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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The Gillingham winger Chris Whelpdale is set for a spell on the sidelines after a tackle in the 2-1 win at Crawley on Monday split his scrotum open.
The former Peterborough player was given treatment for the injury, which occurred late on in the game, and is doubtful for the Dagenham match on Friday.
Andy Hessenthaler, the Gills manager, told the club’s website: “He’s probably going to have five stitches in his testicles, believe it or not. It’s ripped his testicles open. It’s absolutely disgusting, it was a shocking challenge for me and worthy of a red card.
“I’m not making that up, we’ve seen it in there. It’s a horrific injury and I’m sure his wife won’t be too happy about that tonight either!”
Fassreifen
Quality name, what does it mean/do ?
Think the long game is all they have since polaris injured himself, what they will do is fight and fight hard.Not that claim to be a footballing genius.
Ktf
Mtt
Awe_Naw mate, I can’t get my legs to uncross. Ouch
Hello Hello I’m John McKay
jamabhoy
he played on for the rest of the game with just a crisp poke and an elastic band.
Hail Hail
AWE NAW
Wayne (buck) Shelford was the captain of New Zealand v Australia, (mid 80s)
The story goes that the big fella got 18 stitches on his eh.. bag at half time.
He finished the game, as the winning captain
That my friend is a hard. See rugby players they are nuts.
Mtt
High winds set to wreak havoc with SPL officiating
Dec 28 2011 By Alan Marshall
THE SPL is bracing itself for winds of up to 90mph wreaking havoc on tonight’s card.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for severe gales that could affect five of the six matches.
Two SFL matches were called off due to high winds on Boxing Day and Motherwell boss Stuart McCall – whose side face Dunfermline tonight – revealed he won’t even pick his team until he knows what the conditions will be like.
McCall said: “I won’t name the side until before the kick-off.
“I’ll see what the conditions hold for us and the way to go about playing not only Dunfermline but the weather.”
SFA referees chief John Fleming said “With Hurricane baby bawbag almost upon us it would be churlish not to expect some unexpected decisions on the card tonight. It is difficult enough to officiate an Old Firm tussle without hundred mile per hour winds but we have every confidence in our officials”
Didn’t a Scotland rugby player lose a testicle. I’m pretty sure he didn’t finish that match. Budge Pountney against London Irish me thinks
Good luck Celtic
mickthetic says:
28 December, 2011 at 09:37
Was he the first woman to captain the Kiwis to victory ?
KnackeredknackersCSC
jamabhoy
did the ref not blow up for two balls ?
Hail HAil
Awe_Naw tell me your joking about the crisp poke and elastic band.
Legs crossed again mate.
jamabhoy
Yes playing for Northampton saints, Played open side flanker.
Think he may have captained Scotland too.
Can remember his name though
Keep them safe
Mtt
.
Only 10hrs to Go..
5-0 Celtic.. Sammi Hat-trick..Ki Rocket..Hooper Penalty..
Summa ft ColumGivesAPenaltyShockCSC
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo says:
28 December, 2011 at 09:43
——
I swear I have just burst out laughing at that comment, in front of a startled office!!
HH
Giggs
Panda Hands safe trip over the water. You’ll have a long wet day ahead of you and hopefully the result we have all been waiting for. Nothing will be won today but a win will go a very long way to getting ready for the days ahead when Neil Lennon lifts the Cups.
Awe Naw
Perhaps but glad you said that , he was a big unit(should that read he had a big unit?)
Mtt
Jamabhoy
Nope. The team doctor said that the salt and vinegar would have helped as a disinfectant to the wound. His team mate dispute the flavour saying it smelled more like smokey bacon to them but the doctor asserted that he knew pickled onion when he saw them.
HAil HAil
Good morning from a dull Manchester. Off to work now. Keep my mind occupied and some beer tokens for tonight.
3-1 good Bhoys.
Bring back Buck (ie). Aw Naw tell me it wasn’t salt and vinegar crisps.
mickthetic he did, 31 caps, walk out calling the SRU amateur as they had no food or water at training. When the asked for 7.50 for a tie he had had enough.
Not just the SFA how are useless then.
Aw naw Aw naw lol
GiggsyBhoy says:
28 December, 2011 at 09:45
Sorry !!! ;-))
Hail HAil
jamabhoy says:
28 December, 2011 at 09:25
I’m with you on this.
Although I will be disappointed with either a win or a draw, I think we are improving
every week, while they are literally going down the tubes.
Player for player, they only have two who would make our squad, Davis and Jelavic.
Even McGregor would no longer walk onto our team.
I’d go with five across the middle, with Sammi and James Forest making runs from deep.
I’d be inclined to put Stokes up front.
There is something about him and rangers.
Not only do they hate him, but for some reason he inspires fear in them.
The one thing I fear is the red card.
They are the most devious team in Scotland when it comes do diving and play acting.
This, coupled with several of out Bhoys full blooded commitment could be our downfall.
Kayal, Brown and Wanyama in particular, have to be extremely careful when making challenges.
My prediction?
If we go the 90 minutes with 11 Bhoys; 3 -1 to the good guys.
Awe_Naw maybe they didn’t have a bag of cheesy balls at hand
mickthetic says:
28 December, 2011 at 09:32
Barrel Hoops! :-)
HH
What a dreadful day weather-wise.
I hope it calms down a bit for tonight as I always associate poor Celtic performances with terrible conditions.
A wild, wet and thoroughly nasty morning here in North Ayrshire.
Come on the Bhoys!
jamabhoy
Its amazing what you can remember, he was a good player for us and 100% correct.The sru blazers have been holding Scottish rugby back for years, school tie brigade.
Things are changing slowly but its getting better, l am led to believe that Duncan Weir(young glasgow10) is best buddies of our very own James Forrest, they played through the age groups together and is also a rabid tim.(can a a tim be rabid)
Hail hail
Mtt
Mr. X
Like when we beat the European Champions at Celtic Park in October 2007. I was wringing that night !!!
Hail Hail
fassreifen
Quality -)
Ktf
Mtt
MadraRua says: 28 December, 2011 at 09:53
To be honest I’d fo with Stocks up front too. His work rate and movement will leave Weir on his backside dream of his pipe and slippers. I also think he will play well off Sammi’s knock downs.
For me 4 at back 4 in middle with Victor in between to mop up
Awe Naw, there is always an exception to the rule :-)
Good morning friends froma damp and very very windy East Kilbride.
Tonight we’ll have to keep the high balls low.
Jobo
I am amazed at “Alistair” being so certain on the the outcome tonight.
What’s that saying about “…only a fool would predict the result in an OF game”.
MedTim:
I played it and, big gulf in production apart, this isw what came to my mind… Looking for Linda – Hue and Cry
Mr X
it was pouring with rain during the cup final in May …. poured with rain at Celtic Park as you Mc Geouch danced his way through to hammer the recent hammerer of the huns 5.0
We only have the MIBS to worry about imho
HAil Hail
you=young