Two honourable defeats, away to Milan and at home to Barcelona, confirm that Celtic can compete at this level, but the two points which only just eluded us could prove crucial in determining qualification for the knock out stage. Barcelona and Milan are in the driving seat.
Two home wins, against Ajax and Milan, could change all this. If Celtic can achieve this, Ajax could still be on four points after playing (and beating) Celtic in Amsterdam, but will be odds against to reach six points with a visit to Milan and a home game against Barcelona to come. Milan bloodied Barcelona’s nose last season, but are not certain to take anything against the Catalans this time, although the outrageous decision which gifted them a draw last night suggests we cannot take anything for granted.
It’s possible that Milan could finish with seven points, which is not an unsurmountable target for Celtic. For now, we can ignore all the ‘what ifs’, the only thing that matters is facing Ajax at Celtic Park in three weeks. This is our cup final.
It has been said repeatedly since last night, but deserves repetition, Georgios Samaras’ performance was nothing short of incredible and stands comparison with any individual Celtic performance in Europe over the last 20 years.
Efe Ambrose and Virgil van Dijk looked more every bit as secure as Efe and Kelvin a year ago. Efe can be particularly pleased with the way he recovered his form after shading last season.
Some months ago I heard a numpty on Radio 5 Live describe Fraser Forster as a ‘Match of the Day goalkeeper’, the implication being that he was more show than substance. Yet again Fraser demonstrated that he is by far the best goalkeeper in Britain. I couldn’t care less who in England is aware of this fact. I hear he released Neymar from his pocket late last night.
Adam Matthews and Mikal Lustig are a terrific right-side partnership but from the opening seconds they were taxed to the limit last night. The more they play at this level the better they’ll get.
Despite deserving more from Milan last night Ajax are in a state of flux at the moment. They will not travel to Glasgow with anything approaching confidence but it will still require out best performance of the season to overcome them.
Bring it on.
[calameo code=000390171853d2bfc4f69 lang=en page=30 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
898 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- ...
- 24
- »
Thomthetim for Oscar Knox
Please feel free! ( oh and it’s disgusting by the way).
Jimbo67 supporting Oscar Knox
79caps
So let me get your argument right: You concede that neighbours are more likely to show animosity ?
We’ll that is the case in the Serb/Croat example. What about Turks and Greeks; Greeks and Macedons; Argentina and Brazil. A list of nations who have friction with their neighbours would be extensive.
I think your point is fundamentally flawed, in fact it’s wrong.
@barcastuff: Iniesta: “The ovation I got at Celtic Park when I was subbed off yesterday moved me.” [rac1]
Valentinesday
Your no tellin me Jo Wiley’s a Hun?
Ye canny dae that tae me :-)
DrawntothephoneinlikeamothtaetheflameCSC
Greendreamz
I agree. Scott Brown’s rush of blood, or however you describe it, cost us. I think Jock or Big Billy would have hammered him for that. I’m a bit dismayed that Neil choose to back the player. Its one thing to protect a player in the face off media criticism, but you cant defend something as obvious and blatant as Scott’s kick at Neymar.
Did anyone see the final two goals in the CL match between CSKA and Plzen?
If those goalkeeping mistakes had occurred in a women’s football match, Tam Cowan would have been on their case.
Catch the video if you can. Hilarious when it happens to teams you don’t care about.
BCW,
I thought you argument actually improved 79caps argument, neighbours should not be allowed to determine each others chances
corkcelt
It was my intention to get a wee bit o’ interest on here and solve a few unanswered questions at the same time – guess I picked the wrong time of day with the CL games coming up.
If no-one else comes up with it, I’ll post you the answer at half – time – an’ that was only the first picture :)
Teuchter ar la
marrakesh
That is all Neil did.
We do not know that he has not criticised him in private. Certainly Scott has now criticised himself and apologised as he should.
ACGR
A certain poster on here has flounced oot an opportunity to go fur a couple of beers tonight…gettin worried about him…… Mollicuddled by a couple of wummen….I’m no gonnae name and shame, don’t want to embarrass him
Charlie Nicholas’s turned doon tucker boots!!
canamalar prays Oscar can do it again
Don’t think I misread 79 caps original (circa 17:00) ? Did I get the wrong end of the stick ?
I had to sell off my tickets for the game because Miss Prestonpans ended up in hospital for a few days.
However I had to laugh when I picked her up at the Western wearing her hoops top. Its the way you bring them up you know!
pedro67 hail hail wee oscar
19:32 on
2 October, 2013
Valentinesday
Your no tellin me Jo Wiley’s a Hun?
