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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Not surprised he went for Janko & will reserve comment until after the game. Neither would have been my choice but hopefully Ronny’s faith in both full back selections pays off.
Nervous night ahead but still keeping he faith. HH!
bournesouprecipe
Exactly my thoughts amigo..
Can’t remember their right winger though I think Izzy packed him up and posted him back to Sweden if I remember correctly:))
Feck it we are Celtic:))
Mon the Hoops:))
I see us taking three again of this lot tonight.
TCR,
A wee prayer for a full and speedy recovery, with a bit of luck. Karma will deal with your assailants.
Well I will stick my neck on the line I am happy to see Charlie at left back instead of Izzy Charlies height will be useful when defending corners also he can take a mean free kick. H.H.
Disappointed on Izzy not starting, I’d guess Ronnie see Charlie as a better defensive option – but we’ll lose something going forward on the left.
Still… Intae thum
Ronny has built a team that plays better football than Malmo. Therefore, we should win and Ronny will deserve the plaudits along with the players.
However, every CL qualifier is a tie you CAN lose. Whether the player or the manager deserve the brickbats for losing, if it happens, is a matter for individual judgement.
Let’s hope we don’t find out and that CQN is spared a visit from our infrequent visitors, the Celtic supporting anhedonists
Bournesouprecipie, re Mulgrew ,Snap. My first thoughts too.
Dharma Bam
Cheers mate. It’s all black and white tae me:)))
HH
The right back slot was always up for grabs and although I’m a genuine fan of Efe I can imagine the pre-match mood on here had he been chosen to start.
A bit surprised that Izzy doesn’t start but he has been shown to be a potential weak link in Europe – Qarabag excepted – and Charlie is an able deputy so long as he keeps it simple and limits his 70-yard Beckenbaur passes to a minimum.
I suppose the feeling of surprise is because both full backs have changed although one of those was pretty certain to happen from the moment Lustig went down 6 nights ago.
They HAVE to win. WE don’t – but we will anyway!
When you BELIEVE there’s no mountain you can’t climb.
por Efe and Izzy, Ronny obviously been reading the blog. Who will the moaners blame instead? Lawell i guess…..
We don’t need Izzy bombing up the park over hitting/ under hitting crosses.
Charlie won’t cross the half way line, I hope, and his height will nullify the cross to the back post.
Rosenberg will pose a threat.
Janko will need support and will have to be talked through the game.
Big performance required from James.
Wee Saidy looks chuffed at getting into starting line up.
http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/gjsxU0s.gif
There’s that music again!
Mulgrew wasn’t RB with Legia, he tried to play where Biton plays.
COYBIG
Lets win this game
This is a night for keeping it simple. For hard work and maximum concentration. For speed and power.
A night for heroes to emerge.
A wee bit cautious about the Bhoyata and Janko partnership, when they’ve played together Bhoyata has never looked settled hopefully they can jell
I’m bricking it,gave maself a good talking tae,we will go
on no matter what.
COYBIG
SFTB
Let’s hope we don’t find out and that CQN is spared a visit from our infrequent visitors, the Celtic supporting anhedonists
Excellent description of those who can’t find any joy in Celtic, win or lose.
thomthethim
True, although Charlie is filling in for Izzy, he’s also replacing Mikael Lustig as the tall guy who stays back?
For some reason, I have been somewhat calm and confident about this game …. but now the butterflies in my stomach are just starting to awaken …. wouldn’t be a big game, if I wasn’t a bit nervous.
And on more important news, I’m glad to hear TCR is on the mend.
All set here in Corfu. Nervous but also confident we can get the job done. Team looks good. More defensive minded which is what we need. Cmon the hoops!
HH
Claustrophic looking stadium no athletics track here.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 25TH AUGUST 2015 7:04 PM
thomthethim
True, although Charlie is filling in for Izzy, he’s also replacing Mikael Lustig as well.
****
Exactamento. So, on balance, the right decision, I hope!
I’m very confident about tonight
2-0 Celtic
HH
SFTB…….anhedonists,ffs keep it simple the night,cannae be
running tae google every two minutes.
MONTHEHOOOOOOOOPS!!!!!!!
LIVE UPDATES ARTICLE IS UP BHOYS AND GHIRLS
COME ON YOU BHOYS IN GREEN
I think ronny has made a mistake here with his team selection.
Playmaker, goal scorer, team captain are all vital roles but everyone knows all great teams need a scapegoat. To leave your 2 best scapegoats on the bench for such a crucial game is irresponsible.
Let’s just hope some other player can step up and be tonight’s scapegoat
Team is as expected, which means they will have prepaired to play against this team too I expect. Hoped we would try something unexpected, but also trust Ronny. Have a kind of relaxed feeling about this, I think its under control, and we will go through. Hope so anyway……!!!
We don’t need to chase from the start, and I don’t remember them creating anything without an error from us first, so hopefully they don’t have enough to break us down if we concentrate on defending and keeping the ball.
And I think we have enough on the bench if we have to go for plan B, and need a goal.
Paul67 et al
Will not be pushed over physically with that team. Wee bit of nous and we will get the right result.
Come on the Celts!
Well am not a Mulgrew fan but I hope he plays the game of his life.
I am nervous but we are the better team . Time to show that when it counts.
Agree that Forrest has a chance to make his name – again. He could be the key. Stand up young man.
Here we go again
If Celtic don’t lose a goal the first 10 minutes or last 10 minutes then they win the game. Its a big ask tho’ as history tells us these are the times when they are prone to errors.
Left side Mulgrew and Armstrong, not expecting much attacking but solid defence. Right side is the opposite with Janko and Forrest. Interesting.
Just a 2-0 victory it is then.
Come on ye Bhoys in green.
Nails gnawed to the quick, come on finish the job for us bhoys, COME ON.