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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weeminger,
I think the action the GB will cover that, when the GB are not present then anyone else deemed to be committing the same offences should be subject to the same treatment.
So with the GB not there obviously there will be no difference in the police response or attitude.
North by…,
I don’t know the number, only the presiding judge Muir, which was posted on here a few weeks ago.
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire
16:03 on
19 November, 2012
Good point.
Do you support the Green Brigade action against harassment ?
http://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=50a90f10e4b061e6546ad870
So far of 704 votes
95% yes
5%no
This harassment of the GB is the inevitable consequence from the new legislation
The legislation was borne from many meetings between the various groups of Ole Rankers fan groups and Strathclyde police, Rankers fans became obsessed with as they seen it the persecution of their beliefs and values coupled with again in their view Celtic fans praising the IRA every week in song, this perceived injustice (Celtic fans getting away with offensive chants, Rankers fans punished for their beliefs and values) was also shared within Strathclyde Police many senior officers, cue the shame game and a populist opportunistic politician rushing legislation through which he believed through poll evidence was a vote winner in the general public at large
I attended a FAC meeting before the new legislation which was infiltrated by the local lodge in the East end of Glasgow, their elders made it very clear that day, We Celtic fans had brought this on ourselves via our complaints about them, it was a hell mend you message, your getting payback, i have a few conversations with some of the more extreme section of the orcs and the same message has been relayed time and time again, payback even up the score
The GB are victims here, an easy target, a group who are seen as Ultras, the tabloids eg like Keevins can shoot them down from his tabloid pulpit labeling them as extremists typical tabloid targeting of a minority grouping
I support the GB unquestionably, i expect Celtic to investigate and assist their fans no matter the tabloid reaction
I will not attend the two matches in support of the GB
Alex T. blogging from the most dangerous place on the planet. Then you read ‘carson’s comments and you wonder ‘why’?
http://blogs.channel4.com/alex-thomsons-view/journalists-injured-gaza/3073#comments
loinroars67,
Just to remind you, this harassment has been going on a lot longer than the new legislation, it cannot be considered a result of the legislation, the legislation is simply a tool to try and justify the ongoing harassment.
hail hail
!!Bada Bing!!
15:29 on 19 November, 2012
Embdae know if any dialogue is planned between the Club and the GB ?
——————————————
There is a huge diffrence between having a meeting and entering a dialogue.
Here is a definition of dialogue BOTH/ALL parties would need to subscribe to for anything positive to emerge.
” Dialogue is a conversation on a common subject between two or more persons with differing views, the primary purpose of which is for each participant to learn from the other so that s/he can change and grow. This very definition of dialogue embodies the first commandment of dialogue.
If we approach another party to either defeat them or to learn about them so as to deal more effectively with her or him, or at best to negotiate with him or her. If we face each other at all in confrontation–sometimes more openly polemically, sometimes more subtly so, but always with the ultimate goal of defeating the other, because we are convinced that we alone have the absolute truth we are indulging in debate and not dialogue.
But dialogue is not debate. In dialogue each party must listen to the other as openly and sympathetically as s/he can in an attempt to understand the other’s position as precisely and, as it were, as much from within, as possible. Such an attitude automatically includes the assumption that at any point we might find the partner’s position so persuasive that, if we would act with integrity, we would have to change, and change can be disturbing.”
No one should underestimate the challenge true dialogue presents and a pre requisite is a suspension of suspicion and judgement.
Geordie Munro
15:45 on 19 November, 2012
celtic *o* lennon
The next two games might not be the best examples.
They might be the best examples. Do you think the GB polis wont turn up at all, that they will think no ones coming lets stay at home? You may be right but it would be interesting to see if anyone who sat in their seats found themselves being filmed etc.
Walls….labyrythine entry with stringent caveats…..observation blimps….navy blockade on seaward side…drones…..helicopter gunships…f16 fighter jets….bombers…sattelites….guided missiles…..tanks….soldiers armed to the teeth……ultimate sanction,nuclear.
Goods and services all tightly controlled by your oppressor.
In the face of this, resistance and a few clunky rockets, some without explosive, and all well past their sell-by date.
And the msm call this a war.
