The Offical Glasgow Celtic thread

[deiseach]

you would take that swap tonite deisach, celtic are in the last 16 while rafas reds are still sweating. In fact of six british teams in the champions league this year Celtic, Man U , Arsenal and Chelsea are through, Rangers need a home draw while liverpool need an away win. I think a swap with any of those 5 teams would be in order right now.

So I'd swap Liverpool's recent European record for a place in this season's last 16? Um . . .

[SeanSouth]

Depends what your aims are SCB,another glorious failure in last 16 or a chance to actually win the competition.

[Lamh Dhearg Alba]

Typical Celtic in the group stages, win their home matches and beaten away. Only when the opposition is tougher in knockouts it will probably be draw at home and tanked away.

They played (and beat at Parkhead) the defending champions in the group stage SeanSouth so not really altogether fair to say tougher opposition is waiting for them in the knockout stage. 9 points is a decent tally from a tricky group, Celtic deserved to go through.

[deiseach]

In fairness, Celtic qualified according to the rules. Not much point in second guessing them. They finished two points ahead of their nearest challengers, so it wasn't even close.

[under the bar]

For Celtic (or Rangers for that matter) to mix it in the last 16 of the Champions League is no mean feat given their revenue.  Sunderland & Derby will take £30M minimum from getting tanked week in week out in the premiership.  Celtic get about £3M max for their domestic endeavours.   Not easy competing in the UEFA Cup on that budget never mind the CL.

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

I can't wait until he replaces O'Shea at centre half for Ireland.

In fairness O'Shea has never been a first choice centre back for Ireland although he has played there occasionally. Its been Dunne and McShane for the past campaign. O'Dea seems to have potential but needs to be playing regularly. Best to avoid the hype that constantly surrounds Irish players breaking through in Glasgow.

[deiseach]

For Celtic (or Rangers for that matter) to mix it in the last 16 of the Champions League is no mean feat given their revenue.  Sunderland & Derby will take £30M minimum from getting tanked week in week out in the premiership.  Celtic get about £3M max for their domestic endeavours.   Not easy competing in the UEFA Cup on that budget never mind the CL.

That might be a useful comparison if they were competing with Sunderland or Derby in Europe. How much do you think Shaktar Donetsk earn from the Ukrainian domestic game?

[Galwaybhoy]

Well Celtic through as expected, the good times are ahead!

edit for spelling mistake

[clarshack]

For Celtic (or Rangers for that matter) to mix it in the last 16 of the Champions League is no mean feat given their revenue.  Sunderland & Derby will take £30M minimum from getting tanked week in week out in the premiership.  Celtic get about £3M max for their domestic endeavours.   Not easy competing in the UEFA Cup on that budget never mind the CL.

That might be a useful comparison if they were competing with Sunderland or Derby in Europe. How much do you think Shaktar Donetsk earn from the Ukrainian domestic game?

shaktar spent €40 million in the summer.

[under the bar]

That might be a useful comparison if they were competing with Sunderland or Derby in Europe. How much do you think Shaktar Donetsk earn from the Ukrainian domestic game?

No but they are competing with Liverpool who earn about £40M a year domestically yet who Celtic have beaten at Anfield to put them out of Europe.  Liverpool played in the UEFA cup final in 02 and went on to win the CL in 05.   The only thing that stopped Celtic from building on their UEFA cup run was lack of revenue.

btw: Shakhtar have spent £50M in the past two seasons on players.  They have plenty of dodgy oil money. 

[Main Street]

When Celtic beat Liverpool they looked a lot better team that they do now, yet 2nd year running they are through to last 16.

If Rangers go through as well then they will claim a larger slice of that CL prize money.
Good for Scotlands CL seeding, bad for Celtics bank balance.

[tintin25]

Had a feeling that Celtic would lose but still get through. Fair play to them but when you look back you have to say it was a seriousley poor group. Yes, Milan are current European champions but haven't done nething this season to suggest they'll retain it or even push for domestic honours.

[Rav67]

Would disagree that its a poor group - Milan have been written off as "finished" for a while but they are European Champions and perenially make the semis at least. It was only April that they completely destroyed Man Utd lets not forget!  Benfica are unbeaten domestically for over a year, and Shaktar were the best of the 4th seeds easily - and the money they have spent has already been alluded to.

Well done WGS and the bhoys!

[Main Street]

I can't wait until he replaces O'Shea at centre half for Ireland.

In fairness O'Shea has never been a first choice centre back for Ireland although he has played there occasionally. Its been Dunne and McShane for the past campaign. O'Dea seems to have potential but needs to be playing regularly. Best to avoid the hype that constantly surrounds Irish players breaking through in Glasgow.

I am not aware of any hype surrounding O'Dea. Most Irish fans think Celtic are playing in a lowish standard league. If he is not ready for Celtic then that says enough.
I have only seen O'Dea play for the u21's, as well as ability he is an organiser. Neither O'Shea nor McShane are talkers and  look better when playing with Dunne.
ATM Dunne is the only permanent centre half, McShane now is probably behind O'Shea in a pecking order.
Depending  on the new manager, there is a space waiting for O'Dea in the senior team/squad when he is ready to move up.

[deiseach]

shaktar spent €40 million in the summer.

Crikey, I stand corrected. Fair play to Celtic on that score then