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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Turkeybhoy…come on! It wasn’t meant as a joke. You were simply caught out. Don’t take it so seriously.
You’ll survive :-)
Here’s one for ye Turkeybhoy. Pride is the deadliest of sins apparently.
Hard to be Humble.
https://youtu.be/RCyYuLQ7_Ws
TURKEYBHOY
The reason I suggested Palestine flags was in light of events in Palestine today.
Lay off Turkeybhoy. Stop ganging up ffs.
Tom
It’s not worth it.
The chap will be on telling us how jealous we should be about his 50 inch tv and wife serving him drinks as he watches Celtic in his chosen 3rd world place of residence.
Not really worth trying to have a debate which involves any robust evidence with.
I’ve been invited to stay over in Glasgow on Sunday night after the game, hopefully to facilitate great celebration. Going to the game as a guest of the Bertie Auld CSC in Maryhill and staying with my big pal in Summerston.
Luckily I have a very understanding wife.
Hail Hail
I was merely confirming to him what was behind my Palestine flags comment.
Good Friday, being as it april, I’m off to watch “King of Kings”.
Angels in the Sky – Crew Cuts
https://youtu.be/wzRLKK439pI
Braga ?
Not the best not the worst team I have saw this season, personally I think Bodo Glimt were a far better European team I have watched playing in Scotland this season … anyhow, the Huns (that covers all names) have done well this season in Europa … but on Sunday they will face better forward going players than they did last night
Hope to f…. rance … they don’t make Seville and am confident Nkunku & co will make sure they don’t,,, BUT season 21/22 for me is about Ange & our team, Sunday isn’t a given but it’s a platform for Ange & co to get us to a Scottish cup final that “could” end up in one hell off a season … only league cup in the bag so far, but around a possible half a dozen games from a season like no other ….
we don’t stop :-)
SIONNAIGH
This afternoon I listened to J S BACH’s St Matthew’s Passion.
IF we get to the final, I hope it’s Hibs rather than Hearts.
Tom 10.19pm
I hope we get to the final and I don’t care if it’s Hearts or Hibs …
But like you I would prefer Hampden to be green & white all the way round
In any cup tie, you have to win it to be in it. To maximise your chances, the best players available should start.
For me, these are:
Hart
Joranovic, CCV, Starfelt, Taylor
Hatate, CalMac, Rogic
Jota, Kyogo, Maeda
That said, whichever players our esteemed manager selects, Celtic will be in the final
In Ange We Trust
SLÁINTE 10.29am
I would be delighted to see that line up, Maeda & Kyogo in the starting 11 is something I look forward too, both players have shown their ability on their own, got a feeling these two are going to run defences ragged … obviously terrific players in their own right but the two of them together is an exciting striking prospect
Tom
Does the Bertie Auld CSC run out of either the Rams Head, or the Star & Garter?
HH
Perhaps, it’s to find the mole that Ange has said the GG will not start? Doubt it though! :)) por cierto.
GFTB on 15TH APRIL 2022 10:33 PM
SLÁINTE
A mouth-watering prospect indeed
and the bench could include:
Abada, O’Riley, McCarthey, Turnbull, Ralston, Welsh, Bitton, Guchi, if all fit.
HH
CALL ME GERRY
Star & Garter.
SLÁINTE 11.31pm
Ange has signed many great players … but I honestly think Abada was went under the radar because of the many successes, love Kyogo, Maeda (never stops) … and every other player that has joined us… maybe pre pandemic guys like Barkas & Ajetti life might have been different … but better looking forward than backwards .. but even though our forward going players get all the headlines CCV & Starfelt are growing as a partnership and I think Ange’s best signing has been Joe Hart .. o loved big Fraser & Craig Gordon but I think Joe Hart is better than the two of them … an upgrade between the sticks isn’t usually a Celtic thing :-)
97 went to a football match.
God bless them
Check out this post from Celtic FC https://www.celticfc.com/news/2022/april/15/thoughts-and-prayers-with-the-hillsborough-families/
HH
Tom @ 11:41
I had an idea that it was one or the other. I was born & bred in Maryhill, before moving to east end of Glasgow in late 90’s. Still in the area via work. Hope you enjoy your weekend 👍
HH
TOM MCLAUGHLIN – the chief Gaslighting guy on here
GFTB @ 11.51pm
Fully agree with you, but we have to remember that Liel Abada is only 20.
His time will come, and quite soon methinks
HH
Hello again all you young rebels.
Good read back this fine Oz morning, you can just tell that
we are all getting that wee bit edgy, that’s right Tom ? Lol.
Loved that Ange clip about his wife dressing him, bit like
that myself, with the princess laying out my youth training
kit and making sure everything matches, then she will start
on the weemhan, black socks, shorts, don’t go with a hoops
top, “ oh ma heid “
She’s right though 😍
H H. Mick
CALL ME GERRY –
Thanks.
Never been to Star & Garter. My mate in Summerston invited me. Really looking forward to it.
SLÁINTE 12.02am
Liel Abada is the young player of the year in Scotland by a country mile …. not that it matters, but just imagine say Kant or Diallo fae that mob had Liel’s “numbers” …. although am content with Abada just doing what he does for us
Tom Mc
Enjoy your day oot on Sunday
MM
Am sure you will enjoy game … Saturday or Monday whatever day the semi final is in Melbourne
GERRY
I’m sure Tom will luv it.
With all the early morn rises here to watch the bhoys I never know
what day it is lol.
But a Celtic win and it’s funday. 👌🥃🥃🍷🍷🍺🍺
H H. Mick
In many ways, Kyogo and Maeda starting would be exciting, however I trust Ange’s judgment as to whether Kyogo is a risk.
If he’s on the bench, I will assume it’s simply match fitness. I don’t think Ange would risk him injury wise, even if it’s for a cameo.
No-one could deny Leil a start. He is absolutely deadly with the ball on the other side and has already scored against them. Seems if Kyogo plays he’ll drop out. Says something about the squad.
The Tavernier stats are incredible, to be fair. £250k? Hard to argue with that. So, our left side will need to negate him. Tbf, wee Jota is a real worker off the ball and his help will be needed.
Tam or Matt? Personally I would start Tam but if Ange goes for the Dane, I’m happy enough.
They’ll want to come out of the traps early. But, it’s a 90 minute game. And we never stop.
MM 1.02am
Bank holiday weekend here and am off on Tuesday so no work till Wednesday :-)
Had to suffer the Huns winning last night, told my good lady to book her flights to Seville, “if” they make the final I’d much prefer wife & 2 stepdaughters in Spain than Coatbrig:-)
Watching the Ange presser from today, I love Neil Lennon and always will, he has brought me far too many good times from December 2000 until he left us… but … Ange is impressive, plays the media at their own game and is actually a terrific motivator as well as a manager … he is a perfect fit for Celtic … hope he is up for staying for many a season … he might one day even bring us more success than Neil has :-)
That’s just a wee laugh for the punters who dislike one of our most successful captain & managers :-)
History will surely remember Neil Lennon for what he was …. Ange is now our future 🍀
Good post Gerry.
H.H. Mick
Good morning all from Govanhill.
Good morning CQN
Just over 24 hrs to Hampden, a wee distraction from the important business of winning the league
Hampden in the sun on cup final day is enjoyable, but it doesn’t bring wealth or European prestige
Ange has the team on a magnificent run, recently we have seen fast-flowing passing football with goals galore at paradise, which followed a gritty determination to recover from a goal behind at Ibrokes including a new phenomenon a solid defensive 2nd half display, hopefully, this augurs well for Europe next season as defending a lead is absolutely vital in Europe
Cup semi-finals can be instantly forgotten as getting to the final is all that matters, I’m feeling confident, the squad at its strongest, big Hampden pitch suits us as our record there recently shows…..why all the angst
In Ange we trust
aff oot
Hello again all you young rebels.
From another very hot 27 degs Melbourne, Autumn, the leaves are
falling of the trees like the Huns scooting oot of the midden, and we’ve
got a heatwave ???
Climate change ?
So, the barbie on and a wee nostalgia day, Dusty Springfield, what a
talent, Sandie Shaw, my first crush, Cilla Black, legend, Pet Clark still
performing wow!
Same again tomoz, but slowly build up with the Celtic songs, then the
rebs, with the flags of war over the garden fence.
Neighbours won’t mind, theirs went up yesterday lol.
H H. Mick. 🇮🇪 🇯🇵🏴
Good morning all from a dry but chilly Garngad
Nerves are kicking in even more today as we play our 10 year old neighbours in the next installment of the Glasgow Derby.
I honestly cannot see past us winning as I think everyone will be there and have a part to play even Giaka.
I dont think you would show your hand to your opponent before a semi final, but even if he does not make it we have enough firepower to score goals.
COYBIG
D :)
MM – Flags of war went up in the Garngad quite a while ago. 😂
Enjoy Amigo.
D :)
MELBOURNE MICK….
RE Petula Clark.
Did you know that one of her HIT Songs was written by Charlie Chaplin ?
Its called…” This is my Song”. I sometimes play it at home and or in my local pub Juke Box.
Ive never been a Chaplin fan…..I much preferred Stan and Ollie.
Hope you and PADDY and all the rest are in good cheer.
IF we beat the Huns on Sunday, does Big ANGE get to keep Van Bronkie on his mantelpiece ?
HH Mate.
Any SPARES for manana?
D :)