Champions League Round of 42

Sport
21

[QUOTE=“Scrunchie, post: 997839, member: 1408”]Legia have formally requested Celtic to play a one off match in the spirit if fair play

“Double victory over Celtic FC in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, firmly but fairly gained on the pitch, was a big success for us. It led us closer to the big dream of the entire generation of our fans: to reach the group stages of the UCL for the first time in 19 years. We found it deeply unfair and contradictory to the fair-play rules to see our dreams shattered by the last 4 minutes of the already decided second leg match,” the letter reads.

“Would any true legend of Celtic accept the qualification won despite the double defeat suffered on the pitch?

“How could they then look in the eyes of their humiliated fans?”

“I therefore call on you to refer to your best traditions of honour and honesty…do not destroy [Celtic’s] beautiful legacy, that you inherited from past generations of ‘The Bhoys’. I call on you to act according to the spirit of the game and the rules of fair play – to issue a joint statement to the UEFA disciplinary bodies. Let’s meet in Warsaw or Glasgow and settle this matter honourably.

“Many Celtic FC fans bear the “Keep the Faith” motto on their flags, jerseys, tattoos and in their hearts. I will be thinking about it while awaiting your answer,” the letter concluded.[/QUOTE]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwcKwGS7OSQ

22

[QUOTE=“mickee321, post: 997952, member: 367”]celtic would be mad to stand aside.
there is no room for ethics in professional “sport”
when is the first leg against Maribor Teatanic pal?, if its wednesday then this is done[/QUOTE]

Celtic Football Club Statement
By: Newsroom Staff on 10 Aug, 2014 17:15
IN response to statements made by Legia Warsaw today, a spokesperson for Celtic Football Club said:
“We are disappointed by Legia Warsaw’s comments. This is entirely a matter for UEFA and its processes. Accordingly, we will reserve further comment for the appropriate time.”

23

[QUOTE=“Young Ned of the Hill, post: 997961, member: 80”]Celtic Football Club Statement
By: Newsroom Staff on 10 Aug, 2014 17:15
IN response to statements made by Legia Warsaw today, a spokesperson for Celtic Football Club said:
“We are disappointed by Legia Warsaw’s comments. This is entirely a matter for UEFA and its processes. Accordingly, we will reserve further comment for the appropriate time.”[/QUOTE]
Celtic are unsporting cunts, using UEFA as a screen.
Man up and either give the Poles the game they won fair and square, or take them up on the offer of a play-off.

24

[QUOTE=“mickee321, post: 997952, member: 367”]celtic would be mad to stand aside.
there is no room for ethics in professional “sport”
when is the first leg against Maribor Teatanic pal?, if its wednesday then this is done[/QUOTE]

Speaking of ethics, the Celtic directors would be neglecting their fiduciary duties if they agreed to step aside.

25

We drew with Naomh Fionnbarra of Cabra West in the Dublin SHC years ago. We had really lost by two points but the referee credited one of their points to us. We got a message from Naomh Fionnbarra menacingly asking us did we really want to insist on our right to a replay. We very sportingly conceded the tie.

26

Very wise. Played against them several times, bunch of fucking scumbags.

27

Legia have launched a #LetFootballWin twitter campaign! Pictures of their players holding up signs with the slogan on it. Artur Boruc has been involved on twitter too.

28

I though cellic would jump at the chance to stick it to the man and agree to Legia’s request.
After all…
http://dailyfootballnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/fuck-uefa.jpg

29

[QUOTE=“Piles Hussain, post: 999161, member: 363”]I though cellic would jump at the chance to stick it to the man and agree to Legia’s request.
After all…
http://dailyfootballnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/fuck-uefa.jpg[/QUOTE]

There was another banner further over to the left out of shot emblazoned with “thank” across it, pal.

30

UEFA have told Legia to do one.

31

They were hard done by but they have made a show of themselves over the last weekend.

32

A sensible decision by UEFA.

33

Ah they weren’t hard done by at all. It’s hard to imagine a professional club making a fuck up like this.

34

Surely they should be left into the Champions League as the 33rd team

35

It was a bizarre appeal. The rules are absolutely clear. But they wanted them set aside, even though there’s no scope for other/reduced punishments. It’s a basic 3-0 forfeit. I agree with @Fagan ODowd.

36

Boruc is hardcore Legia.

37

They will know better the next time.

38

but sure they bring you in for a free pint in their clubhouse after they kick the bollox out of you in the bogeys for an hour… awful decent shower …

39

How do you think we’re fixed for Wednesday night, bhoys?

Plenty of encouraging signs today:

  • This was the type of performance we’ve been told Deila’s teams produced in Norway. A really high tempo all through and we attacked relentlessly with incisive passing, sharp movement and plenty of fluidity. We pressed them high up the pitch and completely bullied them;
  • Taig Gordon was rock solid, made a splendid save and it was encouraging to see him commit fully to that early 50/50;
    -Denayer looks a super prospect - he made some really crisp, hard, well timed tackles, looked pretty fast and was very comfortable on the ball. Not the biggest guy and was beaten aerially once or twice and had a couple of concentration lapses but a great debut overall;
  • Much better from Van Dijk beside him too. Was strong and decisive for the most part and averted danger early on when Mackay-Steven rounded Gordon. That alertness and effort to get back had been missing in the earlier games.
  • Johansen’s best game for Celtic in every facet. Still has a tendency to completely misplace a basic pass but you couldn’t quibble with such an all action display capped with a goal;
  • The interplay between the attacking players was the best we’ve seen from Celtic in a long time. We mixed some very good passing movements and unselfish play with plenty of shots from outside the box too;
  • We were outstanding from attacking set pieces and Stokes’ inswinging deliveries from the left were exceptional. My unscientific rule of thumb - conceding regularly from set pieces = a team lacking focus with players not taking responsibility; scoring regularly from set pieces = a well-drilled unit with committed players excelling in defined roles;
  • McGregor looks like he can pick out a pass too, and doesn’t just have a shot on him. Good for Berget to grab a brace. I don’t know what to make of him. He seemed in parts tidy and sharp and ungainly and ragged at other times. He hasn’t played much football this calendar year so he’s hopefully getting into his groove.

All in all, that 3-0 second leg victory against Legia seems to have turned our season around and kickstarted the Deila era.

A couple of concerns remain. We still looked open at the back at times and weren’t entirely compact on more than a few occasions. You’d have to think a better team playing at home, e.g. Maribor, would be capable of taking advantage. I’m not sure Mulgrew and Johansen offer enough protection for the back four.

I’d like us to sign a really good striker before the deadline for this game.

40

I’d like to see Bitton start ahead of Mulgrew, didn’t think Mulgrew was great today and nearly gave a goal away dallying on the ball, Bitton is much tidier and moves the ball quicker. Thought Kayal was shit when he came on and was desperate for their goal, he’s a very rash player.

Very impressive attacking performance and I’m hoping we’ll put this tie to bed on the night. Not sure what to make of Denayer, looks like he has a lot of potential but is very raw at the minute, the other options aren’t the most inspiring either. Ambrose is a bombscare and Mulgrew doesn’t seem to be considered a defender any longer. Lustig is much more comfortable on the right. I would suspect Lustig for Amrbose will be the only change for midweek.

Think we badly need another holding midfielder, left back and striker. The most heartening thing today for me was the Ronny freshened the squad up, hopefully he sticks to that for the rest of the season. How good are Maribor, have they any relatively known players or internationals?