Daizen Maeda has not started a game since scoring in the first minute at Ibrox five weeks ago. His return to action for the last 20 minutes against Hearts last week is surely not enough to see him through 90 minutes tomorrow.
Ahead of that Ibrox game I suggested Callum McGregor’s natural fitness would be enough to make him a starter. This confidence was misplaced, even Callum needs time to reach peak fitness, the same is true of Daizen. How to use the player is Brendan Rodgers’ first big decision.
James Forrest’s autumn bloom has been enough to see Celtic into the Scottish Cup Final and maintain a three-point lead at the top of the table. He played almost all of last week’s win over Hearts, the first time this has happened since November, and he got over an hour at Dundee a week earlier. Neither James nor Daizen are in a great place to start, though.
My feeling is we will get a combined 90 minutes out of these two, it would be too much of a risk to start two players who are short of full match practice. Daizen correctly gets the plaudits for spooking Record Loser James Tavernier, but James tormented the defender for years before Daizen, so whoever starts will fill the role well.
Nicolas Kuhn will start on the right. Brendan likes to freshen up both wings; Luis Palma is only trusted on the left and James is better on the right than Daizen. That being the case, we can expect Daizen to start on the left, replaced by James around at 65 minutes. Nicolas will be hooked 10 minutes later, James will move right to allow Luis to fill in on the left.
The engine room is what most worries Newco. They were schooled by Callum McGregor earlier in the season and are keen to smother his play. How effective this is will depend on movement around Callum. In particular, Liam Scales.
Newco allow Liam time on the ball (unlike Cameron). He needs to make those short 20 yard runs into space, with and without the ball, which will give Celtic options when progressing play.
We seem to have missed Reo Hatate all season, from his bizarre absence at the start of the campaign, to his two lengthy injuries since. A week ago, he was back at his dynamic best. If Reo brings the same energy tomorrow, it will be a long afternoon for the visitors.
Newco are the away team and I expect they will use this status as permission to play counterattacking football, which they did successfully in Lisbon against Benfica. Contain McGregor, press from halfway and break quickly down the wings. It will be a lung-busting afternoon for all four Celtic defenders, but they are each pacy.
Set-piece plays will be important to Newco. Inside the box, we can expect theatrics (again), but they will be keen to pick up a freekick pretty much anywhere in the Celtic half, which would give them an opportunity to load the box. Great play in general can be undone by set plays. This is Newco’s best bet, expect to see them wait for contact from behind and drop like a sack of spuds.
Only two of Newco’s likely starting 11 have won at Celtic Park before, once with and once without fans. Those two, Tavernier and Barisic, are expected to be abetted in defence by Soutar and Davies.
No one has confidence in this defence, and we should expect them to do little more with the ball than get rid of it as soon as they receive. Poor Barisic will still be suffering Abadaicitis every time he hears the Celtic Park crowd roar. Kuhnicitis is a similar condition and the only known cure is to leave Glasgow.
Two of their number: Cantwell and Silva, strike me as poorly disciplined players who are provoked into lashing out when faced with a talent deficit. We need to let them play their game and not be distracted from our own. Both are likely to be carded.
There are lots of reasons to be encouraged ahead of this game. Celtic are a team who know how to get a league race over the line, we are at home and have no need to be anxious for the win. Crowd sentiment is notoriously fickle everywhere and Newco will hope to get nerves jangling in the opening 20 minutes. Our support last week was a real inspiration, same again from all, please
Enjoy your day.
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Brittania and their great big guns hang out in a room marked VAR.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 10TH MAY 2024 2:40 PM
Wouldn’t it be a shame if the link between CP and VAR malfunctioned tomorrow.
Precent is that the match goes ahead as is.
Now where did I put those scissors.
QB
QUADBHOY
The customary eve of match email to all ST holders includes the information about stewards checking tickets at turnstiles. This advice is included in every pre-match email. It’s not new for tomorrow’s game.
The main purpose is to stop ticketless supporters entering turnstiles with a view to forcing illegal entry. Stewards will ensure you have a ticket and certainly won’t be checking IDs etc. They don’t get paid enough for that.
