There were some tasty, some would say succulent, draws in the Champions League yesterday. Milan-Barcelona have both won the tournament within the last decade, and although Milan are at the bottom of the trough at the moment, this tie will be a huge attraction for those of us who like our football tinged with history.
Real Madrid will travel to Manchester for the second time this season as both teams look to reclaim former European eminence. Porto-Malaga is not one that sets pulses racing but it is a token of an often-discussed concept at this level. Malaga are a fine side but are new to the competition, Porto come from a less-illustrious league but are steeped in Champions League heritage. Do you need to learn how to play in this tournament or were UK TV commentators making excuses for the failure of the English champions? Not sure but I fancy Porto to progress.
Arsenal have the daunting prospect of Bayern Munich. The German champions are clear at the top of the league which produced three group stage winners. They are also still self-flagellating after dropping the ball against English opposition in May. Beating Arsenal will not mend those wounds but it will be an absolute must for Bayern.
I watched a bit of Shakhtar Donetsk during the group stage; they are a very skilful team. Borussia Dortmund will not enjoy their trip to Ukraine, I expect Shakhtar to progress.
Valencia are not enjoying the best of seasons but although Paris Saint Germain are now top of Ligue 1 I think they are set for a fall in the Champions League. PSG may have enough to get past Valencia but if we make it to the quarters I would be happy to face them.
Galatasaray sit alongside Celtic as rank outsiders at the bookmakers, never a bad place to lurk at this stage of the competition. Schalke are tighter odds than Milan (7th in Serie A) and Valencia (11th in La Liga) perhaps because of the ‘kind’ draw. There will be at least one team in the quarter finals we would fancy our chances with.
The immediate challenge for Neil Lennon is to keep his players’ focus on tomorrow’s game against Ross County. It took an injury time equaliser to earn a point for Celtic against County earlier in the season, so nothing can be taken for granted.
Have you ordered your CQN Annual yet? Get it here!
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Celtic’s upcoming fixtures
22 DEC Ross County H
26 DEC Dundee A
29 DEC Hibs A
2 JAN Motherwell H
All winnable
If we win those 4 matches we’ll have 46 points and a game in hand.
It seems unlikely that the other SPL sides will keep that pace.
Tired but unable to sleep——-
Juve have been looking for a centre forward for 2 years .—-
Quagliarella is too inconsistent —— a player who can score 4 in one game and then can’t hit a barn door for weeks on end .
Matri ,too, is regarded as being way too hit or miss .
Juve have been making confident noises about signing Drogba — official sources claiming that the deal was close to being done [ 2 year contract / 4 million euros a year after tax ] but the word now is that Drogba wants 3 years and Juve are saying no .
Italian media now claiming that if Juve don’t get Drogba -then it’s either Llorente or Guerrero from Corinthians ,
Other Champions League teams ?
Shakhtar are real good .
PSG have 5 great players —Ibra / Lavezzi / Menez / Verratti and the fabulous Pastore [ rightfully compared to the wondrous Gianni Rivera [ the best player I’ve ever seen ].
Heading for bed —way up north east
Last 8 predictions:
Real Madrid, Schalke 04, Celtic, Malaga, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Valencia.
You heard it here first!!!!!
Solution for Juventus game.
Bring Lubo in to coach McCourt! We have our playmaker!
If McCourt is injured just play Lubo.
Simple
LB
rothbhoy
12:58 on
21 December, 2012
Last 8 predictions:
Real Madrid, Schalke 04, Celtic, Malaga, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Valencia.
You heard it here first!!!!!
————————————
I agree.
ASonOfDan @12:52 did you tune into Ms Universe in your search for philosophical truth?
I usually just listen to it on the radio. :-)
rothbhoy
An Italian side playing Barca? I fancy them to get a very defensive 2 legs and could go out. lennon has shown teams how to play Barca.
Can Man Ure beat Madrid? If they have Vidic back it’s possible. The tournament is wide open and I think Bayern Munich are the only side who will go through comfortably along with Celtic of course!
LB
.
Could someone post a Link to the.
Turin Shroud..Photo..
Vs
Something the ‘Turin Crowd’ will have Nightmares about..
Summa of SammiShroudCSC
Ntassoolla
Something like that. ;)
Tim Malone Will Tell – I like it. Perhaps they will be the Shanks stadium soon once Charlie sells the naming rights. (thumbsup)
tomtheleedstim – “she was so ugly a sniper wouldn’t take her out”
I lol’ed (thumbsup)
The Pantaloon Duck – Mentalist Kharkiv are a team of pseudo-psychics who work as consultants for the KGB and play football in their spare time. There’s a telly programme about them on Channel something.
I think it’s near the “Friends” Channel, where it’s always 1994. (thumbsup)
philvisreturns
There is a horse called Mentalist running at Ascot today!
LB
LiviBhoy – It’s a sign. (thumbsup)
.
Philvis ..
What time does J Titor celebrate Christmas..(Not Mayan time)..
I want to beat him to it..;0)
Summa
Philvis
Indeed, I think it’s between Channel Friends and Channel CSI.
I think Mikael Lustig will have a big say in the net 6 months. If he stays fit.
Certainly the Italians don’t like coming up against tall rangy players like him.
I only see the game on TV.
I’d be interested to hear views on ML from those who do.
