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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If watt is going out on loan (which I think is an excellent move by us ) then there HAS TO BE two strikers on their way in ….
Should be an interesting weekend full of surprises ?
Can anyone recall a player coming back to us afer a loan spell somewhere else and being a success? Sending Tony Watt out on loan is a blunder. We should be developing him at Celtic Park the same as any other work in progress type player like we have done in the past, if he goes I dont think we will ever see him back.
EN
You ever tried a square sausage and beetroot combo ….. just been advised its good but I dinny like the ikea
Moonbhoys
Liam miller
tbj praying for oscar knox
09:23 on 31 August, 2013
EN
You ever tried a square sausage and beetroot combo ….. just been advised its good but I dinny like the ikea
I have a boss who enjoys fried egg and beetroot rolls, in fact he has beetroot with everything!
TBJ Praying for Oscar Knox
09:23 on
31 August, 2013
EN
You ever tried a square sausage and beetroot combo ….. just been advised its good but I dinny like the ikea
Swedish skwerrrr?! There’s nothing worse IMHO.
I’m well bud things calmed down with medication.
So 6 days to enjoy before i go into wishaw Gen to get violated AGAIN:)))))))))))).
Family do on tonight but as usual Im heid babysitter to let them get on with it.
seeeeeeeee you in 4 wks TICK TOCK
suitsmecsc
I see JPTaylor was at gl2 night at Greenock supporters night.
Hope its a sign of things to come.
Charlie Mulgrew came back from Aberdeen better… However, more often than not a loan does not result in a positive return
moon bhoys-we are needing a big squad now we are in CL,I agree we need to keep Watt.If he goes on loan he will be finished at CP IMO.
Tony Watt either pulls his finger out and realises he has thr biggest opportunity in his life or he ends up a broken man with thoughts of what could have been…
The ball is firmly in his court and he has to grow up and be a professional football player..
Imo of course..
can i have raspberry on that champions league ice cream
09:25 on 31 August, 2013
Does he gie ye a riddie …?…I’ll get ma coat….
HH
Amsterdam booked, thanks to some wonderful friends I have.. For me , it’s about the football.. Barca seat us too far away..
Looking forward to the match today.. Wearing my 125 socks as I go about my business this morning..
I m intrigued that so many in the SMSM no longer mention the word liquidation.. We must always bring sevcovians back to that, they DO NOT exist..
Standing up for Cesar..
HH
The Moon Bhoys
Sometimes you dont miss the water till the well runs dry.
Might just be the inspiration the Bhoy needs IFFFFFFF attitude & gratitude are a Problem and I emphasize IF.
We will need Watt for the domestic player thingy…
Home trained types.
Someone less hungover can explain
LEFTCLICKTIC
You’ll have more fun than they will,I bet!
The kids will have you wrapped round their little finger,you’ll be like a Cheshire Cat in the morning.
Enjoy it,mate. I always loved watching my nephew when he was a nipper-even when he dobbed me in for letting him watch South Park when he was only 5yo!
TBJ Praying for Oscar Knox 09:23
That sounds dodgy, no vegetable should ever interfere with a roll n sausage, its no right.
EN
The Daily Record had lassies in reception who would have easily thrown nutters head first through the windows.
When it rains in Spain . . . we had over 200 litres per square metre in 48 hours here in Denia over Wed/Thurs. Biblical. Suns back out this morning with a forecast of 28 by midday. Off to clean the pool as half the garden soil looks like it is in it. Enjoy the weekend Bhoys, another signing today, a comfortable win and the discovery that Charlotte was a hun after all. Should be a good one.
Moonbhoy
If watt is training/performing at a high level then he would be playing ( bearing in mind our striker shortage)
The fact that he isn’t tells a story …
The boy needs to realise that a goal against barca doesn’t mean you’ve made it….
He needs to improve, develop and show a real hunger every game, every training session every day!
Lenny played alongside the best …
Larsson Sutton Hartson
He knows the standards to succeed at this club because he has played alongside some diddys too….
ALLIADIERE
There was no doubt about HIS talent
ATTITUDE is equally as important as talent
Personally … I think watt will end up a Gerry creany … Except with less a goal scoring record .
I hope not … But just a hunch
DENIABHOY
Blinkin’ flip!
That’s about seven inches of rain in two days,I reckon!
Do they sell Wellies over there?
Or dinghies?
So the SFA window closes today. Could be a busy one, hope someone is watching out for the medicals.
pauloantony
spot on mate, Ability is nothing without the right attitude. As you say if there ever was a time we needed a striker it has been this season and still the project is getting a game ahead of him. I had heard before Barca his attitude wasn’t the best, sick in taxis and other stuff and my wee cuz went to school with him and said he had an ego then.
As you say its up to him.
KLV
Got a text this morning from a family member who supports the huns, telling me we are £35m in debt and about to roll over and die.
I text him back and said – Actually it’s £45m, but don’t tell anyone.
No reply so far.
I do love him but he can be a complete d*ddy at times.
Have we signed pukki yet ?
If Nir Biton comes in does that push dylan mcgeogh and tom rogic further out of the first team picture ?
Can amido balde get a run of games in the first team in the spl with dirk boerritger supplying the crosses
And do we know our best defensive CH partnership
unew mike
yes it’s any two from……………………
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS forza Oscar and Mackenzie – nah, water proof flip flops.
If Watt goes he needs to be getting a regular start and should only go for 3-6 months.
the queue at the ticket office just now is as far a London road
Morning all.
That’s the 3 game CL package booked. £4.50 booking fee. Bit of a joke but the overall cost is decent when you consider the magnitude of the games. Canna wait!
HH
Thehoopedduke
Agree re Watt. Could put in a great shift domesticall.
Apologies for not replying yesterday re Seamus Heaney. Pesky work got in the way.
He will remain an inspiration.
HH Logical
BOBBY MURDOCH – By the way, how did you do the calculation? 7 inches sounds a lot less impressive :)
philbhoy thats the worry but you knew that anyway
Mouyokolo and van dijk need a prolonged run of games in the spfl to establish a good understanding and consolidate their partnership
Domesticall = domestically
Still too early.
Too much chopping and.changing in.defence explains fraser forsters drop in form and.confidence
unew mike
I do like the look of those those two and they will be my preferred partnership.
I know Efe was a standout on Wednesday, but…………
Mibbe midfield for him.