Neil Lennon was right to emphasise the importance of discipline ahead of tomorrow’s game against Rangers; there must be a high probability that 22 players will not be on the field at the end. Beram Kayal in particular should expect tumbling Rangers players anywhere in the vicinity of his tackling.
Rangers’ squad is sufficiently thin that there was no chance they would allow the opportunity to appeal Elbows McCulloch’s red card to pass. McCulloch is seen as part of the problem by a lot of Rangers fans, concerned at their recent malaise, but he is as experienced on these occasions as anyone who will play tomorrow. Celtic will need to dominate him and Steven Davis if they to win the midfield battle.
It was at least three years ago Celtic Quick News prefixed McCulloch with the name ‘Elbows’. An elbow is the face is remarkably effective at asserting dominance, something McCulloch knows too well. It may be that the player’s overt physicality will be inhibited by his recent red card, just as team mate Shauny Aluko declined to tumble in the box when presented with the opportunity on Saturday after recently being out-ed as a diver.
Both teams will deploy unfamiliar central defensive partnerships, which will worry both Lennon and McCoist. Rangers’ Jelavic has looked like he wants to be elsewhere in recent weeks but it he gets an opportunity to put himself in the shop window he is likely to take it. Winning the early battles may sap his enthusiasm.
I don’t know about anyone else but I’ve written a couple of versions of my match report already but in all of them Gary Hooper and Georgios Samaras are match winners. If Celtic can win the midfield battle these two – hopefully Samaras from the wing – will win the points for Celtic.
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Merry Christmas Macjay. Rarin to go I see. What about the synchonised swimming from Mebourne to Sydney, very talented.
Tauranga Bhoy:
I have agood bottle of Australian Red that says Scott Brown will get a Celtic testimonial.
Morning All,
Is it no kick off time yet!!! Got that gut wrenching mix of excitement and nerves kicking in now!
Decent article in the H this morning….
NEIL LENNON must resist the temptation to hand out hard hats to his players tonight.
He admitted yesterday he should have fitted them with blinkers during half-time at Ibrox in September. The headwear metaphor is not just a nod to the gales that will combine with the tempestuous Old Firm atmosphere to create the imperfect storm at Celtic Park tonight.
It speaks to Lennon’s preoccupations ahead of a match that has the leadership of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League as a prize. Lennon believes his side face a battle tonight. He knows they lost their focus and the fight in the last Old Firm match.
The Celtic manager has to rid his side of the ghost of the performance at Ibrox on September 18 when a 2-1 lead for Celtic was transformed after the break into a facile 4-2 win for Rangers. He has also to construct a side sturdy enough to prosper against a Rangers team that will surely react to a crisis with a highly robust commitment.
”You always get a physical approach from Rangers,” said Lennon yesterday. ”I’m not saying they won’t play any football and just lump it. But they will be very competitive, I’m sure.”
Lennon appeared unconcerned over the probable inclusion for Rangers of Lee McCulloch, who appealed over his sending off in Paisley. ”We’d prepared for McCulloch to play anyway, regardless of what happened on Saturday. He might not play but we’ll prepare the team for the way we want to play,” he said.
The last Old Firm night match at Parkhead produced one goal, three yellow cards to Celtic players, seven yellow cards to Rangers players, three red cards to Rangers players, one red card after the match, one post-match confrontation between Ally McCoist and Lennon, one summit and a partridge in a pear tree. This all happened on March 2, proving it is not just hares that find the month difficult.
The challenge for Lennon in the last Old Firm match was to watch a side capitulate in the face of an impassioned onslaught from Rangers. In answer to allegations that his side were bullied at Ibrox, Lennon replied: ”We got outworked, I wouldn’t say bullied. Bullied is not a football saying, really. We were definitely outfought and outworked. Rangers wanted it more than us.
”Yeah, I think we went to sleep. We had a chat at half-time, said we knew what was going to happen and to be ready for it. But we never heeded the warnings.”
Interestingly, Lennon referred to another factor he believed impacted on a desperate second-half performance.
