Celtic News - Season 2012/13

Just thought I'd start a wee thread on here for Celtic, probably end up just like a wee diary for me to post to myself but c'est la vie

It's been a good start to the season, the league has been a bit slow, particularly at home but the European adventure has been a breath of fresh air, winning 5 and drawing 1 of our 6 games so far, including winning 3/3 away from home

Gary Hooper's performance in Moscow against Spartak was enough to have Gary Lineker drooling over him claiming it was the best CL performance from an English striker in years and claiming he should be called up for England, Fraser Forster got the call up too

Games so far

UCL Qualifier Celtic 2-1 HJK Helsinki -(Hooper, Mulgrew) 52,849 Assists: Samaras, Commons
SPL Celtic 1-0 Aberdeen - (Commons) 48,251 Assists: Matthews
UCL Qualifier HJK Helsinki 0-2 Celtic - (Ledley, Samaras) 10,269 Assists: Mulgrew, Ledley
SPL Ross County 1-1 Celtic - (Commons) 6,110 Assists: Watt
UCL Play-Off Helsingborgs 0-2 Celtic - (Commons, Samaras) 12,200 Assists: Samaras, Commons
SPL Inverness CT 2-4 Celtic - (Watt 2, Wanyama, Mulgrew) 6,100 Assists: Matthews 3, Twardzik
UCL Play-Off Celtic 2-0 Helsingborgs - (Hooper, Wanyama) 51,566 Assists: Samaras, Commons
SPL Celtic 2-2 Hibernian - (Lustig 2) 45,867 Assists: McCourt, Twardzik
SPL St Johnstone 2-1 Celtic - (Commons) 6,700 Assist: Hooper
UCL Celtic 0-0 Benfica - 57,298
SPL Celtic 2-0 Dundee - (Hooper, Wanyama) 41,073 Assists:  Brown, Izaguirre
SLC Celtic 4-1 Raith Rovers - (Hooper 4) 14,737 Assists: McGeouch, Forrest, Matthews, Kayal
SPL Motherwell 0-2 Celtic - (Hooper, OG) 10,496 Assists: Commons 2
UCL Spartak Moscow 2-3 Celtic - (Hooper, Forrest, Samaras) 43,351 Assists: Lustig, Hooper, Izaguirre
SPL Celtic 1-0 Hearts - (Samaras) 46,203 Assists: Commons
SPL St Mirren 0-5 Celtic - (Hooper, Ambrose, Wanyama 2, Watt) 6,008 Assists: Lassad, Mulgrew 2, Matthews, Izaguirre
UCL Barcelona 2-1 Celtic - (Samaras) - 75,000 Assists: Commons
SPL Celtic 0-2 Kilmarnock - 47,971
SLC Celtic 5-0 St Johnstone - (Commons 3, Hooper, Mulgrew) 14,399 Assists: Hooper 2, Commons 2, Watt
SPL Dundee Utd 2-2 Celtic - (Miku, Watt) - 10,521 Assists: Watt
UCL Celtic 2-1 Barcelona - (Wanyama, Watt) - 55,283 Assists: Commons, Forster
SPL Celtic 1-1 St Johnstone - (Watt) - 45,873 Assists: Mulgrew
SPL Aberdeen 0-2 Celtic - (Lassad, Mulgrew) - 18,032 Assists: Wanyama, Samaras
UCL Benfica 2-1 Celtic - (Samaras) - 49,000 Assist: Mulgrew
SPL Celtic 0-1 Inverness Caley Thistle - 44,238
SPL Hearts 0-4 Celtic - (Lassad, Lustig, OG, Hooper) - 15,264 Assists: Commons, Lassad, Mulgrew2
