I know I’m going to feel differently about this tomorrow, when the events at Ibrox will feel absurdly important, but they are not. They are only fractionally as important as what will happen in Brussels on Wednesday evening. I could make a good argument that they are not as important as what happened at Dens Park two days ago.
With that in mind, it will not have escaped your attention that Jozo Simunovic is struggling with a persistent knee issue at the moment. He is fit enough to play at Ibrox, but if we only know for sure that he has one 90 minutes in him this week, Brendan should save him for Anderlecht.
Dedryck Boyata is injury free, but needs game time. I would start him tomorrow, alongside either Mikael Lustig or Nir Bitton (Anthony Ralston strikes me as being built for these games, and will be more than able to play at right back).
We are in the fortunate position of having to choose between two strikers who appear to relish smacking the ball behind a Newco keeper. In making his striker selection decision, the principle question Brendan should ponder, is who he will play in that position against Anderlecht. My hunch is that Moussa is more suited to what I expect will be a counter-attacking away game in Europe, so I’d give Leigh the nod tomorrow. Let Moussa continue to ramp up his training schedule through the weekend.
Scott Sinclair will play on the left, but what a choice on the right: Patrick Roberts or James Forrest. Either should be able to destroy Newco on the flank. Both are in delicious form. My hunch is that Patrick will play for the first hour.
Scott Brown is a stick-on certainty to start, but what to do elsewhere? Perm any two from Olivier Ntcham, Callum McGregor, Stuart Armstrong and Tom Rogic.
Olivier often gets the nod for the slot alongside Scott, but Callum, Stuart and Tom are each so effective at putting Newco to the sword. I would start Tom behind the striker, and rest Olivier for this one, but I cannot decide on Callum or Stuart.
Have you ever known a Celtic team with good options in so many positions? Me neither. We can afford to force a high-intensity game, then make changes without weakening the team. The major viable risk comes from referee Craig Thomson, who has performed very poorly at previous Celtic visits to Ibrox.
Yesterday was a wipe-out for me. I didn’t have time to explore those historically great financials. Maybe later. I know we’re a day late, but they are worth it.
‘YOU’RE NOT RANGERS ANYMORE,’ ROCK STAR PAUL GALLAGHER
To get you in the mood for tomorrow we thought we’d re-post the launch edition of the CQN Podcast – A Celtic State of Mind, for you to enjoy. If you missed it the first time around you are in for a real treat.
You’ll love Paul Gallagher’s Celtic stories and will enjoy his digs at Sevco Rangers, specifically his forcefully stated views on the same club myth.
Paul is featured in the second half of the podcast if you want to jump forward…
The CQN Podcast is presented by Paul Dykes with Kevin Graham and you can catch up on all the subsequent podcasts on Celtic Quick News.
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Corkcelt. In many ways I agree with you. I am really enjoying how Celtic are playing etc.
However. The SPFL deciding it can’t pursue an independent review is really he big news. CQN ignoring that’s is I a m afraid a sign of “wanting to move on”. We have had over 5 years where the. Rank corruption in Scottish football has been laid bare. No one has been punished and Scotland is pretending nothing happened.
As heartened as I was with law wells statements if there is no follow through then Celtic are simply happy to be cheated.
On the field things are good. But if Scotland can get away with what it has its only a matter. Of time before “normal” service is resumed.
Celtic must now call for resignations at the sfa?
Will they?
PHILBHOY 1221
Cannae argue wi that. For every Murdoch,they had a Baxter,Lennox a Colin S,McGrain a Jardine,Big Tam a Mathieson.
Oor King Billy,a ham n egg,regularly served on a plate!
Much as Willie Henderson was a fantastic player,as was Slim Jim,no comparison.
We did off our own bat. And,like you,I’m enjoying every nanosecond!!!
(I’ll need to ask MAGS what a nano second is…)
COSYCORNERBHOY 158
I take it my Mum’s response was her typical withering look,and an equally withering
“Och,see you!”
I’ll take the presure off you in a month’s time. Really give her something to moan about.
