Days of Thunder

 

Days of Thunder

The Champions League draw has given Celtic that much sought after blend of glamour and hope of progressing. RB Leipzig, Shakhtar and Real Madrid will provide a huge test for Ange Postecoglou’s side but there are grounds for at least a glint of optimism. Celtic is a developing young side with much potential and is capable of giving any team a good game at Celtic Park. Picking up points on the road might be more problematic, although Shakhtar are likely to play their home ties in Poland and forfeit home advantage due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This could help Celtic as could the fact that Shakhtar have lost key players in the past year as the crises in Ukraine saw a UEFA ruling allow foreign players to walk away from their contracts. This infuriated the club as they had exchanged contracts with Fulham for the sale of winger Manor Solomon, only for Fulham to say following the UEFA ruling, we won’t be paying the agreed fee as we can now have Solomon for free. It remains to be seen what sort of side Shakhtar can field but they are no mugs and Ange Postecoglou will ensure Celtic are properly prepared.

 Real Madrid, the current Champions of Europe will provide daunting opposition but most Celtic supporters will approach those ties with a ‘nothing to lose’ attitude. Give it a real go and we’ll see where it takes us. We know the quality of players like Kroos, Benzema, Modric and Casimero, but we want to see the best at Celtic Park and test ourselves against them. Amid the bread and butter of the Scottish game, ties like this are a rare taste of caviar and we should all relish them.

The tie with Madrid comes a few days after the first Glasgow Derby of the season and Celtic Park is sure to be rocking on those two days of thunder. The atmosphere at such games is unrivalled and two of them coming in such close proximity will leave Celtic fans drained but hopefully happy. Which one would I rather win? If Celtic can’t win both then it’s an obvious choice that defeating Real Madrid would be epic. We play 4 or 5 derby matches in a season but haven’t faced Madrid in competitive action for 42 years. It’s a big dream getting a result from a team of superstars like Madrid but we’re allowed to dream. Teams like AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Manchester United and of course Real Madrid have all fallen in the east end of Glasgow. The gap between the elite sides and the rest had widened hugely since George McCluskey and Johnny Doyle put Madrid to the sword in 1980 but you never know in football.

I got involved in a discussion online with a Celtic who suggested taking the flag of the second Spanish Republic to Madrid as a way of annoying the perceived right-wing element among the Madrid support. It was pointed out to him that the Spanish civil-war is still a raw topic in Spain as dreadful atrocities were perpetrated by both sides. We can see from the experience of the troubles in Ireland how the folk memory and bitter experiences are passed down the generations.

Celtic Ultras taunted Lazio’s fascist fringe with a banner depicting a dead Mussolini hanging upside down in Milan in 1945. It may have been that those thugs would have attacked Celtic fans in Rome anyway, but that banner made it more likely. Trips to Europe can be great fun and Celtic will take far more fans to Madrid than the 1800 tickets they have been allocated. However, it can be dangerous in some places too and it’s wise not to antagonise the more unhinged locals and in doing so put other Celtic fans in danger.

Season 2022-23 has got off to an exciting start and the Champions League draw has demonstrated the importance of European football to clubs like Celtic. Much as our I enjoy watching my team play anyone, there can be a degree of over familiarity when you face the same Scottish teams three, four or even five times in a season. Europe adds glamour, excitement and is the best test of how your team is progressing. It can be a harsh and unforgiving environment too and Celtic will need to take the chances that come along and avoid silly defensive lapses.

Postecoglou’s side is built to go after other teams and score goals but away from home in Europe will he need to be a little more pragmatic? Celtic have the players to play an intelligent counter attacking game but the manager may simply stick to his principles and set Celtic up to play in their normal style. Brendan Rodgers found out in Paris and Barcelona, if you go toe to toe with the best you can be on the end of some spankings but we want to be at the party with the best in the business and we’ll accept that risk as part of the deal.

There are exciting times ahead but as Ange will doubtless tell his side today, we need the points at Tannadice so put all thoughts of Europe and Glasgow Derby matches out of your mind and go do the professional job you are paid for. These nights in the champions league are won by being relentless in the SPFL. I expect a strong side to play today and put in a performance. Ross County in the league cup next week may be the time to wrap some key men in cotton wool for the challenges ahead but today Celtic need the points to return to the summit of the league.

I’ve seen some great teams and fantastic players play at Celtic Park over the years and I’m glad we’ll see some more this season. When that music plays and that roar goes up, you know you’re in Paradise. Bring it on.