You and I know how fans of other Scottish clubs feel about their performances in Europe; at best, it is a source of national frustration. Everyone else is cleared out of Europe in the qualifiers by teams who themselves seldom reach the Europa League proper.
All of this matches the Scotland national team, who only this year started to look competitive. A malaise has crept in, everyone comes to expect failure and copes without undue distress (for the most part).
In this respect, we have nothing to lecture Belgian football on. The Belgian national team is one of their nation’s best ever, a decent outside shout for next year’s World Cup. But domestically, Belgian football has rapidly fallen apart.
Anderlecht, like Celtic, are their country’s last remaining competitor in European football. Brugge were bumped from the Champions League qualifiers by Basaksehir, then the Europa’s by AEK Athens. Oostende lost to Marseille, no particular surprise there, but Gent exited the Europa qualifiers to Altach, currently seventh in the Austrian table after nine games.
The pain of humiliation in European club football is being felt acutely right now in Belgium, while their most successful club, Anderlecht, acts as the flag bearer.
Anderlecht’s fall from grace has been steep. On the way to winning the domestic title, they produced one of the greatest wins in their European history last season, 1-6 away to German club FSV Mainz on the way to a 3-2 aggregate quarter-final defeat to eventual Europa League winners Manchester United.
Now they sit seventh in the table, nine points adrift from Brugge, having sold their top talent from last season, and sacked their manager this month. This is a dysfunctional team in a newly-dysfunctional league. They fear Celtic.
So far, so encouraging, but you and I have seen this movie before. Larsson, Sutton and Hartson had Anderlecht on the canvass in 2003. Dominating possession in Brussels with the home team down to 10 men, but we still contrived to lose the game to a team we would sweep aside with ease at Celtic Park.
There are reasons to be hopeful. Our previous two away games in the group stage, (Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach), produced highly credible draws, we looked like a team who knew how to survive in this environment, but you and I would be delighted with a draw tomorrow night.
Notwithstanding the fact that a draw would be a satisfactory result, this is a game we should look to win. Anderlecht’s deficiencies are many and evident. They cannot buy a performance right now. If Brendan and his players secure three points, they will take a huge step towards European maturity. Don’t bet against them.
Celtic FC Foundation, Great Scottish Run
A number of us will be treading the streets of Glasgow in Celtic FC Foundation regalia on Sunday with the Great Scottish Run. I am doing the 10k (either because I fancied the shorter distance, or because I forgot to register for the Half in time…. hopeless).
Being able to do things for the Foundation is a significant part of my Celtic relationship. It is appropriate to follow in the footsteps of those who 130 years ago decided to form a football club to help those in need.
What the Foundation does will never grab the headlines of what the football team does, but it is difficult to imagine a football result having as profound an impact on people’s lives as the work of the Foundation, when it feeds the hungry, or provides respect to the downtrodden.
If you are able to support the work, please do so at this MyDonate page.
Thank you.
——–
The CQN Podcast: A Celtic State of Mind (EP14) Champions League Special
A Celtic State of Mind offers an insight into the culture of Celtic Football Club, the city of Glasgow, and fans of the reigning invincible Scottish champions.
Each episode includes interviews with ‘Celtic-minded’ figures from the world of sport, music, film, art, broadcasting, literature or politics.
Ahead of the crucial Champions League match against Anderlecht, ‘A Celtic State of Mind’ goes behind the Champions League curtain for Celtic’s opening match against PSG.
Kevin Graham provides pre and post-match discussion with members of his CSC, as well as in-match analysis in what will be a regular Celtic State of Mind feature.
Enjoy!
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Tommy Joad,
Lovely tribute to a bygone age.
As to what Jock would think of the CL….who knows.
However, Bob Kelly opposed the concept of the home and away legs.
He said that fans were being cheated, as the were only seeing half of a game.
He believed it should have been like domestic cup games, the luck of the draw.
He of course thought televised football would kill the game.
