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| Tony Mowbray has the utmost respect for Arsenal and their manager Arsene Wenger, as his side, Scottish giants Celtic, prepare to take on the Gunners in a play-off for a place in the Champions League group stages. The clubs were paired in today's draw, with the first leg taking place at Celtic Park on either August 18 or 19, and the return leg scheduled for the Emirates Stadium a week later. Mowbray has affirmed that his Bhoys will be doing their utmost to end the Londoners' Champions League campaign early. "It’s a tough draw for us but everyone at the club is looking forward to two games against one of the top sides in European football," the Celtic boss told his club's official website. "It’s a glamour draw for both clubs and one that will certainly capture the imagination of supporters north and south of the border. We can all look forward to two fantastic European nights. "I have huge respect for Arsene and the job he’s done at Arsenal. He’s had a lot of success at the club and has built a side that plays the game in the right way. "They don’t spend the millions on players that other English clubs do, but they play with a real style and always try to entertain. That’s down to Arsene and his philosophies. “It’s a hard draw for us but we will go into the game fully-prepared and confident. The attitude and application of the players since I arrived at Celtic has been first-class, and their ability was there for all to see against Dinamo [Moscow] on Wednesday. "We will be doing everything we possibly can to get to the group stages of the UEFA Champions League. The club has had a lot of success in the tournament in recent years and we will try to continue that." The Celts won their place in the play-off by overturning a 1-0 first leg deficit against Dinamo Moscow in Russia on Wednesday night thanks to goals from Scott McDonald and Giorgios Samaras. |
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| bet365 rate Arsenal as 1/3 shots to dispose of Celtic after the sides were paired together in the Champions League on Friday. "It’s a mouth-watering clash from a bookmaker’s point of view and will certainly spice up the early stages of the competition," bet365 spokesman Steve Freeth revealed. "We fancy there will be only one winner if Mowbray sticks to his footballing principles." bet365 have pushed Celtic out from 125/1 to 200/1 after the draw and kept Arsenal at 16/1 to win tournament overall. |
| QUOTE (Ach @ Aug 7 2009, 05:09 PM) |
| Hartson should be guest of honour for both matches |
| QUOTE (Ach @ Aug 7 2009, 04:09 PM) |
| Hartson should be guest of honour for both matches |
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| Kenny Dalglish, a man who became a legend at Celtic in the early 1970's before going on to repeat the feat with Liverpool, where he won three European Cups, thinks that the pairing of the Hoops with Arsenal in a play-off for the Champions League group stages is a draw that does not suit either outfit. The former Scotland international also thinks that the Gunners would have preferred a different opponent as well, with the Londoners, according to Dalglish, not likely to relish a 'Battle of Britain' encounter. "It's going to be a difficult game. It's probably the hardest one they could have picked out," he told Sky Sports News. "I don't think there were too many who gave them [Celtic] a chance when they went to Moscow and they won there, so you don't what's going to happen do you? "But it's going to be difficult for both teams. I don't know if Celtic would have been a lot happier with some other teams, but then I'm sure Arsenal were in the same boat." The first leg of the tie will be played at Celtic Park on August 18 or 19, with the second leg scheduled for the Emirates Stadium a week later. |
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| Celtic assistant manager Mark Venus is not underestimating Arsenal, against whom the Bhoys were matched in today's draw for the play-off for the Champions League, but he feels that the perceived gulf in class between the Scottish side and the Londoners is not as wide as many observers would think. "I don't believe they're miles and miles away from us," he told Sky Sports News earlier. "I believe they've got some good talented footballers, and they've got a lot of investment going in there. I think they're a decent team." Celtic overturned a 1-0 goal deficit in Moscow on Wednesday night, beating Dinamo Moscow 2-0 in the second leg of their qualifying round tie, playing with positivity and skill to record a victory which few predicted. Hoops fans would point to their team's superb home record in the Champions League as a cause for optimism, with the Bhoys having won nine, drawn four and lost just two of their previous home games in the continent's premier club competition. |
| QUOTE (The Wengerbabies @ Aug 7 2009, 11:07 PM) |
| Apparantly U2 could mess up the date of this game :unsure: |
| QUOTE (Letters (TPFKA WWTL@WHL) @ Aug 7 2009, 11:16 PM) | ||
Is there no end to their evil? :angry: |
| QUOTE (Stephen McTowelie @ Aug 7 2009, 11:24 PM) |
| I saw U2 in Cardiff a few years ago. Bono actually does think he's Jesus... |
| QUOTE (The Wengerbabies @ Aug 7 2009, 11:23 PM) | ||||
Police have concerns that they will lack man power with a U2 gig on the same night |
| QUOTE (Coney @ Aug 7 2009, 11:31 PM) | ||||||
