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.
397 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- »
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/sep/06/bomb-attacks-and-boycotts-how-football-corruption-in-cyprus-turned-nasty
“Referees can use any trick in the book. It can be a minor or major decision depending on the match and whether it is televised or not. Where there aren’t cameras, they can do big things.”
Looks like Cypriot football really is corrupt. 67% of footballers in Cyprus admitting games are fixed. Watch out for those fixed odds.
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?
So looking forward to the C/L Frambo aren’t you ? Humongous game a week today playing Barca away cant wait unfortunately we have a league match which is a bit of an irritant its against a new club having their 1st season in the SPFL bless them, i would be tempted to play some reserves what do you think
LIONROARS67
send out the ball boys then – only 3 points
Dallas Dallas..
Didn’t see any of the game.To busy catching up with La Vuelta.Heard him on the radio earlier – as ever the polite charming man.- “no complaints” . To quote Pirlo – ” a gentle man who goes ti war when He plays football- training included “
Good Evening.
New piece about Alex McLeish being given a platform to sound off…
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2015/11/07/the-job-interview/
AULD TAM on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 2:34 PM
Jinkyredstar –
In all my decades following football, I have never heard of the 75 minutes rule.
In the early 70s, Celtic faced Hibs at home. Hibs were a point in front of us at the top of the league with about 6 games to play.
Early second half, Hibs went 2-0 up. Then the fog began to descend. Minute-by-minute the fog got worse. By the 70th minute 50,000 Celtic fans were screaming for the referee – a certain Bobby Davidson – to abandon the game.
I was in the west terrace and by 75 minutes, couldn’t see the opposite goals. On 80 minutes, the calls for the game to be stopped reached a crescendo and we couldn’t see the half-way line. I actually feared a pitch invasion. In the 84th minute, with Hibs still 2-0 in front, Davidson had no choice but to call a halt. Hibs players and officials were going absolutely apeshit.
Celtic duly won the replayed game and went on to win 9-in-a-row.
____________________________________________________________________
Hail Hail fella, I can quite recall bits about that day.
I was only a wee bhoy, in fact, that was the season that I got my pic taken as the – Celtic Bhoy – in the, Celtic View. Got my pic taken with Big Shuggie.
Anyway, I went on the John Fallon’s CSC from Blantyre in those days and, I remember being down the front of the Jungle before the fence was put up.
The fog came down, Hibs were 0-2 up and, the Jungle were singing – “We can’t see, we can’t see!” – for about 20 mins before all the crowd surged forward onto the pitch.
That’s all that I can remember but, the year was a bad one for us – the huns stopped us clinching 10 in a row because Mr Stein was in a car crash(I think ?).
I remember Big Billy McNeill being carried round Hundump at the end of the SCF vs Airdrie as this was his last game, YNWA at the underdog-uncovered-Cellic-End was truly blessed.
Anyway….off-oot-take-care-Tims – Hail – Hail.
AN TEARMANN on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 8:26 AM
Mwd/bmcuw
Aye the weather language has been radicalized.:-)
Uppin the ante
No longer the once a year mention Of a hurricane,now they are named Iin alphabetical order
Excuse me buttin in:-)
HH
—///—///—///—///
Mebbe they will start naming the various incarnations of the ibrox club in order?:
1.Rangers/Deidco
2. Sevco/The Rangers
3. Againco/The The Rangers
4. Yetagainco/The The The Rangers
Ad infinitum!
MWD – from earlier on the gender/naming of hurricanes:
Methinks I would be battening down the hatches if it was called Senga, although, prepared to risk a wee wander if it was called Nigel….;-)
EmpiricaldataistoshCSC
FOGGY (DEW) HIBS GAME:
I was in the Jungle – with 10mins to go the fog had got so bad it was difficult to see the stand-side corner flags even from the halfway line.
Down 2-0 the Jungle took up a chorus of: “I say referee old chap – we appear to be having difficulty following the ball in these foggy conditions” (or something similar).
I don’t recall it being an invasion of the field – more a spilling onto the track with those at the back of the Jungle pressing towards the front.
My abiding memory (when the ref abandoned the game) was Joe Harper going Tonto – much use of 2-handed ‘V’ signs! :-)
Dallas Dallas & Roddybhoy –
Thanks for the additional information.
