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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DAVID66 on 16TH APRIL 2022 7:04 AM
MM – Flags of war went up in the Garngad quite a while ago. 😂
Enjoy Amigo.
D :)
……………..
MAGIC Mate.
HH
Morning David/ BRB
Yes , tension building, weemhan appeared with his mates today
all in the hoops, asked them where they were going, “ fur a KFC “
“ Is that the same as a KTF “
Aw papa, your gettin worse.
🤪
H H. Mick
UK Immigration Control
https://twitter.com/SimonBrodkin/status/1515027045260177409?s=20&t=vR2ZVATj4RCxK94oGnTUgQ
Morning Big Jimmy
Couldn’t believe that babe is still performing, wonder if I will
still be kicking a baw at that age ?
Cmon bhoys must be sumbdy got a spare for David 66 s wee lhad
feel quite sad that wee bhoy might miss out.
H H. Mick
Good morning from a bright but chilly looking North Staffs. Looks like ideal gardening weather later on.
I’m sure Ange will get his team selection right.
BIG JIMMY
Paddy just out of hospital today, all good after a week of his leg
elevated to get his wallet up and out, sorry I meant get a growth
cut out, suppose same thing 🤪
Doc told him during the week if he was a good bhoy he’d get out
early, that never happened lol.
Hope you are good big fhella and still cruising the Calton.
H H. Mick
MM
Best wishes to Paddy for a speedy recovery!
MM – Cheers.
Paddy out in time for a Hun Skelping, priorities and all that… 😂🍺
Is the young loones started their new league playing the older guys yet?
D :)
MM 6.53am
Might not be as warm here but the sun is splitting the trees in ML5 …
Mon the Hibees today … could Hampden be a mass of green white & gold (orange, yellow) come cup final day ? I certainly hope so … much nicer than those red white & blue flegs :-)
MELBOURNE MICK
Cmon bhoys must be sumbdy got a spare for David 66 s wee lhad
feel quite sad that wee bhoy might miss out.
I know what you mean, but the problem with this type of football event is that any Celtic supporter who finds him or herself in the position of having a ticket but unable to attend will have any number of friends and family waiting in line to bite their hand off for the elusive brief.
Unfortunately that means the chances of a spare ticket suddenly becoming available to someone on a Celtic blog are exceedingly remote.
But not impossible. Keep asking the question David66. You never know.
Hail Hail
DAVID 66
League starts next week, very apprehensive, loads of teams because
of Covid and low numbers registering have combined seniors with
under 18s 19s 20s , seniors are like ex pros etc, so tough ask.
But the loons can’t wait, they won’t be beat physically, as most are
well over 6 ft, but you and I know experience is vital.
Another factor because of the dreaded lurgy we have teams in the
league from over the bay, probably 1 hour 40 mins drive.
Whatever, we’ll give it our best shot.
H H. Mick
Anyway, good morning from a sunny, spring morning in the Village.
TURKEYBHOY – Get yourself back on the blog. Historically you and I have been allies on CQN. No sense in falling out over trivialities, and I readily accept my share of the blame for that.
Truce?
Anyway.I hope you have a great day tomorrow watching the Celts slay the Hun. Again.
☘️
DAVID66
Flaherty was some player.
Ended up in the Smiddy later on then back to Albion…bit of a blur after that😁
.Maureen doin great…made sure i was dressed appropriately for Good Friday before we headed to Partick.🤣🤣🍻🍻.
MM – Best of luck.
I am sure the bhoys will compete once on the park and that’s the 1st step the rest will come, hunger and appetite etc and build on it from there.
Big Jimmy – Good morning big man.There will be a few of us in the Howgait or The Lee the morra for the Game and you are welcome to join us if you feel up to it.
D :)
Yes TOM ,but wouldn’t it be great to be a Cqn’r and we got
that wee bhoy a ticket.
Really surprised it hasn’t happened yet, in all honesty if I was
home I’d love to be that hero. 🙏👏
H H. Mick
Drew1967- That’s good.
Last time I seen Mark was when he did some casual work for Royal Mail when I worked there about 30 years ago….ffs I am auld.
Remind me to bore you of a story about Mark and myself when we were at Partick Thistle.
Not for these pages.
Please Tell your mum I was asking after her.
Hail Hail
D :)
Tom cheers.
The wee mhan is so upset as he cannot get to it as he goes to every home game, friendly, abroad and the odd away game that they can get tickets for.
He also is not allowed in the pub to watch with his daft granda and his mates, mum, dad, aunties and uncles, so my wife is on Grandkid watching duty😂
Wee man thinking of dressing up as Winston from still game when he got barred from the Clansman.😂 to get in pub to watch the game.
He will watch it in my house with his sister and my wife.
He went out and bought 2 Retro tops as well and he is still buzzing anyway.
D :)
DAVID66
Will do.
