for Irish Tricolours.
Because if UEFA apply their policy consistently the flying of the Tricolour could result in the same sanction.
Good Read all day James Forrest , On the money with your articles. Our club are so detached from us its scary. The ticket pricing is horrendous and both clubs are colluding it seems.
Looking forward to tonight, Paradise in the sun is Awesome.
A win would be nice, if not we have Europa Cup to look forward to, The moneys not as good but the games are more even.
Hoping for a decent Ref the last two rounds refs were rotten.
Hail Hail!!!!
KLV
NB
Enjoy fae afar. Every Tim in the world will be inside Paradise in spirit tonight, shoulder to shoulder wi us present.
MON THE LEATHER BELTS!
The BSR Selfie
Revealed CSC
No doubt Lineker will be wondering if we can make it through to meet the big clubs like Leicester…..