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:
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Fanadpatriot 13.13
Will do my friend place should be rocking running a bit late my lift is on the way though
Hail Hail 2 Ye M8
@JasonRoberts30
Jason Roberts Big game on Today….C’mon…. The Celtic….!!!
Rio’s not on his own supporting The ‘Tic tonight!
cabbageandbacon says:
28 December, 2011 at 13:55
celticinthesun says:
28 December, 2011 at 13:53
*********************************
All todays ferries from Belfast have sailed mate.
share
Did you hear if the Larne ferry sailed?all the Donegal buses use Larne..
cabbageandbacon says:
28 December, 2011 at 13:54
Rio Ferdinand @rioferdy5
Training done,the sofa is shouting me to come+get comfy! Old firm game who you having?? Coooome on Celtic..get the Maestro Paul Mcstay back
=========================
Completely surreal, but great.
cabbageandbacon
Thanks.
That said, still looking for tickets, if anyone would like to make a someone’s day.
All Larne sailings operating as normal coorslad.
Derby Day 4-3-2-1-GOAL!
________________Fraser__________________
The Cha____BigVic67______Chico_________Izzy
____Broonie______Beram______JoeLed16____
Wee Jimmy Forrest________Sammi the Kracken
_____________SuperHooper87______________
-That’s the team I’d play but I have complete faith that Lenny will pick the team best suited to the job and will arm them with the fire and strategy required.
-I like Wanyama in the midfield zone, but in recent weeks he has shown that he has the athleticism, skill and intelligence to push up from the back and become an extra midfielder when we are in possession. You get two players for the price of one when he does that. I HOPE and PRAY that Elbows plays and that he and Lafferty try to bully our players… BigVic67 will spread them on toast as a half-time snack!
-There will be a battle in midfield and Ki is not the right man for that task. However, he could be a useful sub.
-Even when our own Main Stand Mineshafters were giving Sammi pelters, the Orcs HATE HATE HATED it when he played.
-Stokes will be unlucky not to start – I think he could have a role to play and I hope Lenny has him enfranchised.
-I’d take a 1-0 win with a sneaky goal in the first or the last, but we deserve to TROUNCE this mob and we will, provided we give no quarter to cheating and mibbery.
Be careful in the town tonight Bhoys… that other lot care not for the season of goodwill because they are barely mankind.
OfficialNeil Neil Lennon
Team looking forward to game. Conditions will be tough
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/policing-paradise/#more-1894
Excitement here is gripping. Never known the like before a game against them.
Theories on line ups are very interesting. Variety of options available and I’ve seen very few posters come up with the same team. Perhaps if anything this could be our only weakness tonight, the options ahead of Lennon pose his biggest challenge. One thing I will say on this front is that I don’t think there’s much chance of both The Cha and Izzy starting together. We need one fullback in a more reserved role to get the most out of the other ‘marauder’. While I’d love to see Emilio, on recent form The Cha will get the nod with Ledley a stick on for playing LB.
Would love to see Joe deployed further up the park as I felt he was our best player at the weekend and probably our most consistent performer this season so far but a little bit of caution is not a bad thing given the strong options we’ll have on the bench.
One thing is for certain, this is going to be a tasty one…
Prediction.. 2 nil the hoops, Samaras & Hooper scoring and McCulloch to be sent off…
PS. I’d settle for it being Bartley to get sent off, ratbag
The quiet man is on film 4 at half two.
Pre match build up just gets beter
Superhooper87????
He was the prototype!!!!
:)
Cheers, whitedoghunch. Do you tick the “open link in new window” box?
On another note Michael O’Neill confirmed as the new 6 counties manager.
.
Jobo..
Mucho Apreiciato..But I will Never Sleep..
My Record on here is 10 Days 3 hrs..August 2008..Before my First Trial..Pablo thought there was More than One of Me..Ha..
Summa
Big Hayesy the CP head groundsman once told me we’ve the best drainage of any park in the Uk. So i’m thinking at least it won’t be muddy, but it will be fast,which should suit us big time.
My 2 line ups for us
Forster
Mathews,chas,rogne,Izzy
Brown kayal,vic,ledley,sammy
hoops
Forster
cha,chas,wilson,ledley
Forrest,brown,kayal,vic,sammy
hoops
Both strong and i’d have no doubts both would beat the huns.
