{"id":5347,"date":"2014-07-15T09:54:48","date_gmt":"2014-07-15T08:54:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=5347"},"modified":"2014-07-15T09:54:48","modified_gmt":"2014-07-15T08:54:48","slug":"celtic-diary-tuesday-july-15-standby-for-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=5347","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Tuesday July 15: Standby For Action!"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s here already. Season 2014-15. Proper football is back after the World Cup, and it begins in Iceland for Celtic, with a game against their champions, KR Reykjavik.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The weak link in the side could be the two short arses on the right of the picture, who could be vulnerable at crosses.<\/p>\n

Wikipedia tells us;<\/p>\n

KR is the oldest and most successful club in Icelandic football, having won the\u00a0<\/span>\u00darvalsdeild<\/a>\u00a0championship 26 times, including the first season in 1912. It is also the most successful club in the\u00a0<\/span>Icelandic Cup<\/a>, with 13 titles including the first in 1960 and most recent in 2012. In 1964, KR was also the first Icelandic representative in the\u00a0<\/span>European Cup<\/a>. KR is also the most successful club in Icelandic basketball.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Presumably , they don’t like to talk about it.<\/p>\n

And heres something else you probably didn’t know;<\/p>\n

KR was established on 16 February 1899 by Scottish engineer Frank McGregor, making it the oldest football club in<\/span>Iceland<\/a>. It was founded as\u00a0<\/span>F\u00f3tboltaf\u00e9lag Reykjav\u00edkur\u00a0(Reykjav\u00edk Football Club), before changing to Knattspyrnuf\u00e9lag Reykjav\u00edkur, also meaning Reykjav\u00edk Football Club, the change due to “knattspyrna” being considered a more elegant word (“F\u00f3tbolti” is literally translated as “football” while “knattspyrna”, while translating as “football”, is literally “ballkicking”). KR modelled their kit on the black-and-white stripes of\u00a0<\/span>Newcastle United<\/a>, a strong club during KR’s early years. KR was the only<\/span>football<\/a>\u00a0club in\u00a0<\/span>Reykjav\u00edk<\/a>\u00a0for a decade, but as soon as other clubs were established there were plans for competitions. KR won the inaugural championship in\u00a0<\/span>1912<\/a>\u00a0after a play-off with\u00a0<\/span>Fram<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

No doubt Pat Nevin, who is likely to be the BBCs expert summariser this evening-the game is on BBC Scotland, kicking off at 8pm, or thereabouts, depending on who you believe- has already done his research, and his pen is ready to twiddle.<\/p>\n

Their current squad has one name you will be familiar with, and surprisingly no-one in the press has asked his opinion on the game;<\/p>\n

Current squad<\/span>[<\/span>edit<\/a>]<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Source:[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/small><\/p>\n

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under\u00a0FIFA eligibility rules<\/a>. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.<\/small><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
No.<\/th>\n<\/th>\nPosition<\/th>\nPlayer<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
1<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nGK<\/a><\/td>\nStef\u00e1n Logi Magn\u00fasson<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nDF<\/a><\/td>\nGr\u00e9tar Sigfinnur Sigur\u00f0sson<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nDF<\/a><\/td>\nHaukur Hei\u00f0ar Hauksson<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/td>\n\"Uruguay\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nDF<\/a><\/td>\nGonzalo Balbi Lorenzo<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nMF<\/a><\/td>\nEgill J\u00f3nsson<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nDF<\/a><\/td>\nGunnar \u00deor Gunnarsson<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7<\/td>\n\"England\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nFW<\/a><\/td>\nGary Martin<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nFW<\/a><\/td>\nBaldur Sigur\u00f0sson<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nFW<\/a><\/td>\nThorsteinn M\u00e1r Ragnarsson<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nFW<\/a><\/td>\nKjartan Henry Finnbogason<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nMF<\/a><\/td>\n\u00d3skar \u00d6rn Hauksson<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nGK<\/a><\/td>\nSindri Sn\u00e6r Jensson<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
No.<\/th>\n<\/th>\nPosition<\/th>\nPlayer<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
14<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nFW<\/a><\/td>\nAlmar Ormarsson<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nFW<\/a><\/td>\nEmil Atlason<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
16<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nMF<\/a><\/td>\nJ\u00f3nas Gu\u00f0ni S\u00e6varsson<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nMF<\/a><\/td>\nTorfi Karl \u00d3lafsson<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nDF<\/a><\/td>\nAron Bjarki J\u00f3sepsson<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
21<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nDF<\/a><\/td>\nGu\u00f0mundur Reynir Gunnarsson<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
23<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nMF<\/a><\/td>\nAtli Sigurj\u00f3nsson<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
24<\/td>\n\"Togo\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nMF<\/a><\/td>\nFarid Zato<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
28<\/td>\n\"Norway\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nDF<\/a><\/td>\nIvar Erlien Furu<\/span>\u00a0(on loan from\u00a0Molde<\/a>)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
40<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nMF<\/a><\/td>\nGunnar Birgisson<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nFW<\/a><\/td>\nBj\u00f6rn \u00deorl\u00e1ksson<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\"Iceland\"<\/a><\/span><\/td>\nFW<\/a><\/td>\nKrist\u00f3fer Eggertsson\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Kjartan Finnbogasson was once of Celtic, one of innumerable projects who came, who saw, and left again without really making an impression.<\/p>\n

