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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67heaven great point sir, squad rotation can cause problems.
KLV
Wee Aiden has become a very dirty player since going to Moscow, i mean look at the number of fouls he committed when we were running down the clock……:)
TBB –
Juve are not unbeatable .
They play with 2 wingers . Their Italian critics accuse them of playing with lots of power and little artistry .
They lack a reliable goal scorer —— they are likely to buy one .
A lot of their goals come from midfield.
Pirlo looks to be on the wane .
Shakhtar gave them the run a round in Turin [ score was 1-1].
They drew with Nordsjaelland in Denmark.
New stadium has a capacity of @ 41 K
@ OfficialNeil
Just found out Scott Browns now on twitter….this could get interesting
Broonie duly complies…
@ ScottBrown8
@joe16led wants Paris st germain in the next round. He says he’s never been to germainy :)
This might get me pelters, but I have to get it off my chest.
Take any ten current Celtic players, at peak fitness, all playing at their best form, constantly running, switched-on and aware.
Then add Samaras.
I’d rather play with the ten.
( Not me being one of them obviously, then you could favour Giorgy).
Bada Bing
Spartak is the most most dirty team this year CL edition. No other team committed as many fouls, yellow cards and red cards as Russians.
It’s a sad day when Scott Brown is better at Geography than you.
I had no idea Ledley was a bit dim shall we say.
Regards Crazy Chuck ‘giving’ the gate receipts to charity
This idea was raised on FF just like the idea to boycott Tannadice in the first place
As i posted the other day, Green is playing a dangerous game by agreeing to every request the lunatic fringe at SevCo recommend
I wonder if FF will now demand a return to the ‘No Catholics’ policy?
messi training in the gym today, good news.
KLV
@ ScottBrown8
Been asked what is the biggest difference in CL this season. The biggest difference is @kcommons15 left leg and his right leg #broonybanter
mihal
This would be the Samaras who has scored in the last 5 away games in Europe?
You sure know your Fitba…
SoT @ 15.01
On the other hand, it could be a long and difficult journey back for you when we horse them 3-0:).
I fear for the scottish game with chuck opening his mouth. he is basically a mouth peice for the extreme fans of the zombies and the media give him a stage, the problem is no one is quizzing him, which makes him very dangerous indeed with the militant zombies as backing, I think there maybe trouble ahead unless someone stands up to this wee Dictator (ahem) mouthpiece.
KLV
Brown is a very funny guy and just a little crazy, hence the stare and lack of blinking and the ENERGY of two men. It took a while Skoosh, but you’ll do for me son. Our Captain Invincible.
KLV
mihal
15:36 on
6 December, 2012
Nurse!! get this man some help…..
just listening to Shortbread podcast and thinking, again, that Liam McLeod is putting his job on a shaky peg.
Just as he did in the Barca game at CP he sounded genuinely excited and pleased describing the action – almost like a normal football fan.
How the Sevcovites must be missing David Begg!
Are we at home in the first leg of the last 16?
Or is it decided in the draw?
PAUL67 MADE A POST AT 12.15 HIGH LIGHTING OUR GREAT WIN AT THE END I ASKED IF YOU WERE ABOUT, WHAT IS KEEPING SEVCO GOING.
COD LIVER OIL TABLETS ?
Seven Fishes Four Steaks
When you get back online, you’ll find your blocked from whoever had your account suspended.
So, it won’t be difficult to put two and two together!
I was suprised when it happened to me, some people don’t like dealing with facts and take offense. No great loss tae be blocked fae some!
miki67
14:59 on
6 December, 2012
[[[[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.” ]]]]
Sure. After suitable ‘handling’ and ‘administration’ fees are trousered by Mr. Snake Oil.
Lyin’ twat.
An old colleague if mine, works Erskine, has it on good authority that the recent military shindig at the midden collected a sizeable sum but that sevco itself gave not a bean.
And she is a sevcovian
Doc
Home 1st
Doc
Home leg is 1st
david prowse
Ta.
hoopeddreams
It would certainly be long -it is a long way .
It would not be difficult . Everyone else on the bus would be quiet [ not a common thing amongst Sicilians ] I would get some sleep ..
They wouldn’t tolerate a Torino or an Inter fan . A Celtic fan [ even if we had just humped them 3-0 ] would be tolerated . That doesn’t mean that there aren’t elements in the Juve support that are best avoided.
Awe Naw – wish I had chosen more restraint last night now :(
Brilliant performance from the Scottish Champions Paul.
Amazing result and a fantastic achievement.
Great composure from Gary Hooper and Neil.
Samaras is a Star.
Aidinho has done quite well since he went to Spartak and is highly regarded there by fans, he didn’t set the heather ablaze last night and why would he, he is as much a Celt as any of us on here. Re Barca playing their seconds, annoying but totally understandable but fair credit to the lads who did play, they were under the cosh at times but battled to the end for their draw, even though it meant Squidily Dit to them.
jduffy132
15:51 on
6 December, 2012
Seven Fishes Four Steaks
http://www.ehow.com/how_8130114_someone-blocks-twitter.html
When Neil Lennon was at Leicester I wanted to see him at Celtic.
Why? Because he had Attitude
When Lennon retired I wanted Brown at Celtic.
Why? Because he had Attitude.
Without men of attitude at your club you will win nothing.
Q.How do you know if a player has attitude?
A.Opposition supporters of all clubs hate them.
Listen And Learn…
We saw. whit a Hustlin’.. Bustlin’.. Tusslin’ and
MUSCLIN’…
Lonely Linwood Striker.. Kin dae tae a Defense…
Last Night…
Em…whitevah..-( his name)… Is the guy Whom Ah Am Talkin aboot.
Yep.. He fairly.. Damn near, but, no quite…
‘
TERRORIZED, oor Back .. FOUR.. intae a Heaving pool o’ Jello..
Hiving said that…
Let me tell you.,..
That…We… hiv a Young Fellow Me Lad..
Right here..at Parkheid oan The Clyde..
Who Wull .. In a Few Years..
Mak..
Em.. Whitevah’s.. Performance o’ Last Night..’
Look like as Terrorizing… as a… Pas de Deux!
by the way…
Ye wull get nae Help fae me..
In Figgerin’ oot..
Jist, Whit …”Young Felllah Me Lad”… o’ Oor’s..
of whom Ah’m Atalkin’ aboot.
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
Feelin’.. So …Blissful.. and Happy..
I think it says a lot that Aiden played very deep when he came on. He barely went past the halfway line. Once a Celt, always a Celtic
Just sat down to watch Champions League Goals, Wilkins and the Beast, Celtic will get lots of credit for our fabulous CL campaign here.
NotholdingmybreathCSC!
The Sevconians just make me laugh – they really are pathetic
Neganaon
I have hardly touched a drop since the Barca game I suffered that much
I will wait until Christmas now.
Hail Hail
NegAnon 2 Hope your headache clears up soon, but if there is any negativity after the Killie game tis I will be getting the headache. Last time out I got so cross I had to log off before I said something out of order and got myself redcarded from the site.
Awe naw I should follow your lead…….
corkcelt – our domestic home form has been nothing short of a disgrace – lets hope they get it sorted and NL learns some new tactics. And its fine to get annoyed and disagree – we all do it.
Fantastic 2nd half performance last night – Sammi was outstanding – only criticism was our dead ball delivery was below par.
well done Lenny and the Bhoys
Hertz pal tells of overhearing this in a lunchtime Lanark bar
Sevconian 1 ——— ” you boycotting Tannadice ? ”
Sevconian 2 —–” aye —– I’m booked up for Magaluf “