\u00a0“<\/em><\/span>There is no doubt it is a big step up from the last opponents, technically they are much better, tactically as well, probably physically they are in better condition as well. But we\u2019ve watched them, we know all about them, we know their strengths and weaknesses and we know we\u2019ll have to play well to win the game. We always love playing here at Celtic Park, there is always a great atmosphere, and the home support gets behind the players and drives us forward, so we are looking forward to another great occasion at Celtic Park. We are constantly learning and developing and analysing performances, that\u2019s what we do. Win or lose we study our performances and see how we can get better. But of course we learned last season, we knew it was always going to be difficult once you get to the Champions League you are playing against champions, and there is always quality in the opposition and if you lose concentration one little slip and the ball can end up in the back of your net. The message is there for the players, we\u2019ve shown them lots of video and we\u2019ve got to be at it on Wednesday night. As a group of players and a coaching staff we are way ahead of where we were this time last year, we were knew to the players and the player were new to us, but we\u2019ve had 12 months working together, so we\u2019re in a much better position<\/span>.” \u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Collins, of course, can be forgiven, indeed praised, for giving nothing away in terms of how Celtic will approach the game, or pinpointing specific strengths of the Qarabag players. Except what everyone else is saying, in that they have a couple of Brazilians, who must be good because they are Brazilians.<\/p>\n He’s keeping his cards close to his chest, and merely repeating what the press want to hear.<\/p>\n But, for the life of me, i cannot work out what this phrase “technically very good ” means, apart from it being a fall back comment when the reporter hasn’t seen the team in question, and probably couldn’t name another Azeri side. In fact, they probably don’t even know where Azerbaijan is.<\/p>\n Just up from Syria and Iraq, a little past Ukraine and along a bit from \u00a0Turkey. Exactly why it’s still called the European champions League is a little confusing.<\/p>\n But not as confusing as the phrase “technically very good.”<\/p>\n Is it that their technique is very good? You know as a football team they do all the things that a football team should do ? We can only assume that they , for example always remember to field eleven players all wearing the same shirts and only the goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball.<\/p>\n Or, is it (2) above, they are simply very good ?<\/p>\n Not as far as we can see. having had some real info back from the east.<\/p>\n Far and away the best information about Qarabag, soon to be followed by a guide to Baku, came on this site yesterday. From someone who has seen them in the flesh. And who knows a bit about football.<\/p>\n Nowhere does he say that they are “technically very good ”<\/p>\n But he does describe their style of play, mention a couple of their strong points, and a couple of possible weaknesses.<\/p>\n Something the professional hacks couldn’t be arsed even trying to find out.<\/p>\n It’s the same with Aberdeen, off to Kazakhstan this week for their Europa league game.<\/p>\n Two clubs, aiming to raise the profile of Scottish football by reaching the group stages of European competition, and the press all but ignore them, except to say they are up against decent sides who are technically very good.<\/p>\n When their high heid yins gather round the table to discuss falling circulation and advertising revenues, perhaps they could look a little closer to home for the reasons, and perhaps have a look at some of their writers, who it has to be said, are technically very good.<\/p>\n Although the Herald , at least , deserves some praise for reporting that Afran Ismayilov will miss the game because he forgot to apply for a visa.<\/p>\n \u00a0“Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to apply for my visa for the game in Scotland, so I won’t be playing in the first leg. I believe the team can do well without me and I hope to make an impact in the second leg<\/em><\/p>\n “In recent years, we have played and beaten some famous teams.<\/em><\/p>\n “Celtic are a good team who have a big name in European football, so everyone knows it will be a hard game for us, especially in Scotland.<\/em><\/p>\n “But I believe this team is capable of great things and we can qualify.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Capapble of great things ? It appears they aren’t even capable of sorting out the basics.<\/p>\n More interesting were the comments of Richard Almeida, one of their Brazilians. He said;<\/p>\n “Our opponent likes to play good football. We have watched them.<\/em><\/p>\n “But so do we. This will be two interesting games with teams of similar styles and ability.<\/em><\/p>\n “However, I think it will be Qarabag who goes through to the next round of the Champions League.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n If they do play a similar style to Celtic, as all the information seems to point to, we are in for a tough game. simply because we don’t like teams who press us in the way we press them.<\/p>\n Maybe Ronny will spring a surprise and start with Ciftci and Griffiths…..there’s every reason to suspect both will feature, possibly at the same time during the game.<\/p>\n The game isn’t on television, as is the norm for this stage of the competition, and the BBC were quick to jump on the bandwagon about slow ticket sales. Well, when i say jump on the bandwagon, they were actually driving it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-96ID_Zq4_Yk\/TtxuvdSPEgI\/AAAAAAAAA6w\/jWlTJTlrpWA\/s1600\/azerbaijan.png\")
<\/p>\ntechnically<\/span><\/h2>\n
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\n \n adv<\/a><\/td>\n \n \n \n adv<\/a><\/td>\n \n
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