The script for tomorrow’s League Cup semifinal could hardly be better for broadcaster and sponsor, Premier Sports. Celtic and Aberdeen are locked at the top of the table, having only dropped points to each other and opened up a healthy gap on the receding pack.
Aberdeen’s early season promise faced big tests over the last two weeks: Celtic, at Celtic Park, where they earned an enormously credible draw; then Newco, whom they beat at home to revive something akin to the Spirit of Gothenburg 83.
Football, however, doesn’t allow for rest. They face Celtic tomorrow knowing that at least some of us expect the façade to crumble when the seal is broken on their unbeaten run.
As we mentioned earlier in the week and Philippe Clement offered as an excuse on Wednesday night, Aberdeen did not play two in four days between July and the week just finished. Tomorrow, they are forced into action three days after that win over Newco. This stuff matters.
On Wednesday, Brendan Rodger was able to rest half his team, while giving game time to those most in need of it. We are very used to playing every three or four days and will hit the Hampden surface in peak condition. Aberdeen will struggle to cope, especially when the legs fatigue late in the game.
Still, we face a club and a city enjoying a rare moment of prosperous unity. Jimmy Thelin will squeeze every ounce out of his side tomorrow. He knows, this trophy is his best chance of success at Aberdeen. Injuries and suspensions will eventually sap their momentum, while Celtic will likely not have so many European ties during the Scottish Cup run.
This is Aberdeen’s biggest game of the season. To them, it will feel like their biggest game in many years, even more than recent cup finals. Celtic will need to be at their best.
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Should be a cracker
Morning all – a hearty welcome back to this dear green place to BRRB.
Laissez le bon temps roulade 🍸
coybig
BADA BING
AJ needs to be offered a better deal than is on the table,would say the same for Taylor, good full backs are hard to find,and expensive
Could you post details of both contract offers on CQN?
Thanks in advance.
Paul 67,
I would not dismiss Aberdeen. I do not think their season will be defined by tomorrow’s game.
We have a great squad, great manager, great stability and great momentum.
However we should and will take nothing for granted. i still vividly remember Alan Hanson’s infamous dismissal.
HH, IBWT
Football will never work like this but I’d quite happily see the back of the league cup for a point against Liepzig. Tuesday night is infinitely more important in stature.
I hope BR is keeping Tuesday in mind when he’s drawing up his team sheet for tomorrow night.
Tom- it’s very simple to work out,both have been offered contract extensions,neither has signed,so obviously we need to offer more,not difficult to work it out
Fanciful stuff. If Aberdeen didn’t run out of steam in the Scottish Cup semi-final at the tail end of last season, to expect them to do so tomorrow, is being disingenuous in extremis. As for Celtic being more used to playing midweek games, well we didn’t play any in August and only one in September. True we played three in October, but we weren’t exactly firing on all cylinders against Dundee. We will beat the Dons if we play at or near our best, not because their legs will go. Thats for the birds.
Id be all for getting AJ an extension. Taylor has done well but his next contract will be the most lucrative of his career given his age. He’ll be eying up a nice signing on fee as well, a top championship team awaits.
We should already be looking at LB options for next season. I wish Greg all the best, hopefully he’ll have a few more medals for his collection before his goodbyes are done.
AN DÚN on 1ST NOVEMBER 2024 12:19 PM
I’d hope Brendan is planning for both, it’s the sort of challenge we should be embracing.
Looking forward to a really hard fought match up. Aberdeen seem to be very competitive in tight matches, this should be a real test
An Dún on 1st November 2024 12:19 pm
Football will never work like this but I’d quite happily see the back of the league cup for a point against Liepzig. Tuesday night is infinitely more important in stature.
I hope BR is keeping Tuesday in mind when he’s drawing up his team sheet for tomorrow night.
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Your overall point has merit and I’m sure there will be others in agreement. However a cup semi-final is a big deal in our domestic season.
I’m hope Brendan will send out the strongest eleven tomorrow and we look to impose ourselves in the first-half, just like we did at Celtic Park a couple of weeks ago.
I think we will tighter with CCV back and see no reason that we can’t have a repeat of the 2-0 lead at the break. What we don’t want is repeat of the first twenty minutes of the second period. Let’s not forget that we totally dominated in the first half at Celtic Park and I see no reason that we won’t do it again
If we get a third goal then changes can be made with Tuesday in mind. – 3-0, 3-1 is my expectation. This will be my first Hampden game for three years and I’m looking forward to a ‘swashbuckling’ performance
Good morning
Just a wee reminder that Frank(formerly VFR) is organising a dinner dance in aid of the St Margaret’s adoption society in the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park on Friday 22nd November.
