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.
[calameo code=000390171c1dd95770bec lang=en page=100 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
1,461 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- »
Possible scenario: Everton sell Baines to Man U on Monday. The make an offer for Izzy. If he goes we can’t sign a replacement …
Thehoopedduke
Agree 100% re Watt. He’s good enough.
Was at the ‘Dublin Decider’ (dreadful name btw) and I thought Balde caused all sorts of bother for the Liverpool defence. To my untrained eye he reminded me a bit of BBJ but without the menace the BBJ carried. And by menace I mean the fear of what he could do next not to be confused with malice.
HH Logical
Gordon J. Matthews can play left back and in my opinion he is better than Izzy also Charlie Mulgrew can play there.If we get a decent offer for Izzy I would let him go as he is defensivly weak.H.H.
SydneyTim
11:15
Pikku had a similar goals to minutes ratio as Hooper last season, in a better league.
You really are the most negative person on this blog and that’s saying something.
12/13 League Campaign
Hooper
1 goal every 140 minutes
Pukki
1 goal every 149 minutes
11/12 League Campaign
Hooper
1 goal every 119 minutes
Pukki
1 goal every 122 minutes
10/11 League Campaign
Hooper
1 goal every 106 minutes
Pukki
1 goal every 104 minutes
Yes he’s not actually scored that many, but he has been coming off the bench a lot for small periods which makes him look like he’s played more games than he has. You might say he’s a bench player but Hooper wouldn’t get a sniff if he was in the same team as Huntelaar (who, by the way, has a 223, 96 an 248!). I think you have to wait and see with Pukki, I’d have liked Finnbogason too but get off your downer. Pukki by all accounts looks like a better footballer than Hooper, if he can score goals he’ll be a sensation.
EN
That would make a good clip on Only An Excuse:
Big Billy draws out the 2 centre halfs. Then you cut to Lenny at Lennoxtown shaking his head and laying it down on the table while behind him all the players are in stitches.
Hey! I hope that’s NOT what goes on behind the scenes!
OK away to the pub to watch the game while the wife reflects on her decision to nag me constantly to cancel SKY!
A few posters were asking how they could download ACGR’s ringtone to their phone – the simple answer is that it depends on your phone. So if you go into Google and type “How to download ringtones to a ???” where ??? Is the make&model of your phone, then it will tell you.
Sorry if this sounds patronising.
paul the tim @paulthetim 1m
Alexander buttner left back fae Man U coming on Loan doing the rounds at tannadice
From twitter last night
” We have long term loans. At last reporting time our cash balances almost matched them.”
SydneyTim
11:15
Also… he’s scored 30 goals in 3 years in different competitions.
Joe Filippis Haircut,
Sure, we have players who can play LB. But for me we only have three actual full backs: Izaguirre, Matthews and Lustig. I’d rather add to that number than lose one.
cant buy my package online cos am in 107 and its getting took over by uefa, all good and well but surely there should be a alternative for me to buy online
Malone Bhoy @ 11:26
I’m with you. Teemu looks good to me, and all these negative twits will be the first ones on here singing his praises when he’s scoring every week.
Hooper did a turn for us but he was a limited footballer. And he didn’t want to play for us. Keep the jerseys for those who’d rather play for the greatest club in the world than some Norfolk clodders.
Genius Football@GeniusFootball1h
Jose Mourinho “Best team lost, we are in total control.”
Bay vs Chl
74% POS 26%
37 SHOTS 08
07 SAVES 17
Butner would be a good deal.
Izzy?
There are different types of weak. In Scotland and against Karagandy teams thought they could launch high balls and crosses in his area or catch him out when he was asked to stay up in attack.
Are Barca, Ajax or Milan going to do that? Would we ask him to bomb forward against Barcelona? Would we prefer Charlie Mulgrew up against Dani Alves (Matthews a right footer was good there as Alves always likes to cut inside anyway).
I’ll be honest I have no idea what Milan and Ajax are like on the right wing these days.
