[Enrico Annoni]

Words from the manager below

My prediction Celtic 2-0 Atletico Madrid

Neil Lennon has told his Celtic players a draw in their Europa League clash with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday might not be good enough.

The Hoops go into the match against their Spanish opponents on the back of their 5-0 win against St Mirren, which included a hat-trick from Gary Hooper.

Celtic have now won five matches in a row, while Gregorio Manzano’s side were well beaten 4-1 by rivals Real Madrid.

The Glasgow giants are third in Group C below Atletico and Udinese but Lennon believes his players are coming into form at the right time.

He said: "It is a game we can't afford to lose. A draw might not be enough but if we win it, it puts us in a great position.

"We have picked up five wins in a row now and we are in good form.

"The players are in the habit of winning games and that will give the whole squad a shot in the arm."

After the St Mirren match, Lennon insisted he was never convinced his squad was short on quality.

Asked about his squad, he said: “I didn't think there was major surgery needed or a major panic.

"What is pleasing me is that we are finding our form and people like Beram Kayal, Victor Wanyama, Daniel Majstorovic and Joe Ledley are playing consistently well. The strikers are scoring goals too, so all the ingredients are there for a good run now."

This post has been edited by Enrico Annoni: 28 November 2011 - 00:41

[Erin Go Bragh]

Fingers crossed "the Glasgow giants" get their arse handed to them in a humiliating fashion.

[SirRogerCasement]

I felt we played pretty well in Madrid and were unlucky to lose so I am confident we can compete with Atletico and if we play as we can we can win this game. Once again of course the Diddieati will be hoping for a foreign victory . Sad people .

[CityDave]

Enrico Annoni, on 28 November 2011 - 00:38, said:

Words from the manager below

My prediction Celtic 2-0 Atletico Madrid

Neil Lennon has told his Celtic players a draw in their Europa League clash with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday might not be good enough.

The Hoops go into the match against their Spanish opponents on the back of their 5-0 win against St Mirren, which included a hat-trick from Gary Hooper.

Celtic have now won five matches in a row, while Gregorio Manzano's side were well beaten 4-1 by rivals Real Madrid.

Celtic beat St. Mirren, Dunfermline and Inverness CT like they should do being the size of club they are and those three being three of the smallest clubs in the SPL and all of a sudden the mhedia they think they can match a mid table team in the best league in the world. Atletico will be hurting after that result and will be glad they will be up against such mediocre opposition this Wednesday and will be looking to take it out on some diddy team. If Real can beat Atletico 4-1 then Celtic should be able to beat this team no bother = Lhogic

From 28 November 2011 - 00:38:

The Glasgow giants are third in Group C below Atletico and Udinese but Lennon believes his players are coming into form at the right time.

He said: "It is a game we can't afford to lose. A draw might not be enough but if we win it, it puts us in a great position.

"We have picked up five wins in a row now and we are in good form.

"The players are in the habit of winning games and that will give the whole squad a shot in the arm."

After the St Mirren match, Lennon insisted he was never convinced his squad was short on quality.

Asked about his squad, he said: "I didn't think there was major surgery needed or a major panic.

"What is pleasing me is that we are finding our form and people like Beram Kayal, Victor Wanyama, Daniel Majstorovic and Joe Ledley are playing consistently well. The strikers are scoring goals too, so all the ingredients are there for a good run now."

Comical Ali couldn't have said it better.

[deky]

SirRogerCasement, on 28 November 2011 - 08:37, said:

I felt we played pretty well in Madrid and were unlucky to lose so I am confident we can compete with Atletico and if we play as we can we can win this game. Once again of course the Diddieati will be hoping for a foreign victory . Sad people .

Come back when you'll sing about fighting and dying for SCOTLAND.

Bloody foreigners

[Jordo1872]

Enrico Annoni, on 28 November 2011 - 00:38, said:

Words from the manager below

...blah blah blah...Celtic have now won five matches in a row, while Gregorio Manzano's side were well beaten 4-1 by rivals Real Madrid....blah blah blah

Didn't watch the game then? Red herring given that Atletico were 1-0 up before Real took charge when Atletico went down to 10-men. I'll go out on a limb here and suggest that was a tougher game than the Spaniards will face the week.

Enrico Annoni, on 28 November 2011 - 00:38, said:

"What is pleasing me is that we are finding our form and people like Beram Kayal, Victor Wanyama, Daniel Majstorovic and Joe Ledley are playing consistently well. The strikers are scoring goals too, so all the ingredients are there for a good run now."

All consistently top performers on the european stage.

SirRogerCasement, on 28 November 2011 - 08:37, said:

I felt we played pretty well in Madrid and were unlucky to lose so I am confident we can compete with Atletico and if we play as we can we can win this game. Once again of course the Diddieati will be hoping for a foreign victory . Sad people .

As opposed to the home support hoping for a foreign victory.

It's hilarious listening to the p!sh Lennon comes out with. Even funnier though is the celtic fans who lap it up.

[CambCelt]

Quote

goal.com

Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao included in squad for Europa League trip to Celtic.

The former Porto forward has resumed full training after recovering from a muscle problem and has made the squad for the crunch match in Scotland.

The Colombian striker suffered a strain to the abductor muscle in his left leg while on international duty earlier in the month and missed his club's last two matches, including the derby defeat against Real Madrid, as a result.

