No one said management was easy. Neil Lennon has spent the best part of a year preparing for this game. The scouts were told to go out and find pace up front which would allow us to defend in numbers but break effectively when possible.
That plan brought Derk Boerrigter and Teemu Pukki to the club but Derk has only recently returned from injury while Teemu made his debut on Saturday. Meanwhile, Anthony Stokes has been busy making himself the heart of the team. If Anthony was having a stinker of a season Neil Lennon would deploy the plan which has been long in gestation, but, unlike his opposite number tonight, Neil has genuine choice.
Before kick-off, there is no correct decision to this choice, hindsight will provide that answer, but we should remember that this is a squad game. Players tire and performance falls late in the game. Nine years ago we were within touching distance of a great result away to Milan but attempts to shore up the defence in the closing minutes failed. If Celtic are in a position to take something from the game, they will have to plan for a 95 minute endurance exercise.
The margins for error in this competition are slight. We matched Juventus in many areas of the field last season but were walloped 5-0 on aggregate. Some fine teams found the step up to the big stage a harrowing experience last night but other smaller clubs got it right; Copenhagen made Italian champions, Juve, look ordinary.
The task ahead is formidable but get the plan right and the spoils are there for us.
Prediction: 0-2 to the good guys. Enjoy your night.
1254125 at The Great Scottish Run.
On Sunday 6 October there is a 10k and Half Marathon. If that is beyond you. There are family events taking place the day before. This is your club, remind the world of what really counts and get involved in 1254125.
The first thing you need to do is sign up for the Great Scottish Run, or here for one of the family events.
Once you’ve done that, you can register for the 1254125 campaign here.
Then you can create a donations page here. Click Start Fundraising, search for Celtic Charity, setup your My Donate account).
Email me and let me know if you are having trouble signing up or need any more help, celticquicknews@gmail.com.
To read the new issue of CQN Magazine click here (don’t try to read the graphic below).
[calameo code=000390171853d2bfc4f69 lang=en page=4 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
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Kayal33, has Matthews been confirmed as fit to play?
Perhaps a more adventurous line-up might be:
Forster
Lustig Ambrose Van Dijk Izaguirre
Brown Commons Mulgrew Boerrigter
Stokes Samaras
Subs: Pukki Balde Matthews Rogic Biton Kayal Zaluska
For a change we are a little light on the right (due to injuries), but with loads of options on the left.
The key thing is not to allow ourselves to be pegged back and pressured into defending deep for long periods without possession of the ball. There must be an “out” option to enable us to clear the ball to one of our own who can retain possession until his team-mates push up in support (Sammi & Derk?). We can’t simply half clear the ball to a line of Milan players waiting to deliver it straight back into the danger area!
Let’s just keep it tight at the back and always pick up their off-the-ball runs, then play our own game when we have possession and let them worry about us. We do have the pace and ability to hurt them on the counter attack.
Let’s just do it!
HH
MEA CULPA 1222
No!
Not a stage name then?
Gordon_J (12:25): “I’d be happy to get out of the San Siro with a point.”
Never mind getting out with a point. Our players will be heading in to the San Siro with a point… to prove that they are worthy of mixing it with Europe’s elite!
‘Mon the Hoops!
Does anyone know any bar in Bournemouth that is showing the Celtic game? They are all showing arsenal and Chelsea games. “The Shamrock Bar” – about as Irish as John Knox! Not showing Celtic – I said to him call yourself an Irish bar? He said we are not really, just use the colour and name. The CSC at Pokesdown is no longer there. Not looking good
Thanks Paul 67, your article made me think about the possibilities tonight but I am having genuine cognitive dissonance from your 0-2 prediction. On the one hand I think we, especially the Manager and his team, must believe that we can get a positive result. I like this thinking because without it there is no chance of that positive result. On the other hand we can defend in numbers and as resolutely as we are able, but even with our very best efforts a clean sheet is surely in the lap of the Ghods? Even a spirited and youthful but inexperienced Hearts side managed to put one past us just last week.
Whatever happens I am sure tonight’s game will be an exciting one, definitely a game with goals in it, and I for one am looking forward to it immensely.
My prediction? 2-2 but with Celts the better team. Of course some would say that predictions are for those who know little about football. I love the famous Jock Stein quote of “Only a fool would predict the outcome…” Hmmm, perhaps I ought to retract that prediction? :-)
One thing I love about your article is the clear recognition that Neil Lennon and his background staff are being tremendously detailed and thorough in their preparations and are demonstrating fantastic foresight in what they do. Unlike a large section of the Celtic Support, and certainly unlike the SMSM and the ‘I want it NOW!’ culture that we seem to live in, Neil Lennon and his team have the ongoing patience to see this through to it’s conclusion. For me that conclusion is a Celtic Team that are once again a force in Europe and who will go beyond the last 16. Despite being in Seville, I actually think that apart from the Lisbon Lion era that this is one of the very best times to be a Celtic Fan. One prediction I am not reticent about making is that when Neil Lennon has finally done his (hopefully very long) stint that he will quite rightly be given the status of Neil Lennon: LEGEND!
Yours in Celtic,
TB&F.
