Alistair Johnston sounded bullish about his chances of recovering from Tuesday’s hip injury in time for the League Cup Final. That aside, Brendan Rodgers has a full squad to choose from.
The only potential change from the starting 11 in Zagreb would be Arne Engels for Paulo Bernardo. Paulo was a big player against Newco last season, including at Hampden, so you have to fancy he will get the nod.
We know what to expect from Newco. They will get the ball forward early and push wide. Celtic usually win these games because with Daizen Maeda and Greg Taylor on the left, with (now) Nicolas Kuhn and Alistair Johnston on the right, we have the speed and talent to cover and breakdown their attacks.
Reo Hatate is key to the middle of the park. He has the strength to hold off his man, turn and draw in another. That opens space in front of the ball for Celtic to create a chance. He is a player at the peak of his talent; Sunday is an occasion made for him. Expect a rebound from Tuesday.
The last time we lost to Newco at Hampden was the 2022 Scottish Cup semifinal, Celtic had a week to prepare and Newco had played a Europa Cup quarterfinal three days earlier. We assumed Celtic would be fresher but they inexplicably wilted as the game wore on and lost in extra-time.
That was then. Now, we have had an extra two days’ rest and should be far fresher than the opposition on Sunday. With Forrest, Idah, Engels (or Bernardo), McCowan and Valle all capable of bringing fresh momentum, we have a significantly stronger bench and should be able to kick on from the 70 minute mark.
Newco will be buoyed by their performance against Tottenham last night. Their press stopped Spurs’ ability to build a cohesive attack. They will inevitably deploy the same strategy at Hampden. Tottenham were a bit like Celtic on Tuesday; bereft of patience in the middle of the park, while trying to create openings with low percentage passing.
I believe Celtic are a better side than Tottenham, we will see on Sunday. And, oh Ange! What have you put your name to? That performance had Bodo/Glimt written all over it.
232 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- »
AN Tearmann,
Thanks for the info about Fr Fox. I should be seeing him soon.
I see there is a big ‘hate walk’ in glasgow today!
saw one of the haters in his clown suit in local shop, then to be met with others in huge clowndrover discovery.
The Foundation will distribute 5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ Winter Warmer Packs to vulnerable pensioners across Glasgow and surrounding areas ❄️📦
Each Winter Warmer pack is thoughtfully curated to help recipients stay warm and nourished during the cold months. The packs include a heated throw, a hat, scarf, gloves, a wind-up radio, and a £30 supermarket voucher, providing both practical support and a touch of festive cheer.
Celtic FC Foundation will work closely with local housing associations and community groups, to ensure the packs reach those who need them most, providing warmth to pensioners and other vulnerable individuals affected by fuel poverty and financial hardship.
Donna-Marie Henry, Head of Foundation, emphasised the importance of this initiative: “Our Winter Warmer packs are a simple but vital way to provide comfort and support to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
“With energy prices rising and many living on limited incomes, this winter is particularly challenging for so many. We’re proud to play our part in easing that burden.”
Together we can ‘Make Christmas Magic’.
————-
Well done Celtic. Living up to our original rarionale.
HH.
I see there is a big ‘hate walk’ in glasgow today!
—
trying to make my way down from bath street to central but can see and hear the scummy bastards walking along through the centre down the hill a bit, probably st vincents street. think im in the clear now
think it was west george street heading to the square
watching Kneecap on prime
Good movie
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0DGTFNDPF/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r
It’s the season
Love and understanding
Merry Christmas everyone
Htf can Glasgow Council sanction that walk at this time of year although it maybe in the hope that it rains,snows or some biblical pestilance rains down on them.
Love Brendan “but we won’t telah anyone”
* tell anyone” feqqing Indonesian auto correction
Fess
I think they are the pestilence:)
Do they normally disfigure Glasgow streets in December?.How was this allowed in the peak Christmas shopping weekend.That GCC needs a rocket right up its Jacksy.Disgusting vermin.
https://x.com/scottyaf/status/1867868343627321556?s=48&t=7G36a4CF2aWIWdlbf3Vm2Q
Smells like team spirit….
Wee Bazza making a total arse of himself,spouting the most ridiculed phrase of this century.
” The Rangers are back”
How stupid would you have to really be,to utter this,knowing the derision it brings on yourself.
Not a semblance of intelligence on display.
Any reps in our talent recruitment dept might want to check out the young Aussie centre back Dylan Leonard.
17 years old; only 1.8m but a composed and powerful left-sided CB with very good foot skills.
Has played all 8 games this year and helped mark Klimala out the game tonight in a 4-3 away win against Sydney. Dylan Leonard – a smashing young talent.
Bada,
How brilliant is that reaction ,to the arrival of Dessers.He managed to live up to it into the bargain.
Brilliant..
Quadro,
Hope he is being looked at.Left footers like gold dust.
Turkeybhoy on 14th December 2024 12:19 pm
Wee Bazza making a total arse of himself,spouting the most ridiculed phrase of this century.
” The Rangers are back”
How stupid would you have to really be,to utter this,knowing the derision it brings on yourself.
Not a semblance of intelligence on display.
≈====================
I’ts a thing he learned from his old chairman Dave King
Remember to dot your “T’s” and “Cross your I’s”
ParkheadcumSalford
Good man 👍it was Cathach(Charlie) who said you would know Fr Fox as well as his(charlies) brother.
HH
Aberdeen game weather for tomorrow.
Fess 19,
😀😀😀😀😀😀
should be a tight game tomorrow . They will be full of running. We will have to have alternatives to passing through the high press. this is where KS is essential. I wonder if BR will high press them. I don’t think I can remember it happening recently. As ever we need to be vigilant for ‘game management’ by the ref. Although Clement can’t beat us, he can send them out to neutralise us. Big challenge tomorrow – all mental.
