It’s hard playing away from home in Europe, statistically, the hardest thing we do (harder still than guessing what bizarre nonsense Craig Thomson will get up to next). For all our great Champions League nights, our record on the Continent (or any other continent, as the case may be) is poor.
Hapoel Beer Shiva’s expectations will be low, but their job tonight is remarkably simple: score, then score again, then see what happens to Celtic. They scored twice in two minutes at Celtic Park, and if they can do the same in 80 minutes in Israel, that +£20m pot you’ve been reading about it anyone’s.
We need big performances from our big players, most notably Craig Gordon and Kolo Toure. I’ve no concerns we’ll get what’s necessary from Leigh Griffiths, James Forrest and Scott Sinclair. Therein lies the tactical problem for Hapoel.
They would prefer to play this game as they played Olympiakos: on the break. Instead, they have to chase the tie, which will leave space for Celtic’s fast front three to exploit.
Tactically, this is a very difficult task to prepare for the home team to prepare for, which is why Hapoel are 9-1 against qualifying, high odds for a two horse race. They need to play the opponent, so should defend, but they also need to play the aggregate score, so need to create lots of chances.
Teams who attempt to square this circle often lose the match. Let’s hope.
1-2, Celtic, on the night.
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I like the look of the team, obviously Brendan sees Lusticg as centre back and Rogic coming on later…mon the Hoops.
Looks like 4 – 2 – 3 – 1 for me. Ronnie’s legacy lives on ;-)
Think we will score twice tonight and just need to decide whether it will be one in each half or not before I place my bet ;-)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cqj6mSkWIAAC8rL.jpg
go hiontach ar fad
Braw.
Ps…I put the C in for Celtic;)
If O”Connell is not injured then I feel for him – trust in Brendan – the hour has almost come – HH
Evening Timland, hun free and hotter than hot.
A bit surprised at teh line up, but Brendan will know fine well what he is doing :-)
COYBIG
I’m no nervous at all
Nope, not a bit… Not. A. Bit.
Nope…
Btw… Wots a philistine and why we flyin their flag?
NEUSTADT
Excellent
To me it’s a 4-2-3-1 an away system that the hoops have had plenty practice with, but look more fitter now.
I bet the mssm will get CT into some consultant role to counter the scurrilously true comments of CS
Be’er Sheva’s danger and goals came from their sharpness on their left, so not surprised to see Janko’s pace in there, with Lustig adding necessary height and experience to the centre of defence for set pieces.
Think they will start as a 4-3-3 to stiffen the defence and play a bit tighter defensively early on. They must score at least 3 goals tonight, more if we nick 1 or 2 ourselves.
A 0-0 result at HT (and FT ! ) would be excellent HH
Nervous as feck….difference is BR has the players, and us, believing…..
Went to the Neuchatel game…..haven’t been confident of us getting a Euro result since…..except for tonight….;-))
FTSFA
BelieveCSC
H.H.
Happy with that team.
Wasnt expecting that starting X1, but I trust Brendan!
2-1 the Hoops.
HH!!
NB: Is dalta maith thú (you are a good student):-)
Guess there were a few big calls for Brendan to make on a few selections, but to me the Rogic v Bitton one may well have been the biggest of them all.
Bitton will sit a bit deeper and without having the same creative impact Rogic does he can be very good at holding the ball and dictating play, which can then eat up time.
We do not need to chase goals, although we do still have a very attack minded formation with McGregor, Forrest, Sinclair and Griffiths all on from the start.
Perhaps Rogic can be introduced IF things have not went as well as hoped and we then NEED to create more?
Xavi is 1.7 metres……………….. – St DBBIA
Dembele will come on in the second half and ruffle a few feathers if need be and hold up the ball.
O’Connell has filled a gap early season that’s covered our central defence injury crisis. Now that everyone is either back fit, or nearing fitness then he drops to 5th/6th choice.
Wouldn’t be surprised if he goes out on loan before next Wednesday.
Rumours aboud that Xavi is in Israel tonight. But until I see the photo with Paul The Tim……
I’m happy bout the right back pace we now have (all their attacks came from left wing attackers). Would have started with Dembele before griff tho as he’s better at holding the ball up. KEEP THE FAITH
If it was tactical O’Connell would move to the bench, must be injured IMHO
Bitton will also know what there talking aboot!!!
Danke nochmals Almore….your a braw teacher….
Smiley thing…
Braw.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 23RD AUGUST 2016 6:42 PM
Surprise line up no O’Connell ….
=====
Novices always get to a point when it is better to step back …… the trick is knowing when it is better to rest or to risk that confidence destroying performance / error.
Good managers get paid good money to decide…… or he might just have toothache, of course.
BSR
Don’t think they’d put two centre halfs on bench. Erik instead of O’Connell.
If Celtic don’t qualify for the CL – Paul Brennan will present tomorrows article in his underpants?
GARY67 / IKI
Yes, point taken. BR has gone with experience and probably had a doubt about young O’Connell.
BSR
Hope he wears different ones than the ones he was wearing during the match
sftb
Ha – I’ll set them up
New Panticles?
I’m not nervous at all.
My only worry is the ever changing defensive line. When for art shall we solidify with a little consistency.
But hey we will score a goal and most likely 2 therefor the Beer Shavers will need a minimum of 5 to put it to extra time.
I’ll still go for a 2-2 victory to the hoops.
MWD
I like that line up, we can cause them trouble and keep them honest at the back , but have 3 decent goalscorers on the bench if needed in MD,TR and PR, also ES on the bench to shore things up later on if needed, come on Celtic, bets now placed JF anytime and 3-1 for the good guys.
Jobo
:-)
I believe he is on it.
MWD
Come on Celtic, we were made for this…
Is Oor leader a Y man? Or a pugilist?
Or is a Broon striper ????
Hahahahaha
Smiley thing
Braw
Nae huns in the BT studio!
Sky would have had Tanner and McCann.
HH!!
Are any of the Always Ultras at the game tonight. Cheap flights as they have their own wings.
MWD
Personally if Bitton is on then our front three won’t be getting supplied as much as they should and it’s a waste putting three front players on the park if the mid field prefer to play square and back.