As Ronny Deila chose to leave first team players to their training duties, instead taking a fringe squad for Saturday’s friendly against St Pauli, Norwegian compatriot, Henning Berg, had a league game in Cracow, which Legia won comfortably.
Playing games is the best way to improve fitness but two games per week comes at a cost, fitness metrics are never as high ahead of the second game as they would be if pre-match preparation was a week long. With a day already lost to travel, Ronny clearly decided the players needed preparatory work for Warsaw more than the disruption caused by the pre-match-day preparation for St Pauli, the game itself, then post-match rest-day brought about by Saturday’s match.
Henning Berg rested most of his first team ahead of their second leg against St Pat’s (resulting in a home defeat in the league), and, perhaps mindful of not showing too much of his hand to Celtic, rested four players on Saturday. His team are also a couple of weeks’ training ahead of Celtic, which will be the major benefit Legia will hope to exploit.
While Celtic moaned about having to play three qualification rounds I’m sure Ronny will be happy he saw his team in competitive action against KR ahead of tonight’s game. There was enough about the first half in Iceland two weeks ago to remind him that an edge is needed, and it is not straightforward to find, even against such lowly opposition.
While Celtic progressed to the group stage in each of the last two seasons, the corresponding fixture to tonight caused some concern on both occasions. HJK Helsinki were eventually overcome 2-1 after taking a lead at Celtic Park two years ago, while we took an equally narrow 1-0 to Elfsborg last season. Celtic would go on to produce memorable and record breaking seasons, but the preparation gradient has proven to be steep.
Celtic’s major advantage could, conversely, be the partisan home crowd, who are sure to be switched on from kick off, but Berg’s team have not won any of their three home games this season. The natives are getting restless and could easily become frustrated, increasing the tension already evident on Legia. The first goal could be crucial.
No passengers tonight, Celtic, especially late in the game, when limbs tire.
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The nervous, sick, butterfly in stomach feeling that only the champions league matches and games against the Huns brings is now in full swing!
I hate these matches! Please god I’m wrong but i just know this match has danger written all over it!
Worried, nervous and most definitely excited about tonight.
Fountainhall Bhoy, no idea if the bars will go have the game but……
Celtic Bars in Stirling, Gallaghers in the Raploch, Sportsters in Baker Street in the centre, and across on King Street at the top, forgotten name, the last two aren’t Celtic, but are knuckle dragging either, mixed and on the odd occasion I’ve been in friendly.
Paul67 et al
Cannot disagree much with the teams posted on here. Given that we have only added one player to the squad the the team is quite experienced, with no strangers. We will face the usual problem of keeping possession under pressure. Sometimes, in recent seasons we have got it right, but not always. We will however create some chances, will be happy if we score one of them.
Bada Bing –
Usually one CL qualifier is on the season book. The first one for obvious reasons.
Are you saying all CL qualifiers should be on season book? Or do you just resent the idea of Celtic making ANY money on principal?
Kittoch fails a late fitness test and is confined to bed in the hope of getting a link and a nights sleep
c;mon Celtic
Kittoch
setting free the bears for res. 12 &
oscar knox but saying no to cqn
racists
18:11 on 30 July, 2014
Sheena Easton was keen on
miscegination
—–
My Dear SFTB….
Since You Have Found A New Favorite Term..
With Which To Slur Our Most Respected Poster….
At Least Attempt…
To Get The ‘Spelling ‘ CORRECT..!
There Are KIDS Reading This Blog..!
You Clearly Missed Out On Your True Vocation….
As Primary School Janitor..
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miscegenation
AngelGab,
Desperate situation for the Palestinians, vile acts by Israel.
Today they said Hamas kept launching rockets so they retaliated.
Number of casualties inflicted by said rockets? 0, not one.
Dozens killed by the retaliation, children taking shelter in a UN protected school among them, vile.
Well done to Ban Ki-Moon for, at least, criticising the Israeli actions, more needs done, what exactly? I’m not a politician thankfully.
Tom- a wee bit of pathos I didn’t think you were capable of…
leftclicktic- how polite of you, thank you!
!!Bada Bing!! – heading over to the Stewartfield Farm around 7.30. Don’t think we’ve met so look out for the 6’2″, dark haired, athletic framed looking guy accompanied by a stunning looking young woman. Then introduce yourself cos I’m their dad!
