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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Just another league game for Celtic.
Next day, and repeat post, thought Celtic were magnificent and unlike last year, fate was against us against the Spanish giants, I’m sure it’s all been posted but the game hinged on the Forrest and Mulgrew efforts, during an astonishing spell with only ten men.
Superb individual and collective performances against a side from a different planet, in financial, and UEFA terms.
Fantastic scouting system that has brought us to the top table where we belong and if we finish in place four, I’m sure we’ll have given the rich kids a run for there money.There really is nothing like Celtic Park on a Euro night, – and the Europa would be a bonus.
Fantastic Celtic, just fantastic.
bournesouprecipe
16:50 on 2 October, 2013
Any Scott Brown castigators at the Morton game?
Aye me……and he was as anonymous in that game as he was last night up until his wee show of petulance
Ah , memories of auld Molly Weir!!
Remember her aulder brother Tom, the hiker?
What a beak he had ?
ASonOfDan
I dont see your logic these things are happening in a non-independant Scotland.
murdochbhoy supporting fearless oscar
………
:>)
Paul67 et al
I know now that Scott Brown does not read CQN, or he would have got my warning about Neymair yesterday afternoon. I know now where I went wrong, using the abbreviated version nb. Never again!
Nota Bene CSC
The Singing Detective Demands The Resignation Of Campbell Ogilvie
Unfortunately I can’t wait around for your reply but i’ll catch up with it in the morning.
God bless all true Tims.
Murdochbhoy….
Away An’ Milk Yer Concrete Coos …
You PantyWaister…..!!!!
How’s The (Silent) Global Jihad Going,Then..?
You QUISLING & APPEASER….
“Hearth And Home,Stock And Stone..
Blood And Bone !”
Seems Good Tae ME…
Viva Oor Enchanted Sceptred Isles..!
Long-Live The Anglosphere…..!
God-Bless Tony Abbott…..
& Pope Benedict Too……!
(ThumbsUp?)
A Son of Dan at 17.39
Your choice of ‘independent bigot hole’ to describe our country says lots more about you than it does about Scotland
HH
Molly Weir on acid explains ole Tom’s fluorescent red bunnet
Good evening Friends.
At this Point Yesterday if I was told we’d have to play 35 minutes with 10 men against Barcelona and keep the Score Down to 1 nil I’d have offered you very High odds.
We’re still in with a Fighting Chance of 2nd.
Ajax in 3 Weeks Time but we only have 2 domestic fixtures before then. Hope Biton and Rogic Feature in both if only as insurance in case Ledley also still out for Ajax Game.
cheating ponce
Let’s get those points !
mickbhoy1888
Apologies, rhetorical question, should have clarified, and I don’t really do CQN he said, she said on player capability especially.
But I will say I think SB’s a superb all round midfielder, – you’ll need to find another victim with your obvious dislikes.
When Samaras scores and does his bow and arrow does this now mean he faces arrest?
Wee Molly
tinmhan
Whatever, just you keep sitting at the back of the bus with your heid down and knowing your place.
My dear,dear,dear,friend… The Singing Detective
Hiya,Palomine..
Great tae Greet and Meet.
Ah hiv nevah played the beautiful Game.. No even at Subuteo????
But,
Ah Happen tae be born wi.. that guid auld.
UNCOMMON COMMON SENSE.
And Uncommon Common Sense.. Tells Me..
As a Watch Cetlc PLayers,continue tae Struggle Agin a well Organized AND STUFFY
Defense.. and
By the Way.. Ah Am talking aboot
in the S.P.L.!
Furget, aboot Europe . fur a wee while, anyway,,
As Ah watch oor Much Superior team, which is composed of Far Mair Skillful and Clever Players that the usual Run of the Steamie, Teams ,which we face in Scotland..
My good Auld Uncommon Common Sense Tells me..,
“Kojo, Whit is Wrang Wi this Picture? We should be EATING THIS MOB?
And .. we canny break doon thur Defense.
Whit the Heligoland Is Going Oan ,Here?”
And Ah say..
Uncommon Common Sense..
Whit We Hiv here is A Failure by oor Crack Coaching Staff, tae Map oot a Game Plan.oan how tae break doon a Determined, yet..INFERIOR Team.
