Two games left and an opportunity to qualify from a very difficult group. Granted they are two tough games, but did anyone really think we would be sitting here with a decent chance of qualifying? I didn’t.
At the start of the group I thought we would be out of it by now, but I have been proud of the performances and we have shown we are not completely out of our depth at this level yet. I have a feeling that we will take this game tonight.
We have won five in a row and more importantly players like Biram Kayal and Gary Hooper are starting to show a bit of hunger and passion again. I for one love seeing Hooper’s beaming smile again, he genuinely looks happy. Our form is spot on right now, confidence is brimming, we are ready for a big game like this. Atletico Madrid are not.
They have three wins in their last 12 games, including a 4-0 win over Udinese’s B team, and now the fans are calling for their managers head. Confidence is low and if anyone watched the Madrid derby they looked lost and resorted to kicking Real all game. There is also a possibility that Falcao will not play due to injury, though they still have quality throughout the team. Atletico are ripe for the taking.
This is a game I believe we have to win. Winning breeds confidence and beating a team like Atletico will keep us going for weeks, it will keep the momentum building and hopefully we can carry that to Tannadice this weekend. We also need to win because we need European football at Paradise, it is exciting plus we could do with the extra money.
The team should remain unchanged, these lads deserve the opportunity. We have a few players back from injury but it is not the time for tinkering. I don’t think we should risk further injury to the likes of Scott Brown, Kelvin Wilson or Charlie Mulgrew in what will be a high tempo game.
We are playing well at the moment, don’t rock the boat. In saying that we all know it will be a 4-5-1 with probably Anthony Stokes on the bench, which is a shame because he has been brilliant all year and carried the team for a while.
In the other game between Stade Rennes and Udinese, it is difficult to predict. Are Stade still hoping to qualify? Will Udinese send their B team again? I think Stade will have a go at them for pride and they are not mathematically out of it yet. If Udinese send their B team, Stade will win, if not it will be a draw.
With the fans in full voice at home in Fortress Paradise, I can see another big win for us and another famous night at Celtic Park.
Predictions
Celtic 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Stade Rennes 2-1 Udinese
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