On his third appearance back after injury, James Forrest pulled-up in the dying moments of Saturday’s game clutching his hamstring. The player will be devastated but the mood was no better among those walking away from the stadium minutes later. Just as James was back and planning for what looked like an important season in his Celtic career, fundamental questions were being asked about his fitness viability.
We’ve seen this before. Shaun Maloney was forever breaking down, sometimes minutes after returning from injury. Shaun was a different type of player from James, he had a speed on the turn which made him a valuable asset, but likely contributed to his fragility.
The other pace player in the squad at the moment, Derk Boerrigter, has similarly fragile muscles. I hear the same about Aleks Tonev, currently injured. One of England’s greatest hopes of the last 20 years, Michael Owen was another member of the Fast and Fragile club. There seems to be a link between speed and injury.
There’s good news for James, and Derk too. After leaving so many regrets on the Celtic treatment table, Shaun’s limbs matured and stabilised. Michael Owen can tell a similar story, both players found their bodies vastly more robust from the middle part of their careers onwards.
James has to stick with it, continue to work on strengthening his muscles, and try to find what’s causing the problems, which can often be obscure. After a run of inexplicable injuries, AC Milan discovered that poor teeth were afflicting their athletes. Apparently your bite affects your running gate. Owen eventually found that his choice of cars (more specifically, sports clutches), was putting enough regular strain on the wrong muscles to leave him exposed to tears.
James’ and Derk’s bodies will continue to mature, to the benefit of the second half of their careers.
Not that Ronny is short of cover for James, having signed wide players Jo Inge Berget and Aleks Tonev we now have Ghanian Walaso Mubarak going through a medical.
The squad is becoming wing-heavy. It remains striker-light.
Greatest Irony
Do you know what would produce the greatest irony in sporting history? If Efe Ambrose came on as a late substitute tomorrow night, and we later discovered a rule deep in Uefa’s Articles that forfeit matches don’t count for suspensions. Forfeit matches are so rare no one will be familiar with the rules concerning them. Should we check? Oh yes.
James Alexander Gordon
It was the way he told them. Every week the man would uniquely intone the football results, you knew the outcome of each game, home win, away win or draw, before he read second number.
Maestro Match
Really delighted Celtic FC Foundation have nominated Unicef and War Child as their beneficiaries from the Maestro match next month, where we will “assist in their humanitarian work in a number of current Middle East countries”.
Foundation cheif exec, Tony Hamilton, said, “From our living rooms we have all witnessed some of the terrible vivid horror of conflict in recent days and the particular effects that these events have had on children.
“The work of UNICEF and War Child takes no sides but simply cares for all the innocent victims of conflict on a humanitarian level. The match in September will bring together some great names in football who want to make a difference.
“We hope as many supporters as possible can join us to assist children and their families who so desperately need our help.”
I know Celtic fans will want to support this enormously important cause. Read more and book tickets here.
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greenpinata
09:07 on 20 August, 2014
I, for one, have never been happier as a Celtic Supporter, so don’t you go feeling sorry for ME … HH …… and enjoy your pint ……. Hahahahahahaha
I’m still mystified how a lot of fans on here think a guy like Kayal, is going to come in from the cold and start a major Euro tie for us…. It just ain’t gona happen :
C.Gordon
Lustig Ambrose or Denayer Van Dijk Izzy
McGregor Biton Mulgrew Johansen Berget
Stokes
4-5-1….. if you squeeze Commons in to that line up, he would replace Biton, but for me if Commons starts, you have Berget and Stokes as well, it becomes 4-3-3, and too attack minded for an away tie. Therefore stick with midfield 3 of Biton, Mulgrew, Johansen. With McGregor and Berget wide.
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon ….The angels are with Wee Oscar in Heaven.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
Cheers.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/8720650/Rangers-v-Maribor-Uefa-throws-out-Maribors-Carlos-Bocanegra-protest.html
Spooky!
Given that Glasgow currently doubles as downtown Philadelphia for Brad Pitt’s forthcoming zombie movie, it was apt that Carlos Bocanegra was cleared to take the stage for his home debut against Maribor in the Europa League tonight.
LB
jamesgang
09:10 on
20 August, 2014
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My top trump was:
“How do you fancy a five day break in the romantic Andalucian capital of Seville?”
That was booked BEFORE the Boavista semi-final.
Burley 78 @ 6.47
Great post. Puts everything into perspective and everything you said is spot on.
And todays “Happy Clappers”poster boy is——————-Drum roll———————————–
Burnley 78.
