UEFA Champions League Group F, Matchday Six
Tuesday 7th December 2004
Celtic Park
Kick Off 7.45pm, Live On Scottish TV
So tonight will be our final Champions League game of the season, and what a finale it is going to be. AC Milan at Celtic Park - you just know it's going to be one of they nights.
By saying one of they nights, I mean up there with the likes of Valencia, Juventus, Liverpool and Lyon. The atmosphere will be electric, everyone inside Celtic Park will be up for it, as we attempt to stay in European competition after Christmas.
We know what we have to do. If we win, we are through to the UEFA Cup. A defeat may not signal the end of our European journey this season, that all depends on the Shakhtar Donetsk - Barcelona game in Ukraine. If Barca win then it doesn't matter what we do as we will be through. But bear in mind that temperatures in Ukraine are hitting -20 degrees, can you see the likes of Ronaldinho (who wore tights at Celtic Park) being up for that one?
Everyone who is going to Celtic Park tomorrow night should be going looking for a win. There is simply no point in turning up if we are depending on other results to see us through.
Beating AC Milan is easier said than done, I know, but that is the kind of attitude we need. It is that kind of attitude that saw us through in the Nou Camp a fortnight ago.
Milan trained at Celtic Park tonight on the back of a 2-1 win at the weekend. They need to win tonight to top the group, and I am sure they will be coming to Paradise with that sole intention.
We should have got a point in the San Siro in September. But we didn't, so let's not hammer on about it. The point is though, that we controlled the majority of the second half and lapses in concentration cost us the point. We showed over there, and in Barcelona, exactly what we are capable of, and with a 60,000 strong crowd cheering The Bhoys on tonight, of course we can do it.
We do have injury problems. Stephen Pearson and Didier Agathe are both 'doubtful' and a decision will be made at the last minute over Stan Petrov. Hopefully, Aiden McGeady will get his chance, which I am sure he will, after setting up our two goals at the weekend. John Hartson is always likely to get a goal and Henri Camara will probably partner Big John up-front, as his pace caused Milan problems in the San Siro. This time we're hoping his finishing is improved.
It's going to be a wonderful night, let's raise the roof and help The Celts progress to the UEFA Cup.
Come On The Hoops!
Prediction: Celtic 2-1 AC Milan