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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Lustig 66/1 1st goal
20/1 to score anytime ,easy money….:))
Good Morning Bhoys from a frosty but bright and sunny Central Scotland. I am not impressed with all this fawnning over Barcelona they are just another Football club carrying huge debt and paying huge transfer fees to buy success.They will only have eleven players on the park tonight the same number as we have and if we play to our very best we can get something from the game.Also all this the Celtic fans are the best from them we have knownthat since we started supporting the hoops we dont need them to tell us.So go out there tonight and get stuck in and let them know they have been in a game.H.H.
A sunny 19 degrees at 11 am -way down south .
Breakfast Club -.
Large pomegranate juice .
A cornetto
3 slices of the Inter mad codger’s salami cinghiale piccante ./ smeared with Mostarda di Frutta Cremona
2 cups of Lavazza Tierra espresso -made in a fine wee Lavazza Modo Mio .
Soundtracked by a mighty fine LP from 67-
Joe Harriot / John Mayer Double Quintet – Indo _Jazz Fusions 1 and 2 – ( Lansdowne ).
Much work to do – game to watch tonight .
l
Questions for John Paul Taylor on “The stadium, fan experience and safety at other stadiums”.
Today is the deadline for questions to be submitted to JPT; please try and get them in by lunchtime as those involved might have something else to do later this evening!
KTF
Havent posted for a while but witnessed an interesting item last night, Down in London for work, decided to take a walk around the Winter Wonderland Xmas market at Hyde Park. Went into the Bavarian bar for a beer and notice a bunch of real noise pissed up guys and girls. In the middle of them was our very own Scott Allan, tuesday night, out on the piss in London and on loan to Rotherham? strange one ………………
Having watched and possibly been traumatised by two Nou Camp games where we lost 6 and 7 goals respectively, I always fear the possibility of a repeat when we play Barca.
They are always capable of giving us a humping whilst we at best can get a narrow win especially at CP.
So I’m looking for a competitive performance like we did v Man City and Borrusia and if we do win by the odd goal it might even feel a humping.
So excited for tonights game.
The lads have a lot to play for. A win in either of the last two games and Europa League football is within reach. We really need to do all we can.
If we reach the Europa League we could end up playing Benfica or Sporting Lisbon. In 2017. 50th anniversary.
It’s written in the stars lads.
SMALL HILL TIM
How about the local nurseries?
Even though they might not want them,I’m sure there will be one or two parents-or more likely,grandparents!-who would bite the hand off you!
!!BADA BING!! on 23rd November 2016 6:18 am
Celtic CL Group Stage home record
____________________________________________
3 of the 4 defeats have been from Barcelona – 3-1 in 2005; 3-2 in 2008; and 1-0 in 2013. We won 2-1 in 2012 and we also beat then 1-0 in the UEFA Cup in 2004.
So the recent record at Celtic Park is 2 wins and 3 defeats. Aggregate score of Celtic 6 Barcelona 8.
Time to even the score tonight I think!
3-1 Celtic!
KTF
BIG JIMMY. 754
So he’s always been an all mouth no trousers useless weeman braggart?
No wonder he’s done so well at the record.
Don’t worry about An Tearmann,he’s all mouth weeman anaw,he’d fit in yer back pocket.
If they were designed by Blacks of Greenock!!!
AN TEARMANN
Just jesting,old bean. Honest!
I gather yer for the BV about 4pm? I think my Dad is hoping to get there too,albeit he has one of my sisters as chaperone for the night.
Be sure and say hi(!)
URGENT!!
BMCUW, STARRY or anyone else…………
Stuck in Liebefeld, just outside of Bern for a day or so. Any ideas on where i might be able to see the game tonight??
Replies to desertbhoy1888@gmail.com as too busy to check here on regular basis (readback).
As Rod The Mod sings, Tonight’s the Night, come on The Famous Glasgow Celtic.
Desertbhoy
Try this place in Bern centre, it’ll probably be a dump, the one is Basel is a total cowp but they do show the football, mostly English but they will stick it on for you if you ask maybe on a wee screen or so.
Mr Pickwick Bern
Wallgasse
3011 Bern
Tel: 031 311 28 62
http://www.pickwick.ch
My friends in Celtic,
As long as we truly give it our best shot. ( Team and supporters ) I will be happy.
No regrets.
HH.
Ps: Big Jimmy: ; If we win, I will read every bit of information I can find , no matter the source. And I will watch the recording. If we get beaten I will read and watch none. Never ever watched The whole Seville game.
GREENPINATA
I finally watched it again about two years ago. I was still convinced we were gonna win.
I’d grudgingly grown to admire Mourinho for his achievements since. Watching that game again soon knocked that notion on the head again.
Entertaining game in Monaco last night. Hugo Lloris was outstanding for Spurs, several superb saves including this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjCqH2v0zyc
Stones’ partner in the England defence, Dier, lived up to his name.
