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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cowiebhoy.
where were you this afternoon? sis bbq more important than a cup o tea at the club.
see you soon.
MARGARET MCGILL on 5TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:38 PM
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.
====================================================
I wouldn`t dispute that for a moment.
The sadist in me is enjoyed the slow protracted demise of the hun, hopefully culminating in irreversible decline.
BUT such that they are still around to be laughed at.
That would do me.
Just fine.
Macjay
You more than most must know that the huns borrowed and ate themselves into oblivion because David Murray wanted to legitimize Rangers as the all encompassing Scottish team just to obliterate the memory of Jock Stein. The legend. Why? Nothing more than bigotry. The silence from Celtic PLC was deafening. Not even a peep on res 12 or anything else that would rock the boat for that matter. I have absolutely no time for the irish raj and their OF mentality.
MacJay
They are an disgrace to football.
They have killed the game in Scotland.
I want to be 8yrs old, and be Bobby Lennox again:)
The thought of those bigoted cheats at the Holy Ground, sickens me.
HH
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:10 AM.
My god you have some stamina;)
Like macjay, we can only beat the teams put up on front of us, I’m sure you will be happy if we pump thems 6-2. HH
Trying not to come across as agitated or confrontational…. but someone explain WHY ‘they’ are stil operating a football club using the mask of a club in liquidation.
It’s all wrong on many levels.
It’s not simply ‘the media says so’. It’s bigger and I get that, but why isn’t the lie challenged (Res 12 guys, not un-noticed)? Shareholders and ticket-buyers during times when we were cheated….. have no say in it at all? I’m sick of it. Challenging the media is wasted time and resources. Challenge the top suits; the folk who allowed this sh*t to grow and pollute scottish football. If the facts are there, and the rules support our wishes, why are we still feeling like we’re being screwed over?
All the blogs and all the nonsense inbetween…. so what. I want justice and truth. Show me the way and I’ll go find it myself!
-Tambo (and beer)
Andy Murray about to play on eurosport.
Sipsini
Im on an extended rant before i go back to work:)
Blowing off the cobwebs:)
I want God(even though im an atheist) to chastise them with much wrath and fury, and a Griff hat-trick in the first 5 minutes:)
HH
FASTBHOY…
Cheers for that, I was about to hit the hay.:)
MARGARET MCGILL on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:09 AM
I understand that. And your frustration is palpable .
Where we differ is how ” we ” deal with these issues.
I just wonder about the personal safety of Celtic`s representatives .
And I would be concerned about the safety of members of the Celtic community.
I don`t fear Rangers football team.
I do fear some of their support base.
Saturday will probably provide further evidence of my justified fear.
They have a feral element in their support.
I seriously don`t believe that we have.
Macjay
So it reduces to….
“Are they gonna kick fuck oot uz?”
deary me
anytime.
Radiohead Live… Outside Lands Festival 2016 on YT
Very nice find.
HH
Apparently Dermot Desmond has instructed Brendon Rodgers he wants his players to stop at 5 – 0 come Saturday to drive home to Newco Rangers vagabond directors their unbecoming “high five” jinks has well and truly bitten them on der hun butt.
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:10 AM
I was Bobby Collins. :-)
“Which one is Bobby Collins , dad ?”
” He`s the smallest man on the park , son. ”
The hun is the tip of the bigoted S.F.A. iceberg.
If the top were chopped off , the rest would remain.
Changing the power structure of Scotland`s football is beyond the capability of Celtic F.C. ALONE.
But it MAY be the will of Celtic F.C.
I just don`t know.
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:05 AM
Me too. I know we are playnig Sevco on Sat but I’m happy enough to to delude myself that they really are Rangers just for a day just to enjoy their humiliation that bit more.
MARGARET MCGILL on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:29 AM
I don`t think the hun will compete in stamina, ability or skill.
The have no option but to use “power play “. ( Retro `50s and George Young )
MacJay
There are memories, that the hucksters can never have.
Money means nothing when you see the Lions:)
And…I still want to be Bobby Lennox.
HH
Macjay
ok
I’m slightly disappointed :)
FOXY on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:36 AM
For me , they are Rangers.
If it walks like a duck………..
The name game , for me , is a complete irrelevance.
I just want to cuff them .
There`s a reasonable chance that dream will come true.
If not , we can cry all the way to the bank.
A “no lose ” situation.
Macjay
To quote a superb oz character
“You might not be as free as you think”
MARGARET MCGILL on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:43 AM
Macjay
ok
I’m slightly disappointed :)
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Hopefully we can chat after a win on Saturday and rejoice together in spite of the associated disappointing issues.
To the tune of Mary Poppins – Chim Chim Cher-Ee –the Sound of Music
Dim Timmery
Dim Timmery
Dim Tim the noo
Good luck will rub off when
I shakes hands with you
Dim Timmery
Dim Timmery
Dim Tim the noo
When you’re with a cheat
You’re in glad company
MARGARET MCGILL on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:44 AM
Macjay
To quote a superb oz character
“You might not be as free as you think”
==============================================
Who ?
Crocodile Dundee ?
Radiohead…Bodysnatchers…very apt song:)
macjay1 for Neil Lennon on 6th September 2016 12:47 am
naw mate
come on!
Jim Jeffries
and I dont mean that greeting face puddin of the Scottish race. :)
Class act for homis.
https://www.facebook.com/elmonitocabron/videos/vb.427221960685853/1178565238884851/?type=2&theater
MARGARET MCGILL on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:50 AM
I need to watch more of him.
Thanks.
Affoot.
Hings tae dae.
Seeyezawla`er.
Time and place fot seeking justice and commitment, it seems.
Not trusted, unfortunately. It’s how it is. This whole thing’s a sham.
I’ll just hope Karma and conscience makes things right, sometime.
-Tambo (fool no more)
Well I think we are playing Rangers on Saturday.
I knew that watching the semi final, cos it felt exactly the same.
A football club is the collective will of its fans.
And they are the same.
RASCAR CAPAC on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 1:08 AM
Can there be any doubt ?
The collective will of Celtic fans claims those titles ‘won’ by Rangers and all that cash they gained via European competitions. Wow, that was easy. Job done.
…. oh, not that simple.
Tam
Aye, there is a clear issue with title stripping.
Can’t see it happening.
Another wee word from MI5.
It seems not all is as It seems.
Pretend principles & plastic people
Let’s make America white again
Let’s make Scotland Protestant again
The more it changes the more it stays the same
America will become Hispanic.
Hardly emdy in Scotland talks to Jesus.
Not the same Mags.
As a crap car:
Nae buddy here either