Opportunity to claim a great Celtic reputation

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Within a few hours the first leg of our Summer Cup Final will be upon us.  Make no mistake about it, these are the biggest games of our season.

The players and manager have learned plenty about European football over the last four weeks to know the scale of the task.  Maribor will be given due respect but the importance of Saturday’s win over Dundee United cannot be overestimated.  Players’ confidence will have received a welcome boost, while some will have realised the weight of responsibility lies with them.

Since the draw I have written enough about the strengths of Maribor, but they are weak at the back – and they are showing all the signs of over-confidence.  Having watched us against Legia, this lot will be shocked if a different Celtic turn up tonight.  Their fans, media and officials are emotionally spending their Champions League windfall already.

Most of all, we need a disciplined performance from Celtic.  No conceding penalties, getting caught in possession deep in your own half, or second yellows.  Stick to the basics, stay alert and we have an excellent chance of progressing; this is not a team with irresistible talent.

For a few players, they have the chance to claim a great reputation at the club.  What an opportunity…..

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632 Comments

  1. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    Captain Beefheart. My only concern is the young boy Denayer I would have preferred Efe for his extra height. H.H.

  2. Nae Commons.

     

     

    Well.. Wan oota THREE Ain’t too Bad?

     

     

    Sure it is.. But.. How else Dae Ye expect me..tae Hide Ma Disappointment..?

     

     

    Stokes n Mulgrew in the tonight’s Team..

     

     

    Well..

     

     

    Mebbe, Ronny Is Believer In Miracles..

     

     

    Ah am , Masel…

     

     

    So..

     

     

    Let’s see how Stokes n Mulgrew Dae.

     

     

    Right?

     

     

    Kojo

     

    Still,Laughin

  3. bournesouprecipe on

    See team sheet latest @ 17.19

     

     

    Banging on since Warsaw – Beram is up for this

  4. Mulgrew Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo

     

     

    Anyone who watched Warsaw get behind the couch now.

     

     

    Seville67

  5. As at the weekend, the front 4 will roam and rotate.

     

     

    I though Stokes link up play at the weekend, brought a lot of play together.

     

     

    HH

  6. Formation set out to play it tight from the start.

     

     

    Berget will track back to cover their danger against Izzy. Three central midfield in 4-5-1.

     

     

    RD has learned the need for caution early on in tie. Johanson and Kayal got a half each on Saturday for this reason.

     

     

    Sensible starting line up and formation – hopefully – COYBIG

  7. TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels on

    Team

     

     

    Denayer won motm on satirday but is a risk tonight !!

     

     

    Need the two wide men to track back and support the full backs

     

     

    Need the two full backs to be …. Full backs

     

     

    Need VVD to support izzy if they go over the top diagonally

     

     

    Need big Craigy Gordon to be the cat

     

     

    Need mulgrew kayal and johanson to be tight and tidy

     

     

    Would really like stokesy to score a special but would obviously settle for a scrappy one

  8. martim1980

     

     

    18:37 on 20 August, 2014

     

    It’s 4231!!!!!!

     

     

    Think it’s more 4321, McGregor and Berget behind Stokes

  9. twentyfirstofmaynineteenseventynine on

    kojo

     

     

    Ive taken my youngest son to a few youth games, impressed not only on the park with them but after the matches as well. After winning league at Tannadice there was no over the top celebrations, they sirgned some autographs for the weans, carried their kit onto the bus and made their way down the road. Young winger looks a great prospect, we have McGregor and Henderson and no doubt another few. Give them a chance and they’ll take it

     

     

    HH

  10. So 4-5-1

     

    I’d like them to tell Stokes he gets 45 mins and he has to chase their defenders and defend from the front. No holding back.

     

     

    Then get Griffiths or Commons on and get them to do the same for the next 45.

  11. McDowellcelt god bless wee oscar on

    No argument with that team. Think most of us would have went similar. No complaints or excuse tonight bhoys. Go and get the job done! HH

  12. At least Ronny Hid the Foresight tae

     

     

    Include

     

     

    Bitton n HENDERSON .. Albeit,oan the Bench.

     

     

    He could bring EEthur ..or.. Oan..if It goat Sticky at the Wicket..

     

     

    Kojo

     

    Still,Laughin

  13. Commons like every other celtic player needs a good kick up the backside every now and then.Im surprised and a little scared that ronnie has done it tonight.He was our best shot at an away goal possibly…but yes he lacks pace/disciplin and work ethic away in europe….perhaps even a 1.0 defeat might be alright tonight

  14. Delaneys Dunky on

    TBJ

     

     

    Was in Kirkcaldy for 5 years. It is their own Pictish language in the Kingdom. I love it, very expressive. :)

  15. Patrick27

     

     

    Johansen pushed up at times at the weekend. The formation is based on rotation.

     

     

    Berget will at times be more advanced than Stokes who will come deep as he did at the weekend.

     

     

    HH

  16. catman

     

     

    17:09 on 20 August, 2014

     

    My guess is Ronny will go with

     

     

    Gordon

     

     

    Lustig

     

    Deneyer

     

    VVD

     

    Izzy

     

     

    McGregor

     

    Kayal

     

    Johansen

     

    Mulgrew

     

    Berget

     

     

    Stokes

     

     

    —————————————————————————————————-

     

     

    Nice one Ronny you must have been looking into CQN earlier………..:-))

  17. 4-3-3 ?

     

     

    Doesn’t matter who we have in midfield it doesn’t give great confidence.

     

     

    While we recruit more wide man even although we have McGregor and Forrest the central midfield is allowed to rot.

     

     

    We need a backbone first and foremost.

  18. martim1980

     

     

    Doubt Stefan will be as high up though, however definitely rotation will occur! As long as no gaps between midfield and defence I’ll be happy haha!

     

     

    HH

  19. I’m going with Kitalba,1-1 or 2-2. at least we’ll get a bit of a start at Celtic Park, as I expect Maribor to play it tight back here

  20. Any tims on holiday on the Cost Blanca…….

     

     

    Paddys Point showing the game tonight……….

     

    it’s on the Lazenia roundabout

     

     

    Bigjoeindaaaaaahouse

  21. Im not having a go at commons..im just saying that he appears a bit lightweight [pardon the pun] away in europe……He is without doubt our most creative player.

  22. 451

     

     

    ——————- C.Gordon —————–

     

     

    Lustig. Denayer. VanDijk. Izzy

     

    ——————-C.Mulgrew——————–

     

    Berget. Kayal. Johansen. McGregor

     

     

    ——————– Stokes ————————-

     

     

     

    Mon the Hoops !!!

  23. C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!