Profound purpose for unquenchable Celtic spirit

Gold!!

1st
hope its a first tonoght too...cmon the hoops

Podium?

Cryul

The tension begins1

Vmhan aw

pauk is there a problem with commenting this morning. is it because its on preview?

Go on you Celts

.

European Glory or 4 in a Row....????

Celtic playing in the UEFA Cup Final was the kind of exposure that money can't buy, with an estimated television audience of five hundred million watching all round the globe. The awesome scenes they witnessed showed the world that Celtic is much more than a football club. The Timmites gathered in the kind of numbers never witnessed before for a club football match in Europe. It wasn't just the weight of numbers either. They came from all over world, from all the far flung outposts of the Celtic diaspora as well as from the unlikeliest of places. The resultant spectacle not only added to the occasion but must have made the TV and football movers and shakers stir themselves to take a bit of notice of the Celtic phenomenon. By way of contrast, the Huns' "historic" league victory passed largely unnoticed in European football circles bar the odd paragraph here or there in the round-up pages....

Have a Go Tonight Celtic....But Hibs is More Important....

o1bhoy

according to the news the m6 opened again about 7.20 this morning so it should be ok for the travelling fhans..
Hail Hail and keep up the good name of the celtic fans...

Well said brother, you must have been reading my posts from previous ;-)

I will be unable to watch todays match due to work commitments BUT i'll be there in spirit.

Hi ho, Hi Ho n all that stuff

hail hail

GB

Paul and all those lucky enough to be representing Celtic in Manchester,

May you have a wonderful day and may our TEAM do us proud.

We Shall Not Be Moved.

PS. Typical Manchester day so far, rain and wind and cold. Remind anyone of anywhere?

It seems our Chairman was on 5 Live today suggesting that neither he nor Dermot Desmond would allow Celtic to be taken over by foreign billionaires.

Still, that's a debate for another day. Today it's good luck to all those fortunate enough to be going to Old Trafford. And win, lose or draw, our fans will be winners.

Man U 0 Celtic 1 (Ronaldo og)

Parkheadcumsalford

In the 2 years I stayed in Stretford the only days it didnt rain - it snowed.

Worse than Glasgow - maybe a few degrees warmer - but with inferior football teams and the fans to match.

One of my best days was the Giggs testimonial - ten thousand Celts partying in town - I felt like I was home again.

Cmon the hoops

keep the faith

Paul67,
a right rousing article,
hail hail

lurgan53,
be more than happy to have a pint with you, just let me know when your in manchester next and I'll bring my spine :oD

Well well another Champions league away day is on us.
Well we might as well not turn up. With our injuries playing against a team from the most over inflated league in the world we have no chance.

I honestly can't see us getting a thing because even if we do anything they'll get another dodgy penalty ( remember no one's had that yet against us in the CL and someone always does, they got two the last CL campaign with them). I live in Hope but we may have played our best away game already this season.

I would love to stick it up every one of the Glory hunters who support that mob and there are many all over the world (even here in Poland eejits run around with their tops and Chelsea and all the rest). I hope it crashes around their ears and bankruptcy catches them, then how we'll laugh.

I'd also love to stick it up that Chewing gum munching Taggart but I can't see it.

A lot of people think we could get a doing well if we do, I'm sorry that we can't throw money about willy - nilly. But at least we're not Spurs or Newcastle.

We had no chance in Lisbon, Barcelona, Liverpool, Amsterdam among others and we won with our fans welcomed back by them all, so why should tonight be different?

Players and fans just need to stick to our beliefs and do things the Glasgow Celtic way, and win lose or draw our club will take pride!

It is that PRIDE that stands us apart from the rest and makes us what we are, the Greatest Team in the World bar none!

Hail Hail

PS On the subject of foreign ownership, lets not get tied up in anti foreign thoughts. Personally I don't want a Romanov or even an Abrahmovic, but there are many wealthy Americans who are as steeped in The Celtic Way as we are who could offer us help!

Absolutely brilliant Paul

"If those wearing green tonight have a whiff of the will-to-win or the unquenchable Celtic spirit you and I have, Manchester would be advised to send out both of their teams, for that spirit is truly the spirit of champions, as Ferguson's team found out the last time we met two years ago."

Quote of the day by some margin.

Hail Hail and enjoy the game all you lucky bhoys.

Mort

14/1 for a Celtic win. Celtic should be given a 4 goal start. All this being spouted in the English media and its still early morning. I cannot see Ferguson being so bullish although the London metro is saying he will play 3 up front Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo. No match whatsovever for Caldo Mick and co, who will have those three losers in their pockets :).

As the day progresses I fully expect the English media machine to fully write us off completeley, scores of 5 and 6 nil will abound. We are beaten before a ball is kicked in anger and lets hope there are a few balls kicked in anger by Robbo and co :).

My head says a gubbing my heart says intae them.

Cmon the bhoys do us proud both on and off the field, 5-6 nil my bahooki

Paul, enjoy your motorway breakfast roll.
I can't remember Celtic heading into such a big game with so many injuries, not making excuses, but we are very unfortunate, particularly in the lack of forwards.
Concentration is the key word tonight.
Above all, we must NOT retreat to our 18yd line and expect to defend from there.

Good to hear some positivity. All the talk on radio last night by so-called fans was pitiful. I know - I just shouldn't listen. Are some of these guys still to retrieve their towels from last season??

Sure, Man U are a challenge. But so is every team in this league - including our own team, as Mr. Ferguson has discovered to his cost in the past. When our team play well they are a match for anyone.

Mon the hoops!!

Anyone travelling to Manchester today,

Be safe and enjoy !

Cmon the Celts!!
Us to be winning 1-0 at half time through a Shaun Maloney exceptional run and score though bearing in mind they are European Champions and have Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney and Berbatov I expect them to score two in the second half after Aiden has made in 2-0 with a bit of a lucky strike So I see them scraping a valuable point but hey never mind we will beat them at CP!!!
Cmon the Celts!!

To all them lucky HOOPS that are going to Stretford do yourselves proud Sing LOud and Sing proud come on CELTIC give Davie Bhoy and Mrs Davie Bhoy a nice anniversiry present 0-1 To the BHOYS
HAIL HAIL
C'Mon the HOOPS
C'Mon the HOOPS
C'Mon the HOOPS

We've watched as our heroes - every one of them from Larsson, Sutton and Hartson to Mjallby, Balde and Valgaeren through to Boruc, Nakamura and Caldwell have failed away from home.

For many reasons: blatant cheating in Turin; incompetence in Oporto and Trondheim, Brussels, Donetsk and Donetsk; valiant defeat in Milan, mistakes in Munich and Lyon and one backs to the wall night of defiance in Barcelona.

Tonight we take our near worst record to their near best record but one night, one team are going to do the job. I don't think it will be tonight, a full team would struggle never mind our patched up XI but at least we have a solid back to middle chance with Boruc, Wilson, Naylor, McManus, Caldwell, Hartley Brown and Robson mixed with some of Maloney, McGeady, Nakamura and McDonald.

A win for Celtic tonight puts Manchester United on the brink of elimination with two away trips to Glasgow and Spain ahead of them.

Now were talking bhoys,lets go out and get stuck into them,play with pride and walk off at the end with our heads held high regardless of the score,cos at the end of the day we,ll still be GLASGOW CELTIC F.C. the greatest team in the world bar none.

Porridgeandbananas

I offered a brand new pair of Umbro size 8 boots for a donation to the CQN charity. I also have a brand new pair of Nike Air Shinguards on offer too. All new and boxed.

If your a bigger size I will throw in a pair of tin snips and you could cut the appropriate ends of your toes - dont worry Im a first aider so will stem the flow of blood.

Let me know if they are of interest - I will be at the 5s and will have them with me anyway.

Roccobhoy

If your not away yet - dont miss that flight

Got your mail and will mail you back.

Thank you very much mate.

jinkysboy

Thanks for the offer mate but I take a size 11, and sometimes I need to get a 12. I will mention to the bhoys at 5s tonight if anyone needs a pair who could take them, it's a great gesture to put them up for the Charity Fund mate.

If the worst comes to the worst I've got a pair but I use them just for training in as we train on a Monday night on gravel. The stuff should be banned.

Thanks again mate.

For me our best chance is their own arrogance. We have been dismissed and written off by everyone so that's where we can do something. The press and media and some fans say no chance so we can only wait and see. ON our day we are a good side, we need a Milan last 16 performance or something similar.

I'm doubtful because I think the CL is fixed for the big teams (i.e the ones from the countries that bring in the most money).

Yes we are a big team but look at the last 15 years of the competition. One unfashionable final and a couple of Ajax finals against the biggies of England, Spain, Italy and Germany. That is telling. I have watched, Ac Milan, Juventus, Lyon and Man U twice get shocking penalties against Celitc to help them out in games. For me the Italiens got the worst ones but we get very little in this tournament.I'm sure other big teams in unfancied leagues get the same nonsense ( ask a Wisla Krakow supporter why they always draw a Barcelona or Real Madrid in Qualifying despite being Polish champs). The powers that be want certain teams to progress for reasons unknown or only guessable. I believe that firmly and so do a lot of supporters around Europe. That's why I'm a pessimist. We are from an unfancied league so we don't count - where's the sport? 4 English teams in every year? Come on, if that isnt about money what is it about?

I'm desperate for Celts to win tonight but anything we take is a bonus. AS many people have said - Hibs is more important cos the other mob will beat Hamilton.

Whatever the result we've made our money from the CL and so we should be back focusing on domestic matters as they're more important

Morning Bhoys,

Not much I can add but wish all the Bhoys and Ghirls lucky enough to be heading to the match that it's one to savour and hopefully will live long in the memory! I know you'll do the rest of us proud so no need for an ask there.

Let's hope the players give it their all too and leave nothing back. The league is our priority but Saturday will take care of itself - let's get right into these overpaid primmadonnas tonight!!

Mon the hoops

EHIY

everythingcrossedcsc

On the game tonight I mentioned on here yesterday I wasn't too bothered about tonigt and it's all about Saturday. That was yesterday! I've woken up with my optimism and confidence restored, I think we might well get a draw out of it.

Boruc; Wilson, caldwell, McManus, Naylor; Nakamura, Brown, Hartley, Maloney, McGeady; McDonald is the team I would go for. i know I've left out Robson but I just feel he doesn't quite have the touch or awareness for the CL but he's a great player in the SPL.

John Higgins on Talksport just there 'We won't come down and smash the place up like some other team did'. Brilliant, followed by Alan Brazil playing 'The Willy Maley Song'. Come on Celtic!

EHIY

I bow to your knowlwedge of the EPl and will gracefully desist from offering any tips for Fergus in future on a Saturday morning.
Was I the only one to get it wrong?

BT

Hope not...:)

WGS's comments from the BBC website - apologies if posted before.

Can't help thinking that his pre-match team talk might be made of sterner stuff than this "we're just delighted to be here" he's feeding the 4th estate....

EHIY

Strachan said Manchester United are the best team in Europe

Gordon Strachan says Celtic's task against Manchester United becomes more daunting the more he considers it.

The Celtic manager thinks United have improved since the sides last met in the Champions League, in 2006, when both won their home ties.

"I don't think they were champions then, but they're the English champions and the European champions as well now," said Strachan.

"The more we think about it, the scarier it gets."

Strachan also believes that, on current form, United are the toughest opponents Celtic could possibly face in the competition.

"We're going to play the best team in Europe," said Strachan, whose side beat United 1-0 at Celtic Park thanks to a Shunsuke Nakamura free-kick on the last occasion they met in a competitive fixture.

"They're the champions of Europe, the champions of England - and that tells you they're the best team in Europe. It's going to be huge - we are all excited to get down there and do the best we can

"They have some of the best players in the world and they know what's coming, my players, but they're looking forward to the challenge.

"A lot of them were here two years ago, so they know what to expect and they enjoyed it.

"You can only enjoy the experience if you've performed well and you've been happy with your contributions."

porridgeandbananas

Its all about tonight.

AND next Saturday.

AND next Wed.

AND the following Sunday.

AND the following Wednesday.

AND .......

YIKES!!!!

should tonight be a draw, man utd would be in a worse position to qualify than us. i cannot wait for tonight!

This is the first game I've had nerves about in ages (although it turns out I should have been nervous when we played TFOD). When we play in the SPL there aren't many players (if any) that I think I'd rather have their right midfielder than ours, or their right back would suit the hoops. And even if we do lose, living in England nobody knows that football is played outside England so I never get any stick. Tonight's a bit different I think we could probably find a place in the team for Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov and even Fletcher. To compound matters, like I said yesterday I'm surrounded by Utd fans at work, my wife supports them, her father's from Salford and supports them and I'll be expecting a call if things don't go well. I'll settle for a lucky 3-0 win for Celtic, or even an unlucky draw, just for a quiet Wednesday.

Blantyretim

Don't worry you weren't - and I'm not that good either. I suggested a home win for MON's boys v Pompey and they only managed a draw...

But I've a few mates that are Hull fans so have been keeping a closer eye on them than most. Phil Brown's got them playing half decent stuff but really well organised. Some of the team have come up through the divisions and now don't look out of place in the epl - another example of the quality being out there if the scouting is right.

EHIY

Morning Bhoys ,

got the day off to the perfect start by pinning a Celtic flag to by ManU-supporting boss' door - just as well I handed my notice in last week.

Heading off at 5 for the game - maybe catch a pre-game pint or two as well.

As others have said , "... there's gonna be a show , and the Glasgow Celtic will be there " .

We go there , we stand proud , we give it our all and then it's in the lap of the gods (that's for you O1bhoy !).

I'll be wearing my colours (discreetly) in the ManU end and the guys around me (some of whom I've met before know I'm coming).

IF we get the result I want , then they'll ALL know I've been there (discreetly - again !).

Hail Hail

Sannabhoy

PS. EHIY . Still looking for you - still no joy . Email me your moby - you've got my email.

EHIY
cheers for that, why don't you and the other exiles start up a scouting network in the lower divisions, can't be any worse than our current English scout, do we have one? :)))

can't get on with work because my mind is on something else ??

Raveheart35

I know what you mean mate - in the wake of a derby defeat I get relatively little abuse (just mates at the wind up) but tomorrow might be a different story. Work with a few Man U fans and 2 of my best mates down here are their lot too.

But the arrogance of them means that they won't dish out too much of a slating if they win because they expect nothing less.

They still see the last win as daylight robbery and even without the injuries they just don't imagine anything other than a home win. As someone said earlier that is our biggest advantage.

I've also not been tempted into any bravado which means if we do somehow pull it out of the bag they'll be in for pelters on a grand scale!!

EHIY

I know the facts are that we have a depleted squad and mufc are european champions but I don't understand all the 'we could get embarrassed' tripe. How often have we heard this from media and fans of 'Scotland's Shame' ? Every time we play a Milan, Barcelona or mufc we get told the same. Don't recall us ever getting beat 3-0 in CL, tell me if I'm wrong, only team thats been embarrassed like that have been re-arrangers and more than once.