STARRY PLOUGH on 23RD NOVEMBER 2016 10:38 AM
Thanks Starry caught that and will give it a try.
Should fit in nicely if it’s a cowp as i’m just out of the oilfield and attire is not exactly toblerone standard!
VRF200
Sor,Ryan don’t have the email address
Can you ask JPT, when Celtic are going to fix the sound system/tannoys/speakers in the North stand
Shockingbyou cannot hear anything being announced where I sit in 107
I sent a not to JPT over 16 months ago on this, response was it wouldn’t be repaired by Oct 15 as they were awaiting parts – I take it the were lost in transit
Very poor quality of reception or sound from current set up where I sit
Thanks
Counting down the hours till I get to the Celtic way – brilliant sky all around Glasgow today, looking out form the Braehead office windows, snow on the hills and a low sun.
What is it BRTH says – magical things happen at Celtic Park –
passing the time –
THE ASTERIX YEARS (only 12,000 views, I cant believe this).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y2qtsPng5U&t=84s
Big jimmy
It just dont enter ma Celtic thinking.
A lie.obfuscating.confused from start.
Infotainment.a comic.
Staffed by typists waiting to be telt
same as it was under Sir David the cheat.it tells me nothing bout our club
Dont read click or heed or believe any of their shining bright.it hun agenda
Kack.
:-)
Bmcuw
Would be good to see him :-)
Better get kip noo for few hours lol
‘With hope in our hearts”
HH
You know when you make a good decision for the right reasons, then circumstance takes over and you feel a fool?
Today is that day. I work away most weeks, so decided against getting the tickets for the CL games. Felt justified in the decision as I was away for the first two games and couldn’t have gone.
Today, not only am I home therefore could have made the game, I have a day off to lament that decision!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ah well, give the Bhoys a cheer for me.
BMCUW,
Mourinho for all his faults , gets Celtic.
Deco, Neymar. Fabrages, Etc, etc . No difference.
Thought I was fed up of the sight of Barcelona, but am soooooooo excited once more. Did you clock the interest when they were checking into their hotel. No ethics from me today, just football at the head of the top table.
Hail, hail my friend. COYBIG.
new article posted.
I notice Brendan Rodgers said that Griffiths was involved in the warm-up yesterday and he will be involved and monitored today.
Methinks that if a German Team are losing at home and we are still in the game late on then we may see the Griff risked if needed. A win will see Man City qualify tonight along with Barca with a game to go. Need to keep believing!
KTF
St Stivs
I never tire of reading bout that hover pitch.
Ta
HH
Not overly worried about tonight’s game.
Win, lose or draw, it’s all part of Brendan and the team’s learning (upward) curve.
I do hope that we at least make it very difficult for Barca and that we score 4 or five goals.
No injuries either would be a big plus.
AN TEARMANN on 23RD NOVEMBER 2016 11:04 AM
St Stivs
I never tire of reading bout that hover pitch.
Ta
HH
————
me too,
i was trying to book it for works five a sides, but then i worried how would you get the ball back if it rolled off a hover pitch.
I was watching the Jordan Larsson pitch attack again, then reading Henrik’s comments on having to watch his back, and if he had saw what had hapened he would be in there.
then i thought , what is he had to get back ups –
Big Johann, Lenny, Thommo, Sutty, Hartson …………. and ….. maybe broony is he wants some youth
but then this comes out –
——————
Larsson has ME to back him up – Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic slams hooligans who attacked Celtic legend’s son
Jordan Larsson was attacked by Helsingborgs supporters following their relegation from Sweden’s top flight.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has Henrik Larsson’s back after Helsingborg hooligans attacked him and his son Jordan
Manchester United superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic has come out in support of Celtic legend Henrik Larsson after the Hoops legend’s son Jordan was attacked by Helsingborgs hooligans.
Yobs rushed on to the field and attacked players from their own team following the five-time league winners’ relegation from Sweden’s top flight for the first time in 23 years.
Unbelievably, the former Celtic star faces a charge from the Swedish FA after hitting back at the bullies.
Ibrahimovic was left angry over the unsavoury incident – and has told the thugs he has his former international team-mate’s back.
“Henrik has me behind him, so he doesn’t have to worry.
“I have spoken to him and my first question was where was the security?
“It should never have been allowed to happen at this level. Where the people who were supposed to prevent this?
“Football brings people together. Whoever you are, you are welcome.
“But the people who were on the field should never have been there. If they want to fight, go into a ring and fight one on one there, no problem.”
The 35-year-old has sympathy for his former international team-mate – and has backed him to recover following the shock relegation.
“Henrik has had a hard job this season and he’s been relegated.
“There’s no joy in it – he wants to win just like any other manager. I feel for him.
“But he has plenty of confidence and he never gives up. He will keep going until he succeeds.”
lisbon lions final game celtic fc
i got the shivers watching this – thanks wullie callow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBFl06cDADc
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/23/tony-watt-demise-celtic-teen-barcelona-2012