Thoughts from the tuneless and clueless resident of the Rubber Room –
” Wee Griffiths Will Run Like A Linty ”
Will he be singing like a hare if he scores ?
The new bhoy starts! Strange lookin team from ronny!
team sheet is in
Celtic team to play Legia Warsaw: Forster, Matthews, Ambrose, van Dijk, Lustig, Mulgrew, Commons, Johansen, Berget, McGregor & Pukki (NM)
Subs: Zaluska, Izaguirre, Bitton, Kayal, Boerrigter, Griffiths & Stokes (NM)
New boy starts
Celtic team to play Legia Warsaw:
Forster, Matthews, Ambrose, van Dijk, Lustig, Mulgrew, Commons, Johansen, Berget, McGregor & Pukki
I take it Matthews is playing LB if is Izzy is on the bench
Not sure about the midfield
At first glance, team looks a little strange. Hope it works out.
I may be wrong, but I think that it is the home team, Legia, who sell the media rights for tonight’s game.*
That means that they sold them to Premier/Setanta.
This led to the blackout in UK, Ireland and Poland.
Not Celtic’s fault.
* Open to correction.
SofaTunis….
Ah Did Think Of Addin’ You Tae The Menagerie ..
In The CQN-HOOSE….
But ‘Starry’ Just Shaded It…
Love xx !
No Izaguirre……………………….. cant understand that, one of our top experienced performers ?
Berget, Pukki and McGregor all three are big gambles tonight
Kompany – Bayern Munich
Cheers Doc.
Reading the Teamsheet where’s ma Ros/ Beads.
Big C Sheradin scores for Apoel 2-2 v Helsinki Ft away from home.
Awerabest PJ
Celtic team to play Legia Warsaw:
Forster,
Matthews, Ambrose, van Dijk, Lustig,
Mulgrew, Commons, Johansen,
Berget, McGregor & Pukki
A couple of surprises.I expected Izzy to starr
Strange team….let’s see what happens….
Kikinthenakas
South of Tunis
Ah see that You r Unfamiliar Wi the Term..
“Runs Like A Linty.”
In this Case.. that Term… is Not Referring tae a LINNET..
Na..
If Refers tae the Legendary…Linty… Fae.
LINTHOOSE..
A Runner of Mythic.. well.. Myth.
Of Course, Mebbe, ye unfamiliar Wi the Name.. Linthoose??
If Ye ur..
well.. That’s Too bad..
Fur ye hiv Missed visiting …a Real Garden Spot in Glasgow..
Kojo
Still,Laughin
Very bold statement in the team selection so many midfielders overlooked.
I like Ronny.
Wow. What a team Ronny has selected. Really looking forward to see the line up and of course how Berget fits in.
Hope Pukki takes the first opportunity that comes his way as there may not be too many tonight.
Personally I would have Izzy, Biton and Griffiths in the starting team but I trust Ronny’s selection and assume he has a cunning plan.
Including Berget seems to be a huge gamble, or a stroke of genius. Here is hoping it’s the latter!
Well that Selection
Flairs Me!
My Goodness!
My Guiness!!!
Kojo
quite .. wel. Astonished..
Tonite’s Team…
Just As The SAGE O’ VEGAS…
PREDICTED….!
Still….Laughin’
Second attempt…
A couple of surprises. I expected Izzy to start. Is he carrying a knock?
Surprised to also see McGregor keeping out Stokes and Griffiths but then again his form has been good this preseason.
Pukki was a cert to start imo.
Strange line up tonight, but I will judge on the result.
Come on Celtic, remember, we are CELTIC.
Hail Hail
KINGLuBO
I can understand Matthews for Izzy as a defensive move. It is harder for any of us to understand the Berget move because we are very unfamiliar with him. Hope the boy gets off to a safe start with us.
I am nervous enough to make another spelling mistake.
oh no
Celtic team to play Legia Warsaw:
Forster, Matthews, Ambrose, van Dijk, Lustig, Mulgrew, Commons, Johansen, Berget, McGregor & Pukki
Guessin,
Forster
Matthews, Ambrose, VVD, Lustig.
Johansen, Mulgrew, McGregor, Berget
Commons
Pukki
Brave selection. Strong bench.