I have no intention of encouraging anyone to place a bet, but if you think Celtic will be crowned champions in five weeks’ time, you can make a 40% return on your money. Bookies do not give a 40% return on capital within five weeks often, so what’s going on?
The confidence you feel after Sunday is based on some cognitive biases. We have bossed Newco for 2.5 out of 3 games this season and there is an expectation that this trend will continue.
Also, five of Newco’s remaining seven games are away from home, whereas we have only two away games left. On average, more points are dropped away than at home, so there’s encouragement there too.
Add in your knowledge that the Celtic squad are getting fitter and better; Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate are back, Cameron Carter-Vickers is playing, and we look as good as we have all season, and you can see the plan coming together. So what gives with the bookies?
Bookies love trends. They know two facts about them: punters back them to continue and they always end. Lots happened on Sunday, but we should focus on the fact that at halftime, Newco ended a 2.5 game trend and started to cause Celtic problems.
Clement’s joy at a home draw was based on his belief that he – like you and me – knows what to expect from Celtic, and he will travel to Celtic Park with a plan he has confidence in.
Celtic are not the only side with players coming back from injury. Sima will be fully fit the next time these teams meet; Yilmaz will return to the left back slot and Matondo will be asked to continue how he ended on Sunday.
This will allow Newco to play to their strengths as a counter-attacking side, as they did successfully away to Betis and Benfica. If you can take a win and a draw from those games, you are entitled to be confident at Celtic Park.
Brendan Rodgers needs a plan, for that plan. He will be preparing for it already, but you cannot just decide how a game will progress; chance, form and (of course) rogue decisions can derail the best of us. We have a lot to do to win that game.
This leaves us looking at the away fixtures. Celtic will visit Kilmarnock, where we have lost twice this season, compounded by a home draw. Difficult though this game will be, I expect a win. We are also likely to go to Paisley, scene of two comfortable wins this season.
Newco lost at Celtic Park in December, drew at Pittodrie a month earlier and lost the opening game of the season at Kilmarnock. As well as their best European performances being away from home, they have a better domestic record away than at home.
These sentiments are why the bookies don’t particularly fancy our chances. There remains a lot to do.
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Re this Dundee v Rangers on/off nonsense, has it never occurred to anyone in the SPFL to consider the stadium literally next door? Ie Tannadice? Ok I can see a potential problem with regard to sold tickets, but surely far from insurmountable.
AN TEARMANN….
Thank you once again for organising a CQN Fund for a Wreath to represent CQN at BRIAN MCGINLEYS Funeral.
Well done AT.
BRIAN R.I.P.
YNWA.
Tom
Must be VAR compliant, so Perth and Aberdeen only alternatives.
Testing, very
The game has been called off after a second pitch inspection!
Test
So what happens if it’s called off?
Game off
Pity. I guess they’ll be less fatigued next week after Ross County.
Geebee
There’s a slot need week, just before their semi final 🙃😂
Might as well give them the points, their gonna give them ,them anyway !!
So RC Sunday away, Dundee Wednesday away then Hertz Sunday.
They could of course change the rules and extend the cut dates for them 🙃
Och that is a shame.
What a stupid thing to do going overnight to a hotel last night.
Poor Hunnies
Shocking Peter Lawwell influenced decision.
A wee song of comfort
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srpwqf2MWAw
Hun game 17th
well ghuys the only reason that game is off is they must have wanted it tae be, just like they did pre playin us, so the balls in our court right now just like when they had the Gretna game put off tae allow them tae get pumped at home tae Lyon.
They lost 2 games in April that season tae us while droppin points away tae the hibbees and motherwell which gave us Tommy Burns Thursday
What will be interesting is if Dundee lose to Aberdeen on Saturday and either Hibs or Motherwell win or Dundee draw and Hibs win, Dundee will need something from the game against Sevco to finish top 6
Some on here seem to think we are the only disadvantaged club, not true.
Hypothetical I know, lets’s say Motherwell or Hibs are playing them, last game of the season. Motherwell let’s say need the win to avoid relegation and are 2 1 up with second to go. Very dubious pen to the scum, Tav scores and poor Motherwell are doomed.
Is that fair
For this postponement to work, we need Dundee to lose in Aberdeen on Saturday. Hibs and Motherwell play in Lanarkshire so a draw would leave Dundee behind Hibs or a home wSevcould leave them behind Well. If Dundee draw in Aberdeen, we would need an away win by Hibs to make them try hard against Sevco.
wSev= win
From the BBC article on the postponement of the game tonight…
The league body also added there are disciplinary proceedings ongoing against Dundee due to their pitch.
