I remember a situation several years ago when we had five full backs and converted-full backs out injured at the same time. The injured count for central defenders is not currently as high but the situation is just as critical.
Erik Sviatchenko joins Jozo Simunovic, Dedryck Boyata and Kristoffer Ajer on the injured list. Kolo Toure is certain to be added to the Uefa squad before tonight’s deadline but will be pushed to be match fit for next week.
Fortunately, the man who has spent more time injured over the last two seasons than anyone else, Mikael Lustig, is fit and able to move from full back into the middle, with Saidy Janko able to deputise on the right.
More words have been written about Efe Ambrose than any other Celtic player this month. It’s quite possible he’ll move on towards the end of the transfer window but he’s set to be given an opportunity to make good his error in Gibraltar by leading an unfamiliar defensive line-up in Astana tomorrow.
If I had a choice, I would prefer Celtic in adversity than Celtic over-confident. We know we will have to protect the defence tomorrow so the match plan should be straightforward.
Astana are not without their concerns either. Kazak media are concerned Astana are weaker than a year ago, due to the departure of Georgi Zhukov the likely absence of captain and top scorer, Tanant Nuserbayev, added to the turmoil at the club this week, caused by Lyon’s bid for midfielder, Nemanja Maksimovic. They will battle tomorrow, but their preparations are far from ideal.
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DELANEYS DUNKY on 26TH JULY 2016 11:01 PM
:-)
Instantly reminded of a group of Glasgow Catholic pilgrims to Lourdes who , while staying in a chateau hotel , discovered a new use for bidets.
Incidentally , they all took pesetas on the trip , `cos that`s what you took when you went to the continent.
:-0
Mate of mine was running the tour.
Macjay
My 4 children’s first trip to Spain saw them look forward to spending their potatoes. :)
Affoot , lads.
12 midnight k.o. tonight.
Can`t wait.
Brendan………………….
Timdom expects every man to do his duty.
Die for the cause.
DELANEYS DUNKY on 26TH JULY 2016 11:19 PM
Brilliant.
:-)
Delaneys,
you in the H and B for the game tomorrow
Fiacre Kelleher played full game for peterhead
as they beat Dundee 2-1 in league cup
Michael Duffy came on as sub for Dundee
Well done Fiacre
Hail hail
Foxy-when Simpson got 33 years for the Vegas bust up,it was a bit of payback for what he shamefully got away with,up for parole next year….
I know that ‘our’team haven’t exactly set the heather on fire,but,the pessimism is definitely over the top. I have watched or been to as many games as possible under the new regime and I see lots of improvements. I know the score in Gib,btw,and was annoyed,but in 90 minutes games anything can happen and since they all last 90 minutes that must be true! Over the 2 legs I am confident we will prevail unlike some on here who must think CQN stands for Celtic’s Quakiing ‘Nees or Numpties…….. Will attempt keep up to date via blog or texts from my 2 daughters who have taken the half day off but will watch in house unlike CRC the lucky man :) :).
SCULLYBHOY on 26TH JULY 2016 11:14 PM
Second that, except it’s still a great site.
I mean if you dont agree with a post et al just read on, it’s not long before something else of interest :-)
HH
Gordy
Finish work at 2.45. In Horse and Barge for 2.50.
See you there?
HH
Foxy on 26th July 2016 11:14 pm
EKBHOY on 26TH JULY 2016 10:53 PM
Selling Miller cost us 3 championships … Complete drivel … Never heard such utter nonsense …
Still it’s a blog and you are entitled to have absolutely no idea about football
H H
______________________
You look at dimensions of play any club had and the decision Celtic took to sell Miller was a disaster. Both Burns and Strachan begged Lawell not to do it to no avail.
Defences feared Millers pace obviously. Without Miller Celtic never had that option. That gave the opposition a huge advantage when preparing to play against us.
It gave them a huge advantage when they played against them to.
It cost us 3 championships.
========================
I think there is a bit more to it than that. Miller left in 2007 to Derby and signed for RFC in 2008
Perhaps Rangers spend of £11M in 2007 followed by £18M in 2008, offset by Transfer In money of £19M in 2008 for a net spend of £10m over the two seasons (whilst the BTC demands that the £19M should have been kept as contingency against were dropping through the letterbox in 2008 – but hey RFC didn’t do tax) was the greatest contributing factor?
Those spending decisions by RFC in 2007 and 2008 took their debt from £6M in 2006 to £31m in 2009 before it was reduced to the £18M they say demonstrate that the bank had no need to demand repayment and as long as they kept winning titles and getting access to CL money it was a policy that worked, right up to when it didn’t when Malmo beat them, followed a year later by liquidation.
On the plus side those who do not learn the lessons of history are bound to repeat them but don’t tell Dave King or our media that.
We lost titles because we observed both the rules of the game and rules of the country and for that I am more grateful than annoyed.
What’s The Stars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ3ylIhKvZc
HH
Tomorrow is not the game for experimenting. Play players in their normal position. Play a system that the player are used to and understand.
Which means a back four of Lustig, Ambrose, O’Connell, Tierney.
The chosen system will dictate the midfield and striker/s.
A clean sheet is unlikely, so an away goal is required. Just for my nerves.
Cosy Corner Bhoy
Well said P. Positivity could become infectious. Let’s start it.
I think we will win 2-0 tomorrow.
See you in CC before a game this season.
HH
Cqn consensus is tipped more in balance of seeing Peter Lawwell for what he really is. A man who puts himself before Celtic. By no means an idiot but a conniver and definitely delusional around his abilities as a Director of Football. A man who has indulged his son a true nepotistic CEO.
The evidence on and off the Park is there to see. No doubt external factors have been at play but PL’s malignant self interest is there for all to see. Well perhaps not all but most.
I repeat my prediction – we will not end this season with both Lawwell and Rodgers unless one makes a major concession. My guess is Rodgers will be viewed by DD as an seat filling asset. Lawwell has proven himself an emptier of seats.
Lawwell must be kept in his box … And let Brendan cleanse the squad of the legacy PL has left.
Delaneys,
meant to be in a meeting tomorrow,
but if i can swerve it then yes,be good to meet up
At the time we sold Kenny Miller he was virtually a laughing stock to our support. He was sold for 3 million pounds. There was no great wailing and gnashing of teeth.
I also remember when Shunsuke Nakamura was a ‘lightweight’ and never ‘grabbed a game by the scruff of the neck’.
Of course this might have been back in te heady days of ‘at least their are debts on the park’.
The more things change….
TGSC,
Sailing On….
Can anyone point me to the posts that almost want Celtic to lose.
I’ve read all the posts but can’t recall any of those, or is it just rubbish?
Their debts are. Obviously.
:-)
AULDHEID on 26TH JULY 2016 11:38 PM
Cheating apart, we lost three Championships because we sold Miller or at least didnt replace him for a like for like dimension to our play. We couldnt afford to do that.
Anyway it’s all dust settled now. Point is it was Lawwell’s biggest mistake at Celtic. Nothing will come close.
Gordy
Meetings can be rearranged. Celtic kick off canny. Exert your authority. :)
See you tomorrow!
HH
TGSC
Great to see you on pal.
How’s ma auld pal, yer auld man doing?
HH
DD in the CC before all home games other than when in Spain when I am in the Potobello in Pinar de Campoverde unless of they don’t have it in which case I will be in Paddy’s Point in La Zenia! I am a creature of habit you will gather:) Look forward to meeting up for a small libation! Better get aff oot now… We are sailing ……
SUPERSUTTON on 26TH JULY 2016 11:41 PM
Good shout, spot on. We’ll be grand so long as Ambrose is at his best, Griffiths will do the rest.
0-3 Celtic HH
!!Bada Bing!! on 26th July 2016 11:32 pm
Foxy-when Simpson got 33 years for the Vegas bust up,it was a bit of payback for what he shamefully got away with,up for parole next year….
*and he has as much chance of that as Lesley Van Houten, there are some people who well never get out.
Foxy
You cannot say cheating apart when it cannot be put apart.
We lost three titles because we were not prepared to increase Celtic’s debt five fold.
RFC were and look where it got them.
Pre match songs anyone?
Brennan on the moore
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkxuWte_iKg
HH
The Clancy Brothers – Foggy Dew/Drums Under The Window (Sean O’Casey)/Easter 1916 (W.B.Yeats)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SujvsGkQJb8
HH
Cosy Corner Bhoy
If you sail round Killchattan Bay, wave to my Aunt Margaret. Celtic daft in her 90s. She will have the game on in the Isle of Bute tomorrow.
See you in CC soon amigo.
HH
Hey DD,
He’s good. Apparently he’s inadvertently landed himself in the standing section. I try not to laugh. :-)
TGSC,
Sailing On….
Delaneys,
will give you a text tomorrow when i know more
Kenny Miller….when’s the “Bring Him Home” campaign starting:))))
MadMental CSC
AULDHEID on 26TH JULY 2016 11:55 PM
Foxy
You cannot say cheating apart when it cannot be put apart.
We lost three titles because we were not prepared to increase Celtic’s debt five fold.
RFC were and look where it got them.
—————————————————————-
I’m as angry as the next man at der huns cheating.
I accept PL had to balance the books and play fair, so that in that regard he is absolved of all blame.
I stand by the claim selling Miller was the worst decision PL ever made / had to make, and it cost us three Championships.
TGSC
Great to hear pal.
Hope he has got the voice back for beltin the tunes out in there.
Frantic Frank CSC.
Auldheid
What’s your take on Celtic CEO’s appetite to take full advantage of Rangers’ liquidation?
Had tables been turned how much further would Rangers be of a Newco Celtic?
Our CEO has been complicit in developing strategy designed to hold Celtic back to allow Rangers to catch up and reinstate OF. Not even sure how conscious he is of this folly… Such are his delusions
Grace – Jim McCann
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMf6IyJI0e4
STARRY PLOUGH on 27TH JULY 2016 12:05 AM
You’ve taken that too far :-)
He was priceless for us at the time; anyone who played the game at a decent level would back that up
HH
Gordy
See you tmorrow pal.
HH