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first ?
robson story seems to have legs now
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Would love to see Aideninho get a hat-trick against them Saturday!!
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Agree Paul - he's been gettng a lot of attention and should draw players to him. If he releases sooner he could create for our other potential matchwinners.
I think we will win by a couple of goals - our class will shine through.
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Cardiffbhoy
I'll join you on the podium to say it sure does. GS on the Daily Huddle was very brief but very marked in his point regarding Barry Robson's fitness.
Stuart Hillis = Professor W Hillis = the new Jim Farry
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Edward,
Always happy to see you on this blog - unless your lot win on Saturday in which case I trust Paul67 will delete your posts for the forseeable future...
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McGrory for, “lucky” what nonsense.
Celtic beat the European Champions for the first time in their history and you call them lucky.
I keep hearing this about Celtic.
We were “lucky” to reach the Uefa Final, drawing a team in 6th place in the semis.
We were “lucky” to beat Boavista, a scuffed shot, our only one in the game.
We were “lucky” to beat Juventus, who had already qualified and rested players.
We were “lucky” to beat Man Utd (never any mention of the home and away penalty decisions that went against us).
Why on earth you need to rope Rangers in as “lucky” in Europe this season also defeats me, as a 0-3 result in Lyon, or 2-0 against Bremen was anything but lucky.
Celtic dug deep to beat Shakhtar and to beat Milan; this took leaders all over the field with strength and skill and a will to win that drove them right to the end of the game.
Dismissing Celtic’s European achievements as “lucky” is doing them an enormous disservice.
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Wooft, 4th then. Steward's enquiry!
Dr Hillis, Prof Hillis, or whatever monicker he's going by seemed very close to George Burley just before Scott Brown was subbed last night. Steven Fletcher picks up a slight strain and is subbed at half-time. Scott Brown is kicked twice in quick succession and trampled on by Kovacs who picks up a booking. The half-time whsitle goes, Brown is still receving treatment, yet RE-APPEARS for 25 minutes in the second-half before being subbed.
Dr Hillis - were you off the day they did ethics at med school?
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Bloke109. just watched WGS, seems very clear to me that Robson was fit. No doubt the press will cover this off with another Celt for sale story tomorrow.
On the StPatricksbhoy and Edward debate, I think the irony of abusing StPat for being rude to Ed (who is a currant bun after all - sorry Ed) is lost on a few of the more sanctimonious souls on here. Ed is a big boy , with a hard hat on, (probably a gerry helmet im guessing Ed) he is well able to defend himself when he visits our wee forum so lets lay off the tim-bashing lads
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The Robson affair could be just the catalyst needed going into Saturday's game.
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from the little I have seen of Rangers(disclaimer) Broadfoot has helped in their forwards functioning and scoring.
He may be no player or not(!) but his function seems to be get past the halfway line and cross.
Concerns me.
And generally I don't concern.
'A final ball to match'
A line worth of the finest Morcembe and Wise.
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Paul67...
calm down .
I said strachan's home record in Europe is good.
I said we were lucky in one game.
I'll be there on Bandage Saturday.
But I dont think we will beat them and I blame our manager for that.
If (and fair enough its IF) we lose AGAIN to Smith's team ,there should be consequences at the highest level.
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hi paul. fellow celts.
imho the reason we get treated/ cheated whatever you want to call it by the s.f.a. the refs . the media . is because we let them do it to us . we all have plenty to say on here and other forums regards the injustices handed out to us .but not one of us do anything about it. each and everyone of us can remember a incident, a referee,s decision, a media story perpetrated and aimed against our club, yes we can hark back to years gone by .(as i can and do constantly )of referee,s decisions that have influenced games to the point that i leave the stadium wondering if i did actually witness such a blatent case of bias. reading the posts now from my fellow celts, just instills in my mind that we will not triumph on saturday .we will not be allowed to. this season has seen the return of the nine in a row god to ibrox .along with the nations no 1 son mccoist. this season has been one huge concerted effort by all with imho the s.f.a the referee,s and our old pals the media pulling out all the stops. the position that rangers find themselves in btw has also been helped by our own team being average . but the much talked of 9 bookings. the stonewall penalties being denied, the anti celtic stories from the winalot brigade should have been challenged at source.but then again since our formation we have been different from what was expected in this country, and treated accordingly. 120 years of slave treatment and i am afraid to say plenty more to come. our hierachy sit back and accept all that is placed on us. (as has all the other custodians of our club) they are the voice that would and should be heard. had a challenge been made and made strongly at the outset then i and many many others would not have the facts of the injustices that have been thrust upon us to use as ammunition. the truth of the matter is , the more we accept this treatment the more of it we will get . can you hear me dd. pl.
