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.
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Big Swee I’m out for the next couple of hours. Put yourself in touch with me.
I love sprouts. Best part of Christmas dinner for me.
Along with the pudding. I make the custard from scratch with eggs – and cream that’s thick enough to block a drain.
Teuchter ar la
I am sure after your reprimand Burghbhoy will be contrite also I imagine,as you said,a Christmas tip will be waiting for his fellow TIM,when he returns after paternity leave.Hail Hail the Postie.
‘Ads are a necessary evil’ -what has happened to ‘World of Tanks’?
Paul67,
Hi, and theres a shock we are still here, ;)) all those 12/21/12 rockets will be slightly bemused though. :( I hope they don’t go on a rampage.
I like your vision of the draw, I contemplated putting Barca through in my ideal World as we already know how to play against them, then I realised, let someone else knock them out. We won’t win this thing by knocking every big name out. This Juve game is so big and I am hoping that they underestimate us, even if it is just slightly, if they do that we will go through. If Juve treat us like Barca we will struggle to get past them.
South Of Tunis
11:59 on 21 December, 2012
Greetings from Concord , New Hampshire .
Jet lagged . Cold and wet .
So it’s Juve .
Owned by a family with money and political power . Used to getting what they want and seemingly not averse to breaking the rules in order to ensure that they get what they want .
The team ? Play 3-5- 2 . Big/, athletic / powerful / lots of pace and lots of technique. Do not play defensive football. Players to watch —-Pirlo /Marchisio / Asamoah/Giovinco. Vucinic veers between brilliance and utter can’t be bothered indifference . The young French player , Pogba [ ex Man U ] looks like a right good player Lack a reliable goalscorer . They might resolve that by signing Drogba.
The support ?——-A broad church but they do have a hard core [ 400/500] of we like violence lu-lus . .
Turin ———- great food / great wine / great museums / the Egyptian Museum is fabulous. The civic authorities /police will classify Celtic as ” English ” and therefore a potential problem . Bars will shut / supermarkets etc will stop selling alcohol etc .
Me —- I hope to get a Celtic ticket but if not I will be able to get a Juve ticket . [ I will be very careful to select a seat in a ” safe ” part of the stadium }
Hope to sleep soon —— way up north east !
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As ever, Thanks for the informed information. Chiellini must be one of the worlds best defenders and would frighten a person before they got on the pitch, if they were weak in the mind, Thankfully Neil is bringing up a Squad of Captains.
We are owed quite a bit of luck from over the years, maybe Giorgio will get injured and Sammi will be able to terrorise this fantastic team from Italy. I’d really like wee Jamesie back and bang in form for these games.
mic1888@ 13 53 .
Celtic will get @ 2 thousand tickets
The Torino authorities will declare the game to be ” high risk ” and will try to make it difficult to buy alcohol before / after the game .
Uefa bans Champions League contenders Malaga from European club competitions for one upcoming season for failing to pay players wages and tax bills on time.
The Spaniards, who advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League with an unbeaten run through the group stages, will miss the next Uefa competition they qualify for in the seasons between 2012-13 and 2016-17.
The Qatari-owned Spanish club could be banned for a second season within the next four years if it misses a 31 March deadline to pay its debts
Well done Corkcelt – Once or twice I’v nearly been there, Ok only once but it was only 6ft from the hole :-)
I did get an Eagle at Gleaneagles ( no not the feathery type) this year. Maybe next year…
HH
Celtic FC – Official Facebook Page of Celtic Football Club
CELTIC today announced that it is to join forces with former Celtic player Didier Agathe to promote football in La Reunion Island and the surrounding areas.
Didier has operated an existing football Academy for some time and after discussions with Celtic, will now join forces to broaden the development of football in La Reunion, as well as neighbouring Mauritius, Madagascar, Mayote, Seychelles and Comoros.
Celtic will help fund training and coaching programmes and will provide kit and other resources, with a view to giving young people the chance of getting involved in playing football.
This is a great addition to the Club’s work ongoing across the globe, with the Club already involved in a range of other youth programmes in places such as the USA and India.
Didier Agathe said: “I was very fortunate to enjoy a successful football career and I set up my Academy to give something back to my homeland, to the place which gave me so much in life.
