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.
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Awe Naw….
….Ho, Ho, Ho!
Philbhoy – It’s just the beginning! says:
27 December, 2011 at 11:18
these Americanisms …. I didn´t know Keith Jackson was there also !
Hail Hail
Patrick27
sorry dunno the answer
can your mate not get to you ?
or maybe even POST IT to him – next day delivery ?
mickthetic
I wouldn’t have a clue then, sorry.
Ask Awe Naw, he would be the best bet, just edit what he tells you and you should get there :>)
Tuesday December 27,2011
By Iain Macfarlane and Gary Keown
CELTIC are tracking Groningen defender Jonas Ivens as they ponder a swoop for defensive cover.
Boss Neil Lennon is scouring the market for a defender to bolster his backline and has had the Belgian stopper, left, watched several times in recent weeks.
Ivens is under contract with the Dutch club until 2014, but would jump at the chance to move to Scotland.
The 27-year-old has been linked with a move back to his homeland with Club Bruges, but Dutch sources insist Celtic are also sniffing around the 6ft 2ins centre-back.
Ivens made a name for himself in Belgium with Mechelen before Groningen shelled out £450,000 to take him to the Dutch league in 2010. Celtic are short of cover at centre-back with Daniel Majstorovic ruled out for six weeks with a broken cheekbone.
Lennon is also not sold on the form of Thomas Rogne or Glenn Loovens and would prefer to utilise emergency centre-halves Charlie Mulgrew and Victor Wanyama in more advanced roles.
Celtic are monitoring Jonas Ivens as they look to shore up at the back
Already Lennon has run the rule over Charlton defender Michael Morrison and remains in the hunt for a powerhouse centre-forward. Scotland rookie Jordan Rhodes has caught his eye due to his excellent goalscoring form for Huddersfield, but the Terriers have made it clear they do not want to sell the hitman in January.
AWE NAW 1109
As your article says,Ally has indeed done it himself. A sneaky wee punch about 24 sec into this clip,for one example.
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/?p=7351&cpage=9#comment-1230509
OOOOOOOPS!
THIS ONE,I HOPE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvdesakrwn0
Aw Naw
re Jonas Ivens
@celticrumours mentioned the very same 2 or 3 days ago
:)
LoveNewMediaCSC
Patrick27
Yes you can, you need to give your mate all your details from the card, as well as your home address. He then needs to go to the ticket office and they will give him a ticket. I have done this with my season ticket when on holiday and some mates wanted to go to the game.
It will cost him something like £10 to £15 for the ticket.
Might be a good idea to be available on the phone if he gets asked questions he can’t answer when getting the ticket from the ticket office.
Indio
TOP CORNER 1114
FFS,don’t publicise that,he’ll withdraw at the last moment.
Wish Collum Snr had done so all those years ago……..
NotthenineoclocknewsCSC
Just started reading this article, the front on the hun for appealing elbows card is rippin wae dignity,aw aye they look great,not.I read somebody saying he’ll be available for the mothers who will inevitably lube themselves up n pant for penetration,their big miss is Goian,were not favourites but we should be very confident,Broonie to stick the heid on MythGregor.
BOBBY MURDOCH
Nice Clip nowt has changed we can see
TopCorner
aye as I said before what entitles the hacks and Tom Mc Laughlin to have the monopoly on propagating made up inane lies ?
Old Media three days late
HAil Hail
Dorin Goian has admitted Rangers have become their own worst enemy ahead of Wednesday night’s showdown with Celtic at Parkhead.
The Romanian defender, who will miss the Old Firm clash through suspension after his red card in Saturday’s 2-1 loss to St Mirren,has seen his team’s 15-point lead in the SPL title race fade away to just one.
And the 31-year-old believes Ally McCoist’s men have to shoulder the responsibility after throwing away such a significant advantage over second-place Celtic.
“We have a gift of making ourselves a hara-kiri when nobody expects it,” admitted Goian. “We didn’t expect to lose against St Mirren, but it was hard to hold out with a man disadvantage from the 20th minute.
Sending-off
“Then, of course came my own sending-off, but the fate of the game was already decided so I wasn´t to blame”
But Goian, who starred in the Gers’ 4-2 success over Celtic at Ibrox back in September, has backed his team-mates to secure the result they need against the Hoops to stay top the League.
“I’m sorry I’ll be missing the derby game against Celtic, but anything can happen even if the atmosphere and finances at the club is not the best right now.”
“Late payment has not affected the Hearts players so we cannot use that as an excuse we have been clearly informed”
—————————————————————————————————————————-
Hearts director Sergejus Fedotovas has insisted that the first-team squad will receive their outstanding December salaries, but has refused to be drawn on a date for the payment.
