This Champions League malarkey is becoming about as self-important as sport can get, but Celtic and Barcelona produced two incredible football games in the modest Uefa Cup in 2004.
Barcelona were on the cusp of the greatness which followed. After five years without a league or cup win, they won nine consecutive games, then a club record, before travelling to Celtic Park. Starting the following year, they won eight of the 12 La Liga titles available since, collecting four Champions Leagues along the way.
Celtic won the game 1-0 thanks to an Alan Thompson goal on 59 minutes, but this tells little of the drama which unfolded that night.
Two players were sent off as the teams walked up the tunnel at halftime, Celtic goalkeeper, Rab Douglas, who was by all accounts trying to break-up a fight, and Barcelona’s Motta. Suggestions are that Bobo Balde was the Celtic player involved, but the referee didn’t have the wherewithal to face down Bobo.
At the game, we knew something had happened, but none of us had any details. Then 19-year-old David Marshall emerged for the second half in the goalkeeper’s jersey, a player who had only made one previous professional appearance, in the Scottish Cup against then-lower league St Johnstone.
Four minutes into the second half Saviola was red carded, leaving us with a 10-9 game on a pitch which Barca legend, Hristo Stoichkov referred to as a potato field (it has been a very wet winter).
We have seen many great players at Celtic Park, more than a few from Barcelona, but none have performed as well as Ronaldinho did that night. He put on a performance which was utterly sublime, but despite carving Celtic open repeatedly, neither he nor his team-mates could find a way past the teenage keeper.
A confident performance even saw Marshall leave his area to chip an opponent to find a team-mate with a pass.
Rab was suspended for the return so Martin O’Neill took the opportunity to give David Marshall some game time before heading to the Camp Nou with his novice keeper, hoping to defend a one goal lead. I remember Martin saying “I’ve every confidence David Marshall will be up to the job” at a media conference. “Based on what?”, I thought.
30 seconds into the return leg Marshall dived full length to stop a shot creeping inside the post, as Celtic fans braced themselves for what was clearly going to be 90 minutes of tension.
If Marshall’s first leg performance was full of remarkable calmness and maturity, his performance in the Camp Nou was one of the finest displays by any player in a Celtic shirt. Ever. He simply would not be beaten. Barcelona threw everything in their considerably armoury at him from first to last, to be met by a series of remarkable saves.
Everything we know about football suggests David Marshall’s performances against Barcelona shouldn’t have happened. He was completely unprepared to walk onto Celtic Park at halftime in the first leg, and had little chance to acclimatise for the rigors of Ronaldinho and Co. at the Camp Nou two weeks later, but the episode is now a chapter in our illustrious European history.
So what’s the contemporary relevance for this tale? A week from tonight Brendan Rodgers will choose between Craig Gordon and Dorus de Vries to play at the Camp Nou against three of the finest strikers in modern times, de Vries having played one game for the club, Gordon performing below the peak he achieved when he broke into the team two years ago.
This will be Brendan’s biggest call in the months ahead. It’s not an ideal situation, but he should call it early. Just as Martin did 12 years ago, tell the world that whoever is getting the nod he’s going to be perfectly at home at the Camp Nou.
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My wife treated me to a night out last night for my birthday. Met her cousin, a Hibs fan, and his mate, who it transpired was a hun.
In conversation, I asked said hun if he was looking forward to the game on Saturday. He said he was. Immediately Dave, the Hibby said, “Dinnae geez yer crap. Yer jist efter tellin me ye were shittin yersel cos ye feared a thrashin.”
Because my wife was there, I kept it civilised.
“I wouldn’t admit that to a Gers man, so no worries,” I said.
But Dave wasn’t holding back. Soon they were arguing about the same club myth. The guy actually denied that the OldCo went into liquidation. Then Dave came up with a brilliant piece of logic.
“If Rangers weren’t liquidated,” he said. “Why did they accept being put in the 4th tier?”
“Because the other clubs voted for it.”
“But Motherwell and Dundee and Gretna went into administration. None of them were voted down. Like Rangers in admin, they were deducted 10 points.”
“I know but all the clubs had it in for us.”
“Even so. Why the need for a vote if they were just in administration and the same club? There was no rule for a club in admin to be relegated. So if the vote was just about getting at Rangers, why did Rangers lie down and accept it? A first-year law student could have stopped the vote if they hadn’t really been liquidated.”
No answe except, no-one likes us, we don’t care.
It’s a moot point though. If they were indeed the same club, and had come out of administration, why was there a vote to send them to division 3? No other club in administration was ever voted down even one division, never mind three. Ok the points feduction might have relegated them, but it wasn’t put to a vote.
And again, if it were true what they claim, why did Sevco meekly accept the vote without a legal battle. Surely it would have been unconstitutional, based on what tgey claim.
“More of a spongebounce…”
Vfr,
Doesn’t he live in a pineapple under the sea? :)
HH
Oops. Apologies.
