Celtic are a very, very different team than Rangers. They have the speed and skills to play an open, flowing game with just about anyone on earth and they like to do so, which is every bit as refreshing as it sounds. It might even be that in Scotland, Barcelona are the ones playing the grind-em out kind of ball that we’ve decried as “anti-football” (and that Messi did deny saying). But with Eto’o back, that might not be the case.

However, I do not believe that Celtic has the quality to defend against a team like Barcelona for a full 90. Their game in the SPL seems to be based on overpowering opponents in much the same way that Barcelona overpowers their opponents in La Liga: pace, accuracy, skill (by just being better, in other words). Celtic may have the balls to play open and exciting football with Barca, but they will lose if they do so. And yet they will do it anyway and I love that about Celtic. They’ve played well against ManU and Milan recently and that’s wonderful.

Jan Venegoor of Hesselink and Shunsuke Nakamura are fantastic players that would do well in much bigger clubs. Underestimating not only their skills, but their willingness to take it to Barca would be foolhardy. I am so excited for this matchup because I think it will be the antithesis of the Rangers matchup.

I do think, however, that Celtic is more of an anomaly in Scotland than you’re giving it credit for, John. Like Arsenal a la 2002, it plays with a brand of football unto its own in its domestic league (I think that ManU has developed a lot as a run-and-gun team, in many ways, over the last few years, especially considering Cronaldo’s appearance as a true playmaker). I could be wrong, having seen relatively little SPL this year, but I am under that impression. Feel free to call me an SPL hater all you’d like, because I am one. Just like I’m an MLS hater. (and yet, somehow, I love Guatemalan league games)

Also, I’m aware of the Messi refernece, and would like to add that Messi later vehemently denied saying it, and apologized for any misunderstanding. Whatever. In the end, let’s just hope the Celtic v Barca matches are exciting.

In other news, Eto’o is talking about Drogba, and stating the obvious, which is that a team featuring him, Henry and Drogba would be “super offensive.” So astute, that Eto’o.

Speaking of, he has a thigh bruise, but nothing serious. Out this weekend, back for Celtic.

I have not seen many Celtic games at all, and I didn’t see the Milan-Celtic game. However, I did make a generalisation of the Scottish league, which was rash now that I think about it. I expect Celtic to play defensive, but not like Rangers did. As I said before, I think that Celtic allow a more free-flowing game than Rangers.

Oh, and the term anti-football was more of a Messi reference than anything.

Though I’d agree Barcelona have a distinct advantage, Celtic are nothing to scoff at.

Apparently Puyol will be fit as well as Eto’o (as Kevin said) for the Celtic match. That will be a huge boost- nobody can fill Puyol’s shoes. Eto’o is unstoppable when on form. I just hope they don’t play anti-football, but they seem to not be as bad Rangers, and just want to play.

Zaragoza should be a tough match, but we can beat them if we actually play well. Keep Messi on the wing, and we have a match better chance.

And your side is rocking these days. We’re all a bit jealous, truth be told. Schuster resurrected Robinho. Drenthe is like Dos Santos. His potential is off the map. Will he realize it? Dunno.

Of course, you realize that we’re going to beat y’all like a rented mule at the Bernabeu, right? Just checking.

As for Robinho? I should probably just ignore you on this point. I’m not comparing Drenthe to Robinho – Robinho is better, no bones about it. But is our (Madrid’s) whole squad crippled without him? Ridiculous. You’ve looked at our roster, right? Even if you do dramatically underestimate Drenthe (or if I over-estimate him), Robben is fit, for the moment, and Sneijder is another posibility at left wing.

And if you still don’t think Madrid can be a threat without Robinho, check the scoreline from last Sunday’s game. Madrid scored 7 goals, 6 when Robinho was off the pitch. 6 goals is pretty good for a crippled side, don’t you think?