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Couldn't agree more Paul. Has anyone noticed the sudden spate of Rangers players names being mentioned by several commentators as candidates for player of the year ever since Aiden's apparent "drop in form" it's laughable, the only outfield player in a blue shirt deserving of this was punted to Spurs amid ridiculous media wrangling in true Rangers style.
Get the ball to Aideninho and watch the panic spread.
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jimtim
Paragraphs ma man Paragraphs.
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mcgrory
Unfacetiously, surely we are at least in with a shout on Saturday? Not starting anything, but I have never been to a Celtic game not thinking we can do something. And certainly not attending waiting to blame the manager.
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jimtim
Paragraphs ma bhoy.
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Ha ha ha - mission accomplished. I've now got timmy fighting amongst himself. Nothing like stirring up some disunity in the other camp a few days before the main event.
StPatricksBhoy - that'll teach you to challenge me. Did you notice how quickly my "friends" leapt to my defence?
You cannot win StPatricksBhoy. I've outmanoeuvred you.
CQN was in danger of becoming a source of positive fact based information for Timmy. Did you really think we were going to let that happen?
Anyway, with my mask back on, who cares if the result that makes you cry makes me smile? After all, we are all Old Firm fans are we not?
And remember, I am really your friend.
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Last post.
Media/SFA/SPL/WHOEVER/referees
Celtic have the better players.These players must realise this and accept nothing less than a win.Take the rest out of the Equation.
I think we will win 2 nil.
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wdh
Smarten up on the spelling.
thewatcher
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Whitegod, I like to bring a little sunshine.
I am told your observations are correct and that the player's deficiencies are in his defensive duties.
Mcgrory for, I'll take the same fight that was on display against Milan on Saturday (I could add that Milan were extremely lucky to equalise with such a soft penalty).
Jimtim, I have heard this notion (that Celtic sit back and let referees walk all over them) a few times now.
Celtic have options when on the receiving end of a poor referee:
Tackle him through the channels available (every club has to complete an assessment of the referee after every game).
Take your lawyer along to the SFA hearings and embarrass the referees.
Or, carry out this business in the media.
Celtic have, as you know, chosen the first two routes, which I am pleased at. To conduct this business through the media would achieve nothing with the SFA and would only harden attitudes against the club.
It would, however, create the impression of something being done, which might sound like progress, but is not.
Unfortunately, a media campaign will only be mocked, and will not end any injustice (perceived or real) against Celtic.
The establishment closes ranks when a referee is criticised in public, but the SFA hearing with Dougal and Gordon Strachan indicates what Celtic can and do achieve when scope exists.
Southbhoy, the Green Garrincha is a stick on for POTY.
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MFA,
Do you really mean that??
If so, would you not rather sit in the house/boozer and watch the game and give your ticket to someone who expects us to win, every SPL game we ever play???
I'll buy it off you if you want mate :-)
Or do you do this deliberately so that when we win it is even better for you because of your expect the worst mindset???
Just wondering.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
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McGrory
What age are you?
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bloke 109..
when i was 19 i thought celtic would beat rankers every time we played them and indeed every match we played in..
that 'faith' has been knocked out of me over the decades.
Strachan has been up against Smith 3 times.
We all know the form.
Whats the definition of insanity??
No agenda...
we win the league --- our manager should stay........
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EDB
you noticed it quickly as you type it into Easyjet every month looking for cheap holidays.
Dinnae fret about the game it is taken care of.
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probabilities of the first booking on Saturday
Now Newspapers and Bookmakers make opinions about football matches and publicise their opinions however the difference is that newspapers' role is to get people interested in the opinions and after they are interested and buy the paper then it doesn't matter if those opinions are correct, wrong, wide of the mark or just made up.
However bookmakers live and die by their opinions and make money based on their opinions being more right than they are wrong and when they are wrong not to be wrong by much.
Interesting to note then their opinions on which team are going to get the first booking on Saturday
56.8 % chance of Celtic being the first team booked
38.8 % chance of the huns being the first team booked
4.2 % on there being no bookings
Now that's some opinion and the biggest I've ever seen in this betting market in any game.
Also note their opinions on which team is likely to have the most yellow cards
61.5 % Celtic
22.2 % Huns
16.1 % Celtic and the huns to have the same amount of cards
Massive
Tonybhoy
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jimtim
On the subject of paragraphs have a word with Oldtim 67.
He is now a senior lecturer in paragraph formatting at the University of Glasgow having learned his trade at the College of Celtic Quick News English for foreigners.
