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Experimentation is over, Celtic core ready for Sunday

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The learning period and experimentation is over.  Neil Lennon will play a more familiar looking line-up on Sunday, with James Forrest on the right, Ryan Christie in the middle.  Neither are as effective in other positions.

Odsonne Eduard will be given every chance.  He, Boli Bolingoli, Jonny Hayes and Mohamed Elyounoussi have all been allowed to recuperate from various strains in recent weeks.  Even if they all pass fitness tests, due to their common injury type, Neil has to consider the high possibility of a relapse in their first outing.  This could force early substitutions in a game that could go to extra-time.

These permutations make a lottery out of guessing our left flank.  Bolingoli or Hayes at left back, with Elyounoussi or Mikey Johnston at left-mid.  Johnston is back from injury and in sparkling form.  He played a crucial role in the win at Ibrox in September when these two teams last met but Neil Lennon may prefer Elyounoussi to add a greater physical presence.

Jeremie Frimpong will almost certainly get the nod ahead of Moritz Bauer, with Hatem Elhamed still injured (from yet another strain).  The regular core of the side: Kristoffer Ajer, Christopher Jullien, Scott Brown, Callum McGregor and Fraser Forster, will all play.

This is not an occasion for an inexperienced winger to play centre forward.  Lewis Morgan is at the very early stages of learning this role, if Eduard is not fit, Leigh Griffiths should start.

Whoever loses on Sunday will leave Hampden knowing they have bigger fish to fry this season, but the victory will make anything and everything seem possible for the winners.

In Celtic’s favour, they have players who have regularly been through challenges like this and come away with the win.  Players like McGregor, Forrest and Brown could write a manual on how to win at Hampden.  We can also expect a match-winning performance from James Forrest.

After recovering from a two-goal deficit against Newco on Wednesday, Aberdeen manager, Derek McInnes, spoke about the aggression his team showed to get back into the game.  On Sunday, both teams will be hyped up and ready for the battle, managing that aggression, however, will be important.  Celtic are clear favourites but a careless red card would change that.

Tom Rogic signed shirt raffle for Celtic FC Foundation

The Celtic squad wore a special shirt for last month’s league game against Motherwell, bearing the Celtic FC Foundation Christmas Appeal logo instead of the normal Dafabet logo on the front, and the words “Christmas Appeal” on the back, instead of the Magners logo.

Tom Rogic’s signed shirt from that day is available for raffle.  Each donation of £10 or more will be entered into a draw, which will take place on Friday 13 December.  The shirt will be posted on Monday 16th (or available for collection at the Hibs game on Sunday 15th).

The Celtic FC Foundation do incredible work throughout the world all year round, but their work with those most in need in the winter months, and for children and families coping with chronic poverty, can give warmth, nourishment, self-respect and  human compassion that some people struggle to find.  All donations go straight to the Foundation.

This is why Celtic exists.  You can enter here at JustGiving.  Good luck and thank you!!

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  1. petec on

    DBhoy – all Good. 👍

     

     

    If the Broonstigator let KT loose with the Sonics. There is Hardcore and then there is Another Level of Hardcore.

     

     

    I Just want Every Celt to do well. Kieran is a Celtic Legend.

     

     

    Broonie is the real hardcore.

  2. petec on

    Stunned by how good he is playing currently.

     

     

    Gie Broonie a break Lenny…….

     

     

    I Know Nothing about anything.

     

     

    EVERY game he is Selected. He has been targeted every bit like KT wiz.

     

     

    Broonie has Mega competition for poty.

  4. petec on

    Annie Lennox – Little Bird. Utah Saints styleeee if Anyone is so inclined to post.

     

     

    Bluetoothing everything.

     

     

    Callum will score Sunday I reckon. What an exceptional player.

  9. petec on

    Whit A Poster.

     

     

    CELTIC…….

     

     

    CELTIC..

     

     

    The West side is verily Vocal when its happening.

     

     

    The West Side hus been Fantasticque for many Many Days.

  10. petec on

    Make no mistake I’m in an ever Deceasing circle. When being RIDICULED-smile if possible..

     

    I hate Bullies and clicques.

     

     

     

    Love is the LAW.

  12. TheLurkinTim on

    We turn up with the right attitude…we win on Sunday…no if’s, buts or mibbes or dependent on team formation…we’re on for a quad treble and the 1st leage cup as Lenny manager…any other result, given our squad, is inconceivable

     

     

    H.H.

