It doesn’t have the glamour of the Champions League. A trip to norway in October’t compare to a visit to Munich or Madrid-although it does beat Manchester.
Yet the butterflies are already nestling in the bottom of ,y stomach ahead of tomorrows game with Molde, and it appears to be affecting both camps as well.
Stefan Johansen, already singled out by Molde and promised a miserable homecoming, spoke on behalf of the hoops;
Molde have done well, surprisingly well. What they did away to Fenerbahce was impressive and, although they struggled at home to Ajax, they did well to get the draw.
‘But there is a reason why I went from Norway to Scotland. Celtic are a better team than Molde and the Scottish league is, in my eyes, a notch up from the Norwegian League.
His first statement lends belief to the feeling that Molde may have peaked in their first game, the win at Fenerbache, but it also hints at a little complacency in his own mind. Complacency is not something Celtic need right now.
We’ve seen in both games thus far that the team doesn’t have a ninety minute concentration cycle, and if anything, thats what the management should be working on. Well, apart from passing, shooting, defending and positioning from set pieces.
Thats probably the reason for the butterflies. We simply have no idea which Celtic team will turn up. The disciplined and professional side that fought out in Qarabag, or the one thats taken its place since.
Johansen continued, although, as with so many from Celtic these days, you really wish he hadn’t;
At the same time I think that Molde, Rosenborg and Valerenga could certainly do well in the Scottish league.
‘Of course it will be tough to go to Molde and win but, for me, it will be fun to meet so many friends.
‘Vegard Forren and Martin Linnes I know well from the national team and, in addition, I am good friends with Harmeet Singh and Fredrik Gulbrandsen and many of the boys there so it is a special game for me.
No. no complacency there. He thinks he’s on a works outing.
Of course, as the rest of the squad set sail yesterday, there was no sign of this feeling spreading.
If you didn’t have butterflies before reading this, you probably have now.
Any chance you can give us some positive thoughts , Stefan ?
We have led in both our Europa League matches, but against Ajax we made a mess of it because of a red card and a late set piece.
I was hoping for a bit more than that, to be honest.
And against Fenerbahce, we made some individual mistakes which ruined it for us.
‘We would rather have six points, but we still have every chance to go further.
‘There’s no doubt both the players and the fans would rather see this club in the Champions League, but we didn’t get through, that’s just how it is.’
Aha. Thats it.
The players are beeling because they aren’t in the Champions League. They sweep in front of what they consider to be inferior teams and then switch off, and of course these teams are no mugs, so they hit back.
Inadvertently, we may have hit on the problem which has led to the complacency.
Well, how about the players take a hard look at themselves instead of whinging about their current situation. Only two teams can win European trophies every season, and theres no reason why, with a bit of effort and pride, Celtic cannot be one of them.
With Johansen not exactly filling his supporters with confidence, and decrying the fact that Celtic were in the Europa, Keith Jackson of the Record managed to give supporters of now defunct Rangers a chance to feel like they were involved at this level. Which , of course, they are not, because they died in 2012.
Tore Andre Flo’s cousin Per-Egil tells Celtic boss Molde will wreck his Norway return
Tore Andre Flo, as you recall, cost British taxpayers £12m, although at the time, it was alleged Rangers had bought him.
PER-EGIL-FLO – a family relation of the former £12million Rangers striker – is aware of the pressure Deila’s side will be under tomorrow night in his homeland.
“ Ronny is not the only one who thinks he’ll get six points from
Molde. All the teams in the group said they’d take six points from us.
“But we are taking it one game at a time and trying to prove them wrong.
“I don’t know Ronny personally, only from playing against his old team.
“But he has a big reputation in Norway and we know he could come under pressure if he doesn’t do well in this group. But we can’t think about him or feel sorry for him.
“All we can do is think about ourselves. And we are going to do whatever we can to win.
“I don’t know if it would be embarrassing for Ronny to leave here without three points. But of course everyone knows they are the big favourites. So for them anything but a victory will be a disappointment.
“That puts pressure on them and that’s good for us. We are the underdogs in all our games in this group.
“But now we have made such a good start we realise we can achieve something. So the results that we’ve had mean the pressure is bigger for us too.”