Important supporter info for tomorrow’s Glasgow derby – Saturday, May 11 (KO 12:30pm):
https://tx.vc/r/4x5Jp/2hEys1/7SSsTwl
Opt-out txt CELTICSTOP to 60777
Modern “big athletic lumps” are rubbish.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE
Welcome back ya rascal.
since they introduced the new gate system at the start of the season the queue at my gate is definitely bigger than previous seasons.
its ok to introduce a new system, but they done nothing to mitigate the resulting slower entry and queues.
not that they care obviously
Manager’s presser………….https://youtube.com/watch?v=E9nV0qQOjfA&si=BPWH2ObR30sW0ZlN
No hun in Paradise. Ever again.
TOM McLAUGHLIN @ 12.58
Good shout.There is a song by Blue Mink (1972) Th Banner Man,catchy number, could be a winner with appropriate lyrics.I can’t do the you tube thingy but would love for someone to post The Banner Man by Blue Mink.1972.
QuadBhoy
It came as part of an email received earlier from the club about information for tomorrow’s game;
“STADIUM ENTRY
To ensure your access to stadium is as easy and as safe as possible, please approach Celtic Park from the side at which your turnstile is located – your turnstile number is printed on your Season Ticket or your Match Ticket.
As you approach the turnstile closest to your seat, please be prepared to have your ticket inspected. There will be additional ticket checks in operation on approach to the turnstiles.
You will gain entry to the stadium using your Season Ticket or you may have been issued with a Match Ticket instead.
For those with a Special Season Ticket located in the Lisbon Lions Stand who purchased their seat for this match, please note that your Season Ticket will be activated for entry to the stadium.”
BIGRAILROADBLUES on 10TH MAY 2024 3:18 PM
No hun in Paradise. Ever again.
—————
Amen to that! 😃👍
QuadBhoy
I doubt if they would worry about the gender of the ticket holder if they are not trying to get in using a cheaper ticket.
I was thinking more of a younger person using a ticket intended for a 65+ year old fan.
Hopefully your son will get in without any problems and enjoy a Celtic victory.
The Celtic turnstile doesn’t shrink
TIMBHOY163 on 10TH MAY 2024 9:47 AM
TONTINETIM ,Explain to me what you don’t like about my post ,and that other,same to you TURKEYBHOY,
*I never said I didnae like it TB163 I just questioned the locations you mentioned, we have already seen corruption in full flow this week benefittin Real Madrid and Fiorentina ad the 2 countries you mention seem to be at the top of the pile
https://youtu.be/x66xQ1rK2q0?si=ATbEyToBpFCkgwEV
Blue Mink
BADA BING @ 3:38
Thanks for that.
Quadbhoy
If your son decides to say he is a lassie when challenged by a steward, then he is one. That is the law of the land.
Ifmydaughterhadbaws csc
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY on 10TH MAY 2024 3:25 PM
“As you approach the turnstile closest to your seat, please be prepared to have your ticket inspected. There will be additional ticket checks in operation on approach to the turnstiles.”
Interesting, so pre-entry checks before scanning in which would then trigger a certain colour light.
TOM MCLAUGHLIN on 10TH MAY 2024 3:01 PM
Good to hear this is not new practice for this match.
It would be just my luck to get the one jobsworth steward who notices the name/gender discrepancy but then that’s a risky thing to assume / challenge someone on.
Watching the media conferences. CalMac and BR both speaking well and dodging the usual obvious traps though BR couldn’t resist a wee telling smirk around the “have fun” comment.
BR – “we’ve looked at various scenarios that may happen in the game”
Sounds like we’ve trained / planned for 10v11. Hopefully we’ve been hammering home not to give them any excuse to throw themselves down near or in our box not that the ref needs to see such fouls to give them.
Just told the wee lhad he may have a ticket for tomorrow. Need to go peel him off the roof now. Have a good evening all
QB
So, Nosferatu says derby not a ‘must win’ for huns. I wonder if the gullibillies think the same?