Cue mad squeals and clapping.Telegrams from the board,”Keep up the good work”says PL.”Tell them we are still trying soooooooo hard to find a striker”
murdochbhoy
08:08 on 20 August, 2014
‘Political point …….
NHS Scotland is a separate entity but the repercussions from the recklessly fast privatisation of NHS England will surely follow.’
###
Given that health is a devolved issue, I can’t see the logic of that statement.
By the way, has the GP service not always been more or less privatised, right since the days of ‘I stuffed their mouth with gold’ ?
ernie lynch
09:40 on
20 August, 2014
===================
An absolute scandal of massive proportions that this coalition government was allowed to give £80 Billion of tax payers cash per anum to GP’s.
Where was this on any manafesto?
GP’s are private company’s, they are not part of the NHS.
Ernie
I am sure you are well aware that any budgetary cuts to the English NHS from the UK government also directly means an budgetary cut to the Devolved Scottish NHS directly.
Now stop it! And tell you man Gordon Brown while you are at that the Transplant system will not be affected by Independence as qualified by the head of the transplant authorities at this time. I do enjoy obfusication and of that you are the Grand Master.
MWD says AYE
Robert Snodgrass out for six months with a knee injury.
£6m well saved Celtic…
I have a feeling that Ronny will trust young Jason Denayer to make his European debut tonight alongside Virgil. And it will need a top performance from both of them to get a result.
We will also need our full backs to defend well, supported by whoever plays in the wider midfield roles. We are unlikely to have a ot of pace on the break, which worries me, and Anthony Stokes will need to lead the line well, laying a role that isn’t his strongest.
Concentration and positioning will be key to a successful result. A draw would be great a one goal deficit coming back home not disastrous. I have a feeling we will be forced back from the start, and must not lose an early goal. The clock is going to run slowly tonight … but we are now so close to the group stages. Bring it on.
LiviBhoy
09:26 on 20 August, 2014
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/8720650/Rangers-v-Maribor-Uefa-throws-out-Maribors-Carlos-Bocanegra-protest.html
Spooky!
Given that Glasgow currently doubles as downtown Philadelphia for Brad Pitt’s forthcoming zombie movie, it was apt that Carlos Bocanegra was cleared to take the stage for his home debut against Maribor in the Europa League tonight.
LB
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It doesn;t really say why UEFA thought there was no case to answer! I suspect they phone ths SFA and were told “Nothing to see here…”.
We are expected to win the SPFL and no one outside the club gives us thanks or praise when we do.
Given the money that English Italian and Spanish big hitters have we all expect them to beat us in the CL. The best that we hope for is to put up a good fight, especially at home, and see where that takes us.
Celtic players will not be judged against SPFL lightweights or CL heavyweights.
But they will be judged on performances in CL qualifiers against the Maribors of this world.
We won a watch against Legia. It’s time for all at the club to earn their money now. No excuses – let’s get out there and do the business over the 2 legs.
Hi lads did the bhoy from Ghana sign on time for both games against maribor ta?
NatKnow
When did the SFA ever not bend the rules for the team playing at Ibrox?
Someone at Hampden was getting an EBT and I am not talking about Ogilvie.
LB
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon
09:50 on 20 August, 2014
I have a feeling that Ronny will trust young Jason Denayer to make his European debut tonight alongside Virgil. And it will need a top performance from both of them to get a result.
We will also need our full backs to defend well, supported by whoever plays in the wider midfield roles. We are unlikely to have a ot of pace on the break, which worries me, and Anthony Stokes will need to lead the line well, laying a role that isn’t his strongest.
Concentration and positioning will be key to a successful result. A draw would be great a one goal deficit coming back home not disastrous. I have a feeling we will be forced back from the start, and must not lose an early goal. The clock is going to run slowly tonight … but we are now so close to the group stages. Bring it on.
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Defending should be our first priority. I was delighted with the performance at the weekend but Dundee Utd. left themselves open and that allowed us to exploit. What I’d like to see is a focus on not losing a goal, however I’m not sure this is compatible with RD’s “pressing” game. That was our downfall against Legia. I’m not sure if playing the new lad is a good thing or nor – he looks good, but was caught a few times at the weekend. That said – who else would we use in that position?
Jamesgang. You have me bang to rights. Can you please advise though how I extract these corporate types from my rectum. It’s getting painful having these muppets fighting for room up in my large intestine.
MWD says AYE
Better Together – the only thing that is kept better together are the cheeks of my backside!
LiviBhoy
09:53 on 20 August, 2014
NatKnow
When did the SFA ever not bend the rules for the team playing at Ibrox?
