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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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  1. What is the Stars on

    Exiled

     

    Pal of mine has a horse with Ellison, he has advised me to back Stipulate in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket tomorrow. I backed it last night at 33s, it’s bloody 16 / 1 in places now. Still worth an each way bet. Some bookies paying 5 places

  2. Gerryfaethebrig on

    TET

     

     

    Best of luck

     

     

    Dessybhoy

     

     

    The DJ fella one night on SSB a few years back was talking to a Bhoy called Sean from Coatbridge and the dafty says “oh we know who you support” the guy more or less said what are you talking about so DJ more or less thought Tim name = Celtic fan, Bhoy must have been undercover as he answered “so 99% of referees are Rangers fans going by your logic” a few coughs & splutters from DJ, although still not as good as Chris Sutton tonight, even on the radio you could feel wee Slug Keevins was going into his shell (if you pardon the pun)

  4. Hamiltontim on

    Wits

     

     

    A few of us (CQN 5s) are meeting in West after the game. It’s about 15 minutes walk from Parkhead.

  5. big archie on

    Dessybhoy.

     

    Remember it well.

     

    Hopefully tonight Big Chris put down a marker and this will continue.

     

    Celtic -2 tomorrow @ 4/5 With Hills.

     

    Enjoy and Let the people sing…………..

  7. itscalledthemalvinas on

    Its always a shame when an institution closes especially when it’s in a your own home town.

     

     

    But on this occasion its an absolute delight to report that the orange halls in castle street in Paisley is closing its piss stained doors. We will now have to decant several monkeys to what may be the last orange hall in Renfrewshire to Renfrew.

     

    They have trudged our streets spreading their hatred clad in their crimpoline trouser’s that were two inches too short for the last time.

     

    Paisley District Number 6-thank you and goodnight!

     

     

    PS

     

    Is there any chance I could have those two flags that are hanging limply out the front.

     

    BadfireCSC

  8. What is the Stars on

    HT

     

    WEST is the name of the pub?

     

    Lovely, I will find it, meeting my cousin tomorrow morning in Glasgow and normally we would make a day of it and I would stay over. But left it late booking flights and they were silly prices to come home Sunday, suits him also as he has to get home early after the game as he is going to a party. So The WEST Awake it is

  9. dessybhoy on

    Big Archie

     

    See you are still in LMS , the London huns done me at Swansea, good luck, who did you take this week, The Sheep?

  10. Almore on

    Nearest café to CP is twenty minutes away? You’d think there would be one at the stadium (beside the superstore, of course). Think I’ll bring a flask and sambos.

     

     

    HT is West the brewery bar?

  11. thetimreaper on

    HAMILTONTIM on 23RD SEPTEMBER 2016 8:59 PM

     

    Wits

     

     

     

    A few of us (CQN 5s) are meeting in West after the game. It’s about 15 minutes walk from Parkhead.

     

     

    ——-

     

    Hawd on a minute, you spending the kitty ??

  14. Lennybhoy on

    WHAT IS THE STARS on 23RD SEPTEMBER 2016 8:56 PM

     

    I’ve not caught one of your tips yet, 33s to 16s, someone is confident, just bet it e.w. 16s on Betfair.

     

    Keep the Faith!

     

    Hail Hail!

  16. vfr800a8 on

    ALMORE on 23RD SEPTEMBER 2016 8:40 PM

     

    Anybody know what is the nearest café to Celtic Park?

     

    _________________________________

     

    Go to Coias; it’s a right good place.

     

     

    I may be in for lunch and I’m sure there will be a few others.

     

     

    FAC the Act

     

     

    KTF

  19. Lennybhoy on

    BIG ARCHIE on 23RD SEPTEMBER 2016 9:02 PM

     

    Next Saturday, you up for it. Bumped into JE in the KOSC after sevco game, said he might come?

     

    Keep the Faith!

     

    Hail Hail!

  22. sipsini on

    VP/TET…

     

     

    Thanks for that, I really need to get on Twitter, my kids reckon I’m a dinosaur.Took me long enough to post on here. My daughter got fed up with me lurking and said right dad start posting. Think she regrets it now. :))

  24. Philbhoy on

    LENNYBHOY

     

     

    Christine’s first visit to the Holy Ground tomorrow.

     

     

    The wee one has been before.

     

     

    We are in the Executive Club in the South Stand, so really looking forward to it!

     

     

    Hope you are well!

  29. Almore on

    VFR: I’m doing the Kano collection so if I pop in it would be around midday. I usually walk up from the Gallowgate. Where is it from there?

  34. Hamiltontim on

    Wits

     

     

    Good it would be nice for you to get me a pint :-)

     

     

    Almore

     

     

    Aye, where we were before mate.

     

     

    TTR

     

     

    Only those who pass to team mates are permitted access to the kitty!

  35. itscalledthemalvinas on

    CATHAL

     

     

    Hi yes it’s happening. I only found out this morning. An ex member works beside me and says it’s been on the cards for a while. I drive past it regularly and remember it was always open. Nowadays its shut even at the weekend. Only open when they have visitors from “other places”

  36. GuyFawkesaforeverhero on

    Almore on 23rd September 2016 9:05 pm

     

     

    The cafe debate. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and all snacks between the aforesaid are available in the Emirates, 67 seconds walk from the Celtic Way.

     

     

    Celtic should have a cafe on the Celtic Way.

  42. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Philbhoy 9.14pm

     

     

    Other way about my Christine was at the Phil ODonnell game while pregnant with the wee blade, I have yet to experience the joy of the www yin accompanying me to Celtic Park, it is getting closer, Barca & Alloa games she has stayed up for the 1st halves shouting at the telly, so she is getting there

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