That applies to players, management and supporters alike.
Players, who have improved considerably over the last few weeks, need to be on their game from the first to the last kick of the ball when they take the field against Hapoel Be’er Sheva tonight.
Those players should be more or less self appointing at this stage of the season, and for a match this important there is no room for experimentation. If Celtic defeat the Israelis over the two legs, its Champions League football, big crowds and possibly a marquee signing or two. should we fail, its the Thursday cup, Sunday football and we’ll need the ICC money to pay the bills. ( to any lurking fans of any other Glasgow club, except Partick, Queens Park or Clyde, you may need to consult a business manula to fully understand the term “paying the bills “, or the consequences of failing to do so. )
Whilst it doesn’t matter who starts the game, as manager Rodgers will no doubt change things around before it finishes, i’d be surprised if it alters much from Gordon, Lustig, Toure, O’Connell, Tierney, Brown, MacGregor, Forrest, Sinclair, Grifiths, Dembele.
As for tactics, the players will be told to charge towards the opposing goal when in possession,get it back when not, and if no-one has it make sure you’re first to get it.
And above all do it quickly. Perhaps its the simplicity of this idea that has made the players seem to enjoy the game again.
For all the talk of a two goal lead, or a three goal lead, I don’t care if we lose 2-0 but reverse that with a 3-0 win next week in Israel , as long as its the name of Celtic in the draw for the group stages.
This might well be the last crack at winning the UCL before it becomes a closed shop, after all. We’ll talk about that another day, because today, of course, is all about tonight.
And I can’t be the only one wondering if we’re all a little complacent , or allowing ourselves to slide into complacency…
Heres what the bookmakers think…well, one of them anyway. Ladbrokes, the only bookie honest enough to include the word “broke ” in their title; ( In fact, its an anagram of what most people say when they come out of a bookies , “Broke, Lads…” )
Celtic made it a fantastic five successive home wins in the Champions League with a 2-1 victory over Kazakh heavyweights Astana a fortnight ago – and they’re set to make it a super six when the hard-working but limited Hapoel Be’er Sheva arrive at Celtic Park.
The visitors haven’t won an away game in Europe since 2004, with just a single victory in their past eight continental trips – a run which has included a 10-1 defeat at the hands of Dutch side Roda JC.
That’s in stark contrast to the Hoops, who have won six of their past seven Champions League clashes on home soil, including victory over former European Cup finalists Malmo FF and a 4-0 demolition of Icelandic side KR Reykjavik.
And the Hoops have already found their feet under boss Brendan Rodgers this season, with a 5-0 League Cup demolition of Motherwell, three European victories on the spin and a crucial 2-1 Ladbrokes Premiership win at Heart of Midlothian.
Meanwhile, Hapoel are balancing a hugely hectic domestic calendar with their fifth European game of the season, and combined with their ageing squad, the Israeli champions could lack the legs to deal with Leigh Griffiths, Patrick Roberts et al.
Celtic definitely look the best selection in the match betting, with 3/5 for a home victory, while it’s 13/5 for the draw and 5/1 for a shock Hapoel win.
However, the best bet could be on Celtic to win to nil at 11/8, with the men from Be’er Sheva having never scored on their travels in the Champions League.
For those looking to back a goalscorer, Moussa Dembele has netted three times in as many competitive games for Celtic, meaning he looks well worth backing to score anytime at 17/10.
Well, there’s nothing wrong in what they are saying, and it may even cheer you up a little, perhaps easing that feeling of nausea that passes as excitement as kick off time approaches..
As we are not facing one of Europes big names, then maybe there is a chance that we’ll become complacent, as a team, and possibly as a support.
The support , as usual, will have a part to play tonight.
Rodgers wants us to concentrate on the opposition on possession, moving into not only their path, but blocking any potential outballs.
Or we could just sing, and cheer, and try not to moan.
And please, leave the Palestinian flags at the gate.
Days and days of debate have not settled the issue as to how, or if, the support should protest, so just give it a miss, and send some money to Amnesty or any other charity thats involved.
Its too late to withdraw, and I haven’t been able to get hold of a couple of thousand cheap Palestinian flags to flog outside the Association, so flag waving, a pointless escapade at the best of times, is out.
