Plaza Espanya VIDEO CLIP and match report from Barcelona

 

Once again the Celtic support showed the way for other fans as we left Barcelona with a smile not a scowl.

Fears of heavy handed police action proved to be scare stories with the locals fully recognising the differences between Rangers fans and the award-winning Celtic support.

The local authorities laid on some special entertainment in Plaza Espanya on matchday where thousands of Celts gathered for a singsong, some cerveza's and a knees up as Charlie Devlin and others entertained on stage.

 

Meanwhile on the pitch we knew that there really wasn't much hope of a win away to Barcelona and secretly feared that if they fancied it we could get a real hammering.

Frank Rijkaard's team never hit the heights that they did in Glasgow and seemed fairly content with a 1-0 win after Xavi had scored an early goal.

There were a few minor chances in the second half, Aiden McGeady showed the appreciative crowd that he has the ability to live with the best but after the thrills and spills and passion of previous Champions League encounters it all fizzled out quite quietly as we departed at the same stage as AC Milan and Real Madrid!

CLICK HERE for my video report on the match and the trip.

VIDEO REPORT as Celtic sink the Hibbees

Despite the non-stop nature of our away games the points keep piling up, today it was Hibs that were swept aside.

Lee Naylor with his standing foot, or the one to kick if you are an opponent, put us in front midway through the first half before Georgios Samaras headed in the second.

Three great points secured at a tricky venue was just what was needed before Barcelona with the team recovering some of the form that was missing against St Mirren and Inverness Caley Thistle.

Barcelona can look after itself on Tuesday, we're alive and fighting in the SPL and touching wood looking capable of winning all of our remaining games.

Enjoy my VIDEO REPORT on the game at Hibs.

John Fallon previews the Hibs match by VIDEO

John Fallon previews the Hibs match

Every game is a must-win starting with the next one!

Hibs at Easter Road is never easy but since we keep signing their best players there shouldn't be any excuses for not taking three points off them as well.

John Fallon has played in Hibs-Celtic games and recalls a great game from the past against a Joe McBride inspired Hibs.

CLICK HERE for John's thoughts on the match.

VIDEO REPORT including highlights of Celtic 2-1 ICT

Celtic 2-1 Inverness Caley Thistle

The strikers both scored which is encouraging but there wasn't too much convincing play from the hoops tonight.

We were better than we showed against St Mirren but short of the recent high standards set against Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and Hearts.

There wasn't much cohesion about the play, it was patchy and unconvincing but it brought three points which is essential at this time of the season.

Hibs away on Saturday will require more, Barcelona next Tuesday will be something else again.

Click here for my VIDEO REPORT from the Caley Thistle match

Straight talking John Fallon's video preview of Caley Thistle match

John Fallon looks forward to tonight's match

Straight talking, that's what you get from John Fallon.

From the heights of Barca to rock bottom, well almost, at Love Street the former Celtic keeper calls it straight.

CLICK HERE as he looks ahead to tonight's game against Inverness Caley Thistle.

VIDEO PREVIEW for Celtic v Inverness Caley Thistle

Lets keep on winning

Tonight's match against Inverness Caley Thistle shouldn't present too many difficulties.

It goes without saying that it's a must win and hopefully after Sunday's scare against St Mirren we won't have to suffer any more similar performances.

Stephen McManus looks like missing out but Darren O'Dea should be a more than capable replacement.

Lets keep the pressure on, keep winning and scoring and let Rangers know that any slip will be punished.

VIDEO PREVIEW of the match

ATTENTION FANS TRAVELLING TO BARCA

ATTENTION FANS TRAVELLING TO BARCA - SEE BELOW

As you’re no doubt aware, the Supporters travelling to Barcelona are keen to enhance the Club’s reputation and leave the City as we found it.
To this end, there will be rubbish bags available for collection from Gate 2 on Wednesday after the match against ICT to distribute amongs the travelling support. Can you please circulate this information in order that someone can collect bags for their travelling party.
Many thanks for all your help.

VIDEO REPORT as Nakamura saves the day for the Celts

Thank you Shunsuke... again

Where would we be with Shunsuke Nakamura?

Scary question?

Well we wouldn't have qualified for last season's last 16 of the Champions League and we would be a dejected 6 points behind Rangers today.

