This season, Newco present the greatest domestic test to Celtic since Aberdeen in season 2014-15. More significantly, their results in Europe defined expectations. Having eliminated Young Boys and Feyenoord, they are in the Europa League knock out stage.
This would be a dream season for them were it not for their two defeats to Celtic: one at Ibrox in the league, the other this month’s League Cup Final defeat at Hampden. There is a reason for that.
Celtic are an exceptional team. Better than Porto, who topped Newco’s Europa League group, better Young Boys and Feyenoord. I can think of only two regrettable moments in our season so far (Scott Brown’s handball against Cluj and Ryan Chistie’s lunge against Livingston).
Tomorrow we get the chance to beat them at a third Glasgow venue of the season: Celtic Park, which, due to Newco’s inability to deal with celebrating visiting Celtic fans, will have 59,000 Celtic fans and around 700 visitors. Newco believe, having drawn in a half-empty stadium in Oporto and away to a weak team in Rotterdam, they can cope on the road. They will find Celtic Park is a virulently hostile an environment.
Like most of you, I hope to see Mikey Johnston on the left, James Forrest on the right and Ryan Christie in the No. 10 role, but Neil Lennon has shown no inclination of picking this formation, which would leave Olivier Ntcham on the bench.
This morning, I watched our Ibrox win in September. Olivier was exceptional throughout, as he was the first time these teams met last season. If he is in the 10 role, we have nothing to fear. The full back positions are crucial. Newco flourished on their right wing in particular at Hampden, If Boli Bolingoli and either Forrest or Johnston dominate that side of the field, the entire flow of the game will be different.
The greatest risk tomorrow is from a red card, but we have experience all over the field, even Jeremie Frimpong has some lessons under his belt.
Odsonne Edouard terrifies them. They cannot tackle him, cannot shove him off the ball, and after Hampden, they will even be reluctant to kick him. I expect Odsonne to be as calm and devastating as usual. Look out for a late cameo. Leigh Griffiths endured a torrid 2019. He has scored three times this calendar year, in games Celtic scored 5, 7 and 5 goals respectively. The script is written for a rejuvenating end to the year for the player.
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Hello again all you young rebels.
And a big Celtic g’day from a melting hot Melbourne.
Had a quiet one today, wee bit of gardening, got all my steak
pie ingredients for the new year ready, and a read at my
new Broony book.
No, not a drop to drink, just water, WTF, i hear you all gasp
even the princess thinks ” he’s weird the day ” but no not a
snifter until Celtics first goal.
Even though there’s a full bottle of the golden nectar sitting
there in the box with a big hairy heilander on it, winking at me
constantly, no way… until the tic score and then the floodgates
open.
So come on you bhoys in green, i need a goal first 5 mins to
quench a raging thirst 8-))
H.H . Mick
Good morning, friends from a dry but breezy East Kilbride. Looking forward to a memorable Last Game of The Decade of Dominance. HH
Good morning Jobo, thought everybody was away oot
getting tanked up early lol.
H.H . Mick
They may well be, Mick. I have that option too as my Bhoy is the driver today. However, like you, I’ll wait until after our goal (or goals). 2 hours till I get picked up and in less than 4 I’ll be gazing across a steadilly filling up Celtic Park.
So jealous.
H.H . Mick
Good morning from an absolutely baltic Prague 2. My wife’s got no consideration with her Christmas market breaks.
Thankfully I’m sorted with an arranged sesh in Rocky O’ Reillys .( 3 min walk from Wenceslas Sq, if anyone’s about )
Really looking forward to the game where we put them back in their box.
HH, COYBIG.
PS : ST gone to a good home.
Going back to bed…..someone doped my 17th pint.
But afore I go….
https://enematic.wordpress.com/2019/12/29/he-would-have-laughed-at-this-rip-colin/
Hail Hail
Matt
An important day, but not a defining day for Celtic, however a defeat for the Ibrox club, and it might be.
King has left with dignity & reputation, (what reputation?) in tact, according to our Scottish media. I know this not to be the case. There is an avalanche of fall-out to come, when the real reason is known.
A defeat for them today will focus minds that another barren season is in prospect and the ducking & diving will need to be ratched-up another couple of levels.
A full house at Ibrox has been the catalyst in their ‘surprising’ EUFA results, last season and this – how will they cope with Celtic Park today with only a handful supporting them?
If we can cut out our recent wastefulness in front of goal, this could be a really special day.