Dare I say, in recent games against them the refs have been mostly ok? Some poor decisions but going both ways and more to do with incompetence than inherent bias. Qute in afew decisions in recent games in favour of us have totally surprised me, especially the goal they had disallowed when VAR ruled it out for a foul in our own half.
Turkeybhoy on 14th December 2024 12:27 pm
Quadro,
Hope he is being looked at.Left footers like gold dust.
———
Am sure he will be; the lad’s composure completely belies his age. Hope he has some room to grow but even now his innate balance and strength means he’s no pushover. The A-league has little money so heaps of kids are getting a go this weather.
The William Hill Premiership match v St Mirren on Sunday, January 5 (Kick-off 3pm) will go on general sale from 10am on Tuesday, December 17.
Then the next day, Wednesday, December 18 will see tickets available for Celtic v Dundee United on Wednesday, January 8 (KO 7:45pm).
logie baird was born in helunsburgh, so not a glaswegian.
like claiming “both rangers” have amassed 118 trophies.
garygillespieshamstring on 13th December 2024 9:15 pm
AT
The banner was actually in the Hibs end and had a hearts emblem on an Irish flag with “we will be mastered by no o……, b……. printed on it.
So not a Celtic flag at all.
garygillespieshamstring on 13th December 2024 9:18 pm
How’re the OO have made a complaint about it.
They had already complained about another bannerin the hibs support thst featured an image of a guy spotting an orange sash and bowler hat with a red line through it.
——————
i seen the flag.
the heart of midlothian crest on an irish tricolour , at first i read it as no gorgie bassas.
i didnt knowwhat to make of it at all.
how is it offensive though?
what a waste of police time.
Yes. All a bit strange. Didn’t see it at the game.
As you say, not a hate crime and a waste of police time.
Pot and kettle spring to mind every time I see the OO complaining about hate.
they should take to the streets and march passed catholic churches to show how upset they are.
St Stivs
😂
We cannot complain about sectarian songs and chants at Ibrox while THE BHOYS continue to sing disgusting songs about deceased Rangers players.
SAINT STIVS
We have only two genuine strikers — Kyogo and Idah. As we move towards the second half of the season, incorporating two and hopefully at least four Champions League games, an injury to either player would leave us short and relying on wingers like Maeda and Forrest to step in as makeshift strikers.
Obviously we can’t expect a new striker who costs millions to sign as 3rd choice striker, so the most sensible option would be a youngster being promoted from the B Team or a striker who is out on loan.
Johnny Kenny has already gone on record declaring his desire for promotion to the top squad in January so why not, if that’s how Brendan sees it.
With all due respect, you seem to be more concerned about doing Shamrock Rovers a turn by leaving the player in Dublin till the end of the season.
Brendan’s priority is Celtic FC and as we head into the business end of the season, Johnny Kenny would be a good addition to the squad.
Hail Hail
Tom,
I am not concerned for the Shammy, but I could see why, at 21, it would be better he stayed there for the full season, and plays games, than coming back to Celtic to just get some minutes here and there,
but it is upto Brendna and his staff and the bhoy to decide.
https://www.uefa.com/uefaconferenceleague/top-scorer/#/player/250156652
in a senior moment i forget completely that the irish league is close season till next spring.
ok bring kenny home.
a wee aside.
————
The 2025 League of Ireland season will kick off with a blockbuster Dublin derby between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva Stadium.
Discussions between the two clubs and the FAI have been held in recent months to bring the marquee fixture at Lansdowne Road to fruition, with kick-off confirmed for Sunday, February 16 at 2pm.
Bohemians have opted to forgo home advantage for the fixture to be held at the Dublin 4 venue with tickets set to go on sale in mid-December.
The two rivals faced off at Tallaght Stadium last March with 10,094 in attendance, making it the largest League of Ireland attendance in history.
But that record is set to be broken in February when the Phibsboro and Tallaght clubs face off in this landmark fixture. The record attendance for an FAI Cup final remains at 43,881 from St Pat’s v Bohs in the 2023 decider.
“After much work between the club and the FAI, it is brilliant to now announce this historic fixture. To bring the Dublin Derby to Aviva Stadium on the 110th anniversary of the clubs’ first meeting, and on our first game of our club’s 135th anniversary,” said Bohs COO Dan Lambert upon this morning’s announcement.
“Football in the League of Ireland is in its strongest place in decades, and this game will showcase our most famous game, in our county’s best stadium.
“I wish to thank the FAI for their positive reception and engagement to the concept, and to Shamrock Rovers, in particular John Martin, for their engagement over the past number of weeks.”
Shamrock Rovers CEO John Martin said: “The game marks another positive step in the growth of the League of Ireland and showcases the clubs’ abilities to work together. We look forward to being part of such a historic occasion.”
“After a thrilling record-breaking season in 2024, we’re delighted to have a massive Dublin Derby between two of the oldest clubs in the league on the opening weekend of the 2025 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division season in what will be a brilliant showcase of the best of League of Ireland in the Aviva Stadium,” added League of Ireland director Mark Scanlon.
“We have been delighted to see attendances and fanbases rise in the league in recent years and this game will be a perfect opportunity to show the thrill, buzz and drama of the league to an even bigger audience.
shamrocks last fixtire in conference league is away to chelsea on 21st december.
i hope kenny scores.
Can he be the new King Kenny?
An Tearmann,
As Cathac could tell you, I have been going to the game on and off for the best part of 60 years with his brother. Occasionally with Cathac too.