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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Stupid question time:
STH’s can book a trip to Man City away game through the club if you have attended one (or more) away game in the last 2 seasons.
If you haven’t been in last 2 seasons how can you get back on the list to attend away UCL games?
HH
HOT SMOKED
No, i was gonna tell you all about my experience of Manchester shitty fans from when i lived in Manchester.
I was there 14 yrs and went ONCE to Maine Rd with a cellik scarf on (i know i know) they didn’t like it one little bit, said i was in the wrong ground in Manchester with that on my neck.
I dont suppose they have changed their opinion on us that much since them days.
Now
I’m off out with my dogs :-))
Was ther a bug in the system??
The first “Battle of Britain” game I attended was a Celtic v Man City friendly at Hampden around 1970.
It was 0-0 if memory serves me correctly. I went with my Uncle Frank (RIP), I was about 10.
That was a star studded Citeh side with Joe Corrigan in goal, and they had good forward players in Doyle, Summerbee, Bell and Francis Lee.
A repeat draw would be a good result tomorrow.
I think we had a goal disallowed at the death.
C – E – L – T – I – C
S – LOOOOOOOOOO – W
N – E – W – S
It’s a Hat Trick on a very sticky pitch :)))
Anyone heading for the Blane Valley tomorrow before the game, I’ll be in around 3.00pm.
Hunderbirds are Gone
I was at that game in 70. Bobby Murdoch played with 9 on his shorts and George Connelly played , magnificently, at centre half. First game in Scotland post Feyenoord I think and quite a subdued crowd initially that was also smaller than expected -60 odd thousand. They had a good side and TOHG had a great point blank save from Lee ( I think) but we played pretty well. Think wee Bobby nearly scored right at the death – but also might have had a goal chopped off.
My mum (RIP) went so we went to the stand and I still have the ticket
Jim
i like Toure and Jozo at the back – not sure about erik in from of them tho , i’d rather put gamboa in the mix for his pace, this is invaluable at this level
20s game on BT sport 2 morro nite at 5
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:35 PM
I suspect we may not be politically aligned; however, we are in terms of supporting our Club!
FAC the Act
KTF
Jinky story on Alba on Friday nite at 9
Will be very interested to see if Beaton reports the magic hat and his side kick for there verbal attack on him at full time . If he doesn’t he should be downgraded for not doing his job . Will also be interesting to see how he react the next time he refs the stinkies , looked to me Beaton did an impersonation of chick dung with the cardigan , a well chastised wee boy .
please don’t stand off citeh cellic, they’ll destroy us
ERNIE LYNCH on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 1:07 PM
THOMTHETHIM FOR OSCAR OK on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 1:45 PM
The songs and chants were more radical during the late 70’s and early 80’s than they were when Fergus arrived. The battle fort the heart and soul of the club was off the park, not on it and not with the fans.
I put this article together last week to outline why we are more than just a Club.
The Mission Statement (and Social Charter) unequivocally lays out who we are and what we are here for; so can you explain why it is anathema to you?
FAC the Act
KTF
JIM PAYNE and Hunderbirds are Gone,
I too was at that game and from memory, it was quite a poor game despite the quality on show. No wonder the crowd was subdued.
HH
Yogi
STEBHOY @ 5:27 PM,
Thought of Gamboa but a couple of points…
He looks far from match fit, he looked overawed and his pace didn’t help him against the Barca attack.
Does he have the pace to match Navas?
Think Lustig’s experience will be crucial, also he’s finding a bit of form IMO.
As far as Erik goes… we can’t leave the defence exposed as we did against Barca. I’m not sure what the answer is but I think we all know it’s not Nir…
Hail Hail
Erik in front of the defence? We’re playing Manchester City in the Champions League, not Elgin City in the Petrofac Cup.
It’s hardly an occasion for experimenting.
Thankfully, Brendan’s not so daft.
I know this is a bit of a long shot…………………..Does anyone know where you can catch a Celtic game in Savannah GA? Nothing on Celtic Bars website.
AULD TAM
Thanks for your reasoned post.
And thanks for calling me daft.
Do you not know how to put together a friendly post?
Your a sad auld bastard.
There’s a nasty one back
Well that was a good day.
Now going to game tomorrow night
Acgr, ht, jimmynotpaul thanks and special thanks to jnp’s colleague jim (get posting btw).