On a personal level i’d prefer the 1st one.
Reasonably calm just now…..Aye right
brimmer
Joe Filippis Haircut says:
28 December, 2011 at 13:53
Victor in midfield for me, he’s a born midfielder
Fraser
Cha Kelvin Charlie JLedley
Forrest Broonie Victor Kayal Georgio
Stokes
gsu
cabbageandbacon says:
28 December, 2011 at 14:04
All Larne sailings operating as normal coorslad.
Happy days,hope them boats are rocking tonite on the return journey..
MAY67
Best of luck with the link creator,I get stumped every time I try it.
Obviously it’s really straightforward,but so is everything when you know how.
I blinkin’ don’t!
Friends,
take just 10 minutes out of your pre-match schedule to watch this magnificent montage.
10 minutes of brilliance
Jobo
I wouldn’t risk Izaguirre after such a long absence. Would be tempted to put Charlie Mulgrew in at left back for some extra height in the team and move Joe Ledley forward into the midfield
One for the CQN book club. Will also be appreicated by the CQN Bookies club:
Alex’s Adventures in Numberland.
Right Bhoys and Girls, time to get myself ready and some early dinner, then indulge in some Guinness.
Enjoy yourselves tonight.
Until we meet again.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Can anyone confirm if the texts i’m getting of a 2:30pm pitch inspection have any credibility?
I know that its expected the wind to have calmed after 6pm but a pitch inspection would appear to be water on the surface material, am I right?
3 miles from paradise
Wind bad ,rain more on than off ,not a great night for football .
Took day off work tomorrow so a win will be just the ticket .I am never confident when going in against our rivals too many outside influences IMO .
Looks to me like Sally has carried on Watties mantle (hence elbows appeal)as a ragers workmate said today at least you can rely on Mculloch to kick people.
That IMO sums them right up ,they know we play better football than them so they set up their team to STOP FOOTBALL .
Stand up to them and the balance swings in our favour but let’s not forget they need this title as much (if not more )than ever so I hope our bhoys have their scoring boots on and take the MIB out of the equation .
Also for those travelling from N.Ayrshire, the trains today are a nightmare, stops and starts at Johnstone with replacement buses between Johnstone, Paisley and Glasgow central.
Wish I was on a bus :-(
Nervous as a kitten to be honest. Have bad memories of going into these tussles with too much confidence, but still no getting away from the fact that we are the form team and have home advantage. I expect a victory but expect it to be a hard fought one. To be honest, if someone offered me 1-0 right now I’d take it happily.
Mon the Hoops…………bring the THUNDER and let’s send these diving cheats home with their forked tails between their jelly-legs.
HH
Those confident of a win, All I can add is remember this time last season.
Most expected a negative result with us having injuries, suspensions etc and we turned in a great performance to win 2-0.
.
Courtesy Raemonn Gormley Facebook Page..
Hoopy Birthday Reamonn Gormley
All going to the old firm, be safe, keep big areas where you are visible, lets pray no blood will be spilled on account of football. ♥
Summa
may67
Yes txt the box it will then give you a preview of your link
Celtic Soul Brother 14.00
Jason is a mad hoops fan.I think he could do a job for us.slan
tick even
Come on you Bhoys in Green………..Glasgow’s Green and White !!!
Feel like a kid on Christmas Eve
From Twitter…
Barry Brown @BarryB1888 11m
There’s no pitch inspection…. The celtic website says nothing of the sort and they would right on to it . #intaethem
Here here Summa
Jobo Baldie says:
28 December, 2011 at 14:12
Brilliant!!
hail \o/ hail
The Battered Bunnet says:
28 December, 2011 at 13:30
Sorry, away getting ready for this afternoon and tonight – it takes a while beautifying myself now, I’m not one of those natural beauties like HamiltonTim or BSR ;-)
I agree, MBB is only in this for money, I also agree that for him to enjoy that money he’s got to leave something tangible for the huns to continue – interesting times ahead.
As for Wednesday – I’ve heard nothing – not been on here much in December, enlighten me …. :-)
hh
bjmac
hh
bjmac
Anthony R. Hamilton @polishturnstile 2m
There’s no pitch inspection planned for #Celtic. Pitch is fine. Still very windy here but forecast suggests that the worse is now not later