Unequivocally difficult and the SFA

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Champions League sections are never easy so we are as well having one which is unequivocally difficult on paper.  Despite finishing second from pot 4 in their group last season (a remarkable achievement), Celtic spent the vast majority of their time in the tournament under pressure.  They had possession less than their opponents in all six group games, so although we were successful in the group stage, there should be no doubt as the the size of the challenge.

Conversely, we looked Juventus in the eye, which, in retrospect, could be regarded as over ambitious.

When Martin O’Neill’s Celtic drew Barcelona and Milan in the group section of the Champions League the manager was clearly exasperated at the apparently preposterous task.  It was Martin’s last throw in the competition and he was anxious to break into the knockout stage for the first time.

The mood music seems different this time.  Neil Lennon has been to the knockout stage already so the pressure to breakthrough is not there.  Celtic can take one game at a time without the burden of having to prove themselves in this competition.  They are now a part of this league, they might not win it, but they can compete with anyone.

We will be second favourites for each game, which is surely the way we would all prefer it to be.  Despite what happened last year, even Barca will expect to comfortably overcome Celtic.  Surely we can’t be as organised again?

Don’t bet against it.

STV painted an interest picture of the SFA this morning.  The Association declined advice from Uefa to come into line with most of Europe (including England, crucially for many Scottish clubs) and extend the transfer window until the first business day of the week.

Doing so, however, would make a mockery of their suspension of Rangers International’s transfer embargo, which expires on 31 August.  To accept Uefa’s advice would draw attention to their oversight in not noticing that August ends on a weekend.

We all know this to be the case, but the Association would rather ignore their mistake than help out member clubs and draw attention to it.

Even Jim Farry checked the calendar.
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  1. Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Oscar Knox, MacKenzie Furniss and anyone else who fights Neuroblastoma on

    Final tweet. Pint required! Been told we’ll be pleasantly surprised by quality of further arrivals as players doing the chasing, not Celtic

     

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    Electronic Tims ‏@ETimsNet 50m

     

    It’s all about the CL. Qualifying & playing in group of Champions is dream time for top players. Lawwell’s two phones stuck to both ears!

     

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    Oleg Blogking ‏@olegblogking 54m

     

    @ETimsNet Game wed: draw ystrday: trnsfr window today tomorrow. Exciting week As for sevco..maybe mcgills will bring out a new bus schedule!

     

    Retweeted by Electronic Tims

     

    View conversation

     

    Electronic Tims ‏@ETimsNet 55m

     

    Wee man again – Names being offered major surprise to Lennon. Potential game changers. Absolutely hectic at present.

     

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    Electronic Tims ‏@ETimsNet 58m

     

    Still keep hearing Argentina getting a mention. No idea at all of name. Phone lines at Celtic Park red hot.

     

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    FrancoStein ‏@facekmt 1h

     

    @ETimsNet Meanwhile a penniless,ashen faced stranger emerges from Greggs of Govan empty handed.#SkidRowSally

     

    Retweeted by Electronic Tims

     

    View conversation

     

    Electronic Tims ‏@ETimsNet 1h

     

    We hear its mental just now. Expect at least three more in. No more BIG sales expected unless crazy offer received.

     

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    Electronic Tims ‏@ETimsNet 1h

     

    @JoeChalm67 Too much happening. Honestly! Since beating SK and CL Draw we hear its mental with quality names being offered!

     

    View conversation

     

    Electronic Tims ‏@ETimsNet 1h

     

    Update – Club inundated by offers from agents of top class players since Thursday. Top loans available. LOTS of business happening #Manic

     

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    Barry John Millsip ‏@inmyeyes7 1h

     

    @ETimsNet Genuine mate ????

     

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    Electronic Tims ‏@ETimsNet 1h

     

    @inmyeyes7 It is According to reliable contact.

     

    Hide conversation Reply Retweet Favorite More

     

    7:38 PM – 30 Aug 13 · Details

     

    Tweet text

     

    Reply to @ETimsNet @inmyeyes7

     

    Image will appear as a link

     

    Barry John Millsip ‏@inmyeyes7 1h

     

    @ETimsNet Ahh nice one lad any names been mentioned ???

     

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    Electronic Tims ‏@ETimsNet 1h

     

    Update – Club inundated by offers from agents of top class players since Thursday. Top loans available. LOTS of business happening #Manic

     

    Expand

     

    Electronic Tims ‏@ETimsNet 1h

     

    Pish stained wee mans source – Alfie deal very much alive. Lenny wants him & Pukki. H/Veen asking too much but they need cash. #ToTheWire

     

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  2. KevJungle

     

     

    Gus Poyet been sounded out as a ‘possible’ future Celtic manager?

     

     

    Did you hear that from the horse’s mouth?

