Media and Spartak take hit for underestimating Celtic

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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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  1. o.g.rafferty

     

     

    15:57 on

     

    4 October, 2012

     

    stevo, 15:54

     

    I have to be careful what I share and when I share it. But share it I will

     

     

    Any idea when ?

     

     

    With my oz time difference i miss some posts all the time. Hopefull your news is good and i wont miss the celebrations

  2. ernie lynch

     

     

    I posted way, way back that Whyte was a patsy, what price, who knows, but even if he spends a couple of years lie down, he will be well recompenced.

     

     

    As long as those and such as those are kept out of the firing line.

     

     

    Ok, so he goes bankrupt, has a lie down, walks out to a few mill, I might be way off the mark, but it’s all good fun contemplating.

  3. OG Raff – Any idea when AT’s blog will be updated today. Buenas ET still trying to remember the 75% and a straight bat “while i’m playing”. All good apart from that:)

     

    slainte

     

    tony

  4. o.g.rafferty

     

     

    16:03 on

     

    4 October, 2012

     

    proudbhoy, 16:00

     

    It’s early days. Need to see more info

     

     

    Good to hear, no lazy journalism.

     

     

    Bedtime now

  5. I'm Neil Lennon (tamrabam) on

    someone recently mentioned craig whyte

     

    what is the score with the security that he held over ibrox

     

     

    has this just disappeared into thin air or did it ever exist

     

     

    i reckon that he has a 28 million quid security over ibroke am i correct?

  6. Surely anyone who has been following the ongoing saga regarding Rangers knows that our very own O.G. has close links to Alex Thompson and he knows a lot more than he can say as stories have to go through lawyers before they can be published.

     

     

    I’m glad he keeps feeding us these snippets of information as even if he can’t say much, we know that something good is coming up.

     

     

    Mort

  7. So can I tak it that the zombies game will be on tv so that even more cash can be shoved into their pockets? If Sky don’t take it, then the Beeb will be only too delighted to gi thems mair dosh.

     

     

    Lucyr

  8. I posted earlier this morning that Green would be cleared of all charges, as CO would ‘pop his head round the door’

     

     

    Well I’ve just been proven right

     

     

    Is there a more corrupt footballing organisation than the SFA anywhere in the world?

  9. I’m Neil Lennon (tamrabam)

     

     

    16:06 on 4 October, 2012

     

     

    ”someone recently mentioned craig whyte

     

    what is the score with the security that he held over ibrox

     

     

    has this just disappeared into thin air or did it ever exist

     

     

    i reckon that he has a 28 million quid security over ibroke am i correct?”

     

     

     

    He had a floating charge.

     

     

    It’s been argued that the charge was invalid because he didn’t fund the debt the charge was supposed to cover. I don’t think that point was ever resolved

     

     

    It’s also been suggested the sale to Greene took care of the floating charge. I’m not sure how that would have happened.

     

     

    A floating charge attaches on liquidation. They haven’t been liquidated yet.

     

     

    I don’t think we’ll get the full story until long after everything has been settled.

  10. OG – I for one like the juicy titbits or even the hints at juicy titbits yet to come. One of the best things about CQN is the rumour mill which is normally fairly accurate. Yourself and Ayrtic often come up with good stuff so keep it coming.

     

     

    I live in hope that further misery is around the corner for Sevco after 12 (at least) years of cheating.

     

     

    Still hoarse from Tuesday evening. There is now a head shaped dent in my kitchen ceiling!

     

     

    Craiginho

  11. TMWTL

     

     

    Is there a more corrupt footballing organisation than the SFA anywhere in the world?

     

     

    FIFA might give them a run for their money. Sadly, most organisations who run association football are pretty corrupt and inept.

     

     

    Mort

  12. Torontony

     

     

    I’m assuming from your user name that you are based in Toronto. I might be spending some time over there periodically in the near future and I was wondering where the best place to watch games is. Last time I was over I watched the Dundee game at the St Catharine club as I was down near Niagara and my mate’s uncle is heavily involved down there, but next time I will be in Toronto itself. Any advice apprreciated.

  13. A public flogging?

     

     

    Never been to one – but I believe it is very popular in certain countries.

     

     

    HH!!

  14. And we’re looking at November for the roof to fall in on Craig.

     

     

    ‘Watch this case carefully’

     

     

    Have a look in an hour or so Sannabhoy

  15. It is quite obvious to me that Green has something over 1 or 2 individuals within residence at Hampden

     

     

    He is running roughshod over the whole of the Scottish game at present while the SPL, SFA hide under their desks

  16. Sevco chief executive Charles Green has been cleared of bringing the game into disrepute after a Scottish FA disciplinary tribunal met on Thursday.

     

     

    The tribunal delivered two verdicts of “not proven”.

     

     

    Are we surprised?

  17. viewfaethewindae on

    Absolutely delighted for the big Keeper, first Celt at Bhoystown in the morning and last Celt to leave. As Gary Player said “Well, the harder I practice, the luckier I get.”

  18. Murdochbhoy, yermanfromMK on

    Could anyone tell me if Vincent Lunney has cited McCullough for elbowing Cummins yet?

  19. o.g.rafferty

     

     

    I would just like to second/third, fourth, whatever the Bhoys who have said they enjoy and look forward to your teasers, tidbits and solid information. You have been on the money before, will be again.

     

    Keep ’em coming.

  20. 67Heaven ... I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors on

    the exiled tim

     

     

    15:52 on

     

    4 October, 2012

     

    OG.

     

     

    Thanks.

     

     

    The thick plottens.

     

     

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

     

     

    What thick plottens, ….PLEASE…….???

  21. Area 412 – You are indeed correct, I live in Toronto (downtown) and there are several clubs either in the city or on the outskirts. Get my email addy from Paul67 and i’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.

     

    I know a few guys from the St Catherine’s club too:)

     

    Also happy to meet for a shandy or 2.

     

    slainte

     

    tony

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