Celtic vs. Juventus, 2013 UEFA Champions League: Odd match ends in Bianconeri slaughter

One expects that if Celtic manager Neil Lennon had any nightmares concerning this match against Juventus, it involved his side giving up a goal early. Not only did Celtic do that, it was a massive defensive train-wreck that led to the opening goal.

Celtic continued to have the better of play as the half came to a close but they weren’t sharp enough with the final pass or their shots to fully test Juventus.

The return leg at the San Siro saw Milan turn the screw even more, but Boruc and his centre-back pairing of Stephen McManus and Darren O’dea managed to keep the Milanese hordes at bay. After 180 minutes, the tie was still level which meant extra time, however just three minutes into the added period, Kaka displayed why he would go on to win the Ballon d’Or, bursting forward from midfield and calmly finishing to break Glaswegian hearts and dump Celtic out of the competition.

The return leg was effectively killed off after three minutes, Xavi Hernandez putting the home side two goals up in the tie. Barcelona were then able to relax and pass the ball around their opponents, and whilst Celtic occasionally pressed for an equaliser, Barca comfortably saw the tie off. Two years, and two difficult draws for Celtic however there was no shame in their spirited displays on either occasion.

Their January transfer activity showed it - repeatedly rejecting Norwich’s bids for Gary Hooper, fees which they will struggle to command in summer, showed how determined they were to keep together their current team for another six months. Like many other teams in smaller leagues in Europe, Porto being the most successful and efficient example, Celtic have adapted to a lack of money and being outspent by more illustrious neighbours by adopting a more sensible transfer strategy. They have even less money than the likes of Porto, Ajax, or Shakhtar, but they have adopted the same strategy as those three and it results in the same sort of team being produced.

It’s a simple plan, and it effectively involves making use of their dominance of the domestic stage to allow them to take bigger gambles on players that clubs, say, in mid-table in England or Spain who could be sucked into a relegation battle, cannot afford to make. Not in a way that makes it a financial risk, but being able to rely on signings like Victor Wanyama and Emilio Izaguirre, on the basis that if they fail, their club is strong enough to compete domestically while having a hole or two in their side.

Celtic lost the Old Firm matches when Rangers were relegated to the bottom tier of Scottish football after going bankrupt, leaving the Hoops without any major matches. After all, the rest of the Scottish Premier League wasn’t going to challenge them. The result has been seasons easier than a cake walk, at least domestically. European football hasn’t been nearly as kind to them, but far more rewarding.

The Hoops are into the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time in five years and with it comes a visit from the reigning Serie A champions in the first leg of the round of 16. That is good new for Celtic is they will not be alone. They will have 60,000 of their closest Celtic Park friends with them too.

Scottish football has fallen into a virtual state of disrepair in recent years, diminishing Celtic’s ability to purchase, develop and retain top talent, but they’ve found the perfect combination of veterans, emerging youngsters and value signings to reestablish themselves as a relevant team on Europe’s biggest stage.

Celtic’s James Forrest and Emilio Izaguirre are both fighting for fitness, but are expected to be available. Giorgios Samaras, also battling injury, is not expected to make the 18-man squad. Central defender Efe Ambrose has returned to Scotland after winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, but is unlikely to start. Mikael Lustig will probably shift from right back to right central defense, with Adam Matthews taking his spot at fullback.