Here is a prediction for you, Wednesday’s Champions League game at Celtic Park will not end with 22 players on the field. Spartak and Celtic are both enduring awful form at the moment but with different characteristics. The accusation against Celtic (valid or otherwise) is that they have failed to apply themselves sufficiently to overcome opponents. Spartak, on the other hand, stand accused of indiscipline.
Zenit drove the proverbial horse and cart through their midfield on Friday night. Two goals were conceded to players who carried the ball to the edge of the area and shot unchallenged, but Spartak went down running, kicking, heading, kicking and kicking. Their failure is clearly not a lack of desire. Celtic can use this indiscipline to their advantage. Know to expect late or illegal challenges but don’t rise to the bait.
An hour into the corresponding game in Moscow Spartak were 2-1 ahead having lost 3-2 to two late goals in the Camp Nou in the previous game. At that point Spartak were in the box seat to qualify for the knockout stage. A professional foul on Gary Hooper destroyed that position as they were reduced to 10 men and Celtic thundered back to win the game. One momentary lapse in discipline on Wednesday night could cost either team.
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The loss of two goals through the middle on Friday will hopefully give interim coach, Valery Karpin, cause for confusion. Celtic destroyed Spartak on the wings in Moscow, something we would expect them to tactically adjust for on Wednesday, but this recent loss might have them pondering which defensive frailty to concentrate on.
Aiden McGeady made his first team return as a second half substitute after a six week injury lay off. He is a player who will be as much at home as any of the rest of us on Wednesday so I’d prefer he missed out on this occasion.
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What Sh t is that clown on SSN talking.
I can see the live games already – will it be Sky or the BBC fighting over their favourite team?
wonder what the tv game will be :-(
I don’t want us to ever be forced to play thems ever again. Ever. Never. Ever.
fanadpatriot
13:10 on 3 December, 2012
What Sh t is that clown on SSN talking.
//////////////////////////
Who??
We lost to Raith Rovers in the 1994 LCF, no mention of us beating them earlier this season.
Hunbelievable!
Oh by the way, everyone wanted to avoid the 3rd division team Rankers!
I do despair at times.
HH
Raith v Us
DU v Zombies
Hibs v Dons/Well
the three TV games?
If I was Dundee Utd I’d be in no rush to pay them any money due from the tie
Just saying
play
Tanner the Spanner!
Kayal33-Got to be.
pf4g – Difference is Dundee Utd still have some ‘unsurpassed dignity’ in the tank, whereas sevco’s is empty.
Mhark67
I think Tanner is his name,he said Sevco the team that all SPL teams were frighten to be drawn against.Scottish media sickens me.HH
Tanner describes Du v Sevco as tie of the round ha!
No mention of Hibs v Mothers or Dons ???
Even Raith v Celts or Arbroath is a bigger tie
Not if you are a deadco luving Hun I suppose
Jeezo
Sky fail- spelling- Abroath
Campbell Ogilive fail- holding the numbered balls upside down.
Good draw for us
Great draw for Arabs, hope they charge them £30 a ticket
Fanandpatriot
Cheers for that the mans a zoomer ignore him
Glad to see Turnbull Hutton getting a big Celtic payday.
He was the leading voice against the Teutonic Cheats FC being shoe-horned back to the top.
Is that pleb on SSN Tanner? He makes Craigain sound decent. He’s got to be the worst I have heard, seriously he’s been talking pash all morning.
Stupid zombie follower
HH
I take it the “frightened to draw Sevco” SPL teams don’t include Inverness who soundly pumped this wonder team in their own back yard a matter of weeks ago.
Tanner has a face only a mother could love on pay day.
playfusball etc. @ 13.12
That’s a fair shout!
Will they do it though?
Who is the fangita commenting on the Cup draw? Sevco have apparently got the plum draw against Dundee Utd and will fancy their chances whereas Celtic have a much trickier away tie at Raith Rovers.
Wishful thinking perhaps?
Do you think Zombies will boycott the game against Dundee utd ?
They do not seem to like them I mean that Mr Thomson chap had the cheek to knock back 6 bids from Craigy bhoy for BadWillie
and then demand share of gate money when zombies got knocked out the cup.
Kicked them when they were down if you ask me.
At least it puts to bed the belief that the draw would be rigged. Not only are Sevco drawn away from home, they are given one of the toughest games possible.
United will put them if out they play to their capabilities.
If Russell, Mackay-steven and Daly all play, they’ll have them out of the cup two seasons in a row.
I am pleased we have avoided the circus act as the media would have been in a frenzy.
Just gutted we will have to wait until February to see Fat Sally papped out another cup… :(
‘Rangers(sic) are keen to get SPL opposition and beat them’ – D Tanner
That applies to every team in SFL. And SPL for that matter. This guy is not even trying to disguise his
Next remark -‘…Celtic of course famously lost to Raith Rovers….’
I am aware that there may be youngsters on here so I won’t comment.
With respect to Paul67 and all other bloggers.
16 Roads has a suitable expression which could be aplied to tanner.
Thickos are talking about boycotting Tannadice, but penny dropping that they are only cutting their own noses off.
Oh what a quandry to be in.
Philbhoy
I have many but as I said, Youngsters and all that. Mind you they should be in school.
Jordi Alba ensures that the Catalans will make a “serious game” against Benfica on Wednesday at Camp Nou.
“We are already ranked, but we make a serious game against a team of very great level,” said the Spanish international.
“All teams that come to Camp Nou in complicate life. Against Benfica we will try to play our game and try to win,” he added
Does Tanner know the mighty Queen of the South pumped his heroes in the Ramsdens Sovvy Ring Cup?
‘Dundee United handed Rangers test in Scottish Cup fifth round draw.’
WTF are STV on about? Utd were given the second lowest ranking team left in the cup.
A week without CQN and my life is out of the loop, strange to think I am 12 miles from Celtic Park and have no idea what’s going on..
Look forward to meeting up with some CQN legends on Wednesday..
So it’s DU vs Dodos.
BSR
If you’re lurking Bourne you have mail…
Official DUFC website – “United have been draw with The Rangers……”
Nice!
Surely Jabba’s return to his spiritual roots would simply confirm story doing the rounds a couple of years ago.
Apparently, in endeavouring to get further up the provider of fine wines and succulent lamb’s backside, Jabba found himself on the receiving end of a kick in the teeth from Chico.
kilbowie kelt
11:34 on
3 December, 2012
From last – superb!
Judith looking very stern and schoolmarmish on BBC News. Ooo’ er