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
11:53 on 31 August, 2012
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……:-)
_________________________________________________________________
Well you see, who drops out for Joe ?
Why upset a winning team ?
Only saying.
Nothing personal against Joe but, I have seen games were Joe had touched the ball TWICE in the 1st half, on several occasions ?
talian legend Del Piero knocks back Celtic for Aussie outfit Sydney FC
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 10:41 GMT, 31 August 2012 | UPDATED: 10:52 GMT, 31 August 2012
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Former Italy international Alessandro Del Piero has snubbed Celtic to agree a deal with Sydney FC.
Hoops boss Neil Lennon hoped to use the lure of Champions League football to tempt Del Piero to Celtic Park after qualifying for the group stages of the competition.
Heading Down Under: Alessandro Del Piero will turn out for Sydney FC
World Cup winner Del Piero has been a free agent since the end of last season after leaving Juventus, the only club he has ever played for, having made over 500 appearances for the Bianconeri.
The deal to take the 37-year-old to Sydney is reportedly the most lucrative in A-League history.
‘This is huge for Sydney FC, huge for the A-League and huge for Australian football,’ Sydney chairman Scott Barlow said.
‘We feel honoured that Alessandro has decided to play for Sydney FC and we share his excitement that a move to Sydney FC will create a lasting legacy for football in this country.
‘I want to thank (chief executive) Tony Pignata and (agent) Lou Sticca for the outstanding work over the last few days in progressing discussions with Alessandro and look forward to Tony finalising the contract in Italy over the coming days.’
RothBhoy
Hope you don’t drink in the Masons at Bramley! ;)
Awe Naw
Yep been back since August 13th.
Asked them this morning, “What do you call someone who foolows the teachings of Chris?”
“A Christian”, one replied.
“What do you call someone who follows the Jewish faith?”
“A Jedi!” came the reply.
It’s gonnae be a tough year :-)
I think Mulgrew is a fine CB when he is partnered with another bigger more powerful player. That isn’t going to be Rogne or Lustig – but it maybe Wilson – or presumably Boly/Ambrose if rumours are correct.
HT
you have one genius for sure be pleased ;-)
HAil Hail
Just watched blind guys playing five a side on Channel 4 – truly humbling sometimes when you see what the human spirit can achieve in adversity.
Hello Everyone. First time poster blah blah blah. So be nice ;0)
So, transfer deadline day. Alot of us get very excited about it wil there be a “marquee” signing? In my opinion no. We know the level we operate at, young, relatively unknown players that can be coached and sold for profit which if i’m honest i agree with we have seen the mess left at not just the “THEM” but other clubs. Russell fits the bill these are the players imo we should be looking at. We’ve made progressover the last couple of years and we will continue to do so if we stick to this model. Don’t get me wrong i’d love to see a big name player join but i’m a realist. we will do well this season and i think we are in witha great shout in our CL group.
hail hail
O’Neill
Kev
My opinion, for all that it’s worth, is that Ledley’s best and most influencial performances have come when Brown is not in the team.
Del Piero knocks back Celtic eh?
I bet they have that article as a template.
Malarkey
Do you think Charlie is better going forward or backward ?
HAil Hail
Peter….Peter…………..wherefore art thow……Peter????
Lennon n Mc….Mjallby
I though all SPORTSMAIL REPORTER attributed articles were templates ?
HAil HAil
.
Tonight in The West of Scotland it is a Blue Moon..
It could be Significant.. As they Only come around Once in a………………
Summa
Dr Ignatious Carter-Smythe seen at Ross Hall about 5 minutes ago.
WELL, HE BL**DY WORKS THERE!!
Oneill
Welcome !!!
Surely Johnny Russell should have been at Lennoxtown these last 5 years ?
HAil HAil
hamiltontim
The teachings of Chris???????????
I would have got that one wrong,no got a scooby.
Spartak ———- ?
Watched all of their game on Wednesday night ——–
They are no mugs . Front 2 —— Ari [ Brazilian ] and Eminike [ Nigerian ] are quick /strong / skilled and have game intelligence . Their team includes some very good South Americans . I was impressed with McGeady —–Italian commentator was too ..
Del Piero -the latest —–” he is going to Sydney ” —– ” he hasn’t signed for Sydney ”
Charlie Mulgrew —–for what it’s worth ——-I think he is better at centre half than he is at left back . I am not convinced he is a centre half ..
Hot and sunny -way down south.
Now Peter!
I’ve got a half day so that I will be right onto all Celtic transfer news as it breaks.
So, get on with it!!!
I see Peter Lawwell is reported to have been in Turin yesterday.
I wonder who the Celtic player was that he was trying to sell?
(Coulda been)
SOT
Left midfield or holding player ?
Hail HAIl
KevJungle,
Not looking for a ruck either :-), but if you are comparing CM against heroes of the past and JL also isn’t good enough, who from the current pool of players is good enough? There are certainly none who could be considered for a place in the all-time 11 (yet).
If you are just looking for a reaction by picking on a couple of players that are rated by most, then it’s working :-)
MJM
.
From the Country that Invented..
Speaking in the Third Person..
I’m a Wee Bitte Sick of the Media saying Ratton left with Dignity..
@ The Press Conference he Spoke about Himself for 12 Minutes and Never once Mentioned the Fans..
Summa
Ps.. Sorry AFL Post please Scroll past..
