Where do we start discussing last night? Perhaps the end of the night. There was joy in abundance, not only inside Celtic Park, but in the streets surrounding the game and in a hundred thousand homes across the world. This joy manifest itself into a great sense of community. That performance brought tears, hugs, spontaneous jumping up and down, and not only from Celtic fans. Messages have poured in from fans of other SPL clubs and beyond.
This is what great sport can do for people.
Brother Walfrid has excellent timing. He managed to arrange our kick-off meeting to coincide with match day four of the Champions League group stage. Those of us who attended the anniversary celebrations on Tuesday were reminded what Celtic is all about, the best team in the world were in Glasgow waiting to play, the fairy tale script was written, but could it be delivered?
It’s the details which are most impressive. Mikael Lustig looked like he could play in any team in any league. He was comfortable and composed throughout. Adam Matthews, deputising for an injured former Player of the Year, played out of position flawlessly. I watched him struggle at left back on his Celtic Park debut in a friendly against Wolves last year; it defies explanation how far he has progressed.
Please forget about Victor’s goal, it will only detract from his incredible midfield performance. His composure, skill and assertiveness troubled Iniesta and Messi all game. This was all the more impressive given the absence of captain, Scott Brown.
Georgios Samaras was crucial for most of the evening. He was the one player Barca seemed afraid of, although a lack of training caught up with him before he was subbed.
I’ll not burden Tony Watt publicly with the comparison I made of him earlier in the season but he possesses an impressive array of attributes: upper body strength, pace-with-the-ball and a nose for goal. I’m tempted to say he will continue to improve but, to what level? Without injuries to Hooper, Lassad and Forrest it’s unlikely he would have enjoyed as much time last night. Sometimes Fortune Favours the Celtic.
All of Europe would have been impressed with Fraser Forster last night, dubbed La Grand Muralla, the Big Wall, by a Spanish newspaper. He will play for England, so too with Kelvin Wilson if he maintains this season’s form.
The only man with a problem today is Neil Lennon. Tactically the two games against Barcelona have been as accomplished as any I have witnessed. Neil needs to know how to follow that in Lisbon. I’ve no idea.
Happy Birthday Celtic!
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Busiest CQN for ages. Can hardly get a word in edgeways!
Geordie/RT/Raspberry
Thanks, wasn’t convinced at the time but did think that I’ve seen plenty given in the same circumstances.
If Hearts do go under, it will be interesting to see the MSM (and Salmond) take on yet another rip in the fabric of Scottish culture.
JJ
Red card, goal scoring opportunity, regardless of how we would have responded.
But glad it didn’t happen as I want barca at full strength for their next two game.
Hamiltontim ——-
Italian pundits / Italian media thought it was a straight red card .
Same people thought that Song should have been off .
Such people tend to subscribe to the view that Refs are kind to Barca because ” everybody loves Barca ”
Arrigo Sacchi thought it was one of those games but Celtic had defended brilliantly and had taken their chances . He thought that Song should have been off but wasn’t convinced that Watt hadn’t ” exaggerated ” the Mascherano incident.
From First Minister’s Questions
Labour leader Johann Lamont pays tribute to Craig Levein, sacked Scottish manager
why?
Enjoyed the sky news interviews outside Celtic park there, everyone an Irishman, that’ll scunner the fabric :o)
Headtheball
14:04 on
8 November, 2012
Nice interview with Victor and Efe after the game. A few other interviews on there too.
http://www.rte.ie/sport/player/813/344766/
Lovely stuff from RTE. Always much more positive, with the interviewers genuinely happy when Celtic win, rather than the forced awkwardness of Tanner and the other cretins. Reminded me of the lovely interview Miriam did with NFL on RTE. It makes a big difference when there is no editorial agenda. The Irish also look after their own, unlike Brits! Tin hat on.
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy – Thank you, I’m so buzzing today that I got halfway down the motorway before I realised I had forgotten my car. (thumbsup)
Geordie Munro – Philvis, fyi crusts are those things jeeves removes from your cucumber sandwiches.
If I had a manservant he’d be a Chinese guy called Oddjob. (thumbsup)
Song could, and should, have been sent off on 2 separate occasions. 2 definite yellow card offenses after he’d already been booked. Villanova obviously thought so, he hooked him right after he went clattering through Miku.
Kayal33 – Labour leader Johann Lamont pays tribute to Craig Levein, sacked Scottish manager
Despite appearances, Johann would do anything to get a man.
I’ll say this about Levein: out of all the Scotland managers in my lifetime, he was certainly one of them. (thumbsup)
HT, I wouldnt have been surprised if it was given.
I thought watt done his self no favours pulling on jm’s shorts.
Lets hope its in the bank for when we really need it;)
have I got thought 125 simply awesome last night Old tim67 nice to have met you yesterday Had a nice wee fiver on 2-1 Hail Hail Hebcelt
thought=got
SouthofTunis
Congratulations to your elderly neighbour on Celtic winning him €1000.
