![\"Image](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/C2e-hooWgAIM0V2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhilst not exactly the defining game in the European campaign, tonights clash with anderlecht will go a long way to deciding if there is to be European football after Christmas.<\/p>\n
Anderlecht seem to be looking at it that way, they’re paying their players a 40,000 euro bonus if they win. If they pay it in euros and the players hang on to it for a bit that could soon be worth about \u00a3100,000.<\/p>\n
Will Celtic pay a similar bonus ?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Manager Brendan Rodgers explained why not…<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this level, it\u2019s for a love of football and love of the game \u2013 for the spirit of the game and to perform,\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIf you get the result, there is a consequence for that and for Anderlecht that seems quite nice! We shall see [if it motivates them]. It\u2019s clear they\u2019ve had a difficult start to the \u2028season. They are a club with a great history but they have changed their coach, which is unfortunate. <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAt this level, the resources and finances that you get if you progress can be worth it. But I don\u2019t think, for most footballers, it [money] is a consequence of playing well. There are not so many who go into a game and think that\u2019s why they want to win.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s absolutely about prestige as well. Over the course of the next few years, that\u2019s really what we want. We want the name of Celtic, and the representation of Scotland to go as far as we possibly can. We know how difficult it is but that shouldn\u2019t stop us looking to fight for that. So that\u2019s something we want to be able to do. <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIf we can carry the team and carry the club into those latter stages then, of course, there are many other benefits from that.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n It is about spirit and so on, and the team need to regain their own spirit after the drubbing from PSG.<\/p>\n \u201cOur spirit is very strong,\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve created that over the last 15 months, confidence is an effect of winning games regularly. Every game we play is a pressure game because we put that pressure on ourselves, but pressure also comes with playing for a \u2028prestige club such as Celtic.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cPlaying at home is an advantage, but we also enjoy playing away because we are given a wee bit more space. We can control the ball, be good in possession and we also have pace on the counter attack to trouble the opposition.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Maybe there’s a clue there in how the team will line up tonight.<\/p>\n Rodgers has put the PSG game behind him, and hopefully so have the players. They were, for the second year in a row, caught out by the quality of the opposition, and didn’t seem to want to adapt.<\/p>\n There were signs that the players had regained a little spirit, but it could also be argued that PSg were far enough ahead to take it easy by then.<\/p>\n But its in the past now, and Rodgers agrees..<\/p>\n \u201cI think games like the PSG one are little reality checks,\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what it\u2019s like at this level. I always tend to think there is learning in every situation. It\u2019s about facing problems you want to solve afterwards.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cObviously, they\u2019re very humbling experiences them, for players. It\u2019s boys who are used to winning and when you come up against that level of play at the very top level of the game then it\u2019s tough and it\u2019s humbling.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBut we\u2019ve got an honest group. They\u2019ve got spirit and we feel they\u2019ll improve over the course of the campaign. We saw that last year too. We\u2019ll do everything we can to fight for the result, whoever we play.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI think that game was one where it was understandable. We all looked at that one, we didn\u2019t plan and focus on being that timid in the game. But this is a level where you are learning all the time.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cJust because we have been on the run we\u2019ve been on for the last 15 months or so doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re not susceptible to not good performances.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI think the players in terms of what they have given the club and the nation in terms of performance has been outstanding, but every now and then against the top players in world football they might just miss it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n How does he go about tonights game\u00a0 then ?<\/p>\n The back four picks itself, now that its returned to full strength.<\/p>\n Brown and Ntcham as the two protectors, the Frenchman didn’t feature at Ibrox, and as the clubs most expensive signing in ten years, it could be that he was rested for the big game.<\/p>\n Same with James Forrest. He came on to stretch his legs, but didn’t start. He’s been scoring goals at home and in Europe on a regular basis and should be preferred to Patrick Roberts, who is flattering to deceive so far since his return.<\/p>\n but he’s a more than useful substitute.<\/p>\n That leaves Sinclair on the other flank, and either Armstrong, Rogic or MacGregor in the number ten role.<\/p>\n Has to be MacGregor for me. He offers more to the team, and the other two tend to flit in and out of games.<\/p>\n With MacGregor on the field, the middle to forward linking is far superior, as Rogic tends to run down blind alleys and Armstrong isn’t quite as quick at spotting the pass.<\/p>\n That leaves either Griffiths or Dembele up front, and whilst I’d usually prefer Griffiths, perhaps Dembele would be the better option here as he can hold the ball up better, and is more of a physical presence. At least, I’d give him the first hour, and then let Griffiths loose on a tiring defence.<\/p>\n Now you might -probably quite rightly-consider the above musings the mere ramblings of a fan with a laptop.<\/p>\n But there is evidence that puts me at least on a par with the manager when it comes to ,well, sussing out other teams….<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the game that both teams will be looking at to have a realistic chance of playing in Europe after Christmas. Anderlecht will see this as a chance to turn around their fortunes.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cTheir interim manager has changed their system twice in two games so it will be interesting to see how it works this time. At this level, chances aren\u2019t as abundant, so it\u2019s about being efficient with the\u00a0 opportunities we create, as well as being defensively strong. Games like the PSG one are reality checks but there is learning in every situation. Even after the game against Rangers on Saturday we reflected on it and looked at things we could have done better and it was the same against PSG.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cObviously, they\u2019re very humbling experiences but we\u2019ve got an honest group. They\u2019ll improve over the course of the campaign.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe saw that last year. We\u2019ll do everything we can to fight for the result. If you are solely looking at the games against Anderlecht, then to get a win or a draw here \u2013 and the other games in the group map out as people think \u2013 then that leaves you with a home game against\u00a0 Anderlecht to try and progress. You\u2019d be happy with that.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThey reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League, so they are still a very tough opponent. They are no mugs<\/strong>.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n From yesterdays Diary…<\/p>\n Anderlecht are no mugs.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Clearly that makes me at least the equal of Rodgers when it comes to football.<\/p>\n A lot will depend on tonights referee, and his supporting acts.<\/p>\n What do we know about him ?<\/p>\n Well, nothing, so lets ask someone who does… from Futnsoccer<\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n![\"Image](\"https:\/\/media.giphy.com\/media\/XsUtdIeJ0MWMo\/source.gif\")
<\/p>\nCould this UEFA decision for the Celtic-Anderlecht game prove grave?<\/h1>\n