Outrageous results, and a 4-5 win is an outrageous result, could be seen as reason for encouragement by future opponents, but Barcelona played the majority of the game against Deportivo with 10 men, scored an own goal, conceded from a penalty and their keeper made a mistake for another, yet they still scored five goals and won the game.
That is formidable form.
On Tuesday evening Celtic face one of the greatest teams in history but there is reason for confidence. We have been to the Camp Nou three times in the last decade, a 0-0 draw in 2004 was enough to eliminate the Catalans from Europe. Later in 2004 we recorded our only away point in the Champions League, prior to beating Spartak Moscow in the last game, and we lost there to a single goal four years later.
Each Barcelona side was vastly more talented but they found each Celtic team a handful.
Any team which takes a point or more from Barca this season will have to man the barricades for long stretches of each game, will have to show enormous concentration and discipline, and take whatever luck is going. If Celtic do this, they will have one inherent advantage over the home team on Tuesday.
There will be changes in the starting 11 for both teams but a cursory look at yesterday’s starting line ups is educational. Eight out of Barca’s 10 outfield players were under six foot, six of them (Jordi Alba, Iniesta, Mascherano, Messi, Montoya and Villa) three or four inches below. Celtic’s smallest player, Gary Hooper, is only two inches below.
Seven Celts were six foot or higher. Ambrose, Wilson and Mulgrew are all 6’3”, taller than anyone in the Barca team, while non-starters, Lustig and Samaras, are 6’3” and 6’4” respectively. Celtic’s outfield players were, on average, more than three inches taller than their Barcelona counterparts.
Even the Barcelona keeper, Valdes, at 6’0”, is a bit on the short side, seven inches below Fraser Forster.
Height doesn’t make you a better player, or collectively, a better team, but it does instil an enormous advantage at set pieces. Celtic must defend when necessary but any free kick inside the Barcelona half is an opportunity to drop a ball onto an elevated Celtic head inside the box.
Play to your strengths, Celtic. Keep strategy simple, and your probability of taking something on Tuesday will increase significantly. You have everything to play for.
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Maybe the huns can tap into their artistic side and organise a human dominoe toppling session after Charles Green has been officially rumbled. Just an idea … Dedication is what you need. Sure gaurantees that Ring Song is not going to fall on you would need saught after.
HH
Ring Song = Ding Dong
Just been reading back, hope Knoxy is still on. A humbling story, and an inspiration, my thoughts (and those of Glasgowghirl) are with you always, and all your family.
Re Tuesday’s referee,
Did he not do the game today between Inter and Catania? Didn’t watch it all, but denied the “wee” team 2 penalties, and booked 1 for “diving”. Didn’t see the replays, but they looked good claims to me!
Like Aw Naw (and etc.) says, I can handle losing to 11 men, but hope the ref isn’t a factor.
Go for it bhoys.
HH
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
If all the players are available.
Fraser
Matthews Lustig Wilson Emilio
Efe Vic
Forrest Broonie Samaras
Hooper
That is a team that will test Barca severely, IMO of course.
I see Starbucks have decided to dock staff wages for lunch & tea breaks despite making millions in profits this year..
Team that beat Barcelona the last time.
Douglas;
Varga, Balde, McNamara; Agathe,
Pearson, Lennon, Petrov, Thompson (Sylla 83);
Larsson, Beattie (Marshall 45).
Better than
Forester
Matthews, Ambrose, Wilson, Izaguerre
Forrest, Kayal, Wanyama, Brown, Samaras
Aye ok, the 2004 team win up front, but Hooper is ok.
Id settle for 0-3 right now, this mob are there for the taking.
Tontime tim 18:49
http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Dundee_United/Dundee_United.htm
———————–
jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/
21:52 on
21 October, 2012
Starbucks have long been known for their unethical practices. Despite that, I remember when a politcally active acuaitance of mine told me about some antiglobalisation meeting that was to take place in Starbucks in Borders, Buchanan St, I commented that Starbucks was an odd choice of venue. Hs reponse? “I know, you can’t smoke in there”.
Fraser
Mikael-Efe-Kelvin-Izzy
Vic
Scoosh-Joe-Beram
Sammi
Hoops
But what about…..
Mulgrew, Forrest, Commons,Miku, Mathews, Rogne, Watt
Lenny really has a dilema, thank feck he is the manager :>)
Watching this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAeDwqvAiSw
Celtic 1 Barcelona 0, 2004 Uefa Cup home leg before Celtic knocked them out.
