Celtic 2013-14: O Brother Where Art Thou?

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CodPiece XL

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I don't think anyone should be surprised by the result. If Karagandy could score 2 at home then Celtic should have been able to. Even in the home leg Karagandy were out played. It's not an exaggeration to say they were awful. I was quitely confident but did not post any pre-match preable to "change" things up a bit. I was nervous as hell but logically, I thought they should at least get two-three goals in regular time. Apart from a couple of howitzer throw ins, Celtic were in complete command.
 
Anyway...the draw is in 2-3 hours.
 
Most eye appeal  - Real Madrid, Milan, Dortmund
 
Can squeeze second place - Benfica, Schalke, Olympiacos
 
I think it will be live on the UEFA site.....anyone know if it's on live stateside?
 

CodPiece XL

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Barcelona again? This is growing old. Clearly, Barcelona know that Messi would not be enough to stop the might of Celtic and as an added precaution signed Neymar. Now it all makes sense.
 
 
 
A...Man Utd...Shaktar Donetsk...Leverkusen...Real Sociedad

B...Real Madrid...Juventus..Galatasaray...Copenhagen...

C...Benfica...PSG...Olympiacos....Anderlecht

D..Bayern...CSKA Moskva...Man City..Plzen

E...Chelsea...Schalke...Basel....Steaua

F...Arsenal...Marseille...Dortmund...Napoli

G...Porto...Atlético Madrid...Zenit....Austria wien...

H...Barcelona...AC Milan..Ajax...Celtic
 

DLew On Roids

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Lennon showed excellent restraint to avoid leaving his feet going into the ruck.  It'd have been a shame to lose on a last-gasp penalty from that distance.
 

CodPiece XL

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AC Milan V Cetic
 
2.45 KIck off East Coast.
 
Game is on Fox Sports ( regional).
 
 
Forrest out with injury for Celtic, everyone else...all hands on deck.
 
 
Riccardo Montolivo and first-choice full-backs Ignazio Abate and Mattia De Sciglio are out through injury, along with Daniele Bonera, Matias Silvestre, Giampaolo Pazzini, El Shaarawy and Kaka. Not sure how many would have been first choice.
 
We need Commons and Samaras to be at his marauding best to attack these full backs. Will post team sheet when announced..and I get back in with beers.......................................
 
So..Ledley must be injured too.
 
Team: Forster; Lustig, Van Dijk, Ambrose, Izaguirre; Matthews, Brown, Mulgrew, Samaras; Commons, Stokes
 
Subs: Zaluska, Pukki, Rogic, Boerrigter, Balde, McGeouch, Biton
 

OCST

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Celtic were awarded an indirect free kick in the box at about the 17th minute.  Never seen that before.  There were 9 ACM guys standing in the goal frame, pretty funny.  Of course they didn't score.
 

CodPiece XL

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Milan have been pretty poor. If Celtic showed some real composure with crosses along the right flank they could cause more problems, they are there for the taking . Samaras has not been aggressive enough taking on the left side. I'd like to see Lenny have a real go at them in the second half, thus far, they have been playing very conservative. Having said that....0:0 is not bad .
 

CodPiece XL

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The Allented Mr Ripley said:
What's up with the sparse attendance? Are AC Milan supporters lame or does Celtic not rate as an opponent? Either way, it's the Champions League... poor show.
 
I seem to remember reading they only show up for big clubs....not wee diddy clubs from Scotland. They don't have a large avergae attendance in general.
 

CodPiece XL

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Wow...that result hurts. A very ordinary looking Milan side and they get a lucky deflection that turns the game in the last 10 mins. Hard luck Celtic....that second goal...what the hell was Brown playing at? I never got a view of what happened for that free kick. I'm probably being too harsh on Forster but I thought it more narural to push the ball out left rather than knock in back into the 6 yard area at the free kick.... he looked like he scooped it back. ....maybe it was all he could do in that instant. It just seemed strange.
 

