In January I shared a concern with a Newco fan. At the time, they were four points clear, both teams had a game before meeting at Celtic Park. My worry was that Newco could go into the game knowing that whatever the result, they would still be top of the league.
They could hope of moving well clear at the top, and concerns contained to nothing more than a reduced lead. A disastrous display in Dingwall combined with a 10-man-inspired Liel Abada winner two hours later turned the psychological tables. Celtic went top with a win over Newco, an oppertunity they took and never let go.
Celtic and a hardy band of 700 followers go to Ibrox on Monday with a 9-point lead. Defeat would do little damage to their heavily odds-on favourites status, whereas a win would put them out of sight. I doubt this game will determine the outcome of the title (on this question, the win at Hibs may be more important), but a win, or even a draw, would be an important determinant in our squad planning for the remainder of the season.
Newco mostly attack down their right, through Tavenier’s overload. Daizen Maeda was a successful counter to this at Ibrox in April, pushing Tavenier back. He seems a perfect fit on our left flank. Jota has been out of the starting line-up recently as he recuperates from illness. He is our most valuable talent and now fit. Will he start on the right? You may think so, but if Ange Postecoglou watches reruns of our recent encounters with Newco he will recall how Abada torments Newco left back Barasic.
The final decision may come down to the fitness of Jota. He is unlikely to play 90 minutes, I think Abada will get the nod.
With Josip Juranovic certain to return at right back, Ange must decide which two join Callum McGregor in central mid. Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley are the settled selection, but you have seen Aaron Mooy’s recent influence. At an away game where Celtic can afford to be patient, a McGregor-Mooy partnership sounds like it could control that crucial area of the field.
Whatever the league table tells you, Newco will be strong and ready for the challenge. They suffered earlier in the season through injuries, in particular at central defence. Goldson and Davies are both back and better than those playing there recently.
Barasic and Tavernier have been exposed by successive Celtic teams, so there are areas for us to exploit where they are weak, but their core is robust and twice last spring did well against Celtic. Jack, Lundstram, Kent and Morelos will let Celtic know they are not on home turf. This is a battle we will need to win if our devastatingly good forwards are to be given chances.
My greatest fear is a random ball-to-arm inside the Celtic box. We appear to be in a lawless era of the game, which never bodes well for Celtic. My random hope is that the Charge against Allan McGregor as a hasbeen is confirmed by a costly error.
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Jings they even get penalties at B level, anyone know if it was justified
Bella Ciao
Tirnaog09 blog
http://tirnaog09.blogspot.com/2020/09/bella-ciao.html?m=1
HH
Greenpinata on 30th December 2022 12:56 pm
Celtic40ME et al.
Reo Hatate may well end up as player of the year in many forums, However the one player we really need and desperately miss when he’s not there is Cameron Carter Vickers.
I bet I was not the only one watching on Wednesday urging Ange to take him off.
HH
…………………………………………………………….
As ever you make a Great point.
Cameron is a Real Rock.
Callum is the Capitano and Matthew played his position superbly well, incidentally, Callum isnae a holding Midfielder but Matthew done a Wonderful job in the Capitano’s absence.
Cameron is Top Drawer.
We cannae keep him as he is Top Drawer.
“an important determinant in our squad planning for the remainder of the season.”
—–
I really don’t think the result will have any bearing on squad planning. It definitely shouldn’t. I expect us to win the league, win, lose or draw 🎶 🎶
Hot Smoked.Greenpinata
I hope that the 700 get right behind the team and remember why they are there, its not an IRA singalong.
=========================
With all due respect bhoys.
Get your hun narrative,ie that what we do,scrutinized to the n’th degree singing about the ira or any participant/aspect of irish culture…tae f.
Those driving that narrative nearly but didnt quite genocide that culture out of existence.They would wipe out and ‘civilize’ by ‘providence’ that aspect is still deeply inculcated in unionist culture.
And tomorrow we have 700 odd Celts supporting Celtic and alls a worry is what we sing!!
Chase yourselves with respect,
Let the people sing,and sing loudly,whatever they want and if that is in support IRA so be it.
