The Offical Glasgow Celtic thread

[Galwaybhoy]

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

edit for spelling mistake

[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

[tintin25]

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!

Milan haven't been great this season....performing poorly domestically and didn't look great in both the home and away leg with Celtic but it was still an acheivement for Celtic to beat them.....I would go as far to say that on cureent form alone then Milan are one of the weakest of the group winners. As I say, I'm not taking away from Celtic's acheivement to reach the knockout stages but trying to put some perpective on it. Shaktar have spent big but that doesn't necessarily mean they are laced with superstars! They spent over a half of the 40 mill on Luccarelli and that Mexican striker alone...Castillo I thik his name is. Luccarelli could be descined as an Italian journeyman and the Mexican dude doesn't even play!!

[Main Street]

Benfica have a similar enough income to Celtic but made some decent money selling players on, sold a few players for €40m and could afford to spend over €30m on new players. Cardoza is a stand out for €9m.

Strachan had a good record with prevous clubs for profitable transfer dealings but atm he can only dream of having €9m to spend on a striker.

[tintin25]

Benfica have a similar enough income to Celtic but made some decent money selling players on, sold a few players for €40m and could afford to spend over €30m on new players. Cardoza is a stand out for €9m.

Strachan had a good record with prevous clubs for profitable transfer dealings but atm he can only dream of having €9m to spend on a striker.

Forget about a striker...he'd need to sort out the full-backs! 

[lfdown2]

when is the draw for the next round?

[Croí na hÉireann]

when is the draw for the next round?

Tomorrow week. Would like in order:

Porto
Sevilla
Inter Milan
Chelsea
Real Madrid
Manure
Barcelona

[lfdown2]

think id rather one of the eng teams that oul battle of britian craic seems to work...

man u
chelsea
porto
inter
seville
madrid
barca

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

when is the draw for the next round?

Tomorrow week. Would like in order:

Porto
Sevilla
Inter Milan
Chelsea
Real Madrid
Manure
Barcelona

Would say that getting Man Ure would be my preference, better the devil you know (or at least play like).
Porto would be nice for revenge, Sevilla would be the next choice, not sure about Chelski, can't remember the last time we played them, unknown quantity, though their inability to score at the minute could be a plus!  
We are going to end up with Barca or Real though!

[Croí na hÉireann]

when is the draw for the next round?

Tomorrow week. Would like in order:

Porto
Sevilla
Inter Milan
Chelsea
Real Madrid
Manure
Barcelona

Would say that getting Man Ure would be my preference, better the devil you know (or at least play like).
Porto would be nice for revenge, Sevilla would be the next choice, not sure about Chelski, can't remember the last time we played them, unknown quantity, though their inability to score at the minute could be a plus! 
We are going to end up with Barca or Real though!

Of the teams left Chelsea would give the greatest satisfaction if we beat them, then again would cause most anguish if they won. Would like to avoid Manure and Barca most purely cause have played them recently and the quality of their players is a cut above IMO.