13 Jul 2025 11:48:24
In my opinion, which hasn't changed since opponents drawn.
We will not beat Panathanikos.
These qualifiers come way too early for a team that is consistently trying to rebuild every fricken season. There is nothing but a slim chance.
I don't believe it will reflect on our season. But if players have joined for European football then already there will be disappointed players.
The Conference League may be a blessing for our chances of the league title.
I'm cool with it. It's the league or nothing for me this season. Was last season too! Europe is a distraction we can't afford and with the 9ers now backing us. European money no longer has the same gravity around it.
For me anyone thinking we have a chance of CL is only setting themselves up for a fall then will no doubt scream like lunatics and call for RM to be sacked blah blah blah. on here too!
So! My advice;
GET EUROPE OOT YER NUT! IF! . and I mean if, something happens. fine. OTHERWISE FORGET IT. It's not for this season and will only help the new coaching team to develop squad and themselves, and not having it distracting us.
Our defence still concerns me at this stage. However some of the signings look very good indeed. Here's hoping we have a couple more in that are more polished and experienced.
Have a great day in the sun.
13 Jul 2025 12:06:09
Gdog because Europe is massive as we need to make as much money as possible so the 49ers can do their thing when it comes to spending cash. It's all about turn over etc… so if we don't do well in Europe our money will be down which means spending less.
13 Jul 2025 12:20:50
A tough ask to qualify for the Champions League and would say if and if we manage to get thru the Panathanaikos tie then you never know.
But not confident at this point.
13 Jul 2025 12:26:15
Europe is a huge part of our business plan. If we don't qualify for Europe it would be a massive failure. I do agree though that last years team is not good enough even though they managed a draw with Olympiakos. I hope we play as much of the new guys in the remaining friendly and get them up to speed, as that's what the friendlies are for. I also think that RM game plan for Pana is being tried in these friendlies. Rothwell, Aasgaard and Djiga in particular. It would of course be naive to expect the younger players to feature.
13 Jul 2025 13:00:13
Gdog just another quick point. The europe cash is not any less important now. The 49ers are not going to bankroll us without making a profit and the only way to make a profit is cash from europe. We will not have a title winning team with only the income from the domestic game.
13 Jul 2025 13:04:29
Good post Gdog, I agree that the league is the only game in town, I used to work with a lot of Celtic fans and their only interest was beating us to the league, a lot of them didn't really care about Europe sure Europe is financially beneficial but we must prioritise getting 3 points every week.
13 Jul 2025 13:06:24
I'm optimistic for the Pana game and the season as a whole.
Not qualifying for the Europa League would be a complete disaster as it would cripple our turnover and have a massive impact our ability to improve the squad.
13 Jul 2025 13:11:41
Perhaps this year the game plan is to qualify for later stages of a European competition. they want to increase turnover and profit but I imagine the plan is to do it gradually. Yes CL money would be a bonus.
If we get into EL league phase then cash would be around the same as last year. next summer a few of our players will be ready to sell so turnover would be better. If we get past panathinaikos then even better as it means we get straight into league phase if I remember correctly if we lose the next qualifier.
Rome wasn't built in a day as they say.
13 Jul 2025 13:15:50
Agree EHL. CL is a bridge too far--Europa league is a must. If we fail leaving the gate it will affect players and fans confidence in the manager and the domestic season. beating Pana is a MUST for this guy.
13 Jul 2025 13:18:21
Gdog10 this is the best post I've seen in a while, I completely agree with you europes a bonus, it's all about the league cause if you win that the rest will take care of itself, good to know there's still likeminded people in here.
13 Jul 2025 13:20:39
Its being so cheerful that keeps you going . I think CL qualification is going to be tough but why are you assuming we would be the Conference League not the Europa?
13 Jul 2025 13:37:16
Same game plan as every year Angus.
13 Jul 2025 13:49:44
BT1958 ever think that mob say they don't care about Europe because they are absolutely gash in it?
GDOG I agree the league is our bread and butter however, take over or not we need European football for revenue. Blind man can see that.
13 Jul 2025 14:05:40
If we can't progress into the europa league then we are not winning the league this year. maybe the season after once the manager has a solid team at his disposal.
13 Jul 2025 14:34:03
It confident at all for Pana game
Not seeing where our goals are coming from
Extremely short on numbers upfront with? Over both Igamane and Dessers future and match readiness.
13 Jul 2025 15:10:49
Think we need to be careful writing off Europe and the impact that would have financially not to mention the coefficient for future if we don't progress to at least the group stage of europa. Agree the Pana games have come too early but I think we'll be as ready as can be. Pana are no mugs. Would gladly take a last minute goal in second leg to take a 1-0 agg overall. League has to be the focus but we need European games as well.
13 Jul 2025 15:37:51
True BB but my worry is that if we lose the first qualifier then once again the fans will turn on the manager and we go back to the rinse and repeat again.
I also think that player sales will eventually far outstrip the cash we get from Europe. you don't need to be successful in Europe to sell players for large profits as our fans claim Celtic aren't and they sell for large profits ?.
13 Jul 2025 15:48:45
Gdog, our owners are desperate for us to do well in europe don't be kidded otherwise my friend ? All part of the business model they want built as the owners of glasgow rangers.
13 Jul 2025 17:33:09
Celtic play Champions league and win league titles which is exactly where we need to be Angus?.