SPL Discussion Thread

[Stuttgart88]

Is this the right place to discuss Celtic vs Benfica?

Very impressed by Celtic. I've only seen their CL games so far, no SPL games. Good mix of technical football & direct football.

Maloney & Miller were very impressive throughout.

That young guy Sno is going to be one hell of a player. He was far from perfect but you've got to cut a little bit of slack for a teenager making his CL debut up against a sophisticated team.

Strachan looks & sounds like he really knows what he's doing. I read before he joined Celtic he worked really hard for a year going around Europe, taking in games, learning systems and taking courses. It looks like it's paying off.

Too early to get excited just yet though. Even a point in Lisbon will be a tall order, likewise you can't assume they'll get anything at home to United, even if United has already qualified. Winning in Copenhagen will be critical.

Am I right in thinking that if Celtic & Benfica tie, Celtic are in the driving seat due to a 3-0 giving them the (likely) head-to-head advantage?

[eirebhoy]

Am I right in thinking that if Celtic & Benfica tie, Celtic are in the driving seat due to a 3-0 giving them the (likely) head-to-head advantage?
Yeah, I think so. I'd put Celtic favourites for the Man U match. I think that's actually the easiest out of the 3 left as I wouldn't know what to expect from Copenhagen and home and away matches are different worlds for Celtic.

Miller was superb. He seems to really play well on the European and international stage, probably because most wouldn't come up against a similar player.

Boruc had 1 easy save to make from about 30 yards out so credit to McManus and Caldwell.

Naka was his usual world class (imo) self. A joy to watch. I'm losing count of the amount of pundits that have called him a genius in the last 3 CL games. :) I felt he should have played more balls forward when they went 1-0 last night but he just wanted to keep possession. If you had 6 Nakamura's in front of the defence then you won't be getting the ball off them if they wanted to keep possession but I'm always still nervous at 1 or 2 up so wanted to keep going for more goals. :)

As for Strachan. It didn't take me long for him to win me over and I was backing him through the Christmas period when around 80% of fans wanted him out. Top, top coach and you can guarantee he'll get the best out of the players at his disposal. Like Kerr, I never really disagree with anything Strachan says or does. ;)

[Poor Student]

Strachan also went to Australia to study fitness techniques of Aussie rules teams.

I also thought Miller was excellent last night. He really harries defenders and nips at their heels. His ball control looked to be a lot sharper than usual and his finishing for the second goal was excellent. Very composed display by Celtic. They kept their heads after Benfica rode the initial storm and took control for a while. The next two games away will be very telling. A couple of draws are needed at the very least but I'd be hoping for 4-6 points.

[RogerMilla]

i would take 1 point from the two away games and 1 from the united game to be honest and hopefully it would be enough if man u put benfica to the sword . benfica game was a great performance but i await with interest the game in lisbon , massive massive game. taking a beating there would change the whole shape of the group and put the momentum with benfica

[eirebhoy]

Nakamura's confidence is sky high at the minute:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1auktvxJVsk

That vid doesn't include his 2 excellent assists.

[Neish]

What do you all think about this guy. Telling his players that they will all be sold if they don't beat Dunfermline this weekend? Is not as if their playing bad 2nd in the league ahead of Rangers. He reckons he will play a youth/reserve squad again Celtic next week(How is that going to make anything better?)

I can see this kinda thing happening more and more in the future as big business men taking over clubs and taking power away from fans of the clubs.

[pete]

He owns the club so really can do whatever he wants.

I am sure many Hearts fans delighted when he came in pumping in the cash but theres always a downside to selling your sole. Suporters trusts are the only way to stop people gaining total control of clubs.

Romanov seems to be a bit out of order but I also think some footballers pampered & overpaid so could do with a boll%xing now & then.

[drinkfeckarse]

I honestly think Hearts have over achieved last season and so far this season. Romanov has came in and conned a lot of people. He hasn't put any money into the club. Racing Club Genk have reported them to FIFA for non payment of the £850,000 record signing Mirsad Beslija and contrary to opinion, Romanov has NOT paid off any of Hearts reputed £17m debt. All he has done is transfer it to his own Lithuanian bank.

They have signed a lot of foreign players but over 50% of them are loan deals and the others were free and none of them are players you would recognise. At the end of the day, if you want quality it's going to cost you more often than not.

I remember an article in the papers over here shortly after the World Cup where Romanov was bragging about being close to signing a "World Cup Star". Turned out it was a Togo international who played for a 3rd division French club :rolleyes: :D

[RogerMilla]

whatever about romanov himself , the coach molofiev is a right nutter !! mad interview on setanta yesterday sayiing all was well in the camp!

