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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Today I will mostly be supporting Celtic
COME ON YOU BHOYS IN GREEN
What is the Stars-Got it 14s e/w mate,ta.
What Is The Stars – have it at 13/1 each way. Price drop must be due to the wads invested by !!Bada Bing!!
Q. How many NRA members does it take to change a lightbulb?
A. More guns
HH
Can’t make game today but sending two junior ABs..
Winning Captains… Thanks big effort.. Got my annual and got another for my pal.
Am I the only person addicted to the smell of the CQN annual.. ….?..
Right off for a wee lie doon… ” doctors orders,”…
Lenny says it as it is….as a boss i don’t miss them.
That will do for me.hail hail
Wigan V Arsenal and Arsenal fans took all of the 4800 tickets allocated to them.
As a result Arsenal gave every fan a 10 pound gift voucher, nice touch.
as someone said earlier its peltin’ doon
loaded wi the cauld and a sore knee tae!
see ya all up there at 3
awaytaethegamelimpincoughinandsnoterrin csc
10 pound may get you a pie at an Arsenal home game
Gene’s a Bhoys name
Possibly but still a good gesture.
Better than the middle of a Polo mint.
Just got a wee reality check on Football Focus :
” Spurs fans will have a happy Christmas. Their team have just moved into the Champions League qualifying places. . . “.
They have a chance of finishing high enough to dare hope for a glimmer of an opportunity of a qualifiers place in the League of Champions. Next year. For this their fans are having a happy Christmas.
We have all this and more. And the scum are dead.
We’re having an ecstatic Christmas.
Elgin equalize 2-2 32 mins
3-2 scum now baaaaaa
The Independent interview NL cant be serious the press here are sharp maybe with you Neil not with sevco and its followers, I’m worried about his attitude that Rangers are just not in the league
The live updates article will be up at 14:30, could someone leave a note here?
Thanks.
I see the Sevco loyal cant even be assed to sign a petition
Empty vessels etc etc
__________________________________
from Twitter
Almost a month on and only 35,370 signatures, less than Ibrox capacity. Come on Bears get it signed, tell your friends! http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/42143
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A-uOdboCIAA9tOs.jpg:large
Sat down on the bus royal go to the game. Wife phoned me,” the heatings broke!”
Shouted on Miss Doc, we ran up the road, motorised valve jammed shut, manually opened it, sorted, phoned the boys on the bus, already in Denny,”don’t worry he says, we”ll wait”
10 minutes later on thwarted bus, day back on track.
BannockburnCSC legends.
Stars-an unlucky last mate :)
thwarted?=the, predictive text….aaarrgghh!
royal=to.
it’s bumpy on the bus!
Didn’t even know sevco were playing til bout 5min ago. A blissfully hun free life these days!
HH.
Looking forward to the game today, notwithstanding the weather. Got a couple of freebie to tickets and am bringing along the battered brunette and her Jags supporting beau. At BBs atm if anyone is around.i
On iron horse heading to Paradise :-).
Raging Then,Raging Now,Raging Forever…
Cairy oot on board , onwards to Paradise.
You can tell its Christmas when the QC has made an appearance.
Hail hail
Team news ?
Celtic starting XI to face Ross County: Forster; Ambrose, Wilson, Mulgrew, Izaguirre; Brown, Kayal, Wanyama, Lassad; Hooper, Samaras.
Subs Zaluska, McCourt, Rogne, Watt, McGeouch, Herron, Forrest.
Just popped into Tescos close to Celtic Park for some Blu Rays and a coffee. Heading to paradise then into Chaopraya for some Thai grub.
Driving so will have a snifter later when I get home.
Mon the Hoops! ⚽
RobinBhoy
3 at the back?
Even money Celtic -2 goals.
Festive spirit has bypassed the bookies.
Matthew Lindsay@MattLindsayET
Dundee United to sell tickets for Scottish Cup game to Rangers fans? Is there such a thing as a “scab” supporter? Picket line at Tannadice?
================
A Tweet by the bitter Mattthew Lindsay of The Evening Times. No wonder their industry is going down the tubes.
Doesn’t look like 3 at the back. 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, depending on where Sammi and Lassad get played. Ambrose at RB – what’s up with Lustig and Matthews?
HH
What rubbish Snyde talk..
Just stumbled upon that godawful article in Der Hun about NFL….a cobbled together smear job by an eejit trying to stir up trouble where there is none right now, for the obvious readon that his club is in Div4 and in the hands of vulture capitalists and is riven withen by dissent, and no accident that this is pumped out just after Lenny is named Manager of The Year.
Obviously, Der Hun has as much respect for The Leveson Report as it does for women.
So irate I cannae even tyipe strayt…..whotz nyoo…
*~*
Celtic starting XI to face Ross County: Forster; Ambrose, Wilson, Mulgrew, Izaguirre; Brown, Kayal, Wanyama, Lassad; Hooper, Subs: Zaluska, McCourt, Rogne, Watt, McGeouch, Herron, Forrest