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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Hi Fholks
Just finished work and haven’t read back yet.
No doubt loads of speculation about the team. We have much the better squad. It;s hard to pick who to leave out.
Anyway, in Lenny I trust.
I’m just going to listen on radio and keep on here. Various reasons I don’t want to go to pub and I don’t have sky.
Just away to put some bets on, but as long as we beat the hun I wont really care.
C’mon the Hoops!!!!
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy says:
No worries pal! Been watching you tube vids for the last hour! Some great moments there!
HH
Joe Filippis Haircut
Joe ,i’m in work with 3 seoson ticket holding huns at the moment,
and believe it or not they are saying the same thing about Collum
and how everyone at the SFA are out to make sure they don’t win
anything this year. :-) I kid you not.
The big impondarable for me tonight is not the ref
but the weather. If we can play football in these conditions
then we will win what I expect will be a tight game.
I’ve been looking on Oddschecker but I can’t see any individual bet for Rangers to be awarded a penalty.
Is there any online bookmaker doing this “specific” bet, for penalties they usually lump both the teams together.
Is this a bet that is more likely to be taken in a bookie shop rather than online?
▓▒░C░E░L░T░I░C░▒█▓▒░C░E░L░T░I░C░▒█▓▒░C░E░L░T░I░C░▒█
▓▒░C░E░L░T░I░C░▒█▓▒░C░E░L░T░I░C░▒█▓▒░C░E░L░T░I░C░▒█
▓▒░C░E░L░T░I░C░▒█▓▒░C░E░L░T░I░C░▒█▓▒░C░E░L░T░I░C░▒█
▓▒░J░U░S░T░▒█▓▒░C░A░N░’T░▒█▒░G░E░T░▒█E░N░O░U░G░H░▒█
Can anyone tell me what the stream is like on Bet356 (is that right?). I only have a mobile dongle so the illegal streams don’t really work for me.
petec
I was looking for the same bet myself, not available as far as I can see, no daft they bookies.
Tys Tim. Fella the knuckle draggers cant be beaten for having a brass neck and an everone hates them complex ( well maybe that bit is true). I agree the weather is going to play a part its not a night for nice football its more a night for a good old fashioned cup tie get stuck into them from the off.We expect now favours from the MIB and thats exactly what we will get but I still fancy a home win.H.H.
Partizan
It’s good, shouldn’t get any buffering, being abroad I use it all the time, will watch it on the tele tonight though.
Paddy Gallagher says:
28 December, 2011 at 16:55
Brilliant, my neighbour is dancing in my living room and asking me why it’s all green and white!!!
Tully57
Father M Sweeney,still in Fanad,a good football person.Hail Hail
NL`s Team
Forster
Cha Wanyama Mulgrew Ledley
Brown Kayal Ki Samaras
Hooper Stokes
JJ`s team
Forster
Matthews Rogne Wilson Izaguirre
Brown Wanyama Ki Ledley Samaras
Hooper
In both cases, I am assuming Forrest is not fit enough to start.
All pubs up the barras queued oot or full and dubbed.
Managed to just squeeze into Lynch’s.
MWD
evening lhads and lhassies,
Just popped on to wish the bhoys the best of luck tonight. Having read back, i`m just glad lennie`s picking the team tonight and not me.
Too many permatations although i think this game maybe too soon for izzy. Would love to see big vic in the middle as this is the area we must win first.
We have a chance to inflict a psychological blow on the trolls tonight so lets hope we take it. A win for us this evening and their confidence
will take a massive hammering. To all those going to the game or pub watch your backs. I will watch the game from my favourite
vantage point which is behind the sofa with a few coronas to calm my nerves. Just win bhoys. Any win will do for me.
Cooooommmmmmmmon ye celts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hh averynervous lbb
THE EXILED TIM
I never expected good odds. :)
ItaliaBhoy
Am wae you….2-0.
The wean & his burd just flew in fae Germany ( his pressie fae her ~ flight & tickets), so I wish them & all Celts a great Victor(y) the night prior tae their participation at the Hogmanay bash in Edinburgh.
‘mon the Hoops!
HH Gerry
Hurricane hunskelping is on its way
game still on, lads ??
just about to head over there
Staedy as she goes Celts………slow and steady, no need to rush.
Plenty of time.
starry plough says:
28 December, 2011 at 17:06
Paddy Gallagher says:
28 December, 2011 at 16:55
Brilliant, my neighbour is dancing in my living room and asking me why it’s all green and white!!!
************************
Enjoy big pal – I like to savour these days as the memories are for life.
TopCorner
Definitely.
The winds should also start dying down from here on in, Thunder is expected later though.
TopCorner says:
28 December, 2011 at 17:16
game still on, lads ??
just about to head over there
Yes bud!!
Petec great answer fella Thunder is expected later.H.H.
went over to Jury’s Inn today – place was burstin at the seams wi Celtic fans
met Housey of overandoverradioshow
and Joe McKenna of HomeBhoys
haha
grt craic !
got thrown out first the lounge and then the 74 people got papped out of Housey’s room
madness !!
then went to Brazen Head – was queued oot the door
headin off now THRO THE STORM !!
Paddy Gallagher says:
28 December, 2011 at 17:18
thankyou boss and a Merry Christmas / Happy New Year tae yer good sel !!
:)
TET
Thanks I’ll give it a go.
I’ve just placed silly £2 bets with skybet.
Us to win to nil 5/2
2nd half penalty 7/2
Samaras scores in first 10mins 22/1
Bartley carded evens
Penalty awarded 5/2
Like others I wanted to bet on Bartley to get sent off and Rangers to get the penalty, but not available.
Strangely Elbows isn’t even quoted on skybet??
About an hour to departure furra gemme!!!
Quick help topic. When the end-to-end sing-song is going on, CELTIC – CELTIC; COME ON YOU BOYS IN GREEN – COME ON YOU BOYS IN GREEN; what comes next? can’t make it out but want to join in, especially tonight.
TopCorner says:
28 December, 2011 at 17:21
And the very best to you TC – enjoy and stay safe mate.
GLASGOW’S GREEN AND WHITE
Given how the season’s gone, for my money, any points is good points the night.
However I do wish thems to get gubbed somethin rotten.
And for Jelavic’s preposterous diving antics to receive some official recognition in the shape of a coloured card.
Any ball above head height is gonna turn into a balloon in this weather.
So the bams’ long diagonal ball – their only strategy post Naebalance – should prove
to be funny/dangerous depending what mood our CBs are in.
Whatever happens, Glasgow is, was and always will be GREEN AND WHITE !
Make us proud.
pigalle
I’m going to watch the game in Polish Orange Sport TV.
I hope it’s going to be good game that gives three points to Celtic.
Will be nice to hear from you only good news tonight. I stay confident of the Celtic win.
PG
“stay safe”
great shout !!
thanks
offski
EmeraldBee\o/ says:
Glasgows green and white,
@rioferdy5
Rio Ferdinand Didn’t realise I had so many scottish tweeters….mentioning Paul Mcstay has woke up a good few out there!!!
Another tweet from Rio!
Heading to the match in half an hour… Nervous anticipation they call it…. Get intae them I call it… Junior AB by my side.. His first v them… Stay safe Celtic family around the world.. Blessed are we who follow Celtic!
Have a New Yorker over for the game. His first Celtic game having supported the bhoys from afar since the early 80’s.
Today he’s seen the wind and rain and tonight the thunder will roll.
C’mon the Hoops !!
William Hill
Celtic 3/1 to score from outside the penalty area.
Thanks guys, that’s two extra voices tonight. And the carry-out has been carried-in for a wee party in East Kilbride tonight!!