Central-mid quandary for Celtic

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We know what to expect from Aberdeen tonight.  They will flood (pardon the pun) central midfield, defend deeply and, let’s be clear, they will score any time we allow them the kind of space they exploited at Celtic Park this month.

Question is, what will Celtic do about it?  If Stefan Johansen’s ankle knock keeps him out the central-mid triangle of Johansen, Brown and Biton will be disrupted, and surely Neil Lennon will not revert to a central two after the Scottish Cup lesson.  The picture is further complicated by the injury to Emilio Izaguirre, which forced Charlie Mulgrew back at the weekend.  Mulgrew would be a suitable direct replacement for Johansen.

In 10 years doing this stuff I’ve probably used no more than a few dozen words to praise emerging young talent; it’s been a rough decade in that respect.  Without wanting to go overboard in any way, Darnell Fisher has looked more than comfortable at right back in the absence of Mikael Lustig and Adam Matthews.  Darnell’s problem going forward will be that he has two excellent international players ahead of him in the pecking order, but for tonight, I would be tempted to bring Matthews to left back (if he can do it against Barcelona….) and restore Fisher to the right back slot.  This would allow Charlie to sit alongside Scott Brown and Nir Biton in central-mid.

Well done to Frank McAvennie, who is jumping out of an aeroplane 15,000 feet in the air.  You can play your part in this exercise by supporting the Quarriers run, Chavey Down residential home, in Newton Mearns, which helps young people up to the age of 16.

The need is for sensory equipment, toys and wheelchair-appropriate play areas.  To contribute, go to Frank’s JustGiving page, or text FMSD 89 followed by £1, 2, 3, 5, 10 to 70070.

If you would like to read the new CQN Magazine, GO HERE to read properly, and for FREE, the graphic below is just a taster.
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  1. tommytwiststommyturns on

    It’s actually quite disrespectful to the rest of the teams to say that you hope to go through the season unbeaten! The league win is everything, as it gives us the CL qualifiers.

     

    The rest is just froth!!

     

     

    Still hope the ten men snatch a draw, but I really couldn’t give a feck about the unbeaten through the season thing.

     

     

    T4

  2. glendalystonsils

     

    20:47 on

     

    25 February, 2014

     

    Snake Plissken

     

     

    agreed. It’s a long time since we’ve been in this kind of position in a domestic game. Our reaction in the second half will be very important and very revealing, regardless of the outcome.

     

     

     

    agree but never give up HH

  3. Celtic in 10 man defeat shocker.

     

     

    The referee changed the game. Not Neil Lennon.

     

     

    I despair for this blog.

     

     

    Get your CVs into Peter Lawell in the morning – he’ll be spoilt for choice…

     

     

    Try to be a little more happier – we’ve won the league again – or are you all expecting a mighty Aberdeen push???????

     

     

    Or are some hoping for one??????

     

     

    U

  4. Notthebus….

     

     

    Listen FUD, told you to scroll past before.

     

     

    You are a disgrace calling anyone a Hun.

     

     

    Hope you do to my face if we ever meet.

     

     

    Keyboard hardman.

  5. Kilbowie Kelt will vote YES on

    Crivvens, Jings & Help ma Boab.

     

    Celtic ur gittin beat.

     

    A dinnae like that.

     

     

    If a wiz in cherge, Celtic wid NEVER git beat.

     

     

    Then a wid be happy as Larry.

     

     

    We hiv tae get rid o’ that Wee Neily.

     

     

    If only we hid Big Wullie Gemmell oan the bench……

  6. snake plissken

     

     

    20:48 on 25 February, 2014

     

    Can I Have Raspberry On That Champions League Ice Cream

     

     

    Well whose fault is that?

     

     

    Lets get something straight here.

     

     

    Lose this game and the interest in the season really is over other than lifting the league.

     

     

    I’m sorry, snake but I have to agree with you totally.

     

     

    LoggedoutagainFFSCSC

  7. Danny Baker ‏@prodnose 2m

     

    Moysey’s half time team talk: “Lads, whatever it was you used to do, forget everything I’ve ever said, and go out and do that.”

  8. kojo

     

     

    Has it occurred to you that Lenny knows not only his best 11…. but also his players 1) fitness 2) his present mental awareness/attitude 3) his form? Maybe….just maybe, although he knows the changes that are required, they might just not be suitable at this moment in time.

  9. notthebus

     

     

    I said the interest in the season is done.

     

     

    The rest is just playing out time.

     

     

    Unless the young players come in, or the new signings actually do something then the big unbeaten intrigue means that playing out time really is it for many.

  10. The constant bitterness, resentment and jealousy emanating from Old Clydebank is just plain embarrassing now.

  11. Notthebus….

     

     

    Reading your shite, you will never be capable of this either.

     

     

    Now be a good boy and refrain from giving your semi literate opinions on me please,as it is personal from an inadequate like yourself.

  12. Just logged in no doubt the Neil Lennon haters will be out again and anyone who blames Neil for this result are clueless about football.

     

     

    A man sent off within 10 mins at a tough venue within 15 minutes isn’t the managers fault.

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