Efe Ambrose looked a tad nervous at the start of last night’s game. He wasn’t the only one. Adam Matthews was pressed into an early return from injury, a forced change, but Celtic’s decision to deploy a more adventurous line-up than in previous encounters with Barcelona was by choice.
The result was 36% possession, heady heights compared to last season’s win and narrow defeat, but oh what a price. When Barca went 4-0 up early in the second half I suggested “This could be our record defeat”. My Dad said “Artmedia was only one more than this”. I meant THE record defeat, not the record European defeat. We were a few bounces of the ball away.
Results like this are always possible at this level if the game plan is wrong. In the minutes before kick off on Champions League nights, when the stomach knots with tension, I tell myself there is no shame in defeat, but “let’s make sure it’s not 3-0 again”. This must always be the priority. There seems to be a couple of rules:
If we defend the 18 yard line, in numbers, we have a chance of winning Champions League games, but beauty will very much be in the eye of the beholder.
If we chase vanity marks, as we did at home to Juventus and Milan, and away to Barcelona, we’ll lose heavily.
Last season’s Champions League campaign was a textbook lesson on how pot 4 teams from weak leagues should tackle the tournament. Spartak Moscow had more possession at Celtic Park than Barcelona had at the Camp Nou last night, but Celtic won both games against the Russians. There is a shout out loud lesson here.
Between now and the beginning of the next European campaign we have a great opportunity to build upon the type of football we saw in the last two domestic games. If we do this well, we can prepare for next season with a more mature model, but venues like the Camp Nou should only see our bedrock tactics for the foreseeable future.
The Celtic Graves Society are commemorating the life of Peter Scarff, who died of TB 80 years ago this week at the age of 25. Peter, a teammate of John Thomson and Jimmy McGrory, scored 54 goals in 112 games for Celtic before contracting his fatal illness at 23. A short service will be held at Peter’s grave in Kilbarchan Cemetery at 11:30 this Saturday, 14 December. You are all welcome.
There’s a Celtic shirt signed by the first team squad available for auction on ebay in aid of the Wellburn Care Home in Dundee, run by the Little Sisters of the Poor. It’s currently going for a song, so get there and fill your boots.
“The centre of Astana very much had a western feel- vibrant, affluent with a splattering of large video screens on the buildings advertising top of the range cars to luxury apartments. With skyscraper office blocks and top-end hotels with marble kerbstones, this very much is one side of Asia.
“The stadium itself looked fairly new, the shape of it reminded me of Tyncastle, thankfully we were made welcome here though!”
From a trip to Kazakhstan page 136 of the 2014 CQN Annual, available here:
Sean Fallon, Celtic’s Iron Man:
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Just back from Barca, and a decent trip despite the score.
My view is that last night’s performance was a culmination of poor planning and complacency, which started in the transfer window last January, when we failed to strengthen.
At that point it was obvious both Victor and Hoops were offski in the summer, and we had 8 months to prepare for their departure.
We got stuffed in February by a relatively average Juve team, and then stumbled our way through the CL qualifiers.
At that stage, alarm bells should have been ringing.
Instead, we brought in 5/6 players, only one of whom has made any impression, and we had a very complacent AGM when our CEO and Chairman tried to turn it into a comedy show.
In a way it was a comedy, but, the real joke was the comedy of errors which we made in the transfer market.
Now that we are out of Europe, we need to start properly planning for next year’s efforts, and a few big decisions need to be made
1) our transfer record in signing forwards over the past 5/6 years has been appalling. I am not sure whether it is the scout’s eye for forwards, the planning, money or whatever, but it needs sorted
2) is there a motivation problem in the dressing room? Morton and Barca are polar opposites, but in both cases our players look disinterested.
3) let’s use the Euro fixture gaps, to spread our appeal. Maybe a couple of games in Africa, to get ourselves on the radar of Africa’s talent. Don’t look at it as a short term money making exercise.
4) finally, learn from our mistakes, and don’t do the same again.
Remember a couple of Orcs in our street buying PTFC track suits after that final.
We were all weans from the East End of Glasgow.
Deadclub were rank back then and jumped on anything to maintain their imagined supremacy.
Pathetic then,Pathetic now,Pathetic forever…..
GER57
I used to drink wi Bobby in The Abbey in Kilwinning when he came in to see his daughter,who worked there at the time.
About fifteen years ago. Decent fella,as you say.
