Previous Posts....
Defensive worries going to Lisbon....
-------------------------------------
‘Steven Pressley, who has been a longer-term injury absentee, has also travelled and could play if required.
The experienced central defender, who has not played this season because of a back injury, could act as cover should McManus fail to recover.
Out-of-favour centre-half Bobo Balde checked in with Gordon Strachan's squad.’
I can confirm "It is not required Gordon"
If Balde didnt currently languish in our reserves - it would be a common perception that he would walk into our starting eleven. So he should do exactly that. Need to get Caldwell out of centre back role, id accept him playing right back - for 2 reasons, 1- we have little option/cover there, and 2 - he cant possibly cause the amount of upset to the team than he does in the centre
Rangers V Celtic team news....
------------------------------
Rangers keeper Allan McGregor and defender Alan Hutton are expected to recover for the Old Firm game at Ibrox. But manager Walter Smith has injury doubts over Brahim Hemdani, Jean-Claude Darcheville and DaMarcus Beasley. Celtic's Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Paul Hartley are doubtful with hamstring injuries, and Scott Brown is unlikely to feature.
Gary Caldwell is expected to shrug off a knee injury, while Maciej Zurawski is in the frame for a return.
Rangers: (from) McGregor, Hutton, Cuellar, Weir, Papac, Whittaker, Ferguson, Thomson, McCulloch, Naismith, Boyd, Carroll, Beasley, Adam, Darcheville, Gow, Cousin, Ehiogu, Broadfoot, Shinnie, Emslie, Lennon
Celtic: (from) Boruc, Kennedy, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, McGeady, Nakamura, Donati, Jarosik, Killen, Scott Brown, McDonald, Mark Brown, Riordan, Zurawski, Sno, O'Dea, O'Brien
Michael's team
Boruc
Caldwell Kennedy McManus Naylor
Brown Donati Jarosik McGeady
Nakamura
McDonald
Subs O'Dea Brown Riordan Zurawski O'Brien Killen Sno
Naka playing as a number 10
It would be beautiful - The pace of Aiden and Brown hitting them down the flanks - supporting skippy (then magic from 70mins) with naka a free range of possesion, passing and through balls
Celtic 2 - Milan 1
--------------------
Caldwell was fantastic - as was Kennedy when he came on. And Doumbe was having a great game.
Jiri was great in my opinion, showed for the ball, took it in tight positions, and offered an added aerial threat for set pieces. He did however tire drastically in the second half.
Naylor playing with Hartley on LM on Saturday, then Jiri last night looked a far better proposition, and distribution was better.
He and Aiden do not link up well.
Dont think anyone foresaw Gordons tactical masterpiece that was playing skoosh right up off McDonald.
McGeady finished strongly, had he been so involved earlier on, the game could have been over by half time.
It was great to see Stephen score last night. Thought he had a reasonably good game - overshadowed by Gary's best game in a Celtic Shirt, and John's excellent cameo appearance.
Sky Sports announced Zurawski was starting proir to the game, then he wasnt even on the bench....
Celtic V Milan nerves……
---------------------------
Balde isnt even in the 20 man squad for tomorrow, I held a tiny tiny hope that he would partner McManus, in a Balde rises like a phoenix from the flames against all who overcome situation.
Only O'Dea, Jarosik, and Zurawski left in my romantic hero like fairytale for tomorrow...
I would not start killen
I would like to see Jarosik and Zurawski at somepoint in the game
If Naka is anything less than 80% I do not want to start him
I cant decide how I would play it. Without Hesselink, at home, Id consider the old chelsea 433/451 Id love to see a front 6....
Brown Donati Nakamura
McGeady Riordan
McDonald
But I dont see us going for that, or Riordan being strong enough to start. if we go one up front, We should be looking at McDonald for 60 mins and Majiec for 30mins as itl be a hard shift for the wee man. Hartley is on form, physically strong, and works his backside off, could we do without that?
