Lisboa on my mind

If you’re of a Celtic persuasion, then I reckon a reasonable approach for tonight’s match against Benfica is “brace for impact!”

The Hoops have their main centre-back missing, for starters.

It’ll be a tough night for sure.

For the hardy souls who have made the trip, it’s a wonderful city.

Here’s my take on the place from 2012 and 2017.

If I weren’t addicted to my island, then Lisboa would probably be my preferred destination to see out my days.

However, when you look at my lunchtime walk today, you can see why I’m staying put.

I’m blessed, and I know it.

Your humble correspondent was last in the Portuguese capital in 2022, when I got to put questions to La Liga President Javier Tebas.

I was thinking of that back and forth in the presser last night as I watched Citeh go up against PSG.

Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) versus Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

All entirely above board, of course…

As the citizenry of Planet Fitba will attest, if a club is financially doped and not playing by normal governance rules, then the game is very much a bogey.

The “won it on the park” defence doesn’t cut it.

Hopefully, the authorities in England have a basic sense of justice, something Scotland clearly lacked in 2012.

In the meantime, what will transpire in the Estádio da Luz tonight will be a proper contest between two clubs with an illustrious unbroken history.

No need to pretend about “holding company vehicles” or “engine room subsidiaries”.

When I was 11, this match introduced me to the Portuguese giants.

I hope some young fans come back tonight with precious memories.