Manchester City have flattered to deceive in the Champions League since becoming one of the richest clubs in the world, before reaching the semi-finals of the competition last season. That contest ended in a 1-0 aggregate win for Real Madrid, closer than many expected, based on City’s domestic form at the time.
What happened at City last season is the stuff books are written about, well after the event. They took the early season by storm, but when it became clear manager Manuel Pellegrini was to be replaced by Pep Guardiola in the summer, results fell apart. Even their highly-credible results against Real Madrid were criticised for a perceived lack of effort in places.
Now Guardiola is in charge and City are short odds on to take the title. The look imperious in English football, while their 4-0 trouncing of Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League earlier this month was remarkably comprehensive.
Celtic have managed to draw a Champions League group stage with two of the four top favourites to win the tournament. Barcelona are favourites with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid behind, but City are ahead of recent finalists Juventus and Atletico Madrid. The other UK clubs barely rate a mention.
This luck of the draw is far from a normal event. It appears harsh on pot three team, Borussia, and absolutely daunting for pot 4’s Celtic. The humbling in Barcelona two weeks ago served Brendan and the players with a lesson, perhaps not their last this campaign, but tomorrow gives us a chance to face off against one of the best teams in the world. It will be exhausting and exhilarating, but we should face it with some anticipation.
You are going to see Celtic score four, five and six against many teams this season. We are so far ahead of the rest of Scotland this is the norm. These Champions League games are the bonus which will illuminate the dark evenings, but they will also provide a valuable yardstick to measure the scintillating football we watched at the weekend.
Are Kieran and Tom ready to face the best in the business? Do Scott Sinclair and James Forrest have a point to prove? Can Leigh and/or Moussa use their pace to create space against top international defenders?
By 21:45 tomorrow evening you’ll know some of these answers. Give me this kind of stress any day, instead of Molde or Fenerbahce.
Thanks for all the support for the Great Scottish Run for the Celtic Foundation on Saturday. Special thanks for those who got the MyDonate account up to this level (below) yesterday. And a bigger thanks to the person who moved us on!
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MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:13 PM
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:57 AM
MACJAY 1135
I think the interests of the fans and the board broadly converge. I sometimes disagree with the thoughts and deeds of each.
You can be a Celtic supporter without total agreement with board policy. After all,you would have to be an idiot to allow the diktat of a few people to shape how you support your team.
=========================================================================
True.
However , it`s not about how ” you support your team “. It`s about a small minority determined to push their political views aggressively on Celtic F.C.
In complete and utter contempt for Celtic supporters who disagree with them.
They`re called entryists , Bobby.
In addition ,if you disagree with or mock the Mission statement , then why would you support an organisation with whose Mission statement you fundamentally disagree?
They`re called entryists , Bobby.
The Shankhill Road Defenders Loyalist Flute Band are looking for 43 tickets for the home end tomorrow night.
Can anyone help them out?
MACJAY
Celtic supporters don’t need a mission statement to tell them what Celtic is all about. It’s a load of nonsense.
You and I start at the same place as each other,and finish at the same place as each other.
Neither of us is that thick that we need a road map drawn up by somebody else to tell us how to complete our journey.
Looking forward to tomorrow night!
Meanwhile, here are my latest wibblings!
One about shameless promotion of the latest Sevco fans’ initiative in an alleged newspaper…
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2016/09/26/a-statement-of-opinion/
And one about the urge to SPEND SPEND SPEND!
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2016/09/26/do-it-again/
KEVJUNGLE on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:42 AM
ERNIE LYNCH on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:36 AM
____________________________________________________
Ah know, and when he knew he had them suckered in with the mission statement, he tried to ban the fans from waving the ‘provocative’ Irish tricolor at Celtic Park ?!?!?
Old-Firm-Orientated….all the way from Canada.
HH
________________________________________
So where do you think we’d have been in 1994, and where we would be now without Fergus McCann’s intervention?
Looking for something structured; not something along the lines of “we’d be better off without the PLC Board”.
FAC the Act
KTF
Geordie Munro on 27th September 2016 11:52 am
Yes, if we can deduct damage money from tickets for upcoming tie I would expect us to do so – I am sure Celtic will be prepared for another unprofessional ‘statement’ from those in control at Ibrox,
HH
Davy Weir says he’s confident Sevco are heading in the right direction.
EMDAE GOT AN AD BLOCKER ON THEM??
http://m.thenational.ae/sport/champions-league/celtic-and-manchester-city-now-worlds-apart-but-power-of-celtic-park-can-level-playing-field
2-0 Celtic
Dont give them to much respect.
Get into them big time
Hi Paul67,
Agree… some game to look forward to but this encounter is both scintilating and daunting.
T’was looking at other fixtures in the UCL…
FC Copenhagen v Club Brugge
Thinking, if only. I believe BR will get us up another few levels, we could see the return of Fortress Celtic Park… but as it stands we have a huge task ahead.
On the plus side, BR knows their players, he has played this team. Pep will have them performing but we have somethi g to prove tonight and with one exception have always equipped ourselves well against English Opposition.
2-2
Hail Hail
Hi Paul67,
Agree… some game to look forward to but this encounter is both scintilating and daunting.
T’was looking at other fixtures in the UCL…
FC Copenhagen v Club Brugge
Thinking, if only. I believe BR will get us up another few levels, we could see the return of Fortress Celtic Park… but as it stands we have a huge task ahead.
On the plus side, BR knows their players, he has played this team. Pep will have them performing but we have somethi g to prove tomorrow night and with one exception have always equipped ourselves well against English Opposition.
