The Offical Glasgow Celtic thread

[T Fearon]

Arsenal hadn't one englishman last night whereas Celtic had four scots (including Mc Geady who was born there) Says it all.

The irony is that when the financial playing fields were level Celtic and Rangers regularly pissed on English teams (and they were Champions of England) in the European Cup. Both of them knocked Leeds out. In 1967 Scottish Football was arguably the strongest in Europe with Celtic winning the European Cup and Rangers only losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich in that years ECWC Final after extra time.

The money bubble will burst soon enough in England and a lot of so called big clubs will go the way of Leeds.

Celtic and Rangers will always be strong and relatively stable

[Eastern_Pride]

I thought Celtic weren't doing too badly at all until Arsenal's jammy first goal on the stroke of half-time. Yes Arsenal had most of the ball but had created very little really. Granted Celtic had created even less but in no way were Celtic being outclassed. They actually looked relatively comfortable. The Gallas goal seemed to shake them though as Celtic started the second half in a daze and Arsenal could have added another goal or two at that stage but after that Celtic settled down again until Caldwell put into his own net. I don't think Arsenal even played particularly well on the night but they controlled most of the possession and had two big slices of jam which led to their goals.

McGeady actually played very well and looked about the only player who would look comfortable in the Arsenal team. He had very little support around him though. Samaras and McDonald were anonymous and Fortune god love him was completely rubbish. Brown as well is terribly overrated. If 'Arry Redknapp offers Celtic 10M for him they should bite his arm off. He can barely control and pass the ball to a teammate.

I'd agree with that though I dont think McGeady did as well as some of you are saying. Maybe I just expect more.
Def Celtic had to change things after the first goal so left it even more open in the second half for arsenal.

not sure what game oneill was watching (or thought he was watching) at both teams played identical formations - though arsenal called theirs 433 and Celtic 451 - they were both 451 !

If the game had not been graced with the two lucky goals, a 0-0 result would not have been incorrect.
Almunia certainly had more to do in the first half (with crosses) than Boruc .

Someone cited man city as proof that buying players doesnt guarantee success.
OK explain chelsea then ! !!

can hardly say man u's team are all home grown either !

I don't think anyone noticed but chelsea were an established top 6 club when abramovich came along an had just snatched a champions league place. We had been buying players left right and center for years before, the reason why all academy players are now playing at a very high level of football at clubs like blackburn, wiganand villareal. Man City are completely different in that the trophies they were aiming for 10 years ago while Chelsea were in a CL final were the Vans Trophy. Man City have, in all fairness, bought much better than Chelsea did and I think, in the long run, they will have reached the Champions League 2nd Round by 2012 if Jose Mourinho returns. He is GOD!

[DennistheMenace]

Chelsea had success before Roman money came to Stamford bridge though, a face quite a lot of football fans seem to miss to suit their own argument.

[Doogie Browser]

why do the english fans on here feel the need to tell all celtic fans how bad their team is, I dont think anyone on here would not acknowledge the gulf in class (money) however last night boruc wasnt tested, two freak goals and for my mind an absolute definate penalty waved away for celtic at 1-0, celtic did little else than hold arsenal for the majority of the game but they did that and had more of the ball in the second half. Well done arsenal though I would still be wary of the second leg, and think celtic could get a draw out of it.

Europa cup football isnt the end of the world, just disappointing when celtic shouldn't have been in the position needing to qualify!

It has become cool to hate Celtic in recent times, I know of people who take delight at Rangers winning the league ahead of Celtic which is sad.  I have great affinity for Celtic, they are a well run club with an enviable fan base.
Good luck to Arsenal but it is still plain to see that when a game gets physical they have no match in the middle of the park, until that is addressed their trophy free run will continue.

[DennistheMenace]

I thought Song and Fabregas were both excellent in the middle last night. Song has the potential to be a very good player DM and seems to have beefed up a bit over the summer.

