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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Green Ninja
Ainm maith
Are you a turtle ?
This is the first time NY confidence for tonight has taken a knock. There are no members of Mogwai in my usual pre Euro match watering hole. They’re *always* here.
Posted after the first leg that we had given ourselves too much to do.
However, I have now had a pint. Oh, and it’s Celtic. Gerrintaethum.
Can I respectfully request that whatever the result tonight we don’t use it to score points off one another? Cheers.
TGSC,
Sailing On….
Greensideup
Pal..
Ah pray that You are Correct.
Heck.. Ah want us tae win This ,as much as You dae..
But.. Stokes?
Agin a Continental Mob.
Hmmmmmmmm
Kojo
Still,Laughin
The Good Ship Celtica with Captain Oscar Knox
18:49 on 28 August, 2013
Can I respectfully request that whatever the result tonight we don’t use it to score points off one another? Cheers.
Well said my Mhan!
HH
gsu
Kojo
Continental? Well, perhaps in the sense of the word, but very British in style I think. Anyhow, he’s in oor team, so, I hope he fires a hat trick…and I know you do too.
Hail hail
My Dear Kojo….
Happy Sarah Palin Day….!
How’s Dem Aipples….?
MegaWattie Could Easily Have Had Another Goal…..
Running In From A Very Similar Position..
Had Mascherano Had Not Fouled Him..
As He Was Getting Away With The Ball…
And The Barce Player Was NOT Penalised
Hmmmmm….
Can I respectfully request that whatever the result tonight we don’t use it to score points off one another? Cheers
More chance of me being tucked up in bed with Cheryl Cole at midnight :-))
Good Bench, Tonight Neil let’s do it mate, If its not working, Please change it asap. PMT kicking in. No dinner straight on the Coffee and assume the caged Tiger posture.
KLV
Kojo, I pray I am right also. Btw what’s a Continental Mob?
HH
gsu
Hoping against hope, COYBIG!
Traveling along Tollcross Road on the bus, always the longest part of the trip on CL nights.
No big floodlight pylons. Not the same variety of nasty smells. No macaroon bars. Or spearmint chewing gum. Less ‘watch yer car mister’. No smokey smoggy atmosphere But definitely the same anticipation and nervous feeling in my stomache. These nights are what it is about. 4. 1. The hoops.
Patrick 27, Dubaibhoy and Macanbheatha – many thanks for the customary welcome. I am neither a currant nor a turtle (although I know which one is preferable). The name is just a reflection of my love for Green Kawasaki motorcycles..there is just something about that colour green!
Burnley
I thought you could at least spell ” speeeraaaamint”
Looks like a back 3.
Should be interesting against a team that like to counter attack, lots of scary moments I think.
Not a lot of height there. Glad stokes is back in.
Mon the hoops!
Aw Naw….it’s Charlie Nick and Johnny rubberhead….is that the best Sky can do?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=LQ8v-cjym_M
Come on ye Bhoys in Green
Back 4 me thinks with Lustig/Ambrose at CB…
On the chateau bus on the way to paradise.
Going for 5-0 to the hoops and if it stoats, I’ll be photocopying it and handing them out to hunchbacks in work tomorrow.
Hail Hail
twists n turns
Cheryl said to let you know she’l be late! best focus the passion on 19.45.
clunks
Looks like a back 3.
You forget to exhale?
GSU – I am occasionally wise.
TNT – We can but dream (on both counts).
TGSC,
Sailing On….
Burnley
No river of urine down the terrace
Green Ninja
Are you a Hun? :-)
HH
Listing ambrose as a pairing, have they played together before?
Sorry lustig and ambrose
beamishismypint
19:05 on 28 August, 2013
twists n turns
Cheryl said to let you know she’l be late! best focus the passion on 19.45.
No Cheryl for me, wife is home!!
The tension is starting to get to me beer time! good luck to Neil and the team tonight,wish i was going but miles away.
COYBIG
Who’s on the bench?
HH!!
stokes – interesting – he won’t stop at them all night.
JF in – I think stokes running around 18 yards will give options or draw defenders away. One thing they gotta do is keep trying and trying and trying
Thanks Oglach – I can’t be as I don’t support a deid team
I`d give Jamesy 45mins,,,,if he aint cutting the mustard haul his ass.This is a hguge team effort, we need everyone on fire. Come on the bhoys,,,,4-1 Celtic,,,stokes,,,commons, sammy and efe
New thread bhoys
Bus at Barrachnie, awash with cheap wine and expensive beer, in full voice, singing the praise of our glorious Celtic. This will be an absolute goal fest tonight ……..or are we steamin’?
Teuchter
The only real problem with the line-up is James Forrest. I just can’t see what Lenny thinks he brings to the team. I hate singling out a player in the hoops for criticism but I am just astounded that he is in the starting 11.
Mathews will play left back as against Barca when he was outstanding so no worries there. Stokes or Amido? Lenny went with the experience so hopefully Stokesie gets on the end of some chances.
Hopefully James will prove me wrong.
That looks like 3 -4-1-2 to me.
Nervous now.
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