Mainly because..
oor Slovenly
and Poor Coaching Methods.
Stink!
And , Ah hiv watched this Kinda Scenario Unfold… Far too Many Times
when Celtic are faced whit a well organized and determined Team, which is composed of Much, Much , Inferior Individual Players than We Have.
The Latest, Calamitous Catastrophe, which we the Faithful Celtic Fans experienced..
being..
When oor Beloved Celtic, LOAST tae GREENOCK MORTON in the League Cup.
In the Memorial Game…We hid.. Twenty seven.. count ’em.. and Weep!
Corner Kicks..
And Not WAN Goal… Did we manage tae salvage oot that Vast Number of Set Pieces..
Talk Aboot something Stinkes in Denmark..,.???
The Stink that pervades Lennox Town Training Grun.. wull Gie Denmark a good run fur the Money. three days fae Sunday.
Yep, Pall..
We Need tae Sort oot oor Coaching Methods..
And Until we do. .. we wull run into Difficulties many a Time ,agin …Inferior , But bettah drilled Opponents..
And..
Ah am Talking aboot the S.P.L. .. here..
Furget aboot Discussing, how we fare… when we face Euro Cup Opponents..
Kojo
still, Laughin
ASonOfDan,
Seriously? Done with holding a flagpole in an offensive manner?
Anyone remember Constable Savage on Not The Nine O’Clock News? Coughing without due care and attention? Walking on the cracks in the pavement?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO8EpfyCG2Y
ASonOfDan
18:00 on 2 October, 2013
When Samaras scores and does his bow and arrow does this now mean he faces arrest?
He may do, as we are still in the union at this time por cierto
Fraser Forster
Very good article
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2441444/Fraser-Forster-challenges-Joe-Hart-England-jersey.html
Scott Brown was magnificent last night, until he was sent off.
Celtic without Scott Brown are a poorer team.
Following last night’s pulsating UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona at Celtic Park, it’s back to SPFL duty for the Bhoys this Saturday as they take on a third-placed Motherwell side on a run of good domestic form.
Celtic currently lie second in the table, but only on goal difference to Inverness CT and with a game in hand over the Highlanders, and will be looking to keep the pressure on them at the top of the table.
Despite last night’s 1-0 defeat, our supporters showed once again what a very special place Celtic Park can be, with the stadium awash with colour and vibrancy throughout the match.
Show your support for the Bhoys this Saturday as they look to reclaim the top spot in the league, which ultimately opens the door to European football and more of these very special occasions.
Tickets for Saturday’s match – priced from £26 for adults, £17 for concessions and £10 for under 13s – are available online, by calling 0871 226 1888* (Option 1 | Option 1) or at the Ticket Office at Celtic Park.
Tickets are also available in the following retail outlets:
Argyle Street
Sauchiehall Street
Clydebank
Coatbridge
East Kilbride
Livingston
Greenock
@CFC
Too Many Poles & Italians In Scotland…
For The Likes Of SonOfDan…..! :-(
~~~~~~
Nobody Should Be Permitted To Discuss Scottish Independence Oan This Sainted Blog…..
Unless They Can Spell……
I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-C-E…..!
Right….? Darned Right…..!
Viva Nigel Farage…!
Viva Russ Limbaugh..!
Viva Pope John-Paul II !
johnny
16:30 on 2 October, 2013
CAPS LOCK off, and stop taking mince.
Good too see that a regular attender won the £20000 last night
Good to see that Scott has apologised for his sending off. A bit concerned though that he sees it as a “harsh decision”. Someone needs to tell him that’s a sending off any day and he can’t do it again.
My Dear Kojo…..
Against Morton….
There Were Too Many Of Oor Players….
Not Prepared Tae Take The Bumps & Bruises….
That Might Hiv Meant Them Missing The Glamour Night….
Agin’ The Barce…..
At The Same Time…..It’s Not Health For Celtic To Win All Domestic Competitions..
So…Perhaps We Should Hiv Decided From The Start…..
Only To Field Development Squad Players In The League Cup…..
Where Possible….
Managed By John Kennedy…..
Viva KevJungle……!
