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Celtic Diary Wednesday August 17: Are You Ready for This ?

That applies to players, management and supporters alike.

Players, who have improved considerably over the last few weeks, need to be on their game from the first to the last kick of the ball when they take the field against Hapoel Be’er Sheva tonight.

Those players should be more or less self appointing at this stage of the season, and for a match this important there is no room for experimentation. If Celtic defeat the Israelis over the two legs, its Champions League football, big crowds and possibly a marquee signing or two. should we fail, its the Thursday cup, Sunday football and we’ll need the ICC money to pay the bills. ( to any lurking fans of any other Glasgow club, except Partick, Queens Park or Clyde, you may need to consult a business manula to fully understand the term “paying the bills “, or the consequences of failing to do so. )

Whilst it doesn’t matter who starts the game, as manager Rodgers will no doubt change things around before it finishes, i’d be surprised if it alters much from Gordon, Lustig, Toure, O’Connell, Tierney, Brown, MacGregor, Forrest, Sinclair, Grifiths, Dembele.

As for tactics, the players will be told to charge towards the opposing goal when in possession,get it back when not, and if no-one has it make sure you’re first to get it.

And above all do it quickly. Perhaps its the simplicity of this idea that has made the players seem to enjoy the game again.

For all the talk of a two goal lead, or a three goal lead, I don’t care if we lose 2-0 but reverse that with a 3-0 win next week in Israel , as long as its the name of Celtic in the draw for the group stages.

This might well be the last crack at winning the UCL before it becomes a closed shop, after all. We’ll talk about that another day, because today, of course, is all about tonight.

And I can’t be the only one wondering if we’re all a little complacent , or allowing ourselves to slide into complacency…

Heres what the bookmakers think…well, one of them anyway. Ladbrokes, the only bookie honest enough to include the word “broke ” in their title; ( In fact, its an anagram of what most people say when they come out of a bookies , “Broke, Lads…” )

Celtic made it a fantastic five successive home wins in the Champions League with a 2-1 victory over Kazakh heavyweights Astana a fortnight ago – and they’re set to make it a super six when the hard-working but limited Hapoel Be’er Sheva arrive at Celtic Park.

The visitors haven’t won an away game in Europe since 2004, with just a single victory in their past eight continental trips – a run which has included a 10-1 defeat at the hands of Dutch side Roda JC.

That’s in stark contrast to the Hoops, who have won six of their past seven Champions League clashes on home soil, including victory over former European Cup finalists Malmo FF and a 4-0 demolition of Icelandic side KR Reykjavik.

And the Hoops have already found their feet under boss Brendan Rodgers this season, with a 5-0 League Cup demolition of Motherwell, three European victories on the spin and a crucial 2-1 Ladbrokes Premiership win at Heart of Midlothian.

Meanwhile, Hapoel are balancing a hugely hectic domestic calendar with their fifth European game of the season, and combined with their ageing squad, the Israeli champions could lack the legs to deal with Leigh Griffiths, Patrick Roberts et al.

Celtic definitely look the best selection in the match betting, with 3/5 for a home victory, while it’s 13/5 for the draw and 5/1 for a shock Hapoel win.

However, the best bet could be on Celtic to win to nil at 11/8, with the men from Be’er Sheva having never scored on their travels in the Champions League.

For those looking to back a goalscorer, Moussa Dembele has netted three times in as many competitive games for Celtic, meaning he looks well worth backing to score anytime at 17/10.

Well, there’s nothing wrong in what they are saying, and it may even cheer you up a little, perhaps easing that feeling of nausea that passes as excitement as kick off time approaches..

As we are not facing one of Europes big names, then maybe there is a chance that we’ll become complacent, as a team, and possibly as a support.

The support , as usual, will have a part to play tonight.

Rodgers wants us to concentrate on the opposition on possession, moving into not only their path, but blocking any potential outballs.

Or we could just sing, and cheer, and try not to  moan.

And please, leave the Palestinian flags at the gate.

Days and days of debate have not settled the issue as to how, or if, the support should protest, so just give it a miss, and send some money to Amnesty or any other charity thats involved.

Its too late to withdraw, and I haven’t been able to get hold of a couple of thousand cheap Palestinian flags to flog outside the Association, so flag waving, a pointless escapade at the best of times, is out.

My point is, if you are going to do something, do something. There is probab;y no more deserving cause in the world to get behind.

Just not at the game.

Because, er, it’s a game.

And the man to win the game for us, in my eyes at least, is Leigh Griffiths, who scored forty goals last season, and for some , at least, still isn;t the real deal, to coin a lazy phrase.

