Own the field, Celtic

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Malmo manager Age Hareide’s press conference yesterday had a touch of the Kevin Keegan’s about it. As STV pointed out, Swedish journalists, writing for both Swedish and Scottish outlets, transcribed Malmo goalkeeper, Johan Wiland’s words, “They are pigs, all of them, that’s the way it is.”

Hareide didn’t like the coverage. I’m not surprised, he knows that it will be a significant motivator for Celtic, pinned to the proverbial dressing room wall, but his attempt to rebut reports as a failure in translation does not bear scrutiny. Not if it was Swedes who did the translating. Pigs are pigs.  Wiland gave Ronny Deila’s team talk.

While Ronny had an affirmative weekend, winning away at Tannadice, Hareide had to face up to his public defeated, increasingly unlikely to retain the league title. A run of three victories before visiting Celtic Park, has morphed into two consecutive defeats. A four point deficit became seven points, with nine games remaining. They are five points from a Europa League spot next season.  In short, Malmo are one bad result from the collapse of their season.

That’s not to say they are incapable of damaging Celtic, or Salzburg, we know that’s not the case, but there is an inherent fragility about them, which Celtic need to exploit.  They are a dangerous team who are punching above their weight, but there are no hidden reservoirs of strength.

This is what it’s all about Celtic.  This is the reason you’ve pulled your socks on each morning since your first joined a boys team.  The challenge is stiff but winnable, the prize, enormous.

Own the field.

Remember, there will be a collection of backpacks for Mary’s Meals on the Celtic Way ahead of the St Johnstone game on Saturday.  Bring anything you have along, it will be gratefully received and will be on the shoulders of a kid walking to school in Malawi, Kenya or Zambia in no time.  Thank you.

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357 Comments

  1. I’ve thought since last Wednesday that Nir Bitton’s injury was a bigger concern than Mikael Lustig’s, and agree with the fans who saw Lustig’s pain close up , that six days is unlikely to cure him enough to start a CL league game. Even if he makes it, he may be using up a valuable subs spot, in a highly tactical battle where RD is likely to use all three on the bench., as usual.

     

     

    RD has the straight choice of Saidy Janko with no experience or Efe Ambrose with loads, for the right back slot.

     

     

    With the exception of Emilio Izzaguire being able to hold off Charlie Mulgrew for the LB jersey, the rest of the team just about self selects.

     

     

    ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Gordon::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

     

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    Lustig/

     

    Ambrose/

     

    Janko/:::::::::::::::::::::Boyata::::::::::::::VVD::::::::::::::::::::Izzy/Chas

     

    :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

     

    ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Brown:::::::::::::::::Bitton:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

     

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    ::::::::::::::Forrest::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Armstrong::::::::::::

     

    :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Johansen::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

     

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    :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Griffiths::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

  2. COORSLAD

     

     

    Glad to hear that TCR appears to have had a good night.

     

     

    Still angry and disgusted at what happened, and that one of his, possible, assailants has been released on bail/caution(?).

     

     

    Give him our best wishes.

     

     

    HH!!

  3. Joe Filippis Haircut

     

     

    I agree on Kozak. It worries me that we could be picking up another sick note.

     

     

    The guy would be great for us if he was fit. But you can’t sign a player based on wishful thinking.

  4. I heard he was dead on

    If Kozak can get himself fit he’s a player.

     

     

    I would suggest that Celtic have a look at MSK Zilina’s striker Matej Jelic and his teammate Jakub Paur.

  5. Coorslad, wish Danny all the best mate. I’m guessing he’s been involved in an incident, I know you posted something on CQN but can’t find it.

     

     

    TCR Onwards and upwards amigo KTF

     

     

    Vinny

  6. Who is linking us to these players?

     

     

    The msm I come on here to avoid?

     

     

    Genuine question

     

     

    HH

  7. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    For me,this is a season defining match.

     

    Are we going to be playing with the big boys ?

  8. Unfortunately, even if Lustig hadn’t been hurt, we still couldn’t rely on him to do a full 90 minutes.

  9. Although we will have a height advantage that’ll be a real danger to Malmo at corners and free kicks I trust Ronny Deila has worked sound tactical arrangements for covering the defensive positions from where the height will come.

  10. Efe Ambrose will score tonight. God willing, it will be at the right end ;) Regardless, the big man has my backing.

     

     

    Mon the Hoops. Prove that you are good enough for the Champs League!!!

