In eight days Brendan Rodgers takes Celtic into the Camp Nou to face Barcelona. While Barca are not current European champions, there is little doubt they are the best team in the world at the moment, and no doubt whatsoever that they are the greatest team of the era. A gargantuan task lies ahead. This week we’ll have a look at that challenge and how we might best prepare.
While Brendan has carried all before him in domestic football, and at home in Europe, his Celtic lost in Gibraltar and Israel, while taking a creditable draw in Kazakhstan. Playing in the Camp Nou is another world entirely, however.
Neil Lennon did very well top inhibit Barcelona on three of the four occasions he managed Celtic against them (the fourth was a dead rubber for Celtic, who conceded six, but was a must-win for Barcelona).
On the three meaningful Celtic games, we won once, lost once with 10 men, and conceded a last minute winner in the Camp Nou. A remarkable return against one of the best teams in the history of the game.
Neil’s team defended his 18-yard-box with remarkable endeavour, even with Efe Ambrose and Kelvin Wilson in central defence – and Adam Matthews at left back. Not exactly a legendary defensive line-up, but what Neil proved more than anything, football is about the system, not the individuals.
In some respects, defending against Barcelona will be more straightforward than against St Johnstone. There will be no reluctance to clear the ball long, instead of trying to thread a pass in the middle of our own half. There should be no complacency, and at all times defenders should be aware that their defensive partners are not far away.
In defending the 18-yard-box, Neil’s Celtic conceded space near the corner flag, an area we would normally contest, as this is where dangerous cross balls can emanate from. What that Celtic team had was no only a comfortable height advantage over Barcelona, but this advantage combined with a natural ability in the air, which say Celtic score regularly and defend successfully.
I expect Mikael Lustig, Erik Sviatchenko and Kolo Toure all to play along the back line (will be amazed and concerned if Mikael plays a conventional right back role), with Nir Bitton dropping deep from midfield. So we will not be short of height, but gelling them into a cohesive unit will be one of Brendan’s major tasks when players return from international duty.
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Art of War
Slippery as eels.
Word twisting curtain twitching Huns with a bad attitude.
And thats just the tea-boy:)
HH
THE EXILED TIM on 5TH SEPTEMBER 2016 9:02 PM
Turkey
Well done in getting to the final the other day, might need to up ma practice :-
HH
Flattered a bit.The guy was briliant.Had a wee chance but missed the important doubles.Cant do that against someone that good.
TGM- yep, i’ll try the diplomatic response lol
They really must be struggling though…..asking my opinion :-)
Where’s Petec?
Art of War
I hope they ask my opinion.
I would send them a quick 300 pages as a synopsis,….of my first question:)
Three week rant to follow.
HH
Art of War – re: herald, you could take part
But you would likely feel unclean afterwards.
Hail hail
:)
TAL
How ya doing pal?
Cowie
Thanks for bringing this lovely Scottish weather with you!
Back to basics- that’s the dilemna. Why should I help them out.
Problem lies with editorial team who have allowed piss poor journalists to be less than honest in their reporting…especially in football matters.
That and online media will be their doom.
Still might be kinda cathartic explaining their failings!
Art of War,
The Herald Group is dying on its feet. I picked up The Sunday Herald in the BA lounge yesterday whilst travelling and it makes a big effort. However the sports section is best avoided as its a Sevco fanzine managed by Matt Lindsay. That said The Sunday Times wasn’t much better with Douglas Alexander salivitating over Warbiola. I stopped buying The Herald and even talked my dentist into cancelling.
The Evening Times is on a life support machine whilst Chris Jack loyally produces monosyllable diatribes for the knuckledraggers with accompanying photos for the einsteins of the klan.
I reckon the decline will accelerate with print volumes dropping by 50% by end 2017. Consolidation will follow. The Rangers News died before their club —-so that’s not an option.
In Fleet Street next door to the Protestant Truth society shop there is a DC Thomson shop with some of the characters — names escape me. Matt, Chris and the Sevco gang could pitch up there.
