CELTIC made a heroic contribution to a history-making night in Milan, but even a new entry in the annals could not prevent their elimination from the last 16 of the Champions League.
The first knockout tie in the 14-year existence of the tournament to produce two scoreless draws after 180 minutes was decided by the extra-time goal from the Brazilian, Kaka, that seemed to underline the misfortunes of Gordon Strachan's team.
The manager and his players will surely dwell on might-have-been when recollecting the refusal of Austrian referee Konrad Plautz to award them an early penalty kick when the Milan captain, Paolo Maldini, clearly handled a shot from Jiri Jarosik.
The match official denied the Scottish champions the opportunity to score the goal that would have taken them through to the quarter-finals. Kaka, having carried the ball for 50 yards before driving it between the legs of Artur Boruc, merely deepened the sense of injustice.
Football matches are often shaped by the events of the opening stages and the incident that occurred in the seventh minute of this hypnotic contest would have been enough to fill every Celtic fan in the stadium with a sense of foreboding.
It was the result of a free-kick from Shunsuke Nakamura out on the left which arrived at the feet of Jiri Jarosik, standing free beyond the far post. As the tall Czech stepped forward and hit his shot, Paolo Maldini clearly deflected the ball wide with his outstretched hand.
It was the kind of offence for which Celtic themselves have been crucially penalised in the past, most notably on the night in Lyon when Bobo Balde's hand ball brought the penalty kick that eliminated the Scottish champions from the tournament.
It was also a failure by referee Konrad Plautz and his assistant, both of whom had an unobstructed view, that could easily have frustrated the Celtic players to the brink of discouragement, in the process strengthening the belief of their opponents.
Instead, the visitors did not allow the disappointment to interfere with their spirit, or to disrupt their adherence to a game plan that seemed to surprise Milan to the extent of disturbing the rhythm Ancelotti's side would have been expected to establish soon after the start.
Indeed, Celtic demonstrated a composure, accuracy in the pass and significant possession which had been largely unseen in their previous away matches.
Strachan had selected an unsurprising 11 but tweaked their deployment, with the obvious intention of giving Milan something to keep them busy which they probably had not expected. By sending Aiden McGeady into central midfield and allowing Jarosik to roam across the front line in support of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, the Celtic manager seemed to wrong-foot the Italians for a considerable period of the match.
Indeed, the latter spent much of the first half apparently suffering from an uncertainty that had seemed alien to them in the first match in Glasgow.
As a consequence, they were, for much of the time, conspicuously less menacing.
They did not, of course, fail to threaten. With a capacity for breaking from defence at pace through Kaka - supported by Clarence Seedorf and with Fillippo Inzaghi waiting hungrily around the Celtic goal area - there was never much likelihood that Artur Boruc would not see action.
The goalkeeper had, in fact, saved well from Kaka early in the game and looked very competent in dealing with crosses into his area. He was also brilliantly served on a couple of occasions by alert and quick team-mates in defence.
Darren O'Dea, for example, put a stop to the marauding left-back, Marek Jankulovski, on the right side of his penalty area, sliding in to block the cut-back after the Czech had been released by Seedorf.
And when Nakamura's poor pass allowed Kaka the possession to supply Seedorf down the left, Lee Naylor rushed back into his six-yard baox to intercept a low pass that was heading straight for the unmarked Inzaghi.
The deepening sense of urgency that coursed through the Milan players in the second half was as predictable as it was necessary. Matched by Celtic in every area of the field, any pre-match expectations of a trouble-free passage into the quarter-finals would have evaporated by the interval.
The visitors' crisp tackling throughout the team was something of a revelation, allowing them to gain possession at the unlikeliest moments. In this regard, Jarosik and Evander Sno were significant contributors, with even McGeady and Nakamura winning their share of challengers.
Jarosik seemed to be in the process of delivering his most impressive performance in a green-and-white shirt when he was replaced by Thomas Gravesen in the 61st minute, perhaps feeling the effect of a knock.
The tactical re-arrangement took McGeady back to his more accustomed role wide on the left, with Gravesen joining Sno and Lennon in central midfield. The big Dane was involved almost immediately in an attack which half-promised to bring Celtic the lead.
