Let’s be clear about this, Fenerbahce looked at a Europa League group with Celtic and Molde and figured they and Ajax would progress. They are paying some of the highest wages outside of the uber-resourced clubs in order to attract Robin van Persie, Nani and Raul Meireles, among others, to Turkey. They clearly met stiffer competition than expected two weeks ago, when Molde stunned Europe with a 1-3 win in Istanbul, so Ronny Deila is right to suggest they are under greater pressure tonight.
This is our key advantage. Fenerbahce arrive in Glasgow needing to bring the game to Celtic. Had they won their opening fixture, they could have afforded a more conservative attitude.
As for Celtic, we’re at our best when counter-attacking. Home and away to Malmo we dominated possession and territory but were picked off. In Amsterdam we frustrated Ajax and broke forward with pace – which is something we have plenty of.
This is going to be a long, tense, night, but we can get at Fenerbahce. Their early season league results have been positive, but there are signs of fragility, their only win by more than one goal was against the 17th placed team, and that was 7 weeks ago. Maybe Molde uncovered a vulnerable underbelly.
Dermot, where to start? You want things to happen before an important match day to unite fans, so I suppose he united us, but really? Ill-advised, get on-message.
Eye on the prize for tonight.
Fan safety issue:
Uefa Security, Turkish Police, Police Scotland, Celtic and Fenerbahce met last night. The issue of Flags and Banners was discussed at the request of the Turkish contingent. They have highlighted their concerns for any banners being displayed which could provoke a reaction.
Political and religious tensions are running high in Turkey and it was expressed that the wrong displays could lead to serious disorder. There will be banner checks on both sets of fans entering the stadium.
From what I can tell Fenerbahce fans enjoyed the ‘That’s not a knife’ parody, and our reputation with them is high, but Celtic fans will be in Istanbul in a few weeks and vulnerable if resentment exists.
Thank you to everyone who has taken a moment to donate to the Foundation this week via the Celtic fans who are competing in the Great Scottish Run on Sunday. A wonderful aspect of humanity flows through the Celtic support. If you get a chance to participate in the appeal, go for it:
Click here for my linked donation page.
It’s not too late to sign up for the GSR/Foundation, Sunday’s going to be a great day in Glasgow, if you fancy it……
If you entered the Magners’ Fanzone competition yesterday, check your email, winners have been notified.
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Lawwell loves his over paid job. Dermott desmond pays his wages. Ergo Lawwell loves the idea of ‘Old Firm’ as he wants to be seen by his boss to be supporting his views.
Sadly for both Lawwell and Desmond – this is not a fantasy shared by the vast majority of fans. Consequently crowds diminish year on year. Proving the old addage – the Customer is always right. I’d have said ten years ago that football club owners ( major shareholders) could play on fan loyalty. I think the chaging dynamics of the economy, technology and alternative entertainment Have undermined that theory.
Best thing Desmond and Lawwell could do would be to get in tune with fans as I dont see Celtic fans getting on board with their views.
SANDMAN
The only agenda at work here….in the ravings of DD, is the old firm agenda.
Its a pity he couldn’t speak up about their cheating and bigotry.
And btw…I am offended by his hun rhetoric, and I don’t think I’m the only one.
He should not try to pretend that sevco are Rangers….because Rangers were LIQUIDATED, they do not exist.
So who is DD trying to kid.
MOONBEAMSWD on 1ST OCTOBER 2015 12:59 PM
Macjay
so you made it up?
====================================================
No.
It`s just that I refuse to respond to feeble requests from the ideologically blind who have no interest in truth and are unable to see how these strikes affected the poorest members of community.
I do hope you`ll understand.
Sandman on 1st October 2015 1:05 pm……..Hail! Hail! to that mate.
I particularly get irked by the “stop laughing at them, we have our own troubles”………..I laugh like a drain at every slip, slide and stumble they make, I point and laugh out loud………….I’m a bitter, bitter man………..and I am loving their pain.
Now, bring on the Turks and lets get European fitba in February.
Sandman on 1st October 2015 1:05 pm
Talk about hysterical. Think you might be taking the internet a wee bit seiously. I see absolutely no problem with the critique of Desmond on the blog (as if he’ll give a toss) and I’ll still be there tonight cheering them on, as no doubt will many of those offering said critique..
CultsBhoy likes living wage hates heated driveways on 1st October 2015 1:12 pm
To play Devil’s Advocate – crowds are diminishing year on year while a ‘Rangers’ isn’t in the same league as us. That could easily suggest that support are finding it ‘just not the same without them’.
I don’t think we’ll know the true answer until we’re scheduled to play RIFC in a league game. My personal belief is that there will be a sell-out. I take no joy from that at all.
Macjay
So I’ll take that as a NO and you made it up.
No worries. I understand. It is dificult to come up with factusl truth to backup your illusional mind.
MWD said AYE
The Great Desmondo took a punt when he bought Celtic.
The punt was that we’d join the EPL.
It didn’t happen.
It looks like he didn’t have a plan B, and God alone knows what his strategy is now, though whatever it is, it seems to involve Sevco.
Ach well, that’s capitalism for you.
TBB @ 1222,
excellent post, summing it all very nicely. Sadly for us.
Will it change anytime soon? Cant see it unfortunately, unless there is a seismic change in the EPL set-up/bubble bursting.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
weeminger on 1st October 2015 1:18 pm ……………………Huns games at CP were not selling out prior to their death.
weeminger
No doubt you are right re sell out next time we play them. I gues there will always be a hard core of fans whose ambition begins and ends with beating Sevco. There are many more who hold ambitions for Celtic to be a force in Europe rather than a team who make up the numbers before Christmas.