Art of War
Give them Hell:)
HH
AoW
Obviously you offer to take part, feed them bollix they deserve it
HH
…………..
Turkey
There is an old bloke in the village here, to look at him you would think he would struggle to hold a dart never mind throw one, looks can be deceptive,
Aye the doubles are what it’s all about, when I were a young fella I played county darts and had the operchancity to play against a world champion, Jocky Wilson, played him twice at county level, lost both games tho I got to a double both times and missed, he didn’t, played him many many times for a drink and won more than I lost, but the drink took it’s toll on him, he didny get better the drunker he got :-)
****Last Man Standing-week 1 results
Good Evening folks
139 ( Yes 139, Jobo’s making these fixtures far too easy!) out of 148 teams qualified through to week 2
So, well done to :
Big Al Germany
Bigger Chas England
Biggest Mac Wales
TheLurkinTim Wales
AndyF Wales
TheCelt45 Germany
Lionsroar67 Germany
Bjmac Wales
Thoms Sellick Wales
Whitedoghunch Azerbaijan
Celtic Rose Germany
twinbrookbhoy Wales
Norfolk Enchants Austria
Hamiltontim Wales
Wilson wonders England
Mrs GFTB Germany
CiaranF Germany
CM67 Germany
Miss dim sam Wales
Dan Scotland
AuroraBorealis79 Wales
Colour Blind Bhoy Scotland
Danny Mac Wales
Moonbeams WD Wales
Lennybhoy Wales
The Tim Reaper Wales
stpatricksbhoy Scotland
The Token Tim Azerbaijan
Tully57 England
Red Den Germany
Roundstone Cowboys Wales
dessybhoy Wales
Celtic Soul Brother Azerbaijan
DougC Wales
Jeez_I_Thought_Blinker_was_pants Wales
vfr800a8 Azerbaijan
Angelgabriel Germany
Dennistoun Dhark Wales
Gazolla Scotland
Delaney’s Dunky Wales
Channelislandcelt Germany
Magnificent Seven Scotland
Gearoid1998 Wales
gerryfaethebrig Germany
Tir ar Noo Germany
Smashing Milk Bottles Wales
Fleagle1888 Azerbaijan
Bigshuggy Germany
gordybhoy64 Wales
Onemalloy Wales
Zico Maltese Bhoy Wales
Scottys Toon Army Wales
kelvinbhoy Wales
The Mentalpause Germany
Janice67 Germany
jamabhoy Wales
Cathedral View Wales
Jungle Jim Hot Smoked Azerbaijan
Jimbob71 Scotland
josiebee Germany
JT-Ghirl67 Wales
Mrs Martybhoy59 Wales
Winealley Warriors Wales
GreenLion2 Scotland
Jobo Baldie Wales
Sipsini Scotland
Doc Germany
jippys bhoys Azerbaijan
praecepta Scotland
Fess19 Wales
TravelBhoy Germany
The Exiled Tim Azerbaijan
Elharto Scotland
elhartos reserves Scotland
praecepta2ndIX Austria
LiamInToronto Germany
LukesGoodCeltic Scotland
Mrs CRC Wales
Celticrollercoaster Scotland
Celticrollercoaster 2 Germany
Letterkenny Bhoy Germany
Greenpinata England
Winning Captains Jnr Wales
Everey Day’s A Scoolday Wales
EMAIL SENT FOR MONIKER 19/8 Wales
QOTSA75 Germany
Bada Bing Wales
Martybhoy59 Scotland
HenriksHaircut Germany
EKs Holy Goalie Azerbaijan
Lee Wallace Snitchy McSnitch. Wales
Hanheart Scotland
Marty Wales
BMCUWP Wales
MikeinToronto Wales
embramike Wales
The Young Fella Azerbaijan
Celtic Cutiepie & Catalpa England
20 hats Scotland
Black Cat Germany
Ndoc Wales
A Source Said Wales
londonbhoy88 Germany
bognorbhoy Azerbaijan
Cowiebhoy Wales
Hutchybhoy Wales
Cosy Corner Bhoy Wales
Saltires en Sevilla Scotland
Mouldy67A Germany
Paddybhoy1888 Wales
Mouldy67C Scotland
Paolos Boots Germany
Big Archie Germany
The Lurker Scotland
Patrick27 Wales
Koln Celt Scotland
Mouldy67B Wales
GG Wales
Sheilas Sharpshooters Scotland
dim sam Wales
Stephen Black Scotland
Inchture bhoy Wales
Saint Stivs Scotland
Murdochaulandhay Germany
