Celtic v Shakhtar Donetsk: Wednesday @ 7.45pm.

Stew · 26th November 2007, 6:48pm

Well, Celtic might be without Boruc after pulling out of Saturday's game against Aberdeen. Boruc reportedly felt some pain while warming up so was replaced with back-up goalkeeper Mark Brown.

On reading this I looked into the Shakhtar Donetsk team to take some relief from their problems and I hit the jackpot, almost. At the weekend the champions of Ukraine could only manage a draw against the league's bottom club, Neftyanik, and this was made all the sweeter by their record signing Nery Castillo who, when awarded a penalty, refused to give the ball to their regular penalty taker, Lucarelli, and hit the ball straight at the goalkeeper.

The Shakhtar Donetsk manager, Lucescu, was left absolutely raging on the sidelines and it looks like Castillo won't be playing against Celtic, or again for the club.

I quote Lucescu, "He has shown by his actions that he doesn't want to play here and that nothing interests him, that kind of behaviour is beyond all possible acceptable boundaries."

For anyone going to the game though:

Quote:

Celtic Football Club is to pay respect to the 100 miners who were killed in the recent mine blast in the Donetsk region of Ukraine.

Before the start of this Wednesday's UEFA Champions League match between Celtic and Shakhtar Donetsk there will be one minute's applause to remember all the men who died in the tragedy.

The disaster, which happened last week, is the worst in the country's recent history. After the tragedy, the Ukraine observed three official days of mourning. A government commission has since been set up to find out what happened.

That's a really nice touch, and reminds me of the game against Barcelona just after the train bombings over in Spain a few years ago.

Back to the football, I can only hope we maintain our home form in the Champions League and can get a win against Shakhtar to keep our challenge alive. 1-0, or 2-1 for Celtic.

Semprini · 26th November 2007, 6:52pm

If we win by three[1] and Milan don't lose to Benfica, we're through.

[1]Yes, I know, but I can still dream...

Stew · 26th November 2007, 7:01pm

Interesting..

Strachan said that Boruc is a severe doubt for the game at a press conference earlier, yet this just surfaced on football365.com:

Quote:

Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc is optimistic he will be fit to play in Wednesday's Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk. The Pole returned from international duty with a toe injury and pulled out of Saturday's 3-0 win over Aberdeen after the problem hindered his kicking during the warm-up.

We need our big players, and Boruc is most certainly one of them. We're still without Nakamura, but Hartley is reportedly back in the squad after recovering from the illness that made him miss the Dons game.

stef4 · 26th November 2007, 10:45pm

i'm sure he'll play, i think WGS just didn't want to risk it with this one coming up.

sore feet aren't that much of a worry when its your keeper. just make sure gary caldwell gets some goal kick practice in and we're sorted

Westy · 26th November 2007, 11:25pm

If Celtic say hes out, he'll play.

Going for a 1-1 draw.

Stew · 28th November 2007, 8:02pm

JFK, you're a fucking tit.

1-0 to Shakhtar already.

Lee Naylor is on a stretcher and is replaced by Massimo Donati. The full back curse seems to have struck again and this does NOT look fucking good for Naylor.

Hartley moves to left back, and we seem to be keeping the ball a bit better now, but again every time Shakhtar go forward it looks like they might score another.

katinacooker · 28th November 2007, 8:05pm

sky aye?

Stew · 28th November 2007, 8:09pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by catinacooker

sky aye?

Or install SopCast and then click here. (It's an English feed.)

e: Now Celtic are coming back into it. That's more fucking like it, and the crowd are roaring us on.

DiamondAFC · 28th November 2007, 8:13pm

Fuck celtic getting beat Dam, hate having cable and being on the mac, need to chuck her off the pc. Ive been watching the liverpool game.

Even though celtic are 1-0 down whos been better team? Better chances etc?

Stew · 28th November 2007, 8:17pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiamondAFC

Even though celtic are 1-0 down whos been better team? Better chances etc?

The last time they brought the stats on screen (about four or five minutes ago, maybe?) Celtic had 60% of the possession. As for chances, though. The game is pretty even. Celtic are getting it up to the Shakhtar box and playing around them, but lack the finish just now, where as Shakhtar are looking like they could score any time they break forward (mainly thanks to JFK looking like he's out of his depth every now and again).

It's a good game, if not so good for my heart.

e: We're fucked. Steven Pressley on for JFK who hurt his ankle after landing on it.

katinacooker · 28th November 2007, 8:25pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stew

Or install SopCast and then click here. (It's an English feed.)

yas, cheers

Stew · 28th November 2007, 8:35pm

YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. 1-1!

e: Jarosik just missed a sitter to make it 2 goals in 5 minutes and to put us in the lead.

Dear fucking Christ it was a fantastic cross from McGeady. Man I love that little guy these days.

DiamondAFC · 28th November 2007, 8:37pm

benfica 1 - 1 milan the now at HT.

Stew · 28th November 2007, 8:38pm

Celtic keep playing like they were before half time, we're winning this game.

DiamondAFC: 63% possession for Celtic and level on shots, btw.

DiamondAFC · 28th November 2007, 8:42pm

i would be totally shocked if celtic dont end up winning the game, i was shocked to find out shaktar were 1 up.

Fair enough not saying i wasnt happy