Champions League Group F - Matchday One
Tuesday 14th September 2004
Celtic Park, Glasgow
Kick Off 7.45pm, Live On STV
We could hardly have asked for a more exciting Champions League opener. Barcelona at Celtic Park, in Europe's greatest club competition - it does not get much bigger than this.
It is the second time Barca visit Glasgow to play Celtic in 2004. Last season, an Alan Thompson goal settled the game in the fourth round of the UEFA Cup back in March. Thompson's goal was enough to decide the tie, as Celtic progressed to the next round after a monumentous night in the Nou Camp a week later.
Barcelona are one of the world's biggest clubs and I am delighted they will be playing at Celtic Park tomorrow night. Good news for Celtic is that Thiago Motta, who was sent off against us in March, will not feature tomorrow night, as he is injured for six months. However, the Catalan club still possess a host of world class names, including Deco, Carles Puyol, Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho and of course, Henrik Larsson.
Barcelona defeated Sevilla at the weekend and Larsson was on the scoresheet. Ronaldinho missed out but is thought to be fit and ready for tomorrow's game. Former Porto playmaker Deco is also starting to find form and we will have to be aware of his constant cheating and diving, which was evident in the 2003 UEFA Cup Final.
For Henrik Larsson, it is his first game back at Celtic Park - his home for the previous seven seasons. Larsson was without doubt one of Celtic's greatest players but he is now with Barcelona. Scoring for Barca now means as much to him as playing for Celtic did. He is a professional player and will do all he can to score against us but I am sure the Celtic defence's knowledge of him will work in our favour. Then again, Larsson will know Celtic's weaknesses and it could work against us. But who is to say he will start the game anyway?
Whatever the scenario, Larsson should be treated like any other opposing player. We, as fans, should do all we can to put him off his game.
Celtic go into the game with one or two injury worries. It is unknown whether Chris Sutton will be fit for the game or not, but the word on Saturday was that he should be fit. Failing this, Henri Camara will have taken a major boost from his double at the weekend, and will be ready to step in. Stan Varga is shaking off a knock he picked up at the weekend but Martin O'Neill said today he will be okay.
Occasions like tomorrow night are the reason Juninho joined the club. He will be on top form and will hopefully be a joy to watch once again.
The atmosphere is going to be hotter than ever, I cannot wait to hear the Champions League theme music before the game. Remember, Celtic Park is the only ground in Scotland where you can hear the tune this season. I urge Celtic fans to get behind the team for the full 90 minutes. Cheer every move and jeer every Barca attack. The team cannot do this without your 100% support.
The countdown to kick off is getting shorter and excitement levels are reaching boiling point. Win, lose or draw, this is shaping up to be one of the greatest nights ever.
Come On The Hoops!
Prediction: Celtic 1-0 Barcelona