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Celtic vs Bayern – Halloween Fright Night

So, as some of you may recall, I posted a review of the Bayern vs Celtic  3-0 defeat game and it sparked what the hipsters call “a healthy and frank debate”, especially my 4/10 score for Brendan’s tactics. Rather than repeat that process for the return leg, I thought I would try posting before the actual game and try and highlight hopes and dreams and possible problems for the Hoops and see how it pans out after the event. Hindsight and all that.

So, tin hat on, here goes…

I think we will get beat 2-0.

There I said it, Its out there, I’ve pulled the Band-Aid right off. Let the pain out. Let the puss seep.

Ok, now that’s out of the way, lets discuss the how, whys and what-ifs that could see that happen or indeed, see me talking shite and the Hoops take the prize.

The reason for my negative prediction is purely common, financial and footballing sense.  As a wise man in the Appalachian Mountains once said “Everything is relative”.

Celtic are a small club in the modern Champions League. A Pot 4 club who have to negotiate multiple qualifiers to even get to that infamous draw. Its true, we really should just be happy to be there, but of course, we aren’t. We always want to do more, for we all know that we are a large club in terms of history and worldwide stature.  That however doesn’t take away the gulf between the current Elite of the CL and the Pot 4 hopefuls.

Bayern start each season with aspirations of winning the trophy, they purchase high level players with that intent. We purchase players to develop them and help us qualify for the CL itself. We are a work  in progress at the very early stages of  ‘Project Brendan’; Bayern are a European giant which rumbles along, and while it may have slightly faded recently, its still a Goliath compared to our Celtic David.

But then..we all know what happened in that match between Goliaths Philistines and Davids XI.

The door is big and very stiff but at least with the absence of Big Bob LewandowskI and Tam Muller up front, it might just be slightly ajar.

At the back, we will hope Gordon can get his distribution on target and bring his usual shot stopping skills. Lustig has been in goal scoring form so it would be nice to see him pop up at a back post but the big hope is he can nullify any threat down the right.  Brendan wouldn’t bring in Ralston or Gamboa again, surely not?

In the centre of defence, it is expected that Dedryk Boyata now could face a 19 years starlet Manuel Wintzheimer.  A good young player no doubt but he might just freeze compared to a world great like Lewandowski who would have taken tonight in his stride. We can only hope the atmosphere gets to any newbies in the Munich colours. Lest we forget of course,  on the wings we will still have Robben to fear of course as well as Kingsley Coman who did so well in the home leg,

Robben will also nullify our hopes that The Six Year Contract Man Tierney can get up the wings and supply some balls into Dembele. Hopefully he can escape from having to cover against the dangerous Robben, and slip away from Robbens excellent defensive cover work too, and get the supply and the assistance up at the Munich 18 yard box.

To help Tierney get free, hopefully one or more of the midfield can help cover the space left by his attacking potential. Dare Brendan go 3 at the back and hope that Broony can pull in cover when needed. With Jozo still injured, any 2 player pairing at the centre is still dodgy in all honesty at this level and maybe, just maybe, its worth giving 3 at the back a go and moving Tierney forward, after it all it worked so well against Aberdeen, but granted this is a different level of opposition altogether.

Up front we will need Dembele really in the mood to impress and impose. The young Frenchman has been touted for a full international call up so fingers crossed he can start this next stage of his football career by placing Hummels in his pocket and showing the rest of the world just how great a player he is destined to be. Again, its a massive step up from the Aberdeen game but his movement and presence in that game is exactly what we will need tonight from Moussa. If he doesn’t score, hopefully Moussa could at least tire them out so Griff can replace him on 70 mins and snatch the winner.

Forward talk brings us to Scott Sinclair. Well, if there is a game to really step up and grab a game by the throat, this would be a perfect one for one of our main men to do it in. Its been a quiet season so far really for Sinclair and hopefully he will be fresh enough to make his mark on this one and at least get himself up for the challenging games ahead over next few weeks.

Midfield however is where I think we will ultimately lose the game tonight. At present, its a work in progress after all, we aren’t at the level needed to concentrate and compete against the Elite. Broony is the only Celt for now who can play at that level and the rest are working towards it but have a long way to go. McGregor might be able to harry but I cant see Armstrong, Forrest or Rogic making much of an impact tackle wise.

My head tells me that the German side will move the ball and move off the ball, a lot better than us and despite our best efforts, we will fail to get close enough. That quick 2 yard burst will be more than enough for Bayern to surge forward and feed their forward line and ultimately seal the victory.

So I reckon 2-0 to the Germans but theres a squeak of a chance, if we can get the ball over to Dembele without isolating him 40 yards from our midfield and if Boyata and Broony can keep it tight at the back, the big dangers down the wings will need plenty of doubling up and really test our stamina…expect to see all 14 players used before 80 mins is on the clock.

