Celtic v Benfica - Wednesday 7.45pm on Sky Sports 3

What I'll say will have been covered but I'd sum up the match as the following:

*Average/mediocre match as a whole
*We had slightly more possession
*They had slightly more near things in terms of scoring
*Disappointing we didn't have any shots on target
*Our team selection wasn't too bad, considering Hooper wasn't able to start
*We miss Samaras badly, especially in games like this one
*Kayal and Ledley are also badly missed
*Izzy needs a long chat with Neil, his form is worrying but he has my 100% backing *K.Wilson played well, albeit the standard moments of near madness/falling asleep
*Forrest's decision making was poor, although he has started 3 major games in 8 days & shouldn't have started in Perth
*Draw was fair
*Decent result: Could be better but could be worse
*It gives us platform for 3rd place but Last 16 will be tough
*It's great to be back where we belong

Hail Hail

 

Well spotted!

 

We could have scored twice in the first five minutes...

 

Nah, Greenock but know the Port pretty well

 

We never created a chance in the whole game. Dont know why your trying to dispute that??

 

we were super fantastically brilliant mate, dont let a wee thing like the truth get in the way

i can't remember a celtic side being so * impotent in the ways of attacking football

on the upside we were solid defensivley and the players put in a huge effort

but it was poor to watch

i wonder what the * we would have done if they scored

it seemed we were happy to draw this game before a ball was kicked

 

I agree with most of that. But keeping in mind we have a bunch of young players with not much big match experience. Plus a new manager learning his trade. And up against a really good side. Taking that into account I think they did all right.

 

Spot on. Even late on Lennon was out telling the players to slow it down.

 

Is that really an excuse though ?? Regardless what experience they have should they not be trying to win games like that the other night?? Or what is the point in singing players like that if they are only going into the champions league just for the experience. Same with the manager, should a club the size of Celtic be happy to have a manager just learning his trade at our club rather than an experienced guy who knows how to handle situations like the other night?? And why is everybody treating Benfica like they are a great team all of a sudden ??? It was the 1st champions league game we never had a good go at the opposition. Infact it was probably the only Celtic game i have ever went to that we havnt created 1 single scoring opportunity. Then again maybe thats just my memory ??

 

I'm very happy with a draw. 12 debutants in the squad against a top team who went far last season. We'll grow from this. Don't expect too much, would've been delighted with a win but a draw will do.

 

Yep i was happy with the draw considering the injuries we had and i thought the Bhoys defended well....

 

I dont expect too much but the one thing i do expect is that we try and win our home games. They are also not a top team, they are 100/1 to win the champions league and very beatable.

 

We definitely missed Samaras & Ledley. Forrest & Emilio were rubbish. Lacked the finishing touch up front, if Hooper was fit to start we should've played both him and Miku from the beginning. Just seems to be something wrong with creating chances at the moment...
Worrying if it continues V Dundee.

 

Samaras is a huge loss no doubt but it was unbelievable just how much of a loss he is now. Wednesday night showed just how important he is to our team.

Cant see it being a problem tomorrow. Should be a stroll .

 

anybody any idea whos responsible for showing cl highlights at half time at cp ,why show a loop of wot looked like a stone waller of a pen for benfica when big fras blocked their striker. it was run about 10 times.

 

Was weird that. It showed it from every camera angle available. Think it was the only highlight from the 1st half so they showed it about 15 times :smiley-laughing002: