While Maribor were clearly second best at home to Celtic last week they remain a potent threat to our season. You can be sure they’ve watched every minute of every game Celtic have played this season and will have dissected each defensive lapse. Our acknowledged weaknesses – primarily a defence which has yet to find cohesion – will be well-known to each of them.
The vast acreage of Celtic Park should suit the mobile, pressing, game Ronny Deila has brought to our play. It will be difficult for Maribor to cover all defensive zones, so with Celtic certain to play without a target-man, I expect the visitors to concede territory on the wings, defend their penalty area and force Celtic to play through them.
We will inevitably leave space at the back, in particular down the wings. How attentive we deal with this risk could determine the outcome of the tie.
Maribor’s schedule since facing Celtic on Wednesday suggests their biggest challenge will be to maintain energy levels late in the game. Thursday will have been a rest day, only light training would have taken place Friday and the bulk of the first team had a league game on Saturday evening. Yesterday would be another rest day, and they will travel today before a light job on Celtic Park this evening.
By contrast, the bulk of those who will start for Celtic tomorrow will have had normal preparatory training Friday, Saturday, Sunday, with some light work tomorrow. Those who made substitute appearances on Saturday will not have made a significant debit on energy levels.
We need to keep the ball moving early on, curtail rest times and have Maribor accessing their reserve tanks as early as possible.
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C’mon Ant & Dec.
On another matter.
Good luck tae the Bhoys.
MWD having a day off saying AYE to support the TIC
Green pinata,
It’ll never catch on
Early train early finish.
Cmon the hoops…
Eddie
You’d think HT was going to a funeral reading that. :-)
MWD
Eddie
I’ll swap it for a win!
eddieinkirkmichael
06:07 on 26 August, 2014
twists n turns
04:29 on
Andy Muirhead is a d@@k and no friend of true Celtic fans IMHO.
———-
You might be right but on this occasion his article is 100% on the money. The GB behaving like spoiled brats. We need Celtic supporters tonight not GB supporters
Good morning CQN. Beautiful morning in Morayshire. Early shift then the long trip to paradise at two o clock. First view of the new Celts. Come on you bhoys in green.
HH
I can now get up – jobo has spoken
I’m hearing that Keevins said RD would be a laughing stock if we get knocked out.
Wonder if he gave the same slur to ‘Walt’ after the Unirea embarrassment, or his chum McCoist after failing twice in the Pawnshop Cup.
jimmci
Aye he’s right on the money, did you read his headline to that article?
Compare it to the content of the GB statement and then get back to me.
Aff to work.
Obviously KC just behind Stokes tonight but the left side of midfield/left wing will be interesting. Berget or Mulgrew?
Or both? If so, at who’s expense?
charles kickham – ;-)
Incidentally I was unaware until a few moments ago that there’s a Glasgow derby on tonight with Queens Park playing the New Rangers in the League Cup. So watch yourselves when out and about. Anyone know the venue for that game given that Hampden remains unavailable?
Jobo Baldie
It’s at Airdrie I believe..
BBC desperately trying to play down Salmonds crushing victory in last nights indy debate.
“You have to have a plan and I have a good plan,” said Deila. “We’re going to put it into practice”
Our Manager has the knack of saying the right things. He inspires confidence. No easy task with a Celtic support brainwashed to feel inferior. My brain remains unwashed. I am very, very confident of going through. First part of my CL preparations id a wee bike ride. Back later,
JJ
bamboo
A request: Let`s make Celtic the topic today.
MARRAKESH EXPRESS
Smith said in an interview that they lost 4-1 twice at home in the CL the previous season.
He added that the Unirea defeat didnae count as they were all breakaways.
Unbelievably,no-one challenged him on this.
Equally unbelievably,it wisnae cos they were too busy laughing.
Cowards,every one of them.
Good morning, anyone know how close to a full house it will be tonight?
Morning all.
Excitement building already.
CP will be rocking tonight.
Italian tv always praises the CP atmosphere, calling it one of the best on the planet.
Will never catch on in Scotland!
HH!!
