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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Talksport “drive” currently running on line poll
Who do you want to win tonight? Currently 73% CELTIC
http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/drivetime/blog/2011-12-28/poll-who-do-you-want-win-tonight-celtic-or-rangers
What’s the difference between Sally McMoist and The Daily Record?
Poor circulation …
* All answers so far funnier than mine *
Is there a difference?
“STV say new deal with Rangers will not affect their impartiality.”
STV Sport have just announced Jelavic as Man of the Match tonight.”
Theweegreenman
Was there at 10.35 till about 11.30. We must have nearly shared a jar of lubricant!
My Nurses name was Robert and the guy in front of me was a bloke called Diamond.
Hail hail
Estadio
hamiltontim says:
28 December, 2011 at 16:03
iki
Who’s the newsreader? Catriona Shearer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljBbMJhEyPc
I just can’t get enough
CMON!
Glasgow flight left Donegal this morning in gale force cross wind. Landed safely.
Dramatic stuff, took off at a diagonal to the runway.
Kudos to lady pilot.
Plenty Donegal Celts on board.
Go on to pintaguiness` link at 16.24 and vote for Celtic. Only 70% to 30% in our favour now. Every little helps.
TescoCFC
Estadio says:
28 December, 2011 at 16:29
Was the nurse the wee guy with the glasses?
I was in at the oral outpatients bit.
Both get their income from ranjurs
Both are flabby and contain little of any substance
Both anti-Celtic
Both are only attractive to rangers fans
Both talk a load of excrement most of time
Nah, there is no difference
johnnyquest
ha ha..it was Red White and Blue and tied in a big knot.All the preconceptions you have about people-and they go and prove you right!!
What’s the difference between Sally McMoist and The Daily Record?
One is a great manager, tactical and man manager. The other is Sally McMoist.
Ty’s Tim says:
28 December, 2011 at 16:20
1000 wouldn’t get you a round in BB’s
TBB never got any mail
Estadio says:
28 December, 2011 at 16:29
Theweegreenman
Was there at 10.35 till about 11.30. We must have nearly shared a jar of lubricant!
Is that one of your better chat up lines.
Good to see you in such high spirits and voice no doubt.
Twgm
Naw big guy, ex Rugby player. The wan wae the glasses was shiftin people in wheelchairs when I was waiting to be seen.
Right toodle-oo, the pub the noo
Rangers zilch and Celtic two,
That’ll do both me an’ you!
Hail Hail
Estadio
WDH
Mibbee he’s got an old email addy for you?
theweegreenman says:
28 December, 2011 at 16:23
Estadio,
I was in clinic 7 in the royal at about 10.30ish today!
Anywho, wife had a dream last night and said it was about the hoops getting a 3-1 victory. She was certin Sammy was one of the scorers. I put this on yesterday as well and hadn’t mentioned it to her.
God I hope her dream comes true! I took 3-1 yesterday with paddy power at 18/1! Did she mention anything at all about Mulgrew getting the first goal? (22/1) :)
Fifa 2012 just finished 2-0 to the good guys Stokes and Broonie.
One is controlled by an Edit, the other by a Debit?
One has two crosswords a day and the other gets malkied for saying two cross words to Neil :-)
TBB
No he has my correct details.
Jungle Jim says:
28 December, 2011 at 16:30
I was able to vote using both Firefox browser and Internet Explorer browser. I don’t know if it registered the 2 but its possible it has. ;)
I see some Celtic fans saying if we lose tonight its not the end of the World.Well correct it wont be the end of the World but it will damage badly the fragile confidence of our young squad having lost at Ibrox they may start to feel that the poundland mob have an Indian sign over them.The very worst that in my opinion would be acceptable tonight is a draw but if the knuckle draggers leave Paradise top of the league tonight and there lead increased it will be make no mistake about it a serious set back. Come on you Bhoys in green,Glasgows Green and White. H.H.
Rieperman
Naw, She only remembers Big Sammy.
I’ve got 3-1 on as well. Also stuck on 6-1 at 375/1. You never know….:-)
Celtic 2 Rangers 1
Have a good night tonight lads
Stay safe .. stay positive
Hail Hail
Evening bhoys and ghirls, cooler now, but hun free as ever.
Clink\o/ is Neil Lennon says:
28 December, 2011 at 16:11
I know, I know, nothing will ever take my love for Celtic away.
I will always have faith in the players no matter who they are.
It’s the system I have a problem with, a level playing field we will blow them away, problem is the establishment won’t allow it in these times of rampant hunnery.
I will be as surprised as the next man if collum is fair tonight, I expect honest mistake after honest mistake, that’s why he was hand picked for the game.
But as you say, we will wake up Tims tomorrow whatever happens tonight.
Do Betfair know something we don’t?
A further boost for the blues is that the aforementioned, Lee McCulloch is available for tonight as his red card was rescinded on appeal.
Players with question marks over whether they start tonight.
Ki
Stokes
Izzy
Only the backroom staff will know how ready Izzy is, although 60 minutes in a bounce game doesnt seem like enough preparation to me, to deal with Lafferty’s thuggery
Ki, i like to see coming on rather than starting against Rangers.
Stokes is a potentially key player for me. If he starts Sammi can play wide left.
Hopefully we will have Brown , Victor, Kayal and Sammi as our midfield 4.
Cha, kelvin, charlie and Matthews/Ledley as the defence
3 points are all that matter. Drubbings, silky football, glorious goals……all bonuses
As Al Davis used to say at the Raiders
“just win baby !! “
Theweegreenman,
I’ll be happy to lose my 18/1 shot to see your 375/1 come in :)
Joe Filippis Haircut says:
28 December, 2011 at 16:42
Think that would very much depend on the manner of any defeat.
Still a long way to go in the league so tonight is not a title decider for either team.
It could well be more damaging to them to lose as they will have seen a huge points difference gone. They will face the New Year with a depleted team and severe financial difficulties.
Rieperman
LOL!
Patrick27 says:
28 December, 2011 at 16:29
Thanks for posting the Thai Tims video.
The lovely, happy faces of those kids singing have cheered me up! I’m still very nervous though.
2-0 tonight.
take it to the bank.
googyBhoy Your correct a defeat for them will make them feel fragile but I cant accept a defeat for us will just be one of those things.I know there is a lot of football still to be played and a win for either side wont guarantee them the title but it will certainly help the confidence.H.H.
Balotelli is now getting blitzed in Bairds
Pre – Match buzz ramps up up to overdrive..
Thunderstruck!!
PlayLoudCSC
One for all you nervous Bhoys – Relax and enjoy..