My point is, if you are going to do something, do something. There is probab;y no more deserving cause in the world to get behind.
Just not at the game.
Because, er, it’s a game.
And the man to win the game for us, in my eyes at least, is Leigh Griffiths, who scored forty goals last season, and for some , at least, still isn;t the real deal, to coin a lazy phrase.
Thing with the Griff though, is that every time he hears he can’t do something, well, dangnabbit, he just goes out and does it.
which, as we know, is why Zlatan Ibrahimovic didn;t sign for Celtic, as he knew that no matter how good he played, the Griff would always raise the bar.
Speaking ahead of tonights game, griffiths said;
“I feel like I am a jinx! Celticwere in the Champions League before I signed!
“But the only way I can prove myself to everybody around the world is if we get to the Champions League and I get to play there when we get there.
“That is the way I am judged, by scoring goals.
“Gary Hooper did it when he was here and, hopefully, that is how I will fondly be remembered. As one of the great players to score in the Champions League.
“Unfortunately, I have not done it yet, but if we can do it over the next two games, I will be absolutely delighted and looking forward to the chance.
“I can only score against the teams I am playing against. Everybody says he hasn’t done it in this or that.
But look at the teams last year. I scored against Fenerbahce in the home game.
“If we get to the Champions League, it will be a great test. And if I can prove myself there I will be very happy.
“It is massive, that is where we want to be.
“That is the pinnacle of the club career, being in the Champions League, the boys who have been here the last two years have been hurting.
“Everyone keeps talking about those last two years. But we have got a chance to rectify that again.”
The hurt of the last two campaigns is obviously still there.
Don’t tell us what you’re going to do , Griff, just go out there and do it.
Manager Brendan Rodgers reminded us why Celtic should be at the top table, and gave us a hint of what his pre match team talk might contain.
“This club is definitely of that European elite standard.
“When you are talking about big clubs, they are now measured in a different way.
“A big club used to be about support, history, fan-base, all of that. Celtic has all that
“Big clubs are now deemed by money and, of course, it is a different situation up here.
“I think for European football, they need the big clubs in there. But Celtic is a big club, a huge club.
“The competition is a better place for clubs such as Celtic and Ajax, teams with this great history of the European Cup and Champions League.
“I can understand there will powers-that-be that wants these clubs in there, but Celtic has the right to be in there.
“If we are fighting and are a champions, then we have every right to be in there.
“European football deserves Celtic at the top table.
For those of you going tonight, it looks like being a wonderful “taps aff ” type of evening, giving the occasion something of an unreal air, as dark cold nights under the lights are the norm for big European games, as we are usually out before spring rolls round again.
But not this time, I’ve a feeling we’ll be involved somewhere come the spring of 2017.
And maybe even the early summer…
Told you, a guy from Greenock called Larkin told me about the spey woman who told him when I was on the Gourock to Glasgow Express…
This is going to be a good year
anyway, just in case you were wondering what to wear…
Tonight
Evening sunshine for most with clear spells overnight, although some low cloud and mist developing towards the end of the night. Cloudy across the far west with isolated showers.
The good thing, and i mean that, is that Celtic will be wearing hoops tonight.
Which always, without exception, is a good thing.
Let the crowd roar, let the singing begin, and let Be’er Sheva know that they are playing Celtic, they of the famous hooped shirt,
We’ll close on that note, because all the hairs on the back of my nexk just came over the top of my head and into my eyes.
Don;t forget to buy your NTV tonight, you will want to show it to your friends, and a few other people, I’ll wager.
Yesterday , we showed you this..
which was explained as this..by someone who would know, I guess, unless this isn;t his real name…
Caption,(headline in daily record) Rangers splash out on new luxury transport and accommodation.
Here’s todays, which is probably a photoshop, unless the rumours about Kris commons putting in extra training are true..
Oh, it would be rude of me not to congratulate the under 20s after a hard fought win over cowdenbeath last night, and a special mention for the referee, who showed that there are some who know the rules, and are not afraid to uphold them.
Whilst being substitued , a Blue Brazilain made a gesture to Celtic fans, and was sent off. Before the sub came onto the field, so it actually counted. Well done.
But most of all, well done to the lads..