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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ernie..,
also leaving the stadium will require lateral movement
Ffs it’s Scotland…..an anti-Celtic ludge dominated police force should not come as a surprise.
It’s how this is dealt with that is the problem. The board should not be exacerbating scummy behaviour towards The GB.
Row Z
Cheers – most I formative and hopefully instructive I hope.
I love all that GB brings in terms of atmosphere. If I were younger I’d want to be part of it.
My instinct is that wider support required. I doubt GB can influence Celtic Board as well as the whole fan base letting their feelings known. As for Police… Any counter cases pending taking Police to court for harassment.
Ten men won the league.
I don’t have a problem with what people read or listen to or post on here,its up to the individual.
Personally i do listen on and off as at work the following day huns will spout the pash they have listened to and I’m prepared to ridicule their argument.hh
supported could stay in the concourse and refuse to take their seats as they will infringe lateral movement and standing in seated area rules
Its astounding how misinformed BFDJ is.
The nonsense he is spouting is quite beyond comprehension.Has there ever been a worse “pundit”
philvisreturns
19:19 on 19 November, 2012
Do you know how long it takes from being charged to a case finally being disposed of?
Oh dear … SSB have BFDJ giving it Hun propaganda….
gb bring with them many good qualities and i take my hat of to them one and all. someone mentioned the wearing of masks, i think thats a goer, but why not enlist all supporters throughout the stadium with 1 song ‘we are all the bg’ from start to finish. a few seat changes through the course of the games within and out with section 111.
we go to celtic park to watch football no one in a free state should be subjected to the stuff the gb members have had to put up with. the police are there to prevent crime the gb are not committing a crime
p.s the H&S thing about no standing is a joke, its simply not possible given that 99% of celtic fans get to their seats with the use of their legs.
are you allowed to wear masks at football matches?
ernie lynch – Do you know how long it takes from being charged to a case finally being disposed of?
I don’t think the flaw in your plan lies with the bureaucracy and institutional inertia of our criminal justice system. (thumbsup)
ernie lynch,
that’s a great idea
instead of a bhoycott, have a sit in and refuse to leave for hours.
Best of both worlds – point will be made and publicised, and the team arent punished with the fans not turning up
simplesCSC
Do you support the Green Brigade action against harassment ?
http://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=50a90f10e4b061e6546ad870
So far of 752 votes
95% yes
5% no
I remember listening to some IT guru ( possibly Steve Jobs) saying death is a requirement of progress. New blood , new ideas brings change.
I think that is true of football leagues, teams, players … And definitely pundits!
Hail hail bhoys and ghirls,
getting excited about tomorrow night already…big test for Lenny’s Lions.
The GB issue needs addressing but, imho, there’s a lot of week left after the game…
HH!
Philvis,
Sorry, been in the kitchen. Would have loved to have seen him in the Glasgow Empire
philvisreturns
19:32 on 19 November, 2012
I was pointing out the flaw in your ‘get a good lawyer and everything will be OK solution’
Even if there’s an eventual acquittal fans have the thing hanging over them for months on end.
hoopy do,
honestly pal what makes you think it would get any publicity considering how much information has been suppressed already
off to watch a little t.v then to bed, up early tomorrow
everyone have a great night hopefully we will have secured european football after christmas by tomorrow at 10pm, wheather in the c/l or e/l, its beyond my expectations at start of the season
hail hail
So brothers Longmuir and Ballantyne had a wee meeting at the lodge to discuss reconstruction hmmm.
Ernie,
You’re not factoring in the members of the “80 Minute Emerald”!
The stadum is usually less than half full at FT.
Plod will just arrest all those who wait behind!!
operator – Me too buddy. (thumbsup)
ernie lynch – There are no perfect solutions, but I wouldn’t advocate committing a possible offence as a solution to police harassment. At the moment the police seem to be operating under the impression that they can do as they like with the Green Brigade, some legal scrutiny may change that assumption. (thumbsup)
Philvis
Huns and tories … Regardless of the shade …but you know this anyway ;-)
HH
nclhe,
remember that the journos will still be in the stadium until at least 6 oclock doing their reports and interviews, theres no way they could ignore that story if there was a few hundred fans still in the ground singing and making non-lateral movements
Off topic but… I am looking to buy a car for my bhoy – a fiesta or a corsa he is only 17 so looking for a 1 litre engine as insurance will just about cripple me! Anyone know any decent garages?
Thanks
Bada Bing…Aamer Anwar and Paul McBride were colleagues, definitely not friends.
Benfica manager Jorge Jesus just spoke at a press conference in Lisbon.
Here is what he said.
