After 14 games Udinese sit joint top of Serie A with Juventus. For a club who challenged, unsuccessfully, for the league only once before, and that was over half a century ago, this is unquestionably the best team in their history. Their home record in the league reads: played 7, won 7, scored 14, conceded 2; they also won Europa League home games against Atletico and Rennes.
They have taken 4 out of 6 points from the San Siro this season and have failed to win only one of their last eight league games. You would be hard pushed to justify nominating anyone else as the ‘form team’ in Europe right now.
This is the test Celtic need. Few positive lessons can be learned from home games against St Mirren, even if they deliver a deluge of goals, but a field in Udine tonight presents our aspiring winners with a stage to demonstrate their potential. Before this month is out we will have different challenges; St Johnstone, Kilmarnock and Rangers present different dangers, but any team that can win in Udine can beat anyone in Europe.
We’ll witness 90 minutes of difficult personal challenges for Celtic players all over the field tonight. It will take more than just concentration to deny goal scoring chances and any opportunities we get in front of goal will be hard earned.
There are reasons to be hopeful. A decade ago a team of equally illustrious Italians were rocked by Celtic, so much so they reverted to diving in the box. Gordon Strachan’s un-fancied Celtic team subsequently took AC Milan to extra time at the San Siro in Champions League, denied by a legitimate penalty claim of their own. There is also the nagging feeling that Celtic’s resources are actually more suited to the counter-attacking game they are seldom able to play. We’ll see.
Birthday wishes to Kano today (or yesterday as it now is in Perth, WA), a child of ‘67. Two years home and still itching for get hold of the keyboard for the songs debate.
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I’d be tempted to start McGeouch in a 4-5-1
With regards to the (likely) increase in arrests of Celtic supporters with the new Bill being passed, I think the first big test of the new law will be when an Irish national is arrested and prosecuted for “offensive” singing. That’s when things should really get interesting.
Songs that are sung freely and without fear in a neighbouring EU member state, suddenly become an offence and prosecutable when sung within Scotland? Courtesy of the SNP.
Maybe the Irish Dept of Foreign Affairs needs to put some travel advice up on their website for their nationals traveling to Scotland. Wonder how that would go down in Holyrood?
Aiden McGeady racially abused for years at every ground in Scotland?
It never happened.
Happy Birthday Kano !!
RobertTressell says:
15 December, 2011 at 13:05
then when they try to do us for the National Anthem, the flags, other songs which are not overtly supportive of the IRA then we fight each case tooth and nail and involve the Irish government through nationalist minded politicians. Those of us who live in Ireland may wel have to seek the support of our elected representatives if they start to persecute people for expressions of Irishness or a fondness for Ireland.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————
I really can not see the West brit (Eire) government giving a dam about us. Irish nationalist minded politicians in Dáil Éireann- Sinn Fein! I can see that going down well in the CP board room – The Provos political wing (allegedly) fighting the cause (pardon the pun) of the Celtic support worse yet most of the little Scotlanders in the Celtic support would be apoplecticwith indignation that ‘ their club’ was linked to any thing remotly Irish Nationlist.
Just a thought mind you
WeeJoe, Celtic First – thanks. Will look it up later. remember watching it the first time around and being gobsmacked by what she had said. Devine’s face said it all. It was like watching on of those ‘rough justice, lawer’ type movies about the American South where the juries are loaded and the black defendent is getting stitched up!
Laters, have to work!
The Honest Mistake says:
15 December, 2011 at 13:20
Thanks for the list – I’m staying near the Marquis of Granby – good atmosphere there?
Udinese haven’t lost at home this season and sit joint top of Serie A, hence the optimism.
A windy night at the Tulloch Caledonian stadium, things would be a lot different on here.
RobertT
the American South where the juries are loaded and the black defendent is getting stitched up!
It never happened.
\o/ Coming at you!! 15 December, 2011 at 13:26:
It varies from game to game and whether the landlord decides to show the game.
My bad.
They lost 2-1 to Arsenal.
Oglach – before I go – I agree, the government in the South will not act. But prominent politicians can and will make a scene, particularly if the Anthem or other recognised expressions of Irishness are used to convict people (and we don’t know if it will come to that).
Yes, I mean Sinn Fein, but there are other independents as well.
The key will be to try and get diplomatic pressure applied.
At the height of the Famine Song controversy the Irish foreign minister got involved in some way. Partly this was due to pressure from less prominent TD’s.
What I am saying is that should it come to it then we need to try and create a ‘diplomatic’ problem for Holyrood and the police.
And we don’t need anyone in Celtic PLC to give us permission or to like it or not. (Although I see where you are coming from!!)
SoT
Careful on the way back home.
I got notice this morning that apparently I violated the Napoli Traffic Code in July. I am somewhat bewildered.
I can only assume that I failed to exceed the speed limits, grossly under-utilised the vehicles horn, consistently observed traffic lights, and did not at any point use the hard shoulder or pavement for overtaking.