SFA Celtic 1-1 Arbroath - (OG) - 15,000 Assist: Miku
UCL Celtic 2-1 Spartak Moscow - (Hooper, Commons) - 60,000 Assists: Commons, Samaras
SPL Kilmarnock 1-3 Celtic - (Brown, Ledley, Samaras - 6,501 Assists: Matthews 2, Brown
SFA Arbroath 0-1 Celtic - (Matthews) - 4,195 Assist: Samaras
SPL Celtic 2-0 St Mirren - (Wanyama, Hooper) - 47,790 Assists: Mulgrew 2
SPL Celtic 4-0 Ross County - (Brown, Hooper 2, Forrest) - 49,428 Assists: Hooper 2, Lassad, Wanyama
SPL Dundee 0-2 Celtic - (Samaras, Hooper) Assist: Watt, Lustig
SPL Hibernian 1-0 Celtic - 16,805
SPL Celtic 1-0 Motherwell (Hooper) - 48,002 Assist: Samaras
SPL Celtic 4-1 Hearts (Hooper 2, Samaras, Lassad) - 48,374 Assists: Matthews, Commons, Brown, Izaguirre
SPL Celtic 4-0 Dundee Utd  - (Hooper 2, Wanyama, Brown) - 42,596 Assists: Samaras 2, Lustig, Hooper
SLC St Mirren 3-2 Celtic - (Hooper Mulgrew) 24,417 Assists: Brown, Commons
SPL Celtic 4-1 Kilmarnock (Ledley, Matthews 2, Stokes) 43,000 Assists: Commons 2, Hooper, Stokes
SFA Raith Rovers 0-3 Celtic - (Commons, Forrest, Mulgrew) - 7,144 Assists: Commons, Hooper, Stokes
SPL Inverness CT 1-3 Celtic - (Commons, Gershon, Miku) - 6,175 Assists:  Rogic, McGeouch, Stokes
UCL Celtic 0-3 Juventus - 57,912
SPL Celtic 6-2 Dundee Utd - (Ambrose, Commons 2, Ledley, Stokes 2) - 46,093 Assists: Commons 2, Izaguirre, Stokes 2, Forrest
SPL St Johnstone 1-1 Celtic - (Ambrose) - 5352 Assists: Izaguirre
SPL Celtic 5-0 Dundee - (Ledley 2, Forrest, McGeouch, Hooper) - 39,959 Assists: Izaguirre, Hooper, Stokes 2, Ledley
SPL Motherwell 2-1 Celtic - (Samaras) Assist: Forrest
SFA St Mirren 1-2 Celtic - (Ledley, Stokes) Assists: Forrest 2
UCL Juventus 2-0 Celtic -
SPL Ross County 3-2 Celtic - (Mulgrew, Hooper) Assists: McGeouch
SPL Celtic 4-3 Aberdeen - (Commons, Mulgrew, Hooper, Samaras) - 46,395 Assists: Stokes, Ambrose 2, Lassad
SPL St Mirren 1-1 Celtic - (Commons) Assist: Ambrose
SPL Celtic 3-0 Hibernian - (Commons 2, Lustig) - 46,049 Assists: Hooper, Lustig, Ledley
SFA Dundee Utd 3-4 Celtic - (Commons 2, Wanyama, Stokes) Assists: Wanyama, Izaguirre 2, Forrest
SPL Celtic 4-1 Inverness CT - (Hooper 2, Ledley, Samaras) - 55,000 Assists: Commins 2, Lustig, Izaguirre
SPL Motherwell 3-1 Celtic - (Hooper) - 7503 Assist: Watt
SPL Ross County 1-1 Celtic - (Stokes) Assist: Commons
SPL Celtic 4-0 St Johnstone - (Ledley, Stokes, Forrest, OG) - 57,000 Assist: Forrest, Mulgrew 2, Hooper
SPL Dundee Utd 0-4 Celtic - (Commons, Samaras 2, Stokes) Assists: Commons 3, Izaguirre
SFA Hibernian 0-3 Celtic - (Hooper 2, Ledley) 52, 000 Assists: Stokes 2, Lustig


