I have to admit I thought some of the quotes to emerge on social media from the world’s greatest players about Celtic Park were perhaps apocryphal. That concern was laid to rest on Barcelona’s website today as the team boarded a flight from the rainy Catalan capital, Leonel Messi on-board, alas.
Their article, titled, “FC Barcelona players ‘just can’t get enough’ of Celtic Park”, reads like a fantasy piece typed on a green and white keyboard.
“Xavi Hernández once said: “I don’t think I have seen anything like the Celtic fans in all the stadiums I have played at. When you step out at Celtic Park, the atmosphere they create for their team is incredible. It doesn’t matter how many big games you have played in, walking out into that atmosphere is always intense.””
Messi added, “I’ve been fortunate to play in some great stadiums in Europe with Barcelona but none compare to Celtic” he said after the game in 2013. The Argentinian has also been quoted as admitting that “I have a Celtic jersey at home. The games against Celtic were special and I want to remember them.”
Playmaker Iniesta said, “They were amazing, not quiet for a single second! The Celtic fans are very special and the club and players can be very proud of them. They are the best I have ever heard.” While Pique wrote, “no words to describe the atmosphere at Celtic Park”.
The article concludes, “Whatever the outcome on Wednesday night, one thing is for sure. There’s going to be a show, and the Glasgow Celtic (and Barça) will be there.”
This kind of respect has been earned the hard way. The game which kicked it all off, Celtic’s 1-0 win in 2004, wasn’t a pleasant affair. Three men were red carded and Barcelona were bitter about the pitch, their treatment and the luck which fell their way, but when the sublime Ronaldinho was substituted with two minutes remaining the home support gave him a memorable reception.
We lost 1-3 to them the following year in a game which still rankles. After levelling we had them on the rack for a period, but two late moments of slackness allowed Barcelona to take the points.
When Barca returned in the Champions League knock-out rounds in 2008 we absolutely battered them for 45 minutes. Barry Robson had been a Dundee United player a few weeks earlier but scored peach of a header to give Celtic a 2-1 halftime lead. We’d peaked too soon and were caught out by our gung-ho approach.
The 2-1 win on our 125th birthday will live long in the memory. It was probably the most intense occasion Celtic Park had ever experienced. Arguably the greatest team to play the game applied suffocating pressure as they tried to overcome an 18th minute concession. I doubt any team has ever faced such a formidable foe who passed and prodded with such intensity.
Regrets also linger from our 0-1 defeat with 10 men three years ago when a rash moment from Scott Brown was exploited by the writhing Neymar. Charlie Mulgrew’s header from a corner kick came close to handing the 10 men a remarkable point.
We’re not in Barcelona’s league in any literal or metaphorical sense, but tomorrow’s another occasion to earn points the hard way.
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“Nuking Russia might not be a bad idea as far as the bleedin’ world is concerned. They’ve plunged a lot of people into miserable lives. You’ve only got to be in East Germany to see it. It’s a horrible way to live. It’s like Doncaster.”
Mark E Smith ;))
Mark E Smith ?
Is that the guy we sold to Pars and he scored (2 0 SCup) against Zombies
in Souness Era (keeping it clean)
or was that Marky Smith
: > )
VFR …. aah… the old Butch & Sundance approach to a knife fight …. love it!
so, Big Jim … you up for it? No rules…. except it might have to wait til I get over there for my next visit … not sure when that will be… and depending on the day, I may be in more of a Claire Grogan phase, in which case, we wont need to fight, and we just go for dinner and a pint instead. But, if that is the case, and since you are ending up with the lovely Sharlene, I would think it would only be civilized for you to pick up the tab for dinner. Fair enough?
Beatbhoy … sorry, hadn’t read back this morning. Who needs Awe Naw, when we have JPT?! And, I agree on Fawlty Towers … up there with the funniest shows ever!
VFR800 IS NOW A MONSTER 821 on 22ND NOVEMBER 2016 3:56 PM
MIT, I’ve never seen Big Jimmy so I’ve no idea. But the bigger they are, the harder they fall. A swift boot in the gonads is just as debilitating at 6′ 3″ as it is at 5′ 7″ I reckon!
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I’ve never seen Big Jimmy either. ( Hopefully share a swally at some point ) however anybody over 5′ 5″ in Glasgow can be known as Big Jimmy.
However as Glasgow is the biggest seller of X large condoms , there is the possibility that his moniker has absolutely nothing to do with height.
Hail, Hail.
Two of us travelling over from Ireland for the Cup Final on Sunday Bhoys – if anyone could help us out with one spare ticket for the game in Hampden I’d be extremely grateful.
Thanks,
HH.
Suppose if ye can convince yersel yer goin’ for 55, ye can convince yersel that ye’ve got a big dick!
LYNCHIEBHOY on 22ND NOVEMBER 2016 4:22 PM
I’ve just emailed you my number.
BEATBOY I’d be happy with Paddy instead of Jamsie in the midfield 5 so no issue there. I reckon big Jozo is more mobile than Kolo so he’d be my preference. It will, I think, depend how those in the midfield cope whether or not we get a result!
MIT, nae Queensbury rules where I grew up!
KTF
HAMILTONTIM on 22ND NOVEMBER 2016 4:25 PM
LYNCHIEBHOY on 22ND NOVEMBER 2016 4:22 PM
I’ve just emailed you my number.
Lynchiebhoy….you are now in awfy braw hands….
Enjoy the trip
Smiley thing
Braw.
