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Celtic Diary Wednesday November 6

It all started 126 years ago today when

” representatives from the upper echelons of the Irish community in Glasgow, most of whom who had witnessed John McFadden’s speech back in February, gathered at St Mary’s Hall.

Bodies such as the St Vincent de Paul Society, the Catholic Union, the Irish Foresters, the Home Government Branch of the United Irish League, the St Aloysius Association and the Irish National League as well as local Penny Savings Bank and a Total Abstinence Society were present in some manner but the main objective was the formation of a football team to raise money for the Soup Kitchens of the East End. ”

And the latest chapter in this long and illustrious clubs history will be written tonight in Amsterdam.

If Celtic win , then European football is guaranteed after Christmas. If Celtic win and Milan lose to Barcelona, then another win at home to Milan in the next game means a last sixteen place again, so i guess it doesn’t get more exciting, and nerve wracking than tonight.

Manager Neil Lennon insists all the pressure is on Ajax;

“It is a pressure game for Ajax,” said Lennon.

“We can come here and, not be relaxed, but have a real go at the game.

“If we are to progress we have to pick something up away but we don’t need to win.

“If we can get a point and beat Milan at home that gives us seven points and gives us a real chance of qualifying.

“I think it was important that we got some points on the board against Ajax in the last game.

“But we are under no illusions as to how difficult this will be.

“Ajax were very unfortunate not to beat Milan here in match day two.

“I think the Champions League inspires players and gets the best out of them.

“I hope that is the case for our players tonight.”

Frank de boer, the Ajax boss, thinks his team will win;

“We think we will succeed if we play the same as we did in Glasgow,” he said. “If you look at that match we had chances and a lot of good moments.

“Celtic didn’t create any chances but scored twice and won the game.

“They can be confident, they have had some good results in the last year, [beating] Barcelona for example, so they can be confident.

“But I saw good things from my side in Glasgow so I also have confidence in my team that we can get three points here and then we are one point ahead [of Celtic].

“It is a crucial game for us. For them, a draw is maybe enough so they can wait more than they did in Glasgow.

“We have to force the game but we are in good shape to create chances and get the three points.”

Its the forcing the game that will leave them vulnerable.

Lennon will probably line up with his most trusted players, -the ones that are available, that is.

Forster;

Lustig, Ambrose, van Dijk, Izzageurre;

Kayal, Ledley, Mulgrew;

Commons , Samaras;

Stokes.

And then its whoever feels well enough, or isn’t suspended, on the bench. James Forrest might be shoe horned in somewhere, probably at the expense of Izzaguerre, with Mulgrew dropping to left back, or he might have a part to play from the bench. In fact, thats likely what will happen.

Or he might hurt himself putting on his shoes.

Ajax will probably have most of the ball, so the defence and midfield will have to work hard and concentrate for the whole game, which would be a novelty in itself, but if Fraser Forster can play like he usually does at this level, then one goal might be enough.

The head says a draw, and the heart says a narrow Celtic win, probably the odd goal in three.

Which, given the track record of the diary when it comes to predictions, probably means a straight sets win for Ajax, with Celtic all out before tea.

Frank de Boer is also worried that his fans won’t behave themselves before, during or after the game. Thanks to modern technology, we can not only see the game live on the telly, but due to the central positioning of a webcam in the main square, we can also watch the fighting when it starts this afternoon.

Amsterdam webcam

might have been an idea to call the link something other than “Amsterdam webcam “, for those of you who have wives that know how to check your browsing history.  Perhaps “naughty dutch women in nurses outfits ” would have been better.

Come to think of it, naughty dutch women in nurses outfits would be better. Which is a comfort to anyone who gets hurt in the city today.

For those of you who do fancy a bet, have a look at these stats, which seem to suggest 1-1

Ajax v Celtic stats

Elsewhere yesterday, Celtic will travel to Tynecastle to face Hearts in the Scottish Cup, and former boss Martin O’ Neill landed the Ireland job, where he will be assisted by Roy Keane. But we’ll talk about that another time.

The games on in less than nine hours.

C’mon the hoops.

Hopefully, a night to remember like the one in Blackburn, featured in yesterdays pic, is ahead of us.

