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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ROBINBHOY.
Thanks for the info re gins, I’ll definitely try that one.
Kinglubo
Think it was merely a rouse
GENE
Thanks for the heads up .!
I will watch it in a beach bar . Me and some skiving Bangladeshi jewellery sellers. One step up from the guys that try to sell roses .Lashings and lashings of iced peach tea.
SOUTH OF TUNIS on 25TH AUGUST 2017 1:18 PM
Brussels-
————————–
A welcome blast from the past,
Plastic Bertrand, magique.
I’d have opted for Kraftwerk for Munich.
Paris, can’t decide between Juliette Binoche or Catherine Deneuve.
ZIGGYDOC 1
it was nearly this for Paris-
https://youtu.be/a63nO8ne8rk
HAPPY HOOOOOOOPY BIRTHDAY to
WEEFRA!!!!!
21 today,he is. A big day for him.
Big Pierre missed a sitter in Paris, said he lost the ball in the floodlights…great trip …
Oh,and he’s 50 anaw.
Two big days for him.
Not bad,hope ye enjoy yer 71st,bud!
SOUTH OF TUNIS
Indeed. Got this one in Superfly at Christmas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r03hzBWESyU
!BADA BING!
The ball got lost in the floods at Hampden when we beat Leeds.
Norman Hunter on the deck,Bertie pointing out that –
“There’s mair where that came fae!!!”
In a team who could much look after themselves,Bertie made sure.
SOUTH OF TUNIS
And this for 2 Euros in Nice (two Celtic tops spotted too) last week – album going for 60.
They don’t do album covers like that anymore
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxFEBfsfR-0
Just read the article on here about Brendan defending Nir Bitton. It’s interesting that he commends Nir for playing despite an injury, I’m sure he said Jozo told him he wasn’t fit. He has also said Dedryck is his best centre half.
Maybe I’m reading too much into it but looks like Jozo is on the naughty step.
O G RAFFERTY .@2 44
Long while since I heard that .-Thanks
i have Le Corbeau et Le Renard .
Bought from a scout jumble sale in Hyndland
Standing in the rain with 20,000 hoopees. C’mon Peter let Paddy oot.
MWD :-@)))
O G RAFFERTY .
Nino Ferrer .
He was a staple advert backdrop on Italian tele ..
So much so – I think I could sing the strangely addictive -Il baccala 45.
Definitely off oot
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPY Birthday
Weefra.HailHail
Simunovic and Bitton at CB tomorrow with Ajer coming on 2nd half for Jozo if the game’s already in the bag.
BackinthesaddleCSC
Our assistant referee for tomorrow’s game fholks …
SFA compliance officer examining Tory MP and part-time ref’s anti-gypsy remarks.
CONTROVERSIAL comments on the gypsy/traveller community made by Conservative MP and professional football referee Douglas Ross, have been brought to the attention of the Scottish Football Association’s (SFA) compliance officer.
“The comments made by Mr Ross have been brought to the attention of the compliance officer and it would therefore be inappropriate to make further comment at this time.” SFA
He’ll be looking for a quiet time tomorrow then ???
I know that some Celtic supporters feel compelled to be negative. I also know that particular players are singled out for criticism . Nevertheless, I am reasonably sure that I have not heard anyone saying that they don`r rate brendan Rogers. So, perhaps before they decide to berate one of the current escaped goats, they should remember this from our Manager:
“After Kilmarnock his foot was in a boot, he couldn’t walk for two days,” Rodgers revealed.
“Up until our last Astana session he just took his boot off and went out to train. I have nothing but pure admiration for him.
“If we didn’t have Nir we might not have been in the Champions League. He filled in for us when we didn’t have players available.”
JJ
Brendan Rodgers has outlined what he wants from prospective new Celtic players, and insists he doesn’t want players who only want to be at the club because of the Champions League.
Must say I have to agree with him 100% …
SkySports – Last Updated: 25/08/17 2:55pm
“Brendan Rodgers will assess Jozo Simunovic ahead of Celtic’s Scottish Premiership game against St Johnstone at Parkhead on Saturday.
The Hoops defender has missed the last two matches with a knock but trained on Friday morning to boost his chances of being involved in the clash of two early pacesetters.
Defender Dedryck Boyata is back training after recovering from a knee injury but is a few weeks away from full fitness while stopper Erik Sviatchenko, midfielder Eboue Kouassi (ankle) and striker Moussa Dembele (hamstring), remain out.”
Dear Old Tim & RobinBhoy,
It is Monkey 47 Schwarszwald Dry Gin.
A 50CL (two thirds normal size!) bottle will set you back around £40 – if you can find it!
Nice but overpriced.