Fingers crossed if we go toe-to-toe that the fans can help roar the team that extra half yard or that extra 2 mins of stoppage time to get through with a decent result, a point would likely secure Europa League after all so a 1-1 or 2-2 would be very much acceptable despite my 0-2 reservations.

Finally, lets enjoy another great night at Celtic Park, it may no longer be Fortress Parkhead but lets try and build it back up, brick by brick, shout by shout, song by song!

Desimond

 

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6 years ago

Mon The Tic,Intae Them.HH COYBIG

C.D.
6 years ago

And no muppets throwing anything or invading the pitch

SteveNaive
6 years ago

A close defeat is possible but so is a drubbing . A draw would be like a win, a win like a super duper big giant thing.

J
6 years ago

If we go down, make sure we go down fighting ! HH

Neil
6 years ago

Our downfall is we have two centre half’s that are injury prone and we don’t have adaquate cover,with the lack of deals in the recent transfer market.Playing Bitton in the central area is only accepted at Scottish league level,not when your playing at the European levels.

Pensionerbhoy
6 years ago

Desi,

I think that is quite an honest and realistic assessment but I am not so certain about your predicted scoreline. I think I am with SteveNaive on this. The range of potential results is as vast as a canyon. Having said all that, there is no doubt in my mind that for many years now Celtic, for some particular reason which is truly beyond me, have consistently under-performed in the CL with the exception of the odd game. It is the same malaise that seems to overcome them when we play the weakest teams and end up struggling. I said last week before the Aberdeen game the consecutive run would not end at Pittodrie but at Firhill, Douglas Park or Ibrox where we have not achieved the outcomes on several occasions our potential merits – a bit too many at times for my liking. Getting back to the CL. I am baffled by how poor our passing and ball retention become in these games. Yes, these top teams can pressurise us into making mistakes and giving the ball away but it seems to be not the odd error but a complete collapse of our normal performance. Consequently, we can be our own worst adversary and create more chances for the opposition than they themselves can. Then we get humped.

I really want a courageous, competent Celtic display tonight. I want the fans and, if there is one, the tifo to put the fear of God into the Germans and make us once again more than worthy of the honours and praise heaped on our fabulous support. I want the numbskulls who regularly give us cause to be ashamed to remain either at home or hide down an imaginary hole till after the game, before returning to their idiotic behaviour. Should all these things come together, then the least we can expect the team is the fulfilment of its real potential and genuine pride in our club and fans. I will be completely satisfied with that no matter the final score. Bonne chance, Celtic! – I love my German 🙂

H H

Pensionerbhoy
6 years ago

Desi,

I did try to put you straight but that aul’ moderator was too quick for me. Enjoy the game one way or the other 🙂

H H

Doc
6 years ago

They are not invincible and they seemed to tire later on in the first game (or took the foot off). They make mistakes and they have weaknesses, we could exploit them, hopefully, this time we remember how to pass the ball and use our pace to counter effectively. Use the weather to our advantage, some self belief, confidence, fight and the best fans in the world. We can do this.

Matt
6 years ago

Youngsters playing a blinder and unlucky to be only 0-0 at half time. Tempo, attitude, running off the ball and passing is a clear step up from a fortnight ago.

Let’s hope for simular at Celtic Park tonight.

Hail hail

Matt

Matt
6 years ago

Simular is similar to similar but with added oomph.

Hail hail

Matt

Devoy45
6 years ago

Desi, pretty close to what most of us know in our hearts to be true…but it’s the “but” that makes supporting Celtic exciting!
C’mon the Hoops. Hail, hail…

Matt
6 years ago

1-0 to the lads…69 minutes.(goal scored on 60)

Playing really well…as are Bayern..some cracking football, challenges, passing and saves.

Even the bookings have a touch of class.

Crowd deserves credit for repeated volleys of imaginative expletives.

Hail hail

Matt

Matt
6 years ago

Shite ….1-1….free kick over wall and low into keepers right…73 mins gone

TicToc
6 years ago
Reply to  Matt

Difficult to argue against that line-up. Thanks, Matt.
Go on, Bhoys, start making MORE of your own History.
I get disappointed quite frequently due to being eternally hopeful. But, by fuck, when I hit the jackpot it’s all worthwhile. Hoops by the odd goal, 2-1, 3-2 or here-we-go, fuck it, 4-1, let’s send them home shell-shocked (if that’s allowed in PC correct UK), or on top of a V2 rocket.
COYBIG, send them home wi’ fleas in their ears.
HH

6 years ago

Celtic 3 Bayern 1(Believe)Mon The HooPs

Matt
6 years ago

Goal at death frae Bayern…feck it…off to CP

Hail hail

Matt

6 years ago

I think it will b another drubbing 4 or 5-0 to Bayern based on our recent terrible record in the CL at home abd the failure to prepare properly during the summer. Hope fully I am wrong but we can expect nothing else. If better use been made of the summer months and the money we have it would have been closer.

Frank McGaaaarvey
6 years ago
Reply to  john

Fur the love of Ghod…….