Is it a badge of honour to get done for traffic violations in Naples?
Enjoy the game.
TBB
Happy Birthday Kano
Hope you have a few wee voddies and the Hoops give you a birthday “victory” present tonight!
HH
CRC
The Honest Mistake says:
15 December, 2011 at 13:28
Thanks for the info!
Struggling to find a number for them to see if they are showing it.
Headline picture on ITV’s national news has a young man with A Celtic top throwing a petrol bomb. The piece is, the torys new plan to tackle dysfunctional families. It’s an Engand wide proposal but it has that picture as a headline. Muckraking of the highest order or just an honest mistake?
V for Victor(y)
Really looking forward to tonight’s game. I was in the San Siro, it was never 10 years ago, and honestly believe we deserved to win. Nakamura was robbed for a penalty.
Milan cr*pped themselves that night.
Tonight we have nothing to lose. Everyone knows we are rebuilding and now that we have dragged the huns back to 4 points, the League is our primary target.
With that in mind, we should go all out for the win.
I’m in favour of ;
gallagher says:
15 December, 2011 at 12:33
Can see a common trend developing here , plenty of pre match positive forecasts about the outcome of the match, followed by defeat and a savaging of the team selection, with most of the flak fired at Sammi and big Dan,
As we’re 5 to 1 against with most bookies an easy prediction is Udinese to win 3-1. Hope not of course. The most important outcome for me is they come back in a mood to smash St Johnstone on Sunday, and then do just that.
Some really great passionate stuff posted on here during the “illicit chanting” (after years and years of being up to their knees who would have thought we’d get done for that) debate, a very big well done to all those who posted.
Sammi’s Big Hair Do
WDH,
A salutary lesson for us all at this time of year.
I hope you used the bus lanes. :>)
The honest mistake
Thanks for your help – enjoy the game. Here’s for a memorable night!
Pleased to announce the ole Gazebo’s been restored by Beardy Bhoy bjmac.
Bjmac
Excellent letter,I got a bit of satisfaction out of reading that,had I had an snp mp I would have copied relevant parts of your letter and added that I would take more of an active interest in the Labour party due to it being the snps strongest opposition.
Happy Birthday Kano,HH.
MadraRua says:
15 December, 2011 at 13:43
====================
I think the 10 years ago Paul is referring to the Juve game, Milan came later.
Hail Hail
Afternoon gents, loving the optimisim on here , after a few days of pain due to the SNP , good to see football break out again.
Having watched Udinese play Arsenal , a game they should have one to go into the Champions League I only hope for a good performance by the bhoys and everyone home safe to thump St J on Sunday. A win would be one of our best results ever.
Eurochamps67 – good post earlier -always proud to support the Celtic , and good to see BJMAC is providing you with a new gazebo , he must have skimmed some money from the golfers subs on each of this years outing :)
Bourne
The new Gazebo Code of Conduct has been published:
ACCEPTABLE CONDUCT
The Gazebo does not tolerate acceptable conduct.
Acceptable Conduct is conduct which is not disorderly
Disorderly conduct includes:
Conduct which stirs up or sustains, or is likely or is designed to stir up or sustain, satire against or towards individuals or groups of people because of membership or presumed membership, of the Justice Committe or of a social or cultural group with perceived Justice Committee affiliation
Using abusive or insulting words or conduct to that effect
Displaying writing or any other thing which is abusive or insulting
Gazebo Members are reminded of their obligation to behave in a disorderly manner at all times when making use of the facility.
Dundee Utd have agreed terms with WBA for Scott Allan.
