Torment For Celtic In the Theater Of Dreams
Celtic begin their latest European adventure in the so-called Theater of Dreams at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. This is a venue that we've all come to know and love from Celtic taking a huge crowd down for somebody's testimonial, a nice kick about, and a happy player with a fat wad of cash in retirement.
But this time the event is more than a kickabout. It's the Champions League. Rangers supporters will probably have read about it but that's a side issue.
Going to Old Trafford would put the fear of God into most teams and it should because Manchester Utd are off to a flyer this season and look totally unbeatable with 4 out of 4 wins from the EPL so far already this season.
So what can Celtic realistically hope to achieve against a Tier One European side? Should we go down there and happily accept a 3-0 hiding similar to that which Rangers were excited to receive three years ago, or should we be looking to take something from the match?
Are we even allowed to think that?
If you look at it on paper, Manchester Utd have the best attacker in the world in Wayne Rooney, who on his game would destroy and defence. Celtic are handicapped by the absence of Bobo Balde, our #1 center half and we have goalie and backline who haven't played in Europe for Celtic before.
It does not make for pretty reading. Or it didn't until Celtic signed to top European players in Jan Venegoor of Hesselink and Thomas Gravesen. Suddenly, the thought of the Dutchman leading our front line and the Dane bossing midfield with Neil Lennon seems reasonable.
It's all down to how we fill the other 4 roles within the team. There is no better player at running himself into the ground for a cause than Kenny Miller. He has been outstanding for Scotland recently and had a superb assist on Saturday for JVoH to fire in the Sheep winner.
Then you have Aiden McGeady the wunderkid who has so much skill, vision, and talent that you wonder how long Celtic can hold onto him, playing on the left.
Finally, you have Japanese midfielder and dead ball expert, Nakamura who would put most Brazilians to shame when he is on his game. Man Utd will fear him if he gets anywhere near their goal with a freekick.
So, it really is down to how well our defence plays. Wilson at right back is the best in Scotland. Artur Boruc is probably one of the top three keepers in Britain.
Lee Naylor looks like he's coming onto his game at the expense of Paul Telfer. Naylor has looked comfortable in the left back slot and has also had experience of playing at Old Trafford, in the same team as Kenny Miller who sunk Man Utd in that match.
It's all down to how our central defence shapes up. If McManus and Caldwell can keep it tight and we can keep a clean sheet until half time then United will start to get anxious. They are playing in front of a sell out crowd for the first time and their failure last season will be all too fresh in their mind.
For that reason, I expect us to either grab a point in a 0-0 draw, or get a late winner at the death and take all three points. Then all the muppets will sit up and take notice.
Onward Mr Strachan.
But this time the event is more than a kickabout. It's the Champions League. Rangers supporters will probably have read about it but that's a side issue.
Going to Old Trafford would put the fear of God into most teams and it should because Manchester Utd are off to a flyer this season and look totally unbeatable with 4 out of 4 wins from the EPL so far already this season.
So what can Celtic realistically hope to achieve against a Tier One European side? Should we go down there and happily accept a 3-0 hiding similar to that which Rangers were excited to receive three years ago, or should we be looking to take something from the match?
Are we even allowed to think that?
If you look at it on paper, Manchester Utd have the best attacker in the world in Wayne Rooney, who on his game would destroy and defence. Celtic are handicapped by the absence of Bobo Balde, our #1 center half and we have goalie and backline who haven't played in Europe for Celtic before.
It does not make for pretty reading. Or it didn't until Celtic signed to top European players in Jan Venegoor of Hesselink and Thomas Gravesen. Suddenly, the thought of the Dutchman leading our front line and the Dane bossing midfield with Neil Lennon seems reasonable.
It's all down to how we fill the other 4 roles within the team. There is no better player at running himself into the ground for a cause than Kenny Miller. He has been outstanding for Scotland recently and had a superb assist on Saturday for JVoH to fire in the Sheep winner.
Then you have Aiden McGeady the wunderkid who has so much skill, vision, and talent that you wonder how long Celtic can hold onto him, playing on the left.
Finally, you have Japanese midfielder and dead ball expert, Nakamura who would put most Brazilians to shame when he is on his game. Man Utd will fear him if he gets anywhere near their goal with a freekick.
So, it really is down to how well our defence plays. Wilson at right back is the best in Scotland. Artur Boruc is probably one of the top three keepers in Britain.
Lee Naylor looks like he's coming onto his game at the expense of Paul Telfer. Naylor has looked comfortable in the left back slot and has also had experience of playing at Old Trafford, in the same team as Kenny Miller who sunk Man Utd in that match.
It's all down to how our central defence shapes up. If McManus and Caldwell can keep it tight and we can keep a clean sheet until half time then United will start to get anxious. They are playing in front of a sell out crowd for the first time and their failure last season will be all too fresh in their mind.
For that reason, I expect us to either grab a point in a 0-0 draw, or get a late winner at the death and take all three points. Then all the muppets will sit up and take notice.
Onward Mr Strachan.
posted by big tommy at
5:29 PM
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