We’ve not met Raith Rovers on league duty since Paulo Di Canio salvaged a point with a last minute goal a long time ago but tonight’s game will be the third time we’ve met them on cup duty in four years. For Rovers, tonight will be all about their glory day in 1994, when they beat Celtic on penalties in the League Cup final.
That defeat is a footnote in Celtic history now, but it meant our trophy-less era would stretch to six years before the Scottish Cup win the following May. It was a huge blow. Some Celtic players were immediately discarded by Tommy Burns, more followed in the months to come. If you tune into certain media outlets you can still detect those who hold grievances as Celtic rebuilt without them.
In previous years I’d suggest that a League Cup game was more important than an adjacent league game, but with Aberdeen five points clear, nothing is of more immediate importance than Saturday’s game against Hearts. For the manager and players, progress to the quarter final will be of absolute importance.
Look out for personnel and perhaps tactical changes tonight. How we play has come under scrutiny in recent weeks. Ronny has experimented during the last two games and I’m sure he’ll do again tonight. Should Nadir Ciftci play, look for the areas of the field he occupies, compared to the role Leigh Griffiths performs.
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Live updates article will be up at 19:15, could someone leave a note here? Thanks.
In the league cup team experiments coupled with biased refereeing usually lead to a swift exit. Go out to win it.
Re Fernabache game. Anybody know if they are they likely to be selling match tickets in Celtic Store in Argyle Street on matchday.
Hamiltontim on 23rd September 2015 5:12 pm
There is NO appetite for your ‘moral high ground’ resolution from those who work at Celtic Park.
This is a vanity political cause brought about by people with too much time on their hands.
Look, take all your militant tendency political crap and hitch your bandwagon to stupid Corbyn, before he is chucked out, or follow either the SNP cult, or, Sheridan and Clerkin – STOP using Celtic as a political platform.
Ask yourself WHY the Celtic employees are satisfied with their lot – keep your noses OUT.
Too many changes of late. Strongest possible team tonight please.
Especially looking for Craig building an understanding across the back 4 including set pieces.
Of course no point taking risks with anyone who is not 100%.
If we do get up a head of steam, then remove 3 most likely to benefit from a rest.
We need more confidence and cohesion. The quickest solution is to minimise unforced changes.
Mr Pastry on 23rd September 2015 5:40 pm
Hamiltontim on 23rd September 2015 5:12 pm
There is NO appetite for your ‘moral high ground’ resolution from those who work at Celtic Park.
This is a vanity political cause brought about by people with too much time on their hands.
Look, take all your militant tendency political crap and hitch your bandwagon to stupid Corbyn, before he is chucked out, or follow either the SNP cult, or, Sheridan and Clerkin – STOP using Celtic as a political platform.
Ask yourself WHY the Celtic employees are satisfied with their lot – keep your noses OUT.
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I’m assuming you’re indulging in the hospitality early and are a little bored right now, Peter?
Hamiltontim on 23rd September 2015 5:12 pm
I’m in. e-mail sent.
STAIRHEEDRAMMY/Saltires
Agreed, strongest team possible to start.
SES
Agree, strongest side possible tonight. Give Rovers due respect and make changes when the game is hopefully won in second half.
Oh Charlie – yer some guy!
Mr Pastry
So you aint a Jeremy supporter then.
Of course not, how could you be, true blue tory you are, how silly of me.
Mr Pastry
I’ll be collecting signatures tonight at the steps from the bus park if you’d prefer to sign in person.
You’ll know me by my jack boots, balaclava, Che T-shirt and Morning Star billboard :-)
HT
Just leaving work. See you at Pools Office shortly bud.
Mr Pasty
You more a call me Dave type of guy?
Heading out to the game under a surprisingly blue sky right now. Should be good fun with everyone in the lower tiers. Said it before but I really enjoy such nights when it’s only me, my family and my favourite other fifteen thousand people on the planet.
Hamiltontim 5:12 pm
I’ve downloaded the form from the Trust pages and I’m sure there’ll be others sending them back that way.
I think he will play Janko, Blackett, Ciftci, maybe even Stokes
ho ho. Big hauns green is back. He’s takin the huns to court, possibly as early as next week, to get them to pay his 500grand legal fees for stuffin them. Oh the irony. It just keeps on comin.
Professional job toninght bhoys 3 0
hh all
What?….Look out for personnel and tactical changes….
oh wait….with the team..ah I see……..big deal!
Play our strongest team tonight ,confidence builder, we don’t need any slip ups.
Stairheid, HT, DD
Justplaythebest11CSC
awe come on…it’s not like raith have ever beaten Celtic in a league cup game before…finals not included.
Just think how much more ” eestory ” Chuckles could buy with another half million.
Delaneys
I’ll be at steps from the bus park from about 6:50pm onwards mate.
GUYFAWKESAFOREVERHERO on 23RD SEPTEMBER 2015 5:53 PM
Good man, many thanks.
Hamiltontim @5:50pm – like it. Humour is a welcome way to handle such negative commentary. Of course I’m sure you weren’t actually joking about yer attire…It can’t be mistaken. If not, must’ve been yer doppelganger :)
Good evening friends. Only 90 minutes till we get to see The Champions play.
Jobo
I’m looking for one ticket for tonight….
Agree with some previous posters.
Start with pretty much our strongest team.
If we get 2 or 3 goal cushion, make the changes then.
We have been caught out too often in the past (especially on LC duty).
Raith, like every team bar one, deserve respect.
.
Bobby..
Went on a Reconnaissance Mission down to The Irish Center a Couple of Hours ago to make sure I wasn’t going to get Lost..
Got a Pint of Guinness and the Barman remarked Great Pint here and Only £3.10.. Gave Him a Score.. Then seen My Change in Bright Royal Blue on the Till £16.90..;(
Thank God he gave me the Wrong Change or I would have had to Avoid every cracked concrete paver all the Way back to the Hostel.. Ha Ha
Heading back down Shortly..【ツ】
Summa
for all you bhoys attending the game tonight
soooooooooooooo jealous give a big C.O.Y.B.I.G. shout out for me
HH
Good evening. Woke up this morning and found a load of masks lying around the hotel bed. They must have slipped from some folk last night.
Great to see the true nature of some posters coming to the fore. Always better to know than not to know. Apologies to those who found it all so tedious.
Cmon the hoops tonight!
Neganon 2…ze masked crusader!
Mon the triple
Dena
I will do! Fine ghirl ye are! :)
Neg
Zorro?? :)
Neganon actually mentioned football there.
Nats. Fascists and homophobic imperialists beware
BBC learns Charles Green to take #Rangers to court in a bid to get club to cover his legal fees after charges relating to his time at Ibrox…
Chico Verde : brass neck of steel !!!
PS
Would that be the Holding Company, the 1872 Club, the NewCub; or just the team down Govan way that he is taking to court (possible costs are in the region of £500,000)?
Chico – like our hero – knows where the BAB…
DELANEYS DUNKY on 23RD SEPTEMBER 2015 6:42 PM
Dena
I will do! Fine ghirl ye are! :)
Cheers DD :-))
HH