It will be a David v Goliath task but certainly achievable because that if anything is the beauty of football and more so with a club like ours who continue to punch above our weight.

I'd love nothing more than to end this away run at old trafford and wipe that arrogant grin off fergie's face.

Great point by Paul67 on their huge debt which might have made for some interesting sniping if WGS had remarked on it in press conference in response to questions on 'how expensive their team is compared to ours. Reckon would have really got fergie's bac up

Here is for at least a good account of ourselves tonight. Think we can score but can defence hold them out ?

Hail Hail

If you know the history....

As my old father is constantly reminding me - we are at our most dangerous when written off.

Our illustrious history is littered with examples of improbable wins and victory against the odds. Indeed, isn't our very existence a triumph over adversity!

Come on Bhoys, do us proud!

Manures biggest enemy tonight is Manure. How many times have we not paid the wee team the respect we should and eneded up with egg on our faces. Countless - and the biggest teams are guilty of believing the hype. A late goal against them is the perfect scenario as they lose their shape and go gung ho.

To be honest if we did mug them tonight I think they would do us at CP next week but if we come out of the 2 games with 3 points I will be happy with that.

Im also rooting for Villarreal to take 6 points from Aalborg over the 2 matches so when they play us they have qualified already and Aalborg are doomed to last place.

Long odds against the Bhoys tonight. Maybe our deep lying defence will do well against their dynamic front line. I`m looking forward to seeing Scott Brown in his element tonight. :-)
Make us proud Celts!

larsson67

We lost 3-0 to Porto away I think, when the backline got ripped a new one. But that's just being pedantic when I'm fully behind your post in general!

Let's get in tae them and believe.....

EHIY

My team - Boruc

Wilson Caldwell McManus Robson

Brown Hartley

Nakamura Maloney McGeady

Hutchinson

Make a 4-5-1 when defending. Reckon Hutchinson would be a suprise pick. Decent touch and speed.

Great piece Paul67.

PMT has kicked in very early, fell into the often rewarding trap of Belief.

Ive seen the future.

Scrappy 60 minutes of 0-0 edge of the seat roller coaster football.

Naylor clearance sliced to land at Micks feet in the center of defence, he manages to get it under control and aims an aimless punt pass right up the park.

Maloney gets a hold of it and keeps a hold of it, as he has done all night in his lone forward role, while Brown and Robson get them selves up the park, he goes wide and lays it off to Brown.

Brown steps over it to leave it for the on running Robson to smash home a glorious postage stamp Craka.

Hinkel, Cauldenbuer, Mick, Naylor and Boruc heroicly shut up shop for the half hour of a million heart beats.

Fantasic mayhem hits Manchester.

The Hacienda re-opens to welcome the fantastic Celtic support and their famous party spirit.

Welcome to a day of potential greatness.

Estadio ,

I'll have a pint of whatever you're having.

You forgot to mention - full scale rammy at the end resulting in 4 ManU players (take your pick) getting straight red cards and missing the return leg.

Sannabhoy

Exiled Hoop in Yorkshire,

forgot about that one. How caldwell has changed eh ? :)

Sannabhoy

Double coffee with a dash of vision that one.

The 4 will be an additon to Wio Fwerdinand who is sent off on 50 minutes for pulling down Maloney after he produces the ultimate nut meg by running through his legs and on to goal.

Surely there is no way we will line up without McDonald?

He is the only proven scorer we have left. To leave him out would be a massive gamble for both the untried player coming in and Scott McDonald's confidence.

We need McDonald over the next few weeks on form and scoring. He won't do this if we drop hin tonight.

Can't see us getting anything tonight as 9 times out of 10 this would be a home win. The difference is greater between Man u and us than St Mirren and ourselves.

Still we can hope. As I told the Rangers fans at my work. You have to be in it to lose in it.

Anyone know which section we get for the game tonight?

In Chester and scrambling for 1 ticket!

Any info appreciated,
J

Excellent article Paul, fair stirs the soul (even if it doesn't really settle the nerves). Though I believe the phrase is "Walk On With Hope In Your Heart".

I'd like to see Robson in for naylor, after naylor's barcelona display, I dont think he has champions league mentality, he was in awe of ronaldinio, not the type of player we can depend on.

anyroadup, manure 1 - 8 Celtic in a whirlwind performance, world shut your mouth, dreams are where we came from.
Keep dreaming bhoys they can come true, we know this.
hail hail

I just love all this chat in the press about how many goals it's going to be, CELTIC are never better than when they've been
written off. A no brainer for Gordon on selection, the team basically picks itself this time. Always the optimist, I can honestly see us getting a point. Cool heads and big hearts and wee jinky is looking down and giving strength to our present day ba' players when they get the chance, to take it for long walks!

C'MON THE BHOYS!!

John67

I think its blocks E or SE.

Seating Plan

Good luck.

not sure if this point has been made but I agree with Big John Hartson, I'd play without any strikers tonight and play 6 in midfield with maloney, naka and mcgeady ready to break. Whats the point in having mcdonlad up there when he won't get any chances in all probability, we're leaving ourselves a man down. He can't take men on and is having trouble holding the ball up this season so i'd leave him on the bench.

With Hartley and brown as the holding players and Captain Marvel Barry Robson at left back as I agreee 100% with Canamalar!

It's not negative just playing to our strengths anad our only strength going forward tonight is the running ability of maloney and mcgeady.

DD

There is absolutely no way we can win tonight.

They are the reigning European champions with a squad that cost hundreds of millions. We are from a small country with a squad that cost buttons in comparison.

They have all the superstars ready and waiting: Ronaldo, Rooney, Teves, Berbatov, Giggs, etc. We have injuries galore.

They are odds on to win and the bookies don't get it wrong. We are long odds to get anything.

They hardly ever lose at home. In Europe, we hardly ever pick up a point away.

Logically, there is absolutely no way we can win tonight.

But this is football. And we are Celtic.

Anything could happen!

No one seems to mention this the last tie we played Manure we won it, 1-0, 3-2 away, we won on agregate. For all fergies we forgot to score, rubish.

Keep the faith!!!

Just love some of the opTIMism being shown on here today, wish I shared it! Men against boys. European Champions v an injury ravaged makeshift bunch mainly playing out of position, and our keeper having a dodgy spell. But then, although I fear the worst, you never know, stranger things have happened. Haven`t they? Although they have world class in their team, they don`t always turn up, do they. Its eleven against eleven. We`re due a break away from home sometime. I think we`ll stuff them 3-0. This is going to be sooooo easy. Wayne Who? And who is this Orlando fellow?
Make that 4-0. And that`s at half time. The second half will be all about us retaining possesion, unless they kick off the second 45 they won`t get a touch the of the ball, not even ONCE. We shall toy with them, sitting on the ball, nutmegs, keepy uppy and the like.
HallucogenicCSC

Ok Paul67 after that rousing call to arms I´ll put the sofa back against the wall. Watching WGS yesterday taking it in his stride and I thought I hope he hangs around for years to come.

You consider me the young apprentice
Caught between the Scylla and Charibdes,
Hypnotized by you if I should linger
Staring at the ring around your finger
I have only come here seeking knowledge,
Things they would not teach me of in college
I can see the destiny you sold
Turned into a shining band of gold

I'll be wrapped around your finger
I'll be wrapped around your finger

Mephistopheles is not your name
But I know what you're up to just the same
I will listen hard to your tuition
And you will see it come to it's fruition

I'll be wrapped around your finger
I'll be wrapped around your finger

Devil and the deep blue sea behind me
Vanish in the air you'll never find me
I will turn your face to alabaster
Then you'll find your servant is your master,

And you'll be wrapped around my finger
I'll be wrapped around your finger
You'll be wrapped around my finger
I'll be wrapped around your finger

Estadio Nacional

Good man cheers,
J

Regulation Celtic team for me, as close to Villareal as we can muster without the same players though it would not surprise me to see Gordon roll out some 'I was just thinking late last night' formation with 4 centre halfs reading O'Dea, McManus, Caldwell and Loovens Feelin.

Boruc

Wilson
Naylor
McManus
Caldwell

Hartley
Robson
Brown
Nakamura
Maloney

McDonald

TMC,

I was impressed by your selection and then I thought No Aiden. Thank god I dont have WGS decisions to make.

We've not won away in the champion leauges at some grounds we were expected to win at so all you 'we'll never win tonight' gang I hope yo eat your words tommorow, but all we'll get is I knew we would, I always beleive.

Estadio at 10.33

Loving your work fella! I'll settle for that....

EHIY

Posted this at 08:18 just before Paul67 posted a new article doh

Morning all, que pasa amigos?

Very strong winds, rain and hail this morning, running/ jogging was a waste of time. I hope this weather keeps up and favours us, as the likes of Tevez and Ronaldo won’t fancy it.

Theatre of dreams, it could be their nightmare we have previous with them and could have taken something from the last game in Manchester so c’mon the hoops we can do it.

Raveheart.......did you make contact with S.Broggi ?

I'm going to the game on Sat. are you?

Vmhan aw

Awe_Naw

Aiden / Robson / Maloney is the only sticking point in my mind, the rest are (I believe) certain starters.

I think Wilson and Hartley were rested at the weekend because they are certain to start tonight and I don't see us going with Aiden, Maloney and Nakamura. Think Maloney links the team better, that's the only reason he starts ahead of the more talented McGeady.

I would never condone any Celtic team playing anyone anywhere to teake the field with NO striker ! It's the ooposite of everything the Celtic way stands for.

One striker, but no idea who's best suited to that role. I really don't think Wee Gordon will take a chance on Ben. As for people saying McDonald didn't look the part on Saturday....didn't he just get off a plane from Australia the day before ?

boruc
hinky caldo mick nailsy
skoosh beardie
naka robbo aiden
shauny

Anything is possible.

Tremendous Tuesday

henriks sombrero

I agree but lets face it we've rarely faced a team as good as this and for me, McDonald is unfortunately slowly slipping towards one season wonder territory, his touch seems to have deserted him and he can't take a man on.

I'm not advocating negative tactics, maloney or naka could play central and break into the striker position when we have the ball but lets be brutally honest thats not going to alot is it? So why have a man spare up front when we need him behind the ball in midfield??

For all your optimism on here lets face it its a back against the wall job I'd take a 4-6-0 formations and a point before bravado and a 5 nil drubbing!

DD

Henrik's Sombrero

It's more the fact that there will be no recognised striker.

The formation should be 4-5-1 reverting to 4-3-3 when we are attacking.

Boruc

Wilson/Hinkel
Caldwell
McManus
Naylor

Nakamura
Robson
Brown
Hartley
McGeady

Maloney

When in attack Mcgeady and Nakamura will support Maloney and Robson, Brown and Hartley will adopt a "thou shalt not pass" attitude to any of the United midfielders or strikers attempting to come back to help out the defence.

Mort

Larson67 (Anthony?)
Good post at 10.22. keeping a good perspective on the matter should help the nerves of some who, in spite of everything, still believe all the media hype (and I don`t mean just the English, they can`t really help themselves).
Of course I think Man Utd will win.... just as I was sure Rangers would beat St. Mirren and we would have beaten Motherwell and Dunfermline at Celtic Park in recent years.

Itsafunnyoldgame CSC

Ps Cadizzy. Are you in BB`s this Saturday?

Johnnyclash

Obviously never been to any games if you're seriously even suggesting Andreas Hinkel gets anywhere near the Old Trafford pitch tonight!

DD

JohnnyClash

You just beat me to it. Like the look of your team :-)

What's that they say about great minds think alike, or in this case could it be fools seldom differ ;-)

DD, without a striker we'll simply get pushed back to our own half way line throughout the entire game. If we play with 10 men behind the ball at all times we will get gubbed. We need an out ball or someone to at least occupy two of their defenders. I'd be astounded of forehead if we don't play with one striker !

Playing without a striker is like playing without a goalkeeper!

We NEED Scott McDonald over the next few weeks and it's time for him to prove he's no one season wonder. Might give him the benefit of the doubt against Rio tonight but he can get some change out of Vidic.

Maybe enough for an M burger!

Mort, I'm fine with that. It's the 4-6-0 formation suggested that fills me with dread, not who the one up front is.

Henriks sombrero

Again, I agree I'm advocating playing Maloney up front as he's far more mobile than mcdonald and can take a man on, then when we don't have the ball get back as an extra midfielder. McDonlad against Vidic and Ferdinand is as good as a man short IMO.

Our outball has to be McGeady or Naka, its time for Aiden to show he really is a 10m pound player tonight - I hope he rises to the challenge.

DD

Kind words donegaldanny.

I'm not overly comfortable with Hinkel playing but I think he is slightly less of a gamble at this level than Willo.

Mort - Yes, what do we know, eh...

I think Hinkel will play tonight. I know he hasn't impressed many, bu the is an experienced player and has played in big games before. Tonight is his opportunity to show just why he is a German international.

I think GS is playing a good game. Our happy to be here stance is one for the laptops. No football team goes in with the belief that they will get beat, especially not Celtic. Looking back at all the results in recent years (and not just Champions League), how many times have we been hammered and not had to accept much of the blame ourselves due to glaring errors, whether they were in team selection or individual mistakes. When we have played well as a team we have got a result or went very close, certainly never embaressed.

We face a team minus 4 first picks (Hargreaves, Scholes, Carrick and Evra). Their captain feeling his way back after 2 years and they are thinking of resting one of their best players. They are in a position that allows them to be arrogant but there are definite opportunities.

I posted last night about Broonie looking after Giggs. Wonderful player that he is and was Giggs is never a natural central midfielder, certainly not when the chips are down. If we give him space he will hurt us but we can look after him. He is lost much of his pace, even Artur git to the ball quicker than him in the last game at OT.

I belive that in GS eyes the team almost picks itself due to injury but I hope that Scott MacD has to kcik his heels. I would have thought that in desperate circumstances Ben Hutchison would have been the obvious out ball but as never stripped on Saturday it is very unlikely. Cillian is not ready and I would therefore go for the team of ankle biters.

Boruc

Wilson (despite his faults I might consoder Hinkel as he is less likely out of position.
Caldwell
McManus
Naylor

Hartley
Nakamura
Brown
Robson

McGeady
Maloney

Don't think this will be the team and certainly GS doesn't listen to sages such as Flanders nevermind me, I am just a faceless blogger (copyright The Cardigan)

Tonight our players drink the champagne that they so valiantly earned in that never to be forgotten, Tommy Burns inspired, 'Magnificent Seven', nerve shredding, heart bursting finish in the race for last season's crown. It is the stuff of dreams fittingly at the Theatre of Dreams.
They deserve it & I hope that we all enjoy every second of it, whatever the outcome.
Then we can get back to what really matters, the BIG GAME against Hibs.
I hope that no player who has any kind of niggle is risked tonight in all the excitement & ends up missing out on what REALLY matters.

