Yeah, I know, I totally plagiarized the title, I’m sorry, it’s a good one though. Anyone else nervous? No fingernails left already and we are hours from kickoff. Can we pull this off? What I would give for an early goal and a comfortable night. We deserve one do we not?
Nothing spectacular, just a job professionally done. If this was any kind of domestic game against the same opposition I would put money on us to win it. It’s not a domestic game though, it is an away day in Europe.
In our last 33 travels to the continent we have come home with only 1 win and 7 draws. This has been under 4 different managers and literally hundreds of different players, playing completely different styles. Yet we still struggle game after game. Why this is, I don’t know…but there is a glimmer of hope.
We have gotten progressively better under Neil Lennon in Europe. Two years ago we were humiliated by SC Braga and FC Utrecht. Last season we were beaten by FC Sion and the champions elect Atletico Madrid, then we came from behind and got a draw against Stade Rennes and snatched a draw against top Serie A outfit Udinese. This is not enough evidence on its own to say we have turned a corner but if we look at HJK Helsinki home record in Europe over the same time period it should give you a little more hope.
2010 CL 2-0 Ekranas
2010 CL 1-2 Partizan Belgrade
2010 EL 0-4 Besiktas
2011 CL 10-0 Bangor City
2011 CL 1-2 Dinamo Zagreb
2011 EL 2-0 Schalke 04
2012 CL 7-0 KR Reykjavik
As you can see for yourself 3 defeats in 7 games is not a great turn around. I myself was gutted at us losing to Atletico Madrid at home last year, but to lose 3 in 3 years would be horrid. Do you need more hope? Here is their last 5 domestic home games.
2-0 Lahti
0-0 TPS
1-1 MYPA
1-0 Haka2
3-3 VPS
Only 2 wins. This team is tired, we saw it at Celtic Park, they were out on their feet. They don’t have the squad numbers and depth that they had last year and it is showing. I think we will go through tonight and I also think we will pull out a rare win as well. I can’t remember the last time we have had this good a chance to win away in Europe, maybe since FK Suduva or perhaps Artmedia Bratislava…..d’oh!
CLICK HERE for McLeish uncomfortable in EBT spotlight
Follow Video Celts on Twitter and Facebook
I don’t care how we win, as long as we win. Please, no repeat of last years traumas. I’m still not over them yet.
Does anyone know if Mulgrew’s available? First, I read he was suspended, then, I read he wasn’t? We could really do with him tonight.
Mulgrew is available, this match is organised by UEFA not the KNVB or SFA, could only be suspended for a red card in the first leg.
Thanks Joe.