Players were due to receive their wages on December 16, but for the third consecutive month they were not paid on the arranged date and remain outstanding.
Having waited a month for their delayed November wages, the playing squad submitted an official complaint to PFA Scotland, who will rule on the delay on January 4.
However, Fedotovas plans on visiting Edinburgh early in January and insists that the club can resolve the issue with player payment.
Fedotovas told the Edinburgh Evening News: “We are working and we are confident we will get through this period.
“I cannot tell you if it will take a few days or a bit longer, but we are really confident we will be past these difficulties in a very short time.”
“We need to become creative when it comes to our obligations like others”
Happy Christmas to all CQNers. Down in Louisburgh, Co. Mayo for game. I was just wondering if there are any others watching game tomorrow in Louisburgh or even Westport?
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
haha that’s no nice
poor wee wullie
:)
Patrick27 says:
27 December, 2011 at 11:13
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
share
I have the same problem.I upgraded my sons book in the GB section,and posted it to Vmhan on the Monday before Christmas,he still hasn’t recieved it.Vmhan is going up today so if it comes Its stuck in Blackpool..He’s made arrangments to get brought up if it comes.At my end I’m sending the season book over to try to get the ticket office to print one off..
We under estimate the hun at our peril, they are like
a wounded beast just now.
Last season we went through a poor run of form in
December but turned thems over at the bigotdome.
There in lies a lesson for this young Celtic team, no
complacency please.
I think big Dan missing is a blow for us he’s been very
steady of late but it means we will probably see big
Vic67 in defence, I would prefer to see him anchor our
midfield.
Cha has been playing well and will probably start at RB
though I do think he is suspect in the air, the hun will
target the diagonal high ball to laughatme we will have
to be vigilant of this ploy.
Big Sammi is playing out of his skin just now he’s a
confidence player so get behind him, he will return our
backing of him with a performance. I was behind the
goal when he scored on Saturday and when he ran to
the crowd you knew what it meant to him to score.
The big mhan gets it he knows what it means to play
for this club, he’s been a match winner in the past I
hope he will be again come tomorrow night.
So I urge all Celtic supporters to back this team from
the bottom of your green and White hearts, who knows
how far Lenny young Lions could go but tomorrow
could be a season defining victory, let’s back them to
the hilt to get it.
Come on you bhoys in green.
SPL summit the target for Celtic in Old Firm game
Page last updated at 10:15 GMT, Tuesday, 27 December 2011
By Alasdair Lamont
BBC Scotland
On 5 November, leaders Rangers had just moved 15 points clear of third-placed Celtic in the Scottish Premier League after beating Dundee United and the defending champions looked a great bet for a fourth successive title.
Celtic had two games in hand, but their form had been faltering and as they prepared to take on Motherwell, who were three points above them, questions were being raised about Neil Lennon’s side’s ability to make serious inroads into that deficit.
Fast-forward seven weeks, and Celtic have put together a domestic run of eight straight victories, starting with a 2-1 win that day at Fir Park, and closed to within a single point of their fierce rivals, who themselves have stumbled and lost their invincible aura but only away from home.
The loss of Steven Naismith to injury has possibly been a factor in that, and while that has been discussed at great length, but it can be overstated the Scotland forward’s importance to the cause.
Rangers are hardly bereft of creativity in Naismith’s absence – Gregg Wylde, Sone Aluko and Steven Davis are all more than capable than Naismith in that regard – but there is no question they are now less able to open teams up, and Davis’s own form has faded in recent weeks.
The skipper has shouldered plenty of responsibility over Rangers’ championship-winning seasons and the absence of fellow-talisman Naismith has added further to that infallibility. Davis is along with Jelavic are the only world class players that will take to the field on Wednesday evening.
With high-quality options lacking for manager Ally McCoist, if Davis is not playing well, Rangers struggle to tick.
And while the Ibrox side have hit a rut, Lennon’s men are well and truly out of theirs.
It is difficult to pinpoint the reason. Lennon himself says he did not change anything in terms of his approach to games, or to training. Is it the officiating ?
He also admitted he wondered at half-time in the Kilmarnock game, when his side trailed 3-0, whether he would be able to get the club back on track.
Ally’s Rangers could find themselves behind Lennon’s Celtic after Wednesday’s game
Of course, that game finished 3-3, and though Celtic were to stumble again, in a goalless draw at home to Hibernian, that result would appear to be pivotal to Celtic’s change of fortune.
They have certainly tightened up defensively – the late goal scored by Dani Racchi of Kilmarnock on Christmas Eve was the first they had conceded in five SPL games but maybe a door has started to open.
