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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Pukka signing!
Sydney Tim in despair.
£2.4m …for a guy with a moderate scoring record ….in the last year of his contract …
Do I have this right ?
Kevin Doyle is a player with a real hunger to arrive at celtic park.
There will be no question marks over his attitude or desire to succeed at CP.
we cannot go wrong with a loan deal IMO …
He definitely has talent …
‘When they walk out the door we hope they are not just a better footballer
but a better human being’
That’s what i call a coach.
HH Stubbsy
You bhoys queuing at Celtic Park make sure you’re in the right queue.
The boycott on the pies has been officially lifted. :-)
PF
Very content, to be honest.
I reckon we’re in pretty fine shape for the treble, and seated for dining at the top table.
But greedily wouldn’t rule out another signing before the deadline.
In team news latest ………………
James Forrest
BSR
Charlie Mulgrew
We are in good shape for the season ahead …. I think we will get Doyle and another loan signing of a high quality
Ghuys
Be careful what you wish for in respect of losing big Fraser , Zaluska can handle the occasional game that’s all.
I can’t think of many goalkeepers nowadays who come haring off their line in what is often a packed penalty area …….
Big Fraser is by far our best goalkeeper in just about living memory ……
McCoist hilarious in today’s Scotsman.
McCoist told the Record: “I’d love to see John back at the club. I’ve said all along that the John Greigs, Sandy Jardines and Walter Smiths – that’s the line right through the club for me.
“It makes our job a good bit easier as well when you have guys around who have lifted European trophies and played at the highest level domestically and internationally.
“When you have guys like John Greig, Sandy Jardine and Walter Smith walking about the corridors, it would have to be to the benefit of the club.”
Walking about the corridors! Lol
Puukki, sammi, stokes, commons, Forrest, boerigtter, watt, Balde.. Can’t see another forward player comin in to be honest..
Ekbhoy
Forster couldn’t dream of being as good a GK as Boruc …
He nearly cost us our CL place with his appalling performances over both Shaktar games
skyisalandfill c’mon wee oscar
10:42 on 31 August, 2013
Those guys walking around corridors sounds more like a horror movie to me! :o)
Wait it is… For them… Pure comedy Gold for us… Keep ’em coming!
HH
PFayr supports WeeOscar 10:31
I like Ambrose but dont think he will get a place if van Dijk is fit.
EN
pfayr- ….damned if we do, damned if we don’t…..
If that’s the price and Lenny wants him then so be it.
Love the warm late summers here in the Chilterns…
Hope we don’t see any of our you talent go out on loan, as many have said it hasn’t been bountiful (though Aberdeen might look at McGinn and disagree).
There are Cup games, and SPL games where these boys can develop.
If we don’t have Coaches that can sory out and develop these bhoys then what is the point of Lennoxtown.
Barrowfield can never be called an overwhelming success as far as bringing talent through was concerned. But there are many good/great players that did come through, not all of them little angels.
Good luck to Lenny and the bhoys this afternoon.
Dundee U 1-3 Celtic
PF
Roy of the Rovers, automatic pick but on the down side – dodgy hair do’s.
Scottish Premiership sponsored by Celtic Football club
£3.2 m for other 11 premiership sides courtesy from celtics champions league participation over last two seasons
Thank yous?????
Mcdowellcelt. Watt will be loaned out today
Celbridge Celt
It’s also the plurals of all of these characters. Just how many John Greigs or Sandy Jardines are there?
Zombie clones?
We deserve to know
HH
Looking to sign a back up goal keeper ?
Hmmmm
yorkbhoy
10:27 on 31 August, 2013
‘If Tony Watt has an attitude problem, someone should take him to a lower league match on a wet Tuesday night to show him what happened to some of the previous ” next big thing”
I really hope he can make it for Celtic’
######
His attitude is a sign of the times.
