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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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  5. mike in toronto on

    TSOAL

     

     

    How ya doing? Kevin’s first album was really good…. But better than JC?! Don’t see that. … And funny enough, although I liked both JC and KMcD individually, the stuff they did together was rubbish

  8. the_huddle on

    Margaret McGill on 23rd September 2016 11:49 pm

     

    Unfortunately not but my nephew from Germany is. I am looking for someone to escort him so that he doesnt put any locals in the hospital again like last time he was over who called him a nazi.Word is he’s on his way to Coltness.

     

    ——————

     

    I’ll be sure to turn on the floodlights to guide them in ;o)

  10. Hamiltontim on

    FAC the polis.

     

     

    Please be brave and use this at the end of your posts until 23rd October.

     

     

    #FAC the polis.

  11. Delaneys Dunky on

    BMCUW

     

     

    Every train out of Glasgow going North West goes via Dalmuir.

     

    Tip.

     

    Don’t fall asleep on the last train to Helensburgh via Dalmuir.

     

    3 hour walk. :)

  12. Dannymac on

    Thanks mate,

     

    That’s a Yes and a No,in answer to my questions.

     

    This does not sit well with me.

     

    HH

  13. Melbourne Mick on

    ALMORE

     

     

    You asked earlier where the nearest cafe was to Celtic park, well

     

    it’s next to the big Celtic shop in Melbourne :-))

     

    H.H Mick

  19. Gerryfaethebrig on

    TOSB

     

     

    The lead singer’s older brother JG, used to run us home and away in the late 80’s following the hoops…… Didn’t really know the singer well but grew up with his wee brother and his mum & my mum were both cleaners in St Ambrose …… Don’t even know any of their songs :-)

  23. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    DELANEYSDUNKY

     

     

    Oh,I know how to get from Kilwinning to Dalmuir. I even know how to get back. Smart money says I’d cock it up somehow,mind.

     

     

    Experience has taught me one thing only in my time-that I don’t bliddy learn from it!

  24. mike in toronto on

    Buick … For me, Shane was/is a once in a generation type of talent. Last time I saw him, he was so messed up it was painful to see. But at his best, he was magic

  25. butsybhoy on

    Ref my earlier post about the Coors light cans being cool.

     

     

    To busy listening to RC music posts and left one in the freezer

     

     

    Anyone got a spare pick axe to open the fecker.

     

     

    JeanClaudeVanDammeCFC

  26. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    MAGS

     

     

    Good enough for me,bud. I hope he has a right good time,btw.

     

     

    HH.

  27. The Spirit of Arthur Lee on

    Mike

     

     

    DA first albulm is poor

     

     

    Waking hours and change everything are very good

     

     

    But not in the class of Mothers nature kitchen or Bedazzled

     

     

    only my opinion of course

     

     

    LOve

  32. GuyFawkesaforeverhero on

    Hamiltontim on 23rd September 2016 11:52 pm

     

     

    Tired of lectures from people like you who thrill to sing about building bonfires to set football fans aflame.

     

     

    On behalf of the Celtic men, women and children in 143 who had sex toys wearing Hun scarf and sash dropped into their midst (oh, the banter), hell mend anyone who defends or hides the cretins responsible.

     

     

    And so say all of me.

  37. Margaret McGill on

    GuyFawkesaforeverhero on 24th September 2016 12:11 am

     

     

    I think your moniker is somewhat misleading. May I suggest Happy_Napper.

  38. Hamiltontim on

    GUYFAWKESAFOREVERHERO on 24TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:11 AM

     

    Hamiltontim on 23rd September 2016 11:52 pm

     

     

     

    Tired of lectures from people like you who thrill to sing about building bonfires to set football fans aflame.

     

     

     

    On behalf of the Celtic men, women and children in 143 who had sex toys wearing Hun scarf and sash dropped into their midst (oh, the banter), hell mend anyone who defends or hides the cretins responsible.

     

     

     

    And so say all of me.

     

     

     

    ——

     

     

    No bother mate we’re all entitled to an opinion.

     

     

    Do you have any evidence to support the nonsense you posted?

  40. buick makane on

    MIT

     

     

    A Shane concert weather with the Pogues or the Popes is always a great night out,saw him perform sober(ish) and totally pished,then again don’t think I’ve ever been sober at any of his gigs;))

  41. mike in toronto on

    Macjay …I am a fan of GL

     

     

    After dating half of ladies on the squash team at my club( I was much younger back then), I eventually had to get out of Dodge, so switched to the all guys club across the road for a while (snooty place, but some of the best players in the world, including Scotland’s own Martin Heath for a while). But I digress…. When I switched over, GL was a member and had the locker a few down from me. I Didn’t see him often as we were on different schedules, but the few times I did, he seemed like a nice guy

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