Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain will bring some autumn glamour to Glasgow in the Champions League group stage. Bayern are second favourites for the trophy, PSG, fifth. The challenge to reach the knock out stage could scarcely be greater.
Anderlecht, by comparison, offer substantially less-ominous opposition, but a quick glance at their European form will dissuade anyone from underestimating the Belgian champions.
The group bears a remarkable resemblance to Celtic’s 2003 Champions League group, the last time we faced Bayern and Anderlecht, with another French side, Lyon, ending up as group winners. All four teams finished within three points, with Bayern and Lyon both winning the final games by a single goal – dropped points would have seen them eliminated. Celtic qualified for the Uefa Cup, courtesy of a superior head-to-head record against Anderlecht.
Anderlecht started last season slowly (as they have this season), failing to reach the Champions League group stage, but that only spurred them on for a memorable Europa League campaign. In Europe’s second-tier tournament, they won away in Azerbaijan before recording draws in France (St Etienne) and Germany (Mainz, whom they beat 6-1 in Brussels). Fortunate form for trips to those two territories this term.
They knocked-out Zenit and APOEL Nicosia in the first two Europa League rounds before being eliminated 3-2 on aggregate in the quarter-final by Manchester United. Those are very decent European results, but it you want some comfort, Ajax went all the way to the final 14 weeks ago, and they were beaten home and away by Rosenborg this month. It’s not about what you did yesterday that counts.
At Celtic Park, we have a punchers’ chance against Bayern and PSG, but our measure of progress this season will be determined by results against Anderlecht. The night we beat them 3-1 in 2003 counts as one of our great Champions League performances, the stadium rose to a man and blew the Belgian champions away. Watch the highlights if you are in any doubt about this.
The 2003 1-0 defeat by 10 men in Brussels still rankles as an underachievement. Losing to an 86th minute goal in Munich, after being ahead with 17 minutes to go, and losing to an 86th minute penalty in Lyon, leaves me feeling we have some scores to settle.
Let’s take them this time, Brendan. You know you can…
NEW CQN PODCAST – PAUL DYKES PRESENTS WITH FORMER CELTIC CAPTAIN ANDY LYNCH AND SPECIAL GUEST PAT STANTON
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Was gonna call it a Paucity of Response….’fraid some of you woulda checked google to see where it was ;-))
Alison smashing Dylan song
https://youtu.be/M0a3jKcUHbU
Was El Dorado a Paucity ;-))
Maybe in a minority of one but….
Could be tougher today than usual.
A lot of adrenaline and emotional energy spent midweek.
Just saying.
HH
new york times on mcgregor
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/25/opinion/sunday/the-honor-of-boxing-is-at-stake.html
Many teams struggle after a mid-week European game.
JJ
Ok I’ve lost count of how many team selections in a row I’ve got wrong. Think its 8 , so here we go for 9 in a row.
4231.
Craigie Gmhan
Big Mick the Neymar sleeper.
Jozo the hunskelper.
Brennys Pal Nir .
Wee KT.
Ollie n Broonie.
Jamsie F
Tom the rocket Rogic.
Sinky.
Griff..
H.H
Incidentally, I take it the `stewards `were not needed yesterday ?
JJ
50 Shades
Apart from the Wizard of Oz, I think you will be pretty close with that selection.
JJ
JJ- i mis-posted last night, meant to say the CL ticket money will pay for a permanent deal for Paddy hopefully
Twists n Turns
Good luck and have a great day in Cartmel. It’s one of my favourite places that I stumbled on years ago and return regularly, but not today.
The Cavendish Arms post and pre racing- its the pub nearest the track.
After racing The Royal Oak through the back is lively.
Racing wise it’s a quirky track and one for course specialists.
James Moffat is the local trainer, with his base just up the road from the track. He does well here but doesnt make it easy by sometime running three in same race.
Peter Bowen is another trainer who does well here. He was in the village last night and keeping his cards close to his chest- he tipped up a non runner to my big mate.
Unlike many tracks Cartmel encourages patrons to bring your own food and drink.
Be lucky!
https://stv.tv/sport/football/1396450-referee-douglas-ross-investigated-by-sfa-over-gypsy-comments/
This guy is assistant referee today….
Caixinha says O’Halloran doesn’t have what it takes to play for Rangers. What’s that – a time machine?
Good Morning CQN.
Life for yours truly at the moment can only be described as completely and utterly insane so I have had to take an enforced absence from here and a number of other activities due to sheer fatigue and a bout of hyperactivity which is hard to describe.
Even the planning of a possible trip to Munich has had to be put to the side while relentlessly pursuing the unscrupulous, the jailed, the corporate fixers, liars and no marks who, in the past, have hidden behind the logos of our high street banks and who deserve having the haw maws tightly tied up with sharpened barbed wire and sulphuric acid.
Can you tell I am out to give someone a litigious kicking and in a big way?
HOWEVER
In between all this corporate chicanery, you have to remember there are some good folk in the world and that sometimes progress and advancement could do with a wee helping hand.
SO — if anyone fancies a wee night out in the West End of Glasgow on 21st September in aid of the British Heart Foundation then please let me know.
On that night there will be a dinner/dance type event in Oran Mor which I am helping put together with big JamesGang to help raise funds for much needed research into heart disease.
