Footballers often play two games a week but their peak fitness levels are achieved when the play once a week. More often than that and the muscles don’t recover quickly enough. Top players’ muscles are finely tuned to deliver 90 minutes of exertion. To reach this peak, they NEED games as well as training. It appears to be beyond the ken of sports scientists to create a training routine which matches actual matches.
Apart from a 25 minute run-out against Hearts two weeks ago, newco’s players will not have played a football game in 22 days when they line-up against the champions on Sunday. If the boot was on the other foot, I would be concerned.
Celtic watchers will note that they score more goals late in games than early. Ronny’s team try to win the battle for territory, the ball and energy before running over the top of opponents. Whatever happens in the opening 20 minutes on Sunday I would expect Celtic to be far more effective in the final 20 minutes of the game, when their superiority will be most effective. There’s a chance newco will crumble early on, but I don’t expect many chances at either end until later in the first half.
While we all know how Celtic will play, it’s harder to figure out how Kenny McDowell will line-up tactically. If he was Ross County manager he would defend his 18 yard line for 90 minutes and hope for a breakaway, but I’m not sure that’s a viable strategy for Sunday. Lose an early goal and he would be caught between damage limitation and attempting to get back into the game. It could get very messy.
My hunch is that he’ll play a conventional 4-5-1 and attempt to find space out wide behind Celtic’s full-backs for Kenny Miller to run into. The full-backs will play forward, there will be space, we’ve just got to be faster than the 35-year-old ex-Celt now plying his trade in the lower leagues.
Despite their form against Hibs and Hearts this season, newco have an excellent record against Premiership competition in the cups. Three wins, against Inverness (only one point behind Aberdeen on same games played), St Johnstone and Kilmarnock, without a goal conceded, is a measure of what they are capable of, when they put their minds to it.
The wins against Kilmarnock and Inverness are particularly noteworthy, as both Premiership clubs enjoyed the majority of possession, but were frustrated in attack and hit with sucker-punches. This is what McDowell will seek to do at Hampden.
Ronny, get the job done. Very, very, very, thoroughly.
A reminder for North American readers that the Annual Celtic Supporter’s Féile is on in Philadelphia this weekend. The events include live music each day, the US premier of The Asterisk Years, with a Q&A with Paul Larkin and Graham Wilson of Beyond the Waves podcast, as well as live coverage the semi-final. You can find out more, including how to book, here.
Have you booked for the CQN11 Str Patrick’s Dinner on Friday, 13 March? We’re hoping to raise enough money to build Mary’s Meals a school kitchen in Malawi. Mary’s meals emailed an hour ago with a report on one of the kitchens we built last year, in Kholoni, where they are now feeding 1245 children each day, a considerable increase in the roll-call since the availability of kitchen facilities, see the photo above.
Email me for tickets, celticquicknews@gmail.com (to the Dinner, not Malawi).
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4-4
4-4 Andy dumped an easy shot into the net
theboywithmcgraininhisside – You’re a gent. Thanks. Someone told me the Blue Goose was closed! Will give it a try anyway. Thanks again.
Morning Hoops wherever yi are, called in to the latest new bar in Burgas last night for a swatch at the butchers aprons adoring the wall inside as well as outside lol.
Asked if they have the game on today reply: yes the R*ngers game is live hmmmmmmm.
good job my local has the CELTIC game on that’s all i can say.-)
A really good starting point for any new would be bar owners buying abroad is: learn the language 1st -)))))
5-4 Djokovic. First time he’s been ahead in tie break
4-5 down Andy to serve
5-5
5-5 Great shot Andy
Ach 5-6
Blew that could have killed it
Andy misses an easy volley
6-5 Djokovic and has serve for set
HT
is that code for the minx keeping you in?
Sips
I will text you regardless.
Novak first set 7-5
Oops 7-5 tie break
7-6 first set
Andy returns into net
Djokovic wins 7-6 72 minutes.
Tight game
Canamalar
Takes a big Mhan to apologise.
Hail Hail to u sir.
72 min for first set ffs if this goes to 5 sets Andy might miss the Celtic game :-)
Burghbhoy,
No really, I have argued with most on here and know they are not idiots :)
I should have been less lazy :)
Sios
text on its way
I relay wish today was over.
When we played Rangers I always woke thinking of the game, the team selection, how it might pan out. Knowing that the unpredictability meant it could be a great day or an awful one.
But today I just hope for no serious injuries to players or fans and any win. This will not be a game to savour. An awful pitch and a team that knows its only hope is to spoil our game will see to that. We will win this one in the players’ heads. They must stay calm despite provocation. They must avoid silly tackles and retaliation at all costs. And they must stay patient against a mass defence.
Right now I will take a really dull 1 – 0.
canamalar,
So, going with your opinion the three season books I buy to watch Celtic and all other merchandise means… I’m just a glory hunter for going to support my team today.
Your at the wind up and me, the dafty has bit.
Well, I hope that is the case.
Gordon J…,
I believe we will have at least two player crocked for Europe as a result of today’s old firm game
sipsini,
How often do you travel to away games ?
G’mornin’……..
Glorious day here on THE Rebel Frontline.
As for the Celtic game today – I’ll watch it, of course, in the expectation that we beat
whomsoever is in front of us.
Always will.
As for the huns ,it’s thems that support thum we want to beat.
Horrible lot.
However, I don’t know anyone, not one, who wants this game back.
Challenge the myth, challenge the lie.
HHH.
Canamalar.
Good on you for the that .
Cheers
2nd set 1-0 Andy
Novak has serve
Canamalar,
I fear you might be right. It;s not going to be an easy watch today at all
A big Hoopy Birthday to Uly…a great day to celebrate…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Interesting unforced errors:
20 Novak 10 Andra
bankibhoy1,
I’m reliably informed there are 25000 turning up today who disagree with you.
The old firm is back with a bang, the numbers don’t lie.
Gordonj
dont know were all the pessimism is coming from, this game is an absolute shoe in
Break 2-0 Andy
Novak looks injured!!
Early break Andy 2-0
Correction he is fine hehehe superb play by the Serb
Lurcy,
Many happy returns
Surely Craig Thomson wont think about cheating today
canamalar,
To be honest, I don’t i can’t afford it, my kids do now and again. I prefare to put my money into our club.
Let’s leave it at that, I need to get ready, to hopefully watch my team pump a reincarnation.
Keep safe all. Hail Hail
Hoping for 6-0 to the Champs elect today. A first half hat-trick for Lustig and a second half hat-trick for half time substitute Guidetti. That’ll do nicely.
Canamalar- what’s your view on supporters who go to a Rugby Park, home of the Newco supporters?