Benfica enjoyed a 0-2 away win on Friday evening to remain joint-top of the Portuguese league with Porto. They will have enjoyed a day off while Celtic played on Saturday and will two days training before tomorrow’s game. By contrast, Celtic player will have rested yesterday and will get no more than a run out inside Estadio da Luz tonight. With games coming thick and fast at the moment, hopefully rest is the most important requirement for the players.
Benfica shredded Spartak for most of the second half in Moscow but contrived to miss what chances they created, allowing the Russians their only win of the group so far. The return game in Lisbon was a comfortable win for the home team.
Neil Lennon has some major tactical decisions to make. He will surely acknowledge the danger Benfica pose but has to find a way of scoring an away goal or two. Match day one between Celtic and Benfica brought a 0-0 draw, ostensibly a good result for the visitors, but the group has matured since then. Both teams played that game as though it was an away game; Benfica were happy to defend and Celtic, in their first Champions League game since 2008, were keen to feel their way back into the tournament.
This time Benfica will attack with speed and hope that Celtic open up a little more than they did against Barcelona. It’s important also to acknowledge that while Benfica are no Barcelona, they will also be less predictable than the Catalans, we will not have it all our own way in the air.
It’s going to be a game tiring 90 minutes where the use of fresh legs could be crucial but an early Celtic goal would allow Neil Lennon to set his stall out clearly.
Orders are now open for the very first CQN Annual, get it here!
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As far as I can see the most likely outcome of all this is that the GB will disband.
I don’t see plod backing down, they’ve got to much political backing from an intolerant and authoritarian government, and I don’t see the board doing anything other than mouthing platitudes and ringing their hands.
I hope I’m wrong.
Che
13:09 on
19 November, 2012
I have to hold my hands up to an error on that. I used the term HSE in error instead if H&S, it is the Council of course. I see RRC mentioned it too. My fault completely.
To clarify my point, I spoke to a Celtic supporting policeman, pays to attend Celtic Park as a supporter, and what I was told is that H&S is something that Celtic are, genuinely, being pulled up on and have engaged the police on this as their effort to address it internally with the GB did not stop these breaches.
Were the GB to stop the lateral movement I was suggesting that the police and the club or anyone else would have nowhere to go in defence of, for example, a human rights challenge or some such other justified recourse as the GB and away fans in general are facing horrendous treatment.
The club, the police, whoever may be hiding behind H&S with another agenda. I don’t dispute that. I am suggesting that with nothing to hide behind, however spurious, the challenge to that treatment is stronger.
I don’t think that’s so very controversial.
My son pointed out me that this could actually happen come the end of the group matches
Benfica 10 pts
Celtic 10 pts
Barca 9 pts
Spartak 6pts
Now that would make for a headline:-)
It’s not just lateral movement that could have the stadium closed down and The Great Desmondo thrown in prison.
It’s standing up.
That’s not allowed.
As for the crowd doing the huddle, well you’ve just no idea how many rules and regulations that breaches.
It’s a wonder FIFA aren’t involved.
Maybe the Green Brigade could invite Snoop Dogg to a game
at Celtic Park as their guest. Would be good to see the polis
reaction to that, with the media from all over the world also
in attendance.
blantyrekev,
Remind us the last time you witnessed said lateral movement at Celtic park ?
Do you support the Green Brigade action against harassment ?
http://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=50a90f10e4b061e6546ad870
So far of 626 votes
95% yes
5% no
What dots do you have to join to go from El Hadj Diouf – rampaging around Celtic park like a lunatic – to supporters villified and hounded for no good reason?
Maybe Alex Salmond can explain that one…
baffledCSC
thetimrieper
By far and away the best suggestion on the debate so far.
Trophybhoy
13:00 on
19 November, 2012
I have not really posted much before and i am not sure if this has been mentioned earlier i apologise if it has.
With regards to fan harassment can we not consider boycotting all items on sale in and around the stadium, i.e windfall , programmes, food etc etc.
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2010 Never Again
Hello Hello
What an interesting and thought provoking strategy. If you had to pick just one which one would you choose?
ht,
The GB have asked only section 111 to take action
’13 Standing is FORBIDDEN in seated viewing areas…..
Any breach of Ground Regulations may result in ejection or action by Strathclyde Police.’
Not just forbidden.
But FORBIDDEN.
Paul, @ The AGM on Friday, unless I picked it up incorrectly, Neil suggested that some players were approaching their 30th game of the season….
WinterBreakCSC
Red Beard’s Corollary or Herring’s Law:
“If a serious discussion goes on long enough, and the Nazi’s are not brought up, it will eventually degenerate into a bunch of posters quoting Monty Python …”
“No one expects the CQN Inquisition! Our chief weapon is surprise, fear and surprise; two chief weapons, fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency! Er, among our chief weapons are: fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, and near fanatical devotion to the Pope! Um, I’ll come in again…”
Chris
Blantyrekev
I dont think its in anyway controversial, your point is bang on the button, if the Club are or were being challenged eg by the Council on safety reasons then they (Celtic) would be duty bound to investigate,
personally I think the Police have seen an opportunity here and have taken it, cynically I dont believe its about event safety, its about the GB and some peoples fascination in attempting to destroy them, maybe even just to broaden my cynicism and no doubt inherent paranoia but god forbid the council and the police were in any form of cahoots, that being said lets not make it any easier for them.
HH
Snoop Dogg is bhoycottin’ the home games.
It started off when Dr Reid was in charge but Snoop, bein’ a man of unimpeachable integrity, has kept up the dissent.