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Tonybhoy,
you know that the bookies researchers will have looked at the Crime Count stats for Celtic games at Ipox over the last few seasons.
Hardly any surprise then is it that they have the odds stacked "in our favour" in this aspect of the betting.
They just see the stats, not how these stats came to be reality.
I honestly do think that we WILL win on saturday, but then again, as I mentioned in my post to MFA not long ago, I always do.
It's always the case, that even on the occasions that I am not looking forward to going to Mordor, the closer the game gets the more confident I become, often for no apparent reason.....a bit like in this instance I suppose.
Had a wee nibble on us at 5/2 on betfair today.
Here's hoping!
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
PS - Taggsybhoy from previous article, you must have been reading my mind. I had intended asking about the CQN Golf day tonight/tomorrow as I had not heard anything since the initial email you sent out to us a while back. Looking forward to hearing about the finer details soon.
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Paul
Agree with you with one reservation.
Of course we should involve Aiden, but then we should support him and offer alternatives. Too often when he gets the ball (even when it's a suicide pass) his teammates seem to stand off and not move into space to give him options and the opposing defence more to think contend with. A bit like, I've done my bit, now Aiden can sort it out.
Much of the crtitism he gets is due to the lack of support - he has no choice other than to almost always try to do it all on his own. Two or three defenders closing down on him must leave space - someone has to move into those spaces to either pull defenders away from Aiden or offer him an option.
One of these days we'll move him from the wing - HE IS NOT A WINGER - and watch him revel in all the opportunities he can maximize as playmaker in central midfield.
Cheers
Alex
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Quick question lads, where is the Motherwell away game being played?
GAWF
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AAFG
I concur
'he can maximize as playmaker in central midfield'.
Possibly the man will get himself in there soon.
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Also for Saturday as few debutants as possible please
Hinkel yes
Samaras no
Robson definitely no
If the huns score our heads will go down and we need impact players to come on - Samaras and Naka for McDonald and Brown (who will probably have been booked by then)
tonybhoy
ps i see someone was using my name the other day for quiz questions
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On the Barry Robson affair.
I noticed on the news that when he was leaving the Scotland hotel, he was wearing a Celtic training top.
Thought it strange at the time, but I guess it was the bold Barry making his own silent protest!
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Tomdickfoolery
I take it you work for the SPL if you're not sure where that game will be :)
Sure it'll be Fir Park - Motherwell haven't been specific about any possibility of an alternative venue.
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LUBO
I just emailed you about watching the game in London, as I noticed on your website that the pub is not showing the games.
just after that, I was reading the earlier threads and got the message you left for me!!
Thanks, that was really good of you to let me know, your a true gent/celt!
any other options for pubs near or in Barnet? anyone??
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Paul,
I agree with you re. Aiden. he is vital to us winning on Saturday. But he must receive the ball in their half, thereby putting pressure on their full/wing backs.
Its all very well him receiving the ball midway in our own half, but he has then 2/3 of the pitch to traverse to cause real danger.
Incidentally, I would be just as, if not more happy, if Aiden finds himself on the right of Celtic's midfield running at Papac than on the left running at Broadfoot. (Barry Robson on the left with PH and SB in the middle).
Papac, for me, has never looked comfortable in that left-back role. Also he does not seem to be as cynical (i.e. dirty in the tackle) as I have no doubt Broadfoot will be if Aiden ties him in knots early on!
I have no doubt the key to a Celtic victory is to get them on the back foot right from the whistle - ideally scoring in the first 15mins - and forcing them to open up and come at us.
I mentioned it before, but Dundee Utd, IMHO, showed us the key to beating rangers in the CIS final.
CMON THE HOOPS
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
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TonyBhoy,
Why a definite no for Barry Robson starting mate?
I can see your point re. impact subs, therefore Samaras as sub - I don't necessarily agree with you - but am puzzled by the definitive NO for Robson.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
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TheTokenTim,
I agree 100% - Aiden on the right wing & Barry Robson on the left for me.
If there's even the slightest element of truth to these stories from the Scotland camp then surely Barry will be the most highly motivated player on the park.
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Bloke 109
Had a quick check and i don't have horns or a pointy tail....so that pretty much rules out any affiliation to the SPL.:o)
GAWF
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thetokentim
we cannot carry passengers this Saturday and Barry has not done anything yet to prove he can make the step up
I know he score against Barca (and I know you'll say that's the point) but to me the game passed him by and I'm not convinced he has got it for the step up. Less space and he doesn't have the pace however I've not written him off yet but I believe to play him would be a gamble.