”There were players who were in the middle of sorting out contracts, weren’t fully committed to the club if that’s the right way of putting it. Maybe their heads were being turned elsewhere, but the squad’s in a different place now,” he said.
He went on to answer a question about Biram Kayal that may give a clue to the identity of one of the culpable.”Kayal has played very well. Again, since he’s signed his contract, we’ve gone on this winning streak,” he said.
Georgios Samaras has also improved. Lennon said he had been disappointed with the Greek at Ibrox and had shared a “wee chat” with his player. ”He’s been instrumental in this run we’ve had ever since he’s come into the side. He just said to me he wanted a consistent run of games. I said to him I want a consistent run of performances. We’ve both got that so it’s testament to him.”
Samaras, who has been suffering from a cold, is expected to play tonight and Lennon hopes he will be joined by James Forrest, who has been his side’s most influential performer this season. There is a concern over the 20-year-old’s hamstrings but Lennon will be tempted to play a winger who can drift inside with devastating effect.
Two Lennon sentences about Forrest reveal the manager’s appreciation of a youngster he has promoted and helped to shape. ”He is a special talent and one we need to look after. James is essential to our attacking style of play.” Forrest once was expected to sit out physical, demanding matches of this year. Now he is central to Celtic’s style and hopes.
Lennon was blunt about what his side has to do tonight.
”We have to compete in the physical side of the game. We have to stop crosses. We mustn’t do what we did at the start of the second half at Ibrox, which was to think we just had to turn up and see the game out. You cannot switch the light on after 15 or 20 minutes. You have to play each half right from the first whistle and we didn’t do that second half,” he said.
He may therefore opt to pack his team with players who can compete aerially as well as in the meatier challenges. Joe Ledley, therefore, may play at left- back with Charlie Mulgrew partnering Kelvin Wilson in central defence. Victor Wanyama is a viable option as a holding player to protect the back four.
If Forrest is declared fit, Lennon may have a straight choice between Wanyama and Ki Sung-Yueng as Samaras, Kayal, Gary Hooper and Scott Brown are certainties to play in front of flat back four.
Lennon seeks the result that can complete a dramatic turnaround in the league. ”I didn’t think it would happen so quickly but I always thought we would find our form and claw back the lead. It’s been done quicker than I thought,” he said.
It will all be played at lightning place in what is certain to be a stormy night at Celtic Park.
G`day ,N.Z.
Greetings,Bobby M.
The day will be ours.
Win,lose or draw.
Life`s winners.That`s us.
Yer on Kit. Bottle of good New Zealand Chard to match. I won’t even mind losing if I get to share it with you one day. Family trip up the east coast planned for 2013. The grape juice should be nicely aged by then and we will know if Broonie is a legend or not.
Tauranga
Synchronised swimming? Took me 5 mins to figure that out.
Nothing,of course to do with consumption. No be done about it.
Bobby Murdoch what was the weather like in Welly today. Mrs Taurangas family have been up for Christmas and staying with us. They think that Welly has been hotter and less windy than Tauranga. Hard to believe.
Tauranga Bhoy:
Coonawarra, Katnook Shiraz for me and you and hunskelper Broonie too.
A hearty good morning to the Celtic family from a dark and dreary east ayrshire. Fine day for hunskelping methinks! Plenty to do before the wife and myself pitch up in Glasgow so better get on with it. Be safe today bhoys and ghirls a dark mood pervades the orcs and it may get messy.
Morning, I see Aunt Sally has declared “I believe we WILL WIN the game, absolutely.”
Get intae this mob, Celtic!!
HH
Just a few hours to go until we witness their anti football – yet again.
Sad sad excuse for a football team.
Morning bhoys.
Nerves starting to kick in now.
Safe journey to all bhoys travelling to
paradise today .
Hail hail
Morning bhoys
2 things on the agenda this morning
– delete the STV app on this phone
– look forward to my favourite type of skelping
pabloh_AKA_NEIL LENNON says:
28 December, 2011 at 08:23
—- the S.F.A.
