There’s been a lot of them this season, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Celtic go into tonights game against Borussia Moenchengladbach a point ahead of the Germans, meaning if we can match their results over the next four games we will have European football after christmas.
But,of course, we want a little more than that.
Celtic Park under the lights hasn’t been the same over the last few years, but the last game agaimst Manchester city showed that it can still be a special place, and if nothing else serves as a ditraction to opposition players and management.
Which is no bad thing.
While they spend a couple of minutes wondering if its all its cracked up to be, we can get ourselves a goal of a start, as we did against the English ( well, based in england ) side.
The improvement in Celtic, both in attitude and aptitude between the two previous European outings has been immense, and the hoops will look to show that we’re getting even better..
Brendan Rodgers thinks we have…
“Since we played against Manchester City we are a better team and we are getting better as each day goes on,”
“The younger players are gaining experience and this type of occasion will benefit the players. But of course we’re here to win and in our home games we want to ensure we get a victory.
“We always felt it would be fantastic if we could be in European football after Christmas.
“In a very short period of time the players have made great strides and this competition was always going to help us on the journey developing players.
“That will take time but you saw the performance against Man City, it was a real high level.
“Obviously, we were disappointed we didn’t get the win but the performance level was particularly pleasing.
“We showed we can compete at this level and you have to show that you can back that up and tomorrow will be another brilliant game.
“We have to set the tone for the supporters who are amazing and hopefully we will get the three points which would be a good return for us.”
Looking back, I remember being disappointed immediately after the Man City game, but gradually accepting a draw wasn’t a bad result. Craig Gordons late save had a lot to do with that.
As much as Celtic didn’t believe in themselves against Barcelona , the belief was there against City, it’s just that every time Celtic went in front the players seemed to be a little bit surprised in their own ability.
That won’t happen again, and thats why a genuine optimism of getting out of this group, either into the Europa or continiuing in the champions League, has now grown into a quiet confidence.
We’ll know more by around ten o’clock tonight, but wins for Celtic and Barelona will blow this group right open.
The prospect of travelling to Germany and to Manchester and looking for a win won’t faze Rodgers, as he is already working on that..
“My aim here is to build a team with power, with speed, high level of technical ability and unpredictability in their game, that scores goals, creates many chances and defends strongly, I’ve a way to go in terms of that. We’ve made a great start with the players and the few additions we have, but there will come a point where – wherever we are and whatever jungle we are in in the world – we’ll be able to impose our style. And I’ll be happy to go to wherever it is and play our way.”
Hairs up on the back of your neck yet ?
Then he spoke of the players, in a way that makes you think that this bunch might just have a shot at creating their own legend…
“In the modern footballer there is a lot of ego But this group have no ego, this group come in every day and we have set a standard from the first day in terms of training and what we expect on and off the field, and these guys are looking to deliver it.
“They might not always be at their best but they have given their best every single day, and I think that tells you where we are at. We have 28 players, a full batch available, and four goalkeepers, and they are all respecting that they will push one another every single day.
“I have never had a bad word amongst them. The spirit is great, they really galvanise each other and today we had probably the best I have seen in terms of the type of session we were doing. That is great for me because it’s a consequence of coaching and development. It’s about improving players, that is what they are doing, and they will get better as the season goes on.
“I know what the supporters want here, so I know what it feels like. To have that is a huge honour for me.”
From what he says there, he appears to be working on developing players, and making them better much more than previous managers. It’s almost as if the games get in the way of what he’s trying to do with them.
He also hints at not having given up on players such as Dedryck Boyata , Efe Ambrose, Gary Mackay Steven, Nadir Ciftci et al, and he is giving them a chance to work on their game and get back into the team.
Although the support may think they are lost causes, the manager clearly doesn;t, and wouldn;t besistate to bring them into the squad if they were ready, even if only to put pressure on thise holding the jersey.
Borussia do seem to be without a few of their main men tonight, but that really shouldn’t come into it. what happens on the park, going by what the manager says, will be largely dictated by the men in green and white, and its Celtic who will make Borussia change their ways to cope with us…
If that comes off, then Celtic should win comfortably. Borussia haven’t shown their best yet this season, struggling domestically and in Europe, and whilst there’s always the danger that they will see this as a season defining game, Celtic must not allow them to do that.
Any win will do, and hopefully Barcelona will keep up their one hundred per cent start with a win over Manchester City in the nou Camp, which will leave us level on points with the oil funded English corporate entity.
Rodgers won’t alter his line up or formation until about an hour into the game, and thats only if it isn’t working, so there’s unlikely to be any surprises tonight, but that doesn’t mean that the players should be sulking if they are left out. what it has shown them, as with Dembele when Griffiths was injured, you have to take your chnace when it cpomes along, and you have to continue to perform at a high standard.
The bookies are rarely wrong about how games will go, and they don’t seem to be too sure about this one, glancing at the half time /full time bets available with Ladbrokes, who sponsor the Scottish League..
Celtic fans have been urged to take part in a minute’s applause for tragic tot Oskar Halliday.
The two-year-old died suddenly last week after he stopped breathing at his family’s home in Edinburgh.
Now a campaign has been started on social media to honour the little boy during Celtic’s Champions League clash with Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday.
On a Facebook page called Celtic Supporters Faithful Through and Through a fan posted:
“I was asked to share this onto the page, the beautiful wee lad in the picture is Oskar Halliday, he sadly passed away last week, aged only two.
If you want to donate to the family, A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with funeral costs. you can contribute below…
oscar-halliday-aged-2-years-old-2tzrczd7
Caption yesterday..
Caption: In the aftermath of yesterday’s caption the smsm finally show up to cover the incident.
A happy picture today, in glorious technicolor…
