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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Summa of Sammi @ 14:01
How come I’m not on that list?! dont make me flounce!
Re: my earlier comment on Dr. MLK…. while I have been a critic of Celtic of late… that stuff really does put things in perspective…. we need a new striker…. some people need a meal or a place to sleep …. I’m almost embarssed at the time I spend whining about football…. having said that, I still hope we hammer them tonight.
Headtheball
12:56 on
28 August, 2013
Nir Biton is an anagram of NI Briton hmmm. :-)
I’ve already named him Eire. Well it is nr Briton!!
On train through from Edinburgh to meet the mates for usual prematch beers and bite to eat. Feeling good about tonight mainly due to how gash that mob were last week despite their spawny 2-0 win.
Come on ye Celts
ernie lynch
10:41 on 28 August, 2013
KINGLUBO
10:30 on 28 August, 2013
Someone pointed out that the power brokers within UEFA would rather have us go through than a team with minimal media appeal from somewhere near China.
I’m sure the referee will be aware of that feeling.
*don’t forget who their boss is, nae effin chance that sleekit bassa would rather have a team fae the moon in the sectionals than us.
Regarding MLK and his famous speech I watched highlights of that with my mother many moons ago. A young and upcoming folk trio entertained the crowd at the National Mall and one of the songs they sung was written by another young and upcoming folk singer “Blowing in the Wind” which is how I originally became a fan of Mr. Zimmerman.
you don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows csc
On another note.
I read interesting story about Viktor Kumykom career as the coach.
Kumykov was nobody in football 13 years back, he was looking for the job. 13 years back, one of his friends asked him to be the coach of the local Tax police football team. Kumykov accepted the post, did well there and in Europe. Since that time his career is developing well.
Now I understand why Rangers supporters will be backing Shakhter.
I can imagine after game press conference with Kumykov. The journalist introduces himself from “Horse & Hund” and asking the question if he would accept the job of coach or Managing Director at Rangers. With that CV he would be good candidate for them.
Oan the cho cho on the way to meet the advance grey brigade party…..no sure if the butterflies are the game or the carnage that awaits me….Kikinthenakas
————
Ahem….You surely mean the “advance silver fox party”!!!!…and slapheids! hh
@STVRaman Bagwash been reading CQN again for his info :)))
Morrisey the 23rd
Hail Hail my fellow Smithsonian. Have to pick my son up from work, then a drive up to the ‘Golden Lights’ so no beers pre match. Another time. Enjoy.
Where are the silver foxes meeting? I qualify.
richie #teamoscar
14:34 on 28 August, 2013
I was at the game on Saturday and went with a mate to the West Bar and Brewery, next to Glasgow Green.
Was also in there last time I was up. Spent an hour or so in there and got a taxi back into town no problem.
Nothing I post will make a blind bit of difference to tonights performance or result.
That’s said…….COYBIG!!!!!!
Feelsbetternow c.s.c.
Delaneys Dunky @ 15:02
Tonight after the game. When you’re dancing and laughing and finally living. Hear my voice in your head and think of me kindly.
Sad as it may be, I think its safe to say that the majority of the Scottish msm will be praying we get knocked out tonight. We know who they are. They go on about the poor coefficient and Scotland’s embarrasingly poor club reputation in Europe these days etc. But that’ll all be put forgotten tonight as the Clive Dunns with typewriters and microphones get ready to rejoice at our failure, just as any deadco fan will.
Get the job done Celtic.
hh
Any CQNers suggest a bar in Belfast where I can watch the game please?
Will check back later, thanks.
HH!
Zbyszek
:-)
@CoopSport: Biton signing for @celticfc could be a blow for Beram Kayal. Biton just took his place at Israel national team as well. #Celtic #celticfc
Bhoys and Ghrils,
The time for talking, debate or argument is over.( For now )
Now is the time for the players to step up to the plate and show they belong.
Now is the time for all supporters to show who we are and give unequivocal backing.
Display why we are more than a just a football club and believe. We are Celtic.
COYBIG.
Reading back I have a few observations and comments :-
There seems to be a theme of unbalanced posts relating to Clyde SSB last night. I have slated SSB before, however there has been more negativity displayed from some CQN,ers than was evident in the radio phone-in.
eg. Jimmci @ 20.37 hrs .27-08-2013. who caught the last 30 minutes.
The content of the programme was not anti – Celtic. Contrary to his post, Mark Guidi and Frank McAvennie did not slaughter Celtic. 90 % of the calls were from Celtic supporters. 90% were positive.
To anybody from the west of Scotland Frank McAvennie was not almost incoherent. Granted he is not a polished broadcaster and clearly he has not taken elocution lessons: but incoherent; only if your upbringing was in Kelvinside!!.
eg Burnley 78 @ 21.18 hrs 27-08-2013.
Why is McAvennie on Clyde indefensible??.
eg Tiny Tim @21.30 hrs 27-08-2013
Frank McAvennie has always denied he was set to join the then Glasgow Rangers. Why do you believe Bill McMurdo ??.
McAvennie’s football knowledge has been gleamed from reading the DR or the Sun. While in no way defending the newspapers, this quote seems a form of Cyber snobbery from a “Middle class” attitude.
eg Mihal @ 21.37 hrs 27-08-2013.
Listened to SSB first time in ages, it was hellishly boring.
Then just switch off. Simple.
I agree with Ernie lynch @ 20.54 hrs. 27-08-2013.
Frank McAvennie who was not hunting for “Hidden Treasure” made an excellent point about how middle class the game has become. Both from the players and supporters.