Thing with the Griff though, is that every time he hears he can’t do something, well, dangnabbit, he just goes out and does it.

which, as we know, is why Zlatan Ibrahimovic didn;t sign for Celtic, as he knew that no matter how good he played, the Griff would always raise the bar.

Speaking ahead of tonights game, griffiths said;

“I feel like I am a jinx! Celticwere in the Champions League before I signed!

“But the only way I can prove myself to everybody around the world is if we get to the Champions League and I get to play there when we get there.

“That is the way I am judged, by scoring goals.

“Gary Hooper did it when he was here and, hopefully, that is how I will fondly be remembered. As one of the great players to score in the Champions League.

“Unfortunately, I have not done it yet, but if we can do it over the next two games, I will be absolutely delighted and looking forward to the chance.

“I can only score against the teams I am playing against. Everybody says he hasn’t done it in this or that. 

But look at the teams last year. I scored against Fenerbahce in the home game.

“If we get to the Champions League, it will be a great test. And if I can prove myself there I will be very happy.

“It is massive, that is where we want to be.

“That is the pinnacle of the club career, being in the Champions League, the boys who have been here the last two years have been hurting.

“Everyone keeps talking about those last two years. But we have got a chance to rectify that again.” 

The hurt of the last two campaigns is obviously still there.

Don’t tell us what you’re going to do , Griff, just go out there and do it.

Manager Brendan Rodgers reminded us why Celtic should be at the top table, and gave us a hint of what his pre match team talk might contain.

 

“This club is definitely of that European elite standard.

“When you are talking about big clubs, they are now measured in a different way.

“A big club used to be about support, history, fan-base, all of that. Celtic has all that 

“Big clubs are now deemed by money and, of course, it is a different situation up here.

“I think for European football, they need the big clubs in there. But Celtic is a big club, a huge club.

“The competition is a better place for clubs such as Celtic and Ajax, teams with this great history of the European Cup and Champions League.

“I can understand there will powers-that-be that wants these clubs in there, but Celtic has the right to be in there.

“If we are fighting and are a champions, then we have every right to be in there.

“European football deserves Celtic at the top table.

For those of you going tonight, it looks like being a wonderful “taps aff ” type of evening, giving the occasion something of an unreal air, as dark cold nights under the lights are the norm for big European games, as we are usually out before spring rolls round again.

But not this time, I’ve a feeling we’ll be involved somewhere come the spring of 2017.

And maybe even the early summer…

Told you, a guy from Greenock called Larkin told me about the spey woman who told him when I was on the Gourock to Glasgow Express…

This is going to be a good year

anyway, just in case you were wondering what to wear…

Tonight

Evening sunshine for most with clear spells overnight, although some low cloud and mist developing towards the end of the night. Cloudy across the far west with isolated showers. 

The good thing, and i mean that, is that Celtic will be wearing hoops tonight.

Which always, without exception, is a good thing.

Let the crowd roar, let the singing begin, and let Be’er Sheva know that they are playing Celtic, they of the famous hooped shirt,

We’ll close on that note, because all the hairs on the back of my nexk just came over the top of my head and into my eyes.

Don;t forget to buy your NTV tonight, you will want to show it to your friends, and a few other people, I’ll wager.

Yesterday , we showed you this..

Golden-Age-of-Campers

which was explained as this..by someone who would know, I guess, unless this isn;t his real name…

Level 5 plant August 16, 2016 at 9:53 am · Edit · Reply →

Caption,(headline in daily record) Rangers splash out on new luxury transport and accommodation.  

Here’s todays, which is probably a photoshop, unless the rumours about Kris commons putting in extra training are true..

Oh, it would be rude of me not to congratulate the under 20s after a hard fought win over cowdenbeath last night, and a special mention for the referee, who showed that there are some who know the rules, and are not afraid to uphold them.

Whilst being substitued , a Blue Brazilain made a gesture to Celtic fans, and was sent off. Before the sub came onto the field, so it actually counted. Well done.

But most of all, well done to the lads..

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Daviebhoy
7 years ago

Caption, Sinclair you had better speed up if you want to stay in the team, I am on the way back, and my bird is better than yours.
Com on the hoops, please Brendan take us to the top table HH

Monti
7 years ago

Ticket-Check
Scarf-Check
Bobby Sands T Shirt – Check
Assorted flares – Check
Palestinian flags – Check

Bobs wifes phone number – Check

COYBIG

bgbhoy
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

haha

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  bgbhoy

Only joking m8, forgot my scarf 🙂

Bob
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

And to buy your ticket

Bob
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Bully..check

Bob
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

1st game-check

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Someones lost their wife again at the weekend – Check

Monti
7 years ago

Caption: ‘ Hot dogs Hot dogs buy one get one free ‘

The Holy Poet
7 years ago

Great post Ralph and I can’t wait for tonight. You got the hairs on the back of my neck going too. It’s been a while since we’ve been this confident but confident we are. Keep up the great work. HH

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  The Holy Poet

The Holy poet,
You are confident because we have a top manager and a team is starting to perform how a Celtic side should, given time Brendan will have a team on the park that makes us proud!
HH

corktim
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Agree Monti roll on tonite and roll on the group stages HH

corktim
7 years ago
Reply to  corktim

I have my lucky Bobby Sands tshirt on Aswell Tal.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  corktim

Ooh aah!

7 years ago

Commons!…BOLT!!

Level 5 plant
7 years ago

Caption. Bolt proves he is fastest man on earth by winning Olympic gold with Celtic big bhoy Commons attached to his knee! Come on you boys in green! Shine a light tonight!

London celtic
7 years ago

Hail hail. Leave the flags at home. Come on the hoops.

GREENDAY
7 years ago

Hope Brendan, the team and the fans do us proud tonight.
Tommy Burns said when you pull on that jersey you play for a people and a cause!
Bilal Kayed is two months into a hunger strike against Israeli detention without trial. He had served 15 years and upon his release was imprisoned again without crime or trial INTERNED.Fans should protest how they wish , each in accordance with their own moral compare.
In memory of the 10

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  GREENDAY

Greenday,
I hear you comrade!

Delbhoy
7 years ago

Poor kris getting slagged again about his pace , he never ever had pace but was still a top player for us. Still feel in a three man midfield he could do a job in the number ten role.

i would be very surprised if rogic didnt start after his performance against motherwell. Have a feeling dembele will be on the bench and come on later

GREENDAY
7 years ago

Moral compass .

7 years ago
Reply to  GREENDAY

HH to That,COYBIG!!!

schoosh71
7 years ago

It really is funny that something so ‘inconsequential’ as waving a flag to highlight the ‘FACT’ that there is serious human right issues happening in one of many parts of the world, has the ‘Groupthink’ society pissing their pants. Waving a ‘FLAG’ has to be in the same realms as “aggressively blessing yourself”. ‘More Than A Club’, what does that really mean and is it really relevant anymore as the ‘Core’ Celtic support moved into the ‘middle classes’. Only my opinion. HH

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  schoosh71

Well said Schoosh!

Bondibrian
7 years ago

MON THE HOOPS! Make us proud on & off the field. Huv a great one everyone goin to the gemm. Give the Bhoys ah cheer for all the Tic fans scattered aroond the globe.

7 years ago

Send On The Beer,We,ll give em a Sheva rite oot the Qualifiers.COYBIG

mike
7 years ago

Caption, First yin hame gets Lisa!s cock a van.

Cockadoodledoo.

Well done to the young ones,darlin there the young ones and the young ones shouldnt be afraid and neither they were.
And neither should we be,fight for those hoopy jerseys show passion,skill and flair.
COYBIG.

Susan Murphy
7 years ago

Captio..”Well I may not be in the team, but I’m going to be first in the ticket queue”

HH

Sue

Hugh67
7 years ago

Caption. Cameraman catches reaction at Lennoxtown as BR shouts ” last on the training part gets Efe”

deadhead67
7 years ago

Rogic has to start

maryhillbhoy
7 years ago
Reply to  deadhead67

Very true Deadhead

7 years ago

Wave those Palestinian flags loud and proud.

Pictures of this will be shared with the people of Palestine and will be appreciated.

The only people who think this is pointless are those that are desperate that no support is shown for Palestine.

Elcormaco
7 years ago

Efe out of CL squad. That’s the first positive! All reports indicate they are a defensive team so patience required tonight.
If we get similar energy and movement as Motherwell couldn’t live with we should get the win tonight. Come on the Hoops! HH

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Elcormaco

Elcormaco,
Agreed and hopefully we score early as well, high tempo, one two touch passing.

iancelt67
7 years ago

spot on deadhead. i like your posts. you are right on the money

iancelt67
7 years ago

ralph why you would have mcgregor on instead of rogic is beyond me

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  iancelt67

iancelt,
I think Calum McGregor is underrated, i like him as he can see a through ball.
Handy player.

