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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Fav uncle:
Hey! Just wait a minute there!
My guide dug starts doing cartwheels every time she hears the SBS news coming on! What better judgement could there be!?
Hope we get at least a point on the board tonight.
Do I expect an away win in the San siro? Not a chance, especially after the shakter fiasco.
Something inside tells me that we’ll do better than I expect.
That’s the fun of being a Celtic supporter. Hail hail
A real air of confidence around today. I think the game rests with Ballotelli tonight. If he has a stinker we have a real chance. He plays well and he will score.
Happy to take a draw but I reckon we will score. If we score more than once we have a real chance.
I have taken Efe to score in the first ten mins at 250/1.
LB
Mea Culpa .
right enough blind dugs n bones.when do we get to see the other burd.??
has there ever been a CL group where all four members have previously won the CL/EC ?
MEA CULPA
I’m with you on this.
There’s people over here get their knockers in a twist over Holly WIlloughby and Suzanna Reid,and some Scottish lass on the morning weather,ffs
Real class,they’re just not used to it.
And that was NOT a typo….
Fav Uncle: You asked.
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=lee+lin+chin&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=3J85Uv-SFo7LqAGgtIDYAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CIIBEIke&biw=1366&bih=632&dpr=1#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=bTT_p6ljOJcCZM%3A%3BpcdnXBjpUQ-KfM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fimages.smh.com.au%252F2009%252F04%252F03%252F450417%252Fth_lee_lin_chin_gallery__240x160.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.smh.com.au%252Flifestyle%252Ffashion%252Flee-lin-chin-inspires-designer-20090403-9njn.html%3B240%3B160
.
l would be Quite Happy if Celtic go out and Play the Celtic way and Lose 4-3..in All 6 Games..
Howevvvva..
I am Going for 2-2 Tonight..Celtic taking the Lead twice..;-)
Summa
PFayr
At the draw, pundits on my coverage were going about the group of ex champions like it was unheard of.
I’m thinking that to have a pot 4 team as previous winners is unique.
Stato hotline needed.
Wonder if we should send the polis round to Kojo’s Airdrie flat. His dug has been barking since lunchtime.
I’m not sure where all this optimism is coming from,enjoyable though it is.
As ole winningemmell pointed out earlier today our record in Italy
is not great and our away form in Europe is shaky this campaign.
Any kind of draw would be an excellent result.
Paul says: “Neil has genuine choice. Before kick-off, there is no correct decision to this choice, hindsight will provide that answer”.
Paul and a few others have commented on how hard a decision Neil faces with his team selection tonight. I sincerely hope that everyone remembers this if things don’t quite go according to plan tonight.
We all have our own opinions on who should or should not start and in what positions. So if we don’t get a positive result, please don’t come on saying Neil should have played this one or that one instead of him. If you surveyed 100 fans just now, the result would be many different team selections. As Paul points out, hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Let’s pray and hope he gets it right!
In Neil we trust
HH
RWE
I was gonna mention some Romanian team,but I couldnae spell it!
You looking forward to educating some of your neighbours tonight?
Good afternoon CQN
In Glasgow town we have a team and Celtic is the name
We’ve beaten Hearts and Milan for Celtic know the game
And if you don’t believe me boys then come and see us play
For Glasgow Celtic, up the Celtic, beats the World today
We are a famous football team I’m sure you all agree
We’ve played them all, the big and small, from Lisbon to Dundee
And if you don’t believe me boys then this to you I say
Come up the Parkhead, dear old Parkhead, Celtic leads the way
Come up the Parkhead, dear old Parkhead, Celtic leads the way
Note I have removed a certain team that died last year
Come on you Bhoys in Green
Good luck tonight
Hail Hail
Commons to score first & tic to win 2-1…….400/1…..hmmmm.
This is the first time all 4 teams in a group have been previous champions.
DBBIA
how dare you come back on and be practical
we were enjoying ourselves for a few days
seriously you`re absolutely correct …taking anything from tonights game is a bonus
BMCUWP
No problem mate didn’t take it like that anyway
We are the best footballing side in Ireland and are again top of the league with the zombie brothers all trailing behind in our wake – particularly enjoyed saturdays humping of the Glens after last years cup final
Sammi’s gonna be the man tonight just hope we defend like we know we can
btw …Jiri Jarosik ……being very complimentary to CFC
” I like the weather in Spain, but nowhere has the passion of the Celtic fans ”
always thought Jarosik was a top performer for us in Europe
The wee girl that does the weather on ITV is outstanding – think you call her Lucy – don’t look at her name much ;-)
Mea Culpa .thanks i always wondered what DAME EDNA looked like without the makeup.