We will need to pass the ball better out of defense tomorrow – it was not great against Killie. Got frustrated with all the pointless one twos between the defense and Gordon – we liost possession anyway after he punted it aimlessly up the park. And Robets over James for me.
CSKA Moscow v Bayer 04 Leverkusen on BTsport 2 about to start.
Spy on prospective last 16 opponents?
In the Cafe Andaluz, opposite the Counting House tomorrow afternoon for a wee scoff. Have never lost a CL game after eating there – sorted. Hail Hail Hebcelt
Sevco,s secret AGM….winner
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-sussex-38068828
Look well in their lobby cupboard….
Roll up roll up…
Braw.
Going, going gone!
Keep the beat ,,,and bad company ..
Smiley thing
Braw
https://twitter.com/tracingagent/status/801077828275957760
Please be true….please be wee Dawwell…
Haha cheers NEUSTADT-BRAW.
We’re looking forward to the trip over to Glasgow to hopefully see the Hoops lift our first trophy of the season.
HH
Lynchiebhoy….
We will Hang them up ,too dry?
Smiley thing ….
Glad your dedication paid off…
Braw.
!!BADA BING!! on 22ND NOVEMBER 2016 5:02 PM
https://twitter.com/tracingagent/status/801077828275957760
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It seems to be located right in the middle of Cathkin Park.
Was that not where a now deceased team once played?
How apt .
Und Leverkusen schiesst das Eins zu Null!
Now 10 years and 3 weeks since Akinfeev, the CSKA keeper, kept a clean sheet in the Champions league.
November 1, 2006 v Arsenal.
Official News
On 21 November, 2016, rangers agents put out to tender, installation of ” debris netting to sandy jardine, broomloan road and Copland road stands” work to be carried out January/ February 2017, except for 21 January to allow for possible home Scottish cup tie.
Please, tell me we have written to Ibrokes to confirm the safety of our support???
Sure all is structurally sound lol lol
HH
VFR,
Cheers mate for the Sharleen video. How did you know that’s my favourite Texas song ?
Great stuff from The Clump and Phil.
HH
Mike in Toronto,
I accept that there may be some honest and reliable lawyers out there mate, but in my experience in the last nearly seven years, I haven’t met too many !
This us how bad the ones are that I’ve largely met, ….even when showing them written stated evidence of criminal wrongdoing by a former solicitor of mine ( theft, lies and fraudulent conduct), these lawyers largely sympathise , but when it comes down to me asking them to act on my behalf against crooked lawyers , they don’t want to go against their own.
Likewise, when I showed evidence of a corrupt Law Society of Scotland, these lawyers again are too scared to go up against their peers !
Sadly for me my friend, that has been my story since 2009.
HH
99% of Lawyers get the rest a bad name.
Awe Naw said this morning that the IP addy was Westminster Hall in London.
For all yer man is obsessed, I’m sure he will have the savvy to mask his IP address, it’s very easy even for a half wit hun.
Italian referee tomorrow a Mr Orsato, never heard of him, I hope he is on the look out for the play acting which Barcelona use as soon as you get close to them.
What he could have done is use a roving IP addy, it will come up as somewhere else in a few hours.
Mike in Toronto & The Greenpinta and others ?
MIT, yes and no is my answer . Yes I am up for some things but having ” dinner” with another guy is not for me , besides ” dinner” is for wimps !
Now, a right good bevvy ? Now your talking, but I should warn you that when it comes to a beer Frenzy, I can out drink most men. Done it, been there.
I won’t pretend that I’m 6ft 10 inches etc, but here’s a wee clue to perhaps not my height and weight etc ( I am well over my fighting weight these days,), but I did ” mind” one of two celebs over the years in my younger days, including someone who was World famous.
In any case, I’m a lover, not a scrapper, ( unless provoked ), and should anyone be in any doubt about that then feel free to ask half the female population of Glesga ? LOL.
GERRY, yes Sharleen is a stunner IMO. So again was wee Claire Grogan, Kylie, Liz Hurley , Debbie Harry, Shania Twain, etc, etc.
I better stop there, as I’m trying to concentrate on the CSKA Moscow v Leverkusen game right now , and thinking of these women is making me drool !
HH Bhoys
Commentators keep goin’ on about clean sheets, tae, BJ.
Is Kerrydale St offline, or is it my computer ?
HEBCELT-stay lucky
CSKA penalty
Cheers in Totting-ham!
1-1.
Big Jimmy
Sorry to hear about your situation, mate. Hope it works out inthe end for you.
HH
If Leverkusen win, Spurs have to win in Monaco.
Not looking likely, so easier task for them now.
In fact, if anyone’s going to win this, it’s CSKA. . ,all over them now.
He says, as Leverkusen break and hit the post!
Brendan Rodgers asked if Loch Ness Monster existing or Messi being human is more believable. “That’s the worst question I’ve been asked.”
VFR800 is now a Monster 821 on 22nd November 2016 3:26 pm
So Barca tomorrow night. How do we line up?
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With a deep breath, rosary beads and hope in our hearts.
Celtic v Barcelona a month before Christmas in the Champions League.
Nothing better as a football fan and nothing better to Get It Right Fng Up You Huns.
A christmas football carol – our feast at the big glittering table as those Penny Dreadful urchins stand outside in the deep freeze pressing their scabby orange mugs up against the windaes, ocassionally licking them…
Replace “Loch Ness Monster” with “Rangers” and you’ve got yourself a question!
FT 1-1 in Moskva.