Celtic’s win in Moscow on Tuesday has caused an interesting introspection in Russia, with both Spartak and some in the Russian media coming under scrutiny. The pre-match tone was set by comments we reported from former Spartak player and coach, Andrey Tikhonov, who, on the day of the draw, said:
“Barcelona are favourites from the group. We and Benfica will be fighting for second place.
“Celtic are outsiders. The Champions League competition is about very good technical football. It has nothing to do with running after the ball that somebody kicked forward.”
Another former Spartak player and Soviet international, who now works as a technical analyst and all-round raconteur , Aleksandr Bubnov, had a completely different take on Celtic, Spartak and the Russian and Scottish media.
Bubnov told Russian television:
“Spartak players thought they could push Celtic defenders around like toys. They played long crosses forward like the idiots. Celtic defenders knocked back everything. It was like training for Celtic, they were on holiday.
“When Celtic attacked for the first time, de Zeeuw thought that Insarualde would stop the Celtic player, Insarualde thought Pareja will stop him. When Celtic scored de Zeew asked, ‘Where was Pareja ?’ Pesjakov answered de Zeeuw, “You forgot? Pareja is still at the lunch, he will be back for the second half.”
Bubnov criticised TV analysts who before the game debated whether Celtic would survive in the bottom half of the Russian premier division or a lower division. He added:
“We were told by the experts that Spartak will shut Celtic out, kill them and bury outside the stadium. They are experts, they watch games, they take money for this kind of analysis. They told us Celtic are one story heroes.
“They talked about Rangers relegated to the fourth Division for financial cheating. You see how they do things there? What fantastic salvation. You are cheaters Rangers? OK, go and take long rest. Those in charge are professionals, nobody would help Rangers. They don’t go to the president, or the prime minister.
“Cherdantsev (TV expert) never played football. You heard him, Spartak players and all these experts. ‘No problem, champions of Scotland? Who are Celtic, who are Scotland?
“Experts? Did they watch Celtic against Benfica? Benfica are top in Portugal, Celtic drew with them. Even the stupid Scottish experts came here and told us Spartak would win 2-0.”
When asked how Spartak should play in the return game against Celtic, Bubnov suggested:
“You need to close wings and play carefully at the back. Celtic will not perform like Spartak did against Barcelona. They played and let the other team play.
“Neil Lennon was very smart coach. He closed Spartak options on the wings. Emeri (Spartak manager) should close Celtic wings. Emeri’s tactics was move wingers to the centre to leave more room for attacks from left and right defenders. But, our defenders were poor and slow.
“Emeri was stupid, he moved Aiden McGeady and Dmitri Kombarov to the centre because Neil Lennon closed wings. What happened? They both played out of position and Kombarov scored an own goal.”
“Spartak were open on the wings and there was a brothel at the back. Neil Lennon did what he wanted to do with Spartak”
Conversational Russian is apparently rich with imagery.
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HT
Stoap stealing my patter ya schwine that ye are.
oos sean, daryll slayer.
he he he
saltires en sevilla 18:45 on 4 October, 2012
Kris Commons is more a Scotsman than Aiden is Irish
and your response to Starry plough at 18:52
Dead simple check the family line
1 generation nearer for Kris
I don’t think its a good comparison.
A couple of points before answering your post…
I loved Aiden when he played for Celtic and was sad to see him go.
I love Kris playing for Celtic and hope he stays with us for a long time.
Two excellent players that gave/give great sporting satisfaction.
I dislike internationals intensely so who either of them plays for doesn’t bother me…its their choice, and theirs alone.
Would you answer me how many junior level games did Kris play for Scotland and at what level? When did his “Scottishness” and desire to play for Scotland kick in? I genuinely don’t know the answers but would be interested to know.
What I do know is that Aiden played for Ireland at all levels up to senior.
Hail Hail
Just heard Sean on Snyde.
After a small debate he asks the panel
if they think Campbell Ogilvie is fit for purpose or
is he compromised in his employment.
Thanks for the call Sean.
Hang your head in shame Jim Delahunt.
Memo to myself.Dont switch this crap on when in the car.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
Them Beatles ah never understood the fuss they only hud three guid tunes..
Lennybhoy
The guy hosting the event kinda sold me out when he asked in front of everyone,
“Are you here from St……..?”
SP
I’m sure Jude will disagree…
WGS back on the box : itv4 L/pool v Udinese….should be a good game.
HT
is that a Kaflick Shooool
BT
Indeedy ;-)
Saturday???
VOGUE PUNTER,STARRY PLOUGH
Nice one,fellas. They are far from being my faves,so slag ’em if you wish.
More of a Rolling Stones man myself,though the first to admit they haven’t made a decent studio album in 35 years.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
Beware the Unseen Hand of Ziggy!!!
HT
90% yes…
feck it
100% yes, but only for an hour… o))
Oldtim67
I did not ignore your post, I was away and just back home. Thanks for your email, Sir. Will reply soon.
Dushanbe
I don’t have a go at you. I can say I did read couple of post game articles in the Russian press and did not see any particular criticism on Aiden. If I missed something, please post a link.
He did play not good?
Okay, who from Spartak team played well?
—————————————————
You guys want to criticise Aiden? Be fair. Faithful Celtic guy. You probably won’t him kissing Celtic badge but he is Celtic FC guy.
Played not well?
1.)You don’t need to be an expert to notice he played not on his right wing position.
2.)Celtic played very good game and did not let Spartak open their wings.
STARRY PLOUGH
It’s the clunking fist of VOGUEPUNTER I’m more worried about………….
