By Joe McHugh
Would it be too dramatic to say that tonight’s match with Moscow Dynamo is the most eagerly awaited game since the UEFA Cup Final in Seville?
Curiosity has given way to anticipation as the game approaches, sluggish ticket sales have accelerated since the weekend with supporters at last really wanting to get along to the match.
Since Seville we’ve had our moments of course, we’ve beaten AC Milan and Manchester United during three successive seasons in the Champions League.
We’ve watched Henrik Larsson, John Hartson, Craig Bellamy, Roy Keane, Shunsuke Nakamura and Artue Boruc over the last few years and perhaps became a bit blase about the big games but after the pain and strain of last season, throwing the title away to cash-strapped Rangers a fresh impetus was urgently required.
Tony Mowbray’s arrival brought hope but also concern. His West Brom team had been relegated from the Premiership where Stoke and Hull had survived.
Were we bringing in a manager more concerned with style than success?
Would we look back on the three-in-a-row era misty eyed about a period when we dominated domestically and made a fight of it in the Champions League?
WEMBLEY CUP
The weekend of the Wembley Cup has whetted the appetite of the supporters. The wins were great but the style of play and ‘reincarnation’ of players was just as impressive and unexpected.
Players that looked like deadwood suddenly found their feet again, shackled players discovered freedom and a surge of confidence was evident on and off the park.
In the bigger picture the Wembley Cup won’t mean too much but regaining confidence through a pleasing style of play that is crucially also effective could be priceless.
The acid test comes tonight from Moscow with danger. Dinamo will be well drilled, organised and match sharp which are qualities that Celtic can’t attain over four pre-season friendlies.
Will confidence and enthusiasm be enough to wear down the Russians who are equally desperate to make their mark in the Champions League?
TEAM SELECTION
Tonight’s team selection will be fascinating.
No more than four players can be sure of their place, other than Boruc, Andreas Hinkel, Aiden McGeady and Scott McDonald no-one can be sure of starting.
Which combination of Gary Caldwell, Glenn Loovens and Darren O’Dea will be in central defence. Will Danny Fox edge out Lee Naylor at left back?
Will Shaun Maloney be played out wide? In centre midfield it’s anyone’s guess who will play with Landry N’Guemo, Marc Crosas, Massimo Donati, Willo Flood all competing for two places.
In attack will Marc-Antoine Fortune partner McDonald or will Georgios Samaras or Chris Killen get the job?
Competition is always healthy. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink came back to life when Samaras arrived on loan from Manchester City. Barry Robson’s signing brought out the best in Paul Hartley and Scott Brown.
PREDICTABLE
Last season we were predictable. Supporters knew how we would play, opposition managers knew how to stop us playing.
Without getting carried away it’s a fresh start tonight at Celtic Park, it’s eagerly awaited. If the players hit the heights they will get incredible backing from the supporters, the twelfth man.
Expectations can be crippling, let’s hope that with Billy McNeill as the club’s official ambassador that expectation becomes inspiring.
