The sight of Mikael Lustig checking in at Glasgow Airport this morning was welcome, but we should be pragmatic, six days is little time for a hamstring to remedy itself from what was clearly a concerning injury on Wednesday. Mikael should go through some stringent tests tomorrow morning but if there is any doubt of his fitness, he should not be risked.
Football is a 13 or 14 man game. Ronny will want to make two, possibly three, fatigue or tactical changes. Losing a player early to injury would severely hamper his options, allowing Ronny only one change, if he wants to keep a sub for late game, or extra time, contingencies. For what it’s worth, I believe the knocks taken by Lustig and Griffiths in the first leg cost us fresh legs, and ultimately territory, leading up to Malmo’s second.
Celtic’s perpetrations went a lot better than Malmo’s over the weekend. A comfortable win with what for all intents and purposes is our second 11, while Malmo put a full-strength team out, restored those suspended for last week’s Celtic game, and lost to lowly Hacken.
Journalists close to Malmo assure me the Swedes hope to tempt Celtic into an attacking formation, just as they did to Salzburg in the last round. Salzburg arrived full of confidence but were picked apart on the break. Celtic’s own pace on the break is one worry for Malmo, who want Celtic to play high up the field. The other is defending set-pieces. Hacken, who don’t have the height advantage of Celtic, scored from a corner kick on Saturday.
Winning free kicks 30 yards from goal would be useful. This is Kris Commons territory. Kris knows how to put his body between ball and man, and wait for the barge, although James Forrest displayed the same tactical-awareness in the first leg. I’d have Kris holding a training session tonight: “This is what to do with your first touch, this is where you put your bum, then wait….”
Protect the defence, break quickly through Forrest, Johansen and Griffiths, and allow van Dijk, Boyata, Bitton, Griffiths and Lustig/Ambrose to give Malmo something to worry about at set-pieces, and we’ll win this game.
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Paul67
Good analysis of what’s required tonight
A bit worried that our perpetrations over the weekend might have affected our preparations, though!
Murdochbhoy
“What they did benefit from was some nativity from us”
Yip, we certainly came bearing gifts in the second half!
Just read back over the blog.
Horrendous news about TCR. Many posters expressed the wish that they hope scum bags that did it get their just desserts. Like those other scum bags Karma will ensure that they do.
Getting a bit nervous about tonight. Over the last 6 days have gone from the feeling that when Malmo scored with a minute to go that it’s all over to this morning feeling fairly confident.
No stupid mistakes, a referee who is fair and we’ll be looking forward to the draw on Thursday.
BEATBHOY on 24TH AUGUST 2015 9:22 AM
Saltires en Sevilla
Post-match on Saturday, Ronny described Ml’s as ” a small injury”, and said that Malmo would be maybe a couple of days too early.
Nir and Stuart “oK”. Don’t know if there has been any update since.
Hazard yesterday gave a great demonstration in the last 5 minutes, and in time added on,with his team down to 10 men, and 3-2 up, of how to run down the clock,getting the ball into the corner, shielding it, drawing fouls and/ or throws, and rest of team set incase he loses it.
Hope we can be as savvy tomorrow night, if required.
Beatbhoy
Thanks for update yesterday
What’s happened to TCR !!???
Don’t have time to scroll back
SALTIRESINSEVILLA
From yesterday…
COORSLAD. 4:54 PM
Folks,Just to let you know..Tricoloured Ribbon who posts on here,was attacked in Derry last night …jumped him to take his phone,then severly beat him..He was left for dead..Someone goin to work this morning found him…The Wee man is in need of your prayers…
~~~~~~~~~~++~~~~~~~~~~
Age Hareide is a Jose Mourinho wannabe and therefore just as obnoxious. He is one of the reasons I would love to see Celtic win tonight. ‘Just look at his face, just look at his face’, only this incident it would be about seeing disappointment.
Come on TCR, we are with you.
Saltires en Sevlla
No prob.
See Bobby’s updated you on the bad news.
Jamesgang – I thought you were being clever with your ‘paving the floor’!
Just thought it meant you’d be sh*tting bricks :-)
Hope the day flies in.
Thoughts with TCR.
En Sevilla, claro!
Saltires
He was robbed & beaten up really badly in Derry. He’s in hospital. Sounds serious.
HH jamesgang
Gary Hooper on loan to Sheffield Wednesday.
Morning!
Shocking news re TCR – hope you make a speedy recovery.
Just heard Hooper off to Sheffield on loan.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 25th August 2015 8:39 am – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/malmo-worries-over-celtic-speed-and-height/comment-page-9/#comments
That is terrible news. Prayers for him to pull through. Hope they find those bastards.
AOW
I could only dream of being that witty.
That’s Geordie Munro standard that is….
Laters timdom
Take care
HH jamesgang
TCR, thoughts with you now Mhate.
