{"id":7936,"date":"2015-10-21T10:19:58","date_gmt":"2015-10-21T09:19:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=7936"},"modified":"2015-10-21T10:19:58","modified_gmt":"2015-10-21T09:19:58","slug":"celtic-diary-wednesday-october-21-psychological-warfare-in-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=7936","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Wednesday October 21: Psychological Warfare In Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Stefan Johansen, already singled out by Molde and promised a miserable homecoming, spoke on behalf of the hoops;<\/p>\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018But 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.<\/em><\/p>\n


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

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Johansen continued, although, as with so many from Celtic these days, you really wish he hadn’t;<\/p>\n

At the same time I think that Molde, Rosenborg and Valerenga could certainly do well in the Scottish league.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018Of course it will be tough to go to Molde and win but, for me, it will be fun to meet so many friends.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018Vegard 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.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

No. no complacency there. He thinks he’s on a works outing.<\/p>\n

Of course, as the rest of the squad set sail yesterday, there was no sign of this feeling spreading.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n


\nIf you didn’t have butterflies before reading this, you probably have now.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Any chance you can give us some positive thoughts , Stefan ?<\/p>\n

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

I was hoping for a bit more than that, to be honest.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

And against Fenerbahce, we made some individual mistakes which ruined it for us.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018We would rather have six points, but we still have every chance to go further.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018There\u2019s no doubt both the players and the fans would rather see this club in the Champions League, but we didn\u2019t get through, that\u2019s just how it is.\u2019\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Aha. Thats it.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Inadvertently, we may have hit on the problem which has led to the complacency.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u00a0With 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.<\/p>\n

Tore Andre Flo’s cousin Per-Egil tells Celtic boss Molde will wreck his Norway return<\/h1>\n

Tore Andre Flo, as you recall, cost British taxpayers \u00a312m, although at the time, it was alleged Rangers had bought him.<\/p>\n

PER-EGIL-FLO \u2013 a family relation of the former \u00a312million Rangers striker \u2013 is aware of the pressure Deila\u2019s side will be under tomorrow night in his homeland.<\/h2>\n

\u201c\u00a0Ronny<\/a>\u00a0is not the only one who thinks he\u2019ll get six points from\u00a0<\/em>
\nMolde. All the teams in the group said they\u2019d take six points from us.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBut we are taking it one game at a time and trying to prove them wrong.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know Ronny personally, only from playing against his old team.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBut he has a big reputation in Norway and we know he could come under pressure if he doesn\u2019t do well in this group. But we can\u2019t think about him or feel sorry for him.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAll we can do is think about ourselves. And we are going to do whatever we can to win.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t 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.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat puts pressure on them and that\u2019s good for us. We are the underdogs in all our games in this group.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBut now we have made such a good start we realise we can achieve something. So the results that we\u2019ve had mean the pressure is bigger for us too.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

In preparation for a possible “embarassment ” tomorrow, Jackson refers to Molde as the “Norwegian minnows<\/em> “, which must be a shortened way of saying “Norwegian champions and current Group A leaders. ”<\/p>\n

It’s the papers way of setting up Fridays headline.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

Dave King is a big fan of the written media.<\/p>\n

Do you like the picture Dave ?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Avrild Stavrum, ex Chelsea manager, was a little more realistic about the game;<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fair to say not many people thought Molde would be top of the group at this stage. Norwegian teams haven\u2019t done so well in Europe in recent years and if they can go on and qualify it would be a huge surprise.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t in the script, that\u2019s for sure.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThey 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.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve done really well so far but there is still a feeling there is a long way to go.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHave 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.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Of all the things that have so far been said about Molde, this, perhaps , is the one to take note of.<\/p>\n

“……I felt they were capable of getting some good results in Europe.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen 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.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a tough game for both sides. Molde have not performed so well in the league this season.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThey should have done better but they have been able to focus on the Europa League.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s been their advantage so far.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMolde 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\u2019s incredible home record.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Eh ?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cCeltic 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.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of people here will\u00a0look at the Malmo game<\/a>. I would say at the moment Malmo are a little better than Molde, but there\u2019s not a huge difference.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI see it as a very open game. Celtic are a dangerous team but they like to attack and there could be a few goals.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Of course, it isn’t going to be easy, far from it.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

But, of course, it appears he got it wrong again;<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

Even alan Stubbs admitted afterwards that it was “soft “, which is what managers say when they know they were lucky.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Maybe a wee holiday….one of those camps where he can relax and work on his state of mind.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Theres one or two from the SFA he could take with him. this time, we’ll gladly approve the payment of their expenses.<\/p>\n

Away from all that, and back to our own.<\/p>\n

Norway CSC have a wee list of tips and hints to help those of you heading over for the game;<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

Oh , alright, it’s a best pubs guide.<\/p>\n

But thats all you need, right ?<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Today, a caption competition..<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

Derk Boerrigter arrives for his first photo session at Celtic ?<\/p>\n

Ach, you can do better.<\/p>\n

Tell you what, lets finish on a song. Penned by Charlie Saiz,<\/p>\n

“A Penny In Hand”<\/h3>\n
\n

(To the tune of The Ballad of Billy Reid)<\/p>\n

We’ll sing you a song and lt won’t take us long
\nIt’s the story of old Celtic past
\nBout’ a man who broke bread for the poor that he fed
\nAnd the Club that he built so steadfast<\/p>\n

Brother Walfrid had said the kids must be fed
\nThey would smile with a penny in hand
\nThat they needn’t now cry as we tell you why
\nThe Celtic mission was grand<\/p>\n

It all started that day on the 28th of May
\nThe Bold Bhoys ran out to the cheer of the fans
\nThe game it was won played with purpose and fun
\nTo the joy of 2000 new fans<\/p>\n

Brother Walfrid had said the kids must be fed
\nThey would smile with a penny in hand
\nThat they needn’t now cry as we tell you why
\nThe Celtic mission was grand<\/p>\n

When counting the funds after beating the hunz
\nThe help for the poor had began
\nTheir position was dire but Club would aspire
\nTo do all that it possibly can<\/p>\n

Brother Walfrid had said the kids must be fed
\nThat they would smile with a penny in hand
\nThat they needn’t now cry and we’ll tell you why
\nThe Celtic mission was grand<\/p>\n

Now they were fed with soup and with bread
\nThey now made their way to the ground
\nThe greatful had said they would never forget
\nHow the Celtic had turned their lives round<\/p>\n

Brother Walfrid had said the kids must be fed
\nThat they would smile with a penny in hand
\nThat they needn’t now cry as we tell you why
\nThe Celtic mission was grand<\/p>\n

Now come join us tonight beneath the floodlights
\nSing songs with the many amassed
\nFor the words Walfrid said that the poor must be fed
\nApply now as they did in the past<\/p>\n

Brother Walfrid had said the kids must be fed
\nThat they would smile with a penny in hand
\nThat they needn’t now cry and we tell you why
\nThe Celtic mission was grand<\/p>\n

(repeat)
\nBrother Walfrid had said the kids must be fed
\nThat they would smile with a penny in hand
\nThat they needn’t now cry and we tell you why
\nThe Celtic mission was grand.<\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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

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