The players would have had a light training session at Lennoxtown today as muscles continue to refill after Wednesday night’s exertions. Expectations of Celtic in the Champions League are not high, and were exceptionally low when this group was drawn, but even so, these games have a huge financial, physical and even emotional impact on every area of the club.
One argument suggests the last thing we need is a cup semi-final four days after a Champions League outing. An alternative thought is that this is the perfect game for Celtic right now. Memories linger of sitting stressfully at Fir Park days after Celtic beat the reigning European Champions, Milan, as (subsequently liquidated) Grenta held onto a lead until the 87th minute.
While playing (subsequently liquidated) Rangers away 64 hours after winning a Uefa Cup semi-final 1200 miles from home in 2003 proved to be the perfect game to instil steel into the legs.
With what passes as a fully fit squad, Brendan has choices to make for Sunday. Did Patrick Roberts do enough off the bench against Borussia to justify a start? Perhaps. He’s a player who owes us one at Hamden too.
Callum McGregor will also fancy his chances ahead of Nir Bitton, who didn’t have a great Scottish Cup semi-final against the same opponents in April.
It would be a huge surprise if Moussa Dembele didn’t start as the lone forward, despite Leigh Griffiths itching to get on alongside him. Brendan will not change formation for this game, while Moussa will fancy his chances against a defence he punished to ruthlessly last month.
For me, our two most important players on Sunday will be Scott Sinclair and Tom Rogic. They are the epitome of the modern footballer, strong, skilful, intelligent and difficult to defend against. If we can get them on the ball often enough we’ll score a lot of goals.
Pretty much every Celtic fan I know expects Mark Warburton to have learned a lesson from his Celtic Park whipping and for him to deploy a more defensively-minded team this time. My Newco pals don’t expect this to happen. Warburton hasn’t varied his game-plan since arriving at the club and is apparently reluctant to start experimenting now.
He took his team to Hampden to face Celtic against similarly long odds last season. Within minutes we knew we were in a game, and despite the clear chasm between the teams, it was Newco who faced Hibs in the Scottish Cup final.
A repeat of the 5-1 win at Celtic Park is possible, but you’ve seen enough football to know that nothing can be taken for granted on Sunday. Remember that Newco came close to levelling that 5-1 game at 2-2 early in the second half, and the latter part of their collapse came after going down to 10 men.
I’m off later to meet those from the Tyneside No. 1 and friends, who have walked (yes, WALKED), from Merthyr Tydfil and will reach Doherty’s Bar in Hamilton this afternoon. They’ve pretty much walked a marathon a day for 13 days and will make the final journey to Celtic Park tomorrow.
This herculean effort has been made to mark the memory of Jonathan Thomas, who aged 30 lost his biggest fight one year ago tomorrow.
We’re lucky as Celtic fans that we get to meet and read about people who do these things in our name. It’ll take you 2 minutes to let them know how inspiring they are here.
It’s also worth marking the events in Aberfan, the village a few miles from Merthyr Tydfil which was visited by unimaginable tragedy 50 years ago today.
John Humphrys: What we owe the people of Aberfan 50 years after tragedy struck the village, and why it shows authority must be challenged. pic.twitter.com/OdjyaAGTsQ
— BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) October 21, 2016
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MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 8:31 AM
wee bit of help needed.my mate brought me back 3 jars of CAPILANO MANUKA HONEY.
i read on internet there might be a problem with it.???????
Macjay
His ankle and groin injuries were a feature of his first 2 years with us but so was his continuing need to adjust to the robustness of tackling that he faced.
Tom played 30 games for us last season- he seems over the worst of his historical injuries. He has no issues in “lasting” 90 minutes but he is regularly subbed so I suspect the sports science guys have seen some issues in fully contributing at SPFL level.
Tom had a good “breakthrough” year last year. So much so, that clubs were sniffing around to get him on the cheap. He is a very promising game winner and risk taker BUT he could still improve on ball protection. He still shows a lot of the ball to would-be tacklers and that reduces his impact at European level. Still, he made the pass of the night that may have given us an undeserved half-time lead in the midweek game there.