It is part of our irish past.
It is sung of and spoken in verse.
It always will be.
HH
4-2 to b team
Nice one
5-2 to b team
Nice one
HH
Now 5-2
Hot Smoked.Greenpinata
I hope that the 700 get right behind the team and remember why they are there, its not an IRA singalong.
100%. The days of singing about the IRA should be long gone.
Game over
TURKEYBHOY on 30TH DECEMBER 2022 2:30 PM
Can’t believe CTV are not showing this afternoons game.Amateur production
Agree. Absolute shambles.
Bigging up a visit to IBrokes is all they can do really, they can’t make it more than three points. Celtic have already seen off umpteen Sevco managers, the newly established fixture was trashed by them and couldn’t be tholled, with continuous away parties.
The best squad already topped up for the second half of fixtures before the window’s opening, we’re onto team two before they’re even out of court one.
Very sad, for SMSM that the current game is compared to Celtic having to roll up against Rainjurz, and former transfer target Leo Messi. They all choked to death on succulent lamb, never having faced a Celtic side from nine points behind.
I refuse to draw comparisons and know Celtic supporters who will bearly even acknowledge Monday.
ZIGGYDOC1 on 30TH DECEMBER 2022 3:32 PM
12 points ahead means we’d be more likely to listen to offers for players. Maintain that to the end of January and it would take a major collapse over the next 14 games for us to lose the league.
If we’re looking to maximize income from selling players and find better you’d ideally sell in January which is a sellers market in Europe, see who develops from the new signings and have plenty of time to find players who’ll really make a difference and have them scouted and lined up for a quick purchase in July.
Its a risk and it might not be popular but from what Ange has said about smart aggressive player trading it’s pretty likely, otherwise it’s all hot air and bullshit, which I don’t think is Ange’s way
Onenightinlisbon
Alas they are not and never will be gone ONIL
Each generation has its girn on what we sing as another generation sing their songs of ireland
They have done so since we left the hall at St.Marys,
Both,those who girn and those who sing.
It carries on.and it will go on for as long as we are in existence imo ONIL.
Hope Santa was good,all best in 23.
HH
AN TEARMANN on 30TH DECEMBER 2022 4:07 PM
Totally respect your opinion my friend but we have to move on.
The GB, whilst doing great work, are an embarrassment, rare to actually hear a Celtic song.
I was however impressed by piling on the agony the other night, now that’s more like it!
Well done to the Young Hoops who GUBBED the Huns 5 – 2.
HH
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 30TH DECEMBER 2022 4:03 PM,
we’re onto team two before they’re even out of court one.
Brilliant . You’re on fine form sir!
Welcome to the Celtic family Tomoki may your days with us be blessed and trophy laden. Ynwa
Well done the young team.
Same score on Monday will do just fine.
D :)
anyone “embarressed” by the green brigade is worth the watching.
sing whatever they want, and as loud as they can,
i will be joining in from the couch.
I am one of those who don’t want to have to listen to the Green Brigade singing up the IRA. That day is long gone.
Yeah not big on the ira stuff. Murder is murder I’m afraid no matter the argument.
Irish hero’s are legendary, we have plenty of good songs to support the team on the park.
KLV
OnenightinLisbon
I am not a member of Celtic fans called the green brigade i only speak for myself on what is sung,not sung.allowed/not allowed all in all i find that debate embarassing.
To move on,we need to have had a postion to start with or and end goal to seek.in the songs debate we have neither.
HH
Graffiti watch.
On the east carriageway of the m8 just as you join from the bishopton new junction, there is an old container truck box in a field facing the motororway.
It is subject to periodic graffiti now and again.
For sometime there , it had a red, white and blue arrangement with an XV on it.
Enquiries to nephew told me it is the erskine branch of the Union Bears celbrating their 15th year.
I commented on it before , I find it somewhat of an ultimate idiocy that they use latin numerals to refernce themselves supporting two clubs for a number of years.
Before christmas it was painted over, a loverly green and white UC for the Ultra Celts, quite nicely done.
Passing today, it is done again, red and blue UB for the Union Bears, and a nice tag line of FLUCK ALL TAIGS.