I’m fearful of Naylor and Caldwell (if he is played at CB). But then Kennedy looks like he could be doing with being a bit fitter. Is doumbe ready for it? Is he strong/experienced enough? On the flip side, could he give us that threat from fullback that didier did to great effect. If we go quite tight in central areas, a raiding fullback (aslong as they can get back also) could work really well.
Too many questions…..
Definite starters
Boruc (THG)
McManus
Donati
Brown
McGeady
McDonald
Perhaps
Boruc
Caldwell Kennedy McManus Doumbe
brown donati hartley
McGeady Naka
McDonald
Subs
brown
Naylor
Zurawski
Sno
O'Dea
Riordan
Jarosik
killen
Celtic 3 - Dundee Utd 0 ....
------------------------------
McGeady on that form is in the top 5 players in british football. He was unstoppable, and he had McDonald (the just someone to put the ball in the bloody net that we were crying out for last season) to finish off his good work.
Hartely still looking good, as is brown. Was the least influential Donati has been in the spl so far. I have been dying to see big Killen get a decent run out, after his 58 minutes doing so, I dont need to see him much more. Not saying he wont ever be usefull, just dont think he will ever seriously challenge our strikers for a starting game if they are fit.
Id go Zurawski McDonald up top on Wednesday.
Naylor did better, Doumbe albeit looks shakey from time to time, stops the cross in every time - which is promising. Gary and Stephen were not challenged at all during Saturday, that said, I do worry for Gary at centre back in europe. Id even rather see him at right back as he looks less vulnerable there.
As For Milan - I expect them to be formidable.
I expect Aiden to be even better
I dont expect to win. I hope we win 2-1
League Cup in Dundee....
----------------------------
Hardly a disaster as we won the game but I am starting to seriously worry that Gordon sees the faults in his team that others do, and left unaddressed it will cost us .
I dont read any newpaper, and spend very little time on CQN these days. Im just going on performances to starting lineup and strachan interviews (pre and post matches) - and i geniunely doesnt think he sees the problems.
I've called for Balde well before people started complaining about McManus/Caldwell partnership. What signals are we sending out to Lee Naylor, no matter how poorly you play you will not be dropped. Conversely with McGeady, no matter how well you play, you might be dropped.
When Gordon took over, we had ability in midfield, and goals up front, what we needed was a defence. He has never dealt with it sufficiently, and I am shocked that only now people are starting to pick up on it...
I dont have any qualms that we will win the league, and I dont think Gordon Strachan is completely inept as a manager, just think (like many managers) his stubborness to admit/see mistakes prevents him from bettering himself (and in turn Celtic)
Riordan didnt step up to the plate at all - Had Aiden been playing, he would have ran riot. Evander did reasonably well, but I would have thought a Donati/Sno partnership would have allowed Mo to bomb on, but they seemed a bit confused who was to sit and who was to support the front men. Hesselink looked the out of sorts way he has lately (so much so, I do wonder if that is him in sorts). Caldwell at right back was always going to be limited.
I thought Naylor was better than he has been of late. Kennedy did okay, I do wonder what we CAN defend against, we always hear, "we struggle with small nippy players", but Dundee pitched up against us, with several huge players, and our defence won very few headers. Boruc's shot stopping was exemplary, but was not protected by our defence on cross balls, allowing three, 6 foot plus, dundee players to go right ontop of him every time.
Dundee - were excellent. There young players look good technically (Swankie and McDonald in particular) but also their sheer physical threat gave Celtic problems. Swankie (silky winger) had 3 excellent freekicks, one hitting the post, and Boruc saving the other two, the big polish lump upfront, won everything and knocked it down to midfielders timing their runs brilliantly, and wingers drifting in to support when needed. Kevin McDonald (the Dundee goalscorer, big powerfull ball player) patrolled the middle of the park with grit and a swagger that last night Scott Brown would have wished for, can totally see why Celtic bid for him last season.
O'Brien should have been on to give a bit of width, Killen deserves a start in current climate, and we HAVE to see Darren and/or Dianbobo in the starting eleven now .
Donestk Disaster...