Georgios Samaras has hit good form playing wide on the left, James Forrest looks dangerous and lively on the opposite flank and Gary Hooper is scoring regularly.
Victory on Wednesday evening will put them ahead in the title race for the first time this season, and the form book would suggest that is what will happen.
Many veterans of Old Firm battles, though, will tell you form is meaningless when it comes to Old Firm games.
Wednesday’s game is set up intriguingly and, as usual, it would take a brave man to cast a prediction either way. Yes, they are on a better run and yes, they are favourites. But Rangers have not won the last three league titles by paying heed to the bookies’ forecasts.
Either way, 28 December could prove to be a pivotal date in the race for the title.
Ok lads til laters.
Hail Hail
Good day Celts, my head is severely nipping today, it’s as if somebody’s awe Naw’d it!
V
Rain + gale force winds predicted for all day and night tomorrow bhoys
Matchday parking arrangements for derby game
By: Newsroom Staff on 27 Dec, 2011 05:14
PARKING arrangements and recommended travel routes have been announced for the derby match at Celtic Park this Wednesday, December 28 (KO: 7.45pm)
Due to the ongoing construction of the East End Regeneration Route to the immediate West of Celtic Park, there has been a reduction in the size and capacity of the current coach park in Davaar Street. Consequently, an area off Holywell Street to the North of the stadium has been cleared and redesigned to create a second coach park for home supporters´ coaches. Supporters groups are required to apply to Celtic Football Club for passes to the specific coach parks.
Home Support
Private Transport
It is recommended that home supporters travelling to the match by private car should park to the North of London Road or West of Nuneaton Street (not including London Road or Nuneaton Street) There are a limited number of parking spaces to the immediate East of the stadium which can be accessed from Janefield Street East. However, access to this area closes one hour prior to kick off.
The area around Springfield Road is reserved for away support coaches and MUST be avoided by all home Supporters.
Coaches
Pre-match arrangements:
It is recommended that home supporters travelling to the match by coach should use the recommended routes and park in the Davaar Street or Holywell Street coach parks. If necessary, an overflow parking area in the Nuneaton Street area will be used. Supporters coaches should not enter the overflow parking area from Dalmarnock Road but should access this area from London Road or as directed by Police.
Recommended Routes:
This is the preferred route.
From the A80 at the junction of the M80, continue on the M80 westbound to Junction 1 (Blackhill). Take the exit at Junction 1 and continue straight through the roundabout and continue to the junction with Provan Road. At this junction turn left onto Provan Road and continue to the junction with Cumbernauld Road. Turn right onto Cumbernauld Road and continue westbound toward the city centre. At the junction of Cumbernauld Road and Alexandra Parade, bear left to travel South towards Duke Street. Continue south onto Millerston Street to the junction with Gallowgate then either turn left onto Gallowgate and continue until the right turn into Holywell Street, or continue on Fielden Street to the junction with London Road. Turn left to travel East on London Road and at the junction with Davaar Street turn left to travel North into the coach park.
From the westbound M8 exit at junction 12, to Cumbernauld Road and follow the route as above.
From the eastbound M8, exit at junction 14, turn right to travel south on Viewpark Avenue, continue southwards onto Alexandra Park Street and then Cumbernauld Road and thereafter follow the route as listed above.
From the M74 exit at junction 2(A), Fullerton Roundabout and travel west along London Road. At Springfield Road all coaches should turn right and at Gallowgate, turn left. To attend the Holywell Street coach park, continue west along Gallowgate and turn left into Holywell Street. To attend the Davaar Street car park continue on Gallowgate and turn left onto Fielden Street and left again onto London Road. Continue east on London Road and turn left into Davaar Street.
The south end of Nuneaton Street will be closed on match day due to ongoing roadworks. Access to the area for coach parking will be from London Road only. Coaches will enter via Nuneaton Street (Boden Street will also be closed pre-match). Police motorcyclists will assist with coach parking in a circuit onto Boden Street to allow the coaches back out onto London Road at the end of the match.
Post Match Arrangements:
Davaar Street Coach Park
On leaving the Davaar Street bus park turn left or right onto London Road towards either the M74 at Fullarton allowing access onto the motorway network servicing West Central Scotland or towards Fielden Street.
Please note that if turning right onto London Road, supporters buses will not be permitted to continue West through Bridgeton Cross, but will be directed north onto Fielden Street or south onto Dunn Street.
Holywell Street Coach Park
On leaving the Holywell Street bus park you will be able to turn either right onto Gallowgate towards the east of the city/ M74 or Left onto Gallowgate towards Fielden Street/ Millerston Street and onward to the M8/ South or West of the city.
