15 years ago we beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League. The team that night was:
Boruc
Caldwell, Kennedy, McManus, Naylor
McGeady, Brown, Hartley, Jarosik
McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink
Kennedy and Naylor went off injured in the first half, replaced by Pressley and Donati. Needing the winner, Gordon Strachan hooked Vennegoor of Hesselink and put on Chris Killen (!). It is also worth noting the quality of that group. Top seed Milan were reigning champions, Shakhtar would win the following season’s Uefa Cup and Benfica were no slouches.
Some sides flatter to deceive, Gordon Strachan’s Celtic did not deceive and did not flatter. They delivered without looking anything other than industrial. Those European nights were fabulous, domestically, however, it was often a hard watch.
I’m not going to ask you if you would swap what you had then for what we have now, we are enjoying today’s Celtic too much, also recency bias would intervene. All that would change if we were in second place in Scotland. Winning is all when you are behind in the race you really want to win.
Ange Postecoglou will also know sentiment is never fixed. He will have to improve European results with his current expansive style, change styles or eventually endure a drop in sentiment. Automatic qualification for the Champions League provides shelter.
As long as we win the league and the league winners get to the group stage, we will be able to indulge on the big stage. That would not be the case if we were to face a qualification round. Then, winning would be everything, just as it was with Gordon. If we take a harsh look in the mirror, results in what was an easier Champions League group have been disappointing and the manner in which we were exposed on the counter suggests no learning since Bodo/Glimt earlier this year. The slide from topping our Europa group in 2019 against Lazio, Rennes and Cluj is all tactical.
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Struggling to connect with this one Pablo.
I like the title. Nothing wrong with a harsh look in the mirror.
Swapping then and now?
“Recency bias would intervene. All that would change if we were in 2nd place in Scotland”
But we’re not. And the main reason we’re not is the playing field is more level now whereas it was rigged during Gordon’s time.
So, even taking entertainment out of the equation? I choose now.
The impression I am taking from quite a few posts is that, if Ange would adopt a more defensive strategy , then we would do better in the CL. Have I got it right?
Almost every team in the SPFL adopt a very defensive approach against us. How has that worked out for them?
Sevco play a much more defensive game than we do in the CL. How is that working out for them?
If Ange`s style is not working, how do we create so many good chances EVEN in the CL?
If we took a REASONABLE amount of those chances ,there would be no talk of changing our style. A style, incidentally, which I believe is great to watch from my seat in Celtic Park.
Let me repeat because I would dearly like to be educated on this matter.
IF ANGE`S APPROACH IS NOT WORKING,HOW DO WE CREATE SO MANY CHANCES?
Does anyone else think that our new PM seems to wear jackets which are too short, the sleeves in particular.
Next, if I may.
Comparing where we are now with where we were 15 years ago …. to put some context around our CL performance is, IMHO, largely fine.
But the analysis would be more complete if we chatted the trajectory of highs and lows across that 15 year period.
BTW – if we did …. the lowest of the lows by a country mile would be just 16½ months ago (the day before Ange was announced).
Guy deserves a chance to do a 30 month rebuild surely?
Whoops.
Charted not chatted.
DRAMBOWIECELT
With you my friend with best wishes.
My nephew, who is so very close to me, very close is a keep fit fanatic and supremely fit and healthy.
Last December, he woke up with a terrible itch all over which caused him to see his doc.
Doc smelled a rat, had a scan done which showed he had bile duct cancer, incredible and very rare. Anyway, he had major surgery, op lasted 8 hours and the took away 70% of his liver, his bile duct and his gall bladder.
Serious stuff.
During his time in hospital he got out of bed and his guts burst open but again the medics sorted him out
Since then he was discharged and making really good progress, suddenly, he got a fever and a cough.
Another scan proved his lungs and liver had cancer again. Starting chemo and other drugs next week and we are all hoping that a new way of killing cancer in the meantime can be found.
There is always hope and I do wish you well with all you have to go through.