Someone at Hampden was getting an EBT and I am not talking about Ogilvie.
LB
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Yeah – I know you’re right, bud. The Ibrox club were always and still are treated differently. That’s the great scandal of Scottish football. I have the same suspicions as you…
Not surprised the sfa couldnt help Celtic.
Nothing changes eh.
They all want Celtic to fail, bigots galore.
However. ..the Celts will prevail.
Mon the hoops…sicken the huns.
HH
My friends in Celtic,
I have always stated that I will reserve my judgement on the board et al after the vacuum of division and uncertainty is over in a few weeks time.
An open question: “If you won the lottery tomorrow what bank would you trust to keep your dosh in prior to the result “?
HH.
bawsman @ 9.29
You Sir are a veritable genius!
HH jamesgang
neganon2
08:23 on 20 August, 2014
Watch those walls and stairs, and best to take KevJ’s hand …. :)
NatKnow,
Yes – Dundee United caught us out a few times early on. A mixture of slack defending a good counter attacking football really.
According to the press this morning Ambrose is eligible to play. He could slot in alongside Virgil, or continue at right back with Lustig or Mulgrew in the middle.
I think Ronny sees Denayer as a starter though. He has great potential and he might just want to test him in Europe. It would be a gamble – great management if it comes off.
natknow
09:57 on 20 August, 2014
LiviBhoy
09:53 on 20 August, 2014
The irony is that the bending of the rules eventually lead to the demise of derhun ….so, don’t be too hard on the SFA….!!!!!!!!
Moonbeams WD. Wee Oscar’s our Bhoy and Kano’s our mhan.
09:49 on 20 August, 2014
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11044568/SNPs-NHS-claims-most-scandalous-deceit-of-referendum.html
Morning all.
Looking forward to tonight!
Would be happy with a score draw.
Even happier with a one goal advantage obviously!
Match live on Sky Italia.
HH!!
On the morning of a big Euro game, the mineshafters starting fights all over the place as usual.
Listen guys, Celtic are in the play-off. That isn’t going to be changed now. Get over it.
greenpinata
09:59 on 20 August, 2014My friends in Celtic,I have always stated that I will reserve my judgement on the board et al after the vacuum of division and uncertainty is over in a few weeks time.An open question: “If you won the lottery tomorrow what bank would you trust to keep your dosh in prior to the result “?HE
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Co-op good rates I hear :-)
Has Efe not to be in Slovenia 24 hrs before K.O with the rest of the team to stick stricly to UEFA rules.
check every rule CSC
I think our bhoys should be busting a gut to
show they are good players.
Legia caught us at our worst, we werent ready,and paid the price.
We should be ready this time.
Maribor will be difficult, but with the right attitude, we can do it.
Cmon Celtic…shut the bigots up.
HH
50 shades of green.
lol, especially in the east end :-)
HH.
“Yes – Dundee United caught us out a few times early on. ”
Gordonj,
I can only remember the one. Unhappy to be corrected though. ;)
I agree regarding the young Belgian. I think he’s a defo for starting.
Best debut from a defender since vega imo.
Team for tonight:
Gordon
Lustig Deneyar Van Dijk Izzy
McGregor Johansen Bitton Mulgrew Berget
Griffiths
Going to miss Broony, big style. Stokes has played up front in Europe so many times and is completely ineffective. He played very well at the weekend, but can’t seem to make the step up.
CL preview man on Italian radio tells me Celtic are the favourites . Pundit man says Maribor were shown the door by Dinamo Zagreb in 2012/2013 and Viktoria Pilsen in 2013/2014 .
CL preview man quoted the Manager of Maribor pouring scorn on those who think Maribor are favourites._” Celtic have resources we can only dream about “.
Scorchio–,Way down south
Leftclick,
I’m not sure that rule applies to individuals. Also I’m not sure when he actually arrived.
Someone on here (Tgbs?) last night that efe arrived in Glasgow the day of the juve game. HH
The true story has surfaced this morning about why big Efe was left behind and it is not the rubbish that the MSM are writing. The truth is wait for it ……flatulence big Efe suffers badly from flatulence now the players approached Rony and JC and said they did not want to be stuck in the confines of a plane with this smelly problem.Rony and JC put there heads together and came up with the idea that Efe should fly on his own the day after the other players and bye the way Efe does a lot of flying on his own.JC said to Rony it would be bad if the MSM got wind of the problem so they made up the story about a mistake in his ban situation Efe flew this morning and when he arrived he was asked about tonights game he told the reporter If I am in the team I will blow them away.The truth is out .there.H.H.
Geordie Munro
Thank you.