With the football off, there’s always other things to do at the weekends. I live quite close to the massive Alton Towers theme park, so thats always an option.
Especially now they’ve replaced the old “fast track ” ticket with the new “clear track ” pass.
July 1, only a few weeks away, is when it all starts again. Thankfully.
All we need now is the champions league draw to fill in the gaps. The full list of teams in the first round draw is;
Unseeded teams coef. ------------------------ --- ---------------- ------------------------ --- ---------------- The New Saints Wal 5.575 Crusaders Belfast Nir 2.475 Levadia Tallinn Est 4.200 B36 Torshavn Far 1.450 Pyunik Yerevan Arm 3.550 Lincoln Red Imps Gib 0.550 FC Santa Coloma And 2.666 Folgore Sma 0.349
They will play off and enter the second round, along with
| 2nd Qualifying Round (34 teams) |
|---|
Seeded teams coef. Unseeded teams coef. ------------------------ --- ---------------- ------------------------ --- ---------------- Steaua Bucuresti Rom 40.259 The New Saints * Wal 5.575 Celtic Sco 39.080 FK Sarajevo Bos 5.500 APOEL Nicosia Cyp 35.460 FK Ventspils Lat 5.350 BATE Borisov Bls 35.150 Dila Gori Geo 4.875 Ludogorets Razgrad Bul 25.350 AS Trencín Svk 4.250 Dinamo Zagreb Cro 24.700 Levadia Tallinn * Est 4.200 NK Maribor Slo 22.225 Zalgiris Vilnius Lit 3.900 Maccabi Tel-Aviv Isr 18.200 FK Astana Kaz 3.825 CH Pol 17.300 - 24.800 Milsami Orhei Mol 3.750 Partizan Belgrade Srb 14.775 Pyunik Yerevan * Arm 3.550 Malmö FF Swe 12.545 Rudar Pljevlja Mon 3.375 Garabag Agdam Azb 11.500 Vardar Skopje Mac 3.175 HJK Helsinki Fin 11.140 Stjarnan FC Isl 3.100 Molde FK Nor 10.375 FC Santa Coloma * And 2.666 FC Midtjylland Den 7.960 CS Fola Esch Lux 2.525 Videoton Fehérvár Hun 7.950 Dundalk Irl 2.150 Skënderbeu Korçë Alb 5.575 Hibernians FC Mlt 1.591 |
Of course, it’s all regionalised at this stage, so you can safely say it’ll be Iceland , Ireland or Wales. It usually is.
You’ll notice that one of the friendlies is against Real sociedad, currently managed by former Celt Davie Moyes, who is in the middle of his round europe football management tour. He may not even be manager then, as he is being touted for a return to England, but you’d hope he was. Otherwise, according to ScottishFitba Net, there may be some confusion;
Real Sociedad, managed by David Moyes, will be heading to Glasgow in early July to take on Scottish champions Celtic in a pre-season friendly. Ex-Celtic player Moyes, who spent three years with the Hoops as a player in the early 1980s, will be bringing his La Liga side to Scotland on Friday 10 July. The game will be played at St Mirren Park Paisley because Parkhead is undergoing a refurbishment.
At least Moyes will know that St. Mirren Park is not in Glasgow. Otherwise, the Sociedad staff will have to keep an eye out for the ground as the plane lands in Paisley.
The friendlies, all in Paisley should provide enough opposition to waken the players from their summer slumber, and the fact that they are not being played in the USA, or australia , is a sign that Ronny is in charge of the football these days, and not anyone with a calculator and a bank statement.
A glance at the out of contract players in the SPL reveals that Dundee Utd keeper Radislow Czierniak is out of contract. If we need good back up, and Czierniak has always played well against Celtic, then we could do worse.
If only to see the look on Jolly Jackie MacNamara’s face.
Whoever “helps ” Chris Sutton with his newspaper column clearly hasn’t been doing his research. “Sutton 2 claims he worries that the signing of Dedryck Boyata will see the exit of Virgil van Dijk, despite the Belgian stating that one of the reasons he came to Celtic was to play alongside van Dijk, which was explained to him by manager Ronny Deila;
My only concern is how the signing will affect the club’s thinking about Virgil van Dijk. Deila has stated his desire to keep him but if a silly money bid comes in it will be hard to resist.
“Boyata and van Dijk have the makings of a top partnership but whether they will get the chance remains to be seen.”
If Sutton wants, I’ll write his column for him from now on. It’ll be funnier, have more pictures in it , and probably be more accurate.
Well, it’ll be funnier and have more pictures in it, anyway.
But at least it would be honest.