Ye canny dae that tae me :-)
DrawntothephoneinlikeamothtaetheflameCSC
****************************************************************
When have you ever seen her walking up
the Gallowgate when Celtic are playing
with a can of breaker malt liquor in her
hand battering out the Celtic song?
ifitlookstastesandsmellsCSC.
Big Cup Winners
I am arguing that UEFA do not appoint a ref from a neighbouring country in many cases where it would be contentious – because of perceived bias either pro or anti the team from the other neighboring country.
But they do appoint a ref from a neighbouring country in other cases where UEFA would say there is no risk of bias: e.g. France/Spain, Austria/Italy – but where I would see bias towards the friendly neighbour and also a similar interpretation of the rules.
Another example is the ref who gave the late handball penalty against Bobo, which cost us the game in Lyon. He was a Swiss ref who lived very close to the French border.
If you think there is no bias in these cases, fair enough, but I disagree.
BCW,
He was questioning refs from neighbouring countries with friendly relationships were I think you were questioning neighbouring countries with animosity, I agree with both of you neighbouring countries should not be allowed to ref regardless of relationship.
Prestonpans Bhoys, a well brought up Ghirl.
I hope whatever she had to go into hospital for is behind her and wasn’t serious.
SFTB
Can you open this bloody S-pe and answer the question that I sent 14 237 times :-)
Nothing more, chief.
Valentinesday
Your just being silly noo, she disnae drink breaker, she only drinks Buckie and to answer your question, I think it was the home game against the jambos last season, the game that Boab Harris got arrested at.
Doesemdyonthisblogstilllistentaeradio1CSC
Sloleybhoy
If you lurkin,just a quick word of thanks on behalf of my brother and his friend. Cheers for your help with the tickets and your warm hospitality. I think we have found the latest convert to the Hoops.
HH
3 more sleeps until i am in paradise….. Oh yes.
Canamalar
Germany has eight neighbouring countries -we have one
What a Bayern goal THAT was….
Man Ciy 1 down to Bayern. Hart another blunder. FF for Engerlund surely.
listenin on 5live. sounds like another shocker fae chanty-poe
Dreadful keeping from Joe Hart.
Joe hart -engerland’s numero 1 – dohhhh
Feck me big FF England’s no1
Joe Hart beaten by a shot that I think Fraser F would have stopped.
Gene..,
How many does that leave that could still ref, are you saying they could run out of refs ?
No likely is it
Doc is supporting Oscar and McKenzie.
19:49 on
2 October, 2013
She’s fine and asked two questions when we left the hospital (a) will we get back to the Pans for the game and (b) are our Hibs tickets in yet :)
gurnin’ gargoyles on santer………………
Still disappointed that we lost to Barcelona
A mean it was only Barcelona
Take a minute to think on that
WERE On The Road Again :-)
Hail Hail
I dont believe in santer any more
Gene’s a Bhoy’s name
19:50 on
2 October, 2013
Canamalar
Germany has eight neighbouring countries -we have one
=============================================
I think Austria has seven or eight as well. So let`s ban all refs from Germany and Austria. And Scotland for the domestic games. :-)
79caps
No problem, that’s why we are here, to “talk” football. I take your finer point that some neighbours could be sympathetic.
That Lyon game was a nightmare. Ended up having to sleep outside after the match……so I know it’s close to the Swiss Alps brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Last night’s referee did seem to be swayed by the Barca players. ultimately he made the correct decision. The mother hen type protection at corners galled me.
pedro67 hail hail wee oscar……….I give in, you
win.
oldgreywhistletestCSC.
Only another 25 hrs til Peaky Blinders.
After the latest Ibrox bigotfest I felt it only right to convey my thoughts to our local MSP.
Thank you for your latest newsletter. I have read it and find it informative and interesting.
Whilst writing I would like to express my horror and disgust at the latest bigotfest that took place at Ibrox park.
The sight of our armed forces dancing and “bouncing ” to already proscribed racist tunes was nothing short of nauseating. Celebrating the death of Bobby Sands in such a manner, when you consider that a young man was taken to court for sing a song that was pro his life, sickening.
All this in front of the very man seated in the stands who proclaimed after the last bigotfest that this will never happen again, well it did.
I have been a supporter and voter for SNP for over 40 years, I have vigorously campaigned, in my own way, for independence but am again horrified that the outcry against this madness had to come from the English msm. Indeed newspapers here in our bigoted little country were in praise of the jamboree.
My question to you is why bother with independence if this kind of episode is praised and not pounded. Where do you stand in this debate? What will you and indeed the SNP do about it, you need to show your true colours and demonstrate that life in an independent Scotland is going to be fair and just for all its citizens and not just one side of the “divide “.
Please respond with your opinion and precise on what you intend to do about it.
Thank you in anticipation of your reply.
Regards