KINGLUBo
RB……his designer suits wow the troosers are too short too as we used to say when our pals came to school and their maw had taken their troosers up to much…
“has the cat died”
” MARSPAPA on 27TH OCTOBER 2022 3:47 PM
“I think they’re fantastic.
“They’re a top, top team.
“I think they’ve been really, really unlucky in the Champions League games so that shows you the calibre of where Celtic are as a club.”
David Martindale Livi manager.”
Why did you have to post that? I am now having to reassess my once very comfortable opinion of what an ignorant wee Hun Martindale was .
“Cat died”
Remember that one. Rishi looks like his zoo died!
Finally, again if I may ….
“The slide from topping our Europa group in 2019 against Lazio, Rennes and Cluj is all tactical”
Really?
Tell that to a neighbour.
A neighbour who just five months ago was a converted chance (in the last minute of extra time) away from winning the Europa League ….
…. and who is now getting their ass handed to them in the big one every time.
The Champions League is brutal !
Respectfully, using it as the primary barometer of progress under Ange is ludicrous.
HOT SMOKED
He maybe playing mind games….. But I actually think he means it.
Expectations are set by each individual
There will be one or two who thought we would win the Champions League – their positivity is is to be applauded
Personally performing with credibility was my ambition
Getting into the knockout stages a dream
Qualifying for the Europa League a realistic prospect
So I am a bit despondent that our European adventure is over but not disheartened
For what it’s worth
I thought we were a bit gung ho v Madrid leaving us exhausted for the last half hour (when we lost the game)
We competed well away to SD and were unlucky to only get a point
Home and away to RBL again we went after them and ended both games exhausted (when we lost the game)
And again v SD at home unlucky not to win
The AP non stop pursuit of the opposition is great to watch at times and we should continue it in the SPL
But in the big cup I think we need to cut our cloth a bit
Defend in numbers and play on the break
Stay in the game for 90 mins
Bt this Celtic supporter has no regrets about Europe (think of the money)
Also as a difference the Huns are an embarrassment
Just win the league Celtic
Only show in town
67ECW
AIPPLE
🤣🤣🤣🤣
AIPPLE
All that’s missing is the bowler hat and you have Stan Laurel….
KINGLUBO on 27TH OCTOBER 2022 4:00 PM
And we think getting knocked out of Europe is a tragedy !!
God bless your nephew – nothing more important than family
67ECW
“MARSPAPA on 27TH OCTOBER 2022 4:11 PM
HOT SMOKED
He maybe playing mind games…”
Oh, yes, I forgot we had them this week. Even so, mind games would not have necessitated reference to the CL so, like yourself, I think he was being honest.
Marspapa, Hot smoked.
I wouldn’t trust that wee hun bassa as far as I could throw him. 😂
Or anything he says. 👍
L14 @ 3.54
You don’t post much but when you do it can be guaranteed to be utter tripe — some record that you are keeping up.
Aff oot so, if anyone is willing to offer the education requested at 3:58pm, I will attend class later.
Cheerio for now.
@Parkheadcumsalford and Ron ..thank you so much …two top brave men..Seems this P.S.A number pleases
itself……Mine only 9.1 so …I know what you mean about constant checks…I’m up the glasgow royal gettin the camera up my hooter regularly..down the throat etc ,they don’t mess about god bless em… Anyhoo until
the biopsies are looked at once i get it done on Wed theres nae use me frettin eh??? May i ask Ron where you the Bhoy the Chemo never made you sick????They had to hospitalize me i was violently spewin..kept me in the whole 6 weeks of radiotherapy…..Something about the Genes????? they gave up on the Chemo lol.
again thank you for sharing your personal history with me ..and apologies to the blog if this has seemed to dictate matters .This will be my last post on the matter ..it is of course The Celtic blog…if i haven’t mentioned all personally please be assured every good wish and comment has been appreciated…Now onto Sunday and a wee step closer to the Title….H.H
Last comment..@BRRB so sorry i posted aff oot just as you posted …. not intentional god bless you sir .
H.H
Drambowiecelt
No need to apologise to the blog. For anything. HH 👍
DRAMBOWIECELT
Yes, I never suffered any side effects from the chemo much to the amazement of the docs.