In preparation for a possible “embarassment ” tomorrow, Jackson refers to Molde as the “Norwegian minnows “, which must be a shortened way of saying “Norwegian champions and current Group A leaders. ”
It’s the papers way of setting up Fridays headline.
At times it may seem the diary is a little harsh on the newspapers, and with circulation now entrenched in a downward spiral, I thought I’d put in a wee picture-newspaper porn if you like-to cheer them up and get them all excited.
Dave King is a big fan of the written media.
Do you like the picture Dave ?
Avrild Stavrum, ex Chelsea manager, was a little more realistic about the game;
“It’s fair to say not many people thought Molde would be top of the group at this stage. Norwegian teams haven’t done so well in Europe in recent years and if they can go on and qualify it would be a huge surprise.
“It wasn’t in the script, that’s for sure.
“They have done that so far against Fenerbahce and Ajax but it would be a major surprise if they got out of the group – even now.
“They’ve done really well so far but there is still a feeling there is a long way to go.
“Have I been surprised by them so far? Yes and no. They are a good side and have been very strong in the last couple of seasons.
Of all the things that have so far been said about Molde, this, perhaps , is the one to take note of.
“……I felt they were capable of getting some good results in Europe.
“When the draw was made I think most people looked at Ajax and Fenerbahce as being the strong sides and Celtic as well. Everyone in Norway has a lot of respect for Celtic, and they know how tough they are to play against, especially in Glasgow.
“It’s going to be a tough game for both sides. Molde have not performed so well in the league this season.
“They should have done better but they have been able to focus on the Europa League.
“That’s been their advantage so far.”
“Molde have confidence but they know the games against Celtic will be really tough. The game in Glasgow will be especially difficult as everyone here knows about Celtic’s incredible home record.
Eh ?
“Celtic is a big name in Norway and they will have a lot of respect. They know they are in for a tough night and they will have to be at their best to get anything from the game.
“A lot of people here will look at the Malmo game. I would say at the moment Malmo are a little better than Molde, but there’s not a huge difference.
“I see it as a very open game. Celtic are a dangerous team but they like to attack and there could be a few goals.”
Of course, it isn’t going to be easy, far from it.
But if the players do what they are capable of for ninety minutes then a season defining victory will be in their grasp. They just have to realise its where they are as a group right now, and they need to prove they are the best at their level.
One thing we can be thankful for is that referee Alan Muir will be nowhere near the game. He was in charge of the Falkirk Hibs game last night, and sought to make amends for his mistake by actually awarding a penalty to a side in green and white.
But, of course, it appears he got it wrong again;
Even alan Stubbs admitted afterwards that it was “soft “, which is what managers say when they know they were lucky.
But the fact remains, Muir isn’t , shall we be diplomatic, on his game at the moment and perhaps should be rested, to take some of the pressure of him.
Maybe a wee holiday….one of those camps where he can relax and work on his state of mind.
Theres one or two from the SFA he could take with him. this time, we’ll gladly approve the payment of their expenses.
Away from all that, and back to our own.
Norway CSC have a wee list of tips and hints to help those of you heading over for the game;
Oh , alright, it’s a best pubs guide.
But thats all you need, right ?
The pic yesterday, which we cannot now reproduce again, something about the offensive behaviour act , or is it the lewd and libenous behaviour act, I get mixed up, fetured a happy bunch of chappies celebrating something or other.
Today, a caption competition..
Derk Boerrigter arrives for his first photo session at Celtic ?
Ach, you can do better.
