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The script is written

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

Notwithstanding the possibility of further setbacks from tonight’s international games, or from commercial flights back to Glasgow, the core of Neil Lennon’s team for Saturday looks stable.

Assuming Christopher Jullien is fit, he will play alongside Shane Duffy and Kristoffer Ajer, with Vasilis Barkas in goal.  The central metronome of the team: Callum McGregor and Scott Brown, will be in-situ, Jeremie Frimpong and debutant Diego Laxalt will occupy the wingback roles.

That leaves three places for the manager to fill.  Albian Ajeti is now beyond his expected recuperation period and should be ready for 90 minutes, but Neil will be mindful of how his decision to throw a recuperating Mohamed Elyounoussi into December’s League Cup Final backfired.  Moi was a passenger at Hampden and Celtic did not spark until after he was replaced.  Albian plays a different role and I expect he will get the nod.

That leaves two slots to fill, a forward and an attacking mid.

Odsonne Edouard’s health will be assessed when he arrives in the country less than 24 hours before kick-off.  It is a lot to ask of a player to start under these circumstances, but he persistently terrifies the Newco defence.  If he has remained asymptomatic throughout it is likely we will see him at some point.

I would start Leigh Griffiths in a heartbeat.  He has experience performing in and winning these fixtures.  His attitude is perfect for them and he is a born goal-scorer; for years, the sugar in our tea.  Patryk Klimala will be full of confidence after his remarkable recovery and goal in Perth last time out.  I doubt he will start but he is a striker – just think back to the aforementioned League Cup Final, when Lewis Morgan started up front.  That really was an understrength Celtic team.

Ryan Christie would fill the attacking mid role, were he not excluded while healthy, but this is one position Neil is drowning in options for.  Olivier Ntcham is most likely to get the start, but Elyounoussi, David Turnbull and Tom Rogic are all more than capable, although I would hold Tom for a late goal-scoring cameo.

It is understandable that news of pandemic exclusions are alarming, but frankly, I don’t know what anyone is worried about.   The script is written for this one.

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  1. Saint Stivs on

    i know Naka was the “place it” man for frees and shots, but did anyone ever hit a deadball harder than L

  3. prestonpans bhoys on

    SS

     

     

    I was one of the 20% who would not take a seat without my daughter getting one.

     

     

    Academic since they were told weggie post codes first, second and third from the government😵😱

  5. Parkheadcumsalford on

    TT,

     

     

    That game you mention. Was it a League Cup tie? Did we win with a Bobby Lennox goal and a Bobby Murdoch thunderbolt after they missed a penalty with about 10 minutes to go? I was in the Jungle that night.

  7. prestonpans bhoys on

    SS

     

     

    Same position as last Scotland game, wife aff to bed leaving me the big telly and sound on. Got some wine to compensate for this pish

  8. lets all do the huddle on

    decent result for scotland

     

     

    didnt see it but the stats suggest it maybe wasnt deserved!!

     

     

    but if you dont concede then you always have a chance to nick a goal

  10. prestonpans bhoys on

    Lets all

     

     

    Possession

     

    Home31%Away69%

     

    Shots

     

    Home6Away16

     

    Shots on Target

     

    Home1Away6

     

    Corners

     

    Home1Away12

     

    Fouls

     

    Home9Away1

  16. tonyrome on

    Hi Bhoys

     

     

    Watched the Scotland game tonight Jack played as if it was a rehearsal for saturday don’t think he moved out more than 30 yards from Scotland goal.

     

     

    KEEP THE FAITH

  18. Jobo Baldie on

    Good first half performance and defended heroically in the second. Pretty sure Scotland now only need 2 points from 2 games to win the group. That would provide another alternative play off chance for qualifying for the next World Cup (if we don’t qualify through our WC qualifying section). Would also promote Scotland to Division A for the next Europa in 2 years time. I think…

     

    So, now that that’s out of the way, 3 more sleeps… ;-)

  20. Jinkyredstar on

    I didn’t say it was a bad thing – great result

     

    Just so reminiscent of many a Killie result

     

    I’m quite happy actually😀

  21. Big Georges Fan Club - Hail, Hail, Wee Oscar on

    PRESTONPANS BHOYS on 14TH OCTOBER 2020 9:09 PM

     

     

    I was one of the 20% who would not take a seat without my daughter getting one.

     

    ———-

     

    Me too. WeeBGFC widnae let me go without him 🤨

     

     

    Actually enjoyed Scotland’s effort there. Back line were solid, determined and well-drilled. Wee Calum best man on the park. McGinn good with quiet patches. Big Dykes – I like them 😉. Fraser – wish he played for us. Jack – good in bits (surprisingly, because he’s a donkey). Taylor – solid, and some decent balls in. Marshall – solid. Would like to see wee Leigh and Lyndon together – would be a decent front line.

     

     

    Crossed fingers now for no further call offs, and batten down the hatches till Saturday. I do hate 12:00 kick offs though – we don’t seem to get out of bed early enough!! Down with Sky.

