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Celtic diary tuesday July 10: Right. Are We Ready ?

This is it, then, Season 2018-19.

Here we go to eight in a row.

Although, technically, the league itself doesn’t start for a couple of weeks.

The season starts tonight, at five o’clock , over in Armenia.

Are we ready ?

The manager thinks so.

I think year on year we’ve got better at dealing with the qualifiers. It was only really the 20 minute period away in Astana last year where we found it difficult. Apart from that, the players throughout all the games have been very, very good.

“This year we go into it again. You’re not entitled to qualify, you have to earn the right, and that’s something we always speak about. We’ll work hard over this phase of the qualification to get through because it’s something we really want to do.

“You always know there will be hairy moments along the way. But we want to be in it. Potentially we have a hectic schedule of games ahead of us but it’s where the competition is. We’re proud to be in it, we earned the right to be in it, and we’re working to hopefully qualify again. To do three on the spin would be absolutely brilliant.” 

All talk of players leaving stops now, at least until the qualifiers are over, and that has to be a relief, as certain stories won’t go away.

There’s a short window for the EPL this year, it closes on August 9, so the clubs there will be operating with a wee bit more urgency, and perhaps there will still be a few distractions, but the squad that starts the eight week qualifying campaign should be the one that finishes it.

The heat in Armenia will be a factor, and the boss wants the players to be aware of that, and to adapt their style..

“I think the tempo and rhythm of the game will be different. The conditions mean you can’t play with a real intensity over the course of the 90 minutes. So it’s about how you build the game and quicken it up when you get near the opponents’ 18-yard box.

“It’s educated pressure in this type of scenarios. We’re nowhere near our full levels of fitness at this stage of the season so there is only so much you can do anyway. It’s about getting through these games, that’s important

“Our style our football helps us when we come into these situations. We want to take care of the ball, look to keep it, but look to penetrate when we have it. In the conditions, you don’t want to chase the ball, so look after it when you have it.” 

Yes. Hide it up your shirt and confuse the opposition.

We’ll speak to the referee about water breaks. We did that in our pre-season when we played when we were away in Austria. Obviously in these conditions and health and safety of the players is important because it’s a factor, so we’ll see what we can do.

“Players get on with it. But what makes it difficult is when you’re not accustomed to it. I’d say there is a certain temperature when it becomes dangerous, and I don’t think this is. You just need to manage the football game.

“It’s a different type of football. But it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to. You may go to World Cups and other situations as players where you have to deal with the conditions.

“But we’ve prepared well and we’re at the best possible place we can be at this stage of pre-season. But there is a challenge with the heat – you can feel it just walking about. But we’ll look to manage that hopefully.” 

Well, at least they seem to be ready.

Opponents Alashkert, of course, will be expected to be able to cope with it rather better than Celtic.

But are they ready for the challenge of a seasoned team at this level ? The BBC found someone who is if not exactly confident, but certainly hopeful.

Captain Artur Yedigaryan insists Alashkert can end Celtic’s hopes of reaching the Champions League group stage at the first hurdle.

“Celtic is a strong opponent with big history but FC Alashkert wants to go as far as possible in the Champions League” 

“We have a good team and like to play attacking football, especially at home. We’ll be confident about this tie and do our best to bring joy to our fans.

“We always enter the pitch with belief and nothing is impossible.” 

He’s hardly “insisting “, is he ?

“Nowadays, many teams are close to each other with their level and many sensations can take place as has been proved before,” 

“It’s very hot in Yerevan so it’s difficult for any visiting team, only the game will give all the answers.

“We have a good squad with new players, it’s changing very often just now but that is a normal process.

“We hope the newcomers will help us become stronger.” 

I’m sure they do.

They did beat St Johnstone last year, but then again so did nearly everybody at some point, so I wouldn’t read too much into that.

Captain Scott Brown, who hurt his ankle against shamrock rovers at the weekend, should be okay, at least according to the manager;

Yeah, Scott should be fine. It was just precautionary really at the weekend.

“Hopefully, all being well, he will be fit. Scott’s a real catalyst for the team.

“We’ve played without him before and played well, but he’s still building up his fitness. He is a very important player for us.” 

Leigh Griffiths is struggling, as is Marvin Comperr, who couldn’t even manage the steps up into the plane, and so he went home.

Apart from that, everyone is ready to roll.

Thats a figure of speech, and not a reference to Celtic adopting a similar style of play to Brazilian cheat Neymar.

Alashkert do have a Brazilian player, Jefferson Reis, who has been known to throw the odd wobbly at ballboys who cheer when their side scores..

