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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I see a few comments that it’s Thomson on Saturday. Has that been announced? Usually first place it’s posted is here, http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football_document_libraries.cfm?page=2061 but nothing up yet.
JJ
I don’t have any other accounts.
Can you advise the ISP ie. sky, virgin, gmail etc.
MWD
HOT SMOKED on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 9:39 AM
MWD
No. I have deleted it anyway.
J
Macjay
The profundity of your disagreement does not enhance it veracity 0:-)
==============================================================
Agreed.
But Thompson`s track record does.
;-)
WITS
My niece`s house is about two yards from the tee on the second (?) a par three anyway ) at Guadalmina. I have stayed in a variety of places but, for about the last twenty visits, it has been all inclusive at Cortijo Blanco ( Hotel Globales ).
JJ
PS I watched the Barcelo being built from the patio of my niece`s place.
MWD
Will do.
BLANTYREKEV on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 9:40 AM
I see a few comments that it’s Thomson on Saturday. Has that been announced? Usually first place it’s posted is here, http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football_document_libraries.cfm?page=2061 but nothing up yet.
===============================================================
So.
There may be hope yet.
Blantyre Kev, no announcement yet.
I would prefer Madden or Beaton to the rest of them. I don’t reckon they will give it to Thomson as they will be creating a hostage to fortune after the recent criticism of him.
Then again, what do I know?
KTF
Macjay
“But Thompson`s track record does.”
Nice reply 0:-)
” So. There may be hope yet.”
Not if it`s Madden 0:-)
JJ
PS or anyone , really !
Hot Smoked
Yes I remember the Barcelo being built
Our paths probably crossed a couple of times
My gals are 18 and 21 now and are no longer interested in family holidays so havent been since 2014
Whoever the ref might be on Saturday I think we can safely say he will be a mason!
Paranoid?!
Who?!
Me?!
Never!
HH!!
VFR800A8 on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 9:46 AM
Blantyre Kev, no announcement yet.
==============================================
Thanks , boys.
I saw his ” performance ” in failing to send off Forrester .
Well. He knew there was a big game coming up.
I`m firmly in the Chris Sutton camp who did everything on air but call him a cheat.
He used the euphemism ” bottled it “, but I knew what he meant.
HOT SMOKED on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 9:48 AM
You`re right , of course.
The “culture ” is in with the bricks . ( Bricks with a ” b ” )
Nevertheless , I would prefer a different hun ref. this time.
We`ll still give the huns a smacking.
On that we agree. I`m sure.
Hail Hail
Morning Bhoys from a damp Central Scotland well the build up continues but should it ? we are playing a newly promoted team that have never played in front of 60000 fans at Parkhead and really if you think about it logicly they should be the side with all the concerns.They are playing against a free scoreing Celtic side who are top of the SPL and who are in the Champions League they have a load of free transfer players and a few vetrans so no matter how the MSM hype the game for Celtic it is just another 3 points we are looking for.If it was say newly promoted Hibs would there be the same hype ? of course not we would see it just as another must win game so we may have nerves but that is always the case before every game so Saturday is no different lets go out and get the 3 points then set our sites on Barcelona a really big game. H.H.
JOE FILIPPIS HAIRCUT on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 9:58 AM
You got it in one , Joe.
Three points.
Except…………………..
Enjoyed the chat this morning but, as the weather here is much more pleasant than that described by Jobo for East Kilbride, I am off out for a short bike ride.
Cheerio for now,
JJ
St Stivs……………….
That was a tough Blog yesterday ’til I read your post about The Angel’s Share.
Love the place!
My good lady works for an investment broker round the corner and all members of staff have a discount card for TAS.
20% off all food and drink.
Needless to say we are good customers!
Now if I could get a discount card for Café Andaluz and The Omar Kayyam, that would be as good as it get’s.
How can I fancy a curry at 10 past 10 in the morning?
HOT SMOKED on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 10:08 AM
On yer bike , then.
:-)
Only a football association blinded by prejudice and total disregard for recent well founded criticism could possibly appoint Thomson for Saturday.
So I guess it will be him then.
I would expect Celtic to sit back after going 2 up early doors…..after all they have a massive game on the tuesday against Barca………now thats what one would call a big game…..glasgow derby kinda run of the mill stuff
I thought I had read on here that it doesn’t matter who the ref is. It’s just about Celtic, always has been, always will be. No? I must be wrong.
It seems it is really important again?
MWD
Last night, Tom English of the BBC actually attempted to defend Sevco’s sectarian beano in Linfield … by calling the Loyalist flute-band a “cross community organisation”. This is a brand new, and shocking, low from the national broadcaster.
http://thecelticblog.com/2016/09/blogs/bbc-journalist-mounts-ludicrous-defence-of-sevcos-sectarian-bigots-beano/?
It’s been a good read back this morning.
Keevins is a total buffoon. Sold his soul to the devil decades ago. Imagine a professional journalist forming a double act with BFDJ? Ha ha!!
It doesn’t matter who the MIB is. They are all poor.
