Celtic News: Season 2013-14

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Results / Fixtures


July

UCL 2nd Q: Cliftonville 0-3 Celtic (Lustig, Samaras, Forrest) Assists: Commons 2, Stokes - Att: 5000
UCL 2nd Q: Celtic 2-0 Cliftonville (Ambrose, Samaras) Assists: Stokes, Commons - Att: 44,389
UCL 3rd Q: Celtic 1-0 Elfsborg (Commons) Assist: Izaguirre - Att: 40,153



August

Premiership: Celtic 2-1 Ross County (Stokes 2) Assist: Commons - Att: 45,705
UCL 3rd Q: Elfsborg 0-0 Celtic - Att: 9,040
Premiership: Aberdeen 0-2 Celtic (Commons, Forrest) Assists: Samaras, Ledley - Att: 20,017
UCL Play-Off: S.Karagandy 2-0 Celtic Att: 20,000
Premiership: Celtic 2-2 Inverness C.T (Mulgrew, Matthews) Assists: Izaguirre, Brown - Att: 45,160
UCL Play-Off: Celtic 3-0 S.Karagandy (Commons, Samaras, Forrest) Assists: Samaras, Lustig, Stokes - Att: 58,000
Premiership: Dundee Utd 0-1 Celtic (Stokes) Att: 10,586



September

Premiership: Hearts 1-3 Celtic (Commons, Stokes, Pukki) Assists: Stokes 2, Commons - Att: 15,982
Champions League: AC Milan 2-0 Celtic Att: 43,000
Premiership: Celtic 2-1 St Johnstone (Pukki, Mulgrew) Assist: Stokes 2 - Att: 45,220
League Cup: Celtic 0-1 Morton (AET) - Att- 16,998
Premiership: Kilmarnock 2-5 Celtic (Commons, Samaras 3, Baldè) Assist: Samaras Commons 2 Mulgrew Lustig - Att: 6,149



October

Champions League: Celtic 0-1 Barcelona Att: 60,000
Premiership: Celtic 2-0 Motherwell (Stokes, Commons) Assist:  Brown - Att: 46,608
Premiership: Hibernian 1-1 Celtic (Forrest) Att: 14,220
Champions League: Celtic 2-1 Ajax (Forrest, Kayal) Assist: Stokes, Samaras Att: 60,000
Premiership: Partick Thistle 1-2 Celtic (Samaras, Baldè) Assist Izaguirre 2 Att: 7,978



November

Premiership: Celtic 1-1 Dundee Utd (Mulgrew) Assist: Izaguirre Att: 47,386
Champions League: Ajax 1-0 Celtic Att: 52,058
Premiership: Ross County 1-4 Celtic (Van Dijk 2, Ledley 2) Assist: Izaguirre 2, Mulgrew, Fisher Att: 5,982
Premiership: Celtic 3-1 Aberdeen (Commons 2, Boerrigter) Att: 49,638
Champions League: Celtic 0-3 AC Milan Att: 60,000



December

Scottish Cup: Hearts 0-7 Celtic (Commons 3, Brown 2, Ledley , Lustig) Assist: Ledley 2, Mulgrew 2, Lustig Att: 10,636
Premiership: Motherwell 0-5 Celtic (Commons 2, Ambrose, Stokes, Atajic) Assist: Stokes 2, Mulgrew, Izaguirre, Pukki - Att: 9,117
Champions League: Barcelona 6-1 Celtic (Samaras) Assist: Commons
Premiership: Celtic 1-0 Hibs (Pukki) Assist: Ledley Att: 46,065
Premiership: Celtic 2-0 Hearts (Commons, Forrest) Assist: Brown, Samaras Att: 46,058
Premiership: St Johnstone 0-1 Celtic (Van Dijk) Att: 7,034
Premiership: Inverness C.T 0-1 Celtic (Commons) - Assist: Samaras Att: 6,384



