Qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League is an astonishing achievement for a team seeded in pot 4. You need only look around Europe to see how unforgiving this tournament is. The champions of England and Europe are both out, while England’s reigning champions last year went out at the group stage (to Benfica).
Amid numerous predictions of a comfortable victory I suggested yesterday that last night’s Spartak game would be difficult. What we now know is that Celtic eliminated two very good teams from this season’s Champions League. Benfica took four points off us, by all accounts, were the better team in the Camp Nou and dominated Barcelona in the early part of their game in Lisbon. They beat Spartak at home and pinned the Russian’s back into their own box for long periods of their game in Moscow.
This is the fourth time Benfica have faced Celtic and they have been eliminated on each occasion, always by the slenderest of margins.
Spartak finally got their act together last night under new boss Valery Karpin. Reaction in Russia suggested this was their best game of the season, and that Emenike, who has seldom shown the appetite for the game, was playing for the attention of scouts. They are a good team who enjoyed 60% possession away from home in Europe, although Celtic denied them genuine chances for most of the game.
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Spartak and Benfica will both believe they could have done better in the group but we got further evidence of a few football facts from this campaign:
It is more important to prevent defensive mistakes than to create chances.
The margin of difference between a well-organised team at this level and the very best in the world is slim, especially if the above point is observed.
Possession is overrated as an indicator of progress. Learn not to be stressed by it and to remain organised.
Discipline is an underrated indicator of progress.
I started Monday’s blog by saying, “Here is a prediction for you, Wednesday’s Champions League game at Celtic Park will not end with 22 players on the field”. Spartak are a good team but they had a man sent off against Celtic in Moscow when in a winning position, then kicked everything that moved last night, culminating in a red card for an assault on Kris Commons.
Indiscipline is an expensive commodity.
Neil Lennon will now have time to review the several elements of this campaign which worked well and the few which didn’t. Each tactical decision made was a risk but will have taught him things about his team. We will be well prepared for the next round.
As for Georgios, what a performance.
Epilepsy Scotland have a Celtic ball with certificate of authenticity, signed by 12 Celtic players on the day of the Barcelona game which is available for auction by email. The competition closes tomorrow (Thursday) at 20:00. To win this fantastic piece of Celtic memorabilia email your bid to trusts@epilepsyscotland.org.uk. The prize if for collection only, any postage required would need to be paid separately. All funds raised will go towards Epilepsy Scotland.
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As for the game, I didn’t think the ref was as good as many are saying, Ari should have got a straight red for that tackle on Charlie early on.
Every one of our players bar FF had a murder 10 mins thankfully made up of a min here and there and at different times to each other. So that means they were great for 80 mins :o)
BMCUW @ 0409,
Aye whitever!
But did you spot the wee Craig Broon, masonic granny boom?
The ole distress signal must be prompting the nhs to fit battery powered nurses to true patriot Craig’s handshake and general well being.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vHvzybkqfo
FFM you have to utilise that song.
I love the No fear, Headgear.
Nigel Benn is a real hero of mine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMr24cH–0k
I never slept that night and I didn’t believe in anything then.
Horrible night after watching Gerald being hurt.
Nigel’s subsequent life is more important.
Night night n
Hail hail
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire
04:34 on 7 December, 2012
Night night n
Hail hail
____________________________________
The Amazing philvisreturns would no doubt serenade you with this sonic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egX9N8yOgaU
And even your excellent self would likely spark a big Phat Cigar in contentment. Surely?
Or is there a sting in the tail?
FORTUNES FAVOUR MIBBES 0419
Haha,point is,that was how I felt just listening in from afar.
I spoke to my sister after it-my Dad was busy at the bar,chucking a few sneakies down his throat-and she was hoarse and breathless and hyper.
That’s the way I used to feel when I was coming home from the games-although I tended to hog the bar as well-and if Neil wanted to bring back the thunder,well,a few more occasions like last night will do nicely,thank you.
Everyone who was there last night,I salute you,ya lucky sods!
God loves you……and he needs your money !
PETEC
How long did it take you to clear the traffic last night?
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
04:53 on 7 December, 2012
PETEC
How long did it take you to clear the traffic last night?
_____________________________________________________
Almost as long as it took me to email you just now. Spooky like always works where people Really believe.
zimmerman
04:51 on 7 December, 2012
God loves you……and he needs your money !
__________________________________________
Get that deity to f**k. Sounds like an Icke Blockbuster.
Have you ever delved deep into Icke rather than criticise God i.e. God loves Money?
I’m condensing your comment, some would say squashing your comment.
PETEC 0501
Spooky indeed,as I posted that then went straight to sending you an e-mail.
Ooooooooooo-er……….
ZIMMERMAN
Careful,that is close to suggesting that God is a mercenary……
BONO-Well,the God I believe in doesn’t need cash,Mister.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
WEMBLEY, I promised Aidan we will go to the game if we make it, after last night there is no way his wee brother and big brother can’t go if we make it and his Mum as well obviously.
It will be very dear to watch Celtic play at Wembley.
