Much of our Champions League history was on show last night, apart from the fragility which has accompanied Celtic so often on the road. The game was immeasurably more difficult than any challenge we face in domestic football. The opening minutes were so stressful, otherwise composed players were spooked, but winning is all about how you react when you are spooked. Do you crumble and concede an early goal?
With less than three minutes on the clock, and Spartak about to take their third corner kick, how many of us thought back to early goals lost in the opening minutes of recent European adventures?
Not for this team, who reacted to being spooked by scoring a genuinely top class goal.
It wasn’t until Spartak went down to 10 men that we made them look like Motherwell (the similarity in possession, passing, composure last night and on Saturday are remarkable) but, Spartak going down to 10 men was not the deciding factor in the outcome of the game. Kris Commons should have won a penalty when Celtic were 0-1 up and Gary Hooper was clean through on the goalkeeper at the incident which led to the red card.
Once level, with 20 minutes remaining, the stage was Celtic’s, but a more illustrious (i.e. expensive and feted) Celtic team had the same stage against a weaker opponent in Anderlecht in 2003 but ended up losing the game. Last night Hooper, Izaguirre, Samaras, Forrest and Brown went about their business in a steady and unspectacular fashion, exuding the confidence you need to win at this level.
No result is achieved in this competition without an enormous performance; just ask those who lost in Belgium nine years ago, including the proudest man in Europe last night.
Bring on the Salt ‘n’ Sauce Rangers.
The next issue of CQN Magazine is in the planning. If you would like to contribute an article, or advertise, let me know, articles@cqnmagazine.co.uk.
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Ten Men Won The League
17:01 on 3 October, 2012
Just looking at that Milan starting XI
Not one world class player in it
How times change
Zenit will beat them
Zenit 0-2 Milan :-))))
SPF
I think it was the roar of the Celtic fans in thousands of pubs worldwide that caused the ref to change his mind.
When he walked back to the scene, I was sure he was going to book Hooper for dissent.
Milan 2 up and should have had a penalty. 20 minutes gone against Zenith
What was that clunk? Must be the sound of a 1,000,000.00 Euros hitting our bank account for our away WINNERS bonus in the Champions League.
Admirable faith in keeping Sammi on the pitch, when he could realistically have been subbed.
Fantastic faith in hanging onto Gary Hooper when EPL clubs were sniffing around during the window and resolutely declaring him his No. 1 even when he went off the boil.
Unshakable faith in persuading big FF to sign on the dotted line, when he could have been for the off.
Ongoing faith in Emelio who continues on his journey back from his horrible injury.
Lenny’s faith in believing Chico Muldini to be the player we are currently witnessing.
And all this on a budget for the starting XI that one of the wealthy teams pay for a reserve player.
God bless Neil Francis Lennon. Thanks for the raging tight forehead today.
couple of typo’s
Celtics rating is 56 not 51, however it changes nothing in which pot we would be in. Also just to be clear all examples are over a 5 year period
Thegrimrieper
I am with you there. A bit of an ABE myself. however its all fun and i have nothing whatsoever against our neighbours from the south. – disclaimer ( id hate it if we became an exclusive support!)
sipsini
17:18 on
3 October, 2012
Me and my mate got split up from the rest after getting beat 1-0 at tyncastle in the early eighties.
We ended up in a pub full of hearts fans and spent a while dinking with them,they even put our scarves on the wall.
Point being there’s good and bad everywhere.
Then again they won that game.hh
—-
aye but you still wearing the scarves at the time….
kiddin’ :-)
most people behave the right way ..most of the time
HH
Always worth a chuckle – see the second half of this article..
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/makeover-planned-in-paradise-1.990290
Monday 7 December 2009
Makeover planned in Paradise
Exclusive: Gerry Braiden
For more than a decade, the sight of one of Europe’s most modern sports stadiums hovering above dereliction and deprivation has baffled visitors from London to Lisbon.
But the ground’s pivotal role in the Commonwealth Games and attempts to transform the east end of Glasgow will see Celtic’s long-term vision for the area around its stadium revealed later this week.
The ambitious plans include the creation of bars and restaurants around Celtic Park, a new club museum, walkways linking it with other 2014 venues, a plaza and the potential for a new hotel, casino or shops. It even has proposals for housing.
The club insists the project will depend on its economic viability, especially in the context of the current climate, but the deadline of summer 2014 will put pressure on Celtic to deliver some of the vision across the next 36 months.
