Since Martin O’Neill arrived 15 years ago, the number of games Celtic have played with truly no pressure on is less than 30 (or about the same number we played the season before he arrived). There’s almost always an angle when Celtic take the field, even after the league is won, whether there’s a cup final to prepare for, or a close rival to take on (as last week), or a trophy to collect (as next week).
But not tonight. Tonight Celtic can take the field with a broader agenda than simply winning the game, we can experiment. Hopefully we’ll not see players the manager doesn’t want, and there’s little point filling the team full of mainstays of the side. Tonight is a chance of Darnell to continue his rehab, for Lukasz to give Gordon the night off, for (deep breath) Stefan Scepovic to lead the line!
Big Jason has had a fantastic season, but unless there’s enormous changes in Manchester, he’ll wave goodbye next week, so give Eoghan O’Connell a start. It’s also an occasion when Ronny might want a look at Tom Rogic. In fact, I want a look at Tom Rogic.
A change at goalkeeper, right back, central defence, centre mid and striker would give all areas of the team a fresh feel. Let’s have it.
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I’d rather see a young gun straining at the leash than an ol pro who has his mind on his holibags.
Start Virgil, Broony and Griff and any other 8.
HH
BB Playing at the big concert now!! R I P YNWA Big man.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fk2prKnYnI
I find it so hard to comprehend how our expectations are being so easily managed when we big up run of the mill Australian journeymen as Celtic calibre.
So help me God what have we become?
Kitalba
You know…ive had that feeling as well, there may indeed be brown brogues and dodgy handshakers on the Celtic board.
Why not eh….They control everything else in Scoddland.
HH
T B B
A very good friend of mine told me Rogic is amazing to watch in training!!
Masons on the Celtic board? Lol
kitalba
12:50 on 15 May, 2015
Masons?
Naw.
Worse!
http://www.celtictrust.net/index.php?func=d_home_article&id=427
Personally I would give the whole development team a run out tonight and rest all our bhoys.
1. They have all played together regularly.
2. They know how to play together aas a team.
3. Provides experience for the guys against a stronger level of opposition.
4. Will cut the weed from the chaff.
5. We get to see the future.
MWD said AYE
Shhhhh
Its a secret don’t you know.
Don’t tell anybody.
Shhhhh
HH
Heard yesterday that Biton and Johansen have been given the week off and will play no part tonight, can anyone confirm this,as for Rogic I don’t think he’s anywhere near good enough to warrant a place in the squad never mind the team
Stefan Scepovic is an anagram of: Scant Evidence.
It’s not actually, but if it was, it’d be true.
Typical Celtic centre forward signing of recent years. Got something, definitely, but isn’t the full ticket. Can’t put my finger on why not.
The_Huddle
That’s exactly it. We’ll only know if they are good enough for the first team if they are tried out in a “real” first team environment.
Rogic and Bitton are similar players. Bitton has improved tremendously whilst Rogic has had a difficult time. I would like to see him given a chance.
JJ
Big Nan will tell ye all about the Speculative Society.
Ask him about it.
HH
kitalba
12:58 on 15 May, 2015
So help me God what have we become?
_________________________________
We’ve become a rung above the version of the huns that we’ll be facing next season.
Kit
He’s 22 years old. He’s got a long way to go before he can be called a journeyman. Certainly, you’ll have seen more of him in Aus than we have in Scotland, but there’s a talent in there from what I’ve seen, albeit it’s pretty raw.
Jude
Maybe sell season tickets for Lennoxtown? :¬)
I wont be watching no stinking old firm.
Ban them from Celtic Park.
They make my skin crawl.
Keep them out of Paradise.
HH
Yup I think its time to put the luggage on show for the summer clearout.
Wait till KevJ comes on, he’ll tell us how to deal with the hun issue:)
The Green Man
13:06 on 15 May, 2015
Are you Peter Lawwell?
TBB
re Scepovic,
He looks to me like a good player who does not feel part of the set up and, as a result, lacks confidence.I think there is a very good player in there.Ronny and Jim M might just be the duo to bring it out.
JJ
I would not play Zaluska as he wont be with us next season play the young Italian Fasan or what ever he is called.I would give young Chalmers a run out.H.H.
I’d kill for a Nobel Peace Prize!
How many chances has Scepovic had?
How many chances has he missed?
What is he being judged on?
Margaret McGill
Yes…I am indeed….how perceptive of you:)
Still…if that’s the case….I am seriously deluded
HH
P67
What you suggest is too much change and would tell us little. Why, because you’d play players in a weakened and unrealistic team.
CG undisputed no1 GK, there is no doubt or question to be asked in this position. Play CG
Equally matthews and lustig are first pick RBs, fisher is behind efe in the pecking so nothing to be learned there.
We expect Jason to leave, we hear of interest in virgil. Play o’connell and assess him. I’d suggest a half for him and one for Charlie at CH.
We are short of effective CM cover, play rogic in the middle if the three and assess him.
We are short of effective striker cover for LG, play stefan and assess him
Joe Filippis Haircut
________________
Is that Mrs Chalmers bhoy?
I always think away games at smaller more hostile stadia is a better place to blood youngsters.
From memory both Aidan and Shaun made their debuts against smaller teams away from home where opposition create a hostile atmosphere.
In terms of players tonight
– Zaluska , i thought was offski, so unless he needs more games to get a winners medal, i wouldnt play him again, instead I would give Faslan a game
– O’Connell did very well against Dundee, so lets give him more time
– Rogic has never looked fit enough to be a midfielder, so lets see if he has improved
Scepovic is a case study in his own right.
Signed to replace Puuki , Balde and Bangura , he has had virtually no impact.
RD has a big decision to make, does he sell / loan him and take a hit on transfer / investment , or try to play him into the club.
As we have seen in recent years, our record of signing foreign strikers for quoted fees of £1.5 to £2.5 m is appalling, and unless RD has a rabbit up his sleeve, i don’t anything changing unless we spend £4/5 m
Or, do we give Scepovic time to find his feet.
I think there is a player in Scepovic, so I would give him a few more shots.
JJ
I’m similarly minded, but they’ve had him for an entire season and we’ve seen little enough.
Joe Filippis Haircut
________________
Only kidding pal, forgot the :)
HH
clashcitybhoy
Shaun made debut if i remember correctly at ipox
Aiden i think at swinecastle
ClashCityBhoy
“Scepovic is a case study in his own right.
Signed to replace Puuki , Balde and Bangura , he has had virtually no impact”
Looks like he has been the perfect replacement right enough…
He once said that he ‘taught Souness everything he knows’ before adding . and when I look at what he did at Rangers I wish I hadn’t bothered’.
Gordon
Matthews Denayer Ambrose Tierney
Brown Rogic
GMS Armstrong Forrest
Griffiths
” Pirlo has started intense training for the Barca game – studying what their keeper does at free kicks.”
Gigi Buffon 15 5 2015.
It’s been grand – Take care.
As most will know, I’m a big fan of Biton. Imo, Rogic is a similar sort of player. I would like to see him playing, and, hopefully, blossom under our manager’s direction.
Siesta time zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz