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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Parkheadcumsalford
10:12 on 7 December, 2012
Morning all. Beautiful day here.
Has CQN settled down? Any word on Commons or Lustig’s fitness?
By the way, I would seriously consider playing Lustig at right back and Mathews at left back in Europe, especially in games where we have to defend, which is likely to be most.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
I love that!
“likely to be most” indicates lots of games, hopefully in this seasons CL.
C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!
I’m assuming I missed the punishment from the SFA for Greeny boy bringing the game into disrepute.
Was there anything said from their meeting yesterday ??
*THE KING VIC 67*,
Ah got you.
Usually what they do is draw the first team and then remove any from the second pot that they cannot face. So if we came out first they would take Barcelona out of the other pot, leaving only the seven teams that we could draw.
Chris Commons’ honesty on Sky after the game was truly commendable……..he could have said something like ” I took the pressure for the fans”, or something like that, to enhance his reputation etc…….but, he didn’t, and that, in itself, has enhanced his reputation in my book.
We could discuss the marvellous contribution of every single player on Wednesday, but suffice to say, that was a wonderful TEAM performance from every single player……our results domestically have been adversely affected by the focus on Europe, like many of the other teams involved, and it has been worth it…… WELL DONE TO THE BHOYS
I read back with interest the Q&S session with Ed.His last post was at 3am,it must have been a hard shift for him.I wonder why he gets so much encouragement from fellow Cqners to spoat his Rangers views.I assume he now feels its safe to come out of hiding and that the worst has passed for his club.I just cannot figure out why he comes on a Celtic blog and what are the points he is trying to make.Maybe he is trying to convince us his team has been wronged,or could it be he is trying to justify his clubs cheating policies.He says all the right things like their old sectarian signing policy was wrong.I can remember years ago when this was in force asking Rangers fans(mostly friends and relatives)if they thought it was right.Most did not want to talk about it others would come back with an obscure answer like “Its nothing against catholics its tradition”As I said I have friends & relatives who are Rangers supporters and most of them are decent people.I always try to avoid getting into a discussion about their club or mine,it saves getting into arguments.However I can honestly say I have yet to hear any of them show any remorse for the actins of their club.Infact what I hear is Everybody is against us, Poor Rangers supporters, Nobody likes us,We’ll show them.I will always be wary of any Rangers supporter concerning their club or mine,I feel the hun element is in them all.I look at Fat Sally who I though was a decent guy(example Tommy’s funeral) but he has shown himself to be as hunnish as the worst of them.IMHO Celtic Quick News is not a place for Rangers supporters
goldstar10
They don’t need it and if this was to grow some legs
the voices of dissent would be loud,particularly those
with a Mancunian lilt.
TimJim
I’m with you!
NEVER TRUST A HUN!
Iaquinta of Juve on trial.
Anyone know if he is decent?
philbhoy – it’s just the beginning!
10:16 on 7 December, 2012
That is the bottom line………and last night some were defending a bhun who is infatuated with coming onto this site to justify his club’s existence…….. and to tell us all what a good guy he is…
”To my way of thinking there is no difference between the Rangers Football Club of two years ago and the club as it is today. If you can see a distinction which separates the club from its history, you’re smarter than me. The club’s the same as it always was and the history remains intact.”
Walter Smith 6th December 2012
”We wish the new Rangers Football Club every good fortune”
Walter Smith 19th June 2012
Congratulations! You are now smarter than Walter Smith! FACT!
Whilst I’m sure that we don’t agree with every English sports journos assessments of the game and Celtics stature at least there are journos in England who can be different from the establishment view and can at least occasionally print “out of the box” ideas and opinions now and again. Compared to the scottish MSM who embarrassed them selves by
denying the hunocaust was happening in the first place
denouncing everyone who was in favour of treating deid rangers by the rule book
and now they compound their errors by denying that the hunocaust ever took place last season
I see an irate loyalist on the news this morning with a banner, (by that I mean a brown stained bedsheet) adorned the slogan “British then, British now and British forever”. I considered how incorrect that statement was and wondered who gave them the inspiration for it….
Rangers then, sevco now, tainted forever
Obviously the resident CQN zombie, knows he will get an intelligent conversation on here.