  11. Coorslad

     

    Thanks for all the updates here. Wishing Danny a full and speedy recovery and I’m sure a win would be extra special tonight. Come on Celtic

  12. skyisalandfill

     

    reilly1926

     

    dettolandtheblackash

     

     

    Look – no one will be more delighted if we win tonight – however instead of having a go at me and calling me a hun …etc –

     

     

    Give me some evidence, based on our recent performances, that we can beat Malmo on their own patch.

     

     

    If we can manage it, I will be found dancing with the postman, who like me, is a ST holder of many years standing – btw I have always upgraded my ST over the years, I am now in hospitality, at a cost of £1400/year.

     

     

    I don’t trust the players, and that is why I can’t see us go through – like you. I hope I am wrong.

  13. We need 90 minutes of bravery and self-belief tonight. And no punting the ball upfield in injury time if we’re leading, please.

  14. The Battered Bunnet on

    Seems the solution to the Lustig conundrum comes down to a choice between Iffy Ambrose and Shady Janko.

  15. Best wishes to TCR for a speedy recovery.You do wonder about the mentality of these low life’s.

     

    Nervous about tonight ,but I think 2nil tonight to the good Bhoys will see us through HH

  16. I heard he was dead on

    No excuses tonight.

     

     

    It’s time for these players to stand up and be men.

     

     

    They are better than Malmo and they need to show it and box clever at the same time.

     

     

    Allow Malmo to come onto them, win the ball and score on the break.

     

     

    DO NOT allow Malmo to sit behind the ball meaning we need to break them down. That’s the danger tonight as Salzburg found out.

  17. Ronny Deila might want Saidy Janko to earn the ‘he’s a bombscare’ label by working up to it through SPL games.

     

     

    He could on the other hand go straight for ‘the he’s a bombscare in Europe’ label currently held by

     

    Emilio.

     

     

    TooMuchTooSoon csc

  18. If lustig is anywhere near fit I would start him.. Personally haven’t seen janko play but he would be my 2nd choice. Don’t wanna get on the efe bandwagon bashing but out of all our players he is most prone to make a costly mistake so I’d leave him out. Maybe play janko in front of lustig on right hand side so lustig doesn’t have to run up and down the wing too much plus by sounds of it janko seems more willing to help defensively than Forrest..tough call for ronnie. That’s why he’s on the big bucks.

  19. If lustig isnt 100% tonight I’d leave him out.

     

     

    Tonight is a crucial game and to waste a sub on the right back in the first half could be costly.

     

     

    HH

  20. Just seen we beat dons young team 1-0..

     

     

     

    Anyone see the game.. How did we play etc ?

     

     

     

    Shankland was on for them.. We still chasing him ? Think was Lennybhoy mentioned that before….

  21. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Gordon:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Lustig/ Ambrose/ Janko/:::::::::::::::::::::Boyata::::::::::::::VVD::::::::::::::::::::Izzy/Chas ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Brown:::::::::::::::::Bitton::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::Forrest::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Armstrong:::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Johansen:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Griffiths:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/own-the-field-celtic/#sthash.ouRgLNZ7.dpuf

     

     

    I would concur with that.

  22. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    PROUDBHOY. There is no way that Lustig can be 100% fit before the injury last week he was playing through the pain barrier with the help of medication.The knock he took last week will not have improved matters.It is wither Ronny wants to play with an unfit Lustig or a fit Efe Ambrose we will have to wait and see. H.H.

  23. bournesouprecipe

     

     

    As long as no one is going to usurp Du Wei’s “He’s a bombscare in the Scottish Cup” crown, I’m cool with whatever they decide.

  24. thomthethim for Oscar OK on

    BSR,

     

     

    Do we still call them empire biscuits.

     

     

    Thanks for the feedback on Tom’s piece.

     

     

    He managed to get “new incarnation” and “R……(markII) ” in. Although “back” sneaked in, too.

  25. GlassTwoThirdsFull on

    Geordie Munro on 25th August 2015 1:43 pm

     

     

     

    If lustig isnt 100% tonight I’d leave him out.

     

     

     

    Tonight is a crucial game and to waste a sub on the right back in the first half could be costly.

     

    ———

     

    Atletico blew a CL win by starting with an injured Costa and having to sub him off after 15 mins.

  26. friends still trying to find Somewhere in León Spain showing the game if anybody can help

     

    ta

  27. Mr Pastry

     

     

    We haven’t been beat in our last 2 trips to Sweden.

     

     

    We put credible away performances against Maribor, Salzburg, Astra and Dynamo Zagreb