I’m off to the 5’s now- catch replies later
BROGAN ROGAN TREVINO AND HOGAN SUPPORTS OSCAR KNOX, MACKENZIE FURNISS AND ANYONE ELSE WHO FIGHTS NEUROBLASTOMA on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 8:38 AM
On the other hand , it was a Japanese guy in Pearl Harbour, who posed as a hairdresser . whose spying assisted the targeting and subsequent bombing of American warships and civilians in December `41.
SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 8:44 AM
Hopefully , Tom can continue his excellent form of late. While we wait for some of our younger lads to make the breakthrough.
I must say , I am very happy with the current crop of players we have at our disposal.
Our prospects of becoming contenders in the only arena which matters look sound.
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 8:39 AM
Can`t see any negative issues at the moment.
I`ll keep checking.
This is merely advertising blurb.
http://capilano.com.au/au/our-range/manuka?gclid=Cj0KEQjwnKzABRDy2pb7nPSazdsBEiQAI4lZQCPuUJU17NdN2oa9wP6gcqO1B8GUuQqgZKVln1-5nZYaAljQ8P8HAQ
Good morning fellow Celts
Off to Stag Day at Kelso Races today.
Any tips?
Including usual advice, all much appreciated…
HH
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 8:53 AM
ok ta much.if i start scratching my feet for hours on end i will let you know.
bbbbbbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzcsc.
A recent business review .
But Capilano wouldn`t be successful in exporting if there were questions about it`s quality controls.
IMHO
If I come across anything negative I will pass it on.
Meantime , I would be scoffing it.
:-)
http://www.businessinsider.com.au/the-china-australia-fta-looks-sweet-for-honey-giant-capilano-2015-9
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 8:59 AM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 8:53 AM
ok ta much.if i start scratching my feet for hours on end i will let you know.
bbbbbbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzcsc.
=========================================================
Have you changed your socks recently ?
:-)
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 9:01 AM
did friday night used to be bath night when you left??
Weefrathetim.
Catching up from last night, that’s seriously brilliant about Yoda. I fully expect to see you on one man and his dog, only you will be one man and his Ram. :-))
Hail Hail.
Bournesouprecipe.
Magic.
Hail Hail.
Weefra
I had to attend a wedding last weekend. :-(
MWD
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 9:17 AM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 9:01 AM
did friday night used to be bath night when you left??
===========================================================
`Twas indeed .
Whether I needed it or not .
MACJAY1,
You might want to check this before using it:
https://kangaroocourtofaustralia.com/2016/09/17/australias-capilano-honey-admit-selling-toxic-and-poisonous-honey-to-consumers/
I take Manuka Honey every day and it has helped me keep the winter bugs at bay. I went through a spell of catching one infection after another over a period of a few years but since I started taking a spoonful of honey every morning I rarely catch the usual coughs and colds in the winter.
Morning all, heading off to the gym, bit of family business then some cooking. Having a crack at a Valencia Paella today. Could be fun.
I will be in Edinburgh tomorrow afternoon, it’s wife’s birthday treat and I was too late to book our restaurant of choice. Aye, am I popular?
Any suggestions from the crowd here would be good, my other options are closed on a Sunday.
Scottish or Mediterranean food preferred. I forgot it is English half term and most places are booked out as the Campbell’s, Crawford and Balfour. ( all first names) return to home.
GERIHATRIC on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 9:29 AM
Thanks for that.
I merely responded to this .
============================================================================
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 8:39 AM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 8:31 AM
wee bit of help needed.my mate brought me back 3 jars of CAPILANO MANUKA HONEY.
i read on internet there might be a problem with it.???????
=========================================================================
I have heard nothing untoward , but of course , am in no position to endorse or otherwise.
You pays your money …………………………………………..
JMCCORMICK
You could try Café Andaluz in George St.
