Presumably, with the world actually being shaped like a ball, anywhere can be west of anywhere else, which might explain the grouping for this mornings draw for the third qualifying round.
Seeded sides are in bold;
Champions route
Group 1
FC Salzburg (AUT)
KR Reykjavík (ISL)/Celtic FC (SCO)
FC BATE Borisov (BLR)/KS Skënderbeu (ALB)
GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)/VMFD Žalgiris (LTU)
FC Sheriff (MDA) v FK Sutjeska (MNE)
Legia Warszawa (POL)/Saint Patrick’s Athletic (IRL)
Cliftonville FC (NIR)/Debreceni VSC (HUN)
ŠK Slovan Bratislava (SVK)/The New Saints FC (WAL)
Valletta FC (MLT)/Qarabağ FK (AZE)
Aalborg BK (DEN)
Group 2
Strømsgodset IF (NOR)/FC Steaua Bucureşti (ROU)
APOEL FC (CYP)
AC Sparta Praha (CZE)/FC Levadia Tallinn (EST)
PFC Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL)/F91 Dudelange (LUX)
FC Santa Coloma (AND)/ Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC (ISR)
HŠK Zrinjski (BIH)/NK Maribor (SVN)
FK Partizan (SRB)/HB Tórshavn (FRO)
FC Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO)/FK Aktobe (KAZ)
Malmö FF (SWE)/FK Ventspils (LVA)
FK Rabotnicki (MKD)/HJK Helsinki (FIN)
So, our “region ” stretches from Ireland to Azerbaijan, which you have to say pretty much covers the waterfront where Europe is concerned. More worryingly, we won’t be playing a Swedish side this year, which means our routine is all gone to pot, and the players will not be able to cope.
The game at Murrayfield looks a formality, but we’ve all seen that film before, so while it is difficult to focus on that one, everyone needs to forget about what happens in the draw until we actually secure a place in it.
Especially with defender Efe Ambrose exuding the same confidence he did the last time he went away with Nigeria and turned up a little close to kick off for an important game.
“I spent three days in Nigeria after the World Cup.
“Then I had to fly back here to get a visa for the game in Iceland. That was all the holiday I had – three days. What did I do?
“I played football, of course. I always like to go back and see the team where I started, Adams Babes. Sometimes I like to train and play matches with them but I didn’t have time to do that.
“So it was just a kickabout, really, so that people could see me.
“I started like them and they like it when a player comes back.
“It motivates them to keep trying. I try to encourage them as I have never forgotten my roots.”
Which is all very commendable, but Ambrose has us on the edge of our seats at the best of times. sometimes even when he’s miles from the action. He worries me. And theres other stuff to worry about where these games are concerned..
“He wants another kind of creativity in the team and a new way of playing.
“He wants us to keep the ball more and move it quicker.
“The style might suit me. Every manager likes a defender who can keep the ball and drive with it. That is a bonus.
“I think the new manager wants defenders with confidence to keep possession so I feel positive about that.”
Anyone else think he might be, er , discouraged from his mazy wing play this season. and anyone else think he won’t take a blind bit of notice ?
Back to Tuesdays game, and the unfamiliar surroundings of the home of Rugby may not be to everyones liking, but Davie Hay, former player, manager and all round good guy, called it right when he said, in his evening times column;
I don’t think it would matter where Celtic played the second leg of this tie, they would still beat Reykjavik and get through to the next round.
“The positive of playing at Murrayfield next week is that they will have a chance to get used to it for the home leg of the third qualifying round.
“The opposition in that round will be tougher and it is an advantage to Celtic to have a game under their belt in Edinburgh before that tie.”
The fans will have a chance to get used to it as well as the players.
“You won’t recreate the Parkhead atmosphere, you are not going to fill Murrayfield in these early rounds.
“But it will be interesting to see what the crowd is. It is part of the season ticket so we will see how many turn up.
“Obviously everyone wants to see a good crowd for what is an important match.
“If the opposition had been better, that might have had an effect on the crowd.
“I think the 25,000 mark is the kind of crowd we should be anticipating.
“But Celtic are laying on reduced priced transport from Glasgow which is good and will hopefully allow as many people as possible to make the game.”
I’m a little more optimistic that there’ll be above 25,000 there. You’d hope so. Murrayfield is a big ground, and anything less than about 45,000 will affect the players. There was enough nervousness last week. We could do without it this week as well.
Celtic have indeed put on all sorts of extra travel options for Tuesday, and again, if you’ve not sorted out any ticket issues yet, please do so now. We’ll remind you of the options on Monday.
Though there are concerns that looking after the fans has left the players wondering about the vehicle supplied for them, Mikael Lustig, particularly, has expressed his doubts about the amount of leg room available in the bus.
The ticket information, we’ll cover here;
THE Celtic Ticket Office would like to advise that any fans who have ticket issues in relation to the match against KR Reykjavik on Tuesday, July 22 at BT Murrayfield Stadium should resolve them with the Ticket Office before 5pm on Friday.
