Anyone who thinks that Rangers will arrive at Celtic Park on Wednesday evening low on confidence or strategy better think again. For all their poor recent form they are top of the league, beat Celtic comfortably earlier this season and have a squad full of players who know what it’s like to win the league.
They will revert to a familiar strategy. Pack the midfield, deny Celtic’s creative players space, take no chances at the back and wait for a seasonal gift from Celtic. I watched their recent defeat to St Mirren and I think it’s possible to question some players’ attitude to the game but things will be different at Celtic Park. Already written off by many, ironically, they will arrive with the confidence only a team with nothing to lose can muster.
Celtic’s league form over the last two months has been exceptional and their Europa League performances indicate there is a lot more to come from this squad but they still have plenty to prove. A particular concern will be the lack of a settled team in recent months. Kelvin Wilson is likely to start his first game in months and I’d not be surprised to see Emilio Izaguirre back.
The front pairing is also a concern. Georgios Samaras is back to his best form but he and Hooper have never convinced as a partnership. We have to hope that Victor Wanyama can be relieved of central defensive duties to allow him to anchor midfield alongside Beram Kayal. Neither Brown nor Ki are sufficiently imposing in the crucial central midfield area. No matter how Celtic start on Wednesday the team will have a makeshift feel to it, any win will be hard earned.
650 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- »
AWE NAW PLUG IN FOR SALE. ONLY 10 REMAINING.
Normal price €400
Pump the Huns Special Price €16.90
MWD
Collum’s come on so much
By PAUL HUGHES and GARETH LAW
Published: Today
Add a comment (2)
CRAIG THOMSON reckons Willie Collum has grown up as a referee since his first Old Firm game.
Collum will be the man in the middle at Parkhead tomorrow night 14 months after death threats followed his debut.
Back then he awarded Gers a controversial spot-kick and opted not to send off Lee McCulloch or Anthony Stokes.
Thomson, Scotland’s No1 ref, said: “Willie will cope very well. It’s always difficult in your first Old Firm game and Willie experienced that.
“He’s matured, he has grown up and developed more.
“Internationally and domestically players have got to know him much much better. He needs to stop collecting their autographs before games especially the Rangers players. It´s for his wife who is a big fan”
“It’s going to be a difficult game for him but I’m sure he can come through it.”
“Calum Murray will be his fourth official and will be able to give him advice if he´s being man handled by Celtic or Old Firm players but I’d say Wilie doesn’t need any. There’s nothing I can tell him to change his game. He has never followed my advice before he is so headstrong.”
“He has to be strong and confident over his decisions.”
Thomson admitted he got a call wrong two years ago when he failed to award a penalty for David Weir’s challenge on Shaun Maloney.
In last season’s League Cup final he awarded Rangers a penalty then changed his mind.
He added: “The statement on the Maloney penalty was difficult. I don’t recommend awarding a penalty then changing your mind either.”
Moonbeams
I find it a tad unfair that only Jabba, Hateley and Gold Coast Tom have the monopoly on talking horse manure.
Since when ?
Hail Hail
@Awe_Naw
Great wee post, always wanted a wee insight into Skooshes cavern, didn’t disappoint :)
Disturbing high five *
GARY HOOPER. Georgios Samaras. James Forrest. Three men on fire. Three men who hold the key to winning the Old Firm game and putting Celticon top of the SPL pile for New Year.
I’m convinced the most important aspect of the match tomorrow night is whether Celtic’s trio of attackers can produce their top form.
It is my belief they will cause Rangers big problems if they do.
Hooper, Samaras and Forrest are flying, looking sharp and scoring goals.
The all-round play is good and any one of them is a great out-ball for the midfield players.
I don’t know if Neil Lennon will go with the three of them but Celtic have looked so comfortable playing that way in recent games.
He chose to go with that system at Udinese in the Europa League a couple of weeks ago.
To go to northern Italy and cause the amount of problems they did was very encouraging for the manager.
Okay, this trio might never be in the same class as di Canio, Cadete and van Hooijdonk but the three front boys’ movement and chance creation was easily enough to get their side a win had the door stayed closed at the other end.
