Trending
Celtic News Now
Celtic Quick News on News Now
Celtic Quick News
You are at:»»Celtic, so many good options for so many positions

Celtic, so many good options for so many positions

149
By on CQN BLOG & Comments

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.

DKM9N44WAAAfVIT.jpg-large

‘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.

img_3578-10.jpg

Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

149 Comments
  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. 2
  5. 3
  6. 4

  3. Maradominic on

    I watched new huns in a couple of games… a real tribute act to Huns from 70’s and 80’s in style.. Big peter mcloy would fit in with his big punts up the park.. miss out the midfield…necessary at Ibrox as their is always a military parade taking place there..

  8. South Of Tunis on

    TURKEYBHOY

     

     

    For me -Geno Washington was great live and not so great on vinyl.I don’t have any of his choons but fondly remember great shows at places like The Elizabethan and The Maryland..

     

    I can relate to your driving tale -it could be Sicilian -The only difference being that many drive like that while sober.

  9. Gary67 on

    So Celtic fans are up for a FIFA award for the Lisbon lions display v Hearts, part of which the club banned supporters and closed a section of the stadium for.

  12. Friesdorfer on

    NLMcC,

     

    Ascot doesn’t ring a bell, but memory a tad hazy. I remember the Beastie well, and, I think the Eagle, plus the Carlton Hotel (?) on high street, and one down the other end towards the railway station on left hand side – I seem to recall that the latter opened at 10am (fishermen?) and had all day lock-ins! Those were the days.

     

    HH

  21. hashadenough on

    Bet for today

     

     

    Celtic -2

     

     

    Nap for today

     

     

    Newmarket 2.0

     

     

     

    Apex King

     

     

    Cannae get beat

  37. Frank V on

    Great article on the clubs finances we actually have a £2M turnover higher than Bournemouth a small club but with a £70M odd TV deal and not far behind four other EPL clubs, bring on the hotel, full size indoor pitch and whatever other improvements will push us forward and make attractive to potential signings.

  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. 2
  5. 3
  6. 4