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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JungleJim
Perhaps others share my perception that he now seems to care about how he performs.
Playing for the jersey I called it.
There were times in the past when he looked disinterested not now.
He has also improved his timing on his jump and wins a higher % of kick outs than say 2 seasons ago. But overall I think he is now seen as a true if frustrating Celt
Ten Men Won The League 12:26:
From what I hear Hooper will be off, probably in the Summer. Had we not qualified for the last 16 it may have been Janaury.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
hankray
Yes – perfect technique. I think many underestimated just how well Celtic played last night. Spartak were playing for pride and looked lively and creative. Our players had to work extremely hard, and with no shortage of skill, to overcome them.
Lenny said again last night that we wants to tie down Hoops & Victor with new deals. I don’t think Lenny lies about things like that, so I would still be hoping to hold on to both of them.
Jungle Jim
I’ve been praising Sammi for 2 and a half years now!
jude2005 is neil lennon \o/
13:31 on
6 December, 2012
Yewtree??
—
Jude, it’s the operational name relating to the Jimmy Saville investigations.
Just after the game Lenny walked over & embraced a fan just before he went down the tunnel. Was that the fan he had a spat with, I wonder. If so another brilliant gesture from a brilliant Manager.
“The average age at Celtic Park is on the wrong side of fifty.”
>>>>>
Wow!…..
…I hadn’t realised the demographic was so youthful….
(“Born in The 50’s”)
Lennybhoy
If GH doesn’t sign a new deal and we wait till summer 2013 before selling him, we will not get more than circa £4m for him, as he will be entering the last year of his deal.
Considering he is worth circa £8m now, there is no way PL will wait till the summer to sell
Berlin’s Olympiastadion will host the 2015 CL final, with Milan’s San Siro hosting the 2016 version
Unless they are doing some major renovation work on the San Siro, i am amazed that UEFA has deemed it suitable
An absolute dump of a ground with insufficient exit points at both ends
Anyone who has been there with Celtic will know what i am talking about
An accident waiting to happen
25th May 2013 will be the 14th Anniversary of my father passing, he never liked or understood football….but I am sure he will excuse me from visiting that day!!!!
I love these Russian ‘translations’.
The best one I ever read was, “Out of sight, out of mind.” coming back as, “Invisible maniac.”
Auldheid,
Fair enough and Sammi probably does win more headers now than two years ago but I have never subscribed to the disinterested view. Uncertan, yes, but, for me , he always gave his all. Opinions, eh? 0:-)
JJ
Just spoken to a Juve man who is taking me to Palermo – Juve on Sunday. .
He wants Malaga or Schalke .
He doesn’t want Celtic — ” we might underestimate them “.
He really doesn’t want PSG ” Like snakes in a barn , no danger if they’re sleeping but really dangerous if they are awake and hungry “.
The others ? — ” might as well beat them now “
Sami unleashed the killer pass for Hooper’s magnificent strike.
Sami hit the post with a cracking shot.
Sami controlled the ball like Pele then won the decisive penalty.
Sami ran the Spartak defence ragged and never gave up.
To relax, Sami likes to solve difficult mathematical problems that have stumped leading brainboxes for centuries.
In his hometown of Heraklion they recently passed a law making it compulsory for young men to wear their hair in a long lanky fashion.
He is some man.
Paul67 et al
As pointed out, (by a very enthusiastic Roddy Forsyth) last night represented, not only Celtic’s 150th game in Europe, but also Neil Lennon’s 101st victory as Celtic Manager. Of 53 UEFA member associations, only 9 are represented in the last 16, and while this still shows how skewed the CL is towards 4 or five countries, it is broader than it could have been.
Never mind the draw, we are Celts (kelts), we should be reading the runes, final at Wembley, on the 25th May, (Scottish Cup Final moved to the 26th to allow SFA blazers to attend CL final), our 125th, and the FA’s 150th anniversary.
How does that old song go?
Que sera sera, whatever will be will be……
Yon tube on STV, grunt russell, is doing his worst to find any negative about last night and our run in general.
They really are hurting..,….great
Have the SFA fudged the Zombies boycott issue yet ?
KevJungle
Think you may have signed off but,if not,maybe you can fill us in on why you think Novikovas of Hearts should be considered as a transfer target for us.
Summa
Taking a pay cut is commendable if higher pay is on offer but I could not have put forward the playing for the jersey argument even last season without coming in for some ridicule based on consistency of performance.
However I am more than delighted that not only has Sammy developed as a player but also as a person and Neil Lennon who obviously saw and encouraged that development deserves credit.
As he said himself Sammy was the sort of player that could get him the sack but Lenny risked the criticism.
Seven Fishes Four Steaks
You’ve been reported. Ban usually lasts 24hrs.
been a naughty boy!!!!
We gotta Dump Hoops.. afore the Cock Crows.. oan.. Feb Foist..
Ah think.. it’s Feb Foist..
But, Soitenly afore,the Jan Windae Closes.
Fur.
If we Dinna.. we wull get A Haunfu’ o’ Beans fur him.. as he winds doon his Contract.