“Celtic will always have a special place in my heart and a special charitable tradition and it is fantastic that we are now going to work together to give people opportunity to play football.
“We aim to give as much as possible to young players in this area. If we are able to develop stars of the future then that will be fantastic. However, our priority is to give people who have very little the chance to get involved in playing the game.”
Chris McCart, Celtic’s Head of Youth said: “Didier is very committed to his youth academy and has already carried out excellent work in developing the game in La Reunion and other areas.
“Celtic is also very passionate about this and we really look forward to joining him in this initiative. Clearly, we hope to make this a real success and make a positive difference to the lives of young people in the area.”
jimmci@14:17
McGowan never misses an opportunity to stick it to Celtic in his paper
He is hurting badly at the moment. Which is a great thing
petec—-
Chiellini has a serious injury and might not be fit for the Celtic games.
Celtic will have to prepare a plan for dealing with a particular Juve tactic —– Pirlo pinging 40 yard diagonal passes [ with either foot ] to either side of the penalty box which are then hit first touch by an on rushing midfielder [ they score a lot of goals from that].
Asamoah is a great player . Think a more muscular / quicker Wanyama with a winger’s pace and ball control
Ten men.
He must be a jump the dyke or using a pseudonym.hh
South Of Tunis
Asamoah, we spoke about him before prior to the Udinese game. What an excellent player.
The news about Gio, whilst bad for the player is good for Celtic.
The path is there for us to take.
South of Tunis
Trust you had a ‘buon viaggio’.
There will be much talk of Celtic v Juve over here in the next couple of months as you will be aware.
The ‘Pastore to Milan’ has come from Pastore himself it has to be said.
‘I see myself at Milan in the future’, he was quoted as saying.
‘Too dear’ said Milan the next day!
Auguri di buone feste e un felice anno nuovo.
HH!!
petec @ 14:47/ Paul67
Balls into the box from the wings will be what wins it for us against the light loafered Juventes :))
The Greek Ghod, since adding heiders to his wide array of skills, will be the standout out of the 22 men AND dodgy mibs.
Looking at Ladbrokes for a double on end of the world tonight @ 23:59 and Sammy to score 3 over two legs in Springtime.
MakeItSo@Jean-LucPicard.com
Got great odds btw :))
Or was it after the Udinese game, my mind is bad.
Neil Lennon on SAF “He was one of the only managers to write me a letter when we won the championship in May and I’ll be eternally grateful to him for that, as well.”
PS After papping Juve out we’ll face Malaga in the quarters. For those in doubt of my psychic abilities I predicted Juve on 6th December :) Oor Lenny and the squad got wind of my words and henceforth knew that Juve was the draw.
Since then I’ve had to decline the request for palm readings from Chico, Izzy, Joe and Sammy, as emotions get in the way of my left wing predictions.
Fortunes Favour Mibbes
Celtic have developed a superb defensive shape that has all the hallmarks of a top Italian team.
I think, over the 2 legs it will be decided by 1 goal. 0-0 and then 0-1 or 1-1. ;) but I’m ever the optimist.
“Nobody told me there’d be days like this” (John Lennon)
“I look forward to it” (Neil Francis Lennon)
Somehow my brain connects the dots.
Ross County to Juventus, matters not. The ball is round and anything can happen.
It feels great, does it not?
HH!
DBBIA
I am reminded of the movie urban myth that goes – when subtitling an American war film at a part where a soldier points and shouts ‘Tanks! Tanks!’ – what appeared in French cinemas was ‘Merci! Merci!’
That a true myth by the way…
U
Pogmathonyahun
Amazing what goes on behind the scenes. The CFC website needs consulted every day to keep up. One thing the ole board are doing right is managing the finances in a way that makes us all smile.
Petec
I remember BIlly McNeill referring to 70s Italian teams as teams who could ‘hammer you 1-0’
But people are referring to this Juventus side as very ‘un’Italian…
U
SoT
“Asamoah is a great player . Think a more muscular / quicker Wanyama with a winger’s pace and ball control”
I’m sorry, ” a more muscular Wanyama”? Were you drinkin’ on the plane??
Malaga chipped oot UCL -Porto straight through
HH
ulysses mcghee
That is a fantastic quote from Billy.