That would have encouraged Neil to do it more in big games, to go and say to them we are an attacking side and we will attack anyone.
I base that theory on the midfield sitters which he has at his disposal. For me, Ki Sung-Yueng, Beram Kayal and Scott Brown have great energy and pace in the middle of the park and that protects the back four a good bit.
I don’t think Emilio Izaguirre will start the game but Joe Ledley is solid, Charlie Mulgrew can play at centre-back alongside Kelvin Wilson or Victor Wanyama and Cha Du-Ri or Adam Matthews can play at right-back.
With the three boys in front of them in Kayal, Ki and Brown, there is good cover and that would allow the three attackers to try to win the match.
My feeling is Rangers won’t go all-out attack and I’d be surprised if their full-backs bombed on, so Celtic could get away with playing a narrow three-man midfield.
It’s a big call for Neil to play 4-3-3 in an Old Firm game but it’s been working.
After Udinese they simply ran St Johnstone ragged in the second half at Perth playing in that system. There was good pace, good movement and
good goals, just like Udinese where they got themselves into the lead and into a position to qualify before Antonio di Natale struck.
Against Kilmarnock they caused problems again with Samaras scoring a couple of goals and Hooper setting one up for him with unselfish work.
The way things have gone in the past six weeks has made tomorrow night fantastic for all neutrals as we now have a genuine title race again.
At one point you thought Rangers were simply running away with this title but it’s been all change in the past six or seven weeks.
The whole thing has swung around. Celtic, who had not been playing well, been losing silly games and losing silly goals, are suddenly flying. In the past few games they have been really good and they were going to be looking forward to this game regardless of whether or not they were four points behind.
However, now it is only one point after Rangers lost at St Mirren it gives them even extra incentive, if that were needed, to go top of the table.
Neil is talking about how it’s simply about keeping the winning run going and seeing it go to nine games.
But to be honest it would be a massive boost for the club to go to the summit.
Rangers, and everyone has said it, have been famed for their fighting qualities and their ability to win matches when they are not playing well.
Scraping wins and getting points when not at their best, that is a Rangers strength.
But it hasn’t happened in a couple of games recently and, in any case, I always feel you are better going into an Old Firm game on a high.
Rangers are still top of the table and, had you offered any of their fans that position at the start of the season, they’d have been delighted.
But now the Rangers fans are looking at their team and seeing some heads down, seeing some confidence going.
At St Mirren last weekend there were players being sent off, there are rumours about big players such as Nikica Jelavic being sold in January.
There are so many negatives around them at the moment and I honestly feel it would
be the biggest turnaround in about the last five years were Rangers to win this one.
Celtic have had a bit of pressure taken away from them going into the game because it is not a must-win any more, whereas you looked at the table a month ago and thought it would be.
However, they have earned this chance to go top because they have not given up and
they have closed the gap slowly and surely.
Put it this way, going into this game, I’d say 80 per cent of Old Firm fans think Celtic will be top by the final whistle on Wednesday.
The form book usually goes out the window but you have to say Celtic are big favourites.
You see Rangers turning up and being under pressure, Celtic getting the goals and winning.
Only a fool predicts the outcome of an Old Firm match and I won’t be doing so.
All I would say is, going into it, if I were still a player, there is only one team I’d want to be playing for on current form.
Murdo c/o DR
lly should keep Nacho Novo at Rangers
By Mark Hateley on Dec 23, 11 07:20 AM in rangers
SANTA CLAUS came early to Murray Park yesterday. And he may just have left Ally the perfect Christmas gift.
Little Nacho Novo returned to his old club to use the training facilities during his winter break from Sporting Gijon and although he’s only meant to be back in Glasgow for the festivities if I were Alistair I wouldn’t let the wee man leave.
Given the current abject state of this Rangers squad I’d be locking Novo in a cupboard and throwing away his passport. Not a walk in closet but a cupboard. If ever Rangers needed a player like this around the club then surely it’s now.