[Eastern_Pride]

Chelsea had success before Roman money came to Stamford bridge though, a face quite a lot of football fans seem to miss to suit their own argument.

My whole argument precisely.

[DennistheMenace]

Chelsea had success before Roman money came to Stamford bridge though, a face quite a lot of football fans seem to miss to suit their own argument.

My whole argument precisely.

We're not allowed to agree. I agree with whoever isn't agreeing with you.

[Eastern_Pride]

Chelsea had success before Roman money came to Stamford bridge though, a face quite a lot of football fans seem to miss to suit their own argument.

My whole argument precisely.

We're not allowed to agree. I agree with whoever isn't agreeing with you.

I disagree with that.

[bingobus]

why do the english fans on here feel the need to tell all celtic fans how bad their team is, I dont think anyone on here would not acknowledge the gulf in class (money) however last night boruc wasnt tested, two freak goals and for my mind an absolute definate penalty waved away for celtic at 1-0, celtic did little else than hold arsenal for the majority of the game but they did that and had more of the ball in the second half. Well done arsenal though I would still be wary of the second leg, and think celtic could get a draw out of it.

Europa cup football isnt the end of the world, just disappointing when celtic shouldn't have been in the position needing to qualify!

It has become cool to hate Celtic in recent times, I know of people who take delight at Rangers winning the league ahead of Celtic which is sad.  I have great affinity for Celtic, they are a well run club with an enviable fan base.
Good luck to Arsenal but it is still plain to see that when a game gets physical they have no match in the middle of the park, until that is addressed their trophy free run will continue.

Far from it been that people hate celtic, its probably the case that when Celtic get a result in Europe, generally at home, we are told about how they would win the EPL in a few years if they got the chance. This is far from the truth and Celtic fans have problems facing up to that.

[lynchbhoy]

Chelsea had success before Roman money came to Stamford bridge though, a face quite a lot of football fans seem to miss to suit their own argument.

My whole argument precisely.

before amhramovitz's money ....but not before hardings money

certainly the resurgence of chelsea from the div 2 oblivion was kickstarted by massive financial investment.
roman A's additional investment raised them a level higher.

...but chelsea et al didnt buy their way to the top 
Celtic would do likewise if they had the funds. All clubs do - so dont go fooling yoursleves lads !
chelsea did buy their way up ! and then up again !

[lynchbhoy]

why do the english fans on here feel the need to tell all celtic fans how bad their team is, I dont think anyone on here would not acknowledge the gulf in class (money) however last night boruc wasnt tested, two freak goals and for my mind an absolute definate penalty waved away for celtic at 1-0, celtic did little else than hold arsenal for the majority of the game but they did that and had more of the ball in the second half. Well done arsenal though I would still be wary of the second leg, and think celtic could get a draw out of it.

Europa cup football isnt the end of the world, just disappointing when celtic shouldn't have been in the position needing to qualify!

It has become cool to hate Celtic in recent times, I know of people who take delight at Rangers winning the league ahead of Celtic which is sad.  I have great affinity for Celtic, they are a well run club with an enviable fan base.
Good luck to Arsenal but it is still plain to see that when a game gets physical they have no match in the middle of the park, until that is addressed their trophy free run will continue.

Far from it been that people hate celtic, its probably the case that when Celtic get a result in Europe, generally at home, we are told about how they would win the EPL in a few years if they got the chance. This is far from the truth and Celtic fans have problems facing up to that.

pray tell how and why ?

(not that I  think they would  - but wonder how you quantify that)

[Eastern_Pride]

Chelsea had success before Roman money came to Stamford bridge though, a face quite a lot of football fans seem to miss to suit their own argument.

My whole argument precisely.

before amhramovitz's money ....but not before hardings money

certainly the resurgence of chelsea from the div 2 oblivion was kickstarted by massive financial investment.
roman A's additional investment raised them a level higher.

...but chelsea et al didnt buy their way to the top 
Celtic would do likewise if they had the funds. All clubs do - so dont go fooling yoursleves lads !
chelsea did buy their way up ! and then up again !

