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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PS
pity Tony Stokes is injured, would love to seen him and Hoops going at their back line.
up_over_goal says:
27 December, 2011 at 00:02
Watched highlights on BBC and defence looked shaky again but as I said I like to ask other peoples thoughts on it I could be wrong.
GyEmerald says:
27 December, 2011 at 00:12
PS
pity Tony Stokes is injured, would love to seen him and Hoops going at their back line.
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I thought stokes was back.
and so the cqn hunfiltration continues unabated, sneaky wee doubts about oor team from pretend tims, they must think we are thick! doesnt help with awe naws stirring up confusion, he needs to catch a grip.
we will pump the huns, I have no sneaky doubts in this instance, so GIRUY
Lads it’s probably just me I always look at the negative side of things instead of just going with the flow.
We need Brown in there to rummel them up……they will not even try to play football against us on Wednesday…..they will try to unsettle our rythm, and Brown will play them at their own game, allowing our quality to prevail…..I am very confident about the result, if the MIB behaves himself……
…a repeat of the shame game is not an option…..can’t believe the Board didn’t take legal advice / action on the assault of our physio by diouf……and other ‘incidents’
….after their antics at the St Mirren game, where we witnessed their ‘sportsmanship’ again, I hope our Board have taken steps to gather / act on the evidence this time…?
hen1rik says:
27 December, 2011 at 00:17
Wasn’t on the bench at weekend. Hoped we’d go with pair of them in first Glasgow Derby of season, maybe later in season Hoops and Stokes will get chance to rip them apart
henr1k.
I don’t necessarily agree that our defence is shaky. We conceded an unlikely goal late on, and our players collectively lost the plot and panic set in – a worrying sign, but not something that can be pinpointed at our defenders. It was bit odd that Leenon disrupted a perfectly sound back 4 to accommodate his man, Wilson, and I hope he now regrets doing so and avoids unsettling the back line for Wednesday.
GyEmerald says:
27 December, 2011 at 00:23
hen1rik says:
27 December, 2011 at 00:17
Wasn’t on the bench at weekend. Hoped we’d go with pair of them in first Glasgow Derby of season, maybe later in season Hoops and Stokes will get chance to rip them apart
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Agreed m8 they link up brilliant but big sammy has surprised me this year.
I always remember the goal he scored against killie from right wing and passed about 3 players and slotted it in to net and then he got injured and wasn’t the same but maybe he’s better out on wing.
27 December, 2011 at 00:26
henr1k.
I don’t necessarily agree that our defence is shaky. We conceded an unlikely goal late on, and our players collectively lost the plot and panic set in – a worrying sign, but not something that can be pinpointed at our defenders. It was bit odd that Leenon disrupted a perfectly sound back 4 to accommodate his man, Wilson, and I hope he now regrets doing so and avoids unsettling the back line for Wednesday.
True m8 it’ll be the BBC highlights showing us in a bad light lol.
Dimitar Berbatov could resurrect his career if he came to us in January for a six month loan. Might bolster his sell on value for Man. U. too. Win, win, win, situation if only we had the ambition and he had the vision.
hen1rik says:
27 December, 2011 at 00:30
true Sammy’s starting to show the form we all know he’s capable of, form player at the moment, plus they hate playing against him, Come on Big Mhan!!!!
GyEmerald says:
27 December, 2011 at 00:35
The 2-0 game against huns he was unplayable.
hen1rik says:
27 December, 2011 at 00:41
And Skippy’s 1-0
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!! Tick Tock !! says:
27 December, 2011 at 00:23
…a repeat of the shame game is not an option…..can’t believe the Board didn’t take legal advice / action on the assault of our physio by diouf……and other ‘incidents’
….after their antics at the St Mirren game, where we witnessed their ‘sportsmanship’ again, I hope our Board have taken steps to gather / act on the evidence this time…?
Another summit I say lol.
Kit,
I think berbatov’s contract is up this season,so he is now on home straight.
I am sure that when he was in Germany -Schalke ? , he was recommended to us by Stan peterov, but sadly he went to Spurs.
One thing we should look at is guys who want to go to Euro 2012, but are not getting a regular domestic game -don’t know who they ar, but there is real value in that market.
GyEmerald says:
27 December, 2011 at 00:42
hen1rik says:
27 December, 2011 at 00:41
And Skippy’s 1-0
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Yes skippys was a peach old Davie weir lost lol
Mountain_Bhoy is Neil Lennon says:
27 December, 2011 at 00:18
and so the cqn hunfiltration continues unabated, sneaky wee doubts about oor team from pretend tims, they must think we are thick! doesnt help with awe naws stirring up confusion, he needs to catch a grip.
we will pump the huns, I have no sneaky doubts in this instance, so GIRUY
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Look ball bag I hope that ain’t directed at me
Henrik…..summit like that…..LOL…!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What’s happened to S Maloney… Never seen him on MOTD once?