Twas punmeister davidpolous. Not vfr.
HH
Charles Green was utterly delighted in 2012 when he grabbed the spare licence for Division 3.
They pulled off the big trick on the way to same club and continuity mythology.
The rest is 4 year old history CSC
Afternoon fholks.
So,Collum it is.Don’t really give a flying monkeys tbh.
The trcky titfer doesn’t have a very good team and it would require more than woeful Wilie’s wonky wizardry to give them a chance,we would need to perform well below our capabilities.I can’t see that happening under Brendan.
When we had Martin as manager and Henke (all praise be upon him) I had a confidence in games gainst thems that I didn’t have prior or since.Until now.Apart from thems being a new thems and not having very good players we now have a manager who instills belief in his players and supporters.We have a new confidence that’s growing week on week.That confidence will continue its upward trajectory this weekend and at the same time give the newnoses their most stark reality check since they were bewitched by the titfer’s soccer sorcery as he put Dumbarton,Alloa,Morton etc. to the sword.
Imagine they had Sinclair,Roberts,Dembele and Griffiths up against our Kiernan,Wilson and Phil the builder.And they were at home.We’d be peppering our keks and rightly so.Let thems do the worrying,it’s valid.
So no amount of Warburton witchcraft or Willie’s wonkies are going to help thems,only we can defeat us this Saturday.And Brendan will make sure that won’t be the case.
IN BRENDAN WE TRUST!
Hard to understand the mindset of some.People mention how bad we were in Israel,but totally forget how we scored 5 at Celtic Park against a eam that never concede many goals.We played Aberdeen on the back of the Euro game,and stuck 4 past them.We have had a really hectic start to BRs reign,very difficult to get the team together to work on things at Lennoxtown.This International break will have done us a power of good.Not many missing.Jamesie and Nir already back.Everyone fit.
I am looking forward to Saturday with big expectations.
I was one of a couple of CQNers who foresaw that de Vries was brought in to replace Gordon, not to be his understudy.
I stand by that. The only way Craig Gordon would have faced Sevco is if de Vries had a nightmare v Aberdeen.
He didn’t.
Dorus de Vries will be Celtic goalkeeper until he gives Brendan cause to drop him.
“Let’s not gloss over things – at the moment, if the CVA does fail on Thursday, and it is looking as if it will on HMRC’s current position, then we are not even in the SPL. Forget about playing in Europe, we might not even be playing in Glasgow.” – June 2012
Charles Green
vfr800a8
I can’t. We were never this concerned playing against Ross County or Gretna; why would we show any concern against this new team? :>)
————————————————————————————–
That is very true. Maybe this game mean more to some people that a Ross County or Gretna? I don’t mean to call people an Old Firmist – not at all. It could mean more because of the fact that they desperate to see the unsavoury and repulsive tribute act slapped down? Is beating the Newco as good as sticking one to the SMSM?
Gollum better than Thomshun, only bad game I
Can recall with Wee Willie is the eyes in the back of the head game, correct me if I’m wrong.
YNWA
Geordie Munro
Well if that’s what your into.
Sorry, I mean…
If nautical nonsense be something you wish…
;)
*means not mean
**than not that
***are desperate
Triple obvs.
****you’re not your
FFS.
DAVIDOPOULOS
I hope you didn’t make five deliberate mistakes,ya hun(!)
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
LOL
*Laugh out loud.
Sorry, had to start at one “*” again as the previous thread of corrections died…
guernica on 6th September 2016 2:41 pm
We were honking against Hapoel and Red Imps. Rodgers is not a miracle worker.
This team will struggle in adversity.
Those expecting a cakewalk will IMO be surprised.
==============================================
I’ll be surprised if we don’t take six off them.
The difference between April’s shambolic effort and now – pace, power, aggression, directness when required, the correct atitude, and more pace;
Sinclair, Forrest, Paddy, Gamboa (by all accounts), Dembele, Sparky harrassing their geriatric backline.
Our players seeking revenge for the Hampden humiliation.
I expect we’ll go at them like we did Hapoel in the first leg. They’re nowhere near Hapoel’s class.
There is more chance of us running RIOT on Saturday than them grinding out a win.
The only obstacle we’ll face is Gollum. This is his chance to make amends to the ludge. He’ll be at his sleekit best, but even he can’t stop the green tsunami that will drown the Pretendy Huns.
Auld Tam, the Hibs game you mentioned was in the 1975/76 season.
Hibs were indeed two nil up and some of our support from the jungle did come onto the pitch as the fog descended on Celtic Park. As you said the fog came down very quickly and Hibs , understandably , were very angry with the decision to abandon it. I’m sure the Hibs chairman , the lovely Tom Hart, came out saying the crowd on the pitch was the main reason the game was abandoned despite the ref , players and fans unable to see both ends of the pitch .