They ‘only’ won me €180 — plus 5 others winning me €250!
Just off to collect – and buy a ‘few’ bottles of ‘Nero’.
Enjoy the ‘wee-ski’!
Cin cin!!
HH!!
After last night PL will be delighted we will have another DVD to punt for Christmas…
Highway @chrism325
Celebrity Celtic Fans: Rod Stewart, Billy Connolly, Gerard Butler, Jim Kerr + more. New addition – Inspector Clouseau!
pic.twitter.com/l1Pax7Xi
http://www.rte.ie/sport/player/813/344766/
‘You could hear the roar all the way back to Lurgan.’
Brilliant. Can’t imagine those words being uttered by Tanner.
Also, while I’m on, a BIG thank you to Scotrail for putting all those extra carriages on the 10.30pm to Edinburgh….you shower of (alleged) incompetents. You should be ashamed of yourselves! I’m sure there will be a Rugby special on Sunday though for the friendly v NZ….
Philvisreturns
Crumby joke
Highway @chrism325
Celebrity Celtic Fans: Rod Stewart, Billy Connolly, Gerard Butler, Jim Kerr + more. New addition – Inspector Clouseau!
https://twitter.com/chrism325/status/266534187295719424/photo/1
CultsBhoy loves being 1st forever & ever
13:54 on 8 November, 2012
And who would celebrate 140 years anyhoo…100, 125 or 150 yes, but 140 seems strange (unless you know there isn’t going to be a 141st…)
DontPatmadug
Ha ha!
Philvis
I defy you to slice pumpernickel into your toast puns theme.
Go on!
philvisreturns
If I had a manservant he’d be a Chinese guy called Oddjob. (thumbsup)
————————————————
glad you didn’t get you Bond villains mixed up – blofeld and oddjob could be embarrasing
jungle jim
14:35 on
8 November, 2012
If Hearts do go under, it will be interesting to see the MSM (and Salmond) take on yet another rip in the fabric of Scottish culture.
JJ
Shortbread last night had statement from Scottish Government saying they are willing to offer support to any club in trouble( apart from ours)
” If I had a manservant he’d be a Chinese guy called Oddjob. (thumbsup)”
Philvis, I can only imagine what sort of odd jobs you’d have him doing to live up to his name ;)
Im in tears reading through the nightshift.
Proud as punch.
Celtic Football Club @celticfc
Celtic will face St Mirren in the Scottish Communities League Cup semi-final. Tie scheduled for January 26/27, 2013. (LB)
Prince of GKs
Initially I thought not was 140 DAYS of Newco
Good morning/afternoon lads
Wasn’t able to watch the game yesterday due to work stuff, but listened on C67. So, just saw the GB display …. absolutely spectacular!!!!!!!!!!
Is there a way to make a donation to the GB? When I see the sorts of things they do for the club… feel I have to.
I know some of the GB guys are on here… just wanted to say thank you!
Michael
That will be a bye for ICT then
I’d rather pumpernickel than put my Gentleman’s Relish anywhere near Johann Lamont’s toasted muffin .
south of tunis
14:52 on
8 November, 2012
I’d rather pumpernickel than put my Gentleman’s Relish anywhere near Johann Lamont’s toasted muffin .
Pardon the pun, but where did that come from?
I can’t post. I’m still too excited
Thoughts worth sharing from goal.com:
“This result showed they belong in the Champions League. Understrength, they have just beaten the best team in the world and they deserved it. But the two games which remain, against Benfica in Lisbon and Spartak Moscow in Glasgow, will define the club’s season, not the Barcelona one.
Tony Watt’s winner will mean pecisely nothing if no points are accrued from the last two cut-throat matches. Celtic owe it to themselves to capitalise.
If they can beat Barcelona, they can beat anyone and they should not forget that.”
=====
I personally love the last line. Neil should drum this belief (if they still don’t have it) into them. A wonderful evening for the whole Celtic family, and one which will never be forgotten by all in attendance and those who watched around the world. The GB’s pre-match stadium display was truely a ‘shiver down the spine’ moment (which lasted about 5 mins!)
Lets kick on Celtic – this could be special.
JJPON
Hi Ghuys, Salve salve;-
A brilliant night, special things happen to special people.
Does the Louden Tavern hold the world record for amount of TV sets flung through the window?
A big thankyou to “Marching Sandy” and his latest round of brown shouting. wait till he finds out that Wilfrid Pickles is no all he’s cracked up to be.
Stirling Albion or Barcelona who would you rather be playing? Does it make you yearn to be as “successful” as sevconian agriculturals? Mmmmm
It is great to be a flyfishing Celtic supporter.
Greenwells.
Ridentem dicere verum quid vetat
“When we scored we knew the storm was coming and it came” NFL
Aye but Neil,yer Bhoys held their heads up high and werent afraid of the dark.
I had the most wonderful dream last night
Rangers and Hearts disappeared from the face of the earth and we beat Barca in the Champions league…
i just didn’t want to wake up