It is a measure of how far we have come during this Champions League campaign that a 2-1 defeat away to Benfica, leaving us favourites to qualify in second place for the Champions League knockout stage and assured of European football after Christmas, is a disappointment.
Unlike previous defeats in this competition, this one has not limited our ambitions.
Around this time of previous Champions League campaigns I’ve opined that Uefa Cup/Europa League qualification would be preferable to finishing second in the group stage, leading to inevitable elimination to a group winner. Teams who drop out of the Champions League have the prospect of a decent run in the Europa League, earning more coefficient points and potentially more cash, whereas Celtic never convinced me they could reach the last eight of the Champions League.
This time is different. We got it wrong last night and as a result lost the head-to-head against Benfica but this was not the case against Barcelona. Most of the current group leaders are better than Celtic, all would create more chances and have more possession against us, but here’s the rub, Celtic can score goals against anyone and can defend remarkably well.
Georgios Samaras has now scored in three consecutive group stage away games; he scored in all of Celtic’s five away games in Europe this season, surely a record. This is beyond a mere statistical oddity, it’s a result of a strategy which Benfica, Barcelona and Spartak have been unable to cope with (last night’s block-and-free-header routine was a thing of technical brilliance).
We’ve scored five goals in total in our three away group stage games. In the eight away games in the competition proper before this season, since losing in Copenhagen, we scored only once (remember against whom?)! In short, we can go anywhere and play effective counter-attacking football which even the best team in history had trouble dealing with.
That doesn’t mean we are champions-elect, of course. Benfica, who are a worthy team but are not tier-one material, got the better of us. They played to form last night and Celtic dipped. Scott Brown was clearly unfit, Charlie Mulgrew may-or-may-not have declared himself ill before kick-off but his condition did not help (stunning corner aside).
Neil also left out Kris Commons. Kris’s form has shaded since The Beating of Barca, so I was not surprised to see him on the bench, but did you notice we started to get balls into the Benfica box after he came on? More of this and I fancy Benfica would have yielded. In his post-match comments Neil Lennon reminded us his players are young and will learn from the experience.
It’s easy to overlook the fact that the manager is also young and learning as he goes along. His tactical decisions have been the real revelation of this group, even if he did leave Kris out and his gamble with Scott Brown didn’t work. His progress as a manager has been, as our old friend might say, astonishing.
Fraser Forster provided more evidence of his outstanding ability. Mikael Lustig and Kelvin Wilson looked perfectly at ease with under frenetic pressure but Efe Ambrose particularly impressed. I’ve watched Celtic defences for decades and we always seem to have a ‘junior partner’ but not now.
The defence made two mistakes last night but in all their games together they have yet to conjure up a Big Dan Moment.
My objectives for this Champions League campaign have already been surpassed but expectation levels are never level, so let’s take care of Spartak and see where the adventure goes next.
Orders are now open for the very first CQN Annual, get it here!
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Michael Owen looked like Freddie Mercury
Strange performance all round last night. Couldn’t hold on to the ball very well, and a number of our recent excellent performers looked well off the pace. I said to the lady wife that it looked as if a number of them well blowing hard very early on, and were very leggy.
Saw a comment earlier on that Big Efe was a couple of inches too short – I thought it looked more as if he was struggling to get off the ground, and was struggling for pace throughout, as was big Lustig, Vic, Joe, Sammi and others.
I wonder if some were just a bit under the weather – “there is a wee bug going about”, as my old mum still says, and half the people I know have it!
Anyway, Barca never go easy on anyone; they only know one way to play and so I am fairly relaxed that they will do their job in a fortnight. Barca would actually find it more difficult to step down their pace and go easy on Benfica, who did not look (other than their big captain who was superb) as if they could shut up shop in a game that they need come out and win.
On the negative side, with Broonie and Vic out for us, midfield looks a wee bit light.
However, I am glad that Biram is back and he has the time to get a couple of games to get fitness and sharpness back. Lassad looks a player, Hoops will be fitter, Miku should be fit and hopefully wee Jimmy will be back.
With a full crowd (inc. GB!), a Russian team with nothing to play for and looking forward to their winter holidays, and a committed energetic performance, we should force our way through the Group in to the last 16 once again.
After that, it is a lottery – most teams could get more of the ball than us, but Celtic Park gives us a massive advantage against anyone – tight away performances and raucous home nights could put us through against anyone.
So, heads up chaps – we are still in it for the Big Cup!!
Hail, Hail
BGFC
Italiabhoy,
You seem to have the inside track on the BBC Scotland Sports Department. Why can’t something be done about Traynor particularly? Why do people like Packy Bonner have to compromise themselves, to get on the station? We were informed earlier this evening that McIntyre isn’t anti-Celtic. He certainly hasn’t given that impression? If he isn’t, why does he have to be gratuitously have to slag us off? There are many more examples, of course. The common denominator is that Celtic are attacked no matter what. How can the BBC allow this nonsense to continue?