I will be proud tomorrow if the players, & more importantly the support, have again shown the world the greatness of Glasgow Celtic.

Johnny clash

Well if you've ever seen hinkel in the flesh I'm sure you wouldn't advocate him playing tonight, he gets caught out against teams like aberdeen so god knows where he'll be on the pitch against ManU! For me it has to be Wilson, far less likely to be caught out of position.

DD

tooheys_new

this might help you

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Face_transplant

Vmhan, you got mail.

pablophanque

blantyretim
If tipping teams for the fixed odds were easy everyone would be quids in ,better luck next time but remember Keep the faith.
hail hail .
Re tonight I have a feeling there are people out there intent on causing mischief in the name of our support .heard on here when the draw was made there maybe a plot to tarnish our great reputation .Let's hope that the real celtic fans distance themselves from any trouble and allow (or even assist )the police to take troublemakers of the street ,so they can be named and shamed then we may find out who they really are .
C'mon the hoops ,hail hail

I'm sure the Bhoys selected tonight, & our travelling fans will do us proud as always. I'm a bit upset though that Manchester seems to be tarring us with the same brush as the morons who visited them in May. Their agendy is most certainly NOT ours, as I'm sure Manchester & the world will witness again this evening. I wonder if our friends in the Scottish press, & the wider press for that matter, will note & highlight the difference ...'Mon the Hoops!!!

My concern about SMcD is that as an outball striker it just doesn't stick to him. He's no good at bringing it down and holding it up so I just can't see him in the holding striker role. We need players to hold on to the ball. That's what went wrong in the Villareal 2nd half.. the players started hoofing the ball up (McManus in particular) and it just came flying back.

Players are going to have to show mental strength to hold on to it and pick incisive passes forwards.

Another particular concern to me is the bad 'easy' option sideways or backwards... If this pass goes wrong and is intercepted invariably players are in front of the player who makes this pass and it quickly results in an opposing attack with no midfielders to cover. At least if you pass forwards and it goes wrong (in percentage terms more likely) you at least have your midfield behind the ball acting as a second line of defence so it does less damage.

B

Sitrep #1

The reigning European champions against the reigning Scottish CHAMPIONS.

A deluxe squad assembled at great expense against a makeshift team which cost less money than would get you a half decent racehorse.

Situation: excellent

We have them in our sights and will hunt them down like dogs.

Not sure if its because the day is here but optimism has improved on here and at least we are now showing support of the team. If every game was decided on player values and potential there would be no point in leagues and cups. But we all know different.

Will we get a result - I dont know but the bookies say no

Can we get a result - YES we can even a win is a poasibility - 14-1 are big odds but if it was an impossible task it would be 1000-1

So lets keep believing in the Famous Glasgow Celtic and keep the faith

Hail hail the celts are here - what the hell do we care now

Cheers HotsmokedSalmon,

I like the idea of Maloney up front more than skippy. Maloney will have pace to get behind their back 4 at least and as said skippy has a woeful 1st touch which doesn't help when wanting to hold ball. Maloney wins a lot of free-kicks due to quick feet and stature so would be ideal for naka.

Larsson67

Thats exactly my thinking behind a lone Maloney up front, the ball sticks to him a lot more than McDonald.

Celtic Bob

You have received an electronic communication !!!!

There is no way we can play without a striker - we need to have a presence in their half to stop their defence camping on the halfway line. That would be crazy.

Its bad that we dont have a big lad to play up there as Captain will hoof it up and Skippy or Shaun have no chance in the air and the ball will just come straight back into our half.

Im trying to think different here but - what about Barry Robson up front. He is a big enough guy - can win it in the air and has a wee bit of pace and a great shot.

estadio larsson67

Thats the point I was making about having Maloney instead of McDonald, we need someone with the ability to go past someone and someone who posesses a first touch to buy us some time when we have the ball.

DD

Jinkysbhoy

By jove he's got it!! What an excellent suggestion, I'd love to see robson up front he has a thunderbolt shot on him and can handle himself. I doubt we'll see it though!

Thinking outside the box CSC

DD

Pablo- my laridophobic wee mucker- you have mail.

SFTB & IrvineCelt :- Surely in Mr Desmond Celtic are already owned by a foreign billionare :-)

Pablophanque :- Just got your mail, reply sent.

Barry Robson up front ? Full marks for imagination bhoys, but more chance of me playing up front than Robbo. For a start we'd be missing his bite in midfield (or left back). Please - no players playing out of their comfort zone in this match. What kind of message would that send Skippy ?

PetetheBeat @ 5.36 yesterday, Daviebhoy67 @ 09.59 today -- thanks, both, for the information.

I'll be in the Tavern near Euston with Dick Byrne tonight. Reckon it'll be crammed full but watch for CQN badges.

DBBIA @ 11.48 - delighted that we're on the hunt again! Last heard that line in May.

Not sure who this guy is, possibly an explayer or a local journalist in Manchester, but he advocates sectarian singing by Celtic fans is what has caused the Manchester United/Celtic partnership of days gone to be finished.

Not to mention YNWA! Things are not that bad surely?

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1446831836/bclid1137812275/bctid1869627336

Good luck tonight men

No Scholes or Hargreaves - can't remember a Utd midfield with so little bite. Full of football though.

Gary & Stephen will need to have their tactics right when Rooney/Berbatov drop off the front. Gary reads it well and steps forward with confidence.

I would play Paul Caddis tonight - we need all the football & lungs we can get. He also offers more zip of one of the central pair have stepped forward.

Fantastic opportunity for our midfield men to shine.

If we are a goal away from something with 10 mins to play expect to see Ben.

The English media will under-estimate us again.
The Manure fans will under-estimate us again.
Alex Ferguson will not under-estimate us.
Some of the Manure players will not under-estimate us.
But some of them will and this is were our opportunity lies.

Half time Celtic 0 Manure 1.
Full time Celtic 2 Manure 1 (maybe 2)

Loovens and Naka to score for the hoopees.

Holy Goalie

Caddis Caldwell McManus Loovens

Heartly

Naka Brown Robson Mcgeady

Maloney

Hail Hail

P.S. We will concentrate on Hibs after tonight. the league is important but we are good enough to cope with both all the way to May when we win the SPL and the Big Cup in Rome.

Is it time to get up now. :o)

October 21-St Ursula.Depicted as a maiden shot with arrows and also depicted accompanied by a varied number of companions who are being martyred in various ways

No chance of the Celtic back 4[or back XI] suffering a similar fate tonight...

Londondave- Tally Ho!

Dontb,

'A deluxe squad assembled at great expense against a makeshift team which cost less money than would get you a half decent racehorse

Dont mention the racehorse - Sir A still a wee bit sensitive!

During a debate on these hallowed pages some time ago I stated the reason we beat Man U @ Parkhead was due to a World class free kick from Nakamura and a World class save from the Holy Goalie – both have gone off the boil - How are we going to beat then this time?

OptomisticCSC!

myguessismaloney-watchthispage!

Champions League gets behind the fight against racism

Hundreds of football clubs, fan groups, leagues and minority organisations across Europe came together at the weekend (18-19 October) to take a stand against discrimination, as the annual FARE Week of Action kicked off.

This week, UEFA will use its premier club competition, the Champions League to spread a joint message with FARE urging fans to ‘Unite Against Racism’ to a global audience.

All 16 UEFA Champions League matches played on 21 and 22 October (match day 3) will see players accompanied onto the pitch by children wearing Unite Against Racism T-shirts, with tannoy announcements made at all venues, team captains will be asked to wear a Unite Against Racism-branded armband for the match.

In addition, a FARE-commissioned 30-second ‘No to Racism’ spot will be shown in all stadiums and during half-time of the TV coverage. Around 500,000 fans will see the clip in the stadiums, whilst many millions more in Europe and throughout the world will see them via live TV coverage.

Drive from Michel Platini

This season, in both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup, UEFA has stepped up its fight to eliminate racism and intolerance from football. UEFA’s match delegates and officials are being urged to play a full role in catching the racists. UEFA has given its representatives at each match clear instructions on dealing with potentially racist behaviour, including providing print-outs of racist symbols – compiled by FARE – to help spot racist conduct or banners.

UEFA President Michel Platini has called on match delegates to help the European body and FARE to fight racism effectively, saying:

“UEFA policy is clear: zero tolerance of violence, racism or discrimination. You are the instruments and implementers of this policy and I urge you to be as firm as possible. The image of football lies, to a great extent, in your hands.”

Community and fan involvement

Along with the activities inside stadiums, grassroots groups representing minority groups, gay fan clubs and football fans across the continent are organising community-level activities in villages, towns and cities across the continent, in an effort to tackle discrimination in football and give a lead in civil society.

- Ends -

Notes to editors

The following UEFA Champions League matches will mark the FARE Action Week.

On 21 October:

Zenit - BATE

Bayern - Fiorentina

Fenerbahçe - Arsenal

Juventus - Real Madrid

Man. United - Celtic

Porto - Dynamo Kyiv

Steaua – Lyon

Villarreal - AaB

On 22 October:

Atlético Madrid – Liverpool

Basel – Barcelona

Bordeaux - CFR Cluj

Chelsea – Roma

Internazionale – Anorthosis

Panathinaikos – Bremen

PSV – Marseille

Shakhtar - Sporting

For the List of European Activities visit:

http://farenet.org/default.asp?intPageID=180

Full details about the network Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) and the Action Week in English, German, French and Italian are available on www.FAREnet.org

For further information please contact:

Danny Lynch, Kick it Out (London), Tel. ++44 20 7684 4884, danny@kickitout.org

Kurt Wachter, FARE coordination office c/o FairPlay-vidc (Vienna), Tel. +43 1 713 35 94-90; wachter@vidc.org

For Italy: Daniela Conti, UISP (Rome), Tel. ++39 06 40815681, d.conti@usip.it

For France: Fanny Lucien, LICRA Sport (Paris), Tel. ++33 1 45 080808, sport2@licra.org

Tally Ho indeed. Who's the guy with the spike sticking out of his heid?

If ever a date offered us something...was it not on the 21st October that Henrik broke his leg?

Pablo I'm vmhan aw today! (at work)

I'll check emails when I get back home and morphed back to vman lol

I could ask jockspice to forward the email on to work, but I don't want her near the laptop as I already have one broken PC at home.

Surrounded by mancudians here and looking forward to a great result for us, the Celtic tie, scarve and hoopy the huddle will be making an appearance tomorrow at work.

Cmon the hoops

vmhan aw

Well done Paul, has lifted us all.

I would go with Skippy up front, if I recall from last season Skippy scored quite a number of goals with his head from crosses and corners. For a wee guy he can out jump quite a few bigger men.

Good luck to our team tonight, enjoy the game everyone who'll be there and bring back the miracle!! I have a funny feeling.....

Lhondondave -

8-)))

Say Hi from me to yourself and Dick Byrne.

Will you be north in the near future?

Yurcl

Just joined the blog...excellent stuff!
Was feeling pretty negative until i read most of the comments posted today.
Now i'm opTIMistic!

As they say in Manchester....Come On!

DontB,

Don't you think it's frightfully strange how those RAF guys talked.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lwNQf08Kxsw

Mort

thank you for assitance. I will need to find a face to ensure I am grinning from ear to ear after we snatch a victory tonight.

Maloney first goal from free kick as van der Sar is motionless still waiting for Naka to hit it.

PW 64

Welcome to CQN

Keep the faith

Fit like, Crylu;
nope, not likely to be up again before Hogmanay. Shall pass greetings to DB although on great Euro nights like this, you can barely hear yourself think in there.

wouldnthaveitanyotherway.csc

Seven hours until kick off - it's going to be a long afternoon!

I hope Nakamura plays off Mac Donald

I also hope that the guys that brought home the title all feature.

Conquistador of mexico, the zulu and the navaho
The belgians in the congo short memory
Plantation in virginia, the raj in british india
The deadline in south africa short memory
The story of el salvador, the silence of hiroshima
Destruction of cambodia short memory

Short memory, must have a, short memory

The sight of hotels by the nile, the designated hilton style
With running water specially bought short memory
A smallish man afghanistan, a watch dog in a nervous land
Theyre only there to lend a hand short memory
Wake up in sweat at dead of night
And in the tents new rifles hey short memory

If you read the history books youll see the same things happen again and again
Repeat repeat short memory theyve all got it
When are we going to play it again
Got a short, got a short, got a short, got a short
Theyve got a short must have a short theyve got a short aah
Short memory, theyve got a.

Hail Hail

HAIL HAIL
THE CELTS ARE HERE
WHAT THE HELL DO WE CARE
WHAT THE HELL DO WE CARE

HAIL HAIL
THE CELTS ARE HERE
WHAT THE HELL DO WE CARE NOW
FOR ITS A GRAND OLD TEAM TO PLAY FOR
FOR ITS A GRAND OLD TEAM TO SEE
AND IF YOU KNOW THE HISTORY

ITS ENOUGH TO MAKE YOUR HEARTS GO
OOOO WE DONT CARE WHAT THE ANIMALS SAY
WHAT THE HELL DO WE CARE
FOR WE ONLY KNOW
THAT THERS GOING TO BE A SHOW
AND THE GLASGOW CELTIC
WILL BE THERE

SURE ITS THE BEST OLD TEAM IN SCOTLAND
AND THE PLAYERS THERE THEY ARE GRAND
AND WE SUPPORT THE CELTIC
COZ THEY ARE THE FINEST TEAM IN THE LAND

WE'LL BE THERE TO GIVE THE BHOYS A CHEER
WHEN THE LEAGUE FLAG FLIES
AND THE CHEERS GO UP
WHEN WE KNOW THE BIG CUP
IS COMING HOME TO REST IN
PARADISE

HAIL HAIL
C'MON THE HOOPS
C'MON THE HOOPS
C'MON THE HOOPS

Tam's memory best served by youth
I WAS delighted to see that Celtic are planning a lasting memorial for my old manager Tommy Burns.

Tommy's daughters, Emma and Jenna, are working on setting up a skin cancer charity in honour of their late father.

The Parkhead club's chairman John Reid revealed at the AGM last week that they are keen to contribute to that and a benefit match will also be staged.

Personally, I would like to see a youth tournament, to be played in Glasgow every season, set up in memory of Tommy.

He came up through the ranks with Celtic Boys Club himself and did so much to help develop the club's youngsters in his role as a coach later in his life.

I think the people of Glasgow would really get behind a tournament which featured Europe's best young players.

I am sure Tommy would have approved.

WELL SAID TOSH Mc KINLAY

How about a Celtic youth team taking on three sides say two from the Championship and an SPL or first division team.

Jinkysboy
Preferred option for me would be Maloney as the lone striker and I would play Caldwell or Loovens in the Midfield would also make room for Caddis. I will roar on whatever team he puts out though- we have a chance to be heroes again tonight.
If we win tonight it will be the best result since Lisbon.
Hail Hail
C’mon the hoops
Bob.

