Celtic face Kilmarnock today at Celtic Park at the traditional time of 3pm. Then , on Wednesday, the hoops will have to step up a level when Manchester City roll into town.
Will the game on Wednesday affect the way the manager approaches todays game ?
He’s trying not to let it.
‘The most important game is the next one so we’ll be going all out to get a result at home,’
‘Hopefully we can put on a performance and give the fans a good win. From that we will recover and get ready.
‘We have Sunday, Monday and Tuesday before the game on the Wednesday so we get an extra day’s recovery. Against Alloa, we made five changes (but still fielded a strong team). I just feel sometimes you can try and be too clever.
‘I’ve been in situations before where you make nine, 10, 11 changes and a winning team loses rhythm and flow.
‘I wanted to give Alloa respect. This isn’t a second-rate trophy, it’s the first one available this season and we want to win it.’
There is an argument for players only to be dropped when they fail to perform, and continuity, especially in defence, can never be bad thing, so Rodgers is probably right to keep things going as they are. Despite there neing plenty of cover and strength in depth.
Leigh Griffiths could return today, and thats not because Moussa Dembele has done badly. The manager has also got other options up front;
‘I also have Nadir Ciftci, who has not been involved but is working hard every day, and young Ryan Christie, who came in against Alloa and made a good impact,’
‘Griff and Moussa give us options. If you’re going to have a long season you need that. The beauty of it is we have the ability to change, and if someone gets injured you can put them in.’
Craig Gordon got the nod against Alloa, and hopefully will be given the nod for the next two games. If continuity is the plan, then expect Lustig, Toure, Sviatchenko and Toierney to form a back four, although that may become five with the addition of Simunovic.
Maybe the manager will practice playing properly with five at the back. Whatever happens, the side will probably be a little more cautious against city, and certainly won;t be allowed to give up.
For Kilmarnock , though, a midfield of Brown plus two attacking types, maybe Rogic and Christie, who deserves a start just for his pass to Forrest against Alloa, would do the job, although again, thinking of continuity, Biton will probably start ahead of Christie.
Add James Forrest to that against Man City, and we have a chance, which leaves a place for Griffiths, although today, he may rest forrest and play Griffiths and Dembele.
As you can see, I’ve no idea what he’s going to do, but as long as he does, we’ll be fine.
Prediction ?
Hot on the heels of getting the alloa score correct, I’m going for 3-0, a second successive clean sheet, and a dull second half where no one wants to get injured. Griffiths, if he starts, will score the first goal, probably straight from the kick off.
If I get that one right I’m going to take up gambling.
Brendan has also had a little pop at BT Sports this week, on the back of Craig Gordons clumsy attempt to clear an Alloa forward out of the danger zone, claiming that the incident had been shown far too often.
However, its just nice to see a tv channel keeping Scottish football on their agenda, and when you compare their coverage to that of rivals Sky, I’d rather have it their way.
An example of how much effort Sky are putting into the game is shown below..
Well, it would have been had they not deleted the tweet.
At first, Sky Scotland tweeted that Rangers would host Celtic, and Aberdeen would travel to Morton. Until they were reminded that both games will take place at Hampden, and they changed it to’
LEAGUE CUP SEMI FINAL DRAW Greenock Morton v Aberdeen Rangers v Celtic Ties to be played on October 22/23
BT cover the League cup, so that might explain Sky’s lackadaisical approach to the ties, but then again, Sky have a lackadaisical approach to anything that doesn;t concern their beloved mutant EPL.
Just one of the reasons the SFA/SPFL should consider ditching them, and going all in with BT.
Another reason is the emergence of Chris Sutton as a respected and honest summariser. He says what he thinks, and to hell with the consequences. Agree or disagree with him, at least he dishes it out to anyone he thinks deserves it, and isn;t too worried about the fallout.
Defending himself against the accusations of an agenda from Brendan Rodgers, Sutton explained;
I feel that I am extremely lucky that I am able to work with a dedicated professional and diligent crew who take enormous pride in producing shows which try to cover the big talking points in the Scottish game.
Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon’s foul was highly contentious due to the score being 0-0 at the time the particular offence was committed.
That is relevant.
So too is the fact that former FIFA official Howard Webb – remember the Englishman has refereed a World cup final and his judgements in these circumstances carry extra weight – yet he stated that it was a yellow card in his opinion.
Myself and fellow pundits disagreed and virtually every newspaper had the incident plastered all over the back pages of their sports sections the next day.
Allied to this is the fact that there is a big goalkeeping debate going at Celtic right now with Gordon and Dorus De Vries both battling it out for the No. 1 jersey.
That is why the footage was repeated numerous times.
So let me state categorically – there is no agenda in this.
…….I am proud to work for a team that have a fire in their belly to bring the game into the homes and pubs across the country in order to create and spark debate.
The only agenda BT Sport have is producing a product where we accept that football supporters up and down the country don’t have to agree with our pundits but hopefully they realise that we are giving our all for Scottish football.
Fair enough. And they are certainly putting more effort into it than Sky.
But it was on Radio Clydes Superscoreboard that Sutton earned himself legendary status, when he showed he had the balls to say what the rest of us are thinking…. taken from the Record…
CHRIS SUTTON has blasted fellow pundit Derek Johnstone in a heated exchange on live radio.
The Record Sport columnist gave it both barrels to Johnstone on Radio Clyde as the former Celtic striker clashed with the Rangers legend.
The bust-up began after Superscoreboard host Gerry McCulloch, who branded Sutton the “Simon Cowell of football punditry”, asked him whether he sets out to be controversial.