Thankfully Nakamura delivered once again earning us a 1-0 win over St Mirren to keep the pressure on Rangers who know that one slip puts us into a catchable position.

Enjoy this video report of the match.

Video report as Barcelona class proves too strong

A footballing masterclass.

It was exciting, particularly the first half, but ultimately frustrating and dissapointing as Barcelona ran out deserved 3-2 winners.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Barry Robson twice put Celtic in front with first half headers but the class of Frank Rijkaard's side shone through.

With the emphasis of their side placed on skill and ability it was a treat to watch at times but I don't feel that Celtic did themselves justice, we were slack and sloppy in possession and you don't get much possession against teams of Barca's class.

My Video Thoughts on the match

You'll Never Walk Alone Celtic-Barca VIDEO

YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE Celtic style

Tonight's the night.

Celtic v Barcelona.

Let's go for it.

You'll Never Walk Alone VIDEO.

Celtic v Barca John Fallon's VIDEO PREVIEW

It's party time... it's Celtic v Barcelona

The day is almost here, Barca day.

Giants of the footballing world like Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi finally get to play at the greatest football stage in Europe, Celtic Park.

Sixty thousand Celts at the match and a worldwide audience of millions will be looking in from Melbourne and Perth in Australia, throughout Europe and across North America to see the biggest football match staged anywhere this season.

The Celts are ready and in form but it's not Aberdeen or Hearts this time, it's CF Barcelona, rightly regarded as among the game's all time elite.

Former Celtic keeper John Fallon experienced the great nights at Celtic Park but now over 30 years on from leaving Celtic, as a player, never as a fan, he looks ahead to the big match as excited as any supporter.

Click here for John Fallon's preview of the match that has the football world counting down the hours till kick off time.

Ronaldinho video preview of Celtic v Barcelona

Bring on the Catalans by the score.

Barcelona. A great name in world football... and a club that was defeated by Celtic in the 2003/2004 UEFA Cup.

Frank Rijkaard and his team are back in town on Wednesday, full of stars, skill and flair and up against the Celts.

We're ready for them, we were in the last 16 last season and it's not so scary when you've beaten Manchester United and AC Milan at home in the last 18 months.

We know that the game will be special, the atmosphere incredible, we've been here before, but it will still excite and thrill the lucky 60,000 present and the worldwide audience when the teams come out and the anthems sung.

WATCH THIS VIDEO and get in the mood for a game that is certain to be special.

Celtic 3-2 Motherwell... but who scored the winner?

Youth team reach semi-finals.

The young hoops finally saw off Motherwell to run out 3-2 winners in the quarter-final of the SFA Youth Cup.

Motherwell were twice in front but goals from Lawrence Gaughan, Kevin Cawley and an unknown scorer earned Celtic victory.

Michael Tidser's inswinging free kick was attacked by a few players, I thought that Jason Marr got a touch on it, the official website mentions Declan Bunting having a claim whist crediting Tidser with the goal.

Who cares it went in the net!

Amongst the Motherwell side was Mark Archdeacon whose dad, former Celt Owen, looked on from the stand.

It was an entertaining game with Cawley clearly the star performer and the player most likely to follow Aiden McGeady and Stephen McManus through the ranks into the first team.

CLICK HERE for video report

VIDEO REPORT as the Bhoys continue to score for fun, coming next Barcelona!

Another great display... whose next then?

The goals just continue to stack up with Hearts lucky to head east after losing just three.

VIDEO REPORT

Strikers Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Scott McDonald both scored with Andreas Hinkel getting his first goal in hoops.

The midfield was particularly strong with each player able to be put forward as a credable man-of-the-match performer.

Next up is Barcelona, a totally different challenge but we've rarely went into a big European tie in better form

VIDEO REPORT

VIDEO preview of Hearts match

Goals goals goals please!

The game against Hearts is possibly the most eagerly anticipated home SPL match of the season following on from the 5-1 wins away to Kilmarnock and Aberdeen.

Goals look to be back on the menu and the chance to trim Rangers lead back to a more acceptable single point isn't to be missed.

John Fallon looks forward to the game and the new found enthusiasm and optimism around after two months without too much excitement.

CLICK HERE for John's video preview of the match.