-------------------
I completely understand why Aiden didnt start, but if I was picking the team, he would have been the second name down on the team sheet (Artur - how long will he stay at Celtic when the gulf between his ability and ours becomes more and more aparent - Boruc, being first)
There was a long list of things that were wrong with us last night. To an extent, I certainly buy into the "I do not think we are in a position to expect good results away from home" theory, however I think we deserve, infact - we are entitled to expect we are not out of the game after 10 minutes.
I was asked the question - . Would you feel any better if we had lost the two goals in the last ten minutes?
Much better as it goes.
With progression (long term I mean) in mind, its not the scoreline that is always the most important, its the manner of the scoreline, and the positives which can be taken for it.
Its hard to judge positives playing against a team who are playing in a game they have already won
If McManus controlled the ball adequately then the ball from Brown wouldnt have been a poor ball.
However Brown was lost out there - Id have brought him off earlier on and got McGeady on. Even before half time - to send out the message - here, this games not finished yet.
Didnt see a particular amount of heads not going down. Mo's did for a spell, however when he got over it, he showed again, and looked far better. Hartley cant be blamed for his wide left performance, but I wouldnt have thought he would have been as poor. Did ok once moved infield. Naka's passing looked like he had been watching Naylor. McDonald was my one praiseworthy outfield player. Endevoured, ran, showed, and got a few shots off.
There tight three in midfield's main weakness is allowing fullbacks to push onto them, so Naylor and Wilson saw more of the ball then anyone else in our team, and were given space. To have done better, we needed fullbacks more complete than the level we have. And on the night, neither even defended well. Would have even rather seen doumbe play given their tactics (which theyve used for the past year), so we could have used our fullbacks as a beacon for us to move forward as a unit and get Mo and Brown involved further up the pitch.
Killen looked sharp and movement was good, but playing as little football as he has this season, he was never going to change anything. I would have brought magic on earlier.
Darren has to be brought in for a few spl games to get him back involved, in europe, his mobility and distribution is NEEDED in our defence.
-------------------------------------
‘Steven Pressley, who has been a longer-term injury absentee, has also travelled and could play if required.
The experienced central defender, who has not played this season because of a back injury, could act as cover should McManus fail to recover.
Out-of-favour centre-half Bobo Balde checked in with Gordon Strachan's squad.’
I can confirm "It is not required Gordon"
If Balde didnt currently languish in our reserves - it would be a common perception that he would walk into our starting eleven. So he should do exactly that. Need to get Caldwell out of centre back role, id accept him playing right back - for 2 reasons, 1- we have little option/cover there, and 2 - he cant possibly cause the amount of upset to the team than he does in the centre
Rangers V Celtic team news....
------------------------------
Rangers keeper Allan McGregor and defender Alan Hutton are expected to recover for the Old Firm game at Ibrox. But manager Walter Smith has injury doubts over Brahim Hemdani, Jean-Claude Darcheville and DaMarcus Beasley. Celtic's Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Paul Hartley are doubtful with hamstring injuries, and Scott Brown is unlikely to feature.
Gary Caldwell is expected to shrug off a knee injury, while Maciej Zurawski is in the frame for a return.
Rangers: (from) McGregor, Hutton, Cuellar, Weir, Papac, Whittaker, Ferguson, Thomson, McCulloch, Naismith, Boyd, Carroll, Beasley, Adam, Darcheville, Gow, Cousin, Ehiogu, Broadfoot, Shinnie, Emslie, Lennon
Celtic: (from) Boruc, Kennedy, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, McGeady, Nakamura, Donati, Jarosik, Killen, Scott Brown, McDonald, Mark Brown, Riordan, Zurawski, Sno, O'Dea, O'Brien
Michael's team
Boruc
Caldwell Kennedy McManus Naylor
Brown Donati Jarosik McGeady
Nakamura
McDonald
Subs O'Dea Brown Riordan Zurawski O'Brien Killen Sno
Naka playing as a number 10
It would be beautiful - The pace of Aiden and Brown hitting them down the flanks - supporting skippy (then magic from 70mins) with naka a free range of possesion, passing and through balls
Celtic 2 - Milan 1
--------------------
Caldwell was fantastic - as was Kennedy when he came on. And Doumbe was having a great game.