Averages:

Average Home SPL Attendance: - 46,916 from 19
Average Away SPL Attendance: - 9,0002 from 16
Average Home UCL Attendance: - 55,768 from 6 games
Average Home League Cup Attendance: 14,568 from 2
Average Home Scottish Cup Attendance: 15, 000 from 1

Celtic Squad:

Goalkeepers:
1 Fraser Forster  
24 Lukasz Zaluska  
26 Lubos Kamenar

Defence:
2 Adam Matthews  
3 Emilio Izaguirre
4 Efe Ambrose
5 Rami Gershon (on loan)
6 Kelvin Wilson  
21 Charlie Mulgrew
23 Mikael Lustig  
25 Thomas Rogne  

Midfield:
8 Scott Brown  
15 Kris Commons  
16 Joe Ledley
20 Pat McCourt  
33 Baram Kayal  
46 Dylan McGeouch
49 James Forrest
56 Filip Twardzik
67 Victor Wanyama  

Attack:
7 Miku (on loan)
9 Georgios Samaras  
10 Anthony Stokes  
11 Lassad Nouioui
32 Tony Watt
88 Gary Hooper

Top Goalscorers:
Gary Hooper 31
Kris Commons 19
Georgios Samaras 14
Joe Ledley 10
Charlie Mulgrew 10
Victor Wanyama 9
Anthony Stokes 7
Tony Watt 6
James Forrest 5
Mikael Lustig 4
Lassad 3
Scott Brown 3
Adam Matthews 3
Efe Ambrose 3
Miku 2
Rami Gershon 1
Dylan McGeouch 1


Assists:
Commons 25
Hooper 12
Mulgrew 11
Izaguirre 11
Stokes 10
Samaras 8
Matthews 8

Early days yet, but I've been somewhat disappointed with Miku. I was expecting quite a bit from him, but has been a damp squib thus far. He was the signing I expected the most from. Ambrose looks the business, whereas Lassad and the keeper have done basically what I thought they would. Was at the Dundee game a few weeks back. Lassad looked OK, but I'd rather have Tony Watt getting game time than him.

Yeah I said on Sunday that Miku has struggled thus far, not sure how fair I've been though, big things expected having scored 14 goals for Getafe last season in LaLiga, he needs a run in the team though, felt he should have started the other day.

Ambrose looks an absolute steal, heard we we're after him back in April and ever since I was looking up his games, heard Man City wanted him last year yet couldn't get a Work Permit for him so that suggests he has genuine quality, I was at the Raith game and he played midfield and was the star of the show despite Hooper getting four

Good to see Commons get back in the Scotland squad, hopefully he gets a game, particularly against the Welsh and he and the rest of the lads come back fully fit

I heard City looked at Ambrose, but wasn't sure if the were rumours were true. Will hopefully be up for the Killie game so will see first hand what he is like.

Your thoughts on Wanyama to Utd? Would miss him, but we are still overloaded in CM with Kayal and Ledley back to full fitness.

Is there rumours going about the Rogne wants to go? Heard he put something up on twitter after the Moscow game and has now deleted his account.

Man Utd have been linked with Wanyama for months now as have Arsenal and Man City been credited with an interest too, he will be a loss when the time comes but the key is to buy them, improve them and sell them on pretty quickly now as so we won't be totally reliant on them when their time comes. Glad to hear we're looking for £10m minimum for him as well, if Newcastle are quoting £20m for Tiote then Wanyama is a steal

I'm not a big fan of Kayal, think he's overrated by our support, he gives the ball away far to often for me, Joe Ledley is simply immense though, glad he's back, felt he was a big loss against Benfica

Not sure what's going on with Rogne, his agent wasn't happy with the deal he was offered, rumours of him storming out the ground dueing the Hearts game appear unfounded too, still, he's got until January to get back in the team and sign a deal or we'll punt him, shame, I feel he could be a real cracker for us, has had some top games and if he irons out a few flaws he could be a top defender, AC Milan wanted him when we signed him but because of his hamstring they decided against it so that at least highlights his potential

Couldn't agree more about Kayal and Ledley, Kay Fabe! Ledley is a lovely footballer, solid as a rock and do a job for you anywhere. I've been disappointed in Kayal since his 1st season and if I'd had the choice would have kept Ki and let Beram go.

Champions League this year has me full of hope. We have a young team who seem to have no fear of the opposition. Can be inconsistent in the league but in one off games I think we have a very good team.

I was one of Sammy's biggest critics but since the turn of the year he's started to show the talent that he has.

Yeah something just seemed to click with Sammy, I felt it was against Rennes at home last November then in Italy last december against Udinese, he had a stormer, then he scored a couple of goals on Christmas Eve to take us to within a point of Rangers

I wouldn't care if Sammy only played 10 league games a season for us but he'd be a first pick in the really big games

Last Tuesday in Moscow summed him up, all through the game he gave the ball away yet he was involved in every goal we scored plus the goal we got chopped off, a big beautiful enigma

Exactly. I used to give him untold abuse only for him to score a goal in a really big game and some of my mates to shove it down my throat. He's just such a dangerous player for us now and that's what always infuriated me. His incosistency was unbelievable but fair play to him for shutting me and quite a few others up.

Seen Lenny on the Late Late Show over here in Ireland recently promoting a new show to find a young player to sign for Celtic. Publicity stunt in my eyes and can't see them finding the next Pat McCourt or anything Have you heard anything about it?