Stevie67 Scotland
Stoogebhoy Azerbaijan
StevieBhoy Scotland
Blantyretim Wales
Stephbhoy Wales
Stevie H Azerbaijan
pogmathonyahun Scotland
Bhoing Bhoing Wales
Jimmynotpaul Scotland
Graffitionthewall Wales
Rantic England
Setting Free The Bears Azerbaijan
Vmhan Wales
Wee Viv Wales
FC Alessia Germany
And it is (a temporary?) goodbye to those unlucky 9 tipsters, who blew it in week 1
Timabhuoy San Marino
Winning Captains Czech Rep
Deccyrollercoaster Slovenia
EddieinKirkmichael Czech Rep
makemineatreble Czech Rep
Realnineinarow Serbia
Blantyre Kev Czech Rep
Highland Hoops Czech Rep
HunderbirdsAreGone Czech Rep
But don’t worry for a secret additional payment to us of £10, we can airbrush your defeat from history and turn it into a wee victory. Surely, you don’t want to give up already with that prizepot involved?
Just email us and claim your (unbeaten) history remains. Payment details as before.
Good luck to all in week 2.
HH
CRC and Jobo
Just had a wee swatch at Hun Media.Not for the faint hearted,esecially the “Banners for Saturday”post.
But you always find one that is worth a giggleLike this gullible numb nuts
BF2
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BF2
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Anyone ordered from them before? I ordered a t-shirt and a polo from their site almost a month ago and they haven’t been delivered. I got a confirmation e-mail from PayPal immediately after completing my order and the money came off my account the day after. Their site says to allow 14 working days as they’re made to order, however it has obviously been well over that now. I fired them an e-mail yesterday afternoon and they said they’d reply within 4 hours, however I’ve had no response. Has anyone else has problems with them before? Should I give their Facebook page a try?
Eh,how long is it going to take you to twigHa ha ha ha ha.
So its the orangutans followed by the gargantauns?
I love the media legitimization of Frauds.
Huns and Trump. Tuns of Humps.
THE EXILED TIM on 5TH SEPTEMBER 2016 10:55 PM
AoW
The Wee Man could play though.His wins against Bristow were the stuff of legend.
He always gave me the impression though,that he had been dropped on his head when he was a wean.
Something just not right.
In my opinion anyone paying £50 to witness the final legitimization of the Old Firm on Saturday is contributing to the filth scum cancer of Scottish society that I had hoped died in 2012 but of course it was just a mere setback to Scottish sporting integrity’s pension plan based on money. Yours.
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 5TH SEPTEMBER 2016 10:40 PM
Art of War
I hope they ask my opinion.
Eh sorry,never gonna happen mate.We dont have an option on here.
LOL
TB
He didn’t get his fair allocation of the grey matter to be honest, I blame the education system and the parents :-)
HH
I agree.
Its a insult to Celtic supporters.
And a big Celtic PLC helping hand/handshake for the Huns.
They must be clapping like seals.
HH
Maggie
The punter is powerless.
MARGARET MCGILL on 5TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:04 PM
So its the orangutans followed by the gargantauns?
I love the media legitimization of Frauds.
Huns and Trump. Tuns of Humps.
Tuns of Humps?.Was that not “The News Of The World”.Its gone now.
Sorry , Maggie.
Premature posting.
macjay1 for Neil Lennon on 5th September 2016 11:16 pm
betcha £50 they’re not!