Lennon played the pass forward to Nakamura, who flicked it to Gravesen, on the edge of the penalty area.
The sub played it into the air and hit a powerful volley that was blocked by the rushing Daniele Bonera.
As the home players' urgency seemed to be turning to anxiety, they suddenly produced a quick thrust that would have left Inzaghi clear on Boruc but for Naylor's challenge as the two players hurtled into the openalty area.
The referee held the full-back's challenge to be illegal, but called it on the 18-yard line, rather than inside the area.
It was the kind of break Scottish clubs are not used to on these occasions and Celtic took advantage by blocking Jankulovski's shot from Kaka's short free kick.
It was typical of the Parkhead side's resistance throughout a match in which they had certainly distinguished themselves.
Exellent report Mr.
Gibbons. The truth is that Celtic could have won the match handily. They were not outclassed--far from it.
The match officials made some poor decisions that favored the home side. I am very disappointed, but what an exciting match it was nevertheless. Celtic did us proud, as did our supporters.
The only sour note for me was the decrepit commentary on Setanta. Can they not find someone who knows what he or she is talking about? Macari was okay, just about, but that other guy spewed the usual English patronizations.
But let's not allow that to spoil a memorable occasion. Hail! Hail!
Celtic for the double!
Macari was mince as usual. Setanta was crap.
Celtic played with pride and honour. Referee was gutless. If consistent he would have called 3 penalties, two for us.
Does anyone think that if inzhagi had been bullied off the ball late on, instead of naka, that it wouldnt have been a penalty.
Strachan has continued to push forward this work in progress. We get better every year and will continue to do so.
Well done wee man.
I agree, great report and fair to say that we can hold our heads up high with a brave performance but sadly not the right result.
Milan are a top class outfit so it speaks volumes of the amazing progress our team is making.
.
Once the predictable non Celts fans come on later to attempt the obligatory wind up just realise that teams such as Man Utd, Liverpool , Chelsea and Arsenal have had years to get used to CL football and the experience will do us well for next seasons's CL campaign..
proud of you Bhoys!!
Milan.
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Celtic
59.1% Possession 40.9%
1 Goals Scored 0
37 Attempts on Goal 7
9 Shots on Target 1
20 Shots off Target 3
8 Blocked Shots 3
12 Corners Won 3
22 Fouls Conceded 29
3 Offsides 4
1 Yellow Cards 4
0 Red Cards 0
25 Tackles 24
100.
0% Tackle Success 91.7%
82.4% Passing Accuracy 77.
6%
636 Passes 441
Ah the Truth comes out...
.sorry, I apologise..
actually the only stat that would make it look like a one sided game would be shots but there are more than enought stats Mr truth wouldn't you agree where it shows how well Celtic matched Milan in the game not mentioning strong penalty claims...
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well done milan!
Celtic fail to win a game away from home yet again.
.A poor record indeed and one they need to address.
There is something seriously wrong at Celtic Park!
#6
The Stats dont lie...
.except if you are wearing green specs and a reporter for the daily rebel
Or is it a case of
infamy..
.infamy..
.they've all got it infamy
Take the old chip off..
.surprisingly, it happens to every team in the world
Oh please shut up Media 1, why is there something seriously wrong at Celtic Park? You really are a clueless man about the game sometimes.
..doubt you ever played at a decent level.
..
We have total confidence in WGS taking Celtic further in being a consistent top 16 team in the CL and to do better.
..this is a new young team, every Celtic fan will see this as progress in getting as far as the last 16 this season.
Only narrow minded non hoops fans will see it any other way..you should all be proud for how well ALL Scottish teams have done this season with rangers still in the EUFA Cup.
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Is that 1 point from 39 in away games?
This is a pretty average Milan side.
Celtic had one shout for a penalty, the other-Nakered motor-he ran into the defender.
No mention of bottles and buses I see.
The match official denied the Scottish champions the opportunity to score the goal that would have taken them through to the quarter-finals.
Does Mr Gibbons know something we mere mortals don't ...
.since when would converting a pen in the first 10 mins of a game guarantee you the win..
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the goal that WOULD have taken them through...
eh !!
