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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Had surprise visitors last night.
Beer, red wine, whisky, Drambuie.
Taxi to work this morning!
Pass the aspirin.
Reservoir Dogs meets the FTT
Henriks Sombrero – Ex-Rangers favourite Michael Mols tells SPL to ditch investigation into dual contracts http://bit.ly/TR3Ww2 via @Daily_Record
That’s fair enough then eh ?
The SPL says it’s waiting for Richard Gough’s instructions. (thumbsup)
Does Michael Mols have one of those loans that he doesn’t want to pay back by any chance??
So if HMRC were so bloody minded in their pursuit, why would they drop it now just before the final hurdle
Henriks Sombrero
10:42 on
22 November, 2012
Mark Dingwall @GrandmasterSuck
Ex-Rangers favourite Michael Mols tells SPL to ditch investigation into dual contracts http://bit.ly/TR3Ww2 via @Daily_Record
That’s fair enough then eh ?
No questions about when he is paying his “loan ” back .
Whither the cash strapped scrofulous hillbillies, and their scrofulous cash strapped cuzz, the day?
Ole Jabba nearly combusted hissel’ on Shortbread last night.
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon
Michael used his money on Beauty Treatments for his family.
SOAL
I hope he got his money back!
Missed Jabba and Packie on Shortbread last night. Presumably just the usual robust defence of Sir David??
According to daft Leggo, Sir David is going to be suing folk right, left and centre. RTC is going to the pokey and Spiersy is going to have to sell up his house, livestock and tweed jackets. I do hope SDM hasn’t read WinningGemmell’s excellent work over the years!
Philbhoy
Seemingly he wanted more
Oliver CSC
Really pished off that this blog is being dominated by the Hun Tax Case. I don’t care if they died owing 70 million or 140 million. I never like to criticise Lenny cos I love the guy but I do agree with an earlier comment that a fit Lassad/Miku/Watt should start before a half fit Hooper. Anyway Lisbon like the FTT is behind us for the moment and the focus should be back to Domestic matters. We have a game at the week-end and that should be our priority.
JohnnyClash – Leggo’s been on the Harpic again. (thumbsup)
corkcelt
I agree with you re unfit players.
It has become obvious to me the Neilly does pick his favourites, fit or unfit no matter the occasion.
If he is a young manager learnig the ropes, I hope he gets this aspect of his managemnt sorted soon.
Ole Johnny- his indignation at his fellow journalists was off the scale.
Ole JT did not take kindly to the revelation that there were,in fact, no Weapons of Hun Destruction chez Hector.
I expect an announcement today that succulent lamb is back on the menu.
What happens if HMRC do appeal?
How long would that rumble on for?
Snake Plissken
11:21 on 22 November, 2012
I read on TSFM that an appeal could be done and dusted within 6 months, as it would not re-hear the evidence, but focus on points of law as raised by HMRC with regard to the FTT(T) result.
Obinfants1888- my earlier point was exactly WHY do Scottish and UEFA Club records still show Sevco holding 54 League titles ! Can anyone explain please ?
JohnnyClash 11:10
Missed Jabba and Packie on Shortbread last night. Presumably just the usual robust defence of Sir David??
—
You can download here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/scotfoot
Everyone past and present in oldcos infamous history has had something to say after the EBT verdict
And yet one voice has not been heard as of yet
Walter Smith
Is he one of the 35…?
@ Popes Butler
On the Uefa website shows that Rangers last game was against St Johnstone on the 23rd May 2012. Not Elgin or East Stirlingshire or whoever it was.
It is pointless having any form of reasoned debate with the orcs or their ilk as their mind is set and nothing will unset it we may have to put up with the diatribe for a wee while longer. Do we know if HMRC is going to appeal?
I do fancy Dortmund for this cup, they are strolling through that group and gaining confidence on a daily basis IMHO.
The Prince of Goalkeepers the appeal could rumble on all the way to the UK Supreme Court.
HMRC might want that so as to have a decision that is UK wide.
There is an on-going case in England vs the now defunct Doncaster. Briefly;
HMRC argue the FA/Football League had no right to pay directly to footballers and other clubs monies owed. HMRC say it should have gone into the pot for everybody. If HMRC win the football authorities will have to stump again. Ditto the SFL, SFA and SPL. Or, in other words, the rest of Scottish football will pay twice what was owed to Rangers.
.