I also think that his best position is Left Midfielder for his crosses and think that right midfield is ok as a back up/alternative during the game. Centre midfield is just an even more definite no.
tonybhoy
PS Bobo is a must 100% but he will not play
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DickByrne,
Agreed Re. Barry's motivation.
TonyBhoy,
I agree re. Barca, the game did pass him by a fair bit, but it also did for most of Celtic's team that night.
Also rangers don't have anyone anywhere near the class of Deco, Iniesta or Xavi. No way rangers can even begin to pass and move like those 3. For me, our midfield must have players who can not only dig in, but also play a bit into the bargain - Robson can do both. In addition, he has previous for stepping up his game against rangers with United.
Re. his best position, I agree completely (as does DB by the look of it) hence the reason I would have Aiden on the right as I stated in my last post.
Assuming you don't want BR playing and you have Naka also on the bench, who would your midfield be then?
As for Bobo, I have long made known my feelings on this - like many others - but much as I would like to see the big man in the centre of defence on Sat, WGS' previous decisions make it highly unlikely we will see Bobo start there on Sat.
Although the fact that he has been included in the squad does give us some hope yet!
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
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Excellent article, Paul. I agree McGeady is the key to unlock the 'Wattenacio'.
Congratulations to the Bhoys who played for Scotland last night and got a pretty good result. Towards the end, we (Scotland I mean, although I accept that not all posters here are Scotland fans) were the more likely winners, I thought. I was proud of their gutsy performance, which contrasted with the poor showing (i.e. non-showing) from 'captain courageous' and his fellow super-heroes from Snake Moutain. Interesting stuff about Barry Robson today - if there's any truth in the allegations, someone should go on the record (pun intended) about it.
I think the Huns have scored an own goal with this - agree with Paul's comments about rests not necessarily being a good thing in the run-up to big games, but also I don't think these 'injuries' fooled anybody and it won't help them win sympathy for their pathetic attempts to have the league extended. Let's skelp them on Saturday!
Speaking of 'them', I'd like to add my support for Edward. He is one of the most thoughtful, respectful and interesting posters on this site and his posts, along with the warm welcome he gets from the vast majority of other posters are part of what makes this such a great site. I have infinitely more respect for Edward and all the other posters on this site who contribute to the discussion and share their views without resorting to abuse/calling other posters 'muppets', 'clowns', 'morons', 'huns' etc.. I can't see how anyone could think he's an imposter - he winds us up sometimes and maybe that's why he is sometimes 'unreasonably reasonable' (to quote a former PLO negotiator) - why would a non Rangers fan pose on this site as a reasonable, tolerant, thoughtful hun? There are other people on this site whose posts make you wonder, but not Edward.
I think it might have been me that started this last Wednesday, (and it was ridiculed by one poster) but it seems to gave snowballed a bit: NINE GAMES TO 3 IN A ROW!
momentumcsc
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The Celtic statement on San Juan Jabolteh seems fairly cut and dried, but The Herald spins it into a negative story about Celtic for Friday's paper... T & T story
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Surely there will never be a better time for the Celtic support to claim ownership of the Saltire. A display of our national flag at Saturdays's game would make a telling point, much more forcibly than any easily mocked bandagefest. The Saltire need not, & should not, replace our traditional tricolour, but we should be be accentuating our right to display our Scottishness alongside the emblems of our founders & forefathers.
I don't think our hosts would appreciate the display, but it would be one that could not be given a negative slant by them, by the media,...or anybody else.
Give them a blast of the BRAVEHEARTS.
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right token i've been dragged into picking me team which is something i've tried to stay away from recently as everyone has been the players for our recent poor form and i believe it is not the players or the positions they play but the manager and the system he plays. However now is not time for slagging the manager. (Sunday probably will be!!!)
But since you have asked as yes I can see where you are coming from with regards to Barry on the left and Aiden on the right as I believe Aiden is better on the right and also Celtic are better as we get more width.
However my team would be;
Boruc
Hinkel-Bobo-McManus-Naylor
Brown-Hartley-Donati-McGeady
McDonald-JVOH
Suprisingly for some I actually think Caldwell is a better player than McManus but dropping the captain would be too negative for this game. Centre midfield could be Sno instead of Donati and again use Donati as an impact player but I would go with Donati.