     

     

    HH

     

    BGFC

  22. Majestic Hartson on

    Great result tonight. We’ve got a team of mostly average players but we are getting a bit of wind in our sails – though the opposition haven’t been great recently, and we rode our luck this evening.

     

     

    Dykes and Fraser linked well in the first half. Hopefully Griffiths will join them soon.

  23. bognorbhoy on

    BIG GEORGES FAN CLUB – HAIL, HAIL, WEE OSCAR on 14TH OCTOBER 2020 10:03 PM

     

     

    I do hate 12:00 kick offs though – we don’t seem to get out of bed early enough!! Down with Sky.

     

     

    Have a wee lie in its 12:30 kick off

  24. Tontine Tim on

    AT I went tae Milan with the OK club 8 months after returning fae the “land of opportunity”.

     

     

    Joe Docherty’s mother lived roon the corner fae my in-laws. His nephew, a baker, supplies the pies tae the Bramalea CSC.

     

     

    PCS it was indeed that LC game, at the time Jock said it was his greatest ever victory, 3 months after Lisbon.

  25. Hot Smoked on

    BGFC

     

    …especially when those 12.00 o`clock KO`s are at 12:30pm.

     

     

    I know Bognorbhoy has beaten me to it but I wasn`t going to let that stop me :-))

  26. expat_celt on

    Scotland undefeated in 8 games – best run in 32 years!!!! Before smartphones, streaming, wifi…

  27. Melbourne Mick on

    Hello again all you young rebels.

     

     

    Just watched a wee vid on Celtic Down Under, big Shane being

     

    asked various questions.

     

    ” Shane, who would you like playing beside you at Celtic Park?

     

    Expecting Ronaldo, Messi, etc.

     

    ” James Maclean ” said the big man.

     

    Wow, that would make the hun go bonkers lol.

     

    Whats new 8-))

     

    H.H. Mick

  32. Majestic Hartson on

    Mick x2

     

     

    It was mentioned by a few people on here during the window that we should have bought McLean.

     

     

    It seems like a great idea to me. I’m of the opinion of anything that winds them up is worth consideration.

  34. Melbourne Mick on

    FIESDORFER

     

    Ta for that, I know his lady works in the health dept. so

     

    a tad concerned.

     

    MAJESTIC HARTSON

     

    Getting edgy now, hope to wait till tomorrow night and then

     

    it’s out to the barricades, Rebs on, probably a coupla litre bottles

     

    of the rid biddy and assorted beers, really craving a Guinness in

     

    the pub though.

     

    Fingers crossed Daniel opens the pubs on Sunday.

     

    H.H. Mick

  35. timhorton on

    SAINT STIVS

     

     

    Hardest dead ball shot……………Neil Mochan.

     

    Probably a bit before your time.

  36. Majestic Hartson on

    Good man Mick.

     

     

    My sister is joining me on Saturday and I’m definitely going to be having a few to calm my nerves throughout the game.

     

     

    I was talking to my mate’s dad earlier – he played in the Scotland school boy team with Kenny Dalgleish (KD was playing inside right at the time and made my mate’s dad, a left midfielder, look good with the one twos) and played with Holy Cross alongside Jimmy Murdoch (said he was an amazing player) when they won the school’s Scottish Cup. He was quite rightly delighted to be telling me his stories…

     

     

    – anyway he reckons we will give them a doing on Saturday and has put a decent punt on 7-1!

     

     

    I love his optimism…

  37. Melbourne Mick on

    MAJESTIC HARTSON.

     

     

    K.O. for the gemme will be 10.30 Sat evening for the Melburnian

     

    rebels, just in case that was what you meant lol.

     

    Besides winding up the hun, James is a 100% er and we’ll need that

     

    against the jackboot jokers.

     

    H.H. Mick

  38. timhorton on

    If you were allowed three subs during the lions time i think Lubo for sure would be one.

     

     

    What a player he was and natural two footed.

  42. SydneyTim on

    counting minutes towards game , cant wait

     

     

    will watch in pub, limited to 180 and all siting with that’s socials distance thing.

     

     

    roll on 9:30pm sat night when team is announced.

     

     

    when team was announced in December 2019 for celtic park fixture v them , i nearly choked on my beer

     

    MJ wide left and JF wide right, two players who have been anonymous v them

     

     

    MJ a few times and JF an expert at the anomality v them

     

     

    I said to some mates that’s us handed midfield to Sevco

     

     

    sadly that’s what the team on paper did, ie gave them the midfield

     

     

    Hopefully Neil has learnt this lesson to stop trying to pull surprises out the hat that eventually fail

     

     

    a few of my fears for team selection

     

    1. he will play Moi and Kilmala up front that would be a total disaster

     

    2. play 3 at the back with an unfit CH in Julian 3 at the back makes CH run far more left and right, we play that and it will be 2 half time 5 the winner utter suicide

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