Formation and why we will be ready for Sunday

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Patrick Roberts is back and fit, and has previous good form against Newco, but Brendan has relied heavily on James Forrest this season, so may be disposed to prefer the latter for Sunday.  I am usually clear on which of the two I prefer against any opposition (James for teams who press us, leaving space for him to exploit, Patrick for teams who defend deep), but I am pulled two ways this time.

If pushed, I would go with James, leaving Patrick as a option when legs are tired.

We don’t usually have chats about which goalkeeper to play, but Scott Bain and Craig Gordon will both be hoping to start.  Craig is fit, so If Scott gets the nod, it may indicate that the ongoing first choice keeper slot is up for grabs.

I expect we will see the return of a more recognisable back four, with Michael Lustig returning in place of Jack Hendry.  How Brendan deploys Dedryck Boyata will be crucial.  The opening goal we lost at Ibrox last month came from a ploy Newco have used repeatedly against us since the 2016 Scottish Cup semi-final.

Their players will often stand off Celtic but press Dedryck whenever he is in possession.  Dedryck needs options available or he should go Route One.

Tom Rogic travelled a lot of miles and played a lot of football in March, so I am sure he was rested at Hamilton to ensure he would be in prime shape for Sunday.  Brown and Ntcham will sit behind him and Dembele will lead the line.

This leaves one place to be filled by Sinclair, Armstrong or McGregor.  My preference would be to favour the middle of the park.  Control passing in the central area and we will win comfortably.  We failed to dominate there in each of our three draws against Newco (2-2, 1-1, 0-0).  McGregor would get the nod for this task, where I would ask him to play a conserved, always-available, role.

The manager has had a week at Lennoxtown with his team – a rare luxury for Celtic.  So chill, we will be ready.

Win Two Scottish Cup semi-final tickets for the Celtic end on Sunday

Celtic sponsor, Intelligent Car Leasing, have very kindly donated two tickets which you can win, and help the Celtic FC Foundation.  All you need to do is answer this simple question:

Which ground can Celtic win the league at on 21 April?

The competition has only been live for a day, closing 13:00 today Friday 13th, so if you don’t have a ticket, you have very little time to do something about it……

To enter, make a £5 minimum donation to the Foundation at this MyDonate link.  Then send your confirmation email to celticquicknews@gmail.com WITH THE ANSWER IN THE SUBJECT LINE.  If you are not on your email this afternoon, include your phone number.

Tickets will be available for collection at Celtic Park on Sunday lunchtime.

Two tickets, Celtic end, Sunday…………  Good luck and thanks to Intelligent Car Leasing and all who enter!

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704 Comments

  1. VFR,

     

     

    Is the facials (ooer missus) compensating fur the baldness ;-))

     

     

    FTSFA

     

     

    H.H.

  2. Delaneys Dunky on

    Marspa

     

     

    That bhoy Naka could hit a free kick, but he had so much more to his game than that. Magical video thanks.

  3. Marspapa –

     

     

    your musical offerings tonight have been quite superb. Thanks for the links.

     

     

    Song of the night (so far) – God Only Knows. Close to perfection in terms of lyric, melody and harmony. But then, you knew that already!

     

     

    Fair cheered me up after learning that Gilbert O’Sullivan’s end of May, Jobo-bucket-list Glasgow Pavilion’s gig has been cancelled…

     

    Still, at least on Saturday 26 May I again get to see The Rutles at the Oran Mor….

  4. VFR,

     

     

    Beardy….hairy….. chapelly…..motorcycally…..are u real hells angelly ;-))….;-))

     

     

    FTSFA

     

     

    H.H.

  5. So I can now officially say…..am not gonna second guess BR tomoz….I trust he’ll pick a team to pick apart der Hun…..keeping our double treble dreams alive….;-))

     

     

    FTSFA

     

     

    H.H.

  6. GUTENBERG on 13TH APRIL 2018 11:53 PM

     

    Marspapa

     

     

     

     

    You’re the new Roy Croppie…

     

     

    IN MY DREAMS ? …the ghuy is a LEGEND !!

     

    If he’s looking in, RC thank you for being patient with me in the early days of me trying to post my songs and you being the gentleman you are took time to put the songs up for me ?????????

  7. MIT,

     

     

    dunno if you are aware….but there’s a 12 part history of Jazz on PBS America…..from the 1800’s through to 1960’s…..might be worth a watch….;-))

     

     

    FTSFA

     

     

    H.H.

  8. THELURKINTIM on 13TH APRIL 2018 11:55 PM

     

     

    I ain’t no angel! The rest is true though …,,..

     

     

     

    KTF

  9. Neil and his newly promoted squad getting 2nd.

     

     

    WTF

     

     

    Something really Special if that happened.

     

     

    respect

     

     

    The ptb in Scotland are trying to butter up Stevie Clarke for the hun job. LOL

     

     

    The Corruption runs so deep.

  10. VFR

     

    You are reknowned for your dress sense and intellect ..oh , and your i.t. skills and your ..oh i could on …top guy sums you up nicely .

     

     

    And with that i bid the blog a goodnight ,i’m up at my daughters in the morning (7-45 ) to watch my Grandaughter.. the joys

     

    ??????

  11. Am a lazy bustard at heart….saw some chat about the Buckley’s….my first introduction was a fluke….to Jeff….wouldn’t mind a link….ta….;-))

     

     

    FTSFA

     

     

    H.H.

  12. Marspapa,

     

     

    Loved the pic of the dugs, is the puppy still with u? ps VFR willnae give us a ride….for insurances purposes ;-))

     

     

    FTSFA

     

     

    H.H.

  13. Canamalar points out the Real Reason for a Referee……

     

     

    Hmmm how long has the Sky contract to go to bury news.

     

     

    What kind of organisation would sign up for so long on such a Sh!t deal?

     

     

    aye Ok ready OK.