Let’s get this one out of the way first: put notions of Newco out of your mind for tomorrow. Those of you who will be at Ibrox, and who are old enough to remember our last visit there, will have a familiar experience.
From what we gather, the stadium hasn’t changed, the home team play in the same colours, there will be some new fans, but many will have been there the last time we visited.
I’ve been going to Ibrox for over 30 years, we’ve faced some pretty awful teams in that time, but it’s never been easy. We were 2-0 down at halftime in the 2-4 game in ’83 (when Rangers were really awful). We were under the cosh for 60 minutes before things clicked in the 0-3 game in 2001. We’ve won plenty there, but we’ve had to battle for everything we’ve had. It will be no different tomorrow.
The 5-1 game in September happened because Newco were caught in the headlights. Perhaps believing their own preseason publicity, they matched up to Celtic. It was an embarrassing mistake, one they didn’t repeat in the League Cup semi-final, when they defended deeply, hoping for good fortune on the break.
Their big players were unprepared and looked unfit. Signs of the subsequent internecine squabbles were evident on the field.
Self-knowledge
Know your limits, who you are, what you can and cannot achieve, is a primary lesson in goal setting. As far as you and me are concerned, Newco will surely repeat their Hampden tactics, double-up in the fullback positions, protect central defence, and hope Auld Kenny can pounce on something on the break.
These are more-or-less the tactics we face every SPFL game, but I’m not sure what will happen tomorrow. This is a club who not only proclaim, but protest, with their every breath, that they are Rangers. Can ‘Rangers’ really line-up at Ibrox as scared of Celtic as everyone else in the league?
Maybe, but I’m not sure. There are signs that group-think has taken hold at Murray Park. They want to be the Rangers, with a century’s worth of ‘heritage’. If they want to live that out, they will need to take the game to us.
There’s a good chance that whatever they do, Celtic will win tomorrow. In the grand scheme of things, this matters little to the home team, who have beaten Aberdeen and Hearts this month, and look capable of snatching one of the Europa League qualifier spots. They were never really “going for 55”.
But if you bring the punters in on that promise, there will be pressure from the stands to live up to that sentiment. What to do, go for it and lose 0-4, or crawl into your shell, lose 0-1, and betray your season’s aspiration? I hope they go for it.
Brendan Rodgers has two problems; whether to play Moussa Dembele or Leigh Griffiths, and whether to give James Forrest or Patrick Roberts the nod? We have two highly-achieving strikers, only one of which will start, and two fit and ready wingers competing for the slot on the right side.
My hunch is that Moussa will get the nod. I know what you’re going to say: Leigh’s on fire, but Moussa has scored more goals in his two games against Newco than the striker they are all singing about this season has in his 17 appearances. Dembele terrifies then, with good reason. They have no answer to him, they cannot shove him off the ball, cannot keep pace with him and cannot seem to find him in the box.
I expect James to start with Patrick coming on late to pick at the bones.
Tom Rogic would have started if fit, but there’s an untold story of our recent form: Rogic, Stuart Armstrong and Callum McGregor have been our form players this month. Only two will start any game. McGregor and Armstrong will not be significantly weaker than any combination with Tom.
We also have Scott Sinclair back and approaching full fitness. He’s going to love Ibrox, he’s made for this game. I expect big things from him.
What are our biggest risks? Red cards. Newco’s best chance of getting something from the game is for Celtic to have a man sent off. I’m not going to mark your card on the referee, but we’ve seen too many Celtic players ordered off there over the years not to acknowledge the possibility.
The target for the team is clear: go into the winter break 19 clear with a game in hand. There’s a confidence in and about this Celtic team which makes anything seem possible, so don’t ask for my score prediction, as I might get carried away.
The target for our 7000 supporters is to have 7000 torches illuminating the 67th minute. If there’s one guy not participating I’ll want to know why. If you’re going, get this planned well in advance.
Juxtapose our targets with comments from Mark Warburton yesterday, who doesn’t want to be judged on results against Celtic.
I bet you don’t, buddy. I bet you don’t.
Ever feel you are being setup?