—- the S.T.V.
Hail Hail from a very cold South Korea, where the bright afternoon sun is dropping fast.
The oul’ abdominal butterflies are well & truly somersaulting now, so I’ll soon have to head for a few evening stiffeners to quell them in preparation for an early night & then up for the 04.45 kick-off.
Much though I envy you all, I’ll be very happy for those of you giving it laldy in the stadium & especially when the last whistle sounds and we’re hopefully two points clear at the top.
From the last few days’ posts it looks like most of you had pretty good & memorable Christmases – but I’d like to add my voice to those that have wished such sincere & heartfelt best wishes to Knoxy & Oscar for the challenge ahead.
Stay strong is all I can say – you’ll discover fortitude you might not have known you had, & the love of your family & friends plus all the goodwill I’ve seen on this magnificent blog will be a source of replenishment to that strength when needed.
I hope all you CQNers, along with everyone on the wondrous place Planet Celtic have an excellent 2012, and if the constellations align in the way I think they will, then we’ll go into the New Year in great spirits from our league leading vantage point.
And one special mention for the Green Brigade, whom I suspect will as usual provide a fantastic focal point for an absolutely rockin’ Parkhead before, during & after tonight’s anticipated return to the top.
Finally, to finish off my “hen’s teeth” type post (lurk every day) I just want to thank Paul67 for all the work that goes into the very existence of this site, & also for the unbelievably consistent & professional quality of the mag.
And on the off chance that things don’t pan out as hoped, Let me take this chance to wish a Happy New Year to Neil & the Bhoys, to all fellow Tims everywhere, & just to everyone anywhere whose demeanour & outlook on Dec 28th & the subsequent days, is going to revolve round tonight’s drama from the one & only Holy Ground.
We’ll still all be Celts whatever the outcome & will always come back to show the huns & the world what a real club & it’s family are like.
Knoxy & Oscar, I hope the Bhoys do you proud tonight.
.
TaraungaBhoy..
Re; Sammi Love In..
All I have Ever Asked since After Sammi was Injured for Greece Oct 2009..
Is..
Wait for it..
Wait..
OK.. I’m ready..
Play Him in His right Position and Play Him for 9 or 10 Games and see What Happens..see what l did There.. Ha..
Square peg in Round Hole..he has Played 67 Times as a Sub ( but still would be Blamed for Defeats)..
42 Goals in 90 odd Games.. No bad for a Midfielder.. Lol..
Hope Yir Guid..
Summa ft TheUnOrthodoxStrikerCSC
Where’s Sydney Tim?
Is he ready for Cheers bar to morrow?
I’ll be on the lookout for him,
Really looking forward to the game tonight, it will be tight but may l be so bold to suggest that even if we lose can l ask for perspective.
No matter the result we will chase them down by May, and being in front then is all that matters.Oh and a couple of cup too.
This is Celtic league l said it when we were 15 behind nothing that happens tonight will change my belief that Neil will deliver.
Hail hail
Mtt
.
11hrs to Go..
4-0 Sammi Hat-Trick.. Ki.. Rocket..
Summa ft MightHaveStartedPartyTooEarlyCSC
Kitalba at 5.48
(and anyone else who may be interested)
Celtic you are everything to me.
Thanks so much for putting this on.
The song was written and performed by my lifelong friend Kenny Sloane and was written in response to his mate,Tiger Tim,writing a song about Celtic which Kenny gave Tim some pretty negative feedback about.
Tim then said to Kenny he should try and do a better Celtic song and “Celtic,you are everything to me” was the result.
Unfortunately,Kenny,a Ruchazie boy like myself, passed away last year.
I believe this song was played at Paradise shortly after his passing before the game we beat the huns 3-0 last season.
Hope this is an omen for tonight.
hail hail
medtim
2010 Never Again
We’re on the one road
Maybe the wrong road
We’re on the road to God knows where
We’re on the one road
Maybe the long road
But we’re together now who cares
Altogether now!!!
Hear hear Mick
Not overconfidence, just something in the air :-)
Gourock
I hear thunder.