I don’t recall the fans coming over the jungle wall, but maybe I couldn’t see them.
On a lighter note. At that time, Sean Fallon was caretaker manager while Mr Stein recovered from his car accident. No sooner had we got back to the Railway Tavern in Motherwell than one of the crowd said Sean Fallon had a new nickname.
The Foggy Jew.
I know.
FRAMBO11 on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 5:00 PM
Wouldn’t that be embarrassing if the ball boys collected the three points Frambo, have you seen those Celtic ball bhoys play
Being obsessed by sport. Jim mcguinness with a great insight into Jason Denayer
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/jim-mcguinness-being-obsessed-in-sport-is-not-a-bad-thing-1.2780648#.V86kCBzT188.twitter
HH
South of Tunis, thank you for your reply.
Chiellini and some of his team mates contested the second yellow he got but the ref called it right.
Its strange how players who are calm characters off the pitch become the exact opposite when they play.
I was in the company of ex Thistle and deid club player, Davie MacKinnon , a couple of times. A very polite and well mannered guy. On the pitch he was as physical as he was talentless.
I worked temporarily in an office at John Browns in Clydebank just after MacKinnon signed on at Ibrox. A sticky bun there told me MacKinnon was as good as Danny at his best. I ignored such a ridiculous coment.
Praecepta, when Mr Harper went back to Aberdeen the following season, the Jungle chanted one of my all time favourite football chants, roll out the barrel, Harper’s a barrell of s@@@e, when we played them in the 1976/77 season.
I haven`t noticed much of a response to Paul`s Leader so. is it De Vries or Gordon for Saturday?
A back three or a back four?
Forrest or Roberts?
Biton and Brown or someone else and Brown?
My guess at Brendan`s choice:
De Vries
Lustig Toure Svietchenco Tierney
Brown Bitton
Rogic
Roberts Griffiths Sinclair.
I like Bitton but I don`t think Brown and Nir play well together so I would go for McGregor.
Forrest and Dembele to come on at some point and maybe even Simunovic.
Interesting to see what Brendan goes with.
JJ
Auld Tam at 5.18, good comment made about Sean.
The word legend is overused so much but not in Sean’s case. Men like him , exemplified all that was/is great with Celtic.
HOT SMOKED
Craig Gordon for me. been over the course, more experienced goalkeeper in my opinion…
I can’t say I thought DDV looked that comfortable against the sheep and this is a game we would dearly like to win not because of the opposition but to keep that fresh air between us and our closest rivals:))
CG for me…
Praecepta
Davidopolous was dishing out the foggy stew other night :-)
HH
Saltires
Thing is ye end up soundin like a panting dog .;-)the the the.
Wi them for me the new club debate hits me emotionally
1 sniggering, chortling,, smiling :-)
2.laughing out loud.teary eyed, heid shaken :-)
3.guffawing, hands on knees,small cramps lol
4.hysterical.hi pitched hoot.mild palpitations, can hear yirsel grunt
Och it saves arguing wi them ;-)
HH
Hot Smoked
It seems that Brendan has made his decision already.
So, thinking if Doris was signed only as a back up to cover injuries, then why drop Craig v Dons?
It’s a huge call from Brendan. Hope he get’s it right!!
AN TEARMANN on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 5:53 PM
Hehehehe :-)
DALLAS DALLAS.
Baggio said this –
“If you want to understand the Italian approach to football go and watch the anarchy at the post office,the Bank or the government office.Play nice and you will be taken advantage of .”
He had a point !
So, one each for Craig and Dorus at the moment.
I was thinking of trying to pick a kind of CQN consensus team for Saturday via several votes but I have to buzz off just now. Maybe I will give it a go on Thursday.
Cheerio for now,
JJ
Dallas
Remember Finbar’s tribute to Sean at the Uni bus 25th Anniversary Dinner (Sean guest of honour)
Finbar was Indicating Sean (who was sitting beside him)
‘ this man continued playing in a game when he knew he had a broken shoulder…’
I’m paraphrasing there and hope someone has the verbatim quote. ( or better still, the entire tribute)
One of the most heartfelt tributes to one of our players, before or since.
The roar of applause was deafening.
Sean Fallon Celtic Legend!
Tik tak, from the dressing room leak, the guy who keeps telling us the team lines before kick offs ……..