Tell you what, lets finish on a song. Penned by Charlie Saiz,
“A Penny In Hand”
(To the tune of The Ballad of Billy Reid)
We’ll sing you a song and lt won’t take us long
It’s the story of old Celtic past
Bout’ a man who broke bread for the poor that he fed
And the Club that he built so steadfast
Brother Walfrid had said the kids must be fed
They would smile with a penny in hand
That they needn’t now cry as we tell you why
The Celtic mission was grand
It all started that day on the 28th of May
The Bold Bhoys ran out to the cheer of the fans
The game it was won played with purpose and fun
To the joy of 2000 new fans
Brother Walfrid had said the kids must be fed
They would smile with a penny in hand
That they needn’t now cry as we tell you why
The Celtic mission was grand
When counting the funds after beating the hunz
The help for the poor had began
Their position was dire but Club would aspire
To do all that it possibly can
Brother Walfrid had said the kids must be fed
That they would smile with a penny in hand
That they needn’t now cry and we’ll tell you why
The Celtic mission was grand
Now they were fed with soup and with bread
They now made their way to the ground
The greatful had said they would never forget
How the Celtic had turned their lives round
Brother Walfrid had said the kids must be fed
That they would smile with a penny in hand
That they needn’t now cry as we tell you why
The Celtic mission was grand
Now come join us tonight beneath the floodlights
Sing songs with the many amassed
For the words Walfrid said that the poor must be fed
Apply now as they did in the past
Brother Walfrid had said the kids must be fed
That they would smile with a penny in hand
That they needn’t now cry and we tell you why
The Celtic mission was grand
(repeat)
Brother Walfrid had said the kids must be fed
That they would smile with a penny in hand
That they needn’t now cry and we tell you why
The Celtic mission was grand.
Is that a ‘build your own centre half’ kit?
Haw Lawwell!! Get yer argos card out!!
“Furfucksakes whit use is a man if there’s nae big boaby in the box?”
Very funny once again.Brightens up many mornings.
Not too shabby a song either.
No word so far on Nir Bitons injury.He will be vital for us.I would take the draw.A draw in the other game would be a great result for us.
Caption .
Peter Lawell has broke the bank to land a marquee striker for Celtic .
The Six Million Dollar Celt .
He said, We can rebuilt him , Ronny can reprogram him , John Collins can redo his hair and John Kennedy can reboot him ®
No Butterflies for me, just sheer frustration and disillusionment as to where Celtic are going.
No matter how hard I try, I just feel we are directionless!
The Poem was nice Charlie!
Cheers I put it to one of my favourite tunes.
Has anyone from Celtic asked any questions about Alan Muir yet?
Has anyone from the club asked Police Scotland why our fans are being threatened with pepper spray?
Q.C. Paul McBride you are missed sir!
lets see if ole gunner soljkaer is better than our own norwegian hero ronny deila shall we??
Charlie Saiz are you a hun ha ha
Let’s just keep it tae naw charlie.
For the sake of common decency 😉
why are the huns at work peddling the same club nonsense so much the last couple of days? do they knwo somwething i dont??
MK3 must be a very real proposition if they are stepping it up as you say bg.
Sorry it’s “RANG3RS”
Because they are inbred!
If all are fit I would like to see the following team take to the park:
…………..GORDON
.
LUSTIG BOYATA AMBROSE IZAGUIRRE
.
………BROWN BITTON
.
..FORREST JOHANSEN MACKAY-S
‘
””””””GRIFFITHS
Ambrose????
Aye ok Charlie, that should tighten things up at the back.
Ambrose is a goal down!
He was probably our best defender at the weekend though you won’t here too many admit it.
Ambrose only ever comes in for comment when he fucks up.
He’s fit,quick and capable of defending very well at times.
Yes he has had his faults but I think he’s been unlucky to get singled out at times when more fancied defenders have got off very lightly indeed.
You cannot fault the guy for input or commitment.
So against a mediocre European outfit like Molde I would certainly give him the benefit of the doubt.
Rather him than a half fit signing who’s only played 1 game this Season any day.
Charlie – Forrest is out. – Armstrong in on left with Johansen dropping back deeper???
Monti – if not Ambrose then… who/what? – Would you risk Blackett or Simunovic, OR …..??
Simunovic!
Or rather than risk him, play Janko at right back with Lustig beside Boyata, Izzy LB
“Avrild Stavrum, ex Chelsea manager”……..make that the 3rd rate ex-Aberdeen ‘striker’!
Were you thinking of Avram Grant?
Regarding Johansen and his pointless comments, I’d bench him tomorrow and deny him his little old-boys re-union. That attitude stinks. It’s not like he’s been pulling up any tree’s so far this season and if he’s sulking because we’re not in the CL then he needs a good wake-up call. I’d sooner see Armstrong play the left-midfield role until such time as this complacent, ‘Big Time’, attitude is sorted.
Celtic 2-1.
Armstrong has been gash he came back.
I would rather have Johansens movement and energy in the hole myself see if we can get round or through them with both Smiler and Jamesie down the sides.
