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

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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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802 Comments

  1. Would you be allowed entry into the ground with an umbrella?

     

    —–

     

     

    yes, but mind attach some stabilising flights to the handle to make it fly straighter when u throw it

  2. TTR 8.59am

     

     

    If it’s ok for Steve MacLaren :-)

     

     

    Not sure about the punters sitting next too you when you put your brolly up, although Police Scotland will probably lift you for carrying an offensive weapon

  3. Awe_Naw

     

     

    He was on MOD last weekend and made his mark with his candid style.

     

     

    Anybody would prefer a job where you don’t need bodyguards.

     

     

    Wonder what he really thinks of BT Sport and its editorial of showing the Sviatchenko ‘penalty’ 26 times?

     

     

    Maybe Brendan should ask him over a glass of chablis.

  4. BSR

     

     

    Chris Sutton has been doing the red button goals programme for BBC for the last few seasons on and off, he will be on far better cash with BT and has been appearing on their Euro CL goals show, BT love him and his forthright opinions…..don’t think Chris would be the slightest bit interested about MOTD when BT has the CL….

  5. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    So what’s changed ?

     

     

    PL quotes about Barton

     

     

    SSB dismantling their mainstay hundit

     

     

    I think cheques are bouncing

     

     

    HH

  6. Marrakesh Express on

    http://www.talkingbaws.com/2016/09/video-listen-chris-sutton-absolutely-destroying-derek-johnstone-live-radio/

     

     

    For anyone still looking for it.

     

    Johnstone is the punchbag and it’s been coming for 25 years. How he manages to make a living out of it says more about this country and its ‘number one radio station’. It took a brave Englishman to call it and well done Sutton, you spoke for every non hun, and possibly even some of them.

     

     

    Epic radio.

  7. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    BSR

     

     

     

    Surely Lord of Parkhead should be present.

     

     

    Can I say in BT’s defence I still haven’t made up my mind about those incidents and Brendan called the Rogic incident wrongly imho

     

     

    HH

  8. AWE_NAW_NO_ANNONI_OAN_ANAW_NOO on 24TH SEPTEMBER 2016 9:24 AM

     

     

    If TFOD get a penalty for that type of challenge in the semifinal I would be calling it mibbery.

     

     

    Not a penalty.

     

     

    And just for Kevjungle:

     

    FAC the Act

     

     

    KTF

  9. Gerry

     

     

    Watch this space.

     

     

    There have already been ‘secret’ meetings at Hampden.

     

     

    Tell me an ultra pro Celtic media giant?

     

     

    Awe_Naw

     

     

    At least Brendan has them sussed unlike the ‘cowardly’ board who can’t won’t call them out

  10. A good pundit is often controversial. In Scotland we have many co traversal pundits. Chris Sutton and Michael Stewart are both controversial. As are BFDJ, Spew Heevins, Gordon Dazell and a host of others like Pat Nevin, Andy Souptaker…

     

     

    Chris and Michael are unabated shock jocks who speak without fear or favour. I often agree and disagree with both. That is how it should be. The rest though are biased, fearful, favouring and one sided, as Chris put it so elequently last night, cheerleading shock jocks.

     

     

    Chris and Michael at times have me thinking WTF?! The rest always have me thinking WTF?! every time they open their gobs.

     

     

    I’ll take Chris & Michael every day even with their over analysis shock jock BT propogated nonsense over the Sevco Zombie cheerleaders any day of the week.

     

     

    That all said. How good would it be just to have proper balanced analysis of the game here in Scotland without all the shock jock nonsense?

     

     

    MWD

  11. There is much mirth to be had from the SuperSutton demolition of BFDJ.

     

     

    I liked the bit where, having said that he turns the sound down when watching a game on BT, BFDJ then accuses CS of negativity and porkies.

     

     

    So how, did you hear that then BFJD?

     

     

    And then when CS asks BFDJ to provide an example of “porkies” the fat one falls flat on his face in an attempt to deflect.

     

     

    Still ROFLOL.

  12. BSR

     

     

    You could be correct BBC would be reuniting Shearer & Sutton

     

     

    For all going today hope you see a few Celtic goals but more importantly our Leigh gets 20mins or so before he puts Augero & co in their place (a Bhoy can dream)

     

     

    A big Hail Hail to the Kano collectors

     

     

    Aff oot shopping with the wee blade someday soon I hope she’ll be dragging me to the fitba instead

  13. Sigh , youngsters today. Just no commitment to the cause.

     

    I’m up with the lark this morning, gagging to get out and off to Paradise.

     

    Burghbhoy junior ain’t going, spending the day in front of a lap top attempting to buy a pair of limited edition trainers when they get released!!!

     

    Apparently, I need to wise up!!!

     

     

    My God

     

     

    HH Bhoys , onwards to victory

  14. Windy but dry in Arbroath but The Dear Green Place seems to be experiencing wild weather. No chance of a cancellation, is there? I will be leaving in about half an hour.

     

     

    JJ

  15. Morning all.

     

     

    Hope Griff gets a few minutes today, he must be champing at the bit.

     

     

    Hoping for a few goals and a clean sheet.

     

     

    Cheerio for now!

     

     

    HH!!

  16. IVEHADTOCHANGEMYNAME

     

     

    Yes – pray that the Syrian army can liberate Aleppo quickly from the occupation by barbaric terrorist groups.

  17. Marrakesh Express on

    Supersutton

     

     

    I was wondering that myself. Thought for minute he might have been lip reading Sutton with the mute on. Speaking of Charlatans, I just wish Sutton would’ve copied Johnstone’s side kick Keevins into that.

  18. Good Morning!

     

     

    Here’s my review of Chris Sutton’s EPIC take-down of Derek Johnstone on SSB last night. A link to the relevant part of the show is in the piece:

     

     

    “Chris Sutton v Yesterday’s Pundit” https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2016/09/24/chris-sutton-v-yesterdays-pundit/

     

     

    And here is my other new offering. It responds to a journalist’s claims that I am the most boring account on twitter!

     

    https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2016/09/23/absolutely-cream-crackered/

  19. Applause on the 12th minute

     

     

    Wouldn’t it be nice if all other teams followed the Aberdeen example today. Can just see Sportscene trying to edit out the same minute from every game.

     

     

    HH

  20. BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 24TH SEPTEMBER 2016 9:43 AM

     

    Lineker gets more dosh than Scotland.

     

     

    —————————-

     

     

    I’ve heard they use the Barnet Formula to calculate his wages. Shocking.

  21. thomthethim for Oscar OK on

    BSR

     

     

    Will do.

     

    Dublin should be a much safer place today, as WITS is in Glasgow!

     

     

    I think he is part of Almore’s Gies a Café Delegation.

  22. Listening to big Chris tearing BFDJ apart last night was sheer class ! Hopefully a few goals against Killie today and a win for Girvan v Huntly in Scottish cup !