I had two bets. 1-0 to us and Mulgrew to score anytime Lost both and couldn't be happier about it. I wouldn't even have minded if Big Sammy sauntered up, toed me in the knackers and took the money out of my hand himself I've always been a fan of that boy
You and I were his biggest supporters on here. My opinion of Samaras has never changed and I defy anyone to prove me different... I had Sammy 1-0 @ 90/1 as well.
Absolutely. While people were giving him dog's abuse, I totally stood up for oor Sammy I always said that big handsome bugger was exactly the focal point our team needed <hunstylehistoryrewrite>
Did no one see that Sammy thread i started a while back, about how he was the greatest player ever? No?! I deleted it because i was the only one commenting
Now that we are great again, what are folks thinking about out chance of taking points from the Barca games? Nae chance, Slim chance or pump them? I recon we can get a point.
I'll be disappointed if we don't get at least a point. Messi isn't fit enough to lace Hooper's boots. A direct quote from Broony "I heard Messi was asking for me. He wants my strip. I'm sure he's crapping himself about coming to Celtic Park"
Yes, but are we capable or is it beyond the players we have? I think we are capable but we will need a bit of luck.
The nou camp is a write off. We'll get nothing there, I'll be happy if we so much as keep the score respectable there. A packed CP under the floodlights however, you can NEVER bet against us as we've seen in the past
I dont think they are capable of getting a win at Nou Camp ... maybe, an outside bet, at CP if very lucky. I think they are capable of gaining a point if every player is on top of their game and they get some luck - both at NC and CP.
Here's the rub. I thought we might get a point out of six from them before the tourney started - now, I reckon we NEED to get at least a point off them. Stick with me, here. It's assumed Barca will pump everyone in front of them but, after they've beaten us home and away, they would've already have qualified in a definite top spot. We might need them to beat Benfica in the last game - they might not give a funk by the last game. If we get something off them, they still need to play in at least the Spartak game. We're working on the assumption that no-one will beat Barca but, with players out and hee haw to play for, either Spartak or Benfica could well shock them
We just need to do that wee dick messi. Everyone seems scared to tackle him. Hopefully wanyama chops him and then we'll see what he is made off.
Me too, I'd have taken that beforehand and I'll take it now Last night has made me a believer, though - 2 points would really put the cat in amongst the pigeons and 3 points would make Benfica and Spartak ****e it. Hopefully, the two Spartak-Benfica games will either be draws or Spartak get 4 points, Benfica 1
Georgios Samaras is relishing the chance to face some of Europe's top sides after scoring a late winner in Celtic's Champions League group stage win over Spartak Moscow. Samaras helped Celtic knock Dynamo Moscow out of the qualifying rounds of the tournament in Moscow three years ago and conjured up a similar moment of magic in the Russian capital on Tuesday night. And the Greek international is now chasing more success despite the side initially setting a target of reaching the group stages. "We are already successful because we have reached our target," said Samaras. "Our target was to reach the group stages of the Champions League and we did that by beating two really good teams in Helsinki and Helsingborgs. "Benfica and Barcelona play in the Champions League every year and Spartak Moscow are in it most years, so it is not easy, but we have the chance to be competitive now and we want to win the games. "All games are 50/50, so if we take our chances, you never know what will happen in football. "It will be difficult to beat Barcelona or to get a draw with them but even if that doesn't happen we will fight for second position. "And if that doesn't come then we mustn't forget that third position gets you into the Europa League. It is so good to have European football and even better to have it after Christmas."
It's hard to predict, Barca might get roasted by Madrid this weekend as they have no defence due to injury. If Celtic finish this group with 8-10 points then it'll be a successful first CL for Lennon no matter where we end up in the group. Europe after Christmas; CL or EL is the main aim.
Ideally, both Spartak/Benefica games are draws but, if not, I dont want Spartak to get anymore than 1 point ... This then puts Celtic in pole position for 3rd and a platform for Celtic to push Benefica for 2nd.
No team in the world plays the lines they do. They'll ghost past us like we are not there if they are on their game. Barca play **** occasionally. On those days teams that set up as we did last night have a sniff. Everything has to be in front of us. If we give away a free kick, pump the ball into the crowd at the same time to guard against anything played quick. That is the time when class teams hurt the opposition in tight games. Any period of the game (x2) like the first 10 minutes of last night and they will be out of sight.
