I was disappointed for St Johnstone at their exit from the Europa League last night but not for Scottish football, or our coefficient points. Saints are a provincial club in a very rural part of Scotland. You only have to travel through the hills to Perth to realise that pocket of Scotland, with its tractors, knitwear and wellie boot shops, has no God given right to beat a team from any municipality anywhere.
They have done very well for the last couple of seasons, from a tiny catchment area, but managed to reach Europe by pipping Dundee United, who ironically were good enough to have key players poached midseason.
St Johnstone don’t have potential superstars, they are also the oldest team in the league, which gets you through a long campaign but they are never going to sparkle. Or earn Scottish football a hatful of coefficient points.
Dundee United were decimated by the loss of those two players midseason, and were done no favours with the shadow of uncertainty which enveloped backroom and boardroom for months, but they, Aberdeen and Celtic are the only Scottish clubs capable of getting their act together to the extent required to reach European group stages. For everyone else, Europe is strictly a July pursuit, so don’t stress about it, and Tommy Wright is well within his rights to talk up his own club.
If Scottish football wants to get all introspective about last night, we should concern ourselves with concentrating resources on clubs who are independently financially viable: Dundee United, Aberdeen, Hearts, Celtic, Hibs and maybe Dundee. If more of our sponsorship and TV money went to Aberdeen and United and less to the thirty-or-so hangers on, they would be better placed to consolidate their development work and compete in Europe.
Celtic are five days away from their opening competitive game of the season, so I would think tonight’s friendly against Davie Moyes’ Real Sociedad will be the last strenuous exercise the players go through after what will have been a taxing first few weeks of preseason. After this workout it should all be about recovery before the visit of Stjarnan on Wednesday. The usual caveats apply to Nadir Ciftci, if he looks like he couldn’t run upstairs, he’s about where I’d expect him to be right now.
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Billy Bhoy, If you scroll back pre-match you will see a summary, sorry but I can’t be arsed typing a new one out.
Enjoying the game delighted to have Lustig back, were penned back for first 25/30 mins but have come right back into it.
Big George- I always think back to Ajax when he is mentioned.
Big hero of mine back in the day.
Who is this clown commentating on CTV? Does he thinks he’s describing the match to radio listeners?
I’ve had to watch my dodgy stream without sound from about 15 mins in. He’ll be more tired than the players at HT.
Unfortunately, the performance on the park isn’t much better! Not too concerned though as RS are at a much higher level that our Icelandic opponents.
my assessment – This system does not work with LG alone up front. He is not able to hold the ball up and he is not quick enough to run the channels – these are not his strengths.
This system needs someone like Cifti – otherwise we should play 2 up front.
Bitton looks good on the ball and Boyata looks like he can be an areal threat (improvement from Denyaya in this regard).
Pitch is in good nick although grass is long and sticky.
glad we have no injuries and getting more game time.
thunder road
19:48 on 10 July, 2015
Supersutton
Download Sportsdevil imo
Its worked for me ;)
————–
Will give it a try next time. Thanks.
Celtic song being played at Love St.
Substitutions gain. Fisher for Lustig.
We are still rusty but the front 4 are not really working well together. Griffiths is busy but not getting much service although he did have a good shot that was deflected wide.
Armstrong, GMS and Johansen are MIA
CaltonTongues
20:42 on
10 July, 2015
dena28,
That annoyed…..
We’re over in August, hopefully see you then.
If at all possible would love to meet up with you and J :-))
HH
Glen Daly live from Paisley
Me live from Spain
Sociedad finished 12th in La Liga last season.
HH!!
Billy bhoy- clown. Lucky for you that you’re not standing beside me. Grrrrr (angry face)
Fisher on for Lustig only change at HT
I think some subscribers have audio only feeds.
Well that’s the case during the season
The Three need to play as a s a three if this is going to work…
Stream for the game ;)
http://www.onsball.net/file.php?f=136
Dangerous GMS cross Corner
dena29
20:44 on 10 July, 2015
CaltonTongues
20:42 on
10 July, 2015
dena28,
That annoyed…..
We’re over in August, hopefully see you then.
If at all possible would love to meet up with you and J :-))
HH
J says to tell you hello. I’m texting her updates.
Just popped in to say hi, and Hail Hail, not interested in friendliness.
Good night.
Get Bitton signed on a long term contract!
celticfromcanada
The boss gets problems when links are posted
Must be some CQNers ( or lurkers) at the game. I heard the ol` cha cha cha number that was spoken of on here earlier today ( or yesterday) 0:-)
JJ
LG off the post. Great lead up but he should have scored
Unlucky Griff
It’s a decent wee run out by the
sounds of it. That’s what is needed
Didn’t realise the game was on Celtic TV and, therefore, spent the first 15 minutes trying to get it on streams…..anyway, watching now…..hahahaha
Great effort by LG
Very unlucky
Unlucky LG
Brilliant skill from Griffiths and hits the post with his shot !!
Tony D
Did you mean `friendlies` ? Maybe not 0:-)
Hope you are well,
JJ
Impressive play by Celtic and superb skill by Griffo..
Brilliant Leigh G he is looking very fit
Tontine Tim, I played for St Eunans in the boys guild league. Great times, going as far afield as Helensburgh and Balloch
GMS just pipped when burrowing in on goal
GMS unlucky in the box – much better this half !
Fr cleared.
We have had a far better start to this half
Pushing forward
tonydonnelly67
20:48 on 10 July, 2015
Just popped in to say hi, and Hail Hail, not interested in friendliness.
Good night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~++~~~~~~~~~~~
I presume you meant friendlies,unless yer just a carnaptious oul’ bassa?!
Good to see you back,but gutted my card fae Canada got lost in the post.
Heyho…
Brown fouled.
Bobby Madden awards it to Real.
Plus ca change.
Hello this is WEE BGFC. Keep the updates coming bhoys!!!!!!! Now in Belgium.
HH
WEE BGFC