Disagree about Kayal, I think he's a cracking player. First season was great, but last season he didn't kick a ball after Christmas. Had a stormer that night against Rangers before getting injured. He did have a poor start to the season, but was coming back into the Kayal of old for me. He can pass, maybe tries the Hollywood pass too often, but on his game he is a top player.

I know who won that Ireland's next star, I won't spoil it for anyone watching the show. He played a trial game for Celtic not too long ago.

Maybe I'm being a bit harsh on him as he has struggled with injury but I just don't think he's built on the initial promise he showed. Hopefully he can get back to it and I'll be more than happy to eat my words.

Probably won't wven get watching the next top star. What's the verdict on the lad who won it?

Most promising team in my memory with so much young talent. O'Neill's team was full of more experienced toip players but this team is full of potential.

I didn't think Kayal had a good season at all before he got injured to be honest, infact it was highlighted often, he was after a new contract and many a time after the game plenty of people said his form wasn't meriting a new contract, I agree, I don't believe one season should merit a new deal unless they're on the same kind of money as Wanyama

Kayal did have a decent game that night against Rangers at Christmas but it was his type of game, I felt in the bigger matches particularly his ball retention was/is very poor, he runs his nuts off but for me he's all endevour with no real substance

Not to fussed about this next top talent show they've got in Ireland to be honest, its good PR though

Total domination yesterday, St Mirren are a good footballing side but they tried to just hit us too hard, we played a very mature game and they completely lost their shape, I felt Lassad and Izaguirre had good games, Ambrose was excellent and Wanyama was the star of the show, Tony Watt was excellent too and for me was just pipped to the MotM award by Vic, what a second goal by the way.

Absolutely loved the Ambrose celebration 10/10

On to Barca we go...

Oh well, day of the game at the Camp Nou

Barcelona are just frightening, I like to have a laugh at the expense of Messi making decent LaLiga players look like Sunday League Hangover merchants, when it's our turn though its wake up in cold sweats time.

It's impossible to even come up with some semi logical explanation for hope against this team, I've been to the Camp Nou twice and I'm undefeated there, 0-0 in 2004and 1-1 in 2005, didn't manage the last 16 clash in 2008 when we lost 1-0

A Celtic fan was asked on SKY how to stop Messi, his reply was "Boot him up in the air and make sure he doesn't get a head on it when he's up there" sums it up really, just have to go and try and enjoy the experiance and hopefully learn something along the way, I'll be watching this from behind the couch.

My XI to play

---------------------- Forster

Lustig ------ Ambrose --- Wilson ------ Izaguirre

----------------------- Wanyama
Mathews ----- Brown ------------- Mulgrew
----------------------------------------------- Samaras
------------------------- Hooper

I'm going to be watching this game tonight as I think of all the Champions League clashes it looks the most intriguing.

Barca are weak the back with Song and Mascherano likely to be starting at centre back together, so I think set pieces are going to be the most likely point of attack. It's containing the attacking force that's the real problem.

I'd like to see Celtic really go for it, they're unlikely to be able to shut Barcelona out, so the best chance they've got is to really come out of the blocks and take Barca by surprise.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see Celtic pick up a red in this one, in a vain attempt to stop Messi.

Brown will get confused by Messi and get sent off. Then he can go and eat lego.

Bookies offering Celtic at 28/1 says it all really. No logical explanation for a Celtic win but there's always that bit of hope. Clutching at straws, maybe the game on Saturday night has took a bit out of Barca and they're relatively weak at the back.

Best bet for me is to take them by surprise and get tore in from the start. Don't think we are good enough to defend for the 90 but there's always a chance of a goal or 2. Would love to be over in Barca for the atmosphere and fingers crossed we pull off a miracle!

if theres one thing, barca are now beatable. they conceeded 4 at the weekend! i would say going for it would be suicide. you CAN win if you hit them on the counter. very very unlikely, but not impossible. good luck. its the game ill be watching, and not because i want to see barca score goals

I could be proved wrong here of course but I really don't think Celtic will 'resort to kicking Messi off the pitch' it's not their style, they could of course lose a man in a last man situation or maybe Wanyama in the centre of the park who is quite prone to go to ground rather rashley but in 24/25 years of going to watch Celtic apart from under O'Neill against Rangers I've never seen them go out to take men out of games, and the only reason that was deemed acceptable was because we'd been getting bullied in those games for years

I saw one bookie offer 45/1 on a Celtic win, the same Bookie is offering odds of 25/1 that Scotland will make contact with Aliens, when the experts find it more likely to make contact with aliens then it's time to be frightend, still, our campaign won't rest on games against the might of Barca.