Ktt
Mtt
Summa I have never doubted Samaras talent. His first half season I raved about his skills. Sadly I think that it is wasted in the SPHell. The beautiful game is rarely beautiful in cold muddy parks where using one elbow is allowed. To Samaras credit he wants to be Celt. A rare one he is. Definetely plays better on the outside as he is not an orthadox centre forward. When he is good he is sublime. In the games that I have caught this year Georgios can’t be accused of hiding or lack of effort. His work rate and comittment are there to be seen. I still don’t think that ours is the place he will shine but I hope to be proved wrong about him and Broonie too. I feel like phoning home and connecting into the part mood. Butterflies already. I thought I was watching with a lad from Sighthill but he’s working so its me my pc , my Welly relatives and very loud hip hop and the music channel. They will hear uncle Tauranga when the ball hits the huns net. Enjoy the game Summa. About your NZ trip, the place I live is also known as Mount Maunganui which is a wee volcanoe sticking out of the beach at the harbour entrance. If you are passing by I can get some nice nz apple ciders chilling.
MedTim:
for me Youtube is just one big free dukebox and one of my lifes pleaures. Behind every song there is a story and you just told me one with meaning. Sorry about your mate and I hope in the morning (our time) he is looking down in joy.
I am ill. No alcohol at all for me yesterday, I’m just sick with the thought of this tonight. I really, really don’t like the air of confidence I’ve noticed from fellow fans, whether it be online or in the boozer. Yes, we’re playing some fantastic stuff just now, and they are toiling. How many times has that happened though, and they’ve bitten us on the arse?
Think I’ll bet 4-0 to the Good Guys…
HH
Giggs
.
Neil Lennon criticises players’ attitude in Ibrox defeat
Neil Lennon has warned against complacency against Rangers.
DEFEAT in an Old Firm match is never easy for the vanquished manager to stomach. For Neil Lennon, it was the nature of his team’s attitude in the 4-2 loss at Ibrox in September which made it all the more difficult to digest.
Ahead of tonight’s rematch at Celtic Park, Lennon has rather startlingly suggested some of his players lacked commitment against Rangers last time out as they placed personal considerations ahead of a collective goal.
He did not specify the individuals concerned, but referred pointedly to players whose contractual situations at the time were the subject of speculation. Captain Scott Brown and fellow midfielder Beram Kayal were the men in that position at the time. Both have since signed new deals at the club.
Co-incidentally or not, a more settled Kayal has started to recover his best form as Celtic have put together the run of eight straight league victories which has helped reduce Rangers’ lead in the title race from 15 points to one in the past two months.
It leaves Celtic as the bookies’ favourites tonight and has Lennon far more content and assured about the mental approach his players will bring to the contest.
“We got outworked at Ibrox,” he said. “We were definitely outfought and outworked. Rangers wanted it more than us. There might have been mitigating circumstances. We had players who were in the middle of sorting out contracts, were not fully committed to the club, if that’s the right way of putting it.
“Maybe their heads were being turned elsewhere, but now the squad is in a different place. So I’m expecting a big performance from the big players in our team on Wednesday night.
“I think Kayal has been playing very well for us. Since he’s signed his new contract, we’ve gone on this winning streak. He is very instrumental to us and likes these games.”
Lennon will demand a greater level of concentration from his team tonight as he seeks to address their failings at Ibrox which saw them lead 2-1 at half-time before being overwhelmed in the second 45 minutes.
“I think we went to sleep,” he added. “We had a chat at half-time, said we knew what was going to happen and to be ready for it. But we never heeded the warnings. We have to compete in the physical side of the game. We have to stop crosses. We mustn’t do what we did at the start of the second half at Ibrox, which was to think we just had to turn up and see the game out. You cannot switch the light on after 15 or 20 minutes. You have to play each half right from the first whistle and we didn’t do that second half.”
Lennon is acutely aware of the heightened expectations, in many cases assumptions, of victory among the Celtic support ahead of a match in which Rangers are widely perceived to be a team on the slide. Unsurprisingly, it is a scenario he is reluctant to embrace too readily.