Another blast from the past here, which is probably a bit easier than the others this week;

Chris Sutton scores Celtic's third away goal giving them a clear advantage for the second leg

Finally , good luck and best wishes to Bobby Lennox, who undergoes a triple by pass today. Lets hope the buzzbomb makes a speedy recovery.

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krislowe
10 years ago

That Glorious game V Ajax, Suttons bullet heeder

Great Night hope for the same result later

Hope all Tims in the Dam make it to the game safe,the nasty nasty element that are eroding Ajax’s proud name shouldn’t be allowed to sully ours

HH

10 years ago

Chris Sutton after scoring that marvelous header the last time we played in Amsterdam to set us on our way to CL qualification for the first time ever.

jon littledick
10 years ago

Sat at that same square in July ’72 after hitch hiking from Glasgow. An International gathering of peace and love. Hope for the same this afternoon. Most of the Ajax guys are ok but you get an element of nutters everywhere, in some places more than others. No names, no pack drill!

Melbourne bhoy
10 years ago

Great night not one Celtic fan was straight that night great win lets hope tonight’s match has the same result.. And the Dutch fans behave themselves … Have a slice of space cake u fruits!!! Hail hail …

The Green Destiny
10 years ago

Sutton’s header in Amsterdam in 2001, what a goal that was.

CarlJungleBhoy
10 years ago

I’m cautiously oprTIMisTIC for a hatrick of “home” wins against Ajax. – I’ve lived in Amsterdam since 1980 (a long weekend gone wrong). My bhoy (17) – born & bred in Amsterdam but Celtic daft – was ill so missed the last match when Suttons’ header (above) clinched the 3-1 win, but he’s been absolutely buzzing for tonights match for months.

COYBIG

CarlJungleBhoy
10 years ago

Doh! OpTIMisTIC (<spelling polis correction)

Tommy
10 years ago

Hate to burst a bubble here, but even if we beat Ajax tonight it is still not guranteed that we will make 3rd place. Sure it would take Ajax beating both Milan and Barcelona, and Celtic losing in both remaining fixtures, but that wouldn’t really be all that of a shocker.

greenmaestro
10 years ago

In keeping with the founding traditions, I don’t expect to see alcohol on sale at CP anytime soon.

Total Abstinence Society CSC

CarlJungleBhoy
10 years ago

You’re right Tommy – mathematically speaking – but I doubt if even Frank -Herman Munster lookalike – De Boer would give Ajax a snowballs chance in hell of taking 6 points from Barca & Milan.

Charlie Saiz
10 years ago

Ralph you get my Email bud?

10 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

If sent to etims.contact@googlemail.com I will pick up later and pass to Ralph.

Charlie Saiz
10 years ago
Reply to  Desimond

Sorted Desi it was a bit of Poetry relating to this special day in our History…

10 years ago

Sutton v Ajax..great game…Didier Agathe “Come on the Whippet!” as my mate used to cry et al.

That was the game were Chick Young was saying “Great Game Martin” while viewers could see a man smile and cry at the same time!

Yes kids, the CL was on the BBC!

paul henderson
10 years ago

If you finish on the same points does it not go on the head to head record? I’m sure it does! So even if they win there two remaining games and we lose ours we will still finish above them.

paul henderson
10 years ago

as long as we win tonight of course!

paul henderson
10 years ago

Have just checked this UCL regulations and it is definitely correct.

6.05 If two or more teams are equal on points on completion of the group
matches, the following criteria are applied to determine the rankings:
a) higher number of points obtained in the group matches played among the
teams in question;

elguapo
10 years ago

Paul

Ajax drew at home to Meeelan though, so that would put them on 7 points and us on 6 if that happens.

Run Sammy Run
10 years ago

Went and had a look at the webcam and at the bottom it said “kunt u weer een andere”, ya think that’s telling you to click here for the ‘special’ Amsterdam webcams?

10 years ago
Reply to  Run Sammy Run

I thought it was a drunk glaswegian looking for his mate Andy

Brendan
10 years ago

CJB,

Hope you and you’re boy have the time of your life mixing with the fans before a special away win in the groups!

MTH

10 years ago

Get in the mood….U2 Amsterdam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWGkCR62fnY

stevoooooo
10 years ago

don’t see stokes starting

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