Nah the only reason I love to see the infirm in Europe is that they get a taste of their own medicine from real refs .
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. the rest of the SPL have to put up with 'what might have been' ref decisions every time they play them. Stop greetin buoys.
Oh and why the fcuk all those stupid Irish hats worn by a good lot of the unwashed in Milan.
Look mate your telling them facts.
Beggars can't relate to facts only fiction..
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.they live in a movie world
15 Aye the diddy league as beggars call it..
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remember
Now all we need is the current buns to get emptied to shut up the weiges, celtic got what they deserved last night he haw.
When celtic do just enough to beat the diddy teams in Scotland it's the mark of champions, but when they do just enough to lose in Europe it's the ref's fault, glorious failure, yada, yada, yada..
.
You lost to a poor Milan side, get over it.
Fail, Fail!
..and tonight, hopefully, Hollow, Hollow!
#19 Sorry, remind me of Hibs proud European record then?
You'll never shut up the weegies you stupid chavvy radge.
Edinburgh=Hibs+Hearts= Utter garbage losers.
Plain and simple algebra.
The Truth and Vietnam Bear.
Grow up.
Its a poor look-out when the Peepul have to dine off the meagre scraps of a European defeat. Weren't you balloons predicting a humping of Juventus v Rangers style proportions (8-1 aggregate if you remember) pre-match? And when that fails to materialise, you trot out Statto style boring figures that mean hee-haw or resort to the old Milan are rubbish anyway type of pash that really is the last resort of a yahoo that knows absolutely nothing about football.
Sorry, I did that years ago when Celtic couldn't buy a meaningful win against Rangers, and then realised I was kidding myself on. A proxy win by someone in Europe actually was no substitute for beating your rivals in the flesh. Hollow victories when the League was over never quite satisfied.
So dream on of the day you can once again dominate in Scotland. Surely with top level signings such as Kirk Broadfoot and Alan Gow, players with real European pedigree, the days of the mighty Gers lording it all over the likes of Milan can't be too far over the horizon!
As for living in a movie world Mr Vietnam Bear, who can forget that blockbuster we all watched in early August - We have the Greatest Young Manager in Europe and you guys are trembling which somehow failed to catch on at the box office.
Then the even more scintillating I was a teenage mutually consented manager which flitted in and out of the multiplexes at Christmas. And of course who could forget The return of the Prodigal Sons , which is now showing all over Scotland. The movies coming out of Ibrox this year have been nothing if not consistently entertaining.
Re The Truth. Did he quote the stats from the first leg, which I seem to recall showed Celtic with 55-60% of possession..
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#22 As predicted Rangers FC are still in Europe.
Celtic are out.
They are out because they are not very good and Strachan thinks tactics are wee white things that freshen your breath.
C'mon the Gers, flyinfg the flag for Scotland and Great Britain.
I did notice a couple of chances Milan had when they were clean through on goal only for the Ref to pull the play back for an earlier foul which gave Milan a free kick thus denying them a couple of good chances to score.
The foul on Inzaghi might have been given as a penalty so Celtic certainly got a break there.
Celtic weren't the only ones hard done by last night by the officials.
Yeah, after accepting an unearned invite when all the Scottish clubs above them declined the offer.
And how many teams were there?
8, I think and you made it to the last 4. Not really worth mentioning in club honours when you think about it.
Did anyone watch the Sky coverage of the game?
What did Gullit find so funny at the end of the game. He almost fell of his chair laughing?
I wonder if TGFITW will be hiring a private eye to find out if the Austrian ref linesman are masons?
Or maybe they will get their friends in the medhia to have 25 page pull outs to analyse the situation. Or hire a psychologist to prove he wasnt thinking clearly. Or maybe they will just find out where he lives and pan a few windows in.
Or...
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Celtic, losing and dignity, words that just dont go together.
Fantastic performance by Scotlaqnds best team!
Up against a superior opposition but still played well and could have won the game and the tie..
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..all points towards continuing improvement and a bright future.
.
Vietnam Beast - The paedophilia-philiac - and any other guys on here to gloat - you really dont have much to look forward to gents - just a few more years of Celtic domination.
