Take Spartak on the left, Green has us all on the run

We’ve never known an easy Champions League game.  Ever.  Teams with low resources who have pitched up at Celtic Park have always caused us problems.  Even our biggest win (3-0, Benfica) was a tense affair with little between the teams territorially.

Five years ago we returned home with a point from Spartak Moscow, expecting a victory at Celtic Park but we had to endure an incredibly tense evening before prevailing on penalties.  Celtic will need to be on top form if they are to win tonight, and a win is what we need to target.  Barcelona will be professional but they will also exercise their right to rest players.  It’s worthwhile remembering that Barca required late winners at home against both Celtic and Spartak; nothing is assured from them tonight.

Spartak have injury worries which will probably see Kirill Kombarov (not to be confused with his twin Dmitir) play at right back.  Kirill is a real weakness and should struggle against Celtic, who have several strong options on the left.  They will play with two holding midfielders in front of a back four with one striker and three across the middle.  Aiden will be a valuable out-ball for them.

This game will take patience, from us as well as the players.  Remember how many games teams have taken and lost a lead in this group.  Scoring or losing a goal is no indication of the result.  It will also be a game where substitutions are likely to be key.  Fresh legs in the last 20 minutes could turn the game.

Take care tonight and have another great European experience. 

CQN Annual now available at Timland in the Gallowgate and the Cathedral House Hotel.

 Dundee United will be devastated by the blow delivered by The Rangers, who have declined tickets for their Scottish Cup tie.  The game is, however, 9 weeks away, which is a long time for a fledgling new club to survive.  The Rangers board cite Dundee United’s behaviour towards their predecessor club, Rangers, who went into liquidation owing United money for the Scottish Cup tie in January this year.  I strongly recommend you don’t try to figure out the logic here, you’re just not clever enough.

After the demise of Rangers was confirmed, The Rangers asked to be admitted to the Scottish Premier League, however, no such facility existed for a new club, so a vote to change the rules was held and 10 clubs, including United, voted to keep the status quo.

Celtic also voted against changing the rules, and if Dundee United are to be punished by a boycott from The Rangers fans, we surely cannot expect them to turn up at Celtic Park as though nothing happened.  In fact, Celtic were firmer than any other club on this matter.  It seems only fair that we are punished, not by one boycott, but by many.  The firmness of Celtic’s refusal to change the rules is surely worth boycotting 100 games at Celtic Park, which would really teach us a lesson.

The pain we would experience facing The Rangers without their legnedary fans would be close to intolerable.  I really hope they don’t embark on an extensive 100 game boycott of Celtic Park.  Please, please, forgive us for voting against a rule change.

Surely we’ve suffered enough by not facing you in league competition during this Armageddon season?  If only we knew how much we would miss ‘Rangers’ when we encouraged the club to vote against the rule change last season.  Screw the rules, we just didn’t know what we were doing!

Celtic should be just as worried about this prospect as the Dundee United, who apart from Celtic, are the only Scottish club to receive an award From Uefa for the good behaviour of their fans.  Think about that for a moment, a football ground filled with nothing but award winning fans!  What is our game coming to?

Charles Green has got Scottish football on the run now.

Epilepsy Scotland have a Celtic ball with certificate of authenticity, signed by 12 Celtic players on the day of the Barcelona game which is available for auction by email.  The competition closes tomorrow (Thursday) at 20:00.  To win this fantastic piece of Celtic memorabilia email your bid to trusts@epilepsyscotland.org.uk.  The prize if for collection only, any postage required would need to be paid separately.  All funds raised will go towards Epilepsy Scotland.

Really pleased with the feedback on the CQN Annual, many thanks. You can order online here, it’s an excellent Christmas present, even for yourself!

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