I’m sure that was the first time I had seen Celtic getting beat.
Btw,The Abbey Bar in Kilwinning is now an Indian restaurant. Dunno what it’s called,but it’s known locally as….
THE PUNJ-ABBEY!
Perhaps my post was too much Celtic or more likely already covered.
I do tend to stay away from Cqn after a defeat because the Celts and Huns sometime gel together into the same bull.
CSC ✊
Steinreignedsupreme @ 15:06 on12 December, 2013
I expected him to guide the team the CL qualifiers to the group stage as we were the seeded team in the champions route. He scraped through against some of the poorest teams we’ve had to play at this level.
I expected us to make the Europe League from the group we were in as AC Milan were in a poor run of form and Ajax in a state of transition. Instead we finished a miserable bottom with our lowest number of CL points, a record Euro defeat and lowest ever goals for.
Retaining the league in the current set-up is not an achievement although some on here seem to think it is.
I expected him to win both domestic trophies except we got gubbed at home by the bottom team in Div. One. This only adds to his miserable record in domestic cup competitions where we’ve lost to Ross County, Kilmarnock, St. Mirren and Hearts and only won two cups in the four seasons.
Now what were your expectations this season?
Doc 2208
I agree on your general point, but we are where we are. Our league is not that different to many others in so far as we are a few points ahead – is that at odds with England, Spain, Italy, Germany etc? They all have big teams dominating. The difference for us is all about the money – sadly this is what matters nowadays. Anyway, there will be at least 2 of us at Parkhead on Sat, although won’t make it to the Kerrydale prior to the game as the Arbroath bus doesn’t get in until around 1
30
m6bhoy
23:48 on
12 December, 2013
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I expect other teams to try to win against us, and for those teams to succeed sometimes.
Sometimes we play against teams that are, in European terms, a couple of divisions above us, and sometimes (more often than we should realistically expect), we beat them.
That’s sport – sometimes, if you have an unrealistic sense of entitlement, you get disappointed – or even liquidated.
HH
BGFC
VMHAN
A few of us have made similar points,and I said overnight that what happened is the result of having a bean counter in charge of operations.
Of all our 2013 signings,only VVD and possibly Biton show up well. The rest have been a shot in the dark.
If we identify a target,and he is good enough,and the outlay is within the TOTAL budget,go for it.
If not,stick with what we have,or bring through a youngster.
It looks to me that NL has little say on how the many is spent. The board should let him know how much is available,then let him decide.
If it HAS been his decision to bring in the kind of projects we have been lumbered with-and not a PlanZ after being thwarted in his original plans-then ffs,bring in a Director of Football.
Because Plan A,the current one,is a bloody disaster!
Wa-heyyyyyyyyy!
Friday podium!!!!!
BMCUWP….
Was the Punjab-abbey just around the corner from the Karaoke bar?
Gerrupand Singh?
BGFC
Shame yer lad had to watch that,mate.
I hope he enjoyed his trip though.
My Dad had a great time. Till kick-off….
RYECATCHER
I’ll use that one next time I’m home,cheers!
It wasn’t easy watching Celtic getting done by Barcelona like that last night. I was hoping to be able to just enjoy a CL game without the pressure of having to do this or do that.
When Adam made that first mistake very early (we’ve seen it many times before, no matter who makes that first error) it seemed to spook the whole team. Celtic had nothing to play for but Barca were menacing in their play and will likely win the CL again this year, IMO.
We missed Victor especially in this CL campaign, last night he would not have wilted and those around him would have fed off his inspiration. Xavi, I’m sure was talking about Victor when he was saying Celtic have to keep their best players. Victor went to Southampton but could we not have kept him for one more season?
I’ve not seen any Southampton games this season but I see they are doing well in that horrible Money orientated League, I just wish we could have got him to hang around a little bit longer.
It is all about how Celtic react to such a heavy defeat, it was a dead rubber though, remember. There is no doubt we will go on and win games by big goal margins in the League now, reminiscent of Martin’s Time here but Europe and specifically the CL is where Celtic want to play and play well in. I just hope they listen to one of my favourite players of all Time, Xavi and try a lot mair to keep our very best players for as long as possible, even if it does mean “pushing the boat out” on wages.
BMCUW / VMHAN
I do worry that we bring in European / non-Scots ‘project’ players who are no better than our own younger guys, or indeed players from other Scottish teams.