Jiri was great in my opinion, showed for the ball, took it in tight positions, and offered an added aerial threat for set pieces. He did however tire drastically in the second half.
Naylor playing with Hartley on LM on Saturday, then Jiri last night looked a far better proposition, and distribution was better.
He and Aiden do not link up well.
Dont think anyone foresaw Gordons tactical masterpiece that was playing skoosh right up off McDonald.
McGeady finished strongly, had he been so involved earlier on, the game could have been over by half time.
It was great to see Stephen score last night. Thought he had a reasonably good game - overshadowed by Gary's best game in a Celtic Shirt, and John's excellent cameo appearance.
Sky Sports announced Zurawski was starting proir to the game, then he wasnt even on the bench....
Celtic V Milan nerves……
---------------------------
Balde isnt even in the 20 man squad for tomorrow, I held a tiny tiny hope that he would partner McManus, in a Balde rises like a phoenix from the flames against all who overcome situation.
Only O'Dea, Jarosik, and Zurawski left in my romantic hero like fairytale for tomorrow...
I would not start killen
I would like to see Jarosik and Zurawski at somepoint in the game
If Naka is anything less than 80% I do not want to start him
I cant decide how I would play it. Without Hesselink, at home, Id consider the old chelsea 433/451 Id love to see a front 6....
Brown Donati Nakamura
McGeady Riordan
McDonald
But I dont see us going for that, or Riordan being strong enough to start. if we go one up front, We should be looking at McDonald for 60 mins and Majiec for 30mins as itl be a hard shift for the wee man. Hartley is on form, physically strong, and works his backside off, could we do without that?
I’m fearful of Naylor and Caldwell (if he is played at CB). But then Kennedy looks like he could be doing with being a bit fitter. Is doumbe ready for it? Is he strong/experienced enough? On the flip side, could he give us that threat from fullback that didier did to great effect. If we go quite tight in central areas, a raiding fullback (aslong as they can get back also) could work really well.
Too many questions…..
Definite starters
Boruc (THG)
McManus
Donati
Brown
McGeady
McDonald
Perhaps
Boruc
Caldwell Kennedy McManus Doumbe
brown donati hartley
McGeady Naka
McDonald
Subs
brown
Naylor
Zurawski
Sno
O'Dea
Riordan
Jarosik
killen
Celtic 3 - Dundee Utd 0 ....
------------------------------
McGeady on that form is in the top 5 players in british football. He was unstoppable, and he had McDonald (the just someone to put the ball in the bloody net that we were crying out for last season) to finish off his good work.
Hartely still looking good, as is brown. Was the least influential Donati has been in the spl so far. I have been dying to see big Killen get a decent run out, after his 58 minutes doing so, I dont need to see him much more. Not saying he wont ever be usefull, just dont think he will ever seriously challenge our strikers for a starting game if they are fit.
Id go Zurawski McDonald up top on Wednesday.
Naylor did better, Doumbe albeit looks shakey from time to time, stops the cross in every time - which is promising. Gary and Stephen were not challenged at all during Saturday, that said, I do worry for Gary at centre back in europe. Id even rather see him at right back as he looks less vulnerable there.
As For Milan - I expect them to be formidable.
I expect Aiden to be even better
I dont expect to win. I hope we win 2-1
League Cup in Dundee....
----------------------------
Hardly a disaster as we won the game but I am starting to seriously worry that Gordon sees the faults in his team that others do, and left unaddressed it will cost us .
I dont read any newpaper, and spend very little time on CQN these days. Im just going on performances to starting lineup and strachan interviews (pre and post matches) - and i geniunely doesnt think he sees the problems.
I've called for Balde well before people started complaining about McManus/Caldwell partnership. What signals are we sending out to Lee Naylor, no matter how poorly you play you will not be dropped. Conversely with McGeady, no matter how well you play, you might be dropped.