Heck.. Mebbe.. Celtic, like Beans????.. No wan, kin Account fur Folks’ Taste!
Anyway…
Me?.. Ah’m a Lobster and Steak .. Kinda Guy..
Yep..
If Ah wur King..
Ah wid Cash in oan Hoops. afore the Cock .. Croweth.. whenevah that may be.
Kojo
Still Laughin’
and let me say this:
Feelin’ Like Li’l Jack Horner.. This Wonderful Morn.
Celtic , ur Ebullient.. n Spartak ur.. Forlorn!
With this extra income from Champions League, we need to reward our scouting staff and make sure no-one tempts them away any time soon.
No matter how much money you have, you don’t want to be spending £300 million to fail, not when you can succeed for £11 million.
These guy’s are crucial to our clubs future development and success.
Hats off to ALL involved in yesterdays achievement.
HH
Chuckles afternoon statement for today pleading with fans not to travel to tannadice (scared there will be trouble?) and saying their 40% cut of gate money will go to charities
Great performance last night. Particularly Sammi, Kris and young Lustig, well done to all.
It must be remembered, we were without Victor and Scott is only half fit.
In the next round I want Man Utd, I have no doubt but that we would beat them. Otherwise,
Malaga, purely for the sunshine !
Rangers have revealed that they have rejected a request from Dundee United that the Tannadice club keep all gate receipts from the Scottish Cup tie between the sides.
The Ibrox club confirmed on Tuesday that, following a similar announcement by supporters groups, they would not take a ticket allocation for the tie and appealed to Rangers fans to boycott the match. The issue relates to United’s part in denying Rangers a place in the SPL last summer and also to a ticketing issue between the sides in 2009.
Under Scottish Cup rules, Rangers would still be entitled to a share of the proceeds from the game in February even if they have no travelling support.
Rangers chief executive Charles Green said in a statement on Thursday that Dundee United had asked if they could keep the money.
Green told Rangers’ official website: “The Club was contacted by Dundee United requesting us to waive our rights to the share of the gate under Cup Competition Rule 46(c), this was declined.
“It has been decided by the board that any proceeds from gate receipts due to the Club will be donated to the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice Brick by Brick Appeal and Erskine charities via the Rangers Charity Foundation.”
Surely Kojo the priority would be to get Hoops to sign an extension. I understand that if he refuses to sign he will have to be sold, but lets not put the cart before the horse.
ag gaire fos (still laughing)
Jungle Jim
Ive thought of a better word than disinterested and it is lackadaisical.
That by and large has gone from his game which he plays with more purpose.
How does our going through to last 16, affect qualifying for next years tourney?
Just asking like
David P, thanks for that re twitter. But I honestly dont know what I would have said to be offensive. Honestly.
Sffs
tully57
13:41 on 6 December, 2012
What an achievement. edit.
******
Great post.
Do you recall one of the after match discussions we had in Sean Og’s that night?
The one where we talked about how far Donegal had come in a year and what the prospects were for the All-Ireland ?
Isn’t it poetic how, in two years, Neil Lennon has built a team that emerged from the Group Stages of the CL and Jim Mc.Guinness built a team to win the All-Ireland.
Where are they now, eh ?
Oh, that’s right, Celtic Park.
JUNGLE JIM.who do you waant BIG SAMMY to do all those nice things to in the next round.??????
Fair few CQNers wanting Malaga, some ‘cos the flights are plentiful and cheap, others for a bit of early spring sunshine, others ‘cos they live nearby. I reckon though that our Swiss based correspondents are holding out for Juve – just a wee 2 hour cruise through the tunnel and out the other end fellas.
Kayal
How noble of CG.
Now Tannadice can be filled knowing not only that The Rangers get nowt but a charity will benefit.
TBB
I have set up an advance post just in case.
Nice city Malaga with harbour area redeveloped and a fascinating indoor market for ” foodies”.
My landlords agent is a Malaga fan so Im waiting for the draw.
If I were the Prince or Princess of Wales (which I can assure ye I’m not), I wouldn’t be holding my breath waiting fot the proceeds. Am I not mistaken but haven’t day already scammed some money out of a gig that was meant to be for charity.
Kayal33
14:41 on 6 December, 2012
It might be best, to minimise administration costs, and avoid any possible delays, if Dundee Utd were to pay the money direct to the charities.
Corkcelt
Pal.. Ma Spies tell me…………………………..
Pierre has bin trying..
‘
Fur. FIVE MONTHS.. tae get Hoops tae Sign an Extension tae his Present Contract.
So Faur..
Hoops’ Agent has ..Gien the Thumbs Doon.. oan Account o’
Celtic, hivnae offered ..Enuff… of an Increase in their Client’s Weekly Stipend in The Extension Offered.
Same goes fur.. Pierre’s Efforts to Get.. Victor tae Sign A Noo Contract Extension
Victor’s People ur a Baulkin’.. n .. a Stoapped …Talkin’!
Fur .. Ditto Reasons,as Gary’s People hiv gien.
There…
Ye ur noo
Awe up tae date..
Kojo
Still , Laughin’