Hamiltontim 20:00:
He did not sell you out, he gave you a platform to allow you stand tall and be proud of who you are my friend…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Zbyszek
hope you are good my friend..
god bless..
blantyretim
So, you read my post and guess I’m crazy :-)
Yes, I’m Okay, I’m crazy. Thank you.
Zbyszek
I cant understand Enlish never mind Polish and Russian..
so yes, you are bonkers… for sure….
well you had me and oldtim to put up with for a week…
BMCUWP
Clunking fist… No me mate,have not had a fight since I was at school…..though
it was the teacher…and I did get 15 yrs in sing sing for it.
areulistninHT C.S.C
BT
7pm ok with you?
Lennybhoy
I think you know me well enough to know I don’t really require a platform ;-)
Liverpool are crap,we would run rings roon them.
Zbyszek
Thanks for taking the time to write up the translation of the Bubnov comments. Really enjoyed reading it. Great stuff. Top man.
That said, please don’t go translating Dermot Desmond’s recent interview for your friends back home :¬)
TBB
Aiden McGeady is the greatest Celtic home reared talent of the last 20 years.
Even more importantly, every decision that he made in his career was for the benefit of Celtic Football Club.
He has done us proud.
He is in every sense a Celtic hero.
The pitiful ‘pretend’ Celtic supporters who knock the joy that Aiden has given us only shame themselves.
God Bless You, AIDEN.
Old enough to remember Beatles albums as they were released : each one a revelation.
My favourite is ‘Revolver’….a more complete album you could not ask for.
‘Sgt. Pepper’s’ is a work of art in every aspect. The original album with its pop-outs etc.,. will go down as one of the 20th. Century’s greatest achievements. And the music was way ahead of its time, nostalgic and current, all in one. Amazing emotional depth for such youngsters.
What will the 21st. bring?
Hamiltontim 20:12:
I most certainly do mate…:) You are indeed one of the good guys.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
KK
Well said that gentlemhan.
HT
working Sat/Sunday..
Saturday till 6…
you talking 7pm train?
Beatles v Stones? Loved them both. And though The Stones became a tribute to themselves, I thought ‘A Bigger Bang’ was a really good studio album.
Have you ever seen Keith Richard’s fingers? The guy has never gone a day without playing hour upon hour of guitar, unless he was unconscious.
links to the goals anyone
For anyone who watches Sons Of Anarchy. This is shocking
Johnny Lewis, Sons of Anarchy’s Half-Sack, Is Dead at 28 and Suspected of Murder http://www.tv.com/news/johnny-lewis-sons-of-anarchys-half-sack-is-dead-at-28-and-suspected-of-murder-29674/ …
awe naw, a bands debate.
Who`s the mason in the yellow with a kind of red tartan like design on the chest.
Doesnt quite sound right.
MIKI67
Substitute drinking lager for playing guitar,and you have me down to a “T”
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
miki67
Don’t mention the Stones ,Bada Bing will be on shortly to bore us with his photies.
Here’s what Bing makes of Craig Swann’s analysis on sportbox.ru, translated into English from the Russian, from the original English I suppose. Personally I think it’s one of his better, more coherent pieces, ….
How strong is now Spartak Moscow? In Scotland know about Russian football? The Bill will end the match between red-and-white Celtic in Luzhniki? Your thoughts on these and other issues with shared national correspondent Sportbox.ru Scottish newspaper the Daily Record Craig Swann.
What do you know about your opponent – the Moscow Spartak?
-Oh, pretty much. This is an experienced disciplined team. I know that she is very good in defence. All the Eastern European teams cool on the counterattack, and this “Hero” have to fear. Guess we’ll have to. In “Spartacus,” there are a lot of strong players such as Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, known to us as “Splash”, Èmmanuèl′Èmenike, and of course, Aiden McGeady.
-And how you know the Russian football in General?
-«Spartak» know the long and very well-remember even their record 6 victories in 6 matches in the group stage of the Champions League. This “national” team, the most popular in Russia. But know and other Russian and Soviet team. For example, on the Moscow Dynamo. This is also a club with a rich history that we in Scotland very much love and respect.
-What do you expect from the match against Spartak?
-A very difficult game for our team. Russian clubs are very rich, they spend a lot of money on players, increasing their level of football. Besides, as far as I know, “Spartacus” is very strong in home games. Celtic has no experience of such matches, so we’ll have to.
-But “the Celts”-as mentioned Riled is hardened at ligočempionskih battles …
-Yes, but if you remember the club history. While the present composition is quite young guys is almost not played in European competitions. For example, in the match against Benfica, “retired 11 of the players, only one had previously played in the group stage of the Champions League. And all these guys in our team of three. Young guys have experience in international matches, but not the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE group stage.
-Nevertheless, “Benfica” Celtic draws.
-Yes, and it was a great result for our team. The great success is that Celtic failed to break into the group. This will give impetus to the development of the Club and help players gain experience. However, if you remember our previous statements on this point, it turns out that of the 18 Guest matches we lost 17.
-McGeady at the press conference, you asked about his transfer, which greatly helped the Club financially.
-Celtic was forced to sell Him. The Club’s financial position was precarious, and now he is not in the best of times. For example, five-six years ago, Celtic could afford transfers in 6-8 million pounds. Now, the most expensive purchase cost about $ 2 million.
-Dare to suggest how will end the match?
-I am afraid, Celtic are large problems that would result in defeat. I suppose that “Spartacus” will win by a score of 2: 0.
OG …. Cheers…!!