Following vandalism in the away section of Celtic Park earlier in the season a reciprocal agreement has been made with the offending club. In the very unlikely event Celtic supporters vandalise property tomorrow, the club will pick up the repair tab.
Without getting into detail, there is concern that some facilities will be ‘headline ready’ before Celtic fans enter the stadium. If you are at Ibrox when the gates open, go straight to the toilets, be the first there, photograph any damage (and how empty the stadium is at the time) and publish immediately on social media, to time-stamp what you observe.
There will be a minute’s silence before kick-off. For reasons which are difficult to fathom, Newco have not publicly announced this silence, it will be sprung on many fans. This will lead to some arriving at the ground unaware of the commemoration, making its observation less effective. Alert as many as you can that this is taking place.
Tomorrow will be a celebration of Celtic. 7000 light will shine at the 67th minute, the players will shine brighter-still on the park, but be ready, the same old faces are plotting the same old distractions. Be aware of their tactics.
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ACGR:
Deleted 12:00 and 01:05 parts of your posts were insensitive and inappropriate given the significance of tomorrow’s minute silence, whether you agree with it or not.
The Lurkin Tim 01:30:
Only reason yours is deleted is because you reposted part of the insensitive post at 01:05.
Let us not give them ammunition.
Mags,
We could all denigrate the Celtic PLC till the Pounds come home…..seriously…..what’s the best business alternative?
Not defending thum btw, we’re stuck where we are unfortunately…..not to say we couldn’t be a more vocal force for good….f#ck…..we are Scottish football
FTSFA
H.H.
MOD2,
for once I understand yer thinking….;-))
FTSFA
H.H.
Mod2
I was reading the site when you obviously deleted a couple of posts.
iPad froze, CQN disappeared and I was logged off.
I suspect that shouldn’t happen.
MOD2,
I called a post as being wrong….but yer rite….out of context….my post could have been used as a stick….so you do recognise context…..strange….;-))
FTSFA
H.H.
jeebus,
did I just agree that censorship can be a force for ghuid….wtf…..rubber room awaits (or is that mentalistist)….;-))
FTSFA
H.H.
‘GG on 31ST DECEMBER 2016 1:45 AM:
Not sure why that happened to you but do not think it would be related to the deletion of posts. If it happens again I would contact P67.
Just imagine
If there are no Tims at the eboladrome the silence would be complete
Here’s one for you all, posts with feck do appear to be deleted but ones that start and end with the same letters as feck are when they are separated with #s and other characters. What would Fr. Ted post!
feck do = DO NOT…just can’t get the Staff
MODERATOR 2 on 31ST DECEMBER 2016 1:58 AM
Down with that sort of thing.
Re the silence.
I was at Ibrox for the last time that evening.
We always waited behind after playing them.
Most grounds were death traps, the worst I believe was Hampden.
We saw crude stretchers being brought on to the other side of the park through the fog.
We had no understanding of the full extent of the tragedy and didn’t even fully grasp just how bad it was listening to the radio back in the car.
It effected towns and villages across Scotland and left very few untouched.
My mother’s friend lost her husband and a son.
Unfortunately the current crop of misguided custodians at Ibrox see it only as an opportunity to score points against Celtic and to divert their followers from their lack of class and cash.
The haunting sight of stretchers appearing in the fog, remains with me and I suspect many others, and no minute’s silence will ever dispel it.
THELURKINTIM on 31ST DECEMBER 2016 1:39 AM
I genuinely believe there was always a viable business case for Celtic somehow in Europe. The Celtic PLC green raj vision retrospectively was reduced to the safe familiar bigot buck as will be seen tomorrow
Mod2,
can’t speak for Fr. Ted…..but am sure Fr. Jack would tell you to feck off….;-))
FTSFA
H.H.
We’ll not split hairs…:)
Mags,
Aye….if reduced to simple terms….but if we’re stuck here….as we seem to be…..we need to flex our financial muscle and start to dictate terms….if only to reach acceptable compromises in our favour…..no?
FTSFA
H.H.
Mod2,
am analysing yer speech patterns….in fact am so close…..am gonna lift the veil….you prefer….:) mmmm
FTSFA
H.H.