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 10TH MAY 2024 3:59 PM
So, Nosferatu says derby not a ‘must win’ for huns. I wonder if the gullibillies think the same?
*just doing what they have always done and sending out the sign of distress signal
Good afternoon bhoys.
Seen Badas post re stadium opening times for tomorrow.
On my Club 67 pass it says Kerrydale opens at 10am for a 12 or 12.30 kick off, For the life of me I cannot remember the other 12 or 12.30 kick offs but I do know the bar did not open until 11am, does anyone know the correct opening time fòr the Kerrydale lounge?
D. :)
Just watched both managers press conferences.
We are one nil up already.
Rodgers as usual exudes calm an reassurance whilst Clement is the polar opposite.
Seems they will be without Sima and Matondo and very interesting note that he alluded to possibly playing Balogan with an injury…..
ONENIGHTINLISBON
Classic underdog tactic. Pile on the problems make it sound like you have half a team and you are struggling.
The Hun will be up for this it’s do or die for them
I expect a real battle edgy nervy stressful afternoon
Nothing is easy to win anything other than a loss is good news
Obvious welcomes 4 nil stroll in the park But they are rare events
67ECW
67 EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS on 10TH MAY 2024 4:40 PM
I wasn’t implying that we will stroll it but I fully expected the two guys who made the difference in the last game to suddenly be declared fit. They do also have the habit of playing injured players as well.
I previously said we had to win both league games vs newco. We drew one so according to me, we absolutely have to win tomorrow.
I we play our normal game, I expect chances in the first half. They will come at us in the second half and we need to show a lot more composure and energy than last time out.
If we dominate 1st half and it is 0-0 at HT, I think that is OK. Play the tactics right second half and we break on them at will and win the game.
Nervous as a kitten; hate watching on the dodgy stick but travel was too expensive and i don’t like rolling into the house in the daylight pished
I’m feeling reasonably good about tomorrow, we’re the better team and we seem to have the beating of them.
A couple of things – I hope we don’t just play for 1 half which has been a bit of an issue this season and I also hope we keep a clean sheet for 100 or so minutes. The number of games we’ve struggled to stop the opposition from scoring and the number of late goals we’ve conceded this season has been poor.
Palma and Yang to start for me.
🎣
LETSALLDOTHEHUDDLE
since they introduced the new gate system at the start of the season the queue at my gate is definitely bigger than previous seasons.
its ok to introduce a new system, but they done nothing to mitigate the resulting slower entry and queues.
not that they care obviously
The change was that instead of pushing the card or ticket horizontally into the slot, you hold it vertically in front of and facing the slot.
At start of season the club sent emails to every ST holder explaining the change. Also, there are very clear instructions at the entry point explaining this.
Mitigation? I’m not sure what more the club could do.
At first there were delays because stewards were regularly required to intervene as some ticket holders couldn’t get in and had to be shown the new procedure.
PS Your comment deserves a special PP award for being both pathetic AND paranoid 🙈
From Brendan’s press conference it looks like Forrest & Maeda starting.
Gentlemen, start your engines…..
At start of season the club sent emails to every ST holder explaining the change. Also, there are very clear instructions at the entry point explaining this.
—
they stuck in an extra bit of gate so you now need to slalom in. that was to try stop the double shufflers.
its that that is causing the hassle
Coneybhoy 4.51
I roll into the house like a bag of laundry at all times of day. I tell the small doll it is my right. Then everything goes dark.
Typical of Celtic trying to stop ticketless supporters gaining entry.
They just don’t care.
These ticketless guys would fill up all those empty seats of folk going to weddings etc though…..
ONENIGHTINLISBON on 10TH MAY 2024 4:42 PM
I know you never suggested we would stroll it (I hope we do)
I find myself over analysing everything leading up to the game
Only half a dozen pints of Guinness and 3 points will calm me down
Hail Hail
67ECW
I wonder if we get a bonus for Frimpong winning the league and possibly a European trophy?
67 EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS on 10TH MAY 2024 5:36 PM
On paper we should win etc…but these things rarely work out.
Let’s hope we do them.