See ya then!!!
Anyone know if the English media constantly bang on about how Stoke can’t allow the gap to Man City to get too big?
NEGANON
Usually your posts are like a curate’s egg to me. So much I agree with,too much that I don’t.
Today,ouch,pretty much on the nail.
We have been left entirely on our own here to fight a prima facie case. And blackballed-from an organisation we don’t want to be in anyway-by everyone else,many of whom suffered at the hand of the cheat.
There are various options open-see AULDHEID passim-but Celtic cannot call for SFA resignations without proven guilt.
CAS,for me. And then kick it up the ladder.
NANOSECOND
The interval between the traffic light changing to green and the driver behind you blowing his horn.
As much as I enjoy the hun hordes pain when we beat them,and hope to do so again tomorrow,I have to say each passing game with them just reinforces their irrelevance in the grand (old team) scheme of things.In fact,the only thing that gives them any notion of relevance is the size of their crowds.Other than that they are small beer.If they don’t go the way of ye olde rANGERs in a couple of season’s time our games with them will be on a par with Hearts or Kilmarnock or AN.Other,even the craving,fawning,lame SMSM will see it.
Hopefully we’ll get a win and move on to bigger and most definitely better things.I say hopefully although i’m confident because I don’t want to join the throng of Celtic supporters who seem to have taken on some hun qualities in bragging and boasting about what we’re going to do to them.I’ve heard 5,6,7 being mentioned and how we’ll wipe the floor with them.Maybe we will but hubris and arrogance are not values I associate with being a Celtic supporter.Being humble and modest has served us well up until now,no need to adopt traits that are more evident in amongst the huns.If we really dislike them why would we want to behave similarly?
Quiet schadenfraude is what i’d suggest.
Any win will do.
COYBIG.
from sky
Celtic shortlisted for FIFA best fans of the year award with Borussia Dortmund and FC Copenhagen #TheBest
NLC
Kinloss 73-74
HH
MARADOMINIC on 22ND SEPTEMBER 2017 11:04 AM
Silly posts.. So how many decent fit centre halves do we have?
How many CHs do you think we should have on our books?.We have 3 at the moment,and another excellent youngster,being coached for the position.If we HAD gone out and bought a CH,and he had got injured unluckily like the others,what would be your thoughts then?.Its all ifs and buts.
I do agree with you on Moult.A certain amount of snobbery comes in sometimes.Mc Clair,Wallace,Walker,Mc Bride,Provan,,all signed from Scottish clubs,and all very successful with us.A few numpties signed as well,but same with foreign imports.I would rather have gone for Moult,than loaned Oddsonne,with a 10 million buy clause.All opinions though.
Celtic shortlisted for FIFA Best Fans of the Year award with Borussia Dortmund and Copenhagen. #SSN
Cue Hun outrage. Unfortunately they didn’t make the list as FIFA have never heard of them.
The #BetfredCup semi-final between #CelticFC and @HibsOfficial will take place at Hampden Park on Saturday 21 October, kick-off 12.15pm.
https://twitter.com/fifacom/status/911217886789816320
62 hours after we play Bayern in Munich.
TTR- For once i wanted a Sunday game, my bhoy getting married on the Saturday…
CORKCELT on 22ND SEPTEMBER 2017 11:52 AM
Fantastic post.
SOT,,
I was brought up in the Motown era,and loved it.only one band I did not like was Smokey Robinson.Could never take to them.Tears Of A Clown,grates on me still.
My favourite Album from that era was dont know if you know it,Hand Clappin,Foot Stompin,Funky,Butt,Live,by,Gino Robinson and The Ram Jam Band.
Of course that should read,Gino Washington..
When is the League Cup Final due to be played?
Bobby M,
I’m probably in a minority on this, but I don’t want either the SFA of the SPFL’s hands on any inquiry or review.
We have seen where LNS got us.
We would be better off with no review than have either or both of them involved in it’e structure.
Totally independent or none at all.
