Champions League sections are never easy so we are as well having one which is unequivocally difficult on paper. Despite finishing second from pot 4 in their group last season (a remarkable achievement), Celtic spent the vast majority of their time in the tournament under pressure. They had possession less than their opponents in all six group games, so although we were successful in the group stage, there should be no doubt as the the size of the challenge.
Conversely, we looked Juventus in the eye, which, in retrospect, could be regarded as over ambitious.
When Martin O’Neill’s Celtic drew Barcelona and Milan in the group section of the Champions League the manager was clearly exasperated at the apparently preposterous task. It was Martin’s last throw in the competition and he was anxious to break into the knockout stage for the first time.
The mood music seems different this time. Neil Lennon has been to the knockout stage already so the pressure to breakthrough is not there. Celtic can take one game at a time without the burden of having to prove themselves in this competition. They are now a part of this league, they might not win it, but they can compete with anyone.
We will be second favourites for each game, which is surely the way we would all prefer it to be. Despite what happened last year, even Barca will expect to comfortably overcome Celtic. Surely we can’t be as organised again?
Don’t bet against it.
STV painted an interest picture of the SFA this morning. The Association declined advice from Uefa to come into line with most of Europe (including England, crucially for many Scottish clubs) and extend the transfer window until the first business day of the week.
Doing so, however, would make a mockery of their suspension of Rangers International’s transfer embargo, which expires on 31 August. To accept Uefa’s advice would draw attention to their oversight in not noticing that August ends on a weekend.
We all know this to be the case, but the Association would rather ignore their mistake than help out member clubs and draw attention to it.
Even Jim Farry checked the calendar.
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Anybody remember sleeping with their Celtic ball?
I can still smell the plastic.
kelvinbhoy
Thanks for that email sent to him.
WWW
No problem, always thought he was a great wee prospect. A Bankie I think? Are you, with that moniker?
Barcelona,A.C.Milan,Ajax,Celtic
Group of Champions eh,
The pedigree,class, tradition and and culture impacted on European football by this group of clubs is immeasurable.
Look at the calibre of players brought to the pitch by these clubs and the impact they have had on football.
That Ajax side of the early 70s,Cruyff,Neeskens,Rensenbrink,Haan,Rep et al,great side,
The A.C side,Baresi,Maldini and the Dutch trio.
Barcelona Messi,Iniesta and Xavi.
Our Celtic,Jinky, Lennox and Henke and our way of pure inventive football.
I look at this group and I see football that has been raised in standards at pivotal points in football history by all of this groups participants.(try thinking of this trophy without
and the best thing bout saying that is that my team are in there,taking their rightful place
our Celtic.
Always.
Kojo
Neil and I do. We are the same height :-)
KelvinBhoy, that email address doesn’t work.
thanks bada bing and bonbhoy (was tempted to type bada bong and binbhoy but that would have been sad)
HH : )
BSR
“Anybody remember sleeping with their Celtic ball?”
Still do sometimes if MrsC is away.
wild guess, but is Neil Lennon maybe a redhead ?
Ginger XI – Neil Lennon
LB
Ginger XI – John Hartson
LB
No chance that’s dyed just to annoy the huns
Saint stivs
No hair just a red head.
Willo Flood
Ma Take oan the New Israeli ,Fellah…
Ah Hiv already..
Dubbed him..
STRIDER..
Fur. .he has a Very definite.. well..
DECEPTIVELY.. Long Stride.
Time after time.. when the Defender is Sure that Nir has put the Football. in front of Himself.. just that little bit Too Far..and, confidently sticks oot a foot tae sweep the Ball
aff the Big Israeli’s Toe.
Why.. Nir, jist INCREASES his Stride.. and Nice as Ninepence Ha’penny..
snatches the Football away from the Defender’s foot.. and Runs oan by him…
Still In full Possession of the Football.
Ah tell ye… This Young Israeli..
Wull Mak us Furget.. aboot..
Victor, Kayal, Ledley.. Broonie…Uncle Tom Cobley…and…Even…where the Hell
did Ah pit they Damn Caur Keys!
Ah Predict he wull Be a Great Addition tae oor..
Ailing .. Mid Field.
Kojo.
Still,Laughin’
Ginger XI
Tony Shepherd
Tony Shepherd’s da.
Or Ma.
Ginger 11
David moyes
Stewart Kerr
setting free the bears :
You’ve said what you said previously, but the bottom line is mate you are arguing hypothesis against hypothesis. Who has the most imagination and time on their hands?
But whatever happened to street reality? Are life experiences and facts just statistics belittled and ‘begoned’ when measured against theoretical fallacies?
Hypothesis does not hurt, it has no toll, it has no meaning, but actual failure hurts like hell especially if it bursts hopes bubble.
Assume someone has already suggested tommy burns?
Ginger 11
Peter Mackie
Ginger eleven
John Fallon
Mike Galloway Bobby Evans Davie Moyes Stephen Crainey
Jimmy Johnstone Neil Lennon Stephen Pearson Tommy Burns
John Hartson Jorge Cadete
Subs Chris Shevlane, Marc Anthony, Tommy Coyne, Tommy Johnson and Pele wearing a wig!
Jim melrose….
Canalamar
You assume too much.
I have no idea what was behind the CST motion on a living wage but I’ll ask them at the next meeting.
I’m heading there to give them the background to the 2011 licence issue. I might even get them behind your resolution and promote it.
As regards my work te experience you got another assumption wrong. But I forgive you.
Suffice to say both sides saw me as a bit of a scrapper for my team.
So if we don’t get he players we want it’s not anyone at Celtic parks fault ,it’s the SFA.
TT
Barry Robson
Delianey’s Dunky
at 16.27,
Pal… That wiz a Good Yin.
Dae Ye mind if Ah use it?( Try and Stoap him. HE wull!… ed)
Nice chatting ,Palomine.
Kojo, Still Laughin
Brogan rogan
Ginger 11…manager . Gordon strachan and assistant murdo mcleod
Just reviewed the Europa League draw, a few big names in there, but really uninspiring to day the least… A lot of who & where’s in there these days…
The team dodged a major bullet on Wednesday night… Thank The Lord (wee Jamesie) of the wing… And as Kojo stated, Stokes, who has hopefully turned a corner… Although might not be enough to guarantee him a starting berth come Transfer Window… Slamming shut (never gently closes!).
Btw, I just remembered having a Celtic ball… Remember cleaning it… Wasn’t as fancy as the ones available in the stores these days.
Mate in Israel rates Biton big time… Reckoned was destined for big time, and good Celtic following starting up over there…
Tom McAdam
Big Morton
Ginger 11
Steven MouyoKOLA
Pop11 tae a’ you English Tims!
Sftb I read your response with interest. Was surprised by the venom in there but hey ho.
I think Celtic have screwed up their transfer business this window albeit we got away with it. Your assertion on shalke not letting go of him because “some clubs have that choice” defeats your argument. So why have shalke got a choice but we don’t?
Ginger11
Townheadbhoy with a colour rinse as kitbhoy I’m worth it.
Ginger 11
Barry ferguson and Kris boyd.. well they needed something to wash doon the monster munch.. it’s ok, i already got my coat..
Ole Christina Hendricks as the physio…
jackie mac 16.03
Agree. Definitely.
BSR
Jeezoh! I read that as Celtic pal. My pals didnae smell of plastic. ;-)
Ki and Nguemo ….part time gingers
HH