MON had other ideas but Celtic has always been and will be the peak of his Managerial career.
CW panics when he hears Chico is trying to screw him out of his Sevco share…
http://i.imgur.com/axYJG.jpg
You can just see him thinking……………..
I know, get interviewed on Tv and drop subtle threats……………
Ok Craigie bhoy, what’s plan B ?
Embdy know if our team trained today ????
I know the Barca team did, and that was them getting back to Barca about 4 this morning.
Maybe that’s why they are the best team on the planet !!!!
I dont think Paddy will play for Celtic again in Euro. Maybe in the league he will. Love the guy btw!!
i bet starbucks employees dont have dual contracts and their paye and vat bills are paid. :)
Hey jude2005 21:52
Theres a load of companies who have shortened lunch breaks and tightened things up lately, Starbucks avoiding paying tax via what looks like a legal loop hole is irrelevant to that. They make good coffee.
EN
Tontine Tim 18:49
http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Dumbarton/Dumbarton.htm
:))))
Good night all
“Oscar Knox celtic warrior YNWA”
THE EXILED TIM 22:07
You mention Barcelona being ‘the best team on the planet’ (Until things are put right Tuesday night) have you read the brilliant Graham Hunter book ‘The Makings of the best team on the planet?’ I guess you have but its well worth a read if you have not yet.
EN
TET,
Reported light session today, 8.am flight tomorrow.
The Exiled Tim
All Barcelona did today was a wee warm-down session.
i think starbucks will go into liquidation and relaunch as The Starbucks but keep their vente, grande, mermaid and lemon cake.
Went to a charity match in Broxburn today Celtic legends v Rankers legends ……… Frank McGarvey and Tommy Sheridan played for us. They had Goram , Charlie Miller , Dougie Bell and Jose Quitongo !!!!! All other players were local guys.
Left just after half time trailing 6 nil and pure raging.
Does anyone know if there was a Lazarus like comeback ?
THE EXILED TIM
22:02 on 21 October, 2012
I wish I was the Manager, No problem really. :)))
All his Young Men are fully on board.
I feel I read a game well but I can hardly even manage myself never mind a whole team of individuals.
Got a 41/1 and 79/1 up this weekend, Last season was very poor and the returns were very low overall.
I must admit If I didn’t land the 79/1 I wouldn’t have went for the 41/1. ;)
I went for high goals in the early Saturday games, Unlike P67 I thought Celtic would wipe the floor with St Mirren but I also expected St Mirren to score to make it a bit easier to get to the high total goals I plumped for.
gg
They do lemon cake?? yummyyyyyyyyyyy Yumm!!!
Burghbhoy
That could be the new rangers first ever trophy and probably a new world record
burghbhoy
would lazarus not be on the zombie team?
evening awe
cheers everyone for the updates
st mirren
i love this site
listenin to this
cosgrove makes this programme
give you hope for the msm
nae tam on this show
http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/otb#playepisode1
The bhoy Jinky………
Brilliant, they can put the trophy beside the peace cup!!!!
Estadio Nacional
I haven’t read it, will look out for it.
……………………………..
ttt
I still think scottish teams don’t take the game seriously enough.
By all accounts we train up to 4-5 hours a day, Spanish and other euro teams train a minimun of 6 hours a day, and they are still at the club for a few more hours for talks etc.
Tis a no brainer that they are way ahead of us.
listened to dalzell on ssb last night. His passion for a team he doesnt support is summitt else!!
Celtic_First
Maybe’s, but you can bet your bottom dollar our bhoys wouldn’t have been near the training ground.
Burgh Bhoy
Sheridan won’t take that result lying down.
petec
Still sticking to my singles, have a wee acca now and again, always one lets me down.
Well up on the season so far, if it aint broke etc.
Burghbhoy
I remember Tommy Sheridan Celtic legend. Seemingly, he played in every position
HH
CRC
the exiled tim
22:25 on
21 October, 2012
Celtic_First
Maybe’s, but you can bet your bottom dollar our bhoys wouldn’t have been near the training ground.
****
I’m sure they were.
There is a major change of mindset required in British football, but I think we are slowly accepting that…….at least I hope so.
The youth acadamies, where the boys stay on campus, are the way ahead in this thinking.
crc : he just wouldnt admit to it
Will we be last on Sportscene?
CRC
Left under a cloud when Tic stopped playing 3 in the middle.