Ticket Office opening hours will be restricted ahead of the match due to ongoing work in preparation for opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. Ticketing support at BT Murrayfield Stadium on the day of the match will also be limited.
Supporters who need assistance can call the Ticket Office on 0141 551 4493 (Calls charged at standard rate), or visit the Ticket Office during the following opening hours;
Thursday, July 17 – 9am – 5pm
Friday, July 18 – 9am – 5pm
Saturday, Jul 19 – 9am – 11am
Monday, July 21 – 9am – 11am
Tuesday, July 22 – 9.30am – 5pm
The last posting date for tickets will be 3pm on Friday, thereafter, it will only be Print At Home tickets which are available online and via our booking line on 0871 226 1888*. Please note there will be no collections on matchday at BT Murrayfield Stadium.
As you are probably aware, theres a mass programme of murder ( or a “conflict ” -if you watch the BBC ) going on just now in the Palestine. Since the Second World War ended, Israel has been systematically taking the place over, and recently has seemed a little more determined to finish the job off. This it hopes to achieve by the simple and ruthless policy of just blowing everyone up who already lives there.
Celtic have two Israeli players, Beram Kayal, who has remained silent on the issue, and Nir Bitton, who hasn’t.
Now, players political beliefs should be similar , in my view, to their religion. Entirely private, and for their own time.
Earlier this week, Anthony Stokes replied to a tweet from the Israeli Defence force, which is the body responsible for “defending ” Israel. They usually put the awkward and inaccurate bit in the title. Like in the old days when you had the German Democratic Republic, the Peoples Republic of China, and Rangers Football Club. All of which had little resemblance to their name.
WATCH: We called off 3 more air strikes in Gaza after our pilots identified civilians in the area. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE7ykidY7FA …
Anthony Stokes@IDFSpokesperson it’s a pity you couldn’t identify those 4 young children you killed on the beach today as civilians
Hard to argue with the sentiments.
Then Nir Bitton, who did his national service in the IDF, posted this, now deleted, on his instagram;
which is the Prayer for the IDF ;
.
Firstly, the club should close all of these social media accounts, and go back to meeting fans at the ground, or spending time talking to them after training. Maybe a couple or three personal appearances a week, and everything else kept away from the public.
This is because footballers are by definition dumber than the hole in a cows arse.
Second, Bitton is Israeli. He has served in the IDF, and its logical to assume that he has friends or family still serving. He will, during his time in his hiomeland, have been subjected largely to the Israeli viewpoint on matters concerning the troubled Gaza area.
Some may argue that his time away from home might have allowed him to become a little more “enlightened, ” but at the same time those people are criticising the BBC and other outlets for not reporting the truth , or at best, leaving out some facts.
The lad is far from home. The country he lives in is involved in warfare, and he is probably only worried about his own loved ones.
Before we start calling for his head, lets try to put ourselves in his shoes.
His later picture was a call for peace, which is probably from the heart. After all, it is an issue that directly affects him.
Give the lad a break, he’s only a kid. And he’s probably got a lot on his mind.
Andreas Thom was the player in the picture yesterday, and from a few years earlier, here’s another face to place…
Its a familiar pose. He’s nowhere hear the ball.
ian dracula andrews scared of crosses a dead heat between him and carl muggleton for the most shitty goalkeeper to wear a celtic jersey
Julie “Ian” Andrews. Nurse, more morphine.
ian andrews……cue the shiver up the spine.
The legendary! Ian andrews. I always feel a little sorry for him
5-1 you say?
Deary me!
Sorry bud. I aint with biton on this. He’s old enough to know genocide.
Agree with your comments re- Biton. When I first saw the post with translation, I was as angry as many of the fans are. THEN when it was explained that it’s a standard prayer for the Israeli Army,in which he once served, it became more understandable. Your article, putting it in context,was perfect.Every fan should read your explanation of Biton’s tweet, and show some understanding.
Most of us are against what’s happening in Gaza, but Israel is the lads country.Hopefully he’s learnt to keep his views to himself. The same should apply to Stokes. I agree totally with what he said, but as a player , he also, needs to keep his views private, where politics is concerned.
So lets not have this “sevco style” knee jerk reaction of slagging off Biton, without waiting for it to be put in proper context, as you have eloquently done.
Legia Warsaw /St. Patricks Athletic v Kr/ Celtic.
I am of the view (and have been for many years)Football, Politics and Religion should be kept well apart.
So I do get the fact some fans are up in arms about players voicing their beliefs and political viewpoint via social media as it could be quite damaging.
But I am also aware some of these same fans critical of the above will probably be doing the same thing in their own time and also whilst attending Celtic games?
That to me stinks of Hypocrisy.
