Ross County are involved in a fight for sixth place with four other teams all within two points of each other. Hamilton Accies win last night pushed them to the top of this mini-league, but despite a run of form which has seen County without a win in over two months, a win over the Champions tonight would see the Highlanders climb into the top half of the table.
Their best chance of getting a result like this surely lies between the ears of the Celtic players. Over the last eight days Celtic have twice played to packed out crowds in Champions League and League Cup semi-final encounters. Victoria Park, Dingwall, will provide nothing like the same intensity. How Brendan Rodgers sharpens his players wits for what will be a cup final for the hosts, will be a significant challenge.
County are one of only three clubs in the league who have not beaten any of the table’s top half teams (bottom club, Dundee, and ‘The Rangers are coming’ ‘Going for 55’ ‘Narrowing the gap’ Newco are the other two). This type of statistic is often interpreted as a negative, but beating the teams at the bottom of the league is a critical objective of any team who want to survive.
Ross County are not having a great season, but they have achieved the most important things and can play with the pressure off tonight. It’s a result I’d not put money on.
While the Celtic engine rolls on, Aberdeen’s stalled at Hamilton last night, albeit to a soft-looking penalty. If we win our games in hand we’ll have an eight point advantage over Hearts and 10 over Aberdeen., which is a remarkable lead so early in the season, especially as we are the only team distracted by European competition.
One issue on team selection: 72 hours from now we’ll be underway at Pittodrie. While we need to pick a team to win tonight’s game, players are not machines. This should be a night for Griffiths, Armstrong, Roberts, McGregor, Izaguirre and Gamboa to start.
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CALL ME GERRY –
I posted earlier – including Sunday we will have 5 games in 14 days between then and 5 Nov. when we play Inverness. Don’t think we can expect the same team- though I agree that too many changes can be disruptive
Just when you he was gonna give us up Rick Astley brings out a new album
Team sheet latest…………. Stuart Armstrong
PHILBHOY on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 5:49 PM
Burtons Or mibbe Jacksons?
Not them
BOGNORBHOY –
Gilt Edged?
BSR
We’ll need more than one player mate
;-)
NATKNOW on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 6:19 PM
BOGNORBHOY –
Gilt Edged?
Nope..
Call Me
It’s a slow leak
5 adverts.
The programme also has some great adverts…. have a guess …
“We shall all be moved ” ?……
___________________
Look for the “white Heather” sign of quality ?….
____________________
It’s a grand old firm to travel with ? ……
_________________
“What will we do when the season ends “?
__________________
For superior and personal tailoring?
____________________
This one tops the lot…….
“We take the worry out of money “
If catman says 8 changes, that’s what there’ll be.
8 changes?
Will 4 of them be Scott Brown?
Natnow
Agree that schedule is extreme
This is were our sports science guys earn their corn.
Light training between games for those playing 90 mins?
Anyway, in BR we trust
HH
Anyone heard from Matt Stewart in the last hour or so? ;-)
Jobo
I haven’t seen him but the County Tavern is bouncin wi Tims. The RC fans learning a few new tunes tonight.
Play yer strongest team Brendan.
Armstrong for Bitton and maybe Roberts for Forrest. Otherwise, the same as Sunday!
KTF
Teamsheet
Gordon; Gamboa, Lustig, Sviatchenko, Izaguirre; Henderson, McGregor; Roberts, Christie, Armstrong; Griffiths.
Earthquake in Perugia
Celtic starting line up v Ross County- 7:45 pm ko BT Sport 1
Gordon; Gamboa, Lustig, Sviatchenko, Izzaguire; Armstrong, McGregor; Roberts, Christie, Henderson; Griffiths .
Cheers Parkheadcumsalford
HH
8 changes correct from catman.
who is hiding in the team hamper in the dressing rooms.
BSR: if that is the official team for tonight it has more changes than I would have anticipated. I would replace Biton with McGregor or Armstrong and Dembele with Griffiths.
8 changes. 6 Scots in the starting line up but no Scott.
Goalfest written all over it!!!
South Of Tunis on 26th October 2016 2:18 pm
Early 70s – some TA twerps objected to me having a gold loop in each ear… In their world , that made me a ” Poof ”
==================================
A poof?
Nope.
A pirate?
Yes.
;))
Celtic Subs :
De Vries, Dembele, Bitton, Rogic, Sinclair, O’Connell, Forrest
That’s a quality team imo.
Very much doubt they will not perform, Brendan will have them sorted.
St Stivs
Ear to the ground as always
Your name came up in an interview I was doing today
HH
Almore
So many games he’s resting players for Aberdeen and BMG next Tuesday
Looks a good team The Dons losing last nite gives us breaking space
Even breaving space stupid I Phone
Definitely looks like next two big games are priority. Hard to argue with that.
More changes than I’d like, unless we are basically saying we can afford to drop points tonight, and it’s not a concern if we do.
Though if making 8 changes, why not rest Lustig as well? O’Connell is on the bench? Strange?
A lack of physical presence in midfield tonight? A few years ago, I thought Liam Henderson was our best prospect since Paul McStay. I was perhaps a bit overly optimistic. Hope the boy has a good game tonight.
I would like to have seen Broonies name on the teamsheet.
especially with so many changes.
C’monnnnnnnnnnnnnn the Hoooooooops
That many changes is fraught with danger. Cohesion, understanding, players playing for themselves to break into the team and not as a team, lack of match sharpness etc. But that’s where the manager earns a real reputation. If this team pulls it off tonight then the buzz around Celtic Park and Lennoxtown will be immense.
Well on Chris Sutton says it as he sees it with the Fenian smirk.
BSR: that’s what I was thinking too.
Catman & Saint Stivs
Let me venture…
“Tell me about the last time you had to handle a difficult Unrepentant Fenian Bassa? What were the circumstances … blah., blah ;-)
Hate to remind folk of what happened the last time we made wholesale changes up there when RD was in charge.
Not only changes, but a full side that have never played together before, could be a very hard shift, and a tough watch on TV.