Re RIFC – their crowds are possibly a refelection that the current Board/management are percieved to be in tune with the support – they have at the very least a common sense of injustice ( misperception) and a common goal to get to SPFL. Realistically they can set Celtic as a benchmark for their ambitions – but Celtic should not reciprocate – Sevco are no benchmark for Celtic…
TBB
Long post and ended as I thought, just another DD hater, and telling a billionaire how to run a business, aye very clever.
Just a pity he couldent reach heights of the Gang of Four on res 12 eh?
Like a Hearse driver telling Lewis Hamilton how to drive a Racing Car,
TBB
Great article and all too true unfortunately.
But if we win the treble and the Europa League………………….I will laugh like a hyena!!!!!!
hahahahahahahhahahahahahahhahaha
ERNIE LYNCH
When the value of the product is diminished it is difficult to retain the customer base.
Capitalism indeed.
Downward Spiral…..Hence the ravings of DD.
HH
C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As for tonight, sadly i cant make it or even see the game (although if wifi at the Hydro is any good I shall watch the first half at least on BT app on my phone!) as I shall be watching Kevin Bridges (please don’t……I have been through it all many times since the draw/dates for the EL came out), but seriously hope we can get a result tonight.
And that we get close to a full house.
Sing loud and Sing proud all you lucky Bhoys and ghirls going.
COYBIG!!!
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
TBB very well put.
DD and PL are, by design, dragging us down.
Still its hard to argue with the intellectual heavyweight that is TD67. You must be cowerering in the boots TBB.
Celtic are not the club you all once recognised. We are not run for the means that Paul pretends we are. The club love to take all the credit for the charitable deeds of its supporters. Love to take the credit for the supporters reputation but woe betide anyone who steps out of line.
ANow I admit I am, these days, a cynic. But all this stuff about banners etc and emotions running high? Really? The only emotions running high with celtic supporters right now are with this pathetic board we have. So a wee smokescreen to get rid of any dissenting banners maybe?
PHILBHOY
correct we should all shut up tonight and get behind the team..well said!
I more than most need reminded of that ;-)
MOONBEAMSWD on 1ST OCTOBER 2015 1:19 PM
Macjay
So I’ll take that as a NO and you made it up.
============================================================
No doubt how you “take it” may matter to some.
The Battered Bunnet @ 12:22 –
Now THAT’S what I call a great lunchtime read.
off for a walk in the sun to ponder further.
6½ hours……
Tiny Tim
My thoughts haven’t changed a great deal in recent years. Football is increasingly used as content to drive subscriptions to new media models. We need to be a part of a consumer market of substance to make real progress. Everything we do (beyond day to day operations) should be focused on gathering consensus and driving change.
Oh, and I’d co-opt Tony Donnelly onto the board. Judgement and empathy like that are uncommon.
Macjay
And how you “give it” probably matters to others!
Enjoy.
MWD said AYE
Neganon2
I’m not arguing with anyone, I’m stating my opinion, as is my right, you on the other hand?
Good Afternoon.
Today’s little piece points a finger and laughs at a total lack of humility at a lower-league club…
Can you guess which one?!
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2015/10/01/the-humility-free-zone/
Have a good afternoon and enjoy tonight’s match! Three points please!
“But we’ll endeavour to get there next year. I feel very confident that Ronny will continue to improve all the teams at Celtic.” Those words were understandably music to Deila’s ears but did not come as a surprise to the Celtic manager who feels he shares a mutual understanding of the club’s situation with both Desmond and chief executive Peter Lawwell.
Not a smart comment from D.D.
Does this mean that Ronny is ensconced till next year?
Irrespective of results ?
S.O.S.
THERE is to many couch Celtic fans on here
go the games and support the Great CELTIC.
dont do it on computer and talking pish about
CELTIC on C.Q.N. COM on Celts
Awe, a wis huvvin’ such a guid time tae!!
Aff oot!
Oh, and I’d co-opt Tony Donnelly onto the board. Judgement and empathy like that are uncommon. – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/vulnerable-underbelly-of-fenerbahce/comment-page-2/#comment-2689330
http://youtu.be/-8hbUqhKM38
TBB,
That’s the clearest explanation I have seen of DD and Celtic’s ‘strategy’.
Thanks
Árd Macha
MOONBEAMSWD on 1ST OCTOBER 2015 1:35 PM
Macjay
And how you “give it” probably matters to others
Enjoy.
=======================================
Yep.
Those who are able to see beyond ideology and really care about the disadvantaged.
Tony I on the other hand what? I on the other hand am not allowed an opinion? Is that what you mean TD67?
Macjay
you are stretching your illusional mind to the Nth degree now.
MWD said AYE
.
Anyone with OldTim’s Mobile could they Let Him know I’m going to watch match at My Sisters..
Cheers
Summa
TD67
I’m sure DD doesn’t need anybody defending his views.
We all know, that he holds those who feel he should be doing more for Celtic…in contempt.
That’s ok…its mutual.
He has more respect for the cheats and bigots, than he does for Celtic fans.
I think that’s obvious.
So…feck him and his money.
He can take it elsewhere.
HH
Just over six hours to kick off on another great European occasion at CP, not that you’d know if you logged onto here. 70+ posts in and hardly a peep about the game.
TonyD67 and Neganon2
I and I would guess most of those who read this blog know each of your opinions well. Each of you may use different words but it is basically the same thing every time. You are both entitled to but I am entitled to wish you expressed these opinions slightly less often.
Enjoy the game tonight I would like to think that you both at least want Celtic t
Neganon2
Read this slow please, everyone is allowed an opinion, everyone, you posted that I was arguing with someone? I wasent, I was posting my opinion on a post from someone else,whose opinion I didn’t agree with you on the other hand? Get it?
To win
Jimbo67