However, Snoop’s long time musical colloborator Dr Dre is back goin’ to the home games.
He gets a lift back to his crib on the Cleator Moor Emerald bus.
Ryan\o/D
13:51 on 19 November, 2012
‘Paul, @ The AGM on Friday, unless I picked it up incorrectly, Neil suggested that some players were approaching their 30th game of the season….
WinterBreakCSC’
No doubt the winter break would involve a couple of money spinning games in Australia just so the players get the full benefit.
The Wu Tang Clan have stopped buyin’ ole Paradise windfall tix until the harassment of the green brigade desists.
ernie..,
Now this is were I derive my doubts that the board are driving the agenda, the police could simply remove supporters and the board can expel them, in saying that, maybe such a policy would only confirm victimisation.
What a reall really stupid rule, we could all be thrown out for celebrating a goal
Stupid rules
Dragged to the shops in support of the woman from Padova’s heroic efforts to single handedly keep shoe and boot manufacturers in business .
Pass the time between periods of being required to have an opinion on these as opposed to those by reading the on line press .
Wee snatch of the Jerusalem Post — interview with Gilad Sharon [ son of Ariel ]
I paraphrase ——
There are no innocents in Gaza — they voted for Hamas .
Gaza should be flattened — just like Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Back in business paul thanks..just a wee senile moment..HH.
Dick Byrne
13:21 on
19 November, 2012
If I may sugggest a compromise – the polis should leave the Green Brigade alone & lock up Kev Jungle.
Aff oot.
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2010 Never Again
Locking up an agent provocateur? Surely you jest?
A few posters have mentioned the infamous Christine Graham’s quote about ‘evening-up the number of arrests’.
A good mate of mine who happens to be a decent blue-nose bought a season ticket for himself and his wee laddie. He stuck it for about a month, but now says he’ll never go back to expose his son to the sectarian and foul-mouthed bile that rears its ugly voice at some time during each game. Now, where are the headlines about that and the resulting arrests?
Snoop’s long time ambition is to have his uncensored rap version of the Dick Byrne classic ‘Love Truncheon Blues’ played over the tannoy at Ole Celtic Park.
Chris
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire
13:56 on 19 November, 2012
Did Tony Hamilton not exhort us all to stand to participate in the TIFO before the Barcelona game?
And didn’t he know that it is FORBIDDEN to stand in seating areas?
The man’s no more than a common criminal and should be hounded out of Celtic Park for his disgraceful behaviour.
EmeraldBee\o/
And that was only the Polis?
ernie…,
And it’s ok to stand for the enforced minutes silence
BlantyreKev
I’ve used the old safety excuse myself to cover real reasons for my actions but smart folk would realise when they have no argument and remove the justification for the action taken.
THEN if the harrasment continues safety can dismissed as the motivation.
The problem with all this of course is what is the real motivation and who is behind it. That question lies unanswered but if the OB bill is the justification then it is the OB bill that has to be taken on, not those caught in its snare.
blantyrekev,
Come on, tell us the last time you witnessed said lateral movement you and your friend blame for all the GB’s problems ?
THE EXILED TIM
It could be a good tactic , there seems to be a celebrity love in
with Celtic at the moment. Why not use them to the Green
Brigade`s advantage and turn the worlds media spotlight on
Celtic Park.
67heaven … i am neil lennon..!!.. ibrox belongs to the creditors
14:06 on
19 November, 2012
burnley78
10:51 on 19 November, 2012
No surprise to see malcontents victims and conspiracy theorists jumping on a negative bandwagon as we get close to a high point in our clubs history and when the gap vs our old rivals has never been wider.
I guess there is no strachan or telfer or naylor to abuse so lets dance to the anti authority tune and gang up on the club itself.
Search for any reds under the bed. They are all against us. The loser victim mentality seems to be something we are much more comfortable wearing.
Does anyone really think those in charge are not aware of the challenges any perceived agenda presents ?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
ABSOLUTELY …….. none supports the GB more than I do, but let’s deal in FACTS…
Kevjungle
Are you being sarcastic …….. LOL
canamalar
Wasn’t taking notes on specific time. It’s a sporadic thing, doesn’t happen every game. Looks great. Your point?
Auldheid,
Sorry pal your still on about the OB as if it is the cause of all the problems, the harassment has been going on for years, the OB is simply a new tool to justify continued harassment. If its repealed, we will just be back to we’re we were before it was introduced.
Concentrate on ending the harassment and rhe rest will follow.
DBBIA,
I don’t buy it for a minute that Snoop is boycotting any home games despite his claims. My theory is that Snoop and Hoopy the Huddle Hound are one and the same…
Cathedral View
13:19 on 19 November, 2012
Moonbeams WD,
Why would the police need to stand filming the Green Brigade?
I was under the impression the police control room had CCTV that can scan and record every seat in the stadium.
Why the in your face filming?
cv
In my opinion they do this to try and get a reaction from them. Its very intimidating having people inside your personal space think about it. They would love one of the GB to go for them so they could jump in heavy handed.
Going back a very, very long time to my more rebellious days this is a tactic the police have long used to illicit a reaction out of someone so they can then arrest them. Been on CND rally’s, anti-fox hunt demos etc where same tactics have been used, unfortunately at times people have snapped and gave them what they wanted.
Some people think the Wu Tang’s ‘ODB’ is an acronym for Ol’ Dirty Bassa.
Serious musicologists now think it’s a tribute to the bhoy who put the bam in Bambaataa.
Strictly Lateral Movement