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Wanna go hunt some badgers?

With Ralph continuing to put working for a living ahead of writing an Etims Diary ( I know, I know!), lets try and fill the void of bampottery and look ahead to Sundays game against Aberdeen at Hampden.

Of course the first thing to note is not Sundays game but actually Saturdays game.

Hearts vs Inverness Caley. Its bad enough those two teams getting the first game and run at a ruining the pitch ahead of the 2 best teams in the country, but regardless of who progresses we could be facing Headline misery for weeks with Levein making wisecracks about the grass length or same old Super caley go ballistic references.

Ho Hum.

Their game will take care of themselves and if Hearts turn up then they should progress but I personally hope wee Robbo stuffs Leveins side and puts yet more dourness on the face of Anne Budge.

Moving onto Sunday and its very much a case of Hold or Twist for Lenny.

I  suggested on Twitter recently that hes onto plums really in current caretaker role. Win and its expected, win poorly and its his fault, draw and its a disaster somehow. We havent seen a loss yet but if he does lose on Sunday, then the calls for his removal will be loudly ringing round Celtic Park. Given its Season Book renewal time, im sure Lawwell and Dermot will hear any outcry.

That’s if he loses of course.
Logic dictates that a win is on the cards.

Celtic have the better players, and the better squad.

‘Simples!’ as Theresa May once said.

I would say that the one major loss to players available to Lenny  is Boyata. Even though the big guy will depart in the Summer with hardly a wave of goodbye from many Celts, he would have been handy against the walking Tower of Elbows that is Sam Cosgrove.

The Aberdeen striker is the proverbial “big lump a wid” but  to his credit he scores goals and maximises his ability. Boyata would have been able to handle him without getting too involved.

Im not sure Benkovich has the physicality while Kris Ajer has the build but also can go to ground too easily or find himself tangled up in a physical battle and come off scarred. Cosgrove will be one to watch for sure in the red.

The Celtic side, mostly picks itself.

Scott(#1) Bain has been very good in goal since displacing Gordon ( away in the summer anyone?). The only worry is a few errant passes and decisions from Scott lately as we enter main part of the season. Hopefully he will be error free on Sunday.

Right back should be Lustig, providing he is fully fit. His reading of the game, providing an outlet for Bain and centre halves and ability to organise colleagues is balanced by his lack of pace or ability to really overlap these days but he offers better overall than the loannee Jeremy Toljan who hasnt did anything to inspire the board to make his stay permanent.

Centre halves will likely be Benkovich and Ajer. Both comfortable with the ball at their feet and both good players. They just have to ensure they co–ordinate and of course be wary of both Cosgrove and his knockdown second balls for runners.

Left back will be captain in waiting Kieran Tierney. Not a wonderful season so far given injuries but hopefully the next few weeks can see the green Brigades Honorary megaphone champ lead the Celtic charge to needed wins.

Thats the Defence, now we come to the tricky park for Lenny.
The Midfield and forward lines.

Scott(#2) Broony is a given. As is CalMac. So should be Christie, especially after that League Cup final winner in Hampden versus Aberdeen. We are all for history repeating. Forrest will be sure of a place. Edouard will more than likely be called upon to lead the line.

Thats 5.

Now… who else do you play?

Olivier Ntcham?..came back against the Huns and did ok. Can be a big game player when on his game but jury is still out and probably the same for Lenny. Provides a good pivot but can disappear at times. Will he be okay against the rough and tumble on a cut up pitch, time will tell but will Lenny sacrifice attack to help Broony in the middle?

Rogic? Hes looked fragile and is still trying to find his fitness. Also Im not sure if Lennys positioning suits his style of play on his present fitness levels. WOuld he be better as a super sub, either to hold onto the ball or to find that wonder opening. Possibly replacing Christie who is also still returning from a bad injury himself.

Sinclair?..Scott(#3) seems to have fallen out of favour yet knows how to score. Lot of recent paper\web talk of Lenny not fancying him and fans seem divided. If he had scored on that chance against McGregor lately then that could have been the wee boost he needed to secure that contract extension but it wasnt to be.

Olly Burke?..came in under Rodgers and had a great start. Looked the proverbial £15m player, now looks like Harald Brattbakk in his finest “second touch a tackle” phase. Not sure how unsettling Rodgers going was for him or how Lennys arrival has impacted him but not the same player, shame really as looked like he could fit in so well too.

Timo Weah?..is he shite in training? Another loannee like Burke that came in and flew iut the traps. Now, we are lucky to ever see him. The boy seems to love being here but already paper talk is of his departure come seasons end.  A shame really but hopefully we can see him get a run out alongside his mate Eddy at some stage before its over.

Johnny Hayes..who would have thunk it!..Looks like Hayes will likely start to provide some grit and drive. Not got the class of the players above him but has the biggest heart and Lenny will appreciate that determination in such a clash,. Of course this once again risks losing both he and Tierney to injury so Calmac to end the game at left back may be a bet for the day!

Other possibilities are Mikey Johnston and young Henderson but they will at very best make the bench.