January

Premiership: Celtic 1-0 Partick Thistle (Ledley) - Att: 52,670
Premiership: St Mirren 0-4 Celtic (Mulgrew, Stokes, Commons 2) - Assist: Matthews, Ledley, Izaguirre, Forrest Att: 5,778
Premiership: Celtic 3-0 Motherwell (Commons 2, McManus OG) - Assist: Stokes 2 - Att: 47,489
Premiership: Hibernian 0-4 Celtic (Commons 2, Van Dijk, Pukki) - Assist: Izaguirre, Pukki - Att: 12,542
Premiership: Celtic 4-0 Kilmarnock (Ledley, Ashcroft OG, Mulgrew, Baldè) - Assist: Forrest 2, Ledley, Commons - Att: 44,271



February

Premiership: Celtic 1-0 St Mirren (Commons) - Att: 45,014
Scottish Cup: Celtic 1-2 Aberdeen (Stokes) - Assit: Samaras Att: 30,413
Premiership: Celtic 3-0 St Johnstone (Stokes 3) - Assist: - Griffiths, Brown Att: - 45,239
Premiership: Hearts 0-2 Celtic (Griffiths, Pukki) - Assist: - Stokes, Baldè Att: 15,801
Premiership: Aberdeen 2-1 Celtic (Forrest) - Assist:- Brown Att: 16,638



March
Premiership: Celtic 5-0 Inverness C.T (Griffiths 3, Mulgrew, Commons) - Assist Izaguirre, Forrest 2, Commons Att: 46,552
Premiership: Kilmarnock 0-3 Celtic (Commons 3) - Assist: Griffiths, Matthews, Mulgrew Att: 7,495
Premiership: Celtic 3-0 St Mirren (Johansen, Griffiths, Stokes) - Assits:Griffiths, Stokes, Samaras Att: 46,538
Premiership: Partick Thistle 1-5 Celtic (Stokes 2, Henderson, Johansen, Commons) - Assists: Izaguirre, Johansen, Griffiths, Samaras 2 Att: 7,549
Premiership: Celtic 1-1 Ross County (Commons) -  Assist: Griffiths - Att: 49,270



April
Premiership: Dundee Utd 0-2 Celtic (Samaras, Stokes) - Assist: Commons - Att:11,033
Premiership: Motherwell 3-3 Celtic (Stokes, Samaras, Griffiths) - Assist: Brown, Stokes 2 - Att: 7,493
Premiership: Celtic 6-0 Inverness C.T (Stokes 3, Griffiths, Ambrose, Pukki) - Assist: Griffths 2, Johansen, Stokes, Commons 2 - Att: 45,712


May
Premiership: Celtic 5-2 Aberdeen (Brown 2, Stokes, Commons) - Assist: Matthews 2, Stokes, Kayal - Att: 47,468
Premiership: St Johnstone 3-3 Celtic (Commons, Pukki, Van Dijk) - Assist: Mulgrew, Brown - Att: 4,624
Premiership: Celtic 3-1 Dundee Utd (Stokes, Samaras, Commons) - Assist: Commons, Stokes - Att: 52,400




Goalscorers:

32 - Commons
21 - Stokes
20 - Griffiths (13 for Wolves)
11 - Samaras
7 - Forrest; Pukki
6 - Mulgrew
5 - Ledley; Van Dijk
4 - Ambrose; Brown
3 - Balde
2 - Lustig; Johansen
1 - Atajic; Matthews; Kayal; Boerrigter; Henderson




Assists:

18 - Stokes
15 -Commons
11 - Izaguirre
10 - Samaras
7 - Griffiths; Brown
5 - Forrest
4 - Ledley; Mulgrew
2 - Lustig; Matthews; Johansen
1 - Fisher; Pukki; Baldè






