Agree. Barca cannot afford to lose to two teams perceived to have little chance if winning the trophy. Our near draw in the NC means that there is pressure on Barca not to have what would be considered to be two bad home games. As to Spartak a lot will depend on their domestic situation at the time. If they need to rest players then they will. Their attitude will not be to commit themselves in case of injury, but all of that does not preclude a poor Celtic performance. We need to be at the too of our game. Loss of Vic is bad but not we bad as losing him for an away game. Kayal can cover for him and hopefully our forwards can render his absence meaningless.
A wonderful job done by Neil Lennon, his coaching staff and his team... I'm keeping an eye on the Group Winners/potential Group winners in the Champions League IF Celtic could get to the last 16! http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/champions-league/table However, if we do drop into the Europa League .. how does it work - would we be seeded and get a 2nd place team? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/europa-league/table
^^ This is how it worked last season, I think. If we are amongst the four third placed teams with the highest points, we get seeded. To be honest, this will depend on the result in the Spartak game but it looks decent just now.
Would love to get a crack at Real Madrid in the last 16. (if they finish top of their group though it's looking unlikely). Now that would be a game to savour. You never know, our national broadcaster STV might even show it. Doubtful though.
I want an EPL team With the exception of Man United, I reckon they're there for the taking. If we go into the Europa, we could get Man City in the last 16 (I think they keep the CL sides apart in the 32 round stage).
If seeded, then I'd take any team but not Inter, Napoli... If not seeded, then I wouldn't want At Madrid, Lyon, Lazio (fans are nazi ****s - just stabbed a Spurs fan).
Remember the last time we played Real Madrid , 2-0 at home with a good goal disallowed , beaten 3-0 over there Lennox missed a sitter . Then we went 23 years without European football after Christmas until the Seville run .
We nearly got them in Seville - Porto knocked them out in the semi - atmosphere would've been totally different if we were playing those irriducibili scumbags. My dad and uncle came back from that game high as kites. I was only wee and my dad only took me and my sister to games on Saturdays. Johnny Doyle scored a header which was a bit of a rarity in itself
Lazio lost 4-0 or 4-1 in the first leg against Porto in the semi that year, then sold tickets for the return leg for a euro each. I'm sure they won the game 1-0. I went to a Lazio game when I was in rome, in the curva. it was mental. making monkey noises at black players whenever they touched the ball, including their own black players.
I think our performances against Barca and Benfica make me think we'd have more chance in a glamour tie, than playing a very good but unglamorous team, like Malaga.
If we get through to the last 16 then who gives a **** who we get, I'm just going to enjoy it. We are a better side now than the one that lost to AC Millan in extra time. They won the thing that year. At I believe we should of had a ****ing penalty late in normal time. Yes, I'm saying we would have went to to win the thing!
IF we get to the last 16 we'll be underdog against whoever we're drawn. I'd like to avoid Dortmund who will rape us silly.
what's this got to do with rangers? take anyone in last 16, would just be happy to be there. anyone know the extra cash you get for the last 16? fancy newcastle if we get into euro, think we could turn the dog botherers over
I read it was about 3m euros for getting in there, so that's a good earner I think I would prefer the Euros. More chance of a run and the team has been benefitting from the experience. The more the better.
Surreal the other half of Celtic nationhood Ireland has had the last two Champions League Matches on terrestrial Tv. The Barca game was carried by RTE2 one of the Pre match pundits said at half time he expected Celtic to be 3 nil down but they all praised Celtic. Tuesday night coverage by Independent TV 3 was remarkable in that TV3 broadcasts many of ITV Programmes every day. Yet they chose Celtic, if Scotland doesn't appreciate Celtic it is good that Ireland does. If we qualify we undoubtedly will be getting a big team who will be firm favourites that may just suit us best when we are given no chance.
PSG, Malaga, Dortmund or Valencia/Munich would do me if we managed to get through. All purely from a selfish point of view - I've never been to any of their grounds, and I'm desperate to go to the away leg, and any of those destinations would be class for a game. Only really want to avoid Shaktar, as it seems we've played them more than anyone else in Europe over recent years.
Celtic's Champions League opponents sack manager Unai Emery Celtic's final Champions League Group G opponents have sacked their manager after another heavy defeat. Spartak Moscow were hammered 5-1 at home by city rivals Dynamo and within two hours fired Spaniard Unai Emery. Spartak were eliminated from the Champions League last week when they lost 3-0 to Barcelona and Benfica won 2-1 at home to Celtic. They visit Celtic on 5 December with the Scots needing to better Benfica's result in Barcelona to progress. Neil Lennon's side secured their first away win in the Champions League group stages when they beat Spartak Moscow 3-2 in October. Emery was Spartak's manager for less than half a season. The Russian side lie seventh in the their league and are 10 points behind leaders CSKA Moscow. Celtic top the Scottish Premier League but have dropped 17 points from a possible 42. Hibernian and Aberdeen are just a point behind but they have played a game more.
