One week tomorrow we are in Europa League action at home to Zenit St Petersburg , the Russians first competitive game since going into winter shutdown on 11 December.
Zenit have played five friendlies in the last three weeks, conformably beating Danish, Czech and Chinese opposition, all of who were also on a winter break, before drawing 0-0 with Slovan Bratislava on Sunday. The Slovaks are two weeks away from returning to competitive action.
Zenit manager, Roberto Mancini, did very little squad rotation during his five warm-up games, clearly with an eye on getting his starting 11 ready to face Celtic. He also stuck to a narrow 4-2-2-1-1 system in each game.
Zenit use this formation semi-regularly, but its repetition in each of the friendly games suggest Mancini sees winning control of the middle of the park against Celtic as a priority. This will present Celtic with problems and opportunities. We are unlikely to control as much of the ball as you would expect at home in Europe, but our strength in the wings presents Brendan Rodgers with a clear strategy.
I don’t believe in reading too much into the results of friendly games, but I hope Celtic scouts took in the Slovan game. Zenit scored 15 goals in their three proceeding games, so how Slovan stopped their attack will be of interest.
Mancini and his players are now back in Russia having left their summer training bases. They play our old pals Maribor in St Petersburg on Saturday in their final preparation before the game in Glasgow. Brendan will be occupied with thoughts of two hugely important cup games in the coming week, but if he gets through the Partick Thistle test on Saturday, he may be glad of the competitive experience. This is a time Game Face, not friendlies.
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The SMSM spin on the Huns loan sharking is remarkable. Chris Jack described it as another step towards ‘normality’.
Tontine
Usually, when I read your posts, I end up thinking that I need to meet up with you one day and buy you a drink …
but now that I know you are a confirmed ABT… I think I need to buy you several drinks!
:)
I’ve just read the ETims latest.
There is definitely unrest and leaks coming out from the training ground at Lennoxtown.
I met a well known CQN poster at the recent Home match against Hibs.
He told me some of the players were unhappy with the intensity of Brendan’s training regime.
He named Tom Rogic specifically and stated that he wanted away because of Brendan’s regime.
I know his source and it is impeccable.
Today I met the father of a Celtic youth who boards at Lennoxtown.
He told me that the Jungle drums had Brendan going to Arsenal or Chelsea in the summer.
I just put it down to tittle tattle .
Then tonight I read the ETims article.
The story about Rogic I would take as true.
The source is as loyal to Celtic as Tommy Burns was.
He would never spread untruths.
The Chelsea / Liverpool stuff has to be filed under unsettling rumours for the time being.
As always , time will tell.
TT
Thetimreaper
It is normal for them to tied to high interest loan companies.
TT
Tint Tim killed the blog!
*** Tenerife advice ***
Anyone know a good bar to watch the game. On Saturday in Adeje, Tenerife? Checked the CSC website which lists the Irish Embassy bar but that looks like its permanently closed.
Hello
Is there anybody in there?
Comfortably numb csc
So Level 5 gets to CQN – how thick do they think we are?
Noticed that Close Brothers offices are in Hartfield Road in Wimbledon – just up the road from the Wimbledon CSC. Maybe a little visit is in order to let them know who they are dealing with.
MALONE BHOY,
I can’t remember how it is from Adeje but I watched Celtic games in The Hoops Bar in Los Cristianos.
HH
I have it on good authority from a guy who is so loyal that he gets an infusion of John Grieg’s blood every fortnight that the Chinese have been scared off by Real Madrid’s £50m bid, but Mighty Morales has stated that he is going nowhere until 55 is reached.
Manintheknowcsc
Malone Bhoy,
again not sure how far away it is,
but the Wild Geese pub in Golf de Sur
always had the game on
Nally, Graeme Payne was a terrific player for Dundee Utd . What a United fan I know told me , Graeme never really got on with Jim McLean and paid the price for it.
Big Packy , Tony Fitzpatrick formerly of St Mirren was very keen on paying for us.
Chic Charnley , Owen Coyle , Billy McKinlay , Joe Jordan alsoo
So who is the well known CQN Poster?
Why would someone who is privelaged enough to be paid 20k a week to play for Celtic be wetting his knickers about training?
Is this he same training as last season?
Tray or gets everywhere csc
If you are going to call e on here and run down Celtic and our manager – have the spine to back it up
I think Jimmy Johnstone strongly disagreed with Jock Stein’s policy on drinking.
Less facetiously, I would be surprised if Tom Rogic, if it is he, would be the only current Celt who is “unsettled” and looking at a possible move. These young athletes can make fantastic sums with a move tot eh EPL or any big club in another big league.
They will all know that the training regime of all these big clubs is no less intense than at Celtic. The really good teams did not become good by coasting at training.
So, I can readily buy the idea that Celtic players are “unsettled” in that sense. I might even buy the idea that they “rationalise their desire for a transfer and blame it on the Manager , the tactics or the training.
But I cannot buy that they actually believe the guff they are using as an excuse. Or that we would swallow it either.