Pps.. Oh hh.. Might be too Late with that Ps..;0)
Posted on Friday, 31st August 2012 by Joe McHugh
First Minister Alex Salmond has refused to publicly congratulate Celtic on reaching the group stages of the Champions League.
The attention seeking Hearts fan is never slow to associate himself with sporting success with Chris Hoy’s Olympic gold for Great Britain prompting him to say: “Congratulations to Sir Chris Hoy on his fifth gold medal. A legendary performance by Scotland’s greatest-ever Olympian. Truly inspirational.”
Despite predictions of Armageddon and a slow lingering death from the drama queens handsomely paid to administer Scottish football Celtic have qualified to reach the lucrative group stages of the Champions League without recourse to financial doping at the expense of the public purse.
The visit of Barcelona to Glasgow in October will provide the city with priceless publicity with hotel rooms at a premium for the visit of Lionel Messi and his multi-titled Spanish team mates.
As recently as February Salmond was expressing his concern for Celtic’s ability to survive the crisis that put Rangers into liquidation stating in an Al Jazeera interview: “Obviously HMRC have got to pursue in the public interest, taxation.
“Equally, they’ve got to have cognisance of the fact that we’re talking about a huge institution, part of the fabric of the Scottish nation as well as Scottish football, and everybody realises that.
“The most diehard Celtic supporter understands that Celtic can’t prosper unless Rangers are there.
“The rest of the clubs understand that as well. Therefore you have to have cognisance of these things when you’re pursuing public policy.”
That fantasy prompted a quick response from Celtic stating: “We are very disappointed with the first minister’s claims that Celtic ‘need’ Rangers and that Celtic ‘can’t prosper unless Rangers are there’.
“This is simply not true. In a series of interviews given just three days ago, we made it abundantly clear that Celtic has a well-defined strategy and a business plan independent of the fortunes of any other club. That remains absolutely the case.
“The predicament of Rangers is clearly a serious and complex matter with a whole range of possible outcomes.
“However, we are extremely well-qualified to make our own position clear and have no wish to see this being misrepresented for political reasons.”
Celtic’s Champions League success has brought SPL clubs a £1.5m payout from UEFA which is almost equal to the reduction in television money following the demise of Rangers.
Despite that boost- which should see Hearts receive over £100,000- Salmond hasn’t gone public to congratulate Celtic.
MMmhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I wonder why
hamiltontim
12:04 on 31 August, 2012
Kev
My opinion, for all that it’s worth, is that Ledley’s best and most influencial performances have come when Brown is not in the team.
________________________________________________
It could also be argued that, Brown’s best performances have come when, Ledley isn’t in the team ?
You know what – I’ll move on if you do ?
Just as long as we’re still pals ?
Hail Hail
SoT
I see what you did there!
Cheers Awe-Naw for the welcome
you possibly could be correct. Is this a failure in our scouting of younger players (12-16)?? maybe, maybe not. i know a lot of my sons friends are advised to go to smaller clubs such as united as they have a very good youth setup and have a very good chance of first team football. I would like to think we can hoover up all the talented youngsters but sometimes it’s not possible. But if we are prsented with the opportunity to aquire his services i would still take them in a heartbeat.
Ivan de la Peña just got into a taxi at Glasgow Airport driven by Ayrtic
Why do we do this to ourselves ….EVERY year
asonofdan
10:56 on
31 August, 2012
Nothing changes with that shameless lot …… They really do know how to dupe their peeeeepuul ……l
O Neill
Oh yeah I agree but it costs us 2m pounds to buy a Celtic daft laddie from Coatbridge or is my information duff ?
Whereas the huns get the superstars from other SPL clubs desperate to sign for them for nothing Ritchie, Webster, Wallace etc.
Hail Hail
Dedryck Boyata of Man City on loan the latest rumour
Right guys – some advice needed.
£84 for 3 CL matches is too good to miss but funds are tight. What gives though?
New school shoes for the daughter?
or
Birthday party for the son (cash in a jar on the shelf above the computer).
All advice gratefully received, decision needs to be made before 3pm (wife gets home).
S
Baku/Black Isle Celt
12:10 on 31 August, 2012
___________________________________________
I’m not trying to be controversial or, picking on two players.
I’m making an observation.
I can only be guided by what MY eye’s see.
That is all.
Hail Hail
Bad news for Celtic TV subscribers abroad, wee Gregor just confirmed that they won’t have live pictures of Celtic’s CL campaign due to Uefa rules.
After watching the Helsingborg game on sky the other night I can see my blood pressure going right through the roof this season..
VP
Pmsl just noticed that!!
They’d be well advised to follow the one with the ‘t’ at the end if they’re seeking eternal salvation.
If they want to know about the Cellic then I’m your man :-)
I really do hope we buy defensive cover before we buy for any other position unless Messi interested
Hail Hail
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
Charlie is better going forward – no doubt. However I think in games where you are under pressure this is an important defensive quality.
If you don’t have a backline who are composed and comfortable on the ball, will pick out midfielders or play accurate long balls into the diagonals, or step up into midfield to make an extra man – then it’s going to be a long long game as attackers rebound straight back at you all night.
Wanyama has potential I think to be both a really good composed and strong CB (has occasional rush of blood right now) – but with the injuries and form of our midfield we need him in there right now.
Right now the 1st 11 and subs pick themselves… and it’s all about where they play