“The player may be holding out for a move to the Old Firm”
Ha Ha
Happy Birthday Kano ,
The Kano Foundation has a ticket for the game on the 28th December
North stand upper
Area 406, Row w, Seat 25
We are going to raffle the ticket £3 per go
if you are interested you can go to our web page http://www.thekanofoundation.com
and hit the donate button
or text kano11 £3 to 70070
If donating online , can you tag your donation -ticket raffle
THANK YOU TO GRA123 FOR DONATING THE TICKET
HH
Sanna
Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill – Stage 3
For
Adam, Brian (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP)
Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP)
Adamson, Clare (Central Scotland) (SNP)
Allan, Dr Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP)
Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP)
Biagi, Marco (Edinburgh Central) (SNP)
Brodie, Chic (South Scotland) (SNP)
Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP)
Burgess, Margaret (Cunninghame South) (SNP)
Campbell, Aileen (Clydesdale) (SNP)
Campbell, Roderick (North East Fife) (SNP)
Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP)
Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP)
Crawford, Bruce (Stirling) (SNP)
Cunningham, Roseanna (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP)
Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP)
Don, Nigel (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP)
Doris, Bob (Glasgow) (SNP)
Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP)
Eadie, Jim (Edinburgh Southern) (SNP)
Ewing, Annabelle (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP)
Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP)
Fabiani, Linda (East Kilbride) (SNP)
Finnie, John (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP)
Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
Gibson, Rob (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP)
Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP)
Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP)
Ingram, Adam (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP)
Keir, Colin (Edinburgh Western) (SNP)
Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP)
Lyle, Richard (Central Scotland) (SNP)
MacAskill, Kenny (Edinburgh Eastern) (SNP)
MacDonald, Angus (Falkirk East) (SNP)
MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP)
Mackay, Derek (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP)
Mackenzie, Mike (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP)
McAlpine, Joan (South Scotland) (SNP)
McKelvie, Christina (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP)
McLeod, Aileen (South Scotland) (SNP)
McLeod, Fiona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)
McMillan, Stuart (West Scotland) (SNP)
Neil, Alex (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP)
Paterson, Gil (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP)
Robertson, Dennis (Aberdeenshire West) (SNP)
Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP)
Russell, Michael (Argyll and Bute) (SNP)
Salmond, Alex (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP)
Stevenson, Stewart (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP)
Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP)
Thompson, Dave (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP)
Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP)
Urquhart, Jean (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
Walker, Bill (Dunfermline) (SNP)
Watt, Maureen (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)
Wheelhouse, Paul (South Scotland) (SNP)
White, Sandra (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)
Wilson, John (Central Scotland) (SNP)
Yousaf, Hunza (Glasgow) (SNP)
Against
Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Baker, Richard (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Beamish, Claudia (South Scotland) (Lab)
Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab)
Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab)
Brown, Gavin (Lothian) (Con)
Carlaw, Jackson (West Scotland) (Con)
Chisholm, Malcolm (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (Lab)
Davidson, Ruth (Glasgow) (Con)
Dugdale, Kezia (Lothian) (Lab)
Eadie, Helen (Cowdenbeath) (Lab)
Fee, Mary (West Scotland) (Lab)
Ferguson, Patricia (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (Lab)
Fergusson, Alex (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Findlay, Neil (Lothian) (Lab)
Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Goldie, Annabel (West Scotland) (Con)
Gray, Iain (East Lothian) (Lab)
Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green)
Henry, Hugh (Renfrewshire South) (Lab)
Hume, Jim (South Scotland) (LD)
Johnstone, Alex (North East Scotland) (Con)
Johnstone, Alison (Lothian) (Green)
Kelly, James (Rutherglen) (Lab)
Lamont, Johann (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab)
Lamont, John (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Macdonald, Lewis (North East Scotland) (Lab)
MacDonald, Margo (Lothian) (Ind)
Macintosh, Ken (Eastwood) (Lab)
Malik, Hanzala (Glasgow) (Lab)
Martin, Paul (Glasgow Provan) (Lab)
McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD)
McCulloch, Margaret (Central Scotland) (Lab)
McDougall, Margaret (West Scotland) (Lab)
McGrigor, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
McInnes, Alison (North East Scotland) (LD)
McLetchie, David (Lothian) (Con)
McMahon, Michael (Uddingston and Bellshill) (Lab)
McMahon, Siobhan (Central Scotland) (Lab)
McNeil, Duncan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab)
McTaggart, Anne (Glasgow) (Lab)
Milne, Nanette (North East Scotland) (Con)
Mitchell, Margaret (Central Scotland) (Con)
Murray, Elaine (Dumfriesshire) (Lab)
Park, John (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Pearson, Graeme (South Scotland) (Lab)
Pentland, John (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab)
Rennie, Willie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD)
Scanlon, Mary (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Scott, John (Ayr) (Con)
Simpson, Dr Richard (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Smith, Drew (Glasgow) (Lab)
Smith, Elaine (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab)
Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Stewart, David (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
In case anybody is wondering who to vote for in the next elections. (thumbsup)
Ernie Lynch
Picking up from early this morning, I think your point is 100% correct.
if the support package comes from us T board level for the Newco Huns, it will be a FC United of Manchester moment for many, myself probably included.
And I think we all know it probably will.
As any economist will attest, money makes its own decisions, peole just carry them out.
Philvis
You mean the Tories got one right!
Surely not!
TBB @ 14.08
Thanks for clearing that up.
TBB
I need a loan of a ‘gangster’ type suit for an audition as an extra in an upcoming blockbuster.
Do you know anyone who can help me out? :))
What Larks – Pip
The Babbity Bowser Brigade will be so jealous, thank God some of us had the good sense to
spend Saturday morning dragging it back out of the Clyde.
Sannabhoy
I’ve donated three pounds but can’t make that game.
So, please draw it again if I “win” it.
If you know what I mean!
Best wishes to Kano, hope you have a great day!
philvisreturns says:
15 December, 2011 at 14:15
Of course the 2 year window to show it isn’t working and repeal it, is within the scope of this parliamentary session. The aims of this bill, if not the mechanics are also something Labour have on the agenda, so I really doubt they’d do anything vastly different. It really doesn’t matter what the Tories would do, as they’re irrelevant in the context of the Scottish Parliament.
hamiltontim
Ha! The Pinstripes do not shrink to fit inferior gangsters.