Cheers
Goin back to ma bed for an hour…heids burstin
Drew1967 – Get a big greasy fry up soon ye, wi a couple of morons rolls.
You’ll be fine.
You better be fit fo manana.
D :)
Doon ye not soon ye.
DOH
D :)
Love they morons rolls too mate🍔
DAVID66 on 16TH APRIL 2022 7:59 AM
MM – Best of luck.
I am sure the bhoys will compete once on the park and that’s the 1st step the rest will come, hunger and appetite etc and build on it from there.
Big Jimmy – Good morning big man.There will be a few of us in the Howgait or The Lee the morra for the Game and you are welcome to join us if you feel up to it.
D :)
…………..
Thanks Davie Bhoy, but I am a bit unwell and losing a little bit of Blood…again. Feeling a bit dizzy and sickish etc . I dare NOT go out and/or drink…I NEED to stay at home for now.
Sorry but wont be able to join you and your chums tomorrow.
HH Mate, and thanks again for inviting me.
HH
Good morning all, from the Bay of Biscay.
No Problem Jimmy I hope you pick up.
A wee Hun skelping tomorrow will cheer you right up.
Do you need anything I am off to opticians and a bit of shopping with Sharon and can drop in later.
D :)
D66 bring me a roll n sausage, black pudding and a wee dod of broon sauce. And be sharp about it, ya Garngad layabout.
BRRB – 😂
You will get 6 cans of lager and be happy with it.
Or I will march under the Flag of war to your gaffe.
D :)
David 66,
God loves a trier, and you have certainly tried for a ticket on here. It was always a tough ask, a semi final against the huns with equal ticket allocation.
There is still tome and hope : Good luck.
One possible solution for your whole gang would be to watch the game in O’Neils in the Merchant City. They let families in. However demand will be extremely high and you would need to arrive nice and early.
We will ne watching the game in McChuills. It will be manic, unfortunately i dont think they let under 18’s in.
If you go to O’Neills ,maybe catch you after in the street party .
HH , enjoy the journey and COYBIG.
DAVID66
I’m sure once he starts cheering the Celts on the TV he’ll be a happy bhoy.
My 6 year-old grandson’s other grandad is a Hearts ST holder. He is going to Hamoden today with his grandad and two cousins. He has been to two Celtic games with his dad and me. His dad, my son, is a Celtic man.
Anyway, I was with the wee man on Tuesday when he told me he was going to the Hearts v Hibs semi-final. He must have registered my surprise because he quickly reassured me with, “But I’ll always be a Celtic supporter.”
I know for sure his dad wouldn’t have it any other way.
Oh and guys stay safe and keep your wits about you.
I saw a glimpse of hun aggression in Blackpool the other night. Some of them really are quite ugly.
The Glasgow Evening Times online is leading with the following headline:
Rangers would be a point ahead of Celtic if Scottish Football had VAR – the SPFL must vote in new technology
Not going to post the link.
Very telling that the headline stresses the point to all clubs that var is necessary if only to help out Old Firm FC.
Only in Scotland.
TOM MCLAUGHLIN
I read the article earlier. It’s actually embarrassing and clutching at straws. Not surprised though.
Tom 9.24am
The ET is no more than a Hun fanzine these days, am pretty sure a few years back on of their “journalists” ended their piece with a full run down of season ticket prices for Ibrox all age groups mentioned, probably just to save the Klub the advertising fee….
I take it no mention of VAR was in situ their 1-0 victory against Motherwell at Ibrox would have been 2pts dropped as Sakala was the only player in the 6yd box when he scored the winner … the ET journo will have selective memory when it comes to his/her favourites
Hail Hail
Stay Safe
I actually don’t believe I know anyone who takes these parochial wee rags seriously. In fact I don’t know anyone who would buy them. Not worth stressing over tbh.
TOM MCLAUGHLIN,
I think I am right in saying that the Evening Times is now in the same newspaper group as the Herald. There was a wee documentary about the Group a wee while back. The Herald like all of the Group had to make savings. First thing they did was to get rid of the lady journalist (Alison ?) who reported on Celtic. Haven’t read either for years.
Heading to Hampden tomorrow. What time do pubs open? Is it 12?
I was thinking about getting a couple of beers in the town and getting a bus/train or taxi over.
Any thoughts? Would I be best heading out there for the pub and if so where?
DAVID66
Ended up just reheating last night kebab🤣🤣
Fast start tomorrow would be great.
Both teams will be after that. If we can deliver then I do think they won’t come back.
There is something like muscle memory about knowing you have been over the course and won / lost there consistently. This is with us for tomorrow. This and superior skill and a game plan.
They will see this as their chance of a second domestic trophy in 11 years so they will be well motivated for it and will have a punchers chance.
3-0 Celtic for me with Maeda Kyogo and Hatate all on the scoresheet.
I would love an all green final again and I do think this will come to pass.