When Gordon took over, we had ability in midfield, and goals up front, what we needed was a defence. He has never dealt with it sufficiently, and I am shocked that only now people are starting to pick up on it...
I dont have any qualms that we will win the league, and I dont think Gordon Strachan is completely inept as a manager, just think (like many managers) his stubborness to admit/see mistakes prevents him from bettering himself (and in turn Celtic)
Riordan didnt step up to the plate at all - Had Aiden been playing, he would have ran riot. Evander did reasonably well, but I would have thought a Donati/Sno partnership would have allowed Mo to bomb on, but they seemed a bit confused who was to sit and who was to support the front men. Hesselink looked the out of sorts way he has lately (so much so, I do wonder if that is him in sorts). Caldwell at right back was always going to be limited.
I thought Naylor was better than he has been of late. Kennedy did okay, I do wonder what we CAN defend against, we always hear, "we struggle with small nippy players", but Dundee pitched up against us, with several huge players, and our defence won very few headers. Boruc's shot stopping was exemplary, but was not protected by our defence on cross balls, allowing three, 6 foot plus, dundee players to go right ontop of him every time.
Dundee - were excellent. There young players look good technically (Swankie and McDonald in particular) but also their sheer physical threat gave Celtic problems. Swankie (silky winger) had 3 excellent freekicks, one hitting the post, and Boruc saving the other two, the big polish lump upfront, won everything and knocked it down to midfielders timing their runs brilliantly, and wingers drifting in to support when needed. Kevin McDonald (the Dundee goalscorer, big powerfull ball player) patrolled the middle of the park with grit and a swagger that last night Scott Brown would have wished for, can totally see why Celtic bid for him last season.
O'Brien should have been on to give a bit of width, Killen deserves a start in current climate, and we HAVE to see Darren and/or Dianbobo in the starting eleven now .
Donestk Disaster...
-------------------
I completely understand why Aiden didnt start, but if I was picking the team, he would have been the second name down on the team sheet (Artur - how long will he stay at Celtic when the gulf between his ability and ours becomes more and more aparent - Boruc, being first)
There was a long list of things that were wrong with us last night. To an extent, I certainly buy into the "I do not think we are in a position to expect good results away from home" theory, however I think we deserve, infact - we are entitled to expect we are not out of the game after 10 minutes.
I was asked the question - . Would you feel any better if we had lost the two goals in the last ten minutes?
Much better as it goes.
With progression (long term I mean) in mind, its not the scoreline that is always the most important, its the manner of the scoreline, and the positives which can be taken for it.
Its hard to judge positives playing against a team who are playing in a game they have already won
If McManus controlled the ball adequately then the ball from Brown wouldnt have been a poor ball.
However Brown was lost out there - Id have brought him off earlier on and got McGeady on. Even before half time - to send out the message - here, this games not finished yet.
Didnt see a particular amount of heads not going down. Mo's did for a spell, however when he got over it, he showed again, and looked far better. Hartley cant be blamed for his wide left performance, but I wouldnt have thought he would have been as poor. Did ok once moved infield. Naka's passing looked like he had been watching Naylor. McDonald was my one praiseworthy outfield player. Endevoured, ran, showed, and got a few shots off.
There tight three in midfield's main weakness is allowing fullbacks to push onto them, so Naylor and Wilson saw more of the ball then anyone else in our team, and were given space. To have done better, we needed fullbacks more complete than the level we have. And on the night, neither even defended well. Would have even rather seen doumbe play given their tactics (which theyve used for the past year), so we could have used our fullbacks as a beacon for us to move forward as a unit and get Mo and Brown involved further up the pitch.
Killen looked sharp and movement was good, but playing as little football as he has this season, he was never going to change anything. I would have brought magic on earlier.
Darren has to be brought in for a few spl games to get him back involved, in europe, his mobility and distribution is NEEDED in our defence.
posted by Michael__67 at 7:59 AM
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