CodPiece XL

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I've had a couple of beers myself. Celtic looked deflated by then anyway. Not blaming him, just thought it odd and never watched replays. Too pissed off.
 

mic99

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Just finished watching.....terribly disappointing.   Celtic were excellent most of the night and had so many chances to deliver a quality final ball but kept squandering their chances,
 
Did not get a good look at the Brown foul so hard to comment.
 

fletcherpost

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I had a bad feeling after 80 minutes, Celtic just lacked some quality in the final third and as the game went on there was some tired legs. Milan stepped up the pace, applied more pressure, had real quality on the bench to bring on. What sucks for me is that against Barca, it's 90 minutes of real pressure, much more draining and taxing. But Milan made it easy for Celtic and if Cletic could have dug in for those last ten minutes...well obviously that's not what happened. But i saw some sloppy clearances, more giving the ball away in bad areas...maybe signs of fatigue...but such a shame. Mathews gave them trouble all night, ran himself into the ground and we missed that outlet when he went off, Lustig was burst by the end. Hate to say this but Walter Smith's Gers of old would have seen that game out. 
 
But...you see it week in week out all over football, the underdog losing composure in the last ten minutes, not doing what they did for the first 80 or so...maybe it is mental and physical fatigue added to the more favoured side pressing hard for the win. 
 

CodPiece XL

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fletcherpost said:
I had a bad feeling after 80 minutes, Celtic just lacked some quality in the final third and as the game went on there was some tired legs. Milan stepped up the pace, applied more pressure, had real quality on the bench to bring on. What sucks for me is that against Barca, it's 90 minutes of real pressure, much more draining and taxing. But Milan made it easy for Celtic and if Cletic could have dug in for those last ten minutes...well obviously that's not what happened. But i saw some sloppy clearances, more giving the ball away in bad areas...maybe signs of fatigue...but such a shame. Mathews gave them trouble all night, ran himself into the ground and we missed that outlet when he went off, Lustig was burst by the end. Hate to say this but Walter Smith's Gers of old would have seen that game out. 
 
But...you see it week in week out all over football, the underdog losing composure in the last ten minutes, not doing what they did for the first 80 or so...maybe it is mental and physical fatigue added to the more favoured side pressing hard for the win. 
 
I thought Milan were there for the taking and felt Celtic could take advantage. Given Milan's injuries it was a perfect opportunity to have a go in the second half and grab 3 points which would have been a fantastic haul of points, I thought it was worth the risk. Milan at Parkhead will be a different team, presumably stronger. The game opened up in the second half and there were tired legs on both teams. Around the 80th minute I did notice Celtic were defending deeper, standing off more. However, it was a really bad deflection and very lucky for the first goal. They really missed the boat in not signing a quality striker, Stokes is NOT the answer, he is ok for the SPL not for Europe. Lennon I think has seen the light, Adam Matthews whilst being a good wing back is better suited to midfield. He is also backed up by Lustig just behind; that entire right side is very strong.
 
I think the key games are going to be against Ajax....I'm not expecting anything out of the Barca games....Celtic had their 15 minutes of fame last year. However, you never know.
 
Edit: I'm not sure about the Walter Smith example...he had some real disasters in Europe as well, even with a side funded by HM Revenue Services.
 

CodPiece XL

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Celtic V Barcelona:
 
Celtic: Forster; Lustig, Ambrose, Van Dijk, Izaguirre; Matthews, Brown, Mulgrew, Samaras; Commons; Stokes
 
Barcelona: Aldés, Alves, Bartra, Piqué, Adriano, Sergio, Xavi, Iniesta, Neymar, Cesc,  Pedro
 
On Fox Sports One in about 25 minutes:
 
Unfortunately every TV in my house is disconnected because all the floors are being torn up for hardwood.....I guess, it's the laptop for me.
 

PedroSpecialK

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Brown's idiocy rears its ugly head yet again, but Neymar gets him sent off with a loathsome theatrical reaction. Doesn't look like knockout stage is in the cards this year.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlAz7OqKa_k
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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So needless.  Why?  As the Fox Sports guys noted after the game -- he didn't even get his money worth on the kick.  Selfish, stupid, and a real shame.
 

