Stan 9,292 Posted August 5, 2018 1st Legs Tuesday 7th August, 2018 Astana vs Dinamo Zagreb, 15.00 Qarabag vs BATE, 18.00 Malmo vs Vidi, 18.15 Slavia Prague vs Dynamo Kiev, 18.30 Standard Liege vs Ajax, 19.00 Red Star Belgrade vs Spartak Trnava, 19.30 Benfica vs Fenerbahce, 20.00 Wednesday 8th August, 2018 PAOK vs Spartak Moscow, 18.00 Salzburg vs Shkendija, 18.00 Celtic vs AEK, 19.45 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SirBalon 69 858 Posted August 7, 2018 Ajax playing some great stuff, 2-0 up against Liege in Belgium. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stan 9,292 Posted August 7, 2018 1 hour ago, Panna King said: Ajax playing some great stuff, 2-0 up against Liege in Belgium. what happened 😮 ?! just seen Ajax let slip the lead and conceded the equaliser in the last minute Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SirBalon 69 858 Posted August 7, 2018 46 minutes ago, Stan said: what happened 😮 ?! just seen Ajax let slip the lead and conceded the equaliser in the last minute They Fell asleep in the last 20 minutes, should of been 0-4 but as soon as Liege scored Ajax couldnt produce anything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inverted 1,271 Posted August 8, 2018 Such a frustrating game. Dominant and creative for most of it, went 1-0 up then conceded a stupid random goal on 44 mins. Spent the last half-hour a man up with zero ideas against a deep block, and zero luck in terms of second balls or deflections. Will be a very tricky 2nd leg. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Käiser 61 Posted August 8, 2018 wonder if Salzburg will perform in Europe as last year (europa league semifinalist) won the first leg 3:0. Their tie in the playoff round seems to be a winnable fixture Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandoEFC 4,338 Posted August 9, 2018 That tie in the balance now for Celtic. They're the better team so should still go through, but if not, how much does that damage Rodgers position? Probably not much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScoRoss 458 Posted August 9, 2018 AEK have to be favourites now. Having to go to Greece, in the heat, and come away with a result is a big ask for Celtic. There is a lot on the line for Celtic next week, but Rodgers has almost lifetime security after his last two seasons Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inverted 1,271 Posted August 9, 2018 It's a big deal not to get CL football, but ultimately, nobody will think much differently of Rodgers for a narrow loss to a tough opponent. I think it is possible to score a goal there, and if that happens then the game opens up and it's anyone's game, but I think it will take a bit of luck. It will, however, provoke a lot of talk about how the club has done its business generally. It's great signing Edouard, but ultimately there are no new players in the squad, and it seems like we're only ever linked to players who we used to loan. All of last season it was made crushingly obvious that Ajer needed a proper, reliable defender next to him, and yet Hendry started yesterday in our most important game of the season. Lustig would even have been a better option, but for some reason Rodgers hates Gamboa and we never explore any other RBs. I've always said that if you do a bit of scouting you can go out and get a good defender for a few million max, but we seem lazy and stingy these days. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stan 9,292 Posted August 13, 2018 2nd legs Tuesday 14th August, 2018 Dynamo Kiev (1) vs (1) Slavia Prague, 17.30 BATE (1) vs (0) Qarabag, 18.00 Spartak Moscow (2) vs (3) Partizan Belgrade, 18.30 AEK Athens (1) vs (1) Celtic, 19.00 Dinamo Zagreb (2) vs (0) Astana, 19.00 Fenerbahce (0) vs (1) Benfica, 19.00 Vidi (1) vs (1) Malmo, 19.00 Shkendija (0) vs (3) RB Salzburg, 19.30 Ajax (2) v (2) Standard Leige, 19.30 Spartak Trnava (1) vs (1) Red Star, 19.30 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inverted 1,271 Posted August 14, 2018 Was feeling quietly optimistic that we could play as well as last week and have a bit more luck in Athens, but with Hendry staying in and Ajer out I'm far less confident. Ajer would be far more useful trying to break down a deep block, and Hendry imo is just not cut out for handling a match like this. Dont like to give up on young Scottish players, but he's not even so young, and to me he's not going to be good enough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScoRoss 458 Posted August 14, 2018 Hadn't realised the Celtic game was on BT Sport tonight. At least it is from from the usual intimidating Turkish atmosphere. Celtic need a massive step up from. Saturday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScoRoss 458 Posted August 14, 2018 That was an ugly goal for Celtic to concede. Too many players standing flat footed on their own box. Too simple a goal to concede. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandoEFC 4,338 Posted August 14, 2018 2-0 bad defending. Massive ask for Celtic from here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inverted 1,271 Posted August 14, 2018 Been alright creatively and looked close to scoring at times, just lacking the last touch which is forgivable. Conceding two shit goals is what’s done us in and everyone could have told you it was likely because the issue has been obvious for about 3 years now. Hendry is hopeless defensively and technically, and Jozo is just a bruiser. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandoEFC 4,338 Posted August 14, 2018 Ajax appear to have sorted things out and lead 2-0 at home against Liege. Then again they led the first leg 2-0.... Spartak Moscow are out in a slight surprise, drawing 0-0 at home after losing the first leg to PAOK 3-2. The 2nd placed team from Greece beating the 3rd placed team from Russia. Celtic running out of time but they will win on away goals if they can peg AEK back. Benfica are drawing 1-1 in Turkey against Fenerbahce. Benfica lead 2-1 on aggregate with an away goal. Fenerbahce need two in the last 20 minutes or so to overturn this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScoRoss 458 Posted August 14, 2018 Scott Sinclair turns up for the first time in a while, and Celtic are only a goal away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandoEFC 4,338 Posted August 14, 2018 Ajax 3-0 done and dusted. Good header by Sinclair. AEK have really invited Celtic onto them here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inverted 1,271 Posted August 14, 2018 Ought to be at least 5-6 mins added for all their time wasting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
...Dan 649 Posted August 14, 2018 2 minutes ago, Inverted said: Ought to be at least 5-6 mins added for all their time wasting. How good is Ntcham? This is the first time I've seen him and he looks a good player. I've seen that Porto are after him... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stan 9,292 Posted August 14, 2018 3 minutes ago, ...Dan said: How good is Ntcham? This is the first time I've seen him and he looks a good player. I've seen that Porto are after him... whenever I saw him last season he was just as influential and effective as Rogic in their respective roles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandoEFC 4,338 Posted August 14, 2018 @Inverted commiserations, are you watching on BT sport? Do you agree with the very critical commentator that Celtics complacency this summer has led to this situation and that they only have themselves to blame? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Artful Dodger 1,576 Posted August 14, 2018 Rodgers should go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inverted 1,271 Posted August 14, 2018 40 minutes ago, ...Dan said: How good is Ntcham? This is the first time I've seen him and he looks a good player. I've seen that Porto are after him... Very talented player, technically comfortable with the eye to get and create goals, and athletically he's absolutely got the physique to play at the top level with a major club in a top 5 league like Porto. Personally I feel like he's more of a "moments" player than the type to run a game, but I also think that our system is overly dependent on him unlocking unpromising positions which can make him look like he's out of ideas when he tries something difficult. So often the wingers try a dribble, turn, and play it back to him, and by that point the opposition is fully set and then he either tries a killer pass which fails, or he's forced to shoot. The AEK games are particularly clear examples of this pattern, but it isn't new. @Cannabis the club has absolutely been complacent. Spending £5-10 million on one or two centre backs, and maybe a RB would have solved the only serious problem with the team. Simunovic is a decent defender but he's extremely limited and isn't a Champions League player. Against more direct, less organised sides in Scotland he's fine, but that's it - he's a flat track bully. I can't even say if Compper is any good but he might as well not be at the club with his injuries. Hendry is simply an above-average Premiership player. I don't think he'd get in Rangers' or Aberdeens' sides, so he has no business playing in CL qualifiers, and I mean no offence to those clubs. I'm just saying he's painfully above his level. Lustig is too old to be playing RB, and even if Rodgers didn't hate Gamboa so much, the club should be out there finding another option in that position besides him. One CB with a sincerely good positional sense, and a faster RB, and we most probably get through this tie. Even with such a weak defense, we were quite unlucky not to progress, so it's painful to imagine what would have been if the defense received the same investment as the rest of the squad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandoEFC 4,338 Posted August 14, 2018 @Inverted you tagged the wrong Everton fan but thanks . I don't have any ill will towards Celtic and obviously it wouldn't be my gut reaction to wish success upon Steven Gerrard up there (though I do try and hope he does well as I think we need a new generation of young English managers to come through but that's another conversation) but Celtic struggling even only for a couple of games does bring interest to the SPL at a time when the microscope is a bit more focused on matters above the border given Rangers' managerial appointment. Elsewhere, Benfica held on to beat Fenerbahce on aggregate. Relief for @Machado. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inverted 1,271 Posted August 14, 2018 1 minute ago, RandoEFC said: @Inverted you tagged the wrong Everton fan but thanks . I don't have any ill will towards Celtic and obviously it wouldn't be my gut reaction to wish success upon Steven Gerrard up there (though I do try and hope he does well as I think we need a new generation of young English managers to come through but that's another conversation) but Celtic struggling even only for a couple of games does bring interest to the SPL at a time when the microscope is a bit more focused on matters above the border given Rangers' managerial appointment. Elsewhere, Benfica held on to beat Fenerbahce on aggregate. Relief for @Machado. I know you're a close bunch on here Put it down to the Lawwell-induced agitation I'm feeling at the moment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Machado 1,215 Posted August 14, 2018 Whilst playing shit football... Luckily Fener are thrash these days. I at first thought the draw had been unkind to us, but any half decent side would have equally beaten the Turks in two legs. Very worrying times for us as we start another season without a proper goalie. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScoRoss 458 Posted August 14, 2018 25 minutes ago, Inverted said: Very talented player, technically comfortable with the eye to get and create goals, and athletically he's absolutely got the physique to play at the top level with a major club in a top 5 league like Porto. Personally I feel like he's more of a "moments" player than the type to run a game, but I also think that our system is overly dependent on him unlocking unpromising positions which can make him look like he's out of ideas when he tries something difficult. So often the wingers try a dribble, turn, and play it back to him, and by that point the opposition is fully set and then he either tries a killer pass which fails, or he's forced to shoot. The AEK games are particularly clear examples of this pattern, but it isn't new. @Cannabis the club has absolutely been complacent. Spending £5-10 million on one or two centre backs, and maybe a RB would have solved the only serious problem with the team. Simunovic is a decent defender but he's extremely limited and isn't a Champions League player. Against more direct, less organised sides in Scotland he's fine, but that's it - he's a flat track bully. I can't even say if Compper is any good but he might as well not be at the club with his injuries. Hendry is simply an above-average Premiership player. I don't think he'd get in Rangers' or Aberdeens' sides, so he has no business playing in CL qualifiers, and I mean no offence to those clubs. I'm just saying he's painfully above his level. Lustig is too old to be playing RB, and even if Rodgers didn't hate Gamboa so much, the club should be out there finding another option in that position besides him. One CB with a sincerely good positional sense, and a faster RB, and we most probably get through this tie. Even with such a weak defense, we were quite unlucky not to progress, so it's painful to imagine what would have been if the defense received the same investment as the rest of the squad. I've seen a similar story about Gamboa for the past year or so from Celtic fans. Did anything happened to have him almost permanently dropped? Especially as Rodgers brought him to the club. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Gonzo 4,248 Posted August 14, 2018 Oh Rodgers does this. He sometimes decides he hates a player and then totally goes cold on them, barely ever talks to them in training and hates to play them. Rodgers can be a bit of an overconfident dickhead who doesn't think he needs to make any changes to an approach that has worked before in the past. So maybe that's what's happening at Celtic now. I still expect them to absolutely piss their league. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScoRoss 458 Posted August 15, 2018 8 hours ago, Cannabis said: Unbeaten for sixteen years domestically then out against AEK Athens, a club that was shut down and formed again in the 00's. I'm sorry but this is an absolute embarrassment and just shows how far behind Scottish football is to the top leagues. You missed out the part where they are the Greek Champions... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