I hate that when something turns out to be completely different from what the title suggests.
Like the TV programme “Changing Rooms “, which turned out to be an enormous letdown.
There was another letdown yesterday for supporters of Scotlands newest club when their transfer policy was revealed on Newsnow;
With no season books on sale, and the board all away on other business, it must be a relief to know that they are getting on with something, even if they are not sure what it is.
Bilel Moshni.the comic centre half who has left the club under a bit of a cloud, has made some startling revelations;
“McCoist isn’t on Gardening Leave – he was fired”
This comes from the “Ibrox Noise ” blog, which is refreshingly honest about all things about the club.
Mohsni claims that rather than McCoist receiving a monthly wage of £72,000 for doing nothing, the former chief was paid off in full to the nature of his entire year’s £850,000 salary and presumably has signed a confidentiality contract prohibiting him from ever publicly revealing it.
The former Southend stopper said:
“The big mistake was to sack McCoist in the middle of the season. After theysacked him no one knew what was happening at the club. It was like a mess so it is normal that we didn’t get promoted. Everything was a shambles.”
It is of course possible something has been lost in translation here, but if it has not, and indeed Mohsni’s English is pretty good, then the entire “Gardening Leave” story is a total lie and public relations exercise.
The curiosity is whether the truth looks bad, indeed good, for McCoist, or for the ex-board. And may also explain why the current regime has been extremely vague about discussions with McCoist. Dave King has claimed, very specifically, that he understands McCoist’s contract is still being paid:
“Ally McCoist is still being paid by the club, I think through to the end of his contract. That’s my understanding, he’s still being paid.”
If McCoist has already been outright fired and paid off, then King is being ‘economical’ with the truth. And if there is indeed a confidentiality clause, that is probably why.
King ? Telling lies ? Who’d have thought it ?
The search for a manager goes on, with more names being bandied about by a lamb soaked media, when in truth , the club faces the armageddon that they were supposed to inflict on everyone else as soon as next Friday.
Here’s a thought.
Last season, when banks and finance companies refused to offer facilities to the Ibrox club to enable season books to be paid for in stages, it was Mike Ashley who provided the required security.
Now that he’s a little miffed with King and his acolytes, perhaps he’s withdrawn that facility, and thats why there’s no books available at this point.
Don’t forget, Celtic have already completed their renewal period.
Hearts have sold over ten thousand.
They haven’t even got any on sale yet.
For those of an Ibrox persuausion, there was always the Orange Fest to cheer them up.
Despite a pitiful turnout, the crowd staunchly supported their cause, and refused to have their enthusiasm dampened by the inclement conditions;
Organiser Edward Hyde said;
“Unfortunately due to the velocity of the wind we’ve had to cancel some things. Other than that the event has gone very well.
“It’s been a wonderful day, despite the weather.”
Certainly looks like the fun and laughter never stopped;
Before the event, Hyde had said:
“Most people’s only experience of the Order is if they happen upon a street parade.
“They know little or nothing about the Order’s purpose, the huge contribution we have made and still make to the life of our wonderful city, nor the amazing extent of our charity work.
“Hopefully our Heritage Day will demolish a few myths and give people a better understanding of who we are and what we stand for.”
I think it’s pretty much already out there.
Here’s an example of their tolerance;
Still, maybe they’ll not bother next year. Or any other year after that.
Barcelona became only the sixth club to emulate Celtic’s 1967 achievement of winning the European cup, domestic league and domestic cup in the same season. So well done to them.
They beat Juventus 3-1 in a game that saw the Catalan side take a lead after just four minutes, and me decide to watch House Of Cards on Netflix instead.
Juventus’s Leintsteiner complained afterwards about players being dragged down in the penalty area
Irony can be pretty ironic sometimes.
Afterwards, one Barcelona player ( I’m not going to grass ) planted a Catalan flag in the centre circle, and decided to send his win bonus straight to UEFA.
Mike Galloway was the Celt in the picture yesterday, one of a rare breed who would run through a brick wall for the club. Not the most eloquent of players, but his heart was always in it.
Right, whats the occasion here ?
It can’t be a celebration of 60 years of European cup winners. Where is oldco rangers who have won it 5 times according to their shirts.
I am pretty sure that newco R*****s have also won the big cup 5 times. An amazing feat for a club who have been in existence for 3 years.
We should all applaud this wonderful achievement
The honest league of gentlemen.
Celebration of Deadheads Academy of Thoughtful Insight and Astute Observation
Desi
You on something??
H H
Who the heck are Folgore of Sma? And why are the powdered milk company now classed as a country which is permitted to compete in the CL? Has the corruption now spread to UEFA’s offices?
