{"id":7448,"date":"2015-07-12T12:18:52","date_gmt":"2015-07-12T11:18:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=7448"},"modified":"2015-07-12T12:21:31","modified_gmt":"2015-07-12T11:21:31","slug":"celtic-diary-sunday-july-12-press-right-behind-champions-knife-ready","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=7448","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Sunday July 12: Press Right Behind Champions, Knife Ready."},"content":{"rendered":"

Just a few days now until the much anticipated Champions League campaign gets underway, and the Record just can’t help themselves;<\/p>\n

Stjarnan keeper Gunnar Nielsen:<\/h1>\n

We can stun Celtic like Faroes stunned Greece<\/h1>\n

\u00a0\u201cWe have to believe we have a chance to go through.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s like when I play for the Faroe Islands.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re a country of just 50,000 people but we\u2019ve beaten Greece twice, who have a population of around 11 million.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cFor us to beat Celtic, it would be similar. With the stadium and fans they have, it would send shock waves around Europe if we won.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are going to Glasgow to surprise a few people.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I’ve never understood this argument that compares population numbers when it comes to who should win a football match. Are the protaganists unaware that only less than a dozen can be on the pitch at any one time ?<\/p>\n

And anyway, China and India have never won anything, and that’s with roughly half the worlds population between them.<\/p>\n

But, he’s right, there would be shockwaves. If they won, which they won’t.<\/p>\n

You know why they won’t win ?<\/p>\n

Because Celtic are ready for them, and whilst there’s no room for complacency, there’s also no room for real worry. Stjarnan are not playing well domestically, and there’s no evidence that they can step up a gear.<\/p>\n

\u00a0So, will the press go with the optimistic view? Will they talk up our chances, maybe even get Ronny to talk about how he plans to dismantle the Icelanders ?<\/p>\n

\u00a0No. Don’t be silly.<\/p>\n

Let’s remind him of last year ….<\/p>\n

Celtic manager Ronny Deila: I hate feeling<\/h1>\n

I got after Maribor defeat.. I never want to experience it again<\/h1>\n

Fair enough, but that story has been done to death, and we should be looking forawrad to Wednesday night, not back at what was a fairly traumatic start for Ronny.<\/p>\n

Which, of course, they took time to remind us of…<\/p>\n

He was new in the job at Parkhead having just replaced Neil Lennon and he inherited a squad that required immediate surgery.<\/em><\/p>\n

An unknown quantity to the Hoops supporters, Deila was up against it \u2028from the off.<\/em><\/p>\n

And on top of all that, he had \u2028perilous Champions League qualifiers to negotiate before he could catch \u2028a breath.<\/em><\/p>\n

Looking back, it was hardly \u2028surprising that the Norwegian toiled \u2028in the beginning.<\/em><\/p>\n

The crushing defeats to Legia Warsaw were painful enough.<\/em><\/p>\n

However, to get a second crack at it after the Poles were thrown out of the competition\u00a0only to throw it away against Maribor?<\/a>\u00a0That still hurts \u2028even more.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The discussion centred around last season, and not this one. Ronny was asked if he tried to do too much too soon;<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s hard to say.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe I wish I\u2019d done some things differently. But at that time, there were a lot of new things for me to deal with.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd in any case, you can\u2019t be \u2028something you\u2019re not. I needed to do \u2028the things I believe in.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI can say now, we\u2019ll be continuing with the same things we did before.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the first day I arrived, I\u2019ve tried to be myself. Is it easier for me to be me now? Of course, that\u2019s obvious.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you come to a new country, it\u2019s a different culture, a new language and new players.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThis was also a new level for me because Celtic are a far bigger club. I \u2028could name 100 things that are different here to what I was used to before.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cFor the players too, it was a huge change because they\u2019d had the same coach for four years until I came in.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

So there was a big transition. But we\u2019re in a much better place now than we were one year ago.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Hang on, he’s getting too optimistic here. Ask him about Maribor again;<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate the feeling I had in my body after Maribor.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat is a feeling I fear and it drives me on. I hate losing \u2013 that\u2019s in my blood.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBut when I think back, we just \u2028weren\u2019t good enough. So it doesn\u2019t \u2028irritate me too much.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone at this club is doing \u2028everything they can, every day, to \u2028prepare for these qualifying games.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe we can do it but, if we don\u2019t, it will be because we\u2019re not good enough to be there. That\u2019s how it is.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBut I now really believe that we\u2019re good enough. Qualifying is a very hard task because it\u2019s three rounds right at the start of the season.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to face good opponents so it\u2019s tough. It will be a big achievement if we can get there.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBut we have players who have done it before. This club know what it\u2019s like to be there and they\u2019ve had many good experiences in the competition.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe know what it\u2019s all about and we are prepared now.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going into these qualifiers in a much more confident mood and I know the players feel the same way.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAs a coach, I want to be there because I have something to prove to myself. \u2028That never stops.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s also about your pride. I hate losing. And the\u00a0Champions League<\/a>\u00a0is huge for me because I\u2019ve never been there.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the biggest goal for me and a \u2028dream for every coach to have a team in that competition.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

If you thought the Record was bad, have a look at the Sun back page-or the Sunday sun, or whatever it’s called;<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

What he actually said was he was gutted he didn’t score. Which is what you want to hear.<\/p>\n

Unless you are the sort of person who buys this guff.<\/p>\n

Note the sadness on his face in the picture, it’s almost as though his career is over…<\/p>\n

My own thoughts are that Ciftci offers something different if plan a isn’t working, and that showed in the Real Sociedad game. to me , that doesn’t make him a flop, or anything close to it.<\/p>\n