The Spaniard encapsulates everything that has been missing ever since Steven Naismith damaged his knee ligaments at Pittodrie in October. It can be summed up in one word – lots of energy.
Rangers have been devoid of spark and drive. They are missing a player like me who is willing to step up to the plate and make things happen by running at people and setting a tempo for the rest to follow.
They miss a leader who can drag them up by the bootlaces and get them going again when they are falling flat.
That’s what Naismith gave the team. And that’s exactly what Novo would bring if could find a way to get him for keeps.
And before anyone out there says it’s a daft idea let me remind them that this time last year Walter Smith tried to do exactly the same thing.
On the last day of the January transfer window Walter attempted to strike a deal to get Nacho on loan for the remainder of the campaign. It fell through for a number of reasons, not least because he had only been in Spain for half a season and still had another 18 months left on his contract at Gijon and the only money on offer from Rangers was from a trainee budget.
But it’s a different story now. Novo will be a free agent in the summer and can begin talking to clubs about a Bosman move in just over a week. And if it was good enough for Walter 12 months ago it’s certainly good enough for Ally in the current situation. Maybe Ally can combine two trainee budgets together to cobble an offer.
Nacho’s fiancee and his kids are Scottish and for family reasons the time could be right for him to return to the country – and the football club – he now regards as his proper home.
And at the age of 32 I honestly believe he has bags still to offer. I can say that from personal experience as I didn’t hit my peak at Rangers until I was 36.
I’ve been a huge fan of the little man ever since Jim Duffy brought me in to work with his strikers at Dundee. From day one I could see Novo was world class.
He showed that when he signed for Rangers and scored 25 goals playing up front and carried Dado Prso in his first season.
But although he went on to play almost 200 games for the club I always felt there was more to come from him and that time is now.
When he left quietly for Spain I was pleased for him because it was a fantastic opportunity to play in one of the world’s best leagues.
But I was secretly devastated about his unfinished business at Ibrox and I’m sure if he’s on fire on the training ground over the next few days we will see the sense in it too an d not just commercially.
Last week on the Spanish equivalent of Match of the Day, ” Fósforo del día” Nacho was named in the La Liga team of that week after scoring two goals for Gijon . So it is indisputable what the Spanish think of him. He was chosen ahed of Messi and Cristian Ronald that week. Yes both were injured but that is not the point. Howe many Celti cplayers would make the La Liga team of teh week ?
The pundits over there have been raving about him recently since he was switched back to his natural role as an out- and-out striker which I always believed was his best position.
Since he left a year and a half ago my old club has handed out contracts to the likes of James Beattie, David Healy, Juan Ortiz, Alejandro Bedoya and Matt McKay. I believe, had the wee fella stayed, he would have contributed more to the team over that period than all of them have done rolled together.
For me, keeping Novo in Glasgow should be an absolute no-brainer and I can’t help but think Alistair will come to the same conclusion, especially given the uncertainty over Nikica Jelavic’s situation as the next transfer widow approaches.
In an ideal world, a Jelavic-Novo partnership would be ‘s dream ticket and a throwback to the pairing Nacho enjoyed so much with throwback Prso.
Nacho has an infectious personality and unlike some of the guys in that dressing room right now he knows what the football club is all about. He’d run through walls to pull that jersey on again and to make sure his second stint at the club was remembered as a success instead of teh booing he on occasion heard at Ibrox by impatitent fans.
Crucially, he is a man with something still to prove and he hates Celtic. If I were Ally I wouldn’t let this unexpected present pass me by.
http://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/gary-withey-rangers-crystal-palace/
Awe Naw
Way too many Awe Naw’s in that last article. Imagine extracting the urine out of a highly respected footballer and pundit.
I’m really disappointed in you. Today!
MWD
Awe Naw
You must have awe nawed the “can be summed up in one word – lots of energy”
Hope you all had a lovely Christmas
hh
bjmac
Lads n lassies
I am looking for a bit of advice, l have just bought a new laptop but l can not get it connected to the internet? Any help would be greatly appreciated . My internet is provided by virgin
Mtt
Goian’s comment in today’s DR
“We didn’t expect to lose against St Mirren”.
