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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Shady
new shoes every time
Hail Hail
Must say, Sevco’s kind offer to pay for Lee Wallace if Hearts would give them Templeton and McGowan seems curiously unappealling.
shady
Don’t put the onus on us.
HT
Aye, you’re fair getting above yourself:O)
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
12:18 on
31 August, 2012
Shady
new shoes every time
———————————————-
Cue lyrics fae some ghuy fae Paisley .:O)
shady
Shoes
HAIL HAIL
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
ps that’s not to say I don’t agree we need defensive cover. If Izzy gets injured or a midfielder goes down Mulgrew steps into their shoes – then we only have 2 CBs neither of whom can get injured.
For what it’s worth, the best acid test performance I’ve seen from CM came in the ne’erday game v’s the huns were Sammi scored the two goals.
Neil played CM in left-mid and he was magnificent. imo.
Also, I think left-mid is CM’s best position.
But, I’d rather be guided by Neil.
Hail Hail
Malarkey – then we only have 2 CBs neither of whom can get injured.
Cool cool cool.
Are they immune to damage, like Superman, or do they regenerate, like Wolverine? (thumbsup)
Malarkey
I dont think Chas gets tight enough to his opponents as a defender … Centre back or left back. I think that glaring weakness rules him out playing centre back.
I would play him where he won player of the year and where we can use his excelelnt ball delivery which is not at centre back
Victor should never play centre back unless emergencies … he is that good in midfield IMHO
I still would like to see a proven quality experienced centre back come in
I think we would finish second in the group if we did.
I fear we will be far too exposed at CL level and that it would be money very well spent bringing on Tam and Kelvin
Hail Hail
Awe Naw ———
Left midfield . He can pass the ball . He has vision. I do not think his defensive skills are good enough for Europe .
Current Celtic team has 2 big weaknesses..–
The midfield is pedestrian . We badly need a playmaker.-
And-
There is a huge gap between the defense and the midfield . Barca will have a party in that space . Spartak and Benfica are not top class sides but they will fancy their chances of exploiting that space . Don’t think the pedestrian midfield problem can be sorted by coaching /tactics but that space /gap has to be closed ———- Over to you Mr Lennon.
Awe_Naw
“Italian legend Del Piero knocks back Celtic for Aussie outfit Sydney FC”
Isn’t there an NTV article which sets out the media guidelines for the MSM when reporting on Celtic/Sevco – I think this may be word for word from there.
S
ps Heard one of them on the radio last night claiming that no-one should refer to them as Sevco as it winds them up. It has solved my quandary as to how I should refer to them
Boyata, Wickham, Barkley??? Any loan deal that gives another team’s youngsters game time ahead of our own youngsters is totally pointless. The only loan deals that should be enetertained are loan deals with an option to buy or a player to fill in if someone ha a long term injury
Confusion surrounds the future of Alessandro Del Piero after FC Sydney claim they had won the race to sign the Juventu legend only for his brother to claim that no decision had been taken on his future.
Del Piero is a free agent after calling time on his glittering 19-year stay with Juve during which time he won a host of honours including six Serie A titles and the Champions League.
Scottish champions Celtic have been linked with the 37-year-old after sealing their place in the Champions League group stage with boss Neil Lennon remaining tight-lipped on the subject this week.
However, any hopes of luring Del Piero to Glasgow appeared to be over after Sydney claimed the veteran striker had agreed a move Down Under in what is being hailed as the biggest transfer in A-League history.
“This is huge for Sydney FC, huge for the A-League and huge for Australian football,” 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.”
Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata had been expected to fly to Italy over the weekend to finalise the deal, with Del Piero, a World Cup winner in 2006 with Italy, expected to pen a two-year deal.
However, Del Piero’s brother, who is also his agent, insists “Alex still hasn’t taken any decision” regarding his future with further talks with Sydney planned next Monday.
Awe_Naw
As far as i’m aware he is Celtic supporter but gotta disagree with the tag superstars for the 3 you mentioned Wallace being the only one I rate and even then not particularly highly. It’s an unfortunate situation to have to pay 2mil for him but don’t you think it’s a fee worth paying for a very good young talent who i believe has a pretty big future in the game?
