Celtic need Uefa Cup lifeline
Launch the Uefa Cup lifeboat. It's the only salvation for Celtic now.
With only two matches down and 12 points still up for grabs, it's still mathematically possible for Gordon Strachan's side to reach the last 16 of the Champions League.
But football isn't played by mathematicians. The stark truth is that Manchester United and Villarreal are acts too classy for the Scottish champions. It's jackets off for a straight fight with Aalborg for the Uefa Cup place.
Even Gordon Strachan admitted it's an uphill battle now. In fact, he raised the altitude level. "A mountain to climb," was his view of the football landscape.
You can slice this any way you like, but Manchester United and Villarreal will go through from Group E because they are richer and have the ability to attract better players.
And the champions of Denmark are out of their depth, too.
I actually thought Celtic played well in Spain and, in a world of ifs, buts and maybes, Georgios Samaras's chance - and the fact that the game's only goal came from a free-kick that should never have been awarded - might have added up to a sob story.
But that would be to ignore the big picture and just watch the trailer.
The free-kick by Marcos Senna was an awesome reminder of the quality of a player who strode through the European Championship for Spain.
There isn't a team on earth who wouldn't want to enjoy his talents.
There are, of course, thrilling moments to come in this majestic competition and the prospect of bronze in the section will be sidelined in the epic fixtures to come in Glasgow's east end and Old Trafford.
But here's the truth: Aalborg have waded beyond their paddling distance and are in a perilous position.
It will astound me if they take another point before Celtic travel to Denmark.
So, if Strachan can conjure a victory on the other side of the North Sea on 25 November - with the Danes to finish in Manchester - they will be assured of a safe landing in the Uefa Cup.
And that, as Rangers supporters will confirm, can lead to all sorts of high-jinks.
Cluj, Rosenborg and others who go about their business in a universe parallel to that of football's glitterati will laugh at Celtic's dismal record on the road.
They've proved you can go through boarding gates and still win football matches.
And, of course, the aforementioned Rangers turned over-achievement into an art form last season.
But, sometimes, you have to face the harsh dawn of reality.
And Celtic - who can be good - are not good enough to eliminate Manchester United and Villarreal from proceedings in Group E.
They can go about the matches against the European champions relishing encounters that will attract the attention of the football world.
But it is in Denmark a month before Christmas that Celtic will have the chance to prove that seedings don't lie.
This is the last Uefa Cup before it is re-branded and reshaped.
My wager is that, privately, Celtic would now settle for being part of its farewell party.
"Tell them who you are and what you are about," they said. To be honest, there are days when I struggle to remember myself. Forty years toiling at the coalface of football journalism does that to you. But I have reason to believe that I have reached the heady heights of the title of Football Correspondent of BBC Scotland which gives me a renown, in Scottish terms, of somewhere between Alex Salmond and the deep fried Mars Bar.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~24~RS~)
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come on now, i think you are writing them off too soon, it may come down to the final game against villarreal. im sure the players won't be hoping for uefa cup football, they still have the ability to go through. Sure they'll need a little bit of luck along the way but as they've shown many times before their home is what they are all about and they'll need a result away from home, prob against aalborg. Im sure villarreal don't think they're safe yet
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Chick,
Stranger things have happened, if Celtic are downgraded to the UEFA Cup then they will end up playing more games than Rangers.
IF Celtic win the SPL what excuse will Rangers have for the season before!!!!!
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It's not all doom and gloom but i'm a realist, did we expect them to get anything in Spain? No. Did we expect them to get 4 points out of the two Danish games? Probably. Do we expect them to beat Villareal in Glasgow? Yes. Unfortunately we didn't expect Villareal to get a point in Manchester and there lies the problem. However, Utd may settle for a point in Glasgow and win in Spain so....
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surveillboy - that's a lot of ifs in your statement - most unlikely being that you can actually beat Aalborg in Denmark.
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Chick
That certainly is the position that they have put themselves in.
However, They certainly were talented enough to defeat Aalborg and even if Villareal was a superior team (they were), Celtic had opportunities to score maybe two goals. If Samaras shot an instant earlier, then you are talking about Villareal coming back to salvage a draw.
It is as much a question of not taking advantage of opportunities that present themselves as it is about differences in the level of talent.
