We go into tomorrow’s top of the table clash in better form than we were at the start of the month. Wins over Livingston and Dundee give Celtic a platform to build on. These games coincided with a consistency of selection in central midfield; Paulo Bernardo filled the endlessly changed slot in central midfield and rewarded his manager with the opening goal on Tuesday. I doubt it is a coincidence that players looked like they knew what they were doing after a period of inconsistent form and selection.
It surprised me that Daizen Maeda has not spent more time on the left since his return from injury. He is clearly more suited to that wing, and he is particularly effective at pinning back Newco, who prefer attacking on their right. How we support Greg Taylor on the left will be crucial to the result.
Both teams have injury concerns over their first-choice central defenders: Cameron Carter-Vickers’ persistent tight hamstring forced his early retirement on Tuesday, while Connor Goldson went off early last weekend with a groin strain. I expect both players to start the game, even if they cannot complete the 90 minutes.
Newco will arrive tomorrow with a similar tale of injury woe that Celtic went to Ibrox with in September. We finished that game with a defence of Ralston, Lagerbielke, Scales and Bernabei, all of whom had enough ability to successfully defend their one goal lead. Celtic were able to boss the game against a weaker opponent. The fundamentals of the teams have not shifted away from Celtic in the intervening period.
We can expect lots of running and plenty of fight from Newco, they may also benefit from generous refereeing. We need to match them on the first two counts. This will be a battle and my biggest concern is that an arbitrary red card flips the scales in favour of the visitors. Celtic have to compete but give the referee no opportunity to step into the limelight.
Kyogo terrifies Newco. He has started 11 games against them, winning seven and losing only twice: his first game at Ibrox, when he played on the wing, and in extra-time at Hampden, when we were kicked off the park. I doubt anyone across the nine year history of this fixture has a comparable record. Expect him to see the result over the line tomorrow.
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TB,
It’s f@ cking baltic here. Mad with slippyness.
Keep off the hun sites, it’s toxic.
HH.
Goldson and Lundstram start for the huns
Bada
What a surprise 😦
Watch for Goldstein falling down anytime 1 of our players go near him.
Especially at corners in our box.
They are definitely getting told to fall so everything gets checked in var room and also to surround the Ref at every opportunity.
We should do exact same though.
D. :)
BRRB
Where are u. The Sarry is mobbed already.
Party time Woohoo.
Live updates
12.31……. Foul on Kyogo
Just play our game Celts and all will be fine ..if Goldston and Ludstram are their surprise ace cards …bring it on …bang average players and very exploitable 🤔🍀
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 30TH DECEMBER 2023 8:52 AM
Live updates
12.31……. Foul on Kyogo
————
12.31 ……. Foul on Kyogo -nothing given.
There you go – fixed that for you
;-)
To work Celtic
God bless all
HH
Lundstram will be given a Bougherra style pass to commit numerous horror tackles with, at absolute worst, a yellow card.
No arbitrary red cards for that mob that’s for sure.
TLWIO
You did 👍
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 30TH DECEMBER 2023 8:52 AM
Live updates
12.31……. Foul on Kyogo
No booking….
Live Updates
12.35………. Taylor FFS
Live updates 14:24; Celtic 2 v Huns 1
Final score.
D. :)
Paradise Windfall today 25K
DAVID66
TavPen ?
Sydney van Hooijdonk is 1.90M
THE EXILED TIM
Happy birthday young fella!
Hope you have a very special day!
Best wishes to your good lady too!
Aff oot nervous as a kitten
Happy Birthday TET
Hope the day goes well for you and us all
HH
BSR that’s their 1.
We will be 2 – 0 up then step forward Mib.
D. :)
Where is this bhoy of mine.
Waiting on him to get on our way.
Pub then Kerrydale for 10.40am
D. :)
Didn’t know there was so many hearts 🙈 supporters round about my scheme.
After they beat us two nil the fireworks lasted a while.
They (huns) know they’ll not get a better chance of an away win.
Team not functioning as well as we can, weird team selections (subs), injuries and a nervous (impatient) crowd.
Hopefully the GB can inspire the atmosphere to push the players and support on to a victory.
Two penalties and one sending off….. Yhihf!
It’s a fine day for some hun skelping
Might the game be called off? Snowing heavily down here on the coast.
Serious pmt kicking in!
PARKHEADCUMSALFORD on 30TH DECEMBER 2023 9:53 AM
Wheres this?
Good morning all from Govanhill. My nerves are shredded already.
Gerrintaethum Celtic!!!!
Man up today Celts – don’t let them bully us and Calmac needs to keep in the mibs ear as they will be all over him for everything.
Snow getting heavy here in EK , 5 miles as the crow flies to Celtic Park
Just keep 11 on the park, don’t let them con you
KINGlUBO
If its going to be called off……..it has to be done soon!
Even their snow is lying
heavy heavy snow here..surely the game will be called off!
Maeida MUST start today.
Palma left will see tavernier told to press high on taylor.
Maeida gives their captain headaches and a conumdrum EVERY Derby.
Play palma in the 10 position and tell him to play in the lines, this will allow our mid to dominate and create space between their back line
I need to know Celtic…oan or aff i need to leave soon
there is zero chance of the game being off.
it isnt being played in ek!
I think it will be a late call off, trains struggling already.
Heavy snow fall.
KLV