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Better than a pair of specs them balls,handy player,stop it ffs.yoor crackin me up.

maryhillbhoy
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Its a shame players are supposed to play with their feet

D’Fhinnein Mick
7 years ago

Caption

It’s in the bag,just before the line I run backwards and my big fat arse wins it!

iancelt67
7 years ago

in saying that i hope mcgregor has the game of his life. he has a goal in him

mike
7 years ago

OOOHHHOOOOOOO, Deadheed and Ian are luvers,or is that bruthers,identical twin posters,well i never,is that allowed?
IAN to Deedheed, your posts are divine.
Deedheed to Ian,oh thank yoo brother,so are yoors.HE.HE.
Hope we win the night bros.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

You got the Werthers in for the game?

Monti
7 years ago

Mike,
You should have invited Pensionerbhoy round for the game, Werthers original central….

iancelt67
7 years ago

thats ok mike. just look out the windae. aye thats right. you are still in dundee. should be supporting the arabs

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  iancelt67

Iancelt,
I think he is an Arab, when he goes to the bar you are left as dry as the fucking Sahara by the time he gets back with your pint.
🙂

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti, suffers from amnesia,cos every time you go to the pub with him,he forgets his wallet and thats before he gets pished,efter that we just leave him with his pipe doon his trousers connected to the can in his sock.HE HE thinks we dinny ken,ken.

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  iancelt67

Feck me and i thought i was miles away,but revenge gets sweeeter with age.
Its funny how Kinross has that tangible smell of Bonny Dundee,of marmalade and jute,plus hoor willie,daphne and Desperate Dan,Ma and Paw.
But whats that i hear,
Germany Calling, Germany Calling.Icht bein ein Berliner.VE have waves of makin yous talk.

BondiBrian
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

Am goin ti Berlin in a few weeks, will need ti find a bar showing the Tic v sevco…anyone got suggestions oot there for decent pub central Berlin????

mike
7 years ago

Joey the budgie,

Oh Brendan,why doth thy desert me Brendan,
Oh Josaphine,its cos yoor a hoor.
Oh Brendan,what do ith eye to get picked by yoor majestic self,
Oh Josaphine,just bend doon and brush my shoos.
Okay docky cocky.
Bend doon and touch ma taes,touch ma taes,touch ma taes,bend doon and touch ma taes to my majestic (with the emphises on the tic bit)Brendan.

iancelt67
7 years ago

an arab jew what a conundrum

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  iancelt67

We are al part of the tic family,Arab, Jew, Papist agnostic (there my favourit cos of the tic bit)Proddy and i LUV them all.

Oztim67
7 years ago

What will be the consequences of waving Palestinian flags at the game?

We ridiculed our last coach for not getting us into the group stage.

We now have the makings of a quality team with a top class coach and a great chance of qualifying for the group stage. Now we could jeopardize that, for the waving a flag.

We have to think of the big picture and that is playing in the group stage of the Champions League, where we belong.

Come on the Hoops!

The Cha
7 years ago
Reply to  Oztim67

Slim and no chance of expulsion and slim’s left town.

iancelt67
7 years ago

mike im scunnered. help ma boab. its clootie puddin that ma made. pc murdoch is shaggin soapy soutar nand fat boab wants in on a mad love triangle

iancelt67
7 years ago

never quite got why maggie broon didnt fuck off from such a dysfunctional family

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  iancelt67

Whit do yoo mean,speakin about montis wife like that,or boab for that matter,did yoo ken that Monti and Boab were brothers?
btw I luv just luv clootie dumplin.

maryhillbhoy
7 years ago
Reply to  iancelt67

Its not dysfunctional in Dundee its average mate

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  maryhillbhoy

FFAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTTTTT.

iancelt67
7 years ago

thinking about gettin a but and ben up your way mike. any inroads into the dundee market mike?

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  iancelt67

Iancelt,
Fintry Drive is erm…….cough.

iancelt67
7 years ago

not like gairbraid avenue maryhill boy . spent my youth running away from the fernie boys got a power of doins on the garscube rd .

7 years ago

Hail Hail To Palestine, Sing it loud sing it proud, and wave the flag of our oppressed brothers and sisters,let them know we will not bow to greed,and to abusive powers by football authority’s over the rights of a man to be free.
The higher you build your barriers
The taller I become
The further you take my rights away
The faster I will run
You can deny me, you can decide
To turn your face away
No matter ’cause there’s
Something inside so strong
I know that I can make it
Though you’re doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone, oh no
There’s something inside so strong
Oh oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, something inside so strong
The more you refuse to hear my voice (ooh-weh ooh-weh ooh-weh ooh-weh)
The louder I will sing
You hide behind walls of Jericho (ooh-weh ooh-weh ooh-weh ooh-weh)
Your lies will come tumbling
Deny my place in time, you squander wealth that’s mine
My light will shine so brightly it will blind you
Because there’s
Something inside so strong
I know…
Free Palestine Up the Ra COYBIG

iancelt67
7 years ago

fucking kill for a roll and lorne sausage now

7 years ago

Also listening to this on the iPad, brilliant song by the Dubliners.
Free The People”

