Last month Efe Ambrose and Saidy Janko played in what will be some of the biggest games of our season. It didn’t go well. Saidy has since moved out on loan, while Efe is behind Toure, Sviatchenko, Simunovic, O’Connell, Boyata and (maybe) Lustig for a place in central defence.
From that list, Simunovic and Boyata are unlikely to be ready for the Camp Nou, but O’Connell will be no less prepared than John Kennedy was 12 years ago when he deputised for suspended Bobo Balde at the same location. Central defence has gone from being our weakest department to our strongest in a matter of weeks.
My expectation is that Brendan will play Toure, Sviatchenko and Lustig as a back three, with Kieran Tierney and Cristian Gamboa as full backs. That will be a leap of faith for Cristian, who, only five days from Barcelona, has yet to even train with the club. He’ll arrive in Glasgow today after last night’s national team game in Costa Rica.
Despite this schedule, we should look to give Cristian some game time on Saturday, I’d be reluctant to throw him into the Camp Nou cold. This would allow us to rest Mikael Lustig, who played for Sweden on Tuesday, and who will need to be at the top of his game for Barcelona.
Another player who could do with a rest on Saturday is Tom Rogic. Tom has played in Australia and the UAE since we last saw him, eclipsing whatever jetlag Cristian will go through. I’m not sure Brendan will see it the same way, as an offensive midfielder like Tom may be sacrificed for a more defensive player at the Camp Nou. We’ll touch on how to attack later.
I watched Israel-Italy on Monday. Nir Bitton did well against a superior team; it was a good run-through for the Champions League, as he will be asked to play a similar, tactically disciplined, role for Celtic. As the game was Monday, I don’t think he’ll need a rest at the weekend, although we should perhaps consider giving him around 60 minutes.
Football’s a squad game, let’s remember that this week. It’s been nearly three years since we’ve been to the Camp Nou, these occasions don’t come round often, so we need to prepare properly.
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TD Yes.
Wreck a pum pum :)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=RDEMFhFEuaWXjAP-iCFXw4AUbA¶ms=OAFIAVgI&v=Tu-fkomKxXk&mode=NORMAL
Dear Polis (who are apparently lookin in)
Hi.
Narratives built by media are irresponsible.
A lie oft told is still a lie.
Rfc’s self harm was originated in idea and rolled out as a business liquidation by David Murray.
Is it offensive to point this oot?
It ended rfc
They brought it on themselves
HH
Sera a Williams looks more like she’s a cheerleader than a pro tennis player in her latest outfit. Get your Pom pond oot hen and stop making a racket.
MWD
When the wee one was in hospital last year we were told by the nursing staff that wardens could ticket your car in the hospital car park but the charge was not enforceable.
The wee yin’s doctor then told me he had 71 tickets.
I’ve had two tickets from my local Tesco this year, both ignored and gone away.
Have we got a game tomorrow?
21-5-79
I’ll know once I get to the Brazen at 3:00 o’clock one way ore the other ill let you know if I can get you one.
I believe, but could be wrong, at the new Death Star hospital some, not all, areas are covered by GCC and therefor some tickets for these areas are enforceable. So be careful there.
MWD
TD67
Good man, I’ll be about Glasgow this afternoon, cheers for trying.
HH.
WATCHTHEMOTORS on 4TH SEPTEMBER 2016 4:00 PM
I wonder if Tallybhoy might know of a bar in Lucca where I might watch the game on Saturday. Thanks in advance…
WTM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just off the blower to TALLYBHOY. He asked around,seems it’s on a Berlusconi PPV channel. There is one pub likely to show it,down by the square where the old amphitheatre stood.
Guy who told him couldn’t remember the name!
However…
TALLYBHOY suggests a wee jaunt 20 miles north. To Braga. Where everyone speaks wima Scottish accent(!)
Google BRAGA CSC,details will be there.
I’m on a 50 mile jaunt to watch it in Bristol CSC btw. Don’t feel hard done by! Hope you get to watch it!!
HH
Morning Bhoys a debate about wither you should park in a car park provided for shoppers and not football fans.Well I am sure we know it is wrong and something we should not do it is a bit like parking in a disabled spot in a car park when you do not have a disabled disc it deprives a genuine disabled person a parking space. As a Christian I know it is wrong and one day I will have to stand before Jesus and account for all my wrongs I am a weak sinfull man but I do try to do what in my mind is right and this is no easy task as I so often im tempted by satan but no one said being a follower of Jesus would be easy. H.H.
..
Neil Cameron: The Old Firm dividing lines have been crossed and the days of the bigot are up
MY evil overlords at work are forcing me to cover Barcelona’s league match on Saturday ahead of Celtic going there next week which means I am missing a mate’s wedding bash.
He is a former Ibrox season ticket holder, he doesn’t go so much these days because his daughters selfishly demand so much of his time, but remains a Rangers fan.
His best mate so happens to follow Celtic and is still a regular attender at games. The lad who is getting married has a big brother whose best mate from school is a Celtic supporter. In fact, as he constantly points out, “most of my pals are bloody Tims”.