So is Embdy Gonna Explain Soup takers..
Wired Jaw..!!??
Summa of DragonSoupCSC
You don’t want to do the ole hillbilly mind meld, that’s for sure…
..on a related topic, the always entertaining Eddie Mair has a programme on BBCR4 this Saturday morning, on country music and it’s relationship with the Scots/Irish/Irish/Scots.
Will the circle be unbroken?
@ Tourtenay
I have really enjoyed watching Dortmund over the past couple of seasons. Hope they do well!
Summa of Sammi
Soup-taker (Ireland) a person who has sold out their beliefs, referring to the Irish Potato famine when some Catholics converted to a Protestant faith in order to gain access to a free meal.[
Did I imagine it, or did HMRC not previously indicate, that if the verdict went against them in the FTT, they would appeal and keep on appealing?
Anticipated long post leads, bear with me. Right, reasons why SPL commission should still go ahead
(1) it is investigating non disclosure of payments prior to the BTC, ie those payments made in ration to the WTC;
(2) it is investigating non compliance with the SPL request for documentation;
(3) rangers were found liable for certain payments to players and upon which HMRC and rangers are now invited to negotiate;
(4) there were certain assessments which rangers didn’t appeal;
(5) the tribunal decision is not even binding on future tribunals; why should it bind the SPL commission?;
(6) the tribunal finds unequivocally that certain players had side letters creating various obligations on rangers to fund sub trusts, either at periodic inter als or based on performance. In no instance were these disclosed to the SPL. Of particular concern may be the 2005/06 UCL bonus;
(7) the minority decision is absolutely excoriating;
(8) HMRC may appeal, and may win.
Nevertheless, there is little doubt in my mind that the decision will form part of the commission’s deliberations; in my analysis, the SPL rules on disclosure of players contractual entitlements exist to make it difficult for clubs to avoid their responsibilities to players, and to make it difficult for clubs to shadow payments to players in order to avoid tax and provide a competitive advantage over other league members. The tribunal has ruled, in principle, that far less tax than was assessed was actually duye by rangers. In other words, the whole point of the rule beinbreached did noprovide as much of a tax advantage ( as things stand) as we had perhaps been inclined ( willing? If we are being self critical?) to believe.
However, the 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2011 league championships were won by slim margins. If it transpired that certain players, at any stage, received ebt benefits which were assessed by the tribunal as attracting tax, then that player’s registration will be retrospectively viewed as invalid, from the moment of his registration.
There is, therefore, nothing cut and dried about the SPL commission by virtue of the BTC result. Anyone got any thoughts?
Ntass Oolla
11:43 on 22 November, 2012
Thanks for the info, what are the likely timescales for the next stage of appeal (to the Upper Tribunal), and is that a Scottish or UK body?
.
Can’t Believe OJ Simpson got Found Not Guilty..
But ALL the Media told us He was Guilty..
..
Lawyers Ehhh..
How Much does a Good Lawyer cost..?
“How Long is a Piece of String..!!”
Summa of AppealsCSC
Appeals: *Starts twitching Nervously Alex Higgins-Like*
Just dropped in to ask….
I was talking to a – sage Tim – this morning and, amongst other things…he told me he was listening to Radio Erin yesterday morn and he heard – Susan Boyle singing YNWA.
He said it was a studio recording version of the song and, not the version she ahem…dished out ‘live’ at CP.
Did anyone else hear this ?
Being based in Ireland , I never get to see the Under 20 squad play. Do any of ye Scottish based lads get to see any of their games. After a European game there is always a call to freshen up the team but when I look at the defence for example where are the options, we have 7 defenders listed in our squad, 2 of them Izzy & Rogne are injured, Charlie is as good as injured and badly needs a rest, which leaves 4 players for 4 positions. What has happened to Marcus Fraser, how is he going with the under 20’s is he ready to step up any other guys there that could step in and do a job.
corkcelt I am sure that Marcus Fraser was on the bench against Barca.
HH
Small point Kev its Radio Eireann.
After reading the colour coded FTT report,
I can’t get this song out of my head.
Using the tune “I can sing a Rainbow”.
Red and yellow and pink and GREEN,
Murray and Craigie bhoy too,
I can sing to Sevco,
Fans all said NO,
SPL for you.
Blimey it’s just going round and round my head.
The kids are gonna luv it.
.
RobinBhoy..
Thank You..
Summa