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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Sammi, Ki, Victor.
World class.
Big Fraser will be world class.
Great Expectations part 2 tomorrow…wonder what the Dickens will happen I wonder…?
Going to have a wee go at the team for tomorrow
Foster
Cha Prodigal son Wilson Izzy
Victor
Brown ki Kayal Sammi
Hooper
lennon’s passion
Joe will be in the team, of that I have no doubt.
Miranda… Wid ye?
THE EXILED TIM says:
27 December, 2011 at 22:20
Had him in then took him back out,if he plays it will be left back IMO.
Just got an unexpected call to say the young lad and I will be going to the game tomorrow. It has just made his Christmas. I’ll just have one more glass of wine though before the 5.00am wake up call.
Árd Macha
TET
I remember the penalty incident.
I also remember dreadful, shambolic, amaturish defending.
As weell as that – were the players not out on the lash celebrating Izzy’s – who had a dreadful game against ICT, POTY award – just two days before that game?
As for not being allowed to win some other game if we’d won that one? Well we’ll never know.
But I do know this. In 2009 and 2011 – with two games left it was ours to win.
In 2005 it was in our own hands – with 20 minutes of the season left.
I know who I blame.
Greenlion2 says:
27 December, 2011 at 22:20
Done worse :>)
Ard Macha.
You’re lucky.
The Lurgan lads got moved up to the 03.30 sailing.
As far as I know the 07.30’s cancelled.
Good evening bhoys,
I won’t try and predict the score or the team I’ll just keep my fingers crossed for a Celtic victory! Only my second Old Firm game tomorrow and I’m unsure where my seat will be but I can’t wait to get the stadium! Got a long day ahead but win lose or draw it will be a day to remember!
Hail Hail
Blackpool Bhoy
Dirty animal huns,they are an affront to the idea of decency,SCUM,DIRTY SPINELESS,NO WON THE EUROPEAN CUP SCUM!
Right behave.
lennon’s passion
I think it will depend if Lenny wants to risk Kelvin or Thomas, but Joe will play for sure.
lennon’s passion says:
27 December, 2011 at 22:24
ive heard a few burds have said the same about you…..
neighbour handed in union Jack socks for my christmas
i kid you not
Eve all.
I think the thugs will go for Forrest first. He’ll need eyes in the back of his head.
wouldn’t like to see izzy play tomorrow, I fear they’ll target him if he features at any stage
HH
Blackpool Bhoy
Greenlion2 says:
27 December, 2011 at 22:29
Maybe know mate but back in the day of black and white TV i was a player.
Whitedog
Wear them for a week and return them as a Ne`erday gift.
THE EXILED TIM says:
27 December, 2011 at 22:14
The game against ICT last season.
When Maloney was taken out early doors, a stonewall pen, not given, would have changed the game big time, at the death Paddy was taken out another pen.
We were booted up and down the pitch that night as well.
When will you people open your feckin eyes and see what is in front of yous.
I accept we were poor that night, but again down to the cheats with the whistles and flags.
Had we won that game they would have made sure we lost one of the other remaining games.
————————————————————————————————–
and there was the TIMe Naka was flattened in the box in the
last min at Easter Road and Brines didn’t give the pen.
Every one of our titles are worth twenty of theirs
Because we win ours DESPITE the system not BECAUSE of it
Hail hail
MME
L53
Aye the defence was a shambles, but I doubt it was down to a night out a couple of days before, only my opinion mind.
I keep going back to the downsizing, we can not expect freebies to be up to it game after game, that’s why they are freebies.
The day we have a level playing field will be the day I will critisise the team if we don’t do the biz on the park.
I will arrive at the stadium around 5pm, have my fish, chips, peas in the Investor Club, chat with all my ‘Friends in Celtic, roar my (61 year old) head off’ at the huddle, sing along with the GB throughout the game….cheer good play from the bhoys, and silently acknowledge any mistakes…..if we win, I will behave like a 5 year old, singing and dancing all over the place……
That, to me, is what it is all about, supporting the team and, like the GB, ensuring the team can ‘feel’ the encouragement from the best fans in the world……..let’s give it laldy throughout the game………the reverse huddle and the Celtic end / GB ‘chorus’ is something to savour….wonderful stuff….!!!
Lurgan53, I believe it’s the 11.30 sailing that’s been cancelled.
ArdMacha, bet you and son are buzzing. Hope you enjoy it but it will be a long day!
SffS
wdh
Get some rockets to set off 2 morro night and tie that sh*te to them.
whitedoghunch says:
27 December, 2011 at 22:29
Keep them to the summer invite them round for a barbecue,then use them to light the coals.
lennon’s passion says:
27 December, 2011 at 22:30
brilliant
Use them for dog poo. If uv got a dog if no give them to someone who has.
MME
“Because we win ours DESPITE the system not BECAUSE of it”
Summed it up in a nutshell mi amigo.
The big man always said score more than they do, he was right, but that doesn’t make it right.
Were no feart a you animals,ya dirty,sneaky,stinky animals,you make me sick,only rangers would appeal absolute shame,Any decent neutral would pish on rangers,SHITE on rangers,WHAT…..HAVE……THEY….EVER……..DONE?
NEIL LENNON!
Mark McGhee
Exiled Tim
……ABSOLUTELY…….and the only reason the tide is turning is that the ‘system’ has been ‘exposed’……’they’ are having to be VERY careful now……and, if we had beaten Caley, SOMETHING would have happened to ‘influence’ one of the other remaining games ….. Hail Hail
SFFS
Right. The Lurgan buses were on the 0730 and were moved to the 03.30 so I assumed it was the 07.30 which was cancelled.
Either way. As long as they all get there.
HH
53
Keep the updates of the ferries coming bhoys, I’ve a ticket for a friend dependent on it.
GL2 got to go back home on Thursday as I’m still waiting for the wifes Christmas pressie, it got delayed at customs and delivered on Friday, are you going up to Glasgow early tomorrow or going with the bus?
I hope it goes ok for you on Thursday up the Port.
V
get you in the mood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2NlXagj-l8&feature=related
Vivir para Contarla
Mhiallby…..could you clarify, please…….LLLOOOLLLL…!!!?
Lurgan 53,
I had an opportunity to go with some lads from Lurgan on that sailing (and staying over) but refused because it was too long for the child.
Had given up hope but got a call tonight just after 9.30 with one of the Belfast crew.
Another result along the lines of my last year’s trip to the bigotdome for New Year will do.
Seven Fishes Four Steaks,
That’s a relief. Maybe it was an excuse to keep the Lurgan crowd off the ferry. (smiley).
Árd Macha
Confirmed team for tomorrow. Forrest, Cha, Rogne, Wilson, Mullgrew, Brown, Kayal, Wanyama, Ledley, Hooper, Samaras.
Vmhan going on the bus…Thursday will be ok. Ive got a lot of Branny burds with me…