Sincere thanks,
Hail hail
An T :-)
Philbhoy –
I certainly did not intend to call you daft, but can see how you read it that way. Wasn’t my intention.
Please accept my apology.
Philbhoy@5.55
Vg
Spit a mouthful of tea out at that one.
HH
CHAIRBHOY on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 5:50 PM
Not everyone agrees with you on Nir Bitton. I personally think Efe handed him the escaped goat mantle when he got dropped.
Lustily was very poor in Israel and Barcelona. He has looked better when Simunovic has played and when Forrest comes back to help him. He will need all his experience (and Simunovic coming round the back to help him) when dealing with Navas.
FAC the Act
KTF
Lustily = Lustig
Yogihughes @5.47
Think it was a game that took a long time to get going – and that the Bobby Murdoch experiment was not viewed as a success. But it is a long time ago and I am still supposed to be working
Jim
VFR800A8
Browsing history mmmmmm
HH
Celtic v Man C. I honestly believe that if the real Celts turn up tmorra, we can give them more than a real fright.
I agree that on their day/ night they could cause us severe problems, but considering that nobody outwith Celtic are giving us a chance, perhaps our Bhoys will surprise many ?
I’ve got a feeling that Brendan may well try and spring a surprise that nobody has anticipated in relation to team selection ?
If I were to be right, then maybe Henderson to give extra pace in midfield , who knows ?
I wouldn’t suppose that Pep would be all that bothered who we play, and giving his experience of the Celtic Park ” experience” in CL nights, he may well be drumming into his players that Celtic will attempt to come flying out of the traps ?
In a way I hope he does “warn” his troops of the Celtic support, as MAYBE it may lead to one or two of his players being even more nervous than usual, especially if the Celts can go off on the front foot right from the first whistle ?
IMO, there are one of two City players that we can get at early doors, especially through James Forrest
My God, I’m getting goosebumps already at the very thought of Celtic having a real go and coming up with some kind of positive result ?
COYBIG.
HH.
HAVANALAUGH on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 5:55 PM
I know this is a bit of a long shot…………………..Does anyone know where you can catch a Celtic game in Savannah GA? Nothing on Celtic Bars website.
————–
Go to http://www.macphersonspub.com in Savannah. I can vouch for it, been there a few times. Great place and they pull a stout pint professionally the way it should be served.
The game is on Fox Sports 2 at 2:45pm your time. This pub will definatey have this channel, although phone first to make sure.
HH
Yeah these Champions League gubbings dont half help keep you grounded…
VFR i see you are still peddling the so called article you wrote on why celtic are more than a club
The article was not about celtic being more than a club. It was simply an attempt to attack celtic supporters that disagree with your qorld view.
VFR800A8 @ 6:04 PM,
Well obviously I can’t speak for everyone but for me after his first Season with us Nir seemed to loose something… he’s never quite regained it.
Also for me he’s not a natural defensive midfielder, you could argue the same for Broony but he does make himself effective.
Nir will probably play anyway so… We’ll see..
Hail Hail
Havanalaugh-
Also Molly MacPhersons is a Scottish Pub and their food is about as authentic as you’ll get in the US.
Disclaimer: This mention of a Scottish Pub was in no way intended to offend our resident Windsor loving unionist troll, who is gracing us with his presence today while insulting Celtic’s roots and continued mission in charitable causes.
:-)
Good Evening.
Apparently everything is coming up rosy for Sevco! Again! Here is why…
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2016/09/27/sevcos-excellent-prospects/
resident Windsor loving unionist troll
I LOL at that !!!!!
CHAIRBHOY on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 6:16 PM
I agree with you that big Nir went backwards (under Ronny) but he does a lot of linking in the middle of the park that goes in-noticed. I think he has steadily improved under the new regime, and in particular if you look at Brown’s performances against The Rangers and Killie, I think that this has (partly) been due to an improved Nir Bitton.
Possibly coincidentally the less than convincing midfield performance against ICT was in the absence of Bitton.
As you say, he will most likely play against Man City, so we will wait and see.
That’s what’s so good about it – it’s all about opinions!
FAC the Act
KTF
PHILBHOY on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 5:55 PM
Super stuff
CelticSloNewsDays CSC
p.s. and equally good reply from Auld Tam @5.58
SINCITYBHOY
Can you get haggis and skwerr and black pudden and well-fiert rolls?
Cos ye canny in bliddy Swindon.
Book me a table,I’m there!