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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weefra.. yes he got a lemon roan dug..
If shakhter play in the same system as they did in the first leg I would be looking for celtic to play some type of three man forward line.
One spearhead striker (sammy) and the other two not playing directly behind him but high up the park with width in mind.
Commons right and Dirk Bo left
The reason for this is if you play sammy up and one in behind like commons there three central defenders will find it far to easy to defend.
This system went out of fashion due to teams playing a more three pronged attack.
Wingback a cant get up the park because the with the forwards give needs to be protected. And the three central defender have not got the spare player to mop up and help out.
The pros to this system is that celtic can go three at the back to cover one striker
have a protective midfielder and let the others push forward breaking int to space that our three attacking players leave.
Going with commons playing behind sammy in that role was the tactics that led to our downfall in the first leg.
I’m not sure who’s fit or not yet so this might hamper this system but one thing I’m sure of in football terms is many many many teams found out pushing 3 up with width against a 5 man defence was the best way to break it down.
Best wishes to MY team because good players don’t need luck they create it.
And we do have good players
Tictalker talking tic
Morrissey the 23rd
Once he got controlled, he laughed and said something like, “You’re f’n crazy!”.
Ohhhhhhhhhhh we had worked that out ,and well done to Maggie McGill for the video.
Nir Biton on the STV video looks decent but they all do on their highlights video!
Big lad at 6ft 5, runs well with the ball and could chip in with a few goals..
To all you kind ghuys wishing me a happy birthday … thank you but it’s not my birthday till December ……. what happened was that I asked for one of you cleverer bhoys to put up the Barca fan footage of November …….Bournerecipie kindly obliged and titled the link … ” happy birthday emerald green ” but thanks anyway to all the kind souls who meant well and for all the links……. someone once said that everyone had to believe in something , I believe I’ll have a drink as like Corkcelt and many others my nerves are getting the better of me .HH
desertbhoy
Thanks for that, was having a senior moment there. He told me last night. Haha
Weefra HH supporting Wee Oscar.
As a mark of respect to the sheep that was slaughtered last week, there will be a pre match tendition of ,
“Ewe’ll Never Walk Alone”. ( c. ) K. Mc.Sweeney.
Marti and BMCUWP thanks bhoys :)
.*rendition.
I hate a badly spelt joke.
morrissey the 23rd
Good on you! Nevertheless in a million years would you get me doing that.
Morrissey the 23rd
Ps you were falling nearly as fast as me with on the CQN predictor list:))
Doc is supporting Oscar and McKenzie. @ 15:37
Cheers!
leftclicktic oscar in our thoughts @ 15:39
;)
Emerald Green @ 15:42
I am going to your local shortly before heading to the game via The Merchant city.
Morrisey the 23rd, Amore, Ingram Street, 4pm.
CRC and Kikinthenakas as well as a few more I’m sure.
Offski for the drive south in ten.
Good luck to our team tonight. Do us proud.
Celtic
Doc is supporting Oscar and McKenzie. @ 15:46
That is just now!
Mike in Toronto
That is a terrific idea for tonight. The one song that sticks out that connects American Gospel music, and adapted for the Civil Rights movement, and adopted, among others by the Celtic support is ‘We Shall Not Be Moved”. Play the Staples Singers version over the PA and let the fans join in with chorus;
Like a tree planted down by the river
We shall not be moved
Morrise23rd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF57gPbuq24
Can only be viewed in the UK. Why ?
HH
Right bhoys going off oot shortly. Just want to say that I believe we will prevail and be in the draw tomorrow. Almost a sell out the crowd will roar NFL and the Bhoys to victory over the sheep killers.
For me 4-0 Kris 2 Sammi and Lustig.
COYBIG
KTF
HH
Awe_Naw_
It was filmed in British air space
Celtic to win 4.0 tonight and at a canter
HH
Agree with much of what you say Paul67 – especially the fact that Shaktar will tire after the initial adrenalin rush. Our lack of players leaves Neil with a few concerns. I like the Matthews in midfield idea, but it is not his position and we should not be experimenting in this game. Stick with what we know and keep the experiments for later in the game if it is not going to plan.
We already showed last week that we can beat this team. I would not change too much. Glad that Forrest and Kayal are not available because I don’t think either would have brought what we need for this game. I would go with:
Fraser
Mathews
Ambrose (or DVD)
Mulgrew
Izzy
Brown
Rogic
Ledley
Sammy
Commons
Amido
Thunder Road – Read your post on previous thread. Condolences to you and yours. Hopefully the Bhoys will give you a short spell of relief tonight.
Work finished and I’m on my way home to get the Hoops on!
Let’s do this Celtic!!
Hail! Hail!
morrissey the 23rd
15:05 on 28 August, 2013
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.
—————————————————————————————————————————
Trying to place those lyrics, but have to admit defeat. Put me out of my misery.
Please Please Please, (let me get what I want this time)
HH
Paul67
I like both Michal and Adam but one in front of the other bothers me. Both are very right footed and have a tendency to go outside of their opponent. My preference is for the forther forward man to prefer his opposite foot so they come inside and allow space for the right back (or left back if one the other side) room to run into. Also people coming inside onto their preferred foot find the goals opening up for them not closing (in terms of the angle).
That’s why Georgios playing in front of Izzy works. So Adam playing in front of Izzy would work as well and Kris playing in front of Michal works (in an attacking way).
SOAL
have you joined Sevco ? ;-)
HH
awe naw
Totally agree with the 4-0 scoreline, buuuuut, why do I still have the jitters.
Weefra HH supporting Wee Oscar
Some countries have blocked it due to copyright claims (already)
“Various, Rock (Universal)-Europe/The Final Countdown”
“Bon Jovi-Blaze Of Glory”
“Bob Dylan-Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”.
I am going to the game just now. I’ll put up a silent version and a Face-ache version soon-ish.
Awe_Naw
Aye
XX
Nervous tension building – love it!
Off oot to visit my old dad in hospital – he seems to be improving, but is gutted that he won’t see the game tonight.
HH!!
Starting to believe …. Could be the large glass of wine I have right enough!
Just need flybe to be on time!
Jonny the Tim supporting wee Oscar @ 16:02
Rubber ring by The Smiths: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMksTu-cXzsI
at a ghirl minx just believe.
KTF
HH
My God, this game is a biggie!
On route home, quick change, a pint then off to Paradise.
C’mon the hoops!
Hope we do ourselves justice tonight and don’t finish the game full of regret about what might have been.
Celtic Mac
Glad you like the idea…. I should have thought of this much earlier…. it is probably a bit too late to do anything now… obviously, I wont be able to join you tonight… but if anyone going tonight wants to run with the idea… that would be great.
As for the Staple Singers…. one of my favourites … any of their versions of Swing Low Sweet Chariot….
And the other great hymn …. The Impressions’ People Get Ready….
Morrissey the 23rd
I heard the legs were rubber but your ring was suhim else
Copyright why ????? Music ??
HH
I had a dream last night… we lost an early goal….then pumped them .
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo @ 16:12
Yeah. I check with YouTube. The video has been blocked by some countries due to copyright claims on the background music.
I had 3 number twos before I went up. HH