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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Jonny the Tim
Rubber ring
I replied with I don’t owe you anything ending lyrics. Mr Marr will be tuning in tonight am sure :-)
Getting excited – 30mins to the bhoy picks me up form work.
Pizza Hut at The Forge for a couple of beers and maybe a pizza!
We are going to romp this tonight.
Let The People Sing!
Tell the truth – this is pure Celtic. Underdogs. Foot shooting. Self inflicted. 90mins.
Don’t tell me you don’t love it.
Champeen Leeks music and everything.
I love it.
U
Kudos to Estadio from earlier. Existential to the core. Whatever happens tonight don’t forget to enjoy the experience, win lose or draw.
HH
Help ma boaby.
Stokes & Boerrigter starting tonight, pre match photos have shown their strips hanging up.
Estadio on today and Awe Naw predicting a victory, the Gods are Smiling on Paradise!!
In amongst them Celts…
Good afternoon from an overcast Glasgow. Tickets secured for tonight’s game ;-) and pre match drinks in Babbity’s. COYBIG.
It’s getting closer. Kick off – people collecting tickets at the last minute and I want to be there with you. I’m in France – bad planning and not paying attention to dates. I’ve been racked with doubt feeling we’ve blown it but now the closer it gets I don’t care. Its my team Its the wonderful bewilderlingly inconsistent best team on the planet and I want those of you going to roar your lungs out in encouragement.
C’MON YOU BHOYS IN GREEN!!!
We can and will do it!
Asonofdan
So hope you are correct. Pass and movement and goals
up like a bird
12:11 on 28 August, 2013
There will be plenty of play acting tonight and time wasting ,get the ball boys in the loop to get the ball on to the park as quick as possible at throw outs and by kicks
Are you having a laugh??
Never seen any of them break out of a slouch far less show any urgency
I’m really looking forward to the game tonight. If we score two without reply, the atmosphere will be electric as we push for a third. However, If they score, I imagine it will be more like a morgue.
Anyway, tonight we will see who has the steel and determination and who hasn’t.
We must do it. We should do it.
And so the ritual begins, an early finish from work and a beer from the buffet car on the homeward commute to settle me. Nerves building. Hoping for the best, but fearing the worse!
I’m a natural optimist, but that’s hurt me in the past.
C’mon Celtic makes us proud.
HH
C’mon Celtic…….Right intae this mob.
Ticket secured and carry-oot purchased……. feels great tae be hame’.
Teuchter ar la
Afternoon all,
Well done Morrissey for jumping out of a plane! Did you shout Geronimo?
I see the “Name the baldy” didn’t last too long ! Henrik, Big Dion Dublin, wee Jimmy even?
Anyway, looking forward to tonight and hope we get through.
I mentioned earlier that Celtic park is a far bigger playing surface than this mob are used to — that means there will be space etc.
By the way– in a bit of intrigue— Report going round now that Cardiff were in talks for Finbogosson at £4m!!
Now we allegedly offered more than that so you never know what the hell to believe with this transfer malarkey.
Morrisey, they’ll be there for a while, trust me.
TT
That made me laugh out loud,excellent!
Thunder Road,sorry for your great loss,go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam
The blog is a nice place to be today,long may it continue,
Kris Commons to steal the show for me with a double.
HH BB
‘Mon Flybe!
Sir Pau
Liked yer team selection.. except fur..
Sammi, tae Lead the Line.
Gulp!
Man, you are a braver man than Ah am…which.Ah suppose is True.
But..
No Harm in Reminding ye!
Right?
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
5-1 tonight.
let the people drink !
Morrisey, they have moved on to The Blane Valley pub.
mighty tim supporting wee oscar
16:10 on 28 August, 2013
at a ghirl minx just believe.
KTF
HH
——–
Sitting on the plane awaiting take off and feeling really privileged to be a Celtic supporter win lose or draw!
Funny how one message from a hurting zombie reminds you how lucky we are … And I don’t think that was their intention :-)
Hail Hail
Paul.. of course..
Now.. that makes ANELL… of a Difference!
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
C’mon fellow Celts…………we need to sing our hearts out tonight and back the players all the way.
Support, Support, Support and we will do it !
Hail Hail
The more I see of Nir Biton the more I like about him. I know judging by YouTube isn’t always a great indication but I think it allows you to see the type of player he is:
Very tall and can actually use his head, and quite accurately!
He’s deceptively quick (think Samaras when he gets into his stride).
He’s perhaps not the strongest, being a lean build but looks like he can hold his own. He has quite quick feet for a tall guy and he uses this to tackle rather than be a cruncher. Anyone that has played knows how hard it can be sometimes to get the ball around a tall guy because their legs give them that reach similar to someone with a longer reach in boxing.
One thing that stands out is he looks COMPOSED on the ball, he can hold it up and for a defensive midfielder he looks like he can be direct and is not bad at running with the ball.
He also looks for a forward pass, he’s no Lubo but he’s adept at starting counter attacks and moving the ball on to wing backs and wingers with the through ball. He doesn’t look like he wastes the ball either and know when to hold and when to release.
He’s got a good number of games under his belt and has broken into the international side. I’m more excited about him than I have been on the prospects we’ve signed so far. He looks like he could be moving just as his development has/is reaching the next level to me so hopefully we get him tied up. £700k if true is a snip for a guy that teams in the EPL could be chasing in a few years. The fact Man City and Spurs were looking at him last year highlights this.
Get the chequebook out PL.
Kick off minus 3 hours. Still in work in the office here in Dublin. The clock is slowly making its way to 5pm. Will be outta here and into the motor, stopping off for a few cans on the way home. The wife is away to her ma’s tonight so have the gaff to myself to shout and roar as I please – I think thats half the reason she’s away to her ma’s actually!
Come on Celtic make us proud Bhoys!
Marti
Leaving work to head west for the game.
I will be playing Dexy’s Midnight Runners with Geno quickly followed by The Celtic Soul Brothers….always gets me in the mood.
COYBIG!
Mon Ra Hoops!
Is the game on TV tonight anywhere?
Longest day in work ever and lots of excitement and some trepidation from fellow Tims. As usual I’m confident the Bhoys will do the business with Kris Commons playing a starring role along with Adam.
Let’s do it for the Celts and the sheep!
ShaunthesheepCSC
Estadio @ 13:39
Pure beautiful inventive writing
Hail Hail
snake Sky Sports 1
On FB page, Derks shirt is ready…..
Come on!
RobinBhoy – Supporting Wee Oscar and Mackenzie
Thanks,
Looked at Celtic TV and it’s just audio – a nonsense.
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.I wonder if anyone agrees that we already have the replacement for Wanyama at Parkhead in my opinion young Matthews would play the position well.H.H.
Good wee article about Derk Bo who will by the way run riot tonight!
http://www.talkceltic.net/forum/showthread.php?p=3658923#post3658923
Further notes on Biton:
He’s played a lot more games than Wanyama when he arrived at Celtic Park. His (according to Wikipedia) 14 goals in 120 games is not anything to write home about but is not bad for a defensive midfielder. Victor’s was 2 in 50 before moving so Biton trumps him on that aspect. I’d imagine his goals to games ratio would improve moving to an attack minded club rather than a mid-table club – Vic’s certainly did moving up to 10 in 60.
Haha tony Hamilton on twitter
All we need is love.
And three goals.
Have a great night, fholks.
#KeepTheFaith
Don’t do Facebook but Stokes and Boerrigter shirts clearly visible.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=618255358214373&set=a.618254774881098.1073741877.133829389990308&type=1&theater