Incredibly stupid questions being put to Mancini. Inane.
italiabhoy
21:59 on
21 November, 2012
Incredibly stupid questions being put to Mancini. Inane.
Correct. Nnnnnnaaaaa
Nnnnaas Europa League of course.
ItaliaBhoy
Is name 5 Italian war heroes the first question
Yes. We Can cope Withoot . Broonie..
just as we kin Cope withoot.. Ledley..
and
Just as we kin Cope. withoot.. Kayal..
Fur..
tae be Perfectly Honest..
We just don’t have Very Good Players in oor Mid-Field..
‘and.
That is the Reason why…
None of these Guys… Means Very much tae Us…
And.. That is ..ALSO…why..
Ah suggest… Neil. taks a Fistful of Some of that Euro League Treasure,of which we will be
rewarded
and Go oot there intae the Night..,
And Buy a Decent Midfield General..
That is awe He needs tae Buy…
Fur.. we kin fill in the Ither Two Spots. . Wi’ Guys fae the Reserves..
fur instance…
Ah could Fill in Fur Ledley..and Naebuddy wi’ notice the Difference.
Neil, his done a Herculean Joab..so he hiz..
‘
but..
He his Only Completed.. Two Thirds o ‘ the Hoose..
He needs tae.. go oot..and Pit oan a Proper Roof…and Double Glaze the Windaes..
and…if he diz..whit Ah tell Him..
We wull hiv a Team that wull be able tae compete wi’ the Biggies..
fur..at this Time..
The Present Members o’ oor Mid-Field..
With the Exception o’ .. Victor… Canny Cut the Mustard agin the Big Boys o’ Europe..
and, In fact..at.. times..
Canny cut that Condiment . .agin .. Oor Home Grown Provincials.. eethur!
The above suggestions. are Awe Mine Alone..
Ah swear Ah hid no Help.. fae… collie.
Kojo
Still .Laughin’
That’ll be the same shi*****s you won’t face, eh
Rich coming from a snivelling coward of a wretch
TET
Gave you my treble cica 7:00pm – stuck in AC Milan @8/5 to give me 4 trebles + 4some – the 7 results were just the loose change in my PP account. All-in-all a good night – would have been f@@ked only for Malaga game being an early K.O.
CL next round (results pending) – can’t see us getting past last 16 but would settle for a head-to-head with B. Dortmund.
2 games – 140K sell-out – think it would be one of the ties of the round!
Why do Sky not ask Souness when he will be paying his EBT loan back?
Parkheadcumsalford,
My experience is historical, its been a few years since I was in the building.
To be honest, sports journalism in Scotland has declined immensely in the last 20 years. Someone like Keith Jackson – a barely literate wee ned – is a senior figure in the Scottish press. From the country that gave us Hugh McIlvanney this is a dreadful fall from grace.
Why has this happened? Partly its economic. Older journalists are more expensive, and the public is hungrier for exclusives with players on a daily basis. This makes covering football a young man’s game. And as footballers are not the brightest (in general), then employing people like them to report on the game becomes logical.
The ability to actually write – far less perform the duties of a journalist in the classic sense – is less important than being a pal of the Huns’ latest signing.
BBC ought to be immune to these commercially-driven pressures. But sadly it is not. Its sports department is full of eager young boys who see Jackson and his ilk as role models. The goal is access – to RFC especially. The goal is not to win a Pullitzer, or become the next Norman Mailer. Without access you are nothing, and a critical mind is not important when your over-riding aim is to get the mobile number of today’s star players.
Laziness also plays a part, I believe. Jabba is employed because he is available, not because he is a good broadcaster (which he emphatically isn’t). Once he’s there, no-one can be bothered to remove him, and because low standards have become the norm no-one sits down and says: “why are we employing this balloon?”.
It’s a disaster, to be honest. It needs a complete clear-out. Personally, I’d put Spence in charge, and only recruit producers and reporters who are intelligent, critical, and who can actually write and broadcast like adults, not spotty teenagers.
“Soup Takers”…
What are some of you folk on?
To besmirch some of the finest Celts ever to pull on the hoops is simply to contradict the whole ethos of our club.
Just because there are people who have alternative views does not mean they should be deprived of the respect they earned over many years of excellent, loyal service to our club.
Good grief I’ve seen more extreme views on this site than those expressed by ANY former player.
Not clever, not dignified, not Celtic.
A shame.
ItaliaBhoy
It seems like the bbc has a lot to lose if theres no rangers?
googybhoy ♥ Celtic
1 they are laughing at his facial hair
2 It might trigger of his heart ( if he had one)
3 Maybe it paid for his DIVORCE
Parkheadcumsalford
A bit of trivial (but truthful) gossip that may amuse you. The team working on Mark Daly’s documentary were originally based in the BBC Scotland Sports Department, but moved to a different (secure) location in the building due to the likes of Chick Young reading over their shoulders and toddling off to Murray Park.
