Fifa yesterday banned Benfica and Brazil central defender Luisão from all football activities until November for knocking a referee unconscious in a preseason game against Fortuna Dusseldorf in August.
Benfica didn’t expect Luisão to be available for tonight’s Champions League game against Celtic but the decision, coming a day before kick-off, will do nothing for morale. While they lost midfielders Javi Garcia and Axel Witsel to Manchester City and Zenit late in the transfer window, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Benfica spent well over £20m this summer. The new guys will no doubt eventually prove their worth, but right now they remain very much the new guys. Celtic have to make them feel a long way from home tonight.
During our last successful Champions League group stage in 2007 we concluded that it was more important not to make mistakes at this level than to try to score the perfect goal. If we get a solid performance from Scott Brown and Victor Wanyama in front of a defence which clears its lines and takes no chances, the stage will be set for James Forrest and Gary Hooper. I expect both to hurt Benfica.
It was interesting to hear our chief executive take questions on the subject of EBTs and the health of our club yesterday. More on this after the matter in hand has passed.
Support a Scottish World Champion Boxer: Ricky BurnsOn Saturday 22nd September, lifelong Celtic fan Ricky Burns is defending Scotland’s honour against England’s Kevin Mitchell in an unmissable World Championship boxing clash!
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COME ON YOU BHOYS IN GREEN
up_over_goal
It was Rogne’s defence splitting pass that set up Tony Watt’s last minute chance on Saturday, he’s not the worst!!!
Goldstar10…
…that must have been a terrible time for you.
:0)
Afternoon bhoys, hot again, but hun free as ever.
Looks like a stream tonight.
Really don’t have a clue as to how we will line up tonight, I reckon we will get a surprise.
exiled tim:
When do we not.
As much as I like squad rotation sometimes its like Lenny uses a tombola.
Not complaining, just observing.
Ramsdens Cup pumpin!!!! Hahahahaha!!!!!!! Hohohohohoho!!!!!! Och ma incontinence is playing up again.
Anything going on a Paradise the day?
Son of Gabriel..
….it’s alright to complain!
Neil lennon is the manager of a fitba team, who makes mistakes, like evryone else.
playfusbal4dguilders
15:47 on 19 September, 2012
The Columba club in Coatbridge usually has the game on TV
I think we will see at least one of the new Bhoys tonight, probably Miku as we need goals tonight and young Gary needs to step up the night and show us that Gary Grin after he knocks one in..
Tough team we face tonight but we’ve faced better and got results, Celtic Park and the Celtic support are not to be underestimated…
C’mon the 12th man…
Anybody need cheering up just look at the pictures accompanying the articles on rankers(zombie)media.com of the boys in blue. What an abject show of indifference/disbelief/akwardness. Anyone would think wee Swally was failing in the man management dept.
Philbhoy- Steady!! Still got the ration books ;-)
Hi All
Not posted for a while, but been continually entertained by Paul67
et al throughout the summer, so a big thanks to him & all the regulars.
It is a bit of a leap into the unknown tonight for our young team
This is a massive jump in class tonight so it will be
interesting to see how far we have come.
I’m going along full of hope and excitement, but not with any great
expectation, but as we have discovered down through the years
European nights at CP can be magical, so here’s hoping.
Each and every one of us must play our part from the offset
Get the place jumping, put pressure on a very good Benfica side
and see how they react. If your going along, then get there early,
there will be long queues, and no matter what, Enjoy the occassion.
Come on you boys in Green..
Reading that Benfica don’t like it “up them”. Broony at his gallus best perhaps?
I’d play Efe tonight.
From the start.
the battered bunnet
15:18 on
19 September, 2012
A chap I know just texted me to say…
Paul Elliot was awarded MBE for services to Equality. The uBritish Empire awarding a medal for equality is akin to… the kkk appointing grand master flash?
philvisreturns
14:44 on
19 September, 2012
What a contemptible post. One of the most admirable things about CQN and Celtic supporters in general is their charitable virtue, something you are sadly lacking, you have my sympathies.
philbhoy – it’s just the beginning!
16:36 on 19 September, 2012
I’d play Efe tonight.
From the start.
—————————-
Concur.
Concur
Time to limber up,
COME ON YOU BHOYS IN GREEN
Off to paradise via a few hostelries cautiously optimistic about tonights game 2-1 to us I hope. Enjoy the game one and all let’s raise the roof
BOOZERS NOW
KEEP IT POSITIVE TONIGHT GHUYS, OUR TEAM NEED US
COME ON YOU BHOYS IN GREEN
I’m so excited. And even more nervous. I wish I hadn’t laughed so loud at Sevco last night in case I’ve tempted fate and jinxed us…
hailhailplc ,
you around ?
drop me a line please to sannabhoy@gmail.com
Ta
Gordon Strachan: This is the greatest show on earth
By: Mark Henderson on 19 Sep, 2012 14:38
GORDON Strachan cherished UEFA Champions League nights more than any other occasion during his time in charge at Paradise.
For pure excitement, the calibre of players on show and the memorable atmosphere, the former Celtic manager felt it reigned supreme. It was something special, something to savour.
And in order to soak up the incredible din as the kick-off approached, he would alter his pre-match routine.
“Normally for a game at Celtic Park, I would time it so that I would get down there just about 30 seconds before the referee blew his whistle,” he revealed in an exclusive interview with the official matchday programme.