Man of the Match:

vs Cliftonville - Georgios Samaras
vs Cliftonville - Kelvin Wilson
vs Elfsborg - Kris Commons
vs Ross County - Anthony Stokes
vs Elfsborg - Mikeal Lustig
vs Aberdeen - Charlie Mulgrew
vs S.Karagandy - Kris Commoms
vs Inverness C.T - Tom Rogic
vs S.Karagandy - Kris Commons
vs Dundee Utd - Virgil Van Dijk
vs Hearts - Anthony Stokes
vs AC Milan - Adam Matthews
vs St Johnstone - Virgil Van Dyke
vs Kilmarnock - Georgios Samaras
vs Barcelona - Virgil Van Dijk
vs Motherwell - Kris Commons
vs Hibernian - James Forrest
vs Ajax - Virgil Van Dijk
vs Partick Thistle - Emilio Izaguirre
vs Dundee Utd - Anthony Stokes
vs Ajax - Mikeal Lustig
vs Ross County -Virgil Van Dijk
vs Aberdeen -Efe Ambrose
vs AC Milan -Emilio Izaguirre
vs Hearts - Kris Commons
vs Motherwell - Anthony Stokes
vs Barcelona - Fraser Forster
vs Hibs - Mikeal Lustig
vs Hearts - Kris Commons
vs St Johnstone - Virgil Van Dijk
vs Inverness C.T - Kris Commons
vs Partick Thistle - Joe Ledley
vs St Mirren - Kris Commons
vs Motherwell - Kris Commons
vs Hibernian - Virgil Van Dijk
vs Kilmarnock - Joe Ledley
vs St Mirren - Stefan Johansen
vs Aberdeen - Virgil Van Dijk
vs St Johnstone - Anthony Stokes
vs Hearts - Leigh Griffiths
vs Aberdeen - Nir Biton
vs Inverness C.T - Leigh Griffiths
vs Kilmarnock - Kris Commons
vs St Mirren - Anthony Stokes
vs Partick Thistle - Anthony Stokes
vs Ross County - Virgil Vam Dyke
vs Dundee Utd - Kris Commons
vs Motherwell - Anthony Stokes
vs Inverness C.T - Anthony Stokes
vs Aberdeen - Scott Brown
vs St Johnstone - Kris Commons
vs Dundee Utd - Anthony Stokes



Average League Attendance for Season 2013/14: 47,079 from 19 games (894,501)
Total Home Attendance for All Competitions in 2013/14: (1,264,454)
Average Home Attendance for the UEFA Champions League in 2013/14: 60,00 from 3 games (180,000)
Average Home Attendance for the UEFA Champions League Qualifiers in 2013/14: 47,514 from 3 games (142,542)

Appearances:

Player's Names	SPFL Premiership (Subs)/Goals	Champions League (subs)/Goals	Scottish FA Cup (Subs)/Goals	Scottish League Cup (Subs)/Goals	Total Appearances (Subs)/Goals
1. Fraser Forster	37	12	2	-	51
2. Adam Matthews	20 (2) / 1	4 (2)	(1)	1	25 (5) / 1
3. Emilio Izaguirre	34	10	2	-	46
4. Efe Ambrose	37 (1) / 3	11 / 1	2	1	51 (1) / 4
5. Virgil Van Dijk	35 (1)/ 5	7 (1)	2	1	45 (2) / 5
6. Nir Biton	9 (7)	1 (2)	1	1	12 (9)
8. Scott Brown	37 (1)/ 2	9	2 / 2	1	49 (1)/ 4
9. Georgios Samaras	10 (10) / 7	12 / 4	1	-	23 (10) / 11
10. Anthony Stokes	30 (3) / 20	8 (3)	2 / 1	(1)	40 (7) / 21
11. Derk Boerrigter	4 (10) / 1	2 (3)	(2)	1	7 (15) / 1
15. Kris Commons	32 (2) / 27	10 (1) / 2	2 / 2	(1)	44 (4) / 32
17. Amido Balde	3 (17) / 3	(3)	(1)	-	3 (21) / 3
18. Tom Rogic	1(2)	(3)	-	1	2 (5)
20. Teemu Pukki	13 (12) / 7	2 (3)	(1)	1	16 (16) / 7
21. Charlie Mulrew	27 (1) / 6	8 (2)	1	1	37 (3) / 6
22. Steven Mouyokolo	1	1	-	-	2
23. Mikeal Lustig	9 (7)	12 / 1	1 / 1	1	23 (7) / 2
24. Lukas Zaluska	1	-	-	1	2
25. Stefan Johansen	13 (3) / 2	-	1	-	14 (3) / 2
28. Leigh Griffiths	11 (2) / 7	-	(1)	-	11 (3) / 7
32. Tony Watt	1 (1)	(1)	-	-	1 (2)
33. Beram Kayal	7 (6)	6 (1) / 1	-	-	13 (7) / 1
37. Bahrudin Atajic	(3) / 1	-	-	-	(3) / 1
41. Darnel Fisher	10 (2)	-	(1)	-	10 (3)
46. Dylan McGeouch	(1)	(1)	-	1	1 (2)
49. James Forrest	10 (6) / 4	10 (1)/ 3	1	-	21 (7) / 7
53. Liam Henderson	4 (4) / 1	-	-	-	4 (4) / 1
56. Filip Twardzik	1	-	-	-	1
Players On Loan
18. Tom Rogic - Melbourne Victory	7 (1)	3	-	-	10 (1)
32. Tony Watt - Lierse	8 (8) / 8	-	(1) / 1	-	8 (9) / 9
37. Bahrudin Atajic - Shrewsbury	3 (10)	-	-	-	3 (10)
42. Callum McGregor - Notts County	32 (5) / 12	- [	-	2 / 1	34 (5) / 14
46. Dylan McGeouch - Coventry	(8)	(8)	-	-	(8)
Players Sold
Joe Ledley	18 (2) / 4	4 (4)	1 / 1	-	23 (6) / 5
Kelvin Wilson	-	4	-	-	4
Gary Hooper	-	(1)	-	-	(1)

