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.
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Radio Clyde
“You can’t use stats to defend your support”
What an absolute bafoon.
Congratulations Italiabhoy.
Off to St Albans to watch the game in the pub.
Whatever happens tonight, nothing is won or lost.
Stay safe folks.
Lubo.
Whittaker(y) is a good player for them……I’m glad he’s no playin’.
I’d be happier if RoboHardman McCulloch(y) was out as well.
Take it steady Celtic.
HH
Just been listening to BBJ on Talk Sport-Speaking with pride about his 27 appearances against rangers-not allowed to predict the result because of
Gamblers Anonymous but obviously wants Celtic to win after spending the best years of his career there.
Ronnie Irani and Alan Brazil also at Celtic park-surprisingly not doing the breakfast show tomorrow!
WayneRooney Wayne Rooney
Come on the hoops. Win tonight and go top.
Huns … Team of cluggers
play football Celtic and we’ll murder them
Time for Collum to man up …. If that’s possible … Ref is my only concern
Come on you Bhoys in Green!
White Bear near the Oval – a wee bit nervous – only because we have had the chance before to put them to the sword and we have f–cked up
But I said at start Dec if we win all games I will eay humble pi (I wanted NL and Sami out)
So as we hump the huns tonight – its only because I eat a load of hunble pie (with a big smile on my face)
3 – 1
Hail Hail
67 ECW
greghemphill69 Greg Hemphill
YOU’LL NEVER get me to reveal which half of the old firm I support. WALK on. It’s my business and my business ALONE.
evening bhoys any team news yet??
would like to see victor marking jellfish
mon the hoops
Sorry for Spelling on previous post – obviously on my way !!
67ECW
Nikica Jelavic will be partnered by Kyle Lafferty as Rangers look to extend their one-point lead.
Allan McGregor will take his customary place in goals behind a back four of Sasa Papac, Kyle Bartley, Carlos Bocanegra and Kirk Broadfoot.
Lee Wallace, Steven Davis, Lee McCulloch and Maurice Edu make up a midfield four with Jelavic and Lafferty up front.
I dont know about anyone else, but it did not bother me about Ranger signing the deal with STV. I don’t read to much of the old press these days, when it comes to sport anyway.
However, I was on the STV site looking at the news and it is plastered with ad’s for rangerstv. There are 3 ads on the home page alone.
I have to admin, that is now going to be one site off my reading list.
Just parked the car and the belly is full of butterflies
COME ON YOU BHOYS IN GREEN!!!!!
Hail hail
MME
Got a text Balotelli in the Tolbooth,someone put a hoops top on him
Lovin all the tweets from celeb hoops fans!
XI: Forster; Matthews, Rogne, Mulgrew, Ledley; Brown, Kayal, Wanyama; Forrest; Hooper & Samaras
If anyone got Book tokens in their stockin’ this year, can I recommend Michael Moore’s book
“Here Comes Trouble”……
A great wee read and insight into his life…and a great way to pass 4 days of Man flu.
HH
Forster; Matthews, Rogne, Mulgrew, Ledley; Brown, Kayal, Wanyama; Forrest; Hooper & Samaras
Mon the Hoops!
#Celtic subs: Zaluska, Stokes, Cha, Bangura, Ki, K Wilson & McCourt
The perfect team Lenny
Height at CB
Wanyama and Kayal bossing CM
Sammy on the left (hopefully0
Hoops up front
Feeling more confident now
MON THE HOOPS
I should have added my legs are like jelly lol!
GLASGOWS GREEN AND WHITE!!!
Hail hail
MME
glad ledley is at left back and wee james is fit
Izzy not fit enough it seems. Still a positive team selection. ‘Mon the Hoops.
No Izzy. JoeLed at LB. BigVic in CM.
Ooooft… nerves…
Where is Kojo guys?
or maybe charlies left back not sure
Like the look of that team.
This mob are here for the taking, last year in the 3-0 game I dont think we played that well and easliy won, time to rack up more goals than we did that night.
As mentioned on the latest CU podcast ‘we could do them some serious damage’ tonight, a hunping they could take years to recover from.
Lets do it.
5-0CSC
Rangers subs: Alexander, Weir, Edu, Fleck, Healy, Wylde & Bendikson
Oh Daddy take me to Paradise
Oh Daddy take me to Paradise
McGregor, Broadfoot, Papac, McCulloch, Davis, Jelavic, Lafferty, Wallace, Bocanegra, Aluko & Bartley
Forecast time. 2-1 to the Hoops. Hooper + Forrest for us and Jellylegs with a consolation from a contentious late penalty for TFOD.
Mon the Hoops……..
South Tenerife ready!
Would have preferred an auld haun at CB and Joe in left mid, but I’ll trust the manager with his selections.
Enjoy the game bhoys and ghirls.
HH
TTTT
Are young james forrest and sammy passed fit then?
andiweimann Andreas Weimann
On the way to parkhead with @BBannan25 and @nickylaughlin ! First old firm game …come on the hoops !
BBannan25 Barry Bannan
On way to paradise for the old firm mon the bhoys !!!
Celtic-First-Barry must have read your post-spelt it right this time!
Off to O’Sheas in Manchester-COME ON YOU BHOYS IN GREEN!!!
Keevins predicting a Rangers win on Snyde
Feeling a mite nervous.
Early goal would suit me fine Sammi…
Good luck Neil and the bhoys.
Stay safe Celts…