12 Aug 2017 10:22:34
Just going through some of the posts and looking at social media regarding Astana game, it seems strange to me that Astana have suddenly morphed into Real Madrid. I know it will be a tough game, but they're not better than they were last year, and I think we are much improved since we played them. I feel Beer Sheva would have been a far tougher tie. If we're close to our best, I feel we'll go through with a goal or two to spare. Also interesting that a Herald Journalist has stated that Celtic will announce the signing of Roberts today. here's hoping!
12 Aug 2017 12:24:27
We were so much better. But with the changes to the team and a lack of a striker and paddy, has seen us not as good as we were last year.
We aren't firing at all yet and the lack of adequate cover has made this tie harder than it should have been.
Same old same old CL preparation. Can you imagine the abuse RD would be getting if he had been at the helm and hadn't sorted out the cover? Playing Bitton in cd? Possibly having no striker for the final qualifying round?
Sutton et al would have slaughtered him. And rightly so. It's been a balls up. Surely if we make it next year they will get their feckin figure out quicker.
I won't hold my breath.
{Ed007's Note - We hear the same story every year from our managers, they all talk about getting players in early so that they are ready for the CL qualifiers and yet in the last match against Rosenborg the only new signing playing was Hayes and he was only playing because Forrest was playing as striker.
Not to mention Lawwell's seemingly annual announcement that we could spend £6 million + on a player.}
12 Aug 2017 12:53:31
As a unit, we are in far better shape then we were against Astana last year. Injuries happen. Can't sign quality on the likelihood that we would lose two CBs to injury? That's just bad luck, as is the situation with Griff and Dembele. We had O'Connell playing at CB v Astana last year! ☺.
12 Aug 2017 12:56:16
Ed
You forgot the usual "we signed him in January so that is like a new signing for the champions league qualifiers". I will attribute that one to Kennedy as an excuse for us not signing anyone the Summer after we signed Armstrong and GMS.
We all know that to improve we have to be signing better than what we currently have an although I do think Ntcham is going to be a good signing I don't think he is any better than what we already had and Hayes certainly isn't.
12 Aug 2017 13:04:56
My expectations due to Rogers were raised as I thought he was serious about getting the players in that would take us to the next level. That hasn't happened. Armstrong us more effective imo than Natcham has shown. Hayes in for paddy is farcical. No CB cover. It's just not on.
I will keep the Valium prescription on repeat for now.
12 Aug 2017 15:18:58
Where has the £17million we made gone from last year's champions league?
12 Aug 2017 17:45:55
o'neill wouldn't take any of lawwells crap, he would say "do you want me to do the job right? give me the funds then" as long as rodgers is on his massive wage he will be happy to be another yes man.
12 Aug 2017 18:24:27
Rodger she a yes man? Sh*te.
12 Aug 2017 21:41:02
O'Neil knew his era of success was over . Just as he did everywhere else .
You are a first Jamesbhoy to raise the issue of Brendan's massive wage . I don't any other proper Celtic fan begrudges B R wages . No manager, with EPL experience would join Celtic if money was their goal.
I think Brendan is right to restrict his purchases to buying the right player for the right position.
12 Aug 2017 23:42:11
wheres all these players of quality he said he was going to buy then? nowhere because lawwell has told him even though there is a fortune in the bank he won't spend it.
13 Aug 2017 23:07:41
Qjamesbhoy, how do you eavesdrop on Mr Lawwell's and Mr Rodgers conversations .
How do u know that Brendan is not relatively happy with the players in so far this year . I remind u he has bought in two outstanding youngsters for mid field, the best front line player iSPL outside of Celtic and an outstanding prospect .
If u understand anything about our financial restraints you would appreciate that Celtic cannot afford to buy a replacement for a player who is likely to be out injured for less than 12 wks of season .
We are also blessed with numerous top home bred or brought in youngsters, far better for club to use them if necessary.