This will not be a black tie affair but a much more relaxed, music and fun inspired night with a bit of west end retro thrown in.
Wives, Girl Friends, Partners, Boy Friends, Husbands, In Laws, Out Laws, Hingers on and Casual Acquaintances are all welcome – even former pupils from St Thomas Aquinas, St Augustines, St Peter’s Partick, St Paul’s Scotstoun, St Pius Drumchapel and them with an oul green blazer are welcome – well at least most of them are.
A Full three-course meal is on offer and it would be good to have a table of CQN’ers present if at all possible.
You don’t have to speak to me or Jamesgang as there will be far more interesting people there anyway.
If anyone is interested, drop me a line at jjoe88@hotmail.co.uk
Beyond that, keep an eye on the transfer market as I am telt we are in manoeuvres and always remember that Scottish Football is run by a shower of lying cadavers who should not be allowed to preside over a paint drying competition.
I am best avoided at Celtic Park today as I am back to the grindstone tomorrow and in the mood for a right good moan so beware if you want to avoid bleeding ears.
HH and sod the begrudgers!
BRTH
I have no doubt in my mind St.J will park the bus again today, the odd sortie here and there and of course the expected non protection for Celtic players at all, persistent fouling on a Celtic team is allowed by our opponents, 5 fouls by an opposition player is a yellow card, 1 from Scott Brown is an automatic yellow, so it’s more or less back to normal for us, it’s the officials who change they’r game, it will be a tough one but I expect us to win it by two goals, but hopefully more HH
Lurking Huns GIRFUYs
Oh, and if anyone knows the one guy at BT business who can answer the phone would you politely tell him that I am calling and am fed up hanging on the telephone like Debbie Harry’s old knickers on a washing line.
Grump, Grump, Grumpity, Grump.
BRTH,….
are u biding your time in the Ozarks…..you are Marty Byrde…..and I claim my £5….
H.H.
EMBRAMIKE SAYS ” YER TEAM’S DEID…BEAT IT!” on 25TH AUGUST 2017 12:06 PM
King of Kings star guest on Europa League group draw on BT Sport.
Still looks fit enough to play for us. Sign Henrik, PL !
____________
Hello this is WEE BGFC. He widnae git a game way us. :D
Morning all, got the flights booked yesterday for Munich!!!!!!! Can’t wait!!!!!!!!
Da dose’n’t think we’re going to Anderlecht. I’ve told him not to worry about it. ;)
HH
WEE BGFC
Bada,
I wondered…..and I , too, hope you are right.
Glasstwothirdsfull
I suggested Lodge Membership…..yours is much funnier :-)
JJ
Hot Smoked on 26th August 2017 8:13 am
Many teams struggle after a mid-week European game
——–
Could be a tricky one today.
Always think St Johnstone at home and Aberdeen away are our toughest domestic games.
Wow, moderated….what the furk…..someone needs to turn their sensitivity down ffs ;-))
In any other sport this linesman (Ross) would be suspended until further investigation, then again he’s another on who apologies and all well, unbelievable honesty?
GORDON64////I’VEHADTOCHANGEMYNAME
Thank’s for posting the link’s, both excellent reads and bang
on the money.
Wow….so you can want to hang the alleged guilty by the baws….wae acidic barbed wire….but you canny say fuk….mental ;-))
Looking for 2 Champions League packages, I do have a good CQN pal actively trying for me but as he said himself try the site as well in case he comes up short.
If there is anyone not taking up their allocation or anyone willing to try & get them in the second phase, I would be extremely grateful.
In addition to covering the costs of the tickets there will be a 50 quid donation for each package to Mary’s Meals included in the payment which I will send by express post..
Brth
Leave Debbie Harry alone
Shes my girl and has been since 1977
She doesn’t know it yet but one way or another I am goin get her
Gordon
Ralston. Jozo. Bitton. Miller.
Broony. Ntcham
Hayes. Rogic. Sinky.
Griffiths.
Three nil the guid ghuys
H.H.
If anyone can help Corkcelt, I can assure you your tickets could not go to a finer home than Corkcelt`s.
I wish you success in your endeavour, T.
JJ
Anyone know if the Emirates Bus Park is closed Today
MALORBHOY on 26TH AUGUST 2017 9:42 AM
Anyone know if the Emirates Bus Park is closed Today
—-
Yes it is.
WITS,
Am sure Debby Harry could take BRTH in a fight ;-))….whit d’you mean she’s yours….she was one of my first crushes…..am sure she’s just waiting on the telephone for me ;-))
H.H.
*Debbie
To the Laurel and Hardy theme tune.
He’s Scotty Sinclair, he can play anywhere,
He’s good on the ground , he’s good in the air
He’s Scotty Sinclair, he can play anywhere.
Hail Hail
KINGLuBO
Crap…..anyone know if Hayes is still unwell?….if so,Forrest on the right….;-))
To the Pink Panther theme tune –
K’lum, K’lummmmm, K’lummmmm, K’lum, K’lum ‘K’lum
K’lum Mi-Gregggggorrrrr, Calum McCgregor…..
the one position we have no cover for is gk – if cg were to be injured, we can wave goodbye to clean sheets and hopes in the champion’s league – what a buy that was
Lurking Tim
What a gal she was eh?
She is 70 now….flippin heck
Thetimereaper
Thank you for you’re prompt reply, Nuneaton St for orders