I think we can all agree that we’re relieved to get the friendlies out of the way.
No injuries, and a morale boosting couple of wins.
Celtic beat Rennes 2-0 on Saturday, with Leigh Griffiths continuing his goalscoring run. Nadir Cifcti replaced him at half time and continued his scoreless run, but he’s still got some way to go to match John Hartson, who didn’t open his account for what felt like months, and then, when he did, all was forgiven and forgotten. Gary Mackay Steven got the other goal, and apart from a couple of dodgy tackles that were encouraged by referee Steven MacLean, Celtic didn’t really have anything to worry about.
Even if it had gone badly, there was hardly anyone in the crowd to notice. At half time, ronny deila made nine changes which suggested that the starting line up on Wednesday will be the same as the one that started against Rennes.
Which would be;
Gordon; Ambrose, van Dijk, Boyata, Mulgrew; Bitton, Brown; Forrest, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven; Griffiths.
Mulgrew took a knock which led to him being replaced by Emilio Izaguirre, but he should be okay for the visit of Qarabag. The exclusion of Lustig from the start means that he mught not be. He has struggled, and given that Deila has been loathe to play players who are not one hundred percent then Efe it is.
So, let’s look ahead.
Scott Brown thinks that Leigh Griffiths could make a name for himself this week, reading between the lines here, I reckon Brown thinks he’s a goalscorer.
“He has come off the bench and proved that he is a natural goalscorer He will come off the bench and score goals all season if he has to.
“But hopefully he gets his chance because he will score goals. He is a natural goalscorer. I think he is probably the best finisher I have played with and it would be nice to see him get the nod.
“If Leigh is in the box with the ball at his left foot then nine times out of ten I would expect him to score.
“He is a fit lad. He is a worker and he is never out of the gym. He likes playing off the shoulder and I am sure he will be right up there in terms of goals again this season.”
Then he had a message for his fellow players;
“We are definitely a Champions League teamWe are good enough to get there, but it is one thing to say it and another to do it. That is the real test. If we are good enough then this is the time for us to go out and prove it.
“We feel it’s where we belong – but actions speak louder than words.
“You can talk all you want about how it’s a big club but ultimately it’s what we do on the park that matters.
“We have to go out there, show we can play at that level and produce the goods.
“Everything is in place here and we need to show that on Wednesday.
“We’ve heard all about Qarabag and we’ll need to be at the top of our game.
“It’s massive for us as players as well and we use that pressure as motivation.
“We want to play in the Champions League and feel we’re ready. We know Wednesday is a big game but we are relishing the chance to play at that level.
Mananger Ronny Deila seemed a little less tense than the players;
“We’ll start showing the players footage of Qarabag on Monday or Tuesday. It is going to be a very big challenge for us.
“You just need to look at their results in the Europa League last year to know that. They are quite a technical team.
“They have a few Brazilians and a Spanish player. They have a team who will want to attack and play football.
“The full-backs are very offensive so it’s going to be a game with a lot of tactics and a high tempo.
“They are a team who have improved over time so it’s going to be a test for us.
“We will take care of the travelling. It’s going to be the same for them because they have to play at night while we will kick-off at 5.30pm our time. That matters as well.
“Will the time difference matter? Yeah, I think so but they have to come to Scotland too. It is harder to travel the way they will compared to the way we are going, when you take into account the time.”
At Etims, we’re quite lucky, with our own army of experts ready to pitch in with valuable info fro any corner of the globe. ( globes don’t have corners -Ed ) . Later today on the site we’ll have all the inside info on Qarabag from our Azeri correspondent on the site, so keep an eye out for it.
No matter who the opponents, this place, viewed from above in this picture, will play a big part;
Thanks to Lisbon lion, on twitter, who keeps turning out these amazing pictures.
It wouldn’t be a couple of days before a big game if the papers weren’t trying to upset one of our key players. Everton are apparently looking at Virgil van Dijk, and manager roberto Martinez was asked about his interest, but , as one paper said, refused to rule it out.
It could also be argued that he was simply keeping his options open.
“That’s the nature of this period, you are going to be linked with players,I don’t enjoy talking about other players when they are not at our club and I will never be disrespectful in that manner.”
Looking closer to home, Ronny Deila also set out his targets for the domestic season, which begins next Saturday.
“Aberdeen will be our main challengers. They have kept their team from last season and added good players.
“They are going to be stronger and have already shown that in the Europa League.To win 3-0 in Croatia was a strong result.
“It’s hard to say much about the other teams as it’s so early. Players have changed and there is always a surprise in the league. Hearts are a good side and I think they will be up there.
“ Inverness have lost some players but they have a good coach and will also do something. Dundee United? You never know. They have lost some players and have to create a new team but they always have talented young players.
Well, for a while, anyway.
“But I have been clear in my goals for the season – reach the Champions League and win everything in Scotland. Play attacking football and develop the club and the culture here in the way we play.
“I can’t be more clear than that. I will try to tick those boxes and then see.”
Speaking of being clear, Michael Gannon in the Record has been looking ahead to the upcoming season….
But his memory is slipping, as he forgot not only his bold prediction, but also how to spell his name;
Oh, I’d just like to say a big well done to new Ibrox manager Mark Warburton, who proved beyond doubt he is the new messiah when his side tore Hibernian apart at Easter road by an astonishing six goals to two.
I’ve had to do it on here as an adoring public have blocked the roads with their messages of congratulations and little presents for him, as a thank you for bringing the side back up to champions league level already.
