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<\/p>\nAll eyes are on Monaco later today for the draw-well, arrangement-is made for the group stages of the champions League. How Celtic fare in this phase will determine where we play our European football after christmas.<\/p>\n
As with all showbiz events-thats what the draw really is, a bit of razzmatazz-there was a rehearsal yesterday..<\/p>\n
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Due to the curious rules about the way its done, the biggest factor being that no group can have more than one team from each country in it, the final draw won;t look too much different from the one above.<\/p>\n
Fact is, we are likely to have at least two “big ” teams-possibly even three, and we’ll just have to get on with it.<\/p>\n
The preference for me is to avoid the glamour until after Christmas, Barcelona, Bayern ,Real and Juventus can all wait their turn. Spartak, Porto and Anderlecht would do me just fine.<\/p>\n
However, whoever we get doesn’t matter, as long as we don;t fall for all this nonsense about how much the opposition players love it at Celtic Park;<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to experience the electricity at Celtic Park again. <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cPlaying in the Champions League allows you to experience the most exciting venues in Europe. And when you are young, you take it for granted because many other experiences lie in front of you. But the older you become, you understand that there are things that you may not experience again. \u201cI want to try myself on Bernabeu and Camp Nou again. I want to play a special match on Old Trafford. <\/em><\/p>\n And I want to experience the electric atmosphere at Celtic Park again.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n I suppose we could use a half decent back up keeper if he fancies it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The point here is that other teams shouldn’t look forward to coming to Glasgow. We’re the ones supposed to be inspired, not them.<\/p>\n Divert their planes to Inverness, dig the roads up around their hotel. Get their team coach caught in traffic and turn the sprinklers on when they inspect the pitch.<\/p>\n Make sure there’s no hot water in their dressing room, and pump muzak over the speakers.<\/p>\n Anything to make their visit a nightmare.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As usual, the media have dug out some ex players and managers to boost our sides hopes.. (Scotsman )<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re a Celtic supporter it damages them as well. <\/em><\/p>\n If there is a real challenge from Rangers, do Celtic sell their best players? No they don\u2019t. <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re a Celtic supporter, are you seeing the same quality on the pitch as you would if Rangers were strong? <\/em><\/p>\n No you\u2019re not. You\u2019re team is weaker and that will be proved in Europe.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThat is the reality, they don\u2019t need to keep their best players because they can beat Rangers and everyone else without them – the likes of Victor Wanyama and Virgil van Dijk.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Worth pointing out that Celtic haven’t sold any of their best players for a while now ?<\/p>\n Thought not.<\/p>\n and then there’s further proof they read the Diary… (Record )<\/p>\n The French champions have a ‘particular interest’ in the France U21 striker as they search for Mbappe’s replacement.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n It gets worse, in fact , perhaps we should just withdraw…(Evening Times )<\/p>\n “The only top-class defender they’ve got is Tierney,”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n “Domestically, [Erik] Sviatchenko, [Dedryck] Boyata, [Jozo] Simunovic are competent, but the Champions League is a whole new ball game.<\/em><\/p>\n “[In the Champions League], you need to allow Tierney to go forward, and that puts extra pressure on the two centre-backs and the opposite full-back. That’s where the problem lies within.<\/em><\/p>\n “Last year when they went into the group stage, people thought they just needed to be competitive and do themselves justice – I don’t think anyone thought they were going to come through that tough group.<\/em><\/p>\n “But the mindset’s changed now, people are potentially looking for Celtic to progress, to see whether that’s a measure of Brendan improving in Europe, and to do that, I don’t think they’re good enough [defensively], apart from Tierney. I really don’t.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Another ex player was dragged out to point out the obvious…<\/p>\nGraeme Souness: Celtic are weak, and Champions League will prove this<\/h2>\n
Monaco eye Celtic striker Moussa Dembele as ‘Kylian Mbappe replacement’<\/h1>\n
Kieran Tierney is Celtic\u2019s only top-class defender \u2013 Alan Stubbs<\/h1>\n