Saturday –
No Goalkeeper required, both on bench, should we concede a penalty one will get brought on.
Its all about atacking.
Tuesday –
2 goalkeepers, De Vries playing as an auxilary sweeper, with Gordon on the line.
is there anything that says you cant play 2 ?
its all about the defending.
I agree, Brendan has already made his decision, DeVries is No 1 and will play on Saturday.
I also think Brendan will start with Forrest with Paddy on the bench.
Rogic has just been subbed on 64 mins in the desert, hopefully no injury.
An Tearmann,
I read the Jim Mc.Guiness column from the IT.
His focus on, and appreciation of, the level of commitment required to succeed mirrors what he brought to Donegal GAA.
If he brings that ethos to the Development squad that he is heavily involved in, then we may be looking at Brendan’s eventual successor.
Hopefully Brendan will show that he’s a wee bit clued-up, shrewdy-wise than some folk seem to imagine.
Play the SPFL’s best dfm – Big Efe – as a front sweeper with, Broony(if he drops the kid-on-hard-man-act) there’s a player in there, along with Liam Henderson – 2 players with a bit of dig as well as skill, in front of Big Efe…imho.
Ye see, Bitton, McGregor, Rogic don’t have the, dynamic-all-action-energy-levels that will be needed for what will be a hard shift especially, discipline and team-shape-wise….imho.
Mibbery and, a lack of dig and steel in the middle of the park are my worries, hence the above.
But, ye know what….?
Brendan might have the team built up like a group of gladiators, ready to face all likely adversities.
But, the entire stuffing could be knocked out of us before a ball is kicked, if…….
…it appears in the match program that, Celtic PLC-Hierarchy have bought into and, endorsed the big-lie.
Tick, tock…..
….oot…..
Good evening all.
Last Man Standers – you have mail!!
Kevj
Have you seen the programme for Saturday?
Saturday’s starting eleven will probably be the same as v Aberdeen.. Why would BR change the team that beat our closest a rivals 4-1 on the back of a tough European game.
I’d rather see Roberts on the right instead of Forrest and Henderson in the middle instead of Bitton but doubt that’ll happen.
SALTIRES EN SEVILLA on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 6:41 PM
Kevj
Have you seen the programme for Saturday?
________________________________________________
Hail Hail fella.
No I havent seen it.
I said, if,…..it appears to be the case in the club magazine ?
Ah mean, Aberdeen have announced that they’re not going to be kidded-on.
Why can’t we ?
Also, if it is revealed in the magazine that ‘we’ have endorsed the big-lie, well
….ah mean, who are these custodians speaking on behalf of ?
You ?
Me ?
HH
Right Lhads and Lhassies,
Let’s be kind:
“Stay Calm and Don’t Aggravage our Visitors on Saturday.”
Brendan’s Bhoys will do the business on the park.
Then:
“Stay Calm and Tell Them Where to Go to Lick their Wounds … and Don’t Compe Back, BTW.”
No crap for the SMSM to deflect from other issues – job done !!!
:o)
Gary67 –
Henderson didn’t do too badly in his last game against Triggers Broom FC so not the daftest shout out!
I was hearing from a hun at work that
they’ve got a ‘new’ hate-filled anthem
ready to be launched on Saturday.
They are pure evil.
As regards Scottish football, am sure UEFA rely on the SFA and some Scottish placemen for info regarding Scottish clubs and their history.
I can’t see Hendo getting the nod, he’s not been involved enough and his last action was a rash penalty against Saints:((
Hopefully Brendan deploys the Mr Stein philosophy
horses for courses.
“Big Judy In Mad-Men Fetish-Ware Spectacular Sensation……….”
in ither news……
Loatsa activity……………
Hmmmmmmmmmm.
If sevco were the same club.
In 2012, they would have been in the SPL, as they finished second the previous year.
They would have had a 10 points deduction.
They would have had a place in the Europa League.
They would have entered the League Cup at round 3 and the Scottish Cup at round 4 or 5 once all the wee diddy teams had played each other.
They would not play in the Ramsdens Cup for said diddy teams.
If they were the same club then McGregor, Naismith, Davis, Whittaker, the yank etc could not have walked away for nothing to get another club
And on
And on
And on.
Gie us peace for goodnees sake.
Eurochamps67