James Forrest has been carrying an injury for 10 months, which has affected the player’s effectiveness, so, irrespective of the outcome of his neurologist visit last week, I’m working on the assumption Celtic will play Adam Matthews in front of Michael Lustig on the right. This pair have speed, enormous energy, can cross and can defend. They have the making of a promising partnership.
Dirk Boerrigter has seen only 30 minutes football this season, and that was almost a month ago, but with the lack of options in the striker role, and the memory of just how effective he was during those 30 minutes, I expect we’ll see him from the start. He would also lift the atmosphere a degree or two higher.
Emilio Izaguirre will, of course, play left back. With Emilio bombing forward it is crucial we don’t leave the left flank exposed. This is a regular habit of Celtic’s which is seldom exposed in domestic football but Spartak Moscow scored their only goal at Celtic Park last season by exploiting the acres behind Emilio.
With Anthony Stokes looking unlikely, it will probably be Georgios Samaras leading the line with Kris Commons in the free role. Some of Georgios’ best performances away from home in Europe have been up front but it’s not his best position. Kris Commons I have no worries about. He knows exactly what is required tonight. In particular, expect him to win free kicks near the box and perhaps a penalty. I’ll make no comment on what to expect if we are awarded a spot kick.
Central midfield will have Scott Brown and Joe Ledley. Watch for Joe making back post runs. We can expect marking to be tight tonight, so a late run into the box could offer our best chance of a breakthrough.
I think we can be sure we’ll not see two novice (to Celtic) central defenders again. Steven Mouyokolo, new at the club after three years of little football, was singled out for criticism in some places after last week’s defeat which was particularly unfair. Defences work as a unit and the unit in Astana was dysfunctional. Steven was no guiltier than half the team.
Efe Ambrose will play, probably with Virgil van Dijk, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see Charlie Mulgrew selected instead.
It will be close to 2am in Kazakhstan when the second half gets underway. Shakhter Karagandy players will be suffering from the effects of jetlag. Minds and bodies will be tired, leading to diminished concentration and rash decision making. Celtic players should be on the lookout to play on, and exploit, this.
Play to their vulnerability. Remove the lighting tubes from their changing room and have the heating on full blast. We’ve all been tired in a room that’s too warm, it’s not conducive for football preparation. This is an environmental advantage of playing at home. Use it.
Playing in front of a stimulating crowd might actually help Shakhter early on, but the adrenaline boost will fade, leaving tired limbs. The value of fresh legs is enormously underappreciated in football. Get subs on midway through the second half and work their defence off the ball. If we aim to have our players tired after 60 minutes, we’ll know we are on the right track, as they will be suffering a lot more.
It is not important to get an early goal, even conceding one would not be the end of the story. This is going to be a long night, stick with it.
We cannot afford to get a man sent off but there can be nothing cordial about this game. Shakhter’s manager, Victor Kumykov, sounded less sure of himself yesterday, perhaps filled with trepidation. Don’t let him or his players settle, be professional but make sure he knows he has been disrespectful to his guests, and that he is now out of his depth.
They are a long way from home, make sure they know this. There will be opportunities for friendly chat after the final whistle.
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as i thought- are you a train driver?
So we’re goin’ with the ole Bo selecta?
Malc..
Thanks fur the Nod,pal
You know that Tae Agree We me is Fraught?
You are a Brave Fellow.. Ah Respect that!
Malone..
Yep.. Wanyama, wiz a Big Guy.. so he stood Oot.
But..
We coulda , woulda and DID.. play Badly. whether he wiz in the Team… or No
And
We coulda and woulda and DID play Very Well.. When he Wiznae in the Team..
Hmmmmmmmmm
Think Aboot it.
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
On the High St pint in hand. Ready for the Thunder.
COYBIG
Stuck darn sarf, so TBB is a TV Tim tonight.
My hope?
To be able to enjoy my a glass of ringboree this evening with only a modicum of profane language .
you know paul, simply repeating that we’ll get a penalty doesn’t mean it’ll happen!
i hope you’re right, though, we’ll need any help we can get tonight
Anybuddy Know whit is Neil’s Team fur the Night?
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
bournesouprecipe
I think Lenny was indulging in a wee bit of Kidology about the injury crisis…
Kojo – I hope Neil knows ;-)
Right – away this time – hope we are all back hoarse and happy!
HH
BGFC
Right here’s my prediction
We win 5-2 – but an apparently never ending 4 minutes of injury time.
Jimbo67 supporting Oscar Knox
Off to Paradise shortly.
Remember this mob have previous on match fixing, not only is it worth approx £10m to us, it is also worth that to them. So, if as i predict, we are winning 2-0 & with 2 mins to go we get a stonewall penalty refused, you can bet the ref got a cracking big brown envelope in his room, along with a couple of whores & keys to a new car. On a positive note, we win 2-0 in extra time.