Ball to hand in the San Siro against AC Milan is not a stonewall penalty.
Especially when you are from a 'diddy' league like the SPL. Get over it.
#2 have a read of #5's match stats and go and book in at the nearest clinic, you're having wild delusions could have won the match handily my arse.
It shows how shallow The Truth, Vietnambear and Media 1 are when they start posting the same post on multiple threads. I can almost make allowances for Truth/Media as they are just harmless. VB on the other handis a more insidious creature who is attempting to stir up racism and hatred.
We did all right with the players at our disposal but rode our luck over the two legs.
However, assuming three or four astute signings, the future looks bright. Onward and upward.
No 32 - connaughtboy - your right about this creature - he's one of the eejits who will get this closed down.
Now you can concentrate on the league, Killie,Inverness,Gretna,etc..
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You may have to make that 5. Boruc is going to get some serious offers.
Absolutely delighted with the game last night. And the negative sniping on this forum is genuine music to my ears. May the greatest joy of our biggest rivals be in a narrow defeat (away) to one of the top 5 teams on the planet in the knockout stages of the champions league.
It's important to have perspective, and from where I'm typing things just could not be any better.
What a keeper.
What a defence.
Darren O' Dea was immense…as was McManus (but we've come to expect that).
This time last year Sno was just 18 and in the Feyenoord reserves, last night wasn't his best game for the hoops but there's a pretty obvious truck-load of potential there.
Lee Naylor, 600 grand?
Unbelieveable.
Paul Telfer, 200 grand?Outstanding.
McGeady, no outlay. Didn't look out of place to me and if he want's to test himself at a higher level then (like boruc) he won't be going for less than 3-4 million (and I think the Celtic scouting system has been shown to be pretty effective).
8 of celtic's team cost LESS THAN ONE THIRD of Milan's most expensive player.
Says it all really.
It took Man Utd at least 5 attempts to get to grips with the champions league. A very young/inexperienced Celtic team (with their highest paid player Gravesen on the bench) went to the San Siro and (judging by the genuinely happy reaction of the Milan management team at the final whistle) gave them a game and a half.
The better team won (over the 2 games). I have no complaints about that. But I also know:
- we're in the CL again next season, and experience like last night will be invaluable.
- we have some considerable strength in depth……..honestly now, how would Rangers love to have people like Miller and Gravesen ON THE BENCH tonight?
?And it's pretty useful to be able to slot in our beloved Elvis (how I loved even typing that!!
) and Hartley for Sunday, Miller should be firing on all cylinders too………possibly even derek Riordan might get a nod, so much to choose from!
- Even the most bitter inhabitant of planet bitter would have to concede that there is a reasonable young (i.e.
under 25) core (Wilson, McGeady,O'Dea, McManus,Sno, Riordan).
I haven't even mentioned the pretty healthy financial status….and the money that WILL be available to strengthen the squad even further.
And, by the way, I GENUINELY hope that Rangers win tonight…..it is important that the direct entry to the CL group stages is copper-fastened.
#5 Absolutely spot on. Celtic played with 2 only Scots in their team. So forget about them representing Scotland.
Their sole tactic was to bore the other team to death. look at the descriptions - fighting display. battling performance.
They got their just deserts. Good riddance.
#38, Vietnam Bear, The truth
Naturally you now have to scurry away and eke out some statistics clarifying how Milan are not so good etc.
etc.
Thanks for the match Stats The Truth ..
..much appreciated.
By the way, would you think that guys who weren't in Celtic's starting 11 such as Elvis, Gravesen, Riordan, Wilson and Hartley might make the Rangers starting 11 for Sunday..assuming they were eligible/available of course.
28# gullit was laughing at the gut on neil lennon,when he took his top off.
#40 Highly amused about the suggestion the referee may have been biased.
Better watch out, you might all be branded circus acts and have monkies named after you in the Safari Park.
Corruption in the game, surely not? Or when it suits you, well then maybe yes.
Well it was clear for all to see now Celtic have become far to big for the diddy teams in Scotland.
We have the best team by a mile the best support in the world.
we are in profit there will be no challege next year either what a drab outlook for next year, the lesser teams are all just fighting for 2nd place again this won't change next year or the year after that.