LEFTCLICKTIC
Bad,bad grampa!
Mind,no point in letting them win ALL the time-life’s not like that….
0-2 to the good guys?……whoosh. Thats a BIG ask.
Theres a point here for us if we play discipled football to the 95th minute.
AC Milans “weakened” 11 are packed with proven internationals. Park the bus and hit them on the break.
Things will become very interesting in the next two years. We have the money signings on 4 year deals….we have money…….we can add to this new squad.
The progress curve is upwards and going beyond the last 16 is on the radar eventually.
Theres 8 points for us in this section and it may be enough to get us through to the last 16 and certainly enough for 3rd place.
Enjoy the journey everyone…….eventually Celtic and Glasgow will become synonymous and we will be referred to simply as Glasgow in the European mind…….the war will have been won.
Its a wonderful time to be a Tim.
“Your Grandchildren will be Celtic supporters”
Neustadt-Braw
He is 3 and a half , you would think he would be better at the game :)))))
On my winning note I am just sitting thinking about the way celtic supporters and mainly CQNers will pass the time today to try and make the seconds pass bye all suggestions welcome as i’m strugglig now :))
Till later all
nursery run wae the runner up csc
Whilst initially I was happy with getting to group stages I now hope we go on and make it through again..
Hope more than expectation
Cmon the hoops
A very bold prediction Paul67. My logical, cool headed self is telling me that we are well placed to do well.
BUT my experience and football supporters sense of impending doom tells me that with all this confidence floating about we could be in for a skelping if we aren’t careful.
However, it’s the way the team prepares and the way the team is thinking that matters most, not us. If they prepare and get their psychological readiness from reading CQN then we’re in bother……. I’d say we are a bit more professional than that.
More excited than nervous about tonight. Really looking forward to it as I always do in Europe – we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Give me a point or a narrow defeat and I’ll be content. Give me a victory and I’ll be on the proverbial cloud 9……
Hail Hail to you all.
Excitement building…. I’ll bite your hand off for a 1-1 draw tonight.
My team
Forster
Lustig
Van Dijk
Ambrose
Izzy
Brown & Ledley (or Charlie if Ledley is out)
Dirk – Commons – Samaras
Stokes
Stokes/Pukki is the only real decision we have to make. I think Stokes deserves the chance and his interplay with Commons seals it for me.
Pukki to come on later as an impact sub.
I am a huge fan of Matthews but not sure he’s the best option for counter attacking football. I think Dirk gets the nod here simply because he’s a more experienced attacker.
I wish it was Inter we’ve done them b4!!!
Greendreamz – “your grandchildren will be Celtic supporters”….
….please God.
I am in Dubai and offered the wee man to stay up tonight furra game… standing before me in the new Celtic away strip, and in his Celtic bedroom, he asked if we could jump back and forward between Arsenal, Barcelona and Celtic.
My Daddy (and his too) flipped in their graves.
Grandchildren will be Celtic supporters, please God…AND I’LL DIE TRYING!
Hail Hail!
BigChipsUK @ 12 40.
” mixing it with Europe’s elite ”
Milan bookies make AC Milan the 14th favorite to win this season’s Champions League .
Milan bookies think Shakhtar Donestk are much more likely to win the CL than AC Milan .
.
BLANTYRE TIM
I think we were ALL delighted to get through the qualifiers.
They were a tad tricky,ESP at that stage of the season.
Now,with the season kicking in in earnest,new players are becoming familiar with the surroundings. Not quite yet,but the group runs till December.
We are facing three big European names. So are they. We should be confident,without being cocky.
As has been said-being a Celtic fan means worrying about an away leg v Cliftonville,and being confident of beating Barcelona!
Off oot for an eye test. Want to make sure I can see clearly tonight. : : :
HaiL HaiL
Last Night Ah hid a Doggie Dream,
Sees if Ye kin Figger… whit it
May Mean..
Roon an Roon the Pinball went,
Fun a Hole.. And In It Went,
Wit Number Lit the Screen Sae Bright?
It’s Number Wan,but wiz it Right?
Ah’d want a Two, tae Mak things Siccar,
But Wan’ll dae..
Ah mustn’t Dicker!
Shurely,Wan’s Enuff ,Dear Guys and Goils,
Tae Bring us Fame and All the Spoils!
collie.
Tail’s Awaggin’, Awaggin’
I am going to enjoy it no matter what. This is the stage we all want our team to be on.
COYBIG!
KOJO’s forgot his usual log-in again!
Same team as Saturday, except Charlie for Derk. Anthony’s form deserves a starting spot.
1-1, Charlie to score.
BT – we’re right to hope, maybe even right to expect.
The romantic in me always thinks ‘if we get the right draw, if the stars align, if the world is just right at all the right moments maybe we could go further than anyone thought possible’……
And sometimes I think of Porto and how we are a club of comparable size, probably bigger….. and i think of the last non German, Spanish, Italian or English Club to win the Big Cup …. who will be next?
We couldn’t, could we? Bump, back down to earth…………
But whatever happens, we have nothing to lose so we have nothing to fear.
