 Thursday, August 30, 2007
Celtic Park at its best as fantastic football sets up memorable season
I suppose we should start by giving credit to Spartak Moscow. There were several reasons we were unhappy with the draw; Spartak are midseason, they sit top of the Russian league and they play on an artificial surface, but at Celtic Park, on our surface, when we are four games into our season, they were excellent. They attacked as well as any team who have visited Celtic Park since Barcelona in 2004. They were also the first European team to score a goal at Celtic Park since Henrik Larsson broke our hearts that day; ending Celtic’s proud claim to hold the longest European home run without conceding a goal. They contributed plenty to what might have been the best game in Europe this month, but was surely the game with the two most culpable defensive mistakes. But enough of our guests, heroes were make last night, although the biggest hero of all, Sugar-Ray Boruc, was anointed long ago. I was relieved to see his name on the team sheet, making him cup-tied for the Champions League. For once, reports of a serious interest in our goalkeeper were true, but how do you put a value on a player who can make the difference between the Champions League and the Uefa Cup? Spartak took control of the game from the start. The fluid football we have seen from Celtic this season was missing until Aiden McGeady exerted his influence on the proceedings. He shone in a gifted Celtic midfield by doing the simple thing he does best; colleting the ball, getting past his opposite number and moving forward 30 yards before passing. If McGeady was testing the Spartak right back, Lee Naylor suffered at the hands of Bystrov, who along with striker Pavluchenko were a constant threat. Naylor had a torrid first half that culminated in a physical confrontation with Boruc as the half time whistle went, which seemed to focus the full back. I thought the sending off of Stranzl on 85 minutes was harsh, but no more so than the penalty kick awarded to Spartak midway through the first half. After bizarre and outrageous penalty awards in the Champions League last season against Manchester United, it beggared belief that Gary Caldwell was penalised when the ball struck his arm, which was anchored on the ground. If Paul Hartley picked the perfect time to score his first goal two weeks ago, Scott McDonald did the same last night. It was a big night for Scott, who can reflect on his part in our victory, and hopefully forget the two chances he missed when clean through with the keeper to beat. Not that he was the only offender. In a three minute second half spell Shunsuke Nakamura was twice through with only Pletikosa in the Spartak goal to beat, he subsequently shot over from inside the box. His penalty miss topped off an evening of forgettable finishing; maybe Shunsuke should take his penalties with a six man wall in front of him? After a nervous opening to the second half, Celtic took control of the game. Defensively they were solid and the quad-terrific midfield prodded and passed, ran and tackled, until Spartak lost their rhythm. The winning goal could have and should have arrived.
After 90 minutes my brother pointed out the other results, Ajax out, but the other seeds through. “If Spartak win, Rangers get into Pot 3”, I said. “As if losing isn’t bad enough”.
If Spartak deserve our respect, so do Maciej Zurawski and Derek Riordan. Both have had a difficult 2007, neither of them would have started the week sure they still had a future at the club, so to step forward under such pressure and score a penalty kick was an outstanding achievement. Despite always being losers in European penalty kick competitions, I was confident of the outcome when the time arose. Both teams were tired, but the body language from Celtic was all about winning. Gordon Strachan and his team again looked like getting the job done. The Celtic Park atmosphere was fantastic. It evoked memories of those great European nights from our past, it deserved, we deserved, the great game of football and the great result we got.
If you were there, take a bow. If you were not there, but shared the moment on the Live Updates on Celtic Quick News, take a bow also. I read through many of the comments last night and will do so again over the weekend; you created a permanent record of the unique experiences that being a Celtic supporter in our time is all about. This is going to be a memorable season. Labels: Match Report
122 Comments:
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caldwell is a player
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The Shoot-out, as originally posted last night by Pablo.
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What a game that was, still buzzing from it all. If there is a match played this season anywhere in the world with more drama and a better atmosphere than last night it will be some match.
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Bah, last to post on a dead thread again. Well, you don't get rid of me that easy, here it is again....
My pick for the draw -
Inter Milan - Won a poorly contested scuddetto last year, below-par italian performers in CL. The rest speak for themselves.
Porto - Shadow of the team which beat Celtic in the UEFA cup final, eminently beatable. I'd also take Benfica or PSV. I wouldn't complain too much if we drew Roma, I reckon we'd tank them at CP. Sevilla gave Real and Barca a run for the title last year, doing well under Juande Ramos, avoid at all costs. Valencia and Bremen are to be avoided.
Rosenborg - If we can get an away result anywhere, surely it's here. Also take Slavia Prague, should get a good away support there. I'd aim to avoid the greek and turkish teams in this pot, very difficult to get any kind of away result in these countries. Shaktar/Kiev have some quality players, of the two I'd rather draw Kiev.
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From the last thread
Agree with Real. Would be a bliding trip, we would have a real chance against them and we could not get one of the Spanish pot 2 teams. Agree with Slavia Prague for the same first two reasons just given. My pot 2 choice would be Benfica. I know its going back to old ground but we did not do ourselves justice there, we would get a good reception with plentiful tickets and they have had a shaky start this season.