I wonder if there is something in our strategy that deliberately seeks to take advantage of English teams’ propensity for paying over the odds for non-Scots players? Do we seek out foreign prospects who are not better than our own guys and, if we do, is that because we think they will have a better sell-on value?
HH
BGFC
Big Nan………petition signed. I posted days ago about the idea of using your many skills,not least of all canvassing for good causes,to take on the establishment which is the SPFL. (Response was the middle of a doughnut) Enough is enough with these cretins who will go to any length to make sure there is life after death for Thems……at any cost. It would appear that CO has presided over financial,sporting and legal irregularities that appear to be on record……we know that the MSM will not touch this……therefore can our next campaign be to somehow extract the truth and get it out there…….you will certainly not be short of signatures. STV,BBC,Clyde,Radio Sotland,DR are really bit players in this salvage process……they only feed off the legislators who are really very thick and incompetent…..that is why I think you are the man for the job….no contest…..brains v cheats…one winner!
BBB
Big Georges Fan Club @ 23:58 on 12 December, 2013
I also expect other teams to try and beat us but I don’t expect to get beat at home by Morton … or am I being unrealistic?
I also don’t expect to lose six goals to anyone not even Barcelona or their reserves.
I do however expect the players to bust a gut for the jersey and fans no matter the opposition. Previously, we were told how difficult it is for the manager to motivate the players for domestic games just before and after CL games. Now it appears they can’t even be arsed for some CL games. Just what is the manager’s job if it’s not to make sure his players (and they are his players) are up for the task no matter who we are playing?
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers ………fc not plc
…….
Thank you sir for the reply my friend ✊
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers ………fc not plc
…….
Thank you for the reply my friend ✊
Good Morning All,
A wee trip back in time by about 14 months.
Bruce Springsteen, Aasmah Mir, Michelangelo and The Barca Chapel.
http://wp.me/p1G95H-r
Thoughts on a defeat to Barca in 2012
Need a Slash!!!!
Does anyone remember we had a centre half called Steve McCahill?
Captained us to the Dubai Cup victory v Liverpool in 1989.
Have a vague recollection of him playing v Deadclub around then.
BRTH
I always think to myself when I post on Cqn and then you post shortly after ….. Damn! There goes a Mhan who can say and tell a story.
Long live your tales….. Songs and stories in the Vmhans language ✊
BMCUW
No worries – we had a total ball :-))
In the My Bar, then Flaherty’s (texted TET, but understand his phone was deid) – good steak dinner, played cards, just enjoyed the time with my boy.
Great sing-song on the Metro with some locals and 5 good Bhoys – Wee BGFC started off some chants, so he was thrilled.
Good pint in a wee tapas bar just along the road from the ground – half and half with Barca fans, and had good craic with them.
Big George’s goal, and nearly another two in the last couple of minutes got the spirits right up again. Sing-song out of the stadium was magic too.
Always enjoy myself watching the Hoops, and the Wee Mhan is the same. Had a great time.
Only sour note was seeing a few slabbering idiots being pig-ignorant to locals – belligerent, menancing @rseh0les – embarassments – wish they would fek off, because they are more suited to supporting the new sevconians.
Aye – other than that wee black mark – magic time – back home in my own bed at 4:30 this morning, and was at work this afternoon :-(
HH
BGFC
Aye
ryecatcher
From The Celtic Wiki
McCahill, Steve
M | Player Pics | A-Z of Players
Personal
Fullname: Stephen Joseph McCahill
aka: Steve McCahill
Born: 3 Sep 1966
Birthplace: Greenock
Signed: 31 Jan 1989
Left: Aug 1992 (free)
Position: Centre-half
Debut: Dundee 0-3 Celtic, League, 25 Feb 1989
Internationals: none
Biog
Signed from Dumbarton for £100,000 in January 1989 Steve McCahill made his Celtic debut as a sub in a 3-0 league win at Dundee on February 25 that same year. At time of signing he was a storeman and had yet to tell his employers he was leaving them. He’d impressed heavily after a good performance for Dumbarton in the cup v Celtic, and manager Billy McNeill who claims to have had an eye on him before picked him up for Celtic. for Steve it was a great moment: ”This move fulfils a boyhood dream.”
The centre-half was part of the Celtic team which lifted the Dubai Super Cup against Liverpool on April 4th 1989.
