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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Good evening, friends. Some amount of rain has fallen today in ole EK.
Brendan manager of the month? Thought Stuart McCall would have been a dead cert!
I take it everyone is eating.
Tumbleweeds
HH
Leigh is a great guy to have in the team but I am not in the slightest bothered if he is not ready for Saturday. Tuesday is another matter. A fit Leigh G is important for the Barca game.
JJ
Just like the buses 0:–)
I think he might have dropped Griffiths for Dembele on Tuesday regardless. Physical presence, can hold the ball up, has the pace to get in behind.
Hot Smoked
Griff or Dembele….It wont matter.
We should have the desire to win this…..and, bigger fish to fry:)
HH
I would play Dembele in Barcelona if one up front.
He will hold up the ball better and is still pretty quick. I certainly wouldn’t risk Lee Griffiths in these next two games if not fully fit.
A bad hamstring injury would keep him out for weeks.
I am actually quite pleased that CQN is quietish. It shows that we are not all jumping on the bandwagon being desperately flaunted by the MSSM.
I am about to increase that `quietish` aspect.
Cheerio for now,
JJ
Proudbhoy
Glad the info helped and hope O’Gillans show the game for you. You sound like you are having a great time and topping it off with a visit to the hallowed turf!
Last time I was there we had to go through the hole in the fence…magical place! Got a couple of the wee paving stones from outside the gates.
Phil’s up …
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/bills-and-obligations/
Quiet wee place,so here’s some fitba reading.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/sep/08/why-rb-leipzig-has-become-the-most-hated-club-in-german-football
Last 2 games sans Leigh Griffiths . . .
Celtic 7 Motherwell 0 (7 different scorers including a 16 year-old boy)
Celtic 5 Motherwell 0
EMBRAMIKE
Seems Phil is suggesting that approx half of the hun season ticket income went to pay off the loan taken out to pay back Mike Ashley.
Hmmmm…
TBH I think the Huns will win…
So we now have Neil Doncaster wanting a better balance between sporting merit and commercial interests. Wow!
Obviously a different Neil Doncaster to the one who wanted to move the goalposts to get a new club into the top league in 2012 because of – err – commercial interests!
Hi ghuys,
Going to the Celtic Musical matinee on Saturday. Not too familiar with the pubs near the Pavilion. Can anyone suggest a Celtic minded pub where I can watch the game in a safe and friendly environment?
Thanks.
… feck all this season.
Gotcha. ;-)
Great site Paul.
Just not sure it has enough pop up adverts.
Any chance we could get some more?
:)
Hail hail
HASHADENOUGH –
Malones Irish Bar, Sauchiehall Lane.
A few minutes walk from the Pavilion.
A poster mentioned that the blog is quiet these days, methinks a lot of supporters like mise are just enjoying a big sigh of relief after getting through that horrific, nerve jangling six game qualification roundsof the Champions league. So to Saturday the first of the quartet of matches against New Rangers and I think it’s important to win this game with our best side on the park. The visit to Barcelona wil be a damage limitation exercise and hopefully a good performance is all we can hope for where the best teams in the world have failed. So a win and three points on Saturday.
I find it mind boggling that SKY have the Manchester derby and the Glasgow game on at nthe same time when both matches are creating huge interest among the sporting public.
Heard Shortbread on the way home there.
Rodgers excited ahead of old firm game they trumpet.
Listen to Brendan. No mention of old firm. Studiously saying Celtic v rangers.
Unbiased national broadcaster my erchie.
Eurochamps67
Would’velikedbrendantosaycelticvsevcorightenoughCSC
Hankray –
You got the ‘New Rangers’ bit right but I think you’re being a little presumptious in stating that Saturday is the first of a quartet of matches. Personally I think we might only have the 3 league games against them this season.
HASHADENOUGH
Theres also Molly Malones at 224 Hope Street. If you cut down through Renfrew Lane at the side of the Pavillion when you reach the other end you will be at Molly’s. Good food,Guiness and lots of T.V.
Have a great day out.
I wasn’t going to mention the game but I REALLY WANT US TO SMASH THEM OUT OF THE PARK.
KEEP THE FAITH
When is our game in hand rearranged for?
MWD
Looking at this Saturday’s fixtures there’s every chance that all of the home teams will win. And if that happens it looks as if Triggers Broom FC would fall from 2nd to 6th.
Jobo Baldie……………Why three? is the business model not sound.
Hi Bhoys
Did I mention I want THEM’S SMASHED OUT OF THE PARK EVERY PARK,CELTIC PARK BELLAHOUSTON PARK,DONALD PARK HELL EVEN JELLYSTONE PARK (with ice cream of course).
C’mon Celtic make me soooooooooooooooooo happy on Saturday that my big baw face will burst wi smiles and pride.
KEEP THE FAITH
TIMMY7_NOTED on 8TH SEPTEMBER 2016 5:10 PM
—
Sounds great, I was born mid 80’s and loved to visit it today so yourself and other great tims born 50’s and 60’s etc will appreciate it even more I would imagine.
What is planned next year.. Anything official or use just decided to go and visit ? Lisbon is great city and I will certainly be back at some stage.
Tam/Tony
Thanks BHoys.
HANKRAY
I agree I was burnt out after the qualifiers, But I have been lurking for a while, more than i usually do, As the site has been full of nuggets falling out over nothing. We were all warned about trolls but still people kept on biting.
Good on Brendan winning Manager of the month, He looks very content and relaxed.
ugh no diubt
He will approach Saturday like he does every game, Barca will be tough no doubt on Tuesday, Hopefully get through Saturday without any knocks.
KLV
Does anyone really think that if LG is ruled out for Saturday,he will be fit to face Barca on Tuesday?
Rocket man
I was ready to climb until someone told me walk around the corner.
Would love to see some kind of Celtic statue or plaque outside the estadio .
Cheers for all info, will try santos tonight.
JOBO BALDIE on 8TH SEPTEMBER 2016 6:49 PM
Looking at this Saturday’s fixtures there’s every chance that all of the home teams will win. And if that happens it looks as if Triggers Broom FC would fall from 2nd to 6th.
And a lot lower than that looking at the following weeks.
If he misses Sat he will miss Tues i’d guess and may be out for a wee while.
Unless Brendan is playing games. ;)
KLV
HASHADENOUGH
Check the bars webpages in case they are ticket only ☘☘
CAn someone in the vicinity of Mount Ellen Golf Club reassure me that it hasn’t been washed away as I’m due there tomorrow for the annual Kano Golf Day.
puttingspikesoanmawelliesCSC!
Two very sad,if very different bits of news today really saddened me.The first,a memorial to babies born stillborn,or who have died soon after,was vandalised in Glasgows East End,after only being in place two weeks.It was a tree with the babies name on each leaf.What can you say?
The second was the death of the “Poster girl”for the womens Peshmerga army fighting a war of attrition against ISIS.She was the “Angelina Jolie”of their army,and a true hero and veteran.The Kurds,if we would arm them properly,would be the greatest force in the war against ISIS.Sadly Turkey says no,so the West capitulates.Meanwhile,the men and women of the Peshmerga continue to inflict heavy losses on ISIS.
RIP everyone mentioned.