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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Fortunes Favour Mibbes
The work put in by Kris defensively in the Barca game was a joy to behold.
I didn’t want Kris starting because I thought he would be too lightweight on the defensive duties. I know nothing about Football and nothing about man management. Neil that night, like he was over in Barcelona was showboating as much as he could with the limited resources he currently has. He rightly praised Kris for his defensive work after that game with the added comment he would want that all the time from him. ;)
A Brilliant Manager who is really coming alive on this stage.
Imagine, see what I done there, what this team will be like in 1 years time never mind 2. ;))
Tallybhoy .
Grazie .
Journey was as scheduled and hassle free . A pre Christmas miracle given that it was Alitalia . Can’t sleep on planes . Haven’t slept since I got here . Hope to sleep tonight -noisy nipote permitting.
Buone feste . Divertirsi !
up_over_goal
I agree, young Adam has been sensational lately and he is going to get even better.
I think seeing Beram coming back to near his best is so important, this guy oozes CL latter stages class IMO.
a ceiler gonof rust 09:47 on 21 December, 2012
Canamalar@04.01 :Never in a hundred years would I have aligned you with anal stools conviction the victims brought it on themselves.
But we live and learn eh, every day is a school day.
……………………………………………………………………………….
Once again you attempt to foist your twisted take on our discussions onto me. Not once did I mention anything about the poor souls who perished at hillsborough. I find your post above to me offensive in the extreme.
You say “we live and learn”, you obviously have a hell of lot to learn.
Please doiscount me from your future petty squabbling and bullying sessions.
===========================================================
What I actually said was
Why the cherry picking ?
neil canamalar lennon hunskelper extrordinaire 04:01 on 21 December, 2012
A Ceiler..,
never noticed,
apologise if it felt like an ambush
You were never my main source of indignity
I thought if you had read the discourse you’d have known that.
Our discource had different implicationas
you and me dealt with the questions directly
hence we created recourse breakfast
Me I thought you sympathised with my interpretation that the Liverpool supporters were victims.
Never in a hundred years would I have aligned you with anal stools conviction the victims brought it on themselves.
But we live and learn eh, every day is a school day
=======================================
You did say a word, when I asked you if you agree with him, you said NO
From then on we worked it out and were happier for it, even my apology for not making lunch was accepted in the grace it was offered. Now for some reason, even that has been trashed.
I’m thinking I could have worded some of my posts better but I get the feeling now it wouldn’t have mattered, I nailed your online pal and your either related or are scunnered you’ve invested your online friendship in him.
Bullying lil ol me,
NormanBatesCSC
JohnnyClash
Nope .
Serie A commentator said this after Asamoah removed his shirt after scoring —
” mmm —– Mike Tyson has taken up football “
Anyroadup
I seen to have missed the end of the world, did embody get any pictures ?
Ayrshire man hospitalised for eating too many green leafy vegetables.
Masonic gardening plot?
Chris
wtfCSC
Who’s that I spy in 1st installment of The Guardian’s ‘World’s Top 100 Footballers’?
Why it’s our own Victorious Wanyama in at number 81 just behind Luka Modric but ahead of Sneijder, Nasri, Dembele, Pepe amongst others.
Still numbers 70 to 1 to come and if Sammi isn’t in there then obviously the credibility of the entire list is shot.
Pogmathonyahun @ 15:24
Aye, but I reckon we seem to be doing more than most clubs. It should be the overall thinking behind every club amigo, as you say.
Interesting what you say about Craig Bellamy. It’s hearing things like that make my day. Am I surprised that we don’t hear about these things from the money-motivated MSM? Nah :(( Whereas a decent meeja would be promoting this kind of thing and thus encouraging the rest of us, rich footballers included, in making more proper use of our time and money! (and I HAVE to add, not encouraging thoughtless tax dodging manoeuvres! (hope I’ve spelled that right…. d-o-d-g…..okay, pointless joke ruined :)))
You know these shares floated the other day? How much do you think Chunkles and his mystery gang of investors paid for 19million of those shares? 1p each.
And a further 2million at 50p each.
They are currently trading at 76.5p each.
Even with a 12 month lock-in, he and his cabal stand to make a small fortune.
How did he wangle this acquisition of shares (they were ‘transferred’ over from the oldco to the newco) with the connivance of The Duffers, and how can BDO let this stand? Especially when you realise how much the creditors got after the years of the scum’s financial doping.
That’s right : nothing, zero, zip, nada. Nothing.
Well Done Corkcelt!
And just in time for Christmas!
T
HH
End of world update.. As I collect grateful AB junior from after school..
“Glad world not over, son?”… Yeh Dad..
“So am I son,you can clear your room up then!”
This survival business has its price..
Anyhow, on matters Sevconian…
They’re VERY quiet… It’s funny.. Champions league envy and they know that illegal entry into SFL3, is not quite the same as Last 16 v Juventus, moreover they KNOW the match is not for weeks, and the anticipation will unravel their little propaganda machine..
Though I half expect Chuckles to claim Santa Claus has bought some shares…
Stupid, stupid sevconians…
HH
Arranmore..,
:oD))))
petec @ 15:31
You have a decent awareness of the game, amigo.
Another good point, the excellent defensive work coming from our attacking MFs, also worth comparing to the attacking work of the defensive MFs, ie Joe and Victor.
I totally agree, this is some team oor Lenny is building. (And I like his reference to JS’ comments a wee while ago…well, 55 years ago to be precise)..Brilliant, exciting times to be a Tic Supporter, and we have two months to discuss what tactical throws oor Lenny might have in store for ye olde Juventus :))))
petec
Not so sure myself about Kayal’s class. He and Izzy were the bright hopes of Lenny’s first season. Both faded last year, and neither has shown any real signs of getting back to the early benchmark they set themselves. Kayal’s qualities are fairly easy to describe – I’ll go with midfield terrier – and he has looked superb in his last couple of games. Here’s hoping he keeps it up – match sharpness could have been all that was missing. HH
Just got home to find my CQN Annual safely delivered!
Fantastic value at a tenner and very professionally done!
Congratulations and many thanks to Paul67 and all who contributed to this wonderful work!
Canamalar,
You’re no bully. You’re just a very naughty bhoy ! :)))
PS I’ve got pictures of the Implosion – freemasons have stolen my camera though as it shows them in a bad light…..
And if you’re reading this, it’s all in the imagination of your soul what has survived the end and what not ! The only reality now is St Peter who has just asked me if I think we can take Juve in Turin. I answered “yes” and he grinned and waved me in through the Golden Gates with privileges.
Neil Lennon: How Sir Alex Ferguson’s pep talk inspired Celtic’s season
Celtic’s manager Neil Lennon talks about his future, the demise of Rangers – and having pancakes with Sir Alex Ferguson
Ewan Murray guardian.co.uk, Friday 21 December 2012 13.25 GMT
Neil Lennon says he has not had ‘one phonecall’ from clubs in England or abroad – and that he is not in a rush to leave Celtic. Photograph: Drew Farrell for the Guardian
Neil Lennon has never been one to seek endorsements of his professional ability. If he ever did, however, the Celtic manager could take confidence from the admiration afforded to him by the most respected manager in British football.
Celtic’s season, which has already seen a victory over arguably the best team ever, Barcelona, as well as progression to the last 16 of the Champions League, could not have started better. On one Sunday afternoon in August, Sir Alex Ferguson paid a visit to Celtic’s training ground, and in doing so, played a part in Lennon’s coaching development.
“He gave us two hours of his time, which he didn’t have to do, and I thought it was a brilliant gesture,” says Lennon. “It was in the privacy of a room at the training ground, just myself and my backroom staff, some tea and pancakes.
“He was in great form. He has given us little tit bits along the way for the Champions League games. I’m not saying that has got us over the line, but every little bit helps. 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.”
Celtic’s training ground is an enthusiastic, confident environment at the moment. The success in the Champions League, where Juventus await in February, and the virtually certain defence of the Scottish Premier League are crucial to that. Looking back to how they got there, Lennon refers both to his maiden title win as Celtic manager and progression through the Champions League’s qualifying stage as “pivotal”.
“You never get fully comfortable in any managerial role but you get more confident with success like that in the background,” he says. “I got fed up with people saying ‘he’s a young manager and he’ll make mistakes’.
“Old managers make mistakes; Wenger makes mistakes, Ferguson makes mistakes, Mourinho makes mistakes. So what do people call them? Before winning the league, I felt like I was on probation. It has been a massive year for me, personally.”
Perhaps there was prescience from Ferguson, in noting that Lennon’s managerial stock would soon be on the rise. Just as a clutch of Celtic players – Victor Wanyama and Gary Hooper among them – have received admiring glances from England, it is logical to suggest Lennon, too, could be coaxed to a more lucrative environment.
Yet in a nod towards the continued allure of Celtic, Lennon stresses it is wrong to infer he would be tempted south by finance alone. “People speak about that but I haven’t had one phonecall,” says Lennon. “I have an agent who would have told me if there was any interest or even a whiff of it.
“And even then, it would take a lot for me to be tempted. It would have to be a club where there is the same substance to the job as I have here. That might not be in England, it might be abroad, but it would have to be a hell of an offer and a hell of a club to take me away from here at the minute.
“I really want to put the club at the forefront of European football again. Now that is a huge challenge because we are up against it financially, but it is one I enjoy.
“Other places wouldn’t give you the same buzz. You would really have to go to a Champions League club to match what you have here. The opportunity to win trophies and the exposure you get at Celtic is something only maybe five or six clubs in England could match. The intensity of life here is something I’m used to, I’m institutionalised in it. In Glasgow, there is always a challenge.