However on April 12th he broke his jaw in a game at Motherwell and despite making a fully recovery he was never really in the first team picture again. A joker may actually say he was lucky as Celtic entered the start of the barren years. After the 1989 Scottish Cup win, we didn’t win a trophy again till 1995, and matters both on and off the park were to be very difficult.
Liam Brady’s purchase of Gary Gillespie (a poor buy) was the likely death-knell for Steve’s chances at Celtic.
He played out the majority of his career as captain of the reserve team before joining Morton in October 1992, where he enjoyed some success in the lower leagues with a lower league title.
Playing Career
APPEARANCES LEAGUE SCOTTISH CUP LEAGUE CUP EUROPE TOTAL
1989-92 7 1 1 – 9
Goals 0 0 0 – 0
HH
BRTH….
Remember your article well..
Hindsight has 20/20 vision though.
Lenny and Magnificent should not be in the same sentence even yet.
Work in progress,IMHO.
Lymmbhoy..
Thanks for that.
Didn’t know there was a Celticwiki
Big Georges Fan Club
Sorry about yesterday, serious problems with the phone,
couldn’t make a call or text, apparently the sim card is locked,for why no idea.
Tried to call you from another phone left a message.
Next year hopefully not in Barca >}
…………………………………..
BobbyM
Your Da is a star, and your sis a princess, did you notice the flag on the tele, we did.
HH
ryecatcher
00:19 on 13 December, 2013
Does anyone remember we had a centre half called Steve McCahill?
……..
Aye he played a brilliant game against the Celts v Dumbarton and quite rightly IMO we signed him up. The rest is …….. History
Good night mi amigos!
HH
Vmhan…
No….
You are Steve,right?
The rather large dude that told me to check out the last link I posted, also said to check this out.
FF to 4 Mins, Impressive but Paradise, if they kept the TV sounds up, is much better. :)))))
Rye
No mate ……. There is only wan Vmhan!
m6bhoy
00:11 on
13 December, 2013
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It is the sense of entitlement that has crept in recently that does not sit well with me.
Of course you would expect to beat Morton nine times out of ten. But with regards the two domestic cups – I would always hope, but would certainly not expect to win both.
Been close-fought games against Aberdeen, Dundee United and St Johnstone recently – any could have went the other way. Of course we did not expect to lose to Morton, I agree, but if you go into every domestic cup expecting to win it, the only thing that is certain is that you will be disappointed.
Having to play three qualifying rounds to get to the group stages would indicate that UEFA rankings would lead you to expect that we would not reach the group stages – the fact that we did is an achievement.
Having got there, being seeded fourth would lead you to expect that’s where we would end up – I don’t think it is a major surprise.
Losing 6-1 against Barca was a sore one – I don’t find it ’embarrassing’ or a ‘disgrace’ as others have said (not you). We played a bit more open that we should have, they have better players, and almost everything they hit went in – seen Barca do that to better teams than us, and saw Bayern do the same to Barca last year. These results happen – not nice when they do, but I don’t think it is evidence of a long-term decline.
HH
BGFC
TET – really no problem mate – I felt bad myself for missing you guys, but, as I mentioned above, we had a complete ball anyway :-). Really appreciated the offer to meet up; always good to make new pals!!
I did get a message on my phone from one of your buddies, but only once I was home in Chapelhall :-)))
Knackered today.
Off to my bed now.
See you the next time – guarantee you’ll enjoy meeting Wee BGFC – he is an 11-year old force of Celtic Nature!
HH
BGFC
Gutted we lost last night, but would rather get pumped by Barca than any other team.
We were never 5 goals worse than them last night, one was offside, two others deflections, and we should ave had a pen, so we are 3-2, Sammi was unlucky that he never scored, that Pique was pure lucky he was in the right place at the right time.
And what a comeback it was, another hour or so, we would have won>}
HH
Come on the English @ the Gabba………
The Dutch are radio Rental with all that Fast Music….
DJ Mitchell Johnson.
No wonder the Dutch are mince at slow bowling and no Wonder I stopped going to Raves.
Putyerhandsupfordetroit.csc
Evening awwlllll, ow owww.
Anymore news about sections of the best support in the world being harassed and havin a job done on them by not only the establishment, but by the custodians of their own club?
Am sure this will be the hot topic of discussion on ole CQN with quality contributions from some new crackers recently added to the community.
Loving the ole politics has its place argument. Not oppressive at all.
YNWA !
Oh how could I forget a deliberate hand ball in the lead up to one of their many goals.
Cheating Barcas so they are.
HH