The harsh realities of Champions League football against pretenders for the crown was presented once more to a disciplined and organised Celtic side. Bayern Munich, with several star players rested and injured, had sufficient resources to go home with three points. As always, please consult the Glossary if any term definitions are needed. The Learning … [continue reading]
Champions League
Brutal Reality In Bavaria
Celtic escaped a complete dismantling at the hands of the Billionaires Club of Bavaria, but a 3-0 reverse was a tough watch. Positives were difficult to find and Rodgers must reflect on defensive shape and organisation once again. This has happened to many better equipped and more monied sides than Celtic in recent times. 10 … [continue reading]
The Margins of Error
A rare and precious away win, and clean sheet, in Champions League football for Celtic. Anderlecht handed Celtic the initiative, and the Scottish Champions crafted a mature and decisive performance. A reminder to consult the Glossary if any terms are causing befuddlement. Dour Belgians There is a place called Dour in the Walloon area of … [continue reading]
Gone in 45
The growing disparities at the heart of European football were exposed in many places over the week, and none more than at Celtic Park where the Qatari backed Parisians inflicted Celtic’s record European home defeat, and record home defeat since 1895 in all competitions. The game was gone by the 40th minute when Cavani’s penalty … [continue reading]
Thrice Bitton
“You did scout Sinclair, didn’t you?” “Scout Sinclair? I thought you said SCOTT Sinclair!” All you want is the dullest of 0-0 draws, perhaps nick an away goal, so you can talk about maturity, calmness, development and being a good European side. And you get a 7-goal thriller with defensive calamities thrown in. Football, eh? … [continue reading]
Ca’ Canny
Watching these Champions League Qualifiers for many of years, they are to be endured not enjoyed. But on a remarkable night in the Celtic Park maelstrom of rain, noise and colour, Celtic rendered the journey 1/3rd of the way around the world to Kazakhstan virtually a sightseeing tour with a 5-0 win against FC Astana. … [continue reading]
Into The Known
When Celtic played FC Astana in the Champions League Third Qualifying Round, 1st leg in season 2016/17, it was Rodgers’ third game in charge. Every match had seen a different formation as he wrestled injuries, especially to defenders. Sinclair had not arrived and Toure was working up to match fitness. The Bhoys had struggled in … [continue reading]
Norwegians Blue
? “One of us made history, you made The Song of Norway” ? Celtic made it four European away games undefeated, and recorded their fourth clean sheet of the season, in Trondheim, as Group Stage football was guaranteed. The mouth of the cash river that is Champions League football has been reached. Navigating to safe … [continue reading]
Intrigued, but not Enlightened
The treacherous nature of playing teams half way through their season, in July, was amplified as Celtic struggled against a well organised Norwegian champion. Off the field events had dominated the headlines in the build-up, but on the field, there were worrying echoes of the Deila reign in Europe as the game started slowly, then … [continue reading]
No Alarms and No Surprises
At least on the pitch. The Scottish Champions opened the home campaign with a straightforward 4-0 defeat of part-time Northern Irishmen Linfield. Magical There was no doubting the Bhoy of the Match. Sinclair’s speed of thought and movement lit up the match. His two goals hopefully some recompense for the own goal awarded Linfield last … [continue reading]