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.
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When are these arrogant narcissists of the EPL going to realise that they are CL also rans most of the time
Clashcity..,
Are you kidding on about loosing the next 3 or 4 domestic games, are wanting the manager sacked, cos thats what’ll happen
marrakesh
And another 100m on the bench
As many of you will know The Boy Jinky prepared a tribute for Miki67 of this parish who, sadly, passed away recently.
The tribute was of course done with the permission, indeed encouragement of Miki67’s family.
Here is a link to a photo taken of the tribute at last nights game.
http://twitpic.com/dfszlw
The next part was written by Mrs Miki67
From MiKi67’s wife Viv- to The Boy Jinky and CQNers:
Michael would have loved that CQNers put his photo up at C.P in tribute;
would have been amazed that he got to look out from Paradise over Paradise;
and would have been surprised and touched in that way he could, when his modesty prevented him from knowing how loved he was.
To all CQNers, CQN gave Miki67 so much- endless amusement, outlet for rants, a tribe to be part of, entertainment, comfort and shelter from the storm. Thank you.
As for me, married in to Celtic, I took great comfort in the lovely messages that went up on CQN in tribute to Michael. I watched the match last night, will continue to occasionally lurk on CQN, and will remain TGLFW xx
This from Larry, Miki67’s brother, LarryBhoy.
Hi The Boy Jinky,
Yes, it was fantastic to see it, many thanks for organising, and for the heartfelt thoughts. I managed to catch the image (below) which I sent on to Viv; she has sent the message below which I was thinking you might like to post up on CQN.
Many thanks again; very emotional moment for me last night to see the tribute,
All the best,
Larry
———————————————————————————————————
Well done The Boy Jinky, yer a Star.
Rest in Peace Miki67.
Italian teams there to be beat this year. Milan still firmly in our sights.
Rubentus getting beat at home and the Millionaires of Man City getting pummeled.
Good night of football so far…
Gene..,
Big deal, the refs at that level are all supposed to be of the same standard anyway, spainish or scottish refs are just as bent as the rest of them
Shaktar 0-1 Man U half time
Cracking game with both teams going for it and ManU shading it
Canamalar,
IMHO if we lost next 3 or 4 , we could still make it up later in the season.
I would rather we won everything we can ,and if losing the domestics is the compromise to bed in new players and progress in a Europe, I will take it.
Thanks doc, thanks the boy jinky
prayers for you viv
marrakesh express
20:28 on 2 October, 2013
Thomthetim
Very similar to last night. However the team getting pinned back tonight cost about £150m.
*******
Exactly. Adds a bit of perspective to last night ‘s game.
Only have time, yet a few City players showing higher levels of frustration than a physically and mentally tiring Scott showed last night.
Take players out of their comfort zone, when they haven’t the time to think and you get the comparative performances of us and City, against clever, fast opposition.
We only have about four players who can play above SPL level and we have a severe lack of pace in vital positions.
We are what we are, because we are where we are.
Canamalar
My last point is that if the best officials from the season were from one of those countries they would’nt get the final. Or is 16th best good enough
shove that man city
Compare and contrast FF last night and Hart tonight ….
Torres only got a one match ban – scratch that now out for 3 weeks minimum with a ligament injury.
Karma!
corkcelt….Lubo
Praecepta
Finger ligaments?
Just shed a wee tear there knowing the only time I’ve seen the mans face is in a picture after he’s gone.
Hail Hail Miki67 RIP
Thanks TBJ & doc for shareing
doc
Lump in my throat when I saw our CQN brother Miki67 on the big screen last night at Half Time.
Made even more poignant as 60000 were cranking up YNWA.
Hope Viv & Larry are coping well with their loss.
tbj is a credit to his family.
Fantastic thought and tribute m8
Nicest thing I’ve heard about for a while.
RIP Miki 67
Miss your rants bud!
Five out of six in my acc night ….bloody Juventus letting me down
Should add …at HT
Gene..,
Aye should be why no ?
Charlotte Fakeovers @CharlotteFakes 27m
Suspension lifted. Let’s get to the bottom of
who has most to hide. No punches pulled.
Parkheadcumsalford
20:26 on
2 October, 2013
Man City for all their many millions aren’t in Bayern’s class.
I think we showed against Barca last night that money is only part of the equation, and certainly not the most important part.
Canamalar
One of my thoughts when I offered to put a tribute up was to put a face to mikis name for all his pals on CQN .
What if the top 16 refs all came from Germany ? Would it then be ok ?
TBJ,
Thank you
Hail Hail
tbj
You are a credit to the blog -God bless Miki67
Gene’s a Bhoy’s name
Possibly – whilst laddering his tights!
Late home from work listening to RS …Peter Grant giving Broonie a real hard time …all in his particular brand of grammatically challenged English ….
Really working hard for a job ….as for him as a footballer …limited , impetuous and generally poor ….clown
The Boy Jinky, An absolutely beautiful thing to do. The entire CQN blog owes you a debt of gratitude.
TBJ
great work amigo
Gene
I was standing with crc and cowiebhoy when the tribute came up at half time.
Proud to be part of this amazing celtic family .
TBJ & Doc
Quite emotional seeing Miki’s photo from last night.
Brilliant idea
Well done
Zbyszek
I will get Skype back up and running later tonight and answer whatever query you have. Apologies for not doing so sooner.
Teuchter, Wouldn’t have figured that out in 100 years. If that was the easy one, I think I’ll give up.
Doc is supporting Oscar and McKenzie. @ 20:32
Very moving.
….pfayr supports weeoscar
20:48 on 2 October, 2013
Late home from work listening to RS …Peter Grant giving Broonie a real hard time …all in his particular brand of grammatically challenged English ….
Really working hard for a job ….as for him as a footballer …limited , impetuous and generally poor ….clown
———–
I sincerely hope you reported Grant to the Ministry of Pots and Kettles……. :)