We hurt Newco players, Sunday will not be an exhibition

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I know a few who were indifferent about winning the league at Easter Road on Sunday with the prospect of winning it against Newco this weekend, but it is not how Brendan Rodgers views things.

It doesn’t matter how you regard Newco in a historical context, these games bring an inherent pressure for Celtic to win (and Newco to at least lose while competing) that it would suit the manager to have already won the league before crossing swords with Graeme Murty for the third time in seven weeks.

We should also remember, this is not a Harlem Globetrotters game, where an exhibition of slick entertainment will take place with the result predetermined.  We hurt Newco’s players.  They have been professionally embarrassed in a very public manner, something which could inhibit their career opportunities – and let’s be clear, many of them will want to move on from Murray Park this summer.

We have to anticipate that they will play better at Celtic Park than they did at Hampden.  At the very least, someone inside the away dressing room is likely to say “Lads, can you keep an eye on the big Australian guy?”  They have learned several of our stock plays in recent weeks and they have learned what does not work against them.  This fact alone will make them better prepared.  Napoleon warned his generals not to fight the same opponent too many times, as they will learn all you moves.  He had a point.

Scott Brown quite rightly called the prospect of winning the league on Sunday the “sweetest” way, but this is not what you want to hear from players prior to a game.  As the captain himself noted after our Scottish Cup semi-final win, do you talking on the park.  Opponents use words like this to create a common purpose, especially when they are struggling to find any commonality naturally.

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Both squads will be managed by a former Celtic player. Date TBC; please note it may be a weekday. All monies raised will be donated to Celtic FC Foundation, a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (number SC024648).

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327 Comments

  1. Delaneys Dunky on

    Embramike

     

     

    Looks a good soundbite from FTSFA. Is it practiced though. I know all Celtic players are tested by our club doc. What goes on up in Auchenhowie?

  2. DD you will burn yersell oot.

     

    I am going back to work next Friday after 3 months off, on a friggin Friday ffs.

     

     

    Anyway got to get back as I’m really getting bored now, just trying to get the hip a wee bit more exercise this week then that’s it.

     

     

    D. :)

  3. !!Bada Bing!! on

    I thought they would finish it tonight, front 3 best in Europe, like watching Messi Saurez Neymar a couple of years ago

  4. Delaneys Dunky on

    Phil

     

     

    You sound like my mammy.

     

    That is a huge compliment BTW.

     

    Cheers amigo

     

    HH

  5. Really poor from Roma. Bordering on the unacceptable. It’s not the Brazilian team from 1970 they are up against. Their fans must be fizzin mad. Semi final. Spineless performance, perhaps the semi final flattered them.

  6. Jobo don’t get greedy a wins a win, just beat this tribute act and get this league tied up.

     

    Although I do think if we don’t take a few off them they will say ” oh we are not that far behind they only scored a couple against us”

     

     

    D. :)

  7. Jobo,

     

    aye the bears on RM are having a berky seeing as he never attended the game on Saturday

  8. Delaneys Dunky on

    Dena

     

     

    Pity the Lurgan belle cannae make Coias on Sunday. We will make do with the 3 Baile Atha Cliathe bonny bhoys.

     

    GNGB x

  9. CCB

     

     

    Good news about Mick!

     

     

    Tell him PB’s family are asking!

     

     

    And praying!

     

     

    LIONROARS67

     

     

    Best wishes to you to, wee prayer said.

     

     

    KTF

  10. ?: just to confirm what WITS said.

     

     

    St Stivs: I was at a development education conference today and one of the students at my table, representing her school, was a Syrian refugee.

     

     

    A project which won an award was for students in a local school who went out of their way to welcome Syrian refugees to their community.

     

     

    Lots of good stuff going on out there.

  11. Delaneys Dunky on

    David66

     

     

    I am aching in muscles, I never knew existed.

     

    All good though, thanks. Good luck in getting a routine back too.

  12. Funny old game, this.

     

    With 30 minutes gone in the first half Roma looked on course for a draw at the very least.

     

     

    Then Liverpool cut out their mid-field with ball after ball over the top. That’s just what sophisticated aren’t supposed to do.

  13. TICTAEWIN

     

    Roma have no answer to a team with movement and who play a higher risk game which is rare in our modern possession obsessed games.

     

    Klopp encourages the diagonal pass and run which has lower possession stats than the square ball.

     

    He sometimes pays a high price for conceding goals when possession is lost but if he can find the right midfield anchor Liverpool could go up alive.

     

    In Italy Prlo was the master of the diagonal but I’m sure it’s rarely used now so Roma have no answer for such unfamiliar tactics.

  14. Delaneys Dunky on

    ACGR

     

     

    Lookin like we are gonnae build our strength in Coias, before a bit of hun skelping. On the pitch of course. ????????

  15. Pogmathonyahun at 9.48pm

     

     

    Couldn’t agree more, even just to mix things up and confuse the defensive system (if there is one). I wasn’t good enough at football but coached rugby to a good level and we always had that thought that if we ran at the opposition, and they put us under pressure with a high defensive line – in football language, a high press- then a couple of chip kicks over the defence made them think, and forced them to sit deeper giving us more space.

     

     

    If it’s all about space, and to an extent it is, it’s a good way to create it.

  16. If only Roma had any recent history of qualifying following a 3 goal first leg deficit. . . . .

  17. !!Bada Bing!! on

    I said Liverpool would win home and away….but at 5-0 Salah is rested till final…

  18. Won’t happen, big Klippety will have them in tomorrow watching a DVD, “The Barcies, A Warning From History”.

  19. Delaneys Dunky on

    BB

     

     

    I have always been treated very well in Liverpool. Have a soft spot for the Scousers. Hope they win in Kiev.

  20. Frightening

     

    Was just reading report of trouble with Roma and Liverpool fans tonight

     

    A photo on BBC website showing a fan carrying a hammer

     

    Who on earth takes a hammer to the fitba ??

     

    Frightening

     

    I hope they identify this individual