Wednesday Round-Up: Big Night

THE BIG STORY: Celtic take on Anderlecht in Belgium tonight in what looks to be a vital game in the quest for European football after Christmas. A win tonight would be a huge achievement for Celtic, as we have only ever won one away game in the Champions League Group Stages, which proves how tough tonight’s game will be.

You can read our match preview here and we spoke to Belgian football writer John Chapman here, who interestingly enough is tipping a Celtic win. I would be happy enough with a point to be honest. We’ll have the usual updates on Twitter and a match report up after the game.

Brendan Rodgers is hoping that Celtic ‘must learn’ from our loss to PSG in our opening Champions League game, whilst also suggesting that the defeat was a ‘reality check and humbling experience’. He also stated that Anderlecht ‘will need to attack...which could be to Celtic’s advantage.’ The manager did also admit that the ‘confidence of the squad is high’, so hopefully we can go out and do ourselves justice tonight.

Dedryck Boyata, who returns home to Belgium tonight, has claimed that playing in his homeland won’t ‘affect his focus’. We’ll be counting on him and Jozo Simunovic to be solid tonight.

ON THIS DAY: In 2008, a last minute JVoH backheeled effort gave Celtic a 3-2 win over Aberdeen at Celtic Park, our other goals came from Jan ended the game with a brace and Scott McDonald got the other goal.

In 2003 ten men Celtic hung on to defeat Hibs 2-1 at Easter Road. Goals from Thompson and Larsson gave Celtic the win whilst Bobo Balde was sent-off for a kick-off at Scott Brown. I wonder what happened to him...

In 1997 Celtic continued our winning run, defeating Dundee United 2-1 at Tannadice thanks to goals from Donnelly and O’Donnell.