6 years ago
Reply to  john

John ffs

una
6 years ago

Mon the hoops

Matt
6 years ago

That first half was at times Game of Thrones without the fannying about wae rules of war.

Hail hail

Matt

Cartvale88
6 years ago

The Rev I M Jolly lives, he is John.
You must always believe, sometimes dreams come true

6 years ago

A great performance and a real education Nd confidence boost. Brillliant showings by Jamesy, Broony and Callum and the rest did well too but at that level..the wee mistakes are punished.

This bodes well if we can repeat style and effort of performance in next few games and the Europa League in Spring 2028.

8/10 to Brendan tonight..not much more he could have did and tactically spot on and set up his team very well indeed.

TicToc
6 years ago

Aye, that’s magic, Desi.
Brendan will be chuffed tae bits, tae get that, er, em, accolade from one so high.
Ye’ve taken a great leap intae the future wi’ EL in 2028, but more power tae yer positive pen.
Of course, I’m jist taken ra piss but redouble yer efforts and get things right; there are far more poisonous cunts than me lookin’ o’er yer shooders. End of day, ah’ll be the sacrificial cunt who saves yer bacon. Respect that.
HH

TicToc
6 years ago

HaHaHa, Fred whatever TF yer obnoxious self is called, I wish to proclaim you as an humourist (not to be confused with Humanist). HaHaHa.
The humour stems from your beautiful assessment of some types of human(ish) tribes, perhaps early homo sapien sapiens; i.e. “slopeys”. Well, fuck my old boots, I thought, “what does he mean?”
Anyway, for clarification, I was looking sideways in the mirror in order to squash any pluke-types aroon ma heid.
It burst out to me in one vision: I now know what a “slopey” is. HaHaHa, I LIKE being a slopey.
HH

TicToc
6 years ago
Reply to  TicToc

HaHaHa, I’m now in rucking faptures about my new-formed, new-found slopey-ness. HaHaHa, IT’S WHAT i’VE BEEN MISSING ALL MY LIFE.-.-.-HIT THE FUCKING CAPPY KEY; TOUGH SHIT.
Stay around Fred, there was ALWAYS good hope for you but it’s just got better…better…better…..better….na, na na na na na na,
na na na na, CELTIC……….
HH
Guten abends,(undt guten riidinsche, der acheluken) undt can you kraut-fucks vietersehen eine wurst? (Ha Ha, I once called ‘der wurst’ em, der “worst fuckin’ sausages I’d ever tasted”, in Munchen and the Ghirl just lookede at me and laughed knowingly; she was clearly needing a fuck. So was I. So it ended up by her saying that I had “the worst sausage she’d ever tasted”…what goes around…..
Touche, la Hun! (well that one)

6 years ago

Take my words back about mr rodgers. He is a valiant quixotic manager who sees good things and goes for it. Perfect fit for our club. Best since jock. Imagine what he could have done with mon’s war chest relatively speaking. He makes average players good and good players great. That performance from Forrest was the best of any player I’ve seen for years. . HH

TicToc
6 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

Ian, I like you a lot; you get things wrong and do your best to apologise and make things better. However, your comment is really hysterical, regarding James Forrest. So many are so desperate that he performs that they fucking wet themselves on the occasion he puts in a good performance; i.e. does what he’s really well paid for. Truth is that James is having a terrific season, and long may that continue. Anyway, the hysteria of saying he’s put in the best performance ever is, frankly, pish. For whatever reasons in many Celtic fans’ eyes, our Captain is often underrated; it would take a helluva lot of ‘respected’ opinion to convince me that our Captain was not truly the Mhan of the Match, and probably of the season.
Hail! Hail! Scott Brown, a true Celtic Captain, in everything you do on that pitch, week in, week out.
Ma wee grandson will be brought up watching your performances as I hope to encourage him into the dizzy life of football.
Ian, I intend no offence; I speak as I see it and I’m well aware that my view isn’t always shared. I do, however, speak my mind and will always do, without fear or favour.
I don’t need faux backing to speak the truth as I see it.
I love Celtic FC, as I may do a brother; I’ll speak long and loud to protect and enhance our Club.
HH

mike
6 years ago

HAHAHA Life as an E-Tim is M A J I C. Someday someone will write a book about it mmmmm. I really loved watching the game last night it was ANOTHER great night to watch and to experience the brotherhood of the night, the singing, the comradeship of watching the players on the pitch, playing with great skill, but most of all playing with heart and giving there all, a special night at Celtic park, the ultimate experience of a Celtic supporter. THIS is how it feels to be one of that special brotherhood. Where else could you get such excitement and joy, the passion of the Celt. I thought that ALL of the players without exception gave EVERYTHING and we love them for that reason. Your in our hearts our very souls, we love our club and our fitba. team, WE are the TIC.

Monti
6 years ago

How did i miss this thread?

charlie
6 years ago
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