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!! Tick Tock !! says:
27 December, 2011 at 00:56
: ) think the blog peaked there
GyEmerald says:
27 December, 2011 at 00:35
That’s what get on my nerves about this forum matey, you come on asking for an opinion and if it’s anything negative about Celtic your accused of being a Hun.
Wednesday game goes to form we pump them. OF games don’t always go to form and there are probably 5 players playing in their last OF game for the Huns… We need to be confident and careful not easy in these matches.
I can’t see us losing it but neither do I think we’ll romp it.
CultsBhoy hates being 2nd says:
27 December, 2011 at 00:56
What’s happened to S Maloney… Never seen him on MOTD once?
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Martinez said he was biding his time with him.
Clashcitybhoy:
I thought he was due to walk too but apparently there is a clause in his contract that gives the club the ‘enforceable’ option of another year. Six months with Celtic could attract the right interest and enhance any sell on price for his club.
They paid Spurs thirty million for his signature, they don’t want him walking for nowt. Can’t really see him coming north, just a wee wish.
hen1rik says:
27 December, 2011 at 00:59
You gotta feel the love, otherwise i’ll be posting some musical links : )
GyEmerald says:
27 December, 2011 at 01:01
hen1rik says:
27 December, 2011 at 00:59
You gotta feel the love, otherwise i’ll be posting some musical links : )
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LoL, I’m sitting chilling watching MOTD with a few beers.
Missus in bed wae wanes I’m sitting here like a Nigel maself ha ha thinking about a lot of positives about the mighty lol no negatives noo or this ball bag word will be used a lot the night ha ha.
Is commons back in action lads.
Kit
Six months with Celtic could attract the right interest and enhance any sell on price for his club.
——————————————————
I’d rather go for Torres or Tevez :-)
Cultsbhoy,
Shaun Maloney is where he always is during the winter months – in hibernation. Stunning in it’s regularity while at Celtic. At least two months, sometimes more, usually co-inciding with cold weather. I reckon he had more Malaysian genes than Aberdeen genes.
A gifted footballer who gave us one fantastic season, dozens of fantastic performances but more often than not either flattered to deceive or unavailable for selection. EPL is, in my view, a step too far, even first time around.
I wish him well, but he is not cut out for the physical demands of a team like Wigan where defending without the ball is as important as attacking with it.
Mind you, I watched Connor Salmon the other night lead the line for Wigan against Liverpool. Wee Shaun would be a better option up front on his own than Salmon, in my humble view from the couch. But then again, it is December.
Sabre67 says:
27 December, 2011 at 01:14
Are you sure Shaun wasn’t in a Dutch zoo whilst on camera?
Never mind Maloney where’s Caldwell been hiding lol.
Hen1rik
Cheers foe SM info…Martinez is running out of time to give anybody…
Shame SM didn’t get his head right at Celti as he had all the ability in the world…
CultsBhoy hates being 2nd says:
27 December, 2011 at 01:23
Hen1rik
Cheers foe SM info…Martinez is running out of time to give anybody…
Shame SM didn’t get his head right at Celti as he had all the ability in the world…
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Just think some of us wanted Martinez when Mowbray left but hey we had an excuse then lol.
We were that desperate we would’ve took anyone ha ha no I take that back not anyone.
Just came on for a quick read of today’s artical and wish all a very merry Christmas.
Dont know what to think of today’s artical.
One thing that I see missed out by paul67 is on the plus side we have a settled system that we can bring players into.
This has not been the case for a long time.
We must watch aluco. They will be telling him to go out and win as many free kicks as possible so they can lump balls into our box.
I think we might win 2-0 but would settle for 4-0 :0)
I am finding out that iPads are great for reading C.Q.N but not posting. Could anyone tell me how to refresh the page? Thanks
Tictalker talkin tic
The old SPL odds has fairly changed we’re now odds on.
Reading back over the Holy Weekend can i offer my prayers and best wishes to Oscar, Knoxy2000 and family.
Can’t understand the place your in but only can offer hope in the story that one of my sons’ friends was diagnoised with a form of cancer 2/3 years ago. He’s now a healthy 11/12 year old in senior school, Keep the Faith my friend.
Sabre67
Evidence supports your view … Sadly as he was a real Tim and a lovely lad with fantastic. Ability….perhaps too nice