The rearranged h game ended 1 each
I remember it as the rearranged game was one of the one and only Peter Latchord’s first games for us.
Your meal last night with the sev in tow and his being put right on a few matters , hopefully made it a good end to your birthday.
Humiliation? Bit strong that. After all, it was a draw.
Anyway, we got BR out of that result, they got humped at Hampden by Hibs, so whos the real winners.
I’d say US. ;-)))
Good Celtic bar in Valetta anyone?
Guernica
I look forward to revisiting your prediction after Saturday’s game. Of course, if you are correct, I will duly give you credit.
I think there’s more chance of Ally McCoist replacing Jose at Man U. than there is of that, though.
Auld Tam 2.34
If my memory serves me right ..the celtic fans from the jungle DID invade the park that day and then the game got abandoned ?? I was on the track at the old “rangers end” beside the wheelchairs and old invalid cars ( remember them) watching as a bhoy with a family friend and remembering not being able to see the opposite goal. Again if I remember correctly ,was it not after this game that they erected a fence in front of the jungle ?
roddybhoy
AULD TAM
Albania /Macedonia done and dusted.Ref allowed 17 minutes.Albania scored- therefore -Final score -Albania2-Macedonia1
Wonder what the odds are for Barton to get sent off on sat?
Dead cert I think.
As PB is above engaging with his own blog, anyone want to tell me why there is no mention of the game on Saturday from him?
Frambo11
Maybe he’s just not that fussed about it.
Manchester Derby according to reports will have 400 Police on duty ..
Anyone know how many will be on duty for the first Glasgow Derby ..
On the basis of 2 Police to make 1 arrest for sectarian singing,
and the new club getting approx 8,000 tickets, I guess that means
we’ll need approx 16,000 Police for Saturday then !!!!!!
South of Tunis, it was nice to see Rube ‘s Chiellini getting sent off last night for his second yellow .
It was a good spot by the ref of Chiellini holding the Israeli player.
He is a very good defender but I wonder if he said to the ref, I’m a Rubentus player, we don’t get sent off for things like that. ( smiley thing).
DAVIDOPOULOS on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 4:12 PM
Do you believe that?
Frambo11
Not sure. I think it is plausible. I find the prospect of having to play the Newco vexing – I wish this match didn’t have to take place at all. I’m looking forward to Sunday when it is over…for a while.
FRAMBO11 on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 4:10 PM
As PB is above engaging with his own blog, anyone want to tell me why there is no mention of the game on Saturday from him?
= = = = = = =
He’s a big-game hunter.The small quarry doesn’t merit comment. ;))
Interesting…
In a weeks time we have a huge UCL match against one of the tp Clubs and their greatest ever team and some want to talk about an SPL tie…
Each to their own… so for the one game at a time brigade… my take..;)
I don’t like the fact their support… to a man… pretending that this team are Rangers – Rangers are defuct. As we know all sorts of contrivances have been used try to convince us otherwise.
But here’s the thing…
Let’s look back to the lead up to our first encounter with Newco Rangers. After the draw we were quite rightly huge favourites to win the tie.
Their then Manager who had been somewhat of a legend for Rangers and had over the course of his playing and Coaching career, had a good record against Celtic.
He knew that the new pretend Rangers were no match for Celtic. So he promptly walked away from the Club and left others to face us.
It was the end for Ally McCoist within Newco Rangers, his reputation (sic) was too important to him to keep up the pretence.
What’s my point???
Well this, if we keep humping this team over & over, those who are prepared to currently, have the wool pulled over their eyes are going to, like Ally McCoist did, see the light, see the new Club for what it is, see that it can’t come close to emulating what Rangers achieved (sic) and will stop the pretence.
It is up to Celtic to ensure a decisive victory and to do this each time we meet Newco until they stop the farce.
We must keep beating them until they’re no Pretendants at all.
Hail Hail
BABASONICOS71 on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 4:17 PM
Never known a game to not be commented on by PB.
Even , if only to register strategy intentions to have the team ready for the big one against BCN.
Frambo11
It’s also only Tuesday. The match is on Saturday. I’m sure Paul will have something to say in the intervening period of time.
FRAMBO11…
Think it’s a case of the message being in what’s not said.As Ronan the Blanderian once sang,”You say it best when you say nothing at all.” ;))
..
BARNEY67 on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 4:08 PM
Wonder what the odds are for Barton to get sent off on sat?
Dead cert I think.
..
I have Him @ 5/1.. But that is to get sent off ‘This Season’ against Celtic FC..
【ツ】
Summa
Just had a look at Brendan’s record in the Merseyside derby. Unbeaten , but only one win and six draws .
Means nothing I suppose .
The Truth Hurts? This article packs quite a punch….
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/the-truth-hurts/
SANDMAN on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 3:33 PM
6-0 is 150/1 William Hill but max you can put on is 4.20 :-)
HH