Travelling through Spain/ Portugal for the next few weeks and I wonder if anyone knows a pub/club in or around Granada which will be showing the Hibs game.

Thanks

I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: `Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear --
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.'

A recent study conducted by Glasgow University found that the
average Celtic supporter walks about 900 miles a year.

Another study by the Scottish Medical Association found that Celtic supporters drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcohol a year.

This means, on average, we get about 41 miles to the gallon.

Makes You Proud To Be Green!

Cyrul

Vmhan aw,

back from lunch now, no Mr Broggi hasn't been in touch yet. I won't be at the game this weekend, I only really get a chance to go to mid-week games, or the occasional game towards the end of the season. I have so many Saturday commitments that I can't even always watch the games on Setanta!

Less than 7 hours to go.

Cauldenbuer 100/1 first goal scorer bet365.
Robson 25/1 Skybet.
Maloney 16/1 all over.

Blind opTIMism might have its rewards.

Good interview on SSN with a Superintendent from Manchester. Both the interviewer and the cop acknowledged that we are very different from previous "visitors" to Manchester.

Jinkysboy...thank you!

As a big Northern Soul fan...i always Keep the Faith! ;)

Maloney up front for me.Skippy's just not doing it just now.Watched Caley game last night again..every through pass to him went astray.Man U would pick us off,breaking from the back with pace.Unfortunately i think WGS will start with him up front on his own!

Edward

You been awfy quiet the last few days - you keeping out the CL posts here cos you have withdrawal symptons!!!!

Its ok - if we can take the "your gonna get pumped " from the press and all and sundry - Im sure your comments would be more level headed and welcome than those.

Also whats the feedback from the Bears on Uncle Walters statement this week on sectarianism at Ibrox?

Afternoon. Best of luck tonight Celtic, lookin for a brave performance and Scott Brown, you need to do your stuff tonight so bring 'em on, bring 'em all on and give us a night to remember. See you all at the Fives on Sat.

Pablo Jnr’s Jnr “So what was it like Grandad ?”

Pablo “Ah the old Old Trafford Turnover. Remember when a telt yeh about Martin O’ Neil’s English double-wammy against The Beast’s Blackburn and Liverpool back in 2003 ? Well this wan wiz even better. Naebdy gave us a snawbaw’s chance in hell afor the game. Tae be honest son, neither did maist o’ oor support.”

“Yeh see, we’d loast our two big ghuys up front. Yon Greek Ghod thit av telt yeh aboot before. Mind ah tellt yeh about his hat-trick in the Champion’s League final ay 2010 ?”

Pjj “Aye, yeh did Grandad an I love watchin’ his over-head bicycle kick clip on ma 3-D hologram watch projector aw the time. Whit a way tae finish a game”

P “Aye that’s the one son. Anyway, yon big Dutchmhan wis crocked annaw, bit he seemed tae be that wai maist eh the time anyway. So there we wur, a team ay midgets and wee Skippy hidnny been settin’ the heather oan fire much that season either an as usual, yeh hid aw the blaw-hards oan the English meedja geein us nae chance as per usual”

Pjj “Wis that in the days afor we played in the Atlantic League Granda ?”

P “Aye it wiz son. That wiz in the days win we used tae play aw they donkey teams like thon shower ae blue-nosed bigots thit win that diddy league aw the time noo. Gled they didny git tae follow us tae the best league in the world. Knew even then they couldny clean up thur act an that’s why they hud tae fight thur way back up fae the old division 3 in tae thon shambles ae a league cawd the Sphell.”

"Thank god thit UEFA did wit thae shower ae rogues in the auld SFA widny dae and docked thum 30 points every season until they nearly went oot o’ business”

Pjj “Wis that win that guy wae nae legs widnae admit tae aw the anti-Irish stuff thit his club did that ah read aboot in school ?”

P “Aye that’s the one son. Yeh widnae think it noo seein’ aw they Tricolours an Saltires flyin’ at every school efter oor Independence day away back in 2015. See afor that son, yeh’d see mair butcher’s aprons thin Scottish flags, especially here in the West. Chinged days right enough”

Pjj “So wit wis the game like Granda ?”

P “Well as av said son, naebdy gied us a chance, bit that’s win wur at oor maist dangerous. Yon wee Maloney and Sir Aiden tore thum tae shreds, assisted by Skippy who wis immense an aw. Never thought he’d score yon penalty aw the same, bit cool as yeh like, sent yon Van De Sar the wrang wiy and that wis us oan oor way to the best away win ah’d seen up till yon final in 2010”

“Nivir thought it’d be 4 – 0 mind, bit wit a geme”

Pjj “Wis that also win that auld guy Fergisin decided tae wrap it up ‘cos he knew Sir Gordon wid be stealin his joab the nixt year ?”.

P “Aye it wis son. Hard tae believe, bit thur wiz still some eejits thit widnny admit Sir Gordon wis the best manager we hid seen at Paradise since Sir Jock. Gled the wee mhan won the auld Champion’s league trophy a couple o’ times afor Henrik’s Celtic won it in 2015”

“Tae be honest son, if we huddny goat Henrik is manager, ah don’t think we’d hae been invited tae the Atlantic league. Funny how these things work oot eh ?” And aw stertit wae the wee Mhan’s finest hoor !”

pablophanque

Is it true that in the good old days the Walk in Liverpool was led by Liverpool FC? Or is it an urban myth?

I expect most Celtic supporters now would say we are closer in spirit to Anfield than OT.

raveheart re the hibs game fare enough, I don't always get either due to work and home commitments,

re Broggi, I'll get on to him......but it will be ok for you to travel on the bus for the home game (man u). I think the coach goes back to Warton or Preston, so you might even cadge a lift near to you're home.

vmhan

Swalex on SSN -

"Celtic have lost their two focal points - Samaras and van essl....... or whatever his name is - the boy from Castlemilk" Wouldnt it be good if big JVOH was back for CP and rammed his name on the scoresheet to remind him.

According to statistics they average 2 and a bit goals at home and lose almost one. We average almost one for and almost 2 against.

Stupid statistics - lies damn lies and statistics.

Pablo

You auditioning for WGs throne there?

Nice one - I would give my wifes right arm for that result (its ok she is left handed)

You havent given the tale a title

My suggestion would be - Utopia

Grand work Pablo - or should that be Mystic Meg?!

EHIY

Jinkysboy.

Are you the unofficial 'host' in Paul67's absence?

Pablophanque: Aye "midget gems".

Dundee Perth

Im no use at language violations and stuff like that - ask Mrs Jinx

We were having a laugh last week - a new comp to see whos first to welcome new posters to the site. Paul came in 4th - not even a podium.

Awe_Naw

As an ex Eastercraigs bhoy(TB also played for them) there has been no youth tournamet in Glasgow for several years. this was always held over the Easter weekend and teams like Home Farm and Glenntorin sent teams over, there was also a few teams form down south and abroad. it would be great to see it resurrected. (well it would be easter)

Hail Hail

Awe naw

I think we should host that youth tournament at CP in memory of TB.

Also we should invite Barca, Ajax and Arsenal. This would save our scouts trawling europe as Im sure the best of the best would be lighting up the stage for those four clubs (including us)

Some pretty interesting team selections, here's mine...

In terms of who starts up front I think it has to be Skippy, given injuries and experience of those left in the squad. I thought when he came on against Villareal he did very well and the ball actually stuck pretty well, allowing McGeady and others more time to get a bit further up the park. Shaun is a fantastic player but for me is never one who can play up front alone as I think he even struggles up there alongside a bigger striker sometimes.

For me...

Boruc
Wilson
Caldwell
McManus
Robson

McGeady (right)
Brown
Hartley
Nakamura
Maloney (left)

Skippy

As much as I would love to see Caddis play at RB it's not going to happen in this game and Hinkel hasn't been playing of late so I think it'll be Wilson. I just hope rumours of Loovens at RB are completely unfounded!

In terms of McGeady/Nakamura/Maloney and who plays where, for me McGeady has to be put directly up against John O'Shea if he starts at left-back in place of Evra. I think O'Shea, as much as I admire him as a centre-half, is an average full-back and too sluggish to cope an on form Aiden. I guess that would mean Shaun on the left where he is probably most comfortable, and the genius Naka floating around doing what he does... but not for as long as he did in Villareal, he was shattered when on the park for those last 10 mins he played!

I do not like all this lambs to the slaughter nonsense... what the hell...

(Rooney) Manu 1-2 Hoops (Brown, McGeady) :-)

Good Ghod. Is that the time. I need to get to bed, I'll need to be up in 6 hours to watch the match before going to work!

Six hours away from one of the biggest and best results in our history...maybe's aye, maybe's no!!

Won't sleep!

ladies/gents,

A friend of mine is needing some help to be able to view the game tonight. she has recently moved to Milan and is having problems getting to watch the games. Her local irish bar tends to show italian teams on champions league nights. Has anyone any info. where she may be able to watch the game tonight in Milan? celticbars.com has proved fruitless in the past.

Thanks in advance.

PS: anyone remember this. Look at the team we sent out that night!

Yarranabbe Bhoy

i can't work never mind sleep.... 8)

Stop me, oh, stop me
Stop me if you think that youve
Heard this one before
Stop me, oh, stop me
Stop me if you think that youve heard this one before

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt1keQaUIQ0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqtpJVRiwF8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTw64yRJ-M4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BeUMbOka0c&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MPGq9hJG2U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdCdA6UhEJw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-FebBxbGXY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0DeyVpxogg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nmtB7rBs3M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZBK7JfB7ow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mIY8iTBxJs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMzqqZMes8Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfr1LaBmn7I

There is a light that never goes out CSC

blantyretime & Jinkybhoy,

I think the support as a whole gets so scunnered with the transfer window that it would be a nice distraction. It might even make us more interested in what we have on our own player already. The way that the summer frendlies feel these days with the 1st team it might prove even more interesting.

Hail HAil

PPS: anyone know if channel67 online will show tonight's game live?

PPPS: Anyone fancy bobo playing upfront as our lone striker?! lol Ferdinand and Vidic wouldn't know what hit them!

"on our own plate already" - jeez oh

dziekanowskis_dazzlers,

Bobos not registered to play CL football

dziekanowskis_dazzlers

Balde is not registered for UEFA games

Attend you gallant Irishmaen and listen for a while
I`ll sing to you the praises of the sons of Eirin`s Isle
It`s of these gallant hereos who voluntarily ran
To release two Irish Fenians out of a prison van

Kelly and Deasy werre their names,I suppose you knew them well
Remanded for a week they were in Bellwvue Gaol to dwell
When taking of the prisoners back,their trial for to stand,
To make a safe deliverance they conveyed them in a van

William Deasy was a man of good and noted fame
Likewise William Larkin.we`ll never forget his name
With young Allen and O`Brien they took a part so grand
In that glorious liberation and the smashing of the van

In Manchester one morning these hereos did agree,
Their leaders,Kelly and Deasy,should have their liberty
They drank a health to Ireland.and soon made up the plan
To meet thge prisoners on the road and take and smash the van

With courage bold these hereos went and soon the van did stop
They cleared the guards from back and front and then smashed in
the top.
But in blowing open of the lock ,they chanced to kill a man
So three must die on scaffold high for smashing of the van

One cold November morning in eighteen sixty seven
These matyrs to their country`s cause in sacrifice were given
`God save Ireland` was the cry, all through the crown it ran
The Lord have mercy on the boys that helped to smash rhe van

So ,now kind,friends I will conclude I think it would be right
That all true hearted Irishmen together should unite
Together should sympathise, my friends,and do the best we can
To keep the memories ever green of the boys that smashed the van

Our Fenian Dead CSC

dziekanowskis_dazzlers & Awe Naw

Some great clips posted today - every one an inspiration to us all

I hope Strachan had them on video on the bus to Manchester yesterday.

6 and a half hours till kick off and the nerves are jangling already

RE: Bobo....was having a wee laugh, hence the 'lol'

when i watched the previous celtic v man utd game highlights and seen his name after the discussion on here about alternative centre-forwards I had this vision of him upfront causing calamity in the man utd defence and opening up some space for midfielders to run into!

Ce sont les meilleures équipes
Those are the best teams
Sie sind die allerbesten Mannschaften
Those are the best teams
The main event
Die Meister
The Masters
Die Besten
The best
Les Grandes Équipes
The biggest teams
The Champions

Une grande réunion
A big gathering
Eine große sportliche Veranstaltung
A big sports event
The main event
Ils sont les meilleurs
They are the best
Sie sind die Besten
They are the best
These are the champions

NotBernieTaupinCSC

O happy living things! no tongue
Their beauty might declare:
A spring of love gushed from my heart,
And I blessed them unaware:
Sure my kind saint took pity on me,
And I blessed them unaware.

The self-same moment I could pray;
And from my neck so free
The Albatross fell off, and sank
Like lead into the sea.

Just like the Ancient Mariner, time for the Hoops to sink our away win Albatross.

dziekanowskis_dazzlers
How about Mick up front with Skippy. He can't do much damage up there and he might get in the defenders way and you never know!!!

Alright I'll go!!!!

Always optimistic, well until about 7.30pm

Good luck to the Hoops tonight and
wishing all the Bhoys and Ghirls at
the game or in Manchester to watch
it an enjoyable trip!!!

Lets see the famous will to win from Celtic tonight

Hail Hail

At least this particular member of the force knows the difference...

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1447672942/bclid1137895917/bctid1866688171

I for one, hope it goes without incident.

I came across this article in the UAE's English language broadsheet today...

An age when Celtic roared
Desmond Kane

Last Updated: October 20. 2008 10:44PM UAE / GMT
Willie Wallace is lifted up by happy Celtic fans in Lisbon in 1967. Action Images
Danny Kaye’s The Birth of a Star in 1945, and Jock Stein’s birth of a star team in 1967. Two features spanning 22 years, but both continue to bleed colour even in grainy black and white pictures. Compared in looks to an award winner in the American screen actor Kaye, he of Hans Christian Andersen fame, Tommy Gemmell, the Celtic and Scotland defender, similarly wallowed in gongs in a joyous period in the late 1960s as part of a fabled, all-conquering Celtic side.

The Glasgow club’s gilded moment continues to pound furiously in the heartbeat of millions of their supporters, who hanker after a bygone age and a golden period of great theatre. On the cusp of tonight’s coming together in the Champions League of two of Britain’s largest club sides, the “governers” of England and Scotland, it is always worth reflecting on the tradition that defines their demands, and from where they came.

As Rod Stewart once wrote in a song dedicated to Britt Eckland: “You’re Celtic, United, but baby I’ve decided you’re the best team I’ve ever seen.”

In the modern day, they, like Rod and Britt, have gone their separate ways to some extent, but they are bonded by time and dominant Scottish managers.

Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson managed Manchester United’s three European Cup victories and like Stein, have working-class roots in Glasgow. Football appears to be a strictly middle-class past-time these days at the elite level, but it was not always the way.