I think Brown might be able to channel himself better from an initial wide position and he can swap during the game with Aiden and Scott might benefit from the odd swap. We could put him back in the middle later on after some changes but I think if he starts in the middle he will be the first player booked
tonybhoy
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Link above for Herald story doesn't work, this might:
Herald
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kilbowie
i agree with your sentiment but not sure if i could go through with it
However it does raise the debate and with regards to Celtic and Scotland there is two choices for Celtic supporters which should ideally be done as a group.
choice 1) tell them to stick Scotland up their ....... as we are not beggars and do not want to be where we are not welcome or
2) tell them we are Scotland supporters and no matter what they do they will not change it so we are here and we are proud
2 to me is the correct one but i cannot get myself to do it. I would love to be a Scotland supporter and think I should be but can't help myself and will never see myself as a Scotland man.
If all the tims and the non huns supported Scotland and grew that base then the huns would end up wanting nothing to do with it which would just make that base stronger
However getting it started is the hard thing as we feel 2nd class and like beggars just trying to start it and it is hard.
On the same subject if the Barry Robson is true then how can we accept that.
Also on the same subject I don't believe the withdrawal of the players was totally to do with keeping them fresh. I believe it was part of this supremacy thing. They took players out of the squad with no problem from the SFA and not only that the media went with the horrible old firm tag for players being withdrawn. Couple that with this extend the league campaign and you have to think the motive may have a hidden agenda -
which is the supremacy thing and making them feel they are bigger than us and in fact - the people and if the Barry Robson thing is true and we sit back and accept it then it surely does come through as a supremacy thing.
Why were all 4 withdrawn immediately and why was McGregor withdrawn when he would have been on the bench?
Back to the Scotland thing and telling us we are not wanted and turning it to us grabbing it and saying that it is our right to be Scottish and we are going to be and proud so take that then I have a similar story with the naming of my second son.
We had decided on the name Kai and then found out/remembered it was a famous hun name and the wife said I take it that it's not Kai then. I was torn what to do then I thought about it and said that is the name we chose and no huns are going to tell me/make me pick another name. The day he was born was the day it was a famous tim name anyway just that we have to wait 18 years to realise it when he scores the winner at Ibrox for the hoops.
tonybhoy
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Tonybhoy,
sorry mate didn't mean to force your hand on team selection :-)
but I was genuinely interested to find out your take on our formation.
Your back 4 is the same as I would pick. We have already discussed our midfield, it is the front two pairing that right now I cannot make a decision on (as if it's my choice!).
Earlier in the week I felt that JvoH and GS had to be the starting pair, but now I am beginning to wonder. Samaras is definitely the quicker bewteen him and Skippy and should therefore trouble rangers back 4 more and I also think he can link up better with JVoH.
But I doubt he will have played in an atmosphere like Mordor and although it shouldn't shake him, skippy knows what to expect and I suspect not only has he a point to prove in the goalscoring stakes against rangers, but you cannot argue with his goalscoring record this season. If nothing else, that alone should arguably give him the starting place.
GS would also appear to be an excellent impact sub (to use the current favourite expression), but I would hope that we will not require the services of an impact sub as it will hopefully be rangers looking to do this (unsuccessfully of course!).
Decisions, Decisions.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
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Right team for Saturday for me would be.....
Boruc
Hinkel Balde McManus Naylor
Robson Caldwell Hartley McGeady
Hesselink Samaras
Subs on with 20 to go Nakamura, McDonald and Brown!!
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Team for Saturday:
Boruc
Hinkel-Caldwell-McManus-Naylor
Brown-Sno-Hartley
McGeady
McDonald-Hesselink
Subs: Brown, Balde, Wilson, Robson, Nakamura, Samaras, Hutchinson
I would probably have put Donati on the bench instead of Hutchinson, but we need an u-21 player there.
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At an unique ceremony at midnight tonight in the away dressing room at Ibrox, a Haitian houngan sacrificed a headless chicken named Kenny.
In the company of curious officials in colourful tangerine regalia, blood was sprinkled, entrails were spread and bones were broken.
The houngan assured the man in the cardigan that the voodoo spells would be resistant even to the strengths of Winningemmel’s holy water bottle.
The architect of the Wattenaccio then went to the boardroom to assure the chairman of certain victory on Saturday.
However, unknown to the assembly, an undercover cleaner named Senga had previously daubed the players benches with a rare bottle of 1967 Buckfast Special Reserve, which is reputed to repel even the most ungodly of evil spells.
So on Saturday we will witness the ultimate battle of good vs evil when the strongest voodoo will lock horns with the finest Devon produce.
I know which one will prove the stronger.
'GG
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Paul67
Yes you are Right...
We have A DYNAMIC EDGE
He has worked very hard.
He has taken a lot of responsibility.
He has proved doubters wrong.
We will talk about him a lot in years to come...
C'Mon Aiden..
Smile at them.
