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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Green Brigade display – Magnificent
http://harryhood67.wordpress.com/2012/11/08/green-brigade-display-cest-magnifique/
Hamilton
I
Watched it 10 times. Look very closely at Tony Watt’s left hand.
He is in front of Barca defender but is griping the back of his opponents shirt.9/10 this would con a referee.
Fantastic Celtic,great result and a smile that wont budge.I must admit i feared when i heard late bout Scott Brown.with Hooper already missing.Once again the Lennon spirit of playing for each other,supporting each other has swept down on a team who enjoy learning and who keep a tactical discipline about their play that just seems to get better and better.I know,and i am sure Neil does, there is still work to do,but this is a team who enjoy their work.
Thank you Celtic for last night,roll on Lisbon
Hail hail
Sir Paul
From the Foist ere Ah saw Tony…in a Youth GAME..as a Trialist.. agin..
the Liverpool Youths..
Ah marked his Card.
Fur…
Ah saw immediately.. that..
He wiz a Hoat Handful..
a Youngster in a Million..
a Kid.. who wiz gonna go places..
And.. even at such a young age..aroon aboot.. Sixteen , Ah believe..
Tony hid… that..
Gallusness.. which Ah Luv.. tae see in a Fitba Player.. but.
Ah seldom Dae.
It’sThe Most important facet, in A Fitba’ Player’s Tool Bag… in Ma Opinion..
Gallusness..or.. if ye prefer..
Uber Confidence in Wan’s Own Ability..
Is the prime Requisite.
In any Field of endeavor…
Look at me… Ah hiv it.and By Jings.. Am Ah Gled..?
But, in this chapter. We are no Discussin’ Me and Ma Career Successes.
Ah hiv raved aboot Tony..
Tony,is Ready Fur Prime Time.. No question..
He is whit is Known in the Trade as a Kid Prodigy.
He is Young… in Years . But Auld… in Fashion.
He should Hiv Started.
He should Start in Every Game..
In Tony we hiv the Real Deal.
Kojo
Still.. Laughin’
!!Bada Bing!! 14:42 on 8 November, 2012
After last night PL will be delighted we will have another DVD to punt for Christmas…
————————————————————–
And why not, we need to keep the money coming in if only to counteract the biggest Aarrmmaaggeddonn facing SPL teams since the demise of a bare-faced cheating club which was Rangers, now liquidated and dead – but with a tribute team in SFL3
Kojo
Agree re Watt. Not a sub but a starter.
I’m going to be bold. Sell Hooper of a decent offer comes in. Toby could do the job for Half a season.
So could Tony…
St Mirren in League cup semi 26/27th Jan
Bada Bing,
is that the best you can manage on a day like today
So could Gary!!
A great, great night. I am hoarse and I watched in the house. I took the day off to read all the news (here and in Spain) with SSN on the whole time. A truly historic night in our wonderful history.
Just think what a history we would have if we’d been going for 140 years
Original…its reported in both the herald and the scotsman
Just read the GB spent ten grand on last nights tifo,is there somewhere I can make a donation to them?
Robbie Keane scores 2 for L A on ch530.
Emdae remember what sneevins said when the draw was made. Something about our points total??
Aye, Wanyama + co. looked good playing against a team of tippy-tappy midgets, but how would they cope with the rusticality of the 3rd division…;-)
How long before the MSM come out with this?
Jude2005
You’re just opening the door for January rumours with you Robbie Keane updates… STOP IT NOW!
I think they like us in Spain: http://deportes.elpais.com/deportes/2012/11/07/actualidad/1352328116_226298.html
Thanks to Miss benjybhoy who missed the game as she is studying in Madrid.
Kayal33
14:37 on
8 November, 2012
From First Minister’s Questions
Labour leader Johann Lamont pays tribute to Craig Levein, sacked Scottish manager
why?
———
For being the tactical genius in bringing us the Prague 4-6 formation..hh
Dubaibhoy
They’ll be reading your post and thought hhmmm?????
Did someone post last night that Vic was the first Kenyan to score in the cl?? Is this true?
Wasnt naka the first Japanese also?
http://www.celticfc.net/1254125
This sounds amazing. We are in the limelight and lets keep us there for all the good reasons.
Sad to read the club didnt help towards the 10k the green brigade needed.
They are a great bunch. As are you all. God bless the tic
Ole Ole.. Ole Ole.. Tony’s Hot hot hot!
Ole Ole.. Ole Ole.. Vic is Hot hot hot!
.. And so on!
Guy was holding Tony’s arm and shirt. Def a sending off.
Jude@ 1510. No I dont offhand. Remind me ;)
I do remember him saying football is Donald ducked and Celtic and Huns won’t lose all season
The man knows his stuff.
jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/
Red card for me, Mascherano knows he’s beat and grabs a hold of Tony cos he knows Tony has ragdolled him and is about to burst the net!!!
Ref slipped up a few times, Barca should hvae been down to 9 men..
Ach we don’t need the ref to beat them, they’re no even the best team in Spain!
Jandys right…. our History doesnt bear comparison with theirs…never a truer word said there Jandy..thank the lord for that..
{was that the same jandy sardine that refused to take a pay cut to help his heroes whilst others did?..surely not]
That was one of the truly great Celtic nights.
But what I love most about this is the fact that we know there will always be nights like that for as long as Celtic exist. This victory might have been against the odds but it was by no means “beyond our wildest dreams” or “a result that nobody could have foreseen”.
On the contrary, it is just the latest in a long line of examples of Celtic rising up to meet the toughest challenges.
When the Celtic spirit is properly channelled, nothing is beyond us.
If Hearts go under what does that mean?
Are ICT straight into the final or would Dundee United come back into the competition and be their semi-final opponent?
i will also donate in a small way to the GB, like i did with p mac
The Green Brigade feted all over the world for their brilliant display, but vilified by the Masonic Scottish Media and persecuted by Strathclyde’s finest.
On holiday in goa .. Walking about today with my celtic top on … Never felt so proud to wear them. Everyone saying well done celtic
Grant@GrantColl
Rangers and Hearts will play for The Tax Irregularity Trophy showcase next season….or The T.I.T.S cup as it sill be known
voguepunter
still trying to catch -up and saw your post .Everyone gets a red card now and again
you’ve taken your punishment and paid the price, its all over haste ye back to the fold
where you at game?
wonderful wonderful ,daughter was with me and we are both hoarse today
I’m out and about to-day(earning the brownie points to get back over on Sunday) so catching up is taking forever .
Post soon buddy
HAIL HAIL
Kojo
Tony – a kid prodigy! There’s no need to bring religion into it.
TBB@ 10.52
What a moment watching your dad celebrate Tony’s goal with your son,brilliant.
Afternoon bhoys from a damp but thankfully hun free mountain.
So it wasn’t a dream.
Went out for lunch, it was paid for by the owner, a massive Real fan, all were very complimentry about our young team.
They couldn’t believe how good big Fraser was.
I noticed all the usual doom and gloom merchants are nowhere to be seen……
BTW
Any links to the goals, or the game, I forgot to record the game
noticed the polis were on their best behaviour last night, were they being monitored