Bit harsh Charlie, do you not think he combined well with Izzy on Saturday, admittedly against a poor Motherwell? He claims to have been fighting injury for a while so perhaps we’ll see the Armstrong we signed rather than the guy who returned after the summer. GMS has been consistently poor still so that is why I’d have Armstrong ahead of GMS in your proposed team.
As for defence beside Boyata…..Ambrose/Blackett/take a chance on a returning from injury Simunovic? All fans can do is guess, we don’t know how fit he is generally, but unless he’s nowhere near capable of doing a job I’d get Simunovic in there asap.
The rest of your team I agree with, is Griffiths recovered from the injury that kept him on the bench on Saturday?
I though his passing was poor and he looked fucked after 40 minutes.
He has just returned to the side Charlie.
That’s a bit harsh on Armstrong, when you come back into the side after injury it takes a bit of time Charlie.
Armstrong is a very important player to Celtic.
Neither have been much use though Johansen has still been doing the donkey work /closing down that is required.
He has been been gash so like Johansen when he’s gash I will say so.
And I’ll say your talking pish when you are!
@Monti
And of course I will ignore you all the same.
Hi Chas,
I agree, GMS is a good option down the left.
Away from home in Europe we need players who will dig-in, physically and mentally, for the duration of the game. Flair is good to have, but in these Euro games we need to earn the right to display it first. Johansen (and others)has picked up needless bookings in a number of these away ties. That’s not smart or helpful when you’re a combative midfielder. We need smart, disciplined players tomorrow. We have enough loose cannons as it is!(Broonie, Izzy, Efe, Ciftci please take note!)
Johansen has as explained his poor form this season on a back injury….it’s Deila that shouldn’t be picking him.
As for Johansen’s attitude, this is a serious problem at Celtic under Deila, he himself started it all off with constantly talking about winning the treble.
The manager is the figurehead of the team and must lead by example, talk of Trebles is annoying, obnoxious and can only spur the opposition.
I want Celtic to do their talking with results, Ronny and some players need to learn this…fast.
I don’t have any issue with a Manager setting his target for the season personally that’s his choice and he’s entitled to it.
Could well be a Norwegian trait to be honest and open when asked a diect question so I’m not going to hold it against them.
Johansen whilst not performing at his best still puts in a shift I think moreso than Armstrong who when under performing becomes extra baggage.
So firing up the opposition needlessly and playing into the hands of a gleeful Hun media, is to Celtic’s benefit is it?
It’s irrelevant it changes nothing Monti.
He’s just stating a fact that’s all.
It isn’t irrelevant at all, the media wait on soundbites like the ones currently coming out of CP and use it to fuel our opposition.
Look at the John Collins quote of Scottish players ” not being quick enough or intelligent enough” that is downright disrespect!
He may think he’s right in what he was saying, but why say it publicly, to a media only too willing to kick the club?
I’m sure I’m not the only Celtic supporters who can’t stand these stupid fucking comments from managers and players.
Caption: “Despite Brown being left in pieces by the Motherwell defender, he was cautioned for diving by referee Muir”
Caption: Sorry Mr Murray, are you interested in the part of ‘ Murphy ‘ in the new Robocop movie?
My favourite Tore Andre Flo story concerns the press conference where it was announced that he had been transferred out of Ibrox. The PR guy solemnly told the eager masses: “We bought him for 12 million, sold him for six and saved six in wages. So we broke even.” Meanwhile the nodding dogs of the Scottish media just sat there and failed to question this blatant abuse of basic economics.
Just got my Proxy form in for the AGM .
Resolution 1 -9 not to bothered about but will definitely vote for resolution 10 . Living Wage Employer.
Any thoughts on this , cheers .
Gordon
Janko
Lustig
Boyata
Izaguirre
Brown
Bitton
Armstrong
Johansen
Commons
Griffiths
Talyor swift has found buddy holly.
Monti, that is also who I would pick but leave it at 4-2-3-1 per usual. We need to change our formation sometimes though but not tomorrow. If Forrest was fit, I would prefer him and Commons out wide, with Johansen in the middle. Rogic was very poor against Motherwell. His shooting was wayward and his passing kamikaze. Johansen owes us a big performance and I think Norway might be the place. I like Efe as a person but as a defender he gives me the DTs. If Simunovic ever recovers from his mystery ailment he might partner Boyata as our best combo. Lustig and Izzy both bomb down the flanks. I’m happy with Janko starting though.Not yet sure about Blackett. Izzy is still very good. Forrest and Mackay-Steven can both unlock defences but we need Commons’ experience to start. I think 70 minutes is about the right time to sub in any match that doesn’t go to overtime and penalties.
