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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Best wishes to TCR for a speedy and complete recovery from a disgraceful attack, from a wet and stormy Bermuda.
Would play Efe tonight. Would also play Charlie in front of Izzy. That would leave JF and LG playing in front of Jo H.
COYBIG
Celtic team v Malmo – Ko 7:45 – live on BT Sport Europe
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 9s9 seconds ago
CELTIC v Malmo: Gordon; Janko, Boyata, van Dijk, Mulgrew; Brown, Bitton; Forrest, Johansen, Armstrong; Griffiths #UCL (MD)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 21s22 seconds ago
Celtic subs: Izaguirre, Ambrose, Ciftci, Commons, Mackay-Steven, Rogic, Bailly #UCL (MD)
Happy with the team.
HH
Please, please, please no silly mistakes Celtic.
Bmcuw, beatbhoy & jamesgang
Thanks for updates this morning I had to dash away to work and just catching up on TCR news
Absolutely horrifying – football just doesn’t seem important right now
Hoping TCR, from his posts on here a thoroughly decent man, makes a speedy & full recovery and back to chatting away on here as a soon as possible.
HH
Saidy starting
JUDE2005. Well done fella you called it right. H.H.
interesting FBs – surely must have Malmo scratching their heads – GOOD.
Bench gives us good options also – COYBIG
I’m very surprised to see we are playing such an important game with a defence that have never once played together…hmmmmm
Home in Holland for this one after 3 weeks on the road. Have no idea what tactics and formation are right for defending a 3-2 lead. We have to trust Ronny.
Personally I’ve gone for wine with dinner, even though it’s a Tuesday, and Brand pilsner chilling .
Shout out to Heraghty’s, I’m there in spirit
I cannot believe IZZI has been left out
Evening all.
Best wishes to TCR.
A sad reflection on society. Scumbags.
Of out shortly to watch the hoops in a boozer full of Tims.
Pre match tension.
Let’s hope Celtic are more streetwise than last week. If so class will prevail.
Hope yer team wins.HH
Celtic team v Malmo – Ko 7:45 – live on BT Sport Europe
Celtic Football Club @celticfc
CELTIC v Malmo: Gordon; Janko, Boyata, van Dijk, Mulgrew; Brown, Bitton; Forrest, Johansen, Armstrong; Griffiths subs: Izaguirre, Ambrose, Ciftci, Commons, Mackay-Steven, Rogic, Bailly
Starry
I reckon Ronny has decided that attack is the best form of defence :-)
HH
starry
Efe and Izzy bashers in joint night off.
Only possible surprises are at full back. The rest of the team picks itself.
We are good enough to score a goal or two over there. A solid, disciplined performance and quick breaking will see us through tonight.
Was Eric Riley not on the sfa board, or spfl board?
If so will that leave a vacancy for someone from another club to get on.
Funny that, especially after yon died club were only saying last week that they should have a rep onboard.
I agree witH Ronny’s team selection tonight 101%….
Now on to business.
John Kennedy, David Marshall, Liam Miller were all pitched in young. Made them men.
Mon the hoops.
THE EXILED TIM
All big lads at the back,I’m always a wee bit worried about Chaz’s lack of pace at full back but he’s a good reader of them game so should be alright, also he’s never played with Armstrong…hmmmm
Swapping both full backs, I’m starting to pave the carpet:))
Big back 4 – Fire and Ice in the middle – and buckets of pace front 4 …
What’s not to like …
Well bhoys we cannae say Ronny doesnt take risks. H.H.
bournesouprecipe
Got it Ronny changed the team so we can get some peace on CQN..
Top Bhoy Ronny
Oops… I should have mentioned in my previous post…
for anyone who is based in India but does not have Ten Sports on their TV package, you can register on the website and then pay for Live Streaming of the match, it’s a whopping 30 Rupees = 29p !
http://www.tensports.com/services/subscribe?enode=27732&t=1440524251213
Good luck, fleagle1888
Just on from yesterday,terrible news about TCR. Hope and pray he makes a full recovery. Now off to daughter’s house to watch the ‘Tic.Confident but not overdoing it! COYBIG,!
Starry
I’m struggling to type, I have bitten ma nails to the bone, haven’t been so nervous for a long time.
I’m sure they have been training with that back four, and I don’t expect Charlie to be bombing forward.
I trust Ronny, it’s up to the players now,
HH
Good solid line-up. Lustig too much of a risk. Janko will be fine. Unlucky on Izzy, but Charlie more disciplined and gives us something on set-plays.
1-1. Commons maybe to play a part.
A Malmo evening shining bright, the streets afire wae Celtic passion,
Like tumshies served on Rabbie’s night, these Swedes are due a right good mashin’ …… :)
Hail hail
Estadio
I’m happy with that back 4.
COYBIG
NEWRADBHOY on 25TH AUGUST 2015 6:38 PM
Was Eric Riley not on the sfa board, or spfl board?
Eric Riley is one of the 3 Premiership members on the board of the SPFL until next summer presumably when the clubs annually elect a new board
Starry,
You have a sharp wit , as well as a sharp eye!
All 6 of the Bhoys in the Scotland squad starting tonight – something else for Malmo to ponder on ?
starry
Not surprised about RB slightly disappointed about LB.
Hope Mulgrew doesn’t have a Legia
Afternoon all,
First off…a terrible thing to happen to TCR but it is good to read he is on the mend. I hope the sewer rats that carried out the attack are dealt with accordingly, within or without the law. All for a mobile, FFS!
Just read the line up for tonight and Ronny has made me more nervous what with benching Izzy.
I suppose we will know in about 3 hours whether Ronny is a tactical genius or just plain crazy.
Hail Hail
Embramike, The way things are going, Wee Gordon Strachan will soon be able to field a complete Scotland side entirely from Celtic!
Well, I WAS confident about a win until I saw Charlie at LB.
Big Big call by the manager.
Bsr,
Or a Braga.
Many many moons ago but I still have nightmares about him that night.
HH
Countdown to kick off
55 minutes and counting
Very happy with the side.
Now it is up to the players.