There’s a remarkable lack of nerves ahead of tonight’s game against Inter Milan in the San Siro. Perhaps, for many of us, all we expected from this tie was a sign that the progress we believe has taken place in recent months, would stand up to the scrutiny of European examination. Last week, it did.
So with a Key Performance Indicator delivered, thoughts turn to knocking Inter out of Europe. My expectations are wide open, literally, anything could happen tonight, from an historic win to a painful lesson, but we know enough about Ronny Deila to know that this afternoon he will explain to the players the plan to win the game. We will not pack our 18 yard box, nor bring catenaccio home.
Celtic will play with the freedom enjoyed by a team with nothing to lose. Inter have home advantage and three away goals on the board, but they also have the weight of expectation. No one in Italy expects Celtic to progress.
The key Inter expectation is that they will score enough against a weak Celtic back line. Based on last week’s 90 minutes, this is not unreasonable. What Inter don’t know, is if Celtic’s back four and Craig Gordon had a one-off exceptionally bad day.
The greatest football stories are made when triumph is grasped from failure. Celtic can score tonight, but if they win, it will be because Craig Gordon and his defenders have decided: None shall pass.
Our good friends at Magners have offered a pair of premium tickets in the Jock Stein Stand for Sunday’s SPFL game. To win the tickets, answer this question:
Who do Celtic play on Sunday?
Put your answer IN THS SUBJECT LINE of an email to me at celticquicknews@gmail.com. Competition closes at 5pm tonight. Winner will be notified tomorrow, so check your inbox.
While entering, if you would like to donate a £1 – a single pound – to the campaign to build a kitchen at Chibwata Primary School in Malawi for Mary’s Meals, you can do so here. £1 – that’s all, and for that pound, you get the warm glow of the knowledge that when you see the photos of that kitchen in a few months, you paid for some of it.
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We should play the game at walking pace as much as possible tonight when we have the ball after we go 1-0 up, bit like Barca do, retain possession as much as possible and conserve energy for the high pressing game and winning the ball back.
We’re too often naive away from home and panic in possession, giving it away cheaply – strut about like Barca at walking pace when you can and its much easier to control it.
All this applies after we score though:)
HH
BBC Scottish news there. Not a mention about us playing tonight!!!!
Just over 4 hours to kick-off (starting to buzz already).
Weather conditions for Milan tonight:
9°C with little chance of rain or wind
MON!
The Honest cover up
Dalziels fav word is “listen”. I dont. Typical 2 team hun!!!
livibhoy
12:28 on 26 February, 2015
Aw Tony FFS!!!!
Charlton are investigating footage that appears to show a couple having sex on the club’s pitch.
The video shows footage of a man and a woman on the centre spot of a football pitch.
The description on the video claims the incident took place at The Blane Valley, with the pair having broken into the ground at night.
A Charlton spokesperson told Press Association Sport the club knew nothing of the incident, adding: “There will be a club investigation.”
LB
———-
Having read and slightly doctored your post – a la Bismarck and the Ems Telegram – I’m wondering if the Grey Green Brigade party animals who post of CQN have something they want to share / confess?
HH jamesgang
Jude-aye hurting Shortbread,not sure re Sevco objection mate
.
Hmmm..
Parma’s uncertain future: Former Uefa Cup winners rack up debts
In the late 1980s, Parma was best known for producing thin-sliced prosciutto ham and hard, dusty cheese you sprinkle on bolognese.
But over the next decade, Italy international Gianfranco Zola and South American stars Faustino Asprilla and Hernan Crespo helped ensure the Italian city became synonymous with football as well as food.
In three months’ time, the club will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its maiden Uefa Cup success. In three months’ time, it might just be extinct.
Last weekend’s home game against Udinese was called off because cash-strapped Parma officials could not afford to pay for stewards.
The club’s players have not been paid all season and there is not even hot water for a post-training shower.
“Time is running out,” warned Parma captain Alessandro Lucarelli.
What has gone wrong?
Stadio Ennio Tardini’s main gate was locked on Sunday – when Parma should have been playing Udinese
Parma finished sixth in Serie A last season, under the guidance of former Italy midfielder Roberto Donadoni, to secure European qualification for the first time since 2007.