Strachan is always talking about the failure in posession as the root of these CL loses. He certainly was correct in this instance. The more possession you have, the more opportunities you have to score or draw fouls
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Celtic will at least have an outside chance of winning the UEFA Cup.
Only teams from England, Spain and Italy can win the Champions League now.
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celtic had the opportunity to take a thumping, only luck and poor finishing stopped it
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#8 - your statement does include a lot of 'if' comments. unfortunately celtic did NOT beat Aalborg and Samaras did NOT shoot a second earlier against Villareal. IF both those things had happened then Celtic would be on 4 points at the moment from 2 games, which wouldn't be a bad start.
However, you would expect Man utd and Villareal to take the points at home to Aalborg, as well as away, and that would mean Celtic having to win away to Aalborg, at home to both Man Utd and Villareal, hope they draw with each other again, and probably now win at Old Trafford! definitely a tall order.
Then again, would a celtic fan take knocked out of the last 16 again or the final of the UEFA cup this year?
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Again with the negative attitude Chick! I don't think Celtic will be turning their hopes to the UEFA Cup just yet. They played some very nice football in Spain, but Villarreal were simply magical and proved the quality of La Liga as they did in the 0-0 draw with Manchester United. The draw with Aalborg was very poor but I don't think all is over for Celtic after these two games. I mean think of some of Celtic's other away performances in recent seasons - Shakhtar Donetsk comes to mind where they played awful. Last night was a lot better showing and I think they can win in Denmark. Money does make a difference but the way Villarreal play the game is key to their success. As with all Spanish teams, passing is top quality all over the field. No matter how much pressure players are under they can always seem to find a pass whereas in Scotland the ball is just booted up the pitch.
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Chick,
I agree with you that Villareal and Manchester United are richer and have the ability to attract better players so will almost certainly qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League.
This should also highlight the fact that over the past two seasons Gordon Strachan has worked miracles getting Celtic to the last 16 in the past two seasons, a point that is not often spoken about in the East end of Glasgow. Taking over the reigns from a man many Celtic fans thought could do no wrong, Strachan not only had far less money to splash on re-building his squad but he reduced the age of the squad by bringing in young, untried youth team members at Champions League level and in his second season managed to take Celtic further than Martin O'Neill ever did in the Champions League.
Last night's performance in Spain was as good an away performance I have seen from Celtic in the Champions League and if luck had gone their way we could have been talking about Celtic having an excellent chance of progressing to the last 16. It was also refreshing to see a number of Scottish Internationals in the starting line up, that were excellent for long spells in that game, not being frightened to hold on to the ball for a change against one of the best sides in Europe at this present moment.
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Typical of the lazy journalism we have come to expect from you Chick.
What next Celtic need a centre-back, left-back and decent striker exclusive!?!?!
Keep up the good work!
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Unfortunately, my team (which plays across town from Celtic) is awful, as well.
Good luck to Celtic, and I hope they go through. However, as I have been saying to all my pals here in Toronto, their only hope lay in getting a decision in Villareal.
That is seemingly squandered. If Uefa is Celtic's only hope, I wish them to go far.
But, until Celtic are eliminated I shall (pinch my nose! lol) and cheer them through!
Then, I shall cheer Celtic for Uefa. After all, they are British.
Sadly, Scottish football is in decline. Someday I may see my new team (Toronto FC ) play in the world club championship. But I doubt I shall live that long.
On the plus side, Toronto FC are known as "The Reds". Same as my fave English team.
Anyone remember the glory days, 25 years ago, when 9 of the staring 11 were Scots?
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Whatever may happen to Celtic in the forthcoming matches, they were deservedly beaten last night. The free-kick Senna scored from was a valid award - Celtic's Hartley stamped on an opponent's foot. And the BBC's stats on the game tell us more - for example, Villarreal had 63% of the possession and had 25 shots to Celtic's 8.
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I think that Celtic will find a higher gear against Man Utd, but over the two legs they'll still give Utd at least four points.
However, here lies the lesson that many clubs have failed to learn, which is: Why do clubs find this higher gear against Man Utd, but nobody else?