Apart from Boli, or, Hayes, or Taylor at left-back and Ollie in, or, out, the other nine pick themselves – our set-up is key.
Let’s do it in style, HH.
Good Morning All.
I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas and that we are all looking forward to today’s game.
Before going any further I just want to pay a special tribute to OLDTIM and HEBCELT both of whom go to extraordinary lengths to help and assist fellow Celtic fans and friends.
Everything that is good about Celtic and its fans can be found in these two Gentlemen and it is an honour and a pleasure to share in their company from time to time.
Oldtim’s generosity at the Grey Brigade’s Christmas Lunch was extraordinary and greatly appreciated.
In October 2018 I went to Salzburg with a few oul cronies to see us play Red Bull. When I went to the game I was very surprised by how many Austrian’s and Germans were there supporting Celtic. One young couple were bedecked in Celtic shirts and when I asked them why they explained that Celtic were their team and it was a dream come true to see them play in Austria,
Last night, I had them out for dinner in Glasgow’s west end and today they will be at Celtic Park as my guests to cheer on their beloved Hoops.
A big shout out to HebCelt who helped me source the tickets for them.
Celtic — a club without borders!
Here is to a win today and another three points towards the title.
HH
BRTH
Good morning CQN from a green and white Garngad
Weather report- it’s a beautiful day, hey hey hey….
2 hours for me and my bhoy to leave for a short taxi ride down to paradise, we have Hospitality today. You think my daughter and her man would leave the weans and gee us a run down. 😂
To be fair son in law and grandson will be in the Celtic end as usual so they will be busy getting ready I suppose, anyway I digress.
AOW – another great post last night or earlier this morning, you ST Tams bhoys know yer stuff. 😂
3-1 to the good ghuys today. Nullify Taviernier by getting goal side and cutting out his crosses and as soon as they are inside our half get in amongst them, win possssion and attack the space Tavernier has left, thus is why I think Lenny might go with Mikey.
Anyway for the 11 on the park just feckin try your hardest, that is all we ask 1 more push, 1 more game, 1 last time in 2019 to pull on those famous Hoops and puff the chest out and walk tall in our forefathers shadows, Come On You Bhoys In Green.
🏆🍀🏆🍀🏆🍀🏆🍀🏆🍀🏆🍀🏆🍀🏆🍀 – Loading
D. :)
I expect Statement O’Clock will come out in force this evening as some serious deflection will be needed to avert attention away from a rampant Celtic win.
BRTH – Superb
Thank you for sharing that with us.
🍀💚🍀💚
D. :)
Going out a half hour walk to test the temperature. Report to follow…
Good Morning, Mild Mid-winter in the Chilterns…
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and are still enjoying the festive season.
Odd one for me… mine started yesterday evening.!?
But going to make the best of it…
Lenny and the bhoys can set it off in style…
Huge game today – COYBIG
Hail Hail to All Bhoys & Ghirls
FAO MELBOURNE MICK….
Mick, how did PADDY’s surgery go on Boxing Day…I hope hes on the road to recovery ?
I hope that Christmas and Santa was good to you all ?
………….
Ive just had a Christmas By Pass, as I havent been out anywhere since I had a couple of Pints of Beer on Dec 20th in my local, which is only 20 yards away.
Apart from a quick visit to my local grocers shop, 40 yards away, I havent spoken to a living soul since Dec 20th, but hopefully I will mange to out for a couple of Beers on Monday, if I feel well enough…cos I am still a bit dizzy as I am losing blood from somewhere. I am very concerned that I will end up back in hospital again very soon..hopefully not !
I have a heart nurse visiting me tomorrow morning in my home, and hopefully she will find my Heart “FULL of JOY” after another Celtic victory against The Mankie Mob this afternoon ?
My Bets are on with BET365 Online……The bets are not important….I am just hoping for any kind of Celtic win…
HH
BIG JIMMY
Hope we score a couple of early goals to settle you down big fhella,take care.hh
Big Jimmy – God Bless you.
My prediction of 3-1 to the Bhoys will cheer you up if it comes true.
Hail Hail
D. :)
Feck it…I have now decided that IF Celtic win Today…I will “Force” myself to go to my local Pub ( 20 yards away) for Two Pints of Celebration right after the Final Whistle…..I aint gonna wait until Monday…..
So around 2.20pm Today…I may Go Crazy LOL !
