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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Kojo
22:59 on 21 October, 2012
It is good to see you posting again on the blog.You obviously have a lot of fans both good and bad.
You definitely have a good point about young Watt. I don’t think Neil would hesitate to play him in that role if he thought Gary was going to be slack.
After Gary’s performance in Moscow, and especially after Neil’s comments at the weekend, the young gigawatt will have to take his place on the subs bench.
For this game only we must have the 2 screeners Vic and Efe, so that the back four gets the maximum protection because they are gonna need it BIG TIME.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UViLoH-yORw
Our Youngsters are going to progress immeasurably on Tuesday night, whether we win, lose or draw.
Anyone watching this thing about Trump on BBC2 tonight? Powerful stuff, absolutely terrible that folk can be treated like this in Scotland.
CRC
I can just imagine them finding out the hotel was dry :>)
Ggh
I think tommy did play junior .. Cant remember who for
His boyhood chum was billy davies
Just wondering if anyone has managed to pick up home end tickets with a british passport yet? Due to arrive tomorrow and picking them up on wednesday.
Hail Hail
Lubo’s two feet
If I was you,I would pick them up on tuesday :>)
TET, CRC, a dry hotel is one where the roof does not leak!
garygillespieshamstring
Played with Baillieston, my brother played with him at that time,seems he could do the business,at that level.
Awerabest PJ
My Dear,Dear Kojo….
I am in complete agreement with your inspired team selection….
And the logic underlying your formation..
Playing Gigawattie as our bustlin’ spearhead offers our best chance of getting a result….
He is more likely to make and take his chances than Hooper….
And his speed,strength and positive attitude will stretch the Strutting Spaniards…
And help relieve the pressure on our defense….
Hooper could be brought on in the later stages….
Once Tony has run the Lukewarm Latins ragged….
Let us take inspiration from Admiral Lord Nelson…..
This day being the two hundred and twenty-fourth anniversary of his stunning victory over the Spaniards…..
At the Battle of Trafalfar….
And show some ‘British Steel’ in the Nou Camp…
On Tuesday Night….
Bernard Cornwell Expects….
Oldtim
You were in a dry hotel in merchant city last night
Doc
For what their hotel is costing them, I would hope it’s dry, mine on the other hand would be a fifth of the price, but you never know, I might just have a few companions in bed with me :>)
BLANTYRE TIM
Don’t kid a kidder.
Your hotel is only dry cos you and OLDTIM drank it dry!
TET, I’m simply jealous, I am not there for the game, nor to enjoy the company.
I’m looking forward to the game, then to the stories you will all post after.
EnjoytheexperienceCSC
Maybe we should play Frank McGarvey up front against Barca??!!
Hooper was excellent in Moscow, he will, and should, start up front on Tuesday.
Barca Bhoys-Ready to press the button to travel-Is there a Base Camp over there,preferebly one with a bar :}?
To all in barca or heading that way ghood luck from all of of us wishing we were there c’mon the hoops you have nothing to lose but soooo much to gain KTF
My dear,dear,dear,friend .. Petec
Hiya,palomine.. Always, nice tae Greet and Meet ye.
Ah appreciate all of your complimentary comments.
and
Ah thank you.
Yep.. Tony, is a Bundle of Trouble.. fur oor Opponents..
He shakes up..He distoibs thur World.He is a Green and White Menace.
When Tony, Plays.. he plays..
HARD.
whereas , Gary.. is a . Predatory.. Predatorial. type.of a Striker.
Nathin wrang wi’ that, they hiv thur place ,in the great scheme o’ things.
Howevahhhhhhh..
A Predator, is Never….
A Feasible Selection. fur the Role o’ the Lonely Linwood Striker..
and..
A Lonely Linwood Striker.. is Whit we Want. .in..
the Upcoming Tues Confronto, wi. Barca.
Tony,has that Hard at Find ability. tae..
Nooadays.. anyway..
Tae tak oan an Opponent.. Mano a Mano.. and .. Win the Ba’… maistly.
And he is A Bugger tae Dispossess, wance he his goat the Ba’.
Ach.. Ah know that Neil wullnae tak the chance oan pittin’ Tony, agin the whole Barca Defense.. like Ah wid..
And that is Because ..
Neil, is the Manager o’ the Celtic..and Ah am No.
Howevahhhhh..
Ah insist that Ah may be allowed tae state ma Piece…
So there..
Tony, should be the Lonely Linwood Striker.. oan Tues.
Kojo
Yer pal. .who likes ye aloater..
Still, Laughin’
Doc
I get jealous of you bhoys every week, I really miss the games, but geography and cost these days.
When I was living in Ireland I shared a season book with a mate who was offshore, he made about 5 games a season.
Since I have been here, only made it back the once, so am like a wean at Christmas with the game next week and Lisbon next month.