Anyways the most remarkable thing about this for me , is it is in a field at the side of a motorway, it would take some amount of paint and time to do the works.
I hope our bhoys get tickets and sing their hearts out.
I got updates of the B game from nephew at the match.
I recall the mad one telling us there was no talent in the B team, the lowland league a waste of time and Rangers/Murray Park was a better set up.
Darren O’Dea On The Match | Celtic FC B 5-2 Rangers B
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBwdi-RWO1M
Meanwhile Rocco Vata is interesting Bayern and Dortmund.
Get German Football News
@GGFN_
·
5h
·
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are a number of clubs interested in Celtic’s Rocco Vata (17).
Highlights and goals
https://www.celticnewsnow.com/news/crazy-the-moment-celtic-b-win-vs-rangers-5-2/501274/ ☘
Exclusive Interview with Josip Juranović (29/12/22)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9kWHrCIFs8
KEVINLASVEGAS on 30TH DECEMBER 2022 5:05 PM
Yeah not big on the ira stuff. Murder is murder I’m afraid no matter the argument.
Irish hero’s are legendary, we have plenty of good songs to support the team on the park.
=======================
KVL
Continual education i suppose.thatll be a generational thing,also from whose perspective and definition do we use when label.
I wouldnt be big on the ira either Kevin,but i am massive on irelands history and thro that our club,the two are one.repression/banning and limiting peoples right to sing will not end singing,and watch out them good ol heroes from back in day,they maybe murdered too.
HH
TEUCHTER ÁR LÁ on 30TH DECEMBER 2022 5:22 PM
Highlights and goals
https://www.celticnewsnow.com/news/crazy-the-moment-celtic-b-win-vs-rangers-5-2/501274/ ☘
————
ta for that, good wee watch, as darren says, him and stephen wanting to play the same way as anges team, and with sport scientists making the players fitter and fitter.
the wee hun 16, i hope that result spoiled his christmas, and monday spoils the rest of his year, wee bigot.
SAINT STIVS on 30TH DECEMBER 2022 4:57 PM
anyone “embarressed” by the green brigade is worth the watching.
Totally embarrassed listening to the bile they spout with the rare Celtic song included.
Think most fair minded people would feel the same way.
Am with others on here re the IRA songbook.
Ignorant and anachronistic.
It had stopped. Defiantly reappeared.
Simple switch of lyrics – replacing “IRA” crescendos with something (anything) would be a start, IMHO.
As for any “two wrongs make a right whataboutary” justification?
Respectfully, I don’t measure my moral standards against squishy stuff I sometimes step on in parks and pathways.
Nor do I measure them against the conduct of Sevco fans.
At risk of arrogance, I’d like to think Celtic fans in general (including me) are better than that.
CELTIC40ME on 30TH DECEMBER 2022 4:04 PM
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Good point.
BACK TO BASICS – GLASS HALF FULL on 30TH DECEMBER 2022 5:52 PM
Totally agree.
Wonder how many of them have actually ever been to Ireland?
Scaniel – thanks. We took the plunge (literally) and are now safely in KBT.
Yes, it was the craziest thing I’ve seen since the crazy snow 10/11 years ago. My wife is from D&G and has never seen anything like it.
THE BLOGGER FORMERLY KNOWN AS GM on 30TH DECEMBER 2022 6:09 PM
Scaniel – thanks. We took the plunge (literally) and are now safely in KBT.
AYes, it was the craziest thing I’ve seen since the crazy snow 10/11 years ago. My wife is from D&G and has never seen anything like it.
============
Could the Blogger etc, really be MM (not Melbourne). Need to dust down the Rosetta Stone ;))))))
Those who moan about celtic b playing at Aidrie, and not playing at barrowfield, did you attend the match today ?
those complaining of the ira song book, do you go tell the bhoys to stop it ? do you let them know how offended you are with it ? do you ask them if they have ever even been to Ireland ?
just on blogs or phone ins is it ?
2 points- £15 to watch a B Team game,which it wasn’t on CTV,and look at the state of the pitch,total nonsense x 2