Masty/ garcia lorca
Many thanks for the info yesterday had to go out and have
just caught up with some of the later posts, and as always
its an education on here as well as an opportunity to exercise
our memories good or bad.My family came from largely the
Brigate and Calton areas on one side and the Gorbals on the
the other the parties at the new year were something else.
The matriarch of this wonderful tribe was my wee granny from Rose st
as I said yesterday she did not call it Florence street her name was
Molly O’Neill she stood 5ft nothing and family historians tell me
she relieved the drummer of an orange walk of his big drum and put her
foot through it. When she married my Granda she moved over to the
Brigate where they had 8 children , my mother was the oldest daughter
the family were extremely well known around that area.
And garcia I remember Max the tailors well got my first made to measure
from there when I was just a boy, I suppose from his perspective he could
not have been better placed you could get anything in around all the wee shops
and pubs in and around the Brigate,Saltmarket,Glesga Cross.
getting all sentimental now, too many ghosts .
Once again cheers guys.
Bobby M….
Actually, I should know better than make fun of poor Anton’s name.
I mean, coming from the Ritchie family is bad enough but my parents were rather cruel to christen me ‘Mafita’.
And my younger brother ‘Mabawsa’ and his twin sister ‘Matizza’ had a helluva time at school.
South Of Tunis, only Real Madrid have won it more times than Milan, and four of Madrid’s nine triumphs were in the 1950s. Only Barca have won it more times this century than Milan.
Milan are one of Europe’s elite… just look at their injury list!
Just popped in to say.
M’on the hoops!
SOmetimes at lunch time I miss Philvis and the sparring matches we used to have.
I have a theory – he was Craig Whyte and went off to apply the lethal injection to Rangers and is now in phase 2 which he has called ‘Destroy Newco’……
I just know he knew all those Spiv characters that have been involved. Charles Green? Craig Whyte – come on, you couldn’t make that stuff up………
Go on Philvis.
Hiv Nae Fear..
It’s No ..Kojo Here..
It’s Jist his Dug.. who Rhymes sae Cool
Kojo’s still in His Kip…and that’s No Bull
collie
Tail’s Awaggin’, Awaggin’
MEA CULPA
Well,if anyone is in a position for handing out that kinda ribbing,I reckon you’re the fella!
Reminds me of when Roy Aitken and Andy Ritchie were playing for us-Andy,sadly,not as often as his talent suggested.
Fighting over the nickname Mboza…
Glasgow is to lay on a Champions League
welcome to foreign fans visiting the city to
watch their team play Celtic.
Fan zones, showing the games and featuring
entertainment and music, will be running in
Merchant Square for Ajax, Barcelona and AC
Milan supporters.
The city’s promotional website People Make
Glasgow has also been launched in Spanish,
Italian and Dutch versions.
Scottish Champions Celtic host Barcelona,
Ajax and AC Milan on 1 October, 22 October
and 26 November.
About 5,000 foreign fans are expected in
Glasgow over the three dates.
It is hoped efforts to help them enjoy their
stay will also bring financial benefits for the
city’s businesses.
Glasgow City Council leader Cllr Gordon
Matheson said: “Glasgow is renowned for its
warm welcome, particularly for visiting
football fans, and there’s always a colourful,
party atmosphere on match day when the
Champions League comes to town.
“We’re also no stranger to big footballing
occasions having hosted the Champions
League final in 2002 and the UEFA Cup final
in 2007.”
COLLIE2
Always a pleasure,mate.
Little wrong with gentle ribbing,though.
Celtic 2 nil= 50/1
celtic 2/1= 28/1
Efe to score anytime in 90mins 20/1
sammi to score anytime 5/1
wae OF bookies hills
Efe it is for an interest
till later all
walking the streets tae pass the time csc :))
BMCUWP
Cliftonville are the Irish Barcelona though !!!!!!
COYBIG !!!!!!!
eleven to one for the Bhoys……braw!
BigChipsUK
I need convincing that the current AC Milan can be classed as ” elite ” Their star is waning . They are currently a long way from what they were . Owned by a convicted criminal who should be in prison . Managed by a guy who lives with the media announcing that he has been sacked / will be sacked etc .etc .
CLIFTONVILLE CELT
I was impressed by them,and impressed by the welcome offered to the team and the support-particularly at a difficult time locally.
(All the huns out celebrating my birthday,sorry about that!)
I genuinely didn’t mean to be patronising to Cliftonville,just pointing out how we swing from unbridled optimism to the depths of despair.
And back again-fortunately!
MEA CULPA.if that’s her i vote for the other one.
if you think she is good lookin you must be from POSSIL or SHOTTS originally.
Forster
Lustig Ambrose V.Dijk Izzy
Brown Mulgrew
Matthews commons Boerrigter
Samaras.
If ledley is fit then swap him for Mulgrew and put Mulgrew LB and izzy on bench.
Can’t see him starting Stokes or Pukki but you never know.
Wee reminder for those with time & access.
In about 30 mins time live video of the young bhoys playing the young rossoneri.
Uefa Youth League Wed 18 September
AC Milan v Celtic
Kick off 2.00pm Celtic Park time
live on Celtic tv
Mon the Hoops