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The funny thing was that on the one hand you had Barcelona making a pass every two seconds and on the other hand, you had Samaras being the anti-barcelona making a pass every two minutes.
 

inter tatters

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I have to say this as a fan of Scottish Football, I always love watching Brown's enthusiasm and heart for the game, but he channels it in completely the wrong way far too often and last night was a prime example.

You can say what you like about Neymar's "theatrics", but he didn't get Brown sent off - if you look at the replays from behind the play, the ref had a clear view of Brown swinging his boot. Regardless of whether he made solid contact or not, he was off.

It's another notch on the bed post for those that hate Scott Brown, due to that side of his game and a huge shame for all of Scottish Football, that his stupidity may, eventually cost the Scottish game another QF place.
 

CodPiece XL

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Brown is a ned, he always has been and always will be. I'm not a fan of his but the Celtic support in general love him.... I would not be sorry to see him leave. He did shut down Xavi and Iniesta for periods of time. The guy has talent for sure...I simply don't think he has the character.
 
He should have been sent off againts Karagandy for stamping on the player, he got involved with Balotelli against Milan and now yesterday's stupidity. That's 3 European games this season alone. That should tell anyone all they need to know.
 
As far as the game itself....I did not watch all of it because of house remodelling. How Mulgrew can't get that header on target I'll never know. They miss Hooper that's for sure...
 
Now it's Ajax at home.....a must win. I love these games.
 

Biggreenone

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CodPiece XL said:
Brown is a ned, he always has been and always will be. I'm not a fan of his but the Celtic support in general love him.... I would not be sorry to see him leave. He did shut down Xavi and Iniesta for periods of time. The guy has talent for sure...I simply don't think he has the character.
 
He should have been sent off againts Karagandy for stamping on the player, he got involved with Balotelli against Milan and now yesterday's stupidity. That's 3 European games this season alone. That should tell anyone all they need to know.
 
As far as the game itself....I did not watch all of it because of house remodelling. How Mulgrew can't get that header on target I'll never know. They miss Hooper that's for sure...
 
Now it's Ajax at home.....a must win. I love these games.
 I love Broony - but that part of his game is poor.
 
3 game CL ban now (Celtic appealing) is a bit mental.
 

CodPiece XL

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Sorry about last weeks post. I had two tabs open with SOSH and posted in the wrong thread.
 
Anyways, Celtic team against  Ajax: Forster; Lustig, Ambrose, van Dijk, Izaguirre; Forrest, Kayal, Mulgrew, Commons; Samaras; Stokes

Subs: Zaluska, Fisher, Rogic, Ledley, Boerrigter, Pukki, Balde
 
Brown lost his appeal for a 3 game suspension....shocker.
 
Ajax must win, I think Lennon is fielding this team with that in mind. It looks fairly attack minded, I would have thought Ledley would start. Going in with guns blazing....
 
Game is on FOX Regional. 30 mins to go...
 

CodPiece XL

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Meh.....that wasn't too good.
 
A clan gathering of Anonymous in midfield and attack, too many wasted shirts, no dig until a goal down. A summer sale without bringing in adequate replacements yep........not good. Maybe they beat Milan and Ajax fail to get any more points and fall into the Europa...not holding my breath.
 

mic99

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CodPiece XL said:
Meh.....that wasn't too good.
 
A clan gathering of Anonymous in midfield and attack, too many wasted shirts, no dig until a goal down. A summer sale without bringing in adequate replacements yep........not good. Maybe they beat Milan and Ajax fail to get any more points and fall into the Europa...not holding my breath.
 
the good - best back 4 in years
the bad - everything else
 
Ajax looked very ordinary
 

Biggreenone

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A wee bit of a novelty Celtic have a Friday night game tonight away at Motherwell. With a 19.45 KO (Celtic Park time). Looking forward to it after last week's demolition of Hearts. Same system again Lenny.
 