For the huns
Chelsea, Valencia and Lazio please.
Nil points, rien de va plus
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i honestly though majic was goign to miss , good on him. roll on the draw .
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And so it came to pass….(and tackle….and shoot …..and score….. and heid the ball), that the immovable objects were blown away, and the unstoppable forces crash landed never again to twitch a further millimetre.
Love may have inspired the greatest poetry, passion the greatest art, and imagination the greatest arenas, but last night in a conjunction not seen since the main man announced ‘let their be light’, a work of thousand emotions was fashioned, by everyone who was present, everyone who watched and listened, fashioned into an indelible experience that will forever have its own little ring-fenced plot in the garden of my Celtic experience.
The uncertainties, the doubts and the worries of yesterday were harnessed into an aura of belief and inspiration.
It was this transformation that really did make OUR team unbreakable and unbeatable.
Two clubs from cities so far apart in miles, but with hardly a shaft of light between them in a background of hard-knocks, skill, desire, and effort, for 210 minutes attacked, defended, made mistakes, tackled, fell over, got back up and ran again and again.
To suggest that the difference was a saved penalty does not even start to explain what happened, how it happened, and who made it so.
I’m no football aficionado, so an analysis from me on the finer points of wing-play, zonal marking, or overlapping support would be a futile attempt at trying to emulate the intrinsic failure of Scottish journalism.
But I can personally vouch for the ingredient that made the difference last night.
From beginning to end, enough people believed that we wouldn’t lose. That took the team to centre stage, and placed and shone a huge spotlight on Artur Boruc and Maxim Kalinichenko.
As that final thrust and parry was about to be enacted,I turned to a load of people across the stairway and the ‘Aiden-haters’ in front of me and simply said,
“get yer fingers out yer *****, and believe, really believe that Arturs’s gonnae save this wan”
They did ….and he did!
And as all around erupted and a tumbling, rolling, writhing mass of exhausted bodies battered me to the ground, I looked across to the main stand and can verify that the 65,000 quoted attendance was correct.
For assembled there on the roof was Jock, and Jinky, and Bobby, John Thomson, Wullie Maley, Jimmy McGrory, Ronnie Simpson, Dan Daly, Patsy Gallagher, Charlie Tully, Jimmy Delaney, Jimmy Quinn and a cast of Celtic thousands, every man and woman of them standing and applauding.....both teams.
Well done Spartak, your some team and those of your supporters I met were crackin people.
Well done the Celtic team, Gordon, and all the staff.
But most of all, well done to us! We believed and we supported and we made the difference.
Last night The Celtic Way was relaunched and great adventures await us over the horizon.
If we keep pulling together ANYTHING is possible.
Believe enough and ………………..
Anyway Sharkey’s awaits! It’s time to sit back and savour!
Hail Hail
Estadio
p.s Andycolo.
Thanks for that wee bit on John James.
I played against Llanelli many times in the 70s at Stebonheath.
I will be in touch with ex-colleagues to chew the fat over another stalwart of the game who has gone.
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repost from last thread as I was near the end :-)
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Danny, I'd take Lyon as the pick of the teams from Pot 2.
A team on the slide this season and possibly the worst team they've assembled in 7 years. Would expect us to win at home and evens on an upset in Lyon. The one caveat would be that they don't splash the cash after the CL draw tonight. They have long term injuries to some of their top players (Cris is one) , so they may be tempted to go for a big name, depending on who they draw.
Their new manager is OK for French football, but many over here wonder if he can withstand the pressure. IMO, he will wilt and be punted at the end of the season.
So Lyon it is for me.
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roger / Awe Naw,
statistically theres a pretty good chance that we pull a team from your neck of the woods. Keep that spare room free!!!
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Boruc 27
Wilson 23
McManus 25 (nearly)
Caldwell 25
Naylor 27
Brown 21
Donati 26
McGeady 21
Nakamura 29
JVofH 28
McDonald 23
Average age - 25
I'd be surprised if any other qualifiers could match that!
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Paul67
Somebody has been up all night typing that.
Good article, but… I actually did not think that Lee Naylor played particularly badly in the first half. Granted, it was not his best 45 minutes, but, imo, that was more to the fact that he was up against a truly gifted winger with pace in abundance. That winger would have given most full backs a game they’d want to forget.
I thought the longer the game went on the more Lee had the situation under control(ish).
(haven't yet seen the extra time but I will do so Friday night)
Lee Naylor earned his money last night, along with all the rest.
Agree with your point about Magic and Deek.
They might not have volunteered, but they did what had to be done and did so with just a touch of class.
Just a wee reminder to all of us that we are a squad team and all have a part to play.
Pablo you've got mail.
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antibes
Point taken. A big name team on the slide is what we want. Someone mentioned Porto in this vein I think they're on the way back. I saw their game with Sporting on Setanta and both looked skillful, powerful sides.
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RESPECT to Gary Caldwell
who was outstanding
and what guts he showed in taking and dispatching the spot kick
TOTAL RESPECT SHUN
Hail Hail
the stick he takes is a joke, he is a cracking player with more guts than most.
sure he can give the ball away but thats only because he always tries to play football, the glasgow celtic way
God Bless You Gary SHUN
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Gordon Strachan on penalties;
Strachan explained: "I picked the five players to take penalties. Out of bravado, some stick their hand up to take one and you think, You're not very good at taking penalties, so you're not getting to do it.' I would actually rather that someone was honest and said, Look, it's not for me'. So that's why I decided who was going to take them.
"Gary Caldwell went first, but that wasn't down to me. He was supposed to take the third one. But once you let Tommy Burns take charge of the piece of paper with the names on it, anything can happen.
"I needn't have worried, Gary was fantastic all through the game and got us off to the perfect start by scoring."
Gordon Strachan on Naylor:
"I mean, how fast was their right winger? At half-time, I almost had to give Lee Naylor the number for the Samaritans."
Fully ET story:
CLICK HERE
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I wonder if Gordon Strachan got the samaritans number from Edwards post yesterday...
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I think we are a'step-up'team-set the bar quite high,and we'll have a good go at clearing it.Banana skins are what drive us bananas.
The whole experience last night was verging on the Good Ould Dhays of the Martinist regime.
There can be no higher praise;~0
One of my favourite players,and second favourite Norwegian,announced his retirement from football this week-Ole Gunnar Skolsjaer.To be successful you need a player who can come off the bench and turn the game round ;and who will subsume his personal ambition to the good of the team.Such players are rare.
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Naylor had a bit of a torrid match yesterday but his performance after the first half was great. But in the first half he had some good moments as well, such as his brilliant clearance in an awkward position after Boruc's save. I also felt he didn't get enough support from MacManus at certain points. One ball that went in behind Naylor's should have been easily cleared up by big Mick but he was positioned too central which left the space for the winger to run into. It almost led to a goal for Spartak and Naylor I'm sure has took most of the blame for that one which is unfair. Part of the reason he done better in the second half was because Mick was covering this space much better from then on.
In general that was up there with the best Celtic matches I have ever watched. the atmosphere in Flan O'Briens in Bath was fantastic and recommended for Celtic games if you're ever in town.
All our players deserve praise.
Happy Bhoy
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Estadio, evocative stuff.
Kitalba, Lee was up against a talented player, but he was being sucked in too often, leaving dangerous space behind him.
He stood off in the second half to much better effect.
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I said yesterday that the result was all that mattered. And we got there in the end. Just when you think you've seen it all.... that's what makes following Celtic such an unbelievable experience.
I was worried when it went to penalties. Very worried. I could remember Falkirk, Valencia, Raith Rovers, Aberdeen, Hibs, Inter - and we lost them all. When did we last win a penalty shoot out???
I exoected Artur to save at least one. So it was a case of how many we would score.
Caldwell - not my first choice but took it well.
Naka - Surely a cert? Tried to be too clever.
JVoH - Can't miss two? Keep it low big man.
Riordan - Cool as you like, always going to score.
Magic - Very nervy about him but he took it well.
Overall we were perhaps fortunate to get through. But we did. Well done to everyone involved sfor ensuring we have a minimum of three more CL nights to look forawrd to.
But let's do it the easy way sometimes??
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Paul67:
have sent you an e-mail
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WHAT A CHAMPION NIGHT! copyright Baz67
Heart In Mouth!
Nerves Shattered!
Full Bottle of Valium Consumed!
But all very much worth it in the end.
Only able to post now because a particular telecomunications company decided to upgrade phone lines and made a horlicks of everything for 24 hours!
Paul
When do you expect our transfer frenzy to start and conclude?
Any CP visits planned?
Go on you can tell us, we won't utter a word! ;o)
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Just wonder if anyone else saw it as I did?
A game I had been looking fwd to so much for so long had suddenly taken on a much more worrying aspect as a result of Ranger’s deserved entry into the Group Stage and the financial implications.
The atmosphere was great and the Jungle Bhoys are to be congratulated for the impact of their hard work in arranging all the flags in Jock Stein Stand.
BORUC …….. 10 MOM I have only given a 10 to one player before and that was Henrik but the best Celtic goalie that I have seen (he might even be just behind ‘The Prince” in the all time greats. In the first half he came off his line to save Celtic on at least a couple of times. He produced a great save in the last few minutes of extra time but his real moment of glory was in the penalty shoot out. What an unbelievably emotional occassion it was when he saved the crucial penalty.
WILSON….…. 7 He’s a young player playing against some very good players but he stuck to his task and made some very good tackles. He will have to work on his crossing as very few of them get past the first defender.
CALDWELL…. 6 Felt it was the right decision to play him but half way through the first half I felt other wise. He was being caught out by the speed of movement of the Spartak forwards early in the game but the longer the game went on the more assured he looked. All credit to him for taking the first penalty and scoring..
McMANUS……..8 Althobugh he too was caught out early on he made some great saving tackles to save Naylor’s blushes. He played a real Captain’s in shoring up the defence.
NAYLOR….….. 4 He was so poor in the first half we wondered if he would reappear in the second. He has lost all confidence and Celtic must go out and get a big, fast replacement.
NAKAMURA … 7 The increase in his work rate is amazing and his touch is still sublime. Of course he should have score from at least one of the chances he had within 2 mins in the second half but it was amazing that he was the player surging forward. It must have been playing on his mind that he has never scored against the Red Star goalie despite meeting him on several occasions. His penalty miss was hard to take.
DONATI ….. 7 Continues to impress and showed some lovely touches. It must have been the most physical 140 mins he’s played.
BROWN …….. 7 Found it hard to reproduce last weeks form but it will be a game that he’ll learn a lot from in terms of C.L. football.
McGEADY…. ……8 Thought he was Celtic’s best player whilst he was on the park. Full of direct running, full of heart and made some lovely, decisive passing.
McDONALD ……….. 7 Scored his first goal for Celtic and continued to show that he is going to be a very good player for The Hoops. May have scored earlier but he kept on trying.
JVOH…. ……….5 Missed a crucial penalty and quite honestly did very little to make anyone who thinks that he is a luxury we can’t afford change their minds. He is very slow. He does not use his strength and he does not win enough balls in the air. He needs to be rested. He gets credit for scoring in the shoot out.
SUBS ………….
MAGIC..….. 3 Came on as a fresh new player and yet at no time did he show any speed, any great conviction or any involvement in the game. He must be sold. Oh, he did score his penalty!
RIORDAN … 6 Replaced McGeady, had a good shot which went just wide but the most important thing he did was score with a penalty.
O’DEA…. …..5 Came on for the stricken Naylor and did o.k. Don’t fancy him as a real full back as he is too slow.
REF ………….3 Far too pernickety and should never have awarded a penalty against Caldwell. Should never have sent the Red Star player off. Should never have been appointed.
THE GAME ……8 It was a fast moving game with lots of incidents and of course it had that finale!
COMMENTS ….. 1. This was a very good team we beat to-night and one that would have beaten any of the other team in this qualifying round
2. Can well understand Artur’s frustration with Naylor at half-time. We were all frustrated.
3. It didn't matter how Celtic got through to the Group Stages all that mattered was that they did it but to leave it to the last kick of the game was just unbearable, unbelievable and unforgettable.
4. I just loved Billy Connolly’s reaction at the end. Whilst all the other ‘suits’ were leaving the Directors box Big Billy was giving the songs pelters.
Now 16.30 on Thurs will start the next chapter.
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Kitalba, a few emails have arrived in, so not sure if I have received yours, you should have received a reply?
lovejoy, I am trying not to think about transfer activity. I know our man is busy, but at this stage of the window nothing can be taken for granted.
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Gordon_J
We beat Partick Thistle in the CIS cup (2002 I think) at Celtic PArk. Sudden death. PTFC had 2 previous chance to clinch it.
We also beat Hearts at Tynecastle circa 1988, also league cup. Big Packy saving the crucial kick up the Celtic end.
Can't think of any more.
That was our first European penalty victory and the first time (I think) that penalties have ever been taken up the Celtic end at Celtic Park. I assume they tossed the coin twice, once for the end and once for first to take, rather than quid pro quo.
Another fabulous incredible night of Celticism.
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Big Liam @ 12.29, thank you for those very interesting quotes on the penalty shoot-out. As far as I know, most managers ask for volunteers (e.g. the England team, who invariably lose shoot-outs). This means that would-be superheroes who are perhaps not the right men for the job take the penalties. But Gordon Strachan did what a manager should do – he managed, he exercised his judgement, he took the big decisions.
After last night is there anyone out there who is still not convinced about the manager? And about Stephen McManus?
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celticlover
em, we were playing Spartak......
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BlantyreKev,
Thanks. I do remember the Thistle game, but the Hearts one won't come to mind for some reason.
Still, we do have a pretty poor record overall, so it was great to win this one!
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paul67
excellent report, very pleased about your naylor comments. because i agree of course he struggled but as you rightly point out lets not forget he was up against a very very good player who would give many full backs problems. also credit to spartak coach as he clearly planned it
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Haw Estadio, I was going to write that.
Seeing clips of the game still evokes a lump in ma throat. An amazing experience. Even though I wasn’t at CP, I was present through a small square window on my PC.
Je suis Strachan
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interesting article here from a Newcastle site of all places.
http://www.newcastleutd-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=350763
I always knew Gary was a big Jessie haha
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DubhaiBhoy,
The only German team that Celtic can draw is Bremen. 330km away !!
Spare room is always there
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The penny pinching capitalist swinemerchant rip-off board must be really hoping for a home CIS cup draw to give us the other game we're due on our season ticket! Imagine no home draw in either cup. They'll need to let us into the Champions League Semi-Final for free!
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Gordon_J, watching the penalty shoot-out it struck me that the Celtic players must have practiced for it, as Caldwell, JVoH & Magic all took their kicks in pretty much exactly the same way... hard and high to the keeper's right. Jan's spot kick during the game also went to the same formula, but just went that bit too high. And Naka went hard and high to the keeper's left (but Naka is left footed and the previous three are right footed).
The only kick that clearly broke the mould was Deeks' wonderfully composed effort, but the keeper actually started diving to his right just before Deeks hit it, so he may have changed sides at the last second, although this is almost as difficult to ascertain from the footage as it is to actually do on the pitch.
It's one of those psychological conundrums (conundra?), where the keeper is probably thinking to himself: "Right, the previous two went to my right, so this guy is going to go to my left. But then again, what if he's guessed that I'm expecting him to change sides and therefore goes the same way again? And what if...?". It's no wonder he didn't save any!
And on the signings front...
"BBC Scotland understands" that with Shaun Maloney snubbing Celtic's attempts to lure him back to CP, Celtic may now look to broaden their attacking options by sealing a loan move for Barcelona's Eidur Gugjohnsen. They will also try to bring in Joe Cole on loan from European Champions Elect, Chelsea, after the attacking midfielder had a row with boss Jose Mourinho about his lack of first team involvement.
Meanwhile another former Chelsea player, Jiri Jarosik, has had to turn to plan B, after his dream of securing Champions League football by moving to Spartak Moscow were scuppered by some dodgy refereeing and a scandalously realistic pitch.
Watch this space for further developments.
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Well done the Celts.
That was scary stuff.
But brilliant.
I love playing against really good teams,and getting the better of them.
Ye cannae beat it.
This is why we do what we do,either at the game,in front of the telly,radio,or net,at 3 in the morning,or jumping out your bed early to see the score.
Incredibly emotional stuff.
Paul,with regards to reading the match comments again and enjoying them.
I suggerst you give Sean South's diatribe against our full back a miss.
Spouting that type of nonsense would have seen Billy McNeil and Jimmy Johnstone biffed off long before their finest hours in Celtic shirts.
Criticism of a performance,or form,is one thing,and sometimes a good thing,but vitriol against our players(and club and management) is just sort of Sean Southish,Shelbourne 1916ish,and Tinytimmish.
Completely uncalled for,and childish in the extreme.
As you said,the comments are a very good record(I tried to contribute myself,but for once,Blogger gave me a hard time).
But sometimes the heat of the moment brings out the worst in people.
At least I certainly hope it does,and this is not "normal" behaviour.
Kitalba,well done for your honest calling(before and after the answers you received)of your situation regarding the game.
You criticised the initial problem very well,found out the information and retracted your statements and admitted when you were not only wrong,but behaving like a ninny into the bargain.
If you choose to live on the outskirts(semi rural??) part of the City of Brisbane,which for those of you who don't know,is in that strange part of the universe,we call Queensland.
I mean really,you deserve all you get.
How could you live in a place called that?
I even think if Edward lived there,he would be too embarrassed to say that,and sheepishly say he came from Larkhall or Ayrshire.
Beatiful one day,and strange the next!!!
I am surprised you have coloured TV over there yet,I thoought you were still sporting Joh for Canberra T-shirts.
Wisnae that long ago Sir Joh and Russ were running things.
Surprised Celtic broadcasts were even allowed into a place like that.
Having said all that.
I would have been even more outraged than your good self.
Ye did well to keep it civil.
I would have lost it a lot more than yourself.
And I bet your boy was glad you were compus at his breakfast.
Sometimes we hit more than we miss.
And believe me you missed a game.
Hope you enjoy watching it again.
I certainly will.
Pablo,once again,I must apologise.
Will reply when "alert"
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Paul67
Excellent analysis.. thank you.
Re your "relief" on Artur starting I suspect you had a genuine fear (as I did) that Artur would "tweak a hamstring" at the last minute and keep him free for CL football ELSEWHERE!
Agreed??
Also, on Artur, you said "how do you put a value on a player who can make the difference between the Champions League and the Uefa Cup?"
Don't you think his agent may have the right to say those very words to Peter Lawell???
I'd say "SIGN HIM UP NOW, PLEASE" - but I suspect anyone in the Premiership would match and beat any offer from us to make him the highest paid player in the Club's history - so will not make difference IF he does want to try his luck elsewhere (10 years from now, hopefully!)
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Celticlover.
Player ratings are no bad thing,but like all other things they are clouded by personal tastes in players.
Let us take Zurawski and Riordan.
Both scored their penalties,both were quite ineffective in most other things.
Yet you have Riordan twice as good as Zurawski,you fail to mention a vast improvement in Naylor's second half performance,when strangely enough,Aiden swapped with Naka and Lee Naylor received far more cover and help.
And,yet again,Naka was good when he wasn't
We all see things differently.
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BlantyreKev
Wrote that report at 03.00 this morning and I think I did pretty well to actually put a sentence to-gether let alone get the facts correct. But you did get what I meant?
was supposed to play a medal to-day but IK doubt if I could have held a club let alone swing one! Still totally zapped.