So likely team

                       BAIN

LUSTIG AJER BENKOVICH TIERNEY

    FORREST BROON  CALMAC HAYES

                   CHRISTIE

                     EDOUARD

 

Tactic board suggestion:

 

Its an attacking based team but Lenny may go cautious and plump for Ntcham to help Broony, ..especially if expecting Aberdeen to go tough and physical but would you really leave out Calmac or Christie. hopefully not. They two were our best pair under Rodgers.

If the pitch isnt too bad, we could get the ball down and play. Scott McKenna is no world class defender at present and providing we can get Edouard driving forward and Forrest and Christie linking up with our front man, then we should make plenty of chances.

We just need to be clinical. Lets see our forwards drive the ball home and no piss poor attempts at passing it into the net. Just bang it in and lets get the job done.

As for Aberdeen. They wont be overawed and know this is their last chance of a successful season.

Badger face McInnes will be hopeful he can continue his decent run in Glasgow. Hes beat Rangers at Ibrox in the Cup already so they know they can score in Glasgow even if they didnt at Celtic Park recently.

Whoever comes in for absent Captain Shinnie ( cheers Monti!)  will no doubt be kicking everything and anything in his honour and Lewis Ferguson will be hoping to make his Dad Derek proud. Niall McGinn will be looking to score but the Celtic defence should be able to deal with any attacks including the noted Cosgrove.

So in conclusion.

Get the ball down, get playing and keep our composure.

Protect our keeper at set pieces and beware of a referee intent on killing the Treble Treble at all times.

Do this, and the game should be ours to win.

We have the players. We have the will.

We just need Lenny, John and Damien to get them relaxed and fresh and raring to go with anticipation rather than trepidation. That seems to be the difference under Lenny. the team doesnt look relaxed enough, hopefully that will return on Sunday afternoon.

Etims prediction: 2-0

Whats your thoughts?

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Monti
4 years ago

Desi,
I think Celtic have that wee bit extra in the big games, the know how, the belief.
Think that’s what will see Celtic through in the end.
3-0 for me.
Also Shinnie, Mackay Steven & Logan are big misse for them.

HH

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Monti

4-4-1-1

Bain

Lustig
Benkovic
Ajer
Tierney

Forrest
Brown
McGregor
Sinclair

Rogic

Edouard

Richard Morrison
4 years ago

That’s the team, but only exception is I’d start Sinclair before Hayes.

Shinnie isn’t an issue as he’s suspended, big loss to them, and they don;t have quality in depth, our guys should have more than enough to deal with them.

Ajer needs to watch himself against “big Sam elbows”, as stated he can get himself into untidy tussles/situations that with Craig Thompson referring from the center circle, could leads to free kicks and pens very easily, which is Aberdeen’s main threat.

agree with the 2-0 to the good guys prediction, could be more though if we score early and make them come out and try to play, then we will skin them.

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

Charlie Saiz

DannyBhoy
4 years ago

Shinnie may well be kicking everything and anything that’s near him on Sunday but it will be people sitting beside him in the stand; he’s suspended on Sunday.

Devoy45
4 years ago

Desi, this is the diary at its best: real football and tactics. I lerv it…Shinnie is out suspended of course and Monti reminded us of Mackay-Steven and Logan. Meanwhile, we have most of our injured players returning. If we play as we can, we should have too much firepower for Aberdeen. We also need the MIBs to have a good game with no ‘honest’ mistakes. I think 2-1 or 3-1 to the Bhoys but it will be a hard game. Both Calmac and Christie need to be in there. I think Ajer can match Cosgrove.
We are the best team, player v. player, but the best team doesn’t always win.
Desi, this is a fine diary piece—what most of us want on here. Many thanks, chum.

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Devoy,
Celtic need a big performance & result, i want the bhoys to take to the field on Sunday with a real serious intent.
C’mon Celtic!

Monti
4 years ago

The reason i’ve went for Sinclair, is that in the six goals we have scored against the sheep this season, Sinclair has scored four of those six goals.
Play him!

jimmybee
4 years ago

Bain
Jozo Ajer Benkovic
Lustig Brown McGregor Tierney
Forrest Edouard Sinclair.
HH

Steve Naive
4 years ago

Who are the umpires ?

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Steve Naive

Orange bastards

jimmybee
4 years ago
Reply to  Steve Naive

Craig Thompson is the hun in the middle m8

Mike
4 years ago

“Build and they will come” said Fergus, 10,000 on the waiting list and big Pete is slavering at the thought of adding those extra seats, or the “White Brigade” standing section. As for Sunday, nae penalties please and the two missing Dembelle and Rodgers and there would be nothing to speculate about, as the win was guaranteed including masonic interventions. Celtic are brilliant but we do like a self harm shot, a bullet in the big toe to even things out. Its like a game of Russian roulette, five empty chambers in the revolver, its the chamber that’s full that we have to worry about. But if we cannot shear those sheep, then the cries of anguish will be heard throughout the land. So ear plugs in and turn off the volume, cos not a brass farthing of mine will be going into the coffers of the SFA. COYBIG.