     

     

    Or possibly the horse’s erse?

     

     

    Just askin.

     

     

    I’m not off oot – staying in to watch Bayern pump the London huns – hopefully.

     

     

    Hurry back.

     

     

    HH!!

  3. Suzony,i was in Milan years ago when they played Barca think it was quarters or semi final.Picked up a ticket outside the ground for 80 euro.I was sent to various banks as they had a partnership with Ac,also ask your hotel to pick you up some. Good Luck

  4. fighting the fuzz for wee oscar

     

     

    19:12 on 30 August, 2013

     

     

    So I think the bottom line is the club have a credit facility (1.5% up to £36m), which is not the same thing at all as being £36m in debt.

     

     

    ————–

     

    Precisely. I have a £10300 facility on my MasterCard – this doesn’t mean I’m £10,300 in debt! Stupid, stupid Huns…

  5. Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan…

     

     

    Interesting. That’s probably the case.

     

     

    When I read your post the first player that came into

     

    my head was…

     

     

    Keisuke Honda

     

     

    Isn’t he available on a free?

     

    & How come I didn’t think of him before???

  6. Fassreifen

     

     

    19:50 on 30 August, 2013

     

     

    Don’t know who to dislike least in this Super Cup thingy.

     

    _____________________________________________

     

    The Bayern fans draped a big flag down the front of their singing section in support of

     

    the Green Brigade during all the ‘kettling’ carry-on.

     

    HH – Off oot.

  7. Cowiebhoy in support of Fearless Oscar & Family on

    Kenny was the Project Manager at the site.

     

    An ex pat Scot, who had been based in SA for over 30 year, but made a point of coming home every year, and following the Tartan Army.

     

    The knowledge I have on what took place is not for this site, and comes straight from the family, as stated we were very good friends.

     

     

    Hail Hail

  8. Looks like Pukki is signing then, plus the Israeli has signed

     

     

    Another quailty striker then would cap off the perfect week …… Plus a cheeky win at Tannadice tomorrow!!!

     

     

    HH

  9. KevJungle, yeah ok, respect for that. They’re still the ManU of the Bundesliga, though :-) HH

  10. 67Heaven ... I am Neil Lennon, supporting WEE OSCAR..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors on

    I posted the 2 videos, for folks to watch, but went to watch and blank screen ……dooooooohhhhhh …LOL

  11. Paddy Gallagher on

    Champions league – all these signings – nae slide tackles!!

     

    Must be on the wrong site :-))))

  12. Doctor Whatfor on

    67 heaven

     

     

    Don’t want to overreact. It’s only youtube, only 5 goals but he’s distinctly Larssonesque.

  13. Doctor Whatfor on

    You are my Pukki, my Teemu Pukki

     

    You make me happy when skies are grey.

     

    We wanted Messi but he’s a Jessie.

     

    Please don’t take my Pukki away.

     

     

    Aff ma back. Can you do any better??

  14. Istanbulcelt Oscar's Green & White Army on

    Cowiebhoy in support of Fearless Oscar & Family

     

     

     

    19:59 on 30 August, 2013

     

     

     

    Kenny was the Project Manager at the site.

     

    An ex pat Scot, who had been based in SA for over 30 year, but made a point of coming home every year, and following the Tartan Army.

     

    The knowledge I have on what took place is not for this site, and comes straight from the family, as stated we were very good friends.

     

     

    Hail Hail

     

     

    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

     

     

    Some difficult viewing tomorrow then Cowiebhoy, my thoughts are with yourself and his family. RIP Kenny!

  15. Istanbulcelt Oscar's Green & White Army on

    If all these players are now clambering to get to Celtic, does it matter?

     

     

    Am i right in saying that the window in Scotland closes at 12 pm?

     

     

    Or can we still get loans after tonight?

     

     

    Cheers for any info given!

     

     

     

    H H

  16. Just been told by a zombie we are £36M in debt and about to go bust. I asked if that was before or after the £37M we have taken in from the CL and transfer fees.

     

     

    Stupid, head up their ar** huns…

  17. Paddy Gallagher on

    The Celtic affect – the Horse and Hounds Jersey was jumping the other night. Locals, English, Irish, Portuguese and Scots all jumping about for ninety minutes loving the TIC :-))))))))))

  18. Hate to put a dampener on the euphoria guys, but my ole mum suffered a stroke this afternoon and then another one just an hour ago. Poor old soul fought back from pneumonia twice in the last year and now this. At 93 she has proven herself a real fighter, pray God she can see this episode through. Prayers guys please.

     

     

    Weefra HH supporting Wee Oscar

  19. Listening to the Four green fields just now with Tommy Makems introduction by Mr Heaney

     

     

    Tearintheeye,csc.com

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