I think a 2-2 draw but maybe luck will be on our side. We can’t afford to lose though.
Devoy,
I agree with all of that!
Ambrose had a decent game at the weekend overlapped the full game so he for me should be getting the nod.
I would not be starting Lustig as a CB personally he would be far more comfortable playing his usual role at RB.
Bring Janko on when Lustig runs out of energy (as is often the case).
Charlie,
Lustig has played in the middle of the Swedish defence on many occasions, I think he has the experience and ability to play that position for the odd 90 mins.
How many times does Ambrose have to cost Celtic before some folk smell the coffee?
He’s shite!
He’s that shite he’s played 2 short of 150 games for Celtic 34 of which in Europe and played 46 times for his country.
Winning an African Nations Cup.
He’s not shite Monti but he has been prone to making mistakes.
Played as well as anyone at the weekend and if way fitter than Lustig and Jozo right now a fact that seems to be lost on some.
He looks fa more comfortable on the left side of the Central pairing than on the right.
Perhaps this is down to fact he no longer needs to cut inside to make a pass?
HE IS ABSOLUTELY SHITE!
Got to agree with Monti on a few things (but not all!!!!). I think it’s a totally unnatural unacceptable state of affairs to have a player in your team who makes you watch through your fingers every time the ball comes near him…and I think the majority of Celtic fans feel the same. You know I’m talking about big Efe. Be honest, when the ball came across in front of our goal against Motherwell, how many of you were amazed that he didnae score? I once described him as a donkey chasing a headless chicken at times. He’s very ungainly when receiving the ball, tends to adjust his balance before passing it and the opposition see that small delay and run at him knowing he’s going to take a fraction longer to get rid of the ball. I admit that in a few games he was the only one getting his head to balls in our penalty area and cleared the danger a few times. But I think he’s too unpredictable.
Johanson might put his loss of form down to “injury” but I think his nose has been out of joint since he got scolded by Ronny over the “It’s ma penalty” incident. I’d prefer Armstrong to him. He talks about about how “we” messed up in the previous two games…but forgets his stupidity against Malmo leading to their late goal. He gets yellow carded for completely unnecessary things, so he should have a look at himself before he starts with “we”.
Ronny can tell them every day in the dressing room that we’re going for the treble, but he should be quietly diplomatic (shut the gub) when talking to the media..we don’t need to do the other teams’ motivational team talks ffs.
Finally a sevco player got kicked yesterday and the Dreary Reeker decides to do a piece on the standard of refereeing!!!
Finally (this time!!) 3-1 Celtic tomorrow. HH.
Tore Andre FLOP.
Just buken get a victory the morn Celtic, a victory.
HAIL HAIL N aw that !
It doesn’t matter who he puts in the team as long as Commons plays. Without him that Celtic squad produces very little positive football.
Commons rarely turns up in Europe.
More pish…..
Celticmikey,
Quite correct, Commons has that touch of class and creates more than anyone.
Charlie Saiz doesn’t rate Commons but he is happy with Ambrose in the side???
Very odd
As many of us have commented many times in the Diary, we tend to try and walk the ball into the net and piss about for so long that the opponents get back in numbers and the counter attack fizzles out again and again and again. Commons is the only one who regularly takes a pop from distance and generally hits the target. I thought he was good against Motherwell and just unlucky to get on the scoresheet. I’d have him in the team tomorrow to give us that wee bit something less predictable when we attack.
Still feel we’ll win and that Fenerbahce will beat Ajax….which means we’ll go top and get it right up the (h)unbiased media. HH.
Love yer optimism Funkyy. Hope yer right.
How difficult is it to have a shot from 20 yards, numbers game: get them on target, strong possibility its the back of the net job/keeper fumbles/deflection/corner.
So, that’s ma tactics sorted for the team.
MON THE TIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monti ,Charlie,Charlie Monti , have you guys no got work take go tae?
Said in jest ,don’t take offence!!!!