\"kjartan\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As long as he doesn’t start trying to impress anyone tonight we should be okay. After all, he did score 28 goals in 20 reserve games in one of his two seasons in Glasgow, yet never got a shot in the first team. Hopefully, he’s not the type to hold a grudge.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

KR \u00a0have come up against Scottish sides before, losing 14-1 over the piece to Aberdeen in 67-68 , and 2-1 ( they won the home leg ) to Kilmarnock as recently as 99-00. A couple of years ago they were hammered by HJK Helsinki before Celtic put them out, but other than that not a great deal has happened on the big stage to give us any cause for concern.<\/p>\n

Although perhaps of interest is the fact that French side Nantes put them out of the European Cup in the first round back in 1966-67, before they were disposed of by the all conquering Celtic side of that era.<\/p>\n

Every days a school day, as they say.<\/p>\n

Ronny Deila has come out swinging on the subject of having to play three qualifiers to get into the money stages of the tournament;<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a problem in every small country. We maybe have one good team but the others are dragging them down in the coefficient.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you have a big club like Celtic that has done so well they should have a shot at the group stages right away.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSome countries have three or four teams going in and I think that\u2019s not right.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0We are led to believe he said this at a pre-match press conference, but it was actually when he and John Collins bumped into Michel Platini at the bar in Reykjavik Airport.<\/p>\n

Assistant boss \u00a0Collins calmed him down.<\/p>\n

” Leave it , Ronny, it’s not worth it “<\/p>\n

\u00a0Deila gathered himself, put down his pint and added;<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to get a good result, that\u2019s what we\u2019re fighting for, but if it\u2019s tight then we have an advantage of playing at Murrayfield in the second match. I feel that we\u2019re ready.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0Speaking of that Murray field game, Celtic have asked supporters to sort out any ticket issues they have well in advance of the game. Like today.<\/p>\n

\u00a0John Paul Taylor, the supporters liason officer, said;<\/p>\n

” We will have limited facilities at Murray field to deal with problems and it could lead to significant delays if we encounter a significant number. There are a number of contingencies in place to ensure fans who are split up can get seats together, but the key message is don’t leave it until the noght of the match , but where possible deal directly with the Celtic Ticket Office who will aim to resolve as swiftly as possible. “<\/p>\n

\u00a0So don’t say you haven’t been told. There are more details of transport arrangements and so on, but we’ll leave them until the end of the week, because if we tell you now you’ll only forget.<\/p>\n

Though I could do with someone reminding me at the weekend, because I’ll only forget.<\/p>\n

Back to tonights game, and Charlie Mulgrew will step up to take on the captains duties in the absence of Scott Brown, which means he’ll run around a lot, stare at people and get sent off midway through he second half.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Deila was short and to the point;<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlie will be the captain, he is a natural leader,\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Lets hope that someone else is in charge of getting everyone off the bus and into the ground….<\/p>\n

\n

Child neglect charge for<\/h1>\n

\u00a0Celtic ace Charlie Mulgrew<\/h1>\n

after car park incident<\/h1>\n

Fortunately, James Forrest hasn’t travelled with the team, so it should be fairly easy not to miss anyone sitting at the back with a colouring book.<\/p>\n

Someone else who hasn’t travelled is Tony Watt, who is apparently recovering from an injury, and hasn’t fallen out with yet another manager. Honest.<\/p>\n

Watt will take part in a second string game tonight against Stenhousemuir, and is just glad to get some game time.<\/p>\n

