SARAJEVOFAN is one of the many new members on Celtic Noise, the Celtic fans forum this week. He was attracted to the site after his side was drawn against Celtic in the Champions league first qualifying round. The first leg is now confirmed as being in Sarajevo on Tuesday, 9 July with a 7.45pm kick-off while the return match is at Celtic Park on 17 July, again kicking off at 7.45pm.
Here’s a flavour of what the Sarajevo supporter has to say about Celtic, the draw, and the city that many Celtic Supporters will be visiting – and he confirms that Celtic Supporters will be warmly welcome – respected for our support of the Palestinian cause – and that the beer is cheap!
He also clears up the incorrect press reports about current financial problems at his club.
“Hi guys. I am from Sarajevo and as I can see you are interested in what pitch are you going to play. Pitch is not the best condition but city administration wants to build new pitch to be ready for game BiH vs Italy.
“Construction didn’t start yet so I think the pitch will be bad for the first match. Sarajevo is also an Olympic city since 1984, city of good people and awesome but cheap beer. If you have any questions feel free to ask me. Cheers,” sarajevofan – new member on Celtic Noise.
“I read that we are not playing at the pitch of Sarajevo but at some other stadium, The Asim Ferhatovic Hase stadium,” Celtic Noise member Fisiani asked.
“Asim Ferhatović was legendary player of FK Sarajevo that scored 198 goals in 422 official games for Sarajevo. The stadium is named by him. But also that stadium is not in our property it is the property of the city. So that may be the reason you thought we are not playing on our pitch,” sarajevofan replied.
Sarajevofan was then asked about the press reports that are saying that FK Sarajevo’s pre-season plans were in disarray due to the players not having received their wages this month. He was able to clear that up, which has not been reported in the Scottish press. And surprise, surprise the press reports seem to be wrong.
Bosnia-Herzegovina champion FK Sarajevo should have travelled to a pre season camp today but that was cancelled due to the players refusing going. They haven’t received wages in months.
FK Sarajevo will play #Celtic in a less than a month. #Circus
— BiHfootball (@BiHFootball) June 20, 2019
“That is not the truth. Truth is that wages were a bit late because the new owner bought the club and pumped a large amount of money into the club, so thanks to our lovely state, bank needs to check where that money comes from and they didn’t finish that on time so money didn’t go to our account yet but in official club respond to this media statements it was said that everything will be settled by tomorrow. I agree this should be settled earlier but the new owner just wanted to protect his money because a few years ago our administration was bad but don’t worry everything will be ok,” sarajevofan replied.
Next he was then asked about how was the news of the draw received in Bosnia, are Sarajevo pleased with the draw or worried by it? “I would be interested to know what people in Sarajevo think about Celtic and Scotland,” asked Celtic Noise member Richybhoy.
“Thank you, Richy, well when we find out that the loser of this match will go directly in the 3rd leg of Europa League we felt a big relief. Fun fact is that you will be 2nd best football club that visited Bosnia, first one is Man Utd. we hosted them in 1967. In this year we have won the first double crown in our history so the match with Celtic will be beautiful to watch I think the most important thing is not to surrender, Celtic is a big club but you saw Liverpool making a comeback against Barca. So I would say you are the favorites but everything is possible.
“About Scotland and your fans, I respect you a lot because you support Palestine and you have amazing history and atmosphere,” sarajevofan responded.
Another member on Celtic Noise, TET, wanted to know who sarajevofan reckons are his team’s best players and what he thinks that the score will be over 2 legs?
“I would like to draw on our home pitch and 2-1 on your pitch but it will be tough. Our goalie is good CB also, we have few good players in midfield and the best striker in the last 10 years in Sarajevo. Wishes for the result is my fan opinion but you are a better team that is for sure,” he replied.
TET came back on the mention of the Sarajevo match against Manchester Utd in 1967 saying: “1967 was year Celtic won European cup, so it was a good year for both teams. I hope we win, but I anticipate a very hard battle against the Bosnian Champions.
“Anyway its nice to have you contribute to the site. It will be a great match between two worthy champions with strong history of playing football. It should be a great exciting match,” he said.
Sarajevofan responded: “Match against Man Utd was 1967/68 and I think Manchester won the trophy that year. It was quarter-final we played, draw on the home pitch and lost away 2 1 but referee f****d us. Man Utd players told we were the toughest team on there way to the trophy.”
“We produced some very good players like Safet Susic, he is the best player of PSG of all times. But the war in ex Yugoslavia f****d everything up, unfortunately.”
Looking at the above video of Sarajevo’s match with Manchester Utd, TET had this to say. “That referee was a cheat. Best punched goalie – no foul but defender tackles Best and is sent off. Then he gives an offside goal to Man Utd. Rigged.”
“Just look at that spectacular goal. He was also considered best player of Yugoslavia ever, Sarajevofan said, still talking about Safet Susic. On TET’s observations about their defeat to Manchester Utd in 1967, he said: “Who knows what would have happened if we passed Man Utd maybe we would be champions of Europe for year 67/68.”
Spherical Planet joined the conversation, “My Father often said that Yugoslavia were the best team at the 1974 World Cup. I also remember the 1992 side who had to withdraw from the European Championships in Sweden. I believe that side would have won the tournament.”
Yugoslavia was a great country but f*****g war destroyed everything,” sarajevofan replied. He wanted to know if The Celtic Supporters planned to go to Sarajevo for the game.
JamSam67 gave him his answer. pretty sure 10,000 fans will travel just for the cheap beer,” while TET predicted around 5000 travelling support from Celtic.
“Away stand capacity is about 4700 include safe zone I think you will have 3500 tickets but nothing official still,” sarajevofan said. “If anyone from Celtic Noise comes to Sarajevo I can guide him around the city and show them all the important things to see. If anyone wants let me know HH.”
“Fun fact: Group of your lads supported FK Sarajevo in Armenia as your fans were settled in the same hotel as our team they decided to have some fun time and support FK Sarajevo. Cheers,” Sarajevofan revealed and gave us a photograph which of the Hoops fans supporting Sarajevo.
“Looks like a good time was had by all,” The Shamrock reckoned.
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