05 Aug 2016 14:09:17
Very tough draw but we need to expect that at this stage of qualifying. I take confidence from the fact we haven't conceded more than 1 goal in a game so far and with a likely CB pairing of Erik and Kolo we should be fairly solid. It's going to take 2 huge performances from the team and from us fans in the first leg. Hopefully we have at least one signing in by then.
05 Aug 2016 14:43:07
This was the easiest draw apart from Dundalk.
05 Aug 2016 15:06:50
Rg96 this is the hardest draw we could get. In my opinion this side will reach the knock out stages of the competition. I would have any draw apart from them. Why do you think this is an easy draw?
05 Aug 2016 15:14:24
Johnnymac u at the wind up? This is the hardest draw! And they'll reach the knockout rounds! Aye nae bother! Totally agree with rg96! Apart from Dundalk this was the kindest draw! Maybe not logistically, but certainly footballing wise!
05 Aug 2016 15:38:14
So johnnymac you think they will knock us out. Why do you think that considering they're ranked below the team we just knocked out. We have no need to fear this team.
05 Aug 2016 15:56:03
Think it's a wee bit in between to be honest.
They are low ranked yes but they just showed that they won't be easily swept aside in the last round.
05 Aug 2016 16:12:00
Bhampot aren't we ranked lower than the team they just put out as well?
05 Aug 2016 16:19:55
Brampot and Beave81, go and look at the statistics of how they have done in qualifying so far. Much more impressive than Celtic. They conceded 24 goals in there entire 2015 season. No other side in our group has those stats. I posted 2 days ago we will have anyone apart from them. Yes I think they will knock us out. Ho look at the numbers.
05 Aug 2016 16:26:19
Johnnymacs on the sauce! U expect them to make the knockout stage, based on what? Turn it up fella.
05 Aug 2016 17:18:23
Johnny
While we have to treat them with respect we can't base anything on stats without putting it into perspective.
They conceded 24 goals in a whole season? How many games was their season? What was their opposition like? I have to admit that I don't know much about the Israeli league apart from Ambrose, Bitton and Kayal stood out. Hardly a good advertisement.
With a bit of investment in the right players we should go into this game with a bit of confidence.
05 Aug 2016 17:20:46
Hahaha Johnnymac now I'm starting to get worried your actually serious! What stats! The stats were they havnt scored a goal away from home! Or the stat that this is the first time they've went this far in Europe! They've never been in champions league but now they'r going to knock us out and reach the knock out stages of the CL! And what about the stat that the league they won last year was there 1st in 40 years! Have Zagreb ludogerets and Copenhagen been In the CL before? Did Zagreb beat arsenal in it? But aye your tipping them to knock us out hahahaha! Is it April 1st today? 😂😂😂😂😂 go look at the numbers 🙈🙈🙈😆😆😆😆😆😆😆.
05 Aug 2016 17:33:01
No way is this an easy game, get a grip Bhoys.
Only easy tie was Dundalk, all the other teams are at the same level. They are defensively very good and very tough to break down. Incase I missed something, breaking teams down is something we are not particularly good at . Yet.
Also, can we trust our GK not to blunder again, I don't think so, IMO one goal will settle this tie.
05 Aug 2016 17:57:10
Yeh kev I agree it won't be easy at all, especially breaking them down! Which isn't exactly our strong point! But to suggest like Johnny is that they'll knock us out and progress to the knock out stages of the CL is nonsense! This is a team that has never been near this stage! Again I'll say it won't be easy, but I would have had them over Copenhagen ludogerets or Zagreb any day of the week!
05 Aug 2016 19:18:40
Underestimate this team at your peril! Any of our support who believe this will be a walk in the park are seriously kidding themselves. We as a collective support, and as BR alluded to the other night, may well have to display a fair degree of patience come the evening of Aug 17. Remember Olympiacos have had a better pedigree than Celtic over the past 5 years in terms of CL appearances so for Hapoel to beat them without conceding a goal over two legs tells us they are no mugs.
05 Aug 2016 19:18:55
Its a tricky tie sure, but to say they will knock us out then go on to the knockout stages is a bit much. Got me on the rankings kev83, but i think we will win this play off mate. I try to avoid stats johnnymac they can be easily manipulated to suit the agenda.
05 Aug 2016 21:47:23
I think we will go through to bhampot but it ain't going to be a cake walk.