His control and his goal @5.55 give us food for our fantasies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IQ6KOG4TEk
philvisreturns
12:50 on
21 December, 2012
Mark Hately has the look of a man you just caught doing a jobby in your kettle:
http://i3.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article1132403.ece/ALTERNATES/s98/Mark-Hateley.jpg (thumbsup)
Yes. But which one of THEM was that did one in the Celtic Park bath?
Another story that MSM conveniently buried.
After all there is nothing to beat dignity.
Gone all quiet on the BDO front ……… Probably still searching for the ipox title deeds ………
quonno
13:12 on 21 December, 2012
HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa
LordLuvRocket
13:00 on 21 December, 2012
rothbhoy
12:58 on
21 December, 2012
Last 8 predictions:
Real Madrid, Schalke 04, Celtic, Malaga, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Valencia.
You heard it here first!!!!!
————————————
I agree
==============================
And I am going to the bookies to put 50p on that. Ah, to hell with it, £1……. I’m going daft.
Anyway, just checked in to check out – Christmas has begun for me. Not that I am on that often anyway, but I may not get much internet time until after Christmas – which is a good thing!! – so can I wish you all a very happy, peaceful, joyful, fun filled and (if it is your thing) a Holy Christmas.
No matter the disputes and the craziness that sometimes goes on on CQN it is always outweighed by the spirit of generosity and the sheer damned happiness that we all get from being part of the Celtic family.
Brothers and Sisters in Celtic – Happy Christmas.
Peace and Love and Solidarity to you all……..
Roberttressell
The general consesus over here in Italy appears to be that Juventus have hit the jackpot, and just need to turn up on the night/s to make the last 8.
However – some of the more ‘intelligent’ punters are not so sure.
Underestimate Celtic at your peril they are saying.
Any team that can defeat Barca and score 3 against them in 2 matches are worthy of respect – respect is a word that they like over here.
The first leg at CP will be crucial – the crowd, who generate arguably the best atmosphere in Europe, are referred to as ‘the 12th mhan’!
All to play for!
HH!!
LiviBhoy
13:08 on 21 December, 2012
philvisreturns
There is a horse called Mentalist running at Ascot today!
LB
==========================
Anyone else reminded of Alan Partridge whenever the word ‘mentalist’ is used. Classic episode…….. ‘Ahhhhh, you’re a mentalist………’ as he runs away from his stalker……
Away now, just couldn’t miss that one……
LordLuvRocket, let’s check back at the time.
ASonOfDan, yes, sounds like a plan.
bournesouprecipe, indeed.
tomtheleedstim, no complaints on that one.
rothbhoy
12:58 on
21 December, 2012
Last 8 predictions:
Real Madrid, Schalke 04, Celtic, Malaga, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Valencia.
You heard it here first!!!!!
—–
Yep -Take Valencia in the QF
Celtic v Valencia
Malaga v Schalke
Real Madrid v B. Dortmund
Bayern Munich v Barcelona
We meet winners of Malaga v Schalke in Semi Final
Celtic v B. Dortmund Final
Celtic 3
Wanyama, Hooper, Samaris
B. Dortmund 0
You heard that here first! :/)
South of Tunis
Pastore to AC Milan is being mentioned in despatches.
Whither the cash strapped scrofulous hillbillies the day?
Last call for posting CQN ANNUALS before Christmas.Todays orders will be sent special delivery to arrive on Monday. Orders need to be placed by 2pm. CQN picking up extra postage cost for Special Delivery. Just over half an hour left Bhoys and Ghirls!
In post today by Special Delivery, copies on their way to-
Inverurie
Stewarton
Kelty
Bearsden
Larkhall
South Queensferry
Perth
Kirkcaldy
Exeter
Hook
Hampshire
ORDER HERE http://www.eklektik.co.uk/
Remember TIMLAND at Gallowgate (opposite Barrowlands) still have copies, so if you are going to the game and want to get a CQN ANNUAL – pop into TIMLAND.
Good to hear the ole warchest is bein’ dusted down.
A word of caution- a Galacto-diddy is for life, not just for Christmas.
The Armitage Shanks Arena
NL will impress upon his players to make the most of this – that the 2003 adventure was a once in a career highlight.
winning captains
After Burghbhoys serious unfounded allegations regarding the allegiances of his postie, do you think that might be his copy winging it’s way to Larkhall as we speak?
Teuchter ár lá
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
13:14 on
21 December, 2012
quonno
13:12 on 21 December, 2012
Might be a laugh, but doesn’t answer the question.
You can easily distinguish between a Celtic postie and a Rangers postie.
Your Celtic postie has a skip in his step and whizzes around his walk in half the the time it takes the Rangers postie, who has the weight of the world in his sack and dreads the chirpy “Good morning”, each one a body blow that identifies his customers as Celtic men and women.
Am still trying to raise matter of oldco’s unpaid debts in relation to titles, trophies and heritage obsessed newco in MSM.
I might as well go chasin’ after moon beams or light a penny candle from a star.
quonno @13:41 “I might as well go chasin’ after moon beams ” – which one are you talking about?
Message from the Samaritans – “Be careful where you place pest control products in your gardens – your Rangers postie might be tempted to dine out on them.”
winning captains 13:28:
Just placed my order, I hope and expect my CQN Annual to be dropiing through my dorr on Monday, or else.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Ntassoolla
Never struck me before until you mentioned Hun posties.
I may have discovered, by accident, the origins of the term “going postal”
Teuchter ár lá
winning captains:
You can add Coatbridge to that list then…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!