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<\/p>\nThe Champions League draw threw up a major surprise yesterday when Celtic, drawn out amongst the last group of teams didn’t get placed into the group containing Juventus and Barcelona.<\/p>\n
Instead , supporters found themselves looking down the twin barrels of Bayern Munich and Paris St. Germain. Then there’s Anderlecht, which apparently gives us a great chance of making Europa League football, as expert analysts on social media immediately wrote off the Belgian champions whilst simultaneously admitting a lack of knowledge about them.<\/p>\n
It could have been worse, but not by much.<\/p>\n
However, the consolation is that we have the glamour we wanted, and we do have a chance of making it through to the promised land of European football in the New Year, and thats because we’re a better side than the one that participated last year.<\/p>\n
The manager will be making sure the players understand that, and if they do, then the sky is the limit.<\/p>\n
We’re certainly a better side than our own media think. Last night rosenborg completed a home and away double victory over last seasons Europa finalists ajax, and that proves they are no mugs, and yet Celtic overcame them in the qualifiers.<\/p>\n
We must not underestimate our own capabilities, and although we’ve drawn tough opponents, so have the other three teams in our group.<\/p>\n
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Celtic number two Chris Davies spoke shortly after the draw:<\/p>\n
\u201cQualifying is a fantastic achievement and you have to look at what you are up against now,” <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0“There is a massive gap which has opened up in Europe, more than ever, between some of these elite teams and the rest.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou have to be mindful of that. The money they are spending on one player alone is incredible.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s not as if we have players who haven\u2019t played at this level before. We\u2019ve got some excellent players ourselves with Champions League and international experience.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNeymar has gone to PSG with that enormous transfer fee [\u00a3198m] but he is someone our players have played against, so that\u2019s a good reference for them in terms of their level. That will give them confidence.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou look at the draw and there are world class players in every group.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n “Brendan is a realistic, pragmatic manager. But at the same time he gives players belief and confidence. He has a lot of confidence in the way we play and what we can produce.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt is an exciting challenge, not one which scares us.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe are playing against teams which are favourites to beat you. You are the underdog against the likes of PSG and Bayern.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not something that is new to Celtic, going into these kind of games against really good teams. We are going to embrace it and look forward to it. We are going to control what we can in terms of planning for the games tactically.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an exciting challenge for us all, The players can look forward to going out and showing the same personality they did away to Moenchengladbach, Manchester City and Rosenborg – references where in good European venues we performed well.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Davies also put the twenty minute terror against Astana into perspective..<\/p>\n \u201cWe were in that unique position in a play-off final where the opponent was putting enormous risk into the game by changing their shape and chasing everything while we were counter-attacking and making chances ourselves,” he said. “We weren\u2019t finishing our chances and they were taking theirs and the game became opponent.<\/em><\/p>\n “The point I am trying to make is that we are a better team defensively now than what we were this time last year. We conceded 7 goals in the qualifying campaign last year, and four this year. Away at Rosenborg it was a fantastic defensive performance so we are evolving and improving as time goes by. We will look forward to it.<\/em><\/p>\n “The other point that is important to make is that you can\u2019t underestimate just how much of an achievement it is to qualify for us. I don\u2019t think anyone should come away from that at any point. What we go through as a club to get there is very difficult. You are in the first weeks of pre-season against teams who have\u00a0played 20-odd games and you have to go to different places on different pitches and we have had a lot of injuries.<\/em><\/p>\n “It is a fantastic achievement to qualify from Brendan and from the players and we should savour it and really enjoy it.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n It certainly won’t be dull, and we have a lot to look forward to.<\/p>\n Davies again;<\/p>\n \u201cThird place is what people will immediately look to,\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBut from our perspective it certainly won\u2019t be the message that we\u2019re internally giving to the players from the manager. That\u2019s just not the way that we work, that we\u2019re resigning ourselves to third place. <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cA club of this size doesn\u2019t do that. You have to look to each game and give it everything and see what happens. The challenges are clear and are clearly really big for us. We will be playing probably two of the biggest and best clubs in world football in our group. <\/em><\/p>\n But, having said that, the record that we have got at Celtic Park is always something that works in our favour.<\/em><\/p>\n Actually, I’d prefer to concentrate on improving that record. It hasn’t been great lately, and thats because other teams thrive on the atmosphere.<\/p>\n We need to make it a little more uncomfortable for them, in the ways I suggested yesterday in the diary.<\/p>\n At the same time though, with the crowd behind them, the players will feel like they can give anyone a game.<\/p>\n If all the points on the holy triangle of management, players and supporters are joined up nicely, then we could well surprise a few people.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n CEO Peter Lawwell spoke to the press as well, which would have pleased him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt could have been a little bit easier, but it is obviously Box Office.