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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TET
Definitely Maybe? :-)
JohnnyC
Or Gohome ;-)
HH
DD
Possibly probably >}
HH
Welcome to Paradise Nir Biton.
Trust you will enjoy your stay.
Just worked out on the back of fag packet the business model the rags use to sell their papers to Celtic and Sevco fans.
Good news Sevco bad news Celtic, sales up.
Good news Celtic bad news Sevco, sales down.
Lately their age old old firm model has not been working so they had to readjust and tell fibs.
Invent bad news Celtic invent good news Sevco
Hence the supposedly shocked picture of Lenny at the CL draw and the perpetual Kenny Miller comeback story.
Must admit though the business model is looking like it’s bust there is just too much good news for Celtic….!
Now that must be hard for the bluenosed poison pen hacks
Lovely
Hail Hail
oh aye…and welcome tae the celtic spock. https://twitter.com/celticfc/status/373453679254192128/photo/1
Tommy Burns
I don’t see how we can say that a signing from Shalke is a project! He is an established Finnish internationalist and if he tunrs out to be half as good as Jari Litnamen he’ll do just dandy!
Steinreignedsupreme 15:10 on 30 August, 2013
Another victory for our manager…..
………………………………..
What was Lenny up to? Trying to load my Zadoc ringtone onto an I-phone?
187 sent out so far since last night. If anyone else wants it mail me at acgr@hotmail.co.uk
It really does get right on the thruppeny bits of der hun follow followers.
HH
Sent an email to JP Taylor an hour ago re Mr Infantino and his kindness towards Cesar yesterday, basically suggesting the Club may consider contacting him to convey our thanks, JP replied very promptly and it would appear this is being done, also suggested inviting Mr Infantino over for one of our CL games, to let us all show our gratitude.
He could after all have TBJs ticket for the Milan Game when he’s in Goa.
Email of thanks also sent to UEFA
Bourne
Chris Shevlane?
BSR- Maurice Johnston :-p
No 2, Chris Shevlane.
Jinky
TET
Lol
Was Sally talking about us with a pie stuck in his throat there? Or was he choking on his words? :-)
Lenny
just closed my Paddy power account
Bobby Evans
Given that we have lost Hooper, Miku, Lassad and Paddy and signed Balde, Boeritger and Pukki we still have one place left to be filled for the forward positions……still room for King Alfred. Go on, Neil and Pete, he’s only ickle…you know you want to!
David Moyes
Twitter.
@TheTributeAct @BBCchrismclaug @ScottishFA you think SFA are a laughing stock now, wait till convicted tax fraudster D King rolls up
BSR
Tommy Johnson
Jim Melrose
Tommy Johnstone
David Moyes
Tommy Burns
Apparently Alfie is out injured for a couple of weeks.
Jinky
Davie Moyes. John Hartson
Neil Lennon
Mike Galloway
CHE,TBJ-Hi John Paul
Firstly,good luck and welcome back to the Club.I’m sure you are aware of the furore caused by Paddy Power and the Daily Telegraph re their insensitive and ignorant comments to Billy McNeill.I post on CQN , and said the humanity and understanding of Mr Gianni Infantino from UEFA,towards Billy’s problematic draw.A few posters emailing him to thank him.Possibly the Club could publicly thank him or send flowers to his office as a wee thank you?
Goldstar 15.39
Youre a bad man
Mo Bangura
BSR
Davie Hay, Davie Cattenach.
Bsr
Jim Kennedy
Stephen Crainey
Stephen Pearson
Kenny Millers face
Adam Matthews beard
Best wishes to Bernard Gallacher and his family.
hes critical in Hospital in Aberdeen.
play
Charlie Grant