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Ibrox: dangers and opportunities

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

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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  1. Saint Stivs on

    !!BADA BING!! on 30TH DECEMBER 2022 6:37 PM

     

     

    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

     

     

    they should have kept it at airdie, on the plastic

  3. !!Bada Bing!! on

    SS- exactly, but the Club see it as a money maker,did you see the state of the pitch? I would like to know AP’s opinion on that

  4. Saint Stivs on

    Ange was watching the match. Darren said it was great he was there, as ultimately the bhoys have to impress him. Its the middle of the winter, with a 24 hour downfall before the game. I am certain pitch will be fine for next home game, otherwise they wouldnt have let it happen.

  8. !!Bada Bing!! on

    SS- the pitch was poor v Livvy,better on Saturday, but IMO using Celtic Park for a game to make money, why not Airdrie? Which is another issue….we should not be giving that Klub a penny

  9. petec on

    You have to respect the fact that the New Rangers got to a European Final.

     

     

    Mental

     

     

    I isnae wan for going to see a Dr.

     

     

    wullie nilly

     

     

    When the Doc is frae County Cork. I should go mair often. Dumbarton’s Health Centre.

     

     

    She did say I wasn’t a regular.

     

     

    And that wasn’t even the Doc.:))

  10. Go tell the Spartim on

    Are the GB singing about the provisional IRA or the original, if it’s the latter fill your boots GB

  13. Prestonpans bhoys on

    GO TELL THE SPARTIM on 30TH DECEMBER 2022 7:18 PM

     

    Are the GB singing about the provisional IRA or the original, if it’s the latter fill your boots GB

     

     

    I do remember a hun trolling me about IRA songs, I said similar. He said what’s the difference, I said your queen paid respects to one of them.

     

     

    I can still see his confused look🙃

  23. An Tearmann on

    PeteC 6.57

     

     

    Thank you Pete,one of those tracks that bangs out in big arenas.S7 circa 90-5ish iirc.Think they were on Tex1 compilation.Hope Santa was good and all positive goin into 23 ma mhan

     

     

    HH

  31. An Tearmann on

    BACK TO BASICS – GLASS HALF FULL on 30TH DECEMBER 2022 5:52 PM

     

    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.

     

     

    ====================

     

    We are better B2B,thats why this will always be a live issue,and gets debated civilly.As i said in previous answer complaints have been made about our song content literally since our first committee meetings,generation after generation sing and generation after generation complain.yet it carries on.

     

    Education does help overcome

     

     

    I would disagree saying it stopped b2b,for eg with Fergus it was the fields of Athenry.

     

    How did that go down- with us well

     

    With those who’d end us,it trod their(webbed)toes!!

     

    Nothing is acceptable of irish origin to them here.

     

    So i accept none of it,but we talk,educate and communicate and get in bout our own who imbalance the enjoyment of others like your good self

     

     

    Another generation comes along and modifies wi add ons and the cycle of girning goes on that is in itself as old as Celtic itself,

     

     

    We are better b2b,we learn and improve and hopefully things get a little bit better.

     

     

    We show those standard when 700 of our own go there and a worry is what we sing.lol.i do genuinely find that funny,

     

     

    HH

  34. Philbhoy on

    Heading up to Stonehaven tomorrow, so won’t be back on ’til next year.

     

     

    Best wishes to all Celts who post on here and God bless those in need.

     

     

    Take care and C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  42. David66 on

    Philbhoy – Enjoy your break.

     

     

    All the best for 2023, hope your team win on Monday. 😉🙏

     

     

    We are off to our local for the bells tomorrow 16 family and friends.

     

     

    Hail Hail

     

     

    D :)

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