Turkeybhoy
Invited, or not.
I might let them know what i think about them anyway:)
HH
Maggie
You knew that the OF would never die, we all knew it would never die if the truth be told, money, lots of filthy dirty money, bigoted money, who gives a feck where it comes from as long as the clubs get their hands on our money.
It’s us who are the mugs for giving it to them.
HH
THE EXILED TIM on 5TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:15 PM
TB
He didn’t get his fair allocation of the grey matter to be honest, I blame the education system and the parents :-)
What,both of them dropped him on his head?
know,I know.
TB
Feck off :-)
HH
Nite allAff to watch all the goals from tonight now.
Turkeybhoy on 5th September 2016 11:16 pm
Yup NOTW is gone now. Its like a dinosaur. A bad memory. A scummy yukky filthy thing…meanwhile back in Scotland ….
That game on Saturday.
It will be similar to ‘Its a Knockout’ from the seventies.
Eddie Waring springs to mind.
THE EXILED TIM on 5th September 2016 11:18 pm
I agree with you but for about a year I rejoiced in their “downfall”. I would rather they still be around in their former filth than what I have witnessed these last 3 years. It’s beyond contempt. They must be starved of their lifeblood which is your money. Celtic PLC (In my opinion) have been compliant for the same filthy bigoted reasons.
MARGARET MCGILL on 5TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:17 PM
macjay1 for Neil Lennon on 5th September 2016 11:16 pm
betcha £50 they’re not!
=========================================
You pays your money , you takes your choice.
Or you doesn`t.
I can`t wait for this game , Maggie.
If I were in Glasgow , I`d be paying a mile over the odds for a ticket for myself and my boy ,As it is , we are all set up for a 9 PM k.o. on Saturday night..
For me all the rational arguments are as of naught.
It`s emotion .
Can`t help it. Don`t want to help it.
It`s been part of me and mine for a long long time .
Crusade ? No longer.
The community which required assistance appears to have moved onward and upward .
We now confront the bigotry from a position of strength and I`m talking about our community , not our team.
By community , I don`t mean in a religious sense.
Nevertheless , the old ties still bind. Rationally they shouldn`t , but they do.
Your approach rationally , cannot be faulted.
But , with Celtic, I follow my heart.
Should be three canisters of Laughing Gas free with a every ticket for Saturday.
That really wouldnt be as ridiculous, as pretending that Sevco are Rangers, would it?
macjay1 for Neil Lennon on 5th September 2016 11:33 pm
I dont blame you.
I love the team too.
I love the supporters forever.
However, we are all being railroaded for money.
Celtic will win on Saturday.
An annihilation ..will not be allowed.
The long term vision of Celtic, of Scottish football …well its like trying to keep alive the News of the world.
Get a dose of her in jackboots and kilt
She’s killer-diller when she’s dressed to the hilt
She’s the kind of a girl that makes the “News of the World”
Yes you could say she was attractively built
Yeah yeah yeah
Id rather give 50 quid to Ian Duncan Smith, than pay to see that bigot con farce on Saturday.
Almore, as a start install a toilet or toilets in the superstore which can be used by the able and less able bodiied similat to those available at shops like Lidl.
Its basic good customer service , the board may see us as customers, , to provide toilet facilities on non match days or for supporters arriving early before games.
Clashcitybhoy, who sadly does not post as often as he did, has posted vatious ideas over the years for improving facilties in and around the stadium.
Good night all and sleep well.
Maggie
” I would rather they still be around in their former filth than what I have witnessed these last 3 years. It’s beyond contempt. ”
Pretty much how I see it, we knew what was what and where we were, all the bullshit and the other stuff that has come out as if nothing has happened fair rips ma knittin so it does, but it’s down to the money, not a thin dime from me, just can’t go that far, I will support the players till the cows come home but I just can’t give the money men what they want, it would go against everything I hold dear.
But whatever, I want to pump them dry, take everything from them, every last drop of hope they have will do for me.
HH
Sleep well Timland
KTF