On hearing the results from England’s vaulted competitors in the Champions League last night, against teams ten points off the pace in the Netherlands and seven adrift in Germany, my first thought was, I wonder how they’d get on against Barcelona? This is a guide to the magnitude of the challenge facing our manager and players this evening.
You can forget notions of stoical performances two weeks ago, that game counts for nothing, which we will find out within the opening minutes. If Celtic are going to earn anything substantial from their group-stage games against Barcelona, they will need to open better, retain possession higher up the field, and maintain energy and concentration levels until the final whistle.
Barca have had an incredible start to the season, winning nine and drawing one of their 10 domestic league games, while winning all three in the Champions League, but each well-oiled machine is susceptible to having a spanner thrown in.
Nine years ago the same team arrived at Celtic Park on the back of a nine game winning run, the best in their history at the time. The trip to Glasgow didn’t work out so well for them as Celtic punched a hole in their defences and used what, at the time, I assumed was voodoo to prevent the visitors from scoring. They travelled home blaming hex, bad finishing and the foreign conditions for their defeat, but the truth is we spooked some of the most experienced players in the game.
This is not a team of diminutive super-humans. They are enormously skilful and effective, clearly the best team in the world today, but they are vulnerable at the back, as Celtic proved two weeks ago, and struggle to vary the formula, if required, up front.
Celtic need to concentrate on winning possession on the wings inside the opposition half. Do this regularly enough and opportunities to fire high-balls into the box, directly or from free kicks, will follow. Neil Lennon will decide if this is a game for Kris Commons but even if it’s not, it is a game for a Commons-style intelligent use of body and ball.
If voodoo is your thing, knock yourself out. The rest of you wear your lucky socks/shirt/shoes/Hector mask and arrive ready to participate. Fortune favours the Celtic.
I attended the 125th Anniversary celebrations at St Mary’s and later the Kerrydale Suite last night. I’m not sure what I expected beforehand but it was not the funny, touching and unmistakably-Celtic occasion we experienced. Well done to the magnificent Celtic Graves Society for getting the tone absolutely right, and to Celtic for bringing the event together. If Messi and Co were in attendance they would be reluctant to leave the dressing room tonight. The Barcelona directors who were there will now where to aim for with their club.
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OMG.
Just been offered a ticket as some poor bhoy is stranded in Dubai.
Ghod Bless Emirates!!!
Sammi Fit
Rioskorrie
It was me who suggested the Celtic Pub in Verona, ‘tho I have never been there! Apologies for the bum steer!
All the CL matches are on Sky Italia – there must be some bars in Rovigo who have it! Or a friendly work colleague who hates Juventus!
Failing that you will defenitely see it on the ‘net!
Keep the faith!
HH!!
@Wee_Oscar: Brilliant news!! CT scan today shows nothing new, no change from last one in June! Big relief given recent abdominal pains etc #TeamOscar
Off to mates to watch game,
Was at fanzone earlier,grandson got his photo took with a few barca fans with me,atmosphere was magic and was really starting to build as we left.
If you are fortunate enough to have a ticket ENJOY!!!!!!!!!
To the millions of other Tims all over the world ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!
We are in special times, ENJOY THE MOMENT Bhoys & Ghirls
Till later HAIL HAIL
Blackpool are also celebrating 125 years . Wonder if they will do that with Owen Coyle as manager?
C’mon Celtic
“Oscar Knox celtic warrior YNWA”
Moonbeams WD. Kano 1000 \o/ Supporting Neil Lennon 100%. Champions. C’mon Wee Oscar. Thank you for update
God bless and look after wee Oscar and his family.
C’mon God, they could do with a break.
Please.
Right guys see you on the other side of the game. There can be miracles if you believe.
Go on you Celts, attack, attack, attack.
Good news from Oscar,slowly but surely wee mhan,hope you get to watch the game.
Sitting here nice and relaxed just in fae a biopsy in my prostate, pain in the a**e but no worried about it this is the 3rd time I’ve had one, couple of colonoscopys tae, it’s an age thing.
Oul piankillers now kicking in, game on sportsnet 1 over here so I’ll just enjoy it we draw would be nice as personaly I want a another go at the cup Jose stole and as it may turn out Man City might not be there so another crack at Juve would do me.