Kilmarnocks Matthew Kennedy away to everton ? Who?
SOT
thats exactly why I suggested Chas as holding midfielder … gets Victor further up the pitch more often
But I agree I trust Lenny to sort it.
Unfortunately I dont trust Peter
Hail Hail
Kev J
“Nothing personal against Joe but, I have seen games were Joe had touched the ball TWICE in the 1st half, on several occasions ?”
The number that follows 2 is called 3. And when Joe touches it again that would make it 4. The following sequence may help you keep up:-
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9….
We’ll leave the double digits and the concept of zero for another day :-)
ASonOfDan – Del Piero holding out for a vegemite sandwich. (thumbsup)
Joe does the job Lenny did….
You don’t realise how much of the dirty work he does till he is gone .
Ledley is a fantastic player
Kev
No falling out we’re both grown ups, well your are!!
Find your analysis of out best players veeerrryyy strange but that’s life.
Shady
Calling them Sevco legitimises them I call them THE cheats … and that means their facial expressions becoming more miffed by the day. I am awaiting the day when I need to drop the shoulder ;-))))))))))))))))))))))))))) LOL
Hail Hail
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo – Unfortunately I dont trust Peter
You’re just biased against him because of his modest stipend. (thumbsup)
Oneill
12:25 on
31 August, 2012
You missed my point Rangers sold these players for a combined sum of 1,5 m having bought them for nothing
Hail Hail
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo –
Das Cheatenhunnen (thumbsup)
hamiltontim – Do you think KevHungle the hun might be a hun? (thumbsup)
South Of Tunis
12:23 on 31 August, 2012
The midfield is pedestrian . We badly need a playmaker.-
_____________________________________________
The midfield hasn’t looked so pedestrian since Ledley dropped out. imo
Only saying like.
HT & Kev
Why don’t you two get a room!
:0)
If Charlie Mulgrew plays in left midfield then where does Samaras play? Is he a striker again?
hamiltontim
12:29 on 31 August, 2012
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It takes all sorts to make up the CQN congregation. imo.
I mean, what would this place be like if everyone said the same thing ?
Hail Hail
Does Sydney F.C. have European Champions League football to look forward to? No.
Forget DelBoy. He’ll have to go and live in a country that is just like Amerika….with horrendous insects, killer sharks and a govenment that makes Silvio Berlusconi look harmless.
Other fish to fry.
Ciao baby.
HH!
I was opposed to Charlie’s return to Celtic because I had seen him twisted inside and out by tricky, twisting, attacking players, and Andy Hinkel. It was a genuine weakness in his game.
What is remarkable is how few times, Charlie has been caught out by this weakness by opposing forwards, either in the SPL or in Europe. He has applied intelligence to his game to stop him being in situations where he will be exposed and his team mates and coaches have developed systems to provide the necessary cover.
And, finally, Charlie himself seems to be trying harder on the defensive side of his game. He may have a skill set better suited to Left-mid but the competition there for a place will be far tougher. I think we will continue to use him as a ball playing CB, who needs a reliable tough tackling player next to him.
To provide that, we need Rogne to stay fit and develop. or we need Kelvin to kick on from his last few better (but not great) performances or we need a new CB.
You wonder how we managed to win the League and get through Two CL qualifiers with such a crap CH and midfield…
shady
I have tried all the words out on my bro in law. Newco, franchise and many more
SOOOOOOOOO far sevco gets the best desired reaction :)))
So for now its sevco when he uses the word R*****S I stop the conversation instantly and refuse to discuss football further :)
It drives him absolutely mad (again desired effect) :))
An experienced CH (is a must) and i would be happy.
A proven goalscorer and I would be delighted ,but CH top of my shopping list.
Till Later
easypleasedcsc HAIL HAIL
new article posted.
setting free the bears
12:27 on 31 August, 2012
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As long as your happy M8, that’s all that matters.
Hail Hail
So who thinks Sevco will appeal and get away with the fact they have ex hun players registered?
SSN Luke Shanley updating what’s happening in Scotland. Sevco, Templeton, Sevco, McGowan, Sevco, Broadfoot……..aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh there a 4th tier team