Walking up to the ground, I was amazed to see a multitude of press men swarming around the Jock Stein statue, and within minutes, a microphone was thrust into my face, causing me to jerk my head back. The reporter had an English accent , and garbled a question about the game. I thought he was being patronising, as his kind often are;<\/p>\n
” Its not just a football club we come to see. This is more than a club. Its a way of life. Tonight isn’t just big game. Its a celebration of how far the Irish diaspora in Scotland has come in 125 years. How much we have suffered and fought for our right to be here. This place is a shrine to all of us throughout the world. We’re cheering for the team, but we are cheering for ourselves as well. And do you know something, we’re more than happy for anyone else, wherever they are from, \u00a0to join us. ”<\/p>\n
Bollocks. That was meant to be tomorrows introduction. Now no-one will believe me.<\/p>\n
But the sentiment is there.<\/p>\n
In just a few short hours, the tarrier carrier is on the road again, on the road again, we’re on our way to paradise.<\/p>\n
Alright, so I’m looking forward to the game. As usual, thoughts during the build up have gone from ” Oh shit, its Barcelona and we’re going to get hammered ” to a much more realistic ” Get intae them “, which if I recall correctly is what this guys manager used to tell him before fights.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Manager Neil Lennon will put his faith in his players, and you get the impression that the team is chomping at the bit to get at Barca. Lennon spoke highly of captain Scott Brown;<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m looking at his movement and it\u2019s very pleasing. He looks strong in his running and his football is getting better.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do ask him, \u2018Can you play? Have you got the technique to take the game on at this level?\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Milan he was outstanding. He has no fear now \u2013 not that he ever did \u2013 but he has that maturity and presence about him that all good midfielders have.<\/p>\n
\u201cAm I surprised? Yes \u2013 and very pleased. You need to have the belief you are good enough. ”<\/p>\n
He’s right. Browns energy and enthusiasm could knock the tippy tappers out of their stride.<\/p>\n
Another Lennon is looking to for a big performance is Georgios Samaras, the Greek forward;<\/p>\n
\u201cThe games inspire him. He loves the challenge of playing against the quality of opposition.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat floats his boat and he has been very consistent for the last 18 months or two years, which is something we couldn\u2019t have labelled him with before.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is in his late 20s now and is one of the leaders. If we are to get something I am going to need all his capabilities \u2013 his height, his physical presence, his running power. What I like about him is the longer the games go on the stronger he seems to get.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is quite an incredible athlete when he puts his mind to it.<\/p>\n
\u201cBarca will be wary of him. He was a real handful in the Nou Camp. He got his goal, which gave him a lift, then he started causing them all sorts of problems.\u201d<\/p>\n
Exactly, when he puts his mind to it. He seemed in the mood against Kilmarnock, right enough, so here’s hoping he carries on where he left off.<\/p>\n
Another that will play an important role tonight, possibly the most important, is “Yellow wall ” Fraser Forster;<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m hoping that this competition will push him forward more for an England place.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is one of the best keepers in the Champions League. It\u2019s just my crappy opinion, you don\u2019t have to agree with it, but of the goalies I\u2019ve seen he is one of the best.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of the saves he makes, other keepers can\u2019t do it. For a guy of his physique he is very agile.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he really puts his mind to it he is brilliant at keeping that ball out. Some of the saves he makes, you are like, \u2018How does he do that?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
We’ll agree to disagree on that one, I think.<\/p>\n
But, Forster has shown on these occasions that he can be a fantastic keeper. Perhaps playing Barcelona suits him, as they tend not to go in for crosses, which seem to transfix him to his goal line and render him vulnerable.<\/p>\n
He was outstanding in the two games last season, and a repeat is essential if Celtic are to avoid the drubbing that seems to happen to everyone who plays Barcelona with any amount of regularity.<\/p>\n
James Forrest has trained, and should make the bench, while Adam Matthews, if fit , should have the right midfield berth. As ever , though, the experts have their views;<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net\/hphotos-prn2\/1380013_561997547187831_638415803_n.png\")
<\/p>\n
I would have thought it would be more of a Forster, Lustig, Ambrose , van Dijk, Izzaguerre, Matthews, Brown, Mulgrew Samaras, Commons , Stokes.<\/p>\n
Although it may be Pukki in for Stokes, I’d go with the Irishman purely because his movement and work rate is higher.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, in the diary reply, Charlie Saiz went with this formation, and that makes sense as well.<\/p>\n
\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.FORSTER
\n.
\n\u2026.LUSTIG\u2026VIRGIL\u2026MULDINI
\n.MATHEWS\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.IZZY
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.AMBROSE
\n\u2026COMMONS\u2026.BROWN\u2026..BOERRIGTER
\n.
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.SAMARAS<\/p>\n
However, Boerrigter is injured, hence my inclusion of \u00a0Stokes. Charlie continues, for those who didn’t see it;<\/p>\n
” Obviously both FB\u2019s will be wider than shown and Efe dropping in behind Brown in the hole stopping Iniesta ala 67 last Season.
\nI opted for Both Commons and Boerrigter out wide supporting Samaras as both are prepare to get back and help out when required.
\nSamaras up front as he is better in the Air than either Stokes or Pukki and provided both Commons and Boerrigter support him on the break he will lead the line fine.
\nDerks delivery will be key I reckon. ”<\/p>\n
I think he might have called it right with the way Celtic will play the game.<\/p>\n
Barcelona are without a few regulars tonight, including the promising Lionel Messi, who was always likely to come up with some excuse to dodge this game. Remember his reaction when he heard the draw ?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
We hear that his manager pleaded with him to play, as they needed him;<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The same website, SWOL, predicts this as a Barcelona line up;<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net\/hphotos-ash3\/993409_561997460521173_1326181516_n.png\")
<\/p>\n
As usual, they will footer about with the ball and bore the arse off the watching millions with their hesitant , sleep inducing approach. The game is live on ITV throughout the national network, and the way the Catalans play will have the neutrals looking for the remote before eight o’clock.<\/p>\n
So, its down to Celtic to provide the entertainment.<\/p>\n
I don’t care who plays, or how we play.<\/p>\n
I just want us to play, to give one hundred per cent, and then when they tire, I want them to give one hundred per cent more.<\/p>\n
Remember when Jock Stein spoke of his team creating their own history ?<\/p>\n
Well, this generation can go out and do that tonight.<\/p>\n
C’mon the hoops;<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
I hate to spoil the diary with a mention of a club which really doesn’t deserve to be on the same page as Celtic, especially on a day like this, but we hear from our usual inebriated urine drenched source that a manager over there is only going to take a pay cut if the difference is made up in free shares…<\/p>\n
Oh, the dignity. Of course, it cannot be true, and we wouldn’t claim it was. Mind you, its not as though he’d have a lawyer reading. He says he doesn’t even check his own contracts..<\/p>\n
Seriously, if he told me it was raining I’d go outside and have a look.<\/p>\n
* * * * * * *<\/p>\n
Tony Watt , the hero of last year, now doing penal servitude in Belgium, was the name that came up after studying yesterdays photos, and today, I’m going for someone a little less well known, even if he does hold a record for Celtic that will never be broken…<\/p>\n
\u00a0
<\/p>\n
Oh, and why is his name in the history books ?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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