Since a couple of flat performances against Sion in the qualifying round, Celtic have reserved some of their most organised performances of the season for the Europa League, despite the lack of a victory. Honourable defeat in Madrid followed by more-than-credible draws against Udinese and Rennes suggest there is more to this Celtic team that we see in the SPL.
It’s hard to look forward to the second half of the season and the potential for knock out football in the Europa League but if Celtic get their act together, a win tonight could go a long way towards restoring the reputation of the club, and a few players.
How Neil Lennon responds to yet more injury absentees is difficult to imagine. I’m not expecting fluency from a makeshift defence and midfield, although Celtic Flourished in the Glasgow derby in similar circumstances on 2 January this year, but I’m hoping to see Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes look more like a partnership. We need both players on form and enjoying their work if any progress is to be made.
Busy day ahead but the Hearts situation is possibly worth a discussion this afternoon. The scenario changes by the day at Ibrox but that conversation will need to wait.
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Bom dia,
Anybody out there got access to this week’s Celtic View? There’s supposed to be an article in it about the Rio Fergus McCann CSC.
If anybody has, a scanned copy much appreciated (or “obrigado” as they say in them here parts).
PS. Flamengo now two months in arrears with payment of Ronaldinho’s (well over inflated) wages. However, that’s small beer compared to Universitario (Peru) who beat Vasco 2-0 last night in the Copa Sul Americana SF, 1st leg. They’ve not paid any of their players this last FIVE months!
Kinda puts a different spin on the hackneyed phrase “playin for the shirt”, eh?
Some posters are saying Samaras is the man for to-night. He has played his part in guiding Greece into the European finals next summer and perhaps they are right. He does seem to play better against continental opposition where he is not kicked off the park.
Dontbrattbakkinanger says:
3 November, 2011 at 12:25
Watchin’ the ole ‘Frozen Planet’ last night, got me thinkin’ that one of those ragin’ bull elephant seals is what we need to strengthen the ole sieve.
Four tons of muscle and blubber on the hoof, only one winner.
Especially if he thinks Kyle Lafferty is after his ho’s.
DBBIA/PermafrostCSC.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Well. We do have the muscle.
AND – if you are using “blubber” as a verb – we’ve had that too. In spades!!
You’re elected my good man.
BTW – what about that thieving penguin? Eh?
Sneaky glances over the shoulder before stealing thon poor bugger’s pebbles. And then scurrying back like blazes!
Bit of a rascal that one.
I’m liking this new Magnanimous Awsomeness Philvis
That made me laugh out loud; the non-sequitur as well as the spelling.
Did you hear about the unlucky grammarian who was bitten by a hypen, ruptured his colon, and lapsed into a comma? (thumbsup)
Philvis! You spoiled it!
Parkheadcumsalford says:
3 November, 2011 at 12:42
Don’t you know it is “cool” to hate Samaras these days?
The Battered Bunnet – thumbs up to you
(thumbsup)
Samaras would be a tactically-tuned managers dream!
Unfortunately we don’t have such a key member of staff at our diposal…
bamboo
I blame Gazza flute playing days for the high elbow actions
Commas abuse!! I remember the days on this blog when people were harshly criticised for mixing their zeugmas with their syllepses.
Look upon my works ye mighty and despair!!
Dharma Bam – I’m more used to hearing those words from women. (thumbsup)
Talk of Neil having 2 games to save his job is utterly ridiculous.
He has had to manage without the majority of his preferred first team for most of the season. The Majority !! Not the occasional player being absent.
In addition he has had to visit Tynecastel and Ibrox with 2 days rest after European games, where the opposition have both had a full week, and almost injury free squads to prepare.
Add in the fact that the ONLY new player that Neil prioritised who actually was signed was Kelvin Wilson.
Injuries , competitive disadvantage and board failure are where we are today.
Neil has made some mistakes, he is a ROOKIE manager, it comes with the territory. However he needs the same support now got last year. He is our best and only hope of turning the season around.
And anyway, i wouldn’t give the neanderthals who plague his life up here the satisfaction of seeing him fired.
I always feel the same on match days.. I still believe we can win.
Usually last for until about 20 mins in to the game.
Today I feel it stronger than of late.. Time for the players with anything about them to show it.
I’m not McCourts biggest fan but I really hope he was standing outside Lenny’s door this morning waiting to stare his case.. I hope commons was trying to push him out the way to stake his claim.
Kayal starts earning his pay rise tonight and letting Lenny know he is looking for the armband.Ledley should be mulling that one over and trying to out play Kayal to show his credentials..
This will hopefully have the effect of inspiring the others or expose them as the Lilly livered charlatans that they have been so far.