I just think it is a draw that Neil will relish, I think he is going to develop so much as a Manager going over there to watch them play so often over the coming weeks. ;)
We may go out in this next round but we will come back even stronger next season and will make the last 8 then.
See those palookas who got all geared up for the day to end all days? They will not be undone by reality….they’ve only gone and changed the goalposts now. The numbers apparently weren’t correct, so after readjustment, point zero is now in January 2013. We humans are nutz, ah tell yah…NUTZ!
Animals know what to do and when to do it….they’re connected to the animus driving the whole planet, they’re in touch. But not one of them knows a thing about the times tables.
But we’re smarter, we say.
Aye, right.
Hi Fholks. Do any of yez know if the away game against Hibs on Saturday week is on TV ?
Marti
petec
The one goal thing is what scares me. I really don’t think my alcohol imbibed heart could take it :(((
But I like your point about our defense. When oor Lenny took over, the immediate thing was the attack – that was down to his motivational skills after taking over from BTM imo. For 12 months we had to read the doom and gloom on ole CQN about the weaknesses in the defence. Since then, as you rightly say, it’s now one of our strongest features as a team, made all the more so by the likes of Joe, Victor and Broonie running their rear ends off and working hard for the back 4 (or 3 now….?!? :))
Sammy as an attacking midfielder has risen to the occasion and plays with his heart, as do the rest, Commons, Stokes, Forrest, all of them. Apols for missing out any names, there’s no one in our squad who doesn’t deserve a mention for the skill and effort they’ve put in this year, including oor Paddy.
I might take this opperchancity to wish Lenny, the mangement team, and the whole squad a fantastic Christmas and New Year, and I can’t thank you all enough for restoring my faith in what is the most beautiful game in the world !! HH to All !!
Malaga NOT out, not this competition.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1272957/malaga-vow-to-fight-'unjustified'-uefa-ban?cc=5739#
I wonder when uefa will get to grips with Chunkles and The Gang re. the plethora of ‘irregularities’ emanating from that quarter.
One day….one day…
No Ledley and no Commons tomorrw, so my team would be
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Forster :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::::::::::: Ambrose :::::::::::::::: Wilson :::::::::::::::::: Mulgrew ::::::::::::::::
Matthews :::::::::: Brown :::::::::: Wanyama ::::::::: Kayal :::::::::: Izaguirre
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Hooper ::::::::::::::::::::::: Samaras :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Matthews would justify 3-5-2 on his own – he’s been an absolute revelation in the RWB role. The same can’t be said for Izzy, but Charlie is better as part of the 3 man defence. I remain hopeful that Izzy will overcome his confidence dip.
Marti Sandino-Not on TV 3pm KO
Fortunes Favour Mibbes
15:11 on
21 December, 2012
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It’s about time we seriously started networking with ex-players from other countries. Was it not Didier Agathe who told Drogba that he wasn’t good enough to play for MON’s team? wouldn’t it be great to unearth another Drogba or two?
Another player Celtic should consult is Craig Bellamy he runs his own foundation in Sierra Leone, he gets some bad press but he puts most of his earnings into this:
http://www.craigbellamyfoundation.org/
I read somewhere yesterday that if we progressed we would play the winner of Galatasary v Shalke.
Is it drawn from the hat?
tictaewin
12:48 on
21 December, 2012
Re formed rangers have got £30 million for players. Just read it in the daily record….
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.. and a £1,000 Billion Casino with car parking in the sky. A gala opening night with private jets, succulent lamb, Sean Connery, Dave King, Bomber and armband Andy.. we will never see their like again.
Skysports – Football Review 2012
Manager of the Year – NFL
play
Bada Bing
Thanks for that. Was hoping to go out for a few beers that day here in Dublin and take in the game. I think Murrays Bar and Grill on O’Connell St still show all the Celtic games so might pop in there to see it.
Marti
If Celtic……ah, feck it,WHEN Celtic win The CL, I reckon that the sevcovians will be so done in by such a momentous event, realising they wil never ever ever mange to win TWO CL’s, let alone ONE, that they will aggregate and coalesce in a single mass, implode into a null point, like a reverse Big Bang, and…..be gone. In a puff, just like that….gone.
Hehehehehe…..
: > )