“But on these nights I made sure I was a couple of minutes earlier so I could take in the atmosphere.
“I have to say that when I heard that music for the UEFA Champions League as I walked down the tunnel, it was most excited I ever was as Celtic manager.
“It´s a game that´s different. It´s a tournament that´s better than the World Cup finals as all the top players in the world play in the UEFA Champions League, while many of the top players miss out in the World Cup since their countries can´t qualify.
“It has the best players, the best stadiums in the world and the best supporters. So you put all that together and you have a night that can´t be matched anywhere else.”
And in an interesting twist of fate, the three teams the Hoops will go head-to-head with this year – Barcelona, Benfica and Spartak Moscow – were all sides the 55-year-old faced in European competition while in charge at Celtic.
That makes him well-placed to comment on the threat on the Portuguese giants who visit Paradise tonight for the group opener.
“They will be a patient team, that´s for sure,” he explained. “All Portuguese teams are patient. At home they seem to come alive and flourish but away from home – even the Portuguese national side – they have the four at the back, two sitting midfield players, three attacking midfield players and a striker.
“That´s the way they always seem to go, and never change it. When they get in trouble they seem to come out of that security zone and start to play. So Celtic can expect a patient side, probably a side that will pass the ball and have it more than Celtic.
“But if you are passing the ball and going nowhere, then it´s not a problem. And I think the fans need to understand and see what´s happening. If a team is passing it and going nowhere, then that´s fine. If they are passing it and getting shots and crosses then you can worry.”
The Battered Bunnet @ 16.02
I was struck by their absolute blanking of us this afternoon as well. It is pathetic really.
Neil Lennon
Thanks for all the good luck messages, it’s fantastic . Enjoy tonight and raise the roof #thunder
looking at Celtic’s performances in the Europa last season, only losing out to the winners Athletico Madrid and the four excellent wins in the Champions qualifiers has to inspire confidence. This young squad are relishing the European stage and being regarded as underdogs suits them fine. Georgios is a huge loss and is a great man to hold possession with his skilful play maybe our new midfield signing can do this – he looked a prospect in his short cameo last Saturday – will Neil risk him? Probably midfield will be Forrest, Brown, Wanyama, Mulgrew and Commons whatever formation Neil decides on with Hooper as striker. Matthews, Rogne, Wilson and Izzy the back four..
Looking at Real – Man City last night it was interesting to note that there were little or no late tackles in this game in comparison to the match against the Saints last week all due to the strict refereeing in these games. Come on the HOOPS.
Bhoys,
To everyone heading to paradise – enjoy the game and soak up the champions league atmosphere after 4 long years…..
Don’t usually make predictions but i’m hoping for 1-0, K.Commons as Willy Hills were kind enough to give me 75-1 on that scorecast.
Hope i haven’t put the scud on us now
I suspect that Lenny may spring one, or two selection surprises tonight.
All I want for Christmas is a Queen of the South away kit!!!!!
Come on BHOYS – the World’s ya lobster!!!!!
starry plough
up_over_goal
It was Rogne’s defence splitting pass that set up Tony Watt’s last minute chance on Saturday, he’s not the worst!!!
No. Wilson’s probably the worst at passing.
Then Rogne.
Sammi will be a BIG miss for us tonight – even Lenny sees him as our TALISMAN nowadays!
Hope he’ll be back for Spartak away.
Anyone know how long he’s likely to be out for????? Read at the time of the injury (4 to 6 weeks).
Rothbhoy.
•-:¦:-•** -:¦:- sparkleghirl :¦:-.•**• -:¦:-•
16:45 on 19 September, 2012
I’m so excited. And even more nervous. I wish I hadn’t laughed so loud at Sevco last night in case I’ve tempted fate and jinxed us…
—————
What will be will be Sparkle you just keep on laughing there will be plenty of opportunity with sevco & fat sally.
1hr 16mins till my lift my champions league hopes for the season have already been realised anything else from here on in is an utter bonus.
We are dining at footballs top table win lose or draw enjoy the moment Bhoys & Ghirls.
ticket. check
hoops uniform , check
hope in my heart. check
C’MON THE HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPs
HAIL HAIL
The Aberdeen “huns quotes competition” came from an Aberdeen supporter over on TSFM called ‘Angus’.
Always quote and reference your sources as I found to my cost yesterday when I completely bought into one of ‘Awe Naw’s editorial pieces, quoted it elsewhere and landed in soapy faster than you can say “ebt”.
I’m okay with that and always okay with ‘Awe Naw’…he’s one of this site’s best imo.
It taught me that even at my age I can still be reeled in.
Not to worry.
A cold dish will be prepared.
; > )
Gullible’sTravails CSC
When Sparkleghirl laughs, the World sparkles
Sixtwo,
I’ll go along with 1-0 to us too mate – not bothered who scores really!!!!! A screamer from Big Vic would do nicely though!
rothbhoy-Neil said he was hopeful Sami would make the game in Moscow,fingers crossed,the big man is a huge loss tonight.Good to see more Bhoys appreciating what Samaras can bring to our team.Haste ye back.
miki67
what about the hun giving his bank details :))))
I thought surely that has been AW NAWED SURRRRRRRRRLEY
stupid stupid sevconians