Well you should be looking to spend now, after all you have yet to replace Hooper and from what I have heard Fletcher is not on the best of terms with Di Canio.

All depends on the price. I don't know if we could afford him. Especially with how tight the board can be.

The ship for Steven Fletcher sailed a long time ago, most Celtic fans have came to terms with the fact £4m is the absolute maximum we'd spend now with £20k p/w the top end of the wage structure

CaledonianCraig wrote:Well in place of Ambrose any of Russell Martin or Grant Hanley. Ledley is another who I don't see what he brings to the team - you could have anyone from Morrison, Maloney, Snodgrass, McArthur or Mackay-Stevens in there amongst others. Samaras is another past his best now in my honest opinion. Blows very hot and cold though realise he is a huge fans favourite.

Don't agree with this at all, Ambrose isn't a favourite of mine but he was excellent in the Group stages last year and had his beat game in a Celtic shirt last night, Martin plays for Scotland but isn't Scottish so I dont see how he adds Scottish flavour and Grant Hanley is a poor mans Stephen McManus and I was never a fan of his, don't rate him at all.

Samaras frustrates me but again I feel its harsh to say he's past his best, he's just coming into his best, he scored in 5 of our 6 away games in the CL last year and has 3 in 6 games in the CL already this season, he's not a CF though, when he plays wide left and drifts in he is brilliant and when he's in the mood like he usually is for CL games then it'd take a kot of money to replace him.

Joe Ledley had one of his poorest performances last night but he has been one of Lennons best signings, Mr Cool Calm and Collected, very seldom gives the ball away, big game player and is good for 10 goals a season

Nir Biton is getting his medical at Ross Hall and Teemu Pukki is expected over tonight for signing talks

Haven't seen anything of either. What's the verdict on both?

Nir Biton had 2 trials at Man City last season and impressed, they felt they might not get him as much game time as he needs at this stage though so he didn't sign.

Pukki is interesting, people are using his goals to gamea stats as a stick to beat him with, but his record as Schalke is 10 goals in 8 starts, most of his sub appearances come in the final 10 minutes, I dont think he'll get the level of goals Hooper got but he could get 20 a season, he's lightening quick

Group of past Winners

Group H
Barcelona
AC Milan
Ajax
CELTIC

Really wanted Madrid. Wee trip to Amsterdam wouldn't go down too badly!

Sounds daft but im sick of the sight of Barca and Benfica, wanted Madrid too, same with Milan we've had them 3 times in our last 5/6 CL campaigns

Ye just a bit of a change would be nice. Now to get annual leave sorted.

Although ill never forget the Dida match against Milan.

