The Offical Glasgow Celtic thread

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

Ah jezuz, the nerves are starting already! 



Celtic v AaB Aalborg 

Venue: Celtic Park Date: Wednesday, 17 September Kick-off: 1945 BST Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Scotland & BBC Radio Five Live



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Celtic are at full strength as they embark on the group campaign 

Celtic midfielder Paul Hartley has recovered from a neck injury to take his place in the squad for Wednesday's Champions League Group E opener.

Defender Mark Wilson has shrugged off a knee injury and striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink returns from suspension.

However, the Dutch striker missed training on Tuesday to be with his pregnant wife.

Aalborg defender Kasper Bogelund has been ruled out of the match with a hamstring injury.

Celtic have taken maximum points from all of their home games in the group stages over the last two seasons but they are yet to win an opening fixture in the tournament.

"We have seen a lot of good things from Aalborg even though they are not top of the league at the moment "
Gordon Strachan

The home side will be strong favourites to break that bad run and manager Gordon Strachan will be looking for his attack to open up an Aalborg side which is struggling domestically.

"(Shunsuke) Nakamura, (Aiden) McGeady, (Shaun) Maloney and people like that have proved that we need these kind of players to be big and perform one or two individual pieces of magic on European nights, because most European ties are decided by magical pieces of football from top players," said Strachan.

"The best players in the world play in this competition, so normally good players decide games.

"If you look at Barcelona last season, Lionel Messi decided what the the tie was going to be, he decided he was going to score goals and beat people at will.

"So hopefully, again, good players will decide the games and hopefully our good players will play well."

Strachan also played down the Danes' underdog status, pointing out that last season Celtic were lucky to escape from their trip to play fourth seeds Shakhtar Donetsk with only a 2-0 defeat, before struggling to beat the Ukraine side 2-1 at Parkhead.

"We had the fourth seeds in Shakhtar Donetsk last season and everyone saw how good they were," he added.

"Aalborg will think that because they are playing against the third seeds in us, that it's probably their best chance of getting an away win.

"So I'm sure both sides will be positive and try to get a victory."

Strachan added: "We have seen a lot of good things from Aalborg even though they are not top of the league at the moment.

"They finished the second half well at the weekend and I know a cup competition is completely different from the league, it is a great leveller.

"They are a bit different from the Danish side we played two seasons ago, FC Copenhagen.

"They were physically bigger than Aalborg but Aalborg move the ball about a bit quicker.

"So they are two different styles but this will be hard, like it was against Copenhagen."



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Celtic (from): Boruc, Wilson, Caldwell, McManus, Hinkel, Naylor, Robson, Crosas, Nakamura, Hartley, S Brown, Maloney, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Samaras, McDonald, Sheridan, M Brown, McGeady, Loovens, Donati, Caddis.

[Main Street]

Is it likely to be Maloney starting instead of McGeady?

[tyroneStatto]

i have a real bad feeling about this game. theres too much complacency over Alborg. think celtic could get done over tonight - a bit like the rangers game.

[T Fearon]

Can't see it. The frenetic crowd and atmosphere wont allow it. I think Man Ure could struggle with Villareal though

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

Is it likely to be Maloney starting instead of McGeady?

Would have thought that WGS would start with both and leave Naka on the bench.

i have a real bad feeling about this game. theres too much complacency over Alborg. think celtic could get done over tonight - a bit like the rangers game.

I never get complacent with these matches (still rem. Artmedia Brat.!), I think the noises coming from Parkhead are all saying keep the feet on the ground, these boys are no mugs!
I think that we're definately good enough to beat Aalborg, but need to contain them early on.

Can't see it. The frenetic crowd and atmosphere wont allow it. I think Man Ure could struggle with Villareal though

Agreed Tone, I do believe that the crowd have a very important part to play tonight.

Hail Hail

[Main Street]

Aalborg are decent enough but they are no Shakhtar who were the 4th seeds last year.

I can't wait for another last gasp winner

[illdecide]

I take it them RTE hoors are not showing the game tonight???

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

I take it them RTE hoors are not showing the game tonight???

Nah - showing Manure.
Hoops on Setanta Ireland and Sky Sports Xtra - pub for me then! 

[carribbear]

I missed the game because I was working. Probably would have put my boot through the screen seeing Maloney start instead of Aiden.

Strachan makes John Barnes seem as if he knew what he was doing.

[off the laces]

I missed the game because I was working. Probably would have put my boot through the screen seeing Maloney start instead of Aiden.

Strachan makes John Barnes seem as if he knew what he was doing.

Maloney played well last night do not know why he was taken off and samaras left on, when aiden came on he was like bambi on ice did he bring the wrong boots with him or what?
Up until the last 15 mins the midfield could not find the killer pass or run onto the ball to break down two tight marking,hard working lines of defence.
Mcdonald was getting fustrated as celtic where launching balls into space with too much pace on them, he may have scored a few with his head but he is a short arse surely balls to feet is what he thrives on.

[tyroneStatto]

i was unable to watch the game on setanta ireland as "i dont live in ireland" according to the pr*ck from setanta. i was able to see a good few of the celtic games on setanta ireland last year and the year before plus i was able to see chelsea v bordeaux on setanta ireland on tuesday night. anyway i thought celtic would struggle in this game and will do well to make the uefa cup now. what is it with robson always hitting his penalties down the middle?

[T Fearon]

Well we had enough chanecs to win that one. Maloney was arguably Celtic's best player. I was at the St Mirren game at the start of the season and Robson was very lucky to score that day with a crap penalty which went in off the keeper. new penalty taker required urgently.

On the plus side, Celtic have every chance of beating Alborg in Denmark. Definite setback though

PS Didn't I tell you Man Ure would struggle against Villarael

[mhacadoir]

Well we had enough chanecs to win that one. Maloney was arguably Celtic's best player. I was at the St Mirren game at the start of the season and Robson was very lucky to score that day with a crap penalty which went in off the keeper. new penalty taker required urgently.

On the plus side, Celtic have every chance of beating Alborg in Denmark. Definite setback though

PS Didn't I tell you Man Ure would struggle against Villarael

disagree with you tony. maloney was on the wing where i was sitting the first half, needs to be more decisive with his end product. he will run, stop, go back again, stop etc. did ok but not our best player. disappointing night, will have to get a result away somewhere.

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

Big result needed tonight - With the dropping of 2 points against Aalborg, a result tonight (either win or draw) is essential.

Barry Robson taking injections to play and Hinkel out, hopefully WGS will start with Aidaniho.

Come on the Hoops.

[Over the Bar]

Does anyone else fear the worst tonight?