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).
2,618 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- ...
- 69
- »
whats the story with the pitch ? i know the will make it narrower and shorter like they always do when Celtic take the field but is the conditions choppy , bumpy to suit the scrappers tactics?
paul’s approach to this week has been really interesting –
normally focuses on form/tactics/recent history of opponents
all based on evidence (msm free zone)
then a look to how our strengths/tactics fit into the big picture
This week though, he’s spotted RD’s frame of mind/words/communication/outlook and son on.
I wouldn’t have thought of it in a month of Sundays – very interesting but of course there’s a typical paulian warning in there about themsco’s form against spl teams.
Mon the RD
Had a truly busy time at work and settling the lhad into life in Brentford. Thanks to that I have bern away from all the sh*te being spouted about Sundays game.
I will say little, but remain consistent. I am sorry we are playimg that lot again, the world is a better place without games like this. I am not surprised Ashley is keeping them on life support, long enough to squeeze every cocesdion and pound from the board there.
They could win on Sunday, so what ? A Phyrric victory…they will be second best to us for years ahead. Their own arrogance , ignorance and credo has seen to that.
hope it all goes well on Sunday, I will be well away from all of it.
Hail! Hail!
,
canny believe the stuff on here and elswere, what if this happens? what if he plays? what if he doesn’t play? what if they narrow the pitch?.in the cold light of day, they don’t have the players to hurt us, not one ,not one single hun player would get into our team,ffs even had a fud saying he would swop izzie for Wallace in a heart beat,i am not saying we will score a barra load, but theres not a chance in hell this mob will beat us.
stebhoy
18:47 on
30 January, 2015
whats the story with the pitch ? i know the will make it narrower and shorter like they always do when Celtic take the field but is the conditions choppy , bumpy to suit the scrappers tactics?
————————————————————–
calm doon, they canny touch the pitch, its a neutral venue…all teams must agree, the pitch will be the same for all 4 teams..
ffs listen the that auld tube ian on snide, I luv themabsolutely luv them….
Goodnight Timland.
Family matters too attend,let’s keep it positive on here,
the hun are going to get a wee look at their future come
Sunday(if they have one that is)
Kevj…..you sneaking into Hamdump on Sunday?….hope so,
if it all kicks off I want some 1980 veterans amongst the Celtic
fans,nothing beats experience.
Dublinbhoy
Cheers much appreciated. Hopefully I will be able to get it online. I arrive Sat early evening in Miami then drive up to West Palm. First job when I get to hotel is to sort out game.If I can’t get it I will give you a shout.
How’s the weather at the minute? Was looking at forecast and had rain over next few days.
HH
masty
18:57 on 30 January, 2015
canny believe the stuff on here and elswere, what if this happens? what if he plays? what if he doesn’t play? what if they narrow the pitch?.in the cold light of day, they don’t have the players to hurt us, not one ,not one single hun player would get into our team,ffs even had a fud saying he would swop izzie for Wallace in a heart beat,i am not saying we will score a barra load, but theres not a chance in hell this mob will beat us.
—————
How much money did you lose on the Morton game or the numerous other cup games Celtic balls up when defeat seemed impossible.
We have habit of it. Don’t know why.
Here’s hoping we scud them
scud them?..we will rattle the feck outta them…they are shite pure and simple..
masty
19:08 on 30 January, 2015
scud them?..we will rattle the feck outta them…they are shite pure and simple..
——-
And so were Morton, and Clyde and Raith why did we fail there?
http://www.economist.com/news/economic-and-financial-indicators/21640338-football-wealth?fsrc=scn/tw/te/pe/ed/footballwealth
you believe what you want mo chara..this the worse hun team in history…go to yer bed and wake up on Monday…you will see that I am correct..
ffs I must have the same iq as sephen hawkings.
.http://metro.co.uk/2015/01/30/drinking-beer-could-help-keep-your-brain-healthy-says-science-5042231/
Hooptastic
16:54 on 30 January, 2015
Any Florida boys on?
Im flying out tomorrow for a month. Staying in West Palm Beach. Anybody with local knowledge of where to catch the game? Is it on tv that would be on in the hotel?
HH
The game is on FoxSports1 at 830am here in the States, if you are in a hotel check if they have that channel.
The South Florida Celtic Supporters Club is located about 50/60 miles south of West Palm just north of Ft. Lauderdale, Pompano Beach maybe. If you get on the official site and look it up under supporters clubs you should be able to get the address and a phone contact, I think the guy who runs it is John Paton. Hope this helps…
weeman67
john paton is a gorbals bhoy..
Dublinbhoy
The game is on FoxSports1 at 830am……..
Anyone seen Dundee’s new signing Stephen McGinn’s twitter account?
Fair to say he’ll fair noise up Sevco should he ever play against them!
Hooptastic
Tri Rail runs from West Palm Beach to points south………
If you can contact John Paton maybe he can arrange to have you picked up at whatever station is the closest to the club……..
http://www.tri-rail.com
Hooptastic and Weeman
Hooptatsic – weeman has just posted above that the game is on FoxSports1. If thats the case you should be able to watch it at the hotel, as long as they get that channel. I am fairly sure most hotels will have it.