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Ranger did do very well winning away from home in the uefa cup, just as Celtic did in 2003 in Liverpool. Our away record in the champions league is pretty bad, but considering that real madrid before Tuesday night had not won away in over 7 matches, the it tells you how hard it is to win matches away from home in the champions league. Celtic have been punching above thier weight for many a year now, and at the end of the day, considering the oposition they play each week and the constraints of the league they play in, then we should celebrate their recent record rather than criticise
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Sorry Chick,but this time you're wrong ,time and time again Celtic are up against the odds and nobody gives them a chance except the fans. Celtic have to beat Ac Milan at home to go through,Celtic beat Ac milan at home to go through,Celtic have to beat UTD at home to through ,Celtic beat UTD to go through. I could go on and on.
UTD will beat or draw with VILLAREAL but they wont lose,when that games being played Celtic will beat Aalborg in their first away win in europe or years. Then we have Utd at home,and did you know that the last English team to beat Celtic at Parkhead in Europe was a very good Nottingham Forest team some 20 odd year ago,anyway although Utd will beat Celtic on possesion on corners on pass %.They wont beat them on what counts which is goals.Celtic always find luck in Paradise.
Villareal will have no chance at Parkhead,Ac Milan didnt win there,Utd didnt win there,Shaktar didnt win there,Benfica ,Porto,Juventus all failed to win at parkhead.
So to say after TWO champions league games that Celtic are out is ludicrus,sorry Chick but your dead wrong i can guarentee Celtic will go through.We're not RANGERS you know.
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Celtic will go out, as usual. Try supporting a decent team, maybe Rangers?
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Another blog of absolute drivel. Chick here are the questions you have failed to address, and bear in mind I am not a Celtic fan
What do Celtic have to do, that they are not at the moment, to break the away hoodoo. Is it a change of formation, personnel or both. Has Strachan and O'Neil before him played too many attacking players.
Would you countenance a game plan to play strictly for the draws and if so how best is this achieved.
The statistics in this fixture suggest the dreaded anti-football was played by Celtic. Do you agree? If not why not?
Is it sensible for the Scottish Champions to pursue a higher level with the reward possibly, indeed probably, outweighed by the fiscal reward.
Why is the lifeboat being launched so early. Rangers qualified with 7 points, a total surely in Celtics grasp. In fact surely Celtic can obtain a total of 10 with home wins and away to aalborg. This scenario also sees Villarealo on 10 with Celtic having home advantage to better a one nil defeat. It is far from impossible.
On a final point get a grip regarding the free kick, these challenges in europe will result in free kicks. In my view the player had his ankle taken, in the good old days he would never have gone down. In the current game, all of Celtics players, the players in my team and of course the Villareal players now do.
A final small point, and again I am not a Celtic fan, but could I direct you to Gavin strachans blog. Well written and shock horror he engages in the debate. Worth a read.
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Chick,
I look forward to reading your blog every week as it offers ample opportunity to goad your reliance on cliches and re-cycled language.
Have you ever read George Orwell? If not, go to your library and borrow "Politics and the English Language - 1946". Orwell had no doubt just finished reading your blog when he wrote:
"The writer either has a meaning and cannot express it, or he inadvertently says something else, or he is almost indifferent as to whether his words mean anything or not. This mixture of vagueness and sheer incompetence is the most marked characteristic of modern English prose, and especially of any kind of [Scottish Football journalist's] writing. As soon as certain topics are raised, the concrete melts into the abstract and no one seems able to think of turns of speech that are not hackneyed: prose consists less and less of words chosen for the sake of their meaning, and more and more of phrases tacked together like the sections of a prefabricated henhouse."
Do you understand why people I think your blog is bad?
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Hey Chick, does this so-called "journalism" actually feed you everyday? I'd be frightened if that were the case.
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#23 Scotsev your analyis is always considerably more entertaining than the Blog itself.
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another poor blog chick
ridiculous to write off celtic already, may i remind you a few years back newcastle lost their first three games and still managed to qualify for the next round
it is disappointing that you are representing the scotish game on the bbc sport website, there is no meaningful insight or opinion or answers!
