It’s not often we can tackle Champions League games away from home without the crushing weight of desperation to salvage a point or more. Already out of the competition, and facing a vastly better-resourced team, Celtic compete at the Etihad tonight with a bit of freedom. They will want to avoid a similar result they endured at the Camp Nou, but will plan to take the game to City in the manner they competed away to Borussia Monchengladbach.
For Brendan Rodgers and his technical team, tonight will the last time they face a better-resourced team, vastly or otherwise, until next season. There will be plenty for Celtic to do during the next six months, but certain types of learning will end tonight. It is hoped that the team will continue to improve, but we simply won’t know if it has or not.
One bright-spark on the horizon is the possible challenge from Hearts, who may well find their squad bolstered in January by the make-weights new manager Ian Cathro convinced Newcastle to release to him on loan.
Having won promotion at a canter and finished a respectable third in his first season in the top flight, Robbie Neilson ran out of momentum as Hearts manager this term. The Edinburgh club may do well out of his move to the lower reaches of the England and Wales league pyramid.
The cartel of English and Welsh club which operate a ‘national’ league will doubtlessly exercise our chief executive, Peter Lawwell, who this week put on record that Celtic would be the biggest club in Britain if it had access to the FA Premier League, bigger even than Bournemouth. He’ll enjoy the comforts of the Etihad tonight but the taste of ‘What could be?’ will linger.
If you are in Manchester, enjoy the occasion. It’s a great opportunity to show those who live in the vicinity of the stadium (and throughout the city) that some football fans from Glasgow know how to enjoy themselves.
Directors’ Box auction prize
Courtesy of Celtic sponsor and all round good guys, Intelligent Car Leasing, we have an outstanding auction prize to commence work on Celtic Quick News’ seventh school kitchen for Mary’s Meals. For the Celtic-Dundee game at Celtic Park, on 17 December 2016, you can win:
2 seats in the directors’ box
Champagne reception
5 course meal in the Walfrid Suite
Fully expenses bar (pre and post-match)
Half time snacks and refreshments
Car Parking
And a match programme.
There are experiences in life which money can’t buy. This one is now available for you to bid for here on ebay until Thursday lunchtime. Two of you, directors’ box, Champagne reception, 5 course meal, free bar, get in there – and tell your pals about it.
Many thanks to Intelligent Car Leasing for making this possible – and you for taking part.
94 Comments- Pages:
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Good luck to the team tonight! Would be great to go out on a high!
Meanwhile here are a couple of new short pieces for your ‘entertainment’.
One about completely unfounded assertions that only Sevco can topple Celtic:
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2016/12/05/a-forensic-examination/
And one about the terrible attitude of many pundits towards Hearts’ ‘weird’ new manager:
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2016/12/06/god-bless-crazy-wee-hearts-and-their-zany-ways/
3rd is nowhere
Great record against the English teams.Let it continue
Long wait till fourth anaw.
I rigorously spell-checked my recent post…
VFR800 IS NOW A MONSTER 821 on 6TH DECEMBER 2016 11:53 AM
TGM, BMCUWP, cannae dae that hippy stuff any longer. Got my hair cut short for the first time in about 30 years a couple of weeks ago!
Is it as short as mine? I need a foto before it grows in again ;-)
Good luck to oor Bonny Bhoys tonight.
Safe and peaceful journey to our missionaries in Manchester.
HH
Hope our brilliant support dont head to Hulme tonight looking for Maine Rd.
I believe shitty city play in or around a shopping centre now, good enough for them :-)
2-2 draw ?
2-2 17/1
What harm can it do :-)
Mon the Hooooooooooooooops !!!!
I really like the appointment of Cathro by Hearts.For one,I am sure we will see some”Good,uninjured”loans from Newcastle turning up in January,unlike the crocks Big Mike foisted onto the Monkeys.If the boy is successful it could put Hearts a stick on for second place.Now if only Aberdeen would bite the bullet and get rid of that imposter they have as manager.The difference between the two teams performances against the Monkeys are night and day.
Going by the soundbites from BR today,it does not look,at the moment,that wee Paddy will be wearing the Hoops next year,unless Pep offers him back for another season.I hope so,because another year on,he will be a bit stronger,a bit more savvy,and added to his skills a delight for us to watch.
Anyway,I am off for a fantastic meal,a right good drink,and a Semi Final of Darts now.The game later to complete a stonker of a day.
COYBIG.
Tonight, like the last CL game, is a free hit. We should just enjoy, the magic of this week has already taken place. Brendan’s pre-match comments. The man gets us. The future looks as sparklingly as decorated house using the next door neighbours leccy!