Laws were made for people
And the law can never scorn
The right of a man to be free

Free the people!
Let them have their say
Free the people!
Let them see the light of day

A dismal dawn was breaking when they took her man away
Not knowing what was his crime
Just what he was guilty of not one of them could say
But they’ll think of something in time
He says: “Goodbye and remember
We shall overcome”

Free the people!
Let them have their say
Free the people!
Let them see the light of day

Comforting her children softly crying in the night
She tries very hard to explain
You know, your Daddy never did a thing that wasn’t right
So soon he’s bound to be home again
He is a good man
And he shall overcome

Free the people!
Let them have their say
Free the people!
Let them see the light of day

What does it profit him
The right to be born
If he suffers the loss of liberty?
Laws were made for people
And the law can never scorn
The right of a man to be free
We are the people
And we shall overcome

We are the people
And we shall overcome

Free the people!
Let them have their say
Free the people!
Let them see the light of day!
Free the people!
Let them have their say
Free the people!
Let them see the light of day
Free Palestine Up the RA TAL COYBIG

iancelt67
7 years ago

on the pish now will be watching the game with one eye if im lucky

iancelt67
7 years ago

dont like the “we are the people” line jimmy

7 years ago
Reply to  iancelt67

But you see m8 we are they are just the great pretenders. Haha.
Think that’s how it doesn’t get played,but a wonderful song, during troubled times. Hail Hail

iancelt67
7 years ago

it was on a dreary new years eve when the shades of light came down
a lorryload of volunteers approached the border town
there were men from dublin and from cork fermananagh and tyrone
but the leader was a limerick town sean south of garryowen
SEAN SOUTH

lets get right intae these usurping c….ts

7 years ago

Fans will be looking att Griff Dembele Sinclair etc, try Lustig at 20/1 first goal scorer,but better still he is 7/1 to score anytime.
I can see him getting into more forward positions tonight.
Also like Celtic to win 3-0 can’t see them scoring over here.
But to be honest I think we can beat them away as well.

7 years ago

Nae team news yet…come on lads we are slipping

bgbhoy
7 years ago
Reply to  desimond

information lockdown

watts app ignored

Monti
7 years ago

Gordon

Lustig
Toure
Sviatchenko
Tierney

Brown
Rogic
McGregor
Sinclair

Griffiths
Démbéle

iancelt67
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

monti i concur. leave armstrong and mcgregor for the toils of spl bring ciftci on if were up for nuisance value

iancelt67
7 years ago

oh you put mcgregor on. ok. dont agree here but as i said before he has a goal in him

iancelt67
7 years ago

if bitton or johansen are fit. then either, either before mcgregor. johansen played well against astana. played a killer ball to griff he has it in his locker. but he may be moving on and not fully commited

7 years ago

Is Eric fit enough to play in this match? If so go three at the back. They will only play with 1 up.
Gordon
Eric. Toure OConnell,
Lustig RWB. Tierney LWB
Brown. Johansen. Centre mids.
Dembele. Griff. Sinclair.
Subs Goale Janko Armstrong McGregor Cifti Forrest Rogic.
HH

Honest Hoops
7 years ago

2-0 to the mighty Celtic tonight, keep the same team as was against murder well, they kept pressing the midfield, bags of energy, C’mon the Hoops!!!!

portpower
7 years ago

This is going to be a 6-7 bong game, Ghirls and Bhoys.

Celts 4-1.

COYBIG

Caption:

Meep! Meep!

mike
7 years ago

Gordons shortbreed.

Lustig, Toora loo Sviat Tiernyintathembassas.

Golden Brown sparkling and bright,get it up them cos it will be alright on the night,Rogic the dip stic, and Fanny mcgregor,or a bitton the side,better not be bit on the slide, Sinclair sweeties, griff the faither of 50 weans and Jamesybhoy the new wave,the modern hoor willie. 4-3-3.Amen.

mike
7 years ago

Hit me baby one mair time.
Gordons Gin.
Lustig lubrecunts.
Toor a looraloory,
Sviet,cornetto,give it to meoh.
Golden Brown,hair golden and brown.
Rogic the Aussie cobler.
Bitton the side.
Sinclair sweeties or powdered milk,one titortwo.
Griff the population exploder.
Jamesybhoy, one quiff or two. 4-3-3 Halliluya.

Ayrcsc
7 years ago

Buzzin oot ma boobs for this the night, a few calmers needed for the butterflies… Confident but this team are nae mugs, patience needed.

Hh and free Palestine.

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