Calum Watson
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Its not the SPL opposition quality fault that is the problem for celtic in Europe. It is their own style of play. Every team they play against in Europe can move the ball from player to player quickly and accurately. Their players are constantly in support of the person with the ball and move into positions to receive or give the ball holder options. Celtic (and often other British teams) tend to favour running with the ball option. Its more difficult at high speed to see and pass accurately and as a result their inexperience with the European technique costs them that second in indecisiveness that usually results in them losing procession repeatedly. The real strange thing here is their home record being fairly good as they tend to play much the same way at home too.
The best thing that could happen to Celtic this season is that they lose to Man Utd and Villa real at home and beat Man U and Aalborg away. That way we can hopefully lay to rest both the away record monkey on the back and the ridiculous notion that celtic fans in general have that Parkhead is a fortress. Its not and if at the beginning of every season you think that you have nine points in the bag and you only need one more to qualify you are more at home in a casino than at a football game.
Donetsk, Cluj, Famagusta, Bate and Bucharest all play in leagues equal or less competitive and they have all achieved results. Celtic have the talent...they just need to start playing the game the way its meant to be played. They could actually use the 'weak' Scottish league to perfect the passing running and supporting game to help them compete in europe instead of the tedious 'give it to McGeady and run to the byline and cross it to big JVoH' predictable technique they currently use
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Chick,
Are you serious when you say that Villareal have more money then Celtic?.
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Chick, like the use of hyperlinks in the blog, but surely you forgot to link "high-jinks" to this story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7402858.stm
Such fun!
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So from that blog, we learn what exactly? Nothing.
Try reading Paul Fletcher's blog about Paul Sturrock's chase for Emile Mpenza. That's writing.
Please, BBC, take note.
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Not quite over yet although not looking good. to get 10 points have to beat Man utd and Villareal at home then Aalborg away. the last two results i think Celtic can get but its the Man utd at home that will be the defining moment. anything less than a win then it will be uefa cup time.
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This blog is an embarrassment.
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Like the majority of football people in Scotland I am so ashamed of the bigotry and prejudice associated with Rangers and Celtic that I am always happy to see them fail in Europe.
Kaunus did us all a big favour and I hope Celtic finish 4th in their group.
Good luck to Motherwell though.
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I'm Gers fan, Man Utd will beat Celtic twice! and AaB Aalborg will beat Celtic,Villarreal will beat Celtic at Parkhead, Celtic won't make it to UEFA place! Anyone Agree?
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It was Boruc keeping his focus that meant it wasn't three or four. Celtic were competent but outplayed - against a team that almost won La Liga, that should surprise no-one. I stil think they can achieve something against ManU though, and then, who knows? A last minute defeat by Aalborg, probably.
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I must have missed the Celtic v Man U games this season! Have they already been played???
This is typical Chick Young! A knee-jerk over the top reaction. Of course Villareal were strong favourites to win with a good performance at home - did you hear their record recently?
p.s.
Ranger's performances in the UEFA cup last year were far from an 'art form' - Jackson Pollock maybe.
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Kiwidoug7, let's talk bigotry and predjudice
And Chick, about a year ago you said on your blog 'where is all of this going to end, this remarkable rebirth of our national game?'.
Have you thrown in the towel already, or are you going to give our champions a chance to fail before writing them off?
I don't think anyone is under any illusions as to the task facing Celtic, but remember this is football, and after 2 games in last season's group stage no-one envisaged Rangers or Shaktar Donetsk not to qualify, so anything can happen over the next four matchdays.
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I agree with Chick even as an ever optimistic Celtic Fan. I did think however we played very well against villareal and played the ball around very nicely at times. I like most over the last few seasons have grasped the stark reality of plyng your trade in a 'TV' money free league. Like you stated there is no way of marketing the club to seriously top end players add to that we operate on a policy of paying about 1/4 of their expected salaries. We have fantastic History and reputation but as Ronaldinho proved half these guys dont even know who are paying there wages when they sign, in a world of agents falling over each other to grab some of those premiership pounds.
But Like PSV, Marseille etc fans who dare to dream of semi-Fiinal placing so shall I continue to do the same thing. I really want us to maintain that Celtic Park factor. I think the worst thing to happen for us would be to take a hammering from either Man U or Villareal at home and bring an end to the legend of Fortress Celtic Park.