Interesting and applaudable appointment by Hearts. Just the same as Deila was with us. As BR has proved if you get the right manager who suits your ethos (and I think Hearts did with Neilson to be fair) then your club will progress. Deila didn’t work but the idea was right.
But, having looked at the pictures of Cathro he does resemble a substitute maths teacher being asked to take P.E…..
Notice ltickets now available for tonights game….no matter the spin from the club the swamp is still open for business…..
BURGAS HOOPS on 6TH DECEMBER 2016 12:41 PM
2-2 17/1
What harm can it do :-)
Mon the Hooooooooooooooops !!!!
Just saw that and have joined you there.Your right,what harm can it do.
Famous last words.
A few scattered thoughts.
Good luck to teh bhoys tonight. A dead rubber I bet we are brilliant.
I wonder if Ashley has anything to do with Cathro joining Hearts
I wonder if CCK and Tardy Floorboard at the SFA have anything to do with the SFA´s tartan Army database being hacked
HH
HH
Dead rubber? – mmmmmeeehhhh dead Rangers
Points make prizes, even goals make prizes
MON the Champions League our League CSC
GERIHATRIC on 6TH DECEMBER 2016 12:31 PM
I got it cut, no’ scalped!
KTF
clogher celt on 6th December 2016 11:20 am
For the travelling CQNers,
If you get talking to any City fans (with Sevco leanings) maybe ask them one question,
Q) How much money is Manchester City owed by Sevco/Oldco (same club)?
A) Manchester City FC £328,248.71
Read more at: http://www.scotsman.com/news/rangers-administration-full-list-of-creditors-1-2325870
———–
I posed this question last week.
Supposedly “all football debts” were repaid.
We know Hearts didn’t get fully paid up for Lower League Lee.
Would love to know if City, Arsenal and Chelsea were paid.
And Charles Green saying they were doesn’t count!
Just found this
Young bhoys 1 up against man city – BT1 sport
VFR800 IS NOW A MONSTER 821 on 6TH DECEMBER 2016 1:11 PM
GERIHATRIC on 6TH DECEMBER 2016 12:31 PM
I got it cut, no’ scalped!
I still want a foto :-)
En route to Manchester now! COYBIG!
KTF
GERIHATRIC on 6TH DECEMBER 2016 1:13 PM
Photie sent.
KTF
Peach of a goal 2 nil Celtic
50 shades
my thoughts also sweet
Rogicess
SOT
if your good lady really needs her fix if handy
http://luca.restaurant/
should have been 3
Grouty fae Porridge RIP
WDH
That menu is mouthwatering.
All best wishes to Celtic tonight and all Celts travelling to the game. It’s disappointing for me not to be on the road today, there’s a special feeling for me moving through England to see the team. Feet are itching to be there.
Co-efficient points to be collected. Having discarded 5.55pts this season, replaced by 6.825pts to date, we’ll increase our five year total for the third season in a row no matter what happens tonight. However, 2pts for a win and 1pt for a draw gives us a chance to add more.
We’ve done enough to be seeded through next season’s gualifiers but it gets tricky thenafter. 16.85pts are discarded next year so Brendan, last 16 Champions League place would be very welcome.
Celtic forever
SHLD BE 4
The main lesson Brendan and Peter will learn tonight, is what kind of player(s) we will need to buy in January to guarantee qualification and give us a shot at progressing from the group.
A good showing and the exposure any kind of result will bring will make it easier for PL and BR to sell Celtic to any targets.
‘GG on 6TH DECEMBER 2016 2:33 PM
The main lesson Brendan and Peter will learn tonight, is what kind of player(s) we will need to buy in January to guarantee qualification and give us a shot at progressing from the group.
A good showing and the exposure any kind of result will bring will make it easier for PL and BR to sell Celtic to any targets.
____
To be honest, we should just be looking for some gems everywhere.
Maybe a central midfielder? Biton has been so poor lately.
I’d go with LG up front tonight. Dembele has looked in need of a rest for the last couple of games.
Just watched the youths, some decent prospects Doohan in goals, Ralston at right back, Miller, lost a two goal lead and looked to tire badly, the subs did not give Celtic the fresh legs they were looking for.
Celtic were unable to find the head of Ayer at set pieces which was disappointing as he looked to be taller than anyone on the park and not a tactic we seem to employ.
Anyone got the final score for the youngsters? H H Hebcelt
HEBCELT on 6TH DECEMBER 2016 3:07 PM
3-2 defeat.
Just arrived in Manchester guys .. best place/ pub for cqners before the game ?
Heb celt
It was 3. 2 to Man city into injury time.