We believe he’s hitching a lift back to Glasgow with our squad, as there is a club who want to talk to him, but they’re a bit short of money at the moment, and can;t see their way to paying his fare.

This way he can pop over, have a look, and meet up with his current team mates next week for a lift home to grab his stuff, should everything go well.

A prediction of the score would be pointless, my knowledge of Alashkert is limited, but I’d be happy with a draw.

 

Elsewhere, after a preist and several memebers of his congregation were abused and attacked by particpants in a passing Orange walk, the media have suddenly remembered that aberdeens Shay Logan is always good for a bit of whataboutery, and so he has been rolled out to remind us that Celtic fans are all racist, though he did fall short of saying that several supporters tried to tie him to the back of a pick up truck and drag him through the streets,

That will be his claim next time out.

The row was further exacerbated when “Show Racism The Red Card Scotland ” added their tuppence worth, which itself seems overvalued

We fully support Shay Logan and will be asking the SFA to investigate any claims of racism by Celtic supporters towards him. We also reject any allegations that Shay Logan “brought it upon himself”. 1/2 

There is NO excuse for racism and I am sure Celtic fans would be behind our zero tolerance approach to racism. 2/2

Logan, of course, is no stranger to alleged racial abuse, having secured a conviction for Aleksandr Tonev of racism under the novel and refreshing legal system based on the “balance of probabilities. “

Logan courts controversy, not because he’s black, but because he is an arsehole.

The race card is often played by those with little else in the deck.

Clearly, though, this time has deeply hurt him, and it took him less than two months to sling his accusations…

There’s an awful lot of squirrels around this time of year.

Dave Kings crew are in court today, as their commercial overlord Mike Ashley brings his wrecking ball to Scotland.

Remember how the media trumpeted a great victory for King over the Sports Direct boss ? How he’d taken back control ?

Oops. Thats not quite true…

Then again, Dave has an answer..

Things can change almost daily in business, money can come in, money can go out, and as a result, predictions of a company’s ( or club’s ) demise can sometimes be wrong.

This lot, however, are going down.

It’s just a matter of when, and who goes down with them.

The diary has been absent for a couple of days, and so we go back to Saturday for this picture..

Old ladies with union flags having afternoon tea

Stu67 July 7, 2018 at 8:56 am · Edit · Reply →

In light of the razzmatazz accompanying sevie gerrard ,
rangers bring back the halftime cheerleaders “ 

Today, perhaps the most bizarre picture I’ve ever seen… and it needs an explanantion.

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Mike Annis
5 years ago

Caption: Larkhall True Blue Orange Band realise they need more practice.

Alzyerpal
5 years ago

Caption : “The dogs watch the girls while the crocs watch the boys who watch the dogs go by
Arse to eye, they solemnly convene to make the scene.”

Cortes
5 years ago
Reply to  Alzyerpal

Superb!

puggy67
5 years ago
Reply to  Alzyerpal

laugh out loud superb

puggy67
5 years ago
Reply to  Alzyerpal

laugh out loud superb!

dingbat
5 years ago
Reply to  Alzyerpal

Competition closed.

TonyB
5 years ago

Masonic initiation ceremony exposed.

Cortes
5 years ago

The DUP love quadrangle.

D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago

Is that Largs?

Monti
5 years ago

” All talk of players leaving stops now ” unless sources …cough…decide to talk about players leaving.?

Cough

5 years ago

Caption: an art exhibit for those attending the Motherwell RSC’s IncestFest to appreciate. Scotrail have kindly sponsored a piece of art, in partnership with Kone Lifts, which attendees may wish to not only show their appreciation of works of art, but of their siblings too.

Henrik
5 years ago

Caption:Sevco-level5-smsm-zombe circle of information

puggy67
5 years ago

what’s the timeline from not being match fit to being tired because of all the games? Feels like 20 mins

puggy67
5 years ago

Caption: Just keep reading Alzyerpal’s

Mike
5 years ago

The sheer hypocrisy of “Show Racism The Red-Card” is stunning in its allegations regarding Shay Logan and is further proof that they have lost their bearings in their remit of ridding football of racism. They take the side of a footballer who clearly has an agenda against our club and not for the first time has made allegations against us. Week after week their is consummate proof of racism on the terracing of Sevco, racism against Lennon, racism against people of Irish descent and yet nothing is said. No court of law would/could find any proof of racism at Celtic park against black players, we have many black players ourselves who enjoy our respect and admiration. The common denominator here is Logan an arse of a man, who for his gesticulation towards the Celtic supporters should earn him a lengthy ban. “A red Card too Show Racism the red card,” Once again take a fresh look at your remit and have the balls to act fairly and evenly or you will add to your fast growing reputation as bottlers with a one sided view on the true definition of racist behaviour.