Hail Hail
The Bishop - you're in the same deluded world as Darren O'Dim who said in the paper that Sellick maybe had done just enough to win it !
!! You couldn't make it up.
It was the biggest 1-0 drubbing in years. All that stopped Milan was the woodwork, goal-line clearances and brilliant saves from Boruc. Their keeper had NOTHING to do.
I was gutting myself listening to Maguire(real name of Peter Martin)and Guidi on radio and Walker (the Cheat) on tv fervently hoping for a free kick, a corner (could this be a chance for Sellick?) a bit of luck , a moment of genius, a mistake etc etc etc and Ra Sellick might snatch it at the end.
Nearly fell off my seat when Walker said at halftime Milan are there for the taking.
Celtic have a good chance now in this game . This after 45 minutes when Sellick hardly got up the other end of the park and had ONE shot(YARDS wide) while Milan were pounding them.
Thankfully, we don't need to rely on the words of these Sellick men with microphones - as we can SEE for ourselves how outclassed Sellick was.
PS When the draw was made all these guys (and Sellick fans) were telling us how poor Milan were, what a terrible season they were having, how they were the easiest seed Sellick could have drawn, not the team of old, how they were there for the taking etc. NOW, of course, they're world class, a brilliant team, one of the favourites. They'll be OUT in the next round (unless they meet PSV)
I just hope that Sellick have used up all their luck now before Sunday when Gers will add to their misery!
#5
59.1% - 40.9% in favour of a vastly technically superior side?
I'd take that stat.
20 shots, 9 on target. Fair enough.
How many where outside the box, and how many seriously troubled Boruc?
More fouls conceded - Not surprising AT ALL for an away side.
And 100% tackle success?
I'm sorry, but I seem to recall Lee Naylor evading two Milan tackles in the first half. WTF is classed a successful tackle anyway?
#25
Actually, as the performance shows, and the fact that Celtic took Milan all the way (all the while holding Kaka, Pirlo, Inzaghi Co scoreless for 180 minutes BTW) Strachan got his tactics SPOT ON last night.
As predicted Rangers are still in Europe ? That was some prediction . Did they play last night?
I suppose the UEFA Cup isn't such a diddy competition anymore? And we're not very good? Give yerself a lash.
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#29
Losing Dignity?
I thought the fans where very dignified last night. And tell me if it was your team (which may or may not be Rangers - I don't really give a toss) you wouldn't be questioning ref decisions. Got nothing to do with dignity, just football fans questioning decisions, EVERY football fan does it, for EVERY team, so get off yer soapbox.
In all a decent performance. A central defence consisting of a 30-something journeyman, a 600-grand Championship player, an 18 year old kid and a 24 year old Scot keeping Kaka, Pirlo Inzaghi scoreless over two matches. A 19 year old kid no-one had heard of not looking out of place against the likes of Ambrosini Gattuso.
Little disappointed with Naka and maybe the forwards, but don't try telling me that this Milan team is awful or mediocre or anything like that. Remember - it took one piece of magic from a very special player to win it in extra time - albeit with a bit of suspect defending - 50 yards without a tackle?
Oh BTW check out
just in case you're a little confused as to just how good Milan actually are.
/rant
You huns are so amusing! What wit and humour!
Yup we lost and probably deserved to lose.
And I doubt Milan will go much further - they lack the strikers to win this competition.
The point is that we could have won this game, the teams were very close. If we'd scored that penalty which we possibly should have had, Milan would have needed two goals .
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Compared to last season we're better and it looks like that progress can be maintained.
This team will not lose players (only Lennon and Telfor are doubts for next season) unless we sell and we will get a good price for those we sell. Added to a profitable company there are funds available. Hopefully we can buy better than Graveson - Tomyshuk (sp?
) in the Ukraine was mentioned last year ...
possibly a striker too.
Mavro et al,
earlier in the season Milan were struggling. However, in the last 10 Seie A games they've won 8 (and drawn the other 2).
Do you think they've found their form?
You could compare that to Hapoel or even the mighty Osasuna?
