After the highs and ultimately lows of Tuesday’s evenings encounter with our Nou Firm rivals Barcelona, it’s domestic duty and the joys of Motherwell at Celtic Park on Saturday.
Motherwell have always been an annoying team for me. As a kid I think back to Willie Pettigrew’s sideburns scoring two at Celtic Park and that really pesky wee shite Dougie Arnott who always caused us problems. In recent years they’ve continued to provide an occasional thorn in our side so I suppose I do have grudging admiration for them considering the financial constraints they are under and living in the shadow of Glasgow.
They are a difficult opponent and I’d expect this challenge to be even tougher as we do tend to struggle following midweek exertions of completing a marathon after chasing Barcelona players all over the Celtic Park pitch.
Normally I’d suggest resting the majority of those who started on Tuesday but with no domestic football for another fortnight I’d limit the changes to two or three players and try and retain as much continuity as possible.
Efe, Virgil and Tache, the Celtic porn collective, have built a solid defensive partnership in recent weeks so would like to see them all starting on Saturday, injuries aside. Part of actually thinks a 3-5-2 would be a good option tomorrow with either Tache or Charlie dropping in beside the other two and allowing a more advanced player in midfield tomorrow, ideally just behind Pukki and Stokes.
Izzy and Adam are also tailor made for the wing back roles so I’d be comfortable if Lenny tried a slightly different tact.
Pukki is a must start and hopefully sicknote Boerrigter has fully recovered from his recent bout of dandruff and is capable of taking the field without the aid of an ambulance crew.
I’d rest the brilliant Sami on the bench. How good is this guy…..really how good is he…..he’s bloody brilliant that’s how good he is….and only bring him on if we require a goal in the later stages of the game. I’d also look to start Kayal and rest one of the other midfielders as energy is a must against an opponent who will come to Celtic Park fancying their chances.
I also hope the daft / stupid / fickle (delete as appropriate) wind their necks in and don’t offer any daft shouts towards Broony tomorrow. The guy has been terrific for quite some time and while no way condoning his daft act on Tuesday it should countered by the drive, enthusiasm, energy and leadership who brings to the Celtic shirt. Scott Brown is a terrific player who has a great passion and love for our club. Like all family members he needs a bit of support from time to time and that time is tomorrow.
So how do I think the game will go?
Unless we score early and open them up I see this being a really tight match against a well organised opponent who will look to pick Celtic off on the counter attack.
ETims Prediction: 1-1 or Celtic to sneak it.
I love that photo!
bo jangles out sammi and biton doubtful dodgy ref(TAKE YOUR PICK),AND A TEAM THAT KICKS US OFF THE PARK , be ready for a dull boring game against the lanarshire huns
Hector
Being a local – well at one time – I empathise with you regarding Motherwell. Could I just point out it is now not just “living in the shadow of Glasgow” but existing in the presence of ghosts. There is a part of me feels sad about it. but then I don’t live there and they say distance can make the heart grow fonder and perhaps the brain get warped.
On the football field they have always been pest of team for us. I remember even when we could regularly hammer them there was something about them that gave you the screaming wheegies. They always fought like doberman and generally had decent goal scorers who would
Scott Brown is a terrific player who has a great passion and love for our club. Like all family members he needs a bit of support from time to time and that time is tomorrow.
The one time I hoped the b**y ghost would interfere. Instead I got posted in advance. That b**rd gets me one way or another.
Ach it’s late, Hector, and I have had a busy day for an auld man, so I’ll go along with anything you say for tonight. I do hope Lenny will use a different tactic tomorrow. We are getting not a little dull these days. Besides the dobermans will be let loose on us so we need to show a bit of raw retaliation.
H H
I am a fan of us playing 3 at the back on the domestic front myself Hector and would like to see it used more often especially at home.
We have the personel to cope really well and like yersel believe both Mathews and Izrzy are much better deployed in the advanced Wingback role.
I actuall would like to see a back 3 of Efe Virgil Mulgrew as both Efe and Mulgrew are naturally suited to defending on those sides and are experiyenced in the Fullback roles.
across the miyddle l would go..
Mathews Brown Kayal Izzy with Commons in front of the central pairing in the hole linking up play with the front pairing.
Up front I would go :
Pukki………….Stokes with Stokes operating on the left as the supporting striker as l feel he contributes far more on this side and in the supporting role.
Pukki leading the line and feeding of Stokes and Commons.
Sorry about the typos using an android pad atm and it’s a bit of a mare.
Great team performance today and good to see wee Izzy put in a shift we all know he is capable of at Left Back.
The partnership in Central Defence also a joy to watch at times as both take it in turns to launch the counter from deep.
10/10 For me no complaints and with St.Johnstone humping Caley normal service is now resumed.