2-2
Hail Hail
VFR800A8 on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:08 PM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:35 AM
I broadly agree with; specifically having watched the Lisbon Lions era then the oblivion during their 9 in a row era and the deserted stadium at many home games.
Fergus McCan stepped in and DID save our Club; he transformed it into the success it is today. I’m happy with that!
I understand your reservations about the politicisation of the Club, but agree with BMCUWP that more often than not the fans and Clubs aspirations broadly converge.
I recall the footballing, religious, social and political discrimination you allude too. I’m of the generation that had to answer the school question straight away at job application or interview; and watched the greater masonic impact of mibberry; so I’m with you in being more than content with our dominance both financially and on the park!
FAC the Act
KTF
==================================================
Seriously glad to hear what you say.
I used to fight our corner with huns.
Now I do so with Tims.
BMCUW, Ernie Lynch,
What part of the Celtic Mission Statement do you think is not required, incorrect or contentious .
Many organisations have similar decelerations of intent , only they call them manifesto’s.
HH. Singingintheraincsc.
HT
Resolution signed and emailed this morning
GREENPINATA on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:39 PM
BMCUW, Ernie Lynch,
‘What part of the Celtic Mission Statement do you think is not required,’
###
None of it is required.
Celtic fans managed just fine before it was issued.
It’s a piece of corporate bullshit.
Celtic fans managed just fine pre Mission Statement because there was no need for one.
We all knew what the club stood for and respected that.
When Fergus took over, he recognised that there was emerging a battle for the “heart and soul” of the club.
Some of the fans were becoming more politically active with regards to the songs and chants.
We were in danger of becoming less inclusive and perceived to be Provo leaning.
This was bound to alienate many of the support, whose Irish political views did not align with Sinn Fein.
Obviously, the political landscape in Ireland changed post 1968, when the Civil Rights movement in the North gained traction.
Celtic did not want to be involved in the situation and, unlike the other side of the city, didn’t offer an opportunity for any group to exploit.
Getting back to the point.
Celtic supporters have traditionally come from all sides of society, with the majority, I suggest being politically left of centre, but not extreme left.
Politics in general have become either far right or far left and the centre ground has all but been silenced.
This is the tragedy of modern politics- doomed to cyclical swings to extremes.
The existence of a politically motivated group, attaching itself to Celtic is something that many of us can’t accept. no matter how good an atmosphere they produce.
For me, the end does not justify the means.
Craig Gordon Good
Last post showing 1.45
ThomTheTim
I agree. the politically motivated group should be removed. Dump the PLC.
MWD
Tablet not working……..seems o.k. now.
According to the evening times today @ 3.25pm, Brendan has confirmed that Craig Gordon will be in goals tmorra.
“I am a supporter and like every supporter I am not interested in the bottom line, as long as we stay solvent. Find the money from somewhere and give the manager a chance.”
Guess who said this?
MWD
Good to see Craig Gordon get the nod…
Me thinks we’ll need a quality shot stopper in goal:)
Hail Hail
Bitta bovva bloggin’ bhoys?
Butsyboy
Agree , have to dig in and in their face. Klippety Klopp said when he managed Dortmund and played Bayern, he had 2 or 3 players in the face of their star sidemen. Also stressed the importance of full backs to be very fit and chase up and down the park. Was shocked at the space Messi and Neymar got, and we appeared to have no right back. Very few tackles were made, and I think Brendan has learned from that. Hope your prediction is right,……..but ……!
Team For Tomorrow Night…
——————————Gordon
Lustig–Sumonuvic–Tolo–Sviatchenko– Tierney
——————————–Brown
Forrest——————Rogic—————–Sinclair
——————————–Dembele
Hail Hail
THE BATTERED BUNNET on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 3:32 PM
Bitta bovva bloggin’ bhoys?
———————————
It’s the new tactic to defuse any friendly difference of opinion. Great idea. Hopefully we can shut up shop tomorrow as effectively.
HH.
CHAIRBHOY
Lile your team selection, but…………..what about moving Svietchenko one forward to sit in with Broony?
Mibbe firm up an area that needs, well, firmed up.
PHILBHOY @ 3:45 PM,
Yes I think having Erik in front of a back four with Broony could be the ideal scenario.
Would certainly firm up the defence.
Hail Hail
Sidemen = widemen , Robin and his sidekick.
CHAIRBHOY
I don’t like Erik’s lack of height and pace in the back four so midfield, I think would suit him.
Worth a try.
How much money does Sam Allardyce need?
England job pays £3m p.a., plus win bonuses.
That’s £10 000 per day, as long as he doesn’t spend any money on a Sunday.
Whit a Shyster.
CQN is running slow the day, took me an hour to get on and now i’ve forgot what i was gonna say.
Off out with the dogs :-)
Off out with the dogs :-)
Ah, you remembered.
PHILBHOY @ 3:55 PM,
Yeah! Think Jozo & Tolo give is some real physicality at the back… both good footballers too… we have nothing to lose by putting Erik in front of the defence…
———————Gordon
Lustig–—Sumonuvic–Tolo––-Tierney
——————Broony——–Erik
Forrest————Rogic————–Sinclair
————-——–Dembele
Hail Hail
Celtic Slow News
http://youtu.be/QGc_59ySJ8A
HUNDERBIRDS ARE GONE on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 4:19 PM
How much money does Sam Allardyce need?
Like the rest.
As much as he can get his hands on.