The support , too, showed their appreciation with a massive Tifo display shortly before kick off;
He’s only just begun, as they say, and news reaches us that they are looking to bring in a new winger who we hear has extraordinarily tricky feet, and is tipped to set the country alight with his mesmerising dribbling and running.
With a big European game ahead. it’s maybe fitting to look back at one or two others and wax lyrically about them.
This one , for instance;
.
In other news , it appears a highly placed government chap has been involved with illegal substances and ladies who prefer cash for their services;
I do apologise, that’s the wrong one;
Surely the main story is that we have finally found someone at Westminster who prefers their companions to be beyond school age ?
Typical two faced politician.who,s the bloke with the black sheila?
Looks like George Osborne the Chancelor.
My main concern for this upcoming CL tie is the style of play used by Qarabag.
Teams who are prepared to “have a go” at us…cause us problems.
We are so used to SPFL teams (not all…but most) putting 10 men behind the ball and exerting little or no pressure on us..and this doesn’t help when we face attack minded teams.
Which brings me nicely on to my other point…
RD has given his views on the SPFL teams who might “be up there” next season…and who might cause problems.
I’m really surprised that he never gave St.Johnstone a mention…
As far as I’m concerned…They were our most dangerous opponents last ssason…beccause they knew how to play us.
They didn’t sit back…They played a high line against us and stopped us from building up from the back,while having a go at our defence.
And its that kind of opponent that worries me.
Hope I’m talking bollocks about Wednesday..but I ain’t changing my mind about St.Johnstone…They’re a decent wee team.
Shame they only seem to play that way against us ‘though.
Aberdeen have started the season in very good form and if it continues we will have to up our own if we hope to maintain our dominance at the top.
Their showing in Europe will surely give them a lift going into the new season and I think they have a terrific team spirit under McInnes who is building a fairly decent side on the quiet.
I hope this continues.
I can see Izzy starting at LB against Qarabag as I suspect Ronny has given him a wee bit of rest due to the amount of games he played last Season.
All them overlaps will take their toll eventually on the body.
I think the approach this week will be mainly on concentration as I felt particularly in Iceland the defence in particular were guilty of switching off and strolling through the game.
Van Dijk has been guilty of this before I think as he comes across as a bit arrogant at times.
On Van Dijk I notice Everton deem their 21 Year Old prodigy John Stones to be worth in excess of £25m?
I would hope Celtic ask for at least £15m for Van Dijk then this being the case.
What is good for the goose after all….
I think we have enough about us to beat Qarabag over the two legs though a clean sheet and another 2 0r 3 goals at CP would be nice.
Did my “post” arrive ?
Mike did you send it first or second class mail.
Being a pensioner John…ah don’t put stamps oan at all…:0)..
Did ah tell ye before …
Wife’s brother lives in Hobart (Bluenose)…?
We’re coming to the island in January…
And are you related to the Girvan Lighthouse..
Big Peter McCloy…?
HH
Check the price of the Ajax programe……in the days before the matchday experience meant emtying yer wallet
I’ve got no problem with the supporting three of Forrest GMS and Armstrong, but surely Johansen is a shoe-in? Looking forward to the game immensely, thinking it’ll be 3-1 to us. P.S. thought young Fasan had a much better time in goal yesterday then he did in his last game!
listening to two chubby 30 something zombies on the bus this morning one said to the other he was buying a juvenile season ticket for the asbestos dome said he would not get a pull because they would just be happy he was putting something into the pot ha ha they must have been wondering what the uppity fenian behind them was laughing at aint life grand ha ha
that is hilarious!!!! Beats today’s diary by a cuntry mile.
Was at that Ajax game Cruyff even at 35 was a class apart strolled thro the game Jesper Olsen on left wing gave Danny McGrain the most torrid 90 minutes I ever saw him get he was electric quick!!
Great Celtic performance just to escape with a draw but we did the business over there!! Hail hail for Wednesday & a top class performance from the boys!
Re Ajax – in the return leg in Amsterdam the best thing on youtube is watching the tim running down the terraces to celebrate Charlie Nick’s opener. Joe Miller isn’t it, wasn’t it. Marvellous.
Was at the stadium to uplift tickets, pleased to see fans queuing for the game against Qarabag. The team should be able to beat them on Wednesday as they are flying west and playing at midnight their time. I hope the stadium and the fans make a difference.
The MSM are praying for Celtic to fall away their lunatic fringe having nothing positive to say just the continuos bile against the team. Never mind the hordes will be over the moon with their destruction of the Hibees and no doubt will fiwitter on about the treble.
No mention that by November this will be the longest period they have gone without a trophy.
Virgil is not as good as people make out, I would be surprised if someone tables a bid, he lacks concentration.
I agree with Charlie..if the English want Van Dyke badly enough they can pay the going rate, the same rate that they splash around down there. If Van Dyke was already an Arsenal player and Man City wanted him, they’d be talking about 20-30 million like it was sweety money. They buy and sell donkeys down there for more (Andy Carroll for example). I hate the fact that they see us as so desperate for money that we can be taken advantage of. When he goes to the English league you can be sure that whoever buys him (for whatever price) will look to sell him on for a tasty profit in 2 or three years. So, like I say, if they want him and he wants them…dig deep and pay up. HH.
Ajax game ah was there and what ah privilege ( to see the Tic, always) but to see one of ma boyhood heroes: Cruyff in action: what a player – as wee all know.
Mon the Hoops!!!