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I've had enough of these suggestions that Spartak were magic and unlucky to go out.
They were amazing going forward in the first half, but left Boruc as a spectator until very late in the second.
If our team had defended like Spartak and gone out, I can't imagine anyone saying we were magic and unlucky to go out.
In the second half, they defended like they had Calamity Jane and Norman Wisdom in charge at the back.
Celtic deserved to go through. No question.
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BlantyreKev
Wrote that report at 03.00 this morning and I think I did pretty well to actually put a sentence to-gether let alone get the facts correct. But you did get what I meant?
was supposed to play a medal to-day but IK doubt if I could have held a club let alone swing one! Still totally zapped.
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Gordon J
I also remember being at a midweek Pitoddrie League Cup match that we won on pens in the 80's.
I remember Tony Shepherd playing for some reason (he was maybe sent off?), but can't remember who the hero was that night......probably big Packie.
Maybe yourself or WG could dig out
details....
Still on cloud 9.
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"BBC Scotland understands" that Spartak Moscow are to submit an appeal to UEFA against last night's elimination from the Champions League.
Under new qualification guidelines, allegedly to be revealed tonight by Michel Platini, away goals scored in penalty shoot-outs are to be counted double with effect from this year's competition. Thus, Spartak actually won last night's shoot-out 6-4, and it is therefore Celtic who will be eliminated.
Nobody was available at Celtic Park this morning to comment officially, with the stadium strangely quiet, and very much a "morning after the night before" feel about the place.
One day it could be true... because we're paranoid.
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Tully57 If my memory is right it was Owen Archdeacon who scored the winner that night.
We all stayed back singing 'we want the Celtic' and they put the lights out on us and the bhoys with lighters sparked them up. Eventually the team came back out to allow us to go home!!!
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antsman, thanks.
Kano, there is always something to complain about.
John, agreed.
Tully57, there was also the semi final at Hampden against Motherwell in the 80s. Was it Tommy Burns who scored the last?
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Wonderful stuff. Looks like I missed an absolute cracker.
I was getting updates via text. Absolutely horrendous and took 10 years off my life.
Well done to all concerned, including those who posted live updates. I've just read through all of them and they were brilliant.
As I noded off to sleep lasst night my thoughts turned to imagining the faces of Minty, Wattie and Swally as Boruc saved that last penalty.
I'm away back to the beach:-)
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AIDEN MCGEADY WAS SENSATIONAL, SIMPLY SENSATIONAL.
WHY DO SOME FANS BERATE HIM?
THEIR WINGER WAS FAST BUT THIS IS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ARE THE WINGERS NOT MEANT TO BE FAST AT THIS LEVEL?
WE NEED A FULL BACK.
NEGOTIATIONS UNDER WAY TO SIGN ONE OF TWO BARCELONA PLAYERS ON A LOAN DEAL...............
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Big_Chips
Think you have the right of it there mate.
Naylor did have a stinker in the first half but against that flying machine most would have struggled one on one. However I think he is left isolated by Aiden in front of him and at times by McManus on his inside.
He held back in the second half and was a lot better but still not the player we watched last season.
Hope it's just a blip, albeit a slightly long one as I really like the guys tenacity and would love him to recapture the form of last season.
Now for balance in the midfield I am not 100% we look right with both Naka and Aiden! Happy to discuss!!!
Embdy know if the draw is on any of the sports channels other than SS News as those diddies at Virgin didnae pay their bill meaning we miss oot!!!
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Thanks GL2!
Remember the lights going out since you've mentioned it but can't remember wee Owenie being the hero for some reason.
Paul67 - You're right. And he caused shock & outrage all over Scotland by blessing himself when the wiinner went in.
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Kano:
You are a tagger.
I will hopefully one day get the opportunity of explaining one or two things face to face.
In the Interim, Sir. Let me put you right on this part of the world.
It has the largest population of Irish immigrants into Australia.
All true Celtic Supporters who leave Scotland and come to this country wish to live here. There is a vetting procedure in place and Scots with cupboards full of skeletons are rejected and banished to the wastelands of the west. Forever to hold their peace and that of our endearing head of state
The weather is constantly good, our beaches are better than yours, our meter maids have bigger tickets than yours and our sharks are smaller than yours. I’ll give you the wine bit.
The situation with the TV was farcical. I probably have more money in my pocket just now.
Can’t and won’t say too much about all of it. But yes, I was raging and still am, but my anger, is now, most definitely directed away from our club.
Did you see my last post on the last thread? I too spotted a pig in a poke scenario in all yesterday’s posts.
I think every mineshafter, but one, has the good nature and decency to hold their hand up and admit to fallibility and congratulate our team on a good performance. In doing so, in my eyes it gives their grievances, whether real, or perceived, more credence.
insidious is a word that springs to mind.
Paul67:
Nothing yet. Sent two to your CQN address.
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Teams I do not wish to be drawn agains:
Pot 1 AC MILAN ...We never win.
Pot 2 AS ROMA ....Their police
Pot 4 All the teams with the exception of Rosenberg.
