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Unequivocally difficult and the SFA

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

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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  2. sipsini on

    weefrathetim.

     

     

    Hope your ma will be ok. Never met you but you sound like a good guy.

     

     

    Your ma will look at you and know that as well.HH

  9. DJBEE on

    Got a genuine question here that I am worried about.

     

    Mrs DJBEE is going white water rafting Sat tomorrow up in Purth (they call it purrth).

     

    Thing is I need to get proper insurance by 2 o’clock does anyone know where I can get a good return (odds) obviously PP are out,

  11. bournesouprecipe on

    Received today

     

     

    Hi B………..

     

     

    Thank you for contacting Paddy Power Customer Support.

     

     

    I am very sorry you feel this way, this was a very regrettable situation which we can only apologise for.

     

     

    If you have any further queries please visit our website to avail of our Live Help.

     

     

    Kind Regards,

     

     

    Daniel

     

     

    Paddy Power Customer Service

  12. cliftonville celt from belfast praying for Oscar the wee legend on

    Wee bit of a random one

     

     

    Been a bit depressed lately and trying to lift myself thought of tommy burns

     

     

    Why do we not have a dedicated song to tommy ?

     

     

    With our gathered experience surely we could sort something that could be sung at every game ?

     

     

    Sorry but I suffer from depression and tommy is someone I turn to for help for his passion, drive and faith. I know I’m not the only one who draws inspiration from him and I feel he should have a dedicated song

     

     

    I’m no song writer but there u go its out there

     

     

    God bless tommy burns man drives me on and who I will never forget

     

     

    Sorry for melting anyone on a Friday !

  13. THE EXILED TIM on

    ST

     

     

    Afraid you wont be getting the striker you and most of us are looking for, Pukki will be the end of the in’s.

     

     

    Pedro has always said we aim to come out of the window stronger than we entered it.

     

     

    Massive fail so far IMO.

     

     

    HH

  19. What is the Stars on

    Cliftonville Celt

     

    If you seriously suffer from depression you should seek professional help or at least try and talk to family and friends about your issues

  20. petec - Oscar BraveO - God Bless. on

    pigalle

     

     

    00:11 on 31 August, 2013

     

     

    Forget VW, I am hoping that Nir Biton will be the new Javi Martinez !

     

     

    ________________________________________________________

     

     

    I only see Neil really ramping up the Footballing side of Celtic now that the thugs are gone.

     

     

    Martinez is uber classy, I hope the nb. player is of that calibre. I think most fans are drooling about this signing depsite him costing very little.

     

     

    I have seen enough this season to see that Beram is ready to SHINE again also. ;)) Beram’s mind is very sharp, the ole trust thing will have to be regained after the Killie debacle I suspect but, he is a first name on the teamsheet player.

     

     

    Celtic will fiNNish either 1st, 4th, 2nd or 3rd in this CL Group. Looking at it, I’d say we will just miss out on 2nd place which might be the best thing ever. Who knows?

     

     

    EFE.csc

  21. •-:¦:-•** -:¦:- sparkleghirl :¦:-.•**• -:¦:-• on

    Someone must know who Charlotte is/was.

     

     

    It would be nice if that person could confirm that Charlotte is alive and well and not under concrete.

  23. cliftonville celt from belfast praying for Oscar the wee legend on

    Wee Fra

     

     

    Lived through British army occupation we can live through anything !!

     

     

    Paddy power – same standard message – sent back simple message – fuck off

     

    Speak to our heros direct account cancelled after 10 years – disgusted – pound before pride.com

  26. cliftonville celt from belfast praying for Oscar the wee legend on

    What is the stars

     

     

    Have done & am thankful for everything I have – also so thankful for the message of support

     

     

    Just have good days and bad days

     

     

    Want everyone to know its alright to have a good day and a bad day and share it on such a fantastic blog

     

     

    I love everyone I have never met & am actually aftaid I’ll ever meet anyone !!!!!!

  27. THE EXILED TIM on

    •-:¦:-•** -:¦:- sparkleghirl :¦:-.•**• -:¦:-•

     

     

    I’m surprised Lotte has lasted so long, it was only a matter of time till she/he was stopped.

  29. Big Georges Fan Club - Hail, Hail, Wee Oscar on

    Response to PP – fekin ragin, by the way!!!!!!!

     

     

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

     

     

    Oh – so you think it is “tongue-in-cheek” to ridicule an old man do you?

     

     

    Irrespective of any illness, to deride an elderly human being in such a manner shows a distinct lack of moral judgement. Never mind your corporate apology – using lack of knowledge of an illness is an utterly pathetic excuse for such an inhuman attitude to any individual – the person responsible should be ashamed of him/herself. I bring my children up to have respect elderly people, not to make fun of frailties that can affect everyone – clearly this person’s parents could have done a better job.

     

     

    Disgusted almost as much by your inadequate reply as by the initial comment. As you are clearly incapable of recognizing inappropriate behaviour, I have no expectation of an appropriate reply – you should therefore have no expectation of any further business from me, or anyone else I can influence.

     

     

    Regards –

     

     

    ++++++++++

     

     

    BGFC (fekin pricks!!!)

  31. Phyllis Dietrichson on

    cliftonville – that cloud will lift, not tomorrow, not the next day but it will lift at some point. Your family will try to help and you will push them away and you will feel even worse. Don’t be ashamed to get some medication – it really will help. You will probably miss the highs and lows of our European journey over the next 2 months, but you will come through it – I’m not lying to you.

     

    You are not alone – pick up the phone. Give me a hotmail address and I’ll send you my phone number.

  32. pigalle on

    petec – Oscar BraveO – God Bless.

     

     

    It’s funny the idea of trying to replace a player with EXACTLY the same kind of player.

     

     

    I’m not sure it’s possible – (Mr Hooper for example).

     

     

    Replacing big Victor was never going to be easy but I believe Biton is a decent attempt at filling those boots albeit the young man seems to play more like Martinez than he does VW.

     

     

    Interesting times though.

     

     

    Your prediction that the Hoops will finish either first, second, third or fourth in the group is uncannily close to my own feelings where we might wind up.

     

     

    Hail hail

  34. Sponsored by Cheetah on

    Cliftonville Celt,

     

     

    Maybe within the song we could have,

     

     

    Look Jim,

     

     

    They are there and they are always there,

     

     

    God bless everyone of them.

     

     

    Tommy twists, Tommy turns, Tommy who, Tommy Burns

  35. Celtic Mac on

    Paul67 et al

     

     

    First blood to Pep tonight! Jose hurting big time! It’s funny, when Real Madrid beat Manchester United in the CL quarters, Jose claimed, (wrongly in my view) that the best team lost. Difference, Pep was Bayern Manager! Great article in Friday’s Guardian by the incomparable Sid Lowe which lifts the lid on the deterioration of a relationship between these two, a prelude to Sid’s book coming out in September….

     

    ‘Fear and Loathing in La Liga: Barcelona vs Real Madrid

     

    Looking forward to it already!

  36. DJBEE on

    Has Charlotte been wiped?

     

     

    Ok then timmy move along now nothing to read here or see here.

     

     

    You ust have imagined it all, you are obviously paranoid!

     

     

    Woder if Jock Urvine had anything to do with it?

     

     

    How does the saying go?

     

     

    First they deny you?

  38. sipsini on

    There was a poster a few weeks ago saying he knew who Charlotte was and that he was a hun.

     

    To know what charlotte tweets he must be well in there fold.

     

    Maybe the easdales have bought him off along with his shares!!!

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