Amazing scenes, canny beat late winners, we scored a late winner against Shakhtar that year too if I can remember right.

I'm going to Amsterdam, last time I was there was in 2001 when we knocked Ajax out the Champions League, not too fussed with the others, both are tremendous trips though.

Bit concerned Benfica aren't in our group, when we get Benfica we ALWAYS qualify haha

Just been reading that we're guaranteed at least £16m from the Champions League this season, if you take Ki's transfer into account in the last 12 months from player sales (£27m) and Champions League prize money (12/13 £23m & 13/14 £16m) Celtic will have taken in £66m, that's not including gate money for the Champions League which was around £7m last season for 4 games and it isn't including the 3 Qualifiers we've played which weren't on the season ticket (Helsingborgs, Elfsborg & Karagandy)

Some unbelievable funds taken in by the club.

Celtic have signed Israeli U21 Imternational Nir Biton for £675,000 on a 4 year deal, we've got a bargain here, normally he'd be valued at around £2m+ but he's into the last year of his contract and FC Ashdod need the cash, think he'll be seen as a replacement for Wanyama

On trial twice at Man City last season but his representitives felt aftwr discussions that he wouldn't get the game time he needs at this stage in his development

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yruJz1WoNLg&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Youtube can make anyone look good but it gives you an idea of the ype of midfielder he is

Does look decent and he has Beram to help him settle in.

Looking to head to Barca and Amsterdam myself.

Not just Beram, he's best mates with Ambrose who played with him at Ashdod and practically sold him on the club.

He's a work in progress like most of our signings but he's exciting,  hopefully Pukki will be signing today too

That's the best we can hope for at present. The bank must be well in the black at this stage anyway. Would love someone a bit more creative in though.

I was hoping for a Nakamura type of player, don't think it'll happen now, we're seriously hindered by the fact the SFA are closing our window 48 hours before most of Europe, kills our hopes for a sneaky wee loan signing that might whet the appetite

Why are the SFA doing that anyway? Is Ivan De La Pena still available on the free? Haha

De La Pena and Ian Harte haha


Its just down to the whole Rangers situation although the SFA will never admit it, the ballsed it up with that embargo and since it was due to end at midnight on the 1st of September it would mean Rangers would have had 2 days to sign players, it would have rendered the whole punishment a joke, or more of a joke than its already been.

Its hindering us big time though, we basically had from full time on Wednesday until 11pm tomorrow to try and get targets in

And Dani! We've been linked with some players over the years.

I should have known the SFA would have fenced up 1 way or the other.

Just saw this state with regards to Samaras since the guy the other day thought he was past it.

Since the start of 2012/13 season Georgios Samaras' Champions League stats (qualifiers and groups stages) are played 16 scored 8 assists 6...thats brilliant in anyone's language

Completely agree. Big Sammy has well and truly made me eat my words. I couldn't understand what Lennon saw in him 2 years ago but he has turned himself into the most important player we have in Europe.

In the league im not that fussed if he never plays again but in Europe he's vital to any success we can get

Finally managed to sign Pukki, 4 year contract, hope this boy does the business, dont know much about him other than he is lightening quick, he isn't the strongest but is getting better physically, apparently he's not a good lone striker but thrives as part of a partnership if he plays off a target man.

His goalscoring record at Schalke has left a lot of people annoyed because he has 8 goals in 37 games but he has only started 7 of those games and he came off the bench mostly in the last 15 minutes of his 30 odd sub appearances.

Last year he averaged a goal in the Bundesliga every 149 minutes whilst Hooper averaged a goal every 140 minutes in the SPL...think this could be good business

Just arrived in Dundee, mixed feelings on the game today, on the one hand I'm buzzing with the whole feel good factor around the club at the moment, the European results, the finances we get for it and new signings, on the other cant help remember the results and performances we had after European results last season, im hoping to see Baldè, Boerrigter, Van Dijk and even maybe Mouyokolo today though.