Is that not what I've been saying if you read my original quote?

[spiritof91and94]

Its all relative.

By and large Celtic did as well as the vast majority of EPL teams last night, but sure at the other end of the scale, the Italian clubs and particularly the Spanish clubs (if they're not fueding amongst each other) regularly piss over the EPL clubs (discount Liverpool's steal in 2005) in the latter stages

Arsenal will not be involved when it matters in this tournament as they will be pissed on with a club that has more money then them

Have a day off tony ffs

[lynchbhoy]

Chelsea had success before Roman money came to Stamford bridge though, a face quite a lot of football fans seem to miss to suit their own argument.

My whole argument precisely.

before amhramovitz's money ....but not before hardings money

certainly the resurgence of chelsea from the div 2 oblivion was kickstarted by massive financial investment.
roman A's additional investment raised them a level higher.

...but chelsea et al didnt buy their way to the top 
Celtic would do likewise if they had the funds. All clubs do - so dont go fooling yoursleves lads !
chelsea did buy their way up ! and then up again !

Is that not what I've been saying if you read my original quote?

so you are in agreement that chelsea didnt buy their success?
my original point wasnt actually in reply to you !
Just picked your quote at random more or less as it seemed to indicate that chelsea didnt buy success - from either roman a, or any other wealthy benefactor.

[bingobus]

why do the english fans on here feel the need to tell all celtic fans how bad their team is, I dont think anyone on here would not acknowledge the gulf in class (money) however last night boruc wasnt tested, two freak goals and for my mind an absolute definate penalty waved away for celtic at 1-0, celtic did little else than hold arsenal for the majority of the game but they did that and had more of the ball in the second half. Well done arsenal though I would still be wary of the second leg, and think celtic could get a draw out of it.

Europa cup football isnt the end of the world, just disappointing when celtic shouldn't have been in the position needing to qualify!

It has become cool to hate Celtic in recent times, I know of people who take delight at Rangers winning the league ahead of Celtic which is sad.  I have great affinity for Celtic, they are a well run club with an enviable fan base.
Good luck to Arsenal but it is still plain to see that when a game gets physical they have no match in the middle of the park, until that is addressed their trophy free run will continue.

Far from it been that people hate celtic, its probably the case that when Celtic get a result in Europe, generally at home, we are told about how they would win the EPL in a few years if they got the chance. This is far from the truth and Celtic fans have problems facing up to that.

pray tell how and why ?

(not that I  think they would  - but wonder how you quantify that)

Well for a start look at the squads and the players Celtic are buying, and Rangers for that matter. They normall poach from other SPL teams or pick up Championship players from midlevel teams. Other players bought are from French and dutch league teams. These are the type of player that even promoted EPL players don't go after - Loovens, Naylor, Donati, Fortune, Fox, etc etc. These guys are solid footballers but not even on the radar of the EPL clubs.

The transfer of players from the EPL to the SPL and vice versa had dried up in recent years. From the days of Butcher, Woods, Bellamy, Lennon, Stuart Slater even to Viduka, Di Canio, Petrov, Van Hoojdunk, Amoruso, Tugay, transferring between the two leagues we rarely see anyone moving now. Mendes in the past year to Rangers is all I can think off and he was unwanted at Portsmouth. Maloney couldn't cut it, Ferguson couldn't cut it, even Petrov took a while to settle from the kick and chase that he faced in the SPL.

The gap in quality is widening.

The form of Celtic in the CL away from home, would also be an indication. They struggle against teams that keep the ball and don't just hoof it up at them like they face in away SPL matches where they will continue to dominate possession. When they have to win the ball and keep it in the CL away matches they can be exposed.

I don't think Celtic are a bad side but they are losing pace with the EPL teams, as it is becoming less attractive to play up north.

As for Celtic fans not facing up to the truth - look at Fearons post about the performance of the EPL teams in the CL.