\u00a0But then, I like to think I understand the game, unlike those who make a living writing about it.<\/p>\n

The Herald, for instance has the most bizarre opening paragraph of all;<\/p>\n

Icelanders won’t be caught cold by Celtic<\/h1>\n
\n
\n

Neil Murray<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\n

FC STJARNAN, founded in 1960, have only been in Iceland’s top league, the Urvalsdeild, since 2009, but they are a club on the rise.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
\n

They surpassed all expectations in Europa League qualifying last season – on their debut in continental competition – defeating Bangor City, Motherwell and Lech Poznan, before succumbing to a 9-0 aggregate defeat against Inter Milan. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

” Surpasssing all expectations ” means he’s looked up their results last year on the internet, compared it to this seasons form thus far, and still isn’t sure he’s got the right team.<\/p>\n

And beating Motherwell last year is hardly an expectation surpassed. Anyone can do it.<\/p>\n

Well, nearly anyone.<\/p>\n

An indication of how far removed from reality Scottish sports journalists really are came last night, when one of the better ones confessed;<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Graham Spiers<\/strong>\u00a0\u200f@<\/s>GrahamSpiers<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/a>\u00a013h<\/span>13 hours ago<\/span><\/a><\/small><\/div>\n

I’ve just agreed a \u00a3\u00a3\u00a3s bet with doubting colleagues tonight that Rangers FC will win Pr’ship title by 2020. For the public record…\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Sounds more like something for the Daily Record, but surely the word “doubting ” could be replaced here with the word “laughing ” and be a little closer to true record of events.<\/p>\n

\u00a0And anyway, we hear it was a thoroughly despondent Chick Young who took the bet, after consulting with Mark Warburton, who has now had time to assess his squad, most of whom have stepped up a level and joined Kilmarnock.<\/p>\n

Anyway, when you finally find it, Ronny is looking ahead, knows what to expect, and knows how to deal with it;<\/p>\n

They are a hard-working team and one with nothing to lose They just have to go out there and make it hard for us and hope for a goal in a counter-attack or set play, something that can bring them into the game.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s quite the same as teams we meet in the Scottish league \u2013 people that want to break us down, stay back and just be compact and wait for a chance.\u201d \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Elsewhere, and the BBC asked a question which didn’t really need an answer, but perhaps it means they are about to rethink their own policy;<\/p>\n

BBC Sportsound<\/strong>\u00a0\u200f@<\/s>BBCSportsound<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/a>\u00a018h<\/span>18 hours ago<\/span><\/a><\/small><\/div>\n

Is Scottish football valued by broadcasters? Get in touch! text 80295, email: sportsound@bbc.co.uk or tweet us with your views<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, lets look at who they hire to present it…<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I think it’s safe to say they could do better.<\/p>\n

How about Jim Spence, Ally Begg and Richard Gordon doing it ? They’re about the most enthusaistic of the present lot, and would offer a much more intelligent show.<\/p>\n

\u00a0We could even get Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove to inject a little humour, with the correct scriptwriter, of course, but the potential is there to make the show a much improved package, and entertaining and thought provoking as well.<\/p>\n

And it might remove some of the institutional bias as well. And , er, confusion;<\/p>\n

From the BBC gossip column, online;<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

Liquidation. First game. New club.<\/p>\n

Where have we not seen that before….?<\/p>\n

Granted , it’s not the BBC’s words, but they have copied it.<\/p>\n

Wonder what will happen to the lad or lass behind it when the bosses find out ?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Room 101 isn’t just a programme , you know. It’s a real place. Look at the physical damage it can do to you when you step out of line…<\/p>\n

This man once questioned a Walter Smith Rangers performance.<\/p>\n

Only once, mind, after this horror was inflicted on him, causing unsightly and painful scarring to his features;<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0You see, it’s all about ambition, and attempting to improve. To constantly strive to make tomorrow better than yesterday.<\/p>\n

You might have seen that heart breaking and yet inspiring story about the wee Filipino lad, I think he was about 9, studying by the light that spilled outside from a McDonalds restaurant ( they call them restaurants, I don’t ) . We cannot begin to imagine the determination behind his thinking, and can’t help but \u00a0cannot help but admire the hard work in adverse circumstances he has undertaken to avoid having to work \u00a0in that place for minimum wage and a ridiculous uniform.<\/p>\n

\u00a0As you are aware, no doubt from the sound of sashes being worn and walls being defended , today is a special day for some, er, special peepil.<\/p>\n

And then there’s the pyrotechnic celebrations..<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

\u00a0Welcome to the bonefire celebrations, coincidentally organised by boneheads.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"Embedded<\/p>\n

\u00a0See before they light it, i need to get that big case of money back that I hid underneath it.<\/p>\n

Well, some of them are daft enough to check.<\/p>\n

With any luck.<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

Jimmy Johnstone was the young flame haired ballboy in yesterdays picture, the other is unknown-at the time of writing, but we are fairly sure it’s not, as one reader suggested, Bobo Balde.<\/p>\n

\u00a0The picture was taken in the early sixties, maybe even late fifties, and Balde wasn’t even born then.<\/p>\n

Caption competition again, and this picture was taken at the Annual Police Outing, held at St. Mirren Park on Friday.<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

Thoughts, comments , witty or critical are invited…..<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Just a few days now until the much anticipated Champions League campaign gets underway, and the Record just can’t help themselves; Stjarnan keeper Gunnar Nielsen:…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":7449,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/etims.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/stab.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2J7If-1W8","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7448"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7448"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7448\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7452,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7448\/revisions\/7452"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7449"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7448"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7448"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7448"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}