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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BIG JIMMY @ 6:09 PM,
I’d love us to take something from this game…
Agree we are not beyond giving them and everyone else a surprise.
Mund you it’s a huge ask…. The thing with Man City was their inconsistency but Pep seems to have drummed that out of them.
BTW. Increduously enuff Pep hasn’t been to Celtic Park on a UCL night, so maybe that’s another factor in our favour…
Hail Hail
JIM PAYNE and YOGIHUGHES
It’s a small Celticverse :)
THECLUMPANY
Well up to scratch,bud. Hugh Burns,ffs. I canny remember anyone ever interviewing him.
The only question I’ve ever heard him being asked was-Ye got any cheese n onion?
And he struggled wi the answer to that,had to ask a barmaid. No kidding,btw.
I have two spares for tomorrow night, area 122. £35 each. Can be collected at stadium tomorrow before match.
VFR800A8 @ 6:27 PM,
Well at SPL level there has been a marked improvement and although Brendan hasn’t been slow to drop him after unconvincing performances he has kept faith with NB.
Would be excellent to see him have a great game tomorrow.
Hail Hail
Let’s have a guess:
The comments were taken out of context.
Mr Allardyce denies any wrongdoing.
We have reminded Mr Allardyce about his duties and responsibilities as England manager.
It is now time to move on from this episode and continue with our goal of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.
ALMORE
I’ll get back to you ASAP.
AWE NAW is on the lookout!
The Brendan Voyage
I watched the Pittodrie game on Sunday and have to say I was underwhelmed to put it mildly. Johnny Hayes in particular could not pick a pass to save his life despite some good approach play. So it’s mighty Man City tomorrow night and arrive here on a ten match unbeaten run shades of Barca’s record when we humbled them at Celtic Park in recent years.
The current Celtic attack is probably the best we’ve had in years with goals coming from every sector which proves that getting quality in like Sinclair and Dembelle counts unlike the Pukis and the Scepovic etc. Glad the Belgian De Bruynner is out and if our forward players don’t have to spend too much time helping out the defence we are in with a chance. Hoping for a good performance.
Darryl Horgan is a Dundalk player that has really impressed in their great run in the Europa. Very skilful physically strong and with great pace. Celtic should check this lad out, the Galway man ilooks the real deal.
“agree with you that big Nir went backwards (under Ronny)”
Vfr,
Technically this is probably correct. But only cos nir was going nowhere fast before Ronnys first season.
Claims of Big Nir being our next sizeable transfer happened under the previous managers watch.
HH
AULD TAM
Apologies to you too!
No harm done here.
*previous to Brendan obvs.
HH
Philbhoy –
Thanks for that.
CHAIRBHOY I hope he has a big game; he’s due one.
GEORDIE MUNRO Bitton had one season under Lennon and was a great player. His demise started during his first season under Deila. Hopefully Brenda Rodgers is turning it around. The Nir Bitton of season 2013-2014 turning up tomorrow night will do for me.
FAC the Act
KTF
ALMORE
Hold that result,AWE NAW got some tickets earlie
You’ll get rid no problem,and I hope y’all have a night to remember!
Big Sam………..Big Bam,
Stick on for the Hun job, well – he now has all the credentials.
“Bitton had one season under Lennon and was a great player. His demise started during his first season under Deila.”
Vfr,
Have to agree to disagree neebs. I don’t think Nir played 20 games under lenny. A far better player the following season. All the reports of our next big thing/accounts balancer came in his 2nd season.
His performances in Europe weren’t too clever either. Red v ajax and new erse tore in barca to name two. ;)
HH
Good evening all.
In November 2012 we somehow managed to beat Barcelona with the following team –
Forster
Matthews, Ambrose, Wilson, Mulgrew, Lustig (Watt – 72′ )
Commons, Ledley, Wanyama, Samaras (Kayal – 79′)
Miku
Unused subs – Zaluska, Fraser, McCourt, Herron, McGeouch.
Personally, I think that our probable starting XI tomorrow is stronger than then – as is our bench! Which is why I’ll be excited most of tomorrow and will then go along tomorrow night, full of hope. As always.
I have been inundated today with offers of Man City tickets. Thanks to everyone. I (Awe Naw, his son and his sons girlfriends are all sorted) am now sorted. No more ticket are required. Hopefully I have replied to everyone.
Many thanks you beautiful people.
Note if you are contacting me on a number that doesn’t begin 07412 it is an old number. My email address is still Morrisseythe23rd@aol.com
HH
BMCUWP: No bother.
Two spares available for tomorrow night. Area122. £35 each.
The more Brendan Rodgers speaks the more I like him.
I think he’s clever and articulate and there is no doubt these are happy MON like days for Celtic supporters.
Good manager, developing squad, hammering the SPL whilst joisting with the European giants.
The game against MC is a fascinating prospect for Celtic fans, and that Wednesday gazebo feeling is building as MC train on CP at this minute, under our floodlights.
I think MC have a manufactured modern pedigree and they don’t have Celtic’s class despite obscene EPL wealth. Celtic’s heritage is to rise to the challenge and send the Barcelona, Real Madrid, or pretenders Manchester City away having met a 12 man Celtic.
Sam allardyce sacked… New Hun manager.;)))
big sam odds on for a job at the brox.
corrupt manager beeded for corrupt club
apply here
In the time I have written and posted my last post I have been contacted by both Celtic and Man city fans looking for spares. Put it this way, if you have spares I could link you up with a buyer.
I have a spare for tomorrow, South Stand Rear . My Bhoy can’t make it. Face value £33.
Warbiola set to throw his magic hat in the ring ( if he can find it )
So Sam won’t be playing it again!
VFR. Your word for today is very apt for most days on here.
Keep them coming.
Celtic fans only need ask
Exslaemuirbhoy
I’d appreciate the ticket please.
Sam Allardyce is the only England manager with a 100% win record?
Scam Allardyce,100% win record as manager of Engerlund.
BIG-CUP-WINNERS on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 7:26 PM
Exslaemuirbhoy
I’d appreciate the ticket please.
Not a problem, It’s yours
Almore
I believe Gordybhoy64 may be looking, I read last night, Bmcuw may have details as a dont know him
I will text delaneys.I dont know if g64 is sortef
HH
Off to watch the BT Sport LIve Goals Show. Highly recommended.
EXSLAEMUIRBHOY
Thank you kindly.
It’s for my youngest, who gave his season ticket up last year – a teenager.
I can be contacted by email: BIGCUPWINNERS@GMAIL.COM if that’s ok.
Thanks again.
Just tried to put on a £5 treble but William Hill was playing up and wouldn`t accept. CSKA, Borussia and Porto were my choices and £100 was what success would have brought. Let`s see. Like Jobo, off to watch BT`s little present.
JJ
Almore delaneys is on the case
Hold em cards til theen
HH
“The 5 -1 game wasn’t really a 5-1 game, and it wasn’t really Raingers”
The magic hat