Weather is picking up now after a couple of weeks of, relatively, cool weather….relative to Scotland and Ireland, that is. We may get a few showers next week but the temps are back to normal ie 75f +
Hail Hail
https://mobile.twitter.com/steph67lisboa
Re betting Commons and VVD to score anytime and Celtic to win -2
I don’t know any bookie who would accept such a bet.
———————————————-
Re Unibet offering 4/1 on Celtic to new clients (max £10 stake).
Correct to say there is a condition that you must gamble £80 (if betting £10 initially) before you can withdraw funds.
However the £80 must be bet at odds no shorter than 2/5 (so backing 1/10 so called certs would not count).
HH
masty
19:17 on 30 January, 2015
weeman67
john paton is a gorbals bhoy..
My mother was a Gorbals Ghal…………..
weeman67
19:36 on
30 January, 2015
masty
19:17 on 30 January, 2015
weeman67
john paton is a gorbals bhoy..
My mother was a Gorbals Ghal…………..
————————————————————
so is mine…
Hooptastic
Good luck in your quest and HH……..
Aff oot for Happy Hour……….
Guernica
Stephen is John Mcginn of St Mirren’s brother i think.
All good guys. John’s twitter pic is him challenging Broony.
Bottom line ….. It really is as straightforward as this….
https://twitter.com/pauldevenney/status/561232823177449472
Good evening from East Lothian, awaiting the delivery of my curry and opened a bottle of red. Everyone learning some songs for Sunday , anyone know the words to the famous Glasgow Celtic IRA one, its sung all the time according to the DR :0)
Marrakesh Express @ 16:42…
I was at that midweek Dundee United game (17 December 1969) at Celtic Park and in my opinion the performance that night was as good as any Celtic display during the 9 in a row period – and there were quite a few!
I am looking at the match report and here are some quotes which underline the quality of Celtic’s play that night…
“Celtic roared back to the top of the league at Parkhead last night with a wonder exhibition that left one of their brightest challengers, Dundee United, bewildered and beaten long before half time”
“On a night of magical soccer,Celtic tore raging holes in one of the best defences in Scotland. And a joyful crowd of 26000 waited to a man for the final whistle to acclaim a glorious team”
(That is one of my lasting recollections of the evening too, Celtic being cheered off the pitch).
” They stayed to cheer the incredible little mesmerist, Jimmy Johnstone, who mercilessly shattered United with his wonderful ball control that, at times, left more than half a dozen dazed defenders floundering in the mud”.
“At the end when United were literally on their knees he was picking up the ball in his own penalty area and taking them on five or six at a time”.
The final quote from the Dundee United manager Jerry Kerr summed up the brilliant Celtic performance …”You don’t mind losing…to the world’s greatest team”
Celtic…7 : Auld (2), Hood (16) Gemmell(40 pen) Hughes (42)Wallace (46,52) Murdoch (74)
Dundee United …2 Mitchell (25 pen), Gordon (65)
Celtc : -Fallon, Hay, Gemmell, Murdoch, McNeill, Brogan, Johnstone, Wallace, Hood, Auld, Hughes. sub Craig.
Those were the days!
ffs is that kojo on now?
Masty – you said they don’t have the players to hurt us….that’s my only concern about Sunday! They do have the players to physically hurt us, if the ref lets them away with it.
My worry is we lose a couple of players for vital games due to thugs like McCullough.
We’ve got some really athletic lads in our team and I hope they impose themselves!
T4
We are far too inconsistent to think we will rattle up a score on sunday,
please Celtic just score one more than them and I will be a happy bhoy
First Aid Kit on the blog.!
Best Swedish band since Abba
!!Bada Bing!!
17:10 on 30 January, 2015
‘Re the Flag bollox’
###
The demand that flags are made of fire retardant material came in about 10 years ago after one was set on fire in Italy (I think) when it was being passed over the heads of supporters.
I thought it only applied to large flags/banners, but I may be wrong.
I’m actually looking forward to the game on Sunday… Am I weird?
Tx4
I hear ye mo chara..but this game is now getting way too much exposure for any man in black to let anything go unpunished,the whole of Britain is looking at this one, especially after all the hype surrounding the scum.
Turkeybhoy,
“Off now to the airport.Everyone enjoy the “Humping”.I have seen them all since the 5-1 in 1965/66 Neerday game,,4-0 cup final,5-1 Lubo game,4-0 Lennox hat trick game,6-2 MON game.I was actually at the 7-1 game but too young to remember anything.
I aint going to miss another one.
Jetting in,and jetting out.Ala ,Sir Minty style.”
Everything about that post screams old firm supporter and same club fantasist.
prestonpans bhoys
19:45 on
30 January, 2015
Good evening from East Lothian, awaiting the delivery of my curry and opened a bottle of red. Everyone learning some songs for Sunday , anyone know the words to the famous Glasgow Celtic IRA one, its sung all the time according to the DR :0)
————-
Can’t say I’ve ever heard it at a game, or anywhere else for that matter, but a google search brings this up as the first result.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRgErZEAjMo
If we give them ammunition, then they will not hesitate to use it.