Passport at the ready.
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Kitalba.
At 29/08/07 19:50, John said…
bet365 works, legal free good picture english commentary and mac too
Which seems unfair on the CH67 subscribers. Especially those that have bought a mac
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Aw Naw
I think the point is that CH67 won't work on Macs.
If that's not true, apologies, and I'll be renewing my interest.
The bet365 feed was good. The commentator was a numpty. He kept calling Aiden "McGready" and Naka "Nakamyura", and he also referred to Artur "controversially inciting Rangers fans". And he was obviously nowhere near Celtic Park as it took him ages to work out that the referee had awarded penalties on the two occasions he did during the match itself, but that apart, I thought it was great.
The feed just stayed on, without commentary, during half time and after the penalty shoot-out.
Of all the similar avenues I have investigated in the past, this was the best.
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Samuel Eto out of Barca' team for two months....
Looks like they may need Eidur after all!!!!!
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Ronnie Cully,
seems convinced that TG and BB are on their way to Sunderland and that KM is mulling over an offer from Derby and that Jarosik has gone as well.
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Celtic_first,
how much did you pay for that feed ?
Do you need to be a member or did you pick it up for free ?
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Estadio,
Your post at 12.11 was brilliant, just brilliant.
Back to your absolute best, or should that be back to the Slabbery Wuman' best.
Either way, I loved it and have printed it off to show some people what they are missing.
Enjoyed meeting you on Saturday,
Best wishes to yourself and the Slabbery Wuman.
STAND UP FOR THE CHAMPIONS,
Martin
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Don't know if this has already been noted
from today's record
Celts hit jackpot after the most nailbiting 90 mins Parkhead will ever see
By James Traynor At Celtic Park
Maybe I'm wrong but I counted 120 minutes plus the penalties
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Had problems with blogger last night, as did one or two others it seems.
Kept getting greeted with a bx-1234565 type message when posting, so gave up at 3-2 in the penalties.
Was so excited, the missus had to point out that we were in to sudden death, and she doesn't even like football, but does like The Weakest Link.
I gave Naylor some stick last nite on the commentary, he did have a stinker first half, but did I not read on here that he has been carrying an injury for a while, but plays on because of lack of cover in that position? Might explain his indifferent form so far this season.
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Anyone fancy a wee listen back ????
From Celticminded.com
McGuire & Lenny
pablophanque
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awe_naw
Ronnie Cully also mentions pulling plums !
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Danny,
Is he pulling our plums or his ain though !!
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And thanks to Keano on CM, here's an audio link that you can download and send to some "friends" that you know that might want to hear it !!!
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.ph...1A5D7D044C7B04
pablophanque
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Kano:
Missed this on my first time of reading:
Outskirts (semi-rural).
Well it was considered bush and protected land when I built the house here six years ago. I would have Roos in the garden and Koalas in my trees. Iguanas the size of me used to walk past within feet and look at me with disdain. Now after the council reneged on their promises, all of the wild life has moved on and our little bit of bush is being surrounded by little estates. The only wild life that is left is the snakes.
Only eight or so weeks ago I had to, with the help of my father in law, take care of a Brown (nasty) that had decided it was moving in and set up home in my kids bedroom.
Was actually watching a rerun of a Celtic game when that happened. I was doing my best to ignore all the screaming that was going on around me.
I’m out at Cashmere and I look out onto the Great Dividing Range the reason I moved here in particular.
There is limited amenities though I do have electricity, water and a couple of colour TV’s.
Was good a few years back but now it has grown. I’d like to move out further. Don’t know if CH67 would reach that far though.
Took me over a year of fighting just to get broadband. I got the broadband so as I could get CH67. Isn’t good enough. Though I kicked up a wee bit with Telstra today.
Gotta go to my bush bed Kano. I actually have to do some work tomorrow.
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Aw Naw
Nada.
You had to register, and pretend to be interested in placing bets as you filled in the form, for example by stipulating if you preferred odds to be quoted digitally or something or other, but as the lads were saying on the game thread, you didn't have to fill in the offered credit card form.
The only thing they did was get you to keep clicking every 15 minutes or so to keep the feed alive, but that was no bother.
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aw_naw Celtic_lover
cheers for that talk about kicking a man when he's down!!! :-)
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Kitalba,
as long as you dont handle while your down there ;-)
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Awe Naw
I was speaking to a mate at the game
last night, who writes for another (inferior)
Celtic website.
He states the following.
Tommy G was down at Sunderland last week for talks
And that Magic is off to Turkey.
I haven’t a skoobie as to their accuracy.
But it makes for a little fun.
He unfortunately, knew nothing of incomings
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And I have just been told by a toffee. Who is normally pretty reliable about info relating to his club that TG is on "his way home" too Goodison I presume rather than Denmark
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Kitalba,
Wanting to be in the bush and also have broadband seems a bit contradictory. Ever read Mosquito Coast?
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Awe Naw,
330k - hop, skip + a jump mate.
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The coldest game I ever took in in my life was Bremen V Celtic.
We were crap
So were they
They went through
Poor Paul Mc Stay
No offence to Bremen but it´s not exactly a beautiful town but if it has to be it has to be.
We definitely owe them one !
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mcgrory-for-arsenal
WHO ARE THESE TWO PLAYER MATE?????
PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
/Bishop B
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If we get Seville, it will be 12-a-side.
Their president said yesterday: "From now on we'll be unbeatable because Antonio Puerta will be present and we'll have 12 players in every match."
Fair play.
If no one tells him that "between our posts there stands a ghost, Johnny Thompson is his name," he'll think the bold Antonio will offer Seville an advantage.
That would tilt things in our favour psychologically I'd think.
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John @ 14:14,
I think they'll be okay with Henry, Ronaldinho and Messi with at least two youngsters as backup one a Spanish wonder kid and the other a Mexican international at 18 yrs old.
/Bishop B
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Hope we get AEK from Pot 2...
Just a thought!
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GM
are you by chance out visiting Mickey and Co with the lemon at the moment???
Apologies in advance if u are not who i think you are!
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Naw Mike, Celtic-Seville is a certainty. Only we can help them give young Antonio the send-off he deserves.
It's part of what we're for.
Plus, AEK will start with a two-goal and one-man disadvantage.
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Can't see Everton sign Graveson (or Gudjohnson for that matter) when they've just splashed out £16.6m for Yakubu.
Stranger things though!
Please! Please! Please! Don't let us get drawn against Chelsea. There'll be ructions in our house! And I don't fancy running the Fulham Broadway "gauntlet of hate" again!
I'll take The Gooners any day! They're awful!
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Paul67
Day Two:
Quiet enjoyment.
Yes, there is such a thing, thank goodness!
In fact, the feeling it invokes in myself, is way up there right next to my enormous delight on receiving my sheepskin and liberty bodice.
Sitting here in the cold light of morning...relishing the comforting realizition that Celtic were ineluctably through to the play-offs?
How much better can it get?
Nice!
My guy supplied this digital summary, of our Bhoys' performances.
Like everything else that he does, he got that right, as well!
Arthur A TEN!
Mark A TEN!
Naylor A TEN!
Gary A TEN!
Stephen A TEN!
Scott A TEN!
Massimo A TEN!
S.Naka A TEN!
Aiden A TEN!
Jvoh A TEN!
Scott A TEN!
Magic A TEN!
Derek A Ten!
Darren A Ten!
And not to forget... no, not for one nano sec....
The Best Manager in the Land.
The one and only, Gordon.
Ably, supported by his scheming confederates, in this wonderful tactical victory which they have accomplished, against a no mean adversary.
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len;
we are trying to get either gudjonsson or maxi lopez.
no chance of TG returning to everton. they still cant believe real paid them £3M for him when he had 6 mth contract left.
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mcgrory-for-arsenal,
Bugger!
I thought we were going for someone like Rafael Márquez or Lilian Thuram. :oS
We can but dream.
/Bishop B
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Sorry I couldn't contribute last night!
I had the laptop sitting on my lap all ready to stick my tuppence-worth in and about 5 minutes in, I found I was too nervous to type or read anything. All energies had to be switched to sending positive thoughts to Celtic Park.
What a game, by the way. Good team performance! All got pass marks!
Shame Kenny Miller wasn't available to stick on during extra-time. What a difference he would've made!!! Big, big mistake to let him go in my opinion. Big, big mistake! Hope it doesn't happen. We've yet to see the best of that kid! And he's built for Euro games too!
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Celtic First – your comment ”It's part of what we're for” and last night’s “Welcome to Paradise” banner makes me proud to be a Celtic fan. While other fans want to make jokes and songs about dead players, or have “welcome to hell” banners we go the opposite way.
Celtic Park on CL nights is the alternative cauldron. It is intimidating without being hateful and bhoys that is why it is so effective. When YNWA is drowning out the champion’s league anthem opponents are stunned. They realise they are somewhere special, and maybe they begin to doubt if they are worthy.
Sheer hatred has a different effect. It creates a siege mentality, which good coaches will use to their advantage. It certainly works for us.
Therags…
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test
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mcgrory for arsenal I hate to rain on your wee parade but Maxi Lopez signed for FC Moscow 2 weeks ago.
I really wish folk would stop trying to look like they have insider knowledge when they plainly don't.
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No ticket so had to watch it on the box last night, pure murder polis, someone earlier posted it perfectly, couldn't wait for it to finish, then when it did, couldn't wait to see it all over again. Kenny Miller - I'm sure he would have sorted it all out for us within the 90 minutes had he been available for selection. Please don’t go to Derby Kenny - stay and fight for your place.
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watched the game in Molly Malones in Barcelona. The Spanish were rootin for us. My Rangers supporting pal from Glasgow walked into the pub during the pens. Didnt even know he was in Barca. Made it even sweeter.
If your reading C. What were you like during the pens? In the kitchen no doubt.
Sesor
sesor
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