Spartak Moskva v Celtic Preview

By: JT | August 14th, 2007

The day has finally come. When we last saw our beloved Bhoys in Europe they were standing toe-to-toe with eventual Champions League winner AC Milan in a Round of 16 tie. They battled a technically superior opponent for nearly 210 minutes and fell only after a spectacular individual goal from Kaka. A heroic effort, indeed.

Six months later, Celtic is facing a third round qualifier just to make it into the group stages. Spartak Moskva sit atop the Russian Premier-Liga 19 matches into the season. Spartak are fit, in good form, and fully prepared to take on one of Europe’s great clubs.

The first leg is on the artifical turf of the Luzhniki Stadium, which is a concern for everyone except WGS. He’s worked with the stuff at Southampton, and found a place in Glasgow with the fake grass for the Celts to train on Sunday. I expect that he’ll have them believing its no obstacle, and squad selection will not be affected.

For Spartak, there are two real danger men. The first is playmaking midfielder Egor Titov, a true one club man, which you’ve gotta respect. A two-time Russian Footballer of the Year and stalwart of the National Team, he is best known outside of Russia for testing positive for bromantan while on international duty and serving a year long suspension in 2004.

Roman Pavlyuchenko is Spartak’s top goal scoring threat. He’s looking to repeat as the Premier-Liga’s leader. A big, physical striker, he’ll be the fulcrum of the Red and White’s attack on their home pitch.

Artur Boruc is out for this match as exepected, and Mark Brown will continue his exemplary work in net.

Mark Wilson, JFK, McManus, and Lee Naylor will be the back four expected to handle Titov and pals. Despite concerns about Kennedy’s knee history and the turf, he’ll be in the lineup. Steven Pressley is the other option in the center, and let’s hope we don’t see him.

The midfield should look the same as at Falkirk this weekend. Nakamura and McGeady will start on the wings and switch sides as the match progresses. Scott Brown and Massimo Donati will patrol the middle of the park. Matches like these are why they were brought in, so they need to step up.

Kenny Miller won the plaudits at Falkirk, and he looks set to partner Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink in attack.

This will be a tight match, and one that may not suit the eye of a neutral. I expect Spartak to come out firing, and if the Celts can withstand that without too much damage, they’ll settle down and start to take control of the match. Nil-nil at the half.

Celtic will get an early second half goal through Scott Brown after a scramble in the box. Spartak will grab a late equalizer, and the Celts will head home pretty happy with an away goal and the knowledge they can beat this team at Parkhead.

ODD TIDBITS ON SPARTAK MOSKVA
–Their nicknames are the Red and Whites, and Myaso, or “The Meat”. Don’t ask.
–They’ve only sold 23,000 tickets for this match and the Luzhniki’s capacity is over 80,000.
–The club will likely be in trouble with the Russian footballing authorities because their fans unfurled a banner with racist slogans aimed at…wait for it…their OWN PLAYER, Brazilian Velliton. How sweet.

I’ll be taking in the match with the fine folks of Molly Maguire’s Celtic Supporters Club at Paddy Rooney’s Pub in Havertown, PA. The match is at high noon, baby!