Bloody Sting messing things up for everyone. :banghead: |
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Liam Brady warns Arsenal about the unique challenge of Celtic • 'Celtic Park atmosphere could sway Champions League tie' • Celtic coach, however, admits they wanted to avoid Arsenal Expect the unexpected. That was Liam Brady's reaction to the Champions League play-off draw that pits Arsenal against Celtic. Arsène Wenger's team, who have criss-crossed Europe during 11 consecutive seasons in its leading competition, are about to receive a culture shock. Brady, the former Celtic manager who is Arsenal's head of youth development, said: "Our players have been all over the continent but they will never have experienced anything like it. The atmosphere at Celtic Park is unique. Arsenal have to go and cope with the environment and the pace Celtic will play at and the tremendous following they have. It is different to what you get in mainland Europe. Our players will have to be prepared for that. "The Celtic Park leg is the unknown aspect of this tie. For intensity, it will be a bit like the Liverpool-Arsenal quarter-final from a couple of years ago." That, incidentally, was one of Wenger's most brutal disappointments, when a high-tempo classic that Arsenal were edging at Anfield careered back towards Liverpool with two late goals. This is Arsenal's fourth successive appearance in the Champions League play-offs, but since Michel Platini tinkered with the seeding system to help the smaller teams along, it looks like their most delicate assignment yet. In recent seasons Arsenal have overturned their challengers with consummate ease, beating FC Twente by an aggregate of 6-0, Sparta Prague 5-0, and Dinamo Zagreb 5-1. Celtic's higher standards, coupled with the temperature that steams up any Anglo-Scottish affair, makes this a far more intriguing proposition. Arsenal could have done with something gentler. Wenger has stated how challenging the season's opening fixtures are. Five games in the opening 14 days of the campaign now include trips to Goodison Park, Celtic Park and Old Trafford. August is looking hectic. However, they at least hold the marginal advantage of being at home in the second leg, on 26 August, with the first game at Celtic Park on 18 August. For the winner, a lucrative financial prize awaits; for the loser the long and winding road of the inaugural Europa Cup. Celtic, too, greeted the draw with a gulp. Arsenal, semi-finalists last season, are not exactly Celtic's dream opponent. "I think realistically it's the draw that we probably wouldn't have taken of the five teams," Mark Venus, their first-team coach, said. "But we've got to look forward to it, enjoy it and relish it. I think it's a great draw for Scottish football. It's going to be a great game, a great European night." Of Arsenal, he added: "I think they're a talented bunch of footballers. They're a totally technical team, very patient in the build-up. I hope they'll maybe underestimate us." Celtic's dramatic away win at Dynamo Moscow, to set up this tie , suggests they are very much in the mood to upset the odds in this European campaign. Brady is conscious of how keenly Celtic respond to adversity. "If you match the two teams up player for player, there is no argument about who is the strongest. You have to fancy Arsenal big-time, but Celtic have proved they can raise their game when they are underdogs," he said. "They have started the season well under Tony Mowbray. He gets his teams to play football ... But I think there will be plenty of aggression, too. You need to be on the inside to realise how big the expectation is ... which I discovered during my two and a bit years there. It is like leading a community rather than just being a football manager." The high stakes will only add to the tension. Brady said: "Both teams are desperate to get into the group stages, and possibly beyond, for the financial rewards as well as sporting reasons. Arsenal are under pressure to get to where the team has been for several years. Celtic badly need it because they get very little domestic revenue in Scottish football." History suggests the favourites tend to secure a safe passage to the Champions League proper, although Internazionale were famously dumped out of the competition by Helsingborgs at this stage. Arsenal's goalkeeper, Manuel Almunia, would appear not to be taking the tie lightly. "It would be a tragedy not to be in the Champions League this year," he said. "There are many good teams in the draw but we are the best." |
| QUOTE (Der_Kaiser @ Aug 8 2009, 08:28 AM) |
| UEFA insist the game is played on the 18th, meaning there'll be 120,000 people from the match the c***s going to see Bono in a four mile radius. Crowd control could be a bit difficult. |