In summary : A lot of sanctimonious claptrap from some. Not all Celtic supporters indulge in Cyber blogging and access to the internet is not universal. Indeed many Celtic supporters ( Of all ages ) prefer listening to the radio and while I acknowledge newspaper readership is diminishing, many still enjoy the normal media outlets.
Morrissey the 23rd gave a link to a fabulous site : http://the celticnetwork.com/
( Mega respect to your charity work ).
Rant over, off out for a few before the game.
HH, Always in Celtic.
TootingTim supports Wee Oscar
The Rose and Crown on the Ormeau Road or The Rock Bar on the Falls Road.
Marti
Morrisseythe23rd- well done.
Either that was genuinely good fun or you are one helluva actor!
TOOTING TIM
I gather you and 16 ROADS missed each other.
I’ll mail you his number.
Attention all Ireland based Bhoys – game is live on RTE 2 .
The latest news out of reputable Israeli media outlet Sport 5 are regarding Nir Biton’s potential transfer to Celtic – with relevations that Ashdod owner Jackie Ben Zaken is on his way to Scotland to finalise a €1 million deal with Celtic holding 80% of all future sales of the player and 20% being kept by the Israeli club. This fee equates to roughly£850,000, a figure close to that of Wanyama from Belgium outfit Beerschot AC.
Biton is widely regarded as the next great player coming out of Israel who can make a massive impact on the European stage since Yossi Benayoun & Eyal Berkovic and Celtic may be his first stop!
The Ashdod FC defensive midfielder would be a perfect replacement for the recently departed Victor Wanyama and could easily fit into the big shoes he has since left behind. A former team mate of Biton’s in Ashdod and current Celtic Efe Ambrose has been rallying the club to pick up this potential star and feels he would be a great fit for the Scottish Champions.
Biton was born in Ashdod and is 1.96 m, but needs to put on some weight as he is still filling out his 21 year old body. He captained the Under-21 squad that just competed in his home country and led the team to a 1-0 victory over England in the final group stage match and was just recalled to the senior team for Israel’s upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Azerbejan & Russia.
Playing for Ashdod since 2009, Biton has 142 appearances and has scored 14 goals in that time – never afraid to jump up into the play when his club is applying offensive pressure.
Manchester City decided to give the young gun a trial both in January & July of 2012 and would have liked to have him back this summer but he picked up an injury after the U-21 tourney that kept him out of preseason action for Ashdod as well.
In fairness to McAvennie if prices to attend football matches keep rising then only the middle class and above will be able to afford.
The working class will have to make do with tv viewing.
The German pricing model is the way forward.
TOOTING TIM
Check yer mail-canny find your phone number for some reason-inc junk folders.
Have fun.
16 ROADS comes recommended.
As in,it’s recommended not to get drunk wi the fella!
.
If l am as Happy tonight as l was 13 Years ago tonight l will be One Happy Bhoy..
Summa
SSB is cringeworthy garbage. Guidi, Keevins, Dalziel, Johnstone all utter morons who hate Celtic. Why anyone would want to waste their time with it except to gloat when the klan are up in arms about Sevco getting pumped out of some diddy cup yet again?
Celtic…. I believe.
Morrissey the 23rd
:-) will do thanks.
‘Life is never kind
oh but I know what will make you smile tonight.’
Hail Hail
Just reading the Swiss paper on the tram there, it seems Schalke are trying to sign Valentin Stocker and if they do I would guess that would leave Pukkiman further down the pecking order and up for a move. I would rather we were signing Stocker but there ye go…
Mon the Hoops..
Good afternoon all
Starting to get a wee bit of the jitters now. We should have enough to put this mob to the sword, but last weeks performance still rattles ma nut. Emdy else fell likewise? COYBIG.
Weefra HH supporting Wee Oscar.
Morrissey the 23rd, great vid. You deserve several beers for that effort.
But who’s the auld dude wi the grey hair in front of you:-)
Enjoy the game
cowiebhoy
If your about, did you get yer wee cocker spaniel? :))
Weefra HH supporting Wee Oscar.
Dontbrattbakkinanger ‘@15:10
It was both terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. As my instructor said to me when we got back in the ground, ‘You did well for a man who was sh*tting himself.’
On the way up my body increasingly trembled as we got higher and higher. Going out the door was really tough. After that there isn’t much time to think. You free-fall at 120mph for about 5000ft then there is so much happening and so much to take in, there isn’t time for reflection.
What isn’t recorded is after the parachute is up. That is quite tranquil. The instructor showed me how to control the parachute then left me to it. He pointed out landmarks and it was rather relaxing. At one point he said, “Sharp, sharp left”. I did this and we went into a corkscrew. This was INCREDIBLE. VERY scary. During it I could hear the instructor shouting, “Listen to me! Listen to me! Hands in the air! We are losing control!”. A second or two later I take this in and raise my hands in the air. The experience of the corkscrew was so scary that it caused me to pull down left very hard. So hard that the instructor couldn’t pull against me and I couldn’t hear him over my screaming of WOOOOW!
Once he got controlled, he laughed and said something like, “You’re f’n crazy!”.
I’ve got the usual pre-match hunger pangs.
I could murder a sheep.
TroonTim
I’ve got the usual pre-match hunger pangs.
I could murder a sheep.
Ha ha! Love it :-)
Marti
A Ceiler Gonof Rust @ 15:33
That handsome man.
You enjoy the game too!
Morrisey 23rd, the Auld Brigade were meeting at the Merchant City.
I’ll find out where they are and post it here.