[eirebhoy]

whatever about romanov himself , the coach molofiev is a right nutter !! mad interview on setanta yesterday sayiing all was well in the camp!
Yeah, he couldn't speak a word of English either. Crazy man. :)

Interesting to see Evander Sno in the provisional Dutch squad so soon.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/2006/1101/sno.html

[Stuttgart88]

Well, looks like all those "Celtic have one foot in the secound" round comments were very premature, predictably enough. Lots of work to do yet.

[geysir]

But the other foot was always in the grave. It was torture to watch such a leaden arsed, right from the kick off, arthritic performance. You could draw parallels with Ireland in Cyprus, a couple of bad errors and the the whole team gets infected with the jitters. Pearson was consistantly the wrong player at the wrong time.
I'd still expect a showdown performance against Man U. In scoring 3 goals the advantage has shifted to Benfica with a home game against Copenhagen.

[drinkfeckarse]

Funnily enough I predicted 3-0 to my friends after the Celtic Park result. I had a feeling they'd be a little too silky at home and could've got 12/1 on it yesterday except I don't like betting against my teams.

Poor performance though and the pressure is very definately on now. 2 draws will do though or 1 win I think assuming Benfica will beat Copenhagen at home and lose away to Man Utd.

[eirebhoy]

Well, looks like all those "Celtic have one foot in the secound" round comments were very premature, predictably enough. Lots of work to do yet.
I always expected a Benfica win tbh. Last night was worse than I expected though. A 2-0 defeat would have been fine but 3-0 added to Man U losing means it couldn't have gone much worse. I wouldn't expect less than a draw against United though and Benfica have little chance of getting anything in Old Trafford. Copenhagen away will be tough now but Celtic are still favourites for 2nd. Benfica lost a home match which puts them on the back foot.

[Poor Student]

Playing Pearson was such a bad mistake. His touch and passing are woeful and his positioning looks like that of a headless chicken. He should have gone 4-4-2 with Zurawski or 4-5-1 with Jarosik. I know neither are in great form but Pearson has a lot of shortcomings as a player and is not good enough for 90 mins at such a level.

[eirebhoy]

Aye, I never rated Pearson. Kilbane is a much better player than him which says it all. I would have played McGeady on the left with Maloney off Miller. Plenty of teams play with 2 wingers and 2 up front. Sno and Lennon should have enough to cover while Naka and McGeady will always get back when not in possession.

Benfica were excellent off the ball I must say.

[Junior]

alright folks, not logged on too much these dayus currently off travelling and in an internet cafe in Yichang, China.

Was looking fairly good since I've been away, league form was good and great home win against Benfica until an hour ago and I've just read the match reports on Weds game. Defeat not unexpected but I wish we didn't gift the opposition these head starts making everything doubly difficult.

Tough game tomorrow against Hearts, hopefully we can bounce straight back!!

Hail Hail

PS: Is McGeady fully fit now?

[eirebhoy]

Yeah, McGeady will almost certainly start tomorrow.

[bmozza]

McGeady should have started in Portugal in hindsight. What has happened to Malony this year?? Easily our best player last year, not quite happening for him this year. Apart from the lovely ball for Miller to set the goal against Benfica in Paradise, not much else from him??
Also...Pearson obviously started to protect the left wing...however did you see how far away from his man he was when the cross for the 1st goal was swung in? He was in no mans land. McGeady this year has shown as well as going forward that he's well able to cover back, and I don't think we would have conceded that goal if he was playing.

[drinkfeckarse]

He's only started a handful of games since returning from injury. Give him a chance, he'll come good again.

[bmozza]

Yea I know he will, but he was injured for the start of last season, played a couple of reserve matches on his return and burst back into the senior side with that wonder strike in the old firm. He never looked back after that and went on to win Player of the Year!!

[Junior]

Go on the Celtic!!! nothing like leaving it late to keep the excitement!!!!!!

[tetsujin1979]

Paddy Power pay out on Celtic in November!!

[londonirish17]

Seems that other bet companies are willing to do the same following this
w-e's results...

[bmozza]

Celtic come back with 5 mins to go to beat Hearts 2-1.
Rangers lose to Dundee Utd by same score.
Stokes bags another hat trick.
My Sunday team wins in the cup 4-2.
Great f*cking weekend!!