CodPiece XL

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I knew this at the start of the week but completely forgot.
 
Great......the game is live on Fox Soccer Plus for those in the U.S who have it...
 
Some News:http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-boss-neil-lennon-set-2896700
 
Not sure he will amount to much ....
 
I expect Celtic to be very aggressive during January to bring it a quality striker. Sadly lacking since Hooper left and very evident on the European stage. A player with a bit of flair would be nice.....
 

Biggreenone

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Played some great stuff again and it could easily have been 7 again. Great to see Atajic and Henderson getting some time.

Keep playing like like this and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the season.
 

inter tatters

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Another good win for the team but, yet again, the "Green Brigade" have caused the club strife off the field.

First the 6-part "Bobby Sands vs William Wallace" sign, they unfurled in the CL match against Milan (which even Lennon admitted he was ashamed of and UEFA have confirmed they are investigating the club for - the 5th time in 6 seasons!), now the trouble, flares, sick chanting at Stuart McCall (letting off flares and chanting about the Bradford City disaster) and tearing up of seats at Fir Park on Friday night.

It does seem like the club are finally doing something about the fans, instead of claiming they are "misuderstood", as they did earlier in the year, though. Announcing that 128 fans have received temporary suspension orders, banning them from Celtic Park and any away grounds until a full i nvestigation has been completed, and relocating another 250 season ticket holders from block 111 in Celtic Park , to try and separate the troublemakers.

As someone who wants to see Scottish Footbal thrive, the behavior of fans on all sides - Rangers fans at Falkirk included, should be stamped out and quickly, as the fans are getting the reputation it worked so hard to eradicate in the 80's back again.

Controversial as it may sound, I think Strathclyde Police are right in their assertion that the sooner Rangers are back in the SPL, so the fans can have their 4 "release valve" games a season, the better.
 

CodPiece XL

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inter tatters said:
Another good win for the team but, yet again, the "Green Brigade" have caused the club strife off the field.

First the 6-part "Bobby Sands vs William Wallace" sign, they unfurled in the CL match against Milan (which even Lennon admitted he was ashamed of and UEFA have confirmed they are investigating the club for - the 5th time in 6 seasons!), now the trouble, flares, sick chanting at Stuart McCall (letting off flares and chanting about the Bradford City disaster) and tearing up of seats at Fir Park on Friday night.

It does seem like the club are finally doing something about the fans, instead of claiming they are "misuderstood", as they did earlier in the year, though. Announcing that 128 fans have received temporary suspension orders, banning them from Celtic Park and any away grounds until a full i nvestigation has been completed, and relocating another 250 season ticket holders from block 111 in Celtic Park , to try and separate the troublemakers.

As someone who wants to see Scottish Footbal thrive, the behavior of fans on all sides - Rangers fans at Falkirk included, should be stamped out and quickly, as the fans are getting the reputation it worked so hard to eradicate in the 80's back again.

Controversial as it may sound, I think Strathclyde Police are right in their assertion that the sooner Rangers are back in the SPL, so the fans can have their 4 "release valve" games a season, the better.
Can you include a link regarding Strathclyde Police wanting Newco back for the better? Most of the stuff I have read suggests a correlation between domestic violence when the Old Firm play and also an increase in arrests. I know Glasgow cops who are actually glad there are no more Old Firm games.
 
I've never been a fan of the Green Brigade and I don't know any fans who want to be associated with them. Celtic will be better off without them and they  won't be missed. They are a very small minority. What was the chanting at Stuart McCall?
 
I doubt a couple of flares and a few banners are going to destroy the Celtic Supporters reputation throughout Europe. Most Europeans would not even know the context of the banners. They have recieved nothing but praise during their European travels.
 
Personally, I think this is overblown. Of course...many people have an agenda to drag Celtic through the mud in the media, it kind of deflects attention a bit......the same people who claim Celtic left the flood lights on for the German bombers.
 

Biggreenone

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Another good win for the team but, yet again, the "Green Brigade" have caused the club strife off the field.