United revel in a level of finance, bloated by television millions, that renders impotent in many ways clubs from unfashionable European leagues such as Celtic.

Celtic could get a serious going over at Old Trafford, but tradition continues to dictate that this is a contest of epic and almost biblical proportions. David slayed Goliath, and a good little ‘un can beat a good big ‘un.

That is unlikely yet, historically, Celtic, like United, have always been a club of firsts.

United would win the first of their three European Cups in 1968 when Sir Matt Busby oversaw a 4-1 extra-time win against Benfica at Wembley – a year after Celtic became the first Scottish, British and, it must be noted, Northern European club to snag the big trophy.

Pertinently, Celtic collected the trophy with 11 players of the club’s country of origin, all born within 30 miles of Celtic Park.

“Eleven players of the same nation will never win the Champions League again,” commented Gemmell. “We had 11 Scots, and that is unbelievable when you think how small a nation we came from. You’ll never get that happening again, never mind all being within 20-odd miles of the club’s home ground.”

Studying Stein’s side of the day, or the Lisbon Lions in which they are most memorably recalled, continues to hold mystical appeal.

Gemmell will be at Old Trafford tonight, where he will get the opportunity to engage with old foes such as Sir Bobby Charlton and Paddy Crerand. He may walk and talk as he did on the night when he scored the equalising goal and Stevie Chalmers the winner in Celtic’s 2-1 success over Helenio Herrera’s Inter Milan at Libson’s Estadio Nacional.

“We won everything we played for that season, so to win the European Cup was not a huge surprise to us,” said Gemmell. “I think we broke the mould and after we did it, the other British clubs such as United and Liverpool had a bit of belief. I think we provided a bit of inspiration. Let’s put it that way. Big Jock was a great motivator.”

Since the inception of the old European Cup in 1955, only two British players have scored in different finals. Phil Neal of Liverpool and Celtic’s Gemmell, who netted as the Scots lost to the Dutch side Feyenoord in 1970. For those of us who hanker after the good old days, it is worth recalling that the European Cup was once a knockout competition, blessed with only the champions of each country.

Celtic and United met two years ago in the Champions League, both winning their home games, but such meetings were once the sole preserve of the exhibition arena.

“We played Manchester United a few times. We beat them in a friendly at Celtic Park if I remember correctly, then we played them in a couple of matches on tour in America. That’s when they had the Bests and the Charltons,” said Gemmell.

“There were tremendous, a really formidable side, but we didn’t have any fear of them. We had a lot of confident players, simply because they had ability. We never feared anybody at that time.”

Illness is no respecter of reputation with godly wingers taken from the clubs that made them. United mourned the death of the Northern Ireland winger George Best from a kidney infection in 2005, while Celtic lost Jimmy “Jinky” Johnstone after a struggle with motor neurone disease several months later.

“They were both tremendous entertainers. I know because I played against them both,” said Gemmell. “I came up against Besty in international matches, and wee Jinky in training matches. They were exceptional players.”

Johnstone once said Celtic’s European Cup winners were a “speeded up version” of the Dutch’s total football philosophy.

He also once recalled of the defeated Inter Milan side: “There they were, Facchetti, Domenghini, Mazzola, Cappellini. Each and every one of the looked like the film star Cesar Romero. They even smelt beautiful. And there’s us lot. Midgets. I’ve got no teeth, Bobby Lennox hasn’t any, and old Ronnie Simpson’s got the full monty, no teeth top and bottom. The Italians are staring at us, and we’re grinning back up at them with our great gumsy grins. We must have looked like something out of the circus.”

Before he left Aberdeen to become manager of Manchester United in 1986, Ferguson assisted Stein as part of the Scotland coaching staff before his death in 1985 left Ferguson in charge of his country at the 1986 World Cup finals in Mexico.

“I am proud to say that I knew Jock Stein as a football manager, as a colleague and as a friend. He was the greatest manager in British football. Men like Jock will live forever in the memory,” Ferguson has said.

Gemmell can see similarities, but believes Stein showed more decorum. “Fergie is aggressive, as everybody knows. Big Jock was aggressive, but he kept it quiet. He kept it for us within the dressing room.”

It seemed everybody in Lisbon was a Scot in 1967. The Liverpool manager Bill Shankly grabbed Stein afterwards to tell him: “John, you’re immortal.” Gemmell continues to be dreamy and realistic at the same time. “It would be nice to see United, or perhaps even Celtic, winning the trophy. Then I maybe wouldn’t have to talk about the Lisbon Lions anymore.”

A good notion, but one about as far-fetched as a team of 11 Scots again getting together armed with serious notions of carting off the Champions League.

Jinkysboy :- I've been away for a few days so haven't been posting. And now I come back to an article that makes me jealous, I would far rather be worried about facing Man. U than our not being there at all. Being honest and practical I don't see you getting a result tonight but if things always went the way they do on paper my bookie wouldn't be so rich. I don't know if I want any team to win tonight so much as trying to figure out who I want to lose most :-)
On the response to Mr Smith and his comments, as far as I know FF went into meltdown but it has never been a site that gave much support to the management of the club. It also has probably the highest percentage of bigots of any of the sites. Other sites have a high number of people supporting his comments ranging from those who agree from a moral point to those who agree from a pragmatic point

Hope that Kennedy for once will finally get an injury free run in his career and comeback as the talent we all wish him to be!!
Tonight Celtic go and do us proud!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/norwich/7682001.stm

Kitalba.

Sent mail to your home address.

Edward
For your jealousy you might take a lesson from our foreign billionaire
Dermot (Diarmuid) means without envy.

Loadsamoney CSC

Edward

This blog has been a hotbed of debate since Dr Reids statement at the AGM. Hard to guage on percentage of opinion but many here feel that songs that sing the history of Ireland and its fight for independence are no more a rebel song than Flower of Scotland.

Many on the other hand wish to sing only football songs and set an example to all (including RFC).

Whats the answer - no frigging idea. As Im sure you wouldnt either. Theres common ground bewteen many of your friends who think like you and many of us. But the feeling is that the hardcore opinions are too far apart to even contemplate this.

As far as the CL goes - Last year was a mare for me - even though we got to the last 16 watching your lot get through round after round (by the skin of your teeth haha)and wishing you would fall on your face. Your club and fans will be watching tonight with nevy Im sure - even though winning the league is and always will be #1 the CL is the icing on the cake - a break from Motherwell, Falkirk etc.

Hope you had a good weekend away - enjoy the match tonight

Artur Boruc has been nominated as one of the world's best:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1079423/Chelsea-Manchester-United-FIFA-nominations-worlds-best-announced.html?ITO=1490

dziekanowskis_dazzlers : No C67 coverage of the game tonight - audio only. The game is live in the US on ESPN2 so it shouldn't be difficult to pick the game up somewhere on the 'net.

I suspect Manchester City Centre is already jumping. Had hoped to be in to sample the atmosphere but as I am taking my ManU supporting son to the game I am stuck with driving in and back.

Ever optomistic been to many games where the team I supported were not given a hope (France 0 Scotland 1 springs to mind).

It could happen

just spoke to my brother

he is getting the stadium tour at the moment

£20 for 2 adults and 2 kids

not bad actually

cheers MNCelt, i've found a few online sites showing the game...was just thinking paying for c67 might save her a lot of hassle in the future...perhaps not!!

jinksyboy

loads of other posters

I have returned from dublin last night in a wee bit of a state having been on the lash for 5 days and have tried to catch up with earlier posters, Ireland is and should be proud of their heritage and culture and indeed are proud to display it and I dont think it can be considered sectarian, Glasnevin Cemetery, Kilmainham Gaol, The Garden of Rememberance etc, and many of the clubs and bars sign songs of freedom, and their are no restrictions on public house licences.

On another note couldn't make the game because of the drink/dt's/ and work so Frankie bhoy enjoy the ticket.

I talked to a load of celtic, man u and other supporters about tonights game and without exception most thought we would be beaten especially after saturday, however bhoyed by the posters and Paul67 I have a feeling of calm serenity washing over me (or it me have been the guinness leaving my system) and believe anything is possible, the fans and the team wont let us down, maybe we'll get a stroke of luck we deserve...

jammybassacsc

again....any Milanese Celtic supporters know any pubs that will be showing the game tonight in Milan? is there a Milan CSC?!!

apologies for going on about this....just trying to help a friend!

cheers,
D_D

BromleyBhoy

Thanks for sharing that. When he's on form, Boruc is better than any one of those keepers but I doubt he'll get that kind of recognition.

I'm growing more confident still about tonight, just because everyone else has written us off doesn't mean anything. 1-0 the Hoops, Maloney, possibly from a free kick?

Hail Hail and that

dz-dazzlers,
the best picture will probably be the EUFA web site and is probably cheaper than the rest.

Weather update: it's sunny in Salford at the minute. In fact, it is quite warm too. Does this portend an upturn in our fortunes?

Dz-dazzlers
in fact, looking at the EUFA website the game is advertised free to view on the ITV1 link.
sorted if watching on computer.
hail hail

dziekanowskis_dazzlers,

ask your friend to call both these numbers

Irish Pub Mulligans - www.mulliganspub.it
Via Govone Giuseppe Generale, 28, Milano (MI) - +39 02 3451694
Ortsangaben und mehr »

POGUE MAHONES IRISH PUB - www.poguemahones.it
VIA SALMINI, 1, MILANO (MI) - +39 02 5830 9726

He can always try phoning one of these
Auld Dubliner Via Torelli, 2, Milan
Bar Matricola Irish Pub Viale Romagna, 43
Bassethound Via San Marco, 29, Milan
Binks Ripa Di Porta Ticinese 71, Milan
Blues Canal Via Montevideo 3, Milan
J.J.'s Corner Via Bassini, 41, Milan
Mulligan's 28, V. Govone Giuseppe, Milan
Murphy's Law Via Montevideo, 3, Angola Via Savona, Milan
Pogue Mahone Salmini, 10, Milano
Pogue Mahones Porta Romana, Milan
Racana Pub Via Sannio 18, Milan
The Barbarians Pub Via Briosi, 9, Milan

I´m sure if they are not showing it they will know somewhere that is. Good luck toyour friend.

Hail Hail

Lamartine :- If I ever become a bilionare I'll do my best to lose all signs of jealousy :-)

Ed,

you´ll be in bed with Minty Moonbeams literally !!!

Mid you´ll have to lose the face fungus :-)

BromleyBhoy

What no Caldenbaur?!?!

EHIY

I wonder if......

"When you walk, thru a storm, hold your head up high, and don’t, be afraid, of the dark…....."

will get sung tonight and if so will we get booed by the Man U fans

who cares - lets hope we've got the game in the bag by then.

kikinthenakas

I for one dont think its sectarian and we all should be proud of our heritage - both Irish and Scots.

If you are referring to my post to Edward then you will see I was playing devils advocate and not expressing a view either way. Was merely stressing the differences of opinion across the site.

Im not sure you will have read through yesterdays posts but significantly one of our English based fraternity posted that the Chieftains were oon BBC2 last night and was loving the songs including Foggy Dew with Sinead. A scottish based poster replied that this program was not being broadcast on BBC2 Scotland. Looks like the local BBC decided that although the songs in question are fair play throughout the UK - Scotland is the exception to this rule.

Hope the head clears in time for the 7.45 kick off and hopefully we all have something to sing about.

Keep the faith

ANNAOAN :- Given that choice I think I'd prefer to remain in my present financial state lol.

Nawamurnybhoy :- I'm sure it will be booed, a question that folk on here will know better than me, do the Man. U fans know it's a song that is sung by the Celtic fans or do they think you do it to wind them up by singing a Liverpool song?

Edward

I asked that question of Reds when lived there - they associate the song with Liverpool and see us singing that as taking Liverpools side. They see it as an association with their enemies or at least a wind up

Things quite often get dropped throughout the week on BBC2 to fit in regional programming. Paranoia, or am I missing whatever it is that makes Thursday's Eggheads and Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two controversial enough to be lost from the scheduling?

The Chieftains thing is on iPlayer if anyone wants to watch it: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0094zrm/b0094zqk/Legends_The_Chieftains/

I think they know it's our song too; I recall after we thumped them two years ago that all their fans had to remain in the stadium until we'd all gone (as per usual) but before we left we stayed and sang YNWA. And I don't remember it being booed then, but we probably wouldn't have heard it so they may well have booed it. A lot of Man U fans have Celtic ties as well, so even though they'll be supporting their team tonight they'll know it's our anthem.

Hail Hail and that

If Skippy starts tonight I think he's going to sneak two scrappy goals for a 1-2 Celtic victory. Tomorrow the Man U fans will be screaming for his immediate transfer south come January at the expense of Rooney and Tevez to which the newly reconfirmed legend will respond 'fat chance'.

Oneantonrogan

Its not paranoia - in the current climate IMHO the beeb will have decided it would not be sensible to air such songs here while there is a furore about the songs being sung at football matches.

Next you will tell me that the camera man at the 7-1 game really did leave the lens cap on and that the SFA fax machine did indeed run out of paper regards the Cadete affair.

Ed,

the beard or the proposition ? ;-)

ANNAOAN :- I'll keep the beard and pass on the proposition thanks :-)

Exiled Hoop In Yorkshire,

I was more shocked at the absence of any Rangers players... Didn't they realise they made the UEFA Cup Final??

;-)

B

Haven't had time over the last month to log in but have tried my best I can to have a quick look now and again.

Noticed the wee comment on The Chieftains and thought I'd drop this wee snippet in...

On the late eighties CD "Van Morrisson and the Chieftains" they do a Belfast version of "I'll tell me Ma".
In the middle and at the end, the tune breaks into a musical version of "The Sash".
Always wondered what the point was.......

Modern poetry is rubbish.....................

The day the Hooped Heroes came to town

On Tuesday morn they came to town
All dressed up in Green and White
And what a sight it was to see
The massed ranks of Timothy

Sure weren’t they going to be pumped
And why do they come when everyone knows
The mighty Reds are far too strong
And they’ll maintain their away woes

‘Cos as long as just one remains
With dying breath he’ll say
It’s no aboot the winning tae us
It’s to play the Glasgow Celtic way

And if hope was money, a currency
The followers of this fine club would forever be
The richest people this land has known
As they bask in songs and chants of favoured memories

So let the people sing as each and everyone
Follows in the traditions of those that went before
And for those that are still to come
For it is a Grand Old Team to play for

And when the final whistle blows
And if we haveny won
We’ll still be there in Green and White
Cheering the Bhoys as if they had done

pablophanque

Ps, can yeh tell ah'm no gettin' much work done :o)))

Help needed. I dont know the answer. Hence the post.

Name a sport stadium in Europe (now defunct) that has larger capacity than the Nou Camp. Please feel free to google

I've just been perusing the website for the Celtic Connections festival, and I note with satisfaction that one of their links at the top of the page says simply "Support Celtic".

