Two clubs from outside the top five wealthy leagues reached the quarter finals last season but Benfica were drawn against another team from outside the big five, Zenit St Petersburg. Apoel Nicosia eliminated Lyon in the last 16 on penalties (we should be practicing penalties every week between now and then).
Two teams, Basel (who earlier eliminated Manchester United) and Bayer Leverkusen (who eliminated Valencia), lost seven goals in one game in the first knockout round last season. This tournament retains an ability to be harsh and unforgiving at every moment. Leverkusen actually conceded 10 to Barcelona over two games.
Apoel Nicosia conceded eight to Real Madrid in the quarters. The Cypriot team held things together for as long as they could but failed to reach group stage of the Europa League this season, going out at the hands of Neftchi Baku (Azerbaijan).
Our seven potential opponents, all from the top five leagues, will each present an enormously difficult challenge but some are easier than others. Our biggest advantage is our own position. Those seven clubs will each underestimate Celtic, we have by far the lowest coefficient of all teams left in the tournament.
Thanks for the great support for the CQN Annual. You can order online here!
We are enormously outgunned and inexperienced at this level but we know a few things:
We can defend under incredible pressure.
We can score, home and away, against anyone.
We cannot retain possession. This is not a good thing, but it is an acknowledged weakness, so we know not to plan to retain possession. If in doubt, laces through the ball and get into position.
Our opponents will know we have the tallest team in the competition. Height is an advantage until your opponent learns how you use it. During the first half on Wednesday Celtic tried to repeat the corner kick success we enjoyed against Barcelona and Benfica but Spartak had read the script. We will be unlikely to score the same goal again in Europe. A fresh plan is needed.
The Spartak goal is a real lesson. This is not a goal we would have conceded against a far superior Barcelona. We had a 1-0 lead and our entire left flank was exposed, compromising a winning position. We can leave our left flank exposed at Kilmarnock tomorrow but this kind of laissez-faire defending came within 8 minutes of eliminating us on Wednesday and will do so in the next round if repeated.
Penalty kicks determined the outcome of 50% of Champions League knockout ties last season (20% after games, 30% during games). No amount of practice is too much.
Planning for the quarter finals starts now.
The next issue of CQN Magazine will be out next week. If you would like to advertise get in touch, advert@cqnmagazine.co.uk.
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EDWARD URSUS
Thanks for the recommendation for The Annick-I’ll need to make sure the ex ain’t around if I pop in,though.
Had to laugh when you mentioned your two least favourite Ayrshire towns,Drongan and New Cumnock. I reckon they would be near the top of most people’s lists;however-nae mention of Dalmellington or Patna? Ooooops,forgot,not supposed to mention them in the hope that they don’t actually exist.
Enjoy the game tomorrow,mate. I hope it’s blinkin’ freezin’ and you have nothing exciting to warm the cockles,nae offence,like!
.
a ceiler gonof rust
02:05 on
8 December, 2012
Anyway, enough of this hun, EU, hun prospectus, champions league crap.
Anyone want to buy a boat?
Summa, you need not apply.
Petec, you could become a f*nnie magnet in an instant. No, really. Honest.
CQNchristmaspressie.com
..
Jeezo.. You still trying to Punt that Wee Tinnie ( btw Tinnies are Made from Aluminum so Not Magnetic).. Ha..
Between Talking in the Third Person and Trying to Punt that “Yacht”..and then there is Taking Peeps Tae look for Nessie in Loch Lomond..!!!!
I know we get a Lot of Rain back Home.. But does the Caledonian Cannal really that Long..;0((((
Keep up the Guid Work..
Summa of SummasSloopsSheilasCSC
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Edward..
I won’t bring up My Wee (Brain Snap) in April.. But about a Week later I flew Home to See the Hoops Play Rangers for the Last time and to see Celtic Win the Title..
Also My Dad had been ill so Wanted spend some Time with Him..3 Months..
