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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Sometimes it is better to sit quietly at the table and have everyone think of you as a fool than to speak up and confirm it for all to see. – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/vulnerable-underbelly-of-fenerbahce/comment-page-3/#comment-2689381
Wow that’s original, make that up yourself did you? Very clever.
TBB,
Tremendous analysis of where we are.
The Battered Bunnet
Well! My appols, I would have lost money on that I could have swore you where involved, once again, my apologies.
Tonydonnelly67
cheers, here hoping.
Bbhoy
Read all about it in the MSM
http://irishpost.co.uk/james-mcleans-heart-warming-gesture-helps-to-make-a-derry-girls-christmas/
TBB
Great post as others have said.
I think the second point you make on Rangers in your follow up post, is because his original agenda with ‘them’ hasn’t altered.
He hasn’t acknowledged their demise, and he might even consider that they are one and the same.
That is the saddest part of it all, and he insults the Celtic support, even though some are incapable of understanding it.
I wouldn’t be surprised if DD either directly or indirectly has helped to keep The Rangers FC 2012 afloat. We all have our own personal opinions but as a PLC Celtic have made there’s crystal clear. Sadly in their eyes it was, is & forever will be “The Old Firm”.
Not exactly great motivation on the day of an important Europa League Game but tonight should be a belter. Two teams who have defensive deficiencies & are extremely dangerous going forward. Hopefully we can frustrate for long periods as we did away to Ajax, although I can see quite a few goals flying in.
One more for us would do nicely, 3-2 to the good guys HH!
That is the saddest part of it all, and he insults the Celtic support, even though some are incapable of understanding it. – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/vulnerable-underbelly-of-fenerbahce/comment-page-3/#comment-2689386
In your opinion that would be?
Fart in a trance springs to mind.
Things to do, laters.
TD
Have a pint on the money I’ve saved you :¬)
BTW, Resolution 12 is an attempt by a small group of fans to hold to account those who consider themselves unaccountable (SFA), by applying their own (SFA’s) rules to them. It’s a magnificent thing to do.
There’s a parallel with the folk who are pursuing Alistair Carmichael MP.
Bravo! I say. Bravo!
TBB
I know what it’s about, and I am all for it, it’s just like…….., awe I will leave it alone, I don’t want to get to deep, let it take its course and we will see where it goes.
Weather-wise there might have been better October days, but none that I can remember! Hope the BV has a beer garden for the sake if those going! Great for the supporters who are more open to the elements in their seats than others. So top it off for them with a win Bhoys! SA been out too long. We need everyone match-fit so bench for him at best. Hopefully we have players who can make up the class gap with players like RVP and Nani by being hungrier, more determined and able to improve their game. We must surely have more motivation than them at this stage of their careers. Hail Hail!
The Battered Bunnet 12:22pm
a study in detail, well said. For me, the club regressed into high debt fifteen or so years ago and each passing year continues our recovery.
The games don’t change though. It’s eleven Celtic shirts against the rest and I love supporting those Celts. Expecting an open match tonight. C’mon the hoops.
proudbhoy on 1st October 2015 2:19 pm
I agree – this Celtic team could shock us either way. They are on their day capable of handing a doing out to most teams – equally we are vulnerable at the back. I couldn’t predict the outcome.
I’m encouraged by last game in Europe so maybe it will work out well. Going forward I think Ronnie has a good philosophy and occassionally it materialises – he needs better players to make this happen with greater regularity.
We are not a team who are poor or great – we are an inconsistent team and I’d say january window is critical to determining which way we develop.
Tonight we need to pick Griffiths, Forest, Common, Biton, Brown, Izzy Armstrong Gordon and Simonovic…we need to avoid Ambrose and other highly inconsistent performers.
Im feeling a draw tonight but hoping for a 2-0+ win for the Bhoys.
CultsBhoy likes living wage hates heated driveways on 1st October 2015 3:23 pm
Izzy is suspended and Armstrong is injured.
Cultsbhoy
Draw wouldn’t be a bad result to be honest.
We have a young thrown together defence and as I said an embarrassing choice of strikers .
Draw and a good performance would leave me happy. But my heart can see a 4 nil victory for the celts.
