The wind will make it uncomfortable to be out and about in the Glasgow night but it will have a big impact on this evening’s game. Any team hoping to prosper from playing long-ball football is likely to flounder but it will be equally difficult for defenders facing balls that drop into their penalty areas.
Goalkeepers in particular face a difficult challenge. Rangers will not expect to have a great deal of possession around our penalty area so you can expect them to shoot early and from distance in the hope of exploiting the wind. There is probably a distance Celtic will be happy to see them shoot from but any space sub-30 yards from goal must be closed down.
Perhaps the most important preparation Celtic can do today would be to send Ki out with a bag of balls to get his shooting eye in. He has the ability to score from outside the box against any keeper in the world. Rangers’ McGregor doesn’t cope with a bit of movement in the ball, just ask Kris Commons, so will not look forward to seeing the ball fall to Ki in a shooting position.
Celtic’s most effective out-ball in recent weeks, high to the left wing for Georgios Samaras, will be difficult to make effective. The short passing game will be more profitable; Ki and Scott Brown in particular will need to fancy the game today. If we get a top performance out of both the result is not in doubt.
James Forrest is an fitness concern for Neil Lennon but he is a player who will worry Rangers manager, Ally McCoist, so I expect him to start, even if he’s not 100%. He has the kind of pace no defence in the league can cope with, he creates and scores goals. When he gets the ball, look out for how alert Rangers become. This is panic. Forrest will make it easier for others to find space, look for runs into the box from midfielders when he’s on the ball.
It would be a huge gamble to bring Emilio Izaguirre back into the starting line-up for this game after a four month injury lay-off but he is such an important player to how Neil Lennon wants Celtic to play I wouldn’t be surprised to see him. Celtic need to control the ball in midfield and Emilio’s composure is a huge advantage in this respect. 60 minutes from him might be enough to give us the edge.
Gary Hooper will score.
The most important question for tonight is who will be able to maintain discipline. Celtic’s recent narrow home wins against Kilmarnock, Hearts and Dunfermline should have been more comfortable but the visitors maintained composure throughout and gave themselves a good chance as a result. Rangers are a better team than any of these three but discipline and composure are not words you would use to describe today’s visitors. The most important thing for Celtic could be to frustrate Rangers and have the patience to wait for the opportunity to take advantage.
Get ready for a classic Glasgow night.
492 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- »
Arranmorebhoy
First game my dad took me to was 5-1 moravcik game :)
Enjoy
The arrival of Italiabambino number 2 a few days ago means no match for me tonight.
Hate missing the game, but can’t think of a better reason!
Ticket gone to a good Tim, and I have reserved living room from 745. Peroni chilling nicely…
I’ve felt a bit of a cold coming on since Boxing Day. So I stopped drinking, wrapped up warm and wore a hat indoors so I’d be fit enough to venture out tonight. If people can come across on 3.30 am crossings from across the Irish Sea, then I can manage two stops on the train and a 10 minute walk.
I am relaxed about the outcome as I feel we’ve done a great job in narrowing the gap and, provided we don’t lose tonight, we’ll overtake them soon enough.
There’s often an unexpected hero in a match against them. I foresee Joe Ledley doing some damage tonight but this league will not be won or lost tonight.
ItaliaBhoy says:
28 December, 2011 at 17:30
Congratulations :-)
Betfair have Celtic at 6/5, Rangers at 3/1, the draw at 9/4.
SwanseaBhoy
Meal finished now time for serious stuff! Wife will be blown away with atmoshphere mon the hoops
TET
I can’t see the game listed on bet356. I thought they showed all the games? Skybet have it as a new window on HD and I can’t see my mobile dongle handling that. Any suggestions?
The eyes of the world are upon you gollum, behave yourself laddie.
ItaliaBhoy
Many congratulations on the birth of your wee one.
Hail! Hail!
Partizan
Best of luck with your bets.
I have lumped a few bob on a win @ 11/10
Just getting ready to head down to Paradise, son of sonofaderrymans first game against TFOD
It is a toss up to see who is most excited.
Roll on the Thunder!!!!!!
HH
ItaliaBhoy
Mucho congrats, enjoy.
10 man team again interesting stuff
Precious better bloody show up tonight
COME ON YOU BHOYS IN GREEN
Adios fholks. Dinner beckons then off to the game. The winds howling outside. take care one and all.
ItaliaBhoy
Auguri.
God bless that wean and the ma and da. Long life and good health.
Italia Bhoy
Natale right enough. Great news. Magic.
Heard game might be off…part of the stand loose due to winds,
inspection at 6 o’clock!!
Sammi should try this one on weiry tonight
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/american_football/16346855.stm
Bjmac
I’m having more trouble fitting both Wanyama and Kayal into a 5 man midfield.
Both players like to play centrally. Seems to me Brown is a stick on. Ki hasn’t shown much when he’s played left side.
Best I can do is a four of Brown, Kayal, Wanyama, Ledley. Robust certainly. Not very creative though.
Alternatively, drop Wanyama back, play a tight three of Brown, Kayal and Ledley, allowing both Forrest and Sammi to do their stuff from wide.
Hail Hail BJ Mac
I agree leave Ki out and if we are up 2 or 3 bring him on for free kicks as there’ll be plenty if they are losing. Solid midfield Kayal, Brown and Ledly with Victor sitting in front of the back four. Hooper up front and either forrest or Sammi playing wide and having a licence to roam and supply. Lets hope we settle quickly and dominate in midfield and hit them hard and early! hail hail we shall prevail
cheers for the good wishes lads. been a great Christmas so far, hopefully tonight will top things off nicely…
zimmerman
You serious?
Heard game might be off…part of the stand loose due to winds,
inspection at 6 o’clock!!
Anyone else heard this???
zimmerman says:
28 December, 2011 at 17:40
Heard game might be off…part of the stand loose due to winds,
inspection at 6 o’clock!!
……….
if part of the stand is loose, the game must be called off with no inspection needed.
RRC….Got a text from the boy…seems kosher.
A rumour i hope.
tony hamiliton twitter
Game on at #Celtic subject to unforeseen issues. Minor damage to a sign been repaired. Wind due to reduce. Ongoing monitoring.
Patrick27 says:
28 December, 2011 at 16:56
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy says:
Hope your ticket got to its proper destination
jackie mac
Who was the bhoy that used to score like that for us? Was it Tully? Gallagher?
ItaliaBhoy says:
28 December, 2011 at 17:30
The arrival of Italiabambino number 2 a few days ago means no match for me tonight
Congratulations ItaliaBhoy-hopefully a double celebration tonight!
Greenjedi,
Hope your right,
unless repair work is being done,then an inspection?
Motherwell game off due to stands. Sky news just confirmed Celtic ‘Game on’!
googybhoy
My friend is en route to Paradise now, and will print off a ticket from the office using my season book details. Checked with the ticket office this morning so all good!
HH
http://www.celticfc.net/newsstory?item=1931
Game officially on!
Good stuff.
TWG
Tully : )
Pablo..1730..
Like the omen… 5-1 will do.. Ironically I missed the 5-1 game cos another Junior AB was born the day after , Mrs AB quite inconsiderately going in to labour early …. I ll take 2-1 now!! Stay safe..
Paddy Gallagher says:
28 December, 2011 at 17:17
You too Pal, my wee neighbour just got back from Italy and brought me a wee bottle of Fizz, what a Bhoy..
Life’s good when you’re a Celtic supporter..
C’mon the Hoops..
Someone has Put a big tree across the road trying to bar my route to paradise
C’mon the tree cutters
we scored yet ?