With only two days to go now before the eagerly awaited Champions League game at Celtic Park, I thought I would weigh up the chances of an upset. Many Barça fans will see that Celtic are trailing Rangers by four points in the Scottish Premier League and conclude that as Rangers were relatively easy then Celtic must be easier. However, recent history suggests that it could be much tougher.
Barça faced Celtic twice in 2004. In March the teams met in the last 16 of the Uefa Cup, the first game at Celtic Park was played on March 11th, the same day as the horrific terrorist attack in Madrid. Barça were never really in the game and lost 1-0 through an Alan Thompson goal. The game ended with ten men against nine as Motta, Saviola and the Celtic keeper Robert Douglas were all sent off. In the return game at Camp Nou, teenage goalkeeper David Marshall stopped everything that Barça could throw at him to earn a 0-0 draw that put Celtic through to the quarter finals.
In September 2004 the teams met again in the group stage of the Champions League. This time Barça were strengthened by the new signings of Deco, Giuly, Marquez, Larsson and Eto’o, and ran out 1-3 winners. Deco put Barça in front before Chris Sutton equalized for Celtic. Late goals from Giuly and Henrik Larsson against his ex-team, gave Barça a deserved victory. At Camp Nou Celtic once again frustrated Barça, Samuel Eto’o gave Barça the lead but John Hartson grabbed an equalizer on the stroke of half time. A solid second half display was enough to earn Celtic a 1-1 draw.
Celtic have an excellent Champions League record at home and this season they won all three group matches at Celtic Park beating AC Milan 2-1, Benfica 1-0 and Shakthar Donetsk 2-1. If that’s not impressive enough last season they also beat Manchester United 1-0 with a stunning free kick goal from Japanese midfield star Shunsuke Nakamura.
Celtic’s current form is also good as they have won their last eight games on the trot. Their last three games have been two 1-5 wins away at Kilmarnock and Aberdeen, and a 3-0 home win over Hearts on Saturday. Top scorer Scott McDonald is in great form scoring six goals in the last four matches. Barça will also need to watch out for tricky left winger Aiden McGeady who has been voted Celtic young player of the year for the last three seasons. Celtic’s defence has also looked more solid recently since the signing of Andreas Hinkel from Sevilla. The good news for Barça is that Hinkel is cup-tied which means manager Gordon Strachan will have to find a replacement right back. The main candidates are Paul Hartley who is more suited to playing in midfield, Gary Caldwell or youngster Paul Caddis. If Caldwell plays at right back then Stephen Pressley will probably partner captain Stephen McManus in the centre of defence.
The other absentee for the first leg is midfield dynamo Scott Brown who is suspended. Strachan will choose between Hartley and Barry Robson to replace him. Robson was recently signed from Dundee United where he played against Barça in the pre-season friendly in July. At Dundee United he usually played on the wing but against Hearts on Saturday he impressed in the centre of midfield.
Of course, Barça are still favourites to go through, but I have an uncomfortable feeling that it will be a close-run thing. Unlike Rangers, Celtic will come out to attack Barça and with 60,000 fans roaring them on they will be no pushover.
Apologies to any Celtic fan reading if I have made any mistakes about your team; please, send a comment to put the record straight, and you could also inform us if goalkeeper Boruc is as mad as they say, or do you have any good songs about Jan Vennegoor de Hesselink?
29 responses so far ↓
Paul // Feb 18, 2008 at 18:34
a very good article .. and no mistakes.
i hope you enjoy the game on wednesday.
HOFFA // Feb 18, 2008 at 18:42
good article my friend - as a celtic fan id have to say you have done us every justice with your accurate comments! Artur Boruc (The Holy Goalie) is indeed as mad as you get - great keeper AND a great character!!!!!!
peter // Feb 18, 2008 at 19:10
good and well researched article
hope the game on wednesday produces great football, with a celtic win i hope!