Matt Stewart .Some good photos there of your time in Brisbane.I recognised a lot of the bhoys from Perth and also the Jock Stein club Melbourne.I was up in the Sunshine Coast on holiday with my wife and we decided to go Brisbane for a few days and take in the game.We had an absolute ball.Met loads of people we knew.Had a pint with Andy Lynch and our mutual friend Stevie Gaw.The highlight for me was bumping into an old friend from Perth Ernie Hannigan(now deceased).He introduced me to his mate ,big guy by the name of Michael Ginnotti over from London.He was actually Glaswegian.I asked him if he knew a Rose Ginnotti.He said she’s my Mum.I shouted my wife who was gabbin away to somebody she knew.I said meet yer cousin Michael.She nearly passed out.We had a get together after the game.The two of them sat there the whole night reminiscing of the old days in the Calton.Needless to say I had to carry her back to the hotel. Bigyinmilan. Was pleased to hear you had a nice day out with Melbourne Mick.He is a good Ambassador for Celtic here in the Antipodes.He certainly enjoys his Pint of Guinness especially when someone else is paying for it.I’m sorry I missed you maybe next time.Hope you have a safe trip home.HAIL HAIL
Jinkyredstar
I will never betray the person who told me this or the source of his information.
Mock me all you want.
I’m not sure how you feel my post runs down the manager or Celtic.
As to why the player is unhappy ?
That was not fully explained to me other than he did not feel he was suited to the intensity of the training.
Mock me all you want.
I know what I was told came from a great Celtic man .Who like you and I loves Celtic to his very core.
Sober up.
TT
SFTB – you put my thoughts very well
Heat and kitchen spring to mind not to mention 5th column by ‘week known CQN, – never get that one – we’ll knwn to who me and for what?
That should of course read ‘well known to whome and for what’?
tet
etims … we better get clarke(sp) in before scotland come calling.
a guy who does not like br. imo
SFTB
I concur with your guess at the real motivation behind such a scenario.
I only know what I was told personally,and I know that I trust the Celtic man that told me.
Never did I say that any player is justified or that I sided with the player or the manager.
Although I would be inclined to side with the coach in such an instance ,unless they were ignoring a players medical record.
TT
Dallas_ yes Graeme Payne- I think his brothers were pros as well.
Tony Fitzpatrick was a great player too
hh
Deary me.
Heard Radio Snyde earlier.
Walter
Walter
Walter
You get the picture.
Mark Guidi – who lists on his LinkedIn page that his bestest ever achievement is Sports News Writer of the Year 2011 – was adamant that Sevco should have been 2 points behind us after they had beaten us in the next two games. (Heh I know, it just takes a stretch of the imagination but it also included that they had beaten Hibs last Saturday to allow the scenario to play out, they lost).
James McFadden is the antidote to thinking.
Think of a shell on a beach and stick it to your ear…..
The Last Samurai is on just now.
The message is all about progress whilst ignoring noble traditional values.
It didn’t end well for the Samurai.
Traditional values in Scotland are less noble but a similar fate awaits.
tontine tim
you will not like the sign on my lawn this year!!!!
been a browns fan since 1964. its been a tough few years but wouldnt change colours.
MALONE BHOY on 7TH FEBRUARY 2018 11:29 PM
*** Tenerife advice ***
Anyone know a good bar to watch the game. On Saturday in Adeje, Tenerife? Checked the CSC website which lists the Irish Embassy bar but that looks like its permanently closed.
******
The Temple Bar/Irish Fiddler at San Eugenie is the place.
I know a man who knows a man !
Pathetic
Celtic fans spreading gossip about our manager and players.
The hun media must think…this is pimps :-(
Jinkyredstar
Don’t we all.
Sober up.
TT
Jinkyredstar
Happy birthday.
No need to sober up after all.
Enjoy the rest of your celebrations.
TT
Tiny Tim
Perfectly sober thank you
If a professional has an issue with the Training Regime then he will have some specific complaints.
Is it :
Too physical/not physical enough
Too tactical/not tactical enough
Too strict on stamina training/not enough on stamina
Too strict on diet
You get my drift
Our players, worked under Brendan last year, has something specifically changed, I don’t know.
You came on and claimed inside knowledge from a a well known CQN source, so who is that?
I’ve only been on for thirteen years but I think I might know a good few of the guys.
Maybe they will post on their own behalf.
Back up your story – simple as thay
Under no circumstances will I reveal who told me.
Don’t believe me ,that’s your prerogative.
Taint me as a liar if you wish.
I know the truth.
Enjoy your big day.
TT
TIny Tim
Let’s leave it that – rumour is an undermining process and I know you have Celtic at heart
Bigger fish to fry
Cheers
TINY TIM
Don’t know if you are a Celtic supporter or not but the question i ask
myself is why you would bring that to the blog, you obviously knew
you would be slaughtered for it, as for the tittle tattle i knew a couple
of the lions who hated big Jocks training you get that with every team
as for Brendan going to Chelsea would that be the same jungle drums
that had 8 million pound Moreles going to China?
PADDYMACOZ
Are you up yet? remember to take your meds : 8-))
H.H Mick
MelbourneMick
I thought about the likely abuse I would take.
I decided to post because I am certain of my source .
It was in response to those mocking the ETIMS article.
Which was mirroring what I have been told.
I have been posting on here since virtually day 1.
I am a season ticket holder ,shareholder ,and follow Celtic Home and away, in the domestic and European competitions.
TT
Melbourne Mick
The first I heard of the Chelsea / Liverpool tittle tattle was today.
It is the chatter amongst two or three of the fathers who have Bhoys that are signed by Celtic.
I did not believe it when I heard it,and chalked it up as nonsense.
It was only when I read the Etims article linked on here that I knew that there were more than the people I know spreading the same rumour.
Rumours are not always untrue.
TT
TINYTIM
I thought the etims article was strange to say the least, and as
JINKYREDSTAR posted rumour and innuendo is an undermining
process and might be worth considering before you post.
I’m a trusting fellow and i’ll take your Celtic credentials as fact
so i wish you well and keep the faith.
H.H Mick
TT
“Never did I say that any player is justified or that I sided with the player or the manager. ”
I got that, thanks
Off to my bed now