But they were prevented from competing in the Europa League for not meeting Uefa’s club licensing criteria because of unpaid bills.
Ownership of the club has twice changed hands in the past two months, and current president Giampietro Manenti had claimed he was confident of sorting out the problems.
Then came Sunday’s postponement, while players and staff continue to go without their salaries.
“It’s an untenable situation, there’s no credibility,” said Parma mayor Federico Pizzarotti. “Either they pay the wages or they allow somebody else to take over.”
How bad is the situation?
Former Italy coach Roberto Donadoni took charge in 2012, leading them to four consecutive top-half finishes
Italian football journalist Mina Rzouki believes Parma are “very close” to going out of business.
The club’s latest financial results show they have a gross debt of 197.4m euros (£145m) and the Italian authorities have set a bankruptcy hearing for 19 March.
“Right now everyone is pointing the finger at everyone,” Rzouki told BBC’s World Service. “But if we look at the root of the problem,
h
ow it started and how it developed, one cannot overlook former owner Tommaso Ghirardi.
“Ghirardi took over in 2007 when there was a gross debt of 16.1m euros (£11.8m). Seven years on, Parma have a gross debt figure of 197.4m euros. Take away outstanding credit, it has a net debt of 97m euros (£71.2m).
“Between the summer of 2013 and the summer of 2014, Parma took part in over 450 player transactions – purchases, loans, co-ownerships and sales. How can he not be the man to blame?”
Ghirardi sold the club to Dastraso Holdings, a Cyprus-based conglomerate, in December, before Slovenian-based group Mapi – led by Manenti – took control earlier this month.
What do the players think?
Parma’s players are prepared to pay for their transport to Sunday’s Serie A match at Genoa if the club cannot afford a bus, says Lucarelli.
“It’s like being in a film. We’ve seen everything you could possibly imagine, with four different presidents this season,” adds the 37-year-old centre-back.
“When we didn’t play on Sunday, it left me with a bad feeling.
“If there isn’t a bus to go to Genoa we’ll get five or six cars together and travel in them. We’re prepared to pay for the trip ourselves.”
Former Argentina striker Crespo – now the club’s youth-team coach – recently told the Italian media players had to have cold showers after training because the club could not afford to pay for hot water.
How have fans reacted?
Exactly as you would imagine. Angrily, vocally and en masse.
About 1,000 fans turned up at the Stadio Ennio Tardini on Sunday, when their heroes should have been playing Udinese, to protest about the chaotic situation.
Supporters posted signs which read ‘Closed for robbery’ on the stadium gates as they gathered for a peaceful protest ahead of the scheduled kick-off time.
And other Serie A clubs?
Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero believes the other Italian top-flight clubs should help Parma finish the season.
“Italian football cannot remain indifferent to the serenity, the professionalism and the maturity with which the Parma players have faced an extremely difficult situation,” he said.
“I congratulate the players and all the people who work at Parma – I consider them to be heroes.”
Parma tweet
Parma have two possibilities of avoiding liquidation and surviving until the end of the season, believes Milan-based journalist Luca Ferrato.
One possibility is they will be handed a loan, believed to be about 5m euros (£3.7m), from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Serie A to cover their outgoings until May.
Alternatively, the city’s mayor has indicated the local authority could provide financial assistance until the summer.
“Pizzarotti is looking for local investors to buy the club in the summer. He has lost patience with Giampietro Manenti and has asked local businessmen to buy the club,” Ferrato told BBC Sport.
Just how good were Parma at their peak?
Parma’s footballing reputation was virtually non-existent outside of Italy until they won four European trophies in the 1990s to become a name feared across the continent.
The small club from the Emilia-Romagna region had scratched around in the lower leagues until Calisto Tanzi – founder of the Parmalat food and dairy firm – started pumping money into his hometown club.
That led to promotion to Serie A for the first time in 1990 – and silverware quickly followed. Parma won three Italian Cups, one Italian Super Cup, two Uefa Cups, one European Super Cup and one Cup Winners’ Cup, also finishing as Serie A runners-up on two occasions.
But darker days were around the corner. Following the collapse of Parmalat in Europe’s biggest bankruptcy – Tanzi was later given an 18-year jail term for fraud – the club was declared insolvent in 2004.(Yet in Scotland Fraudsters get a Knighthood)..