Kris Commons represented the players at the Press session, and he dropped another hint-you have to look between the lines-that he wants a new contract. . Theres interest in the playmaker\/striker from Leicester, which will no doubt please him. Leicester is a nice place to visit if you ignore the buildings and the people, and perhaps a little lower than most places on the “where I want to live when I’m older ” list. It came in just behind Chernobyl, but ahead of Kinning Park.<\/p>\n

Commons said;<\/p>\n

\u201cThe manager and Peter are aware of my contract situation and hopefully we\u2019ll sit down and talk about it,\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you get four or five months into the last year of your contract, you can talk to other clubs.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cBut that\u2019s something I don\u2019t want to do. I want my future sorted here.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cI have no desire to go back to England. I\u2019m playing the peak years of my career at one of the world\u2019s biggest clubs.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cWith Champions League football, there\u2019s no better place to be than Celtic. I\u2019d like to finish my career here. There\u2019s nothing down the road that would entertain me.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cThere aren\u2019t many clubs down south where I could go and play in the Champions League. Celtic gives me that.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cHopefully I\u2019ll do enough in the next couple of games to ensure we get to where we need to be.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0And where do we need to be ?<\/p>\n

In the next round will do for now.<\/p>\n

Its time for the players to switch on, summer is over , and time to go back to work.<\/p>\n

The Diary thinks the team will be<\/p>\n

Forster, Matthews, van Dijk, Ambrose, Izaguerre; Kayal, Johansen, Mulgrew, Boerrigter: Commons ; Pukki.<\/p>\n

Which means it won’t be.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Prediction ? KR 0, Celtic 2.<\/p>\n

Though I’ll take any result where we don’t come back with our faces all red and the season in tatters. I think we all would.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Now, something to make your heart go woah oh oh oh…,a dn to remind you we don’t care what the animals say;<\/p>\n

Barry McGonigle, who we have mentioned before, does a fair bit of impressive work on old photographs. His latest picture, more symbolic than realistic , is out of this world, and should be at least on a t-shirt , if not on a banner;<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

You could be forgiven for thinking you’d seen it before, on a supporters club wall, or in Bairds Bar.<\/p>\n

Fantastic.<\/p>\n

Woah oh oh oh…..<\/p>\n

\n

In other news, Celtic Park will play host to a couple of Scotland games in November, Ireland on the 14th, and England on the 18th.<\/p>\n

\u00a0The latter could be the first game between two independent nations, so theres no potential for trouble, social unrest or outright “up yours ” at that one. Though setting up border controls would be a laugh. In fact, maybe a return to the old Turnpike road system, just for a couple of days , as a trial.<\/p>\n

\"toll<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0The English will be still upset after their laughable performances in Brazil, so it might actually be a good time to put the past behind us and offer them a warm, friendly neighbourly welcome;<\/p>\n

\"arse<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0Just while we are on the World Cup, Argentina have formally made a protest to FIFA. They reckon that as the World Cup was in Brazil, which is closer to them than Germany is, it should be theirs.<\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\u00a0With the Commonwealth Games about to start, the internationals pencilled in, the West of Scotland Pipe Band Championship on the horizon \u00a0and a regular car boot sale on Monday nights ( okay, I made the last two up ), supporters could be forgiven for wondering if Celtic will actually ever get to play at Celtic Park any time soon.<\/p>\n

Well, we can relax. Peter Lawwell has assured us that we will, and he’ll let us know when just as soon as he does.<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The chap with Charlie Mulgrew is Johannes Edvaldsson, who joined Celtic in 1975 from Danish side Holbaek. He went on to play 127 games in the hoops, score 24 goals, and feature in a dodgy pic yesterday in a dodgy diary. Good call from Alan McGrane, who got it spot on with the first reply.<\/p>\n

Speaking of replies, one or two have been reported as missing, but I think I found them, and they were added to the site last night. You must have forgotten to put a stamp on them.<\/p>\n

By the way, the Post Office have increased the price of a first class stamp from 62p to 69p, mainly because they didn’t want to do anything that would make the queues move any bloody quicker.<\/p>\n

Today, we have an unusual picture of a former player, possibly one he wouldn’t want to be reminded of, courtesy of Lisbon Lion on twitter.<\/p>\n

LL hasn’t told us if the player forgot to pay an instalment of the agreed “don’t publish ” fee, but its out there now…<\/p>\n

Who is it ?<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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