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| Scotland team manager George Burley believes Celtic were given the "worst possible draw" against Arsenal in their Champions League play-off round tie. The Bhoys had beaten Dinamo Moscow 2-1 on aggregate to take their place in Friday's draw, in which Tony Mowbray's team were paired with Arsene Wenger's Gunners. Arsenal had beaten Celtic's Old Firm rivals Rangers 3-0 in an Emirates Cup challenge match last weekend, and Burley, who is at Cameron House with his Scotland squad preparing for the World Cup qualifier against Norway in Oslo next week, was quoted as saying on ITV.com, "Celtic players have a spring in their step, it was a great result in Moscow. But, after seeing Arsenal playing against Rangers, I think it was the worst possible draw." Burley continued, "But in the second half Rangers gave them a lot of problems so there is hope there. It promises to be a terrific tie." Within the Celtic camp itself, there was confidence to be found. Midfielder Shaun Maloney, previously with Aston Villa, is looking forward to visiting the Emirates Stadium again in the second leg. He said, "It's going to be a great game. It is one of the toughest fixtures we could have got but I am looking forward to it. "We have a few games to go before that but it is quite exciting to be involved. We all believed we could win in Moscow and that's how it turned out. "The away win in Europe was far too long in coming and we might need another one if we are to go through." However, Rangers defender Steven Whittaker, who was in the side beaten last Sunday by the Gunners, reckons Celtic face a tough ride. He said: "We all know Arsenal's quality, they have shown that over the seasons in the Premier League and they are definitely a force in Europe as well. They are top opposition and Celtic will need to treat each game as a cup final." |
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| Arsenal will have to overcome Scottish heavyweights Celtic in order to advance to the group stage of the Champions League, and Gunners’ goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has proclaimed that it would be a “tragedy” if his side were to crash out of the competition at this early stage. "[Beating Celtic] is vital for the club, not only for the prestige, but also for the money," the shot-stopper has been quoted by the Irish Independent as saying. "It would be a tragedy not to be in the Champions League." Meanwhile, manager Arsene Wenger’s words are contrasting - he insists that he is not looking at the financial aspect of the star-studded tournament. "It's not crucial financially, it is crucial in the sporting side - we want to play with the best," 'The Professor' remarked. Wenger has never failed to deliver Champions League football in his 13-year spell at the forefront of the Gunners' cannonade. |
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Mowbray shows Wenger respect Tony Mowbray has hailed Arsene Wenger ahead of Celtic's UEFA Champions League clash with Arsenal. The Hoops have come up against Manchester United several times in recent years and the Glasgow giants were awarded another all-British encounter in Europe on Friday when they were paired with the Gunners in a play-off for a place in the group phase. Celtic boss Mowbray and Arsenal counterpart Wenger have both come in for criticism in the past for being too focused on playing attractive football, sometimes at the expense of results. But Mowbray has nothing but admiration for the philosophy of the man he will pit his wits against over two legs later this month. Respect "I have huge respect for Arsene and the job he's done at Arsenal," Mowbray told his club's official website. "He's had a lot of success at the club and has built a side that plays the game in the right way. "They don't spend the millions on players that other English clubs do, but they play with a real style and always try to entertain. That's down to Arsene and his philosophies." Despite praising the Frenchman, Mowbray has vowed to leave no stone unturned as he tries to mastermind a shock win over Wenger's young side. "We will be doing everything we possibly can to get to the group stages of the UEFA Champions League," he said. "The club has had a lot of success in the tournament in recent years and we will try to continue that." |
| QUOTE (Ach @ Aug 7 2009, 04:57 PM) | ||
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| Celtic v Arsenal - important fixture info Following yesterday's announcement regarding the forthcoming Champions League play-off tie against Celtic scheduled to take place in Glasgow on Tuesday August 18th, we have been made aware by Celtic FC that the date is under review due to a U2 concert taking place in Glasgow the same evening. No decision has yet been made by the authorities, but if a change is made, the game will be moved to Wednesday August 19th at the same time. We are mindful that supporters have made, and are in the process of making, arrangements to travel to Glasgow for this match and as soon as we are able to provide full details of the above fixture, we will communicate them to you. We are sorry for any inconvenience this situation may have caused. |
| QUOTE (Ach @ Aug 8 2009, 05:07 PM) | ||||
:goodpost: |