When we drag our increasingly repulsive bodies around a five-aside pitch, my own now resembles dropped lasagne, nobody wears any colours because the youngest is in his late thirties and fully grown men in football tops is just weird.
As is the case with the fives, you pick up waifs and strays along the way to make up numbers and there are a few tattoos and nicknames, Bluenose Peter was a decent playmaker a few years back, which give away where their allegiances lie.
One lad was simply called Timmy because he was Irish.
There have never been any fights, huge arguments or massive fall-outs about the football. Indeed, when the Old Firm games took place pre-2012, and this will start up again now, there tended to be a Celtic and Rangers end of someone’s living room as beer was drank, pals slagged and whoever’s team won got a curry bought for them.
Religion and sectarianism rarely got a mention unless it was a joke. Both subjects are worthy of mockery. My lot are not the churchy kind. If there is a bad fire then we have all pre-booked our place. Football is important – hey, it helps pay my wages – but there are a lot more important things in life.
So tell me this. Is it that my band of friends, who come from all background and denominations, are the only people who see Celtic against Rangers as a sporting evening and, erm, that’s about it?
No hate, no bile, no singing offensive songs in the street. No arguments over whether Rangers are deid or if the Old Firm still exists, which these days seems to be more important than why so many of our population are relying on food banks just to feed their families.
I ask this because as a journalist, of sorts, I spend way too much of my time on social media, especially Twitter, and going by some on there, but certainly not all, this football fixture no matter how you class it these days is attended by the kind of person you would walk across the street to avoid even if they were wearing the same scarf.
On one side you have those who accuse every Celtic fan of being a rampant member of the IRA who are not only “mhanky” but also “Bheasts”. How charming.
And then there are bloggers who describe Rangers fans as “the klan”. You know, the Ku Klux Klan. Seriously.
You can’t move on Twitter for fans’ groups on both sides, who claim to represent their club’s supporters, spouting the most backwards, nonsensical, sectarian guff you will ever have the misfortune to read.
They will go on about 1690, 1916 and many glorify the Troubles as if that period in the history of Northern Ireland is worthy of it; and that’s before we get to what that has to do with football.
What is it like in the 17th century? I’m told the food is rotten.
I was given posh tickets for the 2009 Old Firm League Cup Final and, romantic that I am, took the missus. We walked through the Rangers fans to the game, a few zoomers but most were just ordinary folk going to a game, and sat close to the Celtic end, which was exactly the same.
There were one or two about who the good lady felt the need to ask: “Where are these people the rest of the week?” But for the most part it was fine. Not perhaps an occasion for everyone, many of the songs and chants do cross a line; however, most of the people at that game, and this will be the case on Saturday, are actually decent folk.
A naughty song or word might slip out but just like my lot, they will leave the game, text their pal from the other side, they’ll then meet up, exchange a few barbs, have a pint and get down to the more important matters of the day.
Those who love the hate, and that’s what it is, who see the other side as an enemy while failing to acknowledge any bad apples within their own support, are a minority but also the problem. They tend to lead the narrative because they shout loudly even if the words belong in another era which the vast majority of this country wants nothing to do with.
I have spent my entire life among supporters of both clubs and apart from one or two incidents – because there will always be those defying evolution – everyone gets on. They work together, hang out with one another and, horror of horrors, some even get married.
The bigots are still out there but their days are coming to an end.
Folks, it’s time to grow up and move on. If you are one who refuses to be friends with anyone from the other background then you are missing out. Some Tims/Bluenoses are honestly a right laugh. They even get the curry in when their team loses.
Or you can stay in the dark ages with your songs, beliefs, and inability to realise that in 2016 you are the odd ones out. Which is fair enough in a way, as long as you keep your boring nonsense to yourselves.
Summa
Time to swing
Enjoy your day bhoys and ghirls and, please, be nice.
Hi Paul67,
I posted a comment on Celtic doing it right in regard to the promotion of the game on Saturday.
It seems to have disappeared.
Posters seem to be more interested in parking than in the club “getting it right” as you asked in your blog if 2nd September.
The clubs silence is growing ever louder.
BRTH. I will donate £5 for every goal we score more than the adversary. So a pony for 5-0 hopefully.
BMCUW
Braga = Barga!
HH!!
MWD
Thanks for that!
MWD
Should have added our hospital is in Larbert.
BHOYWITHSEETHROUGHEYES
Depending on which device you are using,click the “back page” until your post comes up in the box. Then post it again.
TALLYBHOY
I knew that. My iPad didnae!
Good spot,bud!!
HH
Philbhoy
Not directed at you buddy. Just noted a few saying hospitals were the same and I thought d mention the Death Star die to some restrictions.
MWD
BRTH, Hamilton Tim got a pony from me this morning so I’ll do you £5 per goal and a cockle for 0-0 (which I can’t see happening)!
FAC the Act
KTF
Joe Filippis Haircut on 9th September 2016 10:02 am
See my post at 09:23 this morning.
FAC the Act
KTF
“Dem Rastaman chat their mouth about discrimination but treat Muslim man me like a Duppy.Dem forked tongue hypocrites.”
