Celtic vs Dundee Preview

Scottish Premiership 

Celtic vs Dundee
Sat 22 November 2014
15:00pm

Its strange but a game between Celtic and Dundee shouldnt fill any of us with trepidation but somehow it always makes me pause for a slight second whenever I hear the men from Juteland are our next opponents. I dont know if its mental scarring from returning from holiday years ago to hear they had gubbed us 5-1 at DensPark to end our title hopes or memories of biting my nails waiting for big Johann to slide in the winner against Ivano Bonettis mavericks to set up a weekend Title Party ( remember when Dundee had players such as  Fabián Caballero, Georgi Nemsadze and helped resurrect the career of soon-to-be Hun and bona-fide Argentine superstar Claudio Caniggia?)

That was then of course.

Today is a different story for both clubs.

Celtic are still very much a work in progress,but progressing and while the Hoops are on a good run, the game against Zagreb awaits on Thursday so Ronnie Deila may have a few considerations to make regards his line up against Dundee. Captain Scott Brown has a new contract in his pocket but is suspended so can go Xmas shopping with some extra bounce in his step. Charlie Mulgrew  has some extra confidence after decent showings against Republic of Ireland and England during the recent internationals as does Craig Gordon who got to make his long awaited return for Scotland, a return that was well deserved on his excellent form forour club.

Sad news to hear Mikel Lustig may have another knock,so Adam Matthews could take the right back place and his trip to Belgium with the ever impressive Welsh side wont have did him any harm. With Izzy on the left and VVD and Denayer in the middle, the defence should be stable enough. Could we see the surprise return on Efe?…you cant be too sure with Ronnie to be honest.

In the middle of the park, Mulgrew and Stefan Johannsen should start even though Deila may have wanted to rest Charlie after his Scotland exertions but with no Broony available, chances are the man with the rose covered arm will start with Biton or Kayal stepping in for our club captain.
 
Up front, its Guidetti and Stokes and AN.Other ( I’m hoping Ronnie goes for goals this weekend!). Whether Leigh Grittiths starts is with the Gods. I would play him but with James Forrest getting an hour last week, the Prestwick flying crock could get the nod into midfield with Griffiths forced to sit alongside any of the others including McGregor, Wasako, Biton\Kayal, Scepovic and Zaluska( Polish for Square Arse).

Deila has mentioned Kris Commons coming back to fitness in recent interviews but Celtic cynics fear that last years top goal-scorer is heading for a January exit and we may not even get to say goodbye. Commons may not fit perfectly into the Deila fitness model but when it comes to a player pulling a game out the bag, hes our best bet and lets hope we see him back scoring for the Hoops,very soon,if not against Dundee this weekend.

Leading Dundee of course is ex Celt Paul Hartley, or Frank Gallagher as he used to be called on Etims. Dont know about you, but Hartley will always be loved here for his love and effort for the Hoops,and certain other aspects:

Its been great to see Paul Hartley do very well in his managerial career so far and he has stepped into his role at Dens Park with ease. Hartleys side sit 6th in the table and are playing very well. Dundee are unbeaten in 4 so lets hope that good run will come to an end in Paradise.  Dundee will be ready for the challenge and we can expect a tough game with Hartley knowing how to counter the boys in Green and White.

Lest we forget the 1-1 draw up at Dens was more 2 points lost by Dundee than a point saved by Leigh Grittiths. Dundees main threat will be via David Clarkston up front who continues his impressive start for the men in blue and in midfield, Broonys mate and ex-Rangers man Kevin Thomson will look to make Celtic suffer.

If Celtic can get out there quick and fresh, we have the chance of ending the game quickly and then rest some legs for midweek. Sadly this hasnt quite been Ronnies forte so far so I expect a tense afternoon and a narrow victory with the possiblity of some late goals if Dundee have to go for broke near the end.

Points over performance  will do me if we can avoid any serious injury. If the Celts are top of the league come Monday and all available personnel are fit for the big Europa League game, well thats acceptable in my eyes.

Etims Prediction

Celtic 3-1 Dundee