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Don’t expect an easy semi, James and Patrick, Here we go again

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

Kilmarnock had a pretty ropy start to the season, defeats to Motherwell and Ross County coming either side of a win at Hamilton, but they travel to Celtic Park tomorrow on a run of three consecutive draws.

They will be confident of scoring (scored in five of their six league games while we’ve yet to keep a clean sheet), and there is the added incentive that if results to their way elsewhere, a win could see they jump to fifth, behind Celtic, Hearts, St Johnstone and Aberdeen.

Brendan Rodgers will have a few selection options to consider with Champions League duty coming up on Wednesday. For these two games we’re going to perm two from Toure, Sviatchenko and Simunovic in central defence, one of Dembele or Griffiths as striker, while Gamboa could make his Celtic Park debut tomorrow. I’m hoping for a straight back four against Manchester City.

The other big area of outfield competition in the team is for the right midfield berth. James Forrest and Patrick Roberts both make good cases for inclusion. Don’t be surprised to see them subbed for each other in each of our next two games.

I see a lot of confidence after the League Cup semi-final draw, pitting us against Newco next month. This game will be six weeks after the 5-1 drubbing at Celtic Park, when a vast chasm between the teams. I expect us to win, but I also expect a considerably more difficult time.

We had the run of the show earlier this month. Moussa Dembele mustn’t have been able to believe the space he got, something denied to him by more tactically aware teams like Alloa and Inverness.

We benefited from the capitulation of one central defender, Senderos, shortly after his partner was subbed as part of a tactical change. The sight of Joey Barton unable to get off the ground to intercept Mikael Lustig’s cross for Celtic’s fourth is unlikely to be repeated.

In short, Newco’s mistakes were so evident and avoidable they are bound not to be repeated. The semi-final will be a different game.

I’m not a conspiracy theorist about last night’s draw but the League Cup has been a financial lifeline to Newco, who were rewarded with large home attendances for earlier rounds, and will already be busy selling premium hospitality content for the semi-final. There could be enough income in this one to buy more Velcro for the roof.

Here we go again………

Hot on the heels of that magnificent news from Mary’s Meals that we will be feeding 650 school kids in Liberia for the next year, I’m running the Great Scottish Run Half Marathon for the Foundation on Sunday, 3 October.

We’re getting to that time of the year when the Foundation’s plans to assist those most chronically in need in our own community need to kick in. The winter challenges aid providers. It kills many poor and homeless.

If you can help, please do. There’s a MyDonate page here. Your money goes straight to the Foundation, where it will used quickly.

Thanks.

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  2. Lennybhoy on

    BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 23RD SEPTEMBER 2016 10:13 PM

     

    Easy mistake to make mate, see you Saturday…:)

     

    Keep the Faith!

     

    Hail Hail!

  3. Gerryfaethebrig on

    MWD 10.05pm

     

     

    That was my first thought, why would any pundit need a bodyguard ?

     

     

    Says more about where Chris was working than Chris himself

  8. thomthethim for Oscar OK on

    TET,

     

     

    Cheers, got it.

     

     

    Heading for Dublin in the morning for a couple of days.

     

     

    Returning granddaughter to her base.

  11. Hamiltontim on

    Lads, we (FAC) are holding a public meeting on Monday 3rd October in St Anne’s school (behind the Celtic end) at 7:30pm.

     

     

    There will be an update on the consultation paper as well as information on the most recent events.

     

     

    Please, if possible, make an effort to attend.

  12. owen on

    Was passing a boylesports bookies today and may have discovered why so many of our playets have managed to hot the woodwork instead of the net.

     

     

    They offer money back on losing bets if your team hits the crossbar.

  15. THE EXILED TIM on

    Thom

     

    Jeez, jealous as feck, been a while since I were in Dublin, missing it big time, put an offer in for a spread in Co. Leitrim the other week, didn’t get it, will keep on trying, can’t believe I burnt my bridges, should never have sold my place in Ireland, should have rented it and hoped they paid the rent, tis no like me, no that I am desperate to come back but the choice would be good :-)

     

    Enjoy Dublin mi amigo.

     

    HH

  20. Dannymac on

    Sutty “The Hunskelper” v BFDJ will go down in Radio Gold history.

     

    As for having 2 bodyguards at their place,says more about them than Chris Sutton.

  23. Delaneys Dunky on

    Dallas

     

    Andy Lynch was my first scapegoat.

     

    I never liked him and he never appeared to like us in the Jungle. Daniel on the other side was ok though. ;)

  24. Jobo Baldie on

    Yorkbhoy –

     

     

    aye, pretty sure that was a b-side of one of the singles from their 2nd or 3rd albums and takes the song to a different level. Love it! Those descending chors on the ‘can’t you see me standing here I got my back against the record mach—ine…” Superb.

  25. Hamiltontim on

    MIKE IN TORONTO on 23RD SEPTEMBER 2016 9:55 PM

     

     

     

    Jobo … the first del amitri album is probably in my top 3 favourite albums of all time…. and Keepers probably a top 10 song for me …. criminally overlooked

     

     

    ——

     

     

    The first album mentions my da’s restaurant, he was the one that gave them a start.

  38. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    DELANEYSDUNKY

     

     

    Hope you and you are all fine and dandy,bud. Catch you next weekend,all being well.

     

     

    HH.

  41. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    You and you should be you and yours.

     

     

    I’m gonna have to check the settings on this phone. It seems to be set to ‘make a coo of user’ mode.

  42. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Delaney’s, Andy wasn’t everyone’s favourite during his spell with us.

     

     

    We signed him as a left winger, sorry outside left (i dont want to offend posters who prefer no politics ) from Hearts. He struggled to get a game.

     

     

    My brother and I went to a friendly we had at Kilbowie with Andy scoring a hat trick playing as our centre forward in a 5 4 win for us. I’m sure it was the first time I saw our dearly departed Tommy playing for us.

     

     

    Andy scoring the winning goal in the 77 cup final more than made up for his two own goals at Fir Park a few weeks earlier.

     

     

    Talking of Danny, have youseen the photo on the internet of the bust of a Roman Emperor, I think he was called Antonunus , which is the image of Danny?

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