Couldn't have put it better myself.

Edward take note. : )

Awe Naw

Was there not a stadium in Moscow with a very big capacity

Awe_Naw

any of the old olympic stadia?

103,000 capacity 1980 at the Luzhniki Stadium built for the Olympics - now down to 78,000 when we palyed there last year

OK I got told its a sport arena its no longer used. You can still visit it and it has a capacity of more than 120,000 ????

Just spoke to my brother who is in Manchester. Large police presence. All quiet. He and 3 others are looking for tickets but they haven't even has a sniff.

Hampden before they put the seats in? They used to squeeze in excess of 100k in there. Same with the old Wembley, I think.

But the Estadio da Luz was even for some time the biggest European stadium, with the highlight of 127,000 spectators attending the final of the 1991 FIFA Under-20 World Championship between Portugal and Brazil, seeing the rise of a new portugese team including players like Luis Figo, João Pinto, Rui Costa, Capucho, Jorge Costa, and Fernando Couto.

Defunct but has a larger capacity than the Nou Camp?

Old Stadia - Hampden, Wembly?

what about the collusium in Rome?

Jinksyboy

I know what you have offered the debate and I agree with your posts, I was just adding about government funding for the areas I mentioned as well as the dublin city have contribution and there has been no suggestion of anything untoward/sectarian/racist etc these have indeed been viewed as part of the economics of the city to encourage tourists/supporters/repulicans/historians etc

I did read the posts about the chieftans but if I am honest my head is still ringing with drink, music and the craic

hold your head up high

marcellacsc

i need to get out of the office to the pub im cracking under the stain.... :))))

sorry strain, i haven't soiled myself yet......:)))

At the moment, there are 8 stadiums in Europe with a capacity of more than 80,000 seats. After a long progress of extensions, the older stadiums already have to look back at the times of their highest capacities (due to safety restrictions and transformation into all-seater-arenas).

L'Estadi (Camp Nou) - Barcelona

The Camp Nou is the biggest stadium in Europe, offering more than 90,000 people the sensation of watching one of the most important football teams in the history of football.

This following list is based on the information provided by
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_menu/stadium_list/80000.shtml

90,000 : Camp Nou - Barcelona
85,700: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza - Milan
85,000: Croke Park - Dublin
83.160: Olimpiyskiy Stadion - Kiyiv (Kiev)
82,307: Stadio Olimpico - Rome
82.000: Atatürk Olympic Stadium - Istanbul
80,480: Luzniki - Moscow
80,000: Stade de France - Saint-Denis

blantyretim

Later ;-)

bhoys ghirls,

my quiz master has gone off home and promises tomorrow.

He says it not lisbon and its still standing so that rules out the old Estádio da Luz

Blantyretim.

Only 4 hours to go.

estadio

west end bar tonight..u parkville bound?

Jinkysoy,

It´s a "sport" stadium not necessarily a football arena , has a capacity over 120k and is now defunct although its still in place and can still be visited today.

I have been assured its not a trick question

estadio

west end bar tonight..u parkville bound?

ANNAOAN

Thats murder, pre match tension now pre quiz answer tension. Have you not got the quiz masters mobile number?

Cheers.

blantyretim

The West End BAr in Port Glasgow has been closed for years and recently was burnt down, it won't be showing the game tonight.

Gerrintaethum!

Blantyre.

Stonefield Tavern for me.

No, I try not to drink under the influence of football but hope to be Parkvile bound straight after the game, was a fantastic spur of the moment night/morning the last time we played them.

But Im like you just now, just want to fast forward to the game.

What was the pub you mentioned was shutting down the other week? The West End?

Kikinthenakas

The demon drink strikes again eh!

I am trying to rationalise the whole songs debate and the best I can do is this

Its ok to smoke canabbis in Amsterdam - not here

Its ok to drink wine at 16 in France - not here where its 18 but in the US its 21

Its ok to marry at 14 in some countries - here its 16 and in some its older.

Who is right - the people decide that through (normally) a democratic process.

So if the law of the land says its illegal (which as far as I know regards the songs it doesnt) then fair do and if you dont like that then see your MP.

Like you my heeds puggled with it all (and I havent had a beer in almost a month). I understand and see most sides of the argument - the only one I dont is the "we are gonna do it cos were right" argument as we all think we are right - am I wrong !!!!!

Anyway - Im not getting involved in another songs debate until we have more points on the board in the CL

cmon the HOOPS

jinkysboy

I'm sure that list is out of date as the new wembley can hold 90,000.

I think the answer to Awe Naw's question is the old Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.

ghuys
the collusium was a sports arena although feeding the christians to the lions wouldn't be my choice...:))))

I thought the Colosseum was an excellent answer, but Wikipedia tells me it only had a capacity of 50k.

Hey, I've found it!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strahov_Stadium

Estadio

got closed for 1 day only, now been run by a good tim who used to drink in parkville? wee gigsy will tell you who it is as i don't want to put his name up on the site.

HAIL HAIL

I know he´s an expert at this. Waits until i´m under stress and then asks a dodgy question.

BUt I´ll get the answer tomorrow and if is a groaaaannnnnn!!! you can have hi smobile number :-)

Mort its not Estadio da Luz

oneantonrogan

get back to work :))) well done that ghirl

oneantonrogan

A big Kiss from me ....ya Dancer and I can honestly say that I got the answer without googling. Now to find out if I :-) am right

onyloneantonroganCSC

Fergus Alexanderson on SSN mocking JvoH's name

'big Jan of Castlemilk or something'

The cheek of the man.

Blantyretim its hard keeping up with the movers and shakers of the pubs these days changes glore, now got a taste for going out after the game. Hopefully that party atmosphere is there.

Oneantonrogan,

Go to the top of the class, if you pass go collect 200

:-)

jinksyboy

couldnae go another song or a pint but this may wear off later

leaving work tae bite ma nails and see if I can hold down the water, which is sadly difficult at this moment in time but I am sure thats nerves as well..............

enjoy the game

god bless the celtic csc

Did no-one else see Sky News this morning?

Jon Gaunt was winding up Eamon Holmes, saying he hoped Celtic would beat United.

He then spoke about the Celtic fans, how great they were, the singing, the general good behaviour, and how they were always first choice for testimonials.

oneantonrogan I think Minty's been on that page !!!!!

"In the last decade several studies have looked at adaptive reuse and preservation of this unique structure. There are plans to convert the mammoth Strahov stadium complex into a commercial zone complete with hotels, restaurants and shops. Another suggestion is to turn the area into a "leisure mecca for the 21st century". There are also plans to rebuild the area as an Olympic village if Prague wins a future Olympic bid; bidding for 2016 was unsuccessful.[1]"

pablophanque

oneantonrogan

Well done - I tried every olympic stadium on Wiki but only White city looked a contender until I noticed it had been demolished

I have never even heard of that stadium in Prague and was surprised that Wiki quotes a potential seating of 400,000 in the Indianapolis stadium

I always knew what the answer was. ;-)

CaptainMainwearingCSC

I found it via googling "largest sports stadium" which took me, eventually, to http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question11130.html and checked it out on Wikipedia from there. I'd never heard of it either, but I'll remember it now if it ever crops up in a pub quiz.

toomuchtimeonmyhandsCSC

pablo......get some work done lol

jinksyboy.....away tae the gym it'll calm ye doon.

vmhan aw

The Strahov stadium is quite decieving isnt much of height to it but guess its the ring around nine football pitches that does it.

Vmhan aw

No gym today - day off.

Anyway I could not concentrate as Im "celticed out my nut" here

Roll on 7.45 and the strains of "Zadok the Priest"

Pablo- laridaphobia= fear of seagulls ;~@

[Of course in my experience many people are in denial about this]

For everyone who wants the tingling sensation now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWoD-FOWzhI

A wee quiz to pass the time until 7:45!

Seven players who have played for Celtic have more than 50 Scotland caps. Name them - and one answer at a time to make it interesting!

dziekanowskis_dazzlers,
POGUE MAHONES IRISH PUB should be showing it, was in there last year before the 1-0 game. Excellent pub.
Also watched an Inter game the night before in a magic boozer
across from the Birrificio Lambrate pub (get off at Lambrate underground), old school don barsini-types in it. They couldnae shut up about Celtic in there. Will also probably show it.

Billy McNeil

Jinksbhoy

I was listening to Zadok the Priest a while ago but went off it after hearing the words around 2.40 into it. It cant be can it?

Handel: Zadok the Priest

King kenny

Danny Mcgrain

Danny McGrain

Tom Boyd?

Alan Rough

(thought I'd go for the non-obvious one, also have a "trick question" answer up my sleeve if that's one of them...)

oneantonrogan,

You're on fire this afternoon! I would have bet that being the last correct answer.

And I'm not counting WGS, if that was you're trick one!

John Collins?

Your of course - doing six things at once, that's my excuse.

No, the trick one was Christian Dailly who played for us in a testimonial once.

Can you tell I do pub quizzes a lot?

oneantonrogan

I think I might have the same trick answer as you?

Seven players who have played for Celtic have more than 50 Scotland caps.

Correct: Dalglish (102), Boyd (72), McGrain (62), Collins (58), Rough (53),

Incorrect: McNeill (29)

I wasn't counting Christain Dailly as a Celt!

Jinksboy

well if thats the way ye want tae play it......I'm off out of here.....a ton of work to get on with but it'll wait until the hoops huv done the business, tomorrow will be a great day to come in here.

talk soon bhoyo's

vmhan aw

Roy Aitken

oneantonrogan,

It is the summer of 1988.
The two most expensive footballers (transfer sum) are Maradona and Gullit.
Who is the third?

Hello to all,

Enjoy the game this evening, and enjoy the fives on Saturday, won't be able to make it along unfortunately - currently trying to find a Hoops pub in Turkey (Bodrum) to take in the match and it's proving to be somewhat difficult...

Don't fancy being stuck ın a pub full of Man U fans to be honest, but if it has to be done, then I suppose I'll have to do it.

Anyway once again, enjoy the match guys - Hail Hail.

Gus.

awe_naw

Chris Waddle?

Roy Aitken got 57 caps

Lentini?

Chris Waddle's big money move was in 1989 - I remember it as I was on holiday, and it was the same holiday I picked up a paper and found out about MoJo's transfer to the dark side.

Dunno - Ian Rush?

Has no-one said The Maestro yet for the Scotland caps?

Collymore?

Paul McStay - 76 caps

Mort,

Nope

Gus,

Pubs name : Green House
Pubs region : East & Central Europe
Pubs country : Turkey
Pubs address : Bodrum
Other live sports : Irish Sports Coverage

TURKEY - THE SHAMROCK BAR & IRISH CLUB, SAKIRESEDEMIR No5, GUMBET / BODRUM

TURKEY - BODRUM BACKPACKERS BAR, ATTATURK ST, BODRUM (Not necessarily a Celtic bar but shows games)

TURKEY - JAMES JOYCE BAR, TAKSIM, ISTANBUL

TURKEY - TIERNA'S IRISH BAR, MARMARIS

good luck

Think you've got them all now - too easy!

Dalglish (102), McStay (76), Boyd (72), McGrain (62), Collins (58), Aitken (57), Rough (53)

Now for a bonus name the dozens more who should be on the list!

Estadio Nacional,

I think Lentini was 91 or maybe 92.

hi bhoys.
stirring stuff from paul,and he is correct. the defence worries me no end,i have stated that the other night,and god knows how often before that .but lets get into them .and i am sure the bhoys wont let us down. we cant compete money wise with them .but if we hadn,t one hand tied behind our back .we would be able to take them all, on the field and off it as well. let us loose and then we would see a football force,and you better believe the english league know that as well. as for the govan gub, hated him as a player,and as a manager as well. but one thing about him .no sentiment if, you dont get stuck in .or battle for him your out. wgs should know this,and have his troops ready for the fight . go get them bhoys

hail hail

someone wrote earlier that he was nervous about tonight, and feeling the pressure. I don't think there's any pressure on us whatsoever. No-one expects us to get close, and if I'm honest, I'm one of them.

Because of this, if there was ever a game where it's best your injury list is longer, then this is it - and that it's forwards and not defenders. As long as at least ONE of our main strikers is fit for the Glasgow game.

But... having said that.. you just never know. If they play anything approaching well, they'll murder us. But if a few of them have a wee off night.. and if WGS out-foxes his old mentor.. :)

ANNAOAN...

Thanks for that, Shamrock looks good - if İ can find it that is.

Hail Hail,

Gus.

Marco van Basten? Frank Riijkard?

Well there are eleven others who should be there right off (the Lions, of course). And that'll do for now.

Next question - who is the most-capped player for Scotland who is still playing?

Gus,

if you can find the Green House I know that it covers "Irish" sports

BhoyFromTheCountyHell, got to be one of the ancient Rears, yes? Weir or Dailly.

(whether their lumbering about can be classified as "playing" is another question...)

oneanton,

he´s not dutch, english, Italian or spanish

BhoyFromTheCountyHell,

The aforementioned Christian Dailly depending on how you define playing I suppose.

oneantonrogan

Indeed so, have a gold star. It is indeed Christian Dailly, with a few more caps than Weir.

Bigjoe
Pity you are back to the dark continent, understand about the family committments got two teenagers myself. We might arrange to meet for a drink next time I´m here, either at Paddys Point or even at Via PaRK V, my local is the Phoenix.

Have a good and safe trip.

Hail Hail

Awe Naw

is the third one also Diego Maradona?

Awe Naw

I would have though Michel Platini would have cost a few bob at some stage. I'll go for him.

Just had a quick look through the SFA archives

Lisbon Lions - Scottish International caps

Simpson - 5
Craig - 1
Gemmill - 18
Murdoch - 6
Mcneil - 29
Clark - 4
Jinky - 23 (4 goals)
Wallace - 7
Auld - 3 (1 red card)
Chalmers - 5 (3 goals)
Lennox - 10 (3 goals)

A grand total of 111 caps between the immortals of 1967. What does that say about the SFA.

Mort,

no he´s European and in 1988 cost 6m quid

very excited about the game. quite often when we're written off or seen has having nothing to lose we surprise ourselves. i have no idea how GS should set up the team but we need to maintain our heads and the ball when we have it. easier said than done. 1-1 would suit me fine.

i found an interesting article which, whilst telling us nothing new, sums up our play pretty well. it's from the beeb. apologies if it's been posted before.