Doh
miki67
16:12 on
19 November, 2012
Alex T. blogging from the most dangerous place on the planet. Then you read ‘carson’s comments and you wonder ‘why’?
http://blogs.channel4.com/alex-thomsons-view/journalists-injured-gaza/3073#comments
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
A truly eloquent repost from ‘carson’ (note the lower case)!
HH!!
I expect the club to push sales on the vacated 111section to try and give the impression alls well.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=aiEMBR7uwek
Lionroars67 the link above backs up your point very well I think.
Tom Devine in front of a select committee chaired by Christine Graham.
Although I think Canamalar has a point, this legislation is a tool used
What does everyone think themselves about boycotting the 2 games? If there is a healthy crowd either side of 111 will it not highlight the GB boycott more?
I think there will be ways we can show our support for them in the near future that are better. Until we get a definitive answer that the board are involved we should all keep our powder dry.
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire
16:23 on 19 November, 2012
I expect the club to push sales on the vacated 111section to try and give the impression alls well.
Dont see how they can for the league game its their seats what if some change their mind, cup game yes
Good post miki67 its simply a slaughter of the weak by the powerful and nobody seems capable of doing anything about it.
Re the attempted oppression of the Green Brigade, it must be resisted by all but its a terrible pity that our energies are being deflected in what is a great Hun-Free season, with European Qualification to knock out stages within our reach.
Ok bhoys and ghirls I think all this spare time has gone to my head, posted more today than in the 4 years ive been on this blog lol. Lets hope the days and weeks ahead see some kind of resolution to the GB issues but I have my doubts.
Time to retreat back into the darkness and resume lurking duties.
1-1 tomorrow and last 16 prize awaits!
hail hail
Fitness tests for Brown, Ledley & Hooper tomorrow with Lenny hopeful 2 of them will make it
Those who are not fully behind the stance taken by the Green Brigade need to ask themselves one question
Would you go to Celtic games if you were recieving the same special attention and the possible threat of arrest
Celtic boss Neil Lennon confirms that Scott Brown, Joe Ledley & Gary Hooper will undergo late fitness tests before Benfica CL game tomorrow.
Team will train at the Estadio Nacional tomorrow morning.
That is if they can get near it, I’m sure there will be more than them want a kick about tomorrow
From the bottom up at the Pressie..
NL: “Poignant to play again in Lisbon.Will train at the stadium in morning & let these players have a feel of a special piece of history.”
NL on bringing the European Cup to Lisbon: “1967 was a pivotal day in our history and we all aspire to reach those heights again one day.”
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 22m
NL: “They are a formidable team at home and their domestic form is excellent. Like us they go into the game on the back of a very good win.”
NL:”We have taken each game on its own merits. Well aware that this game will be as tough as Barcelona if not tougher.”
·
NL: “Not coming to set up to defend and play for draw, coming here to win like we always try to do.”
NL on Sami and Commons: “They are absolutely fine. Kris had a dead leg and is feeling a lot better. Was just fatigue with Sami. He is fine. ·
NL: “Will train this evening & will asses their situation in the morning. Confident all three should be in contention. A huge boost for us.”
·
Neil Lennon speaking to the media in Lisbon, on the latest injury news on Hooper, Ledley and Brown: “They came through training…” (MH)
·
Celtic o…,
My point was about the Arbroath game specifically, as its the only game were tickets can be sold for that section without conflict with season ticket holders
All of a sudden…..huns are no more…an ersatz zombie outfit to carry on the grand traditions of raging marmalade bile scuttering about in asbestos clouded grandiose style in the fourth division, soon to be further riven by the much delayed ftt and the suspicious share offer.
We are doing well. Riding high on a euphoric European wave. Financially stable. A truly great support. Worldwide kudos for our efforts, our spirit and our take on life.
In steps plod to ratchet up the passive agressive, and actually agressive agenda, provoking ire and conflict throughout the club?
Coincidence? Nah, me neither.
The hierarchical suits who administer the club need to state that they are not complicit in this aggro and are addressing it.
I would also like to hear NFL’s views, for lots of reasons.