Fantastic Tapas restaurant.
Not too expensive either. Decent beers, wines and Sangria!
JMCCORMICK
Amarone in St Andrews square is decent Italian fare too.
Honeygate.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/thieves-make-a-bee-line-for-magic-manuka-honey/news-story/7bf6dee8238042c10a9d8ad125c471d8
Sorry.
Disnae load.
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 9:41 AM
GERIHATRIC on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 9:29 AM
Thanks for that.
I merely responded to this .
============================================================================
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 8:39 AM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 8:31 AM
wee bit of help needed.my mate brought me back 3 jars of CAPILANO MANUKA HONEY.
i read on internet there might be a problem with it.???????
=========================================================================
I have heard nothing untoward , but of course , am in no position to endorse or otherwise.
You pays your money …………………………………………..
I’ve just logged in and haven’t read back, the stuff I use is ManukaPharm from New Zealand, I’ve been taking it for a few years and it has definitely improved my general health.
Saltires en Sevilla,
Hardly novel advice but, the first three favourites from the south all look strong, though not very big prices; about 11/1 the treble though. Rest of the card should be a good time to enjoy the refreshments.
A good day for watching the racing.
Eurochamps67
NotadayforpuntingCSC
SALTIRESINSEVILLA
Obviously Paul Nichols is the champion trainer and won’t be sending horses there for the scenery,but he is pairing them with Sean Bowen,who has something like an 80% strike rate for him.
Paper prices-9/1 double in the first two races.
Caveat Emptor,etc.
Good luck today-and more so on The Big Day!
HH
EUROCHAMPS67
Looks like my paper gives better prices than yours!
Think I’ll try that double I mentioned if Paddy offers a decent price.
Celtic Park awe day long, an Chapel….., proddies go to parkheed an church,
Online price is only 3.6/1
GERIHATRIC on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 9:46 AM
I’d lay odds that it’s the placebo effect at work.
Not that it matters if it works.
Expensive though.
GERIHATRIC on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 9:46 AM
Thanks for that advice , mate.
Think I`ll have some of that.
In a wee medicinal toddy.
:-)
Eurochamos & BMCUW
Appreciate the advice and good wishes!
Thanks
CHANNELISLANDCELT on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 6:43 AM:
I have Delaney Dunky’s number as well, I’ll pass your number to him, that way he has it.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Honeygate, on the Manuka debate I read recently only 2 or 3 ton is produced every year but 30 ton is sold in shops. It’s down to the authenticity of the product. Expensive stuff especially if it Charlie Drake.
Looking forward to seeing Celtic make it to another final tomorrow
ERNIE LYNCH on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 10:38 AM
GERIHATRIC on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 9:46 AM
I’d lay odds that it’s the placebo effect at work.
Not that it matters if it works.
Expensive though.
The medicinal properties were used to treat infected wounds in soldiers returned from WW1 to New Zealand, they were healed when all other methods had failed.
Macjay1 I thought of that myself but I was told heat kills off the antibiotic properties so while it makes a nice toddy with some lemon juice its no longer effective. A teaspoonful every day works for me but as Ernie says its an expensive toddy. Other cheaper types of honey are available for use in a toddy though.
https://twitter.com/footballogue/status/789759728431853568
Classy.
Huns 5/1 the morra, Tic 1/2 PP
EXSLAEMUIRBHOY on 22ND OCTOBER 2016 11:12 AM
I get mine from a reputable source, it is expensive but is guaranteed as Manuka Honey from New Zealand. I have seen it cheaper in other shops but the price makes me suspect it’s not the real stuff. I can’t tell you all my secrets or I might find it harder to get for myself.
This game tomorrow at hampdump will be a good wee pick me up after Wednesday. Walkover. Could be carnage afterwards, stay safe everyone not going as I think it’s more dangerous watching in the clubs and the bars in town
THETIMREAPER
I didn’t get French at school, but kinda worked out they where congratulating the Celtic supporters and praising our behaviour?