They wouldn’t attempt to gift Sevco a 3-0 if it can’t be played would they? Given that they didn’t take the first available date when it could have gone ahead. As they wanted to be fresh to play us on Sunday.
So maybe the postponement suits sevco as Dundee might have nowt to play for next Wednesday?
I knew them mouldy buns were up to no good as usual. :)
Alternatively, if Dundee have already made top 6 before their game v new rangers, I would be hoping that they might be more relaxed, less nervous, and play better as a consequence (you can always find a positive angle)!
They will bill Dundee for the hotel stay….
Statement o’clock
SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 10TH APRIL 2024 4:13 PM
For this postponement to work, we need Dundee to lose in Aberdeen on Saturday. Hibs and Motherwell play in Lanarkshire so a draw would leave Dundee behind Hibs or a home wSevcould leave them behind Well. If Dundee draw in Aberdeen, we would need an away win by Hibs to make them try hard against Sevco.
____
If Dundee lose to Aberdeen, they will drop out of top six, irrespective of the result at Motherwell v Hibs. Let’s just go four points clear on Saturday.
Melvin
when it comes to any question relating to Them in Scottish Football there are only two
Possible answers
1. What suits Them?
2. What doesn’t suit Them?
Can you guess which is the correct answer?
LEFTCLICKTIC on 10TH APRIL 2024 4:21 PM
Statement o’clock
———-
Of course.
Everyone’s getting it – Dundee have been “disrespectful”.
The only surprise is that we haven’t been dragged in to it but give it time…
TLWIO
Those covers Celtic gave Dundee were sub standard so Celtic sabotaged the fixture.
There you go.:)
Hun victim statement incoming….
“The negligence and unprofessionalism demonstrated by Dundee Football Club, where they have repeatedly breached SPFL rules, continues to have a damaging effect on the top professional league in the country,” Rangers commented in a club statement.
“In a week where record TV viewing figures were recorded for a match in the same competition, and this evening’s game due to be televised again by Sky Sports, this episode is deeply embarrassing and has also been eminently avoidable.
“Rangers expects the SPFL to take proportionate and decisive action in accordance with its rules, and the club will continue to make representations to them in the strongest possible manner.”
SPFL chief operating officer Calum Beattie confirmed the contingency plan was always for the game to be played next Wednesday, and no other solution was found after discussions with both clubs.
“This decision gives this vital fixture the very best chance of being played in front of both sets of supporters and also gives us a week to finalise further contingency planning in the event that the weather unexpectedly deteriorates in the interim,” Beattie said in a statement.
“There is currently an ongoing disciplinary process regarding pitch issues at Dens Park and the latest developments will form part of those enquiries.”
However, Rangers say they suggested alternative solutions which “have not been taken up”, adding they have written to the league with a different proposal for ensuring the match takes place.
An Tearman, Texastim,Celtic Mac and KingLubo. Thank you.
SFTB excellent. My nephew isactually in hospital at the min and had both scopes yesterday and I also joked about hoping they use a different camera or at least go downwards first!!
Je Suis, just do it. Somestimes thefear of what MIGHT be the result will stop people going for tests but it sure beats the alternative and early detection is vital if there is something. Hopefully and probably not
Tom McLoughlin 100% with you. Keep testing
this episode is deeply embarrassing and has also been eminently avoidable
Yeah,play it last week…..
Would love to hear what the huns alternative idea was ……
Bada
Play the game at Hampden and sell more hun tickets of course!
The Huns appear to be rather upset….OH DEAR !
Wednesday last week WAS available to play Dundee v Huns, but it did NOT suit the Huns.
Silly Billy Mankie Hun CHUMPS !
LOL
HH.
No problem demanding action taken against Dundee,but still not even the hint of an apology for the attacks on our team,once again,on Sunday.The League too busy looking to punish Dundee,at Huns insistence,on a weather issue,than start investigations into the moronic behaviour of their scum support physically attacking our management and players,and fans on more than one occasion.
Could Dundee as before,be the catalyst to our winning this league.
Is there a more unpleasant shower of directors than the current chancers at Ipox ?
Entitled bunch of tossers …. Their public statements slagging off fellow clubs is itself disrespectful , I like to see a robust reply from Dundee