There was 27 goals in 5 games between these two teams last year, and 20 of them came from us, 2-2, 6-2, 4-0, 4-3 & 4-0 so im hoping for another few goals in this game today, my prediction is 3-1 Celtic

Team news

................................ Forster

Matthews ....... Lustig ... Van Dijk ...... Izaguirre

.............................. Ambrose
................ Brown .................... Ledley
Commons .......................................... Boerrigter
................................ Stokes

Subs:

Zaluska
Balde
Rogic
Mouyokolo
Atajic
McGeouch
Herron

We started this game well but the second half was rotten, Celtic looked jaded which is probably understandable after the last 2 weeks of travel and tension, Dundee Utd did too, Best thing about it was Virgil Van Dijk though, absolutely brilliant, his touch, passing and his vision, could be a deep lying midfielder,  Efe Ambrose was very good too. Anthony Stokes' free-kick was straight out of the top draw, almost impossible to stop

Player Ratings:

1. Forster - 6
23. Lustig - 7
3. Izaguirre - 5
4. Ambrose - 7
5. Van Dijk - 8
2. Matthews - 6
8. Brown - 5
16. Ledley - 5
11. Boerrigter - 5
15. Commons - 6
10. Stokes - 7

Subs:

Balde - 5
Rogic - 6

Tony Watt is away to Lierse on loan for the season

Kay Fabe wrote:Tony Watt is away to Lierse on loan for the season

I don't really rate the guy anyway.

Really? I do mate, for me he's one of the best talents I've seen come through in the last 20 years, what is it you see that makes you think he wont make it bud?

What an atmosphere for Stan today. My favourite player after Henrik growing up! Legends!

Great occasion for a top player and man.

Celtic & Villa legend.

Only one Stan Petrov.

Wow what an emotional weekend.

We were at the charity dinner on Saturday Night, Id have easily made a deal right there and then with God to take my mrs and give Celtic back a 28 year old Henrik Larsson...the match was a fantastic spectacle,  you know its full of ex pros tho when Berbatov is the fastest man on the pitch, it was great to see Stan look so healthy, the steroids have beefed him up and it was great to see him manage 30 minutes at the start, that #19 applause was emotional, plenty of tears in the crowd.

On a funny note I heard last night that John Terry was getting hos photo took with fans holding the European Cup, Terry was popping into the pix (staged of xourse) to replicate his supposed spotlight steeling with all proceeds going to Petrovs charity, saw some photos on Twitter earlier

Also heard that theres likely to be an Aston Villa vs Celtic game at Villa Park in either in January/February midweek or next Summer with proceeds going to Stans Charity

Unbelievable day, very surreal

Kay Fabe wrote:Really? I do mate, for me he's one of the best talents I've seen come through in the last 20 years, what is it you see that makes you think he wont make it bud?

Maybe I was being a bit harsh. It's not that I don't rate him but just think there was an element of overhype to him. Not his fault though. He may well make it.

Mouyokolo snapped his achillies tendon, probably wont kick another ball for Celtic

The chance you take when you sign someone so injury prone

Feel sorry for the big man. No one deserves that luck!

Yeah its a real shame, I saw some potential in him, not had anyone in his mould since Bobo left,  heard Celtic gave him a really tough medical tooo and he passed it with flying colours, guess some guys bodies just aren't up to such a physical battle

Can't wait for Tyncastle tomorrow, my favourite away ground,  always a cracking atmosphere,  well if your love that poisonous, hate filled environment,  Celtic have had some pretty good wins there in the last 3 years, Hearts are probably as weak as I've ever seen them but their kids have been really impressive this seasin, Jamir Walker has been a standout and scored a couple of beauties.

Lot of talk that we'd rest players tomorrow ahead of the Milan tie but we didn't reat anyone at Pittodrie before a long flight to Karagandy in what will probably be the biggest tie of the season so I'm not sure Lennon will rest many tomorrow.

I'm looking forward to seeing Pukki, heard good things about his pace and touch so it'll be interesting to see if we play him.