I'd love a result but I think hoping for a good performance might be the best we could manage, if we got a good performance I think it'd give the players a lot of belief for the rest of the group

#HEEL wrote:Brown will get confused by Messi and get sent off. Then he can go and eat lego.

I remember he used to share with Kevin Thomson, Thomson had to lock the fridge because if he had any fizzy juice after 9pm he'd be up all night climbing the walls

Kay Fabe wrote:

#HEEL wrote:Brown will get confused by Messi and get sent off. Then he can go and eat lego.

I remember he used to share with Kevin Thomson, Thomson had to lock the fridge because if he had any fizzy juice after 9pm he'd be up all night climbing the walls

Celtic 1 up, Mascherano own goal

25% of all goals Barca have conceded this season have been own goals.

I'm giving Sammy the goal, 4 goals in 4 away games in Europe this season, Messi who?


As for the game

What a night, I'm gutted but it's hard to be gutted when I've got so much pride for the team, they played a blinder, we're never going to match Barca so it was all about trying to stop them tactically, I felt Neil Lennon was spot on once again tonight, the better team clearly won, but I was hoping for a performance and we got one.

Also, it should be noted to anyone who thought our game would be about kicking Barca off the pitch, Celtic didn't get one player booked tonight.

Couldn't be prouder of the players. Agree 100 percent with what ya say Kay Fabe! Was ripping at the commentators at the end of the game putting the scud on haha. Defensively outstanding!

Fraser Forster, Ambrose, Wilson, Ledley, and Lustig were exceptional. Parkhead in 2 weeks!

Ambrose is an absolute corker of a player isn't he?

I was a wee bit disappointed in Joe Ledley tonight, one of my favourites, he looked a wee bit over-awed at times, it must be energy zapping though.

So proud of the players and the management team they're building something very interesting

To be overly critical I thought Wanyama was fantastic but some of the midfield's ball retention was really poor. I know its hard to keep the ball against Barca but some of the misplaced passes were criminal.

Ambrose was an absolute wall! He looks a steal.

Yeah it is hard to be too critical, I like you though felt we were just a wee bit scared in possession and gave the ball away far to easily, again though that could be down to Barca pressing us, they're truly awesome, it's like 15 vs 11 out there at times.

That would have been in the top 3 results of all time for us such is the class of their team, I'm really hoping that everyone now believes we can get out of this group

Yeah they just always have a man free in a dangerous area. Their movement is incredible.

Lenny deserves a lot of credit and the players will have a lot of belief after this game. The only way is up for the team!

What a performance from Celtic. They done us proud tonite an thou I'm gutted at the last minute winner it was nice to be 1 up at barca for a bit

And another thing. A year ago I never thought I could be as disappointed to see big Sammy leave the pitch!

Completetly gutted by the result, don't think I have been so proud but so gutted by the team since Seville. We were unlucky with the Samaras injury, a lot of our players were out on their legs in the second half and would have been nice to have that other sub to bring on.

Thought Mulgrew was disappointing tonight apart from a few good deliveries, his touch seemed a bit off at times. Wanyama and Ambrose were tremendous.

Thought Wanyama's passing was pretty poor, but was a rock other than that. Joe Ledley wasoutstanding for me, set the tone early on when he dispossessed Messi twice early doors when he was looking to go on his mazy runs. Ambrose was immense, as was Wilson and Lustig. What a tackle by Wilson on Messi late on. Heartbreaking way to lose, but I can't be too upset. Looks like we will just have to pump them at Celtic Park.

As someone who has been very critical of the parlous state of Scottish football I was very surprised that Celtic played so well last night.

Well done.

Back to normality tomorrow against Kilmarnock, we've not been to good to watch this season in home games immediately after a European game, Kilmarnock like to play a bit and aren't afraid to push men up under Sheils so hopefully it'll be an open(ish) game.

Hope to see Miku get a start tomorrow, I'd like Watt to start too but wouldn't mind leaving him out until the St Johnstone game on Wednesday, maybe bring Matthews back into the team along with Kris Commons

.............................. Forster

Matthews ... Ambrose .. Mulgrew ... Izaguirre

.................. Wanyama .. Ledley

Forrest ......................................... Commons
.............................. Hooper
............................... Miku

I'd have Watt and Miku starting up front with the rest of the team staying the same.
Not expecting fireworks but hopefully get the desired result and come midweek give a few of the other squad players a run out in midweek.