Tonight the fightback begins.. They can’t win Europa or SPL but they can win back their pride.
Tonight is a bit about the team but a lot about individuals. Right now the players with grit and talent need to set a new level for their team mates but firstly for themselves…
C’mon Bhoys get wired right in and fill the shirts!
This is a time for
…
Heroes
Philvis,
I can only assume it’s due in some way to interference from your constant thumbsup…
Just, ordere’d “kevins'” Christmas present????
Hercule Piorot – wasn’t he related in some way to Didier Agatha?
Celtic 3-1 Rennes
“Sack The Board NOW or, we’ll pass the huns on the way down!!!”
Off oot.
May God Bless ‘Every’ Celtic Fan.
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Dick,
I know a joke about that.
I would take tonight as an opportunity to try the old 3-5-2 line up that served us so well in the past.
Forster
Dan/Glenda/Wanyama
Matthews/Twardzik
Forrest/Kayal/Ki/Commons
Sammi
Well actually that’s more of a 3-2-4-1
Alternatively 4-2-3-1
Forster
Matthews/Dan/Glenda/Twardzik
Kayal/Wanyama
Forrest/McCourt/Commons
Sammi
We have a let back in the squad in young Twardzik so for gods sake lets use him!
I’d play big Sammi wide tonight as I feel that’s his true position really. He works hard, tracks back and sometimes he can be brilliant. My message then to Lenny,,PLAY BIG SAMMI
Hail Hail
KINGLuBO
ps I’ll await the usual anti Sammi abuse with interest!!!!
Anthony Stokes may get sick occasionally but the guy is never injured.
What does he put in his porridge and perhaps he can let Kelvin Wilson and a whole posse of our central defenders into the secret- injury liabilities the lot of them.
Just listening to the Celtic Underground podcast – interview with John Cairney.
He speaks so well – great interview.
Is Commons fit enough to go straight back into the first team??????????
Hail hail
Off Oot from kevin means his carer is at the door… :)
People who don’t recognize Samaras as the most technically gifted player we have no very little about football.
Nevis open to criticism for not finishing.. But that’s because we play him 1 up front.. When as an AT&T king midfielder he’d be outstanding. I’d play him in the ‘hole’ behind McCourt and Stokes.
Count how many headers he eons tonight, watch how many times he is forced to hold on to the ball.Loads!
Watch how often he wastes his passes. Few.
He is not getting the chance to show his stuff as a 1 up front forward.
He needs to sit behind the forwards as he has the motor to sprint beyond them if the correct balls are put through
If tactics changed to suit him he’d Neva hero at Celtic, alas I suspect he’s for the off in Jan..his departure will mark the end of an era for Celtic. It will be a long time before we see an EPL standard player in the Hoops again.
“Samaras has all the main attributes a world class striker requires strength, skill, pace and power. He can play as a lone striker or with a partner, and has sometimes played on the wing with Greece and Celtic. His height means he can play as a target man and he can be effective with his back to goal where he can bring others into play. He can also run at defenders with his pace. His weakness which prevents him from playing at a world class level is his consistency. He has always been known to be unplayable on his day, however he only occasionally fulfills his potential.”
HH
DB67
Howdy fholks, is the game on sky tonight?
Kevin…..
Take two paracetamol and lie down with a hot water bottle on your tummy.
That should get rid of the period pain, then you can start behaving normally.
My team for tonight
Zaluska
Cha Loovens Majstorovic Ledley
Forrest Kayal Wanyama Commons
Stokes Samaras
Subs
Forster, Wilson, Ki, Hooper, George, McCourt, Twradiz
HH
ASonOfDan – Off Oot from kevin means his carer is at the door… :)
Yeah I know. (thumbsup)
ESPN
Ibleedgreenandwhite1
Re Commons…lol
Just need to take the neck brace off !
Philvis, are you Paul McCartney?
CultsBhoy hates being 2nd says:
3 November, 2011 at 13:22
People who don’t recognize Samaras as the most technically gifted player we have no very little about football.
Nevis open to criticism for not finishing.. But that’s because we play him 1 up front.. When as an AT&T king midfielder he’d be outstanding. I’d play him in the ‘hole’ behind McCourt and Stokes.
Count how many headers he eons tonight, watch how many times he is forced to hold on to the ball.Loads!
Watch how often he wastes his passes. Few.
He is not getting the chance to show his stuff as a 1 up front forward.
He needs to sit behind the forwards as he has the motor to sprint beyond them if the correct balls are put through
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i agree completely m8 but i dont think he is an EPL standard player
HH
DB67
Cheers!