Hope the recovery is quick and full.
The other stuff doesn’t seem so important now.
‘Hooper off to Sheffield’
Which one???
Reminds me of recent Turkey holiday.
‘So you are Scottish? You support Glasgow Celtic Ran&ers?’
‘celtic’
‘aha I thought it was a single team….’
HH jamesgang
.
Malmo striker Markus Rosenberg: “We have no pressure on us. We have done it once and can do it again.
“It is much easier the second time because we know we can do it.
“Many teams tipped as favourites have come here and lost.”
Summa
Speedy recovery Tricolour ribbon…
Just back on blog after home move last Friday good result on Saturday hoping for more of the same in tonight’s game.
Hail Hail
Thinking of you TCR . Shocking news, cockroaches, hope you recover quickly and get back here soon mate.
.
.
Malmo striker Markus Rosenberg: “We have no pressure on us. We have done it once and can do it again.
“It is much easier the second time because we know we can do it.
“Many teams tipped as favourites have come here and lost.”
Summa
Yeah, Markus, but what that admittedly great comeback has done also is raise the expectations of your team’s supporters, who may get a bit disgruntled if these aren’t being met within the first 20-30 minutes. Can work against you too, and it’s Celtic’s job to make that happen.
Hey Bhoyz and Ghirls
relax, nuffin’ to worry about tonight, honest.
KINGLuBO
Thoughts and Prayers with the Tri-coloured Ribbon.
Sounds like the Bhoy is in a bad way, terrible, barbarous, thuggery.
Seems he has many good friends to support him, good, he’s going to need it. Hop he makes a full recovery.
Hail Hail
Tricolour ribbon…
God bless….
is this our man TCR?
——
Arrest over Londonderry assault:
Posted at 08:57
Police have arrested a 37-year-old on suspicion of involvement of a serious assault on a man in Galliagh. He’s been released pending further enquiries.
Danny Gallagher, 58, was attacked in the early hours of Monday. He’s still in hospital with serious head injuries.
Morning bhoys a big night for the hoops tonight we are good enough to beat the Swedes but we must conquer our European nerves I believe we have more ability in our team than Malmo but for some reason and I assume its nerves we panic at times. I believe there are around a thousand Celtic supporters over for the game and it is to be hoped there is no trouble. So come on you bhoys in Green. H.H.
FOGHORNLEGHORN
Indeed it is,mate
The PSNI have made an arrest in the assault on TCR. The bastards danced on his head and he has sustained serious headinjury. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
That TCR incident is disgusting, I hope, well we all hope he comes through it, it’s an ugly ugly world at times honestly, speedy recovery to him , and a couple of wee Hail Mary’s won’t go amiss either.
murdochbhoy-We have had some silly red cards in the last couple of years in Europe, AH is trying to prey on this, by his comments. They know how good we were in the first half hour last week, and will fear us.Play a back 4 that will defend totally, big hearts and bravery on the ball is required, don’t give the ball away cheaply, and hopefully the pace of LG & JF will create chances we will take.HH
Not been on the blog since yesterday afternoon and and just catching up.
I haven’t met any fellow CQNrs although I’ve had emails from a few folk. Also, I really regret not taking up Pablophanque’s offer to come and visit, years ago.
I hope that Tricoloured Ribbon recovers mentally as well as physically from his attack. Sometimws, its the scars on the inside that take longest to heal.
I hope that the knowledge of the prayers, and best wishes, of people on here are a help to him,when be is on a position to be aware of them. This blog has grown to be a real community, more than just a blog.
best wishes to Mike in Toronto, as well.
Tonydonnelly67, will never agree with your views on teachers, but I’m with you on the folk who try to disrupt this blog.
DarnTheHairWeCare!
We hope TCR had a restful night, and is one the one road to recovery. HH
morning CQN
horrendous stuff with TCR – get well soon
here’s a great wee video of the Barra team winning the Co-op Cup the other day to get the Bhoys in the mood for tonight.
check out Mish’s Ceaser-esque header! …and if only Izzy could cross a ball like Wowi!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42v4H6kNhvs
mon the Hoops tonight!
HH
Jason Denayer seems like he is off to Galatasaray on loan. I wish him all the best.
Not sure about us trying to sign Kozak on loan. The guys coming off a hefty injury. Don’t want to be his rehabilitation year.
!!Bada Bing!! @ 9:42 am
Bang on – in addition to everything you noted I’d just add the need for the whole Celtic team and management to play smart, we’re good enough to dictate the type of game so it suits us, lets just go and frigging do it!
Anyone know How many Celtic Fans in Malmo..? TIA.. Summa –
A couple of hundred arrived last night.
Hundreds more flooding into Malmö as we speak.
We expect over 1K at our designated meeting point:
The Drum Bar.
