Celtic deserve every ounce of attention they are getting

Rod Stewart is without a doubt still dancing on top of a table right now, and quite rightly with Celtic stunning most of Europe by qualifying for the final 16. What they did came at a particularly poignant moment for Scottish football, with many believing that with Rangers 'demise' the whole league system would just either and die just to lack of decent competition. However, they've apparently demonstrated that at least this year, Celtic are one of the best teams in Europe. It is very easy to disregard them as lucky, I did it myself when they hit early form, but this form never faltered and they deserve what they've gotten. Look at it this way -

- The Celtic team have cost in the region of 15 million, comprisingl of a lot of very young talents snapped up cheap. Compare that to Chelsea, who cost 350 million, and Man City, who cost 400 million, both of which failed to qualify.

- The group they qualified from was no walkover. It contained Barcelona, a team that I thoroughly believe are the best team in the world with daylight between then and anyone else. Benfica, a team with a great reputation that are regulars to the top tiers of this competition. Compare that to Arsenals group of Schalke, Olympiakos and Montpellier, and I know which group I'd prefer. They had in my opinion the second toughest group behind Man City's, and shocked Barcelona win a win too.

It may be against my English heritage, but I want nothing more than for that little team from Scotland everyone made fun of ony weeks ago to draw Manchester United in the next round and then steamroller them. We've had a catastrophic group stage from an English perspective, losing two of our four teams who also collected the 'first English team to ever fail to win a single match' and 'first champions to fail to make it out of the group stages' titles in the process, yet we still arrogantly declare ourselves the best footballing nation in the world. It ties into a much bigger, bleaker, picture for English football but that's past the point.

Well done Celtic, I tip my hat to you.

I agree. I don't normally watch Celtic, but last night's game was the most appealing of those televised and I am very glad I watched it.

They thoroughly deserve to progress as a team, but I also think Samaras deserves a special mention as his commitment (and no little skill) must have been an inspiration to his team mates.

Also good to see Matthews & Ledley get on later in the game, although I have a feeling that Joe may not actually have touched the ball..........

It wasnt a long time ago that Cardiff fans were claiming to be a better team that Celtic - not sure we would say that now.

Although I still don't understand why player would want to play in the SPL?
Surely a couple of amazing European games a year - which usually end in tears - can be worth playing poorer football for the rest of the year?

Most of their players could easily play in PL & Championship teams. For me, that would be more appealing. However it appears the actual professionals disagree.

I don't think I'd be shocking anyone saying money probably has a lot to do with it. Celtics players on the most part are only championship/ low premiership standard, and wouldn't see European football again. European football pays a lot of money, especially the champions league, meaning teams in it have more money to spend on players. I dare say Celtic can therefore pay their players more money than the teams they would it into in England would pay them.

It's sad, but footballers are a greedy bunch. It's categorised no better than a hulk, one of the best wingers in the world who any team in the world would be interested in, chose to play in the Russian premier league.

........and, no doubt, Joe Ledley was able to negotiate a better deal for himself by choosing Celtic, as a move to the EPL would have forced an English club to pay Cardiff compensation......

By the way Red, I thought initially that you were referring to Aiden McGeady when talking about the best winger playing in Russian football...........

European football + trophies > Fighting relegation in the PL.

Playing crap teams most weeks + League 2 attendences > playing quality teams each week, sharping and developing as a player.

It works two ways Gloves