The Big Man will make it happen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfK-WX2pa8c
PETEC
London Calling-Qualityman,as Estadio once said!
One of the best albums of the 80s-even though it was released in 1979……
I saw them live,just the once,in 82. Outstanding. One of the gigs I really enjoyed.
Had to wash my hair and put my clothes in the wash though. That’s the punishment for being too close to the front at a punk gig.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
I wonder what David Milliband is up to right now.
Nothing in politics happens by accident.
Image is everything in this Western World.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
Are you going to the Stone Roses gig ?
PETEC
No,mate. Never really got into the roses,though Waterfall is utter poetry.
Not enough there to sustain my interest,plus I never really took to disco biscuits!
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
05:43 on 7 December, 2012
PETEC
No,mate. Never really got into the roses,though Waterfall is utter poetry.
————————————————————————————————–
Hopefully you will be up in Scotland to enjoy the Utter Poetry with me and my Son.
A big Dirty union jack as well……
;) lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uQMqsWsGtA —– Celtica
I love BMCUWP.csc ;))
If I was a Dundee United Supporter, I would not go to the game against the huns. I would donate my gate maoney to the club and watch the game on TV.
The huns are making a total mockery out of Scottish football and the authorities are allowing it to be done.
Good morning watching the news about
the carry on in Belfast over the flag
thug’s with banner saying.
Ulster is British
then, now, forever,
no surrender.
deary me.
Morning Celts and happy Friday.
Kitalba, I understood your post re Kano yesterday I was informing you that I understood and I mean to communicate with Martin on the 15th (14th CP time 16:00hrs onwards).
KTF Kit
Were the moon howlers out last night?
I’m away to read back, I like the auld moon howlers by the way.
V
Vmhan:
I knew that.
Too cold to moon howl
Funny ain’t it, if you’d just landed from mars you’d think poor old Sevconianians and how big bad clubs in Scottish football have persecuted them!!
Poor deluded Sevconians!
.
G’Day CQN Fae a Absolouter El Scorchio Melbourne..
Got home After a Sh*t Day Kindof..
My ScoobyDoo2 Failed its Roadworthy after 3 Month of Hard Graft by Moi..
Failed 3 things in the First Minute Ha Ha..Another Permit.. Another test.. Another week of Trying to get Parts they Stopped Making 30 yrs. ago ..;0)
So came back Poured a Strawberry Cider and Jumped on the Hammock..then started to Read CQN backwards.. Decided on 3rd Page l would Rather Clean the Cobwebs from my Front Porch Speakers..;0(
I Should have Stayed and Listened to the Howling as I nearly Slit my Wrist..
What’s for You won’t go Past Ye..;0)
Any News on Injuries or Skoosh when is his Op..?
Summa of FridayBloodyFridayCSC
Good morning friends and a Big Happy Friday from a dry and frosty and very cold East Kilbride.
Valentine’s Day –
Tell them Northern Ireland is NOT British.
If they don’t believe you, advise them to check the words prominent on the front of their passports . . .
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
. . . ergo Northern Ireland and Great Britain are separate entities which make up the greater sovereign entity that is the United Kingdom.
Morning vmhan from a blooming cold cambuslang
Summa
No bees today ?
.
VHman..
Had a Most Enjoyable Night watching The Hoops with Yer Bhoy.. Good Celtic Chat.. He told me to Tell you he only had 2 Coronas.. I told Him You don’t believe a Word I say..
Would Not have any of My Home made Coccoa in the Morning tho.. Or My ‘Herbal’ tea..
He is Flying back tonight..as You Probs Know..Was telling Him of My Couple of Dates (Thanks to You) with the Green Brigade..
So When You booking Your Trip.. Down-Under..? Get Your backside on the Silver Bird..;0)
KTF
Summa of CelticFansCSC
Saint Stivs
06:39 on 7 December, 2012
Too cold to moon howl
___________________________
Too many howlers chittering about how Good Celtic were against a very Good counter attacking Moscow team.
Just off the phone, and I am raging I forgot to mention that we will be better suited to playing the 2nd leg away from home.
If we get Bayern and knock them out?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ukbjh4fcPc
.
Jinks..
Don’t worry I Checked before I went Near the Speakers.. Especially the one they were Nesting in..
Once Bitten and All that..
I see Sammi Captained us to another Historic result.. Think the Club should make him Officially Vice captain.. He was Like a Symphony Conductor the Last Six minutes on Wed Night..
If Only we Could Collect all the Taxi fares that were Promised for Him..
Summa of TheBumbleBeeStripCSC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbuiQtxEZ40
My favourite from the McCann revolution.
How we looking for killie ?
Any injuries apart from kris..long he expected to be out ? Would like to see dylan get bita game time and lassad a few starts.
Jinks it’s cold here innaw, the wind off the Irish Sea is making feel colder….. I remember when I used to go out for a 9ml run in this weather wae shorts and vest :>)
St Stivs how’s the wee yin after her accident?
001 Bhoy thanks for looking after Ryan, I knew you would both get on, peas in a pod :>)
V