—
“Celtic have a strong team. This group has three teams that are at a very similar level: Benfica, Celtic and Spartak. At this moment in time, Celtic are in a better position than Spartak or Benfica. But we have a chance of getting through if we beat Celtic.
“Maybe Celtic are a bit stronger at home because of the extraordinary atmosphere at Celtic Park. It’s something that every club in the world ought to have, such passion for football and for the players.
“Tomorrow, Celtic will be playing in a stadium that is similar to theirs. And the Benfica fans help us a lot and, just like it says in the song the Celtic fans sing, we know we are not going to walk alone. We are counting on the support of our fans to help us make the game easier.”
Som mes que un club
The Michael Collins pub is a good venue. Easy to get to and spectacular location. When I was there the back section was devoted to the game and there were quite a few Celtic fans in there. They serve decent pub food as well
hen1rik
Doncaster actually said on radio that any reconstruction would
be based on meritocracy , effectively saying that thems
wouldn`t be shoe-horned in.
But he`s not exactly a pillar of truth.
hoopy-do
The huns have been cheating, stealing, lieing for years.
Still waiting for the msm to report it.
Clever legal defence is not going to help the present situation with the Green Brigade. It needs an offensive manoeuvre now.
Police (or other parties?) overstepping their mark, time to bring them to court.
Inclined people chip in, precedent set. The best form of defence etc……..
hoopy do,
you would think wouldnt you, remind me how many time racist sectarian singing has been reported from ayebrokes this season
minx1888 –
can’t advise re garages but when it comes to insurance prepare yourself for the worst! I ended up insuring my own boy through Admiral. I was reluctant at first as heir price, although a bit lower than others, was only for 10 months. But on the plus side, if he manages to avoid any claims in that 10 months they treat this as a full year’s no claims. So although the premium is due every 10 months, provided there’s no claims I calculated that it’s a good deal in the long term.
If it’s any consolation, he’s 20, been driving for 3 years and his latest renewal there was for about £580 (he drives a 1.2 Corsa, 07 plate)
tomtheleedsthim, agreed, the GB have stated they have members who have been charged unsuccessfully more than once, they have grounds for charges of harassment
Celtic Football Club Statement
By: Newsroom Staff on 19 Nov, 2012 19:44
CELTIC Football Club is very disappointed to learn of internet accusations suggesting that the Club in some way is involved in the targeting or victimisation of fans – Celtic has played absolutely no part in this and suggestions to the contrary are quite irresponsible.
In particular, making false accusations against a Celtic staff member – someone who is part of the Celtic family and just doing their job – is quite disgraceful and will not be tolerated.
Celtic has worked hard to foster a positive relationship with its many supporters´ groups. We are very pleased that we are united with our supporters and pleased that we are so regularly involved in such a range of initiatives where the Club and our fans work together in the best interests of Celtic.
It is, therefore, simply nonsense to suggest that the Club has been in some way involved in these actions – the question should be asked, what would our motive be? The question should also be asked what the motives are of the people who choose to make such false accusations.
As with all football stadia, the Police have an important job to do and it is vital that the Club and supporters work with them in this regard. However, the Club takes our supporters´ welfare very seriously and if there are any specific cases which need to be looked at then, we will do so. Categorically, we will investigate any matter which is raised by any supporter and give these cases our full attention.
“Thugs and Thieves”?
…Case closed.
From Aamer Anwar twitter account 17 Nov
Aamer Anwar @AamerAnwar
Grampian Police denial , anyone who had Palestinian flags confiscated today #celtic fans please provide details
Just seen this –
Celtic Football Club Statement
By: Newsroom Staff on 19 Nov, 2012 19:44
CELTIC Football Club is very disappointed to learn of internet accusations suggesting that the Club in some way is involved in the targeting or victimisation of fans – Celtic has played absolutely no part in this and suggestions to the contrary are quite irresponsible.
In particular, making false accusations against a Celtic staff member – someone who is part of the Celtic family and just doing their job – is quite disgraceful and will not be tolerated.
Celtic has worked hard to foster a positive relationship with its many supporters´ groups. We are very pleased that we are united with our supporters and pleased that we are so regularly involved in such a range of initiatives where the Club and our fans work together in the best interests of Celtic.
It is, therefore, simply nonsense to suggest that the Club has been in some way involved in these actions – the question should be asked, what would our motive be? The question should also be asked what the motives are of the people who choose to make such false accusations.
As with all football stadia, the Police have an important job to do and it is vital that the Club and supporters work with them in this regard. However, the Club takes our supporters´ welfare very seriously and if there are any specific cases which need to be looked at then, we will do so. Categorically, we will investigate any matter which is raised by any supporter and give these cases our full attention.
CFC have released an official statement refuting allegations they are aiding strathclyde police to target our supporters. See twitter FB and official website.