I’ve been trying to interpret the Champions League group all evening. It’s an exciting draw. The world’s biggest box office team will come to Glasgow, a chance for us to marvel at, and test ourselves against, Messi, Iniesta, Xavi and the rest. We also have a sporting chance of finishing second or third, either of which would be acceptable.
For me most of this analysis is irrelevant for now. The two most important games are the first, Benfica, and the last Spartak Moscow, both at home, so for now, all that really matters is the 90 minutes at Celtic Park against Benfica on 19 September. Beat Benfica and you go to Moscow in the following game with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Can we beat Benfica at Celtic Park? Benfica have lost all three games they have played at Celtic Park, twice in recent Champions League history, but they are not a pot two team and we are not a pot four team for nothing. They have played only two league games this season and did not benefit from being tested by a Champions League qualifying competition.
In short, playing Benfica in the first game, when we will have played twice as many competitive games as they have, is ideal. We will be ready for them.
Tomorrow is a big day. Who was it said ‘perfect day to bury bad news’? While some of us are busy trying to keep a server online as transfer speculation reaches its annual crescendo, what chance last year’s accounts will be released?
If they are (and I have no information on this), you can count on some very bad news. Losses will be frightening, which sheds some light on some of the earthy tones from Neil Lennon today on just how big a result the win over Helsingborgs was.
We needed that win. We needed Messi and his pals to help us sell 60,000 ticket packages, and to prompt Celtic fans to go out and buy some of the many thousands of season tickets still available.
Let me leave you with a word that came out from the Spartak camp tonight. Andrey Tikhonov, Spartak player until he became a coach at the club last year, said, “Barcelona are favourites from the group. We and Benfica will be fighting for second place.
“Celtic are outsiders. The Champions League competition is about very good technical football. It has nothing to do with running after the ball that somebody kicked forward.”
Beat these clowns, Celtic.
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hamiltontim
11:33 on 31 August, 2012
_______________________________________
Has it ever crossed yer mind that, the LL afford CM great media coverage because CM is exactly the type of player that THEY want to see in the hoops ?
I mean, the lesson from Aluko ?
Will it EVER be learned ?
Still pals btw :0)
Hail Hail
Georgi Kinkladze at Ross Hall
Where did the Kenwyn Jones rumour come from??
Green McCoist mobile number leak… Aye right!!
Que .. We couldn’t sign players because of all those nasty bhoys overloading our phones …
Agents Cannae get through…. It’s because of bigotry !
Hately says.. Signing a new phone contract is like signing a new player
Have we signed embdy yet? CL on the horizon.
Bring it on!
HH Gerry
HT
Use your imagination for goodness sake
What about a statement saying Celtic have lost complete faith in the Scottish football Association and government and The police with regards the offensive behaviour bill and that the SFA´s punishment towards somebody that induced death threats and police intervention to prevent one of Scotlands stadium being burned to the ground and note the lack of comment by these bodies at the clemency that has been shown to one of its biggest perpetrators
Would too many of us run around feart if we did something like that ?
Hail Hail
572 thoughts on “Spartak hero already dismisses Celtic”
« Prev1…9101112bazza67
11:30 on
31 August, 2012
Went to the last game in Moscow, only 30 of us travelled independtly, great reception from the Spartak fans, spent an hour and a half having our pics taken with the Spartak fans after the game.
Spartak is the working class club and have more in common with Celtic than the other Moscow clubs such as Dinamo
So I wouldnt let some clown put you off the club as a whole
Sandman
11:30 on
31 August, 2012
Transfer rumour – Huns to make last-minute swoop to sign Julian Assange now that McGregor’s gone…
Sandman
11:31 on
31 August, 2012
Gerry Butler has scoffed at Spartak’s chances;
‘Sparta hero already dismisses Moscow.’
LuxCelt
11:32 on
31 August, 2012
Interetsing to see Sky linking Us with Marvin Ogunjimi. I always thought he would be a good signing for the Club, but thought that he might cost a bit much. 6’1” – not a real target man striker, but a good goalscorer. think he is on loan at Standaard Liege – and not actually their player. Plays in a very strong Belgian national squad.
swatson Neil Lennon’s 6ft skinny twin!
11:32 on
31 August, 2012
Del Piero signs for Sydney!!
Tallybhoy
11:33 on
31 August, 2012
Del Piero to Sydney FC not quite cut and dried.