Wishing you all the best in your tests etc.
Pebble in the pond time — CL campaign this season …
Would SC and the Scottish NT squad have achieved better results against RM / RBL / SD given their recent performances?
Also can we learn anything from Napoli’s recent good form?
Korean CB who was a standout last night was available at EUR 3mill in July 2021.
Other CB is an EPL refugee who gets games for the Norwegian NT and is seemingly an attacking threat from corners.
Their energy levels and speed when defending / pressing / covering ground was a sight to behold in comparison to our more laboured efforts.
Hey Drawbowiecelt
Dinnae be daft, post away mate.
THE BUFFLER on 27TH OCTOBER 2022 12:11 PM
SFTB, what. Yhe f&£k did the Buffler have to do last night , only posted the mod will be on overtime, can assure tyou
Nomark got absolutely brilliant life , oh and plenty of doe to boot
————
Plenty of doe to boot, I take it you mean cash.
You fancy buying some Drinks for a few cqners or just me tomorrow 😉
D :)
MARSPAPA on 27TH OCTOBER 2022 4:13 PM
AIPPLE
All that’s missing is the bowler hat and you have Stan Laurel….
————————–
Got me thinking what Laurel and Hardy movie title would be best for the current state of affairs.
Double Whoopee?
Another Fine Mess?
The Devils Brother?
A Chump at Oxford?
So much to choose from.
Team for Sunday;
Joe, Tank, CCV, St Moritz, Greg, Reo, Matt, Liel, Aaron, Gio, Haksa. Ange just told me, he likes wetherspoons. Reminds him of the worst bars in Australia. 😂
Aipple
The one where they shot big Oliver outta the chute in the sawmill. Ffs hahahaha
MADMITCH on 27TH OCTOBER 2022 4:21 PM
L14 @ 3.54
You don’t post much but when you do it can be guaranteed to be utter tripe — some record that you are keeping up.
==================
Read back what you said.
I was cringing reading it.
Best thing you can do is ask a moderator to delete the turkish delight you wrote then I can take you a bit more serious.
Amazing Ron…. i’m calling that the Superman gene lol .We were droppin like flies in various wards….
I think you will be a person of interest as they say ..To the Health team?????
H.H
Aipple on 27th October 2022 4:37 pm
For some reason those ridiculous suits really annoy me, he looks like an 8 yr old dressed by his granny.
Odd thing is he only started to dress like that since becoming chancellor, prior to that he wore normal fitting MP type suits. I can only assume some “image” guru had the idea, personally I think he looks ridiculous.
By all accounts the suits and shoes are all hand made to measure which makes it even stranger.
oh and thanks to…GNK and Ernie in forwarding my post…..great help..
Never trust a tea total politician.
Particularly one with strongly held religious beliefs.
Very bad combo IMO.
L14 @ 4.42
Cringe away — you seem to be a bit lightweight / immature to discuss the various topics that come into view on here.
You will get used to it — statements are made / questions asked / opinions given / gossip traded …
Why you would want to die in a ditch for the tennis player that is RN I do not know — my only point of engagement to the topic is the venom that many have to his career and his achievements.
Never really a fan of his — more a RF type of guy / he is to me a baseline grinder rather than a classic talent — but taken aback by the amount of bad feeling that he seems to have generated with a section of the tennis community.
You might want to get involved and offer an opinion of your own — or you might not and howl at the moon regarding my comments.
The choice is yours.
Mad Mitch at 16.34.
I assume you are asking whether Steve Clarke and the National team have done better playing as they do against the teams we faced in Europe this season.
I doubt it- stodgier and possibly lasted the 90 minutrs better maybe, but I think Real and Red Bull at least are way better than all teams Clarke’s team has faced. Shaktar are a bit different to the other 2 as we did not actuallly lose to them- Scotland does not have any attackers I’d take over any of ours – possibly excluding Christie- so not sure where the goals come from.
Real answer seems to be that if we were better at playing football we’d have done much better.
Jimbo
Drambowiecelt. Thoughts and prayers are with you. Will remember you at Mass tomorrow.