I stayed with Him..May.. June.. July.. We Had our First Ever Celtic-Rangers argument tho I Never said Much..Don’t know how it all affected You.. As it is Your Team..at Times l felt Really sorry for Him..and Mabye after a Couple of Beers in the Pub l would tell his Pals he had ‘Rangers Tourette’s ..!!”..he would be Lying on the Couch..I would Not know he had Earphones on and All I would here is..”I Don’t Feckin Believe it” Victor Meldrew Stylie..
Seriously.. A Lot of Innocent people have been affected by all this..Personally I blame One man and One Man alone..
EnyWhooo Hope Yir Guid..
Summa
Ps.. Do You have And Ranjurs Tattoos..?
greetings bhoys, popping in
,popping straight right back out again
BMCUWP
No…self imposed boycott
Since they dicked us about with tickets a few years ago I’ve stopped going
Anyway sponsors day at rugby club…mucho bevvy :-))
.
A Wee bit Disappointed with the Tone of this Article..
Talking about Resting Players..in May..!! What happened to ‘A Game at a Time’ and as if We have Made our Money this Year.. Job Done..
Would have Preferred Bring on The World..
Courtesy The Telegraph..
Neil Lennon plans to rest key Celtic players at end of season to freshen up for next European campaign
In dreamland: Neil Lennon admits that he had still not wholly absorbed the impact of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League
Picture: ACTION IMAGES
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By Roddy Forsyth10:30PM GMT 07 Dec 2012
If Celtic should be crowned Scottish champions with weeks to spare – as most observers believe likely – their key players could be told to go on holiday to prepare them for the early start to next season’s European campaign.
That scenario might not be welcomed by all but will be necessary to prevent burnout, according to Neil Lennon.
The Hoops manager, who takes his players to Kilmarnock for Saturday’s lunchtime televised fixture, admitted that he had still not wholly absorbed the impact of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League, after Wednesday’s tense home victory over Spartak Moscow, but warned that the feat will be extremely difficult to replicate.
“It was much needed, getting into the Champions League,” said Lennon. “It keeps people in jobs for two or three years which is fantastic and keeps the morale going around the place. It was needed because it could have been a long haul for a few years.
“I’m not saying it’s going to be a regular thing because we’ve got three qualifiers next season and there’s no guarantees we’ll get through them. I think they’re the most difficult games of the lot.
“Looking at it, we might have to stagger the season a little bit in terms of maybe trying to give them a break even this season and bring them back early for the qualification games in early July or mid-July.
“We’ll be looking to maybe bring them back mid to late June which almost feels like they’ve been in it for 12 months. We’re thinking about maybe giving them some time off at the end of the season. Mind you, if we get into the Scottish Cup final then we’d have to bring them back but it’s a scenario we’re looking at.”
As for what might transpire when the draw for the Champions League knockout stage is made on Dec 20, Lennon said: “People are asking me and I have no favourite, but I suppose in terms of glamour it would be Manchester United. I would like to avoid them if I could.
“I’d have to go up against Sir Alex and he’s been very good during the campaign in terms of titbits and advice. He was texting me yesterday and he said, ‘Congratulations. Great achievement. I thought you’d do it.’
“I said, ‘I hope we don’t draw you’. He said, ‘Well, if you do, make sure there’s a good bottle of red wine.’
“Dortmund would be another one. They’ve been very impressive over two years. To come out of that group was very impressive as was the way they did it. As for the rest, they’re all good sides.
“We did avoid some good teams, too, when you think about it – Real Madrid, Arsenal and teams like that. It doesn’t really matter. Two months down the line I don’t know where we’ll be form wise, I don’t know where we’ll be personnel wise and the other clubs don’t know where they’ll be either.
“Over two games anything can happen so it’s brilliant and very exciting and we’d like to take it on.”
Meanwhile, Lennon will have to reshuffle his pack again for the trip to Ayrshire, aware of Kilmarnock’s capacity for disruption, especially in the aftermath of Celtic heroics in the Champions League. On Oct 27, four days after the Parkhead side lost to Barcelona three minutes into injury time at the Nou Camp, Kenny Shiels’s side registered a 2-0 victory in the east end of Glasgow.