Scrolling quickly through the posts came across Tommy Joad’s post, I thought Ah Naw too long I’ll scroll on by.
Then came across some of the reaction to it and changed my mind & went back & read it, glad I did, a truly wonderful post, that is a guy CONTRIBUTING to the Blog.
Compare that to the shite regularly posted by attention seekers.
Well done Tommy & I hope you keep posting, mind you, you’ve set the bar high for yourself, it will be hard to match that one .
Tommy Joad@2.23
What a beautiful antidote to the crassness of the modern game.
Thank you.
Tommy Joad 2.23
Like Jobo I don’t frequent CQN so much now….for my part because of all the screaming Queens “verbally dancing around their handbags”….. but TJ thanks you ….those recollections are a thing of great beauty and thanks for taking the time to share…..Should be a stand alone article!
CORKCELT
Thought the same done the same and think the same.
Leftclicktim, One Malloy, BSR,
Thanks for the good wishes.
Guyfawkes.
Ah, the tax rebate. I put that away for a rainy day!,!
I hope Tommy doesn’t read your post, as he hasn’t had his fortieth yet!
Any suggestions on the best game to watch tonight. Canny be arsed checking on the fixtures.
Tommy Joad on 26th September 2017 2:23 pm
Sometimes amongst some of the; dross, petty arguments, groundhog day posting on CQN – you find a diamond in the rough!
A nostalgic reminder of my youthful days following Celtic – thank you!
H!H!
It’s all went quiet on here, might have to go into FF for a bit of entertainment.
http://uk.businessinsider.com/catalonia-independence-referendum-scotland-msp-help-2017-9
TommyJoad. What a wonderful piece on true football stars. I must admit the tears did flow. Having at sometime or other since being there in’67, I have encountered all of the Lions at various functions and in various places. I totally agree with your portrayal of those giants who brought us so much glory and will be forever remembered in the history of Celtic. For generations their achievements will be recalled.
Having had a St Charles’ convection I am trying to work out who you are?
TimJim
Last time I just watched BT goals as they came in, saved me channel hopping all night :))))
This without doubt is another potential banana skin for us, more so as we go their confident expecting to win – but prepared to ‘settle for a draw’, a very familiar European script for us. We are playing the league champions of Belgium, not some Micky Mouse outfit from Luxembourg, if we are not at the top of our game all we will get is another European football lesson, so I’m really hoping Brendan has done his prematch homework and has everybody in the right frame of mind. Expecting another severe test, the kind we don’t get here.
TommyJoad,
A very interesting and nostalgic article for those of my age. What age group was the boys’ team? I was around that area in 1967.
HH
Yogi
I have some Celtic shares that were issued by Exchange Registrars Limited in 1999. I would like to transfer them into my Grandson’s name. This company are now also in Liquidation!!!
Any ideas re. names, address, tel. No. etc. would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Passingonthehistory CSC
Leftclicktic
Thanks is that on BT 1 HD
With the nostalgia quotient rising high, I started to think which teams from 67 were most like the Lions. M O’ N teams had a hard core running through, but most of the teams seemed to lack a bit of steel. BR’s teams seem to have it, from the launch of Kenny Misser to Nitcham showing he wasn’t about to take any s-it to Broony and the rest. I can just imagine players backing off from Ralston in years to come. Add in the fact they play football like the Lions then I think Celtic are in a good place.
Greetings from a scorchio Toronto were the weather is the warmest it’s been all year. Can any of you fine chaps recommend a hotel in the city center? I have a young Canadian co-worker who’s coming over and is going to the game on Saturday and wants to stay in Glasgow for 1 night. Something reasonably priced would be great if anybody has any ideas?
slainte
tony
Raymac,
When on form, this team I reckon are closest to the Lions.
Not only do they play good, clinical football, but they are winners….a quality lacking in too many Celtic teams since the Lions era.