Roll on the Guile Bhoys....Smile at them.
"GG
Senga..?
In other news auld Haun Solo and auld smelly glove are no seeing eye to eye.
There is a joke there somewhere.
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WOWOWOWOWOWOW,
logged in for a wee read and post as usual, noted a few disgruntled barry robson references and thought, whats going on here eh ? THIS IS DYNAMITE, they still think this is the dark ages were the press are the only source of information. Hence the trinidad & tobago bull they are trying to feed the world. Typical old school smoke screen, but old school never had sky or the internet.
Basically the establishment are telling robson, "you jumped the dyke and we need to punish you, to discourage such behaviour by example" simple as. My favorite bit is, they really believe that they are still invisible to the worlds press, the glasgow shame will continue to be scotlands secret, even when the new order are trying to make their way in the new world. TFOD are brittish and have no intention of allowing scotland any choice, as seen on TV.
Seen a few posts urging us to take saltires to ibrox, brilliant idea, but I suggest sining "a mans a man fur aw that" & "flower of scotland", come on lhads how sick would the non BNP and scots hun supporters be to watch the fenians singing nationalist songs eh?
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Roll-up Roll-up for Reilly's special spread betting prices for Saturday’s big Ibrox showdown.
First player to be booked:
Scott Brown (Celtic) – Evens
Aiden McGeady (Celtic) – 7/4
Stephen McManus (Celtic) – 5/2
Barry Robson (Celtic) – 3/1
Artur Boruc (Celtic) – 5/1
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Celtic) – 11/2
Scott McDonald (Celtic) – 11/2
Paul Hartley (Celtic) – 11/2
Gary Caldwell (Celtic) – 6/1
Lee Naylor (Celtic) – 6/1
Andreas Hinkel (Celtic) – 17/2
Massimo Donati (Celtic) – 8/1
Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic) – 10/1
Evander Sno (Celtic) – 20/1
Darren O’Dea (Celtic) – 25/1
Bobo Balde (Celtic) – 33/1
Derek Riordan (Celtic) – 50/1
Peter Grant (Celtic) – 100/1
Barry Ferguson (Rangers) 5,000/1
Any other named Rangers player 10,000/1
Time of Rangers first penalty:
1-15 minutes : 5/1
16-30 : 7/2
31-45 : 3/1
46-60 : 5/2
61-75 : 3/1
76-90 : 5/1
No Rangers penalty : 10,000/1
Good Luck everyone.
My bet?
2-1 to Celtic with Rangers scoring from the penalty spot.
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Team to win comfortably.
THG
Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor.
Picks itself really, especially as BB hasn’t been playing for some time.
Naka, Brown, Hartley, McGeady.
One short against Rangers’ midfield 5, but they will need to deploy 2 men to cover Aiden, leaving the Naka and Hinkel partnership to expose and bully Rangers’ susceptible left flank. Hartley to hold our left midfield and compensate for Aiden being deployed slightly further forward than normal, which should stop the Rangers midfielders and full back deserting their defensive duties.
JVOH and McDonald
Need Skippy’s movement upfront and recently JVOH has been involved and energetic.
Samaras to be held in reserve as an impact player along with Robson, to come on when we are a couple of goals up and they become exposed at the back.
It is important that we do not concede an early goal, and take advantage of the ageing tiring Rangers defence in the last 30 minutes.
‘GG warming to three points.
IJR What odds will you give me on our manager being booked for breathing heavily near the 4th official?
And I'll have a tenner on Skippy being booked in the first 15 minutes for celebrating our first goal.
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Can't wait for this game. It is our Cup final this year and a win would change the picture big time. I think the hoops can do it , we have quality and all the players and our support need is a bit of belief. I am sure Edward thinks the orcs can do it as they are in our spot at the moment , it all adds up to a cracker. Game on.
Having only seen half a dozen games on espn or the internet and the highlight tapes my Dad sends over I don't feel qualified to pick the team , I will leave that to the experts. Don't know what this Robson thing is about , can't see it on the red tops on the internet. If our midfield attack and goforit we will win. Whoever gets a start must know what this game means. Not been a game at Ibrox with this much importance for a while. Rancid 0 Celtic 2 Skippy and Samara . Threeinarowherewego
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Is Gordon Smith still Chief Executive of the SFA ?
He's been very quiet this week.
I wonder why........
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I wonder what odds the bookies would give me for the big game being postponed on account of a prominent member of the British Monarchy popping her clogs between now and Saturday morning - and I am NOT talking about Prince Edward.
Ho Hum.