“Something else coming up isn’t something I think about. It’s nice to have people patting you on the back but it lasts a month until your next bad result, and people go away and talk about somebody else.”
Lennon speaks through uncomfortable experience. He left Glasgow once before, for a brief playing spell at Nottingham Forest. “I just couldn’t get my head around it at all, which was my own fault,” he recalled. “There was a lack of intensity, a humdrum lifestyle of a footballer down there.”
Scotland’s own football landscape has been altered significantly by the removal of Rangers from the top flight and, therefore, the routine Glasgow derbies.
“I don’t particularly miss the to-ing and fro-ing,” Lennon admits. “I think everybody misses the build up to the game itself and the raw energy that those matches bring but as a manager I don’t miss them because they are not a nice experience at times. When you win, you just feel a pressure release and when you lose you are in a dark place for two or three days. People on the outside, the supporters, love all that theatre. Me? I’m happy without it.”
And in the inevitable circumstance that the Glasgow duo meet again, will things be different? “I think it will be. I don’t think Rangers are as strong on the pitch and I don’t think they are as strong an institution as they once were.
“And we are, we have got stronger. We have got better on the pitch and the revenue we have brought in this year will leave us financially stable for a long, long time. I don’t know the ins and outs of Rangers, I just look at their team and it has been significantly weakened because of all the big players who have gone.”
Lennon is more content, too, with a relative serenity around his private life after the string of threats which earlier endangered his safety. Eight months ago, two men were jailed for five years each after being found guilty of sending suspect packages to Lennon and two other high-profile Celtic supporters. “I think those guys getting put away in April has become a deterrent for anybody else. Things haven’t been as bad for me, which has made life a lot easier,” Lennon said.
“I think without the Rangers/Celtic thing there has become more banter than anything sinister. At times when the two teams are competing for things there seems to be more of an edge to the sectarian element.
“This is my job and I love my job. There were days when I thought about rapping it but you see the players progressing, you come here close the door and get on with your work. You realise there aren’t many better jobs in the world. Do you really need to give it up? I was well looked after security wise, had to put up with a bit of crap here and there but as long as the security people tell you that you aren’t in imminent danger, you just get on with things.”
Lennon remains more eloquent, erudite and engaging than many have routinely given him credit for. Should his detractors be in the Northern Irishman’s company for 10 minutes, they would acknowledge that. Still, the image of Lennon as a hot-head is one which irks the man himself.
“Kenny Shiels and Steve Lomas [in charge of Kilmarnock and St Johnstone, respectively] at the minute are in trouble with the SFA. They are seen as a breath of fresh air or calling things as they see it, whereas I’m perceived as l’enfant terrible or the thug on the touchline. It’s the perception people have,” Lennon said. “It has bothered me because I was just, like Kenny, trying to be as honest as I could.
“If you look at my results over my three years in charge, we have been pretty successful here. I know how to get a winning team on the pitch more times than not and I think that’s the most important thing.
“That doesn’t give me the right to behave in a certain manner but I think I have toned that down as well. There are still times when you will lose your temper, when you don’t think referees are having a good game. Now people don’t perceive me as making as big a fuss about it. Other managers do worse than me without getting the negative publicity that I would get. “This isn’t me bleating about it, it’s just a fact of life. I keep going back to the Celtic Manager’s Manual; people keep telling me I can’t do this, can’t do that. Where is this green book that I need to read? You stamp your own personality on the job and take it from there.”
Lennon has done that. And some. Just as intriguing as Celtic’s upcoming games with Juventus is the question of how far their manager’s talents and ambitions can take him.
Celtic charity
To celebrate the club’s 125th anniversary Celtic aim to raise £1.25m for their charitable fund, the main beneficiary being the Teenage Cancer Trust. Celtic fans around the world are showing their continual commitment to the founding principles of the club by presenting their story “Football for Good” and raising money in many different ways. Visit http://www.celticfc.net/charity for full details and to contribute
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/dec/21/neil-lennon-interview-alex-ferguson?CMP=twt_gu
FFM,
Did you have to go to the gate ?
That’s a shame :oD))))
Oor Lenny and an annual summary – the Main Mhan :
http://www.celticfc.tv/freeview
Canamalar,
FFS, did you get beamed up by Scottie to Heaven again?? What worries me is why they keep sending you back down here!?! :))
petec .
My addled ole bonce thinks we discussed Asamoah before the Udinese game at Celtic Park.
Never been a fan of Ferguson,but cap doffed.
Just been blocked by the Camelot site because I am now a Johnny Foreigner, I have a home in Scotland and my main bank account is there. So Ghuys I’m relying on one of you to stick it to them, tonight’s Euromillions is worth £81 million or as we say in the business an “RFC tax dodge”.
Get in there still a few hours to buy your ticket.
PS if you win I won’t say no to a couple of pints of Guinness.
Hail! Hail! PMTYH
Both Izzy & Kayal had very bad injuries and it takes time to get back. I think both are showing a bit of form now, particularly Kayal who has been a revelation in last couple of games. I’m finding it hard to get into the mood for the Ross County game with all the Champions League stuff but tomorrow is an important game. We need a string of wins and to create a bit of a gap at the top before we lock horns with Juventus.
Listening to Lenny’s interview (again!) there, methinks he’s thinking hard already about tactics for the game against cheatin bollocks Juve.
Said it before, I heard from a decent source (mibbes :)) that MON saw Lenny as a crucial bit of backbone to the MON Celtic. Covering the defence, and watching everything in front of him, shrewdly knowing exactly how to dictate the game play. Lenny’s proven to be one of the best tacticians out there, as well as motivator.
We have some mhan managing our team. Great days !!
And I don’t doubt for a minute that he can re-think tactics and get it across to the squad on how to out-maneouvre the Italian establishment team. And oor Sammy will be the one that gets it all first.
No matter what happens, we WILL outplay these clowns.
South Of Tunis
I wasn’t sure but he is a fantastic player. I hope the ole Juve underestimate us, I think they might given the pure quality in their team. This will be the toughest round I feel.
A track from DJ petec
An olde ravers track that I am sure will have the hairs on the necks of some people standing up, a bit like that moment when the Celtic players enter the arena to fight the hard fight against all the odds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USUHAaPt9X0
FFM,
They keep telling me my works no finished, loads of desnagging to do :o)
Subterranean
15:44 on
21 December, 2012
—————————————————————————————————————–
It won’t be the first time somebody from Ayrshire has had a bad reaction to something green!!
May I wish all CQNers and P67 a very merry Christmas and a cracking New Year.
I’m not on much and just want to pass on my greetings.
First Christmas with the Bhoy. Looking forward to many more.
God bless
LB
NEIL Lennon has been named Manager of the Year by Sky Sports in their review of 2012. The Celtic boss won the SPL title last season, and has guided his team through two qualifying rounds and the group stages of the UEFA Champions League to reach the last 16, where they will face Italian giants, Juventus.
And it’s in recognition of this magnificent achievement that he’s been named the Manager of 2012.
Praising the Celtic manager, Sky Sports said: “In his first season as a Champions League manager, Lennon has guided Celtic to the last 16 of Europe´s premier competition despite having one of the smallest budgets.
“Before a ball was kicked, Celtic´s chances of progressing were written off by many after being drawn against Barcelona, Benfica and Spartak Moscow.
“But Lennon has confounded the critics by leading the Scottish champions into the knockout stages in style. He showed astute tactical nous in guiding the club to one of their greatest ever victories with the 2-1 success over European titans Barcelona at Celtic Park in November.”
Congratulations to Neil Lennon, his backroom staff and his squad for a well-deserved accolade
Great to see the news that Celtic will assist Didier Agathe expand his academy to neighbouring countries. Donkey work that can expand the Celtic brand as well as perhaps help re-appraise in the eyes of many Celtic fans the idea that Didi is one of the very few, and was definitely the first Celtic footballer to play the Swansea way in the modern era.
Canamalar,
FFS you can’t “de-snag” a snagging.
No worries though, am on the hotline to the Big Mhan and He tells me, despite your appaulling spelling and punctuation, that yer a necessary “snag” in the establishment’s maneouvres. He also told me to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year :)))
Fat Sally wondering why he did not get it for guiding his team to the top of Division 3…
Ross County have as much chance of beating us as we have of beating Juventus (or as we did of beating Barcelona).
I am comfortable with Izzy and Kayal. I am confident Izzi will return to form ( he is already in the process of so doing ) and Beram has shown that, although not a silky talent, his terrier like attributes are a very important addition to our team
corkcelt
Well done. A mate of mine did similar after a life time of golf and he was so overcome he took a FOURTEEN at the next hole!!
I achieved the Ace fairly early in my eleven years as a golfer ( I started late!) so his meant more to me than mine did. I would imagine your happiness matches his. The successful ball has been mounted and holds pride of place on his mantlepiece.
Once again, well done.
JJ
That’s me clocked off for two weeks. First week in Germany, second week in Scotland and a visit to CP for the Mulletwell game. Methinks a couple of Schooners tonight won’t go amiss.
Brilliant. At last, some recognition for oor Lenny !
HH to the main mhan!
Mind seeing a brief interview with him at end of Jan last year at last minutes of the window. He looked shattered.
No one here can guestimate the amount of time, effort and general dedication that mhan has for us.
Excuse my “love-in” adoration, but this is a man that deserves it.
We will beat Juve