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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Griffiths out completely or just unable to start?
That is a huge blow and makes me wonder why Scepovic is with the development team.
LB
Robcfc … shame… he has come on leaps and bounds recently, and has developed into an important player for us. Hopefully, it is not too serious and he is back for the weekend. Any idea?
JJ
Ah widny bother
Dena
I have patchy internet here .. Not good enough to watch the match . Were 5.5hrs ahead of Scotland so it’s almost 10pm here . Hence me retiring to my wee beach hut where I will sleep until the morning .
Will be at the league cup final and the league game
squire danaher
Hope your bhoy stays safe
HH
Mike in Toronto,
I like your posts as, perhaps because you are away from, they are usually more restrained and show a calmer insight than some! Nevertheless, it hasn`t stopped you from having Effy at left-back and Efe on the bench (15:47) and asking for confirmation about GL ( Griff Leighith?) at 15:53 0:-)
JJ
TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels
Thats a pity
I’m not going to final but will see you at the league game :-)))
sleep well and when you wake up hope its to good news KTF
HH
SD
Nor I but Mike in Toronto and Livibhoy are concerned.
JJ
Jungle Jim Hot Smoked
On Scott Brown. I noticed on Sunday he sort of reverted to sweeper when we were on the attack. I don;t see many games in the flesh so not sure if this is new or if Ronny has something in mind for tonight.
He will be Scottish POTY this year.
LB
Hope when we in 2-1, it’s by chasing a winner which arrives with the last kick.
I hate these ‘holding on for grim death’ scenarios.
Honestly, I don’t expect us to win tonight. hoping with all my heart that we do, but our away European form and fragility at the back in European games has sucked all my confidence away.
I sincerely hope that we put on a good show tonight and if we do go down that we go down fighting, and that Inter will know they have been in a game.
The good news is that I’ve been wrong before, so come on Celtic, prove to the blog that corkcelt doesn’t know what he is talking about.
bada bing!!!12: 56.
What does that mean , striking off has been suspended?
Sorry if anyone else has asked, just reading back and catching up.
JJHS
Ha! I meant Izzy at left back, and Effy on the bench (although I did think about starting Effy at RB instead of Matthews … a bit more athletic, but still scares me sometimes!
And I was asking about Griffiths … or GL, as his very close and personal pals like myself call him!
May have to show your post about my calm insight and restraint to my Mrs. … and brother … and a few others on here … they wont believe you are talking about me! :)
Not a thing on any web site I can see Griffiths injured, that’s no to say he isn’t, but I can’t find out, so maybe someone has better info?
newradbhoy
Seen this reply on twitter
“CG probably trying to close it down. CW/BDO/HMRC need it alive for various reasons.”
Livibhoy
Hope you’re well son!!
There have been a few occasions when Brown has dropped back almost making a back 3 with VVD and Denayer/Ambrose. I don’t know it’s under instruction or if he’s doing it of his own volition.
LiviBhoy
Yes, Broonie has played much further back after we are comfortably ahead in some SPFL games. I am not sure if it is part of an experiment for the future or simply pacing our most important player with the whole season in mind. Interesting.
JJ
The ‘politics’ of tonight’s game – definitely NO ‘leaks’- keep ‘lobbying’ the ball up to Guidetti – slam the door on Black (& Blue) rod’s face – Izzy and Adam to ‘whip’ the crosses in – VVD, Broonie, Jason and Nir, to ‘spy all strangers in our penalty area – GMS and Stuart to keep us ‘united’ and Craig to be Mr Speaker at the back.
The bi(a)ll must be carried with an overall CELTIC majority.
Livibhoy
There you go. Opinion from two teachers. No need to look any further 0:-)
JJ
Livibhoy
Glad you got to the game and saw what theikds of JJ and I have been saying about the (sometimes unseen on telly) fenian captain that is Broonie.
He’s bern immense for us this year. I see it when he’s there. Stillord when he’s not.
Just seen barry mcguigan in the foyer at the europa. And had a cinnamon scone in avoca. So far so good today!
HH JamesGang
HT
Well as can be expected mate. My heart is all over the place and the game hasn;t even KO’d yet.
It’s amazing what you see at the games. Between feeding the wean and watching the game at Paradise on Sunday I noticed this a lot especially 1st half when he put in a great number of tackles and tracking runners.
He was MoTM for me and seems to be getting better with age. Hope he rattles a goal in tonight if he ventures that far up the pitch.
Enjoy the match tonight and I hope we are talking about a great result tomorrow.