His brother issued a statement about 30 mins ago stating that nothing has been decided yet.
HH!!
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
11:33 on
31 August, 2012
Kevjungle
A generation issue along with a strong adherence to a rigid belief system and the cultivation of a chip on each shoulder while nurturing defiance by encouraging an unfair sporting environment. Failure in adhering to these axioms brings out the witch burners
No I am not a hun but many that exhibit the above are whether they support Celtic or not ARE
HAil HAil
hamiltontim
11:33 on
31 August, 2012
Awe Naw
As you say they are the custodians of a football club, not politicians.
What exactly would you expect them to do?
Kev
Nothing sinister, although I do think you’re posts are often designed to attract attention rather than being objective and considered.
That’s just an opinion and not a cause for falling out.
I’m well old enough to remember our players from the late 70′s onward. We don’t have the talent in many positions nowadays that we’ve had in the past. I just find it strange that you would highlight one of last season’s best players rather than a player who may be more deserving of criticism.
Ps I’m not saying that there is one who is more deserving only that I find your choice bizarre.
joe_joe_john_bobby_teddy
11:34 on
31 August, 2012
Charlie mulgrew
JohnnyClash
11:34 on
31 August, 2012
KevJungle – Murdo..10 men Championees..1979
“If you think there’s sumdy better feel free to point him out.”
Kirk Broadfoot.
pabloh_AKA_NEIL LENNON
11:34 on
31 August, 2012
Kayal33
Nice one, he’d be a great signing. Imagine him linking up with huckerby, we’d probably win the SPL
ItaliaBhoy
11:34 on
31 August, 2012
The lump of wood in my garden is a better CH than Andy Webster.
KevJungle – Murdo..10 men Championees..1979
11:35 on
31 August, 2012
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
11:33 on 31 August, 2012
______________________________
He, He :0)
Hail Hail
kdc
11:36 on
31 August, 2012
KevJungle – Murdo..10 men Championees..1979
11:29 on
31 August, 2012
Charlie Mulgrew
Kelvin Wilson
Thomas Rogna
there’s three to start with
rothbhoy
11:36 on
31 August, 2012
Bazza67 (11:30).
Thanks for that update Bazza! Can’t get the heid around this “meat” nickname though. Why?????
pabloh_AKA_NEIL LENNON
11:37 on
31 August, 2012
Talking of great defenders, remember Tebily’s first game when he had shearer in his back pocket.
hamiltontim
11:37 on
31 August, 2012
Kev
Mulgrew, Rogne and Wilson are all better centre halfs than Webster.
Jings Paul McGougan was a better player than that dumplin’ :-)
pauloantony
11:37 on
31 August, 2012
Mark hately saying … Still having naismith macgregor and Whittaker somehow on books is like signing a new player
ASonOfDan
11:39 on
31 August, 2012
Poland forward Pawel Brozek, who had a disappointing loan spell at Celtic last season, is to join Spanish second-tier side Recreativo Huelva subject to a medical.”
kdc
11:39 on
31 August, 2012
I have notice how celtic players get better with every year that passes since they last played for us….
KevJungle – Murdo..10 men Championees..1979
11:39 on
31 August, 2012
hamiltontim
11:33 on 31 August, 2012
_______________________________________
Has it ever crossed yer mind that, the LL afford CM great media coverage because CM is exactly the type of player that THEY want to see in the hoops ?
I mean, the lesson from Aluko ?
Will it EVER be learned ?
Still pals btw :0)
Hail Hail
—————————
Come on now Kev surely you’re not suggesting that my opinion of Mulgrew as a player is based upon what I read in the LL rather than the fact that I watched him live at nearly every game he played in last season??????
Now that would be strange :-)
Oops sorry don’t know what happened there!
Roberto Baggio, cunningly disguised as Stevie Fulton, spotted having an early lunch in the No 7 restaurant alongside big Peter!
DR exclusive!
HH!!
KevJungle,
3rd August 1997 – sub comes on to make his debut, pass to oppositions Chic Charnley and the rest is history. Manager feels pity and gives him another chance in Europe, player responds by scoring an OG… Never heard of again? or was he…
Are you really judging a player on one or two bad performances rather than many fine games and great goals and accurate assists (yes that does accurately describe CM, also applies to the debutante in my first paragraph but on a vaster scale).