HH
The Griff
THE Celtic hitman is in the form of his life as he looks to help fire the Bhoys into the group stages of the Champions League.
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The Celtic striker buries an early chance for the home side
LEIGH GRIFFITHS reckons rifling Celtic into the Champions League would cap a remarkable 12-month turnaround in his career.
Small in stature, the hitman still stands head and shoulders over the rest as his team’s biggest hope of a goal in Malmo on Tuesday.
Griffiths proved he is Ronny Deila’s No.1 attacking weapon six days ago when his first-leg double was largely responsible for the lead the Scottish champs arrived with in Sweden last night.
Just 90 minutes from the biggest stage in the game. Yet a year ago Griffiths was nowhere near it. Signed by Neil Lennon, the frontman was shunned early doors by Deila as his lifestyle and attitude were put under scrutiny.
The Celtic striker buries an early chance for the home side
The player’s response has been stunning as he fought his way back to first choice at the beginning of this year then finished last season as the club’s top scorer.
Still it wasn’t enough as Nadir Ciftci arrived after his £1.5million signing and took the starting slot for the opening four of the qualifying ties against Stjarnan and Qarabag.
But Griffiths just wouldn’t be denied. Last week Deila could keep him out no longer and the payback was instant.
Griffiths, who will start in the Swedbank Stadium, said: “I’ve always been confident in scoring goals. It’s just getting the chance to prove myself.
“I got a couple of opportunities in the Europa League and last Wednesday I took my chance.
“Am I a different man on and off the field? Yeah, I think that’s why I’m back playing again. I’ve had to change my ways on and off the park.
SNS GroupCeltic striker Leigh Griffiths
“I’ve had to bide my time but now it’s come around I’ve grabbed it with both hands. I think the manager knew what I could do and it was up to me to change myself. If I wanted to play in that lone striker role I knew I had to be fit, I had to be strong and work on certain aspects of my game.
“I’ve gone away and done that and that’s why I was chosen to play last Wednesday. That was a massive game and now we’ve got another one.
“Of course it’s difficult when you’re not playing. You have to change your lifestyle and in training you need to be working a little bit harder. That wasn’t easy. But I’ve grafted and that’s why I’m playing again.
“There were a whole load of things I changed off the park. I was still a bit silly but in the last year and a bit I’ve calmed down. People are starting to see the player I was at Hibs. I’m loving my football here, I don’t want to go anywhere else.
“I’m back playing games, back scoring goals and if I get the nod for this one hopefully I’ll score another couple.
“The only place I want to be is Celtic and it would mean everything to me to reach the Champions League because that’s where you want to play.
“Professionally, I don’t think there’s a better stage in club football to show yourself.”
Griffiths’s form hasn’t been noted only by his club boss, with international manager Gordon Strachan also back in his fan club. The Scotland boss has recalled the striker into his set-up for next month’s matches against Georgia and Germany and Grffiths said: “It’s nice to see the Scotland manager talking about me.
“The last time I got a call-up was at Hibs. I’d just finished a great season and got the call-up for the qualifier in Croatia and I played against Belgium at home.
“Now we’ve got two massive qualifiers coming up and if I were to be involved I’d be absolutely buzzing.”
But for the time being it’s about Malmo.Griffiths added: “My main focus right now is to help Celtic get to the Champions League. It was exactly the same last year when we went away to Maribor. We got a decent result and we didn’t finish the job off at home.
“But everybody forgets we won the home leg last week so as long as we don’t get beat here we’re in the big time again. That’s why the manager was resting a few players on Saturday so everybody is fresh going into this game.
“We’re looking to win the game. We don’t want to sit back and hope for a draw. We want to win and put a performance on for the travelling fans.
“We’re hoping we go over there and score. We proved we can do the dirty side of the work in the away game against Qarabag but with the players we’ve got here we’re looking to go over there and win the game, never mind try to contain them and go for a draw.
SNS GroupLeigh Griffiths arrives at Glasgow Airport ahead of Celtic’s trip to Malmo.
“I’ve said it before when I was younger that you would know you have made it in football when you step out on that pitch and hear the Champions League tune. I couldn’t really hear it last week with the fans going mad. But hopefully, if I’m selected, I will be standing there listening to that tune raring to go.
“We’re 90 minutes from doing it. As long as we don’t get beat we’re going to be there. I’m champing at the bit, I’m ready to go, that’s why I didn’t want rested on Saturday against Dundee United.
“The manager tried to give me the time off but I was eager to play and I repaid him again with a goal. Hopefully I can do it again.
“A club like Celtic has to be in the Champions League. If we want to attract the best players to the club it’s Champions League nights that are going to do that.”
Latest from BBC NI
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-34049252
Honestly you got to love Griffiths, I did when we signed him, many in here left him without a name, my guess is it was lurking Huns, but they can GIRFU Them.