After training with the rest of the squad on Sunday and Monday, Falcao has been given the green light to feature against the Scottish side.

The news will come as a major boost to the Liga strugglers, as Falcao has already scored nine goals in all competitions since making the move to Spain from Porto this summer.

Joel, Silvio, Tiago and Pulido have all been left out of Manzano's squad for the decisive contest in Glasgow.

Atletico are joint leaders with Udinese in Group I, with seven points from four games, while Celtic are third, with two points fewer.

[LinkinFighter]

Got a feeling Celt*c will sneak this one, hope I'm wrong.

[Finbar Saunders]

SirRogerCasement, on 28 November 2011 - 08:37, said:

Once again of course the Diddieati will be hoping for a foreign victory . Sad people .

Of course we are representing Scotland and the whole nation should back us. It upsets me that they wont
Never mind.
2-1 Celtic
Stokes double

[paddymcp]

Atletico haven't been playing well lately but thats in the La Liga - a league we wouldn't play well in also.

Tight game. Not confident with Majstrojovic in defence.

2-2.

[DavieCFC]

I really dont know what to expect in this game, weve got a pretty damn good home record in europe which always bodes well but at the same time Athletico are still the better side, so really no outcome would surprise me here (unless it was very 1 sided). Hoping we continue to play well and keep the momentum going.

Going for a 2-1 Celtic win

[deky]

Finbar Saunders, on 29 November 2011 - 19:50, said:

Of course we are representing Scotland and the whole nation should back us. It upsets me that they wont
Never mind.
2-1 Celtic
Stokes double

[CambCelt]

Of course, many will back A.M. for their technical ability but they won't be relishing a midweek trip to Paradise and we're no mugs either. As Davie said, this could go any way.



Latest from the BBC:

Quote

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is targeting a win over Atletico Madrid to keep their Europa League hopes alive.

The Glasgow club are two points behind Group I leaders Atletico, with two games remaining.

"We have grown in confidence as the tournament has gone on," said Lennon.

"If we win it, it gives us a great chance of qualifying from a really tough group. It will set up the rest of the season nicely."

Celtic lost 2-0 in Madrid in their opening Group I game, but draws against Udinese and Rennes were followed by a home victory against the French outfit.

And Lennon believes his side's improved form in the SPL, in narrowing the gap on leaders Rangers to four points, should benefit them against the Spaniards.

"Of course it lifts us when we see the team play as well as they can," he said. "That's all we ask of them and it's not an easy thing to do.

"We can't play like that every week, every game is different, every opposition throws up challenges on different merits. What we have to do is try to overcome them as best we can.

We are back in contention in the title race and we've now got a great game to look forward to."

The Celtic boss is eager to see his side progress in the Europa League, but conceded that it would be tough.

"The players have grown as the tournament has evolved and we are delighted with that," he said.

"They are all looking forward to playing but we are not taking anything for granted.

"Going into the group, Atletico would have been the favourites. We all know they are a formidable opponent."

Celtic's opponents arrive in Glasgow on the back of a 4-1 derby defeat by city rivals and La Liga leaders Real.

"We are expecting a really tough game in the return match," said midfielder Mario Suarez.

"We know they'll make it difficult for us but, of course, we're ready for the game.

"We need to make sure we give 100% - if we do that we will get what we're looking for."

'mon the Hoops

[SuperCaleyGoBallistic]

Manzano said today that Atletico are wanting to win the Europa and will be taking it seriously.

Expect Majstorovic to do something silly tonight. And us diddies to burst out laughing at him.

[wunfellaff]

Hooper to score anytime and celtic win....5/1, prob 1-0.

[Bri RCFC]

Finbar Saunders, on 29 November 2011 - 19:50, said:

Of course we are representing Scotland and the whole nation should back us. It upsets me that they wont
Never mind.
2-1 Celtic
Stokes double

so the home end will be full of Saltire flags, being Scotlands national day as well.....

[doulikefish]

You just knew celtic would get involved in a bit of grief,wtf has gary speed got to do with scottish football?

[Enrico Annoni]

doulikefish, on 30 November 2011 - 18:00, said:

You just knew celtic would get involved in a bit of grief,wtf has gary speed got to do with scottish football?

What a bellend statement to make, maybe its got something to do with the 2 current Welsh International players in our squad. or just a sign of respect for the man

Why do you care so much anyways?

[doulikefish]

Enrico Annoni, on 30 November 2011 - 18:09, said:

What a bellend statement to make, maybe its got something to do with the 2 current Welsh International players in our squad. or just a sign of respect for the man

Why do you care so much anyways?

Grief junkies

[doulikefish]

Decent chances there

[Enrico Annoni]

doulikefish, on 30 November 2011 - 18:11, said:

Grief junkies

Sorry, I noticed you avoided the question,

Why do you care so much?

[doulikefish]

Enrico Annoni, on 30 November 2011 - 18:14, said:

Sorry, I noticed you avoided the question,

Why do you care so much?

yeah i did

[Mik]

Playing well just now, need to keep up the pace.

[Enrico Annoni]

doulikefish, on 30 November 2011 - 18:15, said:

yeah i did

Nah, you just made a snide remark.

If it botheres you so much, just switch the channel over.

[doulikefish]

Enrico Annoni, on 30 November 2011 - 18:17, said:

Nah, you just made a snide remark.

If it botheres you so much, just switch the channel over.

no