Celtic's away-day blues
By Thomas McGuigan

Celtic face Manchester United on Champions League duty at Old Trafford on Tuesday, hoping that an appearance at the "Theatre of Dreams" can end their away day nightmare.
Statistics rarely lie, and Celtic's travel sickness in the Champions League makes grim reading - played 16, lost 15 and drawn one.
The only chink of light in a dark history on the road in Europe came in a 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the Nou Camp in November 2004.
John Hartson's equaliser gave the then Celtic manager Martin O'Neill his solitary away point in the Champions League.
Since that game, however, the Glasgow club have failed to break a losing streak that now haunts Gordon Strachan, the current manager, although he rightly says the current crop of players should not shoulder the burden of previous campaigns.
Celtic's home record in the group stages of the Champions League, meanwhile, is almost as impressive as their away record is abject.
At Celtic Park, Celtic have won 13 of their 16 games, losing one - 3-1 to Barcelona - and drawn two.
So what is the problem away from home?
Many observers suggest that the lack of stiff competition in the SPL means that Celtic are often caught cold by more illustrious European opponents.
Celtic have won many Champions League games at home in the dying moments, urged on by passionate home support.

Scott McDonald is set to lead Celtic's attack at Old Trafford
But on their travels, despite a massive following urging them on to break their duck, too often games are lost in a blizzard of first-half goals amid calamitous defending.
Strachan favours a 4-4-2 formation, with captain Stephen McManus and Gary Caldwell his preferred central defensive partnership.
Lee Naylor is a permanent fixture at left-back, while Mark Wilson and German international Andreas Hinkel vie for the right-back spot.
Some Celtic fans have clamoured for Paul Caddis to be played at right-back, but his manager has said publicly he does not want to pressure the inexperienced 20-year-old.
In a nutshell, Celtic's problems away from home in Europe have stemmed from an inability to keep possession.
Against Villarreal, full-backs Naylor and Wilson got into a number of promising positions, but time and again their cross would hit the first defender or their pass would find a yellow shirt.
As Patrice Evra has shown for Manchester United and Bacary Sagna at Arsenal, the potency of a full-back who is comfortable bombing forward cannot be under-estimated.
Neither Naylor or Wilson, despite their admirable application and effort, are able to consistently take the ball forward and hit the by-line before sending in crosses for their forwards to attack.
They pass the ball back to defenders or central midfielders and stop running.

Dutch striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who scored a barrowload of headed goals for PSV Eindhoven, has scored comparatively few headers in Celtic colours from decent crosses.
The reason? The full-backs and wide midfielders are unable to deliver from the flanks.
In recent seasons, Celtic's away trips in the Champions League have made difficult viewing. Shakhtar Donetsk, Rosenborg, Anderlecht et al have all feasted enthusiastically on green and white defensive collapses.
Strachan has tried to find a way of sending out a Celtic side which is hard to break down, but also has width and can muster a menacing counter-attack.
His 4-5-1 formation, with Georgios Samaras as the lone frontman, almost yielded success in Spain.
The Greek international missed a glorious chance on the stroke of half-time and Marco Senna's free-kick gave Villarreal maximum points.

Nevertheless, the result and much of the performance represented slow but steady progress.
A lack of width in the SPL continues to plague the league champions and, in Europe, it is given sharper contrast.
Aiden McGeady and Shaun Maloney have been tasked with providing the width and trickery from which others in the side can profit.
The problem is that, without full-backs charging forward to provide support, too often they find two men blocking their way to goal and attacks peter out.
Shunsuke Nakamura, Scott Brown and Paul Hartley or Barry Robson need to keep possession whilst looking to play that incisive ball into the box.
Opposition defences gobble up those hopeful, long balls from Caldwell and McManus.
But the intriguing thing for Strachan, ahead of the game against United, is that he does not have a big target man to play as the lone frontman.
Vennegoor of Hesselink is out, as is leading goalscorer Samaras, and Scott McDonald, the club's top scorer last term, has yet to rediscover his Midas touch.
But with reserve Chris Killen also sidelined, and Strachan indicating he will not play Cillian Sheridan, McDonald is Celtic's only recognised front man.
The SPL champions have one point from two matches in Group E - three behind United and Villarreal. Points on the road will be needed to at least secure a Uefa Cup spot.
Realistically, Celtic will not end their losing run away from home when they take on United.
But it will be interesting to note whether Strachan sticks to the unsuccessful 4-4-2, or opts for the 4-5-1 formation, in the knowledge that a trip to Denmark to face Aalborg, later in the group, offers the best chance to banish those ubiquitous away day blues.

P&B,

Platini hung up his boots in 1987

Jean-Pierre Papin?

He´s not french either

It says all you need to know about the SFA that Bobby Murdoch, who would get in an All-time Celtic XI for many people, has 6[six]caps.

No wonder we consistently under-achieve.

It would have made sense if the mid 60s Scotland team was the Lisbon Lions.

DBBIA

6 caps - have a look at yourself Kris Boyd when you have 10% of that mans talent and a bag of medals like he had then maybe just maybe you can come out with the crap from last week................................................................................................... arghhhhhh

It appears no one outside of our own support and many within our own support do not give Celtic a cats chance tonight.Me, I am the eternal optimist, green tinted specs and praying for Artur to hit top form and another bit of Naka magic after wee Shaun has been up ended by a tiring Ferdinand.
I wonder what the neutrals would think if it was a more level playing field financially. What if the Old Trafford house of cards were to take a tumble in the present financial crisis. I keep hearing of their "embarrassment" of riches. Now if I or my club were circa £700M in debt I would be a wee bit embarrassed as well. It appears it is not enough for the EPL representatives to strengthen on the basis of vast TV income, they then have to go neck deep in debt as well.
I look forward to a time, not too far off if Monsieur Platini gets his way, where teams have to work within the constraints of their turnover and not at the whim of the banks.I can accept that teams from the larger nations will always generate more money, it just sticks in my throat that some are allowed to "buy" success using funds they do not actually have.
Small teams/nations like ourselves may not be able to bring about change, the larger nations who now find themselves trailing are another matter.
We may never be financial equals but if they had to adhere to more stringent rules re finance the bookies would maybe have to adjust their odds a bit.
Me, I'm off to put my tenner on Naka and 1-0. That should cover the drinking vouchers for tonight.

OK A wee hint. I used to go and watch this guy play at home every second week 21 years ago. He was worth it.

Player I think id Denilson who went to Real Betis

Careca?

He was not south American

Jurgen Klinsmann?

Not German

Running out of countries!

Robert Prosinecki? Dragan Stojkovic?

not german,

There goes my next three guesses

Rudi Voller

Matthaus?

I gotta go chaps and chapesses

answer:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lajos_Détári

If this isn't obvious, I have no idea where you lived in 1987.

MacAvennie

Darko Pancev

ANNAOAN

Of course it was him.
I remember him being discussed a while ago.

AWENAW- Mick Mccarthy?

Anyways, off to join Prof Hawking, Dr Lector, Renee, Shania and the Cybermen behind the settee for tonight's game.

The gang got back this afternoon in the VW Campervan from trying to fix the Large Hadron Collider.

I think the mood for tonight is one of nervous anticipation mixed with forebodings of doom, but you never know.

You never know..

Check out any footage you can of him on Youtube. The bhoy was a phenomenom. I saw him play for Eintracht and he´s in the top 10 players I have ever seen play live.

Awe Naw

With the aid of google I've found it, what a question. Did he go to Olympiakos and you must live in/near Frankfurt?

was just about to say Detari...

Estadio,

he was the third most expensive footballer in the world. I couldn´t believe that he went to Greece !!! His career petered out after that.

Anyway gotta go.

Come on the hoops

ItaliaBhoy

Darko Pancev......now there was a goalscorer. Anybody know his career stats?

Canamalar, Awe_Naw and Otto_Kaiser,

Thanks for all your help regarding where/how to watch the game in Milan. I've emailed my friend all the info. you guys supplied. Hopefully she'll be able to see it without any probs.

I've told her I won't be visiting during the season unless she sets up a Milan CSC and it can be guaranteed I will not miss a celtic game! lol

Thanks again,
D_D

Edward

Given the ramifications if your team don't win the SPL this season, what are your "hopes" for Celtic in Europe?

Heads up bhoys. Tonight is a night for eyeball to eyeball stuff, every man to his task and stick to it - forget reputations - we've done it before and we'll do it again!

I'm just going outside, I may be some time!

Hail hail

hi bhoys .im not one for telling wgs how to arrange his team plan for tonight , but i feel it must be carpet football for us . high balls are no good tonight , on the deck and let the midget gems at them .

Fifteen minutes to pub, and just over two hours until kick-off. The nerves are setting back in...

home from work to find my nephews with a wee puppy. i made them call him naka(well they wanted zippy)

hope he along with the full squad give us and them a night to remember.....

Jimtim

Just heard a wee stat there - if loovens doesnt play right back tonight the average height of the team will be 5' 7".

Not much option but to play on the deck - can someone tell Stephen McManus

Paul67

Great article. Thats the spirit we need tonight. Fear no one for we are the Mighty Glasgow Celtic faithful through and through.

Hoping for the best results wise but do hope we play with pride and passion and do the famous Hoops proud tonight irrespective of the final score.

Hail Hail to all our Bhoys and Ghirls in Manchester tonight hope they sing their hearts out and show the Mancunians how real football supporters behave.

Owen

WhoisofftogethislargecarryoutnowCSC

thank you jinkysboy . 5'7" god ive seen primary school teams bigger than that. on the deck it is then .

Stuck in East Midlands airport with a 3 hour delay. Will not land until 9pm.

NotafanofBMIBabyCFC

The Battered Bunnet

justin.tv will show it...

has everybody left to go to the pub?

i'm just about to force feed myself..:))))

Box of bud for £8.99 in to help speed up the next hour and 45 mins. Didn't fancy watching this in pub tonight. Tension mounts...
p.s. Caldwell looked not looking too comfy here -
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/7682649.stm

larsson67

no rearangers brave enough to say anything in pub tonight.

blantyretimland (apart from stonefield tavern) :))))

I've been on the DL for the last couple of weeks and have been unable to follow the blog.
But what do I come back to, Paul?
SCREEDS
Noun 1. screed - a long monotonous harangue
harangue, rant, ranting - a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion

I'm sure you meant something else.

'GG the pedant is back.

BlantyreTim

Many thanks for your kind advice.

The Battered Bunnet

paul isn't too happy about giving this info out but, i couldn't leave a fellow hoop up the creek

hail hail

Gave radio clyde one last chance, it lasted 3 minutes.

Total negativity from the start, a few pundits sounding eager for a humping yet they are all happy to go on the paid for trip abroad yet again.

For Blogger GG

O ye cannae write screeds on the Celtic Quick News Chat
Ten Thousand Anoraks will testify to that
If ye spout mince or keech or pash, if you're a customer or fan
The odds against it mattering are ninety nine to wan

Estadio

the sports news came on when I was in the car at 5.30 - Peter martin was urging Swalex to play all of his big guns tonight to "add to the specatacle"

I was waiting on the classic line - "turn down the sound on your tv and crank up Clyde 1" Yeah right - Id rather listen to an English commentator than any of those comedians.

Anyone a clue who we're playing at RB tonight? Will O'Dea play? Will Loovens be a CB? Surely a very good case for Caddis - we'll need all the pace we can get in defence.

All the best Bhoys, lets sing them through in Manchester.

They'll be no calls for heads to roll from this direction whatever the score....

West Wales Celt

I read earlier that Celtic are likely to field a team which consists of 7 players under 6ft. Man U are a real threat from set pieces with the likes of Fletcher, Ferdinand, Vidic, O'Shea and Ronalda. I don't think we can afford to have another midget in our team. I would like Hinkel there if fit, and failing that Wilson.

West Wales Celt

I think back to the Barca match when Caddis played really well against Ronni Dino and wonder why he hasnt had more opportunities.

That said I think it may be the same back four as saturday if GC is fit.

Against all the odds, I'm going for a 1 - 2 Victory.
Now, overtime finished, I'm off home for the game.
To all attending, have a great night, win,lose or draw.
We'll still be Bhoys in the morning no matter what.

bhoy sean - yep here what you're saying but 2 big CB's will there either way and outwith the defence there's only wee fholk. Question is, I guess, do we need more than 2 tall guys in defence more than we need some pace?

Celtic Fhans in stolen Police van shocker !!!! From Celticminded.com

Click Here

pablophanque

Hugh keevins is a complete tit. His mentality is typical of whats wrong with Scottish clubs in europe. His team talks would be suicidal. A strong mentality is a pre-requisite to achieving great results.

It is important, not so much from open play but for corners and free kicks. We can guarantee that United will win plenty of corners and I have only named some of the guys with decent height.

Height does not matter if the ball is kept on the deck, there is no excuse for high balls in attack.

JinkysBhoy

Just checked and I think we are on STV tonight prefer Sky myself but guess Archie is ok if only for his quote the last time.

'Its said that Nakamura can open a tin beans with his left foot, lets see what one of his 57 varieties he has heeeere, Woa oooof Goal'

This is it..............

The current champions of Europe against the GREATEST club there has and ever will be.

The honour of playing against us is only bettered by that of playing for us,

Remember,

WE ARE CELTIC

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. Jinkysboy

Of course, Mr. Loovens MUST play.

But, Where?

I cannot say.

Howevahhhhhhhhhhh....

If I were King..then you know where that would be!

A Man like Mr.Loovens, does not come along everyday.

He can actually, direct his Headers, when Clearing his Lines.. and here is the most remarkable part... to an Actual

FRIENDLY COLLEAGUE1

One day, to while away, a while,.. I watched with mounting amazement, the two Members of the present Celtic Central Defensive System,who are in situ.. And you very well know ,who they are!... Fire, with unerring accuracy.. 15 Defensive HEIDERS..which they had won, by outjumping their opponents.. straight back, into the Possession of their grateful Opposition.

Thereby, Cancelling, whatevah GOOD, that our Unlikely Lads, had accomplished, by intercepting and winning those Heiders, in the Foist Place!

I am reminded by this, of the old Tombola, cry, ...From the Sergeant Major... "Numbah, 7 and 6.... 76!"
And the question that followed.. " Was She Woith it?"

And the Crowd's Emphatic Response...

"NO!"

It is a fact, that the ability to direct a Heider with CONSISTENT Accuracy, to a receptive Colleague, is not a feat that should be treated too casually!

In his short Tenure at Celtic..

Mr.Loovens, has demonstrated this remarkable ability...and on Two very Critical Occasions.

Do I need to continue painting this picture?

In the Land of the Midgets... My Kingdom for a Giant!

Kojo.
yer pal... who likes tae like ye.

the battered bunnet,
its on the EUFA website free view, thats a legitimate site and the best picture.
hail hail

well raman had nothing to report .so the bhoys are behaving well.
estadio. giving clyde 3 secs is too much .surprised at you .surprised at any celt listening to that guff.

That Hugh Keevins on Clyde must be bidding for the role of Dr Doom.

Boruc - a worry "throwing the ball in his own net"
Form - a worry not at their best at ICT (he did not see the ICT game or the conditions it was played in)
Man Utd - playing at top form murdered West Brom

Boruc - double pen save v Hamilton, two great saves v ICT
Form - 4 v Mwell, 3 v Aberdeen, 4 v Hamilton and playing some of our best football in WGS reign.
Man Utd - its was West Brom they were playing FFS. I watched most of the game and thought West Brom very poor in terms of competing in midfield.