INVINCIBLE ‘GG on 22ND SEPTEMBER 2017 2:15 PM
NANOSECOND
The interval between the traffic light changing to green and the driver behind you blowing his horn.
In Turkey that sound comes as soon as the light goes to Amber.Mental.
EC67- Sunday 26 Nov
Driving home last night around Midnight.Mrs TB says to me”I think that guy in front is drunk”.Its a two way road.No sooner has she said it,he loses it,veers straight across to the oncoming side,hits hedges there,the careers back again to his side,hitting the hedges there,then veers back across,onto oncoming traffic,just missing 2 or 3 cars,as they swerve out of his way,so lucky.then veers straight back into the hedges on his side again.I am keeping well back,watching this in amazement,when a car comes up and overtakes me>I blow the horn trying to warn him,but,Turkish,he batters on.tries to overtake the nutter,who swerves into him,taking both across the road,the drunk then swerves back onto the road,leaving the other guy in a ditch.I took the next turn off as Mrs TB in a sheer panic.
Never seen anyone so drunk driving.Further up the road there are 4 or 5 sharp bends.God knows what happened.Horrific.
Turks and cars,like Sevco and dignity,should be nowhere near each other.
!!BADA BING!! on 22ND SEPTEMBER 2017 2:32 PM
from sky – Celtic shortlisted for FIFA best fans of the year award with Borussia Dortmund and FC Copenhagen #TheBest
FIFA awards on 23rd October – pity it’s just 4 days after out “field invasion” charge from PSG game heard by UEFA Disciplinary (19th) :-(
Embramike- bit of bad timing there…
remember as a kid late sixties early seventies .a certain mr tiny wharton in charge. but we still managed to beat them.
Get Voting & Spread The Message
http://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/fan-award/
Looks like Alves is defo out for tomorrow along with Lee Wallace and Danny Wilson – maybe Declan John too.
Make it into their penalty area and it could be shooty-in !
Embramike
Their defence is crap even with those players, they will defend and try a long ball to Miller or Morales , simple tactic for a team with a point on its mind, if they do try to attack Celtic will create plenty which hopefully will be taken in abundance.
Videocelts
Bruno Alves is out of tomorrow’s Glasgow derby.
According to a report on STV.tv the experienced Portuguese man of war has called off with a sore leg.
Alves recently missed an international for Portugal due to a severe bout of gastroenteritis but it’s believed that this absence ISN’T related to that problem.
The defender was the star signing during Pedro Caixinha’s summer shopping spree and arrived at Ibrox on the back of a mediocre season with Calgliari in Serie A. As a Portugeuse internationalist he is the best friend of Cristiano Ronaldo who follows the defender’s progress avidly from his luxury home in Madrid.
The loss of Alves is balanced by the likely debut of Ross McCrorie who has already been described as the best ever Scottish defender.
McCrorie played for 44 minutes against Partick Thistle on Tuesday night and is now in line to start his first top team match.
Celtic should be close to full strength with Moussa Dembele, Jozo Simunovic and Dedryck Boyata expected to be fit and available for a match that could see Celtic go eight points clear of their city ‘rivals’.
TURKEYBHOY
Incredible story, I’ve only been to Istanbul once but the driving scared the life out of me and that was just the taxi drivers!
I didn’t think that non Turkish people could easily own a car, my wife’s friend has had an apartment there for years but debarred from buying a car in Turkey.
FRIESDORFER on 22ND SEPTEMBER 2017 2:34 PM
Did you drink in the Ascot?
HH
I see Foderinghamon the BBC Scotland site thinks they have the quality to go toe to toe with us on Saturday.
This confidence is based on their penalty shoot out progression under RonnyD.
I guess last season’s meeting have been obliterated from Sevco record books and memories.
I won’t even dignify the article with a link
Hope he’s wearing more than that
Celtic goal in Perth nominated for FIFA’s Puskas award.
What happened to the iPhone 9?
BSR
http://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/puskas-award/index.html
Get voting Hoopsters
Alves blow for Celtic?