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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Wispy was lined up to sign for Rangers, but Big Jock swooped ( can I say that?) when the Huns were away on a European trip.
What a pity he never got to form a permanent partnership with Joe McBride.
The ol’ Jambos making an erse of another appointment.
More millions and years wasted and having a dig at Hibs in their announcement.
If they can’t see that Jack Ross is the right man at the right time for Hibs, then they deserve everything they get.
Until the last year they were one of only 2 clubs in Scotland that Celtic wouldn’t deal with unless absolutely necessary…. Nae wunner…. They deserve relegation.
Celtic by 2 clear goals manana but more if The Rifle is fit.
HH
St.Anthony
@Stephen4_2
Dec 5
More
On this day in 1973 Celtic beat Rangers 3-1 in the LCSF at a very wet Hampden Park. Here’s to Harry Hood who rattled in four that night (one wrongly disallowed) and had us in raptures. Here’s to you Harry ! @helenahood25
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ELDUXvrXUAscGxZ.jpg
Peter Degnan
@peterdegnan2
Dec 3
More
This is what a tour of @CelticFC stadium looked like back in November 1976. The visit was by Uist St Govan Celtic Supporters Club. Great fashions! This is from my archive of B&W images of Glasgow.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EK3F-jpXkAUTzj8.jpg
I agree with Hayes at LB if fit. He knows the score (sic), and will be well up for it.
HH
Canamalar – I would not disagree with the bold Johnny at LB mañana
Someone text me there saying Eddie is definitely not playing, I hope it’s a lot f shite.
I want him in there rag dolling those 2 big cart horses at centre back for Sevco.
D. :)
I read elsewhere that Neil and the Bhoys were planning to watch the Big Fight this evening. Glad to report that it looks like it won’t be too late, and Radio 5 are starting to do the build-up now. Trickier to call this time with Joshua losing wight and Andy Ruiz piling it on. Main thing and main event is in Glasgow tomorrow, with Neil to land a knockout blow. And no need for a count.
getintheringcsc
D66,
Lenny in his interview said Eddie completes a full training session looked ok after but would not know until tomorrow, so no sure how anyone can say at this stage before the meds and physios see him tomorrow.
Filer me JH is a must
For me even
GreennnninBingley/Oslo
I’m far from tech savvy but install ABP…………( Ad Blocker Plus) and Hey Presto….no more irritating pop ups……….at least none of the advertising kind!
:)
EasyThePeasy CSC
FF
Ajer
Bitton
Julien
Bauer
Calmac
Skipper
Jamesy
Ryan
Mikey
LG9
I don’t think Joshua or any of his ilk would live with the boxers I followed in the 70’s.
Ali, (THE GREATEST) Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Ken Norton to name but four.
The heavyweight division today is mince. FFS look who the heavyweight champ is just now?
And I hope he beats Joshua again.
Nally 81
Interesting lineup there. Wouldn’t be my choice for the back line, but whadda I know. My thoughts are Frimpong, Jullien, Ajer and Hayes. Whoever is picked, let’s hope we keep it tight at the back.
HH
bliddy dug on the pitch
https://twitter.com/i/status/1093817031495962625
Philbhoy 8.22pm
Joshua won’t care £66m and Ruiz is getting £10m… crazee cash
Am always confident facing the Govan mob (old or new) even in their BoS sponsored days I always fancied us to do them… and we did now and again.. although we will lose a final sooner or later but see IF we don’t win tomorrow Neil Lennon has suffered 3 defeats in 45 games in this tenure … I for one won’t be giving our boss grief tomorrow if he does suffer his 4th defeat (or loses the cup in ET or pens) only a fool would predict the result
Celtic 3 The Rangers 0
GFTB
£66million for the challenger!!!!
Mental so it is!
BankieB,
With respect it isnae that Simple.
The site needs more attention as it is indeed Special.
Going for the wee fat guy ko round 4. Ruiz is gambling going up in weight.
Shocking the ppv price LOL.
Proud as punch during the week as MissGFTB was buzzing as her primary school had an important guest visiting them on Wednesday through the Kano foundation … wee Jay Beatty done a wee question & answer with all the primary 7s in her school… she was buzzing and Jay made a terrific impression on them all… the wee mhan is a star … a couple of examples of the questions
Favourite player ever = Samaras
Favourite player now = Scott Sinclair
Score against Hamilton = 6-0 (2-1)
Score on Sunday = 6-0
Hope he gets Sunday’s correct score up
For that young Bhoy to stand in front of all the kids (30+) and be an inspiration
That’s our Celtic :-)
Neil Francis Lennon.
Something inside that is so Strong.
Love is the Law.
Lenny was elected as the Managers thingymajig…….. och ye know it all by now.
Wow Neil way to go. The SMSM most hated to the Most Respected.
NEIL FRANCIS LENNON.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH4-tauIw2w
Petec
Love fae ML5
I’m hoping that the Griffster scores…………………
in the traditional sense the morra.
Glory Be His Redemption.
HH
!!BADA BING!! on 7TH DECEMBER 2019 2:46 PM
SS- 3-0 relax…….😆
————-
Phew. Glad to hear it. I’m relaxed now. Relaxed as a newt.
(nah, just one glass of wine)
Pat 9:17,
Celtic.
GFTB
Wee Jay’s six zip score prediction is 200/1 wi Paddy Power. One hundred pennies invested 🤑
🍀⚽️
Had a few tinnies the night as the gorgeous Mrs H is away to that London for the weekend. So I’m feeling nice and mellow. Noticed Melbourne Mick hadny heard the expression “squiffy” the other day. Set me thinking on the myriad words there are, and have been for being pashed or …erm other things 😃.
I feel a list coming on. Here’s a few, I’ve used or heard over the years to start yooz off… Blootered, Steamin’, Maroc, Gished, Jaked, Smashed, Gibbered.
🍀⚽️
Lazio 3 Juventus 1
Great boost for the bhoys as they relax in their hotel tonight.
Lazio beat Juventus comfortably tonight 3-1 going on 4 or 5
Ruiz has him running Constantly.
7 Serie A wins in a row for Lazio and Juve first League reverse this season.
Thats a scared dude.
Celtic the morra.
DAVID17
There was a Stickie on SSB last night, blundering on about how our Europa League opponents were so rubbish. He’ll be feeling like a right Muppet tonight. (Edit) *even more of a Muppet* 😂
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Broonie Celtic Park. Stunning.
HAG…………
“maroculous” sp?…..(A Clydebank fave)
“Stotious”
“Lit up”
” Langers” ( Local Corcaigh patois…)
HUNDERBIRDS ARE GONE on 7TH DECEMBER 2019 9:52 PM
They have no shame. A guy in the work told me we had the easiest group going. He must read the papers.
Hunderbirds 9.34pm
Good luck I will be cheering it on
Hunderbirds 9.43pm
Blitzed, wrecked, steamboats, minging :-)
……rubber!
HUNDERBRIDS ARE GONE
so Mrs H is away and you are publically admitting to being pashed.
I predict the end of a marriage.
Pashed is a proper word meaning “amorously kissed and caressed”
HJ
should have used Pushed 😉
BB1
Stotious! Had forgotten that one.
GFTB
I have been all of them at various times.
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