Blaugrana // Feb 18, 2008 at 19:19
No way in hell, we gonna walk away with this game, easy win, barca! barca! BAAAAARRCAA!!
Barca Fan_Miki // Feb 18, 2008 at 19:22
Me to.I hope for a great match but the wictorious to be Barca.
1888scott // Feb 18, 2008 at 20:19
Celtic will win at home and try for a draw in barca, artur boruc is the best keeper in the world, fact. thanks for the nice and respectful words, we are much more respectful fans unlike rangers idiots, we look forward to the game with the catalan team.
1 mistake btw, you spelt larsson “larrson” in the paragraph
hail hail
John // Feb 18, 2008 at 20:21
A great night of Football is in prospect on Wednesday night when Barca visit Celtic Park. For those of us lucky enough to have tickets for the game the atmosphere and occasion will be very special. I am looking forward to a great game but also to Barca and Celtic fans cementing the firm friendship that has developed between the two clubs over the years.
The comments made by Joan Laporta
http://www.celticfc.net/news/stories/news_180208095807.aspx
are a credit to Celtic supporters. I am sure that all of us Barca supporters traveling to Glasgow will be made to feel very welcome.
I agree with Nic the first leg in Glasgow will be very tight indeed, but Barca should have enough to over the two legs.
Nic // Feb 18, 2008 at 20:26
Thanks 1888scott. I’ve now coreccted the Larsson speeling
1888scott // Feb 18, 2008 at 20:38
no problems! which ever team wins, i hope will win the cup. if barca beats us then we hope they can win. and i hope that if we win your fans will be behind us also
it is good that our great teams can come together so well
Youssef Gazia // Feb 18, 2008 at 21:07
Lets hope for a cracking game on wednesday. Two great teams square off in a very tight encounter. Surly, Celtic can upset Barca in Glascow, but in Barcelona, thats another case.
Visca el Barca…
Hail Hail…
Gary Bhoy // Feb 18, 2008 at 21:36
Celtic gave last years eventual winners their toughest game of the knockout stages (and I include the final) - I’m expecting the same again this year.
A draw at Celtic Park and a home victory in Barcelona. Barcelona to go on and win the tournament.
Good article - there should be no ‘anti football’ on display on Wednesday night. We are not the same as Rangers!
Lorenzinho // Feb 18, 2008 at 21:53
Is Frank suspended for this game? I just read that.
Knot // Feb 18, 2008 at 22:04
Wow, nice research, we also got Scott Brown suspended im pretty sure for the first leg, blow but Robson could step in, see yas on Wednesday, Come on the Hoops :p Barca for La Liga though
Hair Like Spaghetti // Feb 18, 2008 at 22:15
Good well-researched article - you put most of the shameful Scottish press doodlers to shame with your accuracy and balanced approach!
As for the game, 1-0 Celtic at Parkhead, and then who knows for the 2nd leg???!!!
Also, apologies from all Celtic fans for the way your city was treated by Rangers fans last year. I have visited on at least half a dozen occasions - beautiful city, beautiful people, beautiful football - let us try to repair the damage done to Scotlands reputation and enjoy the day, as well as the match.
Good luck in chasing down Real as well - watching them is worse than watching Chelsea, and as bad as watching Rangers - as Lionel would say, anti-football!!
Blogger 'GG // Feb 18, 2008 at 22:22
A warm welcome to all Barca fans in Glasgow.
We relish playing against the best and Barcelona are surely that.
Whatever the outcome it will be a night to remember.
Hail Hail
JJ // Feb 18, 2008 at 22:28
Thanks for your good article on the game coming up. Too often people from the Continent and even England write Celtic off and make light of any chance of progressing v the bigger teams yet last year we would have beaten Man Utd over 2 legs, took the eventual winners to extra time without them scoring in regulation time and beat them this season at Celtic Park.
I’m looking forward to a great game on Wednesday between two of Europes most famous teams, both known for their attacking style.