First the 6-part "Bobby Sands vs William Wallace" sign, they unfurled in the CL match against Milan (which even Lennon admitted he was ashamed of and UEFA have confirmed they are investigating the club for - the 5th time in 6 seasons!), now the trouble, flares, sick chanting at Stuart McCall (letting off flares and chanting about the Bradford City disaster) and tearing up of seats at Fir Park on Friday night.

It does seem like the club are finally doing something about the fans, instead of claiming they are "misuderstood", as they did earlier in the year, though. Announcing that 128 fans have received temporary suspension orders, banning them from Celtic Park and any away grounds until a full i nvestigation has been completed, and relocating another 250 season ticket holders from block 111 in Celtic Park , to try and separate the troublemakers.

As someone who wants to see Scottish Footbal thrive, the behavior of fans on all sides - Rangers fans at Falkirk included, should be stamped out and quickly, as the fans are getting the reputation it worked so hard to eradicate in the 80's back again.

Controversial as it may sound, I think Strathclyde Police are right in their assertion that the sooner Rangers are back in the SPL, so the fans can have their 4 "release valve" games a season, the better.



No disrespect but the majority of your post is sensationalist hyperbole.

Can I ask where you actually at Fir Park on Friday night ? If not what is the source of your allegations re Bradford ?

The seat breaking is totally inexcusable and the culprits need eradicated from our support and banned without question. The culprits on Friday were an ever growing group of louts that are attracted to the section occupied by the most vocal section of our support - the GB (what young lad wouldn't be?) and the complete lack of stewarding and enforcing of ticket checks to prevent these louts occupying the section even though they had tickets for other areas in that stand.

I sit alongside the GB at Celtic Park and my son sits amongst the GB section - they are no angels and are guilty recently of not using their heads in recent situations (Wallace banner at CL game) but most crucially of not attempting to work with the club to control the young 'hangers on' that are attracted to the group (mostly at away games as stewarding at CP is a lot stricter) and were responsible for the vandalism at Fir Pk.

Btw - your accusation re Bradford is a new one to me - despite massive online debate on the events of Fri and numerous conversations with guys that were at the game and in that section it's the first I have heard of that one (indeed even the sensationalist Daily Record that carried the story as front and back page headlines never mentioned it.)

I've been attending Scottish football for 40 + years and believe me behaviour at the games today is like a choir boys day out in comparison to what has gone on in the past - the biggest change has been the media's and online sensationalist response to every incident.
 

CodPiece XL

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I think BigGreen's post sums up the media attention pretty well. I dont think the Green Brigade were around when I lived in Scotland and went to Celtic games at least I had never heard of them. I'm not familiar with them nor do I know anything about their agenda.
 

Biggreenone

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Final European game of the season tonight and it's Barcelona at the Nou Camp - I'm watching from behind the sofa.

Hoping we can score and put up a decent performance. This CL campaign has been most disappointing - Ajax and Milan were as poor as they have been in years but we failed to take advantage.

Proper preparations for next year should begin in the January window and no repeat of failing to provide adequate replacements for Hooper & Wanyama.
 

CodPiece XL

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Yep, I'm not expecting much here.
 
Celtic have the worst possession rate in the CL at 37%, Barcelona have the highest.
 
Only Austria Wien have a lower shooting accuracy ( 27%) compared to 32% of Celtic.
 
Barcelona have allowed their oppenents the  fewest shots of any team in the CL for a total of 34.
 
Celtic have failed to score in 6 out of 7 last CL fixtures.
 
Neymar has attempted 14 shots but has not scored, only Tavez has had more attempts ( 15) without scoring.
 
All in all, Celtic should be in the driving seat here and have Bacelona on the back foot.............
 
 
 
 
Team: Forster; Lustig, Ambrose, Van Dijk, Ledley; Matthews, Brown, Biton, Boerrigter; Samaras, Pukkki

Great to see Matthews back.......no Commons no Mulgrew......interesting.
 
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