Mikael Lustig and Kris Commons have been ruled out because of hamstring and thigh injuries respectively, but Victor Wanyama is back after missing the European tie through suspension and Scott Brown trained again on Friday, which suggests that he will be available for at least part of the proceedings on Saturday afternoon.
Kilmarnock’s Liam Kelly and Garry Hay trained this week but lack of match fitness means that both are doubtful. Manuel Pascali, the Killie captain, is due to serve the second instalment of a two-match suspension imposed after he was sent off against St Johnstone.
However, Shiels – in the manner which has made the Kilmarnock manager such a favourite with the SFA disciplinary department – has stated that Pascali actually missed 90 minutes of the St Johnstone match and the whole of the subsequent Scottish Cup tie against Queen of the South and has therefore missed the equivalent of two games, so will play on Saturday.
To which one can only respond with the Glaswegian cry of scepticism – aye, right.
O’Neill hails his protégé
Former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill believes protégé Neil Lennon’s achievement in leading the Hoops into the last 16 of the Champions League is all the more remarkable given the decline in strength of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
The Sunderland manager said: “That was a fantastic achievement. With the SPL maybe not as strong as it was a couple of years ago, their performances in Europe are even more remarkable.
“To get through that group is just remarkable, it’s absolutely fantastic. Well done to the club and well done to Neil Lennon.”
Summa
.
MIL (MotherInLaw).. Just said..
“Did You see that the Pope is on that ‘Wiggle’ thing You do..!!”
Wiggle..?
“Woogle..!!”
My Wee Ghirl chips in “It’s Google Nana”..
Twitter l said..
Summa of TheWigglesCSC
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Is Anyone getting this after they Press ‘Post’ on iPhone4..?
..
ERROR
The requested URL could not be retrieved
The following error was encountered while trying to retrieve the URL: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/?
Connection to http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk failed.
The system returned: (99) Cannot assign requested address
The remote host or network may be down. Please try the request again.
Your cache administrator is webmaster.
Summa
Even after admitting that no CVA meant no Ranjurs, ole Greengo has managed to convince thousands of zombies that he didn’t actually say that and the wee third division team that he set up a couple of months ago is really 140 years old.
How did he manage that? Even with all the help from truculent bam, that’s some task!
Aside from blanking out the truth, he has called out to the lowest denominator who frankly would believe anything, especially if it allows them a purpose and a mast on which to pin their bile and hatred.
Unless you have a strong stomach, probably best to avoid the sugar coated blanket reporting of the “140 year” thing, and worse still any you tube links! If we thought the orange poppy army bouncy thing was in poor taste, I suspect this will be worse. The old song book will be getting belted out for sure and nothing of that will be mentioned.
Don’t forget, though, that Ranjurs are in the ground and Sevco won’t be far behind.
Summa
Iphone .. never saw you as a prophet if Jobs ;)
Im tempted to comment on that last article you posted … That big sammi is on holiday 75 mins of every game … But i wont bother ………..
Its all tosh anyhoo cos they may have a champions league final to play at the end of the season
.
Jinks..
Re; Jobs..Would I Need Tae Work.. Ha Ha..
iPhone’s are Good Macs are Rotten to the Core..;0)
Need to Run.. Izzy & Kev Jungle will be Stirring from their Crib soon..
“Aff Oot”
Summa of ThatCadIzzy&JungleKevCSC
Just checked my mail and got the rangers prospectus one late last night.
Loving the premium rate help line … Another money making scam
The Hun prospectus raises more questions than answers. It also is a confusing document as they seem to think they are old Huns and new Huns when it suits.
Anyway I have said all along that I thin their issue will be a success because the Huns need it to work they will pay out. They’ve been mighty close to having no club, old or new so they will gamble thought they would rather not.
I now little about finance but this looks like another short term fundraiser to keep them alive.
Morning,
Think we will hammer Killie today.
A certain club to pay HMRC a £9.65 Million settlement, subsidized from a share issue and then wail that they have no choice but to sell their property and lease it back.
Nah… never happen, be like saying something ridiculous like ‘the mighty rangers will go bust!’