Nipped into FF as it is a bit slow on here. The latest bit of clutching at straws. The first goal should not have been allowed because the ball was not in the D when Leigh took the corner. The Silly Billy’s are hurting
tONY
malmaison is fine and About £95
Dakota Deluxe would be my preference showing up as pricy though
Tony even apols
WDH – Cheers amigo; Malmaison would work:)
All things going well I should be home next year, I still owe you a good meal.
slainte
tony
SARGASSOSEA on 26TH SEPTEMBER 2017 4:26 PM
http://www.celticfc.net/pages/manage_your_shareholding
https://www-uk.computershare.com/investor/default.asp?bhjs=1&fla=0
I have a feeling that Nir Bitton will figure in the team tomorrow.
Tommujoad,
Thanks for the memories. I was 16 going on 17 on the day. So etched on the heart and soul.
Tony
pleasure, look forward to it
Corkcelt 3.40
Totally agree with your post, Tommyjoad great post. Best wishes to Art of war and your Dad wee prayer said for the best recovery possible for him, also to Doc best wishes and hope all goes well with your procedure my friend hope to catch up with you soon. I also have been looking at some old you tube clips of games and came across a 6-0 win for us at pittodrie with Ian Wright scoring for us, but had no memory of Morten Wieghorst,s Rabona assist for Reggie Blinkers goal . I thought that Michael Lustigs at St Johnstone was a first for us.HH
Babasonic
“Without the ‘Old Firm’ hype they’d just be Motherwell with a bigger stadium.”
Take a bow, mate. Line of the day!
Saturday’s game was almost over as a contest after 11 seconds. This is the new reality in the SPFL. We are over the hill and far away. Consecutive CL group stages have cemented that.
All this “old firm” ” is the gap narrowing?” “Can Rangers challenge next season” is total media guff.
I’m already nervous and excited about tomorrow night. Saturday was a sparring match before the main event. I can’t understand why so many on here have this the other way round.
Toronto tony. The holiday inn express stock well street close to everything and reasonable
Quite surprised to read the population of Belgium is almost 12 million which explains the big crowds at their football matches when I dip into Belgian football on TV. I reckon Celtic are underdogs going into this game and we should not be fooled by Anderlecht’s down in the dumps fairy tales regarding the current state of the team. – we heard it before Joe. Celtic will do extremely well to get a point tomorrow night and then take them at Celtic Park. Will Brno play Armstrong or Ntcham. Stu played very well on Saturday.
ERNIE LYNCH,
Thank you. Very helpful.
I lived through the their 9 and it was he’ll, the sevco followers thinknow they are rangers and act just like rangers so I think it’s only fair they get to suffer the pain more so given the cheating years.
Still I am happy to see celtic looking to grow with investment I.E hotel, museum etc… there should be no place for complacency.
HH
ernie lynch on 26th September 2017 5:05 pm
SARGASSOSEA on 26TH SEPTEMBER 2017 4:26 PM
http://www.celticfc.net/pages/manage_your_shareholding
https://www-uk.computershare.com/investor/default.asp?bhjs=1&fla=0
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Ernie, where do I find my shareholder reference number?
UGHAYE – Cheers mate, I sent him the options so he’s looked after now.
slainte
tony
Quick please!
Im taking an online multiple choice quiz.
What is the collective noun for Zombies?
A. Shamblalurch
B. Huntim.
C. Porkalips.
D. Cardinal-Radiance
E. Putrefaction
Yup. That’s what I thought!
Congrats on 47 years of near-saintly tolerance on the behalf of Mrs. Thomthethim. Mind you, Tommy better be sure that number is correct :-)
Great post from Tom Joad.
I think, undortunatley, that all of our teams this century have only got back to a 2nd tier level in Europe.
The nearest we got to replicating the Lions was in the immediate post-Lions period with McGrain, Dalglish, Hay and Connelly.
MICKBHOY1888 on 26TH SEPTEMBER 2017 1:10 PM
Probably the Irish Centre in Leeds if it’s still open
Cheers Mick will pass it on.