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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The team have a hell of a job on today – to manage an away tie against CL quality experienced players. A good performance and still in the tie would be a huge achievement considering where we’ve come from the last 6 months.
A fraction under 3 hours till kick off.
Feels weird saying that at lunchtime on a Wednesday.
Can’twait csc
HH
Half a dollar was half a crown.
A dollar was five bob.
Four dollars to the pound.
Long before B.M.C.U.W.`s time.
Let`s do the gold standard .
Why not ?
Lawwell is understood to have missed the main flight to close the Scott Sinclair deal. Increasing offers by £3.50 have not been accepted by Keith Wyness.
Lawwell being shrewd knowing the squad he left Brendan with is not capable of CL qualification has started tying CL qualification additional payments to the offer. Aston Villa quite rightly reject based on our recent history and the threadbare defence we have.
Lawwell has ensured the deal did not go thru before the wildcard signing. If we have a bad result tonite the deal will be dead —or he may even to reset the base offer.
A beancounter playing with Celtics CL qualification sums up what we have become. An instrument to grow one mans bank balance while destroying the dreams of the support.
Player wanted to come. Villa wanted to sell. Lawwell has played a blinder to kill the deal.
No prediction for today’s score from me. Just hope we give a good account of ourselves and that we show continued signs of improvement since the Gibralter debacle.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE @ 10:20 AM,
Sound post, the consequences of our failed UCL policy in a Nut Shell…
There were quite a few on last night defending this (non) strategy; we had everything from the facetious, to the fallacious, via the fantastico…
Think most seem to have lost the idea we Support a Sporting Club (Maybe bring back the & Athletics Coy as a reminder)
Now the aim of a well run and motivated Sporting Club is to be the best you can, right? Well it is to my way of thinking.
Aiming for mediocrity and coming out with a list of excuses for why your going to be crap this Season to me embues the wrong attitude.
The one that bugs me most… we play our Football in Scotland… a couple of points on that one…
So did the Lions
It all but guarantees us European Football Every Year.
Wonder what excuses Claudio Ranieri made pretty Season last year…
Well luckily we have Brendan Rodgers, who doesn’t know what mediocre is in Sporting terms.
He’s the reason we will qualify for the UCL proper this Season:)
Hail Hail
Understood by whu?
Lucky cody.
Being a Tim.
Best feeling in the world.
Best community in the world.
Must be painful for the crabbits.
Kucky Cody
Understood hy who?..
Thumbscc
BADA BING,
I trust you’re wrong about having to book your seat if you’re on the Home Ticket scheme. I got an email last week from Celtic saying the money would be deducted from my bank account on the 27th (today!).
Caught a glimpse of Scott Sinclair last night, scored a smashing goal and made another, shocking hair do!
Boringoldfartcfc
Ach am away to see Celtic
:-)
Lucky Cody apologies for my fumz! :-)
HH
I see Neil Lennon is hoping to take Liam Henderson back to Hibs on loan.
NO I say!
I’d rather give him Bitton, Joe Hanson or GMS!
Liam not in the travelling party to Kazakhstan however, which isn’t a good sign.
COYBIG!
HH!!
MACJAY
Ayrshire terminology when I was a kid,five shillings was a dollar.
Lucky Cody –
Nice wee fantasy workd you live in.
Either that or you need to stop reading so many trashy paperbacks.
Or both.
new article posted.
We really must qualify for the CL, if the top clubs get their way the door may be closed for leagues like ours as they want to turn qualification into invitation only so the likes of Man U,(who did not qualify) can get a fifth bite at the cherry.
HH
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 27TH JULY 2016 12:22 PM
Me too.
Four dollars to the pound was way before your time .
And mine.
Explaining. Not disagreeing.
Two and a half hours till Brendan`s biggest challenge to date.
Can`t wait.
What we want to come away with today is hope based on performance.
Another performance like Gib sets the hope clock back to zero, but a good performance that should produce a hopeful result is what is needed.