Eleven years later, they again face an uncertain future.
001
Anyone doing a sweep on when Derk will get injured today???
LB
From Twitter.
Latest Sevco business news?
@playzombination: Zombies or Survivors? Make your choice and Play FREE today! https://t.co/EMUdulwywV
HH jamesgang
Paul67 et al
Inter moved up to sixth place on Monday albeit only two points above eleventh and nine point off the CL third place. Europa Cup is their best route into the CL next season. Better Celtic teams than this one have struggled on the road in Europe but even so we have had some close results in Milan over the years so a 1-0 is not totally beyond us. That said would anyone have put money on Monaco to beat Inter Milan 3-1 last night, as opposed to beating the third team in the EPL? Not sure I would have even if I did get 5-1 on the Monegasques beating Arsenal.
My boss who has no interest whatsoever and has no idea that we are playing tonight has just said to me, I am out the whole afternoon and you can go home when you finish that bit of work you’re doing:))
There is no doubt in my mind of the existence of a higher power, we know it as;
The Unseen Fenian Hand:))
Bring on The Inter
An unexploded Second World War bomb has been discovered close to Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park ground.
The 550lb device, reported by Germany’s international broadcaster DW as being of British origin, was found on Thursday.
The discovery came just hours before Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp was due to give a news conference ahead of this weekend’s derby against Schalke.
The 80,720-capacity stadium and the surrounding area was evacuated.
LB
jude2005 is neil lennon \o/
13:48 on 26 February, 2015,
Noticed earlier the BBC Sport Scotland website leads with a rugby story today and BBC Sport Scottish Football gives greater prominence to “McDonald poised for Well return” and “Inter ‘in good shape’ to face Celtic” than “Deila eyes “historic” Inter victory”.
A huge game for tonight both Celtic and Scottish football. Their lack of interest makes me smile.
cv
Cathedral View
BBC like most broadcasters obssess over the sporting events they televise.
I am glad they are not hyping this. I hope Ronny makes them wait till last for their radio interview.
I notice that Sky have secured the rights to the MLS for the next 4 years. I bet their deal is worth more than Scottish footballs.
LB
LB – I’m on 30-45 mins !!
DERK Boerrigter returns to action this afternoon for Celtic’s Development Squad as they face Inverness Caley Thistle in a league match at the Lennoxtown Training Centre.
The Dutchman will play on the left of an attacking three just behind the striker which also includes Stefan Scepovic as Stevie Frail’s side look to continue their winning run and reduce the deficit against Hamilton Accies at the top of the table.
The game kicks off at 2pm today (Thursday) and there will be live updates on the club’s official Twitter feed @celticfc
CELTIC (4-2-3-1): Hart; Fisher, Breslin, McCart, Waters; Lindsay, Thomson; Duffy, Scepovic, Boerrigter; McGrath.
Subs: McAdams; McIlduff, Miller, Lafferty, Wardrop
B B
Sevco 5088 thingy???
I have a feeling in my bones that we’re on for a win tonight.
I’m goin round to watch game wi a 4ft 10in. 88 year old mad Tim, the remote goes on the couch with me, just in case of any hick ups, because that’s usualy the first thing that gets launched, bad, bad, looser ma maw. :(
Jude-aye,a financial bhoy might know if it’s significant
Sevco 5088 striking off has been suspended. An objection has been received by the registrar . http://t.co/uvYxkbSOT1
tonydonnelly67
You’ll be getting a clip roon the lug if she’s lurkin’ :)))
embramike
Hahahaha.
In fairness I hope he has discovered real ability and plays like Ronaldo!
LB
Bada Bing @11:54
Ahm really quite sure you have a good a good grasp of the meaning of the word gullible however of the the meaning of the word extortion I am not so sure
Extortion is more akin to armed masked men turning up at their local businesses reminding hard working people that they have not contributed to their cause,it is not recieving a tip freely given just because some well loved ditty is being played on the CD player
Tony @1409.
Brilliant :)
My auld man still calls the remote the beep beep as our first remote controlled telly made a noise when the remote was pressed.
Funny what thought this blog evokes in yer heid at times :)
HH
starry plough
14:14 on 26 February, 2015
tonydonnelly67
You’ll be getting a clip roon the lug if she’s lurkin’ :)))
Lol, thank god she isn’t.
My remotes the doofer!!!
geordie
My wee Ma, called it the clicker, lol.
livibhoy,
The BBC could do a lot more to promote the Scottish game. Running a prominent story on how Ready Inter are to face us tonight does seem a bit odd.
I think SKY are in a bit of trouble. They’ve over paid for EPL rights and have lost both European competitions to BT.
A successful Celtic side at European level can only help the SPFL in whatever they class as a negotiation next time round with SKY.
cv
I don’t understand the bitterness being shown towards Derk Boerrigter. Of course he has sustained a lot of injuries but that is hardly his fault. While injured, he still has to live so deserves his salary under the terms of his contract. As a Celtic supporter I wish him all the best as he fights his way back to fitness.
Some of the comments about him on CQN over the last few weeks have been cruel and hun-like.
Alfie Noakes
Sitting here reminiscing about that game as well. We were over confident after our great semi-final victories!
I hitch hiked from Glasgow to Milan and back. Picked up from Cowglen NSB, by the DR and dropped off at Calderpark zoo ten days before the game. We were only officially allowed GBP50 travelling at that time. Picked up my mate Phil Quinn (from Pollok) in London the next morning and made it to Dover eventually. Missed the ferry to Calais so took the one to Brugge and changed the whole route. Ended up in Brussels and then passed through a small piece of Germany on the way to Basle. Through Switzerland without any real problems on the Sunday as there was a Swiss v Italy game on and we got a hair-raising lift to Lugano. No joy the next day so we got a train through to Chiasso and then a lift to Como where we spent a few days in a hostel before heading to Milan for another couple of days. All on GBP50!!!! Uneventful return trip, except did not have enough money for the bus from George Square to Yorkhill and had to walk home.
Another interesting item is that we did not have the Euro then (we were still in pounds, shillings and pence, I think) and we had to change currencies in every country.
Is anyone still hitch-hiking?
I think we can get a better result today and I don’t think it will go to penalties.
Celtic Strong CSC
She has a wee poofie she puts her feet on, it opens up, you look inside it, six, and I kid you not (ask Masty) remotes all broken, all launched at some disastrous result down the years, shocking.
Jude and Tony,
Heard it called both them names by folks too. :))
mickbhoy1888
14:24 on 26 February, 2015Bada Bing @11:54Ahm really quite sure you have a good a good grasp of the meaning of the word gullible however of the the meaning of the word extortion I am not so sureExtortion is more akin to armed masked men turning up at their local businesses reminding hard working people that they have not contributed to their cause,it is not recieving a tip freely given just because some well loved ditty is being played on the CD player
mmm i see your alarm has been set off,if the cap fits …….
My wife calls the remote The Plonker…at least I think it’s the remote she’s referring to.
Tom,
Plus one.
Yes he ain’t played much but ffs he doesn’t want to be injured I’m sure.
HH
Booker t,
If you can change the channels on your telly with your plonker you are a better man than me. ;)
HH
Over recent years we have had a great propensity to lose goals in the first 10 minutes or last 10 minutes of a European tie. Avoid that happening and I fancy us to win tonight.
A reminder kick off is 6:05pm Celtic Park Time. Live on BT Sports.
Don’t get caught out thinking it’s 8:05pm like I nearly did, whilst planning tv viewing rights with the wife!
Cathedral View
They should be obliged to cover the Scottish game more but they will promote the sports they pay top dollar for I’m afraid. The UEFA comps are shown on ITV and Sky who are two of their main sporting coverage rivals. It’s not unexpected.
Sky don’t even promote our game and they have live coverage rights and the less said about the two BT pundits last week the better. I hope they provide an apology after some of the results this week.
Tom McLaughlin
Point taken and guilty as charged. Derk is a bottle merchant. He has shown no heart. All we look for is a player to give his all. What is more alarming is that the Ajax manager told Celtic they were signing an injury prone player with a bad back and we still took him. I struggle to remember any manager anywhere trying to scupper a deal for one of his players bying doing this. Very bizarre. I would love Boerritger to turn out to be a super player but I just don;t see it happening. I hope we offload as soon as he is fit enough to play regularly.
LB