Club from San Marino – wonderful name.
FMcG
I know. I thought the list had something to do with the average size and ages of the teams players. Mind you, it is UEFA so don’t expect simplicity – or should that be the other way round.
H H
Cheers Bhoys. Wouldn’t be the worst trip in the world for the 2nd round, both in a playing and a scenic sense.
Ralph
Thought you would have had a day off but glad you didn’t because I am twiddling my thumbs and worried where they might go next. I know I have cajoled you in days of yore for giving too much focus to the colour blue but during this close season there is simply no better topic than the Govan circus.
“I live quite close to the massive Alton Towers theme park, so thats always an option.” I just want to say before you fly off don’t go big dipping or lose track. Otherwise, tomorrow this comment could be a eulogy.
Thank you for all the info on the upcoming summer games. It is so much easier than trawling through the Celtic site. Sometimes I think it was created by an orienteering fanatic. I am surprised the daily toilet paper has not got Mr. Moyes replacing Ronny seeing he is coming to Scotland. There’s time yet for the clowns. Maybe Chris will win the race. He seems to be forging ahead of most at the moment with his inane observations. I don’t often take issue with your much superior knowledge and writing skill but I do have to question this claim “Well, it’ll be funnier……”. Come on! Than the Dirty Ringer???
Well I see the rain in Georges square on Saturday was not quite in tune with the first orange reign a few centuries ago. It looked like there was a wind of change howling quite fiercely, perhaps indicating it was time to blow away any notion of resurrecting a dying idealism of centuries ago. One gets the impression that particular orange has been pealed, dissected and devoured. Here’s hoping.
Finally, Ralph. See that bit from the papers about Paisley, is there any chance the whole Diary type could be that size. That would mean I needn’t use two jeely jars to read it. Just a thought – and it would not leave enough room for my comments. That would go down a bomb (is it ok to use that word?).
By the way, I think you summed Mike Galloway up perfectly. I liked him simply because he gave his all to the cause even though it often wasn’t very much.
Today’s photo? I am not sure of the significance but a machine gun anybody? Then I saw the picture at the back with the 60 years and guessed it might be to do with the presentations to all the EC & CL winners recently.
H H
Meant to say, Juventus FC should be renamed Juventus Thugees. Last night proved why we never beat them and why I have always maintained European refs are no better than ours. There should have been at least three Juve players with two yellows if not more.
H H
I see there is some reticent renewals of seasons tickets mostly due to game times dictated by a pisspoor TV deal and value for money. Maybe time for the club brain trust to think about getting most home games on Saturday at 2.00 or 3.00 pm and providing a pre match and post match activities. Food stalls, music, liberal licensing, kids activities etc. even get the nearby pubs involved in match day experience. Inside the ground better and faster concessions for food and drink and maybe roving vendors delivering drinks and food to seats. I loved the Celtic Way idea and banners now home games as festivals celebrations of our pride in our team and the wider Celtic family could be great with lots of fun and options. As long as the team are delivering attractive winning football, for ever I hope, every Saturday home game would be a festival. There over to you brain trust!
BBhoy,
I, and many others including Ralph, have long been extolling the virtues of enhancing the match day experience at CP. Don’t get me wrong, the Kerrydale bar and The Celtic Way are both great starts but let’s get something going for the kids and those who ain’t too predisposed to standing in a heaving bar for a few hours. We should especially be making an effort for our Brothers and Sisters who travel from down sarf, over by and from all remote corners of Scotland to spend all day at CP and keep the green pound in the clubs pocket. We are getting there but still have a very long way to go.
The last few Rangers boards on Death Row tying to get their sentence reduced to 60 to Life ®
Pics from George Square are a real joy to behold. Empty heads in an empty square in pissing rain and gales. Not quite what the ‘Doctor’ (Paisley) would have ordered. Hell slap it intae them until they die and go there. Does “charitable” to them mean what ‘nepotism’ means to the rest of us. I’ve seen them too often in my home-town in the past, a venomous shower with nothing but hatred of Catholics and Irish Republicans to bond them. Just go away and die, like your favourite team so obligingly did when they went into Liquidation around 3 years ago.
On a happier note:
Is the caption ” Michel Platini, this is your Wife” (sans Eamonn Andrews?)
Today in dublin there was half irish / eng scarfs for sale outside landsdowne.
Then the irish fans booed Sterling everytime he touched the ball.
Just letting you’s all know what the Lge of Ireland is up against.
And maybe answers the question recently asked.
Shocking stuff, isnt it!?
Is the photo “Meeting Of the 60 million (in bribes) high club”?