‘Matthew Syed: Does Talent Trump Effort?’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01h75df
67Heaven
Had a view of the YouTube of Pukki you posted last evening , looks to be very quick with a powerful shot, I’m guessing with Teemu, Derk and Jamsie up front we will be much faster on the break in the CL, so the midfield will need to shift the ball quicker.
A centre half will be required , as I suspect Neil ultimately will not trust Effe against top class opposition.
HH
BSR
If Pukki,Van Dijk and Biton ….step up to replace those who left then …great business
Remains to be seen …
Balde may be useful …
Boerrigter looks very good if he gets fit
Mouyokolo …looks slow and very impetuous …
I suppose not too bad….no daft wages and hopefully players we can bring on
Gary Hooper – Boerichter , Balde & Pukki
Kelvin Wilson – Muyoloko & VVD
Victor- Nir Biton
A quality experienced midfielder even on loan and then its a case of “We’ll See” for me
Happy with our business csc
Last season Celtic signed Lubos Kamenar for half a season on loan – a keeper for cover.
A similar deal may be done today.
Walking up Springfield Road towards Parkhead Cross on Wednesday night amidst the joyful tide of Celtic supporters was a wonderful experience. Huge grins, shakes of the head, shouts of relief and flags draped from tenement windows.
In my love lorn for Celtic state I wondered how many times this football club have catapulted me into elation. Crossing the road, where the Irn Bru factory used to be and our first pitch, I saw something that is now my main memory of the night. A ground floor flat, curtains wide open, big light on, an eighty year old lady (apologies madam) with the biggest grin I’ve ever seen. As I passed she had her arms in the air. Magic!
CelticfamilyCSC
Completely underwhelmed at the prospect of Doyle.
What happened to the qeue of “superstar, gamechangers” on the phone desperate to sign?
EN
There are two Efe’s
Wednesday’s is great …more of that
IF, and it’s all rumour to be fair, Tony Watt does have an attitude problem, perhaps the lack of a mature captain, for example, who could put his arm around him and offer some sound advice, is one of the major elements that is lacking in such a young Celtic team. After all Broony, who I hate to love, is a mental role model whose advice anyone would seek a second opinion on.
PFAyr
Yip, clearly we’ve found the Seville money at last, and have gone pure mental in the sales.
I rather like the look of him to be fair. Fast, clever, great touch, and young.
Over to the management to set the team up to get the best out of him.
Not being greedy, but I’d like to see one more signing today. Biton looks like a taller version of Joe Leds. We’ve got a number of options at centre half, Rogic is coming along nicely, and Matthews is entering a make year.
I’d like meaningful competition for Commons in the string pulling position. We rarely got the best out of Naka or Maloney in that position, largely because they were rarely played there despite their talents, and since Lenny has taken over, Kris is the only one capable of playing it, but misses as often as he hits.
A genius. That’s what I want. A genius. No harm in asking.
TBB
Oh, and we do need to address the weakness at the back post, left hand side.
Doubt we’ve got the time to fix that one today though.
This weeks CQN Coupon;
Jobo -Hibs
GL2 – Swindon
Lennybhoy – Huddersfield
Pog… – Watford
TTT – oldham
BT – Brentford
PF – Peterborough
AWATR – Exeter
Welcome to Teemu Pukki
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
pfayr
I guess we are seeing games differently, as for Arthur great bloke but his last 2 seasons he had taken his eye of the ball and let himself down with a series of very poor performances.
Who do we get in with 13 hours to go if we drive Fraser to the airport?
HH
Looking good when I dont have a clue who will line up for us today and will have to wait on team lines to pick a value for money Hoops goalscorer anytime in 90 mins
Ohhhh and can someone tell the zombies that Spivs and asset strippers just dont hand back their latest victims when asked :))
Lease & rent it back to the deluded fools :))
Going by Phil’s latest it might be time to open up a glass replacement business in Glasgow…
HH
I remember Billy Connolly talking about some jobsworth constantly moaning about his lot and Billy telling him, “Why don’t you get a job you like?”
PFAyr –
Why don’t you get a team you like?
:-)