I would not give him the time of day right enough. Bad enough reading the zombies in the media never mind on CQN.
TimJim – IMHO Celtic Quick News is not a place for Rangers supporters
IMNSHO we are merely guests on Paul67’s blog and it’s up to him who posts here.
I believe he has said it is a blog open to all. (thumbsup)
67Heaven…..
EU knows every time he come’s on here it’s like throwing a hand grenade into a crowded phone box.
Why, after the most important victory in Neil Lennons stewardship did he come on here and post?
Naw, ah canny think either.
Anyway, I’ve stated on here today my view on huns.
Philbhoy – It’s just the beginning!
10:41 on 7 December, 2012
’67Heaven…..
EU knows every time he come’s on here it’s like throwing a hand grenade into a crowded phone box.’
Only because people take the bait and respond.
Let him speak to those who want to speak to him.
The rest ignore him and then he doesn’t set the agenda.
Philbhoy – EU knows every time he come’s on here it’s like throwing a hand grenade into a crowded phone box.
Why, after the most important victory in Neil Lennons stewardship did he come on here and post?
Why am I reminded of the Rangers (IL) supporters who complained that Artur Boruc making the sign of the cross nearly caused them to riot?
It’s easy to be civil or, if you don’t want to interact with them, ignore people on a blog. Other people are not to blame for your behaviour. (thumbsup)
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
I dont know EdwardUrsus, I seldom post and I have never conversed with Ed, however having read his posts over a number of years he comes across in my opinion as a decent individual who supports the dead team.
From my experience of his posts he is a genuine guy and one I would be more than happy to share a beer with
I find his insight very interesting even if he is probably not representative of their support
Surely the Celtic ethos is one of tolerance, an ethos to take people as you find them and not to pre judge
On Wednesday evening our supporters bus was driven by an individual who had a Rangers scarf on turned back to front and upside down. He apologised to the committe members for the scarf justifying it by saying he just had 2 teeth out and he didnt own another scarf. Now I am very sceptical about the reason for his attire but the point I am making is that there was not one angry word addressed to the driver amongst the 50-60 people on the bus.
We demonstrated tolerance and restraint, its the Celtic way, its what makes us different, its what makes us welcome back in cities all over Europe
Just my opinion mind…
philvisreturns
10:38 on
7 December, 2012
TimJim – IMHO Celtic Quick News is not a place for Rangers supporters
As I said it is My honest opinion thats all.If this guy posts from now on I will scroll by
Ernie & Philvis
I don’t read his posts and generally don’t read any replies to him.
He might be the nicest man in the world.
To me….. well you know what I believe.
gordon_j backing neil lennon
10:26 on
7 December, 2012
*THE KING VIC 67*,
Ah got you.
Usually what they do is draw the first team and then remove any from the second pot that they cannot face. So if we came out first they would take Barcelona out of the other pot, leaving only the seven teams that we could draw.
——————–
Thanks Gordon!
HH
Dead C Scrollers
(Where C = Club)
If we never listened to a dissenting view, an alternative opinion, a new perspective, well, I suppose we’d just be right all the time eh.
ernie lynch@10:34
Excellent spot
Coupled with Green’s “A CVA must be achieved or the history dies” statement of 6 months ago
Do they really think the rest of Scottish football believes they are the same club?
Stupid, stupid Sevconians
timjim
10:28 on 7 December, 2012
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY SPOT ON ……… the only time any bhun mentions football to me is when we don’t win ….latest comment ” you should have beaten them” (Arbroath) …….. He got his answer, which I’m not going to repeat on CQN…….
They have a deep hatred of all things Celtic ……. And the one’s who come onto CQN are the worst type of crawlers ………. I ignore them, hoping the will crawl back under their sectarian rock…… When in their company, they are all very (hipocrytically) nice to me…….
I luv CQN…….I want to talk to Celtic fholk about Celtic……..if there are and ‘good’ bhuns, they should ant clean up ff………..
Incidentally, amused by the LLreaction to this young Celtic team’s amazing achievement in Europe ……. They will be inconsolable when we win it…………!!!!!! HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa
Ernie
Just read your post again.
I think you are correct when you said –
“Only because people take the bait and respond”.
I’m sure you are correct.
Jury out on Ambrose for me. I think a signing in that position in January would really enhance our chances in getting to quarter finals. Somebody with experience with Wilson maybe?
Mjallby seems to know good defenders. Success we have had with Scandinavian defenders over the years and Lustig now would make me contemplate a move for Andreas Granqvist, Solvi Ottesson or Mathias Jorgensen.
Would love the Madrid 1, aint going to happen now. :)
I punted Daniel Waas and Sebastien Boesnich few years ago, Boesnich on a free just now and can play left back.
My main men and still be looking at for the summer is Milan Badelj and Joaquin Boghassain.
The Battered Bunnet – If we never listened to a dissenting view, an alternative opinion, a new perspective, well, I suppose we’d just be right all the time eh.
I think we should all agree with TBB. (thumbsup)
If I was a hun attempting to wind up Celtic fans, I don’t think I would say ‘Well done, great victory etc.’.
Doesn’t seem much of a wind up, really.
I’m assuming I missed the punishment from the SFA for Greeny boy bringing the game into disrepute.
Was there anything said from their meeting yesterday ??
Just reiterating that I for one think that if Beram Kayal is to have a bright future with us then he has to play many games starting now, is he looks less than match fit and I do like him as a player but a shadow of his former self right now.
Hope he gets it together and Broonie has a rest.
Fav though is Joe Ledley so who to pick? For me Ledley out left and Kayal with Vic central.
Take your pick for right midfield.
Henriks Sombrero
The SFA were found guilty of wasting Mr Green’s time.
Walter agrees with boycott.
Walter ? who he?
Walter is the geezer who did a runner when he knew the game was up.
What a hero.
Bradford kicked out of the FA Cup for fielding an ineligible player against Brentford
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Neil Lennon meeting with Gary Hooper’s representatives this weekend over contract situation. #Celtic #bbcsport
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voguepunter – Walter is one of those dignified chappies who declined to pay back their “loans” to Rangers when the club was dying. (thumbsup)
The blog is open to all and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Teddy Bear, to give him his English name, may well be a stalwart fellow and jolly good company, but there’s no getting away from the fact that he has given his support to an organisation which for the majority of the last century actively discriminated against a section of society on the basis of their ethnicity and/or religion.
Scandalous sectarianism in other words, which lasted longer than apartheid and merited the opprobrium of all right thinking people.
And let us not be kidded, they only changed this policy because they had to.
The question I have always asked myself as a lifelong Celtic supporter is what if in some unlikely parallel universe, my club operated on this basis against protestants,what would I do?
My answer is that not only would I refuse to support it but I would actively campaign against it rather than obfuscate deny or in any other way try to rationalise it away.
I know of no hun who can answer that question, and yes I call them huns because that is no more nor less than such allegiances deserve, and make no mistake, the attitudes continue to the present day.
Decent huns? Aye. I’m sure there are also BNP members who are decent chaps in other areas of their lives.
That is the difference between them and us and that is why I would see them go to the wall without giving it a second thought, and why I have little sympathy or regard for even the “decent” ones.
Farsley Celtic, Rushden & Diamonds, Chester City and Rangers are all professional football clubs that have gone into liquidation during the early part of this decade.
From the ashes of all four, new clubs have been formed, in each case to give fans a new cause to rally behind. The new clubs have similar-sounding names to those of the the old clubs. The new clubs all play in the same colours as those of the old clubs. In the case of three of them, the new club plays at the same ground as the old club used to play on (AFC Rushden & Diamonds is the exception).
Only one of them pretends that it is the old club. Only one of them pretends that it wasn’t the club that the liquidators got their hands on, just the company. Only one of them thinks their history is alive and continuing. Only one of them pretends that you get to pick which bits of the old entity you keep alive and which bits you let go. It doesn’t play in Cheshire, Northamptonshire or Yorkshire.
Sky Sports News @SkySportsNews
BREAKING NEWS: Bradford City removed from the FA Cup after fielding an ineligible player in their Second Round tie against Brentford #ssn
PeteTheBeat – If I was a hun attempting to wind up Celtic fans, I don’t think I would say ‘Well done, great victory etc.’.
You’d be all like “Mon then!” (thumbsup)