I fear real trouble after the game when the Zombies will realise that they cannot compete with us on the park for the foreseeable future. That’s what will really stick in their craw.
HH
Aw please.Are we now going to be whingeing about referees all day today?.
How fekin boring is that.Just what does it achieve?.Yes we all already know they are duff,some having different leanings,shall we say,but so what?.
If the referees were as bent as some would like to think,how the hell do we ever win anything?.How do we gub the Huns so regularly?With Refs as bent as many on here would have you believe,we would need to be as good as Barca to win all these games.
Some Referees are Huns.FFS,what a earth shattering observation that is.This is Scotland,just what would you expect.If we were playing in Brazil,would you be surprised the Referee was Catholic?.Its what it is.Get over it.
Todays Refs are not a patch on the Taits,Gordons,Mc Curry,going back further to my fathers time,Craigmyle,who used to do everything but tackle our players.Unless you hibernate all week after our games ,you will see shocking Refereeing decisions all over the continents every week,so many down South.
It is a very difficult job,whatever anyone says.
So the “randomly generated by computer” fixtures didn’t quite achieve the expected outcome.
It has given us an “old firm” top two, with a full week’s build-up which will enable the media hypefest to be at maximum output. Well – you would almost think it was planned!
But Sevco in second place, a point behind Celtic who also have a game in hand? Oh dear.
An expected situation would have had Sevco on 12 points and Celtic on 7 points, meaning a win for Celtic would not be disastrous. As long as it wasn’t a big win, obviously. 2-0 would maybe have been allowed.
But Celtic going (probably) seven points clear? Will that be allowed? Hmmmmm.
Will we see some Harry Forrester-style tackles going unpunished?
Advantages not being played?
A few early bookings for Celtic players?
I wonder if we might see a game with plenty of stoppages, but not much stoppage time? Lots of fouls, players being spoken to at length with little or no time added on?
Play being constantly broken up? Celtic not being able to establish a fluent pattern of play?
Has this game got bore draw written all over it?
My money’s on Madden. Was awarded LC semi year before last, his Ibrox ST status emerged and he mysteriously had a UEFA course that day. Thomson again got the SC semi. Leaves McLean and Madden and McLean had the SC final. Madden has proven his worth to his paymasters, and you know what I mean.
Beaton is clown, if it’s him all bets are off on a game of football happening.
Bmcuw
Re james forrest on keevin or english or a.n.other opinion rentboy.
Meeja sells meeja
Why does the opinion of these professional shitetalkers matter to him?
Keevins meejah duality Iis well known
Tom english in ladt weeks scotlands game was imo ‘the safe patsy’ tentatively suggesting sdm was at fault (as owner of the selfharm blade) this week an apologist for an anti catholic ‘community’ org.
The perception industry has had its phasers to malky on more serious matters since cva failed, but when its authors becoming the story (keevins english etcshitera etcshitera) it bores me as their scrawlings do not alter one atom my relationship with cfc.
Hope your good.
HH
PHILBHOY
“How can I fancy a curry at 10 past 10 in the morning?”
Work nights.
Celtic keep putting the ball in the onion bag on Saturday and whoever the referee is irrelevant
Anyway a week today I’m off to. Barcelonato watch Celtic in the Champions League but no doubt some will be boycotting it because of the financial corruptness surrounding the competition and the organisers……..but just like Saturday you going to be missing some atmosphere and game of fitba
BMCUWP
Hahahaha!
I wouldn’t put it past you!
I take it as there’s a game on on the 1st a lunchtime curry might not be on the menu?
BOBBY MADDEN!
Sorry, I just felt like typing that…
See.
What did I say.
Like a book it is read.
Then they come a running oot.
I could have made it up. But hey…
The refs dinny matter ken. Except erm… when they do… but even then they dinny matter… cause it’s all para…
There are a few in here should consider a new career as Banana benders. Such an important job.
MWD
Turkey
I thought you flounced off for the week the other night there. Why can you not just keep to your word.
Talk about boring!
MWD HLS
Here’s my favourite Madden moment…
The phantom foul at 1 min 25 secs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPDeFjpRJh0
Classic Bobby, wits he liked eh?
PHILBHOY on 6TH SEPTEMBER 2016 10:09 AM
St Stivs……………….
That was a tough Blog yesterday ’til I read your post about The Angel’s Share.
Love the place!
My good lady works for an investment broker round the corner and all members of staff have a discount card for TAS.
20% off all food and drink.
Needless to say we are good customers!
Now if I could get a discount card for Café Andaluz and The Omar Kayyam, that would be as good as it get’s.
How can I fancy a curry at 10 past 10 in the morning?
——————————————————————————————-
Well you’ve certainly missed the breakfast slot for the curry. :-)
Did TAS used to be Wighams Wine Bar? Near Frasers?
DAVIDOPOULOS
That’s a classic…
NATKNOW
I don’t know what it was called before but it is close to Fraser’s, just down the road in Hope Street.
Gotta go!
Be good now!