05 Aug 2015 07:26:26
Interesting to see Ronny saying if we don't go through here we cannot consider ourselves to be a CL club.
Is he right?
In my opinion we are not.I say this with great sadness.We are a team who will make the groups now and again,but would you consider that to be a CL club? Stadium,support and many other things show we are undeniably a big,huge even,club. My worry is we seem to be obsessed with reaching the promised land.Is this holding us back?
I noticed last week a few players saying how important it is to Celtic to be playing there.This is obviously true,but is the thought of not getting there affecting our performances? Against Qarabag we looked nervy and were chasing shadows for a bit.Obviously this team could pass better than anything we face domestically,so periods without the ball,at this level is almost a given.Second half was better,a bit more drive but with discipline.This is what gets you through these tricky games.
Lets assume the reports we hear are correct,blazing heat and a nightmare pitch.What is our team?I immediately worry about Johansen.Will his game stand the searing heat?Is he a player we need to use as he can be the key? I would be amazed if Forrest starts,still cannot be trusted for me.We cannot lose the ball on the halfway line. Try putting a team out.I found it very difficult.
Can we trust Izzy? I love his energy and love of the club but fact is he is a weakness in Europe. Who comes in? Would Ronny throw young Tierney the shirt? Up front,Griff or Cifci? I would play a 4-4-1-1 with Commons hopefully picking up lay offs from Cifci just behind him to have a crack.You will never get the full 90 from Kriss but he might just give us a lead. Sorry ED about the length of the post but this tonight worries me.
{Ed001's Note - don't apologise mate, it is an interesting post, being long isn't a bad thing.}
05 Aug 2015 08:34:22
As much as it's going to be a bit squeeky bum, I don't think Johansen is a player to worry about certainly not in terms of energy. Commons for me has to come off the bench. Like you say we were chasing shadows and he'll be much more effective against a tiring side. Ciftci Johansen and GMS behind Griffiths from the start for me. Ciftci can hold it up in wide areas a bit like Sammy used to do, all he used to do really. Nocking it on to Griffihs and the runs in behind from Johansen. Fitness depending, I'd actually play Mulgrew at left back. Much better defensively. 1-1 the 'Tic to go through.
05 Aug 2015 08:48:22
We can over think what a CL really means - if we don't qualify, then we are not a CL Club. If we do, then we are.
In terms of money between the Clubs favourites to make the later stages and a Scottish Club, this is a different conversation I suppose.
05 Aug 2015 09:12:33
Most clubs that consider themselves to be CL level, have achieved that by investment in playing staff. Very few clubs have done this by diets and formations alone, this not a criticism, just a statement of fact.
The financial rewards for regular participation perpetuate getting to and keeping you at that level. How much cash have lost by our failure over the last few years? It is really difficult to understand our clubs mindset of trying to get there on a wing and a prayer knowing that a bit of investment could increase your chances. We keep bleating about our lack of decent income, yet this money is on offer every year, yet we seem to lack the necessary will to go for it.
. Most regular CL clubs are at that level because of that cash, which leaves the question, why don,t we seem to make this more of a priority? Can,t help thinking we get what we deserve at times
05 Aug 2015 10:27:22
Jimtim mulgrew didn't travel
05 Aug 2015 11:06:34
On form today Tims,some great replies.All posts have good points but my thoughts are pretty much the same.To focus on the game,i posted that we had maybe seen all that they had to offer at Celtic Park. I still feel this to be the case. Yes,they will surely come at us pretty sharpish at the start,but this is why I would allow Commons a free role.One of Kris's big skills is buying fouls in the middle and around the box.He also is not afraid to let it go at the slightest encouragement,we have lacked this in my opinion. Cifci as target with Commons on the second ball?
I can see the Griffiths argument completely,but I would rather bring him on to rattle a defence later on.Defenders don't like pace with 20 to go.This is why I would start Commons,if we play it right he could be the trump card.We need to be accurate in our passing to avoid needless running.We cannot go marauding up both wings at the same time.This is a game to see just where we stand after a spirited double header v Inter.Have we learned? Sadly if we have not I fear for us.If we turn up and are on it I would expect us to go through.Having said that there is a job to be done here and we are capable.
05 Aug 2015 11:47:38
Thought Mulgrew would be a maybe for fitness Gordo didn't realise he hadn't travelled though ta.
GJ, each to their own with team selections I guess. I know where you're coming from with Commons. And Griffiths off the bench. I think we'll be looking to catch them on the break with them needing to score. Griffiths in behind is what I think we should be doing. My main concern is, to do this, you need to be able to absorb and even in ways encourage the pressure from them. I'm not sure how resolute we are at the back with VVD and DB in the early stages of their relationship.
05 Aug 2015 12:22:51
@JimTim: great point about absorbing teams and sucking them in,my worry is will the pitch take a long ball? Whoever starts up top will need to conserve their energy,maybe chasing balls over the top is counter productive? A forward could make run after run only to be beaten by a bad bounce.As I said earlier this has turned into a tricky one.
05 Aug 2015 13:11:15
For some reason I'm quietly confident we'll get by with no problems. Don't usually feel so relaxed before a big game like this so I'm going to go for a 2-0 win. A goal in each half, Ciftci and Johansen. Timalloy, stick a tenner on!
05 Aug 2015 13:14:34
On the topic of CL, think you just have to give the team another season or two before you can really challenge. Like Deila said, he you have to build brick by brick and maybe have a season or two off before you can relly challenge. But when you get there, you might only get netter and better.
Deila knows that with experience, the players will feel less and less worried by those type of games, still you can feel the players maybe not up to it quite yet.
Celtic is a sleeping gigant, but it takes more than a shot off adrenaline too wake you up. But trust me when I say, that when you do your going to be a real challenge for any team.
05 Aug 2015 14:03:16
I don't think our board and Lawell in particular has seen us as a CL club since 2012 and has all-but thrown in the towel.
His sabre rattling about us being self sufficient and strong enough on our own seems very hollow now, as he has repeatedly failed to install top managers and help bring better players to a club which is tailor made for Champions League football.
The fear factor and small club mentality has seen us decline and falter in quality in every department of the club.
I hate to repeat myself, but the fact we poached three guys from the team in fifth place in the SPL is a stark warning of the direction we are taking and possibly remaining.
Celtic, in my opinion has been seriously mismanaged since 2012 and has seriously taken giant strides backwards.
A huge club like us can generate cash in it's sleep and the investment in the team and entertainment of fans should go hand in hand with every generation of Celtic teams.
I sincerely hope we do progress tonight, but we are light years behind most of the other CL teams - even the smaller countries that we used to dream about drawing.
05 Aug 2015 14:17:57
HT, I don't know why but I fancy ciftci anytime tonight.
05 Aug 2015 15:18:21
It's a cert jimtim!
05 Aug 2015 16:05:02
I'm not quietly confident about getting over this hurdle, I'm very confident. I think, like GJ said, we saw the best they could do. RD has made progress (still need that striker though) and I think he will have his game plan with alternatives set well in with the players. Hail, Hail.