With Celtic Park hosting the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the local authority is concerned that the area around the stadium “does not provide an attractive setting” and has said “the current situation is not acceptable with regard to the council’s ambitions to host a world-class event for the 2014 games”.
The plans are also in the context of a new four-lane carriageway, which will cut through the east end linking the M74 and M8 via London Road. The East End Regeneration Route (EERR) will cut through land used as a coach park, leading to an agreement struck between Celtic and Glasgow City Council over matchday access to the car park of the new National Indoor Sports Arena.
The vision would initially see the refurbishment and extension of the Victorian London Road School to incorporate a restaurant, cafe and bar, as well as a new club museum, landscaping the immediate area around Celtic Park, and the creation of a plaza space.
Phase two would see “a new landmark building” on the site where the EERR meets London Road “creating an iconic gateway to the stadium area”, with early ideas including a hotel, more restaurants and bars, a casino and shops. A council report detailing the masterplan says: “It is recognised that the design of the new buildings at this location should be of the highest standard to reflect the importance of this corner of the triangle as a key gateway to the site, particularly on the approach from the EERR.”
A further phase, expected to be completed by 2014 and considered by the city council “to be the most critical element of the public realm strategy”, would see walkways linking the stadium to the EERR and the Indoor Arena.
The masterplan claims there is potential for a residential development to the west of the stadium and at the corner of Springfield Road and London Road, as well as “further small-scale commercial or light industrial development” to the north. The report, which is calling for council approval in principle this Friday, states: “It is recognised that market conditions may influence future land use proposals with regard to these more long-term ambitions for the site and these aspects of the masterplan will develop in discussion between the City Council and Celtic FC.”
Strathclyde Police have been consulted on crowd control issues and Celtic has held discussions with the National Counter Terrorism Security Office and the Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Course over safety matters.
The police are said to have broadly welcomed the proposal as it will improve crowd management on matchdays, while Architecture and Design Scotland has said the masterplan would address the poor setting of the stadium. A Celtic spokesman said: “Clearly, this proposal is very preliminary and has a long long way to go. We are working in total partnership with Glasgow City Council and Clyde Gateway in a sensible and pragmatic manner but ultimately, the project will depend on a range of factors, including of course, economic viability.” Councillor George Ryan, executive member for business and the economy, said: “We are interested in the details of this masterplan, which could contribute to the regeneration of the city’s east end, and we are keen to see the first phases of the project delivered before the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.”
Concern at lack of progress in rival’s plan to develop Ibrox
Around two years ago, city rivals Rangers revealed their own Ibrox masterplan.
As part of Sir David Murray’s vision, Ibrox Stadium would have its capacity increased to 70,000 and a concert arena would be built along with a hotel, shops and an underground car park. The value attached to the scheme was £350 million.
The plans were very much seen as Rangers’ attempt to continue with the momentum they had when proposing a supercasino for the area, as well as a response to the planned improvements around Celtic Park as a result of the Commonwealth Games going to the east end of Glasgow.
Ibrox Stadium will also host the Rugby 7s tournament in 2014, serving as an incentive for improvement in the area.
Last October Glasgow City Councillors agreed unanimously to give Rangers the option to buy any council-owned land needed for the scheme, which it believed had the potential to regenerate swathes of Govan.
But even then, Sir David signalled there would be question marks over the timescale, claiming that there had already been delays “outwith our control”.
However, the city council, as part of its backing for the project, had demanded detailed timescales.
But, against the backdrop of the financial crisis currently engulfing the Ibrox club, The Herald understands there has been concern that the plans are floundering. It is understood that, after a long silence between the council and Rangers chiefs, talks on the project have only recommenced in recent weeks “to appraise options”.
Talks stalled over changes to the proposals and the value of the council’s land, with sources claiming even the most ardent supporters of the plan within Glasgow City Chambers are expressing concern at the rate of progress.
A council spokesman said: “Recent talks between the council and Rangers should see an options appraisal commence in the very near future.”
Rangers declined to comment.
Been busy makin’ a curry…switch on at 27mins and AC are 2 goals ahead…..wtf?!!
Danger Snooze time on train……………Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz………………..