Dear murderators
Ok calligraphic allusion to the 4 swear words deemed both mortal and Venial by Keith OBrien is understood but what about sheep jokes deemed inappropriate
Can we get the fenian Celtic quick view on appropriateness?
TLT, ha ha. ye sussed my PDQ.
HH
:_)
He, Mod 2, you could have left my birthday greeting to ma sclaffbaw pal, that’s poor form btw,
I like Rufus Fawndoon, he’s my kinda tim.
..
G’Day CQN..
10 Hours to Kick Off and I’ve got a ‘Empty’ so I’m Taking Paul67’s Advice..
I’m going to take Pics of My Living Room Now and Timestamp it Empty with No Messi..
Then Take Pics when I Leave.. so I Know Who has Drunk all the Pies..
When I get back Next Year I’ll decide who to Hire to do the Clean Up..
KTF
Sometimes it’s the Only thing We Have..
Summa & 001..
Pump them huns raw, in silence.
Say nothing, do nothing, lead your support into the old firm extravaganza. Its the Celtic way.
Old firm is the Celtic way.
THELURKINTIM on 31ST DECEMBER 2016 2:08 AM
Mags,
No. Celtic PLC chose to be Old Firm.
If you know your history….
ACGR,
Is he a distant inbred cousin, brother of Rufus Colapsico….;-))
Hard hats ramorra….should b compulsary…..in the Broomloan( Dave King appeals to Hogwarts ) Stand…..;-))
FTSFA
H.H.
Style council, Walls Come Tumbling Down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5HfOipwvts
Good wee toon Mod 2, het intae the groove.
Just clicked in…ACGR, I’ve no idea what’s been deleted…..but I’m sure it was something I would have àppreciated.
Just saying like….as they say.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVFtk2XwPMs
Roof falling down.
Groovy toon soit iz
Already Hogmanay afternoon here in sunny Queensland. Last time I’ll be on this year :-)
All the best to all CQNers for the new year to come.
Thank you to Paul67 and Mods for CQN.
Keep the True Faith – Veritas.
Keep the Faith – Celtic.
My prediction for the game – Sevco 1- Celtic 3
Mags,
moths to a flame then…..no sure I can continue to accept that…..baaaa,
ACGR….since wen did u start counting birthdays….wen u turned 55?…..;-)) Happy birthday ya auld bassa ;-))
FTSFA
H.H.
Al Mac, ha ha, aye. You would have liked my birthday wishes to TET and words to Doc. I may have added a few add ons to go go go.
FFS, I hate they hun basts, so it’s a given.
Hope you’re well and had a nice Christmas. I’m getting ma second wind. After the amount of turkey and plumb duff, that’s no bad thin btw.
HH bruv
TLT, I don’t count birthdays, especially not my own. Thanks for the good wishes but yer a coupla years early bud. I’ll be 53 in January. Cheeky ash ho.
So ram that up yer strarfish.
In a dilema this morning….had the day all planned….but found out late that an ex colleague / friend of at least a couple of contributors on here is being buried at 13:00 today – 60 miles north of where I am.
A good Celtic fan as well.
Still don’t know whàt to do…arranged with everyone to be at the Highland derby…and…feck…I don’t know what to do.
Big Peat, apologies for thinking you were thon idiot that used to post on here.
Enjoy your pino colada.
HH
Follow your heart Al, do the right thing.
A friend of OHITS in his youth….and a friend of RioSkorrie…..
Well known for singing “The Fields of…”….from under his welding hood.
ACGR,
Ma starfish…..prefers to be called The Rusty Sheriffs badge….yer still an young bassa….in an auld bassa body ;-))
FTSFA
H.H.
Just waking up to potential. Happy Hogmanay to all in the UK
I don’t underestimate the power of the snake, though I pray for miracles. A 2-0 would be glorious.
Re the respectful silence…..if Celtic were aware, why did they not communicate? As oft times before, we are virility personified on the pitch, whilst being impotent off it. As a shareholder, this is far from ideal.
Regardless, all Tims to enjoy today.
Love x