Just saying 😉
Is it beyond doubt that it was Nir Biton who actually posted the so called prayer for Israel? I would be absolutely amazed were it so! If and I emphasise IF, then its not just the action of a naieve young footballer but, also demonstrates a flagrant disregard for the sensitivity of his colleague and “Countryman” Biram Kayal. After all Biram Kayal’s fellow Palestinians shall, undoubtedly, comprise the fulcrum of that which the prayer invokes god to do, in the way that only god does best, namely smite, destroy or otherwise annihilate Israel’s enemies.
Good point Donnybhoy
You can’t travel west from he North or South pole. 😀
Any Polish team is gonnae be a tricky tie
gee with Danboo, Biton knows what he is dong this is just complete genocide what he Israeli army is doing get him out
I can understand where Biton is coming from: friends, family neighbours will be involved in the “war” and he is sending a prayer to former colleagues in the as Ralph points out, mis named Israeli Defence Force. The fact that he took the post down and later put up a post calling for world peace suggests he either realied or was helped to realise he would be best off leaving it alone. But should footballers be excluded from giving opinions / showing what they believe? If you are a catholic who signed for 1st or 2nd Rangers you cant bless yourself of course, and I m sure most of us hold that up as an example of their intolerance of other faiths and opinions, and a reason why we are the good guys, open to all etc etc.
So while I absloutely abhor Israel and their orchestrated state genocide of what should be another sovereign state it seems a bit hypocritical to criticise Biton for expressing a faith or a view in the same way we criticise “rangers” people for not allowing people to do the same.
I m not in Glasgow but there is a demonstarion of support for Palestine on Saturday that I hope would be well attended by Celtic people who like me find it disgusting that this is allowed to happen with no threat of sanction against Israel
The world is pretty depressing just now – Syria, Iraq, Libya Gaza, Ukraine, I m not some one with faith but at time like this I wish I could pray for them all
another post lost in the ether. oh well
Found it !
Biton has on opinion, fair enough. Would our reactions to Biton be different if, in the thirties, we had a German player giving support to their forces in Spain or Poland, or even an Argentinian doing the same for his nations forces in the Falklands? Hell, lets crank the hypothectical up to 11 and say a British player giving public support for troops in NI, what would our reaction be to them?
I, personally, don’t like what Biton has done, he hasn’t called for peace or safety but to defeat ‘enemies’ and phrases like “glorify our forces with the crown” make me think he’s at the wrong Glasgow team. After last Saturday, I’ve had enough of supremacist attitudes, ‘glorious victory’, the ‘crown’ and destroying percieved ‘enemies’.
Back to the football,if Ronny Bhoy wants to play a 4-2-3-1 system in Europe,then we HAVE to sign a Sutty type to play this role up front.Stokes comes too deep and is not a target
man.Like last season,NOT having a strong robust forward ( who can score with his head ) will cost us dearly in Europe.
Not qualifying for group stage,will be down to PL and the board’s NEGLIGENCE !!
Cannot agree with you more…a strong forward with the ability to put his head in where it might get hurt…..we do lack that presence…Sutty / Hartson…
Hi all. In vancouver. Can anyone advise of a place I can see the game? Celtic bars site not listing. In steveston but heading down town. Cheers.
Only just seeing this sorry, for future reference Library Square Bar is Downtown and is where Vancouver Shamrock CSC were based when I was there a few years ago. Good luck!
Whilst I cannot agree in the slightest with what Nir Biton posted, it does seem that certain factions of our support who use political slogans at games (and that is a debate for another pub session) might be a bit upset that his views don’t fall into the romantic left-wing Rebel stance that maybe we would like him to have. The point is that if we are to allow political views, slogans and songs to be used then surely it must be an open forum for all even if that inconceivably means that the unionist naysayers (and there are a few in the support) should also be allowed to air their views too?
We pride ourselves on being an open inclusive club so surely that means all political viewpoints should be free to be aired or none should be allowed at all. That is called democracy. Which is it to be?
Sorry Frankie-there are certain principals that are not open for debate-genocide, blatant murder of innocent civillians…agree we can be open to other political opinions but come on man…
From Nir’s point of view he was sending a message of solidarity and support to his fellow countrymen who he feels are under attack from a terrorist organisation. I don’t agree with him in the slightest but I will defend his right to say his piece to the hilt.
The abuse he received from certain ‘fans’ was disgusting, vile and totally out of fucking order.
while deploring the deaths of civilians in gaza i have to take issue with the detractors of the idf.nobody has thought to mention the 1700 or so rockets fired into israel or don,t they matter.go back to 9/11 and these same people were dancing in the streets in celebration of it.a bit of perspective please.
being so remote from the events precludes me from participating in any demos but if i could i,d be flourishing a fuck you hamas sign
Didn’t see John Collins caption comp until this morning. Can I have a go now? Thanks.
‘Last night I dreamt that everyone loved me’