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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Thomthethim
Huddle up Errigal
http://www.donegaldaily.com/2016/09/04/200-celtics-fans-gather-for-huddle-up-errigal-festival/
200 eh.well done Celts.
HH
EUROCHAMPS67 on 4TH SEPTEMBER 2016 10:25 PM
My last Scotland game was when le petite merde scored two goals V Spain, I think, and the attending Hun support still berated him because he had previously played for Celtic, ( he was plying his trade in France at the time).
I can clearly remember, in retaliation, screaming at Jim Bett, ” Bett you’re f@#kin useless, Tommy Burns should be playing left mid”, much to the consternation of my friends but not as much as to the knuckle dragging simians trying to figure out where my shout had originated from.
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Bloomin el ole Eurochamps!
Same here mhate ,I was giving Cooper pelters due to huns behind singing BULLY BOYS.
My bluenose pal asked me politely to move to other section before a rammy started……..Saying that ,it was my 2nd and last Scotland game.
Sipsini always lurking J. How are you mate. Hoping to get along to bobby’s hootenany even for a short time it’s my birthday day before but think family looking to doing something on Saturday night. If your there I will gladly get the beers mate.
HH
KTF
UTLR
I have always been a straight shootin’ guy that takes no nonsense from any huns, however I require some info regarding the game as I am taking a few boys along to the game and I do not wish to embarrass them by leathering a few huns. I would prefer to be in a friendly pub. Any help appreciated my fellow bhoys:-)
I wouldn’t be surprised if Senderos is on an EBT
Starry Plough enjoy the break from your ghirls lucky man. EasyJet do fly to Scotland and we have good coffee shops. Let me know whenever you get home mate maybe take in that game together.
HH
KTF
UTLR
Gooood afternoon CQN from Toronto
sun shining and Hun free where I am :-))))
Nice
Hail Hail
Oh met Tim Horton yesterday, in the wee Irish Club – nice :-)
ALMORE
Maith thu (fadas still sticking on this pad!!)
Is fearr Gaeilge briste na Bearla cliste!!
I seem to remember a preliminary proposal to build a hotel, with a museum annexed to it, but suspect that the Gauleiters objected on the grounds of crowd control. The museum could be incorporated into the cafe but, suspect, that any proposed hotel would have to be off campus. Anyway, adh mor and hopefully it will come to pass. In the same way that buffet on US trains are called Amcafe, we could call it Alcafe!! Seriously, let’s push for it. HH
who are we playing at the weekend?
Song for Saturday… to the tune of The Beatles “Hello, Goodbye”
“You say Rangers, While I say Sevco. Hello, Hello! I don’t know why you say Rangers, you are Sevco! Repeat to fade.
An Tearmann,
Thanks for that.
Well done to all who organised and supported the weekend. All in the aid of good causes.
I often wonder why the Celtic Foundation doesn’t get due credit for the work they do, in so many arenas, at home and abroad.
It is one aspect of the club that truly encompasses, and even goes beyond, the aspirations of Brother Walfrid.
Well done Fergus, Celtic PLC and the Foundation.
60 LMS folks waiting on Wales tonight including me. Mon the Bale!
Cowiebhoy
Thanks for showin’ up in TO when I hit Europe.
Guess I owe you a pint?
MARGARET MCGILL
Whit Emergency Bricklayers Tax???
Whitney
Nice one
If Messi is out for our game in eight days, it will be a huge boost for our hopes.
May have already been shared. Great blog today from John James. Regrettably I think he is right about Pedro and the PLC board. Regardless it needs to go the full road.
https://johnjamessite.com/2016/09/05/the-ebt-helicopter-of-hypocrisy/
Is the Kerrydale open on Saturday morning?
HH
Quick scan of Newsnow Celtic headlines emphasizes why is rarely visit the webpage anymore.
Can’t imagine what it must be like to actually read some of the drivel.
There are 7 Scottish referees on the FIFA list for 1st half of 2016/17 :
Collum and Thomson are retained on the 28 strong Elite category (I know ..);
Beaton and Madden are in First Group;
Clancy, Dallas and McLean are in the Second Group;
No one in Third Group
Usually only the most experienced referees are used in such a fixture as Glasgow Derby especially the 1st one of the guaranteed 3.
If Thomson is confirmed for Saturday, I hope he waits until the Celtic team are on the pitch before he starts the game !
ghuys
can anyone provide me with a link to UEFA web site were the sevco statement was published. I want to shut up a sevco supporting mate.
L57
A wee meander,
Just back from mrs birthday weekend in Edinburgh. Two fantastic nights in what is the best accommodation I have ever stayed in at the Chester Residence. Great food in 2 locations as well. The amount of tourists was quite unbelievable, surely a boom year for the industry with the weak pound.
I love the place, Edinburgh really is a quality city now.
Also, the Angels Share bar, great pictures on the walls. A brilliant image of Pat Stanton , skipping in front of the jungle/celtic end pylon.
Its a great picture. but i cant find it online
Good article on the Celtic Blog calling out Keevins for what he is, a failed journalist and a failed shock-jock. Won’t listen to Snyde, so didn’t hear what he actually said this time round but, if the article is correct, makes the point why Tims shouldn’t tune into his programme. HH
copied from a link on etims.
https://twitter.com/mikesanz19/status/772449437306290177/video/1
ROBERTTRESSELL on 5TH SEPTEMBER 2016 4:28 PM
CQN sabbatical coming up for me I think.
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Way ahead of you. Restricted diet for over a week now.
Quick look in today. Back early next week.
and then i found it, pat stanton –
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/2a/4b/ae/2a4bae9660c6d05e63c1ef59d5acdf26.jpg
Get in there Ireland, deflection but they all count
One item I have noticed on the blog is that those slating the Club, and everything to do with it over the deceased old firm, have actually only appeared because we are back playing the undead remains.
Irony and entrenched, unfounded belief all rolled into one.
Zzzzzz aff oot.
jeez roi one up
Been talking to an English mate regarding the state of the game up in Scotland and he asked me if I’d still support Celtic if they were playing their way through the English league set up. I said of course I’d support them wherever they were. I believe the Scottish game is doomed to fail. The cheating/bias nature of the game has seen to that. He wasn’t sure if the majority of fans would share the same view as me.
So I am asking the blog the same hypothetical question. If Celtic are invited by the FA to join them would you still support Celtic playing their way through the English leagues? Even though it inevitably means a few barren years while we build up
Teuchter ar la
Sorry I couldn’t legitimise an game this weekend coming
Not for me
So a wee family visiting holiday, as I sit oot the back listening to the Rebs :-)
Plymtim
Of course
HH
Plytim
Yes
Incidentally like the RoI strip :-))
PLYMTIM
How would Celtic a club our size and with our overheads survive working our way through the lower leagues of England??
Celtic v Plymouth Argyll on a Wet Wednesday in January???
I would support us going through the English leagues. Even starting at the very lowest teir.
I really think the 4th level down there prbably has more turnover than the Scottish Premier league.
The downside would be no access to Europe for a considerable time.
The Upside, breaking away from the completely broken SFA/SPFL who dont apply the rules.
If an english club had been caught with side letters for players, not paying tax etc etc, every trophy won would have been stripped.
Now the new co zombie club might also get asked, however, I would expect Celtic to climb the leagues quickly, and they would not.
Stupid question pal.
I believe we would actually get more support should we move to the English Divisions.
I got lots of friends who don’t support Celtic simply because we play in Scottish Football yet still feel an affinity towards the Club.
Sad, Glory Hunters, IMO.