Good performance last night, from the 10th minute on I knew Commons was going to have a scorcher, he had 4 shots, 3 of which where pretty dangerous, his performance was flawless in that first half.

Really strong team, not far off our strongest, I feel this is the way forward this season and next, we'll have enough breathing space in the league to rest players so our cup and European squads are very strong.

Was disappointing on Saturday, mentioned before the game though that apart from the first half against Hibs, we've been useless in the League at Celtic Park all season, particularly after European games, still while its annoying its hard to criticise to much when the team are doing so well in Europe

Izaguirre out for 4-6 weeks 4***!

Don't know what sort of teams going to take the field tomorrow night and haven't got a gut feeling either way on this one. Hopefully another great night in Parkhead!

Would like to see a team of;
Forster
Mathhews
Wilson
Ambrose
Mulgrew
Wanyama
Ledley
Brown
Sammy
Forrest
Hooper

Depending on fitness.

James Forrest is out too and possibly hooper. It's gonna be tough.

Not good. Miku up front and Commons on the wing in their place then.

I'm not the biggest James Forrest fan to be honest, he's still got way to much to learn and I feel at home he tends to hide, Hooper would be a big loss but I'd like to see Tony Watt given a run, he's got real pace and I feel we'll need that as Barca will probably play a high line.

Shame about Izzy, I felt he was just starting to find his feet again in the last 5/6 weeks, its took him long enough

The papers are building big Efe Ambrose up for a major fall

I'd like to see us go with something like this

............................... Forster

Lustig ............ Ambrose .... Wilson ............ Mulgrew

............ Brown ..... Wanyama ..... Ledley
Commons ................................................ Samaras
............................... Hooper

I'd have Watt replace Hooper if he doesn't make it

Omg! I really thought Celtic were gonna get humped tonite! So glad I know hee haw!!

Voice gone! I don't know what to say!

I'm just back drom the game, unbelievable, I'm stunned, truly stunned, in two games against the mighty Barca we beat them and came within 40 seconds of holding them to a draw, unbelievable, Victor Wanyama, Adam Matthews and Frazor Forster where unbelievable, infact they all where even if I was prone to give Commons some pelters from time to time, I just canny believe this, this teams came a long long way since that night we showed we had a bit of class and bottle in Rennes last October

Adam Matthes! If I seen him I'd cry, I'm drunk but a hero!

Matthews was sensational, felt it was harsh he lost his CL place to Lustig who has been excellent too but Matthews at left back was unbelievably good against Messi, Pedro and Alves, a real Hero

Who'd have thought it, the perennial Champions League whipping boys getting a result like that. I don't like Scottish Football but well done.

As a Rangers leaning poster and without any tinge of jealousy or bitterness I wholeheartedly congratulate Celtic on a fantastic result for them and for Scottish football. Although Rod's bubbling was just a tad cringeworthy!!

Enjoy your moment guys

super_realist wrote:Who'd have thought it, the perennial Champions League whipping boys getting a result like that. I don't like Scottish Football but well done.

Okokok I'll bite, perennial Champions League Whipping boys?

Explain that one? This is Celtic's 6th campaign in the Champions league, from the previous 5 groups they have finished 2nd twice (qualifying for the last 16) finished 3rd twice (with 9 points & qualifying for the Uefa Cup) and finished bottom of their group only once

I wouldn't say that ever constitutes calling anyone a 'perennial whipping boy'

Desperate game yesterday, apart from the first 45 minutes against Hibs I'm struggling to think of one decent home League performance this season.

St Johnstone played well, to be fair they have done on most occassions we've played them in the last year, particularly in the league but you have to expect more from Celtic, Tony Watt has been a revelation though

Becoming a real theme of the season that we can't pick up a league result after a CL game. What's going on?

Missed the game yesterday but it can't have been good. Tony Watt is playing out of his skin but too much pressure shouldn't be put on him yet. Lenny will steer him right no doubt.

I'm finding it hard to be overly critical given how fantastic our European form has been this season, I've got no doubt we'll go on a run of 9-12 games and we'll hit 31-36 points and blow all our competition out the water but if Rangers where in the league it'd be panic stations, although maybe daft points wouldn't have been lost so readily.

That being said I'm loving seeing Hibs and Aberdeen challenge for top spot at the moment, if we played to form the league wouldn't be interesting