Muhammed Yusuf Ali /Prince Buster
Thanks for that BMCUWP,
Using my kindle and still can’t find it. Wasn’t a long post so will most likely post again.
BHOYWITHSEETHROUGHEYES
It comes in handy now and again,for sure.
Sounds to me as if Neil Cameron is trying desperately to persuade himself that his team never died. Poor poor journalism. Who does he write for?
SUMMA OF SAMMI…. on 9TH SEPTEMBER 2016 10:02 AM
..
Neil Cameron: The Old Firm dividing lines have been crossed and the days of the bigot are up
=========================================================================
The big lie.
Equivalence.
Each is as bad as the other.
Nonsense.
He refers to individuals.
But ,this is not about individuals. It`s about institutions.
One charitable. The other sectarian.
Guess what ? I knew lots of great guys who happened to be Rangers supporters too.
It`s the institution that stinks.
How come you missed that bit out , Neil Cameron ?
Morning fholks.
“When we drag our increasingly repulsive bodies around a five-aside pitch, my own now resembles dropped lasagne…”
Neil Cameron has obviously been watching Frankie Boyle.
A Scottish hack lecturing on bigotry,hahaha.One side’s as bad as the other blah blah blah…
RIP Prince Buster
http://youtu.be/yErVJpBfrgo
Who does Neil Cameron write for The Beano ??
MACJAY
Yep. I despise Rangers and everything they stand for.
Rangers fans?
I’ll judge each on their merits or otherwise,same as everyone else in life.
10pm your time tomorrow? I’d say the place will be rocking!
SUMMAOFSAMMI
My brother-in-law is heading your way tomorrow for a few weeks.
Last I spoke to him about it,I reckoned he’d be looking forward to some time “home”
Hardly bliddy home,he replied. He’s from Brisbane.
He’s s-o-o-o looking forward to your rainy season…
STARRYPLOUGH
Declan’s pal Beano would have penned better.
Until the ones as bad as the other narrative is lost problems will persist.
I wonder in how many conflicts or disputes around the world the parties involved are all apportioned equal blame! How very convenient, we’re all as bad as each other.
I suppose it saves people thinking and suits those who have other agendas.
HH
.
Paddy Power are Offering a 100/1 for a Rangers Victory..
But only to New Customers..
So anyone who is Not a Gambler that means if You Place £10 on Rangers to Win @ 100/1..
You will Loose £10..
Summa
BBC’S NEWSBEAT’S “RANGERS STARTED AGAIN AFTER LIQUIDATION” REPORT IS AMENDED…http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/?p=27622
Warning, this features quotes from the dark side. Some of you may enjoy.
..
I don’t think the Guy said both as bad as Each Other.. That’s a Generalisation that the likes of a Shock Jock would Use..
So You can’t really take it Seriously as Errm he’s a Shock Jock..
He States both sides have Bad Apples..
I for One Don’t Hate Rangers.. I would Need to think about them a Awful lot more than I do for me to even dislike them..
Do I want to Hammer their Football Team tomorrow..? Of Course.. But I’ll be the same in Spain on Tuesday and I Like and admire Barca as a Club..
What has always Puzzeled me since Football Blogs started ( As before then I never really knew or cared what opposing Fans thought)..
Celtic fans say the SFA and Anti Celtic.. Rangers fans say the SFA are Anti Rangers ( With more Colourful language )
Celtic fans say The Record is Anti Celtic.. Rangers fans say The Record is Anti Rangers..
Celtic fans say Refs are Anti Celtic.. Rangers fans say Refs are Anti Rangers.. This one I disagree with on the Whole..
I could go on and on.. UEFA .. FIFA .. Clyde.. Journalists.. BBC..
In fact Chick Young might be the Only thing opposing Fans agree on..
Summa
Just a quickie on the parking charge debate.
These parking companies buy the rights to charge for parking spaces in the full knowledge that their charges are not enforceable in Scotland. They issue ‘Parking Charge Notices’ that are designed to look like real ‘Penalty Charge Notices’, in the knowledge that these are unenforceable. They issue ‘offers to pay’ that ramp up the unenforceable penalty to ridiculous levels, then follow up with letters from multiple debt collection agencies that say things like ‘offer before Court proceedings’ – even though they know these threats are unenforceable.
Moral high ground? Don’t give me that rubbish. It’s a mechanism to make money out of threats and fear and you may often find that the most compliant are those who can least afford it.
One other quick point: on the day of the Stan Petrov charity game we parked two cars in the retail park, went for a pizza in the Pizza Hut, my wife bought some stuff in the M&S outlet, then we went to the game. Came back to find two parking tickets. So we’d done the honourable thing and used the shops, but still got charged 2 x £60, rising to 2 x £120, then 2 x £240, then ‘reduced as a once-only offer’ to 2 x £90. Haven’t heard from those guys in a while.
If the law says charges for these spaces are unenforceable, why would you invest in that car park when you already know that the only way you can make money is by penalising people and worrying them into paying? No better than being a bailliff. It’s not the people who park their cars that are morally in the wrong.