Pfayr- I’ve just come back from Tennessee
I managed to see a better class of hillbilly, more like a hillWilliam.
.
Favourite Uncle..
*Presses Like Button*
Summa
AC Milan have had the most 0-0 draws in Champions League history (21 since 1992/93).
Paul67
I like the forecast result
but
It must be Pukki up front to start…with Bo’ waiting in the wings
otherwise, what is the point?
I’ll be cheering whatever team take the field; we will get those 2 goals from somewhere with Lenny at the helm
Forza Celtic!!
.
God Help us if Celtic Win 0-3 and Our Not Proven Goalscorer Pukki gets a Hattrick..
We’re Up All Night To Get Pukki
Summa
DBBIA
How was the holiday? Did you get to meet any waitresses or truckers?
Re tonight, part of the fun in the lead-up to a game is being optimistic (or maybe just hope-laden). What’s got better is the fact that the optimism is now lasting beyond the first 5 minutes (where conceding a goal was fast becoming a Celtic Euro tradition).
I am going to stick my neck out and go for a Celtic win..or at least a draw though a narrow, and a not too narrow, defeat cannot be ruled out.
Summa of Sammi….
God Help us if Celtic Win 0-3 and Our Not Proven Goalscorer Pukki gets a Hattrick..
Odds @ 875/1.
RUSTY D.got it thanks for that.
DBBIA @ 13 49 .
” optimism ”
I’m never optimistic about a European game [ the likes of Cliftonville apart ] but having watched AC Milan lose to newly promoted Verona , struggle to beat Cagliari [ Pinilla , remember him ? regularly roasted both AC Milan fullbacks ] and get a fortunate draw v Torino , I find myself thinking , go for it .
They are a team who are badly out of sorts . I think that backing off and defending deep will only boost their fragile egos . Go for it !
Celtic Youths down 1-0 in 7 mins from dodgy free kick. Seems to be Audio only
Pictures now
S.o.t.
Shaktar will be shorter odds as they have won a game before Milan has kicked a ball.
Should Milan win tonight, (hope not) their odds will shorten.
Uk bookies must fancy them more as they are 4th favourites for the tourney.
conviction or strength of mind are the key this evening. There may be low moments, even a lost goal but the spirit should not diminish. This is all that separates Celtic from a good result this evening.
On a separate note, is anyone in the Bristol area or know of anyone there who would like to play in an 11s match on 5th October ? Email me if you do, there will be a free dinner and booze. malmcgreg@aol.com
DBBIA
Good to have you back!
I saw this story in DR,and knowing how much the environment in your locality means to you,I immediately thought of you.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/outrage-after-farmer-leaves-10000-2280998
When you read what caused it,you will immediately think of me!
Paul 67
Milan know we have a new centre half pairing and we will be subjected to a torrid opening period. I believe we should ignore all league form …. from AC, this will be a very difficult game.
George will be deployed wide left for high left out ball, hopefully Joseph will be fit as Charlie’s touch is too poor to play at this level, although Neil deploys Chas as free kick and corner kick taker …. Expect Temmi to be picked ahead of Stokes who will get a run out in the last 20 minutes.
Draw would be good , 0-2 unlikely.
HH
Cadizzy- it was very, very good. Will phone you later this week and fill you in.
Not only were there plenty of waitresses but one even had a four leaf clover tattooed on her chest.
I expect she had a bit of Greenock in her gene pool.
.
Glasgow to entertain visiting fans
Glasgow is to host a Champions League welcome to visiting fans when travelling to the city to watch their teams take on Celtic.
“There’s always a colourful, party atmosphere on match day when the Champions League comes to town” – Gordon Matheson
Fan zones showing the games, together with entertainment and music, are to be made available to supporters of Ajax, Barcelona and AC Milan over the coming months. At the same time the city’s promotional website People Make Glasgow has been launched in Spanish, Italian and Dutch versions.
“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,” Glasgow City Council leader Cllr Gordon Matheson told BBC Scotland. “We’re also no stranger to big footballing occasions having hosted the Champions League final in 2002 and the UEFA Cup final in 2007.”
Scottish Champions Celtic entertain Barcelona, Ajax and AC Milan on 1st October, 22nd October and 26nd November respectively, when around 5,000 foreign fans are expected to arrive over the three dates.
Summa