LAST NIGHT Celtic put the the outcome of their second round Champions League qualifier against Nomme Kalju beyond reasonable doubt. Neil Lennon will have had scouts at the other game, between CFR Cluj and Maccabi Tel Aviv, which finished 1-0 to the Romanians, who will travel to Tel Aviv for the second leg next week where it is all to play for.
CFR Cluj’s manager is the former Chelsea star Dan Petrescu and he has hit out at UEFA for the hurdles that they place before Champions of European nations, and proud former winners of this tournament like Ajax and Celtic, having to play in qualifiers when players from sides who maybe finished fourth in their domestic league – if it’s one of UEFA’s favoured leagues – last season waltz straight into the money spinning group stages no questions asked. It’s rigged, plain and simple.
Ajax were seconds away from being in the Champions League Final last year – there must be more merit in that than in what RB Leipzig (and many others across the so called ‘big’ leagues_ achieved. Celtic’s Treble Treble success on the domestic front is an achievement unequalled in world football but we are forced to play 8 matches and come through four rounds just to get to the point that the third placed side in the French top flight earned them. There’s something just not right about all of this and it is good that people within the game are speaking up and making their point.
Petrescu has had his say and he is no fan of the way UEFA are treating clubs like his own and others like Celtic and Ajax.
“I do not like the competition. I watch Ajax play in the preliminaries. What is this?
“They played the Champions’ semi-final and they are in the preliminaries. The champions of Holland. God forbid! Why are they not directly in the group stages?
“Let’s also respect the countries. All countries deserve a team in the Champions League in a tournament that is called the Champions League.
“It’s not normal what’s going on. Romanians have to be appreciated. We fight like a lunatic one year, we become champions and then wake up every two days on planes.
“We don’t even make money. We have to be respected to be in groups too,” Petrescu said to the media last night, as reported by Scottish Sun. Well said that man.
Petrescu is well aware that his side’s Champions League adventure could be over next week as his side try to hold onto their narrow lead achieved last night through the first half goal scored by Billel Omrani who appeared to have had a free header from a set piece delivery – see below. That may not be enough in Tel Aviv as Petrescu appreciates, knowing that Maccabi have an impressive home record and will have a ferocious backing from their support.
And while Celtic Park is sure to be packed for the third round tie, judging by last night’s low crowd, the Romanian fans haven’t really got behind their team in these qualifiers – which could suit Celtic.
“Their central defender seemed extraordinary to me. In the middle, Dor Peretz is one of the best. Yonatan Cohen is like the Neymar of Israel,” Petrescu, providing Neil Lennon with some pointers in case Maccabi do make it through and since the Celtic manager likes shopping for players in Israel, some tips regarding signing targets too!
The winners of Cluj and Maccabi will play Celtic (unless their is a complete collapse next week in Estonia) on 6 and 13 August and the eventual winners of that tie will still have one further round of qualifiers to go to get ourselves on a par with the fourth best side in England, or Spain last season or even the German side RB Leipzig, who Celtic knocked out of Europe last season but are rewarded by UEFA because of the TV money their nation attracts.
Also on The Celtic Star…
Leigh Griffiths has sent an emotional message to his teammates, family and friends and Celtic Supporters after his stunning goal last night against the Estonian Champions…see HERE.
Neil Lennon’s verdict on Celtic’s stunning 5-0 win over Nomme Kalju in the Champions League Qualifier…see HERE.
Words can’t describe…Leigh Griffiths’ post match comments after a wonderful return to scoring goals for Celtic…see HERE.
Celtic 5 Nomme Kalju 0 – ‘This was a brilliant performance with some cracking goals,’ David Potter…see HERE.
Five going on Ten, Niall J’s Match Report from a wonderful evening at Paradise…see HERE.
