Celtic’s remarkably indifferent form on the domestic front
must be put to one side as they prepare to take on Spartak Moscow in a
make-or-break clash for their Champions League campaign.
The Hoops’ destiny will be partially out of their own hands
however, as they must better Benfica’s result on Wednesday night to progress to
the knockout stages. Although Celtic aren’t in control of their own fate, they
do leave a part of it in the well capable hands of Barcelona at the Nou Camp,
which isn’t a bad option to have.
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| Unai Emery wasn't in charge for half a season before being sacked by Spartak |
The general consensus for the last match of the group stage is
that Celtic must avoid defeat to Spartak Moscow in Glasgow, with a victory not
being crucial, and all the while
remain optimistic that Barcelona can do what they do best.
Spartak Moscow travel to Celtic Park having endured somewhat
of a crisis in the past month. Unai Emery, who had only taken charge of Spartak
on the 13th of May, was sacked on November 25th after a
poor run of form for the Moscow club.
Valery Karpin, the man who led Spartak to a runners up
position in the Russian Premier League last year, is now temporarily back at
the helm. He first took charge of Spartak Moscow in April 2009 after succeeding
Michael Laudrup. Although Karpin declared his resignation from the managerial
post on the 18th of April 2011, after leading the club to one of the
worst starts to a season in their history, he maintained the position as coach
until his successor could be found.
In Spartak’s last four matches they have drawn once, against
Volga, and been defeated three times; 3-0 against Barcelona, 5-1 in a local
derby against Dinamo Moscow (Emery’s final game in charge) and 4-2 to Zenit St.
Petersburg, with each defeat occurring on home soil.
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| Valery Karpin managed Spartak for 3 years from 2009-12 |
Barcelona’s thrashing of Spartak meant they were eliminated
from European competition altogether, but Celtic players and fans alike must
remain cautious. The pain of Celtic’s victory at the Luzhniki Stadium will
still be fresh in the memory for the men from Moscow, and the possibility of denying
Celtic a place in the last 16 will seem a sweet assertion of revenge.
There is only so long that the undeniably talented team that
is Spartak Moscow can be left licking their wounds, before picking themselves
up and getting back to winning ways.
The tie will surely be too close to call, for even the most
optimistic Celtic fan. The Hoops maintain a fantastic home record in the Champions
League, and defeating (arguably) the greatest team in the world at Park Head
proved this. However, recent results for Celtic are probably leaving the fans
scratching their heads.
Since Celtic battled for a famous victory against Barcelona,
they’ve drawn 1-1 at home to St. Johnstone, defeated Aberdeen 2-0 away, lost
2-1 away at Benfica, been beaten at home 1-0 by Inverness, defeated Hearts 4-0
away and drew 1-1 with Arbroath at home.
This mixed bag of results gives us absolutely no indication
as to which Celtic side will turn up to face Spartak Moscow in the decisive
game of the group.
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| Celtic fans will be hopful for at least two more Champions league games after Wednesday |
Lennon will most likely stick with the same line-up that he
sent out to play Benfica, although Celtic’s star player Victor Wanyama will be
banned from the tie after picking up a booking in that tie and Scott Brown may
remain doubtful for a starting place after his recent injury woes.
The Celtic manager will also be hopeful that James Forrest
can win his race to fitness and at least make an impact from the bench, as he
did in Russia to devastating effect.
No matter what team Neil Lennon sends out, the Celtic faithful
will be right behind them and Celtic Park will undoubtedly be rocking once
again. If ever Celtic needed their 12th man, it will be then.
The Europa League beckons for either Celtic or Benfica, but
neither will want to settle for it.
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