Cecil B DeMille liked going to work with a Cast of Thousands. Ange Postecoglou must feel the same way as he prepares for the trip across the city tomorrow. He has never had as large a squad to choose from since his arrival at the club in June, and perhaps never in his managerial career.
Kyogo will be on the team bus. It has been over three months since our most valuable asset crossed the white line, he returns just in time to contribute towards the conclusion of his first season in Scotland. Giorgos Giakoumakis will surely take the starting striker role. He is fully fit and in the best form of any striker in the country. At most, Kyogo will be limited to a cameo, but his presence will lift the spirits of team-mates and the 700 Celtic fans in the stadium.
Ibrox is likely to be on a par with any surface we will play on for the remainder of the season. Whenever we have been in trouble away from home, it mostly comes from an inability to get our passing game going on an unsuitable pitch. We must get the ball moving on the ground as crisply as possible.
Goalkeeper and defensive options are straightforward. Who plays either side of Callum McGregor and either side of Giorgos is a more difficult question for Ange. Perm any two from Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley, David Turnbull and Tom Rogic for the midfield positions, and two from Daizan Maeda, Jota or Liel Abada for the forward positions.
Years of watching games at Ibrox have conditioned me to want players capable of standing up to the physical challenge. If, as I expect, we start Hatate and O’Riley, I would insist on Maeda ahead of them for his tackling and general industry.
Celtic will take to the field with the calm of a team who know they still be top of the table when they leave. Newco know they need to win at all costs, even a draw is not good enough. If the score is level going into the final quarter of the game, our hosts will gamble. We need to be ready with a Jonny Hayes -type counterattack. Think what CB would say at the Red Sea parting scene.
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Starting 11 tomorrow – MF is the only area where I think we are missing a full spectrum of talent.
MF = NB + CMcG / MO’R vs CMcG + RH / MO’R — Discuss because I am struggling to work it out.
Conditioning and rest after the long flights back could be the deciding factor.
Moderator88
I would guess that most posters agree with you and do not share MM`s view that you should `wind yer neck in`…..whatever that means in this case. .
Bring back the James Forrest of local interweb fame.
He was a bit tabloid at times but his ego is / was smaller than Jupiter.
Big improvement on the current situation.
One of the things that I think we should feel good about re tomorrow is how nearly everyone is agree on the `keeper and the back four. It has been some time since we had a regular defensive unit.
Does anyone know if Hatate can play left back? I vaguely remember talk before we signed him that he’d played that position before? Not that I’m suggesting he should play there tomorrow but considering that is one of our weaker positions if you had him in there it would mean Turnbull could play in midfield. Plus we’re so attacking under Ange that it’s not like we’d lose his creative/goal threat.
re selection. I am guessing that the biggest selection debate will be Rogic or O`Riley. I really rate Matt but Big Tom would be my choice for tomorrow. I certainly wouldn`t play both but I am not sure Ange feels the same.
Evening all. Feeling reasonably confident for tomorrow. Partly down to our form , Kyogo making the bench and Fat boy missing upfront for them
In saying all that I’m seriously considering not watching the game tomorrow and going hill climbing or something where I can’t see / hear what’s going on.
I was speaking to a Rangers fan today ( someone respectful), and he told me that Mc shagger is a serious doubt for them.
I tried to play it down a bit when he told me but if he is indeed out that’s good news for us.
Hail hail and have a good evening everyone.
Also start with DM / GG / JNPF up front.
DM = all action style to press from the front.
GG = Focal point / physical presence.
JNPF = Top of his game he tears them apart with LA in reserve.
No starting place for KF — we need to get him back slowly.
DD @ 6.59
Sounds like a good idea.
Shaping up to be a 90 minute bigotfest plus the SKy commentating crew would give you the dry boak.
DANDAN on 2ND APRIL 2022 6:59 PM
Someone mentioned earlier that `McGregor might be out` but the response assumed he meant Calmac but I think the original post WAS referring to the Hun `keeper. Personally, I am not worried if he is injured or not as I feel , although still very capable, he has a lot more mistakes in him now than heretofore.
McGregor, Rogic, Turnbull, Hatate, O’Riley, Abada, Jota, Kyogo, Giakoumakis, Maeda. Any six…any six you like from that ten should be good for at least a couple of goals tomorrow. We have genuine options so the only thing left to do is trust the boss…and I think we all know we’re in good hands there!
Whatever we do tomorrow we must keep 11 players on the pitch ,must
They will be looking for any excuse, please dont give them one
3 —0 the good guys
KINGLuBO
Many of us have seen the welcoming to Lennoxtown today. Our players even went over to acknowledge the bhoys.
Looked spectacular with flares, however I think the big mad banner could have been worded better.
” We don’t fu@@ing stop”.
