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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Philbhoy……..hope you’re no taken the rise.
Paddy T
JJ,
Lenny is instilling his own skills into Vic and Kayal – hence their development.
Beram and Vic covering the back of a midfield can’t be matched by any other team imo.
fanadpatriot
Just back, been busy trying to avert some serious industrial action in the Lothians after an employee had been subject to the serious accusation of being a sevconian.
This “new” form of slur is one which will not be tolerated and will be added to the Respect and Dignity in the workplace act with immediate effect.
If anyone has issues with a fellow employee, who has lost their sense of humour, or maybe even fails to smile and dosen’t whistle anymore..be warned you may be working with a newcus sevconius(lat)..Please report the matter to your supervisor.
We should not have to share a country with these people never mind a work environment.
On the bright side – a copy of the CQN annual has been dispatched to Luthgie to show good faith going forward. Any additional slurs may lead to further action being considered.
Anyhoo give my best to KTP and if I may add….Congratulations Grandad.
Teuchter ár lá
We will beat Juve
Teuchter ár lá
Serves you right for giving Jabba a job.
Yer a joab givin Jabba :)))
Manager of the Year. So, so deserved. To achieve what he has in the atrocious circumstances in which he has achieved is nothing short of astonishing. This award highlights even more the obnoxious, crawling , small-minded nature of the MSM in Scotland. Well done, Neil Francis Lennon, a giant in the making.
JJ
FFM
Agreed. Have you noticed how our defence seldom seems under pressure these days? A result of proper mid-field protection.
Well done to Neil Lennon on getting the manager of the year award from Sky. A tremendous achievement.
FFM,
Tell him thanks for the card :o)
BTW were you staggering about the Oran mor last night with a guitar over your shoulder ?
Neil’s deserved award should stick in the Scottish MSM’s craw for a long time :o)
Hail Hail Neil Lennon UK manager of the year :o)
Congratulations NFL well deserved! Could some of the perennial moaners who infest this site after a reversal acknowledge that they were/are wrong?
Merry Christmas to everyone on CQN I know I am a bit early but as someone once said.
A foot
Might be able to type on Monday but maybe not.
FFM
Is that better than bein’ a joab givin’ Jobbie – or exactly the same thing?
Teuchter ár lá
JJ,
Yep! As Petec allluded to, once that was sorted the team was ripe for development.
It’s easily documented, though very very difficult to implement.
Tighten up the defence, make sure there’s confidence at the back – Fraser, Chico, Adam, Izzy, Rogne, Wilson, and then add Lustig and Effe to the mix!!
D Midfield: Beram, [Chico], Joe, Victor !!, and half of the aforementioned….
I could go on, you know what I’m saying. With that, and Sammy’s experience of knowing how to protect an under-attack defence, but also finish up front, with KC and JF, the only ingredient needed to make this all work is tactics.
I give you….Ooor Lenny…….:))))
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5-wkcTyFNs
Is Neil the first SPL manager to receive this award? Must admit I have never heard of it before today!
JJ
Has Swally McMoist demanded to know the names of the people who voted for Lenny yet?
LB
You’d better watch out, you’d better not cry
You’d better not pout, I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Sky Latest- Charles Green has offered to buy Neil Lennon’s “Manager of the Year” and give it to a worthier winner, Alistair McCoist.
In fairness to Málaga, they have issued a statement immediately after the UEFA announcement to protest, saying they are on track with a plan to reattain financial stability and have ironed out issues regarding money owed to their squad and to other clubs.
They say they will take all possible steps to try to oppose the ban and believe that UEFA are attempting to make a scapegoat of them.
Very interesting situation.
Fortunes Favour Mibbes
16:33 on 21 December, 2012
JJ,
Lenny is instilling his own skills into Vic and Kayal – hence their development.
Beram and Vic covering the back of a midfield can’t be matched by any other team imo.
_____________________________________________________________________
As usual, an excellent comment from your good self.
Neil Lennon made the very most of what he had in terms of physical attributes, he wasn’t the fastest but he read the game so very well, he was preferred, when it really came down to it, to the Brilliant Lambo. That said so much to me back then. ;)
I can see Celtic playing the 3-5-2 at Wembley. It is awesome seeing Efe stroll from defence as this is a Man who really has so much to give Celtic.
Udinese really left a big impression on Neil, a new way of looking at the game dare I say.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrA17QDdLuA
goldstar10
16:51 on 21 December, 2012
Sky Latest- Charles Green has offered to buy Neil Lennon’s “Manager of the Year” and give it to a worthier winner, Alistair McCoist.
__________________________________________________________
Quality. ;))
Amazing news about Neil getting that award.
Congrats to Lenny on his award – well deserved.
Now let’s hope there’s no New Year knighthood for services to anti-football and dignity.
Looking forward to seeing bangura getting some game time soon. Having him back could be like a new signing. He didn’t really get a chance the first time what with injuries and settling in. A good run in sweden should leave him sharp and ready for action. The goal he scored v psv was pure class.
Allegedly – Chortles Green once let his cat flap freeze shut, he found his cat frozen solid sitting up,
as stiff as a board.
petec- Indeed, he will be bursting with pride and so should all of us too.
Fantastic recognition.
Paddy Turner
???
Wonder if Neil’s award will be reported in the Scottish MSM? No I doubt it but I am sure Swally will get the full back page when he wins the third division manager of the month!
Happy Xmas to all CQN’rs and have a great New Year. HH
petec —
The Juve support might underestimate Celtic The Italian media might underestimate Celtic . I’d be surprised if the Juve players do . The Manager is an intense guy –he will have them up for it .
They will line up 3 5 2 and go for it . They are not a stereotypical Italian team. Their Italian critics accuse them of being all pace and power and little beauty [ Pirlo /Vucinic / Giovinco apart ]. They will not play stop and start defensive football at Celtic Park . They are very fit and strong . They will run all night.
goldstar10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMmexdGN59E
South Of Tunis
I agree with you, that is why this next round will be the toughest.
We can do it though. ;)
petec @ 16:53
Pedro, I love everything you said there, but especially:
“It is awesome seeing Efe stroll from defence as this is a Man who really has so much to give Celtic”
Indeed, amigo. Indeed :))))
PS as a loony aside, watch out for Mo. You heard it here first :))
So can we assume that loyal Sevconians will be boycotting SKY en masse?
Added bonus…
Fortunes Favour Mibbes
Bang Bang the mighty fall. ;))
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWrnt7xv1lA
screen73
Totally agree amigo,
That fella is about to burst oot the plasmas in Spring !!
It all depends on how he fits in with the team structure, and for anyone that’s following that, imo, will know that he’ll slot right in come February !
petec- That was a great day, like a coming together of the family.
Sevco Meeja Copy
Super Ally Nearly Gets Manager of Year Award
subprint: but is pipped to post by Liewell dominated bigoted sectarian culture-lovers :((((
goldstar10
I think they were 3-0 up in about 1 minute, they tainted it, they always have. What happened that day was the start of the Belief.
Awesome days ahead.
Jim White will think Christmas has come early.