The comparison with Baines is interesting though as he is a bit of a short-arse and I don’t recall him getting high balls punted in behind him all the time…lack of cover???
roy croppie
10:53 on
31 August, 2013
:)
Morning all. Just been watching Andre Rieu again. I think Celtic should invite him to play YNWA before the Ajax game. The Dutch will love it and (I hope) so will we.
….PFayr supports WeeOscar
10:45 on 31 August, 2013
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 Shakt
Absolutely spot on. Just does not punch his weight (or height even). Cannot cut out cross balls, long throws, nor can he punch or kick clearances. Most keepers live off the fact that they are good shot stoppers and to be fair, FF is excellent in that regard but he just does not dominate his area of responsibilty. That said, what do we do about a replacement?
HolyGoalienotonthecards?CSC
HH Gerry
ernie lynch –
PFAyr got an invite to a royal wedding?
Well I’ll be a monkey’s bollock!
ACGR Could I please have the Champions league ringtone?
Got to say I’m pleased with our 3 most recent signings. These guys will fit in well with the team and mean we’ve got a pretty strong and big squad for the season ahead.
I’m happily clapping our progress.
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon
11:21 on 31 August, 2013
Possible scenario: Everton sell Baines to Man U on Monday. The make an offer for Izzy. If he goes we can’t sign a replacement …
Lenny has already made it clear that a left back is a priority; so let’s see whit happens today.
:-)) Gerry
If memory serves me correct, the Big Yin’s quip about getting a job you like was about taxi drivers putting their lights off when you are trying to get home.
Gordon_J
We could reject the Man Utd offer?
Besides I don’t think Izzy’s stock value is at a premium, and was dropped for the most important game of the season so far.
This boy Pukki will not do at all he seems to be lacking the
requisite dabbity adornments.
Imo, Adam Mathews is a better LB than Izzaguirre now. Having said that, he is an even better player on the right. Class.
PeteTheBeat
11:01 on
31 August, 2013
That made me laugh .
Soal
Ive no had any breakfast. .. dont throw that egg away ;)
Well ive been to mass… been to celtic park … got my champs league tickets … shook the hand of teemu and welcomed him….
And its no even twelve noon… off to watch the celtic then maybe take a jaunt to ek to catch the match ekfc match.
Carlsberg Saturdays ;)
Mourning just said a good English ref would have told Bayern players to stop diving all the time. Does he not remember what his Porto players did in Seville?
Pep beats him yet again.
Another point about Pukki… if he is played on the right. Imagine going at teams with him on the right, Samaras on the left and a poacher/target man in the middle. Would be a deadly strike-force that would cause any team problems.
Still don’t know how we’re going to accommodate Boerrigter, Forrest, Commons, Samaras, Watt, Balde, Stokes, Pukki, (Rogic and McGeoch if they can step up) this season.
Celtic starting XI: Forster, Lustig, Ambrose, Van Dijk, Izaguirre, Matthews, Brown, Ledley, Boerrigter, Commons, Stokes. (PC)
Izzy is not EPL class – never has been – Moyes came up 2 years ago to see him and kayal and left thinking only how Ki was only one likely to make it in EPL.
Nae team line ups yet :((
Celtic starting XI: Forster, Lustig, Ambrose, Van Dijk, Izaguirre, Matthews, Brown, Ledley, Boerrigter, Commons, Stokes.
The club splashing out £millons on new signings eh?
This despite being in debt to the tune of £36.8million(depending on who you believe)?
Some business model!
More like a shortcut to liquidation.
Pound to a penny,a bet ye that desperado zombie bright spark is being hailed as some kind of local hero by the undead hordes.
Pathetic,ridiculous,brain dead zombie ghouls.
Snake Plissken
OOOOOOOOOOOOOPS
Thank you
Welcome Pukki, Will be star. Gary who in two months time i bet…………….
KLV
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 41s
Celtic subs: Zaluska, Balde, Rogic, Mouyokolo, Atajic, McGeouch, Herron. (PC)
leftclicktic oscar in our thoughts
Is that quick enough for you Sir