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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Delaneys,
Aye, a very good team in the early 80’s
A team built by Billy McNeil, which i take great joy in reminding Dons fans about at every opportunity :-)
Word for the Weekend
Panglossian (adjective)
Optimistic regardless of the circumstances.
How is that guy McCarthy keeping Forster out of the Southampton team?
He looks incapable of making a save.
BATEEN BHOY
McNeil had an eye for a player though John Hewit was the exception to the rule.
Possibly the worst ever Celtic signing.
Ferguson enhanced Aberdeen and Man Utd by having the ability to make a team better than the sum of their parts.
https://www.celticnewsnow.com/news/former-celtic-striker-lassad-nouioui-suffers-cardiac-arrest-while-training-for-current-spanish-second-tier-side-toledo/225449/
Former Celtic striker Lassad Nouioui suffers heart attack at Deportivo Toledo training
Any CQNers staying in Catania, Italy? Where are the tips for the National? H H Hebcelt
Bateen
I was a huge Peter Weir fan. Underated genius.
Not picked a horse for the National but Aidan has. Alpha Des Obeaux. 40/1
Each way and I have joined him, I hope I dinnae jinx it. :))
67
the team that wanted it most in today’s semi got to the final , very little football played and the dons defending reminded me of ours at times.
Hebcelt
You know my red bearded son Ryan.
So Captain Red Beard @25/1 for me.?
Watching BBC coverage of US bullshit excuses, not a single question about constitutional failure for congress permission for act of war, now lying about OPWC being blocked by Assad
Hebcelt
Ryan means ‘little king’
So Captain Red Beard for me.
Very good.
https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/985132542918578176
Canamalar
The BBC has been nothing more than the propaganda wing of the government since it’s inception.
I always think back to being a child and the lies told about British oppression in Kenya.
Our press branded the Mau Mau as savages terrorizing poor white settlers.
Meanwhile the real savage behavior was carried out by the British with execution and internment camps.
The Vietnam war was a sobering lesson for the west as they lost the propaganda war and public support.
Since then the concentration of media ownership is not accidental
Fan-a-tic,
Phiser, Smith-kline have a new redundancy policy that saves a fortune on pensions.
The last words from the US spokeswoman was Russian trolling has increased by 2000% no doubt you and me are counted as Russian trolls
DD great minds etc backed that one along with The Dutchman, Virgillio, Pleasant Company,Carlingford Lough. Blaklion and See You At Midnight. Good luck everyone. H H Hebcelt
https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/14/politics/trump-syria-strike/index.html
Shades of George Bush standing triumphantly on a US aircraft carrier with huge Mission Accomplished banner behind him after invading Iraq.
Wonder how that turned out????
Hebcelt
As you know, it really is a lottery.
Good luck L.
HH
new article posted.