[drinkfeckarse]

I couldn't believe the Rangers result last night. Confidence must be horrendously low to be beaten 2-0 at home to a first division side. Paul Le Guen has obviously underestimated the Scottish League and the in yer face attitude of most teams.

There's no way he'll be sacked I think as he has a good pedigree with Lyon (albeit with a lot more cash than the other teams had available) but the players he has signed have been poor and don't seem interested in battling to win a game which you have to do in Scotland. Interesting how they are doing well in Europe where you don't have to scrap and get more time on the ball.

I expected a lot better from his Rangers team as his arrival was widely heralded as a huge coup. Early days I know but there's no doubt now that he has a huge job on his hands to turn results and confidence around.

[RogerMilla]

agreed , i think le guen thought he could fancy dan his way to the title but he paid no attention to the fact that celtic are tough too , as you have to be in the SPL

[Stuttgart88]

One of my least favourite people, Chick Young, said the following as the SPL season opened:

I am prepared to push the gamble button and suggest to you that the persuading of Paul Le Guen to succeed Alex McLeish at Ibrox will win the title.

It remains an impressive appointment. People in France are still staring into their pastis, stroking their moustaches and making Gallic hand movements about the wonderment of one of their most talented young coaches taking a job in Scotland. Allez Les Bleus, right enough

Wonder what he thinks now!

[eirebhoy]

I have to admit, I thought Le Guen was an excellent appointment based on his success at Lyon. When you see how well Houllier is doing though it can't be a tough job. :) I don't rate Houllier at all.

[Pat O' Banton]

I have to admit, I thought Le Guen was an excellent appointment based on his success at Lyon.

Personally speaking I think that Le Guen has been an excellent appointment ;)

[gustavo]

The man will need time and I think that eventually he will prove to be a good manager for them .

[Pat O' Banton]

Don't know if he is capable of it or if many managers are able to turn them around. They appear to be skint, with pitiful TV revenue coming in, a deal with JJB for shirt sales that seems to at best short sighted and their only real hope of a cash injection for desperately needed new players is Vlad inploding everything at Tynecastle and giving them a leg up into next seasons Champions League qualifiers (even then I can't see how they will qualify for the group stages.)
Rangers have a youth acadamy but; a) you can hardly expect a couple of young players to come in and turn things around.
b) I have not seen much in the way of real talent come out of it.

If Hearts weren't bent on self destruction they would have a fair chance of establishing themselves in as one of Scotland's top two for the next few years.

[Poor Student]

Celtic are through to the next round of the CL. It's impossible for them to be overtaken by both Benfica and Man U. Yes!!!!:D

[RogerMilla]

the players should have been wearing masks last night, i'd say man u are still in shock , brilliant

[Hoops 1967]

I've been supporting celtic for 20 years and I think last nights victory is the sweatest I have experience. To beat the most overrated english side since.....well they're all overrated!! Man U think they can come to celtic park an win....ya right!! Come on the BHOYS!!!

[geysir]

Still smiling at the thoughts of the last 15 mins.
Credit to Strachan for making 2 changes at half time, contributed to a much more competitive 2nd half even if the subs didn't do a lot.
Lennon still managing to hold the midfield together.
Both free kicks were soft decisions.

[tetsujin1979]

What a goal, what a fcuking goal. Even when he was winding up for it, I was thinking, "go on, drop it on Balde's head at the back post". Shows what I know, then a penalty save to top it all off! According to Sky Sports, the Neviller knew Saha was going to miss, so why didn't you take it yourself you sap??
United played well in the first half, without ever really looking like threatening, reminded me of an Old Firm game a few years ago in Ibrox, in their own half they were allowed to pass and play the ball to each other, as soon as they crossed the half way line, tackles were flying in and players were pressurised.
Playing Rooney on the left was Sir's first mistake, playing Giggs through the middle was his second. Buying Carrick, and believing he could replace Roy Keane was his third!!
Hoping for a favorable draw now, and a Benfica win in 2 weeks. Incidentally, who believes Strachan will play a second string side, or at least not his strongest starting XI away in Denmark? Topping the group should be a priority, but there's no need to pick up needless injuries or bookings now that qualification is achieved. On the other hand, Celtic are running away with the league, even now, and should try to perform as best they can in the Champion's League

[eirebhoy]

Delighted. Naka just won't miss a freekick like that. There's nobody in the world better than him at freekicks in that position. Fair play to Strachan for changing it at half time. I can't believe how close Miller was to replacing Naka before the goal, only to be told to put his top back on. :eek:

[geysir]

Do the group phase bookings carry over to the knock out rounds?