#45, your Ukrainian has already signed for Advocaat's St Petersburg and the other possibility put out by Ra Sellick's spin docs, Voronin is going to Liverpool!
Still I'm sure you can pick up a striker from the Cahmpionship who'll score half the goals of Boyd but more than Kenny Misser.
Mavro,
Outstanding.
Please lads keep it coming.
It must hurt so bad.
By the way, would you think that guys who weren't in Celtic's starting 11 such as Elvis, Gravesen, Riordan, Wilson and Hartley might make the Rangers starting 11 for Sunday..
assuming they were eligible/available of course.
Please guys, a witty response, I'm waiting..
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I remember back in the mid-90's taking so much pleasure from Rangers' regular drubbings in Europe (0-4 v Ajax and Juventusx2 were particular favourites). They were shown up to be not even mediocre on the European stage.
Last night, Celtic were clearly not as good as Milan, but over 180 minutes of competitive football, we matched them. One or two decisions the other way could have changed the eventual outcome. The way Milan celebrated their goal tells you all you need to know about how well Celtic played over the two legs.
The Celtic youth system is as good now as it ever was - McManus, O'Dea and McGeady were immense. Evander Sno hasn't come through the ranks since the age of 12, but he is still eligible to play in our U19 team. None of them looked out of place in the San Siro.
I had noted Voronin's move too. And that you're ignoring the stats on Milan!!
We've got to hope that there are others out there of similar quality being dug up by the scouts. They've done well so far, so let's find some more. If you're buying in the £2-3m market you've a better bet of getting someone good than the £2-300,000 market but there still have been failures.
The team is crying out for a good striker and an experienced box to box midfielder (say Petrov!).
Seriously Mavro,
How do you think 'em up?
? It really strikes deep into the heart of Celtic (or to use one of your one - Sellick) supporters everywhere. You truly are the hun with the puns .
I'm sure Rangers would very much like both of these players (O' Dea Miller) on their bench, not to mention the usual calibre of our second string...
.Gravesen, Hartley et al..
...
.can you please come up with a few funny puns on these names?
Getting back to the football though, dosen't matter a whit if Celtic lose on Sunday.
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well still be playing in the group stages of the champions league next season - with an even stronger team. Some new names for you to make funny words/puns with.
Please mavro keep it coming.
It must hurt so bad.
Pure music to my ears.
May the greatest joy of our biggest rivals continue to be in a narrow Celtic defeat (away) to one of the top 5 teams on the planet in the knockout stages of the champions league.
And, as I've said before, I GENUINELY hope that Rangers win tonight…..it is important that the direct entry of eth Scottish champions to the CL group stages is copper-fastened.
I will heartily cheer on the Teddy Bears tonight. I REALLY REALLY hope they win.
No complaints.
..another fine season in Europe that has garnished this young Celtic side with invaluable experience.
Its had its ups and downs but We WERE there and its where we want to be. The company you keep says a lot about you.
Our reputation has been enhanced on and off the field.
..the finances are looking positive, we have a young team that will be added to in the close season,the league is almost wrapped up with the guarantee of another chance to mix it with the big boys next season in the C.
L...
..not too shabby.
What joy it gives me to see Mavro and Vietnambent spitting their venom like the puff adders that they are! Woohoo!
Celtic lose narrowly to six-times winners Milan and they come on to gloat – that is just so great!
If only they knew how pathetic they look.
And as for their big talk about Sunday – better watch the match while sitting on the can, losers!
Vietnambear and Mavro - the Waldorf and Stadtler of the Scotsman.
Weren't they a pair of muppets too?
Pat the hat,
Don't be so silly. Mavro et al have pointed out that sellick have spin doctors.
...
..look at the Voronin story.
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still though any season now Gattuso should be coming back where he belongs.
That kinda blinding truth really unsettles Celtic fans.
Still though, back to the football.
I contend that Strachan leaving gravesen on eth bench has had a positive effect:
1. it shows he's unafraid to make teh hard decisions.
2.
putting Sno ahead of Tommy G is like a shot in the arm to the younger players.
3. It's a measure of the quality Celtic have (cue a spew of mails statistically proving that sellick are actually not very good .
