In just over nine days time the eyes of the football world will switch to Brazil as the game’s greatest festival returns to what most fans would think of as the home of the game.
Apart from those first Celtic moments, watching the World Cup, and usually Brazil, tends to trigger the love of football with most supporters having special memories of watching non-stop football played out in the sun that brings little known players to a worldwide audience.
Three year after the lions the Brazil team of 1970 is one that is most loved by Celtic fans of a certain vintage, late nights spent watching the action live from Mexico brought Pele, Jarzinho and Carlos Alberto into the life’s of millions.
It would be another 12 years before a Brazilian side made the same impact although the team of Zico and Socrates wasn’t to win the trophy with Paolo Rossi the inspiration behind a surprise Italian win.
Before departing the tournament the Brazilian side had entertained their way to a dynamic 4-1 win over Scotland before seeing of Argentina with Diego Maradona sent of in disgrace.
Not so much is known about the current Brazil side although the name Neymar isn’t likely to be warmly received among Celtic fans.
Brazil boss Phil Scolari had a short unspectacular spell at Chelsea where he made little impact while the £50m transfer of David Luiz from Chelsea to PSG summed up the current madness of the transfer market.
Leading he line fo Bail this time around is he brilliantly named Fred and after winning last summer’s Confederations Cup success the striker believes that there is substance behind the hosts tag of favourites.
“We feel we’re one of the favourites for the World Cup, and winning the Confederations Cup has a lot to do with that,” he admited. “Scolari is like a father to us. He gives us a hard time, but he’s got a big heart. The players respect his honesty. He gives us tremendous confidence.