May I suggest a Brockmans or preferably support our good Tim colleague Burnley by buying one of his excellent Eden Mill gins.
Cheers!
TK
EMBRAMIKE SAYS ” YER TEAM’S DEID…BEAT IT!” on 25TH AUGUST 2017 3:42 PM
Brendan Rodgers has outlined what he wants from prospective new Celtic players, and insists he doesn’t want players who only want to be at the club because of the Champions League.
Spot on. I would also put in that category, players who have their eye on the next big move down south , when they have hardly kicked a ball for us.
From FF These are desperate and mental people!
“Quote Originally Posted by Phantom View Post
We should cheat. I don’t mean half arsed attempts at tax avoidance either, I’m talking bribing referees and using our masonic connections to fix matches.
This.
There’s no way the SFA or the SPFL will allow them to get to 10 anyway”
Jeez, how they stoop to such criminal antics is just amazing. There we have it.
Old Tim I’ll get a hold of some Harris Gin and some newly released Barra Gin – keep it local!!! be down on the 12th Sept see you then. Hail Hail Hebcelt
Big Pierre .. “lost the ball in the floodlights” in Paris ..
Widnae fancy trying to explain that one to the wife ..
embramike says ” Yer team’s deid…Beat it!” on 25th August 2017 3:42 pm
Brendan Rodgers has outlined what he wants from prospective new Celtic players, and insists he doesn’t want players who only want to be at the club because of the Champions League.
Must say I have to agree with him 100% …
=============
Two minds about this.
On one hand can’t help but think if our CL status opens doors to a higher calibre of player, use it. It doesn’t mean these players won’t try a leg domestically, it just means they want to play at the highest level there is.
On the other hand, you dont want a number of players agitating to be off next summer when they realise how early we’re back for the qualifiers.
Tough one. Big week ahead.
HH
APRICALE on 25TH AUGUST 2017 12:06 PM
I think that it’s a great draw. We’re not going to win the CL, and while we want to take it as far as we can, I’d rather go out having seen Celtic go toe-to-toe with Bayern and PSG than against a lesser team.
*exactly, I recall going to my first European games all excited about the prospect of seeing the “continentals” as we called them then.
One game that comes tae mind was Barcelona, on a cold December night, who had won the 1st leg 4-2 and as away goals did not count double then and even though they were in a bit of a slump at the time it was still a tall order for us. But the attraction of seeing the veteran Sandor Kocsis of the Mighty Magyars (not to be confused with the Maryhill version lol) fame was enough for one wee bonnie banks bhoy as well as about 43,000 of the Faithful to show up.
Barca had an attacking full back called Julio César Benítez the likes of what we had never seen before, the Jungle roared their appreciation at his attacking prowess down the right flank. It is alleged that after that game big Tam decided tae model himself on the Uruguayan international.
That’s what European nights were all about and should still be. As things stand right now we won’t be allowed tae win the Big Cup, just look at the shenanigans in Monte Carlo at the draw yesterday, this team cannae play that team etc. It’s a fix and we all know it. So for me, a good performance in the sectional will do, forget the last 16 and concentrate on the Europa as that’s our level (nae pun intended) right now.
TERRYK
You’re right enough, I mixed up my digits! Good stuff nevertheless, if a bit pricey.
https://www.masterofmalt.com/gin/monkey-47-dry-gin/
Normally drink this in Berlin on my travels and have a bottle in the house, but I have many different gins in the house!
A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO WEEFRA ! Have a good one !!!
The recommendation was made remember on which gin OLD TIM 67 should drink in Munich!
BR says he doesn’t want players who only want to be here for CL…then why haven’t we signed players months ago???????
GERRYBHOY on 25TH AUGUST 2017 3:50 PM
From FF These are desperate and mental people!
“Quote Originally Posted by Phantom View Post
We should cheat. I don’t mean half arsed attempts at tax avoidance either, I’m talking bribing referees and using our masonic connections to fix matches.
This.
There’s no way the SFA or the SPFL will allow them to get to 10 anyway”
Jeez, how they stoop to such criminal antics is just amazing. There we have it.
—
Didn’t they do that already?
;-)
HH jamesgang
Players should have been here before playoffs.. CF winger and CH
RobinBhoy,
Apologies for butting in – I did not realise that this was all about the trip to Munich.
I am planning to be there too but will probably concentrate on the local beers until I get full up!
Old Tim – enjoy your trip!
TK
Terry K
Oldtim does indeed have Eden Mill in his vast alcohol cabinet , he also has the bottle gifted to him in Lisbon by Bognor bhoy
He only gives me his Gordon’s rubbish…
dunkel weisse in Munich
worked south of there many moons ago and fell in love with the brew
off out for a friday carling
WDH
Enjoy