  20. bankiebhoy1 on

    I predict a fa’in’ ooooooooot……………………………………….. between the Judean Peoples’s Popular Front and…………. The Peoples Front of Judea (Angry Faction) around “communication issues”.

     

     

    HH.

  21. David66 on

    Good morning Timland from a damp and cold Garngad

     

     

    Looking forward to mañana and hopefully another beautiful Sunday where Hunskelping will be the order of the day.

     

     

    I have had a sore back for a few weeks and she who must be obeyed just said the classic ” oh you won’t be going to the pub tomorrow if your back is still sore” aye right I said.

     

    Even if I have to lie down in the pub I said. 😂🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

     

     

    Hail Hail

     

     

    D. :)

  22. petec on

    NEIL LENNON & MCCARTNEY,

     

     

    Thank You. An absolute belter of a Blog name btw.

     

     

    Garry, I played the best Pool of my Life last weekend. Aidan was throwing the cue on the table. I told him off about that.

     

     

    We need to jibber jabber soon. Reardens over the Christmas holiday if you can make it. My Good pal Daves Good Lady has miscarried, added to what they went through before.

     

     

    In my comforting text It didnae feel right saying God Bless.

  24. petec on

    I didnae put God Bless in the text.

     

     

    His wee Mammy cleans the Catholic Church she is a parishiner of, voluntarily.

     

     

    It is heartbreaking.

  25. The Blogger Formerly Known As GM on

    Exclusive: Our sources at a high Level say ‘Steven Gerrard’s Rangers’ manager Steven Gerrard is in advanced discussions about a 2 year contract extension. The Daily Stenographer understands the squirrel will be released on Monday to deflect from a pumping in the League Cup final.

  26. petec on

    Come on ye Bhoys in Green the morra.

     

     

    A Celtic hard and High press will surely reap rewards. Even if it is switchef on, Later on.

     

     

    Lazio couldnae handle our fitness levels – Magical so it was tp witness such.

  29. Hunderbirds are Gone on

    Good morning CQN from another grey day in the Central Highlands. The mercury is currently residing at a rather disappointing +4.5c. The main issue here, at this time of year, is not the winter weather per se, rather It is the very short, and dull, daylight hours. However I take comfort from the fact that it is only fifteen days until the winter solstice, therefore in thirty days time, there will still be short days, but the sun’s rays will be strengthening and the daylight hours will be lengthening, and hopefully, as in past years, the Winter blues will recede as the days get longer.

     

    Speaking of Winter blues… all I want for Christmas is two positive results against the Govan Doppelgängers FC/PLC.

     

    🍀⚽️

  32. bankiebhoy1 on

    Govan Dopplegangers………………

     

     

    :)))))))))))))))))))))))))

     

     

     

    I like that!

     

     

    HH

  33. Jobo Baldie on

    Today’s picks from the experts –

     

    Jobo Baldie – Motherwell

     

    Gerryfaethebrig – Raith Rovers

     

    The Exiled Tim – Dunfermline

     

    Awalkacrosstherooftops – Inverness

     

    Pogmathonyahun – Exeter

     

    Bobby Murdoch’s Curled Up Winklepickers – Forest Green

     

    Lennybhoy – Swindon

  35. David66 on

    HAG – I have a mate that always says that guy looks like so and things like the pub is full of Dopplegangers – your line is a belter. I hope you don’t mind but I am going to use that “the Govan Dopplegangers” 😂😂😂

     

     

    Hail Hail

     

     

    Bring on the Dopples

     

     

    D. :)

  36. Hunderbirds are Gone on

    BANKIEBHOY1 & DAVID66

     

    Feel free. My gift to CQN. It annoys the “flip” oot of some pet Huns I know.

     

    Due to our Board’s unfathomable policy of not calling out the SFA and the same club myth, we need to keep stating it. Be prepared! For example, when asked who scored Celtic’s last goal in the last Old Firm game, or similar Kwestions, I always reply, “Gary Hooper” 😃

     

    🍀⚽️

  37. bankiebhoy1 on

    HAG…………….

     

     

    :)

     

     

    Love it.

     

     

    Yes, for whatever reason we ( corporately) chose to not bury thum emphatically and unamibiguosly.

     

     

    GaryHooper CSC

  42. bigrailroadblues on

    Good afternoon all from the Star Bar. Luncheon has been consumed, now for copious quantities of beer to calm my jangling nerves. Gerrintaethum Celtic!!

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