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!
704 Comments- Pages:
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This semi final should have been played at Tyncastle or Easter Road, the cameras are trying to zoom in on the pitch instead of the embarrassment of 30k empty seats.
Just to offer an apology that, as there are still 2 Last Man Standing picks to be sent in, I can’t issue the usual ‘who has picked whom’ post.
No wonder I’m soon to be ‘retiring’ from these events.
Ho hum.
Good to see the sheep and mutha’s fans boycotting the FtSFA semifinal………………oh wait a minute.
THE EXILED TIM
Interesting to see that Macron wants to be a player in Syria, perhaps he wants to restore the French Empire and make France great again…
OLDTIM:
If you are lurking, you have mail.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Talking about asserting ones self.
The daily record back page has a picture of a man and a wee timid boy(no h) either side of the Scottish cup.
I would add the link but I won’t
SIgned
Mr tech diddy
Looking more like a game of Rugby League than a game of fitba. Needs Eddie Waring commentating.
Trump666
https://youtu.be/bkyCrx4DyMk
Mad May
Billy Dodds reserved occupation currently BBC for who we pay a licence commentating on the Scottish Cup
Arrived in a £1.5m deal from Dundee United. Scored 21 goals in four years. EBT £190,000 with side letters.
Liquidation CSC
POG,
Lol….empty seats are due to the weather…..or disinterest
….or lack of fan base;-))
FTSFA
H.H.
Sheep Motherwell brutal so far.
Was just going to post the exact same thing David17
I wonder what headline we will get tomorrow in the papers, will it be…..
A……Christie hoping for a rankers win so he can play in cup final……. OR….
B……..Cifti…… hoping for a bla bla bla bla….
I’m going for A.
That and ( insert any Celtic player) being watch by ( pick a team any team)…and of course…..
Some ex tax cheating zombie telling the gullible what they want to hear/ read….
Mothers 1 up
Ha ha ha I hit send and Mwell score.
1-0 Well, will be difficult for the sheep now.
Motherwell score
Aberdeen players never heard the expression ‘play to the whistle’ then…
Hand ball
Starry,
The French have never forgiven Russia for teaching that wee upstart Napoleon a lesson.
2-0
Calamitous.
Motherwell score again.
2-0
Comic capers 2-0
2 noo
Just received a postcard from Port Lockroy in Antartica!
64°40’A, 63°30’W
Defrost the longest travelled card I have ever been sent :-)
2-0 -Mothers
Will Derek McInnes still be Manager next year?
Who cares..
Good news for the Celtic ticket office so far.
A should be S….
Goal fur Murderwell…..Hark….wat is that tinkle am hearing…..tis the sound of breaking glass…..Aberdeens bottle has crashed….again…..lol. 2-0
FTSFA
H.H.
That shouldn’t have stood either
Starry
I’m sure I have heard that saying somewhere before :-)
How sad
HH
Has the pitch been narrowed
CANAMALAR IT LOOKS LIKE OCD OBSESSION on 14TH APRIL 2018 12:44 PM
Has the pitch been narrowed
——
No.
First goal, ball struck players arm – ref has to decide – was is deliberate or not. In this case likley assumed to be part of the player’s running style so no free kick.
Second one the defender tried to hold the player off and stumbled so no free kick again.
D17
Ok
EM..,
Thought Bowman pushedover the defender
Aberdeen need to try to play some football here. They were looking the better team before the first goal but are currently lacking leadership.
Mon the Dandies…
Them Washington bullets again
https://youtu.be/MT-LyKFvlFc