“I’m led to believe that Derek Johnstone the other night, made some comments about me saying I was deliberately trying to cause controversy.
“Well, I work in the media now and you’ve got someone sitting there next to you who is an embarrassment to the media profession. He’s an apologist, he’s a charlatan, he’s a Rangers puppet, he’s a cheerleader, that’s what he is.
“I saw Derek the other night in the director’s box and he took one look at me and popped out.”
Johnstone responded by saying: “You’ve had your five minutes of nonsense. I’ll take over now.
“The one thing that we all have in life now is choice. The choice for me now when I’m watching the television and it’s football on BT, I’ll turn the sound down because I get absolutely nothing from you but negativity.
“You’re talking about fellow footballers and trying to make a name for yourself.”
Sutton replied: “You’re a party political broadcaster Derek, you’re an embarrassment, you shouldn’t be on the radio.”
Johnstone then turned his attentions to Sutton’s comments about Rangers boss Mark Warburton potentially being sacked, saying: “For you to say before the game: ‘If Mark Warburton loses his next two games he’ll be sacked’.
“What a load of utter nonsense. It’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it but I think it’s utter nonsense.
“You’re saying things trying to get a reaction from people.”
Sutton hit back: “The problem you have Derek is that you don’t tell the truth. You backed Charles Green and you backed Craig Whyte!”
Johnstone was far from happy at the accusations: “That’s absolute nonsense. How would you know that from down south that I was backing people, you’re not even in this country.”
Sutton then discussed his criticism of former Celtic boss Ronny Deila last season.
He said: “Just tell the truth. Listen, nobody can accuse me of being biased. I formed an opinion on Ronny Deila in August which people were saying at the end of the season.”
Johnstone interrupted: “Which was a disgrace by the way. Some of things you were saying about the man. Fair enough he isn’t right for Celtic, he’s poor, but the way you said it about that poor man…you absolutely caned him.”
Sutton then said: “It’s called having an opinion. You’re a charlatan.”
Johnstone was having none of it, saying: “There’s an opinion and then there’s going over the top.”
Hugh Keevins then interjected giving his view on the subject of pundits, with Sutton reacting further. “One of us is an embarrassment to the profession because he doesn’t have a balanced opinion.
“Through the troubles of Rangers, with Ally McCoist his mate, he didn’t say anything derogatory about him. Just tell the truth Derek.”
Former Ibrox star Johnstone defended his position: “I did tell the truth, that is what I believed at the time and I still do.
“As much as you are telling porkies with some of the things you’re trying to put over on the television and on the radio.
“I’m disgusted with myself that I’m even talking to you tonight.”
Sutton then joked that there would be a ticket available for Johnstone at his Q&A night, in which DJ replied: “I hope you make plenty of money at it, I certainly won’t be there.”
I’ve reproduced this in full to add a wee bit of context to the link in the article…
Listen to the full astonishing argument below:
T
Mixed Martial Arts stars puts Celts through their paces
Can’t do any harm.
And Scott Brown seemed to enjoy it.
“That was hard work, but I still fancy my chances against KT! It’s a different kind of fitness, it was intense and I enjoyed that as well.
And Kieran Tierney added: ” I’ve known Chris Bungard for a while now and he was speaking to me about being with Conor McGregor so it’s good and the experience was great.”
Chris Bungard said: “I absolutely loved it. I was a bit nervous coming in because I’ve supported Celtic all my life. I’ve watched the team since I’ve been a boy, I go every week and sing their names so it’s definitely nerve-wracking coming in and meeting some of the players. KT is a natural with his left hand, and Broony had a bit of power as well.”
MMA also helps with balance, as an opponents momentum and weight is used against them. Maybe a couple of sessions a week would improve fitness and help with discipline as well.
Training can be monotonous, and often ignores whole body improvement, whereas MMA develops parts which other disiplines ignore.
Plus, if there is a more physical contest on the pitch, our lot will know how to handle themselves, and make it look like it was the other guys fault.
If you are going to the game today, keep an eye out for, and dig deep for, these guys…
Here’s why…
This weekend, The Kano Foundation will reach another milestone as we‘lift’ our 5000th kid over the turnstile to a match at Celtic Park.
And it’s all thanks to the continued support and donations we have received from fellow fans since our formation in 2009.
One of our main fundraisers, our annual bucket collection, also takes place this weekend. Our volunteers will be dotted around the stadium, helping us to raise several thousand pounds to Keep Football Free for Kids for the coming years.
Please keep an eye out for us and, if you can, make even a small donation – every penny goes a long way and without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today!
In the last few seasons, the continued generosity, and range of donations we receive, has enabled us to purchase more season tickets year on year with more than 100 kids able to join us at each home match this season.
Thank you very much to everyone who has supported us, continues to do so, and makes days like these possible.
The Resolution 12 article yesterday got a great reaction-none so far from Grant Russell though, no doubt he’s looking through his emails to find those questions which will show the SFA didn;t plant the reply on him and use him to try to stop the truth from coming out.
Oh, by the way, there’s a reply from Winning Captains to the article you should have a look at…
Yesterdays caption competition
This is apparently a picture taken at a Russian mental institution in 1957, presumably when the Moscow RSC heard the result of that years League Cup final.
Although my own attempt is brilliant, the winning caption is this one…for obvious reasons..
Caption: Charlie Saiz and Monti are arguing again
Today, its a sort of combination between knob of the week and a caption competition.
Someone explain this.
Please, someone explain this.
