“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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HAPPY HOOOOPY BIRTHDAY to
JEANETTE!!!!!
Her ever-loving husband has whisked her off for the weekend to Kraków,but not before he found out where to watch the match!
So let’s give her a birthday to remember…
I have a good feeling about this one. Score early and we will destroy sevco. Other than a honest mistake red at hundump we will outplay thus mob in every department. Thought their goalie played really well last few games against the champions but as he’s out we will need to test the new sevco keeper from the off. Clean sheet for Craig and the defence, goals for Dembele hunskelper and one or two others. Hail Hail. Enjoy the game CQN.
Getting ready to watch the game in the Bull pub in Krakow. Mrs Maffo expecting a bumper hunskelp for her birthday. COYBIG.
Jobo
Yip. Last summer or was it Jan window?
MWD
MAFFO
You sure know how to spoil a lass!!!!
HH
BMCUWP
You better believe it. Looking out for some proper Polish vodka for yer next visit to Essex.
Just woke my Amazon Fire Tablet to catch up and as usual when you ‘wake’ them from sleep mode there is an advert for a book on screen. Well this morning the author is (I shit you not), a guy called Harry Hunsicker. An omen suurrrely. Oh btw, didn’t get to sleep myself til 7 an I’m awake already. Anybody would think we were playing someone important,.
COME ON CELTIC!
Morning Celts
We play like we can, we will thrash them.
Dont give them an inch, tempo from the off, power, pace, and aggression.
Snarl and bite.
Grrrrr
Cmon Celtic:)
HH
Right! Heading down to the Gorbals to watch the game, normally it’s an interesting bus ride to get there, bus is usually full of Tims but after Hampden I’m on my own, gets interesting after that, looking for a result today, any result to take us to the final, I’m afraid a defeat is not an option, HH everybody, and be safe ffs.
Lurking Huns GIRFUYs
TD67
You be safe too:)
HH
I just hope we get off to a good start, Aberdeen have set the bar quite high but let’s try and beat 12 seconds anyway.
On the bus getting ready to go to Hampden.
BMCUWP’s, finance arrived, all good to go:-)
We will get handover of ticket sorted after the Diets game.
Mon the Hoops.
DOC
Magic,mate!
Thanks,and have a great day.
HH
SID1888 on 23RD APRIL 2017 9:32 AM
I’M WITH YOU, BHOY ………
MAFFO
Polish vodka?
You got a death wish? I’m daft enough on Guinness and whisky,but if you insist…
Not long now
fingersdrummingCSC
‘The” Catalpa” song banned in western Australia. what absolute shite.
Hang your head in shame you ignoramus.
On the bus ready to head off at 10:45. Only problem this morning was that the new Jock Stein t-shirt is too big!
Never mind; the Boca10 t-shirt with the green, white and gold Mod Target will do instead.
Not a betting man but if I was it would be a Celtic win with Dembele, Armstrong and Sinclair to score st any time!
KTG
KTF even!
KTF
Doors to automatic………..
third’s the charm
Roberts to start seemingly
Packed chapel on All Saints Coatdyke 4 30 mass last night Celtic must have a big game the day H H
How do I want the game to go?
I want the Hun Police Scotland commander, that most servile of masonic drones, to be stood at the Celtic dressing room door at half-time, cap in hand, broom handle firmly shoved up his erse, choking on his words as he pleads with Brendan Rodgers to ask the Hoops to go easy on his embattled, savage Huns for ‘the sake of public order’.
That’s how I want the game to go.
And I want Brendan to smile, chuckle and close the door in his face.
COYBIG
VFR Re Jock T shirt ?
Remember….” Jersey does not shrink etc…..
HH
BIG JIMMY on 23RD APRIL 2017 10:54 AM
VFR Re Jock T shirt ?
Remember….” Jersey does not shrink etc…..
HH
Very good!
KTF
Paddy must start!!!
SANDMAN 10.54
Brendan to SLAM the door in his face….Celtic chasing GRAND SLAM.
HH
I wonder if they’ll smash up Hampdens toilets?
I wouldn’t be too unhappy if we started with our MINI Front 3…Sinky, Jamesy and Paddy…just like swinecastle 5 -0….should have been 7-0 but for cheatin hun MIB
HH
Safe roads and streets for ALL Celtic fans today.
Did The SFA DEMAND money up front from the Huns WHEN they smash up hampden today ?
Celtic starting line up for Glasgow Derby ko 12:00
Gordon; Lustig, Simunovic, Boyata, Tierney; Brown, Armstrong; Roberts, McGregor, Sinclair; Dembele
Clogher did you read the book the Catalpa rescue by Peter Stevens
To call it a classic isn’t praise enough
The Paddy Roberts semi final
Subs: Bailly, Gamboa, Rogic Sviatchenko, Kouassi, Forrest, Griffiths
Come on Paddy Bhoy you know you want to:))
Can only assume Rogic isn’t 100%, Armstrong playing as no10 and McGregor sitting beside Brown.
Thoughts and prayers with Cowiebhoy at this difficult time.
#mcgregorinho