Mon the hoops. Hx2
6-0 / Ledley fgs / Hail x 2
midfield maestro
You obviously have a bit of insider knowledge on this subject…pray tell? :o)
I’m going for Celtic 6 – 0 * just to be on the safe side *
I have a dream CSC
@Kieran_Celtic: Good to see Boerrigter and Stokes in the squad.
Talking of sheep……………………
wonder if Jose would loan us Demba Bah if we qualify?
:-)
Paul67 et al
The most experienced player in the first match, and the best, was Fininchenko, I think, 5-600 games, 120 goals, and clever with it. He poses a threat because he has a bit of nous about him, difficult to mark, great movement off the ball. If we can crowd him out, we are halfway to, well Paradise. We had a lot of the ball over there, lot of forward movement, and we did create both problems and chances, and could and should have got a goal. Well we need two now, which if we offer something different, eg Derk/Stokes we should get them. Clean sheet should see us at least into extra time.
BRTH Not totally convinced on your dimensions of the pitch, I reckon, (And I was taught in old money) that 115 metres is over 125 yards, and I think that would exceed the maximum length of a pitch for a UEFA match. Hope I am wrong.
Joe Filippis Haircut
16:54 on 28 August, 2013
I am having a couple of pints of Guinness and a few of the amber nectar just to get me mellow before the game.I am looking forward to the game win lose or draw it is always a priviledge to watch the hoops. On the poster who mentioned Cardiff are supposed to be buying Finnbogsan for less than Celtic offered that is possible if the player doesnt want to play in Scotland it doesnt matter what we offer.
*absolutely, we offered M”well 22.5k for Joe McBride, Dunfermline offered 25k, guess who Joe signed for.
has anyone used the new wifi at celtic park yet
is it any good?
is it free?
Just been watching highlights of the 1980 Q/final first leg when we beat Real Madrid 2-0 thanks to McCluskey and Doyle. An excited Arthur Montford is priceless. Doyle scores and he says ” its a goal, its a goal for Celtic, beautiful goal by Johnny Doyle”
Feeling good about tonight. Off to Paradise now. HH
Ah wid Play .. Sir Paul’s Team
But Nae Stokesy…
and Tony Watt ,up front .. All Alone..
Sammi, Oan the Wind..
Ah widnae Play The Flying Dutchman.. Faur too soon, fur him
Tony Watt, Could Do the Bizness fur us..
He has done it Afore.. Remember.. Barca?
How soon everybuddy Furgets..
Tony,has bin Played oot Position ,since then..
Ah canny Understaun Whit Neil hiz bin Thinking.
Kojo
Still,Laughin
Sammi oan the Wing,of Course.
Kojo
Stil,Laughin’
charlesk
Not working yet.
Will be interesting to see if the second half of to-night’s game – 2am Karagandi time – will take it’s toll on their players. I expect a tough physical encounter to-night with Celtic winning plenty of corners and free kicks. Most of our squad are seasoned international players and will know what it takes to win this game. Sure, let the fans go wild but a calm methodical approach with tempo down on the pitch to dismantle the nine man Karagandi defensive wall.
Will our flying Dutchman be the ace in the pack – c’mon ye Bhoys in Green.
VP, only a hunch, not from experience…
Charles K. On Saturday there was a wifi site on my phone called Celtic but looking for a password. Must be close to starting. No idea what the code is though.
bournesouprecipe
17:58 on 28 August, 2013
cheers
Just about to leave for the game!
C’mon Celtic bury this mob!
Attack! Attack! Attack! Attack! Attack! Attack!
HH
Ooooooh I am going for Celtic to win 12-0 with 12 og’s
Talk about watching the game from behind the couch, I’m almost reading CQN from behind the couch. Win lose or draw I’m proud to follow Celtic, and win lose or draw I’ll be just as proud to follow them tomorrow.
corkcelt –
you’ll enjoy your golf tomorrow!
I reckon if we have the Celtic Park equivalent of this, we’ll come through tonight…
Thunder & Firepower!
Estadio
Superb!!!!
5-0 to the Bhoys tonight.You would think after years of watching Celtic in these types of games ,the waiting would get easier,but damn it my nerves are shattered already. HH
Corner of main stand and celtic end for your wee Oscar wristbands tonight.
If they are sold out on the wee mans website, does that mean I have the last 50 available?
Get your official wristbands here!
This morning the bookies had Sammi 1st goal and 4-1 at 100/1….by lunchtime it was 75/1…hmmm.
Rrc
Slaughtering sheep is one thing , napalming them with squadrons of helicopter is something blooming else
Jimbo67 supporting Oscar Knox
Twist and turns from 8:43am
Yes, that’s ma da!
From the frying pan into the fire,
Moving from Whitburn to Falkirk!