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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Correct Stokesy is there too
Feeling more confident now with those two playing…..
Get into them!
They could also be subs….
Looks Like We Hiv Signed A Good Yin..
Big Guy.. Nice Stride.. Kinda Gallus.
He wull Be at the Game ,in the Stands..tonight.
Mebbe, He wull Bring Us Luck.
Na.. There’s Nae such thing as Luck..
( There isnae?….ed)
Ach! Who a Ma Kiddin’???
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
Would the whole squads’ kit not be ready?
HH BB
starry plough forza oscar
16:54 on 28 August, 2013
Good wee article about Derk Bo who will by the way run riot tonight!
http://www.talkceltic.net/forum/showthread.php?p=3658923#post3658923
Starry, thanks for posting. As the writer says a myth, that too many on this blog were happy to throw around to further the agenda of boards lack of spending or quality spending.
HH
gsu
Malone Bhoy
14 in 120 is very decent for a defensive mid, no?
We all know Paul Lambert could chip in with a goal during his time in the hoops. His record? 14 in 193 games.
Stats, eh?!
Btw I think we did well to get 12.5m for a guy whose technical ability isn’t anything to write home about. Don’t get me wrong, loved big Vic but Biton will have other strengths we can use to our advantage.
HH
Lustig 33/1 1st goal
Commons 13/2 to score 2 or more
SSN reports we’ve signed Biton subject to a medical and work permit
Potential Wanyama replacement?
Evening all
Been watching some inspirational clips , listening to some fave sounds , having a nice tea with a no bad glass of something red from Venezie. Be wearing my Hootenanny t-shirt I a few mins and on way to match. Why do I feel it’s all going to turn out like Lupe Velez?
Jimbo67 supporting Oscar Knox
COYBIG!
Do it for Shaun the sheep!
If I might be so bold as to summarise your fine article Paul,
Gerrintaethum!!!!!
Patrick27
Na..He is No a Wanyama Replacement.
Who wants anither guy, who hid Nae Imagination?
Wanyama with jist a Bunch of Froth.
Awe Hat and Nae Cattle.
Ah keep tellin you guys,
Wanyama Wull NO be missed.
Kojo
Stil,Laughin
This is our night, we are able..a bit of self belief and endevour will save the day.
As Stanley Kirk Burrell once said…
“It’s hammer time!!!”
To all the Bhoys going tonight believe I was in Lisbon in 83 seeing us getting humped 2.0. Back at Celtic Park gubbed them 5-0 let’s get another one of those tonight
Greensideup is also Neil Lennon and supports Wee Oscar
Aye funny how things grow wee legs and run aboot on here like Mad Wee Trolls!!
The live updates article will be up at 19:15, could someone leave a note here?
Thanks.
Kojo
Maybe Wanyama wasn’t necessarily key going forward (that can be argued, he scored about 7 last season) but he allows every other attacking player to do his thing and protects the defence
Very much like Neil Lennon, but dare I say it, more effective going forward and stronger
Think we’ll miss Hooper more though unless we get a 30 goal striker in before Saturday
Paul
Sure thing
Joe Filippis Haircut
16:54 on
28 August, 2013
I’m having to ritually sacrifice some booze meself !
Team sheet latest………………………………..
Wee Jamsie
Bhoys and Ghirls, off oot as oor Kevin would say for an early dinner here in Barcelona. Then onto McCarthy’s Irish Pub to watch the game.
To all fortunate enough to be in Paradise tonight, roar the Bhoys home!
COYBIG!!
Deepest condolences to Thunder Road
HH
Ah wullnae be satisfied until Celtic..
Trash thur Present Mid Fielders.
That is where we ur Fa’in Doon the Stairs.
Oor Mid Field..as it is Today..
Stinks.
Broonie…is Nae Use
Ledley, Neethur..
Kayal is a Bum..
We need Toilers ..and Broonine,is a loata Things .. but ..
He is Nae Toiler..
Awe.. Hashing..a Wee Bit Bashin.. Sure.
But, He is No Toiler.
Ledley..is a Gentle Guy..
We don’t need No Gentle Guys.
Ledley, Drops oota the Action.. Too Much
We Need a Full Time Guy,in his Position
Kayal, wull Never Make it in this Business..
Yep.. Mebbe, Neil, has wizened up.
and has Decided tae slowly but surely..
Dae Something aboot oor Engine Room..
It needs an Engineer.. and Two Noo Stokers.
Then,if we get them..
Celtic, wull start tae Tick.
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
Getting very nervous now, just off the train at queens street and into the nearest pub for a beer to calm down while I wait for a couple mates.
HH
starry plough forza oscar
17:20 on 28 August, 2013
Just got a picture in my heid of those wee dolls with the long hair that was usually groomed into a point, lol
HH
gsu
Right – that’s me, Wee BGFC and princess offski. Thought we’d get to the park early, and sneak in a couple in the Kerrydale (so they can wear off before I drive home).
Question – do they let weans in?
HH
BGFC
I think Celtic perform at lower standard without Joe Ledley
Without his calmness in CM, it is noticeable in his absence, though not necessarily when he’s playing
traditionalist88
17:08
And Kojo
Wanyama might not have been the most skilful or creative but he is absolutely essential to the way many top teams play in the modern age. He’d have been perfect for a bigger club, a Man Utd or dare I say it Barcelona. I firmly believe he’ll end up at a similar level one day in the not so distant future, and for a lot more money than we received.
But I think you are right to an extent, we don’t necessarily need the amount of protection Vic gave us in the SPL (Europe you’ve already seen what happened without him!).
Biton though has me excited and traditionalist88, I did say that’s not bad for a defensive mid. I’d also expect him to significantly improve that rate with us and as he gets older and develops. A 1 in 10 could easily change to a 1 in 5 or 6 at Celtic… unless he is over/under-coached.
Colours on, Butterflies jumpin’ tickets in pocket, Here We Go Again!
Kojo @ 17.16, I wholeheartedly agree…
BGFC, kids get in.
Patrick27
Correct he gives us a balance that we miss when he is not there, a real bonus for the team is Mr Ledley, there are not many who can play centre mid with Broonie!!
What I’m trying to say is players like Wanyama (see Makelele… Busquets) give a team a platform on which to play and attack. They make other players play better by giving them the freedom to do their own thing.
DOC – cheers pal.
For the record here is Wee BGFC’s prediction for tonight:
HT – 2-0
FT – 4-0
Goal times 15, 30, 60, 82 – glad we will have some relief for the last 8 minutes :-)
HH
COYBIG
YNWA
BGFC
BGFC, hope WGFS is spot on.
Heading up to CP.
Come On You Bhoys in Green!!!
HH
Boerigtter starts.
Hopefully a great result the night to lift the doom and gloom around the club at this time. Mon the cellic…lets pump this mob