OK we still have injuries, poor away form etc but this Man Utd team in midfield is not as strong as other areas. Did Fletcher actually play v Norway? Never saw the game but hardly heard him mentioned. NO Scholes a great wee player and Ryan Giggs another great player but not in his youth.

Sure we are up against it but if we flood the midfield we'll make a game of it.

Wio out !!!???

pablophanque

Que pasa amigos n fellow hoopsters........

It was going to be a quiet one tonight (bevy wise) but bhoy 1 and bhoy 2 have entered the vmhans hoose wae a massive cargo!

C'mon the hoops ....make their theatre o dreams a NIGHTMARE down trafford rd.

vmhan whoisawaytaegettheguitaroot fur a wee blast o hail hailCSC

Kojo
Excellent observation on mis directed headers. If Caldwell makes it I would have him in front of the back four with Loovens beside McManus.

Estadio

Erchie McGlumpherson

I was at love street many moons ago in the old terracing days when he came walking around the track heading for the press box above the enclosure.

As he past us a guy next to us shouted " Hey Archie" Erchie started to smile and waved just as the guy shouted " Yer a fregin winker" The look on said Erchies face was worth the £5 admission money.

There are people expecting us to lose!
There are people who want us to lose!!
There are people who can hardly wait for us to lose!!!

We owe none of them respect.

C'Mon The Hoops

I often saw Lajos Détári at the tail-end of his career when he returned to Hungary with Ferencváros in 1993. He was past his best by then but he still oozed class. For a comparison (but not necessarily a fair one), think of George Best and his cameo for Hibs. The great players might lose their pace and fitness but there's something about the way they play that betrays their past greatness. It can be truly graceful to see such player side-step or turn a younger, fitter, opponent and it proves what we all want to believe, that at some level, football is a game that is played in the mind.

Kojo

I too am a fan of Glen Loovens (isnt Glen a scottish name)

Too many people too quick to judge

You missed out another wee fact on Oor Glen - he has hit the back of the opponents net on two occassions already with well placed headers.

Keep the faith

PS Tombola - you sure your in Vegas. Keno while you eat surely

BATE just scored in St. Petersburg. 0-1 54th.

Agree loovens heading ability but his passing left a bit to be desired, but seen a defensive formation posted onhere last night I thought might work

caldwell, loovens,mcmanus
wilson, naylor, tough I'd have robson in place of naylor.

Am sticking with my 1-8 as dreamers do.

hail hail

Pablo, ye've mail amigo

vmhan

My dear,dear,dear,deaar,dear,dear,friend.. Auldheid.

Glad to see that you I are in agreement...

It is nevah the Big Things, that the typical Soccer Spectator, misses...and complains vociferoulsy about...

But, I can assure you,

The Little Things can Hoit ye .. Just as Much!

What doth it Profit a Man, if he wins the Ba, and Gie's it Straight Back tae his Enemy?

Kojo.
yer pal... who likes yer style.

awe naw . watched the clip from 1980 v real madrid .god wish we could watch football to a commentator like arthur montford now. totally neutral. no hidden agenda.a breath of fresh air. unlike the dross we have to listen to now.

This is the day
This is the day
That the Lord has made
That the Lord has made
We will rejoice
We will rejoice
And be glad in it
And be glad in it

REPEAT AD FINITUM

Does anyone else have that uneasy feeling in their gut?

Come on Celtic!!!

Faithful through and through!!!

Pablo mail back ......silly me.

Hope ye like the photie its pure class.

vmhan

GOOD LUCK BHOYS

BORUC TO PLAY A BLINDER

NAKA ANOTHER WONDER GOAL IN THE LAST 10

GIRFUY...SWALEX

Kojo,

Manchester United 1 Celtic 133,

As you would say.

STAND UP FOR THE CHAMPIONS,

Martin.

BlantyreTim, Canamalar

Am on a scratchy GPRS connection thru the mobile,and it's unable to keep up with the stream.

Just seen the team

Boruc
Wilson Loovens, McManus,Naylor
McGeady, Brown, Caldwell,Robson,Naka
McDonald

KOJO

I admire your resolve, and even your resolution, but on the deck, Mr Loovens seems to be to effective defending what I am to large hadron collisions.

Ronaldo to start

well mick .

i dont think you hold the monopoly on a jittery tummy tonight. we are not expected to win,but we will give it our best shot.and whatever happens tonight,we will be back on saturday 100% behind the hoops. the govan gub and his like, can be as smug as they like. but let us in and we will show you who are the big bhoys .

Boruc Naylor McManus Caldwell MacDonald Brown Wilson Robson Loovens Naka Aiden

Just for comparison, I reckon the total cost of our 18 man squad tonight will be around £20M.

They have Fredinand (£30M), Rooney (£20M), Ronaldo ($12M), etc.

As the old joke goes, they should win on paper, so it's just as well we are playing on grass.

oneantonrogan 3.58

I visited the Strahov stadium in Prague about 6 years. As wiki states its an old communist- built stadium which is now in a state of absolute disrepair, a crumbling mass of concrete which no doubt held over 200,000 because of its circumference tho the actual terracing is not particularly high. There could not have been much of an atmosphere given that you could have placed several football pitches within the stadium walls. Incidentally it is now connected to the new Sparta Prague stadium via an overhead corridor.

I'm guessing Caldwell in the holding role - surely not three centre halves?

boruc wilson loovens mcmanus naylor mcgeady brown robson caldwell naka mcdonald

Van der sar

neville
evans
vidic
O Shea
nani
anderson
fletcher
ronaldo
berbatov
rooney

Wio is in the howy Twinity wounge

Ronaldo, Rooney, Berbatov AND Nani

Bring it on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looks like a good team actually, probably the best we could get in the current circumstances. Assuming he's on the bench wee Shaun will be coming on later, for now though we just need Aiden, Naka and Robbo to get forward to help Skippy out.
Looking good Bhoys, still saying it'll be 0-1 tonight

Hail Hail and that

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. Jinkysboy.

Those Two excellent Strikes, were what I was referring to, when I mentioned his ability to pit the Ba' where he waanted it..
"on Two Critical Occasions".

Be that as it may, or not be..it matters not.

As a matter of fact... I play the venerable old British Indian Army Game... regularly, here in ole Las Vegas.

Known as, Bingo.. to the uninformed.

I enjoy it immensely...

A change of Pace,a reminder of a Gentler Time... and the Prizes ain't so bad, eether... I have seen One Million Prize Dahlia's Change hands.. on occasion.

Poker, of course, is ma weakness.. I love it...

As I say, on occasion , my good self,accompanited by my particular lady of that evening.. can and are, found ensconced over a card strewn table.. busily, covering the Numbahs.

Great Fun!

Kojo.
yer pal who like tae like ye.

It is going to be tough tonight Manure will be swamping our goal for 90 minutes, man for man they are nearly better at every position than we are with exception of Boruc and the Ghod-like Caldwell.

Chances are going to be very few for us and that is why I feel that at the end of the night we are going to be diapointed with the scoreline and we are only going to win 3-0 with the Ghod-like Caldwell only scoring a hat-trick.

Nurse! Nurse! wheres my medication and wheel me behind that large sofa.

OpTIMism CSC

Kojo

Not only do you and I agree so does WGS. Caldwell is playing too, presumably in front of the back four as I suggested yesterday and just earlier.

I suspect Naka will given a free role behind McDonald to pop up wherever he can do most damage. McGeady will probably have to be more defensive minded to cover Naylor in the same area that Villareal exploited us. That does worry me and am no Keevins.

I like that line up, caldwell in the middle, been waitin a wee while. maloney is a bit of a surprise but he was flat at the weekend, but I think he'll see his bit.

i'd like to think our centre midfield will battle theirs and come out on top. i'd like to think that mcgeady an naka can rip evans and neville. i'd like to think ANY of our players can get at o'shea.

if we keep it tight at the back, we can match this mob.

I think Maloney has been left out because of the height issue. Not a bad impact player to bring on when we're chasing our fifth goal eh?

Since people have been hyping up our oppenents hows about a different view?

Van der sar - Past his best
Neville - Past his best
Evans - Inexperienced at this level
O Shea - Man U supporters scapegoat
Fletcher - Fletcher of Scotland please
Berbatov - Hopefully not interested.

They are there for the taking.

0-1

Zenit equalize.

Tonight's the night when the football Gods are due us a favour or two !

Heading out to the Cleethorpes No.1 CSC. Current membership now up to 5 !!!

Give it your all Bhoys and I'll be happy with whatever comes our way.

Hail ! Hail ! and keep the faith Bhoys and Ghirls.

pablophanque

Estadio Nacional

continued....

Ronaldo - not back to his best
Anderson - awful
Nani - extremely overrated

i hope naka turns up tonight . he is one player who can influence this game. wish he had more bottle though .

Is nobody worried about the dwopping of Wio and what it means for WG and the Wishy Militia?

Maybe that's why Bobo's dropped too. For added protection.

Doesn't matter what they are.

We're The Celtic!

Let's dream!!

Anyone know if we're wearing the Hoops yet?

My one hope is that if they do score it is a well worked cracker. I am sick fed up of misplaced passes in the 1st 20-25mins killing us.

C'MON THE HOOPS!!!!!!!!

got to go to the boozer cmon the hooooooooooooooops

ShanghaiHoops

I didnt want to mention them incase I regreted it.

Another one

Vidic - Cant cope with wee fhellas, freeks him out.

So far Man U TV (otherwise known as RTE 2) has concentrated on Man Utd. Celtic yet to be mentioned, let alone analysed!!

well i don't have to go, but i am :)))))

hope i'll be smiling in 3 hours or so...

hail hail
KTF

Setting free the bears

I think he has already been in the holy twrinity lwounge and has met the milita, hence the reason he cant play.

Possesion is the king tonight. We need to find a man with everyball and hunt in packs when we loose it.

says 0-0 on the BBC live text. I'll take that.

Here's hoping for a good defensive performance.

Zenit 1 - 1 BATE FT

Keep the ball when we have it. Don;t give them time when they have it.

We need eleven players plus three subs who are prepared to work themselves into the ground tonight.

It's a time for heroes!

Still 0-0 at Old Trafford

Stats on RTE:

Man Utd not conceded at home in last 4 CL games
Celtic not scored away in last 6 CL games

Need to change that tonight!

hi , getting nervous, was trying to treat this as a free game, result doesnt matter but closer we get more I so want to get a win

looking at man u swalex is getting confident , he thinks he can score for fun and defence wont matter

defence with evans and oshea not great , neville hasn't played much in a year a back four we could trouble

in midfield no one who can tackle - brown robson can get in about them

up front - well i'll go behind the couch when they attack let me know when we clear it

we can but dream

1908: TEAM NEWS Man Utd v Celtic
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Evans, Vidic, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Anderson, Nani, Berbatov, Rooney.
Celtic: Boruc, Wilson, Loovens, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Scott Brown, Caldwell, Robson, McGeady, McDonald.

Wot no riots????

All the tellys must be working in the Manchester boozers.

Had a "daftie" and took Coral's generous online offer of 14/1 for a Hoops win.
For a one-off game? Let's get tore in.

TTTT

as before .will naka turn up ? will mcgeady turn up ? if they do we have a chance .

So what are we hoping for an outcome from the other group game?

Jimtim

I fancy both against their full backs, take the game to them.

Estadio Nacional

Maybe they'll get Ronaldo in the tunnel and tempt Berbatov away with some Bulgarian delicacies by dressing up as the Cheeky girls.

Oh! the songs we'll sing to our children of the manchester exploits of the Wishy Crossdressers.

RTE program started at 7pm... they have finally mentioned Celtic. Man Utd, Spurs and Arsenal all discussed first, of course.

RTE have sold their soul to England.

Sky 993 ITV London opens with memories of both teams successful past and comments on great rivalry. ITV Scotland opens with "Celtics nightmare travels" , guess where I'm watching the game???

right would the polis ignore the speeding var in ML3 taking son to trainign and getting back for kick off

hail hail

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. Tommy Twists and Turns.

You are Not a "Daftie",pal...by any standards.

What you have done,my friend, is what is called.. "Not looking a Benificent Cuddy, in the Moof!

One nevah,evah,can tell.

Kojo.
yer pal who likes yer style.

Right, I'm off to the pub, feeling very confident about this match. See you all in a couple of hours, hopefully with a big stupid grin on my face.

Hail Hail and that

mon the hoops

we introduced this trophy to these shores

Paul67 says "new article posted."

New Article posted

We MUST get to half time on parity with

them, just like the game at El Madrigal.

If we do that we MUST take any chance that comes to us.

Here's hoping.

MON THE HOOPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

craggyislandgaasponsoredbyestrelladamm

for all celts with virgin media channel 853
for an english/neutral commentary

mon the hoops

Settling down with ESPN2 and a big glass of Amarone. Celtic not wearing the Hoops (hate that) Commentator: "Celtic the first British side to win the trophy" Big Grin here

Help!
stuck on Iona with no t.v signal. Had itv.com playing nicely all day - now it stops! Arrrrgggghhhh
migh as well go up the Abbey and pray for 90 minutes.
mon the hoops!

anyone now how long beore itv.coms delay kicks in a they start showing the game via the web?
pfoa

1-0 offside goal
When do we get a break?

RRC,
keep the faith. The next 45 is where we get our DESERVED (if the radio is to be believed) break. mu 1-2 celtic.
'mon the hoops!

2-0
offside goal!

Still keepin the faith

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Programme title:
realradio football phone in

Date(s) of broadcast:
17-10-08 18-10-08

Time(s) of broadcast:
6pm

Channel / station:
realradio

Subject:
incitement to racist abuse

Description:
dear sir/miss last week when listenening to the programme above i was shocked and disgusted at how the presenter of the show ewan cameron used his programme to drum up in an insidious way to incite racial hatred against a young scottish lad called james Mccarthy,and his decision to choose the republic of ireland over Scotland,I dont know if you are aware but there has beeen an ongoing campaign to vilify such players Aiden Mcgeady also recieves abuse from fans from all clubs in scotland for making the same decision,Not only this there is a chant which has gained much exposore in the press and media in scotland called the famine is over why dont you go home,a reference to the irish catholic diaspora here in scotland which has been found to be racist by every public body in scotland ie show rascism the red card Nil by mouth celtic football club and other such bodies,not only have irish players and coaches been Attacked in the street they come in for abuse every week just for being irish or showing alliegance to Ireland,knowing these facts the presenter ewan cameron villified this young lad who is only 17years old cameron is an experienced broadcaster who is well aware of what would have happenned to this young lad after he gave him the typoical trator routine on his programme and in the climate of irish/scotland racist chanting debate in scotland at this time cameron fueled the flames for inciting racial hatred against this youn boy by his rant he knew the boy would be abused in his nest game for hamilton but know he will be abused in the street and anywere el

todaysgoal