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Celtic ace relishing Manchester United challenge
Monday, 20 October 2008
enlargeManchester United are now approaching top form; Wayne Rooney is playing fantasy football, Dimitar Berbatov is beginning to show his class and you know Cristiano Ronaldo is about to explode into life.
But according to Celtic star Scott Brown there is nothing for the injury ravaged Bhoys to fear ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League clash at Old Trafford.
Celtic enter the game with one point from their opening two group games in the competition and know that they cannot afford to lose in Manchester if they are to have realistic hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Their away record in the tournament - taking one point from a possible 54 - would not fill most Celtic supporters with confidence, but Brown certainly isn’t lacking belief in the Bhoys.
“I am really looking forward to going to Old Trafford,” said Brown.
“I have never played there and it is going to be a great experience.
It looks to be a great pitch and a great stadium. I played at the Nou Camp last season and that was amazing and hopefully this trip will go well for us.
“The Champions League is special and at the end of the day it is 11 against 11 on the pitch. We’re not scared of anyone.
“You play the best teams in Europe in this competition, whether it’s Spain or Italy or now England.
“We matched AC Milan last season but fell short against Barcelona. The manager will have us well prepared and all the players will give 110 per cent.”
Celtic boss Gordon Strachan and his United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson aren’t exactly bosom buddies which makes this contest as intriguing off the pitch as on it.
Last season Celtic beat United 1-0 at Parkhead with the Red Devils winning 3-2 at Old Trafford in the Champions League group stages.
United didn’t have Berbatov then or Rooney in his current form come to that.
Worryingly for Celtic, Berbatov has predicted that his partnership with Rooney, which is starting to blossom, is going to get even better.
“Our partnership is improving,” said the Bulgarian.
“We are constantly working on it and are trying to understand each other without even looking.”
While Celtic won 2-1 at Inverness Caledonian on Saturday to go three points clear in the SPL, United hammered WBA 4-0 to move up to fifth in the Premier League with Berbatov scoring his first goal at old Trafford,.
The former Spurs striker said: “I was really delighted to score and hopefully there will be some more to come as soon as possible.”
Celtic, you have been warned.
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Mickey...
Shut up... Nobody wants to listen to ye..
British this and British that...Blah Blah Blah...
Up the Celts...
Posted by The Bhoy | 23.10.08, 10:35 GMT
I hardly need educated. I am well aware celtic is a British club thanks very much. I don't think too many of the club's support would agree, do you?
I don't know how the Gers got on last night, were they playing?
I do know however that celtic got spanked, again!
Posted by mickey | 22.10.08, 11:51 GMT
I'm afraid it's people like yourself Mickey, who need the education!
Your sarcasm is duly noted, how did the Gers get on in Europe last night???????
Posted by proud celt | 22.10.08, 11:37 GMT
Good for you, embrace your club's Britishness. Perhaps you could educate some of your fellow fans...
Hard lines lastnight!!!!!!!!
Posted by mickey | 22.10.08, 09:43 GMT
I certainly will! It doesn't bother me one bit! I'm a Celtic fan, not a petty bigot!
Posted by proud celt | 21.10.08, 17:28 GMT
That's it proud celt, next time you're at celtic park, shout it from the rooftops! 'Britains' first winners of the European Cup....
Posted by mickey | 21.10.08, 16:28 GMT
You are all missing the point, this article is about football, yet once again, it turns into political point scoring and pathetic bitterness!
Celtic have WON the European Cup, (as British representatives), so all you British claimants out there must be proud of this achievement as you keep claiming it under your British banner! Who has a conundrum now?? All I can gather is that you all take great pride in Celtic's triumph!
Great sportsmanship, unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to return the graciousness as it is very unlikely that Rangers will ever win Europe's greatest prize!
Posted by proud celt | 21.10.08, 15:40 GMT
Dunno about your claim Tony, all I see when celtic are on the telly are flags of the Irish Republic. We're also led to believe the fans unashamedly sing songs about an (alledgedly defunct) terror group called the Irish Republican Army....
Is there 'anything' Scottish about the club?! Well, apart from the club's geographical location, the domestic competitions in which the club competes, nationality/accent of the most of the players (and fans), but an outsider looking in wouldn't know it. Why don't they wave wee Scottish flags??
You should get yerself a wee t-shirt made Tony to commemorate celtic's achievement of being the first British club to win the European Cup....and wear it with pride etc
Posted by mickey | 21.10.08, 15:02 GMT
Mickey, Celtic are an Irish club but not Irish republican as evidenced by their recruitment of people from all backgrounds and apolitical ethos.
Quite simply the club is Irish as their founder, Brother Walfrid was Irish, they current majority shareholder is Irish, they just happen to be based in Scotland.
They are indeed the first "British" (until Alex Salmond has his way) based club to win the European Cup, and how fitting it would be if they triumphed tonight against the American owned and Manchester based red devils
Posted by Tony Fearon | 21.10.08, 14:02 GMT
Tony, Celtic are indeed very much an Irish Republican club, I will concede that, but aren't they also Scottish, ie, founded in Scotland, located in Scotland, compete in Scotland etc etc. Where is the celebration of the club's Scottishness?
In fact, weren't Celtic the first 'British' club to win the European Cup? I never tire of hearing that one. It presents such a conundrum to fans who voice it!
Posted by mickey | 21.10.08, 10:42 GMT
Flim, what goal scoring record are you talking about, 1 in the last how many games?
I think David may be suffering from fatigue, after all he played 2 games and 21 minutes in 7 days recently. Ah well it'll probably be the new year before he plays again anyway!
Posted by Tony Fearon | 21.10.08, 09:02 GMT
an irish club based in scotland? that statement therefore supports the much vilified famine song the gers fans sing where they really are just being factually accurate and hence not racist at all. john reid really has little to do these days.
Posted by davy | 20.10.08, 21:43 GMT
No doubt Mr. Strachan will have his bhoys well prepared but i can't see them scoring unless Naka falls in the D. 11 men behind the ball and get a point. Can anyone tell me why itv's promotion of the match shows 2 arsenal players? cmon united.
Posted by coogs | 20.10.08, 21:32 GMT
Looks like ive winded up the wind-up merchant :D so Tony, you think David Healy will maintain his scoring form?
Posted by Flim | 20.10.08, 17:14 GMT
Flim, the North of Ireland beat a hill in Italy, big deal!
Mickey, Celtic is an Irish club that happens to be based in Scotland. This fact is reflected in the colours donned by the support
I was at Parkhead the home of the SPL Champions in November 06 to see Naka's wonderstrike and will be there again hoping for a repeat on November 5th this year
Posted by Tony Fearon | 20.10.08, 16:10 GMT
Wise up Tony! Only one winner and they happen to have Shrek in their team! But on a lighter note, what bout Norn Iron finally winning? :D
Posted by Flim | 20.10.08, 14:29 GMT
I'm going to count how many Scotland flags/banners I see amongst the fans of the Scottish champions....
I predict, um, none.
Posted by mickey | 20.10.08, 14:16 GMT
Come on the Celts! Let's get something tomorrow night and set up a brilliant return in Glasgow on november 5th to rival the corresponding game in 2006.
Posted by Tony Fearon | 20.10.08, 13:13 GMT