confirming the signing of Jota is great news. Really keen to see the kinds of players Ange will develop and where they end up. He is one I think could play for a big club in the UCL one day in one of the big leagues..

I sort of get your particular hatred, but maybe only really on an intellectual level, from wide reading about Celtic, Rangers and Glasgow. I guess my question was getting at how far do you take this hatred, not its existence. I do get tribal hatred generally from my long career in the law and national security, especially dealing with terrorism. So maybe I don’t get fan hatred like you do but in a different way. Each to their own but fascinating insights, thanks.

It does, thanks. The more I learn about Celtic fans the more I also get insights into other aspects of their lives, like politics. Listening to the Scottish independence debate is fascinating. Anyway, this casual plastic fan  can’t wait until this next season kicks off. 

Celtic played their first of six pre-season friendlies overnight, a stroll to a 0-7 victory against a lower level Austrian side, Wiener Viktoria, in Austria. A few younger players started, such as Uroghide and Lawall but some fringe first team players did too, like Jullien, Gucci and McCarthy. Hatate and Forrest started as well, both scoring. The new Argentinian left back, Bernabei got half a game and was apparently lively, and reports are that Ange spent a lot of time coaching him throughout the game on how to play the inverted fullback role. So a good game for fitness and tactical awareness for those who played, it seems. Stronger opposition lined up for Saturday when they play Rapid Wien and I expect something like a first XI will start that match.  Final thing, reports are Kewell was very vocal from the sideline too. 

I watched the game. It was 6 nil at half time and could well have ended up into double figures if the starting eleven had stayed on the park.

Wiener Viktoria is Austrian third tier and it showed. If they usually play like they did in this game they would struggle to survive in the Lowland League. However, the main purpose of this match was to get minutes into the legs of those who played. Apart from Hart and Bernabei (who both played the first half), Celtic was made up of youth and fringe players.

Ajeti was poor and is not suited to Ange’s system.
Jullien showed he is too slow and why he was left on the sidelines following his recovery from injury.
Kenny and Vota looked as if they may be ready for some game time this season. But, the opposition for places is so good they may be better served by going out on loan this season.
Bernabei was outstanding and if he continues like this will confine Greg Taylor to a lot of time on the bench this season.

Apparently Lawal had a decent game. I've been saying for a while he's going to be a big player for Celtic. Hope he gets game time this season - or a loan where he'd be playing SPL.

Interesting observations, thanks. How did the midfield three look, McCarthy, Ideguchi and Hatate? 

Gotta agree with both of you on this one lads.... 100%

A class above the opposition.

McCarthy didn't do too much wrong.
Ideguchi was energetic and played well.
Hatate looked sharp and was a standout.

Thanks!

Ange off to a better start this season compared to that of 12 months ago. Started last league season with an away loss to Hearts. Started this season with a comfortable 2-0 home win against Aberdeen. Early days, obviously, but a bright start.  Mooy got a substitute appearance too and I predict this will be the case for the month of August, ie sub appearances, when Celtic only have one game a week but come September when the midweek games start and continue all the way up to the World Cup, Mooy likely to see much more game time. 

Rangers just got done 2-0 by some team I had to google. How long to Muscat comes in lol....:)

Europe the big big test for Ange this year. 

But Ange doesn't have experience, what does he know of the Scottish game as well? Has anyone heard of him? Poste-coo-gloo I think..

Is tonight’s game being broadcasted on BeIN?

I can’t appear to find it listed in their TV guide on the app :( 

It doesn't seem to be.

Is subscribing to Celtic TV an option from Australia?

Apart from hesgoal, then yes it is.

Tyvm to you both 🙏 

There’s smart tv apps for every European game. I have pretty much every game from every league down to Portuguese second division. 

Hey, would you care to enlighten a technological dinosaur? What apps do I download for LG OLED 4K?
Please and thank you :)

Celtic: Postecoglou says mentor Puskas would have taken 'great pride' in Real Madrid ties

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62688813

Interview #3 on Open Goal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f1pase3Yp4&ab_channel=OpenGoal 

Stan Sport's offering
Fozzie is so "team Ange" these days :)
https://twitter.com/StanSportFC/status/1564194778899615744

Crazy to think about all those year back that famous interview about the aussie u20s now Fozzie will be covering a game where Ange is going up against Real Madrid.

Truly Incredible. Great draw in the UCL.

Yeah its pretty amazing. I know what you mean. The skinny full back with the dodgy 80s porn 'tache I used to watch at Middle Park has already coached in some of the worlds most iconic stadiums - Maracana, Lakeside, Parkhead and soon the Bernabeu ... who knows where else if they can get to the group stages.....  the San Paolo, San Siro, Dragao, Anfield its mind blowing really.
Robbie Slater and his pals were soooooo right to help him on his way.

Great CL draw in the sense of being against royalty and holders in Madrid - sure will be a hoot seeing Hoops fans there return leg.
The local Madridistas won't know what will hit them on the streets pre and post game - saying that humouressly.
RBLeipzig won't be a push over proven CL combatants, R16 20/21, SF 19/20, last years Europa SF.
They did play Hoops in Europa back in 18/19 win H loss A RB finished 3rd I think.
Shakhtar is a must win to get anywhere finishing 2nd and out of the Grp.
Great test to watch the way they are playing, Sept 7 @ home vs RM 5am our time.
Lets see the 80's porn star up against this lot for many many eyes will be watching, great having a aussie/greek coach in the CL.

Ange has transformed that team and good on him but let's be honest it's a 2 horse race with daylight second.

Can't wait to see him in the EPL, Bundesliga or similar where he has more competition.

Be interesting to see how far he can go. 

I'm fascinated to see how they go in the champions league. Wonderful group to test just how much impact Ange really has had. 

Xtr8x TV check in out on YouTube 

The CL is the next tick box for EPL criteria which Ange already fulfils anyway. The SPL point turnaround and a J League crown are enough. Parker fired by Bournemouth just now. I don't think Gerrard or Lampard have much time left. Rodgers will probably leave Leicester a she can't get funds. I think we may see Rodgers at Everton or Villa very soon. Ange can and should stay at Celtic a good while before any rash decisions to a promoted basket case like Watford.