The big leagues are such big, magic leagues full of magic.
Spain. Four through out of four. Two definite group winners, one other possible. Fair play.
Germany. Three teams in the group stages. All three are through. All three could be group winners. Fair play.
Blighty. Four teams in the group stages. Two through (at least one as group winners). The two biggest spenders probably out (one definitely).
Italy. Only two teams made it to the group stages. Both through, neither as group winners.
Portugal. Three teams in the groups. One definitely through. One definitely not (and definitely last).
France. Three teams in the group stages. One through, not as group winners. The other two will finish bottom of their groups. Haddies.
Russia. Two teams in the group stages. Both already out. One definitely last in the group, one possibly last in the group.
Never alone
Well said
italiabhoy
22:11 on
21 November, 2012
Parkheadcumsalford,
My experience is historical, its been a few years since I was in the building.
I went on a TUC course over 30 years ago that taught me how to write Press Releases.
Basically write it in the style of the paper a d it will be repeated word for word.
Used the style for years working for Manchester Council and everyone made the local paper and was repeated verbatim.
Journalists just pap out rubbish.
neveralone
22:14 on
21 November, 2012
I think people have a right to be irked by Packie’s choice of words when talking about the huns.
However, I don’t believe for a second that he would besmirch the name of Celtic, in public at least.
neveralone
Did you see RFC 1872 as a ‘great institution’ bearing in mind its utter hatred of RC’s?
praecepta
I had a few accas on before, both to score, small money, got one up, I stuck a couple of bob on the treb you said, if Kiev had scored I would have had five accas up, I thot they were a cert at home to score, but hey ho.
I some ways the europs would give us a better chance obvioulsy, and with that the chance of more money.
It’s a hard choice, I can’t see us beating anyone apart from Malaga or Manure ovewr the two legs.
But a tie agin Dortmund, aye, would be good, but they are far too strong for us just now.
Great for the spectacle tho.
Is Soup Taker the new Hun
Neveralone,
“A great institution”
The very same institution who would rather he you and me were dead.
Mickbhoy 1888
I dont think you get it mate. I dont doubt that Bonner is a huge Celtic fan, nobody does.Its the ‘fantastic institution’ statement I’m having a go at. Why did he say it? take your pick..
.
a) he truly believes they are (so I’d ask him why Oldco were the only club in Scotland’s top flight and England’s top 3 divisions not to have employed a Southern Irish player)
b) he didnt really mean it but didnt want the hun bosses and hun listeners falling out with him.
I would say ‘b’…and that makes him a soup taker in my book.
Celtic_First
21:48
Group A: Porto and PSG are through, in that order.
Could be wrong but last game I think is PSG v Porto
I fancy PSG to win group…
… and then we get them
;o)
Googybhoy
You want to see some of the press releases that PR people pap out these days. The standard there has fallen further than the standard of journalism, I can assure you.
Three in 100 are useable, never mind repeatable verbatim.
I thought
Baxter’s and Campbell’s and Heinz and Knorr were all Soup makers
sixtaeseven
You are right. A draw will be enough for Porto to take the group.
Wiltshire scores for Arsenal.
Was he the only English player on the field?
Googybhoy
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain?
celtic_first
22:22 on 21 November, 2012
Googybhoy
You want to see some of the press releases that PR people pap out these days. The standard there has fallen further than the standard of journalism, I can assure you.
Three in 100 are useable, never mind repeatable verbatim.
That does not surprise me.
The standards of local press are dreadful.
Sorry to harp on about the Bonner thing but compare his comments with McCoists in 1994..’I cant say I’m not enjoying whats happening to that club’. Thats the difference….with thems you get no remorse, no sympathy, only more hatred. You can be sure Walter, McMurdo and every other bigshot hun would be lining up to stick the boot into us. We give them the favourable opinions Nevin, Keevins, Walker and now Bonner.
I heard Keith Jackaon and Roger Hannah on Talk sport today and I got the impression that none of them had read the 145 page decision.
Dreadful
The Spirit of Arthur Lee
22:29 on
21 November, 2012
Googybhoy
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain?
————
Is Alex Oxtail Chamberlain a soup taker?
TET
Being honest – with the right draw think we could get beyond the 1st tie in the Europa – but doubt we would earn the £3M+ that the last 16 CL would pay us.
Finance v European progress!
Think the Team might be better geared for it – based on last year’s Europa results.
Think the likes of; V67, Efe, Sammi. Miku, Lassad, Izzy would revel in it.
Our possession stats in the CL suggest we will struggle in the latter stages – in the Europa (with a favourable draw) who knows?
HT
Of the highest order
Ps what happened to my horses?
A coward who hid behind a uniform has the gall to to call Celtic supporters shi*****g for speaking their mind.
Face your own critics before you question anyone else’s integrity ya clown
Soal
I used what was left of them to stick two bits of wood together earlier!!!