The Celtic Exchange Podcast – From The Global Energy to the Global Giants…
This evening Ange Postecoglou takes his side to Dingwall to face Ross County at the Global Energy Stadium in the last 16 of the Premier Sports League Cup.
Despite our 3-1 league win there just a few weeks ago, Ange will be aware this can be a tricky fixture at the best of times, against a well-drilled side who’ll be looking to correct their poor recent form.
If it’s a challenge you’re looking for, however, then look no further than Tuesday’s Champions League Group F opener against Carlo Ancelloti’s Real Madrid. The fourteen times Champions of Europe and current cup holders.
Karim Benzema and co. visit Celtic Park just six days after our trip to the Highlands, and the contrast in the two fixtures couldn’t be starker.
Whilst Malky McKay’s side performed admirably at times last year, ultimately finishing in the top six of last season’s Scottish Premiership, it’s fair to say that their achievements fell just a bit short of the silverware collected by the men from Madrid.
Real Madrid has begun using new free kick training tech 🤖pic.twitter.com/86SfgUL3Uu
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) August 31, 2022
2021/22 saw Los Blancos pick up their 35th La Liga title alongside the Supercopa de Espana, as they displayed their domestic dominance over a Barcelona side who have been out of sorts, to say the least.
Having led the club to “La Decima” (Ten European Cup/Champions League titles) Carlo Ancelotti returned to the club ahead of the season and would go on to cement his own legendary status as the most successful manager in the history of European Football’s top tournament as they once again lifted the trophy for a record fourteenth time.
All the more remarkable about that success (Ancelloti’s fourth as a manager) was the level of opposition they overcame on their route to the final. Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City were all dispatched in an incredible run which highlighted the winning mentality of this side when playing on the biggest stage in club football.
They would go on to beat Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the final, courtesy of a lone strike by Brazillian sensation Vinicius Junior, allowing captain Marcelo to raise the trophy in front of a packed Stade de France.
Like them or loathe them they truly are one of the best sides in Europe. If not the very best!
So, can a Celtic side brimming with confidence get a result on the night?
Do we have the strength in depth across our squad to compete with a relentless run of midweek fixtures?
Will our roaring Celtic support play their part as the “12th man” and drive Ange’s side to a crucial victory at this early stage in the competition?
Probably.
But then we’ve won 13 of our last 15 fixtures against Ross county, so it’s a fixture which should hold absolutely no fear for us.
And as for the giants from Madrid?
Let’s just see what happens when they line up at a frenzied Paradise come 8 pm on Tuesday night.
This isn’t the Etihad, this isn’t Stamford Bridge. This is Celtic Park!
And this Celtic are a whole new proposition under Ange Postecoglou.
Bring them on!
In this week’s episode of TCE Tuesday, we look ahead to the highly anticipated clash with Real Madrid, as well as the other challenges we face in Group F of this season’s Champions League.
We also dissect that incredible 9-0 win over Dundee United and preview the fixtures with Ross County and with (the)Rangers.
And finally, with the summer transfer window closing this week, we look at the business Celtic has done so far and what may still happen in the final hours.
Enjoy all of the above and much more on the latest episode of TCE Tuesday, brought to you by The Celtic Exchange.
Tino
TCE Tuesday – Episode 77: LISTEN HERE.
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And the YouTube link has just dropped…