Off Oot..
how come balotelli never got booked for putting his finger to his lips after scoring last night – stokes was booked two games in a row for this gesture after scoring
only in Scotland
Corkcelt 16:12
A very emotional submission but really welcome for it
Charkes Kickham,
An Aberdeen player scored and jumped a barrier into his fans. No booking.
Its not only in Scotland.
Its only in Scotland and the player is wearing a Celtic top.
Masty @ 17.20
I take an interest in our youth development squads and have watched a lot of their games in recent years. There is definitely a lot of quality there, and they are being well schooled.
hrvatski tim – never thought I’d say it – well done the mail
any chance you could send a message to snake asking him back in some sort of eastern eu vernacular
mon the FF f the neymar
Last night we got Barcelona’s usual passing fest, the type of wizardry they’ve displayed against every other team in Spain and Europe except on this occasion with little cutting edge without the great Messi in their ranks. Yes Celtic showed even greater composure and organisation in defence than last season against the same opposition.
When Celtic decided to push up on Valdes short kick-outs to deny Barca building attacks from the back in the second half they started to look decidedly uncomfortable and Celtic started to function for the first time as an attacking force. Then catastrophy – Scott Brown’s moment of madness which would even warrant a citing in rugby – deservedly gets the line. The hearts of the 60,000 in the stadium and a million Celtic fans watching on TV took a nosedive. Barca were beginning to look like a team in trouble and A Celtic viictory was definitely on before the Scott got the line.
It was heroic stuff by the ten man team and Celtic fitness was never in doubt deserved at least a point with those two great second half chances.
Scott Brown describes his actions as a mistake….sheer bloody stupidity more like ……you have just tracked back with Barcelona’s highest profile signing of the summer and he is beating you for pace the eyes of the world are on you……click his ankles take the booking and move on…..if you want to wind him up a wee blindside nip or a wee step on the toes in the box suffices after
Don’t bloody aim a fly kick at him while millions are watching you and we are still in a game
My Dear,dear,dear,friend.. The Singing Detective
Hiv ye noticed..
NO WAN of Ma Fellow Subscribers..
Agree wi Ma Conclusion.. As tae where the source of oor difiiculty in Breaking doon
Inferior ,but stuff Defenses.. Which we face from Time tat Time in the S.P.L.???
Hmmmmmmmmm
Well..as ye know..
Ah always tell it As it Lays..
And..
In Ma Opinion..
Oor Coaching Methods.. Went oot wi the Buggy Whip..
Somebuddy should Inform Neil.. that ..’
We Noo hiv Motor Caurs.. and they Hiv Horns!
Kojo
Stilll, Laughin’
Gotta Go Joe
Seeya.
Paul67 et al
If we win our next game we are back in this group, with three matches to go, none of which I would write off in terms of points. We are shaping up well at the back, but will miss Scott Brown if he is out for three matches, not thirty minutes. Much talk of coaching on here, and rightly so, how and where can we improve. I do not see enough of Celtic training, bar a pre-match warm-up, or an occasional clip posted on here. And without the Viewfaethewindae to advise us I do not know if what I see is typical or just the players having a bit of fun. Nobody says it easy to improve, but it is possible, with a positive attitude.
Kojo
18:33 on 2 October, 2013
My Dear,dear,dear,friend.. The Singing Detective
Hiv ye noticed..
NO WAN of Ma Fellow Subscribers..
Agree wi Ma Conclusion.. As tae where the source of oor difiiculty in Breaking doon
Inferior ,but stuff Defenses.. Which we face from Time tat Time in the S.P.L.???
Hmmmmmmmmm
~~~~~~
My Dear Kojo……
Surely You Are Overlooking The Submissions Of Gerald 766…..
Which Mirror Your Ain Perspicacious Opinions Tae Such An Extent…..
That Some Oan The Blog Accuse Him Of Being One Of Them ‘MultiPosting’ Entities……?
Still….Laughin’
bamboo & glass half full
Did the fact that Lustig was on a Yellow card factor into your thinking?
Can you imagine the criticism that Neil would have got if a 2nd booking reduced us to 9?
And you call it “tinkering”?
Kojo
“Hiv ye noticed..NO WAN of Ma Fellow Subscribers..Agree wi Ma Conclusion.”
Just take the silence and sound of internet yawning as a sign of tacit approval from the lesser beings that form the rest of the blog outwith your ISP address