“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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21’18”
Bada Bing, I always enjoy Martin talking about us , he sticks ups for us well.
He has Celtic in his soul.
VOGUEPUNTER 8.28
Cheers mate, that’s the wan ! Ive got it on my playlist but can’t remember how to post link ( auld age). The sexy backing singer was called Tessa Niles ( not Ness as I stated earlier)…doh !
I’m sure I still have a couple of my old double breasted 1980’s suits ” DYING in a Box” !…my God i looked the part back then, and especially with all my hair…A Hit with the Chicks !
EMERALDBHOY…Who is martin Compton ?
Gotta gub The Hun tmorra….”Frankie Says….The ANIMALS are winding me UP !”….Welcome to the Pleasuredome…”Hampden” ?????
As ma auld DA would always say…” Son you canny beat an ALL GREEN FINAL” !
Kevj used stay in Blantyre now stay in Wishaw used to to the games with Alisa, skin mcfaul was also at school with them you may have been at school with my brother Martin my 1st name is Eddie?
Martin Compston is indeed a Top Tim and from Greenock, like myself.
HH!!
BRTH- Replied mate HH
Aberdeen have only won twice at Hampden since 1995…
Hampden Al Green
Love & Happiness…
2017 Stylee
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sCXEtvbJkkY
When a CQN Legend says Lost in Space, I immediately thought of Lost in Spice.
Can I have some more Oliver
Young Ryan starts for the sheep.
NBRS,
I hope Ryan is the outstanding Player but Hibs win. :))
PETEC..
Big Efe for MOTM.
I never used to look forward to Celtic v Rangers and my experiences lasted through our nine in a row plus the Rangers cheating years when Celtic were constrained yet still managed to win regularly. That feeling hasn’t changed now that we play Sevco fairly regularly, safely with the knowledge they’ve no money for tax evasive schemes, no bank account, and no investor with a cat in hell’s chance.
We will revert to a more defined back four format which will hopefully spark a Tynecastle type performance without the obligatory disallowed good goals.
Brendan’s side?
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Gordon:::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mikael:::::::::Simo::::::::::::Boyata::::::::::::Keiran
::::::::::::::::::::Brown:::::::::::::Armstrong:::::::::::::
Forrest:::::::::::::::::::::Rogic::::::::::::::::::::::Sinky
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Dembele::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I hope the wide expanse of Hamdump doesn’t get clogged up with their galactico warriors and James Forrest runs free and fast, for the bulk of the game with a caveat called Paddy Roberts who owes them one.
Tom Rogic is the key player with the physique over Callum for starting this dirty task, the rest are automatic picks against the plucky SMSM boosted newcomers who have the temerity to boast of shoot out practice, all because their manager won the Mexican Petrofac Cup on penalties.
I don’t hope for a mere win, I wish them thrashed.
Hail Hail
NBRS,
You are likely right.
Efe is Top Drawer already. I, personally, hope there is a way back @ Celtic for him. I don’t think Brendan will Bring him back to play though.
The Maximum Respect between is there for All to See. Class.
The last time Efe Ambrose was at Hampden he got Schalked.
Martin Compston on Soccer AM..doing the quiz bit
‘Trump’s son was seen wearing which strip this week?’
MC- ‘ Rangers , he’s a bam….’
BSR- Same team except i think Paddy is due a start, JF not done it last few starts, but Paddy is a better impact sub…..
COYBI….oh dear!
That Darren McGregor is a tit!
BSR
“the Rangers cheating years”
*****
A bit harsh.
Between 1998 and 2011, they did play 7.99% of their League games without a DOS or EBT recipient.
Imperfectly cheated.
Still, we’ll have a 0-3 for the other 92.01%.
***very important re goals for shay 2***
I appear to have messed up with quite a few picks this week so firstly, apologies if I sent you reminders or named and shamed you in error!
I’ve spent all morning trying to reconcile this weeks emails and I now think that there are only 5 of you left to pick, as shown below. If you are one of the 5 but have already sent your pick can you tell me the date sent and, if known, the time. If you are not one of the 5 then I have a pick noted against your naem – and hopefully it’s for the correct team!
In the circumstances I haven’t yet got round to issuing the usual ‘who has picked who’ email but I will try to get something out later this afternoon.
Missing picks –
LogicAl
dessybhoy
QOTSA75
Koln Celt
pogmathonyahun
Jobo D’oh!
12 seconds.
The earliest ever ‘Hibsing it’?
Aberdeen scored that goal quicker than some podium-chasers on here can post to a new article.
Bada
I think Brendan see James as a percentage player that grinds the defences with his continual pace and non stop running. It’s a testament to how good Celtic are when a player of Paddy Roberts skill, ‘only ‘ gets a game as an impact sub?
John McGinn is the best ball winner in the country. He must be on Brendan’s radar.
Good goal Ryan, Aberdeen in the final now.
Beatbhoy
That’s only the official charted cheating years.
What about the Laudrup and Gascoigne days in the early 90’s.
I’m sure they were tempted to come play in Scotland with squeaky clean SFA contracts?
Shinebox FC
The gulf in class is a chasm.
Major difference between the two leagues.
Aberdeen not letting hibs players turn, not giving them any space or time. I don’t normally subscribe to the idea that a manager wouldn’t be as motivated to beat the team that plays out of the same stadium as the club he played for or supported. But for McInnes, the evidence is pretty strong that he doesn’t quite set his team up with the same aggression as he does against the rest.
Bit of a wake up call for hibs all the same. They need significant additions to their squad for the top league.
TTT
Hibs are trying to play through Aberdeen but they dont have the quality. Aberdeen are pressing the game in the Hibs half and forcing them to kick it long which suits Aberdeen. Lenny now bringing Holt on to try and get the ball into the Aberdeen half and bring others into the game. Cummings is too isolated.
Mon the Hibs!!!!!!!!
Game on, Lenny yer a genius son.
Shinnie diveed for freekick.. 2 mins before he hauled back a hiibs player. Should be. 2 yellows
BSR
Sorry, I can only handle their cheating years in batches of baker’s dozens.
I’ll take the official ones, for now, though speculation on the seasons those players you mention played there is perfectly understandable.
I take it all back
Hope pitch is as good tomorrow
The goalkeepers sound like a couple of boxers
HH