When Alan Thompson got his one English Cap he was slaughtered by the English media, as we were also and the game in Scotland in general, what happened to John Kennedy when he got his Scotland cap still leaves a bad taste in my mouth, Gary stay where you are bud, your doin fine and dont need to be dragged all over Europe on the English subs bench, Kris, forget it mate, Leveins a numpty who will be found out soon enough, get yourself fit for us and stay that way.
Zenit/Milan
When your lucks in
An og for the 1st + handball by El Sharaawy in the build up to the 2nd (he took it well though)
Hulk looks a £300k striker never mind a £35m one
” an’ the Celtic Triangle, will bring jingle jingle,
all along to the banks, of the PLC.”
There was a discussion on CQN earlier re. John Clark and whether or not he still takes up position of pride in dugout on match days. His daughter Marie has confirmed to me via twitter:
@marieclarkg12: @MoonbeamsWD he has recently had a hip op but is recovering well and will be back in the dugout in the near future .
MWD
Hamiltontim 16:30:
Sorry for delay was on the Train…correct what you said in you second post…guilty as charged but was worth it…
muppetbhoy is standing up for Neil Lennon 16:57:
That’s what I meant by fifth official…
As some of you may have experienced last night by text, I was chuffed, a few celebratory drinks, Guinness and Jamesons to be precice…Qoooah Samaras, Oooah Samaras!
Just can’t get enough…
Glasgow’s green and white…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Im John Mackay just said that there is an interview with
Dermot Desmond on the news coming up
TootingTim et al-Thanks for replies re phone contacts,new phone has a micro sim card,so cant put old sim in to it.HH
paddysmarket
Hope it’s not another post Tommy Burns Thursday false promise interview. :-)))
MWD
What a save by Abbiati from Hulk’s free kick
wonder safe from incredible hulk thunderbolt….
lennybhoy
I thought some Greek government official had taken over your phone last night. Your love for Sammi shines through.
MWD
ABZMike-I watched the game on al Jazeera too,Lineker asked Souness pre match what was in it for Celtic,he replied “to avoid embarrassment”.A mate said after the game we managed to achieve that :}
Moonbeams WD. Kano 1000 \o/ Supporting Neil Lennon 100%. Champions. C’mon Wee Oscar.
Thanks for that update…
Get well soon John the Young Lions are on the march and we need you in the dugout..
!!Bada Bing!! – and some! Souness was pretty gracious past match… Maybe Kenny just couldn’t believe it
Zenit pull one back
SPF
Abbiati had no chance there from Hulk
HT 1-2
Hulk responds to my criticism by dragging Zenit back in it
2-1 Milan HT
Good 2nd half in prospect
Leggat has been writing that the Dr was going to allow a blog from rtc to be allowed on their web page.
Supposedly he and his msm zombie mates were doing their utmost to block it.
Wonder why?
Dermot must be at Gleneagles for the golf.
Charles Green: “I have been hugely impressed with the work of the RFC_Charity Foundation since I came to Rangers and I understand what a powerful force for good it has been, building upon the strong charitable traditions of the club.”
Yeah, like the time they denied money from a legneds match to deserving charities, opting instead to dump the proceeds into RFC’s coffers. Lovely jubbly duffy & phelpy.
Moonbeams WD. Kano 1000 \o/ Supporting Neil Lennon 100%. Champions. C’mon Wee Oscar 17:41:
Lol…I think they did, last night was the closest I have been to Nirvana in a long time.
As you say mate, I love Sammi and have a spot for him, probably because he has turned down moves and the abuse he took from many, I do not of course include you in those that did.
He is a hunskelper and has scored goals twice now in Moscow that have meant much to our great Club and Samaras loves our great Club.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Moonbeams WD. Kano 1000 \o/ Supporting Neil Lennon 100%. Champions. C’mon Wee Oscar 17:41:
Thanks for the information on John Clark…get well soon John.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
We have won more games away in the Campions league than the Zombies have won away in the 3rd Division.
God Bless Neil Francis Lennon.
onlyonepaulmcstay 17:56:
Didn’t know we were camp…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
And we are back…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
DD you were a disgrace on the telly tonight!
What planet are you from ya fud!
“They’re needed for Scottish football because of their following and the size of the club and especially their history.”
The words of our ‘Celtic minded’ majority shareholder in today’s interview. Looking at the interview there is no doubt in my mind that he still wants the term ‘Old Firm’ to be alive and well
Time to sell up Mr Desmond. You are out of tune with your paying customers
What did DD say?