But I wouldnt be against a wee jaunt in the Uefa cup, who knows we could sipping down raki on a warm Turkish summers evening in Istanbul come May. Remind me dust off my sobrero..
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I meant Robihno
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Chic are you capable of being objective in your writing? there was nothing special about Senna's freekick Brouc was clearly out of postion he was 3 yards of his line. We are meant to be supporting our teams in Europe not writing of there hopes before the campaign has barely started here is alot of football to be played before this group is decided mark my words.
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What price Celtic and Man Utd to both finish on ten points? (two home wins for Celtic, and the long-overdue first away win, in Denmark; with United beating Celtic and Aalborg in Manchester but losing in Villareal, who'd end on 13, including wins home and away over Aalborg)
Maybe I'm being too optimistic, but I'm sure there was a point last season when it looked worse than this.
And Chick, wee bit credit for the last two seasons in the group stage, eh?
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I agree that writing off a team at this stage is defeatist talk.
Lets just enjoy the fact that we can watch a Scottish team in Europe and I include Motherwell in this.
Although this is modern journalism at it's best - "Doom and Gloom"
Come on Chic give us a positive spin for once.
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Definitely not beyond Celtic to qualify, especially with their fantastic home record. Aalborg are beatable away and 10 points will be enough to qualify,
Worst blog ever...........
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I right Chic!!
Dont you remember last years champions league standings at this stage, Celtic on zero points Rangers on 6 points Eveyone in Scottish football said by by celtic and Rangers would run away with ther group!
I rest my case
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For a first Chic, I'd pretty much agree with what you have said here, and I say that as a Celtic fan!
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I hate when they say other teams are better because they have better players
it was only luck that Celtic lost the game to Villareal one goal is not exactly a fantastic score what if the boot was on the other foot. And if it was Celtic's Free kick and Naka came up to the plate and baried one of his free kicks like he does best
It will be a different storyline.. So don't count out Celtic yet.. like people like to do
Celtic just have to figure out what they are doing wrong and fix it.. its not because of better players becuse we have them. we have beaten Manchester before and we can do it again And dont forget that was a 1-0 score as well.. if you take a team like Celtic and beat them 1-0 you have a bit of luck on your side
they would'int be in the champions league if we had so-so players...
So GO CELTIC GO I know you can turn things around I believe your capeable of it.......
GREAT CELTIC FAN
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Oh dear Chick, I think that you may well have just handed our players all the motivation that they need to go out there and not only win at Old Trafford, but qualify from the group.
I think that Tuesday night's performance showed that we can more than hold our own at this level. The nucleus of this team has experience of playing in the Champion's Leage and Old Trafford will prove to be the best chance we have to get not 1, but all 3 points away from home. We will be playing against a British team and this will suit us, plus, I don't think Man United will field their strongest starting 11.
It all comes down to belief, and a bit of good fortune, which after the diabolical decisions which lead to our defeat at Old Trafford 2 years ago makes me believe that this is our chance.
I don't expect you to respond, as you are probably very busy, and if truth be told you shouldn't have to respond to anyone who replies to your blog as this medium of transcribing one's opinions....and I thank you for putting yours online as they do give me a laugh.
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#23 scostev and #27 vinocelt.Congratulations on top drawer observations.I reveled in your all too rare, but intoxicating perceptions.The custodians of our national game and the new inspired profits that write about it are too often cliche ridden dim wits who abuse privilege.On the technical front my heart goes out to vinocelt.Home or away advantage is in the mind of the beholder but the ancien regime dupes our players into contrary hypothesis.No such drivel was imparted to the mighty Magyars when they hammered England at Wembley.
In 1967 we expected Celtic to win every game they contested and Jimmy Johnstone was not a wing back.The back line were comfortable on the ball and Tommy Gemell would have headed Sennas free kick to safety from the goal line.Am I a dreamer? No
Jock Stein led us to European glory.What would he have said about the staccato performances dished up today by the team I love.
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Realism guys........ The wee guy is probally right, Beat Man U then hopefully draw another victory at home agaist the 'real then win away from home...mmmmm, sounds easy don't it......... Uefa run will do this year but don't let us down in the transfer market come Jan.. or the writings on the wall for Gordy....League or not....... NB11
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Chic, I now don't even read your blog - i just scroll down to read the comments about your usual negative, unoriginol, cliched drivel.
