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You are at:»»Newco confident, with some reason, but Brendan has the aces

Newco confident, with some reason, but Brendan has the aces

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

“Feeling more confident than any time in the last five years” was the sentiment expressed to me by a Newco fan this morning. And with some reason. They have gone two months without defeat, while Celtic’s blistering runs of successive wins stopped; we’ve won three and drawn three of our last six.

Reasons for any marked change in results are usually varied. With the league won, Celtic rested players, while others were injured. Opponents have also paid attention to their Scott Sinclair Problem. Stop Scott getting the ball and you inhibit Celtic’s most potent danger.

You also have to factor in the reality that Brendan Rodgers has given 52 competitive pre-match team talks. There are only so many times you can vocabularise your rallying call before its effects diminish.

The contrast in the other Hampden dressing room will be stark. Brother Pedro’s accent will still appear fresh to his players, never mind his message. His tactical talks and implorations of effort will seem innovative, whether they are or not. For these reasons, and more, Newco players will fear nothing on Sunday.

This game will be more straightforward that Ross County last week. We know Newco are there to win, to knock us out of the cup, stop our Invincibility Quest and reach their second major cup final. We’ll not face 10 men behind the ball.

Having said all of this, you and me will both be stunned if Celtic don’t prevail. We have the better players, the better manager, we’ve faced many and varied challenges this season and come through impressively.

Dembele, Griffiths and Rogic are back and available. The manager has choices on who to play, and options to change the game, or freshen things up later.

That same Newco fan this morning accused me of selective memory, with good reason, when I said I couldn’t remember Ugo Ehiogu playing for Rangers. It was no less alarming to hear a fit and active man of 44 died so suddenly. Condolences to his loved ones. There but……….

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  2. Celticrollercoaster supporting @WalkWithShay on

    We’ve been slow out the traps in the last 2 game against the zombies. Key for me is to hit then early and then score a lorryload of goals

     

     

    HH

     

     

    CRC

  3. mike in toronto on

    JNP

     

     

    Have you seen the James Baldwin documentary that was out recently (I am not your Negro)? … it is about his time with Medgar Evers, MLK, and Malcolm X. Really good.

     

     

    The music now got me thinking about it, and , I thought you might enjoy it.

  8. mike in toronto on

    Weebobby … I had not heard that one. As you say, different… but I like it! Thanks

  10. Almore on

    VFR: I think and hope you are right but apart from our first meeting with them this season we haven’t pummelled them the way I think we should.

     

     

    PR67: Alex McDonnell RIP

     

     

    Maggie: I think you are right. Accessing this site has become a nightmare for many. Lots still lurk but moving from page to page or posting has become extremely difficult and many are giving up imho.

     

     

    P67 & WC. You really need to look at accessibility. I love this site but it has lost many valuable contributors.

     

     

    Joe Cundy: Hope you get somewhere to watch the match in Malaga tomorrow. I will do some research on this during the Summer. In the meantime, Timmys (200 yards from Torreblanca train station) and John Lemon Pub (800 yards from Benalmadena station) are probably your best options.

  14. thetimreaper on

    If we let them settle into the game in will be criminal. Guys like Beerman, Bates and Alnwick will be pig sick with nerves. Our players need to go in for the kill as early as possible. The longer the game goes the more it will suit them and their hoardes and of course, the opposite is true. If we take control i am convinced they will implode.

  21. VFR800 is now a Monster 821 on

    BEATBHOY – bang on with your first 3 songs tonight!

     

     

    It reminds me I will have 2 spares for The Roses at Hampden in June!

     

     

     

    KTF

  24. VFR800 is now a Monster 821 on

    THE HUDDLE aye very good.

     

     

    Enjoy the game tomorrow. I will!

     

     

     

    KTF

  26. angelgabriel on

    Park Road.67

     

    Good evening. I may have been introduced to Alex McDonnell prior to the Raith Rovers game at the bigot dome in 1994.

     

    May he rest in peace. HH

  31. beatbhoy on

    VFR

     

     

    They’re not my favourite band, but I would have loved to have been at that free warm-up gig they did n Manchester when they re-formed for a tour, which was the subject of the excellent documentary ‘ Made of Stone’.

     

     

    Small venue, struggling to cope with a hall full of emotion, excitement, incredulity and great tunes.

     

     

    The Jam. – Going Underground.

     

     

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AE1ct5yEuVY

  40. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Yaasss

     

     

    Delighted our very own Roy Croppie is in the house……

     

     

    St Joseph’s CSC

  42. The No.13 Shorts on

    Cup games are never a stick-on and i can cope with that. Just don’t like getting cheated. Here’s hoping for an exciting and honestly ref’d match.

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