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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BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
09:35 on
26 August, 2014
” but don’t piss on our chips just yet.” Im sure the word Im looking for here is…. Succinct! haha ;)
lilys
Morning, not long up, day off…. Feeling a tad nervous this morning, 44 and never loss that nervous feeling prior to a big game. I tend to set mysef up for a fall just in case, hopefully won’t be one of those nights, even at 6-2 against the huns I was still thinking, blow the whistle they might get back in it…….!
Ayrshire is Green and White
ernie lynch,
Indeed. 0 – 0 towards the final whistle would be hard to take.
I’d be even more nervous if I’d left it to the last minute to pick up my ticket,Mick!
Remember Plan B,if necessary.
Trust the Coaching Staff have been working hard to close the massive space between the wing backs and the full backs. ( trust the players concerned have been paying attention ). A serious CL team would have a fill your boots party in all that space..
Maribor will aim to get players through the gap with a view to playig diagonal cut backs to on running central midfielders .
Tighten up ,please .!
Super scorchio,way down south.
Ideally 8-0 thrashing by free flowing football
Realistically 1-0 goal in last minute with no time to reply either way I’d be chuffed.
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers
09:43 on 26 August, 2014
I’d be even more nervous if I’d left it to the last minute to pick up my ticket,Mick!
Remember Plan B,if necessary.
———————————————————————-
Calm doon calm doon, me and yer Mum sorted it oot and I’ve had enough of Plan B’s after last nights debate…
HH
Morning Bhoys I like the rest of the Celtic support am looking forward to tonights big game I think it may be harder to beat Maribor than some think.However,if we work hard and keep our shape we should do it. H.H.
I’d happily take 7-1 or 6-2 tonight.
A ‘Partizan’ 5-4 scoreline would be too much to bear going into stoppage time!
HH!!
I believe our two new signings will be at the match tonight its a good chance for them to see what Celtic are all about we are by far the biggest club either of them will have played for. H.H.
All we need to do is keep the door shut. Their going to have to come out and attack. This can play right into our hands. Cmon the hoops. Free Scotland from Westminster rule.
oldtim67
Are you and BT and the rest of the grey brigade going for something to eat before the game. Usual place?
HH
Bawsman
09:01 on
26 August, 2014
bamboo
The person responsible for last night’s fiasco was a weak as gnat’s piss chairman.
Wonder who’ll win the fight to do the ole Paradise Windfall between Mubarak and Scepovic?
Goals from ANThony Stokes and DEClan Suarez should do it tonight!
Ooooooohhhhh shuuuuuuuttttttttttt thaaaaaaaaattttttt door.
Bhoys were do the buses park.is it still the barrowfield scheme,or is it been moved. looking to park my car,near the stadium for to-nights game,im 71 and at times if I park to far away my legs get sore.
looks like Balde and Pukki may well be going out on loan its a pity for them but they just dont have what it takes to succeed at Celtic in my opinion.H.H.
Betting Celtic ht – ft , minus 2 & 3 and to win 5-0 …………. a 6-1 aggregate score would be ideal to shut up our detractors and banish some ghosts ……….. (-:
What is the best pub in Santa ponsa to watch the game tonight ?
Just when you thought you couldn’t get anymore excited….Hoopy the Huddlehound will be in the Kerrydale bar tonight.
MICKTT
Salmond has been getting away with talking over interviewers for literally decades.
I’ve always been surprised that he got away with it then.
I was surprised that he got away with it last night.
But heyho,not my fight.
bern
10:10 on 26 August, 2014
What is the best pub in Santa ponsa to watch the game tonight ?
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A Celtic wan!
As it stands,we go through.
I wonder if Ronny will be tempted to do a Maribor and sit back for the first 20 mins. and let them come at us.
The unexpected is good.
Bern
The shamrock is decent and will definitely have the game on. Sean’s place is also good, but last time I was there the TV wasnt very big.
First time to see the Bhoys in the flesh tonight, missed all other opportunities due to work / travel commitments.
Nerve wracking watching on the iPad last week in Newark, much better to see the expanse of the pitch.
If we play well we will have too much for Maribor, calm heads and hopefully the goals will flow.
Big crowd tonight will spur the Bhoys on, cannae wait!
Mon the Hoops!
RobinBhoy
Park head will be rocking tonight. Full house full voice scared the crap out of barcalona. What do u think it will do to this lot. C’mon the hoops.
Off topic.
My daughter and most of her pals have done the ‘ice bucket challenge’ and raised a fair amount of money for worthwhile causes.
Would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them all, and all those who have taken part.
Brrrr…
HH!!
Ok. I know I shouldnt, but I am feeling a tad confident about tonight and our qualification.
Therefore, can anyone confirm my belief that the draw for the Group stages takes place on Thursday @ 1645hrs, rather than the usual Friday Lunchtime-ish?
Just trying to plan the diary to ensure being in a handy spot for TV viewing!
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
I think Maribor will be just as cagey as they were in the home game. Why do they have to attack? If the score is 0-0 with 15 mins to go they will be delighted one goal will put them through. Celtic have to be positive without being gung ho. Not much point in having a big noisy crowd then giving them nothing to shout about.
from the Scotsman…
HENRIK LARSSON has revealed that he turned down the Celtic manager’s job this summer.
The Parkhead legend was widely tipped to return to the club after the departure of Neil Lennon. The Swedish star had previously refused to be drawn into speculation as to whether he was offered the job but finally admitted that Celtic had been in touch before confirming that he had decided against leaving Falkenberg, he said: “Yes I declined the Celtic job this summer. This was something I had to think about. In the end, I chose to remain at Falkenberg.”
Larsson also denied that he has an agreement in place that will see him become Hoops boss in the future, adding: “I have no agreement with Celtic on anything.”
Henrik Larsson was reported to have been approached before Roy Keane, who also turned Celtic down, before Ronny Deila was chosen to succeed Neil Lennon.
Thanks for the info kittoch, 21-5-79 ha ha you knew what I meant, might try the dubliner, shebeen on at midnight also
Rock tree bhoy
I wouldn’t expect anything else on the day of a vital European game.
the token tim
You are correct.
The draw for the CL group stage is on Thursday at 1645 CP time.
HH!!
Same starting 11 as last week, same tactics. We created enough chances to win last week and as things stand we are through. No need to go gung ho, a mature, controlled performance is all that’s required.
Tallybhoy,
Thanks for confirming mate.
Now to re-arrange meeting time!
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Odds for tonight. Celtic 8/15, Maribor 11/2 Draw 3/1
Odds for independence NO 1/8 YES 9/2 (no odds listed for the draw!)
Eck obviously made a big difference last night.
Wondering why stories of Henrik Larsson turning down the Celtic job appear on the day of our biggest match of the year?