As far as superstitions go I am watching the game with a mate at work. Only match we have watched together before was the CL game in Moscow when we won 3-2. Hopefully a good omen!
LB
“Striking Off” means removing your company from the Companies Register.
Alfie
I am not a fan of puns but I like your tongue-in-cheek effort above 0:-)
JJ
Where is this Griffiths injury coming from?
The only changes I’m hoping for from last Thursday are BT Sport’s choice of studio pundits..
Jungle Jim Hot Smoked
Hahahaa. I have been renowed for my back chat to teachers in my youth but they are agreeing so it’s all good.
jamesgang
Brilliant on TV but better watching him in the flesh. When he is missing it is very obvious what he brings to our team.
LB
Turn the volume up to 11 :))))
Let the People Sing – The Malleys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhkdy0AOpaM
C’mon the famous Glasgow Celtic
Time to create more Legends
Git intae them:)))
JonnyRambo67
Sutton is in Milan. My mates brother is there and got his photo with him. Might be co-commentator who knows?
LB
No predictions from me,as usual.I have been to too many away games in Europe and saw us throw goals at the opposition,usually in the first 20 minutes.Much more experienced teams than this one.
We have to take into account our horrible record of giving away “Phantom penalties”.Juventus,Lyon,Arsenal,Man U,the one were the Celtic player was on the ground and the players hit the ball into his arm,remember it?.Couple of years ago at home.
Our best hope is our superior fitness.Run them ragged.If we do,who knows?.
LiviBhoy
16:41 on 26 February, 2015
Cheers
Nearly forgot to put on the lucky fitba socks .
:))))))))))))
Right I’m Offski to watch the game as the nerves have kicked in :))))
LiviBhoy
16:45 on
26 February, 2015
JonnyRambo67
Sutton is in Milan. My mates brother is there and got his photo with him. Might be co-commentator who knows?
Great.Another Ronnie mauling.
Jungle Tim
Thanks fur the Enquiry,pal…it’s a Doozy.
Howevah.. despite that.. Ah wull Try tae gie ye a sensible Answer..
Like Ah hiv always Maintained…
“Kojo, ALWAYS tells it like it Lays.”
Keeping THAT ,in mind..
Let me Say This..
Scott Broon ,has Not Gien Me whit Ah wanna See..from..
Eether..a Celtic Captain..or..a Mid Field Key Man.
HIs efforts in those Depts. Hiv Bin Spotty. Nae Consistrency..
Like Ah said.. Ah want Mair fae Scott..
Well..in His LAST GAME…
Ah GOAT it.. Did Ah evah.
That is the way Ah wanna See Scott Perform.
He wiz…well.. Withoot Exaggeration..
A Tower of Strength..
Magnifico..
Noo, that is the Kinda Performance Ah wanna see fae Scott..
n..if He continues tae serve up those kinda Goodies..
Tnen.. Ah wull become a Card Carrying.. Scott Broon Supporter..Par Excellence
Well ,that is How Ah feel aboot Scott..
Ah only deal In the Present.. Ah hold No Grudges fae the Past.. well.. Normally , speaking,of Course..
There are SOME exceptions..
Nice Chatting , Pal
Kojo
Still, Laughin
Livibhoy
Good to see you are preparing properly for this game vis-a-vis your selection of fellow viewer. Now I just have to hope Westie (?) is wearing the correct scarf. I am sure Tom McLaughlin will be going through his pre-match routine to ensure victory. He knows it makes sense and just pretends he remains logical where Celtic are involved.
Cheerio,
JJ
To all those in the squad tonight,
These nights are the reason you are at Celtic
Make your dreams come true and we have yer back
Hail Hail
Celtic v @Inter : Gordon; Matthews, Denayer, van Dijk, Izaguirre; Brown, Bitton; Mackay-Steven, Johansen, Armstrong; Guidetti #UEL (MD)
Celtic subs: Zaluska, Ambrose, Stokes, Commons, Wakaso, Forrest, Henderson. #UEL #CelticInter (MD)
To my mind, our most dangerous period is the last 3 minutes of the first half. We have lost so many goals in Europe while we are sitting pretty with a lead or on level terms, in the dying minutes before half-time.
In fact last week, at 2-2 with half-time approaching, I said to my son, “I hope we can just hold onto this for a couple of minutes and take the break.”
30 seconds later . . . Bang! 2-3.
Same as last week but jg in for Leigh
HH
Griffiths background.
Cant state my source.
Some concern last night ” ankle a bit tender” just received a twitter from John Paul who has not been given any “formal” statement re out or in.
RD might give him a go and see how it goes,but Aberdeen game also important..