Team id like to see

................................. Forrest

Matthews ... Ambrose .... Van Dijk ... Izaguirre

Commons .. Brown (c) .. Mulgrew .. Boerrigter

....................... Stokes ....... Pukki

Great performance from the Bhoys today, quite an inevitable feel about the game at the start due to how weak Hearts are, the atmosphere is always electric though,  thought Anthony Stokes was outstanding from the first whistle, he played the front line brilliantly, his hold up play, link up play, touch and vision was first class, I've always been a big fan due to the amount of goals he scores and creates but he often frustrated me with his 'Hollywood Moments' he'd often try, while he's still prone to them he has cut them out massively since he came back from injury. Hr is deadly too, took his goal expertly and was also clinical in the goal he got chopped off, good instincts, his header won us the penalty which was a disgraceful decision and his skill and vision for Pukki's goal was unbelievably gallus.

Kris Commons was excellent too, he and Stokes have had a great understanding since he arrived, his header for Stokes goal was opportunistic as hell, great quick thinking

Good to see Pukki make his debut, didn't get many opportunities to show what he could do but managed to get a goal which takes the pressure off instantly, really looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the team.

Scott Brown bossed another midfield, fantastic

Oh, if anyone knows were the real Joe Ledley is then can you please return him safe and sound to Celtic Park.


The team was

Player Ratings:


1. Forster - 6
23. Lustig - 7
4.Ambrose - 7
5. Van Dijk - 7 
3. Izaguirre - 6
8. Brown - 8
16. Ledley - 5
2. Matthews - 6
15. Commons - 8
11. Boerrigter - 7
10. Stokes - 9

Subs:

9. Samaras (on for Matthews) - 6
21. Mulgrew (on for Ledley) - 6
20. Pukki (on for Commons) - 7

Hows everyone feeling about Milan? Absolutely buzzing for it, Milan are supposedly not the team they were when we've faced them in recent years but the name alone is European Royalty, hoping we can give a good account of ourselves.

Really hope Stokes gets his chance, I actually think we'll go with Stokes with Samaras and Commons playing off him and Boerrigtwr,  Pukki and mayne Forreat on the bench, if thats the case then at least we've got options

Stokes should be unstoppable in his current form. Think I've said before about the last time playing Milan when Strachan was manager bit the atmosphere was unbelievable even with the Dida incident.

I think this year it's gonna be harder to qualify as replicating last years form will be extremely difficult. A good start is vital though. Fingers crossed. The Milan injury list is helpful but they still have quality players all over.

Forrest didn't travel for us and Ledley is a major doubt too.

I quite enjoyed playing Milan the last few times we've drawn them because they were quite slow and deliberate, they were always formidable but they wouldn't blow us away like a Benfica, Porto or a Shakhter have done when they've drawn us in the groups, its been 6 years since we played them so while I know the players they've got, I've no real idea what to expect from them in terms of tempo, its a right good tie though,  what the CL is all about from pur point of view

I'd have wanted Forrest for the impact ya mentioned off the bench earlier. Interesting to see which Balotelli turns up if nothing else.

Milan have quite a few players out, this evening. Kaka, El Sharawaay and Montelivio, Bonera, Pazzini are the ones I can remember. Balotelli is meant to be in top form at the moment, though. Stokes will probably start, can't see Pukki going straight in. Ledley will be a big miss, could see Mulgrew anchoring the midfield, which I've said for a while could be his best position. Looking forwadd to it, but Milan should be too strong.

I'd rather have Mulgrew Cb than midfield. Wouldn't mind Kayal getting a run if Ledley's out. Vital to get off to a good start.

Nearly game time, excited and nervous

Team I think I'd like to see tonight is

2-1 Celtic....c'mon

No idea who Neil Lennon is trying to kid in his post match interview after the St Johnstone win, saying it was Celtics best performance of the season is an out and out lie.

We had a good first half but totally switched off at half time and were on cruise control and ended up holding on for a crapy 2-1 when it should have been 4/5/6-0

Karagandy at home, Milan last Wedbesday, Hearts last week at Tyncastle and Ross County on day 1 are all games we've been far superior than we were yesterday, thats what annoys me about Lennon sometimes, he blatently lies in order to defend a performance and while theres no shame in sticking up for yourplayers but dobt make the BS you tell so outlandish because it just lessens your credibility