Meeting up with a few crackin bhoys, and hope to meet a few more as well.
My Apologies….
Two Hundred and Seventh Anniversary of the Absolute Skelpin’….
That was the Battle Of Trafalgar….
“Kismet…Hardie !”….
Sitting in the hotel and it broke my heart it was dry
But the reason I am Herr is to watch the my beloved team Celtic
Celtic to me is my life my blood and my heart
I’m here tonight Sunday no bar but we have had an esPanic pub bargains galore
I have a great night because we had to go to another bar and we had a great night not in tourist barca
Bt didn’t like the marocan racist attitude
The Chinese part of barca we encountered was great
I would ask you all to visit our we part in carrar de visa
BadaB
Would love to meet up.
e-mail me @ nohunshere@hotmail.com will give you my mobile
But is Messi junior born yet?
TET, you’ll have an experience to savour, regardless of the result, our team will do us proud, because they will play the game as it should be played, and you never know, a team may come of age on Tuesday.
EverhopefullCSC
Despite wearing a Oldco top – I aleays thought highly of Jelavic’s talent. Many disagreed but his record in EPL is staggeringly good – 15 goals in 23 games..cold see him moving up a level.
Forster..
Lustig..Efe..Charlie..Izzie..
Brown..Wanyama..Kayal..Ledley..
G-Wattie…
(Aye Kojo…Ah NOTICED Ye Left Oot SuperJoe… )
Buenos noches mi amigos de Celtic y recurdes usted Celtic siempre Celtic buenos suerte hombres
HT, if McGarvey plays up front on his own, he’ll have sore legs on Wednesday, no gettin any younger.
Foster
Lustig Ambrose Wilson Izzaguire
Brown Wanyama Kayal Ledley
Samaras
Hooper
Give Samaras license to roam and run at them, he will scare their defence whether Pique is fit or not.
COYBIG
Two sleeps to go.
Night all.
!!bada bing!!
Bags packed, money in pocket, last solid food for 3 days in oven. Where’s the patch in Barca to meet?
I’ve just had a bottle of red labelled Legitimo in a Tapas bar. Anything but……
Tuesday will come, and we will probably lose.
But we might not.
And that’s the remarkable thing, this confidence that is growing in our young team.
Neil quietly building men in his own image.
Doc
Aye, we are a football team, that’s for sure.
If we lose I will be hurt, if we draw I will be over the moon, not contemplating anything else, I doubt the old ticker could stand it, but for sure wouldn’t mind seeing if it could stand up to it.
I doubt the team will let us down, they have grown so much, Lenny has instilled something special in them.
The bhoy jinky are you living across the water now and you’ve left me to keep an eye on yr young bruv?
Barca game is a great fixture – given Celtic could never win the Champs League – next best thing is to get glamour tie – they don’t come any bigger than Barca. Great experience for our young team – I just hope they give a decent account of themselves and learn something..
I don’t have any hope of anything but know I’ll be proud and happy if the Bhoys have a go..
TET, Lenny may or may not win a European trophy, he will do us proud.
We have played three times in the last 10 years at the Camp Nou, two draws, one defeat.
Iris not beyond this team to compete with Barca.
Goodnight, enjoy the next couple of days.
My dear,dear,dear,friend.. The Singing Detective
Hiya,pally?
Great tae greet ye.
Ah am so gled that you and I are in Tandem oan this .
Of course, that is tae be expected. as We are Baith..
Pixilated.
No miny ,oan here.. are like us.. which is guid..
And the reason fur that is…because, we are..well. Pixilated..
We always manage tae get there..
“Firstest.. wi the Mostest”.. which is How ye achieve success..in.. well..
anything.
Meanwhile.. the Poor.. sluggish..
Unpixilated Mob… are still trying tae remember whit wiz the name o’ the
Southern American Civil war General.. who.. uttered that famous quote.
Kojo
Yer pal..who likes ye aloater
Still, Laughin’
Kojo
23:37 on 21 October, 2012
There is nothing to disagree with there.
A fantastic option from the bench IMO.
Young Tony tired in the 2nd half against St Mirren, understandable really given the amount of sprints he done in the first half.
I’d be delighted if he was that Lonely Linwood striker as I can see what you are saying.
Gary Hooper is giving his big game performances each game now, he needed to be put under pressure so he could become even better.
I don’t think he is the ideal player for that 1 up top when we are not going to have a lot of the ball. The young mans performance in Moscow will, I’m sure, ensure he gets the chance to shine in the Nou Camp. I hope he is sensational again. ;))
TET-Can I Have Raspberry-Looking at Liverpool flight at 8am tomorrow back Wednesday at 5pm ?? Sorely tempted,need to choose soon.HH
Go on, go on, go on