THIS IS a big week for Celtic. The new season has been plain sailing so far, five straight wins in the Premeirship, including a very-comfortable spanking of the side from across the city. But, on Wednesday night, the campaign moves up a notch or two, when Slovan Bratislava come calling to Celtic Park on Champions League duty.
Naturally, given their club's impressive start to the season, five straight League wins, 14 goals scored, no goals conceded, the Celtic Family are feeling good about this game. But, Slovan Bratislava are no mugs. Like Celtic they have a UEFA star on their shirts, from beating Barcelona in the 1969 Cup-Winners Cup Final. Also, Slovakian sides have a habit of upsetting Scottish opponents, so a home win on Wednesday should not be taken as read.
Slovan are unbeaten away from home in the four two-legged European games they have already played this season, and while they did lose heavily, 0-5, at MSK Zilina at the start of the month, that is their only loss in the 17 games they have played this season.
Celtic will find their opponents on Wednesday a step up in class from what they have faced so far this season. All Scots must hope they can get their European campaign off to a winning start, but, should beware of over-confidence.
And another thing – Slovan are ranked 59th in the latest UEFA Club Co-efficients, Celtic are ranked 70th.
RANGERS have another week before they return to the European stage, with their trip to Malmรถ – but, after their win at Tannadice on Saturday, they will be feeling a wee bit better about themselves.
However, drama is never far away from Ibrox these days and I suppose the latest offerings from Dave King – a sort of poor man's Donald Trump around the club, who fancies he is the man to sort everything out if they make him Chairman, well that will keep the red top hacks in the city excited for a day or so.
MEANWHILE – down here in God's County, the nativers are restless following Kilmarnock's adventures is Paisley at the weekend.
Derek McInnes is of course a Paisley Buddie by birth and he certainly enjoyed some banter with the local fans, after what the locals thought was a late winner, was ruled out by a VAR check.
But this, on the day, was a rare case of Derek agreeing with the match officials – I don't see referee Matthew McDermid being on the McInnes Christmas Card list after a couple of his decisions. Young Master McDermid is one of those referees, much like his new boss, Willie Collum was in his younger days, who is forging a reputation for being involved in controversial incidents.
But, to be fair to young Matthew, on Saturday he was hung out to dry by a totally unsatisfactory performance in the TV truck by Andrew Dallas. Of course I am a Kilmarnock supporter, but, I did spend the best part of a decade covering St Mirren, so, I have a foot in both camps here.
In truth the game ought to have been nine St Mirren players v ten Kilmarnock. Mikael Mandron, who was clearly taken off before he got himself sent off, should have gone on a clear second yellow card, which the officials ignored. But, that was nothing compared dto the total lack of action after Shaun Rooney twice clearly kicked the grounded Kyle Vassell.
In fact, had Rooney, as he should have been, seen red then, then Joe Wright would probably have avoided the red card he got later for a punch to the Rooney cajones, which Dallas in the TV truck did spot – and it would have been 11 Killie men v 9 Buddies.
Still, if you like your Scottish Fitba red in tooth and claw, then Paisley was the place to be on Saturday.
IN TRUTH, Heart of Midlothian were not expected to win at Celtic Park on Saturday, but, foot of the table, winless and with just one draw to post so far in the league campaign, they really need a boost before their upcoming European Conference League campaign gets underway.
The Jam Tarts are at St Mirren on Saturday; they then visit Motherwell, before their opening Conference League game, in Minsk the following Wednesday. Stephen Naismith really needs good results from these two domestic games prior to that match. The vultures are hovering over Gorgie this early in the season, that's the way of Scottish Football.
MEA CULPA, but it is only this week that I have caught up with the South Challenge Cup, what a cracking competition, bringing together 163 clubs from the Lowland, East of Scotland, South of Scotland and West of Scotland Leagues.
This season sees the 18th running of the tournament, and, for the first time, it features an all-in draw from the start, which means clubs who rarely ever cross swords get to meet. In Saturday's 64 second round ties, there were some rare meetings and I picked out one or two interesting results.
For instance, I can think of no other competition which might see Whitehill Welfare of the East League, paired with St Anthony's that pro-Celtic enclave in the shadow of Ibrox, but, their clash certainly produced goals – 23 to be exact; with Whitehill winning 10-9 on penalties after the tie finished 2-2 after extra time.
Contrasting fortunes for the town of Irvine: Irvine Meadow cruised to a 10-0 win over South League Wigtown and Bladnoch, while Irvine Victoria were thumped 7-0 by St Cadoc's. Another big win saw Broxburn Athletic travel to Sanquhar and beat Nithsdale Wanderers 10-2.
Just up the road, in New Cumnock, Glenafton Athletic's 0-2 loss to Dalry Thistle was the end of the road for manager Ryan Caddis and his background team. I have already upset one or two locals in the village where I hide from my critics, by suggesting they break the bank, or at least get Sir Tom Hunter to chip-in, to bring Billy Dodds home as Manager/Saviour.
Needless to say, my advice has been ignored, man of many clubs and lurid headlines, Paul Paton has got the gig.
No comments:
Post a Comment