)
Ah well, it's nice to be able to dust off a (rested) Elvis, along with Hartley and Riordan for Sunday...
.and if we lose, well so what. The league's in the bag.
We can now begin planning for next seasons Champions league, no prequalifying again. Happy days.
Come on the Gers tonight.
Keep that co-efficent up. Do the business you beautiful blues!!
!!!
!!!
Hearts fan here and while I am very disappointed Celtic lost the only consolation for me is knowing that the Celtic team and their fans are on the receiving end of two bad penalty decisions. As in Scotland the psyche of refs elsewhere clearly favors the bigger and/or home team. Usually these things play in favor of Old Firm in the domestic game so getting a taste of the medicine that those of us that follow Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock et al are so used to.
Maybe that's why Strachan to his credit took the high road in his post-match comments. If he had been bleating about ref and penalties it would have rung hollow for all non-Old Firm fans who have become numb to the continual and inexplicable calls or non-calls by match officials that benefit OF.
Hot Pies - your talking thru your erse, you and mad Vlad the property developer.
Is this the Celtic who have had 2 penalties in Scotland this season. You say the Old Firm, let me educate you. There are 2 teams in the Old Firm, one called Celtic who do not get the benefit of the dodgy decisions you and your bampot tinpot dictator rabbit on about and there is another one called Rangers, who get league winning penalties at Tynecastle when a fat season ticket owning linesman spots a push on a big greek diddy that noone else in the world sees.
We are not the same. YOu wouldnt like it if we classed you as the same as Hibs would you ? (well maybe this season because they might win something and you my friend will not )
ps - feck the co-efficient come on Osasuna , get intae them !
!
We will should take all three points on Sunday we will have won the league by the time we play Hearts and the youths and reserves will be easily defeated by the Jambo's - who to be fair, are improving, anyway.
Looks like the battle of the also-rans might provide the sort of excitement normally associated with title race.
Its been so boring all season and I can only hope Celtic give a little back to the fans of the diddy teams by providing some much needed excitment.
Re. next season's CL, correct me if I'm wrong but I'm positive that Sellick will have to play in the third qualifying round - better hope you don't draw a side with the class of Artmedia!
You are correct - we will have to pre-qualify (Artmedia - that you couldn't beat over 2 games ?)
Correct me if I am wrong but dont you still have to qualify to pre-qualify, youll be cheering us on against hearts and aberdeen then so you can get in there then ?
But if anyone cares to remember Artmedia beat us in the 2nd quaifying round, some time in the middle of June if I recall correctly!
! (It was so bad even Hearts did better this season!)
I assume we've lifted Scotland up the listings with the performances over the past two/three seasons?
Cant you OF fans stop comparing your diddy teams with oneanother?
One is Green and one is Blue!
One has won 51 titles and the other 40.
Thats about it really! Both shite in Europe and one happens to be more successful than the other domestically!!
So there it is in a nutshell from a neutral.
#57
Hit a wee nerve there eh Taffy? Let me ejucate yoo.
Penalties for is just same as penalties denied the opposition - the grief you witnessed last night. It's indemic in the domestic game when OF take the field. I am open minded modernist you know despite being stuck oot here on a lighthoose.
Hibs have had just as many issues with west coast Old Firm hyjackings as Hearts and I sympathize with them and the other teams that deal with it. Vlad has a point and your vitriolic imbecilic response shows it. There is no equal playing field in Scotland and now you are educated out of your naivety to see there is not one in Europe either.
See also Lille FC. Now have a nice day an' awa' an' wash yer foul mooth oot wi' soap an' watter then away an' bile yer heid in yer leak soop. LMAO.
The sun is shining in California, I am in a generous mood, hence I just thought I would comment on some of the drivel that has been posted while I slept. To help my fellow man, you see.
The Truth: haven't you heard the old maxim, There's lies, damned lies and there's statistics, or words to that effect.
ANyone who relies on those stats to justify anything is rather like a trainspotter noting numbers as life passes him by on the tracks. This was a great game--end-to-end stuff. Either time could have won it.
it was dramatic, exhausting and totally absorbing. It takes two teams to produce such things. Perhaps when you grow up, you might understand such things.
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