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

They're travelling over on the Monday morning so not only will they have the Monday to recover, they'll also have the whole day to recover on the Tuesday so there is no excuse for that, added to that they are all professional, healthy athletes so they should be able to handle such ventures without too much stress.

The heat over there may not necessarily be over 30+, Bahrudin Atajic (Our former player) said their game just there in Kazakhstan was 22 degrees in which he described as 'perfect' conditions so it wasn't too hot, we'll just need to wait and see what the weather is like.

It may be a plastic pitch, but by all accounts it is a top of the range plastic pitch, 100x better than that atrocity we played on in Gibralter and also a lot better than the plastic pitches both Hamilton and Kilmarnock have back here.

Excuses, excuses, excuses. There aren't any, we just need to be professional and go over there and do a job on them.

 

astana have the same side as last year.

 

Fair enough.
But there is no harm in getting your excuses in early if it all goes * up.:smiley-laughing002:

 

Kris Commons is back in the squad registered with UEFA for the Champions League third round qualifier against Astana.

Connor Hazard has been named as third choice keeper

 

agree.hate all the moaning and escuses about the flight and plastic pitches.

why don't they fly over after the Leicester game?

if we get beat its because we are *,and where not prepared.not because of a plastic pitch or 7 hour flight.

astana need to do the same flight and play in weather and pitches there not used to as well.

 

Exactly, * the Leicester game, put he kids out and get the first team over to Astana to get ready for a massive game..

 

I have to admit I agree with Venglos here.

 

This stage of the season match fitness is priceless, Leicester game will help with that.

 

Does it make you doubt yourself?:smiley-laughing002:

 

They aren't mate.

Branko Ilič

Foxi Kéthévoama

Both players gone from last years Astana team that played in CL Group Stages for them, don't underestimate the loss of two players from their team. Remember when we lost Wanyama and Hooper after our last 16 season? Can have a huge impact on the team.

 

Yeah, I actually prefer going in the 2nd round like the last few years rather than the 3rd. Two competitive games, invariably against absolute minnows, is a real advantage going into the 3rd round. I'd be even more worried about Astana if it were our first competitive game of the season.

 

The Youths play in the SupercupNI final against Everton on Saturday at the same time.

 

A little bit, yes... but then I look at that team again. :smiley-laughing002:

 

Mad Finny, he's like Tony Mowbray without the football knowledge

 

OOOPS... Good luck to them.. Playing a friendly a few days before we travel to the middle of nowhere in Asia doesnt make sense to me, Im sure it does to PL... Id say play our second string but do we actually have one thats fit...?

 

Is Wanyama Finny? The guy who used to rave about that St Johnstone player that ended up going to Sheffield Wednesday? :smiley-laughing002:

I didn't realise.:smiley-laughing002:

Edit: Stevie May, just looked it up.

 

Like I said mate, this stage of the season match fitness is absolutely critical. There's only one way to get it.

The Wolfsburg game done us well, lets hope this one does as well.

 

i think we should play it safe and go for a draw for a change. theyll be expecting us to tire ourselves out and hit us on the break. these teams write books on how to beat us. show some nouse Brendan.

 

we will play two different teams tomorrow like we have done in pre season.