ATTENTION all readers - for more of the same tune into Chick's World of football on Radio Scotland
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Well Chick it seems you draw a lot of criticism to yourself, people seem to think your jounalistic style is outdated but I believe you are a funny little character what with your "he he" laugh and all that!
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Chick, like nearly all Football "journalists" in Scotland is a Parasite. He feeds of the game, but does not contribute anything to it. He quite happily puts it down, but never talks it up (well apart from his beloved team) at all.
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It is still far too early to write off any team in the group. Celtic probably expected three points in the opening game and dropped two. I doubt however if they had truely expected a win in Villareal.
I agree that Celtic will probably be fighting over the UEFA cup spot with Aalborg (sp?) come the last game of the group. But, and it's a big but, if Celtic can get a win over Man U in the next two matches then it is game on again.
As our soul representatives in Europe (and it has only just turned October!) I hope they can cause a few upsets.
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I wonder if I am the only person to see the paradox of scostev's post #23. Criticise CY for using recycled language, and then spend 2/3 of the response using a quote from someone else from 1946. You have to laugh!
The purpose of a blog is for the writer to put an opinion, and for contributors to discuss the topic. The real weakness of this blog is that every second contributor, and I use that term very loosely, does not even address the topic. For example, I ask you - What do posts numbers 14, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 32, 52, 53 and 55 (and that does not include those that were moderated out) add to the discussion of the topic? The question is rhetorical because the answer is obvious - Nothing.
Celtic are in a hole because they dropped points at home and rarely win away. CY is probably right in his view that Celtic are done, save for a miracle (which could happen).
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Unfortunately, I had the opportuinity to watch the whole of the game the other night. As a Rangers supporter I wish Celtic to go on for qualification, for the sake of scottish football, but this looks highly unlikely.
Also, unfortunately, the performance the other night by Celtic was horrific. I don't see Celtic getting through to the knock-out stages if they play like that, but as many will know, every game is diffirent. I just think the degree of improvement needed is beyond the Scottish champs.
Celtic supporters may well beleive that they have a chance. That's what fans do. There aer some on here that realise this, but others that seem to have their heads buried in the sand, as most teams fans do.
This attitude makes folks attack the messenger, in this case, Chick Young. I admit he can talk rubbish from time to time. But that's what makes him so representative of Scottish football fans.
They tend to talk drivel too.
On this occasion though I have to agree that Celtic have an uphill battle. It's not beyond them, but it is a huge mountain they have to climb. So in this respect, Chick is as close as any other pundit in giving an honest analysis of the Scottish champs chances.
Certainly as any other Celtic minded pundit may be able to offer. And lets face it, there's many of them in Scottish journo land.
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Have to agree that Celtic will need something of a miricle to qualify as Villareal are more than capable of getting a result at Celtic park a la Barcelona.....
And if Celtic couldnt beat Aalborg at Paradise then their chances of beating the European Champions and the runners up in La Liga look bleak. It is possible however. But not likely. For once that was what chick was saying.
Celtic were a tad unfortunate the other night but not picking up 3 points at home to a poor side will cost them.
I feel like they will perform well again at Old Trafford but will undoubtedly be outclassed by a better team. It will be an open game with goals. Man Utd will probably get a point at parkhead. Game over.
If it goes down to a play off for a Uefa Cup place in Denmark do you think that they will have the bottle to get a result?
Its premature to be calling it a crisis in Scottish football when last year was our best year for decades...Usual jounalistic BS!. We had an exceptional year last year for all clubs....this year is a reality check but no disgrace.....there are very fine margins....sometimes they go for you....sometimes against....ask John Terry
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DonsRDons post #57.
You are arguing against yourself. The reason all those posts you list are not contributing to the discussion is because there IS no discussion. The 'blog' says nothing original or insightful, and that is what CY is paid for. Read some other blogs on the BBC Sport site and you'll see how they should be done.