MJM
hamiltontim
11:37 on 31 August, 2012
Kev
Mulgrew, Rogne and Wilson are all better centre halfs than Webster.
Jings Paul McGougan was a better player than that dumplin’ :-)
_______________________________________________________________
It’s all about opinions and, sometimes opinions have to be- unpopular.
Just like learned managers make – unpopular decisions.
I’ll stir the pot further – the team plays a lot better without Joe Ledley.
Again, not trying to be controversial just – observant.
Hail Hail
Wow that’s a copy and paste there…
HAmilton Tim
Put this book on youir head and go stand in the corner ;-)
Always you
Hail HAIl
Marouane Chamakh one year loan deal, the latest Twitter rumour.
Kayal33
11:25 on
31 August, 2012
Georgi Kinkladze in Greggs on Rutherglen Main Street. Heading over to the bus stop at the Vogue to get a 90 bus up to CP
Voguepunter could get his Chopper out and give him a backie :}
Celtic should sign Templeton and McGowan of Hearts.they are young ,would fit into the team,and the wage structure.would give a bit of competion,to the likes of Paddy and Matthews who in my opinion has been terrible for quite a while,gets caught to often.
“Defender Paul Caddis has left Swindon Town for Birmingham City, with striker Adam Rooney going the other way. Caddis, 24, was stripped of the Town captaincy earlier this month following a disagreement with manager Paolo Di Canio and has not played since.”
timbhoy2
Agree with you on Matthews. He looks like he needs a good rest.
Kevjungle
I dont see Charlie Mulgrew as a centre back either
Hail Hail
Baku/Black Isle Celt
11:43 on 31 August, 2012
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I’m judging a CELTIC player who was presented with the acid test at ibrokes on jelly and ice cream sunday. The player direct opponent was – Sone Aluko.
The CELTIC player was ripped apart by his opponent.
Exactly who are you judging this player against ?
St. Johnstone – St. Mirren – D/line – Killie in a Cup Final were he was rank AGAIN. imo.
Again, I’ll stress – i’m not looking for a ruck.
Hail Hail
Hearts 0 Celtic 4
Celtic 5 Hearts 0
Webster was superb in both those games last season ;)
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
11:48 on 31 August, 2012
Kevjungle
I dont see Charlie Mulgrew as a centre back either
Hail Hail
_____________________________________________
Aye, and what would you know ? :0)
Hail Hail
Kev
Again you choose to highlight one of our best performers last season in Ledley.
The general concensus amongst the Celtic support was that Mulgrew and Ledley were 2 of our most consistent performers last season.
My, my you are a one……:-)
Just over 11 hours to go and still very quiet. Does PL have his usual ‘we tried but….’ speech at the ready or are there 3 or 4 waiting in the wings ready for the call
.
Del Piero should Sign for Melbourne Victory..
His Mamma & Dadda Could open a Shop Called..Melbournes Under-Deli..
I’ll get me Cotè..
Summa
Ps.. btw that was Bad even for Me..;0(
timbhoy2
Forrest + McGeouch are far better footballers at 21 + 19 years of age respectively than Templeton is at 23
Awe Naw
A dunces hat would be more appropriate for me.
It fits better too :-)
Johnny Hayes what happened to him ?
HT
You should be made to wear one all day at school if I had my way ;-)
Are you back yet ?
Hail Hail
Kevjungle
I know SFA that´s why I trust Lenny implicitly
Hail Hail
matthews has been terrible!!! Mulgrew is not a CH!!!
That’s it, kdc signing off for a while
.
Feck Twitter..
Where is AyrTic..?
Summa
!!Bada Bing!!
Don’t do backies ,mate.
Fronties only :O)
Awe Naw
Back where?
kevjungle – murdo..10 men championees..1979
11:44 on
31 August, 2012
While I accept opinions are just that, some are easier to accept than others, Joe Ledley improves our team, he does a huge amount of work off the ball.
NeedtobemoreobservantCSC
http://twitter.com/petecolley/status/241476758300393472/photo/1
Stan looking well
kdc
11:57 on
31 August, 2012
Agreed.
Our player of the year is a player but a Centre back he is not IMHO he can do a job in there at parsimonious woeful centre back recruiting Celtic FC but not a career IMHO
Hail Hail
HT
School
HAil Hail
KAyal33
that´s a great Pic … fair cheered me up that does
Hail Hail