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| Celtic must stop the pass masters Arsenal, warns Manchester boss Hughes Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has warned Celtic that possession will be key to overcoming Arsenal. The former Wales manager was highly impressed by the Parkhead side’s Champions League qualifying win over Dynamo Moscow in Russia. He believes, however, that Arsene Wenger’s Gunners present a completely different proposition. Just getting the ball from the Londoners, he warns, will be the toughest task facing Celtic in the final qualifier. Mark Hughes Impressed: City boss Mark Hughes said Celtic got a great result against his side ‘I thought Celtic did really well against us,’ said the City boss after his exorbitantly assembled side had to battle to beat a second-string Hoops outfit 2-1 on Saturday. ‘They had a fantastic result in midweek and everybody was congratulating them on that. ‘I was straight over to Tony Mowbray to tell him how well he had done. It was a great result under a lot of pressure and Celtic got the job done. ‘They are a good, energetic team and results like the Moscow one will give them great confidence. ‘Arsenal are an accomplished side. They have great technical ability and at times it’s difficult to get the ball off them. ‘So, if Celtic get the ball off Arsenal, they will cause them problems.’ Hughes refused, however, to pick a likely winner in the annual Old Firm bun fight, despite facing both sides in the last seven days. City lost 3-2 at Ibrox last week, thanks to David Weir’s late winner for Rangers, before claiming a narrow win at their own ground on Saturday. Gareth Barry’s opener was cancelled out by Chris Killen but former Celtic striker Craig Bellamy decided the game for City, who saw £28million signing Carlos Tevez come off the bench for his debut. Hughes was impressed by both sides in the summer friendlies and the City manager believes the race for the SPL title could go right to the wire for a third successive season. ‘We’ve played Celtic and Rangers now and the two Old Firm sides are at a high level. That has been shown in the last two games,’ said Hughes. ‘They have different styles, but there are good individuals within both teams. So they will cause you a problem because they have quality.’ Parkhead boss Mowbray, meanwhile, has taken a veiled swipe at the protracted disciplinary system which witnessed the SFA hand out a one-match ban to Glenn Loovens last week — some three months since the Celtic defender kicked out at Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu. Celtic have confirmed plans to appeal the ban and prevent a defensive personnel crisis for next weekend’s league opener in Aberdeen. Gary Caldwell, who is suspended for the Pittodrie trip, and the injured Stephen McManus are already missing. But Loovens will now be able to play beside young Irishman Darren O’Dea at the back after the SFA confirmed that international commitments mean the appeal will not be heard until next week. That will come as a relief to Mowbray, who can’t believe the SFA have taken so long to hand out a punishment to Loovens. ‘It amazes me that something that happened on May 9 is only being attended to now,’ said the Celtic manager. It’s quite amazing really, but there you go. ‘I haven’t seen the incident. However, we will deal with the aftermath. If he gets a suspension, we will deal with it. If he doesn’t then we move on. ‘The incident happened long before I arrived at the football club and I haven’t gone out of my way not to look at it — but there is nothing I can do. ‘The powers that be at our club have decided to appeal against Glenn’s suspension. But I don’t even know what it’s about really.’ Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...l#ixzz0Nk08ppMU |
| QUOTE (The Wengerbabies @ Aug 7 2009, 04:59 PM) |
| The game will be on Sky Sports :good: |
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| Arsenal have been drawn against Scottish giants Celtic in the play-off round for the Champions League and Gunners striker Robin van Persie believes that the clash will be "difficult", noting that some friendly banter has already been exchanged with countryman Glenn Loovens, who plays for the Bhoys. "Let's just say there have been a few text messages [with Loovens] flying back and forward," the 25-year-old told The Daily Record. "We've been teasing each other. We were in contact after the draw was made and it's going to be difficult." The Arsenal star recalled the last occasion when the two friends played against each other. "We played against each other in the FA Cup, when Glenn was at Cardiff City, and thankfully I won on that occasion," he reminisced. The forward went on to say that neither club in question is lacking in terms of quality, predicting that a tasty clash is in the offing. "It's going to be a very interesting game," he said. "I don't think there will be many surprises as we are all very familiar with each other and our qualities but it should be an interesting spectacle." The first fixture of the two-legged affair will take place at Celtic Park, while the north London club will have the advantage of playing the second-leg at home. |
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| Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has sent a rallying call to his team not to underestimate Scottish league runners-up Celtic, when they face the Glasgow outfit in a two-legged Champions League play-off game to decide which of the two will compete in Europe's elite competition next season. The Arsenal chief told ArsenalTV, "We will treat this as a big game." Wenger likened the fixture to a Premier League tie saying, "It is a big game and of course a difficult opponent but we want to go through. The Emirates outfit will face a much shorter journey than they could have after being drawn against the Scottish Premier League side and Wenger believes this is a positive, especially in early season. "Of course the positive side of the draw us that we wont spend too much time travelling," he explained. The losing team from each of the UEFA Champions League play-off ties will drop into the group stage of the new Europa League. |