TBB,
A well researched analysis. I dread that it may be true.
DD is 65 (I am 69) why would he keep his cash in such a long term investment as membership of the EPL in 10 years? I do not understand this? His record suggests buy low, sell high and quickly. If an investment does not work, either liquidate or get out.
Could it be that his investment in Celtic is not purely a financial decision? However, he was in and out of MU for profit…which argues against sentimentality.
I think that there are other dimensions to this that neither of us can see.
Rebus
The Mad Cow Disease outbreak,discovered in Wales today,has spread very quickly….
Cultsbhoy,
if izzy gets selected this would be our legia kodak moment.
Just try yer best bhoys, and see where it takes us.
Let the people sing
Hail Hail
Rebus..,
He sat on the docklands property for quite a long time, the by low sell high quickly is not his MO
weeminger on 1st October 2015 3:25 pm
Cheers – that rules 2 of my preferred line up out in that case…
It will be interesting to see what the defence will be tonight, I would rather play players in their natural position so Tierney for me at left back. It’s games like this where he can learn so much up against top opposition. Boyata and Jozo in the middle with Lustig the other side.
So my starting 11 would be
Gordon
Tierney, Siminivic, Boyata, Lustig
Brown, Bitton, Johansen, Armstrong
Forrest Griffiths
“I would rather play players in their natural position”
West end,
and then ye go putting young Tierney in at right back!?
I don’t know likes. ;p
HH
Got to say the centre back pairing has to be Effe and Bhoyata, they have settled well together in the last couple of games, why should anyone think upsetting that is a good idea ?
Tieney left and Janko right, afraid I think Michael should now be forced to win his place back when he gets the opportunity and no longer be an automatic first pick.
Hopefully a win, and that is not beyond us, if it’s a draw so be it, the other way it could go I can’t bare to think about, as there are many, and I mean many who have along with the SMSM got the knifes ready to plunge right into the club in here, it’s a double victory for me if they win tonight, it means that the Wind will be knocked out of there sails and the agenda has taken a bad hit, cmon Celtic do it tonight, and make them pig sick, the SMSM, the agenda mob, and of course,
Lurking Huns GIRFUYs.
Gordon. Lustig. boyata. Simo . Blackett. Brown. Biton. Ambrose.(yeah, that’s right, Lady,Ambrose) Johansen Forrest. Griffiths. stay tight’n’ bright bhoys! No KC but job tonight is bench and on if losing.
I like Janko too and would play him.
He looks stronger and a bit more direct than Mikel.
Reminds me a wee bit of Danny McGrain.
We’d. Oct 28 7:45 KO SLC Jam tarts v Tic confirmed.
Tony, Tony, Tony……………………..
WED.
Philbhoy
Wit?
Canamalar
That is the back four I would pick tonight. I think Efe has shown real leadership qualities these last few games. Canny wait till Paradise tonight.
Darn the hair do we care now!
For itsa grand ole team to play for
An itsa grand ole team to see
An if ye know the history
it’s enough to make your heart grow glad……………..
Canamalar –
Janko or Lutsig???
Lustig, we are a better defence with him in the team but the crosses he put into the Hearts box last Saturday were very poor.
Janko, as looked good but relatively untested. Think it will be Lustig.
I believe there is a good footballer inside Efe trying to get out!
Just ask him NOT to try walking the ball out of defence.
Just clear your lines Big Mhan.
Oh, and dominate our penalty area.
Great!
Thanks!
DD,
I noted Bhoyata was very shakey until Effe partnered him and he settled down and got on with doing the easy things right, keep doing that until he gets into his stride will do for me as he grows into the team he will improve and start to develop.
I was very surprised at the weekend that Izzy was used as were most I think, we had a chance to try and settle a new left back and spurned the chance no a good idea in my expert opinion.
Lustig–Boyota–Ambrose–Jozo
Not 100% but pretty sure i’ve read somewhere that Simunovic has played LB, so would go with him for his height & pace. Neither Tierney or Blackett are ready to be thrown in against Nani. I’d hope a player coming in with a big 3-5mil price tag would be a better option than either of those two?
Janko–Brown–Bitton–Forrest
————–Commons
—————-Griffiths