“The fans can count down the hours to the game, but it’s different for me,” said Lennon. “There is no room for complacency. I’m certainly not thinking we are clear favourites for the game at all.
“Rangers are our biggest rivals, they are the champions and they are still a point ahead. They have a good mentality within their squad. You always get a physical approach from Rangers. I’m not saying they won’t play any football and just lump it. But they will be very competitive, I’m sure.”
Lennon was happy to report that Georgios Samaras has recovered sufficiently from a heavy cold to make himself available for selection tonight. The mercurial Greek striker was among the most culpable of Celtic’s under-performing side at Ibrox in September but his form of recent weeks has vindicated the manager’s defiant faith in him.
“I was disappointed with his performance at Ibrox and we had a chat about things afterwards,” said Lennon. “He told me he wanted a consistent run of games in the team and I told him I wanted a consistent run of performances. We’ve both got what we wanted since then, so it’s testament to him.
“He has been instrumental in this good run we are on. He is doing his talent justice now. But I want him to do it over a 28 to 38 game period rather than 12 or 13 games since he’s come back into the side.
“I’m delighted with him at the minute and he should be pleased with himself. He has shown a lot of character to come through the sticky spell when the fans were on his back.
“Some other players would go under but he’s gone the other way and taken the challenge on.”
Summa
7.30 sailing left on time, seen Ard Macha and we’re all
looking forward to the game.
Confidence high among the Irish bhoys on the boat.
mickthetic says:
28 December, 2011 at 08:43
I totally agree. I think whatever happens tonight we’ll overtake them by May. Also wanted to say, I think they’ll try the same game plan as last time, the fast ball into thhe space left by our wing backs pushing forward. Sammi needs to help tracking back when we lose possession, and I hope Broonie (if he plays) is fully back on the pace. But I know the fans will be our twelfth man. Will be a fantastic atmosphere. Wish I could be there.
HH
.
TaruangaBhoy..
Did You read that Neil Lennon Interview..He must Lurk on CQN..Ha..
Summa ft GreatMindsCSC
kitalba
Thanks for the kind words.
Glad you appreciated the wee story behind the song.Like you,I hope Kenny and all the other good looking,clean living people in that other Paradise look down with joy when we gub this lot tonight.
Totally unrelated to football,if you are a youtube lover then check out “out out” by Chewed Up Chance……….that’s my son’s first recording (he wrote lyrics,music and plays bass on it)
A bit raw in terms of production but,in a totally objective way of course,I kinda like it.
Have a great day
medtim
Good morning to the whole Celtic family on the Feast of the Holy Innocents.
Here’s hoping for a great day for us all.
.
Poll..Who do You want for the First 50/50 Ball..
VICTOR..
.
Poll Over..
Results..100% of Celtic Fans who Voted want Vic67 to Contest the First 50/50 Ball..
Summa ft BarryRobsonCSC
Panda Hands
Bon voyage to all the Irish Bhoys and Ghirls. Hope it’s not too choppy.
Bhoys in the Hispanic world will know that today is the equivalent of April Fool’s Day there, but I mention it just in case strange things happen among your neighbours and you are puzzled.
It’s amazing the number of people that have to work in the middle of the ‘holiday’.
*shakes head*
Morning all,
Like a kid at Christmas here. Bring back 12:30 games I say!
Would only be 3 hours to kick off :0
Obviously hoping for a hoops victory, but also that every Celtic fan stays safe out there.
Watchowyougocfc
I’m actually relaxed about tonight because will lose or draw I believe we will still ultimately win this league. We have Izzy to return, Commons to sort himself out, a better squad of players and money to make it better I’d we choose to do so. They have Weir to come in to shore up their threadbare defence and the odd official to help them along.
They may or may not sell their better players through January, lose tonight and I think they will, but either way Neil’s team is continuing to improve and will win this league.
I think it will be tight, 2-1 to the good guys and an early bath for at least one of the horde.
Hail Hail