Overflow Coach Parking Nuneaton Street
On leaving the Nuneaton Street parking area, coaches will be directed onto London Road via Boden Street where they will be able to turn both left and right.
For up to date travel information please view the following websites:
http://trafficscotland.org/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/local/scotland-glasgow.shtml
Top Corner
Thanks mate but he lives near Glasgow and I live in Lincolnshire! Thanks anyway
Indio
Thank you very much my friend. I shall contact my friend right away and hopefully he can get a ticket. Thanks so much
HH
P27
mickthetic at 11:05
If you’re connecting straight to the modem (no router) then you need to reboot the modem when switching computers.
Am off oot too !
Just one comment….
i agree with the hooped crusader in that we need to show caution gainst that mob
we aint won nothin yet and complacency has cost us before
best behaviour, should be a pleasant evening
eyes off the prize, we’ll be in trouble
Davis, Wylde, Jelly the danger men
and surprisingly Edu caused us a lot of probs in 4-2 game !!
be ON him well and often !!
that should help a lot
have a great day
Merry Christmas – Day 3 of 8 (Christmas Octave)
:)
TC
Coorslad
I hope it works out for you mate. Indio posted some good advice at about half eleven, you could try that? I’m not going to risk posting it as I very much doubt it will arrive by tomorrow :( Anyway thanks mate
HH
P27
Patrick27
last resort, maybe contact Chris at Lostbhoys
he’ll be heading up from round Manchester area – i know its a few miles but hey-ho
twitter
@ChrisLostBhoy
@TheLostBhoys
lostbhoys@gmail.com
sorry got no number
good luck !
off oot !
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS says:
27 December, 2011 at 11:23
Looks like you might be the page 10 w i d e b o y.
Can’t read the blog on a phone for these
Extra wide pages.
Spare a thought for phone users. Use the link creator.
If it wasn’t you I apologise.
Awe Naw re you’re travel arrangements, that not correct as you’ve deliberately left oot the ten pubs en route to CP.
V
It may have been Awe Naw at 1136. Lots of ———- pasted
in his post.
Fed up with w i d e oes so ah am.
Just seen Mario Ballatelli and some other Man City players attending St Marys RC chapel in Manchester..Have been for midnight also,and took time to thank the Wee Irish priest..Then went to a local pub bought everyone a drink and stuck a grand behind the bar..He’s not all bad..was in SSN..
Aw naw
It’s knowing when to stop that is the real gift.
SQUARE SLICE 1158
If that’s the case,I apologise sincerely. Took me years to switch on a computer,a few months to learn to type “the” in under an hour,and blinkin’ AGES to learn how to do this linky thing!
But,tbh,you’re right-the link creator is there for a reason,so I’ll try and get a hang of it.
BTW,the page isnae wide on my screen,so NANANANANA!
LOL,honest,I will try the lc.
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo says:
27 December, 2011 at 11:44
Thanks for posting (and your earlier one “by” Jaba).
You seem to have the great ability of distilling in a few short “copy and pastes” just what’s wrong with the Scottish Meeja. Without you I’d need to look up the sources. In you I trust. I’m going to write a letter of complaint to my MSP, my MP, the First Minister, the Prime Minister, the Queen, Prince Philip (is he able to receive letters?), the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Pope, the Dalai Lama, Barack Obama, Neil Armstrong, Barry Manilow, Robbie Savage, Pearl and Dean, Peter Stuyvesant and Arthur Guinness. Could you draft the letter? Should I send it to anyone else?
Any ecperts on SKY magic eye out there. Had one in the bedroom for a few yrs and worked fine. Last night the red light on the eye wasn’t on and can’t use the sky remote to play,pause access SKY menu..
Any ideas??
lochgoilhead bhoy,
You should send it electronically as I think postman Pat has pulled a sicky.
V
It’s good to be going into a game against the Huns with confidence in the air. My worry is that we are over confident.
The Huns know they have to avoid defeat or they will go into meltdown. Whyte will sell what he can and players will go. They will be up for it like never before, they’re cornered. The Huns will come out fighting, kicking and will put the referee under massive pressure from kick off at every foul.
We have to be brave when we have the ball, we can’t get involved in the game the Huns want.The nagging doubt I have is that although we’ve won 8 in a row a few recently have been closer than they should have been.
If we start well we’ll wipe the floor with them as they will struggle if they have to chase a game.
Motivation, discipline, bravery and skill should win the day. Sounds easy!
Patrick27 says:
27 December, 2011 at 11:54
Surely there must be some sort of relay we could use to transport your ticket.
You pass to one of Bhoys near that is coming up for game.
Cmon Bhoys who is closest to lincolnshire?