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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I see that someone has started leaking the team news again.
Wednesday night, he/she was spot on.
We’ll see about today.
Not good.
The roll of honour from the Shipbank yesterday;
Clockwise- Fred Colon, Leggy, Thelurkintim, GGH, Magua, Big Jimmy, BRRB, Carpe Diem.
Photographed in glorious technicolour by An Tearmann.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/aPMK4HTXkMKSY3iK6
“vale bhoy on 2nd November 2024 1:58 pm
I see that someone has started leaking the team news again.”
I would think that if `someone` has access to the team news, then there is a fair chance that our professional opposition will also have `access`.
Alex Gordon’s piece this morning – he talks about defenders turning their back on the ball, particularly Trusty at the run up to the equaliser in our recent 2-2 at Celtic Park.
“The American defender, bought for £6million from Sheffield United on deadline day, looks like a fairly polished back-four operator, but someone should tell him that turning his back when an opponent lines up a shot is a massive no-no. It’s one of your humble author’s pet hates when a player ducks out – sometimes quite literally – of his responsibility. Could you ever imagine a goalkeeper doing likewise when an opponent was about to make contact with the ball?”
Facing the ball assiduously and blocking everything that comes to them is the preferred tactic of almost all of our domestic opponents – Dundee being the latest example.
Free-kicks intrigue me – the keeper sets up the wall meticulously, checking all the angles and they pack tight to repel. Then how many times do we see at least one in the wall duck, or, turn their back when the ball’s kicked – I mean, what’s the point?
purely instinctive no ?
bigrailroadblues on 2nd November 2024 2:08 pm
Good to see Big Jimmy back in action.
Saint Stivs on 2nd November 2024 2:12 pm
purely instinctive no ?
I agree that it is but I also think that players can `learn` to combat that instinct.
Hot Smoked on 2nd November 2024 2:09 pm
“vale bhoy on 2nd November 2024 1:58 pm
I see that someone has started leaking the team news again.”
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was a talking point on the celtic exchange, with the team announced on whatsapp groups at 1:30 on wednesday, and all 6 changes known.
Saint Stivs on 2nd November 2024 2:12 pm
purely instinctive no ?
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I would agree, yes, but the majority of our opponents seem to be able to overcome their instincts when defending for their lives. Alex’s goalkeeper point is valid – I know keepers have use of their hands, however I don’t think I’ve seen a keeper duck, or, turn away when a shot is fired at him. HH
Darwin on 2nd November 2024 2:18 pm
Saint Stivs on 2nd November 2024 2:12 pm
” I know keepers have use of their hands, however I don’t think I’ve seen a keeper duck, or, turn away when a shot is fired at him.”
I would say having the use of their hands makes a MASSIVE difference !
BRRB @2:08
Good photo…not a hauf in sight.
What is the leaked team?
simso, craig and gemmell ………………..
After a load of puff from Leanne Crighton, Derek Ferguson chip in with “Celtic’s squad just edge it”.
Aberdeen deserve credit, but I’m starting to get fed up with this nonsense.
Time for Celtic to burst the bubble.
quite remarcable attendance on wendesday night – well done those who made it.
Attendance: 58,751
slipped under the radar but we are 24 domestic games undefeated.
THE BLOGGER FORMERLY KNOWN AS GM on 2ND NOVEMBER 2024 2:30 PM
What is the leaked team?
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Why would a Celtic supporter do this?
Is it just to be a ‘smart Alec’? HH
No idea, but I think it should be quite easy to identify the source.
rumour that it is a disgruntled employ who holds a grudge …… this guy.
https://celticunderground.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/hoopy_tal.jpg
Just looked at the weather on the George Square webcam. Looks pretty much as it is here in Arbroath ie dull but dry.
incidentally, why is the George Square cam static? ie still pictures rather than a live cam?
The huns broke it when they trashed the place.
Be a good idea to have a webcam at Celtic park…maybe no match day though ! 🤪😂
Espanyolification test
eratic on 2nd November 2024 3:09 pm
Be a good idea to have a webcam at Celtic park…maybe no match day though ! 🤪
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Connected without internet 😀
GREENPINATA on 2ND NOVEMBER 2024 3:12 PM
Still got some great cine camera footage my old man took in the late 60s 👍☘️
I hope the ref takes action against the Aberdeen defenders who constantly fouled the Celtic player when they jumped together in the match at Celtic Park.
Eratic,
I bet that would be some watch. Love all the old footage.
I usually take a few photographs at each game and its good to see them pop up on memories. ( Unless im too elephants and forget or i have lost my phone again . 😀 )
Good afternoon all from the Victoria Bar. Some Aberdeen fans in here and the Queens Park Cafe. No problem, that’s one of the differences between us and the hun.
Hot Smoked
That’s the point.
Last time, when Lennon was in charge, a cleaner and her son who was a security guy at Lennoxtown were bagged for doing it.
KS, AJ CCV, AT,Valle:
Reo, Calmsc, Engels:
Khun, Kyogo, Maeda.
We’ll see.
Go to work Celtic
A semi final to win
Do your best for us and each other
God bless Celtic
HH
Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Valle, McGregor, Hatate, Engels, Maeda, Kyogo, Kuhn
Subs: Sinisalo, Taylor, Scales, Valle, Palma, Idah, Yang, Bernardo, Forrest, Ralston.
I like that team 👍
Good game of rugby at Twickenham (sorry, the Allianz stadium).
All Blacks have conceded 8 penalties versus England’s 1.
Has allowed England to stay in the game.
Leaked team.
FFS!
Valle on the park and the bench
Sign Valle asap – he can be in two places at once.
You lot are an absolute shower. So there now.
live updates up