Doc
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Amazing timing, I wish logan well in his battle with amnesia.

Monti
5 years ago

PISH

5 years ago

Can anyone confirm, is Scott Allan away to Armenia? Did I see pictures of him on the plane or just imagine it?

Tried to enjoy the Diary but just too confused with other pieces elsewhere…did Bruno Alves rip up his contract or did Rangers rip it up?…seems a few reporters at the lamb again!

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  desimond

Desi,
Why ask us, Ralph’s impeccable sources know better than us?

P.S. Ralph, are you not biting yet? 🙂

Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Same team as started against Shamrock with Allan on the bench.

5 years ago

Caption:Chris Jack facing new challengers for his “Arse-Licker of the year” award.

50 Shades of Green
5 years ago

That is one disgusting pic you have posted mate gives me the boak..

as for the one with the blue dug and green dragon nae idea whats going on…

James61
5 years ago

Hi
I notice how high a profile srtrc have taken about Shay Logan and calling for an inquiry. Didn’t hear much from them when Scott Sinclair was being abused at ibrokes or Glasgow airport, now if they still want an inquiry we could bring these issues to the party as well as the illegal marches against fenians on which they had nothing to say at the time. I also note that they’ve been very quiet on The demonisation of a priest on his doorstep. They are now seen as only having a say in one kind of racism and are no longer fit for purpose and funding for these “do Gooders” be withdrawn.
HH

5 years ago

In Barcelona anyone know of pubs here to watch game.?

5 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

Michael Collins pub apparently. Good people of the Barca csc helped out

Mike
5 years ago
Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

No but you do not know anything about Quantum Physics, when 3 morphs into 4 aided by a three sided triangle resulting in a tactical switch carried out by the Brussel’s collider allowing players to switch positions without actually moving.

portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

I`m too busy on my hummel telescope C.S.
But I do know a well kitted sash man to ring.

Monti
5 years ago

MON THE HOOPS TONIGHT!
Fuck this World cup pish!

Mike
5 years ago

Posted about the wee gobshite Logan and SRTRC, its probably better that it stays up in the ether, doesn’t matter what colour you are, a piece of shit is always a piece of shit.

Mike
5 years ago

Caption, Here we go round the sherry go round.

Monti
5 years ago

More than one reliable source has just confirmed to me that Charlie Saiz, knows nothing about football.

I believe them………

charlie
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

a concur and its no jeest fitba he he

charlie
5 years ago

caption jeest ooty picure mrs mc billy sais tae mr mc billy you no me ile try anything wance

Tommybhoy
5 years ago

Caption: What goes around comes around, lickety split.

Devoy45
5 years ago

Tonight? 3-5-2
Gordon
Hendry/Ajer/Tierney
Forrest/Brown/Ntcham/Kouassi/McGregor
Edouard/Dembele
2-0 to the Bhoys
subs to make an impact:
Christie/Morgan/Hayes
C’mon the Celtic
Mon the Hoops.
Coybig

Mike
5 years ago

Knob of the week, The Orange Order and their continuing denial that any of their members had nothing to do with spitting and abusing Canon White, runners up award goes to “Show Racism the Red Card” for its outrageous comments regarding the Aberdeen Turd Shay Logan.
“Show Bigotry the Red Card” is it still in existence or is it sitting behind the sofa every weekend, with its headphones on drowning out the sound of sectarianism coming from the Govan stands. Public funded, Joke.

Mike
5 years ago

Your spirits are lifted in mankind at the thought of the twelve boys and their coach beginning to come out of that huge tunnel and then they are kicked in the baws by the TURDS of the funny marchers and their obnoxious behaviour,then they are lifted again when all the boys come out. Lift us up further tonight Celtic get a result and have us soaring, soaring sky high….

Monti
5 years ago

GOD BLESS CANON TOM WHITE, HEAD UP MY FRIEND!

GOD BLESS THE POPE!

Doc
5 years ago

More like:

Charlie- Lets play one up front, we might get thrashed every season but we can’t compete with the big leagues like England, Germany, Italy, France, Portugal and Spain.

Everyone else- Under that system we’ve dropped ten places in the rankings recently and are behind Plzen, Dnipro, Copenhagen, Sparta Prague, PSV, Ludogorets, CSKA, Anderlecht, Ajax, Olympiakos, Salzburg, Besiktas, Kiev, Basel and Zenit. Our performances last season seen us overtaken by Krasnador, Locomotiv, Fenerbahce, Genk, Braga and Brugge so clearly things could be better.