A great chance for us to get together and help a great cause
Annual Dinner Dance
Friday 22nd November 2024
#we’rehavingaball
St Margaret’s has organised a fundraising dinner dance in the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park on Friday, November 22 at 7:00PM complimentary drink at 7:00 for seating at 7:30pm. Although it is not a black-tie event, it is smart dress.
Entertainment:
Live music provided by The Lego Men
MC/Guest Speaker: Peter Martin: Presenter, reporter, commentator, writer, producer and host of the The Football Show on PLZ Soccer
As it is a charity fundraiser, there will be a raffle and auction on the night.
Tickets are £50 per head and a table of 10 can be reserved for £500. For tickets or further information, please contact us:
Telephone: 0141 332 8371
Mobile: 07368 649579
E-mail: info@stmargaretsadoption.org.uk
#we’rehavingaball
If you are interested in donating a raffle prize or auction item or would like to sponsor the event in any way, please contact us on 07368 649579 or e-mail frank@stmargaretsadoption.org.uk
Here is the detail of the evening:
7:00 – Drinks Reception
7:30 – Seating in Kerrydale Suite
7:45 – Welcome from Jacky Sheeran
7:55 – Grace by Canon Tom White
8:00 – Meal served
9:30 – Peter Martin chat
9:45: Peter – Play your cards right game
10:00 – Music by Lego Men
10:45 – Peter conducts auction & raffle
11:15 – Music by Lego Men
11:45 – last orders and band finish
12:00 – guests leave
Hail Hail
Bada Bing
Ref Greg and AJ
You are over simplifying it a fair bit. Which some might say is a strength.
Facts are correct though.
My view is neither players see Celtic as their ceiling regardless of levels of extra pay we could deliver.
Wee Greg ‘checked out’ on this a while ago but not so certain on AJ.
We obv can get some return on AJ but Greg’s will need delivered on the park balance of season as we integrate young Valle whom we really should secure imo.
We should have AJ replacement lined up via Brendan’s own team of recruiters (sarcasm fyi) and therin lies one of our few problems imo.
B78- I thought GT had stepped up a level before he got injured, as for AJ,why do have to keep selling our best players? All the players know how much each other is on,he will know his worth in amongst all that,as long as he’s not being reasonable, deal him in,we need to try and keep a core of players which helps the overall squad.
Burnley78 on 1st November 2024 12:49 pm
My view is neither players see Celtic as their ceiling regardless of levels of extra pay we could deliver.
Wee Greg ‘checked out’ on this a while ago but not so certain on AJ.
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I think you may be right, but I hope you’re wrong.
If you are looking to ‘check-out’ of Scottish Football for greener pastures, whether that be as a manager, or, player; you must do do it whilst you’re successful and on top of your game, e.g. Brendan, Ange & Gerrard – O’Riley, Jota & Miovski
Both GT and AJ have been consistent in their form in a successful team. I’m sure their agents are doing as all agents do and looking for their next move. So as you say it may well come down to aspirations to play at a higher level(ceiling) rather than a new pay offer at Celtic. HH
Celtic the Musical returns, with new dreams and songs to sing! The much-loved show will be back for another hotly-anticipated run next year, with tickets on sale now.
The updated show will run at The Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow from Thursday 4 – Saturday 27 September 2025, with evening performances starting at 7:30pm and Saturday matinees at 2:30pm.
A wee Christmas present for someone….
Happy Friday all!
Kasper
AJ.. CCV..Trusty….Taylor
Engels Calmac Bernardo
Kuhn…Kyogo…Maeda
Celtic let Aberdeen off the hook in Parkhead and ‘first pick’ eleven is out of date, because it’s a squad game now Scales Hatate Idah and even McCowan could just as easily start. Aberdeen’s overnight successful progression is good for Celtic, it would have made for a great final.
Anyone know if Idah is back training or definitely out? Kyogo needs an air bag placed around that shoulder of his.
McCowan is cup tied I think
To be clear wee Greg is one of my favourite players. AJ is fast becoming one also. I hate the thought of losing either. Greg for no money and AJ with scope to continue to improve.
Both have agents and both have families. Maximising their returns at peak will be their aims sadly.
Sadly both will do that elsewhere in my view. Not many Calmacs or James F or Broonies around.
DeniaBhoy on 1st November 2024 1:24 pm
Anyone know if Idah is back training or definitely out? Kyogo needs an air bag placed around that shoulder of his.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Yes, the shoulder. Opposing defenders often try to pull his arm, presumably in the hope that they can do some damage. Happened again in the Dundee game.
Weeron
I’ve a feeling AJ will get signed up
Random log-outs. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr
It is much harder for our defenders to move on given the standard of the league. Outstanding players like Virgil and Kieran excepted our full backs are miles behind these ghuys.
Both will re-sign in my view
HH
Interesting debate on our fullbacks…
Firstly what CELTIC40ME stated in the last thread regarding AJ’s prospect position is quite wrong, AJ had played over thirty games for Canada and was doing very well in the world cup when we signed him at twenty four years old – a sweet spot I’d suggest.
His first game, he was thrown in the deepend in a Glasgow Derby at Ibrox and was magnificent and (baring injuries) has never looked back.
However, he recently got engaged and for a smart lad like Alistair that would mean a serious commitment.
Does he want a family? If so when? If so where? If so how much financial security does his family need?
My guess the answers to that would be every bit as important as footballing reasons.
There is a saying live in Canada but leave before you get too soft, live in Glasgow but leave before you get too hard…
…actually, I may have made that up;)
As for Greg – his work here is done, he’s had a great innings at Celtic, especially as he was a back up, who time and time again rose to the challenge and became Celtic’s mainstay at left back through three successive managers.
Hopefully he’ll be on board to the end of the season yet third in the pecking order might not suit him at all.
We can be confident that Brendan and our team of recruiters will back fill any vacancies with better (FYI that’s not sarcasm, that is fact;)
Hail Hail
Johnston has proved miles better than Juranovic who’d have thunked it.
BSR
I agree Celtic v Aberdeen would have made a great final , but I guess we’ll just have to settle for Celtic v Motherwell -)))
BOURNESOUPRECIPE @ 1:50 PM,
Agreed, a very smart bit of recruitment, backfilled a Croatian International in a very timely manner, ensuring AJ was up to speed before JJ went…
All the time having oor Tony as back up…
Hail Hail
Bada Bing
Unfortunately you are correct re Luke being cup tied. Probably why we played him for 90 mins on Wednesday.
Hopefully Cal Reo Bernardo and Engels can step up. Given time played it will be harder for Holm.
Noted that Zagreb who are potential rivals in CL qualification and Sporting have brought their games this weekend forward to Friday night.
Pity our game could not have been squeezed in earlier also.
That said Leipzig have a tricky tie visiting an out of sorts Dortmund at 5.30pm Saturday also. Then a 3 hour drive home before travel to Glasgow on Monday.
Chairboy
A bit premature suggesting BR recruitment is good never mind great.
Idah when on loan is the only one to actually deliver a trophy and make a difference.
Let’s see what the other expensively assembled group can do.
AJ / MOR / GT / CCV / The Japanese / Bernardo / Jota etc all from a previous era.
Putting a yes man in a football head role may or may not be good for Celtic. Of course it is classic BR. A BR who did many things at CP previously but he did not excel in building a squad and player identification.
Many great things …… I should have said.
Money is always a major consideration but level of competition,for an ambitious player ,is also a factor.
Playing at Dingwall and a plastic pitch at Kilmarnock or Manchester ,Liverpool or London .Its a no brainier HH
57 years ago today one of the more significant but not always recognised things happened to affect Celtic’s history.
Our biggest domestic rivals sacked a good and achieving manager Scott Symon. They did that when top of the league and heading towards a European Cup Winners Cup final with Bayern Munich I believe. All in the aftermath of a freak loss to Berwick Rangers.
They appointed ineffective but nice guy Davie Whyte and Celtic went on to win 8 more league titles in a row. Dominating the late 60s and early 70s. Rangers had dominated Scottish football for 4 decades. They won just 3 league titles from 64 until 87. This decision played its part for sure.
Chairbhoy
And BR’s other January signing Nicolas Kuhn is infinitely better than Tilio Yang and Palma.
His CB summer signing Austin Trusty better than Lagerbielke and Nawrocki 👍
Putting a yes man in a football head role may or may not be good for Celtic.
Or a family member, who has zero experience in that role……