Vote ‘YES’ and free ole Ireland in 10 years – deal!
Commons on the bench tonight – deal!
Stokes on the bus to Derby – deal!
Johnny Russell on the bus ‘from’ Derby – deal!
No Green Brigade in CP tonight – dodgy?!?!
Still no ‘standing-area’ at CP – not good enough!
Git RD oot & JC in – deal!
Celtic to go through the night – deal!
Celtic to go oot the night – Hmmm?
Sack The ‘Bored’ – DEAL!!!!!!
Off oot…canny be bothered… bye. – DEAL!
Jungle Jim
Of course a Celtic victory tonight is the main priority but its also good to see momentum heading in the direction of independence. And when its arrives a lot of these bbc propagandists will be looking for new jobs.
eldiegobhoy
16:25 on 25 August, 2014
minx
How are you? Not seen you for too long.
—
Sorry EDB never got back on yesterday! I’m good how are you and your gorgeous ghirls? Enjoy the match tonight and hopefully we will catch up soon!
Have a great night one and all! The wifi better be good at the hydro!!!
YES. The day la has come for Celtic to get intae the Champions League again. Championees do it for us. Give it Glasgow is Green and White tonight bhoys. Keep it tight first twenty then hammer them Celtic. Hail Hail.
Ronny “So 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 are quite similar, it’s just the dynamic in the midfield, what type you want into the three.”
Twists n Turns
04.29
Good post mate, nail squarely on head. Somebody has to say it!
Our Manager has the knack of saying the right things. He inspires confidence. No easy task with a Celtic support brainwashed to feel inferior. My brain remains unwashed. I am very, very confident of going through. First part of my CL preparations id a wee bike ride. Back later,
JJ
——
Mind and wash behind yer lugs before you make the trip from Smokieville to the Big Smoke!
Enjoy the ride!
HH jamesgang
fieldofdrams
08:06 on 26 August, 2014
Did that aye?
Do a bit of research on Muirhead and then tell me that his piece is worthwhile journalism on the day of our biggest game of the season.
HT
I’ll be thinking about you tonight.
A phrase I never thought would enter my head. Let alone leave my iPhone.
Hopefully the Bhoys can do the the biz and line up some CL dramas ahead for you and Minx.
HH jamesgang
Celtic target Stefan Scepovic, the 24-year-old defender with Spanish second-tier side Sporting Gijon, has asked to train alone ahead of a proposed £3m move to Parkhead. (Daily Record)
so not a centre forward.duped again csc.
Morning all. Beautiful day down here. Our day of destiny. Portentious? Moi? Nah. While I’m nervous, as ever, about the game, I know we will be in Europe til Christmas. So, we have something to look forward to in the coming months.
Am I the only one dreading living in a Scotland dominated by Alex Salmond over a longer period than the coming months? I woke up to the thought that he reminds me of the SMSM. He willfully misrepresents what has been said by the other; he refuses to examine important data; he plays to the lowest of the low. Not for me. He’s a bully not a statesman.
Jamesgang
So long as you’re not thinking of me first thing in the morning!! :-)
Everything crossed for tonight so I think we’ll win it 2-1 :-)
Right work to do, enjoy your day/night big man.
Parkheadcumsalford
08:21 on 26 August, 2014
Calm yourself. We should get past Maribor. And even if we don’t we’ll still be in Europe long after the nats have dumped Salmond.
The press conference after old Rangers’ 1-4 defeat to Unirea was one of the many shameful and cowardly performances of the SMSM. Other than a couple of weak “how do you feel Walter?” efforts by Chico NOT ONE journo had the backbone to ask the cardigan even the most basic of questions. That one and a half minute summed up our brave sportswriters and their desperation of maintaining approval of their deity.
Let the people sing
Their stories and their songs
Forecast for today is superb, a warm dry evening is expected.
Match day…..bring it on. Scorchio! Here today….’mon the Hoops!
Too many hours to go. Need to work to occupy my mind. Optimism will increase the closer to kick off we get.
Day off and up at 07:30 pacing the floor already ffs …….going to be a long day ………. mont the Hoops HH .