Morning champs
Good morning friends from a currently dry and slightly milder East Kilbride.
Really looking forward to being entertained this lunchtime and coming away with 3 points in the bag. A day for Lassad.
Jobo
140 year celebrations eh? Is this a historical society getting together? A bunch of empties alerting bdo, sector and hundreds of creditors that they are wanting to pay their bills? Or just more cheap publicity for a share issue in a new club?
Answer: all of the above.
Stupid Sevconians
Jjjbt
A fine but cold morning to you sir…. Being top of the league and in the last 16 will warm us up
Empties= numpties
Morning all!
Very much looking forward to today’s game. Have to admit that Rugby Park has always been one of my favourite venues, and it’s always great to go there and stuff them – none more so than in April when we clinched the title!
The atmosphere that day was one of the best at an away game I can remember.
To all those going – safe there and back and enjoy.
3-0 the Hoops!
HH!!
roberttressell
08:30 on 8 December, 2012
Empties= numpties
I thought “bunch of empties” was a damn good description.
Am i missing something? If BDO decide the assets of rangers were sold too cheaply, or that the sale to white and then green were under value are they not going to look to claw assets back for a proper sale?
How does this wash with investors ?
Ordinary working sevconians are gonna get shifted again. I do have some sympathy with them. Lied to and confused by club and media as well as their club ‘legends’. How can we expect them to have any sense?
Stoopid sevconians
Toscanbhoy – it was!
Stoopid empty sevconians.
Roberttressell
Why else do you think they are trying to rush this thro
Also they are running at a substantial loss …..they need the cash to keep the doors open
Asonofdan
What’s this tax bill you speak of ?
The share issue, I don’t think we’ll ever get the truth as to how successful or otherwise it is. The MSM will make sure it is a success as far as Joe Public is concerned. It might be as fruitful as DMs effort where he had to stump up over 50M himself, but in the Snu and DR it will be an oversubscribed massive success.
Unfortunately for the Mulders and Scullys amongst us, the truth won’t be out there in this one…
I see that DM Halls valuation was a simple ‘walk through’ valuation with a clear statement reflecting that they have not been provided with an asbestos report and as such ‘assume’ that there is no problem.. That’s handy!!!
Malcolm
Perhaps
But, if its not a success they’ll be financially screwed …look at the trading figures …they’re running at a substantial loss …cash flow will be a problem without a cash injection
There’s nothing philanthropic about Greengo as his pals involvement in his …they are after a profit and the share issue is a necessary step
PF
re email last night, I have been a good bhoy these last few days/weeks o))
BT
That sort of nonsense will never catch on :-))
indeed so sir, see you have been up early. excited about mucho bevvy at club today?
Here’s hoping pf, here’s hoping… Talking to sevcovians I know – only a few, granted – none of them seem to have much appetite for digging deep. The rabid ones are adopting the “we arra peepul, why should I” attitude whilst the “Edwards Ursus” ones are smart enough to see through Chuckles’ cunning plan.
Armageddon after all, hopefully :)
NEILYBHOY if yer lurking…….
If you still fancy a pint or ten in FLANS in Bath during the game today,I’ll be the suave,sophisicated one with the green RL Polo shirt.
The one emblazoned with
LXVII
or 67 in plebspeak (someone had to explain it to me!)
Anyone else up for same,here is the place.
http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/flan-o-briens-bath
Canny beat a day oot in Bath…..
BMCUW
enjoy your day, I am working but will catch first half in PV..
BMCUWP
On my way save me a seat….might miss the KO :-))
ole Celtic bob became a grandad yesterday, congratulations Bob…
BT
Curry buffet at the club lunch today too…..all my favourite things
Hopefully a CFC victory, …just top it off nicely
OK Chaps – off up to Embra with Mrs BGFC and the weans for a change of scenery, and a bit of Christmas shopping.
Have already got permission to stop to watch the Killie game over lunch ( she is not a bad soul), but where to go is the problem.
Any suggestions – family friendly, near the city centre, reasonable grub and, most importantly, guaranteed to be showing the game????
Thanks in anticipation.
HH
BGFC