Thanks VOGUEPUNTER, all the best to you my friend.
HH
Thanks DAVID66….I might even do a wee Jig IF Celtic win !
HH
On a good day…I am a better “Jigger” than Neil Lennon…LOL
HH
Big Jimmy,
Take care my friend. I will look forward to our pints when you are fit enough.
Cheers and HH.
Big Jimmy
Keep on trucking. Hope you, and the rest of us, get a great result today and that will help to perk you up.
Arbroath Emerald just passed Broxden en route to Paradise.
HH
I used to be a very good “Jigger/Dancer”…….just ask half the Female population of the West of Scotland…….Not so much now…those days are gone…sadly.
……….
Does Santa have a “Claus” in his contract ?
Why did Japanese Kamikazi Pilots bother to wear a feckin Helmet ?
Will I have cause for Celebration Today ?
These are the questions I ask myself.
On my serious side….I ( Like many others)….fully believe that “IF Celtic turn up….Celtic WIN” !
As for the alleged Kris Ajer “winking” after Cosgrove was sent off….what difference does it make IF he did wink, and it is deemed as “Cheating” by some ………….EVERY TIME…Morelos and/or Defoe HIT the DECK in apparent agony as soon as a Celtic ( or any opposition player ) player looks at them…is Cheating….whether they “wink” or not .
HH
Has Slippy G moaned about every game we have beat them since he arrived???
Every time you watch re runs of games against them he is moaning about decisions not going their way. WTF
D. :)
GREENPINATA & FRIESDORFER…
Thanks Bhoys…Hail Hail.
I am very used to being on my own over the years at Christmas etc, unless I have some Sexy Wummin on the go…its just that this year has been my worst ever due to my poor health…so its been a bit difficult. I have NEVER been so ill in my life as I have been since September.
Hopefully IF The Celts do the business Today…I can have Two Beers and that wee Jig ?
HH
Always important to remind ourselves on a day like this that it is only one match of football.
Enjoy ,celebrate and love it if we we win.
However if we don’t win or infact lose REMEMBER not to get too down.
I feel all the nerves in my tummy already this morning and I made myself sick with anxiety a couple of weeks ago watching the league cup final.
I deal with negative results better in this game when I prepare myself.lol
Come on Celtic……wipe the floor today
Big Jimmy……………
Keep on Dancin’ fella………………..
HH.
Greenpinta
I flew home from holiday yesterday – a day earlier than first scheduled – due to my wife noticing the conflict in dates. You need a wife with a season ticket!
Big Jimmy
I hope thinks start looking up for you – a win today will certainly help. I’ll be thinking of you jiggin the 20yards if we get a good one.
QF
Very mild out there but with a bit if a chilly wind. So, my advice is wear a scarf! HH
BIG JIMMY
So glad to hear that you are in better spirits – hope the health has stabilised and you are feeling a bit better.
Let’s hope a win today will sweep you down to your local on a green & white cloud to get those two pints. You have many well-wishers on here – I am happy to add my name to the list. HH.
Quick shut eye then up at 1:30 am to watch Lennys hoops skelp the Huns. Back in your pits zombies. Celtic 2 sevco zilch. More,ass greetin. Hail Hail.
Forster – Frimpong- Julien- Ajer- Boli- Brown – McGregor – Ntcham- Christie- Forrest – Eddie
Can’t see Lennon changing his line up for this one. Johnston will have a big role to play in the last quarter.
2-0 Celtic
Clean sheet for us today please. Unless we win 5-1.
Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,
Celtic, Celtic on to victory,
They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the scottish football league
They come from bonnie Scotland, they come from county Cork,
They come from dear old Donegal and even from New York,
From every street in Glasgow they proudly make their way,
To a place called dear old paradise and this is what they say.
Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,
Celtic, Celtic on to victory,
They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the Scottish football league.
There’s Fallon, Young and Gemmell who proudly wear the green,
There’s Clark, McNeill and Kennedy the best there;s ever been,
Jim Johnstone, Murdoch, Chalmers, John Divers and John Hughes,
And sixty thousand Celtic fans who proudly shout the news.
Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,
Celtic, Celtic on to victory,
They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the Scottish football league.
repeat till you see the stadium
Doors to automatic…
On Iron horse heading to Paradise.
Hail Hail.
Heading for work, with my tablet under me arm, 👍
C’mon the Celts. 🇨🇦
HH to All Tims in The Support of Our Great Club!
COYBIG.