[eirebhoy]

Do the group phase bookings carry over to the knock out rounds?
No....

[drinkfeckarse]

Delighted. Naka just won't miss a freekick like that. There's nobody in the world better than him at freekicks in that position. Fair play to Strachan for changing it at half time. I can't believe how close Miller was to replacing Naka before the goal, only to be told to put his top back on. :eek:

I was actually thinking that it was a little too far out to beat a keeper of VDS's size and stature! You won't see many better than that. I think it caught most of us by surprise that Celtic were through. I certainly didn't realise it and both Lennon and Strachan were surprised when informed after the match!

When there's that much tension involved you forget about the simple facts!

[eirebhoy]

I knew a 1-0 or 2-1 win would have Celtic through before the match. I was suprised nobody at Celtic knew. Lennon had to tell the players in the dressing room.

As for Naka being too far. You're reminding me of listening to John Cole commentate on Channel 67. :) Naka was in a similar position to last night and John says "It's too far in ey?". He bangs it into the top corner. If Naka is lining himself up to shoot then you know it's definitely not too far. ;) Obviously the wall is there for a reason but when you're up against Naka from 30 yards out you should just stand in the middle of the goal.

[drinkfeckarse]

I knew a 1-0 or 2-1 win would have Celtic through before the match.


Somehow I knew that you would know. ;) :D

[geysir]

Incidentally, who believes Strachan will play a second string side, or at least not his strongest starting XI away in Denmark? Topping the group should be a priority, but there's no need to pick up needless injuries or bookings now that qualification is achieved. On the other hand, Celtic are running away with the league, even now, and should try to perform as best they can in the Champion's League
There's nothing for Celtic to lose now in Copenhagen (except a game of course). Copenhagen are glued to bottom spot regardless of the outcome. Celtic can go hammer and tongs for the victory. Luxury, isn't it.

[eirebhoy]

I think they have really go for the win in Denmark. Playing the 2nd leg at home will make a huge difference imo.

[geysir]

The first half performance in the last 2 games have been poor.
The difference in the 2nd game was that Man U failed to score in first half and Strachan acted emphatically at half time.
Talk has shifted away from "solid" Telfer.
Sno and Lennon at CM doesn't seem to work. Graveson is a poor man's Petrov, easilt outpaced but at least he does a full nights work.
Bobo did a lot of good things, the passing will get sharper but the attempted tackle from behind in the penalty area is the kind of nightmarish stuff that he invariably does.
Overall Strachan has done well in the CL with a lesser team than O'Neill had garnered.
You'd almost forget about the £1.5m for Virgo and the presence once of Du Wei in a hooped shirt.

[Poor Student]

Bobo's passing won't get sharper. He's an absolute nightmare on the ball.

[Plastic Paddy]

You'd almost forget about the £1.5m for Virgo and the presence once of Du Wei in a hooped shirt.

Brrrr, Du Wei. :eek: That sent a shiver down my spine. 45 minutes at the Broadwood Stadium on a cold January day and Du Wei turned inside-out by a man now in Millwall's reserves. No, I don't think any Celtic fans with a half-decent memory could ever forget...

:ball: PP

[tetsujin1979]

First I'll have to forget about the 5m+ for Rafael Scheidt, then I can work on forgetting about Du Wei

[eirebhoy]

Sno and Lennon at CM doesn't seem to work.
100% agreed on that. I think Sno will be dropping down to the reserves for a while now. He doesn't have a natural confidence so is a completely different player when full of confidence.


Graveson is a poor man's Petrov, easilt outpaced but at least he does a full nights work.
I don't agree with that. Petrov went missing in plenty of games for Celtic, Gravesen will never hide. He's probably not the best tackler but he certainly gets himself around the pitch, a bit like Gattuso. He's much more technically gifted than Gattuso though. I'm delighted with Gravesen so far. I watched that lad Tymoshuck that Celtic have been constantly linked with last night against Roma. He would be the ideal replacement for Lennon and an excellent partner for Gravesen.


Bobo did a lot of good things, the passing will get sharper but the attempted tackle from behind in the penalty area is the kind of nightmarish stuff that he invariably does.
He'll always be terrible on the ball, now mainly because he knows all 60,000 fans in the stadium dread when he has the ball. The pressure must be unreal for him. :) The tackle on Ronaldo though more than made up for it (albeit with a bit of help from Boruc) and was a typical Balde tackle. He's very fast, excellent in the air and very good at judging a sliding tackle. He just has no football brain at all and needs Mjallby in there to guide him.