By the time they cross the white line on Sunday afternoon, Celtic will have rested for 8 days. Kyogo had a few heavy training sessions early in the week and will be fitter, Giorgos Giakoumakis has iced his delicate limb. The entire squad has rested in preparation for Hampden, a stadium, which incredibly, over many years, has provided Celtic with a higher win rate that the Paradise itself.
I didn’t get everything I wanted from this week’s European ties, but extra time at Ibrox was top of my list. The script is written, althogh, you and I both know football is full of adlib moments. Scripts give you a sense of what to expect, the punchlines often come from an inspired creator rising to the occasion. We can take nothing for granted, this will be a battle.
On our last visit to Hampden, Ange Postecoglou considered the League Cup Final important enough to start Kyogo, who pulled a hamstring 10 days earlier. The decision proved pivotal, as our Japanese striker scored two to transform a deficit into a win. The manager’s wisdom was called into question a week later, when the same player exacerbated his injury, leading to a three-month layoff.
With a glance at the trophy cabinet, Ange might consider his instincts were right regarding Kyogo. If so, Giakoumakis is likely to start. Those three months, however, gave Ange time to ruminate. I expect the Greek to start on the bench.
Patience will be required. The game could last 120 minutes, if so, substitute decisions will be important. Oh, and please, tomorrow, practice from 12 yards……….
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Maybe Callum likes wearing the mask, makes him adopt a different persona, brings out his inner broonie, getting in huns faces and calling them shitebags.
who cares.
he should just come clean about the tattoo
we are still two sleeps from the actual game day and yet the worry meter has been cranked up to “gibberin wreck” levels for some.
chill for goodness sake, relax, just be prepared, stop frettin on things you cant change.
WHO WANTS A GAME OF CALL MY BLUFF.
———-
Would love to, however do you not need to have brain capacity of the average over 7 year old to play ? 😆
Hypothetically, imagine it was the infamous ” mole” who leaked the news that GG was out for Sunday.
The blog would be going tonto.
HH to all.
No gibberiin wreck here just don’t disclose what you don’t have to
HH
Tom
Im well. Stick to Roy Smeaton mantra…ah dobt give a fu.. 😅😅😂
Dobt…dont.. fat finger..
the rangers blogs are full of
“dont trust timmy, ange tells lies , he has previous with mcgregor”
oh good laurie is on.
Tom,
I am not of a nervous disposition. I am reasonably confident about Sunday. I am just one of those people who doesn’t want to give opponents anything that would give them any advantage (perceived or otherwise) against me. That’s not just in football – its in any sport that I play as well and it does not mean cheating!
An example of this would be Canada playing Jamaica in a World Cup Qualifier, and playing it in Alberta where the temperature was below 0 degs. C. They said they had to play away games in temps above 80 degs. F so this was their option for home games.
PlayFair CSC
so ange’s actual words were ………..
“its probably too soon for giokomakis”
hmmm
Yawn.
“straight talker”, “team plays off the cuff”
Sometimes used as pejorative euphemisms insinuating a less structured, less scientific, less sophisticated, less professional approach?
Does Ange really strike anyone on here as a manager who would deliberately offer the opposition any miniscule advantage?
I think we’ve seen enough evidence so far that, when it comes to this management lark, the guy knows what he is doing?
that ange jumper story was quite funny,
who else relies on their wife to put out their work clothes for the next day.
what a laugh that was the day i turned up at the call centre dressed as a lollipop man
Me. And I love her
I could understand the problem if Ange had said – Kyogo will definitely start on Sunday. Now that would be showing the opposition your hand. But saying GG is out doesn’t give them any assistance.
Here’s a clue – GG will be replaced by another striker. My guess is GVB will have worked that out.
Drew1967- From earlier, not seen Mark in years. Hope he is well and you of course.
Hows your mum?
I was in Celinos just along from Dolphin with the wife, kids and Grandkids as well today.
I was telling my Grandson about the Dolphin as we passed it.
D :)
Ajeti to lead the line on Sunday – that’ll get them thinking
Tom Mc Laughlin,
Kyogo,Kyoto,that’s what my Turkish Laptop prints.God forbid I should be “Disrespectful”for forgetting to check every time.Sure Kyogo is really upset about it,maybe not as much as you seem to be.
You really are coming across as a bit of a bumptious ass at the moment.
Chill pill required.
Back to Basics – Glass Empty!!!😄
TURKEYBHOY
Chill pill?
It’s not facebook.
I really like the energy Maeda brings to the party,but to say he should play in front of Kajagoogoo is like saying Andy Walker in front of Henrik.
Oops sorry Tom,bloody laptop again.
Hope that does not get you smashing crockery.
A bad workman blames his tools.
SARGASSOSEA
It is utter hypocrisy for Canada and the U.S. to justify playing Central American/Caribbean countries in below zero temperatures by arguing, “We were made to play our away games in tropical countries.”
This is complete nonsense. FIFA sets the World Cup qualifying dates. Other than Mexico, these countries are so small that any temperature variation is minimal. i.e. these countries have no choice of climate. The U.S., by forcing Honduras, El Salvadore et al to play in places like Minnesota on brick hard icy surfaces in winter, when they could play in places like Florida, is making a blatant attempt to seek an advantage, and denying the possibility of any away fans attending.
TOM MCLAUGHLIN on 15TH APRIL 2022 8:20 PM
TURKEYBHOY
Chill pill?
It’s not facebook.
Is it not?Ho ho,wit am a like.These Turkish glasses,came with the laptop.
Should have said, “ Made to play our away games in tropical temperatures.”
Hope to see some Palestine flags among the Irish flags on Sunday.
TOM MCLAUGHLIN on 15TH APRIL 2022 8:30 PM
A bad workman blames his tools.
Yes,he probably does.Thing is,I bet he does not get his knickers in a twist about something so inconsequential.
Swings and roundabouts.
TOM MCLAUGHLIN on 15TH APRIL 2022 8:39 PM
Hope to see some Palestine flags among the Irish flags on Sunday.
Not being pedantic,but why.They don’t believe in Easter,and for the life of me,don’t think they helped out at all in the GPO.
Any word on Bobby Lennox, is he in the squad for Sunday
Always does well at Hampden
my main concern is keeping CCV fit! if he gets injured we go back to shaky defense for the run in. Its hard to win titles and the pressure will be immense for most of our team who have not been in this position before.
Keep the defense injury free will be crucial.
Having said that, their is a certain romance to big Julian coming in and scoring the winning goal to replay the wonderful reception he got upon his cameo return.
As for the semi – it’ll be tough. I think rangers look strong with Bassey and barisic at the back an we will miss the physicality.
Ange will have a few tricks hopefully !
Don’t forget James Forrest in the selection possibilities. He’s fit and Darin’ to go, plus, Hampden is a happy hunting ground for him.
Just a reminder that there are no Superbru predictions to be made this weekend. Next 3 predictions are due for Saturday 23rd at 3 pm when the bottom 6 play and 3 more by 12 noon on the Sunday when the top 6 play.
Turkeybhoy don’t be so ignorant. There are approximately 500,000 Palestinian Christians .
Doesn’t happen all the time but Ramadan, Passover and Easter have all converged this year.
Turkeybhoy…obviously you have never been in Palestine at Easter.
Evening all.
A wee bit of Country and Western.
https://youtu.be/UK3WsE0khZo Charlie Rich
https://youtu.be/ETkzK9pXMio Glen Campbell
https://youtu.be/R7f189Z0v0Y Willie Nelson
Brian
It was meant as a joke.
FFS,a few touchy people about tonight.
Offski, will leave this jovial bunch to it.
ThomTheThim……………
How you doing?
I think that’s what is called an embarrassed retreat.