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Mike

” They are there, they are always there ” – Tommy Burns.

Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Except when they arny— Peter Brady’s cross dressing, tartan Army. Amazingly, football attendances can drop, when results are not going the right way. Every season we can see the attendances at Hampden swell as some teams supporters come out of the woodwork to support their team. Like magic mushrooms grown in the dark, they seek the Hampden sunlight, egging their team on, until they have had their chips. Egg, chips and mushrooms, all that is missing is the “black masonic pudding”. A tasty treat for some… mmmm.

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Mike

I’m sure TB would appreciate supporters backing the team whenever they could!

God bless you Tommy, sorely missed!

Yoker Bhoy
4 years ago

Great diary Desi. I’d go

Bain

Lustig Benkovic Ajer Tierney

Brown McGregor

Forrest Christie Weah

Edouard

Our players have already been round the block quite a few times in the final stages of cup competitions and that could prove to be a telling factor. We’ve just got to have the right attitude, take the game by the scruff of the neck and show a massive will to win from start to finish The rest should then take care of itself. I expect a very hard game so will go for 1-0 (Edouard).

COYBIG

Mike
4 years ago

“Mon the Betis” the Real Betis! Joaquin, the Betis super-hero.

Yoker Bhoy
4 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Nice one Mikey – tomorrow night we’ve got Sevilla v Betis; one of the best fitba derbies in the world!

Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  Yoker Bhoy

Jings, crivens and help ma boab, two brilliant games over the one weekend Yoker, enjoy them both mate, I will be keeping my eye’s on the Betis result. COYBIGx2. 😉

Yoker Bhoy
4 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Cheers Mike, you too. It’s a pity Joaquin never came to Celtic during his long playing career. He’d have been brilliant for us.

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Yoker Bhoy

Yoker,
I was in Seville for the UEFA cup final, didn’t have a ticket for the game but i went anyway.
Met big Billy at the park in San Sebastian on the day before the game.
Great memories & Seville was a wonderful experience.

Yoker Bhoy
4 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Excellent stuff Monti, I was there too. No ticket either but I was there with a couple of my best lifelong mates and we had the time of our lives. We came so close to winning it as well.

abalony
4 years ago

It’s not so much the thought of signing Shinnie that has me feart as his uncanny resemblance to Peter Sutcliffe.

Steve Naive
4 years ago

Craig Thomson, Tory Hun Ross, David Roome
Additional…. outright hun McLean and Euan Anderson.
C’mon Celtic.

BJF
4 years ago

Good diary Desi although I struggle with the concept of Ralph working maybe taking things too far eh! Sunday will be a struggle, Aberdeen will be robust (translation dirty shower) so Ntcham’s solidity may be needed but I have to have Broonie and Cal Mac, Forrest too so its between Ntcham and Christie, the fact Ryan is coming back leads me to think Christie might need to be on the bench. Rogic takes an age to get mstch fit
after a lay off so the bench for him, Burke and Weah too, but what a bench.

BJF
4 years ago

Two posts gone missing ffs!

Yoker Bhoy
4 years ago

Yoker Bhoy
4 years ago

Salad queen
4 years ago

Celtic recently have a great record at hampden, afraid lenny does not. Defeats by county, jam farts and ayrshire huns.
Be have to be aware of mib, but Ross the linesman is my main concern. This anti Celtic sheep supporting mp has climbed Fleming’s lap pole with some quality decisions verses the Tim’s.
Namely his “red card,red card” with Jose and turning Nelson’s eye to the assaults by morels at ipox.This will be his moment to stop the treble, treble. If he succeeds straight into the kraftwerk orange.
We still have the skill and players to win this one, but be careful. If they score first it will be park the bus and all we will do is try and walk the ball into the net.
We have Ryan and Tom who are not scared to have a pop, just let them Neil, please.

Una
4 years ago

Looks zzzz bomb is gone, nice to see my pal Monti get a breather from the abhorrent abuse he has endured these past few days hugs & kisses from Una xoxo

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Una

Una,
Enjoy the game on Sunday, we will prevail once again!
HH

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Una,
What would your team selection be for Sunday?

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Una

Weered,
How are you feeling tonight comrade?

Iljas Baker
4 years ago

“It was the first time I’ve seen us play in this type of game where the opponent sits deep with 11 men around the ball,” said Rogers. “The important thing is to learn from it.”

Brendan Rodgers comment after Leicester’s defeat 1-0 to Newcastle yesterday.Make of it what you will.

Yoker Bhoy
4 years ago

Our recent signing Bayo is out for the rest of the season with a ruptured hamstring picked up while on international duty. He could be back for pre-season training though.

Yoker Bhoy
4 years ago

That’s a good sign CS and I for one would love to see Leigh back at his best and banging in the goals. He knows better than anyone that this could be his last chance as he’s very unlikely to be allowed another long lay-off for the same reasons so let’s hope he steps up and grabs his chance with both hands!

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