VALENCIA are not the team they once were.
Celtic could have got a lot worse in the Europa League draw. This is a winnable tie.
Look, Spanish football is pretty good, I think we can all agree on that. And the club that finished fourth just behind Real Madrid in the previous campaign are no mugs. They were slightly unfortunate to
finish third in a Champions League group involving Manchester United and Juventus, so are going to be favourites.
Valencia have won just three of 16 of their league games this season. That’s not great. And they’ve drawn 10. They have lost their way a bit. The draw brought back memories of the Celtic team I had just joined when they played Valencia in the third round of the UEFA Cup in 2001.
They were a great side, managed by Rafa Benitez (pictured), full of superb players such as Jon Carew and the excellent Pablo Aimar. We lost 1-0 in the Mestalla, one of the finest stadiums in Europe, a great result and a night when big Rab Douglas had a brilliant game.
Back at Celtic Park, some Swedish bloke scored and the tie wentto penalties. We lost 5-4. I scored mine!
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