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Chicoreal,
Deconstructing your latest epistle, and leaving aside the "climb climb up sunshine mountain" analogy, your blog this week all boils down to the "triumph or disaster" headline approach that infuriates the objective fan. Scottish football is not lower quality than that in other countries - our co-efficient and the Scotland National Team ranking are objective measures of that. Given our size, we do pretty well, and last season can't be hugely and suddenlty worse than this one. Sometimes results go for you and sometimes they don't. Where results are tight, the ball going into the net or just over the bar is the true measure of the scale of difference in quality. The last two matches in the Champions League section phase are usually the crucial ones as they determine the outcome. So haud yer wheesht, or at least show some humility if Celtic do go through. (I am not biased here).
The fascinating aspect of European competition is the inability to predict outcomes in a clash of unfamiliar footballing styles. Motherwell held their own in Nancy but appear to have turned rubbish only a week later. Did we really believe that QoS would go far in Europe? Can Celtic really be lauded at home and yet slaughtered for a 1-0 defeat in Spain, which is hardly a happy hunting ground for any European team? Is the Rangers team that lost in ECL qualifying in very early season the same one that is playng now, or the one that reached the UEFA final last season (via continental opportunism) ? Look at results in the week for Chelsea or Everton for evidence of the comparative quality of top flight English football. Surely Big Phil should resign? No doubt Moyes should be sacked instead of signing a new contract? In Scotland they would have to wear armour plating for a month.
No manager or player would give up as easily as a journalist. The motivation for all the mountaineering drama and wilful cliff-hanging must be because you like it. As I predicted on this blog, it was only a matter of time before one of the "Old-Firm " would produce a result to provoke a crisis that would get you back in the same old groove.... "Norway shock win" anyone?
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What does this piece of so-called journalism tell me?
Celtic have one point from their first two CL games and now it looks as if the best they can do is the Uefa cup place. The group seems to be playing out in accordance with the seedings. Man Utd have more money and Villareal play in a more prestigious league, therefore Celtic are not favourites to progress at this stage.
Any numbskull with internet access or the pocket money to buy a newspaper could tell you that. For Christ sake man, make an effort!
That Celtic find themselves in this position is somewhat ironic. Aalborg were by far the least gifted team to come to Celtic Park in the CL, but by virtue of Celtic paying them too much respect they left with a point. Robson and Brown's failure to get the ball forward early cost the team dear, and you are left wondering what might have been had the more direct play of Crosas been risked. As it is, Strachan decided to be more adventurous by deploying the attack-minded trio of Nakamura, McGeady and Maloney in the Madrigal. For 60 minutes Celtic played for a win, and to their credit much of the football was played in Villareal's half and chances were made. Yes, Celtic played well - for an hour - but tired, and after the goal went in it was disappointing to see Celtic pinned back instead of pushing for an equaliser. The stats recorded another loss in a whole series of them, but the game could have gone Celtic's way.
So after two games, where are we? The fact is Celtic were stuttering for long and weary last season and the twelve-game winning streak that eventually brought the title is looking more and more like a blip.
Still, this is hardly the place to discuss it, and at this point I have to say 'sayonara' - I'm boycotting Young's blog. Punters can say what they like, and their shaky grasp on syntax can be amusing or annoying in equal measure. But Young (I won't indulge his infantile persona by calling him 'Chick') gets paid by the taxpayer for this mindless drivel. This quote is priceless:
"And that, as Rangers supporters will confirm, can lead to all sorts of high-jinks."
This is Young talking about parachuting into the Uefa cup. He writes as if Seville never happened just a few years previously. It is astounding to think that Young can imply Celtic fans need to be taught by Rangers fans how exciting a Uefa cup run can be. Ignorant in its factual ellipsis, beyond Orwellian in its re-invention of history.
Personally, I cannot take any more of this blinkered, bigoted, puerile dross. I'll leave you to enjoy the wee man's 'banter'. From now on, I'll be chiseling at the coalface of anther blog.
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ho ho! secretalchemist (previous post). WELL said!
BBC, will you PLEASE take notice! Just count up the number of people who complain about the standard of CY's blog... on second thoughts, count those who support it, that'll be easier.
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Have Scotland jumped from the frying pan yet....is it still the Old Firm marching on.....how did the Payday Mayday turn out.....UEFA lifeboat still on its way?
A nation awaits news from the coalface with some considerable anxiety!
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Scottish teams in europe...always punching above there weight
bring em on
celtic will still get pumped LOL
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