{"id":10422,"date":"2016-11-24T08:58:42","date_gmt":"2016-11-24T08:58:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=10422"},"modified":"2016-11-24T08:58:42","modified_gmt":"2016-11-24T08:58:42","slug":"celtic-diary-thursday-november-24-barcelona-show-their-true-colours","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=10422","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Thursday November 24: Barcelona Show Their True Colours"},"content":{"rendered":"

When things go badly for Barcelona, they react badly. On a number of occasions last night they resorted to dirty tricks, fouls and off the ball attacks. What we used to get from spanish teams of old, in fact, has spread to the Catalan nation.<\/p>\n

Celtic put in as good a performance as they have to date under Brendan Rodgers and probably as good as any under most of the previous managers. Players fought, ran, and played and then picked themselves up, and fought ,ran and played some more. The memory of the opening encounter well and truly moved to the back of the mind never to be spoken of again.<\/p>\n

There wasn’t a single Celt who let his side down, and there wasn’t a single Celt who could have given more. They all deserve a pat on the back this morning, because they played out of their skin against a side many reckon are if not the best in the world, certainly up there with them.<\/p>\n

Craig Gordon could do little at Barcelona’s first goal, a sublime pass from Neymar and a first time finish from Messi-which translates from Spanish into “little shit ” – that will be shown over and over again, although I won’t watch it.<\/p>\n

He was only beaten once more, from the penalty spot, and in between made a couple of fine stops, including an outstanding one handed save from a header which looked goalbound even before the cross connected.<\/p>\n

As for Messi, he again sullied his reputation-I still can;t understand why Ronaldo gets the bad press, and Messi, who resembles a resident of the Belgrave Hotel \u00a0in Glasgow, seems to be some sort of hero. his antics in getting a booking for Sviatchenko persuaded an already adoring referee to whip out his card. Look at the referees face during the line up..<\/p>\n

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I’m surprised he didn’t run over at full time to get the Argentinians shirt, shorts and fucking phone number,<\/p>\n

Mikael lustig, despite a running battle with Neymar, which translates from Portuguese as “little shit ” , more than held his own at right back. Neymars frustration showed in a spectacular assault on the Swede which either was a result of something unseen that had happened between the two, or a deliberate atempt to get the booking which would mean he didn;t have to play against Borussia.<\/p>\n

As all bookings are wiped before the knockout stages, thats unlikely to be the reason, and when he launched himself into the back of Lustig, the Swede reacted, but not in the way you or I would have, as Neymar remained conscious. A little bit of a melee ensued, which saw Jozo Simunovic get involved, and I have to admit it warmed the cockles of my heart-I suppose they must be near the ventricles-to see the lads stick together like that.<\/p>\n

At left back Emilio Izaguirre added that experience and bite that was missing in previous games, but even he was caught out by Suarez, which translates from his native Uruguayan into “little shit ” , who held onto his arm and performed a remarkable simulation of a foul which led to the penalty that put the result beyond doubt to all of us watching, if not those playing.<\/p>\n

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Those three players, Neymar, Messi and Suarez , form probably the most talented forward line of the last fifty years or so, and yet they reminded me of Porto back in 2003. more than capable of destroying you by playing football, but thoroughly distasteful and petulant individuals who , for want of a better phrase, don;t like it up ’em.<\/p>\n

By competing with Barcelona, and presenting these three with a green and white wall, completed with the excellent pairing of Jozo Simunovic and Erik Sviatchenko, the three amigos resorted to foul means.<\/p>\n

All of it left a bitter taste in the mouth, and if i do say so myself, perhaps we should have locked them out of the dressing rooms or turned off the hot water supply.<\/p>\n

What did rankle a little was the decision to send a pipe band to meet the Barcelona team bus and herald their arrival like some sort of all conquering heroes returning from battle.<\/p>\n

All of which helps their confidence, all of which adds to their feeling of superiority , of a similar kind to that which we detest on the other side of the city, and gives them a feeling that the team will roll over as well.<\/p>\n

Well, the team didn’t. Though its time now to put a stop to this nonsense, a pipe band. alright, be a genial host, but that was pathetic. We’re not supposed to make them feel good. We’re supposed to take them down a notch. whatever idiot dreaned that one up should be quietly taken round the back of the north stand and given a proper kicking, before being dragged in irons behind a tractor along the Celtic Way.<\/p>\n