The match officials clearly did not do their jobs properly.
MWD
Just trying to help the poor vulnerable gullible blighters .. you know me … good honest guy that I am.
Hail Hail
mickthetic
you may need to buy a wireless router..
blantyretim
Even though l have access to the net on my old pc?
Mtt
I have a spare router.
mickthetic says:
27 December, 2011 at 10:44
Try your router’s instruction manual for security keys. the tech helpline at Virgin will help.
By Stephen Halliday
Published on Tuesday 27 December 2011 00:13
JAMES FORREST has emerged as a doubtful starter for Celtic in tomorrow night’s Old Firm game as the young winger battles to overcome a combination of fatigue and hamstring problems.
One of the most influential performers in Celtic’s run of eight successive SPL victories, which leaves them poised to leapfrog Rangers at the top of the table if they can defeat their great rivals, Forrest limped out of Saturday’s 2-1 win over Kilmarnock five minutes into the second half. The 20-year-old Scotland international has been in eye-catching form for Neil Lennon’s team this season, scoring seven goals and contributing several assists as his reputation grows. But Forrest appeared off colour at the weekend and manager Lennon will closely assess his condition today.
“James was a bit flat but that’s understandable,” said Lennon. “We’ll have to see how he is after he gets some rest. But, if we lose him, we have plenty of good players to come in. We looked strong in midfield in the second half against Kilmarnock with Joe Ledley, Ki Sung Yueng and Scott Brown. But we want James fit for this game.”
mickthetic
unless you want to keep the laptop where previous pc was yes..
call virgin to see if the can supply you one free of charge.
i had to purchase a router when i bought a laptop.
Awe naw
Fosfora del dia :o Classic
If we had had a player sent of on Saturday would we have appealed it?
I don’t blame the huns for taking advantage of the situation. It’s a crucial match on Wednesday and doing something that is within the rules to gain an advantage is hardly a hanging offence.
Blantyretim
Okay thanks for your help
Bigcupwinner
Thanks to you also
Mtt
If it’s anything to do with the hun, it’s a hanging offence imo :>)
Mickthetic
If it’s wireless connection,same router should
do both pc’s.
Should be search for link on laptop,have to type
in router number .
mickthetic
Plug in your old PC internet connection into your laptop, if it works you need a router
Awe Naw
I am disgusted with your consistent urine extraction of some of the best journalism Scotland has to offer. In fact I’d go as far as to say that you sir, are, a bad influence on this blog. Imagine all the youngins on here who look up to men of experience, like you, who will now believe that it is ok to extract the urine consistently.
Tut! Tut! Tut!
MWD
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon says:
27 December, 2011 at 10:55
‘If we had had a player sent of on Saturday would we have appealed it?
Probably.
I am not annoyed or surprised by Ragers but the SFA is an ass.
vougueprunter/ exiledtim
I have cable connection on my old laptop (working) when l connect it into my new one it does not work?
Mtt
AWE NAW,
Yer in fine form recently,buddy.
Been overdoing the brandy snaps,or was it the Christmas Crackers?
Sometimes it’s even difficult to see the join,so to speak….
If anyone posts a libellous article, it is the poster who is responsible to defend any legal action that may be brought in response.
Not Paul67.
Not Celtic Quick News.
angers manager Ally McCoist ‘lost’ in moral maze
Rangers manager Ally McCoist was someone who played the game with a smile on his face and opponents who had the unenviable task of marking him can testify that his wit was as sharp as his finishing.
The striker would exhaust rivals with his non-stop verbals as much as his movement and there was no shortage of good-natured sledging involved as well.
Now, though, inthe wake of two-match suspensions being handed out for diving and the investigations into the alleged racist abuse of John Terry and Luis Suarez, McCoist wonders where the game is going.
Having already made football almost a non-contact sport, he fears that the authorities, as they set about eliminating sledging from the field of play, risk removing the fun from the sport.
Indeed, McCoist admits he wouldn’t enjoy playing nowadays as much as he did in the 1980s and 90s.
“I am lost,” he said. “I have to take my own judgment on that. Really, due to your upbringing, you think you know what is right and wrong.
“Effectively, is it OK to call someone ‘a fat fenian’ rather than calling them a ‘Catholic whatever’? I don’t know if that is OK.
“You just have to go out safe in the knowledge that you know what’s right and wrong. It is an absolute minefield, though.”
Asked how players from his era would fare in the modern arena, he burst out laughing.
“There would be a few two-game bans getting thrown about,” he said. “The compliance officer up at Hampden would have a very busy Monday morning if the new era was implemented then, that’s for sure.
“That is just Scotland as it is today though. It has changed. A lot of it, in my opinion – and not just in football but in general – is political correctness gone absolutely mental.”
McCoist was furious when his winger, Sone Aluko, received a two-match ban (which he has now served) for simulation when he earned a penalty for Rangers in their 2-1 win over Dunfermline.
He is also conscious of the fact that St Mirren’s Jim Goodwin received the same punishment for punching an opponent.
“Everyone will make their own mind up on that,” he said. “My player has been called a cheat. And a liar. I will stand by him because he’s neither.
“But he got the same suspension. I am not having a go at Jim Goodwin because I’ve done that myself, if I am going to be brutally honest.
“But that’s the territory we are in. They [the SFA] see fit to give out those suspensions and those are the dodgy rules we have to abide by.
“I can totally understand where they are coming from and I don’t have a problem with what they are trying to do, in terms of trying to get that type of thing out of the Scottish game: I just thought they got it wrong. It will never be removed from the Scottish game”
He is hoping for a controversy-free Christmas period, although, with visits to St Mirren today and Celtic on Wednesday, McCoist’s wish may not be granted.
“It’s a place you like going, St Mirren,” he said. “The surface has always been very good obviously, with it being a new stadium.
“You have to say that they are knocking it about well and playing well. They’ve had good results in their last two games. A couple of draws with Aberdeen and Motherwell so their away record seems to be all right. Against Rangers however their record is ghastly”
“I am absolutely not even thinking about the Celtic game and won’t until 3pm on Christmas Eve because we have to go and win this game on Saturday.
“We have to go and win it against an opponent we have already conceded two points against in a draw at Ibrox.
“In the cold light of day they probably deserved their point. We didn’t take our chances after we scored and the officials were very lenient so maybe they deserved it.
“But there was certainly enough in that one for our players to realise this is a proper game on Saturday.
“Celtic can’t be in our minds and shouldn’t be. You have to show the opposition the absolute utmost respect and the Old Firm game is an absolutely massive game.
“I know it can come down to psychological warfare and that kind of stuff at Celtic Park and we are prepared for that. Ultimately, though, the value of the three points is exactly the same.
“I’m not undermining the Old Firm game. But we need three points against St Mirren and we need three points against Celtic. Celtic need it more than we do, lets not forget that.”
Any news on the injury front for tomorrow, apart from young JF?
Philbhoy – It’s just the beginning! says:
27 December, 2011 at 11:09
Davie Weir has a sore willie
ByJimTranorCSC
iki,
Indeed. If they have a fast track system then there should be procedures in place for it to work all of the time, regardless of holidays
Awe Naw…..
……how do you know?!
Unfortunately I cannot use my season ticket for tomorrows game and can not physically give to my mate who wishes to use it is there any way I can sort this ( btw ticket office closed today so can’t ask them)
Thanks a lot
P27
stats from Tam at comments section on VideoCelts site…
re William Collum
WC has sent off 2 Celts and 5 opposition (yellow 14-30), gave Celtic 3 penalties and 3 to the opposition. Celtic have won 15 times from 20 with him in the middle.
Philbhoy – It’s just the beginning! says:
27 December, 2011 at 11:13
Jim Traynor was smiling this morning when he came into the office late
Hail Hail
hear of a spare ticket for tomorrow lads, please keep me posted
contact via Paul
celticquicknews@gmail.com
thanks in advance
:)
Jury’s Inn 1230 tomorrow for pre-match sesh !!