Charlie- One up front it is then.

Doc
5 years ago

reply stolen

Goran Ivanisevic Zagreb Emerald CSC
5 years ago

Is it just me, or is there a huge hole in the centre of our midfield.

Goran Ivanisevic Zagreb Emerald CSC
5 years ago

Well done French Eddy,…… great assist James

charlie
5 years ago

eduard he he aint celtic grand

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Charlie,
You missed the o in Edouard…

Just think of Charlie Saiz when typing Edouard’s name…..you won’t fail to include the o again 🙂

Mike
5 years ago

Good performance so far from the bhoys a well earned 1-0 lead, another goal would help get us through, well played, well done so far.
COYBIG.

jimmybee
5 years ago

Bhoys should score 5 or 6 at home.
Hendry looking good in a back 3 more confident.
Ntcham only one looks out of sorts at the moment.
But will come good.

Goran Ivanisevic Zagreb Emerald CSC
5 years ago

Moussa’s so cool, he’s come out for the second half with gloves on.

Monti
5 years ago

Just pay £9.99 for the months subscription….ya pair of tight cunts 🙂

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

🙂

Bgbhoy
5 years ago

I remember a time when 90% of this site wanted janes out the door and Deila on a lifetime contract

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Bgbhoy

Bgbhoy,
Not only that, they didn’t have the bawz to admit they got it wrong either.

Anyway, the old bhoy has been a bit quiet, has the home for the aged no got wi-fi? 🙂

Goran Ivanisevic Zagreb Emerald CSC
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

I’ve never been away don’t you know.

Monti
5 years ago

FFS what kind of Moniker is this?

Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Oh dear now he is using a different alias only bounders do that, his alias might be bigger but his posts get mingier, great pass BTW last night from Forrest too French Eddy at first I thought that he meant to shoot at goal but in fact he meant the pass. Haw Haw.

Goran Ivanisevic Zagreb Emerald CSC
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

I just hope I won’t be required to use some French geezers name.

Bgbhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Haha no idea. He claims to work all day, probably has to go straight to bed with a cup of ovaltine when he gets in

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Bgbhoy

🙂

Bgbhoy
5 years ago

**james

Cartvale88
5 years ago

You do not win any plaudits for games like these, but it is a job more than well done

Caption
Scottish media do their usual sucking up

jimmybee
5 years ago

Good solid performance by the bhoys Morgan looks a good yin hopefully he wont be put out on loan and stays to give jamesy a wee hand.

Mike
5 years ago

The team played really well considering that was the first game that really mattered so far, I have a solution to Calmac when he’s having a quiet game I shout at him through the cathodes of the telly, he always picks up and goes onto score. A good solid performance, I hope it was a wee taster for what’s to come, not for the first time, they looked like a solid team, a settled side is bringing its own rewards, mistakes can and do happen, but in the scheme of things its looking good. The Hun that does the BBC teletex is hurting sore, why? because he never puts up the game either before or after, didn’t stop him mentioning the Huns though, poor wee prick. Back to Les Booze a great game.

5 years ago

Picture caption: The eternal shafting of the hun

The animals. On their knees waiting for the figurehead of their beloved celestial club to tell them how to think. The circle is symbolic of the never ending stream of rhetoric that they happily suck up while simultaneously being shafted up the jacksy.

Don’t feel sorry for them as they love this. Good news though, the circle used to span more distance and include many more animals but each time they die the circle gets smaller and smaller meaning one day it might just well disappear up its own arse.

Hail Hail

Monti
5 years ago

Charlie Saiz,
It was hot out there wasn’t it……i bet you would have drank the trough dry.

Monti
5 years ago

When we factor in the intense heat, travel & stage of the season we are at, the players were excellent.
A good work out & the second leg should see us push on & use up the squad.

Three good goals, well done Bhoys!

Brencelt
5 years ago

Caption: Saltcoats flute band display their staunchness

Monti
5 years ago

Weered,
You are obviously a student of the game…..cough.

Monti
5 years ago

They’re going home, Their going home, They’re going, england’s going home!

3 lions fuck their shirt, Modric is gleaming,
50 years of hurt
Going home & bealing!

COME ON CROATIA

Monti
5 years ago

BHOYS AR MAIDIN AR MAIDIN

Monti
5 years ago

Good to see Brendan going with TWO strikers…sniff.

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