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hi paul. fellow celts.
danny . nelsbhoy. eldiegobhoy.
after ten years at school, with the teacher i had .if she couldnt learn me proper grammar.then i am afraid my friends ,you have no chance . never was the brightest pin in the box . but willing to listen to you all if you can point me in the right direction re my mistakes . btw noel pulled me up on it a wee while ago as well . but i cant be that daft i follow the celts . cheers mates
jimtimnowwheredoesthiscommagocsc
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I must have missed something guys, what happened with Barry Robson? What did Gordon Strachan say in the interview?
Rosmalen CSC
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Very good jimtim metooaswell. Give me second order differential equations nae problem but even with spellcheck I don't know the queens engerlish and phik as when it comes to expressing my unconditional support of the Celtic. Mind you I like it when some of the wordsmithy bloggers , and Paul who writes very well , use words to express what I feel inside. I am sure getting pounced on for a mistook or two is just a bit of fun. I regularily get the Wally award at my work for my grammatic howlers. Hope you and me and all the CQNers are laughing on Monday (and offering commiserations to Ed and the other ted who started blogging (djsrearend or something) Cheers on my sixth beer now must be about time for the new blog .
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KILBOWIE BHOY and Canamalar
LOVE the idea of waving the Saltire in the faces of the loyalty mob on Saturday.
Aye Ready apparently,but not last Wednesday.
11.30 Sydney Saturday night.
Loyal Tims will be turning on and tuning in to CH.67.,glasses primed,hoops obligatory.
Here`s tae us!
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I lifted this piece from the excellent Randalstown Celtic site, (hope they dont mind !)
If it's true, then this story should be shouted out throughout the the WORLD football family.
Barry Robson was one of the 5 PLAYERS under the guise to pull out the Scotland squad this week.
Robson was fit to play, was desperate to play and to add to his caps, he was told by the Scottish doctor that he was least likely to make an appearence for the national team so was to be deemed injured so the Rangers pull-outs wouldn't look so bad. He was sent home and phoned WGS to tell him.
Robson was disconsolate, Strachan was fuming but was only hinting at it in today's press as he doesn't want to be seen as the paranoid source.
Perhaps Robson and Strachan would love a journo to pick it up and run with it, doubt it though?
Sad state of affairs.
A report followed on Sky Sports indicating that some form of under hand shenanigans have taken place to give Rangers some form of advantage come Saturday's derby
It showed you footage of Robson leaving the Scotland hotel – he was fine and gutted he wasnt part of the squad despite being fit to play.
Sky also said, "There's more to the story than meets the eye," before declaring Robson was unhappy at missing out on the chance of a cap.
Then Strachan, when asked about his fitness, remarked, "He's fit. He would have been fit on... No, let's just leave it. He's fit."
IF there were any nerves at Celtic’s Training Centre ahead of this Saturday’s derby clash, then they clearly hadn’t affected Gordon Strachan.
Robson trained with his team mates this morning at Lennoxtown and certainly showed no signs of being the injured player that was claimed by the Scottish doctor earlier in the week, incidentally this ex Rangers doctor who must act IMPARTIAL was employed into the Scotland set up by current manager Rangers boss,Walter Smith
The mind certainly boggles
Despite this the Celtic manager cut a relaxed figure at the pre-match press conference and admitted to being excited at the thought of the game.
Of course it may well have been a different story the previous night when he watched four of his players take to the field for Scotland’s game against Croatia.
Stephen McManus, Gary Caldwell, Scott Brown and Paul Hartley all represented their country in the match at Hampden, with McManus – captain for the night – and Hartley playing the full 90 minutes.
But the Hoops boss was able to report that the four, plus Barry Robson, were all fit and in the frame for Saturday’s game at Ibrox.
“I’m just happy that four of our players picked up more caps,” he said. “It’s always nice to have loads of caps to your name. It’s terrific. I’m just disappointed Barry couldn’t get a cap as well.
“Barry’s fine. He’s perfectly fit this morning so he’ll be in contention. There’s no doubt about that. He’s 100 per cent.”
As the Celtic squad reconvene at Lennoxtown after their international exertions – with the likes of Artur Boruc and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink also in midweek action - the focus is on the second derby game of the season.
Victory for the champions will put them level on points with Rangers, though the Ibrox side have a game in hand.
And, having seen his three main strikers get on the score-sheet against Gretna last weekend, Gordon Strachan will be hoping they can continue in the same vein this weekend.
“I would say our performances were far better in the previous couple of games than our display against Gretna but we just took our chances,” he said.
“It wasn’t just the strikers who were missing chances, it was other people as well who were getting in the box so we all have to take responsibility and relax a bit more. But it was nice the three strikers scored.
