[Official TC Thread] FC Astana v. Celtic, CL 3rd Qual Rnd 1st Leg, Wed 27th July, 15.00pm ko, Premier Spor

Season Competition Round Opponent Home Away Aggregate
2013–14 UEFA Europa League 1QR Bulgaria Botev Plovdiv 0–1 0–5 0–6 2014–15 UEFA Europa League 1QR Armenia Pyunik 2–0 4–1 6–1
2QR Israel Hapoel Tel Aviv 3–0 0–1 3–1
3QR Sweden AIK 1–1 3–0 4–1
PO Spain Villarreal 0–3 0–4 0–7
2015–16 UEFA Champions League 2QR Slovenia Maribor 3–1 0–1 3–2
3QR Finland HJK 4–3 0–0 4–3
PO Cyprus APOEL 1–0 1–1 2–1
GS Portugal Benfica 2–2 0–2 4th
Spain Atlético Madrid 0–0 0–4
Turkey Galatasaray 2–2 1–1
2016–17 UEFA Champions League 2QR Lithuania Žalgiris Vilnius 2–1 0–0 2–1
3QR Scotland Celtic

 

Probably BT.

They done the last away game.

 

Yeah that's what I mean. I think they should be favourites over there but they aren't mate.

 

probably find out over the next few days hopefully BT pick this up.

 

Maybe the bookies watched them play the other night and thought they looked * :icon_mrgreen:

 

We should have too much for astana, they have had some decent results recently but another week for us to work on our sharpness will help us.
I would go with 4 at the back.

 

Ah, yeah. I see. Well, that just means your point's even stronger than I thought.

 

going to miss both games wa work was hoping for a Tuesdays 1st leg and working 10-9 the week after Monday Tuesday Wednesday

 

lol, Brown, Ajer and Armstrong. Horrific, horrific, horrific. Should be nowhere near the team for this tie. I also don't fancy Griffiths as a lone front man in Europe, doesn't have the attributes for such a role (See Malmo away, Molde, Ajax, Inter) as examples of that.

 

Who do you suggest? That's the best we have right now.

And don't * say Bitton.

 

hard to predict what team and formation we will go with for this, this will be a test thats for sure.

 

Kitty O'Shea's on Waterloo Street. Literally 20 seconds from Central. They were showing last night's game and is where I plan on being at 3 o'clock on Tuesday!

 

Well Bitton's injured so I won't be saying him.

Guys like Allan, Rogic heck even Johansen I'd play over Brown and Armstrong. Not too sure on Henderson though personally but he could even challenge as well. As it stands though and if it's a middle three, I'd go Allan and McGregor next to each other with Rogic just in front of them.

Ajers nowhere near ready, Brown you know my feelings on and I just don't think Armstrongs got it. From what I've seen of Allan even in the little there's been I rate him higher than Armstrong and Brown. People will say he can't tackle and has no steel but I'd call BS on that as I've watched him win back possession well plenty times and found his man with the ball afterwards accurately far more often than not. McGregor beside keeping play ticking and joining the attack and then you have the man pulling the strings and causing havoc for the opposition with lots of through balls. Rogic can also win the ball back when need be as well as the vid below shows albeit it's against Dundee Utd. His sublime passing range is just too good to leave out.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAcEao6rf-Q[/ame]
1 second in
1.13
1.35
Also listen in at 1.53, where you see how Sutty describe his performance in the Brown position and how impressed he was.

 

Would like to see us start with a 4-5-1 formation we are horrific away from home in europe, We also look utter * at the back with injuries and no new signings, a would hope the management would take a cautious approach for the first half hour at least until we get a feel of what this mob are about.

Then maybe change it once we have got a feel for the game, playing on another * pitch in hot weather doesnt suit us 1 bit so a would prefer the smart approach cause i think its going to be tough as *.... that mob got some decent results against right decent sides ast year so they will be no mugs!

 

To much for Astana:smiley-laughing002::smiley-laughing002: Maybe just maybe I'd have us down as favourites if both teams play there A game but this will be a very tough close tie.

Although a hope am wrong hope we smash them but can't see it a think they'll be hard to break down.

 

Allan, no. Johansen, * no. Rogic, not in the away game where we have to be more solid.

Armstrong was fantastic last night. Aye the level of opposition was poor but he is tailor-made for the centre of midfield. There is no way either him or McGregor should be dropped. Allan is not a better player than him. He can pick out the odd nice pass, but he doesn't bring the same energy and ability to go past players. Armstrong has a bit of pace about him.

Rogic has buckets of ability, but his problem has been consistency. He's either great or invisible. And like I said, we have to be a solid unit away from home. He won't track back enough or bring the same energy to midfield. Roberts and/or Forrest (as much as I can't stand the *) will be attacking options in midfield, as they bring pace.

* Johansen:smiley-laughing002:

 

Choosing between Brown, Johansen and Armstrong is for me like choosing between Michelle McManus, Subo and Anne Widdecombe. Don't particularly rate any of them and think they're all mostly gash and would rather see them all leave soon.

Armstrong has been less gash than usual recently however his set pieces are abysmal and his passing for me is suspect as well at times, his finishing leaves a lot to be desired as well. I don't agree with Allan not being able to skip past players, Allan is very, very good at dropping the shoulder and turning his opponent and then finding his man with an inch perfect pass, what we're crying out for in Europe. Watch the 2nd half vs Wolsfburg to see this in full flow where he was MOTM for me that 2nd half against very decent opposition. Much more effective in the middle of the park for me over Armstrong.

Rogic is Rogic, he's top quality and we should always be finding him a place in the side imo. Let's just wait and see but he has the most to his game imo it could be argued over ANY of our other MFs and I'm not including Roberts in that as he's technically not our player.

Anyway, I haven't said I'd start Johansen anyway and I also didn't say I'd drop McGregor.

Allan, McGregor and Rogic would be a quality MF for this tie coming up imo.

 

Michelle McManus all day.

 

Looking back at the three I can see why it's not really a hard decision tbh. :smiley-laughing002:

 

Surprised that the bookies have us as favourites for the first leg, plastic pitch and Really hot weather, they have a really good home record too