Jeff Stelling took the opportunity via his platform on talkSPORT, to give appreciation of what Celtic have achieved this year in European football…
The former Soccer Saturday host was doing his usual duties on the show, when a caller remarked that the Hoops had an easy fixture list due to the draw this year being different from before.
Stelling took umbrage at anti-Celtic caller
Stelling took umbridge at this and had a go at the caller, remarking how silly the point was and read off list of teams we’ve played this year in the Champions League. Understandably, the format has suited Celtic a lot better than the previous years, as we play an opponent once and don’t have to endure a ‘group of death’ like we have previously been saddled with successively.
Celtic’s ‘easy group’ with Aston Villa, Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Atalanta…
It’s been a refreshing and welcome change and has ensured that whilst we play undoubted quality, there is ample opportunity to play teams of a similar stature and standing within the game, ultimately making the competition fairer for much longer.
Sure, we’ve played Slovan Bratislava and BSC Young Boys, but those two teams have still been in and around European competition for years, regardless of the supposed gap in quality. You can only beat what’s in front of you, as they say…
Bayern v Celtic – “we shall see”
In rebuke of the caller’s comments, Stelling replied: “Oh, that’s right. A really easy group involving Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund, Red Bull Leipzig, Atalanta, and even Club Brugge. Don’t make me laugh, it wasn’t an easy group and they deserve to be where they are. You might be right when he goes on to say that Bayern will dismantle Celtic tonight, but we shall see.”
Well said Jeff!
Paul Gillespie