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That meant it was down to the team to show them no respect, and they didn’t. That \u00a0upset Barcelona, the team from the Catalan capital, which translates as “town of little shits “, because they found the midfield duo of Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong snapping at them, closing them down and running at them at every opportunity.<\/p>\n

Yesterday I bemoaned the lack of a Roy Aitken or a Bertie Auld. Turns out we didn’t need them. Brown was immense. So much so that the referee stopped play to count the players in hoops as it looked as though Celtic had an extra midfielder.<\/p>\n

Brown might not have the finesses of a Messi, but the little shit won’t fancy coming up against him again for a long time. Although on the losing side, its hard to remember a more focussed and determined performance from the captain, and I have to tip my fictional hat in his direction.<\/p>\n

Brown was ably supported by Stuart Armstrong, who is turning into the player Darren Fletcher of Scotland wants to be. Arnstrong was everywhere as well, but not in the same place as Brown, They worked in tandem, supporting each other and covering for each other.<\/p>\n

In a year or two’s time, at this rate, we’re going to struggle to hold on to him.<\/p>\n

In front of them, Scott Sinclair started, and he, too, caused the Catalans all sorts of problems, so much so that they ended up fouling him and taking him out of the game. Even after the foul, he tried to keep running, and he, too, could be one we struggle to hold on to.<\/p>\n

When he didn’t re appear for the second half, the Barcelona defence breathed a collective sigh of relief, which , ten minutes or so later had turned into a collective wail as they cried “oh bollocks, they’ve got another one ” as James Forrest tore into them from the flank.<\/p>\n

Then there was Tom Rogic, another who battled, and aso added to the attacking threat. He put in a towering performance, on and off the ball, and when he departed the scene after about an hour, when he was replaced by Nir Biton. Biton, a less boisterous player, deserves praise for slotting in effortlessly and adapting to the pace of the game.<\/p>\n

Then the unsung hero. Sure he could have done better when clear on goal, but his own ability in getting him there shocked him, and it will take him a while, and a sizable portion of the support, to realise he’s not a bad player at all. Calum MacGregor, chosen to stiffen the midfield ahead of a second winger, put in a great shift.<\/p>\n

He’s learning all the time, and did the simple the well, all the time making it difficult for the Catalans to get into their stride. Celtic put together a few quick passing moves as well, which created a few chances, and MacGregor’s speed in moving the ball on played a big part in that. Absolutely shattered, he was replaced by Patrick Roberts, to cries from the Barcelona defence of “oh bollocks, they’ve got another one. He , too, did his bit, tormenting a tiring back line, and with a little more experience, perhaps a round, maybe we don’t need as much of an upgrade on the paying side as we thought last summer.<\/p>\n

Up front, and again putting in a gruelling ninety minutes was Moussa Dembele, He worked, he battled and he was unlucky not to score a couple. chances were created, but luck wsn;t with him.<\/p>\n

That was his first European campaign, and he did very well. three goals i five games against that standard of opposition is very promising, and we must remember how old he is before levelling any criticism at him for missing the header which on any other day he would have scored.<\/p>\n

It ‘s kind of strange, typing this and praising the players, but there isn’t anything else to say that would be an honest reflection on last nights game. They did well, they have improved considerably, but we’re still here, Thiursday morning, out of Europe as the side can now only match Borussia on points, the Germans earning a draw against Manchester City in their game last night. Matching points isn’t good enough, as the Europa place will be decided on the head to head record, which at least is less embarrassing than goal difference.<\/p>\n

Despite losing last nioght, they made Barcelona show their true colours, the nasty, spiteful side of them that comes with being told you’re the best in the world, and then, on a cold November night in Glasgow, finding out that you aren’t.<\/p>\n

I think its time to forget this so called love affair with Barcelona, don’t you ?<\/p>\n

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So its on to a cup final at the weekend, and we hope the players can recover from the disappointment of a European exit. Perhaps a trophy and the first leg of a rare treble will spur them on.<\/p>\n

but maybe they shouldn;t need spurrin gon, as they’ve every right to feel better about themselves this morning.<\/p>\n

They may not have advanced into the post Christmas stage of European football, but they have restored a bit of pride aongst the support for how they competed in their first season together at this level.<\/p>\n

This means we can look forward to next years tournament with a little more confidence than this years, and the knowledge that even without more signings, there is plenty of talent and effort in this squad, and all we needed was the right man to bring it out.<\/p>\n

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And he seems to be in place, doing just that.<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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