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt is fantastic to have these clubs coming to our place, three outstanding clubs.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBayern Munich and Paris St Germain are top, top European clubs in everything that they do.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cFor them to be coming to Celtic Park will be a privilege and they will be brilliant nights.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The same goes for Anderlecht because we have great history with them.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cSo, as I said, although the draw could have been easier, it is Box Office and we will welcome these clubs to Glasgow and give them the Celtic experience.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n This Celtic experience should involve locking them out of the dressing rooms, putting laxatives in the drinking water and stealing all the laces out of their boots when they’re not looking.<\/p>\n Never mind all that, Peter, where’s Paddy ?<\/p>\n \u201cWe bring players in, develop them and give them the Champions League stage.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIf they want to stay, fantastic. But there is also an opportunity to go.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBoth in terms of attracting players and retaining players, the Champions League is where people want to play.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThere are another couple of players we\u2019d like to bring in and hopefully we can get them over the line.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe are making progress with\u00a0Patrick Roberts<\/a>. There is nothing certain and we are respecting Man City\u2019s position.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n At three o’clock today we’ll know whether or not its a loan or a permanent move. If I had a reputation, i’d stake it firmly on this. Others, of course cannot comment.<\/p>\n Fortunately , I can, and \u00a0it doesn’t matter whether I’m right or wrong.<\/p>\n With Simunovic ( wants to go ) and Sviatchenko ( told he can go ) unlikely to be hanging around, there is a need to bring in at least one more centre half, and thats apart from Rivaldo Coetzee , who will also be revealed at three.<\/p>\n Another striker ?<\/p>\n Don’t be shocked if we do. Even if its to allow one to leave…<\/p>\n Rogers has hinted that the formation Celtic use just now will be altered from time to time, and at this level, in order to spring the surprises that we need to spring, this could well be the way to do it.<\/p>\n A few years ago, Ronny Deila explained to me that the system he had brought in would be altered and adapted once the players understood it.<\/p>\n There are similarities between the two managers, but Rogers , of course, is the more experienced of the two, and he has already used a couple of different systems during matches to counter any problems. \u00a0Expect this to continue and even become a regular occurrence as he pits his wits against some of Europes top class players and coaches.<\/p>\n Incidentally, there’s already been a bit of a spat between two German clubs….<\/p>\n Bayern tweeted this picture, a reference to the “That German team ” craic of last year… which had Moenchegladbach upset..<\/p>\n Meanwhile, as we were all looking towards Monaco and dreaming of glory, Albion Rovers found out that despite Rangers setting a precedent, you can get thrown out of a competition for improperly registering players after all.<\/p>\n Then again, what do you expect ?<\/p>\n Here’s how UEFA do things publicly…<\/p>\n And heres how they do the big events in Scotland..<\/p>\n Without a hint of shame, the Record reported..<\/p>\n Brian Kerr says his players are carrying the can for the\u00a0SPFL<\/a>\u00a0board\u2019s decision to kick\u00a0Albion Rovers<\/a>out of the Irn-Bru Cup.<\/em><\/p>\n The Cliftonhill boss was shocked at the decision to reinstate Spartans after his club fielded an ineligible player in the first-round penalty shoot-out win over the Lowland League side.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Yesterday\u2019s disciplinary hearing concluded that Rovers\u2019 Liam McGuigan had not been\u00a0<\/em> Rovers were fined \u00a32000 and have also been denied a lucrative home tie against Irish side Linfield but Kerr insists it was an honest mistake as they pled guilty to the error. He also believes the verdict may not have been so severe if it involved a club of a bigger standing.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n He said: \u201cThere was no attempt to pull the wool over anyone\u2019s eyes as Liam has been here for a while. There was an error in registering his contract. We held our hands up to that and expected a fine and the game replayed.<\/em><\/p>\n We should help out here.<\/p>\n Big protest at Cliftonhill, threatening social unrest, whilst waving banners and shouting we are the people.<\/p>\n Usually works .<\/p>\n Which reminds me, have you seen who the linesman is for the St. Johnstone game tomorrow ?<\/p>\n From Holyrood magazine…<\/p>\n Amnesty International has urged Douglas Ross to apologise after the Scottish Tory MP called for tougher enforcement against Gypsies and Travellers, with the human rights group describing his comments as \u201ca terrible example that only serves to foster further discrimination and prejudice\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n The Moray MP came under fire from campaigners and opposition parties after saying that, if he was Prime Minister for the day, without any repercussions, he would introduce \u201ctougher enforcement against Gypsies and Travellers\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n Responding to the comments, Amnesty International\u2019s Scotland programme director Naomi McAuliffe told Holyrood: \u201cWhen our elected leaders use this sort of blatantly partisan speech, they set a terrible example that only serves to foster further discrimination and prejudice.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Whe \u00a0you consder \u00a0the two racist Tory councillors re admitted this week, its nice to see that the United States isn’t the only country becoming aware of this old adage..<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/DH_1YPkXgAACYJ1.jpg\")
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\nregistered, should not have played in the August 15 tie, annulled the original result and awarded Spartans a 3-0 win.<\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/em>\u201cTo be thrown out is harsh, it\u2019s so disappointing for the club in terms of a game against Linfield and I feel sorry for the players as they were blameless in all of this. They are the ones who have been most severely punished.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n<\/p>\n