“It would make life very difficult if we got beat (on Saturday) but we’ll go with the same attitude that we take everywhere. We’ll try and win the game if we get a wee bit of luck, and we play very well - in Old Firm games you need a bit of luck at times.
“I think a derby game will find out if you’re mentally and physically strong. Most of the players have all got decent technique but your mental strength and physical strength will be tested.
“But it’s nothing new. It’s a test that’s been going on for many years now and it’s not going to change.”
THE FACTS......Robson was sent home
100 % FIT TO PLAY HIS PART AND GAIN A FURTHER CAP FOR HIS COUNTRY
Trained this morning WITH CELTIC showing no signs of any knee injury.
This reeks of corruption all in the name of takin the flack of Rangers and to try and balance the shambolic call offs to make out the 4 that pulled out equaled 5 'old firm' players
Despite 4 rangers players calling off onto the game with Croatia itself
Burley and Butcher and their backroom staff amazingly decided to remove 4 key Rangers players from the match and in the starting x1 field 4 first team players from Celtic?????????
Are we Paranoid or is their still a anti Celtic stance amid the 133 years of dignity that reeks the corridors of the SFA, THE SCOTTISH MEDIA and all things pro Rangers
Robson can only take his anger out on Rangers by scoring the winning goal at Ibrox on Saturday and shatter and shame these corrupt infidels that continually embarass NOT ONLY THEMSELEVES but the Scottish game.
Shame on you all
the SFA and Scottish media and Glasgow Rangers - rotten to the core FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
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Can I say to all those who are angry about the mystery illness responsible for Mr Robson being sent home I agree with you 100%. This article in the Record mentions it so the story is out there in the public domain now.
Robson incident
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Can anybody tell me if the clocks change this week?
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as i've posted before on here...we need to believe we will get 100% fairness tomorrow from the MIB. Even though this story is further evidence that the attempts to support the FOD league challenge goes right up the chain in Scotland (was ever so). If we go there with any other focus than doing the job, we'll be OK. I'm encouraged by the demeanour of WGS in his press conference - he seems determined, hopefully this will carry through to the team (which should include BOBO BHOY - delighted to see him in the squad)
Whilst we should leave the players to get on with the job without worry of referee influence, what chance of Celtic fans taking steps to ensure fairness. What if some supporters with cash asked any former renouned referee to watch the game and give an impartial opinion (Collina??) which could be published within the wider "new" media?
would be interested to see if it is us who don't know the rules or if paranoia is justified!
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Kano,
0100 Sunday 30th March
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Further, conclusive proof that everything Celtic have ever achieved (and ever will achieve) is in spite of the authorities in this country.
In any other country our rivals would have been ran out of town decades ago. Here they were glorified, hence UEFA's repeated perplexed viewpoint.
Ally McCoist didn't even have the deceny to pretend the players might struggle for the Old Firm game prior to the Scotland match.
It's called cheating.
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believe me bhoys,
This Robson debacle is a tactic they use time and again. Crank up the injustices against us.
Couple of horrendous official decisions during the early stages of the match.
Celtic lose their heads and discipline. Game over.
Think Stephane Mahe and hugh dallas.
Keep the discipline Celtic....no matter what is thrown at you
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Morning all,
Not been able to post for a bit, busy busy, busy!
Paul, have you heard from your friends at the club about this? I know “stuff” has been happening for as long as “they” have been in existence, but this (if true) is the worst that I can remember. If it IS true, surely CFC should be asking for some action to be taken? Could Dr John influence the SFA into enforcing the 5-day rule??
About the game itself…. Please tell me WGS has already planned to deal with “their” tactic at corners where the almost always hit long and overload the backpost with big men?
StevieS
p.s. pfayr – apologies for my outburst the other day.
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Getting very much in the mood for tomorrow, I think we can shade it by the odd goal.
If any of the posters are based in south West France, I along with a couple of english and french debutants are going to the connemarra bar in bordeaux for the game, KO 1.30 local time. weather forecast favourable(70 degrees) ideal for a post match huddle and general swally.
A bientot, allez les verts!
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StevieS :- The four day rule doesn't apply to friendlies so it can't be used what I would say though is that I think your chairman should be making a point of letting every news source out there know about this.
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If it's true, it means that the national team is putting Rangers before itself, on and off the park.
If Barry Robson's exclusion was a tactic to make Rangers' contempt for the national team look less bad, the doctor, the manager and all the high-ups who were happen to watch it happen are surely in an untenable position.
How can this be allowed to happen?
Can some MSP please raise this at Holyrood?
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