I really fancy Celtic to win on Wednesday, whether it’s enough I don’t know. I do know it will be a great atmosphere and hope that the Barca fans enjoy their visit, even as the final score will go against them!
Celtic 2-0.
Andy // Feb 18, 2008 at 22:46
The alternative Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink song
“He’s big he’s strong
His names too f***ing long
Vennegoor of Hesselink”
Gola // Feb 18, 2008 at 22:47
Celtic 0-3 Barca
Pablophanque // Feb 18, 2008 at 23:06
Great article and very objective. As you say, THE biggest clubs in European football have all left Celtic Park with a bloody nose. Some of those got what they deserved, the others got what they did not expect. Celtic are a very hard side to beat at home and after the recent results, this is a team that is beginning to believe in it’s own ability.
I think that we will win on Wednesday and have a very good chance of getting the result that we need over there. I will be there on Wednesday and I will be at the return leg in your beautiful city and TBH, I can’t wait for that trip.
I have no reservations in saying that we are very much like you and we too are “More than a club”
Nic // Feb 18, 2008 at 23:10
Rijkaard is indeed suspended for the first game -
http://fcbnews.com/rijkaard-banned-for-next-champions-league-game/
Nice song Andy
Anybody got any more?
Alex // Feb 18, 2008 at 23:19
Rangers were relatively easy? then celtic will be pish easy
Brian // Feb 19, 2008 at 0:45
Hi Nic
Been reading the blog since the draw was made - great stuff, keep it up and congratulations on your award.
The game on Wednesday is tough to call for me. As a Celtic supporter I obviously want Celtic to go through, there’ll be no divided loyalties although I’m not sure if we’ll manage it.
If Barca play as stop start as they have been then Celtic have every chance, particularly if Rijkaard continues to play the best centre half in the world at full back. That said, if Barca play the way they can on paper nobody will beat them.
The last two occaisions I haven’t fancied Celtic to get anything and been surprised, I have no idea how it will go but I can’t wait for Wednesday and then the return at Camp Nou, where I hope I won’t need a flight home!
Visca Catalunya!
Hail Hail
Rafael // Feb 19, 2008 at 1:51
I give Barca 1 - Celtic 0.
The fantastic four should be all in the squad!! Do not know if they will all start though.
Blaugrana // Feb 19, 2008 at 4:44
Eto’o is back! Zambrotta is back! Celtic gona have to pray, blaugrana al vent.
pep // Feb 19, 2008 at 9:24
Celtic will attack? They already said they will defend and their main task will be to keep Barcelona from scoring. Just like Rangers… Can’t blame them, but let’s hope such a negative attitude won’t get rewarded.
Meanwhile, reports suggests that Rijkaard will keep Messi and Ronaldinho on the benck, playing with some 4-4-2 with Eto’o and Henry up front. Don’t know why we should adapt to a team like Celtic and play without any wingers.
pep // Feb 19, 2008 at 9:27
Adding:
Celtic player Scott Brown said that, if needed, Celtic will play “anti-football” like Rangers did.
JJ // Feb 19, 2008 at 10:21
pep
You will find on Wednesday that Celtic will not play ‘anti-football’. The fans here would not allow it and the atmosphere on the night will make for a great game.
Celtic will play 2 up front and two creative wide midfielders. You cannot play ‘anti-football’ with that formation. Sure we will not be gung-ho, that would be suicide, but you will find Celtic will definitely go out to win the match.
Given our away form in the Champions League Celtic must have a lead to protect going to the Camp Nou or the chances are we are out.
I guarantee you it will be an attractive match, unlike Barcas last visit to Glasgow where only one side played football.
pep // Feb 19, 2008 at 11:58
I hope Celtic won’t partly ruin the good image we have about the club… Let’s hope for a good game and a deserved winner.
Jay // Feb 19, 2008 at 15:45
A hard-fought win….
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