Billy Bhoy
Got a text earlier when at fanzone
“do you want ticket
FOR SUNDAY” :((
Bourne
You need to be fit to do Lubo’s cheeky bum number. And in the Gazebo too.
SamerAssCSC
So see yous at paradise on sunday Bhoys & Ghirls
Evening all.
Butterflies in my stomach and oh how I wish I was there.
Off out for an hour but probably back before kick off to watch online, unless I decide to stay out and watch in a bar.
Wherever you are, enjoy and PLEASE, those inside Paradise, photos, especially of the GB display :)))
tontine tim
Enjoy the game and keep healthy.
Will be watching here in Manchester.
Tell you would love to get Man City in Europa Cup. We would beat them over two legs.
Nae problem.
SSN warning all Celtic fans to get to CP early tonight due to roadworks in the East End.
C’mon Bhoys drink up and get out there.
Off out to the game. A night all Celts can be proud to witness.
Hail Hail, to you Paul, and your splendid ‘Article Of Faith’! To all Celtic supporters, wherever you are tonight, enjoy, we belong here, to all CQN’ers, may the ‘Force’ be with you! God bless you all! Now off to watch,’The Celts’!
See you in X numbers of days!!!!!!
TBB
Ha Ha
You made me watch it again
West Belfast is green & white tonight for the mighty Celtic of Glasgow!!
COYBIG.
cmon celtic
really looking forward to this match
celtic where they should be
playing maybe the best club side ever
Efe 20/1 anytime in 90mins for an added interest :))
till later
Here’s a wee tune I’ve come to enjoy.
Let the voices sing. Birth of a great love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiB7Be0wNsg&noredirect=1
googybhoy ♥ Celtic
17:44 on 7 November, 2012
tontine tim
Enjoy the game and keep healthy.
Will be watching here in Manchester.
Tell you would love to get Man City in Europa Cup. We would beat them over two legs.
Nae problem.
*cheers Jim watched Man City yesterday Mancini should dae the right thing and wear a mask like Dick Turpin used tae.
Thought big Mario was going tae gub him when he came off.
The HUNS at SSN are spinning like Sally in a Greggs factory tonight: ‘Celtic could finish the night bottom of the group if results go against them’.
It is mathematically IMPOSSIBLE for us to be bottom of the group by end of play tonight.
Illiterate, numerically-challenged Sky Zombie scum.
TBB
Let the songs begin
Good luck to all you bhoys and ghirls going to the game, Sky for me I’m afraid.
Hail! Hail!
How much did the eBay wee Oscar ticket go for?
leftclicktic
18:03 on 7 November, 2012
Efe 20/1 anytime in 90mins for an added interest :))
till later
—————————–
Aye, 20/1. Great. But at what end…
;))
We’re the famous Glasgow celtic and we’re off to wembeley!!!!
Never had any bother with ni notes in glasgow. Other airts and pairts may be different. Embra fur example.
Tontine Tim
Hope ALL the results go your way my friend.
Take care.
tontime tim.i got relatives in DUM.yir grannie sounds like a lovely wee womin.hope she lived tae a ripe oul age and taught ye how tae say yir prayers.so get on yir knees and say a few fur THE TIC and all their wonderful supporters.hail hail.
Strange days….big huns and the wee huns in turmoil……Celtic and Hibees on top of the table….I blame the financial wonder kid Campbell Ogilvie and lick-spittle Sandy Jardine for the latest saga…..the common denominator.
BSR
See you at the usual table shortly, shaking the foundations of the ol’ Gazebo natch.
There’s always roadworks when we’ve got a big game on!!!!
I think it was the Manu game when Naka scored the wonder goal. On the way home there huge delays on the A80 (Stirling Road) because the cooncil were cutting the hedge at the side of the bl**dy road!!!
Coincidence?
I think not!
We got back to Lithgae about 11:45. The Star and Garter was a great place to be.
C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!
WE FEAR NO ONE!!!!!
The only questions re squad, I expect is 1. whether its Lustig/Matthews or Lustig/Mulgrew at back, I think Ambrose/Wilson combo is nailed down. 2 Is it 1 or 2 upfront. 3. If 2 is it Miku or Watt. My guess FF, Lustig, Matthews, Ambrose, Wilson, Big Vic, Brooney, Charlie, Commons, Sammi, Watt.