HH and COYBIG
I hope that Collum will not be afraid to make a decision against sevco tomorrow for fear of being hauled over the coals again.
Hmm,maybe that’s why he was picked for this game.
HH
Phil
2 Blueness’s and seemingly a Aberdeen Supporter?on Sportscene ,them over at Pacific Quay really show who they really support.
PHILCOOL,
As soon as I heard Collum was to be the ref, I presumed that that was the scenario. I reckon he has been tipped the wink his job is on the line, unless he does his masters’ bidding.
TURKEYBHOY
I’m with you. We must play Kyogo from the start. He will be straining at the leash to get at them and will be super-fit and full of confidence. He is too good to leave on the bench.
With Giakoumakis as back-up, we are in a very strong position and his presence at the start will put the fear into the opposition.
Whoever starts up front, it’s a great problem to have.
2-0 Celtic.
The team i have just been sent,has Rogic instead of O’Riley
The night before the biggest game of the season and adverts and the usual anonymous trolls are battling for position on here. Such a shame.
P.S. I’m feeling quietly confident.
Drew1967 6.21pm
Drumpelier Cricket club in Coatbridge … for a couple of seasons the rugby club & cricket club had a wee fall out and amateur football fitba team Coatbridge CC replaced the rugby mob and played their games on the ground … obviously well away from the cricket area … I grew up running about that area and still live pretty close
The wee cricket club was a cracking wee social club, great wee pool table in the games room … I was only a a pup back then, circa 85/86
As for tomorrow I think Giamakous deserves the jersey but can also see Ange going with Kyogo… even though I think Maeda has been excellent I think he will kick on once Kyogo is in the team … win,lose or draw we will still be in pole position so what’s not too enjoy
Ernie 11.52am today … spot on
The night before the biggest game since the last biggest game and people come on to post about others not posting about the biggest game since the last biggest game but not actually saying anything about the biggest game since the last biggest game.
Parkheadcumsalford…or anyone for that matter. Do you honestly believe that someone will instruct Collum to give decisions that help the hun or else his job is on the line? Too far fetched for me.
!!BADA BING!! on 2ND APRIL 2022 7:48 PM
The team i have just been sent,has Rogic instead of O’Riley
###
Is it the same mole that was there under NFL’s tenure
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 2ND APRIL 2022 7:54 PM
Peer pressure plus knowing which side your bread is buttered more likely.
Hart
Jura CCV Carl Greig
Hatate Cal Mc
O’Riley
Maeda Jota
Giaka
Subs: Ralston, Julienne, Kyogo, Abada, Rogic, Turnbull, Idegucchi, Bitton, McCarthy, Bain, Karamoko,
Any 5 from that bench.
Bring them on
COYBIG
D :)
COYBIG
My team for tomorrow ……..
Celtic 🍀
MODERATOR 1888
——
If the rules of the forum have changed, I will, as I have always done, adhere to those rules. I do post politically because I feel it important – I will not do so in future. I feel it is a pity that as grown-ups we have to be censored – however I accept that today’s tsunami-like politicising by a certain poster may have ‘tipped the balance’.
CQN is, as I have said on many occasions, the best Celtic blog – let’s hope it stays that way HH.
JHB
Mostly I am not too fussed on the topics of CQN’rs posts
But the last week or so, politics seems to have grown arms and legs
Jeest gonna no dae that………… for a wee bit
Hopefully the pumping we give out tomoz helps fill the blog with happy hearts
“….the CQN posters are living proof that their site is dying, it’s only mad mitch, jhb and ernie lynch that keep it going” (big packy 8.59pm April 1st, Sentinel Celts)
Now that is what I call an April Fool
Ernie @ 7.55 Unfortunately, wee Willie Winkie is one of our most gaff-prone referees and that is a worry for tomorrow, although, I suppose the gaff could favour us. Now that would be beautiful…and possibly the end of his career. It must be coming to an end soon anyway. How old is he 43? They are retired at 47. He’s made a lot of money along the way. Anyway, 3-1 to the good guys.
Julia Hartley-Brewer has such a sense of her own importance.
Hopefully, the preaching will stop now.
MODERATOR1888 @8:16 PM
Hopefully the pumping we give out tomoz helps fill the blog with happy hearts.
—–
Agree 100 %.
Thank you for your reply – it is appreciated.
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS 8:29 PM
Julia Hartley-Brewer has such a sense of her own importance.
Hopefully, the preaching will stop now.
——
Well obviously it hasn’t yet – nor have the cheap insults.
Good to see the Mod reigning in the polemicists and possible multi-monikers
Has anyone asked Moderator1888 if they are a hun yet?
Only fair …
Only an idiot would predict the score tomorrow…..so I’m going for 2-0 😜
Nothing cheap about my insults.
Btw…they are all tongue in cheek, didn’t you know?