Ths should not be distracting us so heavily 24 hrs. before one of the most pivotal games in our history. But it is. And for tfod, that in itself is a grubby little victory at a time when they have absolutely and definitively nothing else to look forward to.
ernie lynch
09:08 on19 November, 20
I’m oblided for the insight.
I’m still perturbed that a boycott will damage the club, as an alternative would it not be better for the Green Brigade to organise a seat-swop.
Green Brigaders standing in other parts of the ground holding placards that identify them surrounded by supporters standing with them would provide a visual show of solidarity and defiance that would, in my honest opinion project the unified stance of the total support and therefore a much more positive display than the negative empty seats.
Murdochbhoy, yermanfromMK
16:58 on 19 November, 2012
‘would it not be better for the Green Brigade to organise a seat-swop.’
##########
3. Tickets (whether season tickets or paper tickets) are issued by the Club for the use of the ticket holder only. Resale or transfer of the ticket is prohibited without the consent of the Club. If there is a breach of this condition, the Club may cancel the ticket and retain any money initially paid for it.
Forgive me, not only am I oblided but I’m also obliged.
BigFatDerekJohnstone back on RC tonight? Has the other hun clown been given his jotters?
We’ll get to the truth now, eh!
SPF
corkcelt
“nobody seems capable of doing anything about it”
We can Boycott Israeli Goods!
This is what South African Jewish anti-Apartheid activist Ronnie Kasrils says about the BDS campaign;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_CdLDNHAWI&playnext=1&list=PLA33164389B92CF8D&feature=results_video
and Apartheid: From South Africa to Palestine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFVzd-Q3ov0&feature=related
ernie lynch
17:01 on
19 November, 2012
Okay, that kills that particular train of thought, but I’d still prefer to see some sort of display that combines defiance and solidarity from the whole support.
Somebody once asked me, “What do you believe in?” I took them at face value.
“I am united with the oppressed people of the world in the face of state terrorism.”
So how does that grand idealism chime with the reality of struggling to get by in a harsh capitalist system, full of violence and which I’ve never really understood?
A) I support what The Green Brigade bring to Celtic.
B) I know my history.
There’s much more, but I fully understand that to most people it’s just waffle.
Keeps me okay, though.
ScotPatsFan-Another hun fud given airtime to pedal the armageddon agenda.
http://glasgowdefencecampaign.blogspot.co.uk/p/legal-briefing-information.html?spref=tw
Some points on here that maybe the GB could use
Derek Johnstone has been recalled to make the manager look svelte.
Auldheid-Thanks for reply,there has been issues between the GB and the Club from day 1 as far as i can see.As Tallybhoy posted earlier,talking at people without a right of reply ,seems to be the standard fare.The Club are not slow in taking credit for displays etc,and making money from merchandise using ideas from the GB ,JCGE for example.The GB have become vital to CP and the team,as Neil has constantly said.What is difficult about sitting down and trying to resolve differences?HH.
mrob1967 at 12:41 – thank feck for English football then, eh?
STV are skint and can’t afford to choose their own football. Don’t fret over it.
Tomorrow night Celtic FC will play a vitally important CL group match in Lisbon against Benfica.
Should the other match in the group between Spartak Moscow and Barcelona end in a draw or a win for the Catalan club, and should Celtic come away with a score draw, then Celtic will qualify for the last 16 of the competition.
Much of the discussion on here over the last few days has centered on the harrasment suffered by the GB at the hands of Strathclyde Police, and the apparent collusion in this by CFC.
I, and many others, have made our feelings known on this issue.
Personally I would now like to concentrate my efforts on tomorrow’s game, and leave the GB issue to one side – at least until the outcome of tomorrow’s matches.
The GB have my full support – but more importantly so do the team who will walk on to the park tomorrow night!
HH!!
I just noticed that The (rampant) Rangers are being lauded on Sky Sports.com for a clinical second half performance in beating 10-man East Stirling, currently 3rd bottom of the lowest